Date: February 3, 2011
Time: 4 PM
Location: Figge Art Museum, 225 W 2nd St, Davenport, IA

 

Representatives of the Quad City Symphony Orchestra and the artists who created the 14 Midori-themed painted violins will be on hand to talk about the painted violins and the upcoming Midori residency. The full collection of beautifully painted and creatively re-sculpted violins will be on display for photographers, videographers, and public viewing.

From April 13 to 17, world-renowned violinist Midori will participate in a wide range of activities tailored by the QCSO to optimize local involvement of the youth orchestra, including the Bows and Bridges Strings Festival, a Music Advocacy Luncheon with local legislators, a performance before over 6,000 students with the Quad City Youth Symphony Orchestra at their annual Symphony Day, and a performance of Beethoven's Violin Concerto at the QCSO's Masterworks season finale of April 16 & 17.

To mark its 25th Anniversary the Quad City Youth Conference, welcomes MWAH! as its keynote speaker. MWAH! (Messages Which Are Hopeful!) is a 12 member group of young performing artists from the Chicago, Illinois area which combines drama, hip hop, dance, and various genres of songs written and produced by troupe members as well as cover songs. A common thread is choices and the importance of continually striving to make the right ones.

The one-hour issues oriented and audience interactive performance will be the keynote on both Monday and Tuesday, January 24-25, 2011, at 9:00 a.m. in the Mississippi River Hall at The River Center, located at 136 E. 3rd Street in Davenport. Nearly a thousand students from 28 Illinois and Iowa high schools and junior high schools are expected to attend this 2011 edition of the Quad Cities Youth Conference - high school students on Monday and junior high students on Tuesday.

Following the keynote presentation, the Quad City Youth Conference also offers students a choice of three workshop sessions. Nearly 20 different community agencies have come together to offer workshops to enhance decision-making skills necessary for living in a socially complex world. In addition to the keynote presentation, MWAH! will also be offering three workshop sessions on both Monday and Tuesday that will deal with issues that relate to teenagers in 2011.

Additional information on the MWAH! Troupe is available on its website at www.mwah.net. The troupe may be reached by phone at 630-993-0003. The Quad City Youth Conference is the only event of its kind in the Quad Cities and one of the few nationally. For 25 years, local schools and human service agencies have joined hands to plan and present the annual Quad Cities Youth Conference, an event that is focused on positively impacting area youth.

Four Events Help Answer Questions for Families of Returning Troops

SPRINGFIELD, IL (01/19/2011)(readMedia)-- The Illinois National Guard has made it a priority to help servicemembers when they return from a mobilization or deployment. While the Illinois National Guard continues to reach out to returning veterans with the "Tying the Yellow Ribbon" campaign, the program also focuses on families of troops who are deployed.

The Illinois Army National Guard will conduct four Reintegration Family Academies in February and March.

Although the free academy is open to any family that has a deployed servicemember in any branch of the military, the focus of these events is to reach out to families of Illinois National Guard members that have deployed or who are currently deployed. Approximately 1,000 members of the Illinois National Guard are deployed to Afghanistan, Iraq and Egypt.

The intent of the academy is to ensure families receive information and know the resources available to them while their Soldier is deployed.

"Reintegration is not just a program for Soldiers after a deployment. It's something his or her entire family must also undergo as everyone readjusts to changes that have happened during the course of the Soldier's deployment," said 2nd Lt. Justin Anweiler of Lincoln, reintegration program coordinator. "This is one way the Illinois National Guard is trying to help families of our deployed men and women who are sometimes fighting their own battles at home while their servicemember is fighting a war overseas."

Representatives from several different agencies will be available for family members. Some agencies attending include TRICARE (medical and dental insurance), Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs, Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, Internal Revenue Service and Veteran's Health Administration. There will also be several workshops for families to attend providing guidance and information on issues like marriage after deployment, finances, challenges troops face reuniting with their children and using college education benefits. Counselors will also be available for private consultations.

Illinois National Guard Family Academies

Date Location Time

February 5 Blackhawk Community College; 6600 34th Ave., Moline 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.

February 27 Kaskaskia College; 2310 W. Fillmore, Vandalia 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.

March 12 Blackhawk Community College; 26230 Black Hawk Road, Galva 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.

March 13 Devry University; 18624 West Creek Drive, Tinley Park 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.

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Collectors visiting Muscatine providing free information to local residents uncovered a French Sword today made before the war of 1812 making it almost 200 years old. It was found in a cliff by the Mississippi River. The sword was purchased for $ 18,400.

This and other fabulous items are on display today thru Thursday, January 13th, at the Clarion (formerly Holiday Inn) in Muscatine. Call 217-243-6418 for more info.

