17 Jul 2015

Governor Rauner activates State Emergency Operations Center in Springfield

By Catherine Kelly

State agencies ready to assist following tornado touchdowns

SPRINGFIELD - Governor Rauner this evening activated the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) in Springfield to ensure state personnel and equipment are ready to be quickly deployed if needed to help local emergency responders with public safety  issues following reports of at least one tornado touchdown in northwest Illinois and the potential for more severe weather.

"I activated the State Emergency Operations Center to ensure we're ready to act quickly if any local responders need our assistance," said Governor Rauner. "Illinois State Police is already at the scene and we have staff from the Illinois Emergency Management Agency enroute to the area to support local response efforts."

Representatives from several state agencies are reporting to the SEOC. State officials are assessing the storm's impact and communicating with local response officials to determine if state resources are needed to ensure citizen safety.

The SEOC will remain activated as long as necessary.

For updates on the current situation, visit the Ready Illinois website at www.ready.illinois.gov.

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17 Jul 2015

Young Footliters presents RAPUNZEL! RAPUNZEL! A Very Hairy Fairy Tale July 24-26 at the Coralville Center for the Performing Arts

By Nancy Mayfield

The Young Footliters will present Rapunzel! Rapunzel! A Very Hairy Fairy Tale July 24-26 at the Coralville Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets are $11-$17 and are available online at www.coralvillearts.org, by phone at 319.248.9370, and in person at the CCPA box office (1301 5th Street) and Coralville Recreation Center (1506 8th Street).

Book, Music and Lyrics by Janet Yates Vogt and Mark Friedman
Directed by Dave Helmuth
Musical direction by Jessica Palmer

Rapunzel! Rapunzel! A Very Hairy Fairy Tale is a modern spin on the story of Rapunzel.  This hilarious musical is filled with wonderful characters and unforgettable songs.  According to director Dave Helmuth,  "This is one of the most talented young casts I've seen.  Each young actor has worked hard to make their character hilarious and over-the-top.  It will be easy for the audience to pick a favorite."

Show times:

Friday, July 24 at 7:00 PM

Saturday, July 25 at 2:00 & 7:00 PM

Sunday, July 26 at 2:00 PM

Ticket prices:

Adults: $17

Seniors: (age 55+): $14

Students (age 13-18): $14

Children (age 12 and under): $11

Description:

Visit an enchanted fairy tale land with dragons, a handsome prince, an evil would-be Queen, a really great hair stylist, and that famous princess with the long, long, long hair! Hold on to your hair and prepare for a brand new magical musical re-telling of the classic fairy tale! 

On the edge of glory, the evil Lady Za Za determines to rule the kingdom by keeping the beautiful Princess Rapunzel - with the long, long, long hair - trapped in a tower in the deep, dark, dank, dismal, dreary forest. It'll be up to Sir Roderick and his hair stylist friend Edgar (who is on a quest to find the perfect head of hair) to rescue Princess Rapunzel and restore the kingdom - with the help of a slightly neurotic Gypsy Woman - isn't there one in every fairy tale? and a tired, yet witty, old dragon named Socrates - who has lost his poof!

Young Footliters is a program of the Coralville Center for the Performing Arts offering children and teens fun, creative, and educational theater arts opportunities in a safe, positive, and professional environment.  Young Footliters aims to produce quality productions and classes that promote responsibility, confidence, leadership, cooperation, and arts appreciation.

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17 Jul 2015

Davenport Sailor helps build school in Papua New Guinea during exercise

By Encompass Digital Media, Inc.

