14 Aug 2009

One Million Fathers Asked to Lead the Nation Back to School this Fall.

By Dr. Ida Johnson

550 Cities are asked to Participate in the Largest Organized Back-to-School Effort in U.S. History.

(Davenport) - "Education has become a matter of national security. Because we cannot control our schools, we cannot control our economy. And because we cannot control our economy, we cannot control and protect our quality of life in America," says Phillip Jackson, Executive Director of the Black Star Project, U.S.A. The Black Star Project is sponsoring the Million Father March 2009 on the first-day-of-school in nearly 300 cities across America.  The Million Father March has become a special day that fathers and men use to make a commitment to their children, their families, their communities and their country with their dynamic presence at a school.  This is a real Fathers Day!

The Million Father March 2009 will play-out at thousands of schools across America and in other parts of the world.  An estimated 600,000 men in 475 cities participated in 2008.  This year, an estimated 800,000 men from 550 cities are expected to participate.  The Million Father March also provides an escort of safety, support and encouragement to children of all ages on their first-day-of-school.  Jackson says, "Gang recruitment, bullying and random violence goes way down on any day that has a group of men at a school."

Participeants in the event include fathers, grandfathers, foster fathers, stepfathers, uncles, big brothers, cousins, significant male caregivers and friends of the family.  Although the event is created by Black men, women and men of all ethnicities are also encouraged to take their children to school on their first day.  Businesses are asked to give fathers and men two hours off that morning (with pay) to take their children to school.  Participating men will also be encouraged to volunteer at schools throughout the year.  A special effort will be make to coordinate Latino Fathers in La Marcha de Padres.

Since schools across America and the world start the new school year on different days and months, the March will be a rolling event that takes place on the first day of this school year in cities, villages and towns between August 3 and October 2, 2009.  The 2009 Million Father March is managed by The Black Star Project, U.S.A. and sponsored by the Schott Foundation for Public Information and United Neighbors, Inc. in partnership with the National PTA and the National Fatherhood Initiative.

You may email uneighbors@aol.com or call 563-322-7363 for more information.

 

14 Aug 2009

Eugene Field Elementary School Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

By Shelley Vermeulen

The Rock Island-Milan School District's Building Excellence plan will be celebrating another grand opening on one of the construction projects.  A ribbon cutting ceremony will be held at Eugene Field Elementary School, 2099 - 31st Ave, Rock Island) on Thursday, August 20th at 4:30 p.m. The community is invited to attend and tour the school. Refreshments will be served.

Eugene Field broke ground in September 2008. The additions feature a new media center, cafeteria, six additional classrooms and a secure entry and administrative office area.

13 Aug 2009

Operation Homefront Iowa Works With Dollar Tree to Provide School Supplies to Families in Need

By Michelle Reuss

RIVERSIDE, IOWA -- Thanks to the generosity of Dollar Tree, Inc., Operation Homefront Iowa is providing backpacks filled with back-to-school supplies to military families in need, including active duty, active reserve, and National Guard personnel.

"We are delighted to have the support of Dollar Tree as we work to assist military families in need. School is important to children's long-term success in life, and these supplies can make a big difference in the lives of children as they prepare to return to school," said Chapter President Michelle Reuss.


In addition, Congressman Dave Loebsack will be at the American Legion facility in Swisher on August 14 from 4-5 pm to help prepare backpacks. He will be at the same lo


Military families interested in participating in the program must first register online at: https://www.operationhomefront.net/chapter_root/chapter_backpack_form.asp?Chapter_ID=25.

Additional sponsors for this program include Hanover Direct and General Dynamics. Operation Homefront extends a warm thank you for the generosity of these organizations.

About Operation Homefront

Operation Homefront provides emergency and morale assistance for our troops, the families they leave behind and for wounded warriors when they return home. A nonprofit 501(c)(3), Operation Homefront leads more than 4,500 volunteers in 30 chapters nationwide, and has met more than 105,000 needs of military families. Operation Homefront also hosts the Web community Operation Homefront Online. For more information, please visit www.operationhomefront.net and www.homefrontonline.com.
12 Aug 2009

NEIGHBORHOOD ICE CREAM PARTY

By Kathy Yaudas

Immanuel Lutheran Church & Preschool is having their Annual Neighborhood Ice Cream Party on Sunday, August 23rd 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. There will be Ice Cream, Hot dogs, Chili dogs, Popcorn, Pop, and Lemonade; Live music, Games, and much much more for all our neighbors in the West end!

