11 Dec 2015

Putnam Museum in Davenport, Iowa hosting 64 FIRST LEGO League teams competing to qualify for the State Championship along with 33 FIRST LEGO League Junior Teams with Expos

By Christine Cournoyer

FIRST ® LEGO® League: Come see Local Children Aged 9 to 14 Apply Research and Robotics To Explore the hidden but fascinating world of trash, from collection, to sorting, to smart production and reuse  with FIRST ® LEGO® League "TRASH TREK?" Challenge. The must also invent a solution to help our trash problem and create their own LEGO MINDSTORMS robot to accomplish trash-themed "missions" on a playing field, and show how well they practice FRIST LEGO League Core Values.


FIRST ® LEGO® League Junior: Come see Local Children Aged 6 to 9 discover the hidden (or not so hidden) world of trash exploring the real-world theme of sustainability. Teams will learn about simple machines as they display a model they built of LEGO elements with a motorized part. They will illustrate and present information through a Show Me Poster during the FIRST LEGO League Junior Expos.

The non-profit Quad City Engineering and Science Council (QCESC) is proud to be the organizer for the 8th annual event hosted at the Putnam Museum & Science Center in Davenport.  Since 2009 when the first QC Tournament was held in Davenport with 13 teams, the program has continued to grow. In 2015-2016, there are 13 FIRST Robotic events being held in the Quad Cities reaching over 150 teams with 1,400 K-12 students supported by 300+ volunteers.

This is a fast-paced, high energy event that will be enjoyed by all ages and expose everyone to the exciting world of robots, engineering, computer program, creative problem solving and most importantly, TEAMWORK!

The events are free and open to the public.  Further information including a listing of 97 teams is available at:  http://www.qcesc.org/FLL/FLL-QC-Davenport-Coaches.html

Background:
Accomplished inventor Dean Kamen founded FIRST® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) in 1989 to inspire an appreciation of science and technology in young people. Based in Manchester, N.H., FIRST designs accessible, innovative programs to build self-confidence, knowledge, and life skills while motivating young people to pursue opportunities in science, technology, and engineering. With support from over 200 of the Fortune 500 companies and more than $22 million in college scholarships, the not-for-profit organization hosts FIRST® Robotics Competition (FRC® ) for students in Grades 9-12; FIRST® Tech Challenge (FTC® ) for Grades 7-12; FIRST® LEGO® League (FLL® ) for Grades 4-8; and FIRST LEGO League Junior (FLL Jr.) for Grades K-3 Gracious Professionalism® is a way of doing things that encourages high-quality work, emphasizes the value of others, and respects individuals and the community. Today, over 400,000 students in 87+ countries participate in FIRST. To learn more about FIRST, go to www.usfirst.org.

The Quad City Engineering and Science Council (QCESC) is in its 53rd year of operation as a non-profit, umbrella organization representing ~20+ engineering, science and technical societies in the Quad City area with approximately 3,000 associated professional members.  The QCESC mission is "To Promote and support engineering, science, and technical professionals and associated societies in Quad City Region and To Encourage and support students to study in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) related fields"..  Further information available at www.qcesc.org.

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11 Dec 2015

This Week in Downtown Davenport: 12/10 - 12/17/2015

By QC Chamber
One holiday event you won't want to miss is Ballet Quad Cities' enchanting production of The Nutcracker featuring live music by Orchestra Iowa! This well-known holiday classic comes to life this weekend on the Adler stage with a cameo appearance by the Quad City Symphony's Children Choir.

The RME Community Stage has a busy week ahead beginning tonight with Jazz Jam with the North Scott Jazz Combo and continuing tomorrow with a live lunch by Tony Hoeppner. Holiday Concerts by QC Homeschool Band and A Soul Purpose happen this weekend, too. The community stage is a great place to support local talent and all of the events are free!

Another must-stop in your holiday adventures is the German American Heritage Center. Two special exhibits, Winterscapes and Amazing Advent Adventure - A Christmas Exhibit, are open until January 3rd. Saturday, enjoy free samples of sausage provided by Jerry's Market in Moline. Drive past the Center at night to see the Living Advent Calendar.  Each night, a new image will be revealed in the windows until Christmas Eve!

