Two Bobblehead Giveaways, Friday Fireworks Show, Senator Harkin Celebration & Appreciation

DAVENPORT, Iowa. (August 14, 2014) - The Quad Cities River Bandits, Class-A affiliate of the Houston Astros, battle the Burlington Bees, Class-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels, in a three-game series from Friday, Aug. 15, through Sunday, Aug. 17.Tickets are still available at riverbandits.com or by calling the box office at (563) 324-3000. Below are the highlights of promotions and events for the homestand.

Rascal's Deal of the Day

The merchandise special for the homestand is a Back to School Sale - All youth apparel, hats and lanyards are 10% off.

Friday, August 15, 7:00 p.m. (Gates open at 5:30 p.m.) Sponsors: Tyson Fresh Meats, Smart Toyota of the Quad Cities, WQAD, & WLLR

- Global Cultural Night presented by Tyson Fresh Meats- A different culture will be highlighted each inning with beer tasting on the concourse.

- City of Davenport Night - The City of Davenport will hold a Kids Ceremony on the field from 6 p.m.-6:20 p.m.

- Organization of the Night: Davenport East Softball Little League - Proceeds from the postgame Zeglin's Charity Ball Toss will benefit Davenport East Softball Little League (http://www.davenporteastsoftball.com).

- Friday Fireworks Show presented by Smart Toyota of the Quad Cities, WQAD & WLLR - All fans will be treated to a free postgame fireworks show.

Saturday, August 16, 6:00 p.m. (Gates open at 4:30 p.m.) Sponsors: John Deere, DHCU, FOX18 & 101.3 KISS-FM

- Modern Woodmen Park Amusements Open -  The Ferris Wheel and other ballpark amusements will be open during the farmer's market from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

- Trevor Rosenthal Bobblehead Giveaway presented by DHCU & FOX18 - The first 1,500 fans will receive a bobblehead of former River Bandit Trevor Rosenthal, who has registered a 2.82 ERA and 38 saves in a three-year career with the St. Louis Cardinals.

- John Deere Night -  John Deere Employees will receive 10% off River Bandits merchandise with a valid John Deere ID/Business Card.

- Weenie Whistles Giveaway - The Kraft Food Wienermobile will giveaway weenie whistles outside of Modern Woodmen Park before the game.

- Organization of the Night: Bandits Scholars - Proceeds from the postgame Zeglin's Charity Ball Toss will benefit the Bandits Scholars Program (http://www.milb.com/content/page.jsp?sid=t565&ymd=20090622&content_id=5466198&vkey=team3).

- Fan Appreciation Saturday presented by 103.1 KISS-FM - There will be tables for a balloon artist and face painter on the concourse.

- MC22 Telecast - Mediacom Connections (MC22) will record a television game broadcast to be re-aired on MC22.

Sunday, August 17, 1:15 p.m. (Gates open at noon) Sponsors: AFSCME, Olympic Steel, KWQC & B100

- Senator Tom Harkin Bobblehead Giveaway presented by AFSCME - The first 1,000 fans will receive a bobblehead of U.S. Senator Tom Harkin, who has announced he will retire following his fifth term as Senator from Iowa and 40th year serving in Congress for Iowa. Senator Harkin and Mayor Gluba will each throw out a first pitch.

- Pirates & Princesses Day - All fans who dress as a pirate or princess will receive $2 off the regular ticket price. Dogs dressed in costume will receive a free berm ticket.

- Kids Club Event - Following the game, River Bandits Kids Club members can have a catch in the outfield!

- Make-A-Wish Day presented by Olympic Steel - There will be a charity beer & wine tasting in the suite level. Sign-up will be available inside the ballpark, with all proceeds going to Make-A-Wish.

- Organization of the Night: Make-A-Wish - Proceeds from the postgame Zeglin's Charity Ball Toss will benefit the Make-A-Wish (http://wish.org).

- Family Sunday presented by KWQC & B100 - The River Bandits will be on the field 12:30-12:45 p.m. for autographs. Fans can also bring their dogs for Bark in the Park. Following the game, Kids Run the Bases.

UP NEXT: A Fireworks Friday kicks off the next homestand, with a 7 p.m. game on City of Davenport Night and Global Cultural Night presented by Tyson Fresh Meats. When gates open at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, the first 1,500 fans receive a Trevor Rosenthal Bobblehead courtesy of DHCU and FOX18. Sunday's 1:15 p.m. game is a Celebration and Appreciation of Senator Tom Harkin for 40 years of service with a bobblehead giveaway for the first 1,000 fans when gates open at noon. Tickets are available at www.riverbandits.com.

ABOUT THE BANDITS: Having just been named Ballpark Digest's winner of Best Ballpark Improvement in America under $1 million, the River Bandits ownership recently 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, and Space Camp opened June 20; the newly expanded 300-foot long zip line has also reopened. In 2013, the team unveiled a new 220-foot long dual zip line, a rock climbing wall, and a number of new bounce houses. Last season, the team's major league affiliate, the Houston Astros, saw all six of its affiliates reach the playoffs - the first time in a decade any MLB team can claim such success. The River Bandits were one of three affiliates to reach the championship round and one of two to win their league championship.