Live Music will be provided by the Band "Smile", wide variety of ice cream flavors to choose from, face painting, games for children & adults, and fun. All food items will be priced at $.50 each; upon registration everyone will receive 3 FREE tickets for the food items of your choice! Come and join your neighbors and friends for some great family fun! This event is outdoors; feel free to bring a lawn chair or blanket. In case of rain event will be held indoors.

This is open to the public, and all are welcome to join us. For more information please contact the church office at 563-324-6431.

12 Aug 2009

The Freight House Thanks our Veterans

By Jeff Ignatius

Penguins Comedy Club would like to extend an invitation to all veterans - be they active or retired - a complimentary admission to our comedy shows. They are welcome to bring a guest.  We just ask that they make a reservation and show military ID at the ticket window when they attend the show.

Questions?  Please call Penguins Comedy Club 563-324-5233.

11 Aug 2009

CLINTON COUNTY CONSERVATION FOUNDATION TO HOST CATFISHING TOURNAMENT

By Marty Murrell

As a fundraiser for the Mississippi River Eco-Tourism Center, the Clinton County Conservation Foundation is hosting a fishing tournament. The Rock Creek Catfish Classic wil be held on Saturday, August 30th at Rock Creek Marina near Camanche, Iowa.

Event registration and rules are available at: Rock Creek Marina, any Clinton County Conservation office location, or at  www.missecocenter.org.

The primary purpose of the Clinton County Conservation Foundation Board is to raise, procure and manage funds for the betterment of conxervation and environment education in collaboration with the Clinton County Conservation Board for the benefit of the citizens of the Clinton County area.

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11 Aug 2009

ENROLL NOW IN THE ROCK ISLAND/MILAN HEAD START/PRESCHOOL PROGRAM

By Michelle Sharp

Rock Island/Milan School District #41 Head Start/Preschool program is now taking applications for the 2009/2010 school year. The program serves children ages 3, 4 and 5 who are not eligible for kindergarten and whose families reside in Rock Island/Milan school area.

Families are provided a comprehensive Early Childhood Program for their children as well as other support services. Transportation is provided. There is no cost to families for these services.

The Head Start program is funded through the United States Department of Health and Human Services. The Preschool program is funded through the Illinois State Board of Education.

Applications are being taken from 7:00 A.M. until 3:00 P.M., Mondays through Fridays at the Head Start/Preschool office, 2101 - 6th Avenue, Rock Island.  For more information, or to schedule a different time, call the Head Start/Preschool office at 309-793-5900, ext 272.

 

11 Aug 2009

WQPT'S BREW HA HA CELEBRATES 10TH ANNIVERSARY SEPTEMBER 19TH IN LECLAIRE PARK

By Rick Martin

MOLINE, ILLINOIS - WQPT, Quad Cities PBS will host the 10th Annual Brew Ha Ha at LeClaire Park in downtown Davenport on Saturday, September 19th from 1 to 5 p.m.

The annual tasting event will celebrate its 10th Anniversary and will feature tasting a variety of brews and cheeses.

Musical performances by Minus Six will take place from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. and 3:30 to 5:00 p.m., and Penguins Comedy Club will present Dwayne Clark at 2:30 p.m. to bring the "ha ha" to Brew Ha Ha. The always popular Sports Corner will feature big screen televisions to catch Saturday's sports action. Admission to the Brew Ha Ha includes an event program, unlimited tasting, and a commemorative tasting glass.

"As we did last year, we are limiting the number of attendees" said event coordinator, Bea Brasel. "

Presenting Sponsors for Brew Ha Ha are Old Chicago, Rock 104.9, Rhythm City Casino and the River Cities' Reader along with KWQC, Pratt Audio Visual & Video Corporation, Dimitri Wine & Spirits, Inc., Glazer's Distributors of Iowa, Wolfe Beverage, Vanguard Distributing, Midwest Originals Booking, Penguin's Comedy Club, Cabot Cheese, Downtown Partnership, City of Davenport, Hawkeye Ice, Iowa American Water, Millennium Waste, Quad City Golf Cars and Sunbelt Rentals.

