Tag: Quad cities

Summer Solstice, Flooding, and Rainfall!

It’s Summer Solstice but people in the Quad Cities are shivering because of the flooding and never-ending rainfall. After an over-the-top polar vortex winter, residents are looking forward to the warm weather. However, the flooding of the rivers in the area and non-stop rains have left many with flooded basements and wet belongings.

Flooding

Quad Cities have witnessed record-breaking flooding along the rivers. Sandbags and HESCO barriers couldn’t stop the overflowing rivers and within no time many properties have flooded. People have left their belongings and evacuated immediately seeking shelters and hotels. Businesses with apparel and other perishable goods were hit most as they have lost all the inventory and are now forced to close the locations. Insurance companies are directing people to federal funds and many people did not have flooding covered by the insurance company. Many of the river drive summer events are either canceled or moved to other areas.

Rainfall

Quad Cities are also having historic rainfalls and people are panicking because of the rains. Properties have flooded regardless of new or old, low-lying or hill-high. The stormwater systems failed and most waters escaped into the basements. Sump pumps have failed either due to malfunction or power surge issues. Backup sump pumps also were useless in some areas. Residents have no clue how to deal with the water and wet basements. Unfinished basements are now preferred over finished ones due to lesser damage. Pipes gave up due to plumbing issues and some properties even had sewage backup inside the house.

Bills

Most of the bills came out of pocket as the cleanup efforts were not covered by most insurance companies. Federal funds needed a lot of approvals and proofs. Insurance adjusters are unable to cope-up with the requests and are offering very minimum refunds. Many businesses were out of a place to put their belongings. Restaurants needed additional clean up, sanitation, and restoration. Many are opting for rebuilding the entire property due to the damage. The unprecedented flooding of the Mississippi River and the Rock River followed by heavy rainfall have put many in debts. People living paycheck to paycheck are continuing to live in the flooded properties as they have no place to go. Some were even caught in the flash flooding on the roads and lost their vehicles. Many had to empty their savings (if any) to accommodate the sudden bills. Construction of the local properties and the I74Bridge also missed the deadlines due to the flooding and rainfall.

Resilience

The resilience of the locals has put them back to work as soon as the water receded. Cities have responded with the cleaning efforts and many volunteers and non-profits have raised funds to assist those affected. Area hotels offered discounted nights for flooded residents. Local businesses are organizing clothing and food drives to raise funds for the flooding victims. Neighbors have come together to help each other with the cleanup.

The flooding of 2019 in the Quad Cities has affected all in some way or the other. Cities and residents are preparing plans to mitigate similar situations in the future and changing plans accordingly. Individuals are thankful that they are still alive and continue to rebuild their future in the Quad Cities.

Have You Booked Your Solar Eclipse Viewing Party Yet…

Its not too late to reserve a solar eclipse viewing party near you. August 21st is the total solar eclipse and whole world is excited about the natural  celestial event. Weird stories including Lizard men in South Carolina and sold out Porta Potties in Oregon make us wonder more about the Total Solar Eclipse.

Solar Eclipse

 

 

 

 

 

 

Source: NASA

Solar eclipse is the natural event in the space when the moon comes in between the sun and earth. Then, the people on earth are unable to see the sun for a few minutes to hours. You may remember that the earth rotates on its own axis and revolves around the sun. Moon revolves around the earth and during the solar eclipse, it appears that the moon is blocking the sun. Only few parts of the earth are able to view total solar eclipse, while others can see partial solar eclipse.

 

Viewing Parties

All the public libraries and museums are arranging viewing areas to see the solar eclipse. Private groups are getting together to see the solar eclipse. In Oregon, all the Porta Potties have been pre-booked for the solar eclipse viewing parties. In South Carolina, police are warning people not to kill the Lizard men that may appear during the solar eclipse. Lizard men are weird humans similar to Big Foot and police are requesting to report any sightings. 🙂

Some cultures ban viewing the solar eclipse as it is perceived to be bad. Some prevent cooking or eating during the eclipse as the bad rays tend to spoil the food. Some pregnant women avoid going out during the eclipse as it may harm the baby. Scientists are arguing that the plants and animals may behave differently during the solar eclipse.

After 38 years, the United States is getting an opportunity to view the total solar eclipse though there were partial, annular, and hybrid eclipses after 1979. Electric and solar operators are concerned about the operation of the solar equipment and power plants during the solar eclipse.

Safety

NASA is emphasizing the safety during the solar eclipse. Experts are warning not buy cheap solar glasses and normal sun glasses are not suggested for viewing solar eclipse. Organizers of the viewing parties are arranging for safe glasses that are good for viewing the solar eclipse.  Cheap glasses can be spotted by holding them against car head lights at night. If the light is passing through the glasses, they are not safe for eclipse viewing and can damage the eyes. Special eclipse glasses are manufactured that can block the ultra violet and infra-red rays during the eclipse.

Solar Eclipse Viewing 

Solar Eclipse of 2017 in the USA is first visible in Oregon at 9 am. The eclipse will pass through Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, and North and South Carolina. The maximum time of 2 minutes and 38 seconds eclipse can be viewed in Carbondale, IL. The eclipse will end in South Carolina at 2pm.

Some eclipse chasers are tailgating the path in the USA while others are travelling out the country for different experience. Special Amtrak trains to Carbondale, IL are already sold out! About five hours drive from the Quad Cities, Carbondale is having the largest viewing events.

