MOLINE, Ill. (February 10, 2014) - Goaltender Thomas Heemskerk has returned to the Quad City Mallards from the American Hockey League's Abbotsford Heat and the Mallards have waived goaltender Nick Niedert, the Mallards announced today.

Heemskerk, 23, last Monday signed a professional tryout agreement with Abbotsford.  That call-up was Heemskerk's fourth to the AHL this season.  The third year netminder last month spent 12 days with the Worcester Sharks after joining the Iowa Wild for a pair of stints as a back-up earlier in the campaign.  Heemskerk has yet to see any AHL game action this season.

Heemskerk leads the Central Hockey League in goals against average (2.36) and save percentage (.923) and is tied for third in shutouts (2).  The 6' 0", 210-pound Chilliwack, British Columbia native has suffered just one regulation loss this season, going 10-1-4 in 15 games.  Heemskerk is unbeaten in regulation in his last six games, a stretch during which he has posted a 5-0-1 record, a 1.48 goals against average, a .947 save percentage and two shutouts.

Heemskerk played for Worcester in both 2011-12 and 2012-13.  Over two games last year with the San Jose Sharks' top affiliate, Heemskerk turned aside 27 of the 29 shots he faced in 67 minutes, turning in a 1.79 goals against average and a .931 save percentage.  In four games with Worcester in 2011-12, he went 0-1-0 with a 2.14 goals against average and a .921 save percentage.

Heemskerk spent the bulk of his first two campaigns in the ECHL.  Last year he went 14-17-3 with a 3.10 goals against average and a .906 save percentage in 38 games with the San Francisco Bulls.  Heemskerk began his professional career in 2011-12 with the ECHL's Stockton Thunder, for whom he posted a record of 13-12-0 along with a 3.27 goals against average and a .893 save percentage in 25 games.

Heemskerk turned pro after four years in the major junior Western Hockey League. In his final WHL season, he finished second in the league in minutes (3,841), third in saves (2041) and fifth in wins (36) while recording a 2.94 goals against average, a .908 save percentage and a pair of shutouts in 65 games with the Moose Jaw Warriors.

The 2010-11 season was the second straight campaign during which Heemskerk landed among the league leaders. In 2009-10, while tending goal for the Everett Silvertips, he topped the Western League in save percentage (.927), finished third in goals against average (2.34) and was tied for seventh in shutouts (4) while going 24-12-4 in 42 games. Heemskerk's efforts helped the Silvertips earn a share of the United States Division title. Heemskerk joined Everett midway through the 2008-09 season after spending his first year and a half in the WHL with the Kootenay Ice.

Niedert last Friday signed with the Mallards from the Danville Dashers of the Federal Hockey League for the third time this season.  The 31-year old made his Mallard debut on January 17 in Wichita, making eight saves and giving up two goals after entering what proved to a 7-1 Mallard loss to the Thunder at the beginning of the third period.  Niedert has spent most of the season with the Dashers while also tending goal in one ECHL game for the Utah Grizzlies this year.  The.  The 5' 8", 185-pound native of Hudson, Iowa, has gone 3-10-1 with a 5.25 goals against average and a .869 save percentage in 15 games with Danville.

Niedert played for five teams in four leagues last season- the Gwinnett Gladiators and Reading Royals of the ECHL, the Bloomington Blaze of the CHL, the Augusta RiverHawks of the Southern Professional Hockey League and the Danbury Whalers of the FHL.  Over the course of his nine-year career, Niedert has played for 23 teams in nine different leagues after competing for five teams over three seasons of junior hockey.  He first wore the Mallards' colors during the club's 2011 training camp.

The Mallards next play at home Friday night at 7:05 p.m. against the Rapid City Rush.  Friday is another $1 Dog/$1 Beer Night presented by 97X.  $1 hot dogs and beers are available at iWireless Center concession stands during each of the Mallards' 11 Friday night home games this season.

Tickets for Friday night's game and all Mallards regular season home games can be purchased at the iWireless Center ticket office, Ticketmaster outlets, through ticketmaster.com or through Ticketmaster charge-by-phone toll free at 1-800-745-3000.  The ticket office is open weekdays from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and on game days from 10:00 a.m. until the start of the second period.

About the Quad City Mallards
A proud affiliate of the National Hockey League's Minnesota Wild and the American Hockey League's Iowa Wild, the Quad City Mallards are in the midst of their seventeenth season their fourth in the Central Hockey League.  One of the winningest teams in all of minor league hockey, the Mallards competed in the United Hockey League from 1995 through 2007 and in the International Hockey League in 2009-10.  The Mallards' proud history has seen them capture the UHL's Colonial Cup Championship three times (1997, 1998, 2001) and secure that league's Tarry Cup four times (1998, 2000, 2001, 2002) for the best overall regular season record.  In 2001, the Mallards made professional hockey history, recording their sixth consecutive season with 50 or more wins, a feat that has yet to be matched.  The iWireless Center provides a unique environment for hockey and features one-of-a-kind seating areas such as the Nest for groups and functions and the exclusive Drake Club.  For more information on the Quad City Mallards or for Mallards tickets go to www.myqcmallards.com.  Fans can also follow the Mallards via Twitter at twitter.com/myqcmallards and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/quadcitymallards.

