On Monday, July 15, 2013, The Rotary Club of Davenport installed its 102nd President with President Gary Loss taking the oath of office from outgoing President Cheryl Goodwin (see attached photo). Fresh from the Rotary International Convention held in Lisbon, Portugal, President Loss summarized his convention experiences as well as presented his goals for the upcoming 2013?2014 fiscal year. Gary also took the opportunity to introduce the board of directors, officers and committee chairs who will be working alongside him during his Presidency.
Other officers inducted at the meeting were: Paul Johnson, President-elect; Betsy Pratt, Vice-President; Steve Gray, Secretary; Bob Sharp, Treasurer; Brian Wright, Sergeant-at-Arms; Cheryl Goodwin, Past President.
Also elected to the board were Gene Meeker, Rick Best, Mark Zimmerman, Eloise Graham, Bob Morrison and Rob Scott.
Throughout the year, President Loss will continue to build on the momentum of his predecessors, primarily striving to increase the vitality of Davenport Rotary through membership engagement, increased meeting attendance, additional networking opportunities, and increased visibility of Rotary.
Led by Rotary International President, Ron Burton from Norman, OK, "Engage Rotary Change Lives" is the guiding theme for the 2013?3014 Rotary International year. President Loss is challenging each member to engage and help change lives.
Rotary offers wonderful opportunities to serve our fellow human beings in our vocations, community, country and world. The club currently has 17 active committees, including scholarships, local community service, and world community service.
For more information, go to www.davenportrotary.org.

St. Mark Evangelical Lutheran Church, 2363 W. 3rd St., Davenport will begin its new MOPS group in September with the first group meeting on Tuesday, September 10th from 9 to 11 am.

MOPS sessions will be on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month from September through May. Child care is provided.

A drive-through registration for the St Mark MOPS group will take place on Wednesday, August 7th from 4 to 6 PM in the east parking lot of the church. Moms will not even have to get out of their cars, or take their children out of their car seats in order to register, but will be able to accomplish it from the comfort of their cars. To participate in the MOPS program you must be registered.

Registration forms will also be available in the church office, (563) 322 - 5318.

"We are delighted to be able to offer this important ministry for mothers and their children. Children are a gift from God and, at St Mark, we feel it is very important to provide spiritual support and encouragement to mothers with small children," commented Pastor Doris Nolan, Associate Pastor at the church.

For more information about MOPS at St Mark, contact Keri Bass (563) 650-6240 or Angi Kauffman (563)579-7285

St. Mark Cares...Welcome, Worship, Witness.

-end-

House Laws Crack Down on Boaters Who Drive Under the Influence of Alcohol

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today issued a stern warning to anyone who pilots a boat while under the influence of alcohol: if you're drunk while operating a boat, you may lose your right to operate a car. Standing at Chicago's new 31st Street marina and joined by the family of  Tony Borcia - the 10-year old Libertyville boy killed last July by a drunk boater - Governor Quinn signed two bills to crack down on boating under the influence and strengthen other provisions of Illinois' boating safety laws. Today's action is part of the governor's agenda to keep Illinois families safe.

"One year ago, Tony Borcia and his family were enjoying a day out on the lake, tubing behind a pontoon boat. Suddenly a large speedboat piloted by a man impaired by alcohol and drugs bore down on Tony, resulting in this fatal tragedy. We enact this law in Tony's memory," Governor Quinn said. "Tony Borcia could have been anyone's son, brother, grandson or nephew. People enjoying our magnificent waterways shouldn't have to worry about reckless, drunken boaters when they're out tubing, swimming or paddling."

"We need to change the culture that accepts and even encourages a driver of a boat to drink while driving. It is time to take our lakes and rivers back," said Margaret Borcia, Tony's mother, who launched the "Y-noT Project" to encourage responsible boating. She invited people to visit the project's website at www.ynotproject.com.

Governor Quinn today signed Senate Bill 1479 - sponsored by State Senator Julie A. Morrison (D-Deerfield) and State Representative Scott Drury (D-Highwood) - which ensures that anyone operating a motorboat involved in an accident involving serious injury or death must consent to the chemical testing of their blood, breath or urine to determine blood alcohol or drug content. Operators who refuse testing, test positive for drugs or exceed the legal blood alcohol content limit, face suspension of their Illinois driver's license. This law takes effect on Jan. 1.

"Drinking and boating is every bit as dangerous as drinking and driving," Senator Morrison said, Tony Borcia's aunt and the chief sponsor of the legislation. "I hope this law will make everyone operating a boat think twice before consuming alcohol."