Quad Cities Solar Eclipse Events

In the Quad Cities, local libraries are passing out safe sunglasses and arranging the viewing areas. Some libraries are having preparatory events before August 21.

  1. Moline Public Library: 11.30 am to 2 pm. Sponsored by Popular Astronomy Club Quad Cities
  2. Putnam Museum: The event is sold out, but you can check for any cancellations. From 11 am to 2 pm, there will be presentations and live casts.
  3. Rock Island Public Library: 11.30 am to 2 pm. Offering free eclipse glasses for first 100 viewers.
  4. Davenport Public Library: 12pm to 2 pm. Making pin-hole cameras and eclipse viewing
  5. Bettendorf Public Library: 12.30 pm to 2 pm. Free glasses available or make pin-hole cameras.  Special presentations about the solar system

Next total solar eclipse in the USA is in 2045. Some parts of the world may not see the solar eclipse at all. For kids, this is a right event to view the science they studied in the text books. Some universities have declared holiday for the solar eclipse viewing on August 21, 2017. So, gear up for the grand solar eclipse this year and let me know how it went. Many are complaining that the solar eclipse is falling on a week day, but we can’t control the sun ha 🙂

John Deere Classic – Great Golf in the Quad Cities

John Deere Classic at TPC Deere Run is the largest sporting event in the Quad Cities. It is held annually since 1971 and is an official PGA tour event. Professional golfers from around the world visit the Quad Cities for top golf. Hundreds of volunteers help out for successful completion of the event and the golfing event also sponsors the Birdies for Charity fundraising.

TPC Deere Run in Silvis, IL is a top golf course in the area to host the annual John Deere Classic. The premium event is a summer special which hosts professional golfers from around the world. The sporting event is a huge boost for local economy.

Hundreds of volunteers help organize the event. Local city leaders, school groups, employees of John Deere Manufacturing company, charities, and so on get together for this event. Birdies for Charity is one of the largest fundraising event that supports local charities during the John Deere Classic.

The prize money for the winner this year is $1 million. Some of the recent past winners include Steve Stricker, Jordan Spieth, Zach Johnson, Ryan Moore, Brian Harman, and so on.

John Deere Classic is excited to host several local golfers who have roots back in the Quad Cities area. Organizations can sponsor the event by advance registration. Volunteer opportunities exist for different committees. Advance signup is recommended for volunteering. Volunteers can win special prizes and event freebies.

Birdies for charities is a fund raising for charities who meet certain specifications. Matching amount can be won from the earnings of the event. Official food vendors are assigned every year for concessions.

Spectators are expected to follow certain guidelines during the event. Sharp knifes and firearms are prohibited at the event. Having a course map handy is essential. Following a group or staying in your stand are two methods of watching the tournament. Autographs can be sought out at a pre-approved time early in the week. Security guards are present at the gates to maintain the safety. Emergency medical services are planned for any situations.

John Deere Classic allows some special provisions in some years and some years end up with a tie. Regardless of the outcome, the entire event is planned, organized, and implemented with top standards. The golf event is a festival time for Quad Cities and is a must see.

New Construction Quad Cities

Quad cities is the bursting market with opportunities. With booming development in between Chicago and Des Moines, QC is the top favorite for many. The lack of custom homes is a challenge in the area and the demand for new construction homes is rising rapidly. Realtors and builders are working along with property seekers to accomplish the new construction homes in Quad Cities. If you are a first time home builder, you are prone to many challenges. Here are some insights.

Quad Cities

Quad Cities may first look like typical MidWest area where nothing ever happens. 🙂 However, QC is developing rapidly and everyone is having hard time to cope up. John Deere, Alcoa,  and local school districts, are some of the major employers in the area. Greater Quad  Cities is also seeing  many new manufacturing, construction, highways, bridges, and small business developments.  Prospective home owners in the QC are seeing shortage of new homes. Some are surprised to find the cost of living in the Quad Cities same as cities such as Dallas, TX or Columbus, Ohio. Some big city home owners are amazed to see the quality of the homes we get in our area when compared to the price they put in the big cities.

New Construction

Home is one of the largest investments and many of us have a very careful approach for a new construction property. Buying an existing property with established facilities and landscaping is a popular choice. Due to the shortage in the Quad Cities, many opt for a new construction which turns out to quite daunting to some. 🙂

