21 May 2014

ELLSWORTH COMM. COLLEGE SPRING DEAN'S LIST

By Robin Anctil
IOWA FALLS, Iowa (May 20, 2014) - One hundred fifty-one students have been named to the Spring 2014 (January to May) Dean's List at Ellsworth Community College. To be eligible for the Dean's List, students must have taken 12 or more credit hours during the semester (a full-time class load) and have earned at least a 3.5 grade point average while attending ECC classes in Iowa Falls or online. Part-time students are not included on this list, and developmental courses do not count toward a student's GPA. The ECC administration and staff congratulate these students for their academic excellence.

Among those honored are Megan Denny and Trey Muilenburg, both of Bettendorf.

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21 May 2014

Vice Adm. Peter Neffenger relieves Vice Adm. John Currier as vice commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard

By U.S. Coast Guard HQ Public Affairs

WASHINGTON – U.S. Coast Guard Vice Adm. Peter Neffenger relieved Vice Adm. John Currier as Vice Commandant of the Coast Guard during a change of watch ceremony at U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters, Washington, D.C., Tuesday.

Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Bob Papp presided over the ceremony and U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson attended.

"It has been my honor to serve our nation as the vice commandant," said Currier. "Thanks to all of my shipmates in this great organization and semper paratus."

The change-of-watch ceremony is a time-honored event preserved by rich heritage of naval tradition. It is a formal custom that is designed to strengthen the respect of authority, which is vital to any military organization.

The ceremony marked the completion of a distinguished military career that began at Officer Candidate School in Yorktown, Va., in 1976. He was designated a naval aviator in 1977 and an aeronautical engineer in 1982. Currier served at six Coast Guard Air Stations throughout his career, highlighted by command of Air Stations Detroit and Miami. Subsequently, he was assigned as Pacific Area Chief of Operations then Pacific Area chief of staff. Currier was promoted to flag rank in 2005. He then served as Assistant Commandant for Acquisition at Coast Guard Headquarters, then as commander of the 13th District. He assumed the duties of the Coast Guard's chief of staff in 2009, later transitioning to the service's first Deputy Commandant for Mission Support. Following the ceremony, Currier formally retired from the Coast Guard after nearly 38 years of service.

"Vice Admiral Currier has served our nation with distinction for nearly 38 years and the Coast Guard is safer, more proficient and more capable due to his exceptional leadership," said Neffenger.  "I am truly humbled to follow his impeccable service as vice commandant. I wish him fair winds and following seas."

Neffenger became the 29th vice commandant of the Coast Guard after serving as the Deputy Commandant for Operations, responsible for establishing and providing operational strategy, policy, guidance and resources as needed to meet national priorities for Coast Guard missions, programs and services. He was commissioned in 1982 at Officer Candidate School. Neffenger commanded Sector Los Angeles - Long Beach, Calif.; served as a fellow to the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee; as the Coast Guard liaison officer to the Territory of American Samoa; as an engineer on the Coast Guard Cutter Gallatin;  and as chief of the Office of Budget and Programs at Coast Guard Headquarters. As a flag officer, Neffenger served as director of the Strategic Management Directorate, was the Deputy National Incident Commander for the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill, the largest and most complex oil spill in the nation's history and as commander of the 9th District, where he oversaw Coast Guard operations throughout the Great Lakes and Saint Lawrence Seaway region.

For imagery of the ceremony, please go to https://www.dvidshub.net/.

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21 May 2014

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack Announces Action to Combat Insects and Diseases that Weaken Forests, Increase Fire Risk

By USDA Office of Communications
Vilsack Also Reiterates Need for Fire Funding Solution as Projected Cost of Fighting Wildfire Exceeds This Year's Budget

DENVER, May 20, 2014 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced action to help 94 national forest areas in 35 states to address insect and disease threats that weaken forests and increase the risk of forest fire. These areas are receiving an official designation that will provide the Forest Service, working collaboratively with stakeholders, additional tools and flexibility to more efficiently plan and accomplish restoration treatments in those areas. Vilsack announced the designations in Denver where he discussed additional efforts to help better prepare for and combat the threat of wildfire.

