26 Jul 2010

6.5 MILLION PEOPLE EXPECTED TO ATTEND 2010 FALL HUNTING CLASSICS ACROSS AMERICA AND CANADA

By Larry Whiteley

Hunters and Anglers are 'Economic Powerhouse'

Bass Pro Shops event features pro's, seminars, youth activities and more!

Springfield, Missouri (July 23, 2010)?The Fall Hunting Classics are a tradition at Bass Pro Shops and an event that some 6.5 million people are expected to attend this year.  Why is this important?  "Because hunting is big business," says Bass Pro Shops spokeswoman Katie Mitchell.

And, indeed it is.  A report by the Congressional Sportsmen Foundation cites America's 34 million hunters and anglers are an economic powerhouse?spending some $8.6 million an hour.  If this $76 billion-a-year industry were a corporation it would be among America's 20 largest, ahead of Target, Costco and AT&T.

"The Bass Pro Shops Fall Classic is a huge event and hunters and other outdoor sportsmen and -women look forward to it all year long," said Mitchell.  "Outdoor enthusiasts will be able to learn the secret techniques and strategies used by professionals to gain a better advantage in the field, see all the latest products and attend workshops and seminars.  And, there is a 'ripple effect' as other area retailers, gas stations, hotels and restaurants benefit as well from the increased traffic the Classic generates," Mitchell added.

This 17-day event will be held August 6th through August 22nd at 51 Bass Pro Shops retail locations across the United States and Canada and it is all free.

Hunting and fishing sportsmen directly support 1.6 million jobs, spend more than a billion dollars just on licenses, stamps, tags and permits, and they generate $25 billion a year in federal, state and local taxes.  More than 12.5 million hunters and shooting sports enthusiasts pump $24.9 billion into the economy each year.

But the buck doesn't stop there.  It is vitally important that today's youth get involved in the outdoors so they can become the stewards and conservationists of tomorrow to insure the maintenance and well-being of our natural resources.  "I've heard it said that if you don't have a fishing rod in the hands of a youngster by the time they are 8 years old, the chances of getting them to go fishing later in life diminishes dramatically," said Mitchell.  "I would think the same applies to getting them introduced to hunting and shooting sports," she continued.

This is important because the sale of hunting licenses, tags and stamps is the primary source of funding for most state wildlife conservation efforts.  Hunters and anglers have always been, and continue to be, the largest contributors to government wildlife conservation programs.  Through excise taxes and license revenues, these sportsmen have contributed more than $10 billion dollars to conservation and provide more than 80% of the funding for most state fish and wildlife agencies.  Just from hunters alone, nearly $200 million in hunters' federal excise taxes are distributed to State agencies to support wildlife each year.

(All statistics are from the Congressional Sportsman's Foundation report "Hunting and Fishing: Bright Stars of the American Economy ~ A force as big as all outdoors." It can be accessed online at www.sportsmenslink.org)

Some of the special events during the Bass Pro Shops 2010 Fall Hunting Classic include :
· Aug. 6-8 - Bass Pro Shops Free Hunting University.  Nationally recognized professional hunters and outdoorsmen will be at stores to give seminars and talk about their experiences. Friday 5-9pm  Saturday and Sunday Noon - 5pm (Visit www.basspro.com/classics for individual store location listing of seminar pros, topics and times)
· Aug. 6-22 - Preferred Rewards
· August 9 - 18 Additional savings up to $100 off when using your Bass Pro Shops Outdoor Rewards Visa.  U.S. stores only.
· Aug. 12-17 - Binocular Trade-In.   Trade in your old pair of binoculars and save on any new binocular purchase.  See a store associate for details.
· Aug. 21-22 - Next Generation Weekend.  Noon to 5pm.  Activities include Free youth seminars (1pm and 3pm), Free Shooting Arcade*, BB gun/pellet gun range*, archery range*, paintball cage, (*in stores where available), deer sun catch craft 12N to 2pm (while supplies last).  Youths will receive a punch card to be punched once for every activity they complete.  Once the card is full youths will receive a "Bass Pro Shops Next Generation" logo drawpack (while supplies last). 
· Aug. 21-22 - PictureU Free Photo.  Picture yourself on the cover of an Outdoor Life Magazine!  Saturday and Sunday Noon - 5pm
· Aug. 14-15  and 21-22?ATV Test Drive* 12Noon - 5pm

