07 Aug 2015

BANDITS PARTNER WITH AUGUSTANA COLLEGE TO CREATE 3RD BANDIT SCHOLARSHIP

By Marco LaNave
New annual scholarship will help cover first year of tuition at Augustana and include summer internship
DAVENPORT, Iowa (August 6, 2015) - The Quad Cities River Bandits are expanding the Bandit Scholars Program with the addition of a third Bandit Scholarship, which will be open annually to Quad Cities-area students entering Augustana College, River Bandits owner Dave Heller and Augustana College President Steve Bahls announced at a press conference Thursday at Modern Woodmen Park.
The new annual scholarship will be awarded beginning with the high school class of 2016. Like the two other annual Bandit Scholarships awarded to Quad Cities-area high school or home-schooled seniors,  the new scholarship will be paid directly to the college and will supplement the grants and scholarships (if any) the recipient has earned ensuring the student's first year of tuition will be covered at no expense to them or their families. All three annual Bandit Scholarship winners will also enjoy a summer internship with the River Bandits following their first year of college.
"This great partnership with Augustana College is a true win-win in every sense," said River Bandits owner Dave Heller. "Augustana will have a student each year earn an internship opportunity with first-hand experience with a first-rate professional sports organization, and the River Bandits will be able to continue to offer internships to the very best and brightest students in our region, while each year helping another Quad Cities-area family afford college."
The Bandit Scholarships are open to current high school or home-schooled seniors who reside in any of the following counties: Henry, Mercer, Rock Island and Whiteside Counties on the Illinois side, and Cedar, Louisa, Muscatine and Scott Counties on the Iowa side. The recipients are selected by a committee made up of community leaders, River Bandits ownership and staff and volunteers of the Community Foundation of the Great River Bend (CFGRB), which administers the scholarships.
"We are so grateful for the support of the Quad Cities River Bandits and other organizations who help fund scholarships for Augustana students," said Augustana College President Steve Bahls. "The River Bandits are a great partner for Augustana and the entire Quad Cities."
The Bandit Scholars Program was founded in 2009 by Quad Cities River Bandits team owners Dave Heller and Bob Herrfeldt. In addition to the new scholarship awarded to a student entering Augustana College, one scholarship is awarded annually to a student entering the University of Iowa, and another to a student entering either Black Hawk College or Western Illinois University.
The scholarships are funded by fan donations and fund-raising efforts by the River Bandits and the team's ownership. Fundraising events include the annual Bandits Race to Home 5K and River Bandits golf outing. Through the partnership with the Community Foundation of the Great River Bend, donors can make online, tax-deductible donations to the Bandit Scholars Program by going to www.cfgrb.org. Fans can also visit the Bandit Scholars Program page on the team's website, www.riverbandits.com, and follow a link to the Bandit Scholars page on the Foundation's website
07 Aug 2015

Amana Festival of the Arts this Saturday

By Executive Director

The Amana Arts Guild will sponsor its Festival of the Arts on Saturday August 8, 10 AM - 5 PM at the Middle Amana Park in Middle Amana, Iowa.

This special event will feature sales of fine arts, crafts and traditional Colony folk arts by local and guest artists. A unique part of the festival will be demonstrations as visitors will enjoy observing: woodturning, quilting, tinsmithing, basket-making, spinning and painting.

Guests will also enjoy local foods such as Amana bratwurst, kraut, homemade apple fritters and baked goods along with a special homemade rhubarb drink.

Entertainment throughout the day: Sweet Cacophony, Dustin Busch and Blame Not The Bard

Also a children's art corner and an Amana Colony Quilt raffle.

Amana Arts Guild: 319 622-3678

E-mail:  amanarts@southslope.net

07 Aug 2015

ISU Scott County Extension office Calendar late-August early-September 2015

By Amanda Heitz

August 19, 2015    Pollinators and Growing Herbs, Scott County Extension Office, 7-9 pm

August 25, 2015    Extension Council Meeting, Scoot County Extension Office, 7 pm

September 4, 2015    Pesticide Applicator Testing, Scott County Extension Office, 10-2 pm

Visit our events calendar at our web site:   http://dbs.extension.iastate.edu/calendar/

07 Aug 2015

STATEMENT ON GOVERNOR BRANSTAD'S LEGAL FILING IN MENTAL HEALTH INSTITUTES CASE

By Rick Martin

DES MOINES -AFSCME Iowa Council 61 President Danny Homan issued the following statement regarding the legal filings made by the governor on Wednesday in the Mental Health Institutes lawsuit:

"Our attorneys are currently preparing a response to the legal filings made by the governor Wednesday. They hope to be able to make that filing by the end of the week. Based on quick review of the governor's filings, they appear similar to claims that the governor has made in prior cases. We hope that the Iowa District Court of Polk County, after reviewing the governor's filings, will dismiss them and allow the case to continue."

