On January 30th at 10:00 a.m., the Wapsi River Environmental Education Center will host a snowshoe tracking program. Join Mike Granger, Wapsi River Center naturalist, as he takes participants on a stroll through the Wapsi woods. While making tracks of their own, via snowshoes, participants will have the opportunity to search for animal tracks and other signs of animal activity in this Winter wonderland. Pre-registration is required by calling (563) 328-3286. BYOM - bring your own mug!

The Wapsi River Environmental Education Center can be found 6 miles south of Wheatland or 1 mile northwest of Dixon, Iowa, by taking County Road Y4E. Then turn north at 52nd Avenue and follow the signs for about 1 mile.

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Junior Achievement of the Heartland to host Bowl-A-Thon on February 20, 2010

Moline, IL -- Give a child a jump start on their future by bowling in the Trinity JA Bowl-A-Thon at Bowlmor, Highland Park, Milan Lanes, Miller Time and Town & Country bowling alleys on Saturday, February 20.  Have a great time while raising funds to support financial literacy, work readiness and entrepreneurship programs provided by Junior Achievement to area schools.

You don't need to be a good bowler; just an enthusiastic one to participate.  Get together a group of friends, co-workers or family members to form a team.  Then join us for a fun-filled, exciting day of bowling and prize giveaways.  The money you raise will help support local students participating in JA programs.

You can help one child, one classroom at a time by participating in the Trinity JA Bowl-A-Thon.  Call the Junior Achievement of the Heartland office at (309) 736-1630 or visit www.jaheartland.org for more details on how to sign up!  Each team that raises $500 or more will be eligible to strike it big and win a trip to New York City.  Each member of the winning team will receive two nights lodging in a private room along with round-trip airfare from Chicago.

This year more than 49,600 students throughout JA of the Heartland's 24 counties will receive JA programs.  Thank you to the following sponsors for their participation in this upcoming event; Trinity Regional Heath System, B100, Great River Medical Center, HNI Corporation, Silver Oaks Corporation, Star 93.5, Wells Fargo Bank, and Winegard and Fun City.  JA appreciates their support in making this event a success.  

About JA Worldwide® (Junior Achievement)

JA Worldwide is the world's largest organization dedicated to inspiring and preparing young people to succeed in a global economy. Through a dedicated volunteer network, JA Worldwide provides in-school and after-school programs for students in grades K-12. JA Worldwide offers educational programs that focus on three key content areas: entrepreneurship, work readiness, and financial literacy. Today, 134 individual area operations reach approximately four million students in the United States, with an additional 3.5 million students served by operations in 114 other countries worldwide. For more information, visit www.ja.org.

Junior Achievement of the Heartland serves 49,600 students in 24 counties throughout eastern Iowa, western Illinois and southern Wisconsin.  For more information or to learn about volunteer opportunities, visit www.jaheartland.org.

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Official University of Iowa FedEx Orange Bowl packages are still available and a limited number of travel packages from Des Moines to Miami are also available.

Hawkeye alumni and fans still have the opportunity to travel on the official University of Iowa FedEx Orange Bowl Tour.  Packages from Des Moines, IA to Miami, FL are limited and running out fast.  Be part of the excitement by booking your spot to see Iowa play Georgia Tech in the FedEx Orange Bowl in Miami, Florida on January 5, 2010.

"We are excited with the support we have received from Iowa fans," said Vince Nelson, President, of the University of Iowa Alumni Association. "Travel packages departing from Cedar Rapids have already sold out and the travel package departing from Des Moines only has a limited number of seats available."
Deluxe air travel packages are limited and include round-trip charter air service from Des Moines airport departing Sunday, January 3, 2010 and returning Wednesday, January 6th.  Hotel accommodations at either the Loews Miami Beach Hotel, Intercontinental Miami Hotel, EPIC Miami Hotel or similar as well as a ticket to the game, admission to the welcome reception at the hotel and UI Alumni Association pre-game tailgate tickets can be added to this package.  There will also be police escorted motorcoach transfers to the pre-game, bowl game, and return trip. Land-only and game-only packages are also available. All packages are subject to availability at the time of booking.

