We are in need of volunteers for the upcoming NAFA World Series beginning August 7, 2014.

Please click the link below to sign-up as a volunteer:

http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0548afad2ca1fe3-nafa

Volunteer slots are located at either Green Valley Park in Moline or Campbell Park in Rock Island.

Benefits of volunteering:

• FREE Volunteer T-Shirt

• FREE Tournament Entry

• Involvement in a fastpitch tournament with elite players from around the world

If you have questions, please contact me at (309) 736-6825.

Thanks in advance for your help!

*Moline Parks & Rec is also seeking volunteers for an ASA U16 Northern Nationals starting July 31, 2014 at Green Valley Park, the sign-up for that tournament is: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0548a5af23a64-2014
Quad Cities outhits Kane County, 15-12, but only brings tying run to bat in 9-5 rubber-match loss

DAVENPORT, Iowa (July 11, 2014) - Kane County Cougars third baseman Jeimer Candelario hit a three-run double in the first inning to spur his team to an 8-0 lead by the sixth inning, and he added his first Midwest League home run for a 9-2 Cougars lead, and the Quad Cities River Bandits' late rally fell short in a 9-5 loss to the visitors in front of 5,525 at Modern Woodmen Park Thursday night.

Candelario came to bat with the bases loaded and one out in the first inning after singles by second baseman Ben Carhart and left fielder Kyle Schwarber and a walk by first baseman Jacob Rogers. On an 0-1 pitch from right-hander Kevin Comer (1-2), Candelario hit a line drive down the left-field line, clearing the bases for a 3-0 Kane County lead.

The Cougars (14-5 second half, 59-30 overall) kept the same lead until the top of the fourth inning, when right fielder Kevin Brown led off hit his second home run in his first three Midwest League games to right field. With two outs, shortstop Carlos Penalver hit an infield single, went to third base on center fielder Jake Hannemann's single, and scored on Carhart's RBI single. Comer lasted four innings and was charged with five runs - five earned - on eight hits and two walks with two strikeouts for Quad Cities (11-9, 46-43).

Cougars starter Juan Paniagua (6-3) allowed a first-inning double by second baseman Dayne Parker, who was picked off second base. River Bandits first baseman Tyler White and designated hitter Ronnie Mitchell each singled to begin the second inning before a strikeout and double play ended without a run scoring. White totaled three hits thursday, while Mitchell had a career-high four. Quad Cities outhit Quad Cities, 15-12, and had at least one hit in every inning but went 4-for-18 with runners in scoring position and left 13 runners on base.

River Bandits right-hander Adrian Houser began the top of the fifth inning with a 5-0 deficit. He pitched one scoreless inning before Kane County extended its lead in the top of the sixth inning. Houser hit catcher Cael Brockmeyer to open the inning and walked Penalver with one out. Hannemann then doubled down the left-field line to score Brockmeyer, and Carhart's two-runs single extended the lead to 8-0.

In the bottom of the sixth inning, River Bandits center fielder James Ramsay hit a leadoff triple, and White drew a two-out walk to chase Paniagua, who went 5 2/3 innings, allowing six hits and three walks while striking out five batters. Paniagua was charged with two earned runs when Mitchell hit a two-run double to left-center field on the first pitch from right-hander Michael Wagner to cut the deficit to 8-2.

Trailing, 9-2, after Candelario's home run in the seventh inning off Houser, the River Bandits made noise against Wagner in the eighth inning. White and Mitchell hit consecutive singles to end Wagner's night after 1 1/3 innings, and left fielder Jose Fernandez singled off right-hander Corbin Hoffner. Catcher Brian Holberton grounded into a fielder's choice, and consecutive walks by third baseman Marc Wik and shortstop Thomas Lindauer made it 9-4. But Hoffner got Ramsay to pop out to third base and Parker to fly to left field to keep it 9-4.

In the ninth inning, Hoffner allowed White's one-out double, Mitchell's single, and Fernandez's RBI single to cut the gap to 9-5. Right-hander Jose Arias entered to walk Holberton and bring the tying run to the plate. But Wik struck out after an eight-pitch battle, and pinch hitter Jon Kemmer grounded out to second base to end the game and leave the bases loaded with River Bandits for a second straight inning.