Tickets for Brew Ha Ha are $20.00 prior to the event and $25.00 at the gate. Tickets may be purchased at the WQPT offices, Old Chicago in Bettendorf, CO-OP Records in Davenport and Moline or at www.wqpt.org. Attendees must be 21 or older. Children in strollers and animals will not be admitted. Feel free to bring your own lawn chair.

Brew Ha Ha is a fundraising event to support WQPT, the local public television station located in Moline, Illinois.

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11 Aug 2009

The creators of Terror in the Woods open a new haunt to the District of Rock Island!

By Penni Steen

Michael & Penni Steen, the owners of a popular Halloween attraction have moved their seasonal event to downtown Rock Island. Located in the former Masonic Temple at 420 - 18th Street, "Terror in the Woods" will now be known as " Terror at Skellington Manor".  Bringing this event to the District will be an exciting addition to the downtown area during the month of October.

Terror at Skellington Manor will be hosting open acting auditions for those dedicated individuals who have an extreme passion and creative talent for scaring the yell out of people! We need passionate and creative individuals to join our haunt improv team. Volunteer positions with profit sharing opportunities are available to those who can commit to working every operating night during the season. For our 2009 season calendar, visit: www.terroratskellingtonmanor.com  The cast at Terror have lots of fun, but it's not for everyone! Haunted House acting is hard work both in preparation for your role and throughout the season. It is also, extremely rewarding and fun! OPEN AUDITIONS will take place on Wednesday, August 19th and Thursday, August 20th 6pm - 9pm and Saturday, August 22 1pm to 4pm at 420 - 18th St, Rock Island. You must be 16 or older to apply. Applicants ages 16 - 18 will need parental consent to participate. If you cannot make it to an audition please email: terror@skellingtonmanor.com or call 563-344-9187.

10 Aug 2009

Recommended Sustainable Practices Along the Mississippi River to be Presented to Key Policy Makers at NGRREC Conference

By Lori Artis

Policy Forum Begins at 10 a.m., Thursday, Aug. 13 at Lewis and Clark Community College

Godfrey, Ill. - The National Great Rivers Research and Education Center's (NGRREC) Annual Conference will culminate on the campus of Lewis and Clark Community College as conference attendees present recommendations related to sustainable practices in the Mississippi River Basin to key elected officials and decision makers. The Policy Forum will begin at 10 a.m. in the Commons, on the College's Godfrey campus.

NGRREC's conference entitled "Visions of a Sustainable Mississippi River" will take place Aug. 10-13 in Collinsville and on the College's campus. The conference has attracted more than 200 diverse participants with interest in the nation's largest river. Participants include stakeholders in the recreational, navigation, and agricultural sections, as well as researchers and natural resource professionals.

"Through conference presentations, panel discussions and workshops, our conference attendees will formulate new and useful insights and recommendations on four issues critical to the sustainable management of the Mississippi River and the human communities that depend on it," Dr. John Chick, NGRREC affiliate and organizer of the conference, said.

The four issues to be presented at the conference include Ecosystem Services and the Economic Value of the Mississippi River; Floodplain Connectivity, Flood Control and Hydrologic Regime; Ethanol Production and the Mississippi River; and Clean Water and the Mississippi River - Uses and Threats.

Policy makers in attendance at the Aug. 13 Policy Forum will include Congressman Jerry Costello (Illinois), Congressman John Duncan (Tennessee), Brigadier General Michael Walsh and members of the presidentially appointed Mississippi River Commission, Tinka Hyde, Water Division Director , U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5,  William A. Spratlin, Water, Wetlands, and Pesticides Division Director, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 7, Illinois Department of Natural Resources Director, Marc Miller, and Colonel Thomas O'Hara. Other invited guests include Illinois Governor Pat Quinn, members of Congress' Mississippi River Caucus, representatives of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and other key policy makers and legislators dealing with environmental and river-related issues.

The conference is hosted by NGRREC and The Nature Conservancy. This year's keynote address will be given by Alexandra Cousteau, granddaughter of the legendary Jacque-Yves Cousteau and founder of Blue Legacy International. Cousteau will present "This Blue Planet" beginning at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 12 in the Hatheway Theater on the College's campus. The event is free and is open to the public.

For more information on the conference contact Chick at 618-466-9690.

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