IA/IL QUAD-CITIES - Always a hockey fanatic, Andrew "Andy" Yohe of Bettendorf, Iowa, was a roller hockey player for the Bettendorf Young Guns before losing both legs in 1994. He was run over while trying to jump onto a train. But he did not allow the accident to prevent him from continuing with his athletic career. Andy became an ice sled hockey player and went on to serve as captain of the U.S. Paralympic Sled Hockey Team that won the gold medal at the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games in Vancouver and the 2014 Paralympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia.

Andy has an indomitable spirit, as well as a vital message to share with the public. He will give a presentation called "Creating Positive Outcomes" at a Think Tank session to be held 6 to 8 p.m. June 26, at Rivermont Collegiate, 1821 Sunset Dr., Bettendorf. Cost of the session is $20 ($10 for students 18 and younger) and includes complimentary hors d'oeuvres. The Think Tank is a division of Results Marketing in Bettendorf.

"The Think Tank provides a forum for the Quad-City area's most compelling thinkers and doers," said Todd Ashby, Managing Partner of Results Marketing. "We are pleased to have Andy as a presenter and believe that attendees will find his presentation both inspiring and informative." Results Marketing is also the creator of the Idea Lab, a progressive discussion group, and is the hosting sponsor of Leadercast in the Quad-Cities area.
"To receive positive outcomes, you must first be positive," said Andy. "This may sound simple, but you must focus and make an effort to be positive in all aspects of your life. Make sure to talk about things you like, and why your day is going good. Compliment someone or tell them, 'Good job.'" His presentation will stress the need to "Evaluate, Educate, Adapt, and Believe" in life. According to Andy, these abilities are "the reason humans are so amazing."
A Winning Attitude
After his accident, Andy got back into hockey when he joined the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC) Blackhawks. His winning attitude prevailed when he set the club's record for points in a season by a rookie. Andy was a member of Team USA in 2006 and helped the team win a bronze medal at the Paralympic Winter Games in Torino, Italy.
Excited to compete again four years later, Andy helped the U.S. capture the gold medal at the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games in Vancouver, Canada. After the Vancouver Games, Andy took a three-season hiatus to begin a family with his wife Katie. Andy returned to the game as the oldest member and team captain of the 2014 U.S. Paralympic Sled Hockey Team.
Andy manages a prosthetic and orthotic facility and currently resides in Bettendorf with Katie, three-year-old daughter Abby, and newborn son Levi. He is a 2009 graduate of Ashford University with a degree in Business Administration.
The Paralympic Games is a major international multi-sport event, involving athletes with a range of physical challenges. The Paralympics have grown from a small gathering of British World War II veterans in 1948 to become one of today's largest international sporting events. Paralympians strive for equal treatment with non-disabled Olympic athletes. The Paralympic Games are organized in parallel with the Olympic Games.
To find out more about the event or to register, call Les Flesher of Results Marketing at 563-322-2065 or email  Les@resultsimc.com. To register online, visit  http://www.eventbee.com/v/. You can also follow the Think Tank on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ThinkTankQC.
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The Mystery of the Missing Plant


here has been a sudden disappearance of one of our most beloved and exotic specimen plants in the Vander Veer Botanical Park Conservatory!
Was it killed, stolen, misplaced, by who and with what?


Enjoy a fun-filled day of mystery, geocaching, and adventure at Vander Veer Botanical Park this summer! Check out a Detective Backpack in the Park Store and help us solve our Mystery of the Missing Plant using real GPS units, code wheels, and more!


Park Store Hours: Tuesday-Sunday 10am-4pm
Vander Veer Botanical Park
215 W. Central Park Ave.

 

CLUE takes place from June 1 through Labor Day.

For more information call Vander Veer Botanical Park Store at 563-326-7818.

 

Sponsored by The Friends of Vander Veer.

