Our Daily Show!

On this First Friday Morning of December... as we wrap up the week that was, At 10:00 we are joined by a friend of the show, andddd one of CJ's favorite people ever... Denise Sparks! Sparks Junk Removal & Hauling (&Weekly Trash Pick Up) has had an INCREDIBLE YEAR with recognitions along the way! Denise fills us in on the year she has had, and about her upcoming free Christmas Tree Pick-Up. PLUS Denise fills us in on all of the amazing services she provides! At 10:35 we are talking with Vickie, and learning about all things Party on Broadway! Vickie will be filling us in on all of the upcoming classes and opportunities we can experience Party on Broadway for ourselves! PLUS Vickie fills us in on her story, and what led her to the storefront!

On this Thursday Morning of December in the Heart of the Riverbend... we are kicking things off with Alton Little Theater!! It is the First 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. At 10:15, we are talking with Brandon Roper and getting the latest from Regal Beagle! Brandon is filling us in on the end-of-year fun we can all have at the community landmark, including Porch Cafe hitting the stage on December 23rd for a "Porche Cafe Christmas! PLUS at 8 PM on NYE Enjoy a free bottle of champagne at midnight, complimentary appetizers until they’re gone, a bonfire, and a countdown on their big screen TV for Roper's New Year's Eve Bash! We wrap up the Thursday that was with Andrea Abbott and A&A Boutique! Andrea is filling us in on the Holiday Market which is coming down the pipeline THIS SUNDAY! Andrea will fill us in on all of the details as she has gathered over 50 local vendors, artists, and boutiques in one location! We get all of the details, and so much more!

On this Wednesday in the Heart of the Riverbend, we are kicking things off with friends of the show- the North-Godfrey Business Council! Coming up on Decemeber 9th at 8:30 AM... Parents and children of all ages are invited to enjoy a delicious, buffet-style breakfast with entertainment and Santa on December 9th, 2023 at the Knights of Columbus Hall, located at 1713 Stamper Lane in Godfrey, IL. Breakfast will be served from 8:30 – 10:30 a.m. They fill us in on how we can be a part of it, and so much more! Then at 10:30, we are joined by the National Great River's Museum! The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is hosting its 3rd annual Winter on the River photography contest. For $10, contestants can submit up to three photos, which we will hang at the National Great Rivers Museum January through March! Elise Ratcliff- Photo Contest Coordinator, and Corrinne O’Brien- Outreach Coordinator fill us in on was we can be a part of this event! PLUS... they fill us in on ways we can get involved with them over the winter season, including eagle watching, upcoming festivals, and more!

On this Tuesday in the heart of the Riverbend... we are kicking the morning off with the Birthday Boy Jay Lipe!! Jay joins us in the studio and fills us in on Something Bigger Than Yourself! Jay also just released a new book, and he breaks it all down for us! PLUS, Jay fills us in on his plans for the book, and the impact it could have! At 10:10 we are joined in the studio by the AHS Social Studies Club! The Officers of the Club will fill us in on their Day of Giving which is coming up on December 11th! From Donating to 5 A's, Ringing Bells at Schnucks for Salvation Army, and sending Care Packages to AHS Students serving in the Military... The Social Studies Club and Tennis team will be hard at work giving back to the community, and we get all of the details, PLUS ways we can support them! Maestro Shane Williams calls-in to fill us in on how we can celebrate the season with ASO! Hear the classic Sleigh Ride, White Christmas, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and Christmas Festival. With a performance from their Deborah Fox Guild Winner, Louis Chen... this concert is sure to be a crowd pleasure! Shane fills us in on all of the details ahead of the December 9th Concert, at 7 PM, at Hatheway Hall (LCCC Campus)

WE ARE BACK IN BUSINESS on a Monday Morning in the Heart of the Riverbend! We are talking with Brian and Matt at Colman's Country Campers! They join us in studio to fill us in on the latest from the business, PLUS we get all of the details on how we can get a picture with Santa or the Grinch this Saturday at Colman's! And when you visit them on Saturday, December 9 from 11 am - 2 pm and bring a food or toy donation, get 1 free photo with either Santa or The Grinch! At 10:10 Margaret Hopkins & Bill Moyer join us in studio! On December 16th at 11:00 AM, Wreaths Across America will be at Alton National Cemetery to Remember and Honor our veterans through the laying of Remembrance wreaths on the graves of our country's fallen heroes and the act of saying the name of each and every veteran aloud. Margaret & Bill fill us in on the ceremony, and how we can be a part of it! Then at 10:35, it is TIME FOR BEYOND THE SHELVES, we where explore Hayner Library! Mary Cordes joins us in studio with TeenSpace staff member, Megan Dees! Hayner has a really fun teen program happening! It’s a Lego Challenge—but they are having their kids’ club compete against their teen club! Megan fills us in on all of the details of this really cool event! PLUS Mary fills us in on the latest regarding the Second Annual Local Author Book Fair! The book fair is this Saturday, at the Alton Sqaure Mall Location from 12 PM-3 PM!

On this First Friday Morning of December... as we wrap up the week that was, we are joined by Kelly and Treehouse Wildlife Center! We get the latest from the community staple! PLUS Kelly fills us in on the upcoming fundraiser opportunities that we can be a part of to help support Treehouse's mission! At 10:20 ITTTSSS TIMEEEE... FOR FOOD FOR THOUGHT With Safe Food Specialist Linda Petterson! Linda, CJ, and Chef Lapage are LIVE from Ford Hotel Supply! They break down all of the topics discussed this year, and put their safe food knowledge to the test, as they make Christmas Cookies THE SAFE WAY!!!! Plus, CJ and Linda have their minds blown when Chef Lepage drops some cookie-baking secrets!

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!