01 Jul 2010

Quad City Arts accepting nominations for next Quad City Poet Laureate

By Tracy White
Go to Quadcityarts.com and fill out a Poet Laureate Nomination Form

The cities of Bettendorf, Rock Island, Moline and Davenport have passed resolutions supporting a Quad City Poet Laureate and designating Quad City Arts for the selection of this prestigious office. The current laureate is Dale Haake and he has served our area well. Now it is time to name another Poet Laureate and we need your help Quad Cities! Please nominate the poet that you feel should be the next laureate.

The Quad City Poet Laureate will serve a two-year term and will give a reading of his or her work in each of the six counties in Iowa and Illinois represented by Quad City Arts, The poet laureate must be a resident of Clinton, Muscatine or Scott counties in Iowa or Henry, Mercer or Rock Island counties in Illinois. Nominations will be accepted until August 15, 200. An official announcement will be made in September, with the installation of the Quad City Poet Laureate on October 12, 2010 at 5pm at Quad City Arts' Annual Meeting.

To nominate someone to be the Quad City Poet Laureate, please go to our website Quadcityarts.com and fill out the nomination forms. Briefly tell us why you think this person should be Poet Laureate (200 words or less, please.) We will contact them for work samples & a statement explaining what they would do as Poet Laureate if they were so named. Nominations can be dropped off at Quad City Arts or mailed to QC Poet Laureate Nominations, Tracy White, 1715 2nd Ave. Rock Island, IL 61201, or email to tracer@iowatelecom.net by August 15th, 2010.

All Quad City Arts programs are partially supported by Festival of Trees; Quad City Arts Partners; and operating grants from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency, and the Iowa Arts Council, a division of the Department of Cultural Affairs. Quad City Arts is a nonprofit local arts agency dedicated to the growth and vitality of the Quad City region through the presentation, development, and celebration of the arts and humanities
29 Jun 2010

Davenport Public Golf Courses Presents: July Special - Play 18 holes for the price of 9 !!!

By Rick Martin

Davenport, IA, June 28th, 2010: Effective July 1st, all three Davenport Public Golf Courses will be beating the heat with cool prices. For the entire month of July, golfers can play 18 holes for the price of 9! The special will only last until July 30th and is valid for weekdays only, so reserve your tees times today at Emeis Golf Course, Duck Creek Golf Course, or Red Hawk Golf & Learning Center!

For questions regarding event, please contact 563-326-7812 or www.golfdavenport.com

29 Jun 2010

Cruise Away Your Caregiving Worries

By Debbie Hilt
If you or someone you know is a devoted family caregiver, you understand the stress that comes with caring for a senior loved one each day. What better way to relax than to cruise your cares away?

The Home Instead Senior Care® network is sponsoring a free, five-day cruise for one lucky caregiving hero. Or, if you nominate a friend or family member for this relaxing getaway, you could be eligible to win a laptop and camcorder.

Just go to http://cruise.caregiverstress.com/ before the August 15, 2010, deadline to learn more about the contest and to nominate yourself or someone else for the drawing, which will be conducted August 16, 2010.

The five-night, six-day Caregiver Cruise in the Caribbean for one caregiver and one guest is scheduled for Jan. 3 to Jan. 8, 2011. In addition to the cruise, valued at up to $4,200, the winning recipient and guest will receive 40 hours of free care from a Home Instead Senior Care professional CAREGiverSM for their senior loved one while they are away.

28 Jun 2010

"Hats off to the Red, White, and Blue"

By Rick Martin

The Illinois Quad City Chamber of Commerce, DHCU Community Credit Unionand the City of East Moline present the 52nd Annual AMVETS 4th of July Parade!

Moline, Illinois? The Illinois Quad City Chamber of Commerce, DHCU Community Credit Union, and the City of East Moline are proud to present the 52nd Annual AMVETS 4th of July Parade to take place on Sunday, July 4th at 1:00pm in downtown East Moline. This year's theme is "Hats off to the Red, White, and Blue."