Davenport Parks and Recreation is pleased to host the first Footgolf Course in the State of Iowa. This Grand opening Tournament is going to be a blast, and be the biggest party of the summer. We will take winners from many different brackets, and prizes will be given out on site. 18 holes of Footgolf will be played on the actual golf surface nine hole Red Hawk Golf Course. This event will also host a giant screen to watch the FIFA World Cup games all day and night! Concessions and Drinks will be for sale throughout.

Don't forget to wear your Footgolf attire!!! Hat, Polo, Shorts, Turf Shoes and awesome tall socks!! Awards for best dressed will accompany the tournament winners!

Resident Fee:   $10.00 per person     
Non-Resident Fee:   $10.00 per person

Date:  Saturday, 6/21/2014, 1:00 PM - 11:00 PM

Location:   Red Hawk Golf Course,
6364 Northwest Blvd Davenport IA 52806

This Sunday, June 1, from 5-6pm at the 
Davenport Soccer Complex

Featuring Challenger Sports' British Coaching Staff!

This special free clinic is designed for your child to meet the British coaching staff that will be in town all next week, running the week long camp.

Anyone is welcome to attend - invite your friends and team mates! Clinic is for ages 3-16 years old.

PLEASE BRING A SOCCER BALL AND ARRIVE 10-15 MINUTES EARLY TO CHECK IN - 
NO PRE REGISTRATION REQUIRED.

Note: These wonderful coaches are conducting a Mon-Fri camp. If you haven't yet signed up, you can register at Sunday's clinic. Check payment preferred.

To view next week's camp - CLICK HERE

DES MOINES, IA - The Des Moines Area Sports Commission, a division of the Greater Des Moines Convention and Visitors Bureau, is seeking an additional 1,500 volunteers for the AAU Junior Olympic Games, July 22 - August 2 in Greater Des Moines. Principal Financial Group, West Bank, Nationwide and Wells Fargo & Co. have committed to providing more than 500 volunteers towards the event. Areas of need include event assistance, awards assistance, registration and set-up/tear-down. Shifts are available for sign-up atcatchdesmoines.com/aaujo.

The 2014 AAU Junior Olympic Games will include 14,000 athletes and 40,000 total visitors in Central Iowa over 12 days. Athletes range from ages 3 to 22 competing in 23 sports at eight Greater Des Moines facilities?including the Iowa Events Center and Drake Stadium. The Games are expected to generate $47 in economic impact for Greater Des Moines. Des Moines hosted the Games previously in 1995, 2004 and 2009.

"We're proud to again host AAU athletes, coaches and fans this summer," says Greg Edwards, President and CEO of the Greater Des Moines Convention and Visitors Bureau and Des Moines Area Sports Commission. "Our community's support is vital as volunteer interaction greatly enhances the overall city experience for visitors."

"The Junior Olympic Games provide thousands of youth with an opportunity to learn sportsmanship, physical fitness and teamwork," says Suzie Glazer Burt, Honorary Chair of the 2014 AAU Junior Olympic Games. "It takes volunteers from our community to educate and support these youth athletes, providing a positive and impactful experience they'll always remember."  

 

Signature Sponsors of the 2014 AAU Junior Olympic Games include Principal Financial Group, UnityPoint Health - Des Moines, Wells Fargo and Co. and Markey's Rental and Staging. Champion Sponsors include MidAmerican Energy, Nationwide Insurance, Prairie Meadows, West Bank, Greater Des Moines Partnership, Alliance Technologies, Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling Company and Adventureland Park. Supporting Sponsors include Classic Tents, ColorFX, Copy Systems, Electronic Engineering, Knapp Properties, NB Golf Cars, Scheel's, Sigler, Greg and Suzie Glazer Burt, Vital Signs and Reynolds and Reynolds.

About the Amateur Athletic Union

Founded in 1888, the Amateur Athletic Union is one of the largest multi-sport, not-for-profit, volunteer organizations in the United States. It is dedicated to the development of amateur sports and physical fitness programs for youth and adults. The AAU Junior Olympic Games are the largest national multi-sport event for amateur youth conducted in the United States.