Quad Cities opens its last scheduled four-game road series of the season at Wisconsin at 7:05 p.m. Friday.

UP NEXT: The River Bandits open a six-game homestand with Eastern Division opponents at 7 p.m. Wednesday on Quad Cities Builders & Remodelers Association and Epic Stone Night and a Pay Your Bill Wednesday presented by U.S. Bank, CBS WHBF and Mix 96. Tickets are available at www.riverbandits.com. To order any of the River Bandits 2014 ticket plans - with new lower prices - call the River Bandits box office at 563-324-3000. Season ticket and mini-plan packages start at just seven games and begin at less than $40. Call a River Bandits account representative today to choose your seats and get the details of our various mini-plan packages.

The Freight House Farmers' Market is temporarily relocated to the Scott Co. Administrative Building parking lot at 400 West 4th Street in downtown Davenport, just a couple of blocks north of the Centennial Bridge.  Hours for the July 12th market is 8am until 1pm. See you there!

CHICAGO - Lt. Governor Sheila Simon will support a global approach to protecting the rights of seniors in an address Friday to human rights lawyers in Chicago.

"Elder rights are human rights," Simon said. "I support a cooperative, international approach to protecting our aging populations from abuse, neglect and indignity. I commend the hosts of this conference for leading the way."

Simon will be among the advocates and experts from around the world to speak about the challenges faced by the world's elderly population during the 2014 International Elder Law and Policy Conference at John Marshall Law School. Two billion people will be over age 60 by 2050, nearly 22 percent of the world's population, according to the World Health Organization.

John Marshall and conference co-hosts Roosevelt University, and East China University of Political Science and Law are using the conference to unveil a Chicago Declaration on the Rights of Older Persons. The model declaration promotes equal participation in civil, political, economic, social and cultural life in developing and developed countries.

Simon, a former Jackson County prosecutor and founder of a domestic violence legal clinic at Southern Illinois University, is scheduled to speak on a panel regarding advocacy and access to justice alongside legal professionals from Cook County and China.

She said technology is one key to legal access. The Virtual Legal Clinic, established by her office for rural domestic violence shelters, can connect disadvantaged populations with legal experts online for free.

TIME: 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

DATE: Friday, July 11

LOCATION: John Marshall Law School, 315 S. Plymouth Ct., Chicago

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Financial Experts Explain When It's OK to Play It Safe -
and When It's Not

As people get closer to the age when they hope to retire, traditional wisdom calls for moving into more conservative - safer - investments, such as Treasury bonds and many fixed-income mutual funds.

"The problem is, what is 'safe' for one person may not be 'safe' for another, given the amount of money in their portfolios, how their investments are allocated, and what their retirement lifestyle goals are," says  financial advisor Haitham "Hutch" Ashoo, co-founder with advisor Chris Snyder of Pillar Wealth Management, LLC, (www.pillarwm.com).

"Some investors believe Certificates of Deposit and U.S. Treasury bonds are safe investments because of their backing, but the income they generate is so low, they may not be safe in terms of producing the income you need for 30 years of retirement."

A better approach is to analyze how much investment risk you must assume to achieve what's important to you, says Snyder.

"Your lifestyle goals determine your risk level, and your portfolio should be an allocation of stocks, bonds and cash that correlates directly with the risk level you need to assume."

Snyder and Ashoo, co-authors of "Four Factors The Affluent Must Know To Avoid Financial Disaster And Secure Their Dreams," available as a free download at(www.pillarwm.com), offer these tips for building a portfolio you likely won't outlive:

•  Don't aim for earning a certain percentage rate simply because you consider it an acceptable one.

Once you've identified your retirement lifestyle wants and needs, you can calculate how much they'll cost. Subtract your guaranteed income from sources like Social Security and pensions, and the remainder is what your portfolio will need to generate, adjusted for inflation, for the rest of your life, Ashoo says.

"Setting a goal of earning a 5, 6 or 8 percent return doesn't work because the markets fluctuate each year and are unpredictable," he says. "It's better to evaluate inflows and outflows during retirement and adjust for inflation. That process helps determine how much money you'll need at certain points in your life, and the returns you'll need."

•  Market timing and chasing hot managers is not the way to build a lasting, long-term portfolio.