"Drunk and intoxicated boaters have stolen our lakes from local families, at times resulting in senseless and preventable tragedies," Representative Drury said. "These new laws will keep our communities safer by sending a strong message that the culture of irresponsible boating behavior will no longer be tolerated in Illinois."

In 2012, there were 101 boating-related accidents on Illinois waters, resulting in 17 deaths and 77 injuries. Alcohol use was a contributing factor in 13 of the accidents and five of the fatalities.

Governor Quinn also signed Senate Bill 1310 - sponsored by State Senator Melinda Bush (D-Grayslake) and State Representative Michael J. Zalewski (D-Riverside) - which strengthens the state's Boat Registration and Safety Act regarding a boat's carrying capacity, redefines "authorized emergency watercraft" and hikes penalties on boat rental operators who fail to equip their crafts.

The new law, which takes effect immediately, clarifies that a person being towed by a watercraft, such as a skier, tuber or parasailer, is considered part of the total number of passengers for purposes of a boat's carrying capacity. The clarification will curb overcrowding by closing a loophole for boat operators claiming that a passenger being towed is not part of the watercraft's overall capacity.

The new law also adds flashing blue lights to the list of colored lights necessary for a watercraft to be designated an authorized emergency watercraft. This will enable Illinois Conservation Police, whose boats use flashing blue lights, to better enforce the law. Finally, the legislation boosts penalties on boat rental operators who fail to properly equip a rental craft with life jackets, a fire extinguisher or lighting.

"With summer in full swing and Illinois residents spending recreational time on the water, ensuring safe waterways is critical," Representative Zalewski said. "I look forward to working with law enforcement officials to keep our children, families and friends safe while they enjoy Illinois' lakes and rivers."

"These new laws will help Illinois Conservation Police officers and other law enforcement units remind boaters and boat operators to be safe while spending time on the water this summer and year-round," Illinois Department of Natural Resources Director Marc Miller said. "Staying safe starts with always wearing a life jacket, and never operating a boat while under the influence of drugs or alcohol."

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Quad Cities gets home runs by Teoscar Hernandez and Luis Alvarez in series-opening loss

EASTLAKE, Ohio (JULY 20, 2013) - The Lake County Captains greeted Quad Cities River Bandits right-hander Chris Devenski with home runs by shortstop Dorssys Paulino and designated hitter Richard Stock in a four-run first inning, and the home team held on for a 5-3 victory at Classic Park Saturday night.

After a 1-2-3 top of the first inning by Captains left-hander Ryan Merritt (6-9), Paulino homered as the second Captains batter against Devenski (0-2) in the bottom half. With two outs, first baseman Joe Sever hit a double down the third-base line, and third baseman Erik Gonzalez followed with an RBI double to left-center field for a 2-0 lead. The next batter, designated hitter Richard Stock, drove a two-run home run to right field to make it 4-0.

The Captains (14-14 second half, 37-58 overall) added a run in the fourth inning on Sever's bases-loaded infield single. Sever led his team with three hits, while left fielder Gonzalez, Paulino and left fielder Todd Hankins each had two of the team's 11 hits. Devenski finished four innings, allowing five earned runs on nine hits and a walk, while matching a season high with seven strikeouts.

River Bandits right-hander Juri Perez started the fifth inning following Devenski and worked through four shutout innings to give the visitors a chance for a comeback. Perez worked around a walk and single in both the sixth and eighth innings but also had two strikeouts.

Merritt kept Quad Cities (15-12, 53-43) scoreless until the sixth inning, when center fielder Teoscar Hernandez lifted his team-high seventh home run of the season to right-center field. Left fielder Jordan Scott followed with a single down the left-field line, but Hankins quickly picked up the ball and threw out Scott when he tried to advance to second base.

River Bandits catcher Luis Alvarez closed the deficit to 5-2 against Merritt when he sent a drive to the left-field bleachers for his second home run in the Midwest League. Merritt finished seven innings, allowing six hits and one walk while striking out two batters.

Captains right-hander Grant Sides worked a perfect eighth inning but made the ninth interesting by issuing a leadoff walk to Scott and a one-out walk to first baseman Jesse Wierzbicki. Third baseman Rio Ruiz hit an RBI single to center field for a 5-3 deficit, before Alvarez struck out and right fielder Dan Gulbransen flied out to deep center field for the final out with the tying run at first base.

The River Bandits continue their series in Lake County with Game 2 at 6:00 p.m. Central Time Sunday. River Bandits left-hander Joe Bircher (1-0) will face Captains right-hander Luis Morel (2-1).

