16 May 2014

Yearly Survey Shows Better Results for Pollinators, but Losses Remain Significant

By USDA Office of Communications
USDA Announces Fall Summit on Bee Nutrition and Forage; Launches "Bee Watch" Website to Broadcast Bee Activity and Increase Public Awareness of the Role of Pollinators in Crop Production

WASHINGTON, May 15, 2014 - A yearly survey of beekeepers, released today, shows fewer colony losses occurred in the United States over the winter of 2013-2014 than in recent years, but beekeepers say losses remain higher than the level that they consider to be sustainable. According to survey results, total losses of managed honey bee colonies from all causes were 23.2 percent nationwide. That number is above the 18.9 percent level of loss that beekeepers say is acceptable for their economic sustainability, but is a marked improvement over the 30.5 percent loss reported for the winter of 2012-2013, and over the eight-year average loss of 29.6 percent.

More than three-fourths of the world's flowering plants rely on pollinators, such as bees, to reproduce, meaning pollinators help produce one out of every three bites of food Americans eat.

"Pollinators, such as bees, birds and other insects are essential partners for farmers and ranchers and help produce much of our food supply. Healthy pollinator populations are critical to the continued economic well-being of agricultural producers," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. "While we're glad to see improvement this year, losses are still too high and there is still much more work to be done to stabilize bee populations."

There is no way to tell why the bees did better this year, according to both Pettis and Dennis vanEngelsdorp, a University of Maryland assistant professor who is the leader of the survey and director of the Bee Informed Partnership. Although the survey, conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the University of Maryland Bee Informed Partnership shows improvement, losses remain above the level that beekeepers consider to be economically sustainable. This year, almost two-thirds of the beekeepers responding reported losses greater than the 18.9 percent threshold.

"Yearly fluctuations in the rate of losses like these only demonstrate how complicated the whole issue of honey bee heath has become, with factors such as viruses and other pathogens, parasites like varroa mites, problems of nutrition from lack of diversity in pollen sources, and even sublethal effects of pesticides combining to weaken and kill bee colonies," said Jeff Pettis, co-author of the survey and research leader of the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Bee Research Laboratory in Beltsville, Maryland. ARS is USDA's chief intramural scientific research agency.

The winter losses survey covers the period from October 2013 through April 2014. About 7,200 beekeepers responded to the voluntary survey.

A complete analysis of the bee survey data will be published later this year. The summary of the analysis is at http://beeinformed.org/results-categories/winter-loss-2013-2014/.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) also announced today that it will hold a summit this fall aimed at addressing the nutrition and forage needs of pollinators. The summit will take place in Washington D.C. on October 20-21 and will be attended by a consortium of public, private, and non-governmental organizations. Attendees will discuss the most recent research related to pollinator loss and work to identify solutions.

Additionally, today USDA launched the People's Garden Apiary bee cam at the USDA headquarters in Washington, D.C. as an additional effort to increase public awareness about the reduction of bee populations and to inform Americans about actions they can take to support the recovery of pollinator populations. The USDA "Bee Watch" website (www.usda.gov/beewatch) will broadcast honey bee hive activity live over the Internet 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. Created in 2010, the People's Garden Apiary is home to two beehives. The bees are Italian queens, the most common bee stock and the same used in many honey bee colonies throughout the United States.

In March of 2014, Secretary Vilsack created a Pollinator Working Group, under the leadership of Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden, to better coordinate efforts, leverage resources, and increase focus on pollinator issues across USDA agencies. USDA personnel from ten Department agencies (Agricultural Research Service, National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Farm Services Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Economic Research Service, Forest Service, Agricultural Marketing Service, Risk Management Agency and Rural Development) meet regularly to coordinate and evaluate efforts as USDA strives toward improving pollinator health and ensuring our pollinators continuing contributions to our nation's environment and food security.