The Greater Des Moines Convention and Visitors Bureau is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to promote Greater Des Moines as a fun, vibrant and affordable destination statewide, nationally and internationally. Our focus increases visitors to our community through meetings, conventions, sports events, leisure travel, and group tours, thereby contributing to the local economy.

McDonald and Mitchell hit home runs, team posts eight stolen bases for first time in more than a decade

DAVENPORT, Iowa (May 28, 2014) - Designated hitter Chase McDonald hit a go-ahead, two-run home run in the fifth inning, and second baseman Chan-Jong Moon became the first Quad Cities player in more than 15 years to steal four bases in a game, leading the River Bandits to a 9-5 win over the Beloit Snappers in front of 1,465 at Modern Woodmen Park Wednesday night.

Led by Moon's four stolen bases - the best single-game mark by a Quad Cities player since at least 1998 - Quad Cities (26-26) stole eight bases, which was the highest single-game showing for the team since at least 2003. Moon stole one base in the first inning, two in the third inning and one in the sixth inning to raise his team-leading season total to 23. Catcher Brett Booth, left fielder Ronnie Mitchell, first baseman Jon Kemmer and shortstop Thomas Lindauer also each stole one base.

Beloit (23-29) jumped to an early lead against left-hander Chris Lee, as shortstop Melvin Mercedes hit a first-inning, one-out double, and designated hitter Jaycob Brugman hit thre first of his two home runs to right field for a 2-0 lead.

In the bottom of the first inning, Snappers right-hander Bobby Wahl (0-4) allowed a leadoff walk to center fielder James Ramsay, and a wild pickoff throw sent Ramsay to third base. Moon drove in Ramsay with an infield single, stole second base, went to third base on a passed ball and scored the tying run on a single by right fielder Brett Phillips. Another wild pickoff by Wahl sent Phillips to third base, and McDonald lifted a sacrifice fly to left field to bring in the go-ahead run. Lindauer added a fourth-inning RBI double to make it 4-2.

Lee worked around a baserunner in each of the second through fourth innings to keep Beloit off the scoreboard. In the fifth, Snappers catcher Jose Chavez hit a leadoff double, Mercedes drew a one-out walk, and Brugman went deep for the second time to give his team a 5-4 lead. Lee was removed after 4 2/3 innings, allowing five earned runs on seven hits with two walks and six strikeouts. Right-hander Patrick Christensen (3-1) walked the first two batters he faced to load the bases before escaping the inning. Christensen went on to work 2 1/3 scoreless innings, yielding one hit and walking three batters while striking out two.

In the fifth inning against Wahl, Phillips led off with an infield single, and McDonald drove an 0-1 offering high down the left-field line for his second home run of the season and a 6-5 River Bandits lead. Kemmer followed with a single, stole second base and reached third on Chavez's throwing error, and scored on Mitchell's sacrifice fly off right-hander Stuart Pudenz, making it 7-5. Wahl was charged with seven runs - five earned - on nine hits and three walks with two strikeouts in 4 1/3 innings. In the sixth inning, Pudenz walked Lindauer, allowed a single by Ramsay and bunt single by Moon to load the bases, and Phillips hit the team's third sacrifice fly for an 8-5 lead.

Moon and Mitchell tied for the game high with three hits, and the latter hit his fourth home run in the last eight games off right-hander Tyler Vail in the seventh inning for a 9-5 lead. Right-hander Andrew Walter held the score there with scoreless eighth and ninth innings.

Quad Cities continues the series against Beloit at 7 p.m. Thursday, when right-hander Michael Feliz (1-1) is scheduled to face Snappers right-hander Junior Mendez (2-2).

UP NEXT: All ladies age 18 and over receive $2 off ANY regular ticket to the Ladies Night game at 7 p.m. Thursday. Gates open at 5:30 p.m., and the team store will offer 10% off women's apparel. Ladies 21 and over receive 2-for-1 $2 drink vouchers on Thirst-Day Thursday, which features $2 drink specials presented by Rock 104-9 and the River Cities' Reader. To order any of the River Bandits 2014 ticket plans - with new lower prices - call the River Bandits box office at 563-324-3000. Season ticket and mini-plan packages start at just seven games and begin at less than $40. Call a River Bandits account representative today to choose your seats and get the details of our various mini-plan packages.