UP NEXT: Modern Woodmen Park is a nominee for the "Best Minor League Ballpark" in the 2013 10Best Readers' Choice Awards, and fans can vote once per day at 10Best.com until the winner is announced Aug. 14. The River Bandits return to Modern Woodmen Park Tuesday, July 30. Single-game tickets are on sale at the River Bandits box office at Modern Woodmen Park, by phone at  563-324-3000 and online at www.riverbandits.com. Season ticket and mini-plan packages start at just seven games and begin at less than $50. Call a River Bandits account representative today to choose your seats and get the details of our various mini-plan packages.

DES MOINES, IA - Yesterday, at the 18th Biennial Convention of AFSCME Iowa Council 61, Danny Homan was re-elected as President of AFSCME Iowa Council 61 by acclamation.

"I am honored by the trust and confidence placed in me by AFSCME Iowa's members. AFSCME Iowa will continue to strongly advocate on behalf of our members, their families, and the services we provide to our communities," said Homan.

"Our Union has accomplished much on behalf of our members over the last two years. AFSCME Iowa has successfully negotiated many contracts on behalf of the employees it represents. AFSCME Iowa prevented Governor Branstad from unconstitutionally expanding his item-veto power by taking him to the Iowa Supreme Court, where AFSCME Iowa prevailed in a unanimous decision. AFSCME Iowa also successfully defended the health care benefits earned by state and judicial employees by winning a historic arbitration decision in March 2013," added Homan.

Homan was first elected in 2005 and will now begin his 5th term. Danny Homan was born and raised in Sioux City, Iowa. Homan proudly served in the United States Army from October 1971 until August 1973 as an Atomic Weapons Specialist. Danny Homan started his public employee career in June, 1984 with the Third Judicial District, Department of Correctional Services as a Residential Advisor at the Residential Treatment Facility in Sioux City.

Danny Homan started his career with AFSCME Iowa Council 61 in December 1987 as a Political Organizer. In February 1988, Homan was hired as a Union Representative serving AFSCME members in Northwest Iowa until July of 2005. In July 2005, Homan was elected President of AFSCME Iowa Council 61.

Susie Baker, a Drafter at the University of Northern Iowa, was re-elected as Executive Vice President by acclamation. Jerry Jones, a Correctional Officer at the Newton Correctional Facility, was re-elected as Secretary-Treasurer by acclamation.

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Eight Bandits combine for 11 hits, while Minor and Jankowski combine for five scoreless innings

 

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (JULY 19, 2013) - In the first Minor League Baseball game featuring consecutive No. 1 overall picks on the field for the same team, the Quad Cities River Bandits bullpen followed 2013 top pick Mark Appel's four innings with five shutout frames, and 2012 top pick Carlos Correa hit a two-run home run in a 6-3 victory over the Fort Wayne TinCaps at Parkview Field Friday night.


In his second Midwest League start, Appel followed a one-out, first-inning single with consecutive strikeouts. In the second inning, he allowed a one-out single by left fielder Luis Domoromo. Two batters later, right fielder Corey Adamson drove a ball to right for a two-run home run - the first against Appel professionally - and a 2-0 TinCaps lead.

 

Quad Cities (15-11 second half, 53-42 overall) answered in the next inning against TinCaps right-hander Matthew Shepherd (4-2). Second baseman Austin Elkins drew a one-out walk, and Correa smashed a drive beyond the left-field fence for his sixth home run to tie the game, 2-2. Correa later added a double in his team-high 30th multi-hit game.

 

After Appel got three groundouts in a 1-2-3 third inning, Quad Cities took the lead in the top of the fourth inning. Right fielder Dan Gulbransen drove a leadoff double to right-center field and scored on designated hitter Bobby Borchering's RBI single through the middle for a 3-2 lead. Left fielder Jordan Scott then bounced a hit over first baseman Diego Goris that scored Borchering and put Scott on third base with an RBI triple. Scott scored on a sacrifice fly by center fielder Teoscar Hernandez for a 5-2 advantage. Shepherd was charged with five runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out three batters in 3 2/3 innings.

 

Fort Wayne (10-17, 53-43) answered with a home run in the bottom of the inning, as third baseman Gabriel Quintana extended his 15-game hitting streak with a solo shot to left field off Appel. But the right-hander struck out the next two batters to finish four innings with a 5-3 lead after allowing three earned runs on a four hits with four strikeouts.