  1. Budgeting: Home owners must have a clear budget on the new construction based on the family income. Down payment, mortgage, property tax, HOA fees if any, and home improvement costs must be considered before starting out for a new home. Expect to cross the budget during the complete construction process. 🙂
  2. Area and Builder: Choosing the lot according to your preferences such as proximity to work and school districts is crucial. Next step is choosing a builder who can complete your dream home. Select a new construction builder or a general contractor who specialize in custom homes. It is better to choose the builder with appropriate permits and insurance. Some builders offer to take the construction loan for you or others may direct you to the banks that offer construction loans. Anyway, you end up paying the construction loan interest. 🙂
  3. Contract: A contract need to be signed after reviewing the estimations. You can choose to have a realtor based on the builder. Some avoid realtors to escape the cost of seven percent. Most builders in the QC charge a builder commission fee from ten to fifteen percent. Your negotiation skills may come in handy at this time. Other components are charged same by most builders depending upon who they subcontract. It may be essential to add change clauses and late delivery clauses.
  4. Design: Expect one or two months to finalize the design. Some initial idea is needed as how much square footage the home is going to be after leaving the required offsets. Type of vault, Room sizes, bathroom placements, media room, and any customized options need to be brainstormed at this time. Owners may not be surprised that the design keeps on changing as the construction progresses. 🙂
  5. Selections: Home owners are required to select many aspects of the house. The basics such as foundation or drywall material will be common in the area. Some external selections such as roofing or siding may be mandatory depending on the HOA or city rules. Crucial selections that have huge impact on the final cost include flooring, cabinets, electrical fixtures, landscaping, plumbing fixtures, appliances, paint colors, and so on. You can upgrade to advanced options or select the basic ones provided by the builder. It may seem confusing and daunting, but it is required to look up the options and check out the samples and reviews before finalizing. It will be like a selection marathon where as soon as you are done with selecting one item, you will be presented with more options to finalize another! 🙂 You will always skeptical about how the total cost is going to change if you choose a particular selection.
  6. Waiting: This is the most killing aspect of new construction homes. Expect delays as the new construction is extremely dependent on weather and labor. Rains are the show stoppers for all exterior work. Any high end work is dependent on the availability of the labor. If one of the subcontractors who committed has any emergency, that task will be delayed. This is true with big and small builders alike. Phased out tours are planned for big builders and small builders let you visit every day.
  7. Locking the mortgage rate: You are required to lock the mortgage rate before 30, 60, or 90 days of your closing. Banks and financial institutions do allow some time to lock and if any delays occur, you need to notify the bank so they can extend the rate lock for another 30 days for a charge. Banks also do require you to finalize a home insurance provider before processing the loan pre-approval. Skip this step if you are paying cash. 🙂
  8. Appraisal: Banks send for a neutral appraisal before processing the mortgage. The appraisal is a mandatory process which will decide how much that property can be valued for. The entire appraisal depends on many factors such as similar homes sold in the area during past six months or the facilities such as wood flooring or deck.
  9. Inspection: The property needs to pass several inspections from city and HOA. Those approvals are necessary and also assure that the property is being built in a safe and acceptable manner. Any recommendations must be completed before closing. An Occupancy Certificate will be issued if all the requirements are met. A Temporary Occupancy Certificate may be issued which must be corrected later.
  10. Closing: A final walk thru before closing is suggested with all the involved parties. Check every light, tap, door, and so on to note any discrepancies that need to be fixed. Your banker and realtor will prepare all the necessary documents required at the time of closing. All documents can be shared electronically and signed on the closing day. You are required to pay the down payment and closing charges at this time. If you have opted for a for-sale-by-owner, you both can hire individual lawyers who can take care of the paper work. It is your responsibility to check for the accuracy of the paperwork as the lawyers do tend to have mistakes in their forms.
  11. Post-moving checks: Once you move in your new home, keep checking the house interior and exterior for any issues. Within the one year warranty that is common in the Quad Cities, you can ask for any faults or bad installations. Note down the warranty period on the appliances and HVAC so you can seek out the fixes. Minor cracks in flooring, walls, paints, and so on can be fixed.

New construction homes are definitely a thrill to enjoy but do expect some out of pocket expenses every month. You will be tempted to make changes with the change in seasons. Peer pressure in terms of improvement and buyer remorse  when property bills arrive are common side effects. An extra fan, an upgrade in the doors, added landscaping, and so on will be needed in the first year or every year. 🙂 Let me know any other tips for new construction homes in the Quad Cities.

Quad Cities Summer Events 2016

Summer of 2016 brings record high temperatures to Quad cities along with annual events. Music, art, fair, carnivals, festivals, and so on make QC the greatest place to spend the summer again! Here are my top picks for summer 2016.

  1. Rock Island County Fair – July 19 to 23: Enjoy the unlimited rides and don’t miss the fair food and the demolition derby on Friday and Little Monster trucks on Saturday! See the farm animals and feed them.
  2. MVValley Fair – Aug 2 to 7: Take the fun stands pass to enjoy the entry for five days including the grand stands! Rascal Flatts and Alabama are in the line up this year
  3. Tug Fest – Aug 11 to 13: Don’t miss the fireworks on Friday and the great tug on Saturday. Cheer for your local teams and enjoy the action! Signup your kids for the kids tug to make it more interesting
  4. River Roots Live – Aug 26 to 27: If you like loud music and street food, this is the place for you. Bring a lawn chair and enjoy the music! Visit the many stages and enjoy all kinds of music
  5. Quad city balloon festival – Sep 23 to 27: Enjoy the hot air balloon ride over the QC and fly in the colorful balloons. Donate a canned or packed food item for free entry

Do visit the Putnam museum and Figge art museum during to check out their special exhibits. Say hello to the mummy in the museum and create art at the Figge art museum. Ride the channel cat water taxi to cross the river. Ride the river cruises and dinner cruises on the famous Celebration Belle. Go to the movie in the park or the movie marathon in the theaters early shows.

