21 May 2014

HOUSER WINS 3RD STRAIGHT; BANDITS POUND BEES

By Marco LaNave
Four players have two-hit games, while nine players contribute to Quad Cities' 13 hits

DAVENPORT, Iowa (May 20, 2014) - Right-hander Adrian Houser held the Burlington Bees to one run in six innings to win his third straight start, and the Quad Cities River Bandits tallied 13 hits in a 7-1 victory Tuesday in front of 5,176 at Modern Woodmen Park.

Throwing the game's first pitch less than 12 hours after Monday night's 12-inning game ended, Houser (3-1) worked around a one-out single for a scoreless first inning, and his teammates reached the scoreboard in the bottom of the first. Center fielder James Ramsay reached on an error by Bees first baseman Eric Aguilera, advanced to second on a wild pitch and scored after singles by shortstop Jack Mayfield and catcher Brett Booth for a 1-0 lead against right-hander Harrison Cooney (2-3).

Houser allowed consecutive one-out singles in the second inning but escaped with two groundouts to end the inning. Burlington (20-23) finally reached him in the third inning, as second baseman Kody Eaves hit a leadoff double to left-center field, and designated hitter Mike Fish hit a one-out, game-tying single to center field. It ended Houser's scoreless streak of 13 1/3 innings, but he got Aguilera to ground into an inning-ending double play, beginning a stretch of 10 batters he retired consecutively to finish his six innings, matching his season high.

In the bottom of the third inning, Quad Cities (21-23) retook the lead within three batters against Cooney. Second baseman Chan-Jong Moon reached on an infield single to first base, shortstop Jack Mayfield singled to center field to put runners at first and third bases, and first baseman Conrad Gregor grounded a go-ahead single to right field. When right fielder Exicardo Cayones overthrew third base, Mayfield tried to score but was thrown out. Cooney got the next two batters to keep the game at 2-1, but he allowed another run in the fourth inning, left fielder Tanner Mathis and center fielder James Ramsay hit consecutive two-out doubles.

The River Bandits put the game out of reach in the fifth inning. Gregor reached second base on a throwing error by second baseman Kody Eaves, and Booth hit his second RBI single of the day to left field. That ended Cooney's outing, but right-hander Michael Smith allowed an RBI double by third baseman Tyler White and an RBI fielder's choice by Mathis to make it 6-1. Quad Cities added its final run against right-hander Victor Alcantara, who began the sixth inning and worked two scoreless innings before giving up consecutive one-out doubles by right fielder Brett Phillips and Ramsay in the eighth inning, extending the Quad Cities lead to 7-1. Ramsay and Booth each had two hits and two RBIs. Moon and Mayfield also each had two hits, and a total of nine River Bandits contributed at least one of the team's 13 hits.

After Houser went six innings, allowing five hits and one earned run with four strikeouts, right-hander Tyler Brunnemann began the seventh inning. He worked around a one-out walk in the seventh and kept Burlington hitless until the ninth inning, when Aguilera doubled to right field, snapping the Bees' combined 0-for-17 stretch since Fish's third-inning hit. Brunnemann then got a strikeouts and groundout to complete a career-high three innings and earn his first Midwest League save.

Quad Cities and Burlington will meet for the series rubber match at 7 p.m. Wednesday, when River Bandits right-hander Kevin Comer (0-0) is scheduled to make his first Midwest League start against Bees right-hander Ryan Etsell (3-1).

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.

21 May 2014

The Price Opens May 29 on the Old Creamery's Studio Stage

By Lily Allen-Duenas
hrough June 15 on the Old Creamery's Studio Stage, with shows on Thursdays and Sundays at 2:00 pm and on Fridays and Saturday nights at 7:30 pm.

While haggling with an antique dealer over an attic full of their father's belongings, brothers Walter and Victor come to realize it's not the price to be paid for old furnishings that is the issue, but rather the price past decisions have cost them. A gripping drama, about family dynamics and the choices we make.

The cast includes Kevin Burford of Iowa City, IA, Rip Russell of Iowa City, IA, Marquetta Senters of Amana, IA, and Scott Wakefield of Brooklyn, NY.

Tickets are $28 for adults and $18.50 for students. The Price is Rated PG.

Call the box office for tickets and information

319-622-6262 or visit us online at www.oldcreamery.com.

The Old Creamery Theatre is a not-for-profit professional theatre founded in 1971 in Garrison, Iowa. The Company is celebrating 43 years of bringing live, professional theatre to the people of Iowa and the Midwest.
21 May 2014

Loebsack Praises House Passage of Water Infrastructure Bill that Creates Jobs and Invests in our Economy

By Vonnie Hampel

Legislation contains Loebsack's measure to protect Cedar Rapids from future floods

Washington D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack today praised the overwhelming House passage of the Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA). This bipartisan legislation authorizes Corps of Engineers funding for improvements to ports, waterways and projects tied to flood protection, drinking water, dams and levees and environmental restoration. The legislation contains flood protection measures for downtown Cedar Rapids that Loebsack fought to expand after the Floods of 2008. He also pushed to move WRRDA forward in order to address critical flood protection and transportation concerns on the Mississippi River. Loebsack is a cosponsor of legislation that was incorporated into WRRDA that will explore the creation of public-private partnerships between the Army Corps of Engineers and private entities as financing alternatives for lock and dam capital projects.

"I am pleased that there is light at the end of the tunnel and this important legislation is finally on track to be signed into law, though it is way past due. Our outdated, crumbling infrastructure is an area I believe continued investment is highly critical. These projects will create jobs, have a direct impact on our economy, and provide safety and protection for Iowans. Iowa farmers, manufacturers, businesses and local economies rely on the Mississippi River infrastructure. It is clear that the locks and dams along the Mississippi River are deteriorating and significantly harming the economic development in the region. This bill is very important to Iowa, not just for the locks and dams, but also for much of our flood protection and Army Corps projects that are needed to keep our communities safe."

This conference report will now go to the Senate, where it is expected to pass and head to the President's desk for his signature.

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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.

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