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.

Rock Island County Master Gardeners, Dallas and Roxie DeShane, will host garden tours for the Home Grown Challenge through University of Illinois Extension, on Tuesday, August 11 from 6:00 - 7:30 p.m.  Their gardens are located at 3316 N. 1600th Avenue, Orion, IL (if you are coming from the QC Airport - go 5 miles east on Route 6, turn right at the green Orion sign on CR 12 blacktop - go 5 more miles to 1600 Avenue North.  Take a left and go 1.3 miles and their driveway is on the left).

At Whispering Winds Ranch Arbors and Gardens, there are a variety of gardens available to see, from informal country gardens to full size vegetable gardens, berry bushes, a grape arbor, rhubarb patch, small apple orchard, and other fruit and nut trees.  There are also four 40 foot gourd arbors with 102 hills, gourds growing in a container, over an antique wagon, on the ground and up a tree.   The DeShane's grow produce with no pesticides which they sell at the East Moline Skateland Farmers Market.  They also sell gourds in the fall beginning at the "Gourd"geous Day in the Country a day long free festival.  You will see various ornamental gardens and raised beds featuring plants and flowers.  They range from native flowers to roses, variety of shrubs and a number of hostas and heuchera.  Some of the gardens are shade and others are in full sun.  Down by the stocked 1.5 acre "Ponderin' Pond" is a grass garden with coneflowers and among the grasses is a bench to just sit, read a book or just ponder.

The DeShane's purchased their property 13 years ago when they started renovating their log home and planting their gardens.  About five years ago, they became interested in gourds by purchasing one apple gourd and so began the gourd arbors and gardens.  They started the QC Area Gourd Patch and host a gourd festival in the fall.  They try to plant for pollinators as they value their presence and they feed many variety of birds and have seen some rather rare birds.   Their gardens attract lots of wildlife, from twin fawns drinking down at the pond, to twin foxes who love ice skating on their frozen pond.  The DeShane's enjoy sharing a bit of the country with people (and wildlife) and have hosted a number of events at their home.  Each year they continue to add more to their gardens so each year when someone comes, they have new things to see.

The public is invited to attend the tour.  Please register in advance at (309) 756-9978 Ext 10 or online at www.extension.uiuc.edu/rockisland and follow the Home Grown Challenge Garden Tour link.

Russell Construction is pleased to announce the Scott County Family Y as the recipient of their charity golf outing. The 21st annual event was held on Tuesday, August 4 at the Rock Island Arsenal Golf Course in Rock Island, IL.

Each year, the company hosts the golf outing to raise proceeds for their charity of choice.

The golf outing is organized and staffed by an internal Russell Construction employees, in order to assist worthy organizations in the surrounding Quad Cities communities. "Our event has become so successful thanks to the efforts of our volunteers, sponsors, raffle contributors and, of course, the golfers. It's an event that we look forward to every year," noted Jim Russell, President.

2009 marked another record-breaking year, as Jim Russell presented a check in the amount of $20,000 to the Scott County Family Y.

"We are extremely grateful to Russell Construction for designating the Scott County Family Y as the beneficiary for the proceeds from the Annual Russell Construction Charity Golf Outing," said Kellie Esters, Vice President for Fund Development. "This outstanding gift has been directed to support this year's Partner with Youth & Kids to Camp Annual Campaign, which helps disadvantaged children and families enjoy services like memberships to the YMCA, youth sports programs, child care, and a week at YMCA Camp Abe Lincoln."

In previous years donations have been made to Genesis - Clarissa Cook House ($17,500), CASI ($18,000), Community Care, Inc. in DeWitt, Iowa ($24,000) and the American Cancer Society ($47,775). Over the last ten years more than $165,000 has been donated to charitable organizations in the Quad Cities area through the Russell golf outing.

Established in 1983, Russell Construction is a regional provider of Construction Management, Design Build and General Contracting services. For more information on Russell Construction, please visit their corporate website at www.russellco.com.

Charity Navigator Awards the Y Its Highest Honor, Three Years in A Row

DAVENPORT, Iowa - August 7, 2009 - The Scott County Family Y is one of the best charitable organizations in the country, that according to Charity Navigator.  The nation's largest independent evaluator of charities has awarded the Y its coveted 4-Star rating for the third straight year.

The Scott County Family Y is the only Iowa Quad City charity to receive this rating; is one of 10charitable organizations in Iowa and one of only 16 YMCAs in the United States to receive this recognition in 2008.  In addition, only 12-percent of not-for-profit agencies receive this rating in consecutive years, according to Michael Smith, Interim President and CEO of Charity Navigator.  "The Scott County Family Y outperforms most charities in America in its efforts to operate in the most fiscally responsible way possible," said Smith.  This four-star rating was awarded to the Scott County Family Y for efficiently managing and growing its finances.

"One way in which the Scott County Family Y expresses its gratitude to our donors is by being a good steward of the gifts that have been entrusted to us - making the most of every donated dollar, said Kellie Esters, Vice President of Fund Development for the Scott County Family Y.  Frank Klipsch, President and CEO of the Scott County Family Y, stated that he was proud that our commitment to donors and our community, fostered by our partnership between our board of directors and staff has been recognized by this prestigious national organization.

Founded in 2001, Charity Navigator uses an unbiased and objective rating system that evaluates the financial health of more than 5,000 charities, with the goal of helping charitable givers make informed, intelligent donation decisions.  All of Charity Navigator's information is available to the public at no cost and can be found on line at www.charitynavigator.org.