YMCA And Area Agencies Come Together To Help Families Focus on the Needs of Our Children

DAVENPORT, Iowa  - April 1, 2010 - As part of a nationwide effort to encourage kids to get moving, the Scott County Family Y will host YMCA Healthy Kids Day, the nation's largest health day for kids and families as part of the Quad Cities National Week of the Young Child.

April 11-17 is designated as The National Week of the Young Child.  In the Quad Cities, more than a dozen trusted community child and family agencies have come together to host a variety of events focused on the needs of young children and their families. The week will kick off with a special opening ceremony at the Bettendorf Family Museum on Sunday, April 11.  The Museum in partnership with Family Resources will host this celebration from Noon - 4 p.m. and the Museum will offer half price admission that day.

There will be additional activities throughout the week including opportunities to hear speakers regarding issues facing our children as well as other events in cooperation with local agencies including the YMCA, Scott County Kids Empowerment, the Davenport Public Library, Lutheran Social Services and the Child Abuse Council.

The big finale to this week-long celebration is YMCA Healthy Kids Day on Saturday, April 17.  The event is fun-filled day of engaging and creative activities that foster healthy living, and is a part of the YMCA's larger efforts to help more kids and families become physically active.

YMCA Healthy Kids Day

YMCA Healthy Kids Day, a free community event, will be held in three locations this year.  The Two Rivers YMCA in Moline, Illinois and the Maquoketa Area Family YMCA in Maquoketa, Iowa will host activities from 9am - Noon.  The event will also be held from 1-4pm at the West Family YMCA, 3503 West Locust Street, Davenport.

In addition to the fun, the day will provide resources to help educate grown-ups about making healthy choices for their families every day. More than 30 area children's organizations will interactive activities and games at the West Family YMCA event and will focus on topics such as personal safety, health and wellness, reading advancement and body development.  And thanks to Healthy Kid's Day partner, the Davenport Community School District, nationally known children's entertainer, Steve Couch, will give a special concert at 3:30pm.  In addition to the concert, the first 300 children attending YMCA Healthy Kids Day will get Healthy Family Home activity books and a lunchable sample, compliments of Kraft-Oscar Mayer Foods.

"Keeping kids healthy is at the core of what the YMCA stands for," said Deb Gustafson, Executive Director of Child Care and Family Services for the Scott County Family Y. "The word 'exercise' doesn't sound very enjoyable to many people, especially kids, but getting them to move more through play that requires physical activity is the key to building healthy habits that last a lifetime. On YMCA Healthy Kids Day, both kids and grown-ups will have the opportunity to get moving, to play and to have fun."

Experts recommend that kids engage in at least 60 minutes of physical activity, including active play, each day. Studies show that kids who consistently engage in play are happier and healthier, and develop and enhance a variety of skills including motor skills, social skills, problem solving, and creativity. Kids who get 60 minutes of physical play also tend to have higher self-esteem and perform better academically.

"The goal of encouraging kids to play more is to build a lifetime of love for physical activity," said Gustafson. "Play should not seem like a chore - it is an activity that is fun and brings joy and allows a kid to just be a kid."

YMCA Healthy Kids Day is supported locally by Scott County Kids Empowerment and the Davenport Community School District and nationally by Northwestern Mutual Foundation and Tropicana. Quad Cities National Week of the Young Child partners include : the Davenport Public Library; Care For Kids; Family Resources, Inc; I-Smile; Lutheran Social Services; Mississippi Bend AEA; the Putnam Museum; Community Action of Eastern Iowa; Iowa Child Care Resource & Referral; Scott County; Scott County Kids Empowerment and your Quad Cities YMCAs.

For more information about Healthy Kids Day or a complete list of National Week the Young Child activities, visit the Scott County Family Y website, www.ScottCountyFamilyY.org.

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Braley to meet with small business leaders, discuss job creation

Washington, DC - Congressman Bruce Braley (D-Iowa) will make stops in Dubuque, Clinton and DeWitt on Tuesday. Braley will visit Dubuque to attend the ribbon-cutting ceremony for Hormel's new plant, then meet with small business leaders in Clinton and DeWitt.  

On March 18, President Barack Obama signed the Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment (HIRE) Act into law, including Braley's small business tax cut to spur job creation. Braley's provision created a payroll tax cut for small business owners who hire previously unemployed workers.

TUESDAY, March 30

WHAT: Rep. Braley to attend Hormel Food's ribbon-cutting ceremony.

WHEN: 12:00pm CST

WHERE: Hormel Foods, 1205 Chavenelle Court, Dubuque

WHAT: Rep. Braley to meet with women-owned small business leaders in Clinton.

WHEN: 2:00pm CST

WHERE: Sedona Staffing, 2418 Virginia Ave, Suite E, Clinton

WHAT: Rep. Braley to meet with DeWitt small business leaders.

WHEN: 3:30pm CST

WHERE: Total Realty, 700 6th Ave, DeWitt

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Friday, April 9th at 5pm
124 S. Main St. Maquoketa

This closing reception of the Spring Landscape workshop will feature completed works from the workshop attendees as well as work by:

  • Tom Metcalf
  • Arthur Geisert
  • Fred Easker
  • Chuck Morris

Wine and refreshments will be served.