In addition, customers will be able to register August 6th - 22nd for a sweepstakes to win a 3-Day Spring Turkey Hunt in Kansas with Lee and Tiffany Lakosky, Hosts of "The Crush" TV show and RedHead Pro Hunting Team Members (visit www.basspro.com/winahunt for details). Plus, one winner in every store will win a RedHead® Hunting Gear Package with a retail value of $560.00 (US), $733.00 (CAD) that includes a RedHead deluxe gear bag, Enigma Hub-Style hunting blind, Epic binoculars, RedHead 12-can soft side cooler, RedHead caliber waist packs and RedHead bow/rifle pack.  (Contest rules: Customers may also enter to win online at www.basspro.com.  52 First Place winners will be drawn and one Grand Prize winner will be drawn nationally.  NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR CLAIM PRIZE.  Open to legal residents of the 50 United States and District of Columbia who are 18 years of age or older at time of entry.  Void where prohibited.  Sweepstakes begins 08/06/10 and ends 08/22/10.)

For more information on the free Bass Pro Shops Fall Hunting Classic go to www.basspro.com/classic.

26 Jul 2010

Iowa Farm Bureau Members Now Eligible for First-Ever, Exclusive Morton Building Discount

By Laurie Johns

WEST DES MOINES, IOWA -July 23, 2010--The nation's leader in post-frame storage construction is offering its first-ever discount, exclusively to Farm Bureau members in Iowa.

This partnership means Farm Bureau members now qualify for a $500 discount on all Morton buildings, including the company's new Country Craft series, or a $1,000 discount on buildings that include Morton's Energy Performer package. It's not just farmers who have counted on Morton buildings for generations; the company's building offerings also include hobby shops, garages, horse barns, homes and commercial buildings. The Illinois-based company operates more than 100 construction centers and has sales offices in 36 states. Morton Buildings has custom-constructed thousands of buildings a year since it entered the machine storage building industry in 1949. "We have nearly 500,000 satisfied customers and share many common values with Farm Bureau members and the state's proud agricultural history," says Morton Buildings, Inc. President Jeffrey Neihouser. "We employ hardworking Iowans to represent our company and carry out our mission of providing value to our customers. We look forward to partnering with Farm Bureau and contributing to its mission of helping the residents of Iowa," says Neihouser.

To receive the Morton Building discount, Farm Bureau members must present their Farm Bureau membership card. For more information on the exclusive membership benefit discount, go to the Iowa Farm Bureau website at www.iowafarmbureau.com or call the Iowa Farm Bureau member hotline toll-free at (866) 598-3693. For more information on Morton Buildings, Inc. visit the company's website at www.mortonbuildings.com or call Morton toll-free at (800) 447-7436.

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26 Jul 2010

Cool Beanz Coffeehouse Hosting Summer Photo Contest

By Annette Zapolis

Cool Bean having Quad City Summer Fun, Great Guest Judges, and an Awesome Prize!

Cool Beanz has lots of summer specials including ice cream, smoothies, summer wraps and salads, and frozen lemonade - but the Cool Bean, Mocha Joe, wants to get out and see all that the Quad Cities has to offer! In order to do this, Cool Beanz is asking that you take Mocha Joe with you and photograph his adventure! Whomever takes the photo, most representative of Mocha Joe having Quad City Summer Fun will WIN a Cool Beanz $50 gift card!

Guest Judges, including President of Augustana College Stephen Bahls, Rock Island Developent Programs Coordintor Mary M. Chappell, and Assistant Superintendent of Rock Island School District 41 Jim Andrews, will choose the photo that best represents "Quad Cities summer fun" and displays the Cool Bean proudly! All photo entries must be submitted by August 22nd. Please no more than two submissions per participant. We also ask that submissions are not defamatory, offensive or obscene, or violate or infringe on the trademark, copyright, publicity, privacy or other rights of any third party.

The Cool Bean can be picked up in the store at 1325 30th Street Rock Island. Return Mocha Joe in good condition and get $1.00 off your next purchase!

