12 Jun 2009

JUST KIDS TRIVIA NIGHT

By Jared Johnson

Organization Holds Fundraiser with Budget Questions Looming

MILAN, IL (June 12, 2009) - Just Kids Early Care & Education Centers is holding their second annual Trivia Night on Friday, June 19th at the Milan Community Center, US Highway 67, Milan, IL.  Doors open at 6pm, trivia starts at 7pm.  Teams of 8 can compete for cash and door prizes.  Food may be brought in and a cash bar will be available.

Just Kids Executive Director, Vera Hinrichsen, says "This fundraiser comes at an interesting time, as state funds for human services in Illinois could be cut by more than 50%.  In order for Just Kids to be efficient in serving families and children in the future, we need a great deal of support from our local community."

The proposed Illinois operations budget would cut child care by 63% and eliminate the Preschool for All program, which operates in the 3-5 year old classrooms at Just Kids.  In addition, funding assistance that is currently utilized by 175,000 Illinois families for early education services would only be available to 25,000 if the proposed budget goes into effect.

Proceeds from Trivia Night will benefit contingency funds and program development opportunities for Just Kids, a non-profit early childhood education organization that serves over 200 families annually.  Just Kids is a United Way partner and is nationally accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children.  Just Kids has been providing services in Milan for over 30 years and employs over 45 early childhood professionals that educate young children, build public support for high-quality programs, improve professional practice and support area families.

Teams may register for Trivia Night by contacting Lisa Redecker at (309) 787-6303 or lredecker@justkidsinc.org Teams may also register directly on the Just Kids website: www.justkidsinc.org.

02 Jun 2009

NAMI Scott County Celebrates 30th Anniversary June 7

By Margaret Thomas
NAMI Scott County will celebrate the organization's 30th anniversary at the Annual Meeting Sunday, June 7, beginning at 3 pm at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Brady at Lombard, Davenport.

NAMI Rock Solid Awards will be presented to people who helped to found NAMI in 1979, and to others who have been important in the growth of the organization.   Some local people attended the formation meeting of the national organization in Wisconsin.  The organization was founded by parents of adults with mental illness, to provide programming at first, then support, education and advocacy for better services.  It became Alliance for the Mentally Ill (AMI) and later National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).

NAMI Rock Solid Awards will be presented to David Lanaghan, Jim and Ann Spaeth, Linda Lewis, and Connie Williams.  There will be special recognition for Lucia Dryanski, Jon Grate, Donna Hague, Kathleen Lenaghan and Jim Weller.

The meeting June 7 will include a light supper, a dramatic presentation, awards, and board elections.  At 4:30, live music and dancing will begin, with ice cream sundaes.  The event is free and open to the public.  Reservations may be made by emailing info@NAMIScottCounty.org, or by calling and leaving a message at 322-8870.

For more information, contact Anne Corbi, president of NAMI Scott County, at 563 326 7701, or Caroline Vernon in the NAMI Scott County Office, which is at 1706 Brady St., Davenport, 563 322 8870.
01 Jun 2009

Senior Star at Elmore Place Assumes Champion Sponsorship of Quad City Memory Walk®

By Julie Seier

Davenport, IA - May 27, 2009 - The Alzheimer's Association, Greater Iowa Chapter is pleased to announce a Quad-City Memory Walk® "Champion" ($10,000) sponsor for the first time in the walk's 20 year history. Although their facility on Elmore Place has only recently opened, the Senior Star Living® has been a long standing supporter of the Alzheimer's Association. This sponsorship displays a major commitment to the walk and to the health and well being of the Quad Cities.

"Senior Star is proud to sponsor the Quad-City Memory Walk® because we recognize the tremendous efforts of the Alzheimer's Association and the value of investing in the education and support of those who are dealing with, or who may deal with, this devastating disease, " said Robert Thomas, co-owner Senior Star Living "We work hard to support efforts that improve the lives of seniors and our relationship with the Alzheimer's Association will improve the lives of seniors not only in our facility but in the lives of the entire Quad-City community."