###
07 Aug 2015

Venue Change for 2016 Bix Jazz Festival

By Michael Boyler

The Bix Beiderbecke Memorial Society is announcing a change of location for the 2016 Festival.  Due to circumstances beyond our control, The Davenport Rivercenter is not available for our August 4-7 2016 Bix Jazz Festival dates.  In order to ensure the level of quality and convenience our attendees have come to expect, we have reached agreement with The Isle Of Capri and the City Of Bettendorf to host our 2016 event at the Waterfront Center and Isle Of Capri Hotel and Convention Center.

 

The BBMS Board of Directors most certainly would have preferred to continue our 45th anniversary in Davenport.  Plans for the 2017 festival will be solidified as we move further into the 2016 preparations.
07 Aug 2015

IRS targeting scandal; report shows political biases, poor management created disastrous environment

By Grassley Press

Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa today made the following comment on the first bipartisan report from Congress on the IRS' targeting scandal.  The Finance Committee released the results of its long-time investigation.

"This report is alarming for taxpayers.  Even the Democrats who have been quick to defend the IRS in the targeting scandal agreed the agency mistreated conservative groups seeking tax-exempt status.  Both sides agreed the IRS targeting scandal came from a 'dysfunctional culture' and poor management.  It's clear to me from the report that political biases and poor management went hand in hand to let politically motivated behavior continue unchecked.  When the people in charge are politically biased and overlook and even encourage bad actors in the ranks, you have the perfect environment for the targeting scandal.  Poor customer service goes hand in hand with those at the top who don't care what managers are doing or not doing.

"The findings are a wake-up call.  The IRS' job is to collect taxes and give answers on tax compliance, including tax exemption.  It shouldn't leave taxpayers hanging. The agency cannot legally or ethically target people over their political beliefs.  The Finance Committee ought to act on this report and fix what's broken at the IRS.  As part of that, the committee should consider my bill to beef up taxpayer rights and IRS customer service.  That includes extending a remedy to social welfare organizations to force answers in instances where the IRS fails to act on an application in a timely manner or makes a negative determination on their tax-exempt status.   My bill updates the '10 deadly sins' of actions by IRS employees that require mandatory termination to include official actions taken for political purposes, a reform that's necessary based on the findings of this report.  These provisions and many others would help turn around the disastrous state of business at the IRS as exposed in the targeting scandal."

Grassley, with Sen. John Thune, introduced the Taxpayer Bill of Rights Enhancement Act of 2015 in June.  Grassley is former chairman of the Finance Committee, with jurisdiction over the IRS.  Grassley championed the 1988, 1996 and 1998 taxpayer rights laws currently on the books.

The Finance Committee report is available here.  More information on the Taxpayer Bill of Rights Enhancement Act of 2015 is available here.

07 Aug 2015

Cure It With Corn - Beatin' Leukemia Iowa Style fundraiser

By Carrie and Jim

Join us for live music, food & drinks, and kids' activities

When? Saturday, September 26, 2015     11am-10pm

Where? On the LeClaire levee, LeClaire, Iowa

Purpose: to raise money for life-saving leukemia research and treatment and the Iowa Bone Marrow Program

for more information visit www.cureitwithcorn.com

to volunteer or donate please call Carrie at 563-508-1014 or Jim at 563-343-3356.

http://join.bethematch.org/CureItWithCorn

07 Aug 2015

Gilda's Club 3rd Annual Bags & Brews Event

By Rick Martin

Davenport, Iowa (July 16, 2015) - Gilda's Club is excited to announce its 3rd Annual Bags & Brews event to be held on Saturday, August 22nd from 3 - 7 p.m. at Lindsay Park in the Village of East Davenport (2200 E. 11th Street).

Bags and Brews will feature local craft beer tasting, free food provided by Famous Dave's, live music by The Stone Flowers, raffle, and more.  Admission is a $20 donation to Gilda's Club.

Attendees also have the option to participate in the bags tournament for an additional $10 per person.   Cash prizes will be awarded to 1st ($200), 2nd ($100), and 3rd ($50) place teams.

To register:
Visit www.bagsandbrews.com
Call Erin or Kelly at 563-326-7504
Stop by Gilda's Club at 1234 E. River Drive, Davenport, Iowa 52803 (M-F)

All proceeds from the event benefit Gilda's Club Quad Cities.
All sales are final.

###

About Gilda's Club
Free of charge, Gilda's Club Quad Cities provides support, education, and hope to all people affected by any type of cancer.  As a Cancer Support Community affiliate, we are part of the largest employer of psychosocial oncology mental health professionals in the United States.  Our global network brings the highest quality cancer support to the millions of people touched by cancer.

07 Aug 2015

GORDMANS PARTNERS WITH ANTI-DEFAMATION LEAGUE TO STOP BULLYING IN SCHOOLS

By Todd Gutnick

New York, NY, August 5, 2015 ... For the third consecutive year, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) and apparel and home décor retailer Gordmans are teaming up to fight hate and bullying through ADL's No Place for Hate® initiative. The goal is to provide tools to help eradicate hatred, prejudice and bullying as students and teachers prepare to head back to school this fall.

