Amusement debut adds to dual zip line, rock-climbing wall at Modern Woodmen Park

DAVENPORT, Iowa (JULY 1, 2013) - As part of a growing amusement lineup at Modern Woodmen Park, the River Bandits and Main Street Amusements opened the new Mediacom Frog Hopper at Monday night's game in the Party Plaza near the Budweiser Backyard Barbecue Deck.

With the debut of the Fly Wire™ dual zip line at the ballpark June 11 and the addition of a rock-climbing wall and four new bounce houses earlier this season, Main Street Amusements continues to enhance Modern Woodmen Park with unique attractions and build the largest set of amusements inside a Minor League Baseball stadium.

"The Frog Hopper will add to the fun and affordable experiences kids can enjoy at a game," said River Bandits owner and Main Street Amusement president Dave Heller. "When River Bandits fans come to the ballpark, we want to offer them fresh, fun and affordable entertainment, and riding the Frog Hopper at a baseball stadium along the Mississippi River will certainly give them a memorable and unique experience."

With a colorful and kid-friendly design, the Frog Hopper, sponsored by Mediacom, bounces up to seven riders comfortably along a tower as they sit in a row looking over the playing field for a one-of-a-kind view of the stadium as they "hop alongside" the Mississippi River. The Frog Hopper is an amusement ride from manufacturer S & S Worldwide, Inc. (www.engineeringexcitement.com), which has more than 400 rides in 30 countries around the world.

"S&S Worldwide is excited for our joint venture with the River Bandits and Main Street Amusements to combine amusement rides and baseball with the addition of a Frog Hopper to Modern Woodmen Park," said Toby Garcia, North American Sales Representative for S&S Worldwide/Sansei Technologies. "With more than 250 Frog Hoppers worldwide, this ride is a family favorite that will delight kids in the Quad Cities and across the region."

The Frog Hopper opened Monday night with a price of $2 per ride, or $5 for three rides.
Due to the recent flooding in Centennial Park, the location of Youthfest has been changed to Fejervary Park, 1759 W 12th Street in Davenport.
Calling ALL youth in the Quad Cities and surrounding area to come celebrate at Davenport Parks and Recreation and many partnering organizations at our 20th annual YOUTHFEST.
In addition to our regular activities, this year we are joining forces with the iExploreSTEM program. iExploreSTEM activities challenge kids to think, to solve STEM problems and introduce them to careers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math). iExploreSTEM is fun!

Wednesday, July 10 
10:00AM - 2:00PM
Fejervary Park
1759 W 12th St

Test Your Trivia Skills at Pepperjack's American Food & Spirits

DAVENPORT, IA - Research suggests that if you wish to increase your brainpower, you should challenge your mental skills as often as possible. Ways to keep your mind active include various forms of puzzles and memory games. If you'd like to improve your mental powers while meeting new people and having fun, Pepperjack's American Food & Spirits offers a weekly mental workout you are sure to enjoy.
Pepperjack's will hold Brain Gamez live team trivia and games from 7 to 10 p.m. every Tuesday night in July and August, starting July 2, in the cocktail lounge at Pepperjack's American Food & Spirits, located at 1225 E. Kimberly Road, Davenport, IA. During each Brain Gamez trivia night, three games will be held, starting at 7 p.m., 8 p.m., and 9 p.m., with prizes every hour. Entry is free.
According to Danny Holmes and Wes Ludloff, co-owners of Pepperjack's American Food & Spirits, they are always happy to offer new entertainment options for their patrons. "Last month, we offered the Evening of Art & Wine painting event, and that was a big success," said Holmes. "The Brain Gamez trivia night will make for a great evening of entertainment, whether you come down with a group of friends, or wish to make some new friends."
"We want people to see Pepperjack's not only as a unique dining experience, but also as a fun place to go with a variety of different activities," Ludloff said. "We already have quite a few regulars who come to our Open Mic/Karaoke Night." Pepperjack's offers Open Mic/Karaoke in the lounge on Thursday nights, 8 p.m. to midnight, with extended Happy Hour specials.
For more information on Pepperjack's American Food & Spirits, call (563) 324-9525 or visit www.PepperjacksRestaurant.com. Be sure to check their Facebook page for upcoming events and specials: www.facebook.com/Pepperjacks.Restaurant.
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Shortstop is first-ever position player selected to the game during his River Bandits season