Speaking of window displays this holiday season, our downtown retailers have a friendly competition going on to see who has the best decor! Head over to our Facebook page and check out the photos. Make sure to like your favorite so they can earn bragging rights! While you're there, check out the daily #downtowngiftguide posts that highlight all the fun & unique gifts you can find downtown!

A spotlight has been shining on Crafted QC lately and we couldn't be happier for all the press the shop has received. Radish Magazine is the latest to highlight the cozy shop packed with eclectic handmade goods.  Read up; it's a great story describing how owner Mary Talbert got her start. 

L&D15 will host a new style-event this week with Saturday Night Social beginning at 7 p.m. Inspired by salons, soirees and the speakeasy, this event incorporates shopping, sipping and socializing. It's a unique retail experience and chance to see the great collection of apparel, accessories and home items at L&D15!  

Everyone's favorite monthly shopping event, Third Thursday, returns next week! It's easy to find unique, special and handmade gifts for the holidays downtown. Not sure what to buy? Many shops are offering great deals on gift card purchases! If you need a lift on Third Thursday you can hop in the Convention & Visitors Bureau SUV for a FREE ride to your next stop.

Santa Claus will be appearing around downtown that evening, too.  When you find him, take a selfie using #thirdthursday and tell him what you want for Christmas! A pop-up shop with Wild Cherry Spoon Company will be at Crafted QC, Infinity Salon will have free 5 min chair massages and $5 brow waxes, and Oh So Sweet will feature holiday face painting and samples of Santa's favorite cookies. Check out our event on Facebook for a full list of participating businesses and specials.

For a complete list of the events this week and beyond, visit our event calendar.

Future Events:
11 Dec 2015

Another Shutdown?

By Rep. Dave Loebsack
As you may have heard, there are only a few days left until the federal government may be forced to shut down all because of unnecessary political brinksmanship.

With so many critical issues facing the country, threatening to shut down the government is the height of irresponsibility. The health of our economy should not be a partisan issue, and Congress must do its most basic job of funding our government. All Members, regardless of party, must work together to put a responsible budget in place and put an end to the repeated manufactured crises that threaten economic growth and job creation.

I do not believe that shutdown theatrics should be a normal function of our government, which is why I am an original cosponsor of the Hold Congress Accountable Act. This legislation would cut off pay for Members of Congress for each day the government is shutdown. I am also a cosponsor of the No Budget, No Pay Act, which would stop member pay if Congress fails to pass all of its budget and spending bills on time.  

After the last shutdown, which I strongly opposed, I saw first-hand the impact of congressional inaction as I met with furloughed workers, small business owners, research faculty, veterans, and workers across our state. I heard directly from you about how Washington needs to step up and do its job.  

I fought to keep the government open in September, and I'm working around the clock to find practical solutions to make sure we do not shut down this time either. Please know that I will continue to keep you updated on this important issue moving forward.

Sincerely, 

Dave Loebsack
Iowa's Second District

11 Dec 2015

SCOTT COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE TO PARTNER WITH IOWA ABD FOR TOBACCO, ALTERNATIVE NICOTINE AND VAPOR PRODUCT EDUCATION AND ENFORCEMENT

By Rick Martin

Davenport, Iowa (December 09, 2015) - The Scott County Sheriff's Office has taken a pledge to keep tobacco, alternative nicotine and vapor products out of the hands of Scott County youth.

Known as I-PLEDGE, the program is a partnership with the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division (ABD) to educate local retailers and to enforce Iowa's tobacco, alternative nicotine and vapor product laws. Due to a change in Iowa law, alternative nicotine and vapor products are now considered age-restricted products and will be part of the I-PLEDGE program's compliance initiatives this year. Since the program's inception in 2000, the statewide tobacco compliance rate has grown to 93%. By participating in the program, the Sheriff's Office has committed to do its part to increase the compliance rate even more this year.

I-PLEDGE places emphasis on retailer training. Clerks who successfully complete an online training course and then pass an exam will become I-PLEDGE certified. This allows a retail establishment to use an affirmative defense against a civil penalty if the certified clerk makes an illegal sale. Although not required to retake the training if currently certified, ABD encourages clerks to repeat the training after October 3rd, in order to familiarize themselves with the newly age-restricted products.

