22 May 2015

Knitting Class, Grand Excursion History at Rock Island Library

By Lisa Lockheart

Escape an Ordinary Summer at the Rock Island Public Library

 

Rock Island, IL: Adults can "Escape the Ordinary" summer with a number of free special events at the Rock Island Library from May 30-July 18. For more information, visit the library's online branch at www.rockislandlibrary.org, call 309-732-READ, or follow the library on Facebook or Twitter. Events for adults include :

Learn to Knit class -- 6:30 pm, Monday, June 1, 8 and 15, Main Library. Have you been waiting to learn how to knit? Join the Naked Sheep Yarn Barn and the Rock Island Library for a free three-week class that will teach you the basics and help you get started. The Library will supply your first set of needles and yarn. Registration required: Register online via the library calendar before noon on June 1 or call 309-732-7341. Attendees will learn how to knit, bind off and cast if they attend all three sessions. This free class is for both teens and adults.

Catherine Maria Sedgwick Rides the Train to Rock Island -- 6:00 pm, Tuesday, June 16, Main Library Community Room. Catherine Maria Sedgwick was a 19th century author and social reformer from Massachusetts. In June 1854, she accompanied the "Grand Excursion" on a train to Rock Island and a steamboat trip to St. Paul. In this local history presentation, historian Gayle Rein brings Catharine Sedgwick to life. Listen as Catharine tells about her trip to what was then the western frontier and shares her observations about the beauty of the Mississippi River with the politicians, artists, and other dignitaries on the trip.

Antique Appraisal Fair -- 4:30 pm to 7:00 pm, Thurs, June 18, Main Library Community Room. Is it treasure or a trinket? Terri Applegate, of LeClaire Antiques & Appraisals will help you evaluate your pieces. Participants may bring up to four items in for appraisal at this Antiques Roadshow-type event. Items must be carried by hand. Assistance will be not be available with transporting large items in or out of the library. Teens and adults.

Independent Movie Nights -- first Thursday of each month, Main Library Community Room. Join fellow film fans for free monthly showing of an independent movie, followed by discussion. Movies are not rated. The June 4 movie starts at 6:00 pm and features the story of a middle-class family living in Singapore during the Asian financial crisis of 1997, and the relationships each family member forms with the Filipino nanny. Mandarin, with subtitles. The July 2 movie also starts at 6:00 pm, and features the tale of 33-year-old Arman, whose attempts to build a lasting connection with the lovely Amelie over two autumns and three winters meet with varying degrees of success. French with subtitles. Title information for each movie is available at the library.

The Rock Island Library's Every Hero Has a Story contests for children and Escape the Ordinary teen and adult reading contests run from May 30 to July 18. Reading incentives and more than 60 free events are designed to help keep children, teens and adults active, productive and learning over the summer. More than a century of research shows that students who don't read and learn over the summer score lower on standardized tests at the end of summer vacation than they do on the same tests at the beginning of the summer.

For more free programs, visit www.rockislandlibrary.org or pick up a summer reading brochure at the Rock Island Main Library, 30/31 or Southwest Branches
22 May 2015

DJT Summer Session to Begin June 1

By Davenport Junior Theatre
THEATRE CLASSES & CAMPS
Come join Davenport Junior Theatre for a fun-filled summer of learning, exploring, and imagination!

The Theatre Summer Session starts: JUNE 1ST
We offer classes for kids ages 3-18, so you are sure to find class that works perfectly for you!
Visit www.davenportjuniortheatre.org to register and to find more information!
22 May 2015

A Touching Tribute

By Operation Gratitude
As we approach the Memorial Day Weekend, we remember the courageous men and women who volunteered--and sacrificed-- to defend our freedom in times of peace and in times of war. We would like to share with you this touching tribute by The Texas Tenors.
Let's also remember the heroes who are currently serving.

Do you have a loved one who is deployed overseas?  Click here and we will send them an Operation Gratitude care package.

For those of you who want to honor someone serving far from home today, please consider writing a letter of appreciation.  We will send your kind words in our next round of care packages.
To our deployed Troops, Veterans, Wounded Warriors, New Recruits, Military Families and First Responders:
Thank you for all that you do to make our Nation great. God bless you, and God bless the U.S.A.