According to Carol Sipfle, Executive Director of the Alzheimer's Association, Greater Iowa Chapter, "This sponsorship will have immeasurable benefits for both the Alzheimer's Association and Senior Star. These funds will enable the Alzheimer's Association, Greater Iowa Chapter, to provide critical support and education to caregivers in our 63-county chapter territory in Iowa and Illinois, as well as to the thousands of individuals now living with Alzheimer's in these areas. The work of the Alzheimer's Association continues to grow in need and importance. We appreciate the vision and support of all our sponsors who make our work possible, including Senior Star. "

Senior Star's Champion sponsorship follows on the heels of regional sponsors: Care Initiatives, Dex, Life Care Retirement Communities and Bickford Cottage. The traditional list of participating sponsors for the Quad City walks includes such names as Nash, Nash, Bean and Ford, Avonlea Cottage, Country House Residences, Modern Woodmen of America, Brown Traffic, the i wireless center, KWQC as well as Clear Channel radio.

The 20th annual Quad-City Memory Walk® will take place on Saturday, October 3, at the i wireless center. This year's walk will focus on twenty years of education, support and research.

To learn more about the Quad City walk or register for the event, log onto: http://memorywalk09.kintera.org/moline .

The Alzheimer's Association

The Alzheimer's Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer care, support and research. Our mission is to eliminate Alzheimer's disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer's. For more information, visit www.alz.org

Senior Star at Elmore Place Features a memory care with six different floor plans andunits ranging in size from 224 square feet to 343 square feet. Each room has a private half bath, while multiple shower and spa retreats are located through the building. Senior Star at Elmore Place incorporates progressive and innovative approaches to memory care, including life skills stations, destination programming and Snoezelen rooms which promote soothing, sensory experiences. Senior Star at Elmore Place is owned by Senior Star Living, based in Tulsa, Okla. Senior Star Living is a private company founded in 1976 and entered the seniors housing business in 1989. Its portfolio currently includes nine retirement communities in six states. As a recognized leader in the seniors housing industry, the company provides independent, assisted living and memory care options. Additional information is available on the Web site, www.seniorstar.com

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29 May 2009

Just Kids Trivia Night

By Jared Johnson
Just Kids Early Care & Education Centers, Milan, announces their second annual Trivia Night Fundraiser.  This fun and competitive event will take place on Friday, June 19th at the Milan Community Center, US Hwy 67, Milan IL.  Doors open at 6pm, trivia starts at 7pm.  Teams of 8 will compete for cash prizes and have a chance to win great door prizes throughout the night.  All proceeds benefit program expansions for Just Kids, a non-profit early childhood education organization serving 200 families annually.

Teams may register online at www.justkidsinc.org or by calling Lisa at (309) 787-6303.  Cost is $80 per table, and can be paid the night of the event.  Food may be brought in, and a cash bar will be available.
28 May 2009

Blossoms at Butterworth

By Gretchen Frick Small

A full schedule of activities has been announced for Blossoms at Butterworth, one of the Quad Cities' classic summer celebrations. Set for Sunday, June 28 at the Butterworth Center and Deere-Wiman House in Moline, the afternoon event offers traditional summer fun for all age groups in a nostalgic garden setting. And the price is right: With the exception of food concessions, all activities and entertainment are free.

This year, Blossoms also doubles as grand opening of the new Education Center at the Butterworth House. The former Butterworth Center Garage has been extensively renovated and now includes a welcome center with display area, small auditorium, kitchen facilities and large meeting room.

"We're really excited about the opportunities this offers to local people," says Gretchen Frick-Small. "This facility will be available for educational programs put on by non-profits, and we think they'll really appreciate the building's versatility. It's such a unique blend of historic significance and very functional meeting space."