Here is Why the American Rare Collectibles Association holds this event: The ARCA is made up of collectors who want to spend lots of money on their favorite toy, doll, train, musical instrument, sword, pocket watch, collectible jewelry items. . The collector members pay dues and fees to the association. Then the staff purchases items for their collection based upon their requests. All involved are willing to help for free identify the value, and help local residents with information needed to sell their item immediately. Also thousands of other people throughout the country donate their time to help the staff accumulate information and value. At the local event, you will find thousands of collectors represented ready to spend money on the spot to buy any and all collectibles. All items, whether expensive or ordinary will be purchased. The entire event is free. Local visitors are selling the item for collector prices, directly to the collector. The staff is on hand to assist the visitors with this task.

Professionals from the association will come prepared to give some of the highest offers in the world. A fierce competition takes place for rare, desirable and mint items requested by museums and disposable income level collectors. Some of the sensational prices collectors are paying include : $7,000 for a 1952 Gibson guitar. $3,000 for a Gang of Five Robot from Japan, $2,500 for a rare Civil war sword, $11,550 for a Silver Dollar coin Collection, 6 Buddy L 1920s Trucks $11,450, $20,000 for an Edison phonograph & Victrola collection.

IF YOU GO: Do not try to clean or alter the condition. Any condition from rusty to mint is welcome. Expect to leave this event with money. Most visitors do. There is a chance that some visitors will make this a once in a lifetime opportunity to sell something rare for a record price. Remember, the service is totally free. All expenses are paid by the ARCA association members.

Top Most Desirable Items.

1. Toys. Check out our extra page of desirable toys.

2. Dolls & Action Figures of all types: Composition, Antique French or German, Barbie & GI Joe, Mego to name wanted types.

3. Train-Related items such as model Lionel, American flyer, Bing, Lehmann, lanterns, signs, advertising, china are very popular.

4. Guitars & Musical Instruments. Such as Gibson, Martin, Fender, Stradivarius, Conn, Selmer, old or new.

5. Lamps lead and stained glass, of course Tiffany, any art deco or nouveau Designer types.

6. Advertising signs from famous companies like Coke, Pepsi, Budweiser, John Deere is most popular.

7. Watches and Clocks are hot: Lots of Functions, Illinois, Hamilton, Rolex, France, Ansonia.

8. Famous person collectibles. Political, Hollywood and music celebrities autographs and memorabilia.

9. Jewelry. Even costume, and of course gold. Also Sterling, Bakelite, Coins.

10. Coins. Especially US.

11. Military Related swords, daggers, helmets, buckles, bugles, autographs.

12. Music boxes, Victrolas, phonographs, early radios such as RCA, Edison, Regina, German made, 1880s to 1930s, obscure wood and bakelite.

13. Any Antique or Collectible. Anything you are curious about.

Any questions? Please call 217-243-6418

*Desirable Toys*

Worldwide collectors have given tens of thousands of dollars to this tour to buy more toys. This includes: Early pressed steel transportation toys like the big 1920's Buddy L or Keystone. As well as Smith Miller, Doepke, Tonka, Nylint. Movie, radio, television and famous character toys Toys. Worldwide collectors have given tens of thousands of dollars to this tour to buy more toys. This includes: Early pressed steel transportation toys like the big 1920's Buddy L or Keystone. As well as Smith Miller, Doepke, Tonka, Nylint. Movie, radio, television and famous character toys.

Toy popular brands and celebrity favorites include : Howdy Doody, Mickey Mouse, Disney, German windup and older Japanese tin toys: Lehmann, Marx, Schuco, Schoenhut, TPS, TN, Bing, Linemar. Cowboy related Roy Rogers, Lone Ranger, Hopalong Cassidy, Gene Autry, Gunsmoke, Bonanza, Johnny Yuma, Hartland, Ruehl, Cap guns & holsters, Barbie, Ideal, Madame Alexander, Kiddles, GI Joe, Matt Mason, Mego, Kenner, Ginny Vogue, Shirley Temple, Betty Boop, Popeye, Superman, Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck. Trains: Lionel, tin American Flyer, Ives, Bing, Marklin. Advertising Related Toys: Coca Cola, Pepsi, Shell, Texaco, Budweiser, Beer ads, Standard, Red Crown, John Deere, International, BF Goodrich, Goodyear, anything porcelain on steel, unusual companies, Eska Tractor & pedal cars. Hot Wheels, Matchbox, Corgis, Dinky, Slot Cars and Aurora, Scale cars, Pez, Hasbro Transformers, ERTL.