Our Daily Show!

On this last Thursday Morning of November in the Heart of the Riverbend... we are kicking things off with Kevin and Anne Frakes!! It is the last Thursday of the Month and that means it is time for Theater Thursday with Alton Little Theater! Coming Up on December 9th at 7:30 PM and December 10th at 2 PM, Kevin and Anne will host a company of beautiful voices as they present The Best of The Best Christmas Concert! This show features Abigail Stahlschmidt (International Artist & Violinist) with Eric Strothers (with selections from Manheim Steamrollers Siberian Holiday) and a company of beautiful voices & instruments. Kevin and Anne join us in the studio to fill us in on all of the details and more! Then at 10:10 we are talking with Abigail Parker and Nourished Revival! We get the latest on how the 1 year Anniversary went for Abigail! Plus she fills us in on the December 5th fund, and how Nourished Revival is helping raise funds for this wonderful organization.

On this Wednesday in the Heart of the Riverbend, we are kicking things off with Jaynanne Calaway-Habeck and Masterpiece Arts Sanctuary! Coming Up on Saturday, December 9th, IT IS THE SECOND ANNUAL CHRISTMAS BY THE RIVER! Join Masterpiece Arts Sanctuary for the second year of this fun, FREE, interactive walk-through event to celebrate Jesus’s birth! It takes about 30 min to walk through. See Buddy the Elf, Whoville, Santa’s Workshop, A Christmas Story, Frosty, the Magi, and more! Jaynanne fills us in on all of the details and so much more! Then at 10:30, we are talking to Luis! He is back in from Puerto Rico and he will be filling us in on all things Cardinals! Luis breaks down the Sonny Gray signing, and so much more!

On this Tuesday in the heart of the Riverbend... we are starting the morning off with friends of the show, The Village of East Alton! We get all of the important Holiday insights as The Village of East Alton presents the 3rd annual Night of Christmas this Saturday, December 2nd from 4-7 pm! At 10:10 we are talking with OSF St. Anthony's! Each November the home care and hospice community honors the millions of nurses, home care aides, therapists, and social workers who make a remarkable difference for the patients and families they serve. These heroic caregivers play a central role in our healthcare system and in homes across the nation. To recognize their efforts, both at home and in their local communities, OSF Hospice and OSF Home Care Services, along with the National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC), celebrate November as National Home Care & Hospice Month. Christie S. Kamp, RN, BSN, CRRN, Manager, Home Health Care | Hospice (Alton) and Jamie Perkhiser, Hospice Coordinator (Alton) join us in the studio to give us insights and knowledge of hospice and what their role is with the patient. At 10:35 we are back to Christmas with Pastor Alan Abert! You're Invited to an Open House on Sunday, December 3rd from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at Grace United Methodist Church located at 702 Henry Street (across from Duke Bakery) in Alton. Pastor Alan fills us in on all of the details and so much more!

As we recover from Thanksgiving... WE ARE BACK IN BUSINESS on a Monday Morning in the Heart of the Riverbend! We are talking with Erin Bickle, Jessica Grace, and Sharnae with Refuge! They will be filling us in on Refuge as a whole, and the amazing work they do in the community! PLUS they fill us in on Giving Tuesday: what it means to the organization, what they are able to do with the funds, and ways we can support them! Then at 10:10, we are talking to Sue Messerilli with Make a Wish! A Hot Chocolate ‘Walk For Wishes” fundraiser will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023, at Highland Town Square. Registration fees are $25 for adults, $15 for youths aged 5-17, and free for children age 4 & under. Visit this link to register online. Sue will fill us in on this event- how we can be a part of it, what this goes towards, and Make-A-Wish as a whole! Then at 10:35, it is TIME FOR BEYOND THE SHELVES, we where explore Hayner Library! Mary Cordes fills us in on our Community Staple, and so much more!