There are still spots available for this workshop. Call 563-652-9925 with inquiries.

The Moline Kiwanis Club invites everyone to a "Community Celebration" to observe its 90th Anniversary. There are three events, all open to the public:

* May 6 -- A golf outing at 1 p.m. at Arsenal Golf Course; team preferred-ball format; $55 entry fee includes cart.

* May 6 -- An open reception at 6 p.m. at Arsenal Golf Club; $20 fee includes a 7-item hors d'oeuvres buffet with pork loin carving station, entertainment by The Gamblers band, and the golf awards presentation.

* May 7 -- Dinner at the i wireless Center with cocktails at 6 p.m., serving at 7 p.m.; $25 fee includes three entree choices, main address by Kiwanis International President Paul Palazzolo, and entertainment by The Manny Lopez Quartet.

To receive a printed invitation reply form or more information, please contact Russ Scott (for golf and Arsenal reception), 309-752-9681, russ@luckydogpoker.com; or Bill Barrett (for i wireless dinner), 309-792-1985, billb@ibloom.com.

St. Anthony Catholic Church in Davenport is celebrating a project milestone this Sunday, March 28 at 3:00 pm at 417 North Main Street in Davenport, IA. Please read the attached press release and project fact sheet regarding the dedication of St. Anthony Catholic Church.

Construction Ends for Historic Davenport Landmark

St. Anthony's Catholic Church to hold Dedication Ceremony on Sunday, March 28, 2010

Davenport, IA - The oldest church in Davenport, IA will reach an important milestone this week. St. Anthony's Catholic Church will hold a dedication ceremony on Sunday, March 28, 2010 at 3:00 p.m. at 417 N. Main Street in Davenport, IA to commemorate the completion of construction on their new building addition and renovation.

Founded in 1837 by Fr. Samuel Mazzuchelli, St. Anthony's Catholic Church has been a major part of Quad City history over the last 172 years. Having outgrown their current facility due to this congregational outreach to meet the spiritual needs of the surrounding community; construction began on a 7,200 s.f. addition and renovation project to the existing parish in June 2009. This addition included a new Multipurpose Hall, Education Center, Gathering Center, Parish Offices and a warming kitchen, patio, and distribution window, affectionately named "McAnthony Window," which is used to serve meals to the homeless and underprivileged.

St. Anthony's McAnthony Window also received a covered patio area with heating elements for colder months. The McAnthony Window helps to meet the needs for those who have little or no other means of support. They previously prepared between 125 and 150 meals a day, 45,000 meals a year, out of a small, residential kitchen.

This project aims to achieve a more unified, aesthetically pleasing campus, which will attract attention to the historically significant church square and coincides well with the city's downtown beautification plans. In addition, it will create a unified square with historic emphasis placed on the original church building, a building to which Antoine LeClaire himself contributed the lead gift.

Russell Construction, located in Davenport, IA, served as the Design/Builder for the $1,800,000 addition and renovation project. Russell has delivered over $40 million in religious facilities in and around the Quad Cities area. SGGM, located in Davenport, IA provided architectural services. For more information on Russell Construction or SGGM, please visit their corporate websites at www.russellco.com or www.sggm.net.

Celebrate Easter with us!

8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.

We'll serve Communion at both services!

Same great message! Two great services!

Christian Center Church

2103 West Third Street

Davenport, IA

Phone: 563-322-2959

WHO:                  GENERAL PUBLIC

WHAT:                EASTER EGG HUNT

WHEN:                SATURDAY, APRIL 3, 2010 10:30 - 11:30 AM

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


Immanuel Lutheran Church & Preschool in Davenport, is having an Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 3, 2010 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. Open to all children ages 10 and under. Along with the Easter Egg hunt, there will be games, face-painting and a Coloring Contest! Bring a basket if you like, or a bag can be provided. In case of weather, event will be held indoors.

This event is free and open to the public.  We hope you are able to join us!  For more information, please contact the church office at 563-324-6431.

WHEN: 3-27-10

TIME: 1-4 p.m.

WHERE: Barnes and Noble, 320 W. Kimberly Rd., Davenport, IA 52806

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

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

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Tourism in Germany: What to Do, See and Say on Saturday, March 27 at 2 p.m.

We hope you will join us on Saturday, March 27 at 2:00 p.m. for our next program, "Tourism in Germany: What to Do, See and Say." Reminiscing on travel experiences or exploring future excursions can seem like a welcome mini-getaway. This presentation will share some ideas for destinations and activities in the south of Germany (Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg) as well as some helpful words and phrases for you to get by on your next trip to Germany, Austria and/or Switzerland. This event will be hosted by Bryan Schmid and is free for members and free with museum admission for nonmembers.
A few spots still open in our German Language Classes. Sign up today! Class start next Tuesday the 23rd.