U.S. Navy Steelworker 2nd Class Matthew Gullion-Foster of Davenport, Iowa, carries pipes for scaffolding at Tupukas Primary School. A team of U.S. Navy Seabees, U.S. Air Force RED HORSE engineers and Australian Regular Army engineers constructed a new building at the site as part of Pacific Partnership 2015. The hospital ship USNS Mercy is currently in Papua New Guinea for its second mission port of PP15. Pacific Partnership is in its 10th iteration and is the largest annual multilateral humanitarian assistance and disaster relief preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. While training for crisis conditions, Pacific Partnership missions to date have provided real world medical care to approximately 270,000 patients and veterinary services to more than 38,000 animals. Critical infrastructure development has been supported in host nations during more than 180 engineering projects.

https://www.dvidshub.net/image/2060786/us-navy-seabees-and-us-air-force-red-horse-engineers-build-school-papua-new-guinea-during-pacific-partnership#.Vagg9_lViko

17 Jul 2015

Augustana College students gain real-world know-how

By Sam Schlouch

ROCK ISLAND, IL (07/16/2015)(readMedia)-- In today's competitive job market, college students recognize the value of high-impact learning experiences and Augustana has helped them pursue these experiences through summer internships.

More than 150 Augustana College students are completing summer internships across the globe including:

Timothy Acri, a senior from Moline, IL (61265) majoring in biochemistry. Acri has an internship with UnityPoint Health - Trinity in Rock Island, IL.

Taylor Anderson, a senior from East Moline, IL (61244) majoring in graphic design. Anderson has an internship with BPS Print Shop in Oshkosh, WI.

Grace Brasel, a senior from East Moline, IL (61244) majoring in biology. Brasel has an internship with Lifetime Eyehealth Associates in Davenport, IA.

Rowan Crow, a senior from Coal Valley, IL (61240) majoring in teaching history. Crow has an internship with Lincoln Park Genesius Guild in Rock Island, IL.

Lizandra Gomez-Ramirez, a junior from Rock Island, IL (61201) majoring in anthropology and political science. Gomez-Ramirez has an internship with Palomares QC in Moline, IL.

Andrea Hult, a senior from Moline, IL (61265) majoring in accounting and business administration - management. Hult has an internship with QC Symphony Orchestra in Davenport, IA.

Marisa Lara, a senior from Silvis, IL (61282) majoring in graphic design and engineering. Lara has an internship with Edge in Rock Island, IL.

Makenzie Logan, a senior from Moline, IL (61265) majoring in psychology and communication sciences & disorders. Logan has an internship with Augustana Center for Speech, Language and Hearing in Rock Island, IL.

Carolyn Maynard, a senior from Moline, IL (61265) majoring in communication studies. Maynard has an internship with QC Botanical Center in Rock Island, IL.

Irene Mekus, a junior from East Moline, IL (61244) majoring in business administration and public health. Mekus has an internship with Rock Island County Health Department in Rock Island, IL.

Chelsea Mentado, a junior from Moline, IL (61265) majoring in graphic design. Mentado has an internship with GroupO in Milan, IL.

Garrett Miner, a senior from Moline, IL (61265) majoring in graphic design and business administration - management information systems. Miner has an internship with QC Botanical Center in Rock Island, IL.

Dorothy Mutum, a senior from Milan, IL (61264) majoring in psychology. Mutum has an internship with Moline City Hall in Moline, IL.

Long Nguyen, a senior from Rock Island, IL (61201) majoring in applied mathematics and economics. Nguyen has an internship with Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, TX.

Omar Rizvi, a senior from Bettendorf, IA (52722) majoring in pre-medicine, biology and religion. Rizvi has an internship with UnityPoint Health - Trinity in Moline, IL.

Tori Shock, a sophomore from Moline, IL (61265) majoring in pre-medicine. Shock has an internship with Black Hawk College in Moline, IL.

Grant Slater, a junior from Coal Valley, IL (61240) majoring in communication studies. Slater has an internship with McLaughlin Motors in Moline, IL.

David Soliz, a senior from Silvis, IL (61282) majoring in geography. Soliz has an internship with City of Moline Water Division in Moline, IL.

Natalie Trujillo, a sophomore from Rock Island, IL (61201) majoring in psychology. Trujillo has an internship with Child Abuse Council in Moline, IL.

Emmalynn Tully, a junior from Bettendorf, IA (52722) majoring in music education - voice. Tully has an internship with Bettendorf Family Museum in Bettendorf, IA.