Modern Portfolio Theory, developed by Nobel Prize-winner Harry Markowitz, tells us that 90 percent of the return in your portfolio is based on the allocation of stocks, bonds and cash, Snyder says.

"The percentages you allocate between these asset classes is far more important than timing the market or chasing around for the number one fund," he says. "Wall Street prefers you spend your time focused on the wrong thing.

•  Don't automatically spend when your portfolio earnings exceed expectations.

When your portfolio is growing at a rate that gives you a good amount of confidence you won't outlive your money, are you safe to spend more when gains exceed your expectations?

"Everyone has different priorities - some may want to increase spending to enhance their lifestyle while others may take the opportunity to lower their risk even more, so they can sleep better at night," Ashoo says.

He and Snyder say clients in that situation this year have responded in varying ways. Some have paid down mortgages with the extra money, moved up their plans to retire, traveled more or lowered their portfolio risk.

"What you need to remember is that gains can be taken away as quickly as they appeared," Snyder says.

About Haitham "Hutch" Ashoo and Chris Snyder

Haitham "Hutch" Ashoo and Chris Snyder are co-founders of Pillar Wealth Management LLC, (www.pillarwm.com), of Walnut Creek, Calif., specializing in customized wealth management advice to affluent families. Their unique five-step consultative process for new clients ensures they have a deep understanding of clients' goals. With a combined 51 years of experience, they are the authors of numerous published works, have addressed thousands of investors nationwide, and have been interviewed on radio shows across the country.

Visits Chloe Stirling at Culinary Camp to Highlight Illinois' Status as a Premiere Food Destination

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today announced that Illinois had its third consecutive record-breaking year for tourism by welcoming nearly 105.7 million visitors in 2013. The Governor made the announcement during a visit with Chloe Stirling at the Kendall College Culinary Camp in Chicago where the 12-year-old entrepreneur is perfecting her baking skills along with other young culinary students. Today's event is part of Governor Quinn's agenda to increase tourism, create jobs and drive economic development throughout Illinois.

"It is inspiring to see so many culinary students like Chloe sharpening their talents in the kitchen," Governor Quinn said. "Many of our state's young students are taking their energy and creativity to grow vibrant culinary businesses, which has helped established Illinois as a food destination. We continue to see record numbers of visitors in the state thanks in large part to our excellent restaurant industry. From our state's natural treasures to our museums and one-of-a-kind dining experiences, tourism is thriving in the Land of Lincoln."

In addition to the record setting number of U.S. visitors to Illinois, the state welcomed nearly 2.2 million international visitors in 2013, up 3 percent from the previous year. One of the strongest growth sectors in 2013 was leisure travel, up 5.7 percent from 2012. Visitors spent $34.5 billion in Illinois in 2013, generating nearly $2.6 billion in state and local tax revenues.

In addition, the Illinois tourism industry workforce also grew to 301,100 in 2013, adding 2,400 new jobs to the state. These impressive numbers, provided by D.K. Shifflet & Associates Ltd., highlight the tourism industry's vital contributions to Illinois' economic growth, job creation and tax revenue.

"The positive growth numbers showcase the key role the tourism industry plays in Illinois' economy," Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) Director Adam Pollet said. "Attracting more visitors to Illinois has resulted in an increase in tax revenue coming into the state and added new high-quality jobs for Illinoisans."

The Governor today also announced that Kendall College will, for the first time ever, partner with the Illinois Office of Tourism, a division of DCEO, to help plan the Governor's Conference on Travel and Tourism. Planning and promotion for the conference, which will run from Feb. 2-4, 2015, will be built into the curriculum for Kendall hospitality management students who will work alongside state tourism industry leaders to gain hands-on experience.

"The continued increase in U.S. and international visitors to Illinois year-over-year proves that both leisure and business travelers are increasingly considering Illinois as a premier travel destination," Illinois Office of Tourism Deputy Director Jen Hoelzle said. "Our strong international marketing partnership with Brand USA and new initiatives to reach domestic travelers, like the MiniAbe campaign, are inspiring travelers from around the world to discover all that Illinois has to offer."

Many travelers come to Illinois or extend their stays because of the state's thriving restaurant and culinary scene. The Chicago area, for example, hosts 25 Michelin-starred restaurants and 10 that have won a James Beard Award, the industry's highest accolade.

Overall, restaurants account for 515,600 jobs in Illinois, about 9 percent of the state's employment.