Earlier this year, USDA made $3 million available to help agriculture producers in five states (North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan) provide floral forage habitats to benefit pollinating species on working lands. The Honey Bee Pollinator Effort is intended to encourage farmers and ranchers to grow alfalfa, clover and other flowering habitat for bees and other pollinators.

The President's fiscal year 2015 budget proposal provides $71 million for pollinator health activities through multiple USDA agencies. This includes an increase of $40 million in combined mandatory and discretionary funds to advance efforts, in consultation with the Environmental Protection Agency and other Federal partners, to respond to the decline in honey bee health and ensure their recovery. This coordinated effort is focused on targeted research that addresses multifactorial stressors, their interaction, and identification and implementation of measures to improve and increase habitat available to pollinators on Federal and private lands. In addition, this initiative will help prevent introductions of invasive bees, bee diseases, and parasites; document the status of honey bee health factors associated with bee losses and honey bee production; and work with stakeholders on best management practices. A coordinated communication strategy, including outreach and education, will engage the public to help solve this important challenge.

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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., S.W., 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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16 May 2014

Downward Trend in College Enrollments Shows Signs of Slowing

By Paula Newbaker

National Student Clearinghouse® Research Center™ Report Shows
Only Slight Decrease Compared to Last Year

Herndon, Virginia, May 15, 2014 - In the current term, college enrollments continued to decline, but at a slower rate than in recent terms, according to the just-released Spring Current Term Enrollment Estimates from the National Student Clearinghouse® Research Center™. In spring 2014, overall postsecondary enrollments decreased 0.8 percent from the previous spring, the smallest decrease since spring 2012, when enrollments declined 0.3 percent. The Clearinghouse first started reporting on current term enrollments in fall 2011.

Results for the spring 2014 term differ greatly by institutional sector, with continued decreases at four-year for-profit institutions (-4.9 percent) and two-year public institutions (-2.7 percent). However, enrollments increased at four-year public institutions (0.7 percent) and four-year private nonprofit institutions (2.0 percent).

Published every May and December, Current Term Enrollment Estimates are based on postsecondary institutions actively submitting data to the Clearinghouse. These institutions account for 96 percent of the nation's Title IV, degree-granting enrollments. The data are highly current, since institutions make several data submissions per term. In addition, since the Clearinghouse receives data at the student level, an unduplicated headcount is reported, avoiding double-counting of students enrolled in more than one institution.

Additional findings from the report include :

  • For-profit rates of decline have slowed considerably from last fall's 9.7 percent decline, but enrollments are still nearly 5 percent below last spring's total.
  • Declines continue to be concentrated among adult students (over age 24).
  • Traditional-age enrollments (students age 24 and under) grew by 0.7 percent.
  • Adult student enrollments at community colleges fell nearly 6 percent from spring 2013.
  • Enrollments declined in 37 states and increased in 13 states, with the largest increases seen in Oregon (5.2 percent) and New Hampshire (15.5 percent).

"It is encouraging to see that the number of younger students has begun to grow again after declining in each of the last three terms," stated Doug Shapiro, Executive Research Director of the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center. "Not all college students enter straight from high school. Even recent graduates sometimes wait a semester or more. These 2014 spring enrollments could be an early indicator that the demand for college degrees among young adults is resuming its historic growth trend."

The Current Term Enrollment Estimates report for the fall 2014 term is scheduled for release in December 2014.

About the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center
The National Student Clearinghouse Research Center is the research arm of the National Student Clearinghouse. The Research Center collaborates with higher education institutions, states, school districts, high schools, and educational organizations as part of a national effort to better inform education leaders and policymakers. Through accurate longitudinal data outcomes reporting, the Research Center enables better educational policy decisions leading to improved student outcomes.

To learn more, visit http://research.studentclearinghouse.org.