On this Wednesday in the Heart of the Riverbend, we are kicking things off with Craig Lombardi, Cami Beaber Giertz, and Tawnya Hooper! Freezin for Funds is back! The founding members of Freezing For Funds are Craig Lombardi, Cami Beaber Giertz, Tawnya Hooper, and Trisha Deanne Perks. All from the Alton High School class of 1986. This idea was born after a class reunion. In the Fall of 2022, someone suggested we create a fundraiser. We get all of the details and origin story, and learn all about ways we can support and be a part of it! Freezin For Funds is set for Saturday 1/6/2024 @ 10:00 AM at Glazebrook Park Lake by the concession stand, 1401 Stamper Ln, Godfrey, IL 62035! Registration Deadline 12/22/2023! Rusty Wheat is in the house! Rusty will be filling us in on the new things happening with the County Clean-Ups, New Signs, and the Adopt Program!

On this Tuesday in the heart of the Riverbend... we are starting the morning off with friends of the show, The North-Alton Godfrey Business Council! We are kicking things off with our North Alton Godfrey Business Council Segment! We get insights on the great community asset as we are just a few weeks away from the Breakfast with Santa event at the KC Hall in Godfrey! PLUS, we are joined by Steve Tassinari - Tassinari Insurance Agency! Steve fills us in on how the business opening came to be, how he helps his clients find the best rate, and how much the community means to him! Then at 10:30, we are talking to a familiar face to Riverbender, but a new face to the show... Sydney Sinks! Definitely a long-time listener, first-time caller scenario as Syndey fills us in on her Riverbender Blog (one of CJ's favorite reads)! Sydney fills us in on her time at Riverbender, and what led up to her becoming a journalist. PLUS, Sydney fills us in on how the blog came to be, and a bit of background on her current edition!

On this Friday Morning in the Heart of the Riverbend... we are talking with Kristen Burns! The Holiday Traditions Night Market in Downtown Wood River, is set for Friday, November 24th from 5 PM- 8 PM! Kristen and will break down the event, and detail how it all came together!

On this Thursday in the heart of the Riverbend... we are starting the morning off with Dr. Jeremy Housewright! Jeremy recently released For the Love of the Show, where we can hear the stories from fans. Some of the stories are outlandish. Some of the stories are inspiring. This book isn’t just about why fans love pro wrestling; it’s about how it’s changed their lives. Jeremey fills us in on the book, and how it developed! Then at 10:30 we are getting a Hot Stove update from Luis! The Cards are ready to make some moves, the Blues are well... playing, and STL City has a few weeks until Preseason! Luis will break it all down, and give us his insights during this exciting time of the season!

On this Wednesday in the Heart of the Riverbend, we are kicking things off with THE ONE... THE ONLY... THE BEST... Lisa Webb and Third Street Realty! Lisa joins us on the Third Wendesday of each month to bring us her insights and expertise in the real estate industry! This time Lisa and Cj will be discussing the recent NAR Report on some of the statistics of the market this year, and how it relates to previous years, plus Lisa and Cj discuss how these numbers corrolate to the local market here in the Riverbend. At 10:10, we are talking all about the A.B.O.B. 34th Annual Olde Alton Arts and Craft Fair! On Dec. 2–3, 2023, approximately 200 crafters will gather at Alton High School to sell their crafts to the Riverbend community! Proceeds from the fair will go to ABOB to provide uniforms and instruments to the Alton Community Unit School District #11 music program. Dave Fritz, Blake Korte, and a few others join us in studio to fill us in on all of the details!

On this Tuesday in the heart of the Riverbend... we are kicking the show off with friends of the show... The Home Builders & Remodelers of the Metro-East! Shannon Stelling- Executive Officer, and Mike Needles the President of HBRMEA join us by phone for another Trade Spotlight Segment~ gearing us up for the 2024 Home Expo! We get the latest on the organization, the enormous impact it makes, and we get an update on how things are shaping up for the Expo! Ten at 10:35 we are talking with Margaret Freer and Liz Campbell! Liz and Margaret fill us in on how Community Christmas is shaping up and ways we can support this amazing program! Margaret and Liz also fill us in on why Community Christmas is so important and the impact that it has had on our region!