If you want to venture out new adventures in the Quad cities, try out the Scuba Adventures and get certified in the live water swimming. Don’t miss the Slide the city on August 6th which is sure a fun to do and watch as well. A must visit is the Bust out live escape rooms in Bettendorf which is a perfect team building activity for family, friends, or office. the Quad city sky diving is open for season and test your luck out there as well. 🙂

Participate in the marathons, races, triatholons, RAGBRAI, and so on in 2016. Or just enjoy the river walk. Let me know what you did this summer in the Quad cities! 🙂

Walking: The Medicine for All Pains

With the onset of warmer weather in the Quad Cities, we started seeing more people walking, running, and biking. I think walking is the best medicine for all the pains. If you feel more pain in your back or knees, go out for a short walk. Similarly, if your mood is not feeling right, go for a walk. As simple as that. Your pains and moods will be immediately transformed in to another pain or mood! 🙂

Walking is good in the mornings, evenings, or late night. Doctors suggest morning walk is the best but I think walking is good any time of the day if you are able to do it. You can reduce your stress levels, blood sugar levels, and put the limbs into action. Walking lets you test your limits and increase the resistance to pain and workout. Your endurance levels will be higher if you take multiple short walks during the day. One mile is the optimum distance that you can walk or split it into two short walks.

Ask a friend or family member to join you for the walk so you can catch up on other things. That will be relaxing for both you and the walking buddy. Check out the neighborhood landscape or enjoy the warm weather.  Walking is the best alternative if you are unable to go for the high stress workouts. You can walk according to your own pace and no matter how fast you walk it is going to be ultimately beneficial. Add some music to your walk to make it more entertaining and relaxing. Experts suggest that brisk walking helps and also engaging your hands during the walk also helps. You might burn some additional calories if you walk twice a day and get back to fitness level by the Independence day vacation!

If you don’t workout on a regular basis, you might do just fine for your day to day activities. However, if you keep your body working out daily, you will be ready for any high adventure activities for the summer. Your limbs and body will be prepared for all the hiking and extra travel during the summer. In addition, your body will also ready for any hormone changes due to the aging. Do not just refrain from walking because you have that pain or this work. Keep the work out going on and keep walking!

Quad Cities Summer Events 2015

Summer events are plenty in Quad Cities which let us enjoy the best outdoors. With the mighty Mississippi by our side, we get to explore the nature and create beautiful memories. With thousands of people attending, these events make living in the Quad Cities interesting.

Summer Events in Quad Cities

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Here are some quad cities events which are my favorites:

Rock Island County Fair: The 146th annual Rock Island County Fair is from July 11th to July 19th at 4200, Archer Drive
in East Moline. Most of the grandstand acts are from July 15th to July 18th that is, Thursday through Saturday. Admission fee is $2 for adults, unlimited wristband for $20 which covers all the rides. If you want to get tipsy you can either get on the rides or the beer tent nearby. The fair food is mouth watering such as the curly fries, funnel cakes, french fries, hot dogs, nachos cheese, cotton candy, and of course the Lemonades!!

The grandstand acts include popular artists such as Charlie Worsham on Saturday and Clayton Anderson and Keith Anderson on Friday. This year the Demolition Derby is on Thursday 7pm unlike last year when they had it scheduled for Saturday evening. Get your spirits high for the racing and dashing. Further, check their schedule for more information and do not forget there is free pizza by Dominoes on Wednesday and Thursday from 10.30 am to 1pm.

 

Mississippi Valley Fair: The 96th annual Mississippi Valley Fair is from August 4th to August 9th at 2815, West Locust St in Davenport. The fair is one of the largest fair in Iowa which costs $10 for the general admission and $45 for fun cards. The fun card lets you in for all the five days including the grand stand acts. Kids 12 and under have free admission on Wednesday Aug 5th. This year the grand stand line up includes Kip Moore, Reba, The Marshall Tucker Band, Styx, The Band Perry, and Big & Rich.

You can visit the Mississippi Valley Fair for the fair food especially the corn and baked potatoes. The rides are $20 from 11 am to 5pm and they have a zip line too. There is also the beer tent and free music. There are some free acts throughout the day which include the alligator show, Dallas the Fire Guy, and Team Rock Karate Show among others.

Citation: http://n.b5z.net/i/u/10002415/i/2015_TugFest_Logo_black.png
Citation: http://n.b5z.net/i/u/10002415/i/2015_TugFest_Logo_black.png

Tug Fest: The 29th annual Tug Fest is from August 13th to August 15th in Port Byron, Illinois or Le Claire, Iowa. Illinois has the most wins 17 over Iowa. You can choose the side depending on which side of the river you are. Thursday night is the family night and is free admission to all. Friday and Saturday admission is $3 per person. Don’t miss Friday night Rumble on the River fireworks over the river at 9pm. The kids tug is at 11 am on Saturday. The actual tug is from 12 to 3pm at the tug site.

Tug fest is a tug of war competition over the Mississippi river between two states Iowa and Illinois. The 2400 feet rope is pulled by tug teams across the river and the state with most points win. Local businesses form teams to compete in the tug. Tug fest is possible with the help of local sponsors and hard working volunteers. Also, the bands are amazing at the Gazebo. I like the music, fireworks,the river, and of course the actual tug. Combine your tug fest visit with the annual Floatzilla  on August 15th to make it even more fun.

River Roots Live: The 11th annual River Roots Live is on August 28th and August 29th at 400 W Biederbecke Dr, Davenport in the LeClaire Park. I like their new website though developed by Nerdwerx! The admission is free before 3pm on both days. Gate admission is $15. River Roots Liveis clubbed with the rib fest. The ribs are open at 11 am on both days. Music starts at 5pm on Friday and runs all day on Saturday.

