What could $2,500 do to help rural communities in Illinois? Whether it will support a local agricultural youth group, or purchase new equipment for a school, Illinois farmers have the opportunity to win $2,500 for their community. The awards are available through Monsanto Fund’s America’s Farmers Grow CommunitiesSM program, a program now being offered in 1,201 counties across 38 states.

The State Farm Youth Advisory Board is accepting applications for board members to administer a unique grant program that empowers youth to take an active role in their education through service-learning.

Sherrard High School is holding its Meet the Teams night Aug. 18. The dinner is available to purchase from the boosters at 5:30 p.m.

Governor Pat Quinn today visited a teacher supply store  in Chicago to encourage shoppers to take advantage of the state’s first-ever back-to-school sales tax holiday. He reminded teachers who support their classes by buying supplies (out of their own pocket) that they will receive a 5 percent discount during the 10-day period. The sales tax holiday started Friday, Aug. 6 and continues through Sunday, Aug. 15.

On  Friday Aug. 20 , the ‘Pinta and the ‘Nina’ will open  in Burlington. The ships will be docked at Oneida landing, at the foot of Bridge St., until their departure early Monday morning Aug. 30.

Grants and low cost federal loans and loan guarantees are available to help faith-based and non-profits organizations serve their rural communities. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development has 14 programs that can help them through the Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships program. The agency’s Community Facilities and Housing Programs can help these organizations, as well as public entities, develop essential community facilities and affordable rental housing in rural towns of up to 20,000 residents. 

Sherrard School Board is looking for a replacement. Board president Jay Bizarri resigned recently.

John Deere’s homes in Moline, Illinois, burst into bloom for Blossoms at Butterworth on Sunday, June 27 from 12-5 p.m. at 1105-8th Street. Visitors can enjoy the splendor of Butterworth Center’s impressive gardens, guided tours of the two homes, refreshments, and exciting activities from the 1800’s. Admission is free. For more information, 309-765-7971 or www.butterworthcenter.com

The Illinois State Fair is offering fairgoers an opportunity to enjoy all the thrills of the carnival midway at a great price. Fairgoers wanting to experience the excitement of unlimited carnival rides can purchase a Mega Pass for a discounted price of $50.

Through a corporate gift of $250,000 from John Deere, SAE International announces its new "John Deere/SAE International AWIM Learn Twice Initiative."

A new exhibit takes features animatronic dinosaurs in Prehistoric Playground at the Family Museum, 2700 Learning Campus Dr. in Bettendorf, Iowa. With over a dozen interactive dinosaur themed activities, children of all ages will discover the wonder and amazement of this engaging traveling exhibit (May 22-Sept. 5). Admission: $6. Hours: Mon. and Thurs. 9 a.m.-8 p.m.; Fri.-Sat. 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun. 12 noon-5 p.m. For more information, call 563-344-4106 or visit www.familymuseum.org 

What better way to savor the joys of summer than Blossoms at Butterworth? Scheduled for Sunday, June 27, the classic seasonal celebration is a perennial favorite for Quad Cities residents. Held at the Butterworth Center and Deere-Wiman House in Moline, the afternoon event offers traditional summer fun for all age groups in a nostalgic garden setting. With the exception of food concessions, all activities and entertainment are free.

 
Throughout central Illinois and beyond, visitors can explore the 215 wayside exhibits in 52 communities that form the "Looking for Lincoln Story Trail."  The Looking for Lincoln Heritage Coalition has a brand new guide to make it easier to find each and every exhibit and has recently upgraded its website at www.LookingForLincoln.com complete with a downloadable brochure, a map, and a full set of GPS coordinates.

Registrations are still being accepted for Summer Days Camps offered by University of Illinois Extension, Rock Island County. There are over 20 camps to choose from and they are open to everyone. Half-fee tuition waivers are available. Unless otherwise noted, camps meet at Rock Island County Extension, 321 West 2nd Ave., Milan, IL. To register call (309) 756-9978 Ext 10 or www.extension.uiuc.edu/rockisland

A few openings remain for summer camp at the Deere-Wiman House in Moline. Designed for children ages 10-12, A Week in the 1800s offers exciting, hands-on activities with a historic, traditional flavor. “Children get the chance to experience the westward migration made by countless pioneers – including John Deere -- in a meaningful new way,” says Gretchen Frick Small, Deere-Wiman/Butterworth Center program director.

The Athens Super Sectional softball game between Sherrard and Alton (Marquette) has been rescheduled for 6 p.m. tonight to allow time for the field conditions to improve according to Sherrard Athletic Director Brady Stromquist. 

Contestants must be residents of Mercer County who have not reached three years of age by July 17, 2010. The photos of all babies entering the contest will be on display at Midwest Bank of Western Illinois starting June 28, 2010 through July 12, 2010.

With state and local budget shortfalls threatening the jobs of hundreds of thousands of educators in Illinois and across the country, the Obama Administration is pressing Congress to approve emergency funding to keep them on the job.
 

Team BEAST (Burlington Endurance Athlete Sports Team) has scheduled its youth triathlon to begin at 9 a.m. Sunday, June 27, in Dankwardt Park, 2700 S. Main St., Burlington, Iowa. Youth ages 7 to 14 may participate.

Congressman Maurice Hinchey (D-NY), Congressman Phil Hare (D-IL) and Congressman Bob Etheridge (D-NC) today led a group of 104 other House members in support of an effort to provide emergency funding to save 250,000 education related jobs. In a letter to House Appropriations Chairman David Obey (D-WI), the group offered its strong support for the inclusion of the $23 billion provision in the emergency supplemental appropriations bill that is expected to come up for a vote in the coming weeks.