On this Monday Morning in the Heart of the Riverbend... we are kicking things off with friend of the show, Kennedy Smith and Unity in the Community! Kennedy is in to fill us in on the upcoming events this holiday season, including a free Thanksgiving Dinner! At 10:10, we are talking with Abigail Parker of Nourished Revival! Abigail is celebrating Nourished Revival's anniversary in November, and she fills us in on her journey so far, and ways we can utilize her services! At 10:30 we are talking with Lacy McDonald and Hayner Public Library! Lacy will be filling us in on the Mobile Memory Lab coming this Saturday! The Mobile Memory Lab partners with libraries across the IHLS service area to host Digitization Days. The Hayner Genealogy & Local History Library has the distinct honor of being one of the very first Mobile Memory Lab host libraries, and Lacy fills us in on all of the details!

As we wrap up the week that was in the heart of the Riverbend... we are starting the morning off with Annette Clark and Karios Hope! Kairos Hope is designed to provide a Christian recovery home for survivors of sexual trauma. Annette will be filling us in on the Festival of Trees which will run from November 25 through December 2nd, at Henderson Hall - 115 1st St - Monroe City, MO. Annette fills us in on the event, plus she fills us in on the organization as a whole, and ways we can be a part of Kairos Hope! Then at 10:30, we are talking with Roxana Football Head Coach Wade DeVries! We will dig deep into the Shells' undefeated season and give a bit of a preview for this Saturday's IHSA Class 3A quarterfinal game on the road at Stanford Olympia.

On this Thursday in the Heart of the Riverbend, we are kicking things off with THE ONE... THE ONLY... THE BEST... MICHAEL COX AND ALTON LITTLE THEATER! We are less than 2 DAYS away from A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder & Michael will be filling us in on the last-minute preparations and how the cast and crew are coming along ahead of this FANTASTIC musical! PLUS Michael fills us in on the open auditions for the upcoming Studio Series this Saturday, and how much fun it is to be married to a Theater Addict! At 10:10 we are talking with James Robinson and B & B Custom Tees! We get insights on the business and their recent move, and we get the latest on ways we can utilize the storefront! At 10:30, we are talking with Dick Alford and the Grandpa Gang! Christmas is here! Christmas Wonderland starts soon! He fills us in on all of the preparations, and ways we can see the Wonderland with our families this Holiday season!

On this Wednesday in the heart of the Riverbend... we are kicking the show off with Taylor Pensoneau! During his days as an Illinois Statehouse reporter, Taylor Pensoneau covered some of the state’s most sordid political scandals. Now, he is doing the same as a writer of fiction. Pensoneau has just released Corruption Incorporated (Downstate Publications: $18.95), an intricately-written mystery novel with a fast-moving pace and page-turning suspense. The detailed narrative is based on the wildly corrupt political atmosphere in Illinois in the late 1960s. Taylor fills us in on his career, the novel, and so much more! Then at 10:30 we are talking with Ben from Germania Brewhaus! The Cold Brew is canned and the Alton Staple has a brand new product line for all of us! Ben fills us in on the process, and where we can pick it up!

On this Tuesday Morning in the Heart of the Riverbend... we are kicking things off with the North-Alton Godfrey Business Council! TODAY IS THE BIG DAY! The Benjamin Godfrey Entrepreneurial Speakers Series on Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023, at Lewis and Clark Community College in Godfrey takes place TODAY! The first session is at 11:30 at The Commons, focusing on area businesses both small and large, themed "Building A Stronger and More Viable Community Thru Synergies! Then at 3:00 p.m. a second session is available and is directed to "Students and Teachers Only" with the theme "What Are You Going To Do With Your Life After Graduation?" Students and teachers from Alton, Bethalto, East Alton Wood River, Marquette, and Roxana high schools and Lewis & Clark, Principia, and Southern Illinois University Colleges are invited to this gathering. We get all of the information, PLUS we get to talk with Karen Wilson- Karen Wilson State Farm, and Sonni Asanai' owner of Santino's! We talk about their careers in business, their everyday life in the Riverbend, their time in the NAGBC, and so much more!!! Then at 10:30, we are talking with Ann at TorHoerman Law. On the 18th of November, they will be providing their 10th annual turkey giveaway! 500 turkeys will be given out and Ann fill us in on all of the details, and more!