DAVENPORT, Iowa (JULY 1, 2013) - Quad Cities River Bandits shortstop Carlos Correa was selected by fans for the final roster spot on the World Team roster for the 2013 SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game, set for Sunday, July 14, at Citi Field in New York. The Santa Isabel, Puerto Rico, native is the first position player to make the game in the same year he appeared for the Midwest League club.

For the first time in the All-Star Futures Game's 15-year history, fans determined the final player on both the U.S. and World Team rosters by casting their votes in the All-Star Sunday Futures Finalists ballot. Major League Baseball announced Correa's selection Monday afternoon. He is one of three current Midwest Leaguers selected to the game, as he joins Beloit pitcher Michael Ynoa, of the Oakland Athletics, on the World Team; Bowling Green pitcher Taylor Guerreri, of the Tampa Bay Rays, is on the U.S. Team.

The 18-year-old Correa was the No. 1 overall pick by the Houston Astros in the 2012 First-Year Player Draft. He was the youngest player in the 2013 Midwest League All-Star Game, which he started at shortstop for the Western Division All-Stars, June 18 at Fifth Third Field in Dayton, Ohio. He is currently third in the Midwest League with a .323 batting average and fifth with a .408 on-base percentage. He is also third in batting average among Astros minor leaguers with full-season affiliates. Rated by Baseball America as the top prospect in the Astros minor league system entering the season, he was the Quad Cities Player of the Month in May, when he assembled a career-high 10-game hitting streak, held a .349 average and had 18 RBIs in 22 games. In his final 21 games in June, Correa hit for a .422 average with two home runs, 13 RBIs and a .578 slugging percentage.

This season, two former River Bandits - both from the 2011 Midwest League Championship team - have already been selected for the All-Star Futures Game. Outfielder Oscar Taveras and infielder Kolten Wong will play for the World and U.S. Teams, respectively, for a second consecutive year.

The last player selected for the All-Star Futures Game in the same season he played for Quad Cities was St. Louis Cardinals right-hander Carlos Martinez in 2011. Martinez was promoted to the advanced Class-A Palm Beach Cardinals before being named to the World roster for the game in Phoenix, Ariz. He threw one scoreless inning in a 6-4 U.S. victory.

Cardinals right-hander Shelby Miller was the last River Bandit selected for the All-Star Futures Game while on the Quad Cities roster. Miller pitched for the U.S. in the 2010 game in Anaheim, Calif., and worked two-thirds of a scoreless inning in a 9-1 U.S. victory.

The SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game, which is now in its 15th year, features the top Minor League prospects competing in a nine-inning contest as part of Taco Bell All-Star Sunday. The U.S. Team leads the all-time series, 8-6. The game will begin at 1 p.m. Central Daylight Time July 14 and can be viewed live on ESPN2, ESPN2 HD and MLB.com.

UP NEXT: Monday is First Responders Night, when all police, fire and EMS personnel can show a badge or credential at the "Suites" entrance for a $10 package including a bleacher ticket and a hot dog and soda voucher. For $15, fans can purchase a wristband for all-you-can-eat hot dogs, nachos, peanuts and popcorn on Munchie Monday presented by 97X. Single-game tickets are on sale at the River Bandits box office at Modern Woodmen Park, by phone at 563-324-3000 and online at www.riverbandits.com. Season ticket and mini-plan packages start at just seven games and begin at less than $50. Call a River Bandits account representative today to choose your seats and get the details of our various mini-plan packages.

