03 Apr 2015

Safer Foundation delivers 'Safer Sacks" April 9 throughout Quad-Cities

By Rick Martin

Dozens of volunteers will drive throughout the Quad-Cities Thursday, April 9, to deliver sack lunches whose sales will help educate and employ Quad-Citians with criminal records.

For the 10th annual "Safer Sacks" initiative by The Safer Foundation, participating businesses and organizations have ordered sandwich lunches that volunteers will deliver to workplaces or diners will pick up for carry-out.

Sandwiches will be put together, and volunteers will be dispatched, beginning at 11 a.m. Thursday at The Center, 1411 Brady St., Davenport.

All money earned through this event goes to The Safer Foundation's Employment Services, Youth Empowerment and IMPACT Programs in Rock Island and Davenport. Last year, The Safer Foundation earned more than $10,000 through this annual fundraiser, with all the money staying in the Quad-Cities.

For more than 40 years, The Safer Foundation's mission has focused on reducing recidivism by supporting, through a full spectrum of services, the efforts of people with criminal records to become employed, law-abiding members of the community.
03 Apr 2015

DO YOU KNOW SOMEONE WITH A DREAM?

By Sally Marks
ROYAL NEIGHBORS OF AMERICA'S NATION OF NEIGHBORSSM  PROGRAM ACCEPTING NOMINATIONS

(Rock Island, IL) -- What does an anti-bullying program for girls, renovating a home for women in crisis, and publishing a magazine to help build girl's self-esteem have in common? All are past recipients of Royal Neighbors of America Nation of Neighbors Program.
Nation of Neighbors provides financial support to empower women to achieve their full potential, realize a sense of renewed personal growth, and give back to their communities. The nomination process began March 1 and submissions will be accepted through July 31, 2015.
A panel of reviewers determines the winning recipients and the amounts awarded. Approximately $100,000 in grants will be available. More than $1.7 million has been distributed since the program was launched in 2007.
Applications must include a detailed explanation of how funds will help empower women. Self-nominations are accepted. Completed forms may be submitted online at http://www.royalneighbors.org/community-connections/nation-of-neighbors/nominationform.
Nominations are limited to members of Royal Neighbors, either through purchase of a life insurance policy or an annuity, or purchase of a Royal Neighbors membership. For more information visit http://www.royalneighbors.org/membership-benefits/become-a-member.
"Royal Neighbors has a long-standing tradition of empowering women," said Cynthia Tidwell, president/CEO of Royal Neighbors of America, one of the nation's largest women-led life insurance organizations. "Nation of Neighbors is a tangible example of our neighbor-helping-neighbor philosophy; however, the positive impact of this program creates a ripple effect that reaches far beyond the recipients and communities it serves."

Royal Neighbors of America, one of the nation's largest women-led life insurance organizations, empowers women to meet the needs of their families with annuities and life insurance products such as whole life, term, final expense, and universal life. One of the most financially secure insurance carriers in the industry, it has the financial strength and stability to ensure its nearly 180,000 members are protected when the expected, and unexpected, happen. In addition to insurance products, Royal Neighbors provides member benefits which currently include scholarship opportunities, discounted legal services, health and retail discounts, and participation in volunteer activities that give back to communities through the organization's local chapters. Royal Neighbors' philanthropic efforts are dedicated to changing women's lives through its national programs, including the Nation of NeighborsSM Program, and through the Royal Neighbors Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity.

Member benefits are provided at the discretion of Royal Neighbors of America and are not available in all states. They are not part of any insurance or annuity contract and are not guaranteed.

Royal Neighbors is licensed in 43 states and the District of Columbia and not all products are available in all states. Royal Neighbors is headquartered in Rock Island, IL, with a branch office in Mesa, AZ. For more information, visit www.royalneighbors.org or call Rita Toalson at (309) 732-8376.