 

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16 May 2014

RATTLERS' 4-RUN 4TH IS ENOUGH TO BEAT BANDITS

By Marco LaNave

Wisconsin scores five unanswered runs and shuts out Quad Cities for eight innings in series rubber match

GRAND CHUTE, Wis. (May 14, 2014) - Third baseman Taylor Brennan broke a 1-1 tie with a three-run double to start a four-run Wisconsin fourth inning Wednesday night, and Timber Rattlers pitchers shut out the Quad Cities River Bandits for the final eight innings of a 5-1 win in the finale of a three-game series at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium.

Quad Cities (18-20) scored its only run in the first inning against right-hander Barrett Astin (4-2). Center fielder Brett Phillips led off the game with a double to left-center field, went to second base on a sacrifice by second baseman Chan-Jong Moon and scored on shortstop Jack Mayfield's groundout. It was the only run against Astin, who yielded just three hits and a walk with seven strikeouts in six innings. He did not allow a runner past second base after the first inning.

In the bottom of the first, Timber Rattlers second baseman Chris McFarland reached on an errant throw by Moon and went to second base when the ball went into the first-base dugout. Designated hitter Clint Coulter lined a game-tying single to left-center field, but left-hander Evan Grills (1-1) escaped the inning by inducing a ground-ball double play.

Grills worked around leadoff singles in the second and third innings to keep the score 1-1. In the fourth, Coulter hit a leadoff single, followed by consecutive walks of left fielder Jose Pena and right fielder Michael Ratterree. With the bases loaded, Brennan shot a line drive just inside the third-base line that scored Coulter, Pena and Ratterree for a 4-1 lead. After a flyout and groundout, shortstop Angel Ortega grounded a double past River Bandits third baseman Tyler White to score Brennan for a 5-1 Wisconsin lead.

After Ortega's hit, Grills retired nine of the next 11 batters he faced. With one out in the sixth, he walked Brennan, who was thrown out as the second runner caught stealing by catcher Brett Booth. After becoming the first River Bandit this season to pitch six innings May 2, Grills became the first River Bandit to complete seven innings Wednesday. He allowed five runs - four earned - on seven hits and three walks with two strikeouts against Wisconsin (18-20).

Quad Cities' best chance to come back was in the eighth inning against right-hander Rodolfo Fernandez. Beginning his second inning out of the bullpen following Astin, Fernandez allowed a leadoff single by right fielder Ronnie Mitchell, and one-out singles by Phillips and Moon to load the bases. But Mayfield struck out looking, and first baseman Conrad Gregor grounded to second base to end the inning.

After River Bandits left-hander Chris Cotton pitched a perfect eighth inning, Fernandez pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning to complete three scoreless relief innings, allowing four hits while striking out four batters for his first save of the season.

Quad Cities opens a four-game series against first-place Kane County (26-13) at 6:30 p.m. Thursday in Geneva, Ill. River Bandits right-hander Adrian Houser (1-1) is scheduled to face Cougars right-hander Duane Underwood (0-0).

UP NEXT: The official lighting of the Ferris Wheel will be a part of Markdown Monday when the River Bandits open their next homestand May 19 at Modern Woodmen Park. Gates open at 5:30 p.m., and bleacher tickets, as well as hot dogs, peanuts, popcorn, nachos, soda and beer are just $2 each for the 7 p.m. game. Tickets are available online at www.riverbandits.com. Don't miss the great light show that comes with the new Ferris Wheel! To order any of the 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.

16 May 2014

Special Program at the Hilltop Campus Village Annual Meeting THE SHAPE OF THINGS TO COME, 5:30pm May 20, 2014

By Scott Tunnicliff

Gather - at the Third Missionary Baptist Church, 222 W. 14th Street. Plenty of parking available

Greet - other volunteers, neighbors and persons interested in our Hilltop's mighty resurgence

Read - reports of progress made by volunteer groups this year (no speeches)

Consume - A delicious spaghetti dinner with salad prepared by the women of the TMB, plus dessert supplied by Nikki Letray, owner of the Eastside Bakery, all for only $5

Invest - in $1 tickets to try and win prizes donated by generous local businesses and organizations

Witness - a detailed power-point on the much-anticipated $23 million expansion to Davenport Central High School, which will include the construction of a new swimming facility and a performing arts center, presented by CSO Architects and Missman, Inc..