This year’s line up includes artists such as Kacey Musgraves at Saturday 8.45 pm and Hello Goodbye at Friday 10.15 pm. Visit the River Roots Live for lots of ear popping and heart throbbing music. The Junior Jam for children is sponsored by West Music and RME. There are bouncy house for kids and also a video game tent sponsored by Video Game Etc. Check out all the free stuff given away by local businesses apart from the fair food.

You can also hop on the channel cat taxi and Celebration Belle cruises or checkout the Backwater Gamblers in Rock Island. Attend these events and let me know which one you like the most and share if you find any  more interesting.:)

All About Driving License

If you are new to the USA or to the Quad cities, one thing you certainly need is the Illinois driving license. Due to the limited public transportation and the extreme weathers, the driving license has become indispensable. It also serves as a state ID apart from letting you go places. However, there are certain requirements with respect to documents, vehicle, tests, and of course certain fees for a test. Here is an overview of the requirements for obtaining a driving license.

Intersection

Documents

The DMV certainly needs to verify your documents in order to take up the written test or road test. They need to see a valid unexpired original document from four groups. They must be most recent or within 90 days from the date applying. For example:

  1. Group A: Written Signature – Cancelled check, Major credit cards, Passport, EAD Card, I-94, Green card, Social Security Card, Current Driver’s License, State ID, and so on.
  2. Group B: Date of Birth – Passport, US Visa, Green card, EAD Card, Birth Certificate (US), Social Security Award Letter, Military ID, Naturalization Certificate, and so on.
  3. Group C: Social Security Number – Social Security Award Letter, Social Security Card, Driver’s License Record, Military ID, and so on. TVDL applicants no more required to submit a No SSN Letter. They will sign a declaration at the DMV.
  4. Group D: Residency – Bank Statement, Cancelled Check (within 90 days), Utility bill, Official mail from US Federal agency, Rental or lease agreement, Credit report, Pay stub, Electronic deposit, and so  on.

One document may satisfy more than one group. Illinois DMV does not accept photocopies. They need originals. New drivers must submit one document from Groups A, B, C, and two documents for Group D.

Vehicle

Your vehicle must be running with a valid insurance card. The vehicle must be running with all indicators working and with no problems. The vehicle:

  1. Must comply according to the Illinois Secretary of State standards
  2. Must have a valid insurance which is required before the road test
  3. Must display front and rear licence plates with unexpired license sticker
  4. Must be driven to the DMV by a driver with valid license and insurance

Tests

You are required to take a written test and a road test. At the DMV, first you have to take a token for a written test. The written test is a computer based test and covers the road signs, basic rules, seat belt requirements, and so on. You can skip a question if you think it is confusing. As soon as you answer thirty-five questions the computer will inform you that you have passed the test.

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Then, you can take a token for road test. A tester from the DMV will accompany you on a short road course with real traffic. The tester will test if you are able to follow directions and instructions properly. They will grade you on certain key aspects such as uphill, downhill, backing from a driveway on to a road, yielding, lane changes, parking, and so on.

Fees

You are required to pay a fee for the computer test, written permit, and road test. The fee varies from $25 to $40 depending upon your age and type of test.

Make sure you have all original documents and take extra photocopies. Check the weather and road conditions before you go. Also, check the national holidays and working hours of the local DMV. It is better to go in the early hours so you can finish off early. You can expect two to three hours before the entire process is completed.

Training

If you are new to the USA or to the Quad cities, it is suggested to go through a trainer who will guide you through the entire process. The trainer with a valid vehicle and insurance card can guide you through the rules and regulations of the road. It is better to take four to five classes before you go for the road test.

All the best for your tests and experience at the Illinois DMV. They are here to help us if we have everything what they need. Let me know your experience through the comments section. Have fun driving and enjoy the new-found freedom. 🙂

Dispatch Argus

The largest selling newspaper in the quad cities with the most accurate information is the Quad cities Dispatch Argus. The paper costs less than a dollar a day but is the only source for exclusive news in sports, politics, entertainment, arts, weather, and so on. Dispatch covers local, national, and international news in the area bringing up to date news. The coupons which drop by every other day along with the paper are the most precious.

Dispatch Argus

The Dispatch and the Rock Island Argus are the local newspapers found in 1878 and 1853 respectively. They serve the local areas with both the papers carrying the same news except modifyng the cover page to suit the individual areas. They both were acquired by the Small Newspaper Group in 1986. The news can also be accessed at their website qconline.com.

Dispatch covers local news and all the articles are well researched, written and edited. Pictures accompany some articles to give more details. The different sections of the paper which appear on special days include:

  1. Cover page
  2. Sports
  3. Arts
  4. Faith
  5. Home
  6. Automobile
  7. World
  8. Comics
  9. Teen
  10. Obituaries
  11. Events
  12. Entertainment
  13. Movie Reviews
  14. Crime reports
  15. Politics
  16. Jobs
  17. Finance
  18. Weather
  19. Honor rolls
  20. Education

Local people including friends and families are featured in the newspaper for their special achievements. Special happenings such as births, marriages, engagements, divorces, and deaths are published in the paper to spread the word easily. On request, Dispatch publishes free obituaries up to 25 lines to honor the local residents who passed away. The local crimes and other follow ups can be tracked through the paper. Families and teenagers can write to the paper to ask a specific question they are facing and can get expert suggestions while being anonymous.