"I-PLEDGE's retailer training is a great way for clerks to prepare themselves to refuse illegal tobacco, alternative nicotine and vapor product sales," Sheriff Dennis Conard said. "The training also assists retailers to ensure they maintain a compliant and responsible establishment."

Deputies will also be conducting compliance checks on local establishments as part of the I-PLEDGE program. Underage customers, under the supervision of law enforcement officials, will enter establishments and attempt to buy tobacco, alternative nicotine and vapor products. Clerks who make the illegal sale will be cited on the spot.

Criminal penalties for selling tobacco, alternative nicotine and vapor products to a minor include a $100 fine for a first offense, a $250 fine for a second offense and a $500 fine for third and subsequent offenses. However, handing out citations is not the intent of the I-PLEDGE program.

"By partnering with the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division, we hope to educate clerks and maintain a compliant retail environment in our community," Sheriff Conard said. "Moreover, we pledge to help keep tobacco, alternative nicotine and vapor products out of the hands of Iowa's youth."

To take the I-PLEDGE training or search certification records go to www.iowaabd.com.

11 Dec 2015

Hatch, Grassley, Murkowski Introduce Legislation to Address Puerto Rico Debt Crisis

By Grassley Press

WASHINGTON - As part of their ongoing effort to provide a fiscally responsible solution to the growing financial, debt and economic crises in Puerto Rico, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Energy and Natural Resources Chairman Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) today introduced the Puerto Rico Assistance Act of 2015.  The bill provides both responsible tax relief to workers and transitional relief to the Commonwealth without adding to the federal deficit or debt. Additionally, the legislation includes financial oversight intended to help Puerto Rico attain financial and economic stability, while respecting Puerto Rico's autonomy.

"Puerto Rico's financial and economic challenges, fueled by a sagging economy and dysfunctional bureaucracy, have been years in the making," Chairman Hatch said.  "And despite repeated attempts by Congress to clarify how the interplay between federal tax, healthcare and pension policies affect the territory's economy, we have been unable to receive audited financial statements from Puerto Rico or adequate information from federal health officials.  Federal taxpayers and the Puerto Rican people deserve better.  With this bill, we use what limited information we have to lay out a sustainable framework to improve Puerto Rico's finances and its economy by providing responsible tax relief to workers and transitional assistance to the territory's government.  The Commonwealth's problems will not be solved overnight, and I am hopeful the Administration and the leaders of Puerto Rico work with Congress to provide more transparency as we work to further address the current financial challenges."

"Puerto Rico's fiscal problems are the result of too much government spending and mismanagement," Chairman Grassley said.  "So, the question has always been how we help Puerto Rico help itself, with the information we've been provided, while ensuring that people like the 16,000 Iowans who invested their hard-earned money in Puerto Rico's tax free electric utility bonds, for example, aren't left holding the bag.  We need to make sure that Puerto Rico doesn't find itself in the same situation in the future.  This comprehensive bill should help ease the current liquidity crisis while creating a path that can lead Puerto Rico back to long-term fiscal responsibility."

"The Financial Responsibility and Management Assistance Authority contained in this bill strikes the appropriate balance between respecting Puerto Rico's sovereignty and providing a firm backstop to ensure the necessary financial reforms are implemented," Chairman Murkowski said. "This will not only help Puerto Rico meet its immediate liquidity issues and give it the tools necessary to restructure, but also protect investor confidence."

Earlier this year, the Senate Finance, Judiciary and Energy and Natural Resources Committees held congressional hearings to examine the debt crisis in Puerto Rico and gain a better understanding of the territory's financial health. Despite repeated calls for audited financial statements, limited information regarding the fiscal and financial state of Puerto Rico has been available. The Puerto Rico Assistance Act of 2015 works to address the current financial crisis and provide relief to the people of Puerto Rico. The provisions were based on currently available financial data and information from federal health officials for the territory.

Bill text for the Puerto Rico Assistance Act of 2015 can be found here.

A summary of the bill can be found here.