Hear - A progress report on the Creative Arts Academy, provided by Joel and Diane Franken, with supporting remarks by Philip McKinley, most recently celebrated for his direction of SPIDERMAN on Broadway.

Select - new members to serve three-year terms on the Hilltop Campus Village Board of Directors

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You will come away with a new sense of awareness for where we have been, where we are going and most of all,

THE SHAPE OF THINGS TO COME

All are encouraged to attend. Please RSVP by calling 563 322 8293 or emailing hcvscott@gmail.com

16 May 2014

Lt. Governor Simon to recognize "2013 CNN Hero of the Year" Chad Pregracke

By Rick Martin

Simon pushing to increase environmental awareness, volunteerism

SPRINGFIELD - May 14, 2014. In an effort to promote volunteer opportunities and encourage environmental awareness, Lt. Governor Sheila Simon will recognize "2013 CNN Hero of the Year" Chad Pregracke during the river coordinating councils meeting on Wednesday in Springfield.

"Chad Pregracke is a shining example of someone dedicating himself to an important cause and making a difference," said Simon. "I am excited that our river council members will have the opportunity to meet with and be inspired by Chad. All of us value our rivers - Chad is someone who has put those values into action."

Pregracke started Living Lands & Waters when he was just 23 years old to clean up the Mississippi River around his home in East Moline. Since founding the non-profit in 1998, his crew and over 70,000 volunteers have collected over 7.5 million pounds of debris from rivers in Illinois and around the country. Simon noted that Living Lands & Waters has numerous volunteer opportunities like river cleanups, the MillionTrees Project and Adopt-A-River Mile program.

Simon chairs three River Coordinating Councils charged with the mission of reviewing state and federal programs that impact the watersheds and working with local communities to raise awareness of and address watershed issues. For more on Living Lands & Waters and information on how to volunteer please click here.

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16 May 2014

Illinois Guard Soldier Competes in Veteran Pageant

By Spc. Ian Withrow, 139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, Illinois Army National Guard

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - The military often conjures images of combat boots, firearms and fatigues; hardly a scene of beauty. Yet for female veterans around the country, the Ms. Veteran America contest affords an opportunity to trade their uniforms for glamorous evening gowns. Now in its third year, the pageant features contestants who are all current or former military members.

The Ms. Veteran America contest sets itself apart in a unique way. In addition to awarding tiaras and sashes, the contest's organizers also raise money and awareness for the Final Salute organization. Final Salute is a fund-raising initiative that helps homeless female veterans get access to safe and suitable housing.

Staff Sgt. Katie Jo Williams, of Altamont, Illinois, a recruiter with the Illinois National Guard Recruiting and Retention Command, said she decided to compete when a friend brought the organization to her attention on Facebook.

"My friend sent me the link and I thought it was a good cause," said Williams. "I got to thinking, when most people think of homeless vets they think of men, not women. I'm not a big feminist, but I think women get downplayed a lot."

Williams said she didn't have very high hopes when she decided to compete.

"I've never really been a girly-girl, I was always a tomboy," said Williams. "I had never even really tried something like this but I thought the worst they would say is 'no'. I deal with a lot of young women in high school and I feel like they don't have enough confidence. I want to show them how. Even if I don't win, I can be a cross-fit competitor and a pageant competitor. Just getting the word out there will help those homeless female veterans," said Williams

Outside her military career Williams also practices competitive cross-fit. She placed 21st in her division at "The Event," a cross-fit competition at her gym in Bloomington, Illinois, in April.

Williams said it was family legacy and personal drive that convinced her to join the military seven years ago.

"My grandpa was in the Navy and then the Army. My father was in the Marine Corps. And now I am the only female in my family to be in the military," said Williams. "My grandpa told me stories when I was young about his time in Vietnam. Since I was ten I knew I wanted to be a part of it. I wanted to travel the world and have all those experiences."

