30 Aug 2013

ELLSWORTH COMM. COLLEGE GRADS LIST

By Robin Anctil
ECC announces 2013 Spring/Summer Graduate List
IOWA FALLS - One hundred fifty-nine Ellsworth Community College students completed graduation requirements during the Spring and Summer 2013 terms, and will receive their degrees/diplomas in a variety of programs. The staff and administration congratulate these new Ellsworth alumni for their academic accomplishments.
Students are listed below by hometowns; those with an asterisk (*) after their name earned a perfect 4.0 GPA for their entire ECC academic career. Unless otherwise noted, degrees awarded include Associate in Arts (AA), Associate in Science (AS), and Associate in Applied Science (AAS); the degree designation is followed by the major.
-30-
HOMETOWN, STATE; NAME, DEGREE;


Davenport, IA
Megan Black, AA Elementary Education;
Austin Smith, AA Athletic Training;
30 Aug 2013

DEVENSKI, BANDITS BULLPEN HOLD OFF RATTLERS

By Marco LaNave

Quad Cities wins ninth game in its last 11 and keeps Wisconsin one game out of a playoff spot


GRAND CHUTE, Wis. (AUG. 28, 2013) - Quad Cities River Bandits right-hander Chris Devenski allowed one run on four hits in six innings, and left fielder Danry Vasquez hit a go-ahead two-run triple in a three-run sixth inning that helped the visitors to a 4-2 win over the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers at Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium Wednesday night.


Playoff-bound Quad Cities (39-25 second half, 77-56 overall) won for the ninth time in the last 11 games to push its overall record a season-best 21 games over .500. With a loss, the defending Midwest League Champion Wisconsin (30-35, 59-71) remained one game behind Clinton (31-34, 64-70) with five games remaining to determine the final second-half playoff spot in the Western Division.

 

Devenski (4-3) pitched into the sixth inning for a fourth straight start and won for the fourth time in five starts. But he fell behind in the first inning, as Timber Rattlers shortstop Orlando Arcia hit a one-out single, and left fielder Victor Roache brought in the first run with single to center field. Around lone doubles in the second and third innings, Devenski kept the Timber Rattlers off the scoreboard for his final five innings. After a walk leading off the fourth, he induced a double play to begin a string of eight batters retired to end his outing.

 

Timber Rattlers right-hander Austin Ross was sharp for a second straight start against Quad Cities. Having allowed one hit in six shutout innings in Davenport Aug. 12, Ross opened the game by walking second baseman Tony Kemp before retiring 13 straight hitters. River Bandits catcher Roberto Pena broke the hitless spell with a one-out single in the fifth inning, but Ross finished five shutout frames.

 

In the sixth inning, left-hander Alan Williams (0-1) started by walking Kemp, who drew four walks in five plate appearances Wednesday. Center fielder Teoscar Hernandez placed a sacrifice, and shortstop Carlos Correa drew a walk. Vasquez hit a ground ball down the first-base line that went into the right-field corner to bring in both runs and bring Vasquez to third base. On the next pitch, third baseman Rio Ruiz singled past the dive of Wisconsin third baseman Matt Garza for a 3-1 lead.

 

Right-hander Richard Rodriguez allowed Wisconsin to come within 3-2 in the bottom of the seventh, as Garza hit a one-out triple and scored on a sacrifice fly by right fielder Max Walla. Quad Cities answered the next half-inning, as Kemp scored when second baseman Adrian Williams misplayed a ground ball. Left-hander Mitchell Lambson ran his hitless streak to 8 2/3 innings with a perfect eighth, and right-hander Andrew Walter ran his scoreless streak to 10 1/3 innigns with a 1-2-3 ninth for his second save in as many nights.

 

Wednesday's victory also means The Captain's Table at 4801 River Drive in Moline will offer The Captain's Table Victory Discount Thursday, Aug. 29. 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 Thursday, Aug. 29.

 

Quad Cities continues its final regular season road series in Wisconsin at 7:05 p.m. Thursday. River Bandits left-hander Joe Bircher (3-3) is scheduled to face Timber Rattlers right-hander Ryan Gibbard (4-6).