Matthew Tuttle-Timm, a junior from Moline, IL (61265) majoring in physics. Tuttle-Timm has an internship with Augustana College in Rock Island, IL.

Haylee Walker, a junior from Reynolds, IL (61279) majoring in communication studies. Walker has an internship with GiGi's Playhouse in Moline, IL.

Erik Whitcomb, a junior from Rock Island, IL (61201) majoring in psychology. Whitcomb has an internship with Moline City Hall in Moline, IL.

At Augustana, students choosing to complete an internship can receive financial support from the college thanks to a program launched in 2009 called Augie Choice. Focused on advancing student learning in the liberal arts, Augie Choice grants students in their junior year or beyond the opportunity to receive a one-time grant of $2,000 to offset the expenses of study abroad, an internship or research project. Augie Choice funding is a visible symbol of the college's commitment to experiential learning as a way of preparing students to stand out among their peers.

Founded in 1860, Augustana College is a selective four-year residential college of the liberal arts and sciences. The college is recognized for the innovative program Augie Choice, which provides each student up to $2,000 to pursue a high-impact learning experience such as study abroad, an internship or research with a professor. Current students and alumni include 158 Academic All-Americans, a Nobel laureate, 13 college presidents and other distinguished leaders. The college enrolls 2,500 students and is located along one of the world's most important waterways, the Mississippi River, in a community that reflects the diversity of the United States.

17 Jul 2015

RAGBRAI Starts this Weekend for Davenport

By Jessica Waytenick

RAGBRAI starts this weekend for Davenport with the arrival of people parking their cars for the week while they are riding RAGBRAI.  Please let us know if you'd like to set up interviews or live shots.

July 17-18 - Long-Term Parking

 

Location: St. Ambrose University, 518 W. Locust St., Davenport

Information Tent Location: Galvin Fine Arts Center Parking Lot (on campus)

Hours: Friday 12-8 p.m. and Saturday 5-9 a.m.

 

·        Almost 850 vehicles are coming on Friday and Saturday morning to park in their assigned lots for the week while they are riding RAGBRAI.

·        RAGBRAI riders are coming from across the U.S. and Canada.  They will stay overnight in a hotel, with friends, or camping in Centennial Park.

·        Then over 30 motorcoaches depart St. Ambrose on Saturday between 6-9 a.m.

·        300 boxed lunches from Hungry Hobo have been purchased by people riding the motorcoaches to be picked up on Saturday morning.

 

For more information, visit www.davenportragbrai.com or www.ragbrai.com

Media Contacts: Joe Taylor, 309-737-2759

Charlotte Morrison, 309-781-4235

Tory Brecht, 563-340-7143

17 Jul 2015

AREA STUDENTS NAMED TO DEAN'S LIST AT THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MILWAUKEE

By TheLink Delivery Service
MILWAUKEE, Wis. (July 16, 2015) - The following individuals from your area have been named to the Dean's List at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee for the Spring 2015 semester.  UWM is the second largest university in the State of Wisconsin, with approximately 28,000 undergraduate and graduate students.

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HOMETOWN, STATE; NAME, ACADEMIC PROGRAM

Davenport, IA

Jordyn Elizabeth O'Rourke, Nursing Undergraduate
Joseph Michael Paul Steiner, School of the Arts-Undergrad
17 Jul 2015

Great Perks For Zoo Members In July

By Marc Heinzman
CHRISTMAS IN JULY THIS SATURDAY.

 

Saturday, July 18

11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

The heat is going to be on this Saturday but Niabi Zoo is the place to cool down.

Cool games and activities are planned for you and the animals. Special animal talks will be held from 11 to 2. You won't want to miss the animals opening their cool gifts!

The event is free for members or with paid admission.

Catch a free keeper chat this Saturday. Lions are at noon and zebras are 3:00.

MEMBERS ONLY FAMILY NIGHT JULY 30.

The members only night is an exclusive opportunity to enjoy the zoo in the evening when crowds are smaller, temps are cooler and the animals are active. The fun is 5:30-8:30 p.m.