During the Blossoms event, the new 1,200-square-foot facility will host the Brinton Art Show, featuring work of Moline junior high and high school students; "Houseboats on the Mississippi," a historic exhibit showcasing photos of and memorabilia from early houseboats owned by the Deere and Butterworth families; and premiere of a new video tracing the life of John Deere and history and mission of the two historic homes. Tours of the facility will also be available.

At the Butterworth Center, performances are planned by the Bix Beiderbecke Memorial Youth Band (1 and 3 p.m.), Quad City Jugglers (2 and 4 p.m.) and organist Steve Steeley. WQPT Quad Cities will host a crafts tent for children and families, and free family photos will be taken at the gazebo, complete with characters in period clothing.

At the Deere-Wiman House, old-fashioned lawn games and a Victorian tea party are planned, as well as performances by pianist Selma Johnson. Niabi Zoo staffers will give presentations at 2 and 3 p.m., and members of the Antique Ford Club and Mississippi Valley Antique Automobile Club will host a display of antique cars.

Rounding out the schedule: Self-guided tours of both historic homes, guided bus tours of the Overlook Historic Neighborhood and food vendors (Lagomarcino's Ice Cream and Frank's Prime Cuts steak sandwiches).

Blossoms at Butterworth, Sunday, June 28, noon to 5 p.m. (rain or shine), Butterworth Center (1105 8th St., Moline) and Deere-Wiman House (817 8th St., Moline); no charge for admission. Event funded by the William Butterworth Memorial Trust. For more information, call (309) 743-2701; www.butterworthcenter.com.

22 May 2009

DONATIONS AND VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR 2nd FIDDLE SALE

By Jared Johnson
Spring cleaning? Donate your gently used treasures to the Volunteers for Symphony's 26th Annual Second Fiddle Sale!

Donations of used merchandise are requested for the Quad City Symphony Orchestra Association's 2nd Fiddle Sale and will be accepted between May 23 and June 15 on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from  8 AM to 4 PM and Mondays from 1 PM to 8 PM. 2nd Fiddle will not be open for drop-offs on Memorial Day, May 25. Donations can be made at the former Seasonal Concepts building, 3568 North Brady Street, Davenport, between BigLots and K-Mart. The sale accepts gently-used clothing, furniture, household items, linens, small appliances, books, children's clothing, sporting goods, toys, jewelry, antiques, collectibles and more! All donations are tax deductible and receipted at time of drop off.

The 2nd Fiddle Sale opens with a "first chance to buy" Opening Night on Thursday, June 18, 6:00 - 9:00 PM, with refreshments and live music. Tickets for this event are $8 and may be purchased in advance at the Symphony Office, 327 Brady Street, Davenport, (563) 322-QCSO (7276) or at the door on June 18. The sale continues with free admission on Friday and Saturday, June 19-20, from 7 AM - 6:00 PM.

Volunteers for Symphony organize and present this much anticipated annual sale of gently used items every year. Many volunteers are needed during the upcoming weeks for sorting merchandise, set-up, and selling during the Sale. Contact VfS by phone at (563) 322-0931, x12 or email at volunteer@qcsymphony.com to help. All 2nd Fiddle Sale proceeds benefit the music education programs of the Quad City Symphony Orchestra Association.
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20 May 2009

OPERATION GRATITUDE SALUTES MEMORIAL WEEKEND WITH PATRIOTIC CARE PACKAGE DRIVE

By Carolyn Blashek
Van Nuys, CA - May 20, 2009 - On Saturday and Sunday of Memorial Weekend, May 23-24, 2009, hundreds of dedicated Operation Gratitude Volunteers will assemble and ship 20,000 Care Packages to U.S. Military personnel deployed in Afghanistan, Iraq and on ships at sea, during the signature weekend of the organization's 2009 Patriotic Drive.  Additional assembly days will take place during the weekend of June 13-14 to complete the goal of shipping 40,000 Patriotic Packages this season.