03 Apr 2015

This Week in Downtown Davenport: 4/3 - 4/9

By QC Chamber

Click here for events

03 Apr 2015

Governor Terry Branstad signs House File 395 into law

By Office of the Governor of the State of Iowa

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

House File 395: an Act relating to the regulation of pharmacy benefits managers and including effective date provisions.

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03 Apr 2015

US Coast Guard establishes diver specialty

By U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters Public Affairs

WASHINGTON - The Coast Guard announced Wednesday the establishment of the diver enlisted rating and corresponding chief warrant officer specialty.

About 50 enlisted personnel and three chief warrant officers will initially transition to the Diver (DV) rating and Diving (DIV) specialty, respectively.

The newly-minted divers received certificates signed by the commandant and the master chief petty officer of the Coast Guard at several locations throughout the service.

Divers support a variety of Coast Guard missions by servicing aids to navigation, conducting subsurface search and recovery, inspecting and maintaining Coast Guard vessels, and providing technical expertise with remotely operated vehicles, sonar equipment, and underwater imagery.

In addition to the new specialty, the Coast Guard is scheduled to establish Regional Dive Locker Pacific in Honolulu this summer. Divers will be stationed at one of three dive lockers or at other units throughout the country.

For more information on the history of the Coast Guard's diving program, please visit: http://www.uscg.mil/history/articles/CoastGuardDivingProgramCOTPSanFran.pdf

To view more imagery, please visit: http://coastguard.dodlive.mil/2015/04/coast-guard-officially-stands-up-dive-rating/

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03 Apr 2015

Master Gardeners will offer a variety of informational session

By Amanda Heitz

Master Gardeners with Iowa State University Scott County Extension and Outreach have scheduled several spring classes at the Extension Office, 875 Tanglefoot Lane, Bettendorf. Master Gardeners are volunteers who use their research-based training and resources from Iowa State University to share information and ideas with others in the community.

If you would like to attend one of the sessions, please register by calling the Extension Office at 563-359-7577 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. weekdays. The programs are one to two hours long and cost $5 each.

The classes are:

  • A Whirlwind Tour of European Gardens, 7 p.m. April 9 -- Master Gardener Kay Sigardson-Poor will take you on a visual tour of the Papal Gardens, Versailles, Buckingham Palace and more.

  • Tomato Tech: How to Grow Better Fruit (Vegetables?) 7 p.m. April 23 -- Patrick O'Malley, ISU Extension and Outreach Commercial Horticulture Field Specialist, shares techniques for growing a bountiful tomato crop.

  • Making Sense of Landscape Design, 7 p.m. April 30 -- Master Gardener Dan Mays provides tips for making your yard look better.

  • Birds, Blueberries, Butterflies and Natural Gardening, 7 p.m. May 7 -- Master Gardener Dick Sayles, president of the Quad City Audubon Society, shows how native plants attract beneficial insects and birds.


Please visit the Scott County Office's website at http://www.extension.iastate.edu/scott/ and find us on Facebook for updates.


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03 Apr 2015

Eastern Iowa 4-H Project Workshop

By Amanda Heitz

We invite 4-H Members and non 4-H Members, parents and volunteers to join us for a day of inspiration and exploration.  Youth participants may choose from the following workshops to learn introductory skills, explore topics as a 4-H Project Area, learn from experts and gain insight as to how to apply these skills in future professional, educational or hobby pursuits:  Communications, Food Science, FSQA, Horticulture, Leadership, Livestock Clinic, Photography, Visual Arts and Woodworking

It will be held Saturday April 25, 2015, from 8:30 am-2:30 pm at North Scott High School, 200 S. 1st Street, Eldridge, Iowa.

During this workshop, nationally renowned speaker, John Robinson (www.ourability.com) will kick off the event inspiring us to see the potential we have inside us all, how to be a leader and a contributing citizen, sponsored by CARGILL

Registration has been extended to April 17th!   A fee of $15 for 4-H members, $20 for non 4-H members and $5 for adults will be charged.

Download registration http://www.extension.iastate.edu/cedar/ or request a registration from daletac@iastate.edu or call (563) 263-5701.

