Iowa's John Linquist selected to introduce new generation of youth to shooting sports

Sibley, Iowa - March 1, 2012 - Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever announce John Linquist, formerly Pheasants Forever's Regional Representative in western Iowa, as the organization's new FOREVER Shooting Sports National Coordinator. This position, made possible by a generous donation from Larry and Brenda Potterfield, founders of MidwayUSA, is aimed at introducing young people to shooting sports and increasing youth outdoor participation.

In 2011, Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever launched its FOREVER Shooting Sports Program, which was made possible by a five-year pledge from the Potterfields. The program's intention is to develop a sustainable comprehensive shooting sports program that works closely with chapters and partners. In year one, the program doubled its initial goal and provided 17,000 youth participants the opportunity to experience the thrill of shooting sports.

Born and raised in Cherokee, Iowa, Linquist has served as Pheasants Forever's Regional Representative in western Iowa since 2006. He's been a shooting instructor for more than 30 years and began teaching hunter education when he was just 16 years old. "Pheasants Forever has always been a strong advocate for youth education, shooting sports and hunter retention," said Linquist, "I am confident we can dramatically increase the number of youth who are currently involved with shooting sports and continue the outdoor heritage that makes this country unique. Forever Shooting Sports programs are designed to instill an affinity with the outdoors and keep our youth excited about conservation well into the future."

"John's experience with the shooting sports and his passion to get kids outdoors makes him the perfect fit for this position," said Cheryl Riley, Pheasants Forever Vice President of Education & Outreach, "John knows our volunteers, and he will build a national network of community shooting programs supported by our chapters. We are so excited to have this opportunity to promote shooting sports as part of our No Child Left Indoors® initiative."

Besides the shooting sports, Linquist enjoys hunting upland and big game, fishing and archery. He lives in Sibley, Iowa, with his wife of 25 years, Darla, their two children Matthew and Suzanne, and Jake the Wonder Dog (his Gordon Setter). "I'm blessed to have my family's support in my career at Pheasants Forever," said Linquist, "Success is so much more obtainable when your family and friends are helping you reach your goals."

Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever have spent more than $10 million on youth conservation education since 1982. This has allowed the organization to host 45,530 youngsters in its youth mentor hunts, 58,575 in outdoor skills events and another 10,000 in youth conservation camps across the country.

For more information regarding Pheasants Forever's FOREVER Shooting Sports Program, please contact John Linquist, at (712) 754-3221 / Email John. For all other inquiries, please contact Rehan Nana, Pheasants Forever Public Relations Specialist at 651-209-4973 / Email Rehan.

Pheasants Forever, including its quail conservation division, Quail Forever, is the nation's largest nonprofit organization dedicated to upland habitat conservation. Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever have more than 130,000 members and 700 local chapters across the United States and Canada. Chapters are empowered to determine how 100 percent of their locally raised conservation funds are spent, the only national conservation organization that operates through this truly grassroots structure.

-30-

Recreation

 

The River's Edge 700 West River Drive Next to Modern Woodmen Stadium   Jamm'in At The Edge! - Especially For Teens! Saturday, March 3 - Come on out and skate while you enjoy live local bands and DJ's. All ages welcome!  Admission:  $10/Person, $3/Skate Rental, Saturday, March 3rd from 9pm-11pm, Band: Surface Tension. River's Edge School Out Adventure Spring Break Camp Davenport Parks and Recreation's Adventure Camp and River's Edge Sports Camps are combining to offer camps on ALL School out Days, including In-Service, School Breaks and snow days!  These days will be filled -playing games, doing crafts, taking field trips, and spending time with friends!  We have highly qualified staff that will keep your child active and safe while also providing enriching experiences with a focus on all sorts of sports on our turf and ice skating. School Out Days run March 8 - 20th from 7:30-5:30 at the River's Edge utilizing the wonderful facilities such as ice skating and Centennial Park, with all its wonderful amenities: spray park , basketball court, skate park, and playgrounds. Each child needs to bring a water bottle and sack lunch, wear socks and gym shoes, bring warm clothes to ice skate, PM snacks will be provided.  The cost for the camp is $30/day or 20 percent off for registering for more than 2 days.   The Chicago Fire is coming to the Rivers Edge!!! A soccer youth clinic will be held on Sunday, March 18th! A bus trip to the Fire home opener will take all participants, who will be ON THE FIELD for warm-ups. Mom and Me Skate at the River's Edge Friday, March 30 - Kids grab your skates and hit the ice with your mom on Friday March 30th from 6-8pm! Show her how you cut up the ice and have a great time skating to the latest hits while stopping for pizza for the low, low price of only $10. The Spring Baseball Special is here at the Rivers Edge! Batting Cages, Pitching Mounds, Hitting Stations and plenty of open turf. All you bring are bats and balls and the rest is up to us. Only $50 an hour for March and April.   Spring Adult Leagues are starting very soon! Softball, Soccer, Kickball, Volleyball, Basketball leagues will be available. Click "Online Catalog and Registration" and follow the instructions.   Spring registration is available after March 15 at: www.cityofdavenportiowa.com/parks     Intro To Tae Kwon Do for Ages 11+ at The River's Edge This 4-week introductory session meets twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays for 8 sessions; March 6-29.  It is designed for the more serious athlete but is still guaranteed to be fun and enhance the mind/body connection!  Ages 11 and above are welcome.  The art of Tae Kwon Do is an exceptional mind and body work-out and a great enhancement to an active lifestyle.  Participants who are interested in testing at the conclusion of the session will be required to purchase a Do-Bok - details to be reviewed in class. Instructor:  Ethan Dixon, a second degree black belt, has been training for seven years and teaching for three. Fee:  $90.00  Classes repeat every month and students advance at their own pace.