Braley's statement on Social Security's 79th anniversary

Washington, D.C. - Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) today released the following statement on the 79th anniversary of the Social Security program.

"Social Security is one of the most important, effective programs in American history?it's significantly reduced poverty among seniors and ensured a basic safety net for generations. I'm committed to protecting it for the Iowans who rely on it today and the Iowans who will rely on it in the future."

Over 450,000 Iowa seniors received Social Security benefits in 2013.

Loebsack Applauds 79th Anniversary of Social Security; Vows to Protect Social Security from Privatization

Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressman Loebsack marked the 79th anniversary of the enactment of Social Security and released the following statement.  The Social Security Act was signed into law by President Franklin Roosevelt on August 14, 1935.

"For years, Social Security has provided Americans with the promise of economic security in retirement.  As someone who was raised in poverty by my grandmother who relied on Social Security survivors benefits to put food on the table for my siblings and me, I know how vital this initiative is for both seniors and their families.

"That is why I staunchly oppose efforts to privatize Social Security and end the guarantee to seniors that a lifetime of work will be rewarded with the peace of mind, certainty, and sense of security of a stable retirement.  Remembering what it was like to sit around the table and wonder how to pay the bills each month, I firmly believe that no senior should face the possibility of retiring into poverty.  We must keep the promise that we have made to our seniors."

Visits Chicago Manufacturer to Announce State's Unemployment Rate Dropped to 6.8 Percent in July with 11,200 Private Sector Jobs Added

CHICAGO - As Illinois' unemployment rate fell to its lowest point since August 2008, Governor Pat Quinn today visited Wheatland Tube, the largest pipe and conduit manufacturer in North America, to discuss the state's ongoing economic comeback. Illinois' unemployment rate dropped to 6.8 percent in July, its lowest level since August 2008. Wheatland Tube is among many Illinois businesses that are adding new jobs to the state's workforce and fueling the economic recovery. Today's event is part of the Governor's agenda to create jobs and drive Illinois' economy forward.

"Illinois' comeback is going strong and we've got more work to do," Governor Quinn said. "Illinois manufacturers like Wheatland are helping to drive our economy forward by creating good jobs and supporting local communities across the state. Today's news that unemployment has dropped to its lowest level in nearly six years is further proof that we are heading in the right direction."

Illinois' unemployment rate declined in July to 6.8 percent from June's 7.1 percent, according to data released earlier today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Illinois Department of Employment Security. During July, 11,200 new private sector jobs were added, including 3,900 manufacturing jobs. The state's unemployment rate has fallen steadily since July 2013, when it stood at 9.2 percent, and has completed its steepest 12-month decline of 2.4 percentage points since August 1984. Since February 2010, Illinois has added 263,100 private sector jobs.

As part of his agenda to drive the state's economy forward, Governor Quinn has taken unprecedented steps to support Illinois' manufacturers, which supports jobs in service industries and sends Illinois products worldwide. His signature effort in the field of manufacturing was a $16 million investment in the Digital Manufacturing and Design Innovation Institute on Chicago's Goose Island. The institute is a venture of UI Labs that will connect manufacturers to the latest tools and knowledge.

Since taking office in 2009, Governor Quinn has enacted worker's compensation reform and unemployment insurance reform to make Illinois a better place to do business. Other major fiscal reforms such as pension reform and Medicaid restructuring are restoring fiscal stability to Illinois. Today Governor Quinn is pushing a new tax cut for businesses that provide job training. Lowering cost to train workers will make it easier for businesses to create new jobs and will ensure workers have the skills to drive a 21st century economy.

Wheatland Tube, a division of JMC Steel Group, began processing steel in Pennsylvania in 1931. Its Chicago facility began operation in 1969. The manufacturer of standard steel pipe, fence framework, fire sprinkler pipe, electrical conduit and mechanical tube employs 211 people at its Western Ave. plant but expects that number to increase by 10 percent over the next 12 months. In addition, Wheatland hired 51 new employees in 2013. Illinois is also home to Atlas Tube, a division of JMC Steel Group and the JMC Steel Group headquarters in Chicago. JMC Steel employs 300 people at the two locations.

"We are excited to have several of our largest tubing facilities located in Chicago," Jim Hays , Wheatland President of Electrical, Fence and Mechanical Tube, said. "Our Illinois location is central to multiple modes of transportation that allows us to move material economically through America. With support from the state, we have hired a diverse labor pool with the skill sets required to support all levels of our organization."

Wheatland Tube has received approximately $66,000 in Employer Training Investment Program (ETIP) funds that will help enhance the skills of its workforce. JMC received approximately $200,000 in state job-training this year to conduct a second round of industrial maintenance and advanced electrical maintenance training. The advanced training has helped current employees to improve their skills in key electrical and mechanical areas.