After enlisting as a motor transport operator, Williams deployed with the 634th Brigade Support Battalion, out of Mattoon, Illinois, to Camp Phoenix, Afghanistan, from 2008 to 2009. It was in the 634th when she met Staff Sgt. John A. Howard of Champaign, Illinois

Howard, who is now the full-time readiness noncommissioned officer for the 1544th Transportation Company Detachment in Danville, Illinois, has given Williams many pointers throughout her career and has always helped her through tough situations.

Howard said he thinks Williams stands a solid chance of winning because of her work ethic and her reputation as a motivated Soldier.

"I wouldn't bet against her if she stays true to herself and continues to do what she has been doing and doesn't deviate from what she knows is right," said Howard.

Williams will compete not only for the title of Ms. Veteran America, but also for two additional awards. Williams elected to compete for the titles of "Social Butterfly," which requires the most "likes" on Facebook to win, and "Iron Princess," which is awarded to the competitor who best works fitness and healthy living into their lifestyle. Williams said she wants to compete for the Social Butterfly title because, as a recruiter, she likes to connect with people and make new friends.

Williams said Iron Princess was also a natural choice given her involvement in cross-fit and healthy life style.

So what is next for Williams? For now she is preparing for the regional competition in Arlington,Virgina, which will take place on June 8. Though that is right around the corner, Williams said she believes she is ready.

"I'm not nervous about the experience, but maybe I am anxious," said Williams. "This is something I have never done before, so I do have some stomach butterflies, but it is excitement and nervousness all at the same time."

Williams said she wants to wow the judges with her voice during the talent portion of the competition. She has chosen to sing "I see the Light" sung originally by Mandy Moore from Disney's 2010 animated musical "Tangled."

"My sister tells me I sound like Mandy Moore," said Williams. "My sister and my friends told me I should do that one. It's a nice simple song just to show the judges what I can do."

For now, Williams is keeping herself grounded but hopeful about the regionals contest in June.

"If I do win, that would be awesome," said Williams. "I wouldn't know what to say. I would be ecstatic about being able to represent female veterans everywhere. I don't think there's another title that can compare."

14 May 2014

What Every Parent Needs to Know About Their Schools

By Jeanne Allen

Teacher Appreciation Day, Field Day, Spring concerts, sports competitions and awards ceremonies, plays, debates, school application and testing, testing, testing. They are all part of that familiar end-of-school-year rhythm, which has started for most and will begin to play out through the year's end, and the hopeful promotion of our babies to their next level in school.

Would that it were so simple - and pleasant - for all families!

While most of us will experience these milestones with joy and a twang of bittersweet as they signal the progression of our kids and their growing up, others find that these experiences mask the real issues surrounding the school experience - namely, success for their children and their particular kind of learning. Indeed, in a nation where less than 40 percent of our children are barely proficient in reading and math, and where even the highest performing schools pale in comparison to those of previous generations and even other countries, there is much more work to be done than our rewarding volunteer work at the school or park would suggest.

For every parent that finds themself in a school or educational setting that is meeting the needs of their child nearly 100%, there are at least ten who are scratching their heads at their daughter's demise in math class, their son's sudden lack of interest in English, the suggestion that Johnny needs a tutor or that Marcie is distracted or seems bored.

Once upon a time, parents just naturally assumed that these problems were a result of their own kid's deficiencies, of their own family's failures in some way. A generation of tutoring companies and support organizations has accumulated a small fortune as parents took the guilt upon themselves to solve.  Then, an interesting thing happened. Just 15 years ago, technology and the Internet made it possible and easier to share stories, and parents around the country began learning that their problems were not theirs alone, and that their own reading and math woes, their own sense of resignation over their child's behavior, may have more to do with the standards set by the school and its staff (often low and fuzzy) the poor quality of instruction, the lack of accountability, and for children of color what was once called the "soft bigotry of low expectations."

