Loebsack, Mullin Bill Grants Flexibility to Manufacturers and Consumers

WASHINGTON - Congressman Dave Loebsack (IA-02) and Congressman Markwayne Mullin (OK-02) introduced a bill Wednesday to give manufacturers and consumers more flexibility when it comes to providing and accessing product warranty information. The bipartisan E-Warranty Act of 2015 (H.R. 3154) gives manufacturers the option of fulfilling their warranty notice requirements by posting the information on their website.

Following introduction, the bill passed out of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade unanimously.

"This bipartisan legislation is a commonsense update to our nation's decades old warranty requirements. The bill would allow manufacturers to post warranty information online and give consumers easy access to written warranties," said Loebsack. "I am pleased the E-Warranty Act has been approved by the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade and look forward to it moving through the House."

"Warranty requirements ensure consumers get important information when they purchase a product, but our federal warranty regulations were developed nearly forty years ago," said Mullin, a second-term lawmaker who serves on the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade. "The world has changed since then, and our ability to compete on a global stage depends on our laws keeping pace with innovation."

If manufacturers choose to meet their warranty notification requirements by posting the information on their website, it must be in an accessible, conspicuous digital format. Manufacturers must also provide consumers with information on how to access the online warranty and obtain a paper copy, either by including instructions on the product packaging or in the product manual.

The bill makes no changes to the rules regarding the content of warranty information.

H.R. 3154 is the U.S. House of Representatives companion bill to U.S. Sens. Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) and Bill Nelson's (D-Fla.) S. 1359, which passed the U.S. Senate unanimously on July 9, 2015. The bill will now move to the full House Energy and Commerce Committee for consideration.

DES MOINES, IA (07/23/2015)(readMedia)-- The Iowa State Fair invites Fairgoers to join the Fabric and Threads department for the seventh annual State Fair Sew-In.

The State Fair Sew-In offers Fairgoers a chance to try their hand at simple sewing and quilting while providing warm blankets to local children in need. Each day, the Sew-In will be open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the South Hallway of the Varied Industries Building. Every participant will receive a commemorative pin for donating their time. No experience or pre-registration necessary. Volunteer sewing assistants and on-site supervisors will be available to help.

To help make the Sew-In a success, you can also donate five-inch wide strips (cut with the fabric) and two-yard cuts of fabric in all-cotton, juvenile prints for quilt fronts and backings. To donate or volunteer, contact Dorothy Faidley by phone at 515/994-2039 or by email at dorothyfaidley@gmail.com.

Along with the Sew-In, Fairgoers can also enjoy daily Make It and Take It classes as well as special programming from master quilter and Iowa native, Patrick Lose.. Lose is back at the Iowa State Fair for a third year and will be joining the talented Make It and Take It session leaders to teach about popular quilting techniques. His classes will be held August 13-16, 18, and 20-22, and each class will last approximately two hours. Pre-registration is recommended but not required. All Patrick Lose classes require a $25 materials fee.

Several other Make It and Take It classes will be offered throughout the Fair including hand quilting, cupcake pincushions and beginning sewing. These classes will last one to two hours and require a $10 materials fee. Pre-registration is also recommended.

For a complete list of the Make It and Take It projects and times, view the daily program online at www.iowastatefair.org/daily-events/daily-schedule/. "Nothing Compares" to the 2015 Fair, set for August 13-23.

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Houston sends minor leaguers Mengden and Nottingham to Oakland

HOUSTON, TX – The Houston Astros have acquired left-handed pitcher Scott Kazmir from the Oakland Athletics in exchange for two minor leaguers, right-handed pitcher Daniel Mengden and catcher Jacob Nottingham. The announcement was made by Astros General Manager Jeff Luhnow.

Kazmir, 31, who will join the club in Kansas City tomorrow, has gone 5-5 with a 2.38 ERA (29ER/109.2IP) in 18 starts for the A's this season. Among American League pitchers, Kazmir ranks fourth in opponent batting average (.213) and fifth in ERA. He has made one start since the All-Star Break, tossing 8.1 innings, and allowing just one run on five hits on Saturday vs. Minnesota. On the season, Kazmir has allowed just three earned runs or fewer in 17 of his 18 starts.

"Scott Kazmir is one of the best pitchers in the American League and strengthens our rotation," said Luhnow. "His addition gives the Astros a better chance of reaching and succeeding in the postseason. It has been a while since the Astros have been relevant late in the summer and winning now is a priority."

A native of Houston and a resident of nearby Cypress, Kazmir attended Cy Falls High School before being drafted by the Mets in the first round (15th overall pick) of the 2002 draft. He is an 11-year Major League veteran and a three-time All-Star (2006, 2008, 2014). Kazmir owns a career 96-84 record with a 3.95 ERA (649ER/1480IP) while pitching for Tampa Bay (2004-09), Los Angeles-AL (2009-11), Cleveland (2013) and Oakland (2014-15).

Most recently, Mengden and Nottingham had been playing for Class A Advanced Lancaster after each began the 2015 season at Class A Quad Cities. Mengden was originally a fourth-round selection in the 2014 draft, while Nottingham was originally taken in the sixth round of the 2013 draft.

As first address in Davenport local church hopes to roll out the welcome mat

Davenport, IA, April 23, 2015:  On July 25, 2015, the youth group and congregation of New Life Baptist Church will welcome RAGBRAI riders to Davenport, IA. Since New Life is the first address in Davenport along the race route the church desires to roll out the welcome mat. The church will provide free water, home made cookies, and multiple porta-potties to participants. A local radio station, 89.3 WDLM, will be broadcasting live from 6-9AM and then be on site playing music for the day. The church has also arranged for local medics to use the church's grounds to treat any injuries or needs. The church's air-conditioned facilities will also be available for riders to take a break, cool off, and rest.  Church members plan to be present throughout the day and cheer riders as they enter the city. The church first welcomed RAGBRAI riders to the city of Davenport in 2011.

Contact Information: Pastor Zach Vester, 563-505-7137 or NewLifeQC@gmail.com

Location: New Life Baptist Church, 7780 W. Locust St., Davenport, IA 52804