German Level I
Prerequisite:
None
Date: Meets Tuesdays afternoons starting March 23 - June 15 (No class April 20.)
Time/Location: 5:00-6:30 pm at the German American Heritage Center, 4th floor
Cost: Members: $75 for the course and $20 for the manual; Nonmembers: $95 for the class and $20 for the manual
Text: Chapters 1-4 of German - a Self-teaching Guide (available through the museum).
Vocabulary topics: greetings, introductions, telling about yourself and your family, useful expressions, numbers (measurements, currencies, sizes, temperature), food, restaurants & eating, hotels and overnight accommodations. Lessons may include additional topics as needed. To register call  563-322-8844.

German Level II
Prerequisite: German I or some basic knowledge of German language.
Dates: Meets Tuesday evenings starting March 23 - June 15 (No class April 20.)
Time/Location: 7-8:30 pm at the German American Heritage Center, 4th floor
Cost: Members: $75 for the course and $20 for the manual; Nonmembers: $95 for the class and $20 for the manual
Text: Chapters 5-8  of the text German - a Self-teaching Guide Available through the museum.
Vocabulary and conversation topics: Numbers, telling time, train and air travel, shopping, health care, & going to the doctor in Germany, entertainment and recreation.  Lessons may include additional topics as needed.  To register call  563-322-8844. 


ALL ABOARD! Join us for a day trip to historic Kalona, Iowa on  Monday,  May 3, 2010 . Reserve your spot soon!


Time:
7:15 a.m.-5:35 p.m.
(Bus departs/returns at the German American Heritage Center)

Cost: Members $55;
Non-members $65
Includes transportation by motor coach, family style lunch in a farm house, and tours. Lunch will be in a farm house and served family style. Lunch will include roast beef, noodles, mashed potatoes and gravy, bread, relish, pies and ice tea or coffee. 

Description:
Relive the 1800's when you visit the Historical Village with its 13 authentically restored buildings. Throughout the day you'll travel the scenic back-roads with our guides and experience a new sense of the hard work and family ethic that continues to mark the Amish way of life. We will explore Kalona Historic Village and Quilt & Textile Museum. Also enjoy a visit to the bakery, shops and general store. During the trip, you will also have an opportunity to watch a live horse auction as well. Watch demonstrations such as noodle making and cheese making, and traditional crafts including woodworking.
To reserve your spot for the trip, call 563-322-8844 before April 26. We encourage you to register soon, as space is limited.

O'Reilly Auto Parts, Kids Racing For Kids are new partners

Rock Island, IL - The Rock Island Grand Prix, the world's largest karting street race, is proud to announce that communications giant AT&T will return as a Presenting Sponsor of the race for the 16th year!

They will also be joined by several new sponsors in 2010.

While AT&T has shared the top billing at Rock Island from time to time, no other company has been such a high profile supporter for every year of the race's existence. The long-term support from AT&T has allowed the race to thrive in some years and survive in others, according to RIGP president Roger Ruthhart.

"AT&T's support of this grass roots motor sports event, the city of Rock Island and the Quad-Cities in general has been unsurpassed. Over the many years this support represents almost $150,000 in commitment to the sport of kart racing. We hope racers across the country keep that in mind when they make decisions about communication and internet suppliers and directory advertising," said Ruthhart.

"The Quad-Cities Convention and Visitor's Bureau has estimated that each year the Rock Island Grand Prix has an economic impact of more than $2 million on the local economy.  The investment by AT&T's and other sponsors in the Quad-Cities has translated into more than $32 million over the life of the event," Ruthhart added.

"Every year the Rock Island Grand Prix is an exciting event that brings the Quad-Cities community together and even brings racers and tourists from around the world," said Dennis Pauley, director of external affairs for AT&T. "At AT&T we want to connect people to their world, everywhere they live and work, and do it better than anyone else. That's why we are proud to continue our investment in the Quad-Cities as the presenting sponsor of the Rock Island Grand Prix. We look forward to an exciting and enjoyable Rock Island Grand Prix in September."

The Rock Island Grand Prix also has signed a new corporate partnership deal with O'Reilly Auto Parts.

"We are excited to have a dominant national retail and service-oriented company like O'Reilly Auto Parts involved with our event," said Ruthhart. Our racers come from all over the country and whether it is parts for their karts, haulers, trailers or family vehicles, they can rely on the O'Reilly family of auto parts stores to keep their equipment rolling."

"We look forward to working with the O'Reilly stores in the Quad-Cities and surrounding region to help promote their service and product lines," Ruthhart added.

The RIGP is also proud to announce a new partnership with Kids Racing for Kids (KRFK). The foundation was started by Tim Self to benefit children who, unlike his son Austin, were unable to enjoy the thrills of racing. The foundation will sponsor the TAG Junior class at this year's Rock Island Grand Prix.

"We would like to thank Tim Self, Jim Sharkey and Kids Racing for Kids foundation for their support this year. We look forward to helping to educate the karting world and the Quad-Cities about the great work done by this group," said Ruthhart

"I started this foundation not only to give back to children in need, but also to promote positive values in kids that aren't always learned by what they're taught in school," said Self. "I wanted to partner with a racing organization with exposure so we could get attention to the foundation, while bringing exposure to karting in the communities we race in."

Race details are available on the Grand Prix website at rockislandgrandprix.com.

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