Dispatch Argus supports local students by publishing their essays, achievements, scholarships,  and the Regional Annual Spelling Bee. Photo contests are held occasionally and local residents are encouraged to send in the pictures. Frequent job positions in the paper include journalists, writers, editors, home delivery, and so on. 

Dispatch provides exclusive coupons apart from special news. Local stores provide deals and discounts through the newspaper and can be used during the valid period. Dispatch provides great news in simple language for people of all ages. Children are encouraged to read the newspaper to improve the awareness of the world around them and also their reading and comprehension. You can also sponsor the newspaper for a day to a local school through their special partnership program.

To subscribe to the Dispatch Argus, call 309 797 0345 or 800 660 2472. You can also visit their website to check out the different delivery options.

January Events

The first month of the year is packed with events which are getting pretty difficult to manage. With first snow (and storm), January is getting busier. Here are some of the events in the area.

  1. Bettendorf family museum is offering free evening admission on January 16th from 5pm to 8pm on Martin Luther King Jr.’s day. Enjoy the exhibits and explore nature wonders at the museum.
  2. Moline library is offering a range of free programs including Messy Monday on January 16th, Lego club on January 19th, and Contented canines on January 25th. Registration may be required for some programs. Check the timings before going.
  3. Rock Island Center for Math and Science is offering a free STEM program on January 24th 5pm to 7pm in coordination with IMSA. Children can do variety of science experiments and win prizes!
  4. iwireless center is hosting the World’s toughest rodeo show on January 27th and January 28th at 7.30 pm. Admission is from $18 to $35 and a special goody bag for $55 seat tickets.
  5. Rivercenter Davenport is hosting the Quad City Boat and Vacation show this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Special gifts for children visiting early on Sunday.
Visit the programs and be safe in the weather. 🙂

 

 

TVDL Illinois

Temporary Visitor Drivers Licence (TVDL) is issued to legal residents in the United States who are not eligible for a Social Security Number. Until lately, there was no such provision but in 2005 Illinois started issuing TVDL to enable the residents drive.

International students and spouses of temporary international workers may apply for a TVDL as they are not eligible to work in the United States. They are legal residents but are ineligible for a Social Security number. In order to facilitate driving for these residents, a TVDL is issued.

Documents

Bloomington, Rockford, Springfield, Carbondale, and Chicago are the offices that issue a TVDL. They process TVDL only on certain days of the week. Take the following original documents to your nearest DMV office.

  1. No SSN letter from the Social Security Office issued within the last 90 days
  2. Passport with original I94
  3. Any mail with name and address within last 30 days
The documents will be verified using the online verification system. If there is any additional verification, a second visit maybe required.

Validity

An applicant must be having at least six months visa and one year valid stay while requesting a TVDL.  A TVDL is valid until three years or the visa expiry date whichever is sooner.

A TVDL can be extended after receiving the extension notice from the USCIS. The application may be sent for additional processing. The DMV will issue an invitation letter to revisit the DMV office to get the renewal.

Tests

First time applicants have to go through vision test, computer test, and driving test. Applicants renewing TVDL may have to go through vision test and other tests if required.

Once all the tests have been passed, a photograph is taken and the TVDL will be issued. It may be a shocking and tiring process but the pain is worth. The stringent rules by the Illinois DMV may seem ridiculous but at the end ensure the safety of the drivers.

 

Oktoberfest

October is the time for apple picking, fall colors, and Halloween preparations. Parades, tours, costumes, and travelling are major occasions where we all can have some outdoor fun before winter sets in.

Apple Picking

Apple is the most favorite fruit and is ready for picking during the fall. Here are some local famrs where you can pick your own apples for a minimal cost.

  1. Tanners Orchard, Speer IL
  2. Stone’s Apple Barn, East Moline IL
  3. HappyHollowUpick, Port Byron, IL
Check with the farm for the timings and special events.

Fall Colors

Fall is the time when leaves stop producing chlorophyll gradually. The carotenoids which were always present now make the leaves turn yellow, purple, red, crimson before they finally fall. Follow a river in your local area to get the best view of the fall colors.

  1. Mississippi Palisades National Park, Savanna, IL
  2. Galena, IL
  3. Spoon River Scenic Drive, Fulton County, IL

Check the weather and routes before setting off to enjoy the nature.

Halloween: Parades and Trick or Treat

  1. Rock Island District – Oct 27th 5pm to 8pm
  2. Le Claire – Parade on Oct 29th 11am to 1pm,  Trick or Treat on Oct 30th 6pm to 8 pm
  3. Davenport – Oct 28th 5pm to 7pm
  4. Bettendorf – Oct 31 5pm to 7pm
  5. Moline – Oct 31 5pm to 7pm
  6. South Park Mall – Oct 29th 4pm to 6pm
  7. Quad City Botanical Center – Oct 30th 1pm to 4pm

Follow the safety rules during Halloween parades to make it more enjoyable and memorable.

Quad Cities Balloon Festival 2011

The Quad Cities Balloon Festival is planned from September 23rd to 25th at the Kennedy Square in East Moline. The event is free but donations of non-perishable food items are encouraged. All the proceedings from the QC Balloon Festival go toward the River Bend Food Bank Backpack Program, which feeds hungry children in Quad Cities.

