11 Jul 2014

SIMS QUIETS COUGARS, LIFTS BANDITS TO WIN

By Marco LaNave
Despite being outhit, 11-6, Quad Cities picks up its sixth win in eight July games

DAVENPORT, Iowa (July 9, 2014) - Quad Cities River Bandits left-hander Blaine Sims held the Kane County Cougars to one run in 5 2/3 innings to win his Midwest League debut, and right-handers Tyler Brunnemann and Andrew Walter combined to finish the 3-1 win for the home team in front of 2,727 at Modern Woodmen Park Wednesday night.

After earning a win for the first time in exactly two years Saturday, Sims (1-0) won consecutive outings for the first time in his six-season professional career. He allowed eight hits and three walks while striking out three batters in his longest start since July 16, 2011, when he pitched six innings for a win with the Lynchburg Hillcats, the Atlanta Braves Class-A Advanced affiliate in the Carolina League.

Kane County (13-5 second half, 58-30 overall) threatened to score in the first inning against Sims, who recorded one out before a single by designated hitter Ben Carhart and consecutive walks to catcher Kyle Schwarber and first baseman Cael Brockmeyer. But third baseman Jeimer Candelario lined to first baseman Chase McDonald, who stepped on first base for the inning-ending double play to keep the 0-0 tie.

Quad Cities (11-8, 46-42) took its first lead of the series in the second inning against Cougars right-hander Daury Torrez (9-4). McDonald and right fielder Ronnie Mitchell lined consecutive singles to center field, and designated hitter Brian Holberton grounded an RBI single to center field that scored McDonald. Catcher Brett Booth singled home Mitchell for a 2-0 lead.

The River Bandits added to the lead in the fourth inning, as third baseman Tyler White hit a leadoff double, Holberton singled and Torrez hit Booth with a pitch to load the bases. With one out, left fielder Marc Wik hit a sacrifice fly to center field, scoring White for a 3-0 lead. The three runs against Torrez were the first earned runs against him in four second-half starts. He allowed six hits and walked one batter while striking out five in five innings. Two of his four losses this season have come against Quad Cities.

Sims allowed at least one hit in each of the first six innings, but did not allow a run through the first five. He picked off Cougars right fielder Kevin Brown after a second-inning single, and Booth threw out center fielder Trey Martin trying to steal after a single in the third.

The Cougars outhit the River Bandits, 11-6, but did not reach the scoreboard until the sixth inning, when Schwarber hit a leadoff double, advanced to third base on Brockmeyer's flyout to center field and scored on Candelario's single into center field. Sims left after a two-out walk put the tying run at first base, but Brunnemann came in to get shortstop Carlos Penalver on an inning-ending flyout to right field.

Brunnemann allowed a seventh-inning single by left fielder Shawon Dunston Jr. but picked him off first base. With one out in the eighth inning, Brockmeyer singled, and Candelario doubled to right field, putting the tying run at second base. But Brunnemann struck out second baseman David Bote and got Brown to fly out. Walter finished a 1-2-3 ninth inning by fanning Dunston for his eighth save.

Quad Cities will seek to hand Kane County its first second-half series loss in the rubber match at 7 p.m. Thursday at Modern Woodmen Park. River Bandits right-hander Kevin Comer (1-1) is scheduled to face Cougars right-hander Juan Paniagua (5-3).

11 Jul 2014

Loebsack's SECTORS Provisions Pass House, Head to President

By Randy Stalsberg

Jobs legislation was incorporated in reauthorization of Workforce Investment Act

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack released the following statement today after large portions of the SECTORS Act, legislation he introduced to close the gap between the kinds of skills that workers have and skills that businesses need, passed the House. HR 803, the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WOIA), is designed to improve the nation's workforce development system. The legislation, which already passed the Senate on an overwhelming bipartisan vote, now heads to the President for his signature. Video of Loebsack discussing his SECTORS Act on the House floor can be found here.

"The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WOIA) is critical to our nation's economic recovery, and I am pleased that it was passed with truly bipartisan support. I am also pleased that this bill contains large portions of the SECTORS Act that will close the gap between the kinds of skills that workers have and the skills that businesses need. The sector partnerships created by this bill will get people back to work and move our economy forward."