On this Monday in the heart of the Riverbend, we are kicking off the show with Luis Nolla and discussing STL City's fall from grace. Luis breaks down the game and City's plan for the off-season. PLUS Luis fills us in on the Blues and their recent success the last two games, and the rest of the STL Sports Scene as a whole. Then at 10:10 we are talking with Jim Claywell! Jim is in the studio to fill us in on the upcoming 6th Annual Veteran's Appreciation Breakfast! From 8–10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, veterans and family members can enjoy a free breakfast and presentations at Best Western Premier, located at 3559 College Avenue in Alton. Jim fill us in on all of the details, and so much more!

As we wrap up the week that was in the heart of the Riverbend, we have a fantastic 9 O'Clock for you! Angela Ashworth joins us at 9:20 to fill us in on I Love Learning ASL's upcoming Sip & Sign event at the Grafton Winery! Angela will be at the winery to instruct this informative and fun class. You will learn basic fundamental sign language while you sip on hand-crafted Grafton Wine. She fills us in on all of the details! PLUS we also get insights into I Love Learning ASL as a whole, Angela's background, and how we can learn from her! Then at 9:50, we are talking with Drew Ashworth! Drew will be traveling with his wife Angela for the event on the 18th of November, and he'll be taking the stage at the Grafton Winery Brewhaus on the 17th at 5pm! He will also be playing right after the Sip and Learn at the Vineyard on the 18th! Drew was the winner of the 2022 Atlanta Blues Challenge and represented Atlanta at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN. He is signed to Emanant Music Group out of Atlanta/Nashville and will be LIVE at the Brewhaus! Drew fills us in on the upcoming performance, his career as a whole, and so much more! Then at 10:35 THE ONE AND ONLY... LINDA PETTERSON IS IN THE HOUSE! It is the last Friday of the month, and Linda Chef Lepage, and Cj are LIVE from Ford Hotel Supply for a perfect segment ahead of the Holidays... KEEPING FOOD WARM while we cook our feasts!

On this Thursday in the Heart of the Riverbend, we are kicking things off with THE ONE... THE ONLY... THE BEST... LEE COX AND ALTON LITTLE THEATER! We are less than 3 weeks away from A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder & Lee will be filling us in on the last-minute preparations and how the cast and crew are coming along ahead of this FANTASTIC musical! At 10:10 we are talking with Mike McGuire and ComedySportz! ComedySportz is going to the East side to play a match at the Roxana Community Theater at 7 pm Saturday, November 4th! Mike fills us in on all of the details of this family-friendly night of comedy, and so much more! Dan Herkert is in the house at 10:30 to discuss the season that was for the crew at the Alton Amphitheater, and a look at the season ahead!

On this Wednesday in the heart of the Riverbend... as we all recover (and warm up our bodies) from the 106th Alton Halloween Parade, we take it easy in the 9 O'Clock and replay a few of our favorite conversations from the month. BUT IN THE 10 WE ARE BACK IN BUSINESS! Tina and Wesley join us from Mustache March 4 PD and fill us in on the organization as a whole, and their upcoming Fill the Pantry Event at Alton Physical Therapy on November 3rd and 4th! This event is in Honor of Blake Snyder's Birthday, and the group will be collecting canned goods and non-perishable items. We get all of the details on how we can be a part of it and more!

On this Tuesday Morning in the Heart of the Riverbend... we are kicking things off with a previous conversation we had with McPike Mansion! Sharon Luedke fills us in on the landmark and the many faces from around the the world that pay a visit! Then at 10:10, we are talking with Rachel Newsome and the Illinois Center for Autism! They are having a ton of events, and opportunities in which we can support this great organization, and Rachel fills us in on it all!