Trivia Night fundraiser will be held on Sunday, November 22nd, 2009 at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 1111 West 35th Street, Davenport in the Upper Level.  The game begins at 3:00 p.m.  Teams of 8 - $10 per person.  Snacks may be brought in, but drink must be purchased from the KC Hall.  Call Linda Z at 563-505-0518 to reserve your table (leave message if necessary).

For all of her life, Brittany Manders cared deeply for children and those with special needs, especially at Christmastime.  Her generosity and kindness to care for others was evident throughout her life.  In memory of Brittany's undeniable compassion, love and sense of giving, we invite you to be a part of Brittany's Gifts by contributing to the needs of the Handicapped Development Center and the local YMCA child care centers.  Happy Holidays and may God bless!

Illinois Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association Donates

$50,000 to Important Fund as Veterans Day Nears

CHICAGO - November 8, 2009. Governor Pat Quinn today joined with representatives from the Illinois Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association to accept a $50,000 donation to the Illinois Military Family Relief Fund.

"I salute the Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association for supporting this important cause for more than three years," said Governor Quinn. "When our brave men and women answer the call to duty, they should not have to worry that their families are suffering financially at home. All of us in Illinois can help our military families by donating to the Illinois Military Family Relief Fund this Veterans Day."

Thanks to many generous donations by Illinois residents, the fund has distributed more than $10.4 million for more than 19,000 applications from Illinois military families to date. Donations to the fund can be made by visiting OperationHomefront.org. Checks can be made payable to the Illinois Military Family Relief and mailed to: The Illinois Department of Military Affairs, ATTN: IMFRF, 1301 N. MacArthur Boulevard, Springfield, Illinois 62702-2399

The Illinois Military Family Relief Fund legislation was drafted by then-Lt. Governor Quinn, passed unanimously by the General Assembly and signed into law in 2003. It established a check-off box on the Illinois income tax return that allowed residents to make tax-deductible donations directly to the fund. More than 35 states have passed legislation modeled after the Illinois fund.

On Wednesday, Governor Quinn spoke at the National Press Club in Washington, D. C. to advocate for the passage of a National Military Family Relief Fund. The legislation, House Resolution 1175, was announced by Governor Quinn and Rep. Bill Foster (D-Ill.) in April and is based on the Illinois Military Family Relief Fund. It would allow taxpayers to voluntarily contribute to the fund by filling in an amount on their federal income tax forms. Active-duty servicemen and servicewomen fighting in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars and veterans and their families would be eligible for grants.

Governor Quinn was joined by Director Dan Grant, Director, Department of Veterans Affairs; Frank J. Kirby, President, Illinois Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association; Gregory S. Szymski, Executive Director, Illinois Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association and an Army Bronze Star Vietnam Veteran; and SGT Michael Devlin, a beneficiary the Illinois Military Family Relief Fund.

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Will also discuss importance of flu prevention at Flu Free QC Event

Washington, DC - Rep. Bruce Braley (D-Iowa) will head back to the 1st District Monday for a series of events to highlight the positive impact health care reform will have on Iowa's families, seniors and medical providers.  Braley voted to pass the Affordable Health Care for America Act Saturday.  The bill passed the House by a vote of 220-215.

Monday morning, Braley will visit students at Davenport's Eisenhower Elementary School to discuss the importance of flu prevention.

Later, Braley will meet with hospital administrators in Bettendorf and Clinton to discuss Medicare reimbursement reforms included in the health care reform bill that will finally pay Iowa's medical providers for the high-quality, low-cost care they currently provide.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9

WHAT: Congressman Bruce Braley to discuss importance of flu prevention with students at Flu Free QC event

WHEN: 11:00a.m. CST

WHERE: Eisenhower Elementary School, 2827 Jersey Ridge Road, Davenport

WHAT: Congressman Bruce Braley to hold press availability following meeting with hospital administrators to discuss Medicare

reimbursement reforms.

WHEN: 2:15pm CST

WHERE: Trinity Medical Center, Terrace Park Campus, 4500 Utica Ridge, Bettendorf

WHAT: Congressman Bruce Braley to hold press availability following meeting with hospital administrators to discuss Medicare

reimbursement reforms.

WHEN: 4:00pm CST

WHERE: Mercy Medical Center, 1410 N 4^th St, Clinton

In what has become a seasonal tradition, area musicians have heeded the call once again to help collect money and toys to benefit the Quad Cities Toys for Tots.

Bent River Brewing Company will be hosting a benefit concert to raise money for Toys for Tots on the evening of November 20th. Join us at 1413 - 5th Avenue in Moline, along with the United States Marine Corp, in making a child's holiday a bit more special. Please bring a toy or cash donation and enjoy dinner, raffles & live entertainment provided by some of the area's finest musicians. This year adds a new twist. Guest chef Damen Lightner has graciously agreed to donate his talents in preparing special "Toys for Tots only" dinner features. Brewer Steve Ratcliff will also be on hand to provide a first taste of this years Jingle Java seasonal ale.

Area musicians have been donating their talents for Toys for Tots in this seasonal event that was started back in 1978 by two local musicians, Greg Krogman and Scott Carlson. The two musical partners spearheaded a successful campaign with the help of area musicians to raise funds for the Toys for Tots program for over 20 years. Since that first show, hundreds of musicians and business owners have gotten together to raise thousands of dollars and distribute thousands of new toys to needy area families. Due to current economic conditions, the need for toys is anticipated to be much greater than previous years. Greg's younger brother Joel has decided to continue the tradition with a multi band one night show for this year's toy drive. "We thought this would be a great way to give something back to the community and a pretty fun way to donate to a great cause."

This year's event adds some new faces, but promises to live up to the tradition of having a great time while helping out a great cause. Please join us for the 26th Musicians Benefit for the Toys for Tots. Come early as seating is limited. For more information please call 797-2722 or visit Bent River on Facebook.