We would like to present the Grand Marshal for the parade: Rock Island Arsenal Garrison Commander Joel Himsl! With more than 30 years service in the U.S. Military, he is a great representation of all that we are celebrating on this holiday.

The 52nd Annual AMVETS 4th of July Parade will carry on a tradition for the Quad Cities community of saluting all of the veterans that have served our country. With the theme, "Hats off to the Red, White, and Blue," the parade will be a spectacular tribute and celebration to those who served.

Over 15,000 people are expected to line 15th Avenue in East Moline to watch this salute to our country and our community. The parade will begin at 3rd Street and 15th Avenue, go down 15th Avenue, and end at 13th Street. For more information about the parade, contact Jenelle Kreiling at (309) 757-5416 or email jkreiling@quadcitychamber.com.

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28 Jun 2010

Johnny's Italian Steakhouse Hosts NEW Culinary Class

By Rick Martin

Secrets of a Johnny's Chef with Chef Steve Hall

Culinary Class Tuesday July 13th at 6:30

Johnny's Italian Steakhouse in Moline will host a culinary class, Secrets of a Johnny's Chef, on Tuesday July 13th at 6:30pm.

Whether you're a beginner or an expert, Chef Steve Hall will reveal concise, easy to master techniques in a fun and relaxed atmosphere. By showcasing professional secrets to preparing full flavor food, Chef Steve Hall translates your favorite Johnny's foods into amazing at-home meals.

The culinary class is $40 per participant and the fee is all inclusive: two glasses of wine or 2 infused vodka martinis, generous samples of each course, recipe cards, class fee, tax and gratuity. Space is limited; for more information or to sign up, please call Johnny's Italian Steakhouse at 309.736.0100.

 

Everyday Italian with Local Produce

July 13 at 6:30

Betta Bruschetta

Warm Goat Cheese Salad

Chicken Piccata

 

VIP Access - Johnny's Signatures

Aug 10 at 6:30

Supperclub Spinach Salad

Steak DeBurgo

Tiramisu

 

Ace Autumn Harvest

Sept 14 at 6:30

Zucchini Fries

Tortellini Portabella

Turtle Cheesecake

 

Hollywood at Home

Oct 12 at 6:30

Lobster Frangelico Salad

Chanel No. 5

Gran Marnier Mousse

 

Dinner Party 101

Nov 9 at 6:30

Crab Stuffed Shrimp

Sausage Bread

Steak Toppers

28 Jun 2010

TEACHER-DEVELOPED WEB EDUCATION SOFTWARE DESIGNER WINS IOWA FARM BUREAU'S RENEW RURAL IOWA ENTREPRENEUR AWARD

By Rick Martin

WEST DES MOINES, IOWA - June 24, 2010 -"How do you use technology in the classroom?" That was the question posed to Clinton, Iowa fourth grade teacher Emily Starr which led to her creation of a web-based interactive curriculum tool, now used by tens of thousands of elementary students. StarrMatica Learning Systems, LLC's success in creation of white board reading and math curriculum content for classroom education, has led to its honor as Farm Bureau's Renew Rural Iowa Entrepreneur award.

The use of interactive white boards is a fast-growing field with one in seven classrooms worldwide estimated to use them by the 2011 school year. "A lot of teachers are getting interactive white boards, but once the boards are installed, they're expected to develop PowerPoint-type presentations to use the white boards. There simply isn't enough time for them to do that. My company provides teachers with a huge library of digital content which they can easily pick up and use with the boards immediately," says Starr. Since its inception just five years ago, StarrMatica has created content for 43 reading and math topics for students in grades 3-6 and is currently expanding to include K-2.