In addition to the Assembly Line activity, the formal program on Saturday May 23 will include an emotional Ceremony presenting Official Commendations from the U.S. Army to all Operation Gratitude Volunteer Supervisors.  The Ceremony will begin at 11:30 a.m.  Media are invited to attend.
In further celebration of "Military Appreciation Month" and the upcoming July 4th Holiday, and to increase awareness and funding for Operation Gratitude's care package program, the non-profit organization is participating in two major Patriotic initiatives through partnerships with generous Corporate Sponsors.

Embracing the patriotic theme of "Voting," Operation Gratitude is one of 10 charities selected by Target to receive a portion of $3 Million based on a percentage of votes received in its online "Bullseye Gives" contest hosted by the social-networking giant, Facebook.  

Helping Americans express their Patriotic pride, Operation Gratitude and CafePress released this month two unique, special designs for T-shirts and Tank-tops that highlight traditional emblems of freedom: the Stars and Stripes and fireworks.  Cafe Press is donating ten percent (10%) of the proceeds from the sales of these items to benefit Operation Gratitude's care package efforts. The shirts will be on display at the Armory on May 23rd and are available for purchase online.

Operation Gratitude will send its 450,000th care package during this Memorial Weekend.
Financial Donations and Personal Letters for the packages should be mailed to:
Operation Gratitude
16444 Refugio Road
Encino, CA 91436
 
About Operation Gratitude
Operation Gratitude (www.operationgratitude.com) is the 501 (c) (3) non-profit, volunteer organization that annually sends 100,000+ care packages of items and letters addressed to individually named U.S. Service Members deployed in hostile overseas regions.  Its mission is to lift morale, bring a smile to a service member's face and to express to our Armed Forces the appreciation and support of the American people. Each package contains donated product valued at ~$100 and costs the organization $11 to assemble and ship. Since its inception in March, 2003, Operation Gratitude has shipped more than 430,000 packages to American military deployed overseas.
20 May 2009

WQPT'S ON-LINE AUCTION BEGINS MAY 29

By Rick Martin
MOLINE, ILLINOIS - WQPT is launching an on-line auction beginning May 29 and concluding June 8.
The WQPT on-line auction can be accessed at www.wqpt.org. It features a variety of trips, restaurant gift certificates, services and PBS items.

"We have one-of-a-kind items like a ride in a vintage 1929 automobile and picnic, or a Chicago get-away," said Special Project Coordinator, Bea Brasel.

On June 5 at 7:00 p.m. WQPT will air a preview program that will give potential bidders a sneak peek at many of the on-line auction items up for bid.

The auction is a fundraising event for WQPT. "The auction is a great way for people to find unique gift items and support WQPT, all at the same time," said Chief Development Officer, Lora Adams, who also hosts the preview special.

Auction items include : a Lobster Feast for two with the Lobsters flown in from Maine; gift certificates for massages at the Institute of Therapeutic Massage and Wellness; summer session dance lessons from Illinois Ballet Theatre; Chicago White Sox Autographed photo and book; Rockford IceHogs Hockey tickets; trips to Maine, Chicago, Florida, St. Lucia, San Antonio and more.

WQPT has been the local public television station serving western Illinois and eastern Iowa since 1983