Loebsack's SECTORS Act links together businesses, labor organizations, local stakeholders, and education and training providers connected to a particular industry. These partnerships work to develop or implement plans for growing or saving that targeted industry, promoting long-term competitiveness and advancing employment opportunities for workers. The inclusion of the legislation will ensure employees on the local level are properly trained so they can effectively compete in the 21st Century global economy. Loebsack first introduced the SECTORS Act in 2009 and the House of Representatives unanimously passed it in 2010. While it was not taken up in the Senate at that time, Loebsack has continued to fight for its passage.

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11 Jul 2014

Gov. Branstad takes additional action related to ongoing weather events

By Office of the Governor of the State of Iowa

Issues disaster proclamation for seven counties, temporarily suspends certain transportation weight restrictions, asks FEMA to conduct damage assessment

(DES MOINES)  - Today, Gov. Terry E. Branstad issued a proclamation of disaster emergency for seven counties in response to the ongoing flooding and severe weather beginning June 26, 2014, temporarily lifted certain transportation weight restrictions and requested the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to conduct assessments in 20 counties impacted by the June 26 and continuing storms.

The counties included in today's disaster proclamation are Audubon, Grundy, Ida, Jasper, Keokuk, Poweshiek and Washington. The governor's proclamation allows State resources to be utilized to respond to and recover from the effects of these storms.

Also today, Gov. Branstad issued a proclamation of disaster emergency to temporarily suspend Iowa Department of Transportation weight restrictions in Plymouth and Sioux counties.

The proclamation will temporarily lift certain transportation restrictions on the movement of loads related to the repair of damage sustained to the railroad operated by D & I Railroad and owned by the State of South Dakota. The damage was caused by the June 14, 2014, and continuing severe storms. The suspension of weight provisions applies to loads transported on Iowa Highway 3, Iowa Highway 10 and Iowa Highway 12 in Plymouth and Sioux counties and excludes other Iowa roadways and interstate systems. D & I Railroad provides shipping service to multiple area companies, including agriculture and ethanol producers.

In addition, the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEMD) made a request today to FEMA to conduct damage assessments in 20 counties impacted by the June 26 and continuing storms. The damage assessments, which will primarily cover public infrastructure, will be conducted jointly by FEMA, HSEMD and local officials. Results of the damage assessments could be used to determine if a request for a Presidential Disaster Declaration is warranted. Damage assessments will be conducted in the following counties: Audubon, Black Hawk, Butler, Cedar, Des Moines, Grundy, Hamilton, Hardin, Ida, Iowa, Jackson, Jasper, Johnson, Jones, Lee, Linn, Louisa, Mahaska, Muscatine and Poweshiek.

This is the fourth such request that HSEMD has made to FEMA to conduct damage assessments as a result of June severe weather.

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11 Jul 2014

Discover the Advantages of Mediation and Arbitration for Your Business

By Mark McLaughlin
IA/IL QUAD-CITIES - Conflict has always been a part of life. It occurs at home and at work and no one is immune from its effects. Having to deal with a disagreement is a frustrating experience that most would wish to avoid - but if some form of resolution cannot be agreed upon, the problem may lead to court, prolonging the dispute and adding in legal expenses.

At the next Idea Lab program, "The Advantages of Mediation and Arbitration for Your Business," presenter James E. Slavens, Founder of New Era Mediation Arbitration, will discuss the benefits of mediation and/or arbitration and how this process may prove helpful the next time you must face a difficult dispute. The Idea Lab, a division of Results Marketing, offers live learning experiences in the Quad-Cities.
"The Advantages of Mediation and Arbitration for Your Business" will be held as a Lunch & Learn program from 12 to 1 p.m., July 18, at DHCU Community Credit Union, 1900 52nd Ave., Moline, IL. Admission is $15 and the event will include a catered Chick-fil-A meal. Attendees can select from a Chick-fil-A chicken sandwich meal, a veggie-wrap meal, or for one dollar more, a Grilled Chicken Market Salad.
Key areas of Slavens' mediation expertise include business issues, family businesses, labor/management, employment discrimination, custody issues, divorce, civil litigation and personal injury.
"Slavens will discuss various types of mediation and arbitration and tell when and how these methods of conflict resolution can prove most effective," said Todd Ashby, Managing Partner of Results Marketing. "Not all problems can be solved through mediation/arbitration, but this is an option well worth exploring whenever conflicts arise in one's business or personal life."
"When working with New Era clients, my preferred mediation style has been a collaborative problem-solving approach," Slavens said. "This approach encompasses more than just giving advice. In this hands-on technique, the mediator works as a team with the entire group of interested parties involved in a dispute. The mediator then takes the participants through an effective, multi-phase process so that the team can discover the best solution and act upon it."
For more information on the event or to register, please call Les Flesher at 563-322-2065 or email  Les@resultsimc.com. Feel free to follow the Idea Lab on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Idealabqc.