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Owner/Executive Chef Robert Day has created a new Winter/Winter Menu; the theme of this menu is "For You, To Share, For Me". Chef Robert says, "I think people are looking for a dining experience not only to be affordable, but have lots of different options. I wanted flavors that reminded me of my grandma and my
childhood while developing them into now, with The Faithful Pilot standards."

The menu launches Tuesday, February 11th at 6:00 p.m.

"I want this menu to be about friends and family or an intimate dinner for two on an anniversary. This menu is what each guest makes it, and at a price point we have never done before."

Chef Robert's theme of For You, To Share, and For Me, is based on a Spanish version of tapas, but with an American comfort food, Faithful Pilot feel. Each section of the menu can be eaten as one course or seven, it is entirely up to the guests. From Frog Legs and Chicken & Dumplings to classic entrees of Filet, Lamb, and Salmon.

Chef Robert is using his skill, technique, using local purveyors and pushing the comfort food, share plate envelope.

The Faithful Pilot is located in downtown LeClaire and is open Monday - Saturday at 5p.m.

Davenport, Iowa (February 10, 2014) -  Living Proof Exhibit, which celebrates the creative spirit of cancer survivors, is seeking entries for its annual exhibit to be held from August 16 to October 26, 2014 in the Mary Waterman Gildehaus Community Gallery at the Figge Art Museum in Davenport.

All cancer survivors or patients within a 150-mile radius of the Quad-Cities are eligible to submit up to five works for consideration. Entries must be received by April 22, 2014. Complete submission details are available at www.livingproofexhibit.org.

During the course of the exhibit, the Figge and Living Proof Exhibit will partner to offer programming that provides creative outlets for cancer patients and survivors. These programs will include art classes, while the theme of the September PechaKucha at the Figge is Celebrating Survivors.

"For the past four years, Living Proof Exhibit has been celebrating the creative spirit of the cancer survivor through our exhibits and art therapy classes," said executive director Pamela Crouch. "We are thrilled to be able to showcase survivors' artwork at the Figge."

According to Tim Schiffer, executive director at the Figge, "the museum is always looking for distinctive ways to bring art and people together and this exhibition shows the impact that art can have in peoples' daily lives."

"Holding the exhibit in the community gallery at the Figge will offer residents of the Quad-Cities a greater opportunity to view these beautiful, expressive works of art," added Living Proof Exhibit co-founder Mary Ellen Cunningham.

This exhibit is made possible by a grant from UnityPoint Health - Trinity. For information about art therapy classes or programming opportunities, please visit www.livingproofexhibit.org or call 309.781.6227.

About the Figge Art Museum

The Figge Art Museum is located on the riverfront in downtown Davenport at 225 West Second Street. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday and Sundays 12-5 p.m. Thursdays the museum is open until 9 p.m. Admission to the museum and tour is $7. Admission is free to Figge

members and institutional members and free to all on Thursday evenings from 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. To contact the museum, please call 563.326.7804, or visit www.figgeartmuseum.org.

About Living Proof Exhibit

Living Proof Exhibit is a non-profit organization that hosts an annual exhibition of art by cancer survivors and patients and also provides free art therapy classes. The exhibit celebrates the spirit and creativity of these men and women as well as the therapeutic benefits of art. Co-founders Pamela Crouch and Mary Ellen Cunningham are both breast cancer survivors. They each found great power in photography during their treatment and wanted to share their experience with other cancer patients looking for strength, so Living Proof Exhibit was born. Visit www.livingproof.org for more information.

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Moline, IL - During the cold weather season, we pull on our overcoats, mittens and hats to help brave the weather. Stepping out in frigid temperatures is bearable with the proper clothing and attire. Similarly, for people with Autism Spectrum Disorder or ASD, controlling their sensory inputs is an essential part to daily living, just like pulling on a protective barrier to winter temperatures, individuals with ASD need ways to manage these inputs.

The Arc of the Quad Cities Area is pleased to announce the opening and ribbon cutting for the ASD Program for individuals who receive services at Opportunity Center in Moline, one of the sites run by The Arc of the Quad Cities Area. The program was created thanks to essential funds provided by The Wilber L. Burress Endowment and features low diffused lighting, open spaces, comfortable seating and access to devises for sensory integration. In keeping with The Arc US focus, and Arc of the Quad City Area's commitment and skill in support of individuals with ASD; staff have developed curriculum and enhanced programming for individuals who receive this service. Further, an ASD Resource Room has been added for utilization by the community, family and Arc staff.

Members of The Arc of the Quad Cities Board, its Executive Director Kyle Rick, members of the Quad City Chamber of Commerce, families and staff will be present for the official opening of the ASD Room, Thursday, February 13 at 2:00 p.m. at 5101 52nd Ave. Moline, Illinois.

The Arc is on the front lines to ensure that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families have the support they need to be members of the community. In partnership with the Arc US, The Arc of the Quad Cities Area invites everyone to visit one of the most informative web pages to support answer questions about ASD at Autism Now (www.austimsnow.org). The Arc is the largest national community-based organization advocating for and serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.

Photo opportunities will be available. The Arc of the Quad Cities Area is located at 5101 52nd Ave, Moline, Illinois (309) 797-4677. From John Deere road take 41st Street, turn left onto 49th Avenue, take first right on 48th Street, take first left on 52nd Avenue, building on left.

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