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03 Apr 2015

Better Business Bureau of Iowa Presents Quad Cities 2015 Student of Integrity Award Winners

By Ryan Smith

Bettendorf, IA -  Please join us as we recognize our 2015 Business Integrity Award recipients as well as our 2015 Student Integrity Award recipients; honoring businesses and students that demonstrate superior ethics, reliability and trustworthiness. The Better Business Bureau of Iowa will present the winners at the BBB 75th Anniversary Luncheon, on Wednesday, April 22, 2015 at 11:45 am, taking place at Jumer's Casino & Hotel in Rock Island, IL.

"As Iowans we pride ourselves on integrity. For 75 years the BBB has been providing services that build consumer trust in our communities.  We consider it an honor to present this year's Integrity Winners and Student of Integrity Winners, they lead by example and embody the ideals of the Better Business Bureau." - Chris Coleman, President, CEO

Tickets for The Better Business Bureau of Iowa Integrity Award Luncheon can be purchased by phone at (563) 355-1705. Tables of 8 are available for $240.00.  Individual tickets are $35.00 per seat.  The public is encouraged to attend the event which starts at 11:45 a.m. For more information visit www.bbb.org/iowa

The Student of Integrity Awards program was established in 2001 to recognize and honor high school seniors who personify ethics and integrity.  The three Student of Integrity winners will each receive a $2,500 scholarship to the college or university of their choice.  The winners are:

  • Molly Kelly, West Liberty High School
  • Claire Hamilton, Columbus community High School
  • Guadalupe Chavez, Davenport West High School

Sponsors include :

Premier Sponsors: Quad City Bank & Trust

Premier Media Sponsor: WQAD TV8

 

General Asphalt Construction Company                MidAmerican Energy

Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center             Iowa American Water

Werner Restoration Services, Inc.               Creekside Vineyards Winery & Inn

Molyneaux Insurance

 

Brus Construction, LLC.  Bush Construction

D'Souza & Krutzfeldt-QC Dentistry                      DeWitt Bank & Trust Co.

Kaplan University              Rock Valley Physical Therapy

BBB is a nonprofit, non-governmental, business-supported organization that sets and upholds high standards for fair and honest business behavior. All BBB services to consumers are free of charge. BBB provides objective advice, free BBB Business Reviews on more than 4 million businesses, 11,000 Charity Reviews, dispute resolution services, alerts and educational information on topics affecting marketplace trust. BBB Serving Greater Iowa, Quad Cities and Siouxland Region was founded in 1940 and is one of 112 local, independent BBBs across North America.

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03 Apr 2015

ALL IOWA READS AUTHOR ROBIN OLIVEIRA AT MOLINE, BETTENDORF PUBLIC LIBRARIES

By Nicholas Depew

Robin Oliveira, author of the 2015 All Iowa Reads selection My Name is Mary Sutter, will appear to discuss her novel during two Quad City area appearances on Thursday, April 23.  Presentations will take place at noon at the Moline Public Library (3210 41st Street) and at 7 p.m. at the Bettendorf Public Library (2950 Learning Campus Drive).

Robin will share what inspired her to write this Civil War era novel, her research process, and the historical and fictional characters that bring her story to life.  She will also share her discoveries from her eight years of research and writing, including slides and photos of rare Civil War artifacts from the National Archives.

These events are free and open to the public.  Robin Oliveira's appearances are generously sponsored by Friends of the Moline Public Library and Friends of the Bettendorf Public Library.