ABOUT THE BANDITS: 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 112 feet over the playing field, is planned for next spring, along with a carousel and other new games and attractions. This season, the team just unveiled a new 300-foot long dual zip line, a rock climbing wall, a Mediacom Frog Hopper, and a number of new bounce houses. The team also boasts a new major league affiliate, the Houston Astros, and fans can see last year's No. 1 overall draft pick, Carlos Correa, as well as first-round draft choice Lance McCullers. The Astros also just made the very first selection in the major league draft June 6 and could have top pick Mark Appel play in the Quad Cities. With new rides, new attractions, new improvements, a new affiliate and future major league stars, the second half of this season is one every fan will not want to miss!

*****

Thirty-nine Clarke Student-Athletes Named NAIA Scholar-Athletes

(DUBUQUE, Iowa) Thirty-nine Clarke University student-athletes, including Abby Willich of Davenport have been named 2013 Daktronics - National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Scholar-Athletes. The following area students received NAIA Scholar-Athlete honors.

To be eligible for the honor, student-athletes must maintain a 3.50 grade point average on a 4.0 scale and must have achieved junior academic status.  Clarke is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics and the Midwest Collegiate Conference.

Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center sponsors series with two fireworks shows, Mega Candy Drop

DAVENPORT, Iowa (JUNE 29, 2013) - The Quad Cities River Bandits host the Clinton LumberKings for five games Saturday, June 29 through Wednesday, July 3, at Modern Woodmen Park. Below are the highlights of promotions and events for the homestand, which is presented by the Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center.

PARKING AT MODERN WOODMEN PARK

Modern Woodmen Park is flood-protected. Parking is available in the Florian Keen parking lot to the north of Modern Woodmen Park, facing River Drive. The lot is accessible via Western Avenue.

Saturday, June 29, 7:00 p.m. (Gates 5:30 p.m.) Sponsors: Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center, CBS4

- Fan Appreciation Saturday

- Rascal Gnome Giveaway presented by Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center - for the first 2,000 fans through the gates.

- Seatbelt Awareness Night - a pregame presentation to raise seatbelt awareness.

- Social Media Night

- Durant Community Night

Sunday, June 30, 5:00 p.m. (Gates 3:30 p.m.)

Sponsors: GalaxyOne, Hy-Vee, Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center, KWQC, B100

- Flat Screen Family Sunday - fans can enter a drawing on the concourse to win a free flat-screen TV. Winners will be announced during half-inning breaks of the game.

- Hy-Vee Night & Tote Bag Giveaway - for the first 1,000 fans through the gates.

- Bark in the Park - Dogs are welcome to the game on the Modern Woodmen Berm in left field.

- GalaxyOne Mega Candy Drop - Following the game, the River Bandits will invite all children to the infield to watch a helicopter drop candy into the outfield. When all the candy has been dropped, they will be released to pick up the candy, while the helicopter returns to sprinkle marshmallows over the outfield. A drawing on the concourse will also give one lucky fan a free helicopter ride following the candy drop.

Monday, July 1, 7:00 p.m. (Gates 5:30 p.m.) Sponsors: Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center, 97X

- Munchie Monday - All-you-can-eat hot dogs, nachos, peanuts and popcorn is available with a $15 wristband at the box office.

- First Responders Night - With a badge or credential presented at the "Suites" entrance, police, fire and EMS personnel can purchase a $10 package that includes a bleacher ticket with a hot dog and soda voucher.

- Milan Community Night

Tuesday, July 2, 7:00 p.m. (Gates 5:30 p.m.) Sponsors: Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center, Pepsi, WOC, Q106.5

- Buy-1-Get-1 Free Tickets - All tickets are buy-1-get-1 free at the Modern Woodmen Park box office.

- Dew for Twosday - Recycle a can or bottle of Mountain Dew at the box office for a voucher for a free 16-ounce soda inside the park.