The QC Balloon festival is scheduled from September 23rd to 25th. The event hosts the launch of 20 hot air balloons, glowing in the dark, art fair, car show, and pan cake breakfast. The pilots are local experts in launching and operating hot air balloons. The pilots involve in different competitions including bean bag toss and races.

River Bend Food Bank is a hunger relief organization which feeds 45, 000 meals for children every year. It also operates four Kids Cafe Sites and Backpack Program. Through the Backpack Program, the food bank aims to supply food for children who do not have food during weekends. Every Friday, the kids who do not have food facilities at home are given easily cook able meals packets for use during the weekends.

You can park your vehicle at the Kennedy Square Parking lot and bring your lawn chairs to enjoy the show. The festival is handicap accessible but does not allow smoking and pets. The Balloon launch is scheduled for Friday and Sunday 5pm and Saturday 7am. While all the activities are dependent on weather, let’s hope for a fun filled Balloon festival. 🙂

Reckless Driving

Most drivers get comfortable behind the wheel over time and take certain risks which may or may not be safe for them. Reckless driving includes speeding, ignoring traffic rules, and willful disregarding the road safety.

Here are some examples of reckless driving:

  • Approaching a traffic signal, stop sign, exit, or construction zone with high speeds and slowing with sudden breaks
  • Speeding in school zones, construction zones, and on highways
  • Not following lane change rules and indicator lights
  • Excessive speeding, that is, ten over the speed limit
  • Damaging property or other vehicles by dashing
  • Failure to yield to emergency vehicles or other right-of-way
  • Passing a parked school bus, passing two vehicles, or passing in a no-pass zone

Reckless driving may cause heavy fines and may result in imprisonment in case of death or injury. Each state has a different rule and fines for reckless driving. It also may result in suspension of driving licence and may show bad report in background checking.

Hence, reckless driving must be avoided in all circumstances and it is always suggested to drive safe and obey the traffic rules.

 

 

August Events 2011

Quad city residents look forward for the annual Mississippi Valley Fair, Tug fest, River roots, Tax free weekend in August. Make the most of the rest of the summer with the events and sun. 🙂

August brings back many events to the locals.

  1. The MV Valley fair offers a free admission to kids today apart from other grand stand shows. – The fair ends this Sunday and costs $10 for adults and $3 for children.
  2. Illinois hopes to win the Tug fest this year too. – Get your lawn chairs to Port Byron or Le Claire from Aug 11 to 13th to enjoy the cool river side and hot sun. The event has minimum admission fee that is donated to wards charity.
  3. River roots live is set to rock downtown Davenport with great food and music. – The free event on August 19th and 20th is full of free music and interesting food that comes yearly once. 🙂
  4. Tax free weekends in Iowa this Friday and Saturday allows you to buy garments or shoes sales tax free for up to $100. – Illinois residents may visit Iowa stores and avail the facility as Mr. Quinn does not declare any tax free holidays for Illinois. 🙂
  5. Movies in the park start this Friday in Moline showing Tangled this week and Tron legacy next Friday. – Again, get your lawn chairs, blankets, and bug repellents to enjoy the free movie with pop corn.
These events provide opportunity to enjoy the little outdoor fun opportunities we have before the onset of the cold weather. 🙂

 

June Events – Quad Cities

The onset of summer and the Memorial day mark the beginning of many local events. With short trips during the weekends, get the most of the summer and the warm weather. Here is a heads up on June events in and around Quad Cities.

  1. American Pickers Weekend – Visit LeClaire, Iowa for the annual event on June 4th and 5th based on the famous History Channel show ‘American Pickers’. Visit the levee for free music and other shows.
  2. Superman Celebration – The annual celebration from June 9th to 12th provides a unique opportunity to view hundreds in the Superman costume in Metropolis, Illinois.
  3. Mardi Gras in the District – The downtown Rock Island will  host the Mardi Gras festival on June 10th and June 11th hosting entertainment and providing festive mood.
  4. Tom Sawyer Day – Visit the boyhood home of Mark Twain in Hannibal, MO and celebrate the Tom Sawyer Day on June 11th apart from other free events.
  5. Music on the Lawn – The Butterworth center hosts free  music show on June 15th at 9.30 am and 1 pm by famous band.
  6. Quad City Air Show – The Davenport air show is a must watch on June 18th and 19th. It costs $15 per adult, $6 per child, free for children under 3. Book tickets online or at local Hy-Vee stores.
  7. Back Water Gamblers – The free ski show by the volunteers is performed at Rock Island every Wednesdays and Sundays at 6.30 pm up to Labor day.
  8. Butterfly Day – The Quad City Botanical Center will host the butterfly show for children on June 19th 1pm to 3pm at the rate of $5 per person.
  9. Niabi Zoo Wildfest – The zoo and local sponsors host special events and activities for children apart from the regular zoo admission. Niabi zoo is hosting the kids wild fest on June 25th from 9.30 am to 5 pm.
  10. Blossoms on the Butterworth – Visit the Butterworth Center in Moline on June 26th 12 pm to 5pm for the free event and goodies.

