Extraordinary things happen at Rivermont Collegiate!  Join us at two special events to explore our approach to learning!  Observe Rivermont students and faculty in action at the Family Math Night and Open House on Thursday, January 20th from 6:00-7:00 p.m. Family Math Night, a tradition at Rivermont, engages students from Junior Kindergarten through Fifth Grade and their families in a variety of math activities and competitions.  This special night will be accompanied by a casual open house, giving local families the opportunity to tour campus and explore our philosophy and programs!  In addition, local families are invited to join us for a cup of coffee and a tour at an Open House Coffee on Saturday, January 22nd from 8:30-11:00 a.m. Rivermont will be hosting the BESTS Test (Belin-Blank Exceptional Student Talent Search), accompanied by an open house to allow parents of students taking the test, as well as local families, to drop in and explore Rivermont!  Cindy Murray, Director of Admissions, will be on hand to provide tours and answer questions.

Rivermont Collegiate is the Quad Cities' only private, independent, nonsectarian college prep school for preschool through twelfth grade.  Featuring a 9:1 student-to-teacher ratio, our small class sizes ensure individualized attention and a supportive, family-like environment.  Rivermont turns traditional education inside out, encouraging students to explore unique opportunities and programs - to design their own Rivermont Experience!  At the heart of the Rivermont Experience is an unwavering dedication to academic excellence, with 100% of graduates accepted to 4-year colleges and universities and 90% earning renewable college merit scholarships.  What are you waiting for?  Discover Rivermont!  Join us for Thursday's Family Math Night or Saturday's Open House Coffee - or both!

Rivermont is located at 1821 Sunset Drive, directly off 18th Street behind K&K Hardware in Bettendorf.  Visit us online at www.rvmt.org!

For additional information on Rivermont Collegiate, contact Cindy Murray at  (563) 359-1366 ext. 302 or murray@rvmt.org.

 

For additional information on the BESTS Test, visit www.education.uiowa.edu/belinblank

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. led an inspiring life, encouraging the best in all of us and working for a more just America - an America where as Dr. King said, "people are not judged on the color of their skin but by the content of their character."  He was a man of courage and a man of service who once said "Life's most persistent and urgent question is: what are you doing for others?"  Today, I ask all Iowans to answer this question.    

More than 40 years after his death, we still celebrate his life and his contributions on the third Monday in January with a holiday in his honor.  In fact, 2011 marks the 25th Anniversary of Martin Luther King Day.  In 1983 legislation was signed establishing this day as a federal holiday, and it was first celebrated in 1986.  The holiday was given new meaning when, in 1994, Congress designated it as a national day of service.

To honor the contributions of Dr. King and further his dream of a nation where we help one another, I encourage Iowans to treat Martin Luther King Day, Monday, January 17,  as "a day on, not a day off."   That is, if you have the day off from work, or even just an hour to spare, consider volunteering or giving back in some way in our community.  I applaud the Corporation for National and Community Service and the Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service for coordinating service projects all over Iowa on January 17th.  

There are so many issues facing our state and nation and so many people in need.  And there are countless ways to get involved - from food and clothing drives to building homes for the needy, mentoring a child or even just helping the disabled or the elderly with their taxes.  I am proud that Iowans are well-known for our community involvement.  In fact, our state ranks second in the nation for volunteering according to the Corporation for National and Community Service's latest Volunteering in America Report.  

To continue Dr. King's legacy, I encourage all Iowans to get involved.  If you are looking for ways to contribute, just visit www.volunteeriowa.org to find an opportunity that you will enjoy and that will make a difference in our community.  For more information, you can also contact the Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service at daysofservice@iowa.gov or (800) 308-5987.

I hope you all have a wonderful Martin Luther King Day.

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January 12, 2011

WASHINGTON - Senator Chuck Grassley today said that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security will award nine grants totaling $860,292 to Iowa fire departments.

The Department of Homeland Security will distribute the money as shown below.

• Chickasaw Township Fire District will receive $35,150 to purchase a complete air-fill system and thermal imaging devices.
• Davenport Fire Department will receive $131,184 to purchase a mechanical chest compression device and fund training.
• Elkhart Fire Department will receive $39,140 to purchase monitoring and sampling devices and other supplies.
• Jackson Township-Ollie Fire Department will receive $169,575 to purchase a fire truck.
• Janesville Fire Rescue will receive $196,427 to purchase a fire truck.
• Latimer-Rural Fire Department will receive $8,550 to purchase medical and rescue supplies.
• Pomeroy Fire Department will receive $30,416 to purchase communication devices and a complete air-fill system.
• Pulaski Volunteer Fire Department will receive $64,600 to purchase a brush truck - a fire truck capable of fighting fires in rough terrain.
• Stockport Volunteer Fire Department will receive $185,250 to purchase a fire truck.

"Iowa's firefighters must have access to training and equipment in order to do their job to the best of their ability.  Their lives - and ours - depend on it," Grassley said.