- Kids Eat Free - Kids 12 and under receive a voucher for a free hot dog and soda upon entry.

- Elks Night

- Start the Party Early: First Quad Cities Holiday Fireworks Show - following the game.

Wednesday, July 3, 6:30 p.m. (Gates 4:30 p.m.) Sponsors: Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center, U.S. Bank, Mix 96

- Pay Your Bill Wednesday - Fans can enter a copy of an unpaid bill into a drawing on the concourse, and if it is selected, the River Bandits will pay the bill up to $100.

- Red, White & BOOM Fireworks - From inside Modern Woodmen Park, fans can get the best view of the fireworks show, which begins at 9:30 p.m.

Tickets are available at the Modern Woodmen Park box office, by calling 563-324-3000 or online at www.riverbandits.com.

ABOUT THE BANDITS: 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 112 feet over the playing field, is planned for next spring, along with a carousel and other new games and attractions. This season, the team just unveiled a new 300-foot long dual zip line, a rock climbing wall, a Mediacom Frog Hopper, and a number of new bounce houses. The team also boasts a new major league affiliate, the Houston Astros, and fans can see last year's No. 1 overall draft pick, Carlos Correa, as well as first-round draft choice Lance McCullers. The Astros also just made the very first selection in the major league draft June 6 and are expected to have top pick Mark Appel play in the Quad Cities later this season. With new rides, new attractions, new improvements, a new affiliate and future major league stars, the second half of this season is one every fan will not want to miss!

*****

State Celebrates 2013 Stanley Cup Champions

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today proclaimed June 28, 2013 to be Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Blackhawks Day in Illinois, in honor of the team's recent Stanley Cup win and their outstanding season.

The Blackhawks' unforgettable victory over the Boston Bruins isn't the only win Illinois is celebrating - , the Greater Chicago Food Depository will have another set of helping hands this summer when Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick comes to make good on his wager with Governor Quinn. On June 11 the governors made a wager before the start of the Stanley Cup Final series that the governor of the losing team's state would volunteer at the food bank of the winning governor's choice

The Stanley Cup will reprise its 2010 visit to the Illinois Executive Mansion in Springfield later this summer, where the public may view the trophy free of charge. The date of the public display will be announced at a later date.

WHEREAS, the Chicago Blackhawks were founded on September 25, 1926 by Major Frederic McLaughlin and named after the 333rd Machine Gun Battalion of the 86th Division of the United States Army, the unit Major McLaughlin commanded in World War I; and,

WHEREAS, the Chicago Blackhawks, in their nearly 87 years have showcased outstanding offensemen including Bobby Hull, Stan Mikita, Denis Savard, and Jeremy Roenick; elite defensemen including Pierre Pilote, Keith Magnuson, and Chris Chelios; and superior goaltenders Glenn Hall and Tony Esposito; and,

WHEREAS, the Chicago Blackhawks began the 2013 season by earning at least 1 point in 24 consecutive games, thereby setting a new National Hockey League record, won over 80 percent of their regular season games and completed the regular season with the most points of any team; and,

WHEREAS, the Chicago Blackhawks' unmatched 2013 regular season success resulted in receipt of the Presidents' Trophy, given by the National Hockey League to the team that completes the regular season with the best overall record, for the second time in franchise history; and,

WHEREAS, the Chicago Blackhawks' exceptional goaltending tandem of Corey Crawford and Ray Emery, in recognition of their unparalleled 2013 regular season, earned the William M. Jennings Trophy by allowing the fewest goals of any team's goaltenders in the National Hockey League; and,

WHEREAS, the Chicago Blackhawks' esteemed captain Jonathan Toews, in recognition of his superior 2013 regular season, was awarded the Frank J. Selke Trophy, given to the forward who best excels in the defensive aspects of the game; and,