 

Right-hander Daniel Minor (6-1) started the fifth inning for Quad Cities and only allowed three hits - consecutive two-outs singles in the fifth inning and a two-out double in the seventh - while tossing three scoreless innings and striking out one. Quad Cities added a ninth-inning run on a sacrifice fly by third baseman Rio Ruiz, while right-hander Jordan Jankowski pitched the final two scoreless innings for his third save. Quad Cities pitchers have not issued a walk in 21 consecutive innings, and eight players had hits for the offense Friday.

 

Friday's victory gave Quad Cities its first-ever series win at Parkview Field and also means The Captain's Table at 4801 River Drive in Moline will offer The Captain's Table Victory Discount on Saturday, July 20. Anyone who mentions the River Bandits victory can receive a free appetizer or dessert with the purchase of two lunches or dinners with beverages on Saturday, July 20.

 

The River Bandits continue their road trip with a three-game visit to Lake County, with the series opener at 6:00 p.m. Central Time Saturday. River Bandits right-hander Chris Devenski (0-1) will face Captains left-hander Ryan Merritt (5-9).

 

UP NEXT: Modern Woodmen Park is a nominee for the "Best Minor League Ballpark" in the 2013 10Best Readers' Choice Awards, and fans can vote once per day at 10Best.com until the winner is announced Aug. 14. The River Bandits return to Modern Woodmen Park Tuesday, July 30. Single-game tickets are on sale at the River Bandits box office at Modern Woodmen Park, by phone at  563-324-3000 and online at www.riverbandits.com. Season ticket and mini-plan packages start at just seven games and begin at less than $50. Call a River Bandits account representative today to choose your seats and get the details of our various mini-plan packages.

 

ABOUT THE BANDITS: 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 112 feet over the playing field, is planned for next spring, along with a carousel and other new games and attractions. This season, the team just unveiled a new 300-foot long dual zip line, a rock climbing wall, a Mediacom Frog Hopper, and a number of new bounce houses . The team also boasts a new major league affiliate, the Houston Astros, and fans can see the first team in Minor League Baseball history with back-to-back No. 1 overall draft picks - 2012 top pick Carlos Correa and 2013 top pick Mark Appel, as well as 2012 first-round draft choice Lance McCullers. With new rides, new attractions, new improvements, a new affiliate and future major league stars, the second half of this season is one every fan will not want to miss!

 

*****

 

Fun with Children's Books - July 22-Aug. 2
robot with have book will travel masthead Join us at 10:30 am on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, July 22 to Aug 2, for Monarch Club and Reader Riot at the 30/31 Branch Library! You'll find fun activities and books your children will absolutely love to read. Monarch Club is for grades K-2, and focuses on award-winning picture books. Reader Riot is for grades 1-3, and includes fun beginning reader books. Both are free, and offered at the same time.

Build your child's love of reading with your library!

 


Learn how to use your tablet!
icon for Android system tablets - green robot If you have a new Android Tablet, and want to learn more about how to use it, join us on Monday, July 22 for Using Your Tablet, 6:30 pm. at the Main Library. You'll gain great tips for new things you can do with it. This session is for users of Android tablets only. Bring your device - it's a hands-on class!
Teen Gaming Night and Teen Craft Night

Teen Gaming Night - 6:00 pm, Tuesday, July 23, Main Library. Snacks and free play with Xbox 360 with Kinect, Wii, board games. Ages 12 to 18.

 

Teen Craft Night, Try all sorts of different crafting projects with the materials we have on hand. 4:00 to 5:30 pm, Thursday, July 25, Main Library.

 

And there's more!

 

Teen Feature Movie: Tuesday, July 30, 1:00 to 3:30 pm, Main Library. Free movie and popcorn.

 

Teen Reading Wrap up Party:  6:00 to 7:30 pm,Tuesday, August 6, Main Library. Hear who won Beneath the Surface Summer Reading prizes, enjoy games and snacks, and celebrate one more time!

Teen events are for ages 12 to 18. Bring your bingo card summer reading form and complete a square for attending these programs!

Last Free Family Performance: Thursday, July 25
photo of Babaloo Music and Fun Join us on Thursday, July 25 for the action-packed, high-energy musical antics of Babaloo Music and Fun. Two free shows:
10:00 am, Main Library, 401 19th Street
1:30 pm, Southwest Branch, 9010 Ridgewood Road.

