WHEN: 5-15-10

TIME: 1-4 p.m.

WHERE: Barnes & Noble at North Park Mall, 320 W. Kimberly Rd., Davenport, IA 52806

WHAT: Louise will be available to sign copies of her Christian Living book, Longing for Wholeness.

When you look in the mirror, who do you see–what do you see? Are you living the desires of your heart? Do you long to awaken with a joy and feel so alive? Longing For Wholeness is a compassionate and conclusive work written in a fresh style. You will stay engaged as Linda Louise fits the bits and pieces of her life together to fill the emptiness that yearns for worth and loving acceptance. In her compelling story, she reveals the dynamics of a life riddled with shame and contempt. Inside this book, Linda shares her experiences to inspire hope and how she found the freedom to express who she believes she was born to be. You will never question the hope that fills the words written here.

For more information, contact Terry Cordingley at 888-361-9473 or terry@tatepublishing.com

Asian Carp are a critical issue to the ecology of native species.  They have migrated from the Mississippi River to the Illinois River and now threaten Lake Michigan.  In the news on Mon, April 26, the state of Michigan's request to shut down major shipping locks in the Chicago area that may allow the fish to migrate into Lake Michigan was denied by the U.S. Supreme Court. Asian carp can grow as large as 4 feet long and weigh 100 pounds.   Kelly Baerwaldt of the Army Corps of Engineers will lead a Channel Cat Talk to teach people how to identify the species, explain why they are dangerous to native organisms, and discuss what is being done to prevent their spread.  Register for this June 1 & 3 talk [9-10:45 a.m.] at www.riveraction.org.

Registration for the Explore the River summer education series is online as of today.  Explore the River consists of Channel Cat Talks and Riverine
Walks that are fun and educational for all ages.  Sessions are held from Jun 1 - Aug 28.

Many other new, fun, and informative classes that are taught by professionals and historians will be held rain or shine and require preregistration. 

* Channel Cat Talks aboard the water taxi are from 9-10:45 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays; departing from Moline landing [2501 East River Drive] next to the Celebration Belle. Seating is limited and tours cost $12.

* Riverine Walks meet at various locations from 6:30-8 p.m. Wednesday evenings or 9-10:30 a.m. Saturday mornings and cost $5.  They are free for RA members - registration required.

To register or for more information, call (563) 322-2969; or visit www.riveraction.org. River Action Inc., the non-profit group dedicated to fostering the
environmental, economic and cultural vitality of the Mississippi and its riverfront in the Quad Cities

120 volunteers will join hands to assemble 300 "America Cares" bags will be donated to veterans on Saturday.

 

At least 120 volunteers from area organizations and businesses are collaborating to assemble 300 gift bags to distribute to veterans and their children at the Iowa City VA Hospital. The project will take place on Join Hands Day, a national day of service scheduled for Saturday, May 1.
The bags for veterans will include phone cards, snacks and personal care items. Children's bags will include stuffed animals, games, book and snacks to provide a diversion for children and grandchildren of veterans at the hospital.
Your coverage of the local impact of Join Hands Day is invited and appreciated. This project will offer visual and interview opportunities.
What: At least 120 volunteers will assemble 300 "America Cares" bags to be delivered to veterans and their children at the VA Hospital in Iowa City.
Participants:
Modern Woodmen of America employees, Modern Woodmen camp (local chapter) and youth service club members, AmeriCorps volunteers, Quad Cities River Bandits staff, Disabled Veterans of America and Auxiliary members
When: 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Where: Modern Woodmen Park, Davenport
Modern Woodmen of America sponsors Join Hands Day, along with other fraternal benefit societies. Join Hands Day is the only national day of service designed to bring youths and adults together to plan and implement service projects in their communities. As the generations work side by side, they learn more about each other, sparking a new level of understanding and respect.
Throughout the Quad Cities, more than 2,000 area youths and adults are teaming up to complete 50 volunteer projects. Locally, Modern Woodmen sponsors these local initiatives and gives each project a $50 grant to offset project expenses.
Founded in 1883, Modern Woodmen of America touches lives and secures futures. The fraternal benefit society offers financial services and fraternal member benefits to individuals and families throughout the United States.
For more information about local Join Hands Day projects, contact Kim Woodward at 309-793-5660, or visit modern-woodmen.org.

Rock Island Economic Growth Corporation (GROWTH) is pleased to announce that seven community gardens will receive a total of $4,250 in assistance through the new Rock Island Community Garden Program. The program allows neighborhood organizations to lease vacant parcels of land for purposes of creating and maintaining a community garden space.

Community gardens are pieces of land that are gardened by a group of people, many times from the same neighborhood. Funding for the community gardens will help neighborhood groups establish a new garden or maintain an existing garden. Funds will be used for soil, fencing, water, plants, rain barrels, and other items to make their gardens more beautiful and functional.

The Rauch Family Foundation donated $3,000 towards the effort, Modern Woodmen of America donated $750, and GROWTH contributed $500.

Following are the community gardens:

• Broadway Victory Garden: Broadway Victory Garden will make 18 plots available and also have an area for children at their garden located at 800 20^th Street. The Victory Garden was the pilot community garden developed in partnership with GROWTH. Broadway will use their $1,000 grant to purchase dirt to establish the garden and additional items to support the creation of the garden.
• Christ Church Cathedral has leased 1419 5^th Street and will work with Karen refugees living in the neighborhood to plant Asian vegetables. The $750 grant will help establish this new garden.
• Community Caring Conference:  The CCC garden is located at 1501-1503 8^th Avenue. Ten plots will be available and participants will come from the West End Neighborhood Association. The $500 grant will help establish this new garden including purchasing a rain barrel, fencing, picnic table, and shed.
• Greenbush Neighborhood: Greenbush Neighbors will offer garden plots at a new community garden located at 2800 7^th Avenue. The $500 grant will help establish this new garden.
• Old Chicago Community Organic Garden Association: This garden is located at 1116-1124 4^th Avenue. Twelve plots are available and organic gardening will be practiced. The $500 grant will be used to purchase gardening tools and fencing.
• Rock Island County Area Project: RICAP has a lot at 935 29^th Avenue and offers the garden plots at no cost to gardeners. Twenty-five garden plots are available to residents of South Rock Island Township. The $500 grant will help purchase fencing for the garden.
• St. Joseph the Worker House: Two to three plots are available at 1920 and 1924 9^th Avenue. The garden serves and provides food for the homeless women and children living as a part of the Worker House Transitional Living program. The $500 grant will be used to purchase rain barrels, garden tools, plants, and mulch.

Community gardens have many benefits for communities including:

• returning unused or vacant parcels of land into thriving gardens with purpose and beauty
• improved quality of life for participants tending to the garden and receiving the garden's harvest
• a catalyst for community development
• stimulates social interaction and encourages self-reliance
• beautifies communities
• produces nutritious food
• reduces family food budgets
• conserves resources
• creates opportunity for recreation, exercise, therapy, and education
• preserves green space
• provides opportunities for intergenerational and cross-cultural connections are a way for people to come together