26 Jul 2010

New Report Reveals Iowa Unprepared to Protect Children During Disasters

By Erika Viltz

FIVE YEARS AFTER KATRINA, REPORT REVEALS IOWA UNPREPARED TO PROTECT CHILDREN DURING DISASTERS

Save the Children's U.S. Programs reveals Iowa missing four key safeguards for children in disasters

Note: report is available at http://www.savethechildren.org/publications/reports/2010-Disaster-Report.pdf

Washington, D.C., July 22, 2010?Almost five years after Hurricane Katrina, a new report reveals that Iowa meets zero out of four minimum criteria for protecting children in disasters.  Ninety percent of U.S. children live in an area at risk of a natural disaster, and terrorists can strike anywhere.  Iowa lacks basic protections for kids such as requiring all licensed child care centers to have a plan to reunite children with their families or requiring them to have plans for children with special needs.

The report is the second disaster preparedness report released by Save the Children's U.S. Programs.  The 2010 year report found that 38 states and the District of Columbia did not meet all four basic criteria and that Iowa was one of seven states to meet zero criteria.

Hurricane Katrina demonstrated what can happen when children are not accounted for in disaster planning:

· 5,192 children were reported missing after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, and the last child was not found until six months later.

· About 50,000 Louisiana and Mississippi children missed school in the 2005-2006 school year and approximately 15,000 did not attend in the 2006-2007 school year.

· More than a third of Louisiana children experienced clinically-diagnosed depression, anxiety, or another behavior disorder after the storm.

"Five years after Hurricane Katrina, it is unacceptable for states to ignore these low-cost and common-sense safeguards for kids," said Mark Shriver, Save the Children U.S. Programs Senior Vice President. "There are 67 million kids in school or child care on any given day in the U.S., separated from their families and dependent on the government to ensure protections.  The most vulnerable Iowans in the most vulnerable settings are made more vulnerable because of government inaction."

Currently, 12 states meet all four standards, which is five more than in the 2009 report.  All five states that qualified in 2010 for the first time worked with Save the Children's U.S. Programs to meet the standards and, in many cases, adopted the exact same language as outlined in the 2009 report.

Commissioned by Save the Children and conducted by Brown Buckley Tucker, the report reviewed four key standards identified by Save the Children: plans for evacuation, reunification with families and evacuation for special needs kids at child care facilities, as well as evacuation plans at schools.

Save the Children urges the adoption of all four standards by states as well as federal passage of the Child Safety, Care, and Education Continuity Act of 2010 (H.R. 5240/S. 2898), which would require states to adhere to many of the same standards..  Congresswoman Corrine Brown (D-FL) is the sponsor of the House legislation, and Senators Mary Landrieu (D-LA) and Lamar Alexander (R-TN) are the sponsors of the Senate measure.

26 Jul 2010

Take Flight to Niabi Zoo

By Niabi Zoo

Looks like someone met some new friends at the "Take Flight to Niabi Zoo" exhibit at the Quad City International Airport. We hope you enjoy the photo.

Looking for a place to spend some quality time with your family? Come to Niabi Zoo, conveniently located just 8 minutes from the Quad City International Airport. Niabi Zoo is the largest zoo between Chicago and Omaha, Nebraska. It is also home to over 900 animals representing more than 160 species. Take a train trip around the zoo, hop on the carrousel, have a birthday party at the Safari Grill, take a pony ride, and much more all in one place.

We can't wait to see you!

For more information go to www.niabizoo.com or call (309) 799-3482. The Zoo is located at: 12908 Niabi Zoo Road, Coal Valley, IL 61240.

Funding for the "Take Flight to Niabi Zoo" exhibit provided by the Rock Island County Board.





































22 Jul 2010

FRATERNITY MEN CYCLING ACROSS COUNTRY FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES RIDE INTO DAVENPORT

By Joey Haynes

DAVENPORT, Iowa - The Journey of Hope North team will arrive in Davenport on Wednesday, July 22. The team will arrive at Clarion Inn, where lodging is provided for the night at 11:30 a.m. They will have lunch at Happy Joe's at 1 p.m. That evening, the team will have dinner and a Friendship Visit at the Seduary Pool at 6 p.m. The three teams of the Journey of Hope will spend over two months cycling an average of 75 miles a day from city to city visiting with people and organizations that help people with disabilities.