The Governor visited Chloe and her parents at their Troy home last month to sign legislation, known as the "Cupcake Bill," to support home kitchen businesses in Illinois. The new law will help young entrepreneurs looking to get into the culinary field by making business opportunities more available and help drive the state's economy forward. Chloe, her mother, Heather, her sister, Sophie and her grandparents all visited the Kendall College camp today.

Kendall College in Chicago hosts a series of hands-on summer culinary camps designed for young students and taught by qualified Kendall instructors at the school's state-of-the-art campus. For more information, visit: kendall.edu.

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"All Classes" St. Katharine's-St. Mark's, RIVERMONT COLLEGIATE Alumni reunion to mark the 130th anniversary of the founding school

 

Saturday, August 2nd, 2014

1p.m.-5p.m.

RIVERMONT COLLEGIATE, 1821 Sunset Drive, Bettendorf, IA

(For any alumni that attended St. Katharine's School, St. Katharine's-St. Marks School or RIVERMONT COLLEGIATE on that campus)

 

Sunday, August 3rd, 2014

1p.m.-5p.m.

Renwick Mansion, 901 Tremont Avenue in Davenport, IA

(For any alumni that attended classes at St. Katharine's-St. Marks School at that location)

 

Additional Details:

Both events will feature an open house, displays of memorabilia, and refreshments will be provided.

Alumni may attend either or both events.

Reservations are $20 per person and must be received by July 28th. For more information or to make reservations please go the Alumni tab at www.rivermontcollegiate.org or  connect Rod Ossowski at (563) 359-1366 ext. 314 or at ossowski@rvmt.org

Congressman: 'Our commitment to America's veterans needs to match the commitment they've made to us'

Washington, D.C. - Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) today joined a bipartisan group in introducing comprehensive legislation designed to address the escalating rate of suicide among America's veterans?the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act.

"The suicide rate among America's veterans represents a national crisis," Braley said. "This legislation won't solve the problem overnight?but it will get more resources where they're desperately needed. Our commitment to America's veterans needs to match the commitment they've made to us, especially when it comes to this issue."

 

The bill is named after Clay Hunt, a decorated Marine combat veteran, who took his own life in 2011 after serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The act contains a host of provisions which include sections that would:

 

  • Require an independent third party to annually evaluate the Department of Defense and Veterans Affairs mental health care and suicide prevention programs.

·         Require that a board of review, when looking at an appeal of a veteran who was discharged, must consider in their final decision if a veteran had Post Traumatic Stress or a Traumatic Brain Injury related to combat or military sexual trauma with evidence provided by the VA or civilian providers.

·         Require the VA to publish an interactive website designed to serve as a centralized source of information regarding all mental health services.

·         Require the VA and the National Guard to enter into partnerships in order to improve mental health treatment for servicemembers.

·         Require a review of staffing requirements for states with respect to Directors of Psychological Health.

·         Create a VA pilot program to assist veterans who are reintegrating back into the community, to assist with the difficult and unique challenges they face.

In April, Braley hosted a series of roundtables around the state listening to experts and veterans service organizations to discuss the high level of post-traumatic stress and high suicide rates that have been reported for servicemembers returning from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Braley has championed the Veterans Access to Care Act, legislation that seeks to expand veterans' access to quality healthcare by helping the Veterans Administration and state veterans' homes recruit more highly-qualified doctors, nurses, and mental health providers to provide services to America's veterans.

A link to Braley's legislation can be found online HERE.

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Congressman releases survey ahead of impending cuts to Social Security Administration services

Washington, D.C. - Days after sending a letter to administration officials demanding answers on Social Security service cuts, Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) today is calling on Iowans to share their experiences with Iowa Social Security Administration offices as he continues his push to delay the cuts to the essential services that 11 million Americans?including many Iowa seniors?used just last year. Braley will share the comments he receives with the Social Security Administration (SSA).

"It's important the Social Security Administration knows that Iowans are paying attention and aren't going to sit around while these important services disappear without warning or a single penny saved," Braley said. "Tens of thousands of Iowans use these services and the Social Security Administration needs to hear exactly how those Iowans are going to be affected."

 

Iowans are encouraged to go to braley.house.gov to share their experiences and take a survey about their experience utilizing services at Social Security Administration field offices.