Enjoy the events and let me know if you find any more. 🙂

Celebration Belle Cruises

The Schadler family runs the Celebration Belle cruises on the mighty Mississippi river right from the heart of Moline. The river cruises offers a unique opportunity to travel the river without actually getting sea sick. 🙂

The Celebration Belle cruises run from the past 25 years to entertain the visitors and residents of Quad cities. The recent flooding of the river might caused some closure of the cruises for a while. The cruises are available at an affordable prices. For a family event or business meeting, the Celebration cruises are a perfect match at an affordable price.

The range of cruise optons available vary from one hour narrated cruises to two day cruises. They include:

  1. Big Band
  2. Broadway and Movie Show Tunes
  3. Classic Oldies
  4. Dixieland Cruises
  5. Fall Foliage
  6. Holiday Cruise
  7. Mardi Gras
  8. Oktoberfest Cruises
  9. The Legends Music Review
  10. 2 Day Cruises
  11. Day Long Excursion

The cruises also include enhancements and other cruise options:

  1. Captain’s narrated lunch cruises
  2. Captain’s dance and dinner cruises
  3. Northbound cruises
  4. Narrated sightseeing cruises
  5. Southbound cruises

The prices are affordable and children under three are admitted at no charge and children three to twelve receive extra discounts. You can call the office 800 297 0034 to reserve an appointment. Visit the Cruise calendar to choose a show of your choice. 🙂

Quad Cities Earth Week Fair – 2011

The QCCA Expo Center will be hosting the Earth Week Fair this Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm. The event is free for all visitors. The first two hundred visitors receive free goodies apart from special exhibits from all the local authorities. It is a good opportunity to learn about conserving the natural resources and waste reduction.

The Quad Cities Earth Week Fair will be held at the QCCA Expo Center this Saturday. To increase the awareness among the local residents, this event has several hands-on activities for children and interesting presentations for adults. The presentations will be about natural beauty products, edible plants,  and raising environmentally friendly pets.

In our daily lives, we can make small changes to make earth more green and eliminate hazardous materials that damage the environment. The different local institutions have set up booth activities such as:

  1. Recycling
  2. Environmental landscaping
  3. Leaving no trace
  4. Water quality
  5. Reusable products
  6. Sculptures from junk
  7. Earth friendly practices
  8. Reusing

All the local authorities will display the green practices followed by them and some booths will have free arts and crafts for children. If you are a earth friendly and a nature loving person, do visit the fair. In contrast, if you are not earth-friendly person, do visit the fair to realize the small steps we can take to make earth a better place for our future generations. 🙂

You can reach the QCCA Expo Center at 2621 4th Avenue Rock Island IL. 309 788 5912

Moline Soccer Club

Operating since 1978, the Moline Soccer Club has encouraged area children to play soccer. Setting the teams, providing the ground, arranging the team uniforms, and facilitating the games are some of the services apart from providing expert coaching. Moline Soccer Club is a great platform to encourage the sportsmanship in children while mastering soccer.

Soccer, also called as football, is a great sport played by millions worldwide. It is the most popular sport in all parts of the world. The FIFA World cup will be held in 2014 in Brazil.  Spain, Netherlands, and Germany are the top countries in the Men’s rankings.

Moline Soccer Club

Moline Soccer Club aims at promoting soccer in area schools and children. They provide unique coaching and guidance in soccer as well as building sportsmanship and teamwork.

Moline Soccer Club provide coaching and facilitate games for children from ages five through fourteen. They form the teams for both boys and girls according to the ages and arrange the games. The teams are called Gnats, Bumblebees, Mosquitoes, Hornets, and Grasshoppers based on the ages.

Registration

The registration forms are supplied through area schools or can be downloaded from their website. The charge for six games and twelve practice sessions is about $61. One can register for both fall and spring sessions.  The players will be recognized and awarded a medal a the end of the session. Some of the best players are identified for travel teams and other soccer sessions.

Quad Cities United Soccer also offers soccers sessions for children for around $40 at Augustana College.

Rules

Moline Soccer Club expects the participants and their parents to follow certain guidelines during the sessions. For instance, calling names, using drugs, abusing, hurting, or passing negative comments must be avoided. All the players and parents are expected to display positive sportsmanship attitude during the practice and games.

The Moline Soccer Club is one of the mediums through which boys and girls can learn soccer and develop sportsmanship. 🙂

Snow Storm Ahoy

Get ready for the greatest snow storm in decades. The meteorologists and weather news channels are getting crazy about the greatest storm coming up. Spanning from new Mexico to Maine, the storm is sure to upset the lives and create a havoc if we are unprepared.

Quad cities is expected to receive 12 to 16 inches of snow today and tomorrow. There is a chance of power outage and total block out. The internet, telephone and cell phone facilities may be down in the next two days. Most of the area schools have already declared holidays for the children.

Thirty snow plowing trucks in Moline are already on roads for clearing the snow.  Piles of salt is waiting to clear the snow. Icy conditions may lead to accidents and hence do not travel. Heavy winds and snow gusting may make travel difficult and impossible. Snow emergency has been declared in most of the counties and snow routes are in effect. That is, if you park your vehicle by the road side, your vehicle will be towed away at your expense as it is blocking the snow clearance.

Area residents are stocking up for until the Super Bowl game ahead of the storm. Stocking the essentials such as milk, bread, water, and medicines is a good idea. Stay warm and stay safe. 🙂