ABOUT THE BANDITS: Having just been named Ballpark Digest's winner of Best Ballpark Improvement in America under $1 million, the River Bandits ownership is making one of the biggest improvements to Modern Woodmen Park since the ballpark was first built back in 1931! A new Ferris wheel, standing 110 feet over the playing field, opened May 24, followed by a new ride called a "Drop and Twist," an expanded 300-foot long zip line, and many other new games and attractions. In 2013, the team unveiled a new 220-foot long dual zip line, a rock climbing wall, and a number of new bounce houses. Last season, the team's major league affiliate, the Houston Astros, saw all six of its affiliates reach the playoffs - the first time in a decade any MLB team can claim such success. The River Bandits were one of three affiliates to reach the championship round and one of two to win their league championship.

Bags Tournament this Saturday, May 31st, at Shenanigan's, 3rd and Harrison in Davenport.

Tourney begins at Noon.  Cost is $30 per team with prize money to the top three teams.

Ramsay draws four walks, Mitchell goes 3-for-5 with a home runs as Quad Cities wins 10-9

BURLINGTON, Iowa (May 27, 2014) - In a game that featured five lead changes and three ties, the River Bandits ended up on top of the Burlington Bees 10-9 Tuesday at Community Field. It was Quad Cities' first one-run win since beating Beloit 6-5 on May 8.

After a three-run Burlington sixth put the Bees up 9-8, Brian Holberton, who went 2-for-5, led off the top of the seventh with a bloop double down the leftfield line. A wild pitch from Bees reliever Spencer Trygg (0-1) advanced Holberton to third, but he held there after a groundout by Jack Mayfield. The next batter, Ronnie Mitchell, drilled a two-run home run to right to put the River Bandits up for good at 10-9. Mitchell finished 3-for-5 with a triple shy of the cycle.

The Bandits got the scoring started in the top of the first. James Ramsay drew his first of four walks to lead off the game and scored when Chan-Jong Moon tripled down the rightfield line. Brett Phillips walked, and then with runners on first and third, Quad Cities executed a double steal to score Moon and make the score 2-0.

However, Burlington answered right back in the home half of the first. Kody Eaves doubled to lead off the inning and Exicardo Cayones walked against Quad Cities starter Andrew Thurman. Mike Fish flew out to right, but then Thurman surrendered an RBI single to Eric Aguilera and a three-run home run to Angel Rosa as Burlington grabbed a 4-2 advantage.

Thurman would battle to work a career-high 5.1 innings, but allowed eight runs on 10 hits with three walks and six strikeouts. He did not factor into the decision.

Quad Cities tied things up again in the third. Moon singled to start off the frame. Phillips then laid down a sacrifice bunt, but a throwing error on the third baseman Rosa allowed Moon to score all the way from first, with Phillips reaching third. After Chase McDonald was hit by a pitch from Burlington starter Clint Sharp, who gave up eight runs, five earned on seven hits in 4.1 frames, a 4-6-3 double play off the bat of Holberton scored Phillips and tied the game at five.

Jon Kemmer homered for the fourth time this season to give Quad Cities a 6-5 lead in the top of the fourth, but Burlington tallied a run in the bottom half with Stephen McGee scoring from third on a passed ball to knot things up again.

In the top of the fifth, Holberton drilled a one-out solo homer, his fourth of the year, to right-center and the Bandits held a 7-6 advantage. Tyler White then doubled and advanced to third and then home, respectively, on two wild pitches to give Quad Cities an 8-6 lead.

Albert Minnis worked 2.2 innings out of the bullpen to earn the win. Minnis (1-1) scattered four hits to allow only one run while fanning two. Frederick Tiburcio worked a scoreless ninth with two punchouts for his first career save as Quad Cities salvaged the three-game set to improve to 25-26.