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11 Jul 2014

NAMI GMV Announces New Board President

By Randy Stalsberg

NAMI Greater Mississippi Valley announces Board President, Max Ewalt, has stepped down as of June 10, 2014.  Max has served NAMI GMV as Board President for five years. He began work as President of the Board of Directors in 2009 when the organization was still named NAMI Scott County and has been instrumental in facilitating our merger with NAMI Rock Island County to become a NAMI of the Greater Mississippi Valley. NAMI GMV now serves the Iowa/Illinois Quad Cities and outlying areas, including Scott, Clinton, and Muscatine counties in Iowa and Rock Island, Mercer and Henry counties in Illinois.

The Board of Directors and members of NAMI Greater Mississippi Valley expresses their sincere appreciation to Max for his 5 years of service, dedication, and leadership.

NAMI Greater Mississippi Valley is proud to announce that Michael Freda, the former Vice President of the organization, has been confirmed as the new Board President of our local affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness.  He has assumed these duties as of our annual meeting on June 10, 2014.

Michael brings extensive experience and leadership to guide the organization forward into the future.

Michael shares, "Over the next 2 years we hope to build a strong bi-state board, continue to expand NAMI's education and support programs into Rock Island and Muscatine, and increase our advocacy efforts by working with local service providers, our legislators and the Statewide affiliates."

11 Jul 2014

Students and Volunteers still needed for QCESC Engineering Kids Camp

By Pat Barnes
There is Still Time to Register and Volunteer for the 6th Annual QCESC Engineering Kids Camp July 21-25

Registration for students and volunteers will continue to be accepted as long as there is space available.  Feel free to forward this information to others that might be interested in attending.  Last year 375 students attended the camp.

The 6th annual QCESC Engineering Kids Camp will be held on July 21 - July 25,  2014 at the Putnam Museum in Davenport.  The camp is a collaboration between the non-profit  Quad City Engineering and Science Council, the Putnam Museum and the Iowa State University College of Engineering who design and lead the camp.  Each one day camp will include three, fun educational hand-on activities including LEGO robotics with challenges for various student experience levels with the students learning side by side with local engineering & STEM Professionals.  The camp includes the 3D big screen movie Mysteries of the Unseen World along with a camp t-shirt and lunch.  This year the camp will leverage the Putnam's new STEM Learning Center including the brand new, FabLab.

Schedule for Individual One Day Camps:

  • Monday, July 21 - students going into grades 4-6th
  • Tuesday, July 22 - students going into grades 4-6th
  • Wednesday, July 23 - students going into grades 2-3rd (Sold Out - Wait List)
  • Thursday, July 24 - students going into 4-8th grade (girls only)
  • Friday, July 25 - students going into grades 7-8

Link for further information including registering students and volunteering.

Volunteers will have an opportunity to share their skills, talents, and passion and positively impact the life of local students.  Beyond personnel satisfaction, the experience can provide volunteers personal and professional development, as well as leadership-building opportunities.

 

11 Jul 2014

Iowa students named to University of Kansas honor roll

By Christy Little
LAWRENCE – Approximately 4,600 undergraduate students at the University of Kansas earned honor roll distinction for the spring 2014 semester.

The students, from KU's Lawrence campus and the schools of Health Professions and Nursing in Kansas City, Kan., represent 94 of 105 Kansas counties, 43 other states and 38 other countries.

The honor roll comprises undergraduates who meet requirements in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and in the schools of Architecture, Design & Planning; Business; Education; Engineering; Health Professions; Journalism; Music; Nursing; Pharmacy; and Social Welfare.