Best described as a one-man musical comedy act for children of all ages, Babaloo has been wowing children with a raucous, zany brand of entertainment for nearly 20 years.  The interactive shows get kids smiling, laughing and up their feet, featuring singing, stomping, dancing, bucket-beating and bubble-busting fun. And with award-winning songs like "My Toothbrush Fell in the Toilet" and "The Wee Wee Dance," what kid could resist? 
Cool off with Friday Children's Movie
Join us for a great children's movie and popcorn at 1:00 pm on Friday, July 26 in the Main Library Community Room. This fun Disney movie about a grumpy old man, a huge bunch of balloons and his flying house, offers fun for the whole family. Our favorite line? "Squirrel!"
Return your summer reading logs & contest entries
Compass Rose illustration with globe in middle The clock is ticking on our summer reading journey - make sure you return your children's Have Book Will Travel reading logs, and your adult summer reading entries by Friday, July 26! Kids who get at least half-way through the form earn extra tickets to win fun prize baskets. Adult prizes include a Kindle and Kindle Fire HD, and gift cards. Teens get a little longer to earn rewards - until Aug. 2.

Remember, you can't win if you don't bring back your forms, so get reading!
Check out a pass for free summer fun

You can now check out a free family pass for:

 

The Figge Art Museum - Pass admits four

 

Niabi Zoo  - Admits two adults /up to 4 children,

 

The Quad City Botanical Center - Admits 4

Sorry, passes can't be reserved for a specific day. Each pass checks out for seven days, and must be picked up and returned in person at the issuing library branch.

More Ways to Stay in Touch!
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Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack today called on House Speaker John Boehner to immediately go to Conference Committee on the farm bill to work out the differences between the House and Senate versions of the bill.  Loebsack has consistently fought to move a farm bill forward that can be signed into law.  Last month, he joined the Iowa delegation, and was one of only 24 Democrats, to support the House version of the farm bill that contained both agriculture and nutrition policy and was subsequently voted down.  He also introduced in the House the bipartisan farm bill legislation that recently passed the Senate with the support of both Senators Harkin and Grassley.

"It is critical to Iowa's economy, farmers, families, and our rural communities that the farm bill process continues moving forward to get a bill signed into law as quickly as possible," wrote Loebsack.  "While Members like me have promoted compromise throughout the farm bill process, it is now time that you take the commonsense step forward by moving a complete farm bill to conference. I urge you to recognize the opportunity for compromise by moving quickly to conference with both our agricultural programs and nutrition programs."

A copy of the letter can be found here.

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DAVENPORT, IA–Beginning Monday, July 22, Waste Commission of Scott County will extend its weekday hours at the Scott Area Landfill, 11555 110th Avenue, Davenport. Landfill hours will be as follows:

  • 7 a.m. - 6 p.m. Mondays
  • 7 a.m. - 4 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays
  • 8 a.m. - noon Saturdays

Extended hours will end Friday, Aug. 30.

The landfill is located west of Davenport on County Road Y-48, three miles south of Highway 61.

Waste Commission of Scott County is an inter-governmental agency whose mission is to provide environmentally sound and economically feasible solid waste management. For more information about the Commission, please call (563) 381-1300 or visit www.wastecom.com.

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(DES MOINES) - Gov. Terry E. Branstad today named Des Moines attorney Sheila K. Tipton to the Iowa Utilities Board.

Tipton, 61, is a shareholder of the Belin McCormick law firm in Des Moines, primarily practicing in the area of the law of essential infrastructure, where she represented energy, telecommunications and water public utilities, renewable energy developers and customers, as well as other business entities, in certification, siting, ratemaking, rulemaking, merger, reorganization, compliance and other litigated proceedings before state and federal administrative agencies and in the state and federal courts.

She begins her new role on August 19, 2013.

"Sheila Tipton brings with her a wealth of experience and knowledge to the Iowa Utilities Board, and I am pleased she is taking on this important role for the state," said Gov. Branstad. "As we develop regulatory policies that promote energy production, and provide for the preservation and improvement of important infrastructure in Iowa, while protecting consumers, her perspective and voice will be extremely valuable."

Tipton is listed in The Best Lawyers in America® in the areas of Energy, Communications and Administrative Law (1991-present.) She was awarded Best Lawyers' 2012 Des Moines Communications Law Lawyer of the Year. She is involved in numerous community and professional activities, including the Downtown Community Alliance and Energy Bar Association.

"I am excited to begin my work on the Iowa Utilities Board," said Tipton. "Regulatory policy, including energy policy, is vitally important to Iowa's future, and affects everyone. I want to ensure Iowa's families, schools, businesses and nonprofits have access to regulatory policy and standards they deserve."

Tipton is replacing Swati Dandekar, who resigned from the board earlier this month.

Tipton and her husband, William L. Dawe, reside in Clive. They have four sons.

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