Oberammergau Passion Play and the Bavarian Alps: A look into the 375 year old play and its region,19 April 2009 at 2:00 p.m. at the German American Heritage Center, 712 W 2nd Street, Davenport, IA.

On Sunday, April 19, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. the German American Heritage Center will host a program on the Oberammergau Passion Play and the Bavarian Alps, with guest speaker Werner Schafer-Junger.

The history of the Oberammergau Passion Play began when the people of Oberammergau, a village located in Bavaria, Germany, made an oath in 1633 to perform the play every ten years. The oath came about after months of suffering and death in the middle of the Thirty Years War, one of the most destructive conflicts in European history, while the worst pandemic in human history, the "Black Death" plague, was running its course. In 1633, the village of Oberammergau, swore that they would perform the "Play of the Suffering, Death and Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ" every ten years if they were spared from the plague. At Pentecost 1634, the villagers kept their promise for the first time on a stage built over the fresh graves of the plague victims. In the year 2010 the Oberammergau Passion Play will once more be performed by more than 2,000 Oberammergauers, lasting six hours.

Do not miss the chance to learn about the extraordinary Oberammergau Passion Play and its regional history at the German American Heritage Center, April 19 at 2:00 p.m.

Native born German woman to give talk at the German American Heritage Center.

Don't miss this eye opening program on the history, politics, and emotions behind the Berlin Wall by a native born German, Anette Isaacs, and her work with Elderhostels on Sunday,April 26th at 1:00 p.m.

This year marks the 20th Anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. Hear an exciting lecture that presents a historical and political overview of this very painful, but also miraculous period in Berlin's captivating history. Also find out about the world's largest non-profit educational travel organization for adults, Elderhostels.

Instructor: German born and raised, Anette Isaacs did her graduate work at Emory University, Georgia, the University of Vienna and at the Free University in Berlin. She holds a Master´s Degree in American Studies, Political Science, and History. Her vast knowledge about her native country's history, culture, society, and politics will undoubtedly be insightful for anyone interested in Germany.

Reg (guitar, ukulele) and Linda Shoesmith (hammered dulcimer, bowed psaltery) have been playing as a duo for over 4 years. They will perform a variety of music, including Celtic, Scandinavian, American traditional and maybe even a 60's tune.

The hammered dulcimer is a trapezoidal shaped instrument with about 80 strings, played by striking the strings with hammers (small wooden mallets). From the 14th to the 18th centuries, it was popular in Europe and the British Isles . It is considered a classical instrument in the Far East . The Celts, Germans and Scandinavians brought their instruments to the US . Once known as the poor man's piano, it is the forerunner of the harpsichord and piano. In recent years it has been experiencing a revival in Western Europe and the United States .

Reggie Shoesmith retired as an Assistant Principal at Central High School, Davenport and is now in part-time administration at Scott Community College. Linda Shoesmith retired from Scott Community College as a mathematics professor.
Tickets for the show: $5.00/person
Location:
The Moline Commercial Club 2nd. floor
513 - 16th Street, Moline, IL
Social Hour @ 5:30p.m.
Dinner @ 6:30p.m. • Show @ 7:30p.m.

The Moline Commercial Clubs' Chef Lisa, will be serving a magnificent dinner prior to the show, by reservation only. Please call 309-762-8547 to make reservation.

Tickets for Dinner & Show: $25.00/person
Tickets for the show: $5.00/person
*This event is open to the public and the audience can attend the show without dinner.
Priority seating is given to guests who make dinner reservations.
www.rivercityradiohour.us

Concerned about Health Care Reform?

Let your voice be heard.

Trinity at Terrace Park
Conference Room A/B
Thursday, April 23
7:30 -9:00 am
$15 per person - includes breakfast

Join us at Trinity at Terrace Park for a discussion on Health Care Reform. Dr. Alta Price and Karen Metcalf will present findings from a Town Hall Meeting on Health Care Reform which was held on March 28 at Augustana College. The Town Hall Meeting was open to the public and allowed citizens to discuss community health care needs and share ideas about the meaningful and measurable changes needed in order to meet those needs.

Input from the Town Hall Meeting will be forwarded on to the local congressional delegation. Make sure the business community is heard! This breakfast will be informative and will allow you to express your views.