Take advantage of this great membership perk by becoming a new member or keeping your membership active.

The Niabi Zoological Society has lined up these bonuses for members on family night:

Unlimited free train rides

Unlimited free carrousel rides

Face painting

Activities and give aways for the kids

Free pellets to feed the fish

Bounce houses

15% off concessions

Click here to RSVP for members only family night or call (309) 799-3482 ext. 237.

PINTS IS SATURDAY, AUGUST 1.

5:30-10:00 p.m.

Tickets are selling fast for the zoo's annual fundraiser, beer and wine tasting. Click here to get your tickets before the event sells out.

Round up your friends and take advantage of 6-pack discount pricing. If you're a zoo member, you save even more. Click here to become a member.

Tickets

$30 Zoo members

$35 non-members and guests

Buy a 6-pack for the member price of $160, non-members pay only $190

Must be 21 and older.

 

 

17 Jul 2015

Governor Signs Executive Order 15-16 to improve hiring process in state agencies

By Catherine Kelly
SPRINGFIELD - Governor Bruce Rauner signed Executive Order 15-16 today to remove a layer of government bureaucracy in hiring civil-service positions (Rutan-covered positions) and to protect the hiring process from unlawful political influence.
Executive Order 15-16 rescinds Executive Order 03-01, which required the Governor's Office to review and approve the hiring and promotion decisions of Rutan-covered positions at state agencies. This system was inefficient, contributing to significant delays in hiring and promotion decisions. It also became a tool for political patronage, which led to an increase in patronage hiring in previous administrations.
Governor Rauner requested Illinois Central Management Services and the Governor's Office of Management and Budget to review this system - known as EPAR - and they recommended it be discontinued. Agencies will be subject to budget and headcount limits, but will be allowed to fill Rutan-covered positions according to the applicable personnel rules and collective-bargaining agreements.
Executive Order 15-16 also requires all employment and personal services contracts going forward to allow the State to terminate the contract without penalty.
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17 Jul 2015

First Time for Archery Tournament in Q-C

By Jessica Waytenick

Davenport, Iowa - The Quad Cities hosts its first large-scale archery tournament on July 17-19, 2015.  The Regions Archery ProAm Tour Tournament for 300 competitors takes place on Credit Island, 2200 W. River Drive in Davenport.  There are five competition ranges and one practice range.  Competitors that do well will move on to Sunday rounds.

Bow Life will have targets near the Lodge that people can try for $15.  There are 1st dimension, 2nd dimension, 3rd dimension modern bowhunting classes with a team shoot on Friday and individual on Saturday and Sunday.  The local economic impact of this event is $250,000.

It is free for spectators, and $5.00 per day for parking.

Team Shoot: Friday July 17 at 1 PM

Pro / AM: Begins Saturday at 12 PM and Sunday at 12 PM

Modern Bowhunter Class: Saturday at 9 AM / Sunday at 8 AM

Traditional Shooters: Saturday at 8 AM

For more information, visit http://regionsarchery.com/index.php?route=information/information&information_id=93
17 Jul 2015

News from the ISU Scott County Extension Office

By Amanda Heitz

ISU Extension and Outreach Offers Weeds Week Aug. 3-7

Weeds, herbicides and the effectiveness of herbicides to control weeds are topics of agronomic and economic importance to farmers and agribusinesses. It is so important that Iowa State University Extension and Outreach field agronomists are hosting Weeds Week, a weeklong series of informational meetings. As part of Weeds Week, a session will be held August 3, 2015 in Crawfordsville, Iowa.

"Farmers are challenged with producing crops and implementing effective weed management programs in a profitable manner," said Virgil Schmitt, field agronomist with ISU Extension and Outreach in southeast Iowa. "Our goal is to help farmers develop effective weed management plans."

Schmitt said the meetings are intended to help farmers and ag retailers support each other in this process.  "By supporting each other, they can increase their profitability and minimize negative impacts on the environment," Schmitt said. "The sessions have been developed to provide tools that help farmers and agribusinesses work together to develop long-term weed management plans that identify sites of action, promote timely application of herbicides and avoid the expenses of dealing with herbicide resistance."