 

UP NEXT: The River Bandits' final homestand of the regular season kicks off Saturday, Aug. 31, with a Dallas Clark Bobblehead Giveaway presented by Barrel House 211 and CBS4 when gates open at 5:30 p.m. for a 7 p.m. game. Fireworks will also follow the game. 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!

 

*****

30 Aug 2013

Iowa Farm Bureau Wraps Up 2013 Summer Policy Conference in West Des Moines

By Andrew Wheeler

CONSERVATION, INFRASTRUCTURE, AND REGULATIONS DRIVE DISCUSSION AS IOWA FARM BUREAU MEMBERS SET STATE AND NATIONAL POLICIES

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa - August 28, 2013 - Iowa Farm Bureau voting delegates shared concerns about infrastructure problems, regulatory implications, and watershed management as they gathered in West Des Moines August 27-28  to set state and national legislative policy.  Water and soil conservation and country of origin labeling also topped their discussions.

"Over the last two days, our voting delegates discussed these priority issues and planned our course of action for 2014," said IFBF President Craig Hill.

Iowa's largest grassroots farm organization called for Watershed Management efforts to be established with balanced urban and agricultural representation from within that watershed, as members showed enthusiasm for conservation and improving Iowa's soil and waterways.  "Our Farm Bureau members are considering what they can do to make a difference on their farms and be visibly seen as leading the way towards progress in water quality," Hill said.  "After all, the overall goals of farmers and non-farmers have always been the same: to keep our soils strong and our water safe, and this is just one more way to assure progress in the field continues."

Transportation infrastructure funding also found consensus among IFBF farmers.  "It's a continuous effort to fund road infrastructure to facilitate sustainability and growth," said Hill.  "This isn't just an agricultural issue; this is an issue that affects all Iowans."

Another lively discussion at the IFBF Summer Policy Conference concerning the national issue of country of origin labeling (COOL).  "Trade compliance is very important to us, and we want to be a good trading partner," said Hill.  "IFBF members concluded that a mandatory COOL for meat harms open trade between the U.S. and our neighbors, and our members prefer a voluntary meat labeling program."

The IFBF Summer Policy Conference is a step in Farm Bureau's grassroots policy development process, which begins in the spring at the county level.  The national policies will now be subject to debate during American Farm Bureau Federation policy discussions in January 2014 in San Antonio.

 -30-

About Iowa Farm Bureau

The Iowa Farm Bureau Federation is a grassroots, statewide organization dedicated to enhancing the People, Progress and Pride of Iowa.  More than 153,000 families in Iowa are Farm Bureau members, working together to achieve farm and rural prosperity.  For more information about Farm Bureau and agriculture, visit the online media center at www.iowafarmbureau.com.

30 Aug 2013

Morgan Allen participates in Culver-Stockton's largest community service event, Extreme Dome Makeover

By Heidi Lanier

CANTON, MO (08/28/2013)(readMedia)-- Morgan Allen of Rock Island, Ill., was among Culver-Stockton College's students, alumni, faculty, staff and community members who spent Saturday, Aug. 24 volunteering for the fifth annual Extreme Dome Makeover. Over 400 volunteers participated in the event, sprucing up 13 work sites in the town of Canton, Mo.

Volunteers spent the day doing various activities like painting, landscaping and cleaning. Project sites included both public areas and private residences. Public sites included Canton Senior Housing, City Hall, Martin Park, the Mississippi River Park, the Canton Community Garden and more.

Extreme Dome Makeover provides the opportunity to introduce incoming students to the community of Canton, as well as to their classmates, advisors and neighbors. "We want our students to know that being a servant leader is important. Hopefully by the time they graduate they will know that importance and they'll be able to lead service projects in their own community after they graduate," said Dean of Students Chris Gill.

Culver-Stockton College, located in Canton, Mo., is a four-year residential institution in affiliation with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). C-SC specializes in experiential education and is one of only two colleges in the nation to offer the 12/3 semester calendar, where the typical 15 week semester is divided into two terms, a 12-week term and a 3-week term.