Call the Bettendorf Chamber of Commerce at 355-4753 for reservations.

Thank you to our sponsor: Trinity Regional Health System.

Bettendorf, Iowa (April 14, 2009) - Quad Cities Leadership Alumni United would like to announce the opening of the grant application process for 2009. QCLAU will provide up to $1000 Quality of Life grants for programs or projects in Rock Island or Scott counties that support the group's mission: Quad Cities Leadership Alumni United will work to improve life in the Quad Cities by eliminating barriers and providing access. This year's focus will be on programs that support education or employment readiness.

The Quad Cities Leadership Alumni United is made up of graduates from local leadership programs in both Iowa and Illinois.

The three grant recipients from 2008 included: $750 to Boys/Girls Club of Mississippi Valley for Power Hour, $750 to Transitions Mental Health Rehabilitation for Youth Education & Employment Readiness Project, and $500 to Rock Island County 4-H Extension for QC Teen Reality World.

Proposals for the 2009 granting cycle will be accepted between April 1 and June 1. Application packets may be requested by emailing qcleadership@gmail.com. Checks will be awarded at the organization's September 10th fall event - "A Night at the Ballpark" - at Modern Woodmen Park.

Applicants must have 501(c)3 or non-profit status.

On April 18, 2009, one place in the Quad Cities will undergo a transformation, as Zumba aficianados step through the door of the South Hall of Fargo Dance and Sport, 4204 Avenue of the Cities, Moline, and into the hot and spicy, hard driving Latin Rhythms with a wide variety of dance moves, including the Salsa and Reggaeton, along with a unique blend of Zumba specific choreography, all being led from the front stage by certified Zumba instructors.  The mood is festive and everyone is having the time of their lives, but underlying all this is that they are burning hundreds of calories every hour, and receiving a total body workout, ingeniously disguised as a dance party.

Anyone can Zumba and everyone is invited to come and experience Zumba.  As one instructor put it, "if you can walk, you can Zumba!" Zumba, based out of Miami, is taking the U.S. and the world by storm and is rapidly taking over the exercise genre.  In a day and time when our country is leading the world in obesity, Zumba is helping to change that by giving all who try it a great, fun-filled, calorie burning workout that is described by many as 'more of a party than a workout.'  It is fun for the entire family, and the most fun a person can have losing weight and toning.

This Saturday night's party, beginning at 7:00pm, is being promoted as a family friendly event and everyone from the ages of 8 to 88 is welcome.  It promises to be an energy-filled evening for those who wish to participate with their favorite Zumba instructor, each of whom will run a 30 minute or longer set of their favorite Zumba music.  Even if you've never tried Zumba, this is a great time to come try it out.  Those who wish to come just to enjoy the music and watch are welcome as well.

Tickets for the Zumba party are $7 in advance, $10 at the door and are available from participating Zumba instructors at their local gyms or by calling Denverd at 309-948-9889 or Antonia at 309-948-9559.

Quad Cities, it's time to ditch the routine and join the party!

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Celebrity Chef Donates Rachael Ray Nutrish Dog Treats To Local Shelter

When: Friday, April 17th at 10:30AM

Where: Quad Cities Adoption Center, Inc. (9525 New Liberty Road, Maysville, IA)

What: The economic downturn that started on Wall Street is beginning to take a serious toll on the backyard doghouse. Many apartment complex owners are no longer allowing dogs due to fear of increased "wear and tear" and in general many families no longer have the ability to provide for food, toys and costly medical bills. The result: an escalated amount of pet owners relinquishing their dogs to local shelters.

Heartbroken by the thought of millions of animals taken in by these shelters, celebrity chef Rachael Ray will be donating dog food and treats from her new premium pet food line Rachael Ray Nutrish. This is on top of Rachael's Rescue, through which all of Rachael's proceeds from the dog food line sold in stores goes directly to no-kill animal shelters.

Why:

  • Animal rescue groups and shelters across the country have seen an increase in the number of pet owners forced to give up their dogs because of the ailing economy and a decrease in adoptions.

  • Iowa ranks 3rd in the nation in the commercial dog breeding industry and puppy mill operations, for animal lovers, that statistic is not a good thing.