-30-
11 Dec 2015

AmeriHealth Caritas Iowa Signs Provider Contract to Serve Iowa's Medicaid Population

By Joshua Brett

AmeriHealth Caritas Iowa and Genesis Health System Sign Provider Contract to Serve Iowa's Medicaid Population

Des Moines, Iowa – AmeriHealth Caritas Iowa, a Medicaid managed care health plan that will serve Iowa Medicaid beneficiaries as part of the state's new IA Health Link program beginning January 2016, and Genesis Health System, a premier health system serving a 12-county, bi-state region of the Quad cities metropolitan area and the surrounding communities of Iowa and Illinois, announced today that they have signed an agreement that will give AmeriHealth Caritas Iowa's members access to one of the nation's top 100 health systems.

As one of the region's largest and most comprehensive health networks, Genesis Health System has more than 100 locations, including six hospitals, three convenient care locations, 32 Genesis Health Group sites, 15 physical rehabilitation clinics, and multiple outpatient service centers. Genesis Health System and its affiliates provide compassionate, quality health services to all those in need through a full continuum of care including home health and nursing home care, hospice, rehabilitation, long-term care and the Genesis Cancer Care Institute.

"We are excited that Genesis Health System has joined our provider network," said AmeriHealth Caritas Iowa Market President Cheryl Harding. "For more than 30 years, our family of companies has specialized in helping individuals who are most in need to access quality health care and services. We know that Genesis shares our commitment to removing barriers to care and services and to creating an even healthier Iowa. Our providers are the backbone of our programs, and as our partners, they are a critical component to our ability to improve the overall health and wellness of individuals, families and communities in Iowa."

AmeriHealth Caritas has successfully implemented Medicaid managed care plans throughout the country based on an integrated model of care, which includes physical and behavioral health, pharmacy benefit management and specialty pharmacy. AmeriHealth Caritas' unique model of care, along with more than 30 years of experience caring for populations with complex health conditions, affirms AmeriHealth Caritas Iowa as well-prepared to serve the individuals who will participate in the IA Health Link program.

AmeriHealth Caritas Iowa is part of the AmeriHealth Caritas Family of Companies, a national leader in Medicaid managed care and other integrated health care solutions for those most in need.

"We are pleased to announce this agreement because of what it means to our patients,'' said Doug Cropper, president and CEO, Genesis Health System. "Our goal was to create minimal disruption in care for our patients who have Medicaid benefits.  AmeriHealth Caritas is a trusted national leader in solutions for some of the most vulnerable patients served by healthcare providers.''

AmeriHealth Caritas Iowa and Optimae Sign Provider Contract

 

Des Moines, Iowa – AmeriHealth Caritas Iowa, a Medicaid managed care health plan that will serve Iowa Medicaid beneficiaries as part of the state's new IA Health Link program beginning January 2016, and Optimae Life Services , a provider of health and human services for individuals with disabilities and mental illness in 28 Southeastern and Central Iowa counties, announced today that they have signed a contract to care for Optimae's clients who are covered by Medicaid. Through this arrangement, AmeriHealth Caritas Iowa's members in Southern, Central and Eastern Iowa with mental health and/or intellectual challenges will have access to Optimae's community support, home health, mental health and supportive employment services.

"Our providers are our partners, and we are pleased to partner with Optimae to meet the mental, home and behavioral health needs of our members," said Cheryl Harding, market president for AmeriHealth Caritas Iowa. "Optimae's reputation in Southern, Central and Eastern Iowa is well known. Collaborating with organizations like Optimae is a critical piece of our efforts to treat the whole person."

"Many of our customers are covered by Medicaid, and they will be in good hands with AmeriHealth Caritas," said William Dodds, president of Optimae. "AmeriHealth Caritas' expertise in managing Medicaid recipients' physical and mental health needs will benefit our clients and their families."

The new IA Health Link program will serve the majority of Iowa's Medicaid population, or about 600,000 Iowans, through select managed care plans. For more information about the IA Health Link program, visit: http://dhs.iowa.gov/.