What: The Journey of Hope, organized by Push America, is a cycling trek that raises funds and awareness on behalf of people with disabilities in hopes to enhance the quality of their lives. Every cyclist commits to raising at least $5,000 on behalf of people with disabilities before the trip begins. Combine their individual efforts with corporate sponsorships and the Journey of Hope 2010 teams have raised more than $500,000 for people with disabilities.

When: Thursday, July 22.

Where: Happy Joe's

201 W 50th Street

Seduary Pool

1800 W. 12th Street

Who: Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity members from across the country.

Other media opportunities: Please contact on-site coordinator David Hamrick for details about team location while cycling into Davenport for photos, interviews or any other media opportunity.

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22 Jul 2010

Jewish Federation of the Quad Cities Hosting 8th Annual Jewish Film Series

By Alan Ross
The  Jewish Federation of the Quad Cities is hosting its 8th annual Jewish Film Series at the Figge Art Museum Auditorium, 225 West 2nd Street, Davenport, Iowa, per the schedule which follows.

All films begin at 4 p.m. Admission is $5 per adult, free for students. All films have adult content. Call (309) 793-1300 for more information.

· The Debt, Sunday, Aug. 15
· Lemon Tree, Sunday, Aug. 22
· A Matter of Size, Sunday, Aug. 29
· Hey, Hey, It's Esther Blueburger, Sunday, Sept. 5

For additional information, please visit: Jewish Federation of the Quad Cities (www.jfqc.org) or contact Alan Ross, (309) 793-1300 or aross@jfqc.org.
22 Jul 2010

ROSS' Restaurant Announces New Partnership

By Melissa Freidhof-Rodgers
Since 1940, ROSS' Restaurant has been serving home style, 24 hour, diner loving goodness to the Quad Cities. Known nationally for their famous Magic Mountain, ROSS' has been a staple in many Quad City family's memories for over 3 generations. Still run by the family of founder, Harold Ross, the restaurant has evolved from the diner of yesteryear, into a locally committed partner in today's quest for more conscious food sources.  Ross' has always featured local produce seasonally, even back in the day when farmer's would bring fresh tomatoes, etc. right to the back door.

ROSS' is very proud to announce our new partnership with Local Harvest and Farmer's Hen House, a small, locally owned egg company that produces some of the freshest, most responsibly produced, and humane cage free eggs available. Not only are Farmers' Hen House eggs responsibly produced, taste great and are healthier for you, but they also provide local Iowa farmers with a way to keep their small farms sustainable.  It is our greatest desire that by investing in Iowa's economy, we are investing in the customer's that have stood by us and made us the longest running restaurant in the Quad Cities. 

Ross' is also featuring local, organic produce in our summer specials and menu items.
20 Jul 2010

Rock Island Grand Prix offers free entries to new Briggs & Stratton Animal owners

By Carl McClaskey

ROCK ISLAND, IL. - The Rock Island Grand Prix has announced an exciting new program designed to spur participation in the event's 4-cycle Animal classes and boost participation in 4-cycle sprint racing in the U.S.

Drivers who buy, or have recently bought, a new Briggs & Stratton overhead valve Animal racing engine will have their entry fees in the Animal classes waived at this year's Rock Island Grand Prix, the world's largest karting street race. The race will be held Sept. 4-5. AT&T is the Presenting Sponsor of the Rock Island Grand Prix.

Since the goal is to bring new people into the classes, only drivers who did not participate in 4-cycle classes at the Rock Island Grand Prix in 2008 and 2009 are eligible.

If racers take advantage of the RIGP offer, and put the $200 saved from entry fees toward the purchase of a new Briggs & Stratton Animal engine, the engine's cost is comparable to less-expensive 4-cycle motors.

At Rock Island, the Animal motor can be run in both the Rumble at The Rock (Animal Medium) race and Animal Heavy. The Rumble at the Rock pays $2,000 to win, Animal Heavy $500 to win, and both classes will pay back 9 places for a field of more than 20 karts.

"The Rock Island Grand Prix wanted to make a statement in support of the durable, well-manufactured, American-made Briggs & Stratton Animal racing engine," said Rock Island Grand Prix president Roger Ruthhart. "We hope that other races and series will follow our lead and offer concessions that will encourage the growth of Animal classes in U.S. sprint racing. If we all work together, the racers will have a better product, the events will have fuller fields and Briggs & Stratton will be able to continue its long and historic support of karting."