Starr, the founder, president and software developer for StarrMatica, is one busy entrepreneur. Students, parents, teachers and her community are grateful to have StarrMatica remain Iowa-based. Rob Cousins, Clinton County Farm Bureau president, says StarrMatica is impressive. "What a great product that was developed right here in Clinton County and you know, that's exactly what Iowa needs -- entrepreneurs with great ideas and a zest to pursue them," says Cousins.

"Sales have increased 270 percent in the past six months alone for StarrMatica and the company has received a number of testimonials and endorsements, which spreads the word even further. The success is a testament to the great business plan, hard work and talent that Emily puts into this business," says Ann Hutchinson, director of Eastern Iowa Small Business Development Center.

Providing business planning is just part of the expert help available through Farm Bureau's Renew Rural Iowa program. For more information about Renew Rural Iowa or upcoming VentureNet Iowa business mentoring seminars, call 800-254-9670 or log on to the IFBF website at www.iowafarmbureau.com.

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28 Jun 2010

Bickford Hosts Veteran's BBQ

By Sue Dravis

Muscatine, Iowa. - Bickford of Muscatine will host their 2nd annual Veteran's Benefit Barbeque (V-B-QUE) to honor and inform Veterans in celebration of Independence Day. The V-B-QUE will be held on Thursday, July 1 at 5:30pm at Bickford of Muscatine located at 2807 Cedar Street.

The V-B-QUE is created to celebrate Independence Day, honor our Veterans and their spouses and to educate them on financial healthcare benefits that are available to them. This unique event will include a backyard barbeque with all-American favorites served. Speakers from the Veterans Administration will discuss benefits that American Veterans and their spouses have earned by their service in the United States Armed Services, as well as be on hand to assist in the process.  For more information on Bickford of Muscatine Veteran's Benefits Barbeque, please call (563) 263 - 6600 or visit www.enrichinghappiness.com/muscatine. Please RSVP by June 21.

"With the success of last year's event, it is exciting for us to be able to host our 2nd annual V-B-QUE." said Andy Eby, President of Bickford Senior Living. "I am so pleased that we are able to put together an event that honors and informs our Veterans and their families."

Bickford Senior Living manages and operates over 40 Independent Living, Assisted Living, and Memory Care branches in Kansas, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Nebraska and Michigan, with headquarters located in Olathe, KS. The company was created when owners, Don & Judie Eby, were unable to find a quality assisted living residence for their mother, Mary Bickford who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. The Bickford story is told in more detail at www.enrichinghappiness.com
28 Jun 2010

Add State Treasurer Fitzgerald's Great Iowa Treasure Hunt to Your Fourth of July

By readMedia

DES MOINES, IA (06/23/2010)(readMedia)-- Fireworks, barbeques, and parades will be in full display as Americans celebrate our nation's freedom on July 4th. State Treasurer Michael L. Fitzgerald encourages past and present Iowans to include the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt in their Independence Day fun. To date, over $122 million in unclaimed property have been returned to Iowans.

People may find more to celebrate with a visit to the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt website. "Each year, we have more and more people come forward to reclaim their lost or forgotten money," said Fitzgerald. "Our goal is to keep reminding people to check our list for their names. We are consistently updating our website which is full of names of individuals and businesses from all across Iowa that have money waiting for them to claim."

Unclaimed property refers to money and other assets held by financial institutions or companies that have lost contact with the property's owner for a specific period of time. State law requires these institutions and companies to annually report and deliver unclaimed property to the State Treasurer's Office. The assets are then held until the owner or heir of the property is found. Common forms of unclaimed property include savings or checking accounts, stocks, uncashed checks, life insurance policies, utility security deposits, and safe deposit box contents.

All Iowans are encouraged to visit www.greatiowatreasurehunt.com and check to see if they have unclaimed property waiting for them. Individuals may also send an email to foundit@iowa.gov. For those who prefer corresponding by mail, please write to State Treasurer Michael L. Fitzgerald, Great Iowa Treasure Hunt, Lucas State Office Building, Des Moines, IA 50319. Please make sure to provide current name, previous names and addresses.