"USDA and the Forest Service are working to improve the health of our national forests and reduce the risk of forest fire," said Vilsack. "The designations announced today, made possible by the 2014 Farm Bill, will support the Forest Service's ability to work with partners to restore areas within the National Forest System that have been impacted by insects and disease."

The new Farm Bill amends the Healthy Forest Restoration Act of 2003 to allow the Forest Service to more quickly plan projects for insect and disease treatments within designated areas, in an effort to increase the pace and scale of restoration across the National Forest System. Using the new tools in the Farm Bill, restoration projects in these designated areas have to be developed in collaboration with a diverse group of stakeholders and must meet environmental safeguards.

The Forest Service will use the authority to work collaboratively with States, Tribes, partners, stakeholders and the public to develop and implement restoration projects within designated areas that reduce the risk of insect and disease infestations along with drought. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell designated over 45 million acres* of the National Forest System in response to requests from governors whose states are experiencing, or are at risk of, an insect or disease epidemic. Insect and disease damage makes forests more susceptible to wildfire.

"Working with local partners to combat insect and disease infestation has long been one of our top priorities, and this new authority gives us additional tools to implement landscape scale projects," said Chief Tidwell. "We will continue our commitment to involve the public as we develop and implement projects in these areas."

In addition, Vilsack also announced today another Farm Bill initiative to help remove insect infected trees from National Forest Service lands. The Biomass Crop Assistance Program, administered by the Farm Service Agency, supports the harvesting and transporting of forest residue to an energy facility. These payments are designed for energy generation while reducing fire, insect and disease threats on public lands managed by the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management. USDA announced that the program has been reauthorized for $25 million annually with funding becoming available on June 9th.

Vilsack also discussed the need for Congress to approve a provision in the Obama Administration's 2015 budget proposal that creates a special disaster relief cap adjustment for use when costs of fighting fires exceed Forest Service and Department of the Interior budgets, as is expected to happen this year. A May report showed that the cost of fighting fires could reach nearly $1.6 billion this year, more than $500 million over the Forest Service's firefighting budget.

When actual firefighting costs exceed firefighting budgets, the Forest Service has to engage in what's known as "fire transfer," where funding for fire suppression is transferred mid-year from non-fire programs, including forest management activities that treat areas impacted by insects and disease and reduce the incidence and severity of future wildfires.

In the most recent two fiscal years, the Forest Service had to transfer $440 million and $505 million respectively from other accounts to pay for fire suppression. Over the last 12 years, a total of $3.2 billion was shifted from other programs that accomplish important forest health objectives. This year the Forest Service projects that it will run out of funds to fight wildfires before the end of the wildfire season, triggering the need for transfers from other accounts.

"The President's budget proposal, and similar bipartisan legislation before Congress, would solve a recurring problem of having to transfer money from forest restoration and other Forest Service accounts to pay the costs of fighting wildfires," said Vilsack. "USDA will spend the necessary resources to protect people, homes and our forests, but it is not in the interest of forest health to transfer funds from forest restoration that can prevent future fires."

The effects of a warming climate and droughts have ripened conditions for insect and disease epidemics to take root. Approximately 81 million acres of the nation's forests are at risk of insects and diseases based on the 2012 National Insect and Disease Risk Map and approximately 58 million acres of National Forest System lands are at risk of intense wildfire. Additionally, Forest Service scientists predict that fire seasons could regularly exceed 12 to 15 million acres burned annually. Not only do these conditions and trends pose risks to surrounding communities, they could impact drinking water, wildlife habitat, recreation opportunities and many other benefits provided by the nation's forests. Landscape scale treatments in the insect and disease designated areas will help adapt forests and watersheds to the effects of a changing climate while lowering the risks of impacts from catastrophic wildfire.

The Farm Bill supports a wide range of agency efforts already underway to increase the pace and scale of restoration, including the Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program, Cohesive Fire Strategy, Western Bark Beetle Strategy, the Integrated Resource Restoration Program, Watershed Condition Framework, and implementation of the 2012 National Forest System Land Management Planning Rule.