Such was the birth of the parental empowerment movement, and that movement today is flourishing as a result of parent-led reforms that have grown from organized dining room table conversations to full fledged school networks leading and demonstrating that every part of the learning process matters and that content and instruction can drive a child to succeed or fail.

Just as technology is transforming every element of our day, it is transforming parents' ability to drive their child's education. The progress made in just 20 short years since organizations like the Center for Education Reform were born is nothing short of extraordinary. Parents became activists and turned their community's schools around. Educators bonded with other educators and started whole schools devoted to themes and ideas they always knew would work for kids. Some of these individuals went on to become policymakers, and more and more high quality talent flowed into the education system, creating a generation of parents and educators who'd long felt there was something more they could do and expect.

Parents with power, teachers with power and schools with accountability can now be found in nearly every state, and most communities. Such assets are improving student learning, accelerating growth and captivating a nation. But progress is still not ubiquitous or evenly distributed. And the forces that fought these initial reform efforts still loom large in the public eye and in state halls across the country.

To truly ensure that all schools work best for all children, those we have now and those to come, we must take 20 years of lessons learned and move those lessons into every community, and put them within reach of every parent.

Every parent knows that history is the best teacher, which is why before any parent engages in working to ensure their child gets the best education possible, they need to be armed with enough information -- and lessons learned -- to succeed.

History is just unfolding, but there's good news for anyone wanting to help make it. Lessons learned and stories of ordinary people like you are available and easy to find. Many of these compelling stories can be found in Education Reform: Before It Was Cool, an indispensable new anthology for those who want to read first-hand about the greatest contributors to the movement to make our nation's schools work better for all children.

Read about the pioneers, and join the new revolution to make parent power a reality in all children's lives.

Jeanne Allen founded the Center for Education Reform (CER) in 1993 and serves as the organization's senior fellow and president-emeritus. Allen is the editor of Education Reform: Before It Was Cool, available on Amazon.

14 May 2014

INAUGURAL FERRIS WHEEL RIDE MAY 24 TO BENEFIT GENESIS FOUNDATION

By Marco LaNave
Only 300 tickets will be sold through Genesis for noon event Saturday, May 24, before 6 p.m. game

DAVENPORT, Iowa (May 14, 2014) - The Inaugural Ferris Wheel Ride event and fundraiser is scheduled for noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 24, to kick off a Memorial Day Weekend grand opening for the new attraction. Ticket proceeds from the event at Modern Woodmen Park will go to benefit the Genesis Health Services Foundation in the Quad Cities.

Event tickets are available at Modern Woodmen Park or by calling the Genesis Foundation at 563-421-6865. Only 300 tickets will be sold for the inaugural ride event, and attendees have the chance to be among the 100 drawn to participate in the first ride of the Ferris Wheel.

May 24th, the doors will open for the Inaugural Ferris Wheel Ride event at noon, with appetizers, giveaways, music and a cash bar in the Budweiser Champions Club. The event is exclusively for the 300 advance ticket holders. From the 300 event tickets, 100 will be selected at 1 p.m. for the Inaugural Ferris Wheel Ride, which will take place at 1:30 p.m. Additional rides will be offered until 3 p.m.

Proceeds from the event will go to the Genesis Health Services Foundation, specifically Camp Genesis, Genesis NICU and Flu-Free QC. In addition, a portion of every Ferris wheel ride ticket sold this season will be donated to the Genesis Health Services Foundation for children's health and wellness.

"We are absolutely thrilled to partner with the Genesis Health Services Foundation for the Inaugural Ferris Wheel Ride, which will begin an entire season of giving back to the Quad Cities community," said River Bandits owner Dave Heller. "The Ferris wheel is about gathering the people of the entire region to come to the Quad Cities, downtown Davenport, and Modern Woodmen Park for affordable, family-friendly entertainment, which is going to the next level with the Ferris wheel!"