The River Bandits will Chris Lee (2-2, 2.77 ERA) to the mound tomorrow as they begin a three-game series with the Beloit Snappers.

UP NEXT: The next chance to have your bill paid up to $100 by the River Bandits will be on Wednesday, May 28th when Quad Cities hosts the Beloit Snappers. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. for the 7 p.m. battle on Game Show Night at Modern Woodmen Park. To order any of the ticket plans - with new lower prices - call the River Bandits box office at 563-324-3000. Season ticket and mini-plan packages start at just seven games and begin at less than $40. Call a River Bandits account representative today to choose your seats and get the details of our various mini-plan packages.
Ferris Wheel Fast Pass Lane for IHMVCU members also announced
DAVENPORT, Iowa. (May 23, 2014) -  Every ride of the opening season for the new Ferris wheel at Modern Woodmen Park will help benefit the Genesis Health Services Foundation, the Quad Cities River Bandits and Main Street Amusements announced on Friday. For each ride, 50 cents will be donated to the Genesis Health Services Foundation, benefiting Camp Genesis, Genesis Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and Genesis Flu-Free Quad Cities.
The River Bandits also announced a new Fast Lane to board the Ferris wheel for IHMVCU members who purchase tickets for the ride and show their membership at the Ferris wheel queue.
Beginning Saturday, May 24, the amusement areas of Modern Woodmen Park - including the Ferris wheel and the Bounce QC Kids Zone are scheduled to be open - weather permitting - to fans at every River Bandits home game, and will also be open on weekend non-game days during the following hours:
Fridays, 6 p.m.-10 p.m.,
Saturdays, 10 a.m.-noon and 6 p.m.-10 p.m.,
Sundays, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
This weekend's special Memorial Day hours will be noon to 6 p.m. on both Sunday, May 25, and Memorial Day Monday, May 26, to celebrate the opening of the first Ferris wheel inside of a minor league ballpark.
"We are so excited to open the Ferris wheel and amusements for the Quad Cities community and visitors for every game and every weekend all summer long," said River Bandits owner Dave Heller. "Not only will our guests enjoy some of the best and most affordable family-friendly entertainment in the Midwest, but they will also be supporting a local charity and creating lifelong memories."
To ride the Ferris wheel and enjoy the other amusements at Modern Woodmen Park, fans may purchase special tickets that can be redeemed at amusement areas, including the Ferris wheel and Bounce QC Kids Zone. Tickets are sold at $1 each, 5 for $5, 12 for $10, and 20 for $15. One Ferris wheel ride is 5 tickets. No tickets are required for children three years and under, but children shorter than 42 inches must be accompanied by an adult on the Ferris wheel.
The Ferris wheel has 20 gondolas, with each able to hold a maximum of six adults or up to eight people including children. The loading process requires weight balance throughout the Ferris wheel. Once loaded, a full ride is approximately three to four minutes. The wheel moves at approximately 7.5 miles per hour.
The River Bandits and Main Street Amusements are offering an all-you-can-ride-and-bounce daily pass for $20, and a season pass for unlimited rides and play in the Bounce QC Kids Zone for $49. Purchases can be made at the amusement areas of Modern Woodmen Park.
UP NEXT: A limited number of tickets are still available for the Inaugural Ferris Wheel Ride event and fundraiser to benefit the Genesis Health Services Foundation May 24. Only the first 300 will be sold for the noon to 3 p.m. event at Modern Woodmen Park. Call 563-421-6865 or visit Modern Woodmen park to order tickets. To order any of the River Bandits 2014 ticket plans - with new lower prices - call the River Bandits box office at 563-324-3000. Season ticket and mini-plan packages start at just seven games and begin at less than $40. Call a River Bandits account representative today to choose your seats and get the details of our various mini-plan packages.
Quad Cities uses six-run third inning and three-run fourth to open 10-3 lead and coast to 11-6 win

DAVENPORT, Iowa (May 22, 2014) - Quad Cities River Bandits left fielder Ronnie Mitchell homered for a second straight game and had a game-high four RBIs, six players had multi-hit games, and every player in the lineup contributed one of the team's 15 hits in an 11-6 win over the Cedar Rapids Kernels in front of 4,387 at Modern Woodmen Park Thursday night.