 

Honor roll criteria vary among the university's academic units. Some schools honor the top 10 percent of students enrolled, some establish a minimum grade-point average and others raise the minimum GPA for each year students are in school. Students must complete a minimum number of credit hours to be considered for the honor roll.
Students also are listed online by state and city in pdf format.
Sarah Marnin, Ames, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Katherine Whiteman, Bettendorf, School of Architecture, Design & Planning
Michael Solomon, Boone, School of Music
Kasey Shriver, Carson, School of Education
GraceAnne Hoyer, Cedar Falls, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Andrew Kloos, Cedar Falls, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Cara Strike, Cedar Falls, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Catheryn Cooper, Cedar Rapids, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Erin Higgins, Cedar Rapids, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Kailee Karr, Cedar Rapids, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Madelynne Lockhart, Cedar Rapids, School of Education
Alexa Ramlo, Cedar Rapids, School of the Arts
Eileen VanderVelden, Cedar Rapids, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Austin Eck, Clinton, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Lucas Reddig, Clive, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Dillon Schloerb, Clive, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Abby Peters, Council Bluffs, School of Business
Rachel Finnell, Hamburg, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Alesha Kadolph, Hubbard, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Maria Grady, Iowa City, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Hana Kajtazovic, Johnston, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Kyle Naig, Johnston, School of Music
Rachel Rauch, Leclaire, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Aren Westfall, Nora Springs, School of Nursing
Audrey Evans, North Liberty, School of Engineering
Erin Evans, North Liberty, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Jacie Feigenbutz, Oakland, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Jacob Doerr, Shenandoah, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Taylor Harman, Spencer, School of Business
William Admussen, Urbandale, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Erica Powell, Urbandale, School of the Arts
Shane McFadden, Waterloo, School of Music
Sam Arends, West Des Moines, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Nicolas Ball, West Des Moines, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Taylor Nelson, West Des Moines, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Marissa Olson, West Des Moines, School of Pharmacy
Katherine Taylor, West Des Moines, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences.

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11 Jul 2014

USDA Provides 12-Week Progress Update on Disaster Assistance

By USDA Office of Communications
106,000 Payment Helping Farmers in 40 States Recover from Losses; Producers reminded sign-up deadline approaching for ELAP

WASHINGTON, July 9, 2014 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack provided a 12-week progress report on U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) disaster assistance programs today, announcing that USDA has processed 106,000 payments to farmers in 40 states across the country who suffered livestock and grazing losses between October 2011 and passage of the 2014 Farm Bill.

"Farmers and ranchers who waited two and a half years for a Farm Bill are now getting some relief," said Vilsack. "We met the very ambitious goal to get these programs up and running in just 60 days. Now, thanks to our dedicated staff in offices across the country, we've provided more than 106,000 payments to farmers and ranchers in 40 states who suffered drought, blizzard, and other weather related losses."

A quick implementation of the disaster assistance programs has been a top priority for USDA. In February, the Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced that enrollment for four disaster assistance programs would begin April 15, 2014, 60 days from the date the programs were reestablished by the 2014 Farm Bill. After the 2008 Farm Bill, it took over one year for the programs to get up and running.

Since then, dedicated full-time FSA staff, as well as temporary employees hired to expedite the application process, have processed over $1.2 billion in payments to qualifying farmers and ranchers. The first payments were sent out to farmers and ranchers within two weeks of enrollment. USDA estimated that roughly $2.5 billion would be provided in disaster relief to cover losses from October 2011 through September 2014. If those estimates prove accurate, it would mean nearly half of all disaster payments have already been provided.

While disaster relief is a critical lifeline that can prevent farmers and ranchers who do not have access to crop insurance from being wiped out by weather-related losses beyond their control, most producers only receive support equal to 60 percent of their actual losses.

USDA disaster programs include :

The Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) and the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) provides payments for grazing losses due to drought and livestock deaths due to adverse weather.

The Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP) provides assistance for livestock, honeybees and farm-raised fish losses due to disease (including cattle tick fever), weather, wildfires and colony collapse disorder, or for losses not covered under other disaster assistance programs established by the 2014 Farm Bill.

The Tree Assistance Program (TAP) provides financial assistance to eligible orchardists and nursery tree growers to replant or rehabilitate trees, bushes and vines that were lost or damaged by natural disasters.

Specific program deadlines are as follows:

  • 2011-2013 ELAP - Friday, Aug. 1, 2014
  • 2011-2014 LFP - Friday, Jan. 30, 2015
  • 2011-2014 LIP - Friday, Jan. 30, 2015
  • 2011-2014 TAP - Monday, Feb. 2, 2015

Producers affected by adverse weather should contact their FSA county office to make an appointment and learn if they are eligible for disaster assistance. For more information, producers may review the 2014 Farm Bill Fact Sheet, and the LIP, LFP, ELAP and TAP fact sheets online, or visit any local FSA office.