*For more information about the insect and disease designations, including specific acres and forests by state, please visit http://www.fs.fed.us/farmbill/.

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USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users)

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21 May 2014

Treasurer Fitzgerald Reminds Iowans it is Their Last Chance to Register for Giveaway

By Karen Austin

Celebrate 529 Day by registering for a chance to win a $5,290 College Savings Iowa Account

DES MOINES, IA (05/20/2014)(readMedia)-- State Treasurer Michael Fitzgerald wants to remind Iowans it is their last chance to celebrate 529 College Savings Day by registering to win a $5,290 College Savings Iowa account for a child in their life. "I encourage everyone to register for the giveaway and explore the benefits of using a 529 plan, such as College Savings Iowa, to save for their loved ones' future higher education expenses," Fitzgerald said. "By starting early, saving a little at a time and making smart investment choices, families can make their savings work for them." For more information about the program and to register for the giveaway, please visit collegesavingsiowa.com before May 31.

Iowa families are encouraged to open a College Savings Iowa account for a special child in their life. May 29, 529 College Savings Day, helps bring attention to the fact that saving for college is one of the most significant things families can do for the children in their lives. Over time, those who begin putting away money early can make their college savings add up to a significant amount.

College Savings Iowa offers families a tax advantaged way to save money for their children's higher education. It only takes $25 to open an account, and anyone - parents, grandparents, friends and relatives - can invest in College Savings Iowa on behalf of a child. Iowa taxpayers have the additional benefit of being able to deduct contributions up to $3,098 per beneficiary account from their 2014 Iowa adjusted gross income.* Investors can withdraw their investment federally tax-free to pay for qualified higher education expenses including tuition, books, supplies and certain room and board costs at any eligible college, university, community college or accredited technical training school in the United States or abroad.

. For more information about future giveaways and events find College Savings Iowa on Facebook and Twitter (@Iowa529Plan).

*Adjusted annually for inflation. If withdrawals are not qualified, the deductions must be added back to Iowa taxable income. The earnings portion of non-qualified withdrawals may be subject to federal income tax and a 10% federal penalty tax, as well as state income taxes. The availability of tax or other benefits may be contingent on meeting other requirements.

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Investment returns are not guaranteed and you could lose money by investing in the plan. Participants assume all investment risks as well as responsibility for any federal and state tax consequences. If you are not an Iowa taxpayer, consider before investing whether your or the designated beneficiary's home state offers any state tax or other benefits that are only available for investments in such state's qualified tuition program.

For more information about the College Savings Iowa 529 Plan, call 888-672-9116 or visit www.collegesavingsiowa.com to obtain a Program Description. Investment objectives, risks, charges, expenses, and other important information are included in the Program Description; read and consider it carefully before investing.

College Savings Iowa is an Iowa trust sponsored by the Iowa State Treasurer's Office. The Treasurer of the State of Iowa sponsors and is responsible for overseeing the administration of the College Savings Iowa 529 Plan. The Vanguard Group, Inc., serves as Investment Manager and Vanguard Marketing Corporation, an affiliate of The Vanguard Group, Inc., assists the Treasurer with marketing and distributing the Plan. Upromise Investment Advisors, LLC, provides records administration services. The Plan's portfolios, although they invest in Vanguard mutual funds, are not mutual funds.

21 May 2014

A local middle schooler is going to have his original orchestra score performed this week at Wilson Middle School

By Mary McNeil
(Moline, IL) Wilson Middle School student, Ian Brown, has composed "Endeavor" and it will be premiered on Thursday, May 22nd at the Wilson Middle School Orchestra Spring Concert. The concert begins at 7:00 pm. in the school auditorium.