  • Approximately 7 million dogs enter shelters each year across the nation.

  • Recently, Rachael's Rescue donated $50,000 to North Shore Animal League, and there is much more to come.

Visual and Interview Opportunities:

Rochelle Buskirk, Fundraising Coordinator, Quad Cities Greyhound Adoption, Inc. speaking about the donation and the importance of animal nutrition.

Rachael Ray Nutrish workers donating 7 tons of treats to Quad Cities Greyhound Adoption, Inc.

Dogs enjoying Rachael Ray Nutrish treats like Isaboo Booscotti at the shelter.

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Bring your unwanted or outdated electronic waste (e-waste) and household hazardous materials to our FREE COLLECTION EVENTS.  Bring sensitive documents, too. Free shredding will be provided by Document Destruction and Recycling Services of Davenport.

Eldridge - Monday, April 20th from 2:00 pm until 6:15 pm at the Community Center, 400 South 16th Avenue.

ALCOA - Wednesday, April 22nd from 2:00 pm until 6:15 pm at the Main Parking Lot, 4879 State Street in Riverdale.

Hazardous Materials Guidelines: Containers cannot be returned. Label containers that are unmarked. Glass containers should be packed to prevent breakage. Keep items in original containers and never mix materials together.

Electronic Waste Guidelines: E-waste is anything with a circuit board or cathode ray tube. This does not include household or personal care appliances.

Shredding Guidelines: Bring documents in bags or cardboard boxes; containers cannot be returned. No binders or metal rings. Staples and paperclips are acceptable.

Please remain in your vehicle at all times and no smoking. No business waste, tires or applicances will be accepted. For more information call 563.381.1300 or visit www.wastecom.com.

Get your TVs, stereos, VCRs, computers, paints, pesticides, cleaners, fertilizers, etc. in the loop. Electronic waste processing provided courtesy of ALCOA. if we all pitch in, it works.

Prayer... America' Hope is the focus of the 17th Annual Quad Cities National Day of Prayer.  Join us from 6:30am - 8:00am on Thursday, May 7, 2009 at The Lodge, 900 Spruce Hills Dr., Bettendorf.

The Master of Ceremonies is Mike Mickle; the Keynote Speaker will be John Bustle, Vice-President, John Deere Foundation; and special musical presentations by Scott Schaefer.

"May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in you." Psalm 33:22.

Admission is $10 in advance, $12 after May 1st.  Students are $5 in advance, $6 after May 1st.  Visit any Quad Cities YMCA or email qcndp@quadcitiesymca.org.

Sponsored by: Quad Cities YMCAs - St. Ambrose University - Churches United of the Quad City Area - Augustana College.

Davenport, IA - Volunteers for Symphony is proud to announce its 2nd annual Derby Day, an evening of fun, food, and horse racing benefiting youth music education in the Quad Cities, on Saturday, May 2, at 4 PM. Derby Day is at the Rock Island Arsenal Golf Club and feels like it's at Churchill Downs. The party includes horse races, authentic Derby Cuisine, a Kentucky Bourbon tasting, live auction, generous raffles, and live music. All attending will take home a commemorative mint julep glass created especially for this year's event. Derby attire is optional and the afternoon's festivities include a hat contest.

This year's auction items include a trip to the 2010 Kentucky Derby, a little black dress designed by emeDesigns, exclusive lodging at condos near Estes Park in Colorado and along the beach in California, a titanium drusy necklace from Doland Jewelers, an authentic northern Italian meal for 8 prepared by Maestro Mark Russell Smith, a wine tasting party for twelve, a four-day get away for two, and many more. For more details on all the auction items and raffle prizes, visit www.QCSymphony.com.

Derby Day is presented by Volunteers for Symphony and supports the nationally-recognized music education programs of the Quad City Symphony Orchestra Association, which reach more than 30,000 Quad City area students each year. Our VfS members contribute their time, talents, and resources year-round to support the Quad City Symphony Orchestra's missions. Proceeds from VfS fundraising projects such as Derby Day and the upcoming Second Fiddle Sale are directly invested in the operation of the Youth Ensembles and other music education programs.

Derby Day is just $75 and reservations can be made at 563-322-QCSO or online at www.QCSymphony.com.

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