The C-SC Wildcats are members of the Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC) and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA).

30 Aug 2013

Pathologists Conclude Niabi Zoo Giraffe Calf Died of Lung Disorder

By Marc Heinzman
Coal Valley, IL - August 28, 2013 - Pathologists at the University of Illinois have reached a conclusion about what most likely caused the August 13 Niabi Zoo's newborn female giraffe calf. A necropsy (animal autopsy) was performed at the University of Illinois' College of Veterinary Medicine to determine the cause of death.  

After extensively studying internal organs, tissue samples, fluid samples, and bacterial cultures, pathologists have concluded that the cause of death was likely a lung disorder similar to Neonatal Respiratory Distress Syndrome (NRDS) in humans. Neonatal Respiratory Distress Syndrome is mainly caused by lack of surfactant, a slippery, protective substance which helps the lungs inflate with air and prevents them from collapsing after exhalation. While pathologists are unable to say with absolute certainty that NRDS was the cause of death, all tests and examinations seem to indicate a problem very similar to it.

The giraffe calf was born to one of Niabi Zoo's adult female giraffes, Mimi, but died approximately 3 hours after birth. The calf experienced apparent breathing troubles a few hours after birth and Niabi Zoo staff attempted to assist her.

Unfortunately she passed away soon thereafter. "We're sad to have lost her," said Zoo Director Marc Heinzman, "but the entire zoo staff welcomes the feeling of closure that comes with learning why she is gone."

# # #
30 Aug 2013

Honor Flight #24

By Cathie Rochau

Honor Flight of the Quad Cities 24th trip to Washington D.C took place on August 29. There was a combination of WWII and Korean era veterans on this trip. A special nod is being given to the guardians for this particular voyage, they are all 100% Vietnam era veterans- but they are traveling specifically as guardians to the WWII and Korean era vets who are aboard.

(Note:  we have had some issues with public folks thinking that since we took, for this flight only, Vietnam era veterans as GUARDIANS, that this means that HFQC is accepting them for the flights, as VETERANS. This is not the case. Right now, we continue to operate as WWII vets as #1 priority, as well as any terminally ill veteran from any war or conflict, then Korean Era veterans.  I just wanted you all to be aware of this because folks "read into" things, and perhaps there is some very careful way to make this differentiation about the guardians on this flight.)

The reason that HFQC has extended this Vietnam era guardian opportunity for this particular flight, is because over the many months & years we have seen an outpouring of Vietnam era support at the airport in many forms. We thought this would be a way to recognize the Vietnam Era vets from the local & regional era by allowing them to have the honor of escorting a WWII and/or Korean Era veteran for the day.

A special "thank you Vietnam Era Veterans, for being guardians" banner will be hanging at the airport to recognize their support tomorrow. The banner also says "Welcome Home", which is I am told, a phrase that has been adopted for Vietnam veterans. If you want to know more about the origin of that phrase, Dave Woods at the Scott County Vets affairs would be a good one to talk to, or any VVA chapter.

The usual welcome home ceremonies occured around the 10 p.m. hour.
30 Aug 2013

Governor Quinn Joins Worldwide Bell-Ringing to Commemorate 50th Anniversary of Dr. King's "I Have a Dream" Speech

By Rick Martin

Says the Need to "Let Freedom Ring" as Great Today as in 1963

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today joined millions across the globe in a simultaneous bell-ringing to commemorate the 50th anniversary, to the minute, of Dr. Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech.

Governor Quinn was joined by other bell-ringers at Chicago's historic Quinn Chapel AME Church, home to Illinois' oldest African-American congregation. Dr. King once spoke from the Quinn Chapel pulpit.

"This week we commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington and Dr. King's 'I Have a Dream' speech, and we honor the courage and patriotism of all who marched," Governor Quinn said. "Standing here at Quinn Chapel - which played a key role in the abolitionist movement and from which Dr. King delivered his message of justice, equality and peace - we ring a bell to celebrate the joyous noise of freedom."