Beginning August 2014, SSA will no longer issue Social Security number printouts in its field offices.  In addition, beginning October 2014, SSA field offices will stop providing benefit verification letters, except in emergency situations.  Many seniors rely on these verification letters for a variety of services. Those requesting this information would be able to do so only online or over the phone. Last year alone, 11 million Americans used SSA offices to request this information.

Iowa's 19 SSA field offices are located in Cedar Rapids, Decorah, Dubuque, Marshalltown, Waterloo, Burlington, Coralville, Davenport, Ottumwa, Council Bluffs, Creston, Des Moines, Ames, Carroll, Ft. Dodge, Mason City, Sioux City, Spencer, and Storm Lake.

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

Braley's Seniors' Access to Social Security Act would prevent those cuts for one year, during which time Braley will seek verification that the proposed service cuts will not adversely affect Iowa's seniors and will save taxpayers money.

This week, Braley wrote a letter to SSA Commissioner Carolyn Colvin asking her to provide a series of answers about the proposed cuts, including whether an analysis of cost savings has been done and if public input was solicited prior to the proposed cuts. Braley also sought information from Colvin on how Iowans seeking these services would be informed of cuts.

In June, Braley joined a Congressional push to prevent the elimination of the SSA services in a letter to the head of the SSA, noting that it's vital that seniors be able to receive these services in person especially given that telephone wait times for SSA services have risen drastically in the last year, and that many seniors lack internet access.

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Plan includes using electronic poll books for check-in

DES MOINES, Iowa - Today, Brad Anderson, candidate for Iowa Secretary of State, releases his plan to strengthen the integrity of the caucuses and keep Iowa first in the nation. 

The caucuses are, and must remain strictly a party function run independently by the Republican Party of Iowa and the Iowa Democratic Party.  This ensures we will maintain our special relationship with New Hampshire and our first in the nation status with the two national parties.

Although there is no formal role the state should play in the caucuses, given the importance of the caucuses in the nomination process, as well as to Iowa's reputation and economy, there are ways the next Iowa Secretary of State can be supportive to keep Iowa first in the nation.

"I commend both parties for exploring ways to increase participation in the caucuses," said Anderson. "I believe any caucus reforms should include measures to strengthen the integrity of the caucuses to further ensure only eligible Iowa voters are participating. The technology exists to strengthen caucus integrity, shorten lines and modernize the check-in process, and the Secretary of State's office can play a vital role in assisting the parties by providing technical support and quality data. Given the record participation we saw in the caucuses in 2008, the time has come to utilize 21st Century innovation such as electronic poll books to accommodate the tremendous interest in the Iowa caucuses."

ANDERSON PLAN TO STRENGTHEN CAUCUS INTEGRITY AND KEEP IOWA FIRST IN THE NATION:
  • ENCOURAGE AND SUPPORT USE OF ELECTRONIC POLL BOOKS FOR CAUCUS CHECK-IN: Strengthening the integrity of the caucuses should be a top priority for both parties.  In the age of Twitter, any perceived impropriety could be tweeted, re-tweeted and become viral in a matter of minutes.  Both parties should utilize 21st Century solutions to ensure only eligible caucus-goers are attending and participating in the process. The days of printing out reams of paper with outdated lists of eligible caucus-goers for volunteers to reference during the cumbersome check-in process must come to an end. Parties should be encouraged to utilize electronic poll book technology that would provide up-to-date lists and allow Iowans to check-in electronically. I believe the next Secretary of State should work with each of the parties to develop and support an affordable, efficient and effective electronic poll book that would allow caucus participants to easily check-in and allow volunteers to immediately confirm eligibility. Utilizing existing technology to develop a caucus poll book will increase the speed of development and cut down on cost for the parties.

  • MAINTAIN OPEN DIALOGUE WITH NEW HAMPSHIRE SECRETARY OF STATE: For decades Iowa has had a productive, working relationship with New Hampshire Secretary of State Bill Gardner. Maintaining this relationship must be a priority for Iowa's next Secretary of State. As Iowa Republicans and Democrats search for ways to increase participation and strengthen the integrity of the process, we must continue to engage New Hampshire and the national parties to ensure the caucuses remain a true caucus and adhere to the spirit and guidelines of the nomination calendar.
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