"We're grateful to be the charity of choice to receive proceeds from the Inaugural Ferris Wheel Ride and throughout the season," said Melinda "Missy" Gowey, Genesis Health Services Foundation Executive Director. "What better way to support children's health and wellness than with an attraction that 'brings out the child' in all of us. Thanks to the River Bandits, this is going to be an exciting summer in support of our community's kids."

Following the Inaugural Ferris Wheel Ride event, there will be a 3:30 p.m. ribbon cutting for the Ferris wheel. At 4:30 p.m., the gates of Modern Woodmen Park will open for the 6 p.m. River Bandits game, and fans in attendance may purchase tickets at the amusement areas to ride the Ferris wheel. The first 1,500 fans to the ballpark that night will also receive a free Carlos Correa bobblehead, courtesy of CBS4 WHBF and APAC Customer Services.

The amusements of Modern Woodmen Park will be open throughout Memorial Day weekend. While the River Bandits are on the road, the general public may still come to the ballpark to ride the Ferris wheel and enjoy the amusements. The amusement areas of Modern Woodmen Park will be open noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, May 25, which is also the rain date for the Inaugural Ferris Wheel Ride event. On Monday, May 26, the ballpark will be open noon to 6 p.m. on Memorial Day.

The amusement rides are scheduled to be open - weather permitting - to fans at every River Bandits home game, and will also be open on weekend non-game days: Fridays 6 p.m.-10 p.m., Saturdays 10 a.m.-noon and 6 p.m.-10 p.m., and Sundays 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Ferris wheel rides are $5 each (two for $8, four for $15), and Bounce QC Kids Zone access is $5 per child. An all-you-can-ride-and-bounce daily pass is $20, and a season pass for unlimited rides and play in the Bounce QC Kids Zone is $49.

UP NEXT: The official lighting of the Ferris Wheel will be a part of Markdown Monday when the River Bandits open their next homestand May 19 at Modern Woodmen Park. Gates open at 5:30 p.m., and bleacher tickets, as well as hot dogs, peanuts, popcorn, nachos, soda and beer are just $2 each for the 7 p.m. game. Tickets are available online at www.riverbandits.com. Don't miss the great light show that comes with the new Ferris Wheel! To order any of the 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.

ABOUT THE BANDITS: Having just been named Ballpark Digest's winner of Best Ballpark Improvement in America under $1 million, the River Bandits ownership is making one of the biggest improvements to Modern Woodmen Park since the ballpark was first built back in 1931! A new Ferris wheel, standing 110 feet over the playing field, will open May 24, along with a new ride called a "Drop and Twist," an expanded 300-foot long zip line, and many other new games and attractions. In 2013, the team unveiled a new 220-foot long dual zip line, a rock climbing wall, and a number of new bounce houses. The team's major league affiliate, the Houston Astros, just saw all six of its affiliates reach the playoffs - the first time in a decade any MLB team can claim such success. The River Bandits were one of three affiliates to reach the championship round and one of two to win their league championship.

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14 May 2014

Braley Urges White House to Abandon EPA's Proposal to Weaken the Renewable Fuel Standard

By Rick Martin

Washington, D.C. - Rep. Bruce Braley today issued the following statement urging the White House Task Force on Climate Preparedness and Resiliency, which is meeting today in Des Moines, to revisit the EPA's proposal to weaken the Renewable Fuel Standard.

"Iowa is at the forefront of developing the type of energy and industry we need to combat climate disruption head on?and the Renewable Fuel Standard is at the center of that effort. In addition to creating 60,000 Iowa jobs and adding billions to our economy, it's replacing billions of gallons of foreign oil with renewable ethanol. I hope that the members of the White House's task force will take this opportunity to urge the EPA to rethink its counterproductive proposal and stand up for this growing source of clean, renewable American energy and all the related innovation it is spawning."