To learn more about the official University of Iowa FedEx Orange Bowl Tour and to reserve packages, visit www.HawkeyeSportsTravel.com or call 1-800-553-5527.

WHO: GENERAL PUBLIC

WHAT: Wii FUN NIGHT FUNDRAISER

WHEN: FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2009 5:30 - 7:30 PM.

WHERE: IMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH, 3834 ROCKINGHAM ROAD, DAVENPORT.

Immanuel Lutheran Church & Preschool in Davenport, along with Christ Lutheran High School is having a Wii Fun Night Fundraiser on Friday, November 20th, 5:30 -7:30 p.m. There will be several Wii game stations, as well as other kid's games, a Cupcake Walk and face-painting. There will also be food. On the Menu: Soup, Chili, Hot dogs, Chili-dogs, Nachos, Popcorn, Pop, Cookies and Brownies. Tickets will be used for all games, cupcake walk and food; 5 tickets for $1. For more information contact Kathy Yaudas at the church office 563-324-6431. This event is supplemented by Thrivent Congregational money.

All proceeds will be divided and benefit: Christ Lutheran High School, Immanuel Lutheran Preschool and Immanuel's Lutheran Education Scholarships.

Wii hope you are able to join us!

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ROCK ISLAND, Ill. - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is waiving day use fees for veterans, active, reserve and guard service members and their families at its recreation areas on Veterans Day, November 11.


"We began this initiative in 2006 to support and honor the men and women who have served the nation and the armed forces," said Steve Stockton, director of Civil Works for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. "We encourage our veterans, active and reserve component personnel and their families to visit one of our many recreation areas and enjoy their favorite outdoor activities."


The day-use fee waiver requires only verbal confirmation of service. On November 11, day use fees will be waived for veterans, active, reserve and guard service members and their families using the following boat ramps along the Mississippi River: Grant River in Wisconsin; Big Slough, Blanding Landing, Cattail Slough, Lock and Dam 13, and Thomson Causeway, in Illinois; and Clark's Ferry, Pleasant Creek, and Shady Creek in Iowa.

The waiver does not apply to camping and camping-related services or fees for specialized facilities, such as picnic shelters.  Other agencies that manage recreation areas on Corps lands are encouraged, but not required to offer the Veterans Day waiver of fees in the areas that they manage.

The Corps is the largest federal provider of outdoor and water-based recreation in the nation and hosts more than 350 million visits each year at its lakes, beaches and other areas. Corps lands and waters provide approximately 4,500 miles of trails, 3,400 boat launch ramps and 33 percent of all U.S. freshwater fishing. To discover the Corps recreation area near you, please visit http://corpslakes.usace.army.mil/visitors/visitors.cfm


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turkeytrot

Scott County Family Y/McCarthy-Bush Turkey Trot Offers Something For Everyone!

Thanksgiving Day Tradition Brings Out The True Meaning of the Holiday In Many

DAVENPORT, Iowa - November 2, 2009 - For many local families, the Turkey Trot is as fundamental to Thanksgiving as stuffed turkey and cranberry sauce. This year will be no different, as more than 1,500 participants are expected to lace-up for the Scott County Family Y/McCarthy Bush's 23nd annual run/walk.  The Turkey Trot is on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 26, with the one-mile family fun run beginning at 8:30 a.m., and the 5-mile Run/Walk at 9 a.m., at the Davenport Family YMCA.

"It's truly incredible to see all the different types of people and families who have made this a part of their traditional holiday activities," said Adam Sampson, race director and interim-executive director of the Davenport Family YMCA.  "We see entire families walking the course, pushing strollers, with their dogs on a leash. We see young kids sipping hot cocoa volunteering with their grandparents. And we see some pretty great, elite runners, too."

The Turkey Trot is presented by McCarthy-Bush and is sponsored by the Quad City Times; Iowa American Water Company; Clear Channel Radio; the Cornbelt Running Club and Creative Marketing. The support of these companies ensures that every dollar raised to goes directly to area children, families and individuals who are in need of financial assistance for the YMCA's character-building programs.

Registrations are being accepted at any Scott County Family Y branch, or on-line at www.GetMeRegistered.com.  Prior to race day, the cost for the 1-mile event is $20 per person and $25 per person for the 5-mile run/walk.  Race day registration is $30 per person for the 1-mile and $35 per person for the 5-mile.