With appreciation,
Operation Gratitude
22 May 2015

Smiddy Sponsors Measure Protecting Consumers from Identity Theft

By Rick Martin
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - Understanding many consumers have had their personal information at risk for theft by hackers and cyber-criminals, state Rep. Mike Smiddy, D-Hillsdale, is sponsoring a comprehensive approach to responding to data breaches.
"Personal information is vulnerable every time we visit the store, doctor's office or use our credit card, and this measure will help consumers avoid identity theft in the event their information is stolen," Smiddy said. "Consumers have the right to know when their personal information may be threatened, and this bill increases the list of incidents that require timely alerts to potential victims."
In Illinois, when a consumer's personal information is put at risk by a hacker or identity thief who breaks online security, those companies are required to notify affected customers. Smiddy is cosponsoring Senate Bill 1833, which expands the notification requirements to include medical, insurance and locational information such as addresses. Affected entities can include the large box retail stores whose data breaches have made headlines in recent months, but any entity that stores personal data would need to comply with the new regulation in the event of a breach. Data collectors like these are required to take responsible steps to protect the data they gather, maintain a privacy policy, and provide consumers with the necessary steps to remain safe. Additionally, the collectors must notify the Attorney General's office. The Attorney General will create and update a website listing every data breach affecting Illinois residents to increase awareness.
"In the last several years, data breaches have become far too frequent," Attorney General Lisa Madigan said. "It is imperative that we strengthen the state's data breach notification laws to ensure that people are informed of breaches so they can take steps to minimize the risk of identity theft."
Senate Bill 1833 passed the House Judiciary: Civil Committee on Tuesday and now awaits a vote before the full House.
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22 May 2015

Loebsack Praises Committee Passage of Bill to Speed Approval of New Medical Cures

By Vonnie Hampel

21st Century Cures Act contains $10 billion for NIH research

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack released the following statement today after the House Energy and Commerce Committee, of which he is a member, passed legislation that will streamline the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) approval process of new medical cures and drugs. It includes $10 billion for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Innovation Fund. The 21st Century Cures Act is paid for and passed the committee by a unanimous 51-0 vote.

"The 21st Century Cures Act is a truly bipartisan piece of legislation that will have a profound effect on our medical community as well as the people who are suffering from many different diseases, including cancer and type 2 diabetes. I'm particularly excited about the NIH Innovation fund. I'm proud to represent the University of Iowa, an institution that is at the forefront of groundbreaking medical research. The five year, ten billion dollar NIH Innovation fund will at long last provide a boost to funding for medical research. The 21st Century Cures Act is proof that we can accomplish great things when we put our partisan differences aside and come together around a common goal. I'm pleased to be a part of this bipartisan effort."

The 21st Century Cures Act is nonpartisan legislation that is the product of more than a year of listening to patients, researchers, caregivers, and innovators. It seeks to modernize the nation's health care innovation ecosystem, encourage greater biomedical innovation, and help get more cures and treatments to patients faster.

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22 May 2015

United States and OECD Outline Guidance for Rural Economic Development Policies

By USDA Office of Communications

MEMPHIS, Tenn., May 21, 2015 - Today, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Deputy Secretary-General Mari Kiviniemi released a joint statement outlining three major themes guiding rural economic development policies.

The statement was issued at the conclusion of the three-day, 10th Annual OECD Rural Development Conference, titled, National Prosperity through Modern Rural Policy: Competitiveness and Well-Being in Rural Regions.

The major themes guiding rural economic development policies include :

  • A New Rural Narrative noting that in OECD countries, the term "rural" is synonymous with unharnessed potential for growth. Agriculture and natural resources remains important in some regions, but many rural regions are diversifying their economies to include manufacturing and services.
  • Prosperity for All noting that an approach to rural development policy is to be tailored and specific to the attributes, resources, and priorities of the place is needed to make our rural communities more resilient. Features such as low population density, physical distance, population decline and aging, and limited diversity in economic structures all expose rural communities to economic shocks. For this reason, rural policy should be an important part of any national strategy promoting inclusive growth.
  • Implementing the New Rural Policy noting that Rural stakeholders participating in the Conference recognised the value of the OECD New Rural Paradigm as a policy framework to promote rural development and encouraged OECD governments to implement policies accordingly.