Vilsack also highlighted that more than $270 million in disaster assistance has been paid to farmers and ranchers in USDA StrikeForce counties experiencing chronic poverty. "Farmers and ranchers in these counties have extraordinary challenges. Through USDA's StrikeForce initiative, we can get federal support to areas that need it the most," said Vilsack.

The StrikeForce for Rural Growth and Opportunity initiative works to address the unique set of challenges faced by many of America's rural communities. Through the StrikeForce, USDA is leveraging resources and collaborating with over 400 community organizations, businesses, foundations, universities and other groups to support 80,300 projects with more than $9.7 billion in USDA investments into rural America. StrikeForce currently serves 20 states that include Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia and West Virginia.

#
11 Jul 2014

Figge Art Museum FREE Family Day

By Natalie Dunlop

Davenport, Iowa (July 9, 2014) - The Figge Art Museum will have a Free Family Day this Saturday.  Admission will be free all day.

Kids and adults will have the opportunity to weave their way through the galleries, exploring the amazing fiber and textile art on display in the Innovators & Legends and Local Threads exhibitions. Interact with docents who will be available in the galleries to answer questions and share fun facts.

The art studios will offer hands-on activities and projects inspired by the current exhibitions including weaving activities, make-your-own woven vessel, collage projects, a film featuring fiber artists, artist demos, art object handling, a community weaving project, snacks and more!

This Free Family Day is sponsored by Schafer Interiors and the Quad-City Times.  

About the Figge Art Museum

The Figge Art Museum is located on the riverfront in downtown Davenport at 225 West Second Street. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday and Sundays 12-5 p.m. Thursdays the museum is open until 9 p.m. Admission to the museum and tour is $7. Admission is free to Figge members and institutional members and free to all on Thursday evenings from 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. The museum is also free for Active Duty Military members and their families all year round and free to seniors the first Thursday of every month. To contact the museum, please call 563.326.7804, or visit www.figgeartmuseum.org.

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10 Jul 2014

Mobile Food Pantry on July 12 to feed hungry in the Quad Cities

By Amber O’Brien

Modern Woodmen sponsors second Mobile Food Pantry as part of the Knock Out Hunger Campaign 

 

On Saturday, July 12 more than 60 Modern Woodmen of America employees and their family members will host a Mobile Food Pantry, organized by River Bend Foodbank. Mobile Food Pantries are scheduled in areas where the need for food assistance is the greatest. The volunteer event will run from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Goose Creek Park (259 W. 61 Street, Davenport). Media coverage of the event is welcomed and appreciated.

Each Mobile Food Pantry provides approximately 10,000 meals and feeds hundreds of families in the Quad City community. All food is distributed in a farmer's market style of distribution.

"One Mobile Food Pantry distribution costs approximately $1,500 to $2,000 to hold, but that's just operational expenses. That number doesn't cover the cost of food, which has a retail value of $10,000 to $15,000. Our goal is to hold 50 Mobile Food Pantry distributions each year. To have Modern Woodmen sponsor this event and contribute to the cost of the food and operations means more families in the Quad Cities will have meals this summer," said River Bend Foodbank marketing director Caren Laughlin.

Modern Woodmen, a fraternal financial services organization based out of Rock Island, Illinois, will sponsor the Mobile Food pantry. Modern Woodmen employees will staff the event by unloading trucks, distributing food and offering assistance to load cars. This is the second Mobile Food Pantry sponsored by Modern Woodmen and is part of the summer-long campaign to Knock Out Hunger.

 

Knock Out Hunger campaign

This year, Modern Woodmen has selected River Bend Foodbank to support through its Knock Out Hunger campaign. Modern Woodmen employees and members will donate time, money and food to the food distribution center throughout the summer.

There are multiple mobile food pantry events scheduled, backpack programs, a "Meals from the Heartland" packing event, and a communitywide 5k run/walk. Each event will support the food bank.

River Bend Foodbank is the largest hunger relief organization in the Quad Cities and surrounding communities, distributing more than 8 million pounds of food annually to feed the hungry. The Foodbank serves more than 10,000 individuals every week through its distribution network of 300 charitable feeding programs in a 22-county service area in Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois.

Founded in 1883, Modern Woodmen of America touches lives and secures futures. The fraternal financial services organization offers financial services and fraternal member benefits to individuals and families throughout the United States.

For more information about Modern Woodmen Night or the effort to support River Bend Foodbank, contact Amber O'Brien at 309-793-5660 (office), 309-798-6704 (cell) or visit modern-woodmen.org.

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