According to the Wilson Instrumental Music Director, Todd Slothower, this is not Brown's first composition.  The 13 year old has been composing for about a year. "He has a lot of talent and drive.  This will be the first time our orchestra has performed a student's work," says Slothower.  Brown is a cello player in the orchestra and a bass player in the jazz band at Wilson.
20 May 2014

Blue Grass Community Blood Drive

By Marvin Whittaker

Monday, June 2, 2014 from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Fellowship Hall, 333 W. Lotte St. in Blue Grass.

Sign up by calling Evelyn Troyer at 563-381-2417 or online at www.bloodcenterimpact.org

Please eat and drink before donating blood and be sure to bring donor or photo ID.

Last date to donate elsewhere is 4/7/2014.  Group Sponsor Code: 069

www.bloodcenter.org

 

20 May 2014

Volunteer Drivers Needed

By George Nickolas

The Quad Cities Disabled American Veterans Transportation Program is in need of drivers to carry our veterans to their medical appointments at the VA Medical Center in Iowa City.

Anyone interested in driving the DAV Van to Iowa City should call Commander Tom Simmons at 563-324-6329 or Adjutant Paul Janecek at 563-386-3533 or Serivce Officer George Nickolas at 563-391-1760.

Interested drivers are advised that they can select the day(s) of the month they are available. If you have any questions about the scheduling of driving or what hours you would have to volunteer for on the day and/or days that you are willing to drive, you need to call Adjutant Paul Janecek at 563-386-3533.

20 May 2014

DEMOLITION STARTS AT SOUTHPARK MALL

By Aleshia Chiesa

Construction crews start the demolition process on the Sears Building at SouthPark Mall

WHO: SouthPark formally announced redevelopment plans a few months ago and today the movement officially starts. The 40 year old shopping center is getting a little work done and the goal is an elevated shopping experience. Construction crews are set to tear down the former Sears building to start Phase I of the redevelopment of SouthPark Mall.

Guests to the property can expect to see construction crews, bulldozers and large machinery. All entrances will remain open and guests are encouraged to park in either the Dillard's, Younkers, JCPenney or Von Maur lots for easy and convenient access. All stores will be open during the construction phase.

WHAT: Demolition starts today with the former Sears building and will continue through the next several weeks as the former food court gets demolished. This is Phase I of the over 250,000 sq ft to be removed from the property.

The end result will be a new, invigorating shopping experience complete with additional retailers as well as an enhanced experience and new amenities.

Retailers and shoppers are encouraged to get the behind the scenes info on the redevelopment by visiting www.shopsouthparkmall-il.com/redevelopment or follow us on Twitter @SouthParkMallIL and like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SouthParkMallIL.

20 May 2014

French Canadian and Iowa Native Team Up for Theatrical Performance

By Daniel Rairdin-Hale

International theatre artist Audrey Leclair (Montreal, Quebec) is visiting Davenport for the next three weeks to develop a comedic theatre production with Quad Cities native Daniel Rairdin-Hale (Davenport, IA).

They call themselves 'Du Haut Duo' (pronounced 'duo duo') and they are planning to travel their physical comedy show to Montreal, New York City, and other places around the world...but they are premiering here in the Quad Cities first.

Audrey Leclair recently finished an artistic residency in India and is also developing a show with Théâtre de la Tapisserie, a company she co-founded in Montreal, Quebec.

Daniel Rairdin-Hale teaches and directs theatre locally at St. Ambrose University and recently finished acting in a feature film produced by Fourth Wall Films entitled "Sons & Daughters of Thunder."

Both of them received theatrical clown training at Dell'Arte International in California, where they met and worked with each other for the first time.

While here, they are also leading workshops in red-nose clown and slapstick through the Davenport Junior Theatre.

If you would like to see them perform, there are only four chances:

Sunday June 1, 2014 at the Davenport Junior Theatre at 1:00PM and 4:00PM

Friday June 6, 2014 at St. Ambrose University in Davenport, IA at 7:30PM

and Saturday June 7, 2014 at the Establishment Theatre in Rock Island, IL at 9:30PM

For more information, images, or to set up an interview with either performer, please contact Daniel at Dan@duhautduo.com or call him at 563-940-3967.