WHEREAS, the Chicago Blackhawks' Patrick Kane led the Blackhawks with 19 points in the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs, including 3 goals and 4 points in the last 3 games of the Stanley Cup Final, thereby netting the Conn Smythe Trophy, given to the most valuable player to his team in the Stanley Cup Playoffs; and,

WHEREAS, the Chicago Blackhawks' Bryan Bickell scored the tying goal in the final game with 1 minute and 16 seconds remaining in the third period, and the Chicago Blackhawks' Dave Bolland scored the winning goal only 17 seconds later with just 59 seconds remaining in the third and final period, the latest Stanley Cup-clinching goal scored in regulation time in the history of the National Hockey League; and,

WHEREAS, the Chicago Blackhawks' unequaled regular season produced the top overall seed for the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs, an advantage that culminated on Monday, June 24, 2013, when the Chicago Blackhawks defeated the Boston Bruins by a score of 3-2 to become 2013 Stanley Cup Champions; and,

WHEREAS, the Chicago Blackhawks of 2013 became the fifth team in history to win the National Hockey League championship and raise Lord Stanley's Cup - the oldest, most storied trophy in professional sports - wearing the iconic Chicago Blackhawks sweater, thereby joining the other victorious teams from 1934, 1938, 1961 and 2010; and,

WHEREAS, the Chicago Blackhawks' 2013 Stanley Cup victory was produced from the foundation of enthusiasm and desire created by Team Chairman Rocky Wirtz, Team President John McDonough, General Manager Stan Bowman, Head Coach Joel Quenneville, the Chicago Blackhawks' players, and each and every member of the Chicago Blackhawks organization; and,

WHEREAS, the Chicago Blackhawks made their second Championship contribution to the lives of the people of Illinois in the last 4 years, thereby again uniting sports fans in civic pride, as well as improving the lives of those in need and providing opportunities for the youth of Illinois through the Chicago Blackhawks Community Fund;

THEREFORE I, Pat Quinn, Governor of the State of Illinois, do hereby proclaim Friday, June 28, 2013, to be STANLEY CUP CHAMPION CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS DAY in Illinois and encourage Illinois citizens to celebrate the 2013 Stanley Cup victory by our team and proudly show support of the Blackhawks at our homes, workplaces, and schools throughout the Land of Lincoln.

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CHICAGO - Lt. Governor Sheila Simon will join Secretary of State Jesse White, officials from the Illinois Department of Transportation and the League of Illinois Bicyclists (LIB) to launch a new online bicycle safety quiz and promote bicycle safety in Illinois.

"Just as drivers must share the road with bikers, we as bicyclists need to do our part to keep roads safe," said Simon, a member of the LIB and Carbondale Bicycle Club. "Whether I am biking along the streets or paths of Chicago or on quiet roads in southern Illinois, I follow the rules of the road and do what I can to keep myself and fellow travelers safe." 

Simon will help unveil LIB's "Illinois bicycle safety quiz challenge," which is available for free to all bicyclists and motorists. Lt. Governor Simon earned gold level on the quiz, which can be found at bikesafetyquiz.com.

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Megan Salyars has been selected to represent the United States at an International Rugby Tournament to be held August 14 to August 24, 2013 in Wales in the United Kingdom. She graduated from Central Community Schools DeWitt in 2012 where she participated in softball, volleyball, powerlifting, choir and theater. She has been awarded National and World records in her age and weight for powerlifting.

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Currently, she is a sophomore at the University of Northern Iowa where she is studying Movement and Exercise Science, with minors in coaching and entrepreneurship while participating on the UNI Women's Rugby team.  As a member of the team, she has represented the University of Northern Iowa at the National 7s tournament in Houston, Texas where we placed 7th over all.