Research shows that 28 percent of students ages 12 to 18 years old report being bullied at school, and 24 percent in the same age group report being cyberbullied.

Throughout the month of August, Gordmans, which operates 101 stores in 22 states, will join ADL in a call to action encouraging individuals to take a stand against bullying and prejudice in schools and communities. Guests at Gordmans stores are invited to purchase "Helping Hands" for $1 each or more in support of the initiative. Every dollar raised will directly benefit ADL's No Place for Hate® initiative and other anti-bullying programs.

"Our partnership with Gordmans provides critical tools to combat bullying, bias and hate," said David S. Waren, ADL Director of Education. "We can't fight these challenges alone, and Gordmans' Back-to-School "Helping Hands" campaign to support ADL's No Place for Hate program empowers shoppers and the community to get involved. With the resources from this campaign, we can better help students, educators and families create positive climates that are inclusive and safe for all. Like ADL, Gordmans has a clear commitment to having a positive impact in the communities it serves,"

"We are pleased to partner again with ADL to stop bullying in schools," said Andy Hall, president and chief executive officer of Gordmans. "For more than 100 years, ADL has worked to eradicate hatred, prejudice and bullying. It is fitting during Gordmans' 100th anniversary this year that we continue to partner with ADL as we serve many families with school-age children. The back-to-school shopping season is the perfect time to create awareness that bullying continues to threaten students. Through our No Place for Hate® Helping Hands campaign, we invite Gordmans' guests to join us in taking a stand against bullying. Over the past two years, more than $150,000 has been raised through this campaign that helps underwrite ADL anti-bullying workshops and anti-bias education outreach so that students can feel safe at school."

At Gordmans' retail locations across the country, the "Helping Hands" purchased by guests will be displayed in the stores, helping to raise awareness of bullying and its consequences and to inspire the public to take a stand against hate. Gordmans also will be promoting the campaign via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.

ADL's nationally recognized No Place for Hate® initiative and A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE Institute® anti-bullying programs enable schools to promote respect for individual and group differences while challenging prejudice and bigotry.  ADL's education programs have reached more than 60.5 million adults and children with anti-bias educational programming.

 

: @ADL_News

 

Gordmans (NASDAQ: GMAN) is an everyday value priced department store featuring a large selection of name brands and the latest fashions and styles at up to 60 percent off department and specialty store prices. The wide range of merchandise includes apparel and footwear for men, women and children, as well as accessories, home décor, gifts, designer fragrances, fashion jewelry, bedding and bath, accent furniture and toys. Founded in 1915, Gordmans currently operates 101 stores in 60 markets and 22 states. For more information about Gordmans, visit gordmans.com. Connect with Gordmans on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram.

07 Aug 2015

Grassley hold on State Department nominee over agency unresponsiveness

By Grassley Press

WASHINGTON - Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa said he intends to object to unanimous consent to consider a State Department nominee, commonly known as placing a hold, over the agency's poor responsiveness to questions about personnel practices and conflict of interest management and proper email use and management.  Grassley said that in addition to stymieing Congress, the State Department also has withheld information from outside entities such as the Associated Press, which has sued to force production of documents previously requested under the Freedom of Information Act.

"These actions illustrate a pattern of conduct that clearly demonstrates a lack of cooperation and bad faith in its interaction with Congress," Grassley said of the State Department.  "This is unacceptable and cannot continue."

Since June 2013, Grassley has sought answers from the State Department on its use of the Special Government Employee designation.  His questions came after revelations that a top aide, Huma Abedin, used the special status to work at the State Department and private sector entities at the same time.  It's unclear whether the State Department properly managed any potential conflicts of interest.  It appears the Special Government Employee status granted to Abedin was unusual and distinct from how agencies generally use the designation, which is for technical outside expertise rather than for a current government employee's convenience or desire to work off-site (Abedin cited spending time in New York with her family as the reason for having that status).  Grassley has written numerous letters to the State Department on these concerns and other related matters, adding questions as new developments warrant, such as Secretary Hillary Clinton's use of and Abedin's alleged use of private email for official purposes.  The State Department has been largely unresponsive.

Grassley announced he intends to object to any unanimous consent request to consider the nomination of David Malcolm Robinson to be Assistant Secretary for Conflict and Stabilization Operations and Coordinator for Reconstruction and Stabilization when the nomination reaches the Senate floor.  Grassley said the hold is not intended to question the nominee's credentials in any way.  "The nominee is an innocent victim of the State Department's contemptuous failures to respond to congressional inquiries," Grassley said.

Grassley's statement for the Senate record on the hold is available here.

A list of the letters in question to the State Department is available here.

Information on Grassley's latest inquiry to the State Department is available here.

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