The full statement is available on the OECD websiteThis is an external link or third-party site outside of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) website..

The Obama Administration is committed to comprehensive and long-lasting rural development. Last month, the White House Rural Council, chaired by Secretary Vilsack, launched Rural Impact, a coordinated effort across federal agencies to strengthen rural economies by supporting children and their families. In parallel to the OECD Conference in Memphis, the Obama Administration released a new report, Opportunities for All: Fighting Rural Child Poverty, examining poverty in rural areas, discussing the positive impact of safety net programs on reducing rural poverty, and highlighting the Administration's efforts and proposals to reduce poverty and promote opportunity in rural communities.

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development is the global economic policy forum providing analysis and advice to both its 34 member governments and countries worldwide, and dedicated to promoting better policies for better lives.

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22 May 2015

Sunday Farmers' Market!

By Freight House Farmers' Market

The new Freight House Sunday Farmers Market (11-3) has been a great success. Less crowded, fewer vendors, but with all those great products that you love. The Sunday market is definitely worth shopping.

Freighthouse Farmers Market

421 W. River Drive
Davenport, IA 52801
22 May 2015

Gov. Branstad signs four bills into law

By Office of the Governor of the State of Iowa

(DES MOINES) - Iowa Gov. Terry E. Branstad today signed the following four bills into law:

House File 504: an Act relating to insurance, including electronic delivery and posting of insurance notices and documents and to certain duties, responsibilities, and liabilities of insurance producers.

House File 626: an Act relating to the processes for appealing tax matters in this state by extending the future repeal of the Property Assessment Appeal Board, providing for the future repeal of the state board of tax review, providing for appeals to the director of revenue for certain tax matters and modifying the powers and duties of the director of revenue, and including effective date provisions.

Senate File 486: an Act relating to the approval and imposition of the facilities property tax levy and equipment replacement and program sharing property tax levy for a merged area and including effective date and applicability provisions.

Senate File 501: an Act relating to interstate student tuition reciprocity agreements involving certain postsecondary educational institutions, creating a tuition refund fund, appropriations moneys from the fund, and including effective date provisions.

A photo of the formal signing of SF 501 can be found here.

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22 May 2015

OLD CHICAGO PIZZA & TAPROOM COLLABORATES WITH SUMMIT BREWING COMPANY TO CREATE DISTINCTIVE NEW BEER

By Andie Biederman

- May Explorer Series to Feature Limited Time Selections Until the Keg Runs Out -

BOULDER, Co. (May. 11, 2015) - Old Chicago Pizza & Taproom, a traditional casual dining restaurant known for its expansive selection of craft beers, is continuing its Explorer Series with the fourth installment kicking off on May 20. For this series, Old Chicago has collaborated with Minnesota-based Summit Brewing Company to create the featured selection.

Old Chicago's craft beer experts visited Summit Brewery to assist in the brewing process of the featured collaboration for the series. Together, they created the Cracking Wit, a witbier that combines traditional elements of Belgian White Ale with a new U.S. hop variety and a unique strain of yeast. Fresh ground coriander and lemon peel contribute a distinctive spicy and citrusy aroma, with fruity esters from the yeast enhancing complexity. Single hopped with Equinox, a superb new U.S. hop variety, provides strong notes of tangerine and papaya. The Cracking Wit is exclusively available at Old Chicago locations in Arkansas, Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, North Dakota, Nebraska, South Dakota, Wisconsin and Minnesota.

"Partnering with Summit Brewing Company for this series has been a real treat for us," said Jason Murphy, Old Chicago's brand manager. "Being with the team in Minnesota during the brewing process and watching the brewmasters work their magic was an incredible experience. Having a hand in the behind the scenes work is crucial to us because we like to make sure that we're serving our guests the absolute best. We're thrilled with the way the collaboration turned out, and are eager for everyone to be able to try this unique and flavorful selection."