About AmeriHealth Caritas Iowa
AmeriHealth Caritas Iowa, part of the AmeriHealth Caritas Family of Companies, is one of the Medicaid managed care plans that will participate in IA Health Link beginning in January 2016. AmeriHealth Caritas Iowa will help Iowans get proper care and stay well, working with communities in need to achieve positive health outcomes throughout the state. For more information, visit www.amerihealthcaritasia.com.
11 Dec 2015

Bangladesh Soy Market Reaches Key Milestone

By United Soybean Board
ASA's WISHH Transitions Country Programs to U.S. Soybean Export Council

ST. LOUIS (Dec. 9, 2015) –Having achieved U.S. soybean farmer strategic goals for market growth, the American Soybean Association's World Initiative for Soy in Human Health (WISHH) transitioned its Bangladesh country programs to the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC).

"Demand for U.S. soy protein has taken off in this South Asian country that is the eighth most populous country in the world," said WISHH Program Committee Chairman Lucas Heinen, a Kansas soybean grower. "Soybean growers planned for such success when they created WISHH as a trailblazer for trade through long-term demand building in developing countries."

"We are excited by Bangladesh's potential. There is real opportunity in this market for U.S. soy as poultry and fish consumption continue to rise," said U.S. Soybean Export Council Chairman Laura Foell, an Iowa soybean farmer.  

Bangladesh is home to more than 168 million people and has a rapidly growing middle-class economy. The country has purchased more than $500 million of U.S. soy in the last five years with those purchases accelerating in the last couple years.

The U.S. Soy Family has been conducting programs in Bangladesh since 1999 with WISHH taking the lead since 2010.  Through their checkoff programs, state soybean organizations supported WISHH's work in Bangladesh, which has included a variety of educational programs with food companies and their trade associations. U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service programs also played a key role in introducing the benefits of soy protein to the South Asian market. USDA funding aided WISHH in forging key relationships with organizations like the Bangladesh Auto Biscuit and Bread Manufacturer's Association that signed a February 2015 agreement to conduct soy flour baking trials under a USDA Quality Samples Program. USSEC will now build on WISHH's work in Bangladesh, and will work in both the feed and food sectors.

Pakistan, the sixth most populous country in the world, is the next market that WISHH will transition to USSEC. Planning and coordination discussions have begun for a 2017 transfer.

WISHH is a trade-development program, headquartered at the American Soybean Association, in St. Louis. Since U.S. soybean farmers founded WISHH in 2000, it has worked in 24 countries to develop long-term markets for U.S. soybean farmers while fueling economic growth and value chain development. For more information, visit www.wishh.org.

The U.S. Soybean Export Council aims to maximize the use of U.S. Soy internationally by differentiating and building a preference for U.S. Soy while also keeping trade lanes open so international buyers have full market access to U.S. Soy.   The organization uses a global team of 130 members that work with numerous stakeholders including soybean farmers, exporters, agribusinesses, agricultural organizations, researchers and government agencies, to accomplish that mission.

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11 Dec 2015

Governor Branstad announces appointments to Iowa's boards and commissions

By Rick Martin

(DES MOINES) - Governor Terry E. Branstad today announced appointments to Iowa's boards and commissions.

 

The following individuals' appointments are effective Dec. 8, 2015, and are subject to Iowa Senate confirmation:

 

Commission on Tobacco Use Prevention and Control

George Belitsos, Ames

 

The following individuals' appointments are effective Dec. 8, 2015, and are NOT subject to Iowa Senate confirmation:

 

Armory Board

Chad Stone, Des Moines

 

Iowa Council for Early ACCESS

Dr. Ryan Allen, Sioux City

Stephanie Peters, Des Moines

Patrick Judkins, Long Grove

 

Juvenile Justice Advisory Council

Trevor Lynn, Brighton

 

Vocational Rehabilitation Council

Brian Dennis, Des Moines

11 Dec 2015

Davenport Area Contributes to 59,000 Gift-Filled Shoeboxes Collected Statewide for Children in Need

By Sarah Metraus

Nov. 16 - 23: National Collection Week for Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Gifts

Davenport, IA, Dec. 9, 2015–Nearly 59,000 children will soon experience the joy of Christmas, thanks to the Davenport and other Iowa communities. Residents packed empty shoeboxes with small items like toys, school supplies and hygiene items for Operation Christmas Child, a project of Samaritan's Purse that sends gifts to children living in difficult situations around the world.