In order to qualify for waiver of entry fees, racers must have purchased a NEW Briggs & Stratton Animal from a reputable dealer since January 1, 2010. They must provide proof-of-purchase in the form of invoice, receipt, bill-of-sale, or certified statement in writing from the dealer. The waiver applies to the $100 entry fee only. Drivers will still pay practice fee, pit passes, pit spots etc.. If a driver enters only one class, then only $100 is waived.

Race information can be found in the 8-page entry packet which can be downloaded or printed at rockislandgrandprix.com. Drivers can also register online using their credit card. Proof of purchase can be scanned and emailed to grandprix@qconline.com or sent by mail to Rock Island Grand Prix, 1720 Fifth Avenue, Moline, Illinois 61265

In addition, Tyler Schurr and Schurr Power Racing Engines, one of the leading engine-builders in the Midwest, is offering special pricing for blueprinted Animal engines to further support this effort. This could save Animal racers even more money. Other engine builders are also being asked to participate and participants will be listed on the Rock Island Grand Prix web site as they commit.

Schurr Power (www.schurrpower.com) can be reached by email at ty.schurr@schurrpower.com, or by calling (309) 781-9007.

Further information about the Rock Island Grand Prix is available at rockislandgrandprix.com. Questions can be emailed to grandprix@qconline.com or call the Grand Prix Office at (309) 292-8133.

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20 Jul 2010

Iowa Filmmakers have World Premiere at LA Shorts Fest

By Christy Sullivan

IOWA FILMMAKERS HAVE WORLD PREMIERE AT LA SHORTS FEST
THANKS TO THE EFFORTS OF A SMALL IOWA TOWN

Iowa Produced Film, Impulse, will Premiere at an International Film Festival.

LOS ANGELES - July 20, 2010 - This week the LA Shorts Fest hosts the world premiere of Impulse starring Chris Masterson, best known from FOX's hit show Malcolm in the Middle. The film, directed by Iowa filmmakers Scott Beck & Bryan Woods, is a thriller in which deadly events unfold as a man races to his final and most significant act.

Scott Beck & Bryan Woods have been writing, directing, and producing films under their production company banner Bluebox Limited Films since 1996. To date, they have produced 5 feature-length films and 14 shorts. Impulse was co-produced with frequent collaborator Christy Sullivan and development executive Darren Brandl. Post production services were completed at top entertainment post-houses such as The Village Recorder (WALL·E, Walk the Line), Company 3 (Transformers 2, Star Trek), and George Lucas' Skywalker Sound (Avatar, Toy Story 3). The filmmakers, who recently secured a development deal with MTV, grew up in Iowa and have continued to shoot all of their projects in the state, despite working primarily out of Los Angeles.

"Due to the ambition of the project, the production scale for Impulse is much larger than most short films. Without the incredible help from people throughout Iowa, this film couldn't have happened," stated Scott Beck. Bryan Woods continued, "The entire city of Perry, Iowa (the base of production) facilitated the film. The city council, local business owners, police and firefighters all offered their assistance." The cast and crew for Impulse also consisted of local Midwest talent. "We are always humbled by the talent, resources and kindness we find throughout the Midwest," said the filmmakers.

The world premiere of Impulse will take place on July 29, 2010 at the LA Shorts Fest, which honors individuals who have achieved excellence in short films. As the largest short film festival in the world, the event has become the industry standard for showcasing and awarding undiscovered talent. This year the LA Shorts Fest boasts an incredible line up.  Producer Paula Wagner (Vanilla Sky, War of the Worlds, Mission Impossible III) is heading the jury, which also includes Iowa native Tom Arnold.  Five films by Ridley Scott Associates, and shorts starring top talents such as Will Ferrell, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Ellen Page, Seth Rogen, John C. Reilly, Christina Ricci, and Keira Knightley will be presented. Many of these performers, as well as Impulse's lead actor Chris Masterson, will walk the red carpet at the opening event this Thursday, July 22, 2010. As officially recognized by the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences, award-winning films are eligible to compete for an Oscar nomination. In the past, 33 films have received Oscar nominations with 11 winning the coveted Oscar statue.

About Bluebox Limited Films
More information about Bluebox Limited Films can be found at www.blueboxlimited.com.

About LA Shorts Fest
More information about the LA Shorts Fest can be found at lashortsfest.com.

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