20 May 2014

BEES GET TRIPLE PLAY, 12-INNING WIN OVER BANDITS

By Marco LaNave
In its longest game since 2012, Quad Cities loses 5-4 homestand opener to Burlington

DAVENPORT, Iowa (May 20, 2014) - Burlington first baseman Eric Aguilera caught an eighth-inning line drive to begin the first triple play of the season by a Quad Cities opponent and hit a go-ahead RBI single to break a 3-3, 12th-inning tie in the Bees' 5-4 win over the River Bandits in front of 2,691 at Modern Woodmen Park Monday night.

The Bees' second triple play in 10 days - and the first against the River Bandits since Peoria turned one May 11, 2013 - thwarted the home team's scoring chance in a 3-3, eighth-inning tie. After center fielder James Ramsay drew a leadoff walk against left-hander Cole Swanson, right-hander Alan Busenitz entered to face shortstop Jack Mayfield, who bounced a single to left field. Ramsay and Mayfield ran on Busenitz's 2-2 pitch to designated hitter Conrad Gregor, who hit a line drive that Aguilera leaped to grab. Aguilera then touched first base before throwing to shortstop Erick Salcedo at second base to complete the triple play.

Burlington (20-22) opened the scoring in the second inning against right-hander Edison Frias. After a one-out walk and error by third baseman Tyler White, a groundout moved runners to second and third base. Salcedo put an RBI bunt single to the third-base side of the mound, and Frias's wild throw to first base allowed a second run to score. Trailing 2-0, Quad Cities (20-23) answered in the next half-inning against right-hander Elliot Morris. First baseman Jon Kemmer hit a two-out double to left-center field, right fielder Brett Phillips hit an RBI single to right field, and Ramsay hit a game-tying double to right.

The Bees broke the 2-2 tie in the third, however, as center fielder Chad Hinshaw hit a leadoff triple to right-center field and scored on Aguilera's single to right field. In the bottom of the third, Gregor doubled and eventually scored the tying run on a passed ball by catcher Stephen McGee. It was the last of three runs - two earned - against Morris, who pitched 5 1/3 innings, allowing six hits and a walk with three strikeouts. Frias lasted a season-long five innings, allowing three runs - one earned - on six hits and one walk with three strikeouts.

River Bandits left-hander Evan Grills began the sixth inning and scattered two hits and a walk, not allowing a runner past second base in four relief innings. Opposite him, Swanson (1 2/3 innings), Busenitz (two innings), and right-hander Ben Carlson (one inning) carried the Bees' scoreless relief effort. Busenitz and Carlson stranded the winning run at third base in the ninth and 10th innings respectively.

After Grills, left-hander Chris Cotton (1-3) pitched a perfect 10th inning and stranded two runners in scoring position in the 11th. In the 12th, he allowed a one-out bunt single by second baseman Kody Eaves and double by right fielder Exicardo Cayones. With runners at second and third bases, right-hander Andrew Walter came in to get a fielder's choice groundout before Aguilera's go-ahead hit to left field. Left fielder Brandon Bayardi added an RBI single to make it 5-3. Against right-hander Grant Gordon (1-1), Quad Cities left fielder Ronnie Mitchell led off the 12th by reaching on an error by Aguilera, and pinch hitter Brett Booth hit a double to left field. But Gordon finished a two-inning outing by retiring the next three batters, allowing one run to score, and stranding Booth as the tying run at second base.

After their series opener lasted three hours, 54 minutes - the longest game time for Quad Cities since a four-hour, 15-minute, 6-5, 13-inning loss at Clinton Aug. 28, 2012 - Quad Cities and Burlington play at 11 a.m. Tuesday, when River Bandits right-hander Adrian Houser (2-1) is scheduled to face Bees right-hander Harrison Cooney (2-2).

UP NEXT: A limited number of tickets are still available for the Inaugural Ferris Wheel Ride event and fundraiser to benefit the Genesis Health Services Foundation May 24. Only the first 300 will be sold for the noon to 3 p.m. event at Modern Woodmen Park. Call 563-421-6865 or visit Modern Woodmen park to order tickets. 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.

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