At the same moment Governor Quinn rang a bell at Quinn Chapel, bells were ringing simultaneously from the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. - where President Obama rang bells with former Presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton - to such faraway places as Japan and Switzerland.

"Dr. King knew that the struggle for equality often requires mass action, so this global bell-ringing would have pleased him. But he would also see that there is much more work to do before his ideals of social justice are fully realized," the Governor added.

Organized by the Martin Luther King, Jr., Center for Nonviolent Social Change, the 15-second bell-ringing was intended to remind everyone of the stirring lines of Dr. King's speech: "So let freedom ring from the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire...Let freedom ring from Lookout Mountain of Tennessee... Let freedom ring from every hill and molehill of Mississippi..."

###
30 Aug 2013

Herbert Hoover National Historic Site Recruits Volunteers for National Public Lands Day, Sept. 28

By Adam Prato

WEST BRANCH, IOWA– On Saturday, September 28, volunteers around the nation will visit their favorite parks, beaches, wildlife preserves, or forests and chip in to help improve these treasured places - and to celebrate the 20th annual National Public Lands Day, the largest, single-day volunteer event for public lands in our country.

Volunteers are needed at Herbert Hoover National Historic Site in West Branch, Iowa to help plant trees, spread gravel and mulch on the landscape, and wash down picket fences. Volunteers who participate will be rewarded with a coupon for free entry into their favorite federal public land areas that have entrance fees.

If you would like to help, contact Adam Prato at (319) 643-2541. Meet at the Visitor Center at 8:30 a.m. for an orientation and to get signed up. Work will be from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Dress for the weather and wear comfortable work clothes. Water, sunscreen, insect repellent, sunglasses, and hats are recommended. Long pants and closed-toe footwear are required.

The National Environmental Education Foundation coordinates National Public Lands Day. For more information about National Public Lands Day, visit publiclandsday.org.

Herbert Hoover National Historic Site and the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum are in West Branch, Iowa at exit 254 off I-80. Both are open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time. For more information go online at www.nps.gov/heho or call (319) 643-2541.

Herbert Hoover National Historic Site

110 Parkside Drive

PO Box 607

West Branch, Iowa 52358


319 643-2541 phone

319 643-7864 fax

www.nps.gov/heho


Twitter: @HooverNPS

Facebook: HerbertHooverNHS

30 Aug 2013

Should Organized Religion Lose its Place in Society?

By Ginny Grimsley
'Despite the Problems, Don't Throw out the Baby with the
Bathwater,' Says Ex Worldwide Church of God Minister

There are several indicators that organized religion is on the decline, not just in Western Europe, but also in the United States.

Only 37 percent of Americans believe clergy contribute significantly to society's well-being, according to a new Pew Research Center poll. Even among regular church goers, only about half, 52 percent, say clergy contribute "a lot" to the betterment of society.

Gallup and Pew polls provide these other indicators:

• Two-thirds of Americans say religion is losing its influence in our lives.
• Since the 1970s, Americans' confidence in organized religion has steadily decreased.
• As of 2012, the downward trend hit an all-time low: only 44 percent of Americans have "a great deal" of confidence in organized religion.

"America is still the most devoutly religious first world country - other Pew polls indicate that most teens and 20-somethings still consider themselves 'spiritual,' and roughly half of U.S. adults are still faithful to a religion," says Wade Fransson, a former minister in the Worldwide Church of God - a religion eventually denounced as a cult - and author of "The People of the Sign," (thepeopleofthesign.com), a memoir recounting his life with the church.

While Fransson has experienced firsthand the liabilities of extremist elements in religion, he says religion and spirituality still offer society important benefits:

• Religion often drives innovation and progressive social mores. Can anyone imagine what the world might look like today without the Gutenberg printing press, the institution of marriage or the very devout pilgrims who helped pave the way for what would become the United States? Would there have been another human-based institution to champion the Golden Rule in quite the same way as the world's religions have done, including Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism, Bahá'í Faith, Confucianism, Sikhism, Taoism and others? Our morals are fundamentally rooted in the history of religion, and throwing out religion would truly be like throwing out the baby with the bathwater, Fransson says.