For those who missed National Collection Week, you can still get involved. Through the Samaritan's Purse website, you can virtually "pack" a shoebox, allowing anyone with a computer or mobile device to provide a tangible gift to a child a world away.

At samaritanspurse.org/buildonline, visitors can select a child's age and gender, shop through an online selection of culturally relevant gifts, and finish by uploading a photo and writing a note of encouragement to the child who will receive it. After the shoeboxes are packed and sent by the Operation Christmas Child team, participants can discover where in the world their gifts will be delivered. It is a convenient yet meaningful way to join in a project that brings hope to children in need.

The virtual-packing tool also offers participants the option to challenge friends to participate or the opportunity to share the gift of giving through a shoebox gift card.

Operation Christmas Child is a project of Samaritan's Purse, an international Christian relief and evangelism organization headed by Franklin Graham. Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has delivered gift-filled shoeboxes to more than 124 million children in more than 150 countries and territories. In 2015, Operation Christmas Child hopes to deliver gifts to another 11 million children.

For more information on how to participate in Operation Christmas Child, call 612-359-7025 or visit samaritanspurse.org/occ.

11 Dec 2015

IOWA'S EGG FARMS RECOVER WITH FIRM COMMITMENT TO PRODUCING SAFE, QUALITY EGGS

By Rick Martin

By Randy Olson

 

There is no doubt that the terrible events of Spring 2015, when Iowa's egg farming community faced one of the most devastating times in our history with the multi-state avian influenza (AI) outbreak, will not soon be forgotten. Through this time, however, our egg farmers never lost their resolve to recover or their intent to restore full production of safe, high-quality eggs for millions of consumers across the nation.

AI moved rapidly through Iowa's egg and poultry farms, and all told, more than 40 percent of the Hawkeye state's egg-laying flocks succumbed to the disease over the course of the next two months. For Iowa, the number-one egg producing state in the nation, the loss of more than 30 million hens and pullets was economically disastrous.

What was even more difficult, however, was the emotional toll it took on the egg industry overall, and especially those farmers who lost their flocks. For many of them, it was the first time they had directly experienced such a situation, and then had to face daunting decisions about how to maintain the jobs of their employees, protect other flocks from AI, collaborate with state and federal regulatory officials, and manage the disease's extensive cleanup process.

While farmers may not forget the negative impact of the disease, they will remember a ray of hope that emerged during this time. As soon as AI hit our state, the immediate outpouring of support, volunteerism and prayers farmers received from our state leaders and from their local communities began.  On behalf of Iowa's egg farmers, our sincere appreciation and gratitude to all Iowans for reminding us of the reasons to move forward after this crisis. You stood with the egg farming community, and it was appreciated.

The recent announcement that the last control zones from the spring AI outbreak have been lifted, freeing up the last of the state's poultry farms for repopulation, is welcome news and underscores the strength of our industry and the combined response. Affected egg farmers have been making good progress toward repopulating their farms and resuming egg production - by working tirelessly to swiftly and fully restore their farms to pre-AI levels.

At the same time, Iowa's egg farmers have embraced what for them is a new culture of pervasive biosecurity. Indeed, disease prevention has never been more important, and farmers across the state are focused on expanded biosecurity measures on their farms to help prevent any recurrence of AI.

While AI created some early disruption in the egg market and restoring the industry fully will take time, Iowa's egg farmers are following a responsible, but aggressive, timeline toward repopulation. They are doing so in full cooperation with USDA, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and other stakeholders.

Iowans should be confident that there will be a steady supply of nutritious, high-quality eggs for the holiday season and into 2016. That is the job of Iowa's egg farmers - producing eggs that are safe and wholesome, as well as being among the best food values for quality protein and nutrients.

Looking ahead, the future for Iowa's egg farming community is solid. While there have been fundamental changes in egg farm operations and on-farm disease prevention, some things have not changed for generations of egg farm families -  an absolute and firm commitment to being excellent caretakers of their flocks, strong and engaged members of their communities, and good stewards of the land, air and water around their farms.

The lessons of the AI outbreak have given egg farmers a newfound appreciation for their farms, their employees, their families and their neighbors. Again, there is little more we can say on behalf of Iowa's egg industry, but our most sincere thank you.

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