This summer, she was invited to participate in the Midwest Select Rugby Camp at Palmer College.  This camp consisted of all the top rated rugby players from the Midwest Division I Colleges. At the end of the camp, the coaches chose the top 25 players from the Midwest to participate in an International Rugby Tournament that is being hosted in Wales, United Kingdom, this year. By earning a spot on this team, she will have the opportunity to play against some of the world's best female rugby players.  It is an honor to be chosen to participate on this team.  She was recruited to play rugby at the University of Northern Iowa, and she never dreamt to love this sport so much or to be given such a wonderful opportunity.

Sadly, the International Rugby Tournament is not affiliated or sanctioned by a college or university thereby, requiring the players to be responsible for fundraising for their expenses. She is currently soliciting local businesses for financial donations to offset her $2,000 in expenses. Donations can be sent to 2587 282nd Ave DeWitt, Iowa 52742.

Thank you for your support.

Jason sets best in 1:06:34 and Ellen runs 1:20:15

Des Moines - June 4, 2013

Learn more about the team, visit the web site Runablaze.com that includes the resume of the team athletes and past running highlights.  1300 of the best Iowa runners, race directors, coaches, volunteers & fans receive this e-mail.
____________________________________

Runablaze Iowa is sponsored by:

Iowa's best running specialty stores:
Fitness Sports - Des Moines
Runners Flat - Cedar Falls
Running Wild - Cedar Rapids, Coraville, Iowa City & West Burlington

Iowa's on-line registration leader:
GetMeRegistered.com - Bettendorf

Iowa's best races:
Red Flannel, Loop the Lake, Market to Market, Hy Vee road races, Dam to Dam, Marathon to Marathon, Clive Running Festival, Sturgis Falls, Fifth Season, Midnight Madness, Park to Park, Capital Pursuit, IMT Des Moines Marathon and Living History Farms.
____________________________________

And now for the "News" . . .
Jason Flogel set a PR by over a minute in the USA Grandma's Half-Marathon Championships (Duluth, June 22) in 1:06:34.  Jason comments, "I broke every PR of mine from mile 7 onward. It was easily one of the deepest fields I've ran in as I placed 59th overall." Ellen Ries finish 45th in the women's field running a 1:20:15.  There were 39 US men under 1:05 and 34 US women under 1:18.  Dam to Dam top women finishers did well, Kelly Brinkman (Dam 2nd) was 3rd in the Half and Pasca Cheuiyot (Dam 3rd), training in Ft Dodge ran a 2:34:25 in the marathon.
Nate Hopp won the Hog Wild Days 5K (Hiawatha, June 22) in 16:01.
Old News . . .
Robyn Friedman, now a master's runner, won the Rhino Rampage 5K (Des Moines, June 15) winning the entire race in 18:35.
Randy Bill, Chris Robertson and Mason Frank were part of a 12 man Ragnar Relay team that competed at the Madison to Chicago 200 mile relay (June 8-9).  The team won the event in 19:44:22, a sub-6 minute pace.  Mason reports, "Randy led the team with an average pace around 5:16 per mile for (his 3 legs) 20 miles.  I was our second fastest runner with a 5:26 pace for 20 miles and Chris was in the mid 5:30s."
Mason continues, "We were battling another team for most of the night but ended up pulling away and winning by 14 minutes. It was a brutal race with everyone running three separate times, each time about 5-6 hours apart.  Staying up all night and running at that caliber three times was very taxing on the body."
Marie Schofer is back on the roads.  In her hometown she ran the Mt Vernon Chocolate Stroll (June 1) in 21:07.  At the Lisbon Jugglefest 5K (June 9) ran 19:51.  Marie states just two months post-pregnancy, "I've been in a normal running routine for the last few weeks and look forward to getting back to workouts and more races in the next few months."
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About Runablaze Iowa
Runablaze Iowa athletes are based throughout Iowa.  Formed in 2006, the purpose of the team is to improve post-collegiate Iowa distance running. Major Iowa running specialty stores, Iowa races and Iowa runners at those races support Runablaze Iowa.

Contact:
Cal Murdock - Team Manager
515-274-5379
calmurdock@earthlink.net

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