On October 15, 2011, the East Moline Foundation was officially announced to the community.  Since then, the East Moline Foundation Board has initiated several fundraising activities, met with financial advisors, held monthly Board meetings, and added several new Board members. Members of the East Moline Foundation Board include :  Doug Reynolds, Chairman; Bob Baecke, Vice Chairman; Bill Phares, Secretary/Treasurer and Board members Pat VanBruwaene, Larry Anderson, Terry Brahm, and Willie Ellis.

The Board of the East Moline Foundation recently met and approved the following grants to charitable organizations that benefit the citizens of East Moline and the surrounding area:

1.    Ballet Quad Cities                    $1,000.00

2.    Black Hawk Area Education Center            $2,000.00

3.    Child Abuse Council                      $800.00

4.    Children's Therapy Center                $1,500.00

5.    Christ United Methodist Church            $4,000.00

6.    Dyslexia Reading Solutions                  $500.00

7.    Eagle Ridge Child Outreach                $1,000.00

8.    East Moline Park Board                $2,000.00

9.    Main Street East Moline                $1,000.00

10.    Marriage and Family Counseling            $1,000.00

11.    Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church            $1,300.00

12.    RICCA                        $2,150.00

13.    United Township High School            $2,000.00

14.    Watertown Food Pantry                $2,000.00

15.    WQPT Public Television                 $750.00

Total:                                        $23,000.00

Donations to the East Moline Foundation may be mailed to:  Bill Phares, P.O. Box 457, East Moline, Illinois 61244 or call (309)796-0170.

East Moline Foundation Board Chairman Doug Reynolds noted,

"Hungry children will be fed, students will be inspired, and the needy clothed, thanks to the gifts that have been received, and those yet to come. We are grateful for the generosity of our neighbors that brings hope and a higher quality of life to many others in our community. "

The East Moline Foundation, East Moline, Illinois founded in 2011, is affiliated with the Moline Foundation as a community foundation which provides grants to health, human services, education, workforce development, the arts and other charitable organizations which benefit the citizens of East Moline and the surrounding area, including the Quad Cities region.  The East Moline Foundation receives and administers charitable gifts and works with citizens to achieve their dreams to improve the community.

Officers and members of the East Moline Foundation include :

Doug Reynolds, Chairman, Bob Baecke, Vice Chairman, Bill Phares, Secretary-Treasurer, Pat VanBruwaene, Larry Anderson, Terry Brahm, and Willie Ellis.

Before you hear how bored your kids are, get out to Niabi Zoo for a day of animal exploration and family fun.

A visit to the zoo lasts about two hours, depending on the age of the child and how many trips you take on the carrousel and train.

New food options make it easy and more nutritious to have lunch at the zoo.

Insider tip: Come to the zoo right at 10 a.m. to beat the mid-day heat and see the animals in the morning when they are most active. Gates open at 11 a.m. on Sunday. Final admission each day is 4 p.m.

Become a member to beat the summer boredom and get in free for a full year. Click here to see all the great membership perks.

KIDS' WILD FEST IS ON JUNE 20..

The annual event is back on Saturday, June 20 from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. It's a day just for kids where they can act like a monkey, do fun activities and visit the vendor booths. The event is free for zoo members and regular zoo admission applies. No RSVP required.

WORLD GIRAFFE DAY AT NIABI ZOO.

Sunday, June 21, 12 p.m. - 3 p.m.

World Giraffe Day is an initiative of the Giraffe Conservation Foundation (GCF), celebrating the longest-necked animal, on the longest day of the year.  Niabi is hosting games and activities and offering a chance to win a giraffe encounter.

Public giraffe feedings are 12 p.m. and 3 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $4 a person and can be purchased at the front gate or with cash at the giraffe platform.

(DES MOINES) - Today, during his weekly press conference, Gov. Terry E. Branstad announced that the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) is bringing driver's license services to customers in places where they are already doing business.

Twenty four locations including libraries, Hy-Vee stores, and a Kum & Go around the state now house Motor Vehicle self-service kiosks which allow Iowans to renew or replace their driver's license and identification cards. The kiosks are identical to those currently found in the Ankeny driver's license station.  A complete list of kiosk locations, as well as traditional driver's license issuance sites can be found at www.iowadot.gov/mvd/ods/dlsites.htm. An image of the kiosk can be found here.