# # #

18 May 2009

Mississippi Valley Paranormal announces their Quad Cities Most Haunted Contest

By Sarah Knowlton
Mississippi Valley Paranormal is sponsoring the Quad Cities Most Haunted Contest. We are looking for
the most haunted location in the Quad Cities area. We have heard all the stories and urban legends and
now we want someplace new. All that we ask is that the location is public property or permission is
easily obtained. Also, private residences may only be entered by someone currently living there.
The person who submits the winning entry will then be able to investigate with the Midwest's Premier
Paranormal team, Mississippi Valley Paranormal for the night at their location. All entries must be
received by no later than midnight, June 30th 2009. To submit a location to Mississippi Valley
Paranormal and to read the complete contest rules, please go to our website at www.mvparanormal.org
Mississippi Valley Paranormal is a paranormal research team that was formed to help further the field of
paranormal research through scientific techniques. Mississippi Valley Paranormal covers the Quad Cities
and surrounding areas. We are non-profit group and offer our investigation services to the public for
free.
We would also be open to members of media investigating the chosen location with the team.
Sarah Knowlton
Mississippi Valley Paranormal
sarahk@mvparanormal
phone: 309-235-4868
Fax: 928-223-4868
15 May 2009

Grand Victoria Foundation Honored for Collaboration with Illinois Community Foundations and The Moline Community Foundation

By Linda Martin

A groundbreaking project to strengthen local philanthropies has received national recognition for its impact on Illinois communities.

Communityworks, a collaboration between Grand Victoria Foundation and seventeen Illinois community foundations, including the Moline Community Foundation,was honored with the Critical Impact Award from the Council on Foundations at its annual meeting this week in Atlanta.

From 2003-08 Grand Victoria Foundation invested $12 million in Communityworks, which sought to strengthen Illinois community foundations by building endowments, supporting high-performing operations, and encouraging collaboration with local leaders around important local priorities.  Over the past five years, the community foundations more than quadrupled their assets and created promising ventures in early childhood care and education, workforce development, and land use and protection.  The effort is continuing, with up to $42 million in new grants along with new collaborative initiatives announced last September.  The Moline Community Foundation is a partner is this second phase of initiatives as a leader in Rock Island County.

The initiative is one of four winners of this year's Critical Impact Award from the Council on Foundations based in the Washington, D.C. area.

"We believe community foundations can be the civic hubs of their communities, and through Communityworks, we supported them in taking that kind of leadership," said Grand Victoria Foundation Executive Director Nancy Fishman.  "We're delighted that the work has received this recognition from the Council, but even more we're encouraged about the partnerships and collaborative ventures created as a result of Communityworks."

Joy Boruff, Executive Director, The Moline Community Foundation said "Communityworks helped strengthen our role as community leadership as well as organizing statewide collaboration among the foundations."  Boruff noted that building relationships among other community foundations throughout Illinois has assisted in the development of the Alliance of Illinois Community Foundations.

Boruff is the current President of the Alliance of Illinois Community Foundations (http://site.allianceilcf.org)

Other participating Illinois community foundations in the Communityworks project include Community Foundation of Central Illinois (Peoria), the Community Foundation of Decatur/Macon County (Decatur), DeKalb County Community Foundation (Sycamore), Community Foundation of East Central Illinois (Champaign), Community Foundation of Grundy County (Morris), Community Foundation of the Quincy Area, the DuPage Community Foundation (Wheaton), Evanston Community Foundation, McHenry County Community Foundation (Woodstock), The Moline Foundation, Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation, Southeastern Illinois Community Foundation (Effingham, formerly Effingham County Community Foundation and Mattoon Area Community Foundation), and Southern Illinois Community Foundation (Marion).

Founded in 1953, The Moline Foundation is a community-based, non-profit organization which provides grants to health, human services, education, community development, the arts, and other charitable organizations which benefit the citizens of the Quad City region. The Moline Foundation receives and administers charitable gifts and has a current endowment fund of approximately $13 million.  For more information contact Executive Director Joy Boruff at (309) 736-3800 or visit The Moline Foundation Web site at www.molinefoundation.org.

Grand Victoria Foundation provides strategic funding to Illinois organizations working for long-lasting economic, educational and environmental change. Since it was established in 1996 by the Grand Victoria Casino in Elgin, Illinois, the Foundation has provided more than $100 million in grants to help communities in Illinois. More information about the Foundation and Communityworks is on Grand Victoria Foundation's website, www.grandvictoriafdn.org.

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