# # #

03 Apr 2015

BANDITS ANNOUNCE ANOTHER DECORATED ROSTER

By Marco LaNave
Preliminary roster includes Astros' top 2014 draft signee, eight top-10 round picks, five 2014 All-Stars
DAVENPORT, Iowa (April 1, 2015) - Featuring the top position player and pitcher among the Houston Astros' latest draft class signees, the Quad Cities River Bandits will again have a talent-laden roster when the Midwest League season opens April 9. The Astros and River Bandits on Wednesday announced a preliminary roster that includes Houston's top 2014 draft signee - outfielder Derek Fisher - among eight top-10 round picks, as well as seven returning players, including Moline native infielder Thomas Lindauer.
Over the last two seasons, Quad Cities has graduated eight of the top nine and 15 of the top 30 prospects in the Astros organization, according to Baseball America. Five River Bandits from the last two seasons are already on the Astros' 40-man major league roster. Quad Cities is the only Class-A team to be represented by a current player in each of the last two All-Star Futures Games.
"The Astros have groomed some of baseball's best young talent at Modern Woodmen Park the last two seasons, including 8 of the top 9 prospects within the Astros organization, many of whom will be future stars," said River Bandits owner Dave Heller. "I'm excited for River Bandits fans to again have the opportunity to see the Major League stars of tomorrow here today at Modern Woodmen Park."
Houston's minor league system leads all major league organizations with four championships above the rookie level over the last three seasons, including the River Bandits' 2013 Midwest League Championship. Fifteen players on the River Bandits' preliminary roster played in 2014 for the short-season Class-A Tri-City ValleyCats, who won a third straight division title in 2014 and came within one win of a second consecutive New York-Penn League Championship. Five River Bandits - right-hander Ryan Thompson, catcher Jamie Ritchie, infielder Nick Tanielu, and outfielders Bobby Boyd and Derek Fisher - were 2014 New York-Penn League Midseason All-Stars.
Fisher, a Competitive Balance Round A selection (37th overall) in the 2014 First-Year Players Draft, is set to become the Astros' fourth straight top draft signee - following Carlos Correa (2012) and Mark Appel (2013) in 2013 and George Springer (2011) on a rehab assignment in 2014 - to play in the Quad Cities. After selecting first overall the last three seasons, Houston has the second and fifth overall picks in the June draft.
Seven other 2015 River Bandits were originally drafted in the first 10 rounds. They include the Astros' top two pitching signees from the 2014 draft, right-handers Daniel Mengden (fourth round) and Brock Dykxhoorn (sixth), as well as outfielder Bobby Boyd (eighth), left-hander Brian Radziewski (ninth), catcher Jacob Nottingham (sixth, 2013), right-hander Joe Musgrove (first supplemental round, 2012 by Toronto) and right-hander Kevin Comer (first supplemental round, 2012 by Toronto). MLB.com ranks Fisher (No. 11), Musgrove (No. 16) and Mengden (No. 22) among the Astros' top prospects entering the season.
Returning from appearances with the 2014 River Bandits are Lindauer, who became the first Quad Cities-native in 26 years to play for the Quad Cities Midwest League franchise, as well as Boyd, Comer, outfielder Ryan Bottger, left-handers Chris Lee and Albert Minnis, and right-hander Keegan Yuhl. Minnis and Lee were respectively the River Bandits Pitchers of the Month in July and August last season.
The roster is subject to change prior to the opening game at 7 p.m. April 9 at Dozer Park in Peoria, Ill. Tickets are still available for the River Bandits' home opener against the Clinton LumberKings at 1:15 p.m. Sunday, April 12, at Modern Woodmen Park.
UP NEXT: Registration is still available at riverbandits.com/5k for the April 11 River Bandits Race to Home 5K presented by Palmer Chiropractic Clinics. The race is at 9 a.m. Saturday, April 11. Individual tickets are on sale at the River Bandits box office and online at riverbandits.com. Ticket plans of 12 to 70 games - which include free parking, reserved seats, merchandise discounts, and guaranteed giveaways - are available by calling 563-324-3000.
ABOUT THE BANDITS: The River Bandits ownership in 2014 made one of the biggest improvements to Modern Woodmen Park since the ballpark was first built back in 1931! A new Ferris wheel, standing 105 feet over the playing field, opened May 24, Space Camp opened June 20; the new Drop'N Twist debuted in July; and the newly expanded 300-foot long zip line also reopened.
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