"Technology is allowing Iowans secure and convenient access to services," said Branstad. "If your driver's license is up for renewal and you happen to stop for a gallon of milk or are checking out a book at the library, you may be able to take care of the driver's license task in the same trip."

"The efficient nature of these kiosks allows services to be offered outside of traditional hours," added Branstad. "The kiosks and other online or remote services offer customers convenience, choice, and control - the convenience of spending less time and travel to obtain services, choice over how and where they receive services, and control over completion of the service itself."

The kiosks are an extension of online services the Iowa DOT has been offering since 2013 to renew driver's licenses and ID cards, change a mailing address, or other driver-related services.

"Electronic renewal, whether online or through kiosks, offers eligible Iowans a convenient way to renew their card without interrupting their day and driving to an issuance site," Paul Trombino III, director of the Iowa DOT, said. "Since we have instituted online renewals, congestion has lessened at driver's license issuance locations, also saving time for those who need in-person service."

The kiosks offer a unique opportunity for the State of Iowa to partner with private businesses to bring the citizens of Iowa government services.  Darryl Eschete, director of the West Des Moines Public Library, said, "The license renewal kiosk program allows Iowa's public libraries to partner with other agencies like the DOT to not only save taxpayer money by being efficient, but also to save the public's time by being more convenient. This partnership is a classic win-win scenario."

"We're honored to join the State of Iowa and other business partners in this technology movement that will bring added convenience to residents," said Pat Hensley, vice president of government affairs/business innovations at Hy-Vee, Inc. "We are always looking for ways in which Hy-Vee stores can be a one-stop shop for customers."

There are stipulations on who can renew a driver's license or ID card online due to public safety and identity security concerns. With some exceptions, you can renew at a kiosk if:

• You have a valid Iowa driver's license or ID (not a commercial driver's license).
• You are at least 18, but younger than 70 years old.
• Your license or ID card has not been expired for more than a year.
• It is less than 180 days to the renewal date on your current driver's license or ID card.
• You are a U.S. citizen and an Iowa resident
• You do not have any medical or vision conditions that would impact your ability to drive.

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Superintendent of Iowa Division of Banking to retire in October

 

(DES MOINES) - Iowa Gov. Terry E. Branstad today announced the retirement of Iowa Division of Banking superintendent James (Jim) M. Schipper. Schipper notified the governor of his intention to retire on Friday, June 5, 2015. He plans to serve as superintendent until October 8, 2015. He has served as superintendent since January 2011.

"I wish to thank Jim for his service to the state and the Iowa Division of Banking," said Branstad. "Jim has had a long, successful career in the banking industry and I wish him all the best in retirement."

Iowa Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds said, "I got to know Jim from his community involvement in Osceola. I always appreciated his commitment to the community and passion to see his customers succeed. We are grateful for Jim's service and congratulate him on a distinguished career in banking."

In his retirement letter, Schipper said, "I am extremely proud to have served in your administration the past 4 ½ years. I am also very proud of the work being performed by the many talented and dedicated employees of the Division of Banking. The Iowa banking industry is strong and growing stronger. My 43 years of involvement in the industry as an executive officer, owner, association leader, and now, thanks to you, as superintendent, has provided me a fulfilling and satisfying career."

Schipper was born and raised in Butler County and graduated from Aplington High School. He obtained his B.S. Degree in Ag Economics from Iowa State University in 1972 and is a graduate of the ABA Ag Bank Management School. He has been an Iowa community banker for more than 40 years, including his current role as Chairman of American State Bank in Osceola.

Jim has been active in the Iowa Bankers Association for the past 20 years where he served as a Board member, as Treasurer, and in 2008 as Chairman. He has also been active in the American Bankers Association as a member of the ABA Community Bankers Council and as a member of the ABA Government Relations Council. He served on the board of both Community Bankers of Iowa and Shazam, Inc.

Branstad will announce a new superintendent at a later time. A photo of Schipper can be found here.

 

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