28 Jun 2010

MAE Summer Landscape Workshop

By Gwen Hayes

Ellen Wagener - Cloudscapes in Pastel - August 20-22, 2010

This three-day summer landscape workshop with Ellen Wagener is geared to both beginning artists and "seasoned masters." The workshop will cover working processes including photography, sketching, idea-generation, compositions, and color palettes.Special emphasis will be given to pastel technique in the creation of cloudscapes.

Workshop participants will also have the opportunity to join Ellen on Thursday, August 19th in Cedar Rapids for a visit to the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art for the Marvin Cone exhibit, "The Sky's the Limit."

Throughout his entire career, Marvin Cone (Grant Wood colleague and Stone City member) was fascinated by clouds and he demonstrated his awe of and reverence for cloud formations in his many paintings and drawings. In some of his works, majestic clouds are so much of the subject that those paintings are more correctly called, "cloudscapes" than landscapes. This exhibition of thirty works from the 1910s to the 1940s traces the many ways and styles Cone used to capture the ethereal and transitory qualities of clouds, as well as their majesty and power.

We will also visit the studio of Grant Wood, called Turner Alley, near the Cedar Rapids Museum, and dinner in CR will follow. The fee for the workshop is $295. Visit the Maquoketa Art Experience website for more information or call 563-652-9925.

 

Also available: A Fall Landscape Workshop
Terri Ford - Landscapes in Pastel - October 8-10, 2010

Come work with Terri Ford and experience the orderly rows of pristine farmlands and hills that inspired Grant Wood's landscapes and the birthplace of Regionalist art. This will be a unique opportunity to work with a master pastel artist in an equally unique location. Space is limited, so register today!

Terri Ford, a native Californian, has traveled extensively throughout Europe and Mexico. Her pastel paintings include landscapes, portraits, the splendors of Paris, the back roads of France, and Italy Cortona, Tuscany, Florence, and Venice. Although a studio artist for many years, she now focuses on painting en plein air. The fee for the workshop is $295. Visit the Maquoketa Art Experience website for more information or call 563-652-9925.


28 Jun 2010

IOWA AMERICAN WATER DISTRIBUTES ITS 2009 WATER QUALITY REPORTS TO CUSTOMERS IN CLINTON AND THE IOWA QUAD CITIES

By Lisa Reisen

Annual reports show high quality water service from Iowa American Water

Davenport, Iowa (June 22, 2010) -- Iowa American Water's 2009 Consumer Confidence Reports indicate high water quality that  meets or surpasses all state and federal standards for all service areas, including Clinton and the Iowa Quad Cities where the company serves over 60,000 customers.  The company has just completed distribution of the annual water quality report as an insert in all customers' bills.

"We are pleased to report that the water supplied to our customers is of higher quality than required by state and federal drinking water standards," said Randy Moore, president of Iowa American Water. "Our team of water quality and plant operations professionals works hard every day to ensure the highest quality product for our customers. These results are a testament to their dedication."

The annual report measures the quality of Iowa American Water's drinking water to the state and federal quality standards established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. The annual report details drinking water sources, testing conducted on the water, and substances detected in the water. Commonly asked questions and answers concerning drinking water are also included.

Customers who may have overlooked the report in their bill or who are not direct recipients of a water bill (e.g., renters) can request a copy by calling 1-866-641-2108. The reports are also available online at www.iowaamwater.com.

Iowa American Water

Iowa American Water, a wholly owned subsidiary of American Water (NYSE: AWK), is the largest investor-owned water utility in the state, providing high-quality and reliable water services to approximately 200,000 people.

Founded in 1886, American Water is the largest investor-owned U.S. water and wastewater utility company. With headquarters in Voorhees, N.J., the company employs more than 7,000 dedicated professionals who provide drinking water, wastewater and other related services to approximately 16 million people in 35 states, as well as Ontario and Manitoba, Canada. More information can be found by visiting www.amwater.com.

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