Average 9.1 student to teacher ratio. Foreign language study begins in Kindergarten. Individualized college counseling beginning in 9th grade. 100% of graduates accepte3d to 4 year colleges and universities. Sound too good to be true? It's not. Come explore Rivermont Collegiate at our Summer Open House on Thursday, July 2nd from 8:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.

This casual event is designed to introduce local families to the Quad Cities' only private, nonsectarian, independent college prep school. Rivermont Collegiate, located in Bettendorf, provides students with a comprehensive education driven by small classes, individualized attention and high academic standards. This year we celebrate 125 years of academic excellence!

From preschool through twelfth grade, Rivermont students develop a joy for learning, lead peers in community involvement and take intellectual and artistic risks. Rivermont students come from many Quad Cities area communities and cultural backgrounds. Drop in to learn more about our philosophy, values and programs! Cindy Murray, Director of Admissions, will be on hand to answer questions and provide one-on-one discussion, as well as tours of our beautiful campus, home to the historice Joseph Bettendorf Mansion.

Rivermont Collegiate is located directly off 18th Street in Bettendorf, on the hill behind K & K Hardware. This event is free and open to the public. For additional information on Rivermont Collegiate or Thursday's Summer Open House, contact Cindy Murray at 563-359-1366, ext 302, or be email at murray@rvmt.org.

We`re having a Street Festival!

Date: Sunday, July 12, 2009

Time: 10:00 a.m.–2:30 p.m.

Place: Christian Center Church, 2103 W. Third St, Davenport (corner of Third & Oak Streets).

Be sure to bring a lawn chair! (Bring an extra if you can!). Our day will include :

Gospel Music, an encouraging word, food, fun, and more! Concession Stand opens at 11:30 a.m.

A free-will offering will be received.

Everyone welcome! For more information, please phone: 563-322-2959.

Arsenal Support Program Initiative creates jobs, strengthens Arsenal

WASHINGTON, DC - Congressman Phil Hare (D-IL) and Congressman Bruce Braley (D-IA) today won passage of an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010 that provides a one-year extension of the Arsenal Support Program Initiative (ASPI).  Hare and Braley joined to introduce the amendment.

The amendment, which reauthorizes ASPI for one year through FY 2011, passed the House unanimously today.  The program was set to expire this year. The underlying bill also authorizes $3 million for ASPI at Rock Island Arsenal.

ASPI renovates unused office and manufacturing space at Rock Island Arsenal to lease to commercial firms.  It currently has 30 tenants, generates $700,000 per year in revenues, and has created or retained an estimated 500 jobs.  ASPI has dedicated $15 million to facility improvement projects over its existence.  The program had an estimated local economic impact of $27.3 million in FY 2008.

"ASPI has been tremendously successful in bringing tenants and jobs to Arsenal Island," Hare said. "Extending this program will provide a needed boost for the Quad Cities' economy and help strengthen and BRAC-proof the Arsenal."

"Extending the ASPI program will help spur economic development in the Quad Cities, save taxpayers money, and maintain infrastructure at the Arsenal," said Braley.  "The Arsenal has a tremendous impact on the Quad Cities' local economy.  Investing in this program will help create and maintain jobs at the Arsenal."

Hare and Braley have been strong supporters of the ASPI program.  ASPI was created in 2001 to allow private-sector commercial tenants to lease space for their businesses on military arsenals.  Funds generated by the program help reduce overhead at the arsenals and modernize arsenal infrastructure.

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We will be having a Texas Hold Em No Limit Poker Tournament happening on Saturday July 18th at The Lucky Frog Bar and Grill.   Pre registration will start that day at 11AM with the tournament starting at 1PM.  The proceeds will help us to raise money for a great Labor Day Fireworks show for years to come.

There will be a $25 buy in and a $25 rebuy.  If we can get 50 players we can raise over $1000 and still give away close to $500 for 1st Place alone!

If anyone has any questions or knows anyone that plays Texas Hold Em and might want to ask some questions just have them give me a call on my cell.  If you would like to play just to help raise money that would be great.  All of the regular players would be happy to help, and I have let them know that there will be some rookies.

You can pre register and/or ask questions at luckyfrogjj08@yahoo.com or at The Lucky Frog or call 563-503-9478. If you have a worthy cause you would like to have a poker benefit for please let us know.