• Faith groups are responsible for much of the world's charity work. Here's a quick glimpse of just a few of the charities created by religious groups: Salvation Army, YMCA, St. Jude's Hospital, Habitat for Humanity International, International Prison Ministry, Intercristo, World Relief, Remuda, Christian Aid USA/Canada ... and the list goes on. Across the country and around the world millions of faith groups contribute daily to their communities, from feeding the hungry to educating the poor. Religion's bad apples get plenty of press, but the fundamental core of faith, worship and devotion to something bigger than ourselves remains essentially good.

• Humans are by nature spiritual; ignoring our spirituality can be dangerous. In recent years there has been a confined yet noticeable spring of atheistic books, including Sam Harris' "The End of Faith," elaborating on how religion's role in society has long been a damaging one. But atheists promoting a decidedly anti-religious message, who would prefer religion to be confined to the past, offer little or no alternative to a human being's innate longing for spirituality, or a deeper meaning to life other than what's merely apparent and material.

"I call it 'The Search' - that is, that urge we all share for significance amid this vast and mysterious universe," Fransson says. "I suspect there's an element of truth - another piece to the puzzle - dwelling within each religion or spiritual system, and we should all deeply consider and appreciate the transcending beliefs of others."

About Wade Fransson

Wade Fransson manages technology vendor contracts and relationships for a major retail corporation. He has a background in business and technology for major corporations and was the CEO of GoHuman, Inc. online marketplace. In "The People of the Sign," he shares his story to show both the positives and negatives of one of the most fascinating churches born in the 20th century. The sequel is to be published in October.

30 Aug 2013

Friends of the Library to host LeClaire City Office Candidates Forum

By Chris Cournoyer

All City Council and Mayoral candidates for election in the November 2013 municipal elections for the City of LeClaire are invited to participate in a public forum hosted by the Friends of the LeClaire Community Library on Tuesday, October 29th beginning at 7:00 P.M. sharp. Due to space constraints, the forum will be at the LeClaire Fire Station located at 201 N. 15th Street (corner of Jones and 15th).

This is an educational service to which the public and press are invited.

As in past years, questions may be submitted by any resident of the city of LeClaire (including candidates) by placing the written questions in a secured box at circulation desk of the LeClaire Community Library.  There is no limit on the number of questions an individual may submit and questions may be submitted anonymously.

One week prior to the Forum, all questions submitted will be delivered to the moderators, who will group duplicates and select the questions to be asked during the forum.  Questions will be asked of candidates in rotating order, with response times for each question determined by the moderators.

This year's moderators are Ann Hutchinson, former mayor of Bettendorf, and Linda Miller, Iowa House of Representatives, also of Bettendorf.

Candidates who have not already done so are asked to respond indicating whether they will participate to Jillian Flahaven, Interim Director of the LeClaire Community Library, by October 27, 2013 by calling 563-289-4242 x 4 or via email at: jflahaven@leclaireiowa.gov

Attendees are encouraged to arrive at the fire station by 6:45 as the program will begin promptly at 7:00.  Refreshments, courtesy of the Friends of the LeClaire Community Library, will be served.

Pages

more

Subscribe & Listen to Reader Podcasts

On Stands Now

 

Tagged Content

Two Ways to Subscribe

1. Subscribe to free weekly e-mail content updates.

You'll get both the current official narrative challenge and What's Happenin' in the Quad Cities.
(Did you know we publish a new Real Astrology and RCR Crossword every week?) 

Subscribe!

* indicates required

2. Get 12 monthly issues mailed first class for $48

Get 12 issues mailed monthly for $48 per year.

Get the printed Reader edition mailed to you (or anyone you want) first-class for 12 months for $48.
$24 goes to postage and handling, $24 goes to keeping the doors open!

Click this link to Subscribe now.

 
 

Meetings Calendar

Kids Calendar

Eat & Drink Calendar