Packet pickup and registration will be held at the Davenport Family YMCA, 606 West Second Street, on Wednesday, November 25, from noon to 7 p.m. and on Thanksgiving morning from 6:30 until 8 am. The first 1,500 participants will receive a free Turkey Trot t-shirt and chip timing will be available for all who register for the 5-mile event up through 8:15am on race day.

The Scott County Family Y is one of the area's largest community service organizations.  Serving more than 2-million people in 2007, the Scott County Family Y offers a variety of programs and services focused on the holistic development of children and youth, family strengthening and health and well-being for all.  The YMCA unites adults and children of all ages, faiths, backgrounds, abilities and income levels - proudly serving the Quad Cities for nearly 150 years by building healthy spirit, mind and body for all. For more information visit the Scott County Family Y website, www.scottcountyfamilyy.org.

Boys Teams Grades 5-8 Pre-Season Basketball Tournament

A pre-season boys basketball tournament will be held at the Monticello Berndes Center in Monticello, IA on Saturday, October 24th and Sunday, October 25th. This event will be a fundraiser for Camp Courageous that is sponsored by 5th Quarter Sports. Steve Cooper, a past Camp Courageous counselor, and now with the Salvation Army in Cedar Rapids, is organize this event.

The tournament will be open to boys in 5th through 8th grades. Saturday will include the 5th and 6th grade divisions and the 7th and 8th grade boys will play on Sunday. There will be a limit to eight teams in each division. Expect an 8 AM to 8 PM time-frame. No schedule requests will be accepted for this tournament.

Team entry fee is $135.00. Spectator admission will be charged and concessions will be offered. All proceeds from this event will go to Camp Courageous, a year-round respite and recreational facility for individuals of all ages with disabilities that is run on donations. For additional information about this tournament or to download entry form go to www.campcourageous.org or call 319-465-5916, ext. 2100.

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The QC Flames kick off their new season with two exhibition games vs. the Minnesota Ice Hawks this weekend at the Quad City Sports Center (700 W. River Dr. Davenport).

Game 1- 7pm Saturday 12th

Game 2- Noon Sunday 13th

Youth hockey registrants get in free.

Under 7 years old is free.

All others $5 admission.

Info 563-322-5220

Join Churches United of the Quad City Area for the 38th annual QC CROP WALK/Run. This event is a Bi -State event that includes over 40 different faith groups who raise both money and awareness relating to hunger both here in the Quad Cities and around the world. This event is a 6mile/10K walk/run on Sunday afternoon beginning and ending at Modern Woodman Park.

Event: Quad City CROP WALK

When: Sunday, October 4th, 2009

Where: Modern Woodman Park, Davenport Iowa

Time: Rally and registration begins at 12:30pm with the walk/run beginning promptly at 2:00pm.

Musician performing: Lojo Russo

For more information contact: Anne Wachal, Program Manager with Churches United at 309-786-6494 or check our website at: www.churchesunited.net.

The Quad City Sports Center has started preparations for its 2010 Skate-A-Thon, which will be held on January 9th, 2010. This event is the not for profit facilities only major fundraiser. It is a collaboration of all of the facilities user groups to help raise funds for continued youth program development and enhancements.

The Skate-A-Thon will be held from 9AM-9PM on Saturday, January 9th, 2010. This year also marks the 15th anniversary of the Quad City Sports Center and some special anniversary activities are being planned.

Sponsorship opportunities range from $250 (ice sponsor) to the $3,000 Platinum sponsorship level. A title sponsorship package is also available this year. General and In-Kind donations are accepted as well. We are always looking for new products to feature in our raffle & silent auction!

For more information or to become a sponsor, contact Amanda Crosby at 563-322-5220 ext. 17.

The Skate-A-Thon is a 12 hour fundraiser featuring 10 hours of skating, hockey games, exhibitions & more! All funds raised at this event help support the continued development of youth programs here at the QCSC. A true asset to the community, the Quad City Sports Center is the only year round ice facility within a 60 mile radius of the Quad Cities. We strive daily to provide alternative winter recreational activities to the families and youth of the Quad Cities to help enhance their quality of life.

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