Braley has consistently fought the proposed EPA changes since they were first reported on in October. Late last year he joined VoteVets.org to deliver over 110,000 signatures to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) protesting proposed changes. In November, Braley wrote a letter to President Obama expressing his anger and frustration with the proposed EPA changes. In December, he joined Governor Branstad to testify at an EPA hearing stressing the benefits of the current levels and the positive impact the RFS has on Iowa. 

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14 May 2014

Iowa Insurance Division Brings "Iowa Fraud Fighters" to Davenport

By Rick Martin
Public Education Program and Complimentary Luncheon to Assist Eastern Iowans
Prevent and Report Investment Fraud Comes to Davenport on June 5

DAVENPORT, IA - Iowa Insurance Commissioner Nick Gerhart announced today that the Iowa Insurance Division (IID) is bringing the statewide "Iowa Fraud Fighters - Shield Your Savings" public education program to the RiverCenter in Davenport on June 5. The program will educate and empower Iowans to combat and report investment and insurance fraud.

"Con artists are targeting Americans age 60 and older, swindling more than 5 million Americans out of almost $3 billion each year," said Commissioner Gerhart. "Unfortunately, many smart Iowans have fallen victim to these very slick and sophisticated investment scammers, and some have lost their entire life savings."

Martha-Jo Ennis, a retired school teacher from Marion, Iowa, said she never understood how anyone could fall for an investment scheme until it happened to her?and she lost her retirement savings and the money she invested from the sale of her family farm.

According to Linn County District Court records, Ennis was one of numerous Iowa victims who lost millions of dollars in a Ponzi-type scheme orchestrated by Noah Aulwes, former owner of Covenant Advisors of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Aulwes pleaded guilty last year to theft in the first degree, securities fraud and money laundering, and received a prison sentence of up to 10 years. Victim impact statements read during the hearing stated Aulwes preyed on retirees, using charm and Christianity to get a foot in the door and gain victims' trust.

"Iowans need to take the time to double-check investment offers and verify with our agency whether the adviser and offer are legitimate," said Commissioner Gerhart. "Our goal is to educate Iowans on common scams and arm them with tools and tips to prevent fraud from happening to them. The Iowa Insurance Division and our partner government agencies are attacking this senior fraud problem at the forefront. We are coming to Davenport to help eastern Iowans prevent fraud."

Iowa Insurance Division Communications Director Tom Alger, Iowa Assistant Attorney General Kevin McCarty, Iowa Department on Aging Legal Assistant Director Paige Thorson and Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) Director Kris Gross will present the Iowa Fraud Fighters program and panel discussion.

Registration begins at 11:30 a.m., lunch is served at noon and the program concludes at 1:30 p.m. Informational booths staffed by agency representatives, and Milestones Area Agency on Aging and AARP, forum assistance providers, close at 2 p.m. To RSVP for the presentation and complimentary luncheon, call toll-free at 866-559-7114, or fill out the online form at IowaFraudFighters.gov before noon on May 29. This free event is limited to the first 200 respondents and is funded partly from fines and settlements collected from scammers.

"This forum gives Iowans the opportunity to speak with several government agencies and learn about the state resources available to help prevent fraud from happening to them or a loved one," said Gerhart. "We also want Iowans to know we are here to help them take charge in the fight against fraud and the importance of reporting fraud to state and federal agencies when it occurs."

Iowans are encouraged to visit www.IowaFraudFighters.gov to learn about common investment and insurance scams and discover tips and tools to prevent fraud. The site includes answers to frequently asked questions and a checklist of information to gather from investment advisers to verify the legitimacy of the offer and the investment adviser.

In addition to the community forums and website, the public education program includes a TV and newspaper public service advertising campaign.

The Iowa Insurance Division has general control, supervision and direction over all insurance and securities business transacted in the state, and enforces Iowa's laws and regulations. The IID investigates consumer complaints and prosecutes companies, agents and brokers engaging in unfair trade practices. Consumers with insurance or investment questions or complaints may contact the IID toll-free at 877-955-1212, or visit the division on the Web at www.iid.state.ia.us.

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