Each session will include presentations, hands-on weed management planning, small group discussion and plot tours presented by extension field agronomists. In the farmer-oriented session, farmers will learn how to select herbicides from the herbicide effectiveness table, identify which herbicides to apply and develop their own four-year weed management plan. Agribusiness representatives will receive similar information, but it will be presented with a focus on how to support farmers and their operations.

On August 3, 2015 a session will be held at the Southeast Research Farm. 3115 Louisa-Washington Road, Crawfordsville, Iowa.  At 9:30 a.m. a Farmer Session will be held with an Agribussiness Session to follow at 1 p.m.

Registration is $25 for each session and includes refreshments, lunch and materials. To assist with facility and meal planning there is a registration deadline four days prior to the meeting. Register online with a credit card at www.aep.iastate.edu/weeds/. For more information, call 515-294-6429 or anr@isstate.edu.

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ISU Scott County Extension Master Gardener Fall 2015 Openings

Do you like to garden and share your gardening experiences with others? Are you a plant enthusiast who looks forward to spring time and the outdoors?   Then the Iowa State University (ISU) Scott County Extension Master Gardeners wants you!

Master Gardeners are volunteers, trained by ISU in horticulture, who return service to the community through a variety of educational projects.  Trainees attend over 40 hours of classes and complete volunteer service.  Each master gardener has the opportunity to learn and share their unique skills and knowledge with others in a variety of way.

Each year this opportunity is extended to a limited number of residents of Scott County.  Classes are held Tuesday and Thursday evenings this fall at the ISU Scott County Extension and Outreach office, starting September 10th.  There is a fee which covers the training and reference materials provided by ISU Scott County Extension and Outreach Office.

If you are interested in joining the Master Gardener program, additional information and an application for the 2015 fall session is available at our website http://www.extension.iastate.edu/scott/.  The deadline for receipt of applications is July 31st.  Applicants can attend a Master Gardener informational session scheduled in August.  Send completed applications to Scott County Extension and Outreach, 875 Tanglefoot Lane in Bettendorf.  Call 359-7577 with any questions.

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Webinar to Focus on Pollinators and Growing Herbs

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Scott County office will wrap up the sixth annual "Growing Season" webinar series in August.

The August webinar, Pollinators and Growing Herbs, with Nathan Brockman and Susan Appleget Hurst, will be offered on August 19, 2015, at the Scott County Extension Office, 875 Tanglefoot Lane in Bettendorf, IA from 7 to 9 pm. Participants will learn about attracting bees, birds, and butterflies to their gardens as well as growing, harvesting and preserving culinary herbs.  There is a $5.00 fee that is payable at the door, however, pre-registration for the webinar is requested.

To register please contact the ISU Extension and Outreach Scott County office at 563-359-7577 or aheitz@iastate.edu.  All Master Gardeners who attend will earn two continuing education hours for each webinar.

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Scott County Master Gardeners to Host an English Afternoon Tea

The Scott County Master Gardeners cordially invite you to attend an English Afternoon Tea on Saturday, August 1, 2015 at the Butterworth Center, 1105 8th Street, Moline, Illinois.  From 1-2 p.m. tour the gardens at the Butterworth Center and Deere-Wiman House with a light refreshment provided.  Beginning at 2 p.m. Master Gardener Dan Mays will present "Garden Designs."  To wrap up the afternoon an English Afternoon Tea will be served at 3 p.m.  The cost of this event is $20.00 per person, it is open to the public with limited seating.  Please R.S.V.P. with your check by July 24th made payable to Scott County Extension, 875 Tanglefoot Lane, Bettendorf, Iowa 52722.  For additional information contact the Scott County Extension office at 563-359-7577.

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EXTENSION CALENDAR

August 7, 2015    Pesticide Applicator Testing, Scott County Extension Office, 10 am-2pm

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

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

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