Coal Valley, IL - February 28, 2012 - Niabi Zoo has announced that it will open its gates for the 2012 season on Monday, March 5th.

The zoo, which has been closed for the winter since mid-December of 2011, will be open from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm each day. As a way to welcome the community back out to the zoo, admission will be free until March 11th.

Niabi Zoo Interim Zoo Director Marc Heinzman says zoo visitors have much to look forward to this year. "The great thing about visiting Niabi Zoo," said Heinzman, "is that it's always an adventure for our guests. Our baby giraffe born last September has really grown up in just a few months, and we've got a new baby colobus monkey that was just born a couple months ago. Both of them are doing great!"

In addition to the new zoo babies, Niabi Zoo has added new programs to enhance the experiences of zoo guests. "We have added Keeper Chats this year," said Heinzman. "Every day at 11:00 am and 3:00 pm at different animal exhibits Niabi Zoo zookeepers will be available to speak with zoo guests about the animals and answer questions. This will be a great addition to the visit of anyone spending the day at the zoo."

Starting March 5th, Niabi Zoo will be open seven days a week.

###

[MOLINE, IL] (February 22, 2012) - Elizabeth Sharis, a 14 year old junior member of Y Quad Cities Rowing, competed this past weekend at the 31st annual CRASH B World Indoor Rowing Championships. The event was held at Agganis Arena at Boston University before a record crowd of more than 8,000 spectators. More than 2,200 athletes competed in several age and weight divisions; 24 countries were represented, including 47 athletes from the United Kingdom, 38 from Canada, and 16 from Germany. All athletes completed 2000 meters on Concept2 Ergometer indoor rowing machines, with real-time results shown on large screens over the arena for rowing enthusiasts and other spectators to see.

Sharis competed in the Junior Women's Lightweight division. A total of 100 girls aged 14-18 years and 135 pounds or under were in her event. Christine Cavallo (Orlando, FL) and Sharis pulled away early from the rest of the field and had a very close race for most of the 2000 meter race. However, Cavallo began to edge ahead in the final 400 meters and finished strongly, recording a time of 7:16.7, the third fastest time in event history. Sharis finished with a 7:21.6, more than 8 seconds ahead of third place. The two juniors very fast times would have placed them 4th and 6th, respectively, in the women's open lightweight event.

Sharis and all the other junior Y Quad Cities rowers will be competing in a regional indoor race in Chicago this weekend. The race is the team's final indoor competition. Outdoor practices begin in late March and regional and national regattas take place in May and June.

Youth ages 12 to 18 who are interested in learning more about the sport of rowing are invited to an Open House Saturday, March 24, 9 am to 11 am at the Sylvan Boathouse, 1701 1^st Avenue, Moline. Call Dave Weaver at 762-6030 to learn more.

the Y

The Two Rivers YMCA strengthens communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. They Y engages men, women and children - regardless of age, income or background - to nurture the potential of children and teens, improve the nation's health and well-being, and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors. www.tworiversymca.com

###