In addition to the Cracking Wit, the series also will feature other selections from Summit Brewing Company, and will be available until the kegs run out. Selections include :

  • Hopvale Organic Ale - Featuring 100 percent organic U.S. hops, malts and lemon peel, this brew captures intense grapefruit, pine and lemon hop characters in a supremely drinkable session ale
  • Extra Pale Ale - Brewed since 1986, this extra pale ale features caramel undertones with biscuity malts superbly balanced with an earthy hop bite and juicy citrus flavors
  • Sága IPA - Named after the Norse goddess Sága, drinking companion of the God Odin, this India pale ale features a tropical hop aroma and a clean, assertive bitterness

As an added perk, guests who try the Summit selections will be able to take home their very own Summit and Old Chicago collaboration pint glass for just two dollars.

A leader in the traditional casual dining space, Old Chicago has been serving handcrafted cuisine and local craft beers across the nation for 37 years. Old Chicago is committed to quality creations and to showcasing local, regional and national craft brewers while providing great value in a welcoming atmosphere. To learn more about Old Chicago, visit www.oldchicago.com.

About Old Chicago

Old Chicago Pizza & Taproom (Old Chicago) is a traditional, casual dining restaurant specializing in Chicago-style pizzas, taproom classics and craft beer. Founded in 1976, Old Chicago operates in 22 states with 96 restaurants. With over 30 craft beers on tap, Old Chicago is also the home of the World Beer Tour which rewards members for enjoying 110 of the best craft beers from across the globe. Visit www.oldchicago.com to learn more and to find the restaurant nearest you. For information about franchise opportunities, visit www.ocfranchising.com.

About Summit

Situated on the bluffs of the Mississippi, Summit Brewing Company has been brewing craft beer in St. Paul since 1986.   One of the original sodbusting craft breweries in the Midwest, Summit is now available in 17 states including Minnesota, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Arkansas and Wisconsin.  Summit produces 15 varieties of premium craft beer, including eight year-round beers, five seasonal beers, and the limited release Unchained Series and Union Series.  Since its inception, the brewery has been a consistent pioneer in the craft beer movement. For more information about Summit, please visit www.summitbrewing.com.

About CraftWorks

CraftWorks Restaurants & Breweries, Inc. is the largest craft brewery restaurant operator in the country with nearly 200 franchised and company-owned restaurants primarily operating under the Old Chicago Pizza & Taproom, Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurants and Rock Bottom Restaurants & Breweries brands.  As a leader in the casual dining segment, CraftWorks also operates strong regional brands, including ChopHouse and Big River, and employs more than 12,000 people throughout the U.S.  All of CraftWorks' restaurant brands have innovative menus with made-from-scratch food and a vast selection of unique craft beer, as well as unbeatable service and loyalty programs that tout over a half-million active members.  Based in Broomfield, Colo., CraftWorks is not only committed to serving its loyal guests, but also the communities in which its restaurants operate.  In 2000, the CraftWorks Foundation was formed and has contributed millions of dollars positively impacting communities throughout the country. For additional information about CraftWorks, the foundation and its craft brewery restaurant brands, please visit www.craftworksrestaurants.com.

22 May 2015

Gov. Branstad and Lt. Gov. Reynolds release statements on death of Omaha Police Officer and Council Bluffs resident Kerrie Orozco

By Office of the Governor of the State of Iowa

(DES MOINES) - Iowa Gov. Terry E. Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds today released the following statements on the death of Omaha, Neb., Police Officer Kerrie Orozco, 29, who was a Walnut, Iowa, native and resident of Council Bluffs, Iowa. Orozco was killed in the line of duty yesterday, May 20, 2015, while attempting to arrest Marcus D. Wheeler on a felony warrant for first-degree assault.

"I wish to extend my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Officer Kerrie Orozco," said Branstad. "As a former military policeman, I am keenly aware of the dangers law enforcement face every single day on the job. Officer Orozco served with integrity and was a model peace officer. My thoughts and prayers are with her newborn daughter and her entire family."

"Officer Kerrie Orozco went to work every day to serve her community and keep her neighbors safe," said Reynolds. "This is a devastating loss of a dedicated public servant, community member and new mother. I offer my deepest sympathy to the family of Officer Orozco."

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