Cedar Rapids (22-24) took the first lead of the game in the second inning against left-hander Chris Lee (2-2). Third baseman Bryan Haar hit a one-out infield single, left fielder J.D. Williams walked, and a two-out ground ball by catcher Michael Quesada got through shortstop Thomas Lindauer to score a run. In the next half-inning against right-hander Aaron Slegers (4-2), third baseman Tyler White and designated hitter Brian Holberton hit consecutive singles, and Mitchell lifted a game-tying sacrifice fly to center field.

In the top of the third inning, Kernels first baseman Chad Christensen hit a two-out single and scored on designated hitter Mitch Garver's double down the third-base line. Haar then doubled to right-center field, bringing home Garver for a 3-1 Kernels lead.

In the bottom of the third inning, Quad Cities (22-23) used its highest-scoring inning of the season to take a commanding lead. With one out, second baseman Chan-Jong Moon singled to right field, and right fielder Brett Phillips put a bunt single to the third-base side of the pitcher's mound. After a double steal by Moon and Phillips, first baseman Conrad Gregor hit a game-tying double down the right-field line. White then collected his 11th hit in four games against the Kernels with a go-ahead double down the left-field line. Designated hitter Brian Holberton singled up the the middle to put runners at first and third bases, and Mitchell drove a 1-0 offering from Slegers to the Built Ford Tough Deck in right field for a 7-3 lead. The six runs were the most in a single inning for Quad Cities this season.

The River Bandits added on to the lead in the fourth, when center fielder James Ramsay hit a leadoff double to the center field fence, followed by Moon's RBI double down the right-field line. Phillips then hit an RBI triple - his team-high seventh of the season - to right-center field, and Gregor singled him home for his third RBI and a 10-3 lead. Having given up hits to 10 of the last 12 batters, Slegers was removed without recording an out in the fourth inning. He was charged with 10 earned runs on 14 hits with no walks and two strikeouts.

Lee allowed a walk and single for another run in the fifth inning but completed the frame for his first Midwest League win as a starter. He allowed four runs - two earned - on five hits with two walks and five strikeouts. Right-hander Andrew Thurman began the sixth inning and with one out, he allowed a single and back-to-back walks before a bases-loaded groundout brought in a run. Thurman retired eight of the last nine batters he faced in three innings, with the exception an eighth-inning, one-out solo home run by center fielder Jason Kanzler to the DHCU On Deck in right-center field. Thurman allowed two earned runs on two hits with two walks and five strikeouts.

The River Bandits tallied their final run in the seventh, when White led off with a hit-by-pitch against right-hander Yorman Landa and scored on Lindauer's RBI single. With an 11-6 lead, right-hander Frederick Tiburcio tossed a scoreless ninth inning in his home debut.

With sole possession of fourth place in the Western Division, Quad Cities will continue its series with Cedar Rapids at 7 p.m. Friday, when River Bandits right-hander Michael Feliz (1-1) is scheduled to face Kernels right-hander Ryan Eades (3-5).

UP NEXT: A limited number of tickets are still available for the Inaugural Ferris Wheel Ride event and fundraiser to benefit the Genesis Health Services Foundation May 24. Only the first 300 will be sold for the noon to 3 p.m. event at Modern Woodmen Park. Call 563-421-6865 or visit Modern Woodmen park to order tickets. To order any of the River Bandits 2014 ticket plans - with new lower prices - call the River Bandits box office at 563-324-3000. Season ticket and mini-plan packages start at just seven games and begin at less than $40. Call a River Bandits account representative today to choose your seats and get the details of our various mini-plan packages.

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