Each year, thousands of local Iowa organizations, colleges and universities, individuals and state agencies apply for competitive grants from the federal government.  The funding is then awarded based on each local organization or individual's ability to meet criteria set by the federal entity administering the funds.

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Collectors visiting Muscatine providing free information to local residents uncovered a French Sword today made before the war of 1812 making it almost 200 years old. It was found in a cliff by the Mississippi River. The sword was purchased for $ 18,400.

This and other fabulous items are on display today thru Thursday, January 13th, at the Clarion (formerly Holiday Inn) in Muscatine. Call 217-243-6418 for more info.

Here is Why the American Rare Collectibles Association holds this event: The ARCA is made up of collectors who want to spend lots of money on their favorite toy, doll, train, musical instrument, sword, pocket watch, collectible jewelry items. . The collector members pay dues and fees to the association. Then the staff purchases items for their collection based upon their requests. All involved are willing to help for free identify the value, and help local residents with information needed to sell their item immediately. Also thousands of other people throughout the country donate their time to help the staff accumulate information and value. At the local event, you will find thousands of collectors represented ready to spend money on the spot to buy any and all collectibles. All items, whether expensive or ordinary will be purchased. The entire event is free. Local visitors are selling the item for collector prices, directly to the collector. The staff is on hand to assist the visitors with this task.

Professionals from the association will come prepared to give some of the highest offers in the world. A fierce competition takes place for rare, desirable and mint items requested by museums and disposable income level collectors. Some of the sensational prices collectors are paying include : $7,000 for a 1952 Gibson guitar. $3,000 for a Gang of Five Robot from Japan, $2,500 for a rare Civil war sword, $11,550 for a Silver Dollar coin Collection, 6 Buddy L 1920s Trucks $11,450, $20,000 for an Edison phonograph & Victrola collection.

IF YOU GO: Do not try to clean or alter the condition. Any condition from rusty to mint is welcome. Expect to leave this event with money. Most visitors do. There is a chance that some visitors will make this a once in a lifetime opportunity to sell something rare for a record price. Remember, the service is totally free. All expenses are paid by the ARCA association members.

Top Most Desirable Items.

1. Toys. Check out our extra page of desirable toys.

2. Dolls & Action Figures of all types: Composition, Antique French or German, Barbie & GI Joe, Mego to name wanted types.

3. Train-Related items such as model Lionel, American flyer, Bing, Lehmann, lanterns, signs, advertising, china are very popular.

4. Guitars & Musical Instruments. Such as Gibson, Martin, Fender, Stradivarius, Conn, Selmer, old or new.

5. Lamps lead and stained glass, of course Tiffany, any art deco or nouveau Designer types.

6. Advertising signs from famous companies like Coke, Pepsi, Budweiser, John Deere is most popular.

7. Watches and Clocks are hot: Lots of Functions, Illinois, Hamilton, Rolex, France, Ansonia.

8. Famous person collectibles. Political, Hollywood and music celebrities autographs and memorabilia.

9. Jewelry. Even costume, and of course gold. Also Sterling, Bakelite, Coins.

10. Coins. Especially US.

11. Military Related swords, daggers, helmets, buckles, bugles, autographs.

12. Music boxes, Victrolas, phonographs, early radios such as RCA, Edison, Regina, German made, 1880s to 1930s, obscure wood and bakelite.

13. Any Antique or Collectible. Anything you are curious about.

Any questions? Please call 217-243-6418

*Desirable Toys*

Worldwide collectors have given tens of thousands of dollars to this tour to buy more toys. This includes: Early pressed steel transportation toys like the big 1920's Buddy L or Keystone. As well as Smith Miller, Doepke, Tonka, Nylint. Movie, radio, television and famous character toys Toys. Worldwide collectors have given tens of thousands of dollars to this tour to buy more toys. This includes: Early pressed steel transportation toys like the big 1920's Buddy L or Keystone. As well as Smith Miller, Doepke, Tonka, Nylint. Movie, radio, television and famous character toys.

Toy popular brands and celebrity favorites include : Howdy Doody, Mickey Mouse, Disney, German windup and older Japanese tin toys: Lehmann, Marx, Schuco, Schoenhut, TPS, TN, Bing, Linemar. Cowboy related Roy Rogers, Lone Ranger, Hopalong Cassidy, Gene Autry, Gunsmoke, Bonanza, Johnny Yuma, Hartland, Ruehl, Cap guns & holsters, Barbie, Ideal, Madame Alexander, Kiddles, GI Joe, Matt Mason, Mego, Kenner, Ginny Vogue, Shirley Temple, Betty Boop, Popeye, Superman, Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck. Trains: Lionel, tin American Flyer, Ives, Bing, Marklin. Advertising Related Toys: Coca Cola, Pepsi, Shell, Texaco, Budweiser, Beer ads, Standard, Red Crown, John Deere, International, BF Goodrich, Goodyear, anything porcelain on steel, unusual companies, Eska Tractor & pedal cars. Hot Wheels, Matchbox, Corgis, Dinky, Slot Cars and Aurora, Scale cars, Pez, Hasbro Transformers, ERTL.