31 Jul 2013

BANDITS USE EARLY JUMP AGAIN TO DOWN SNAPPERS

By Marco LaNave

Terrell Joyce and Teoscar Hernandez each score two runs to help Quad Cities take three-game series

 

BELOIT, Wis. (JULY 29, 2013) - The Quad Cities River Bandits took a first-inning lead for the third consecutive game at Pohlman Field, and left-hander Colton Cain pitched five innings of one-run, five-hit ball for his fourth straight winning decision in his team's 4-1 road victory over the Beloit Snappers Monday night.

 

The River Bandits (20-15 second half, 58-46 overall) passed the Snappers (20-16, 63-43) for second place in the second-half Western Division standings ahead of a four-game home series with fourth-place Peoria. Quad Cities took its fifth victory in seven games in Beloit and finished 7-5 in its longest road stretch of the season - 12 games in 13 days.


For a third straight game, center fielder Teoscar Hernandez led off by reaching base, as he drew a walk against right-hander Seth Streich (10-6). He moved to second on a sacrifice by second baseman Austin Elkins and stole third base. Shortstop Carlos Correa brought in Hernandez with a grounded out to second base.

 

The River Bandits added on in the third inning. Left fielder Terrell Joyce was hit by a pitch and went to second base on a wild pitch. Hernandez singled - his eighth hit in 13 at-bats - and went to second base when the throw went toward home plate. Catcher Nick Rickles' throw to second base went into center field, allowing Joyce to score. When Elkins put down a sacrifice up the first-base line, Streich's throw to first base hit Elkins, allowing Hernandez to come all the way around to score for a 3-0 lead. In the fifth inning, Joyce reached on an infield single, went to second Hernandez's sacrifice, third on Elkins' groundout, and home on Correa's single to make it 4-0.

 

Cain (5-5) worked with baserunners in each of his five innings. After two first-inning singles, he struck out two batters to escape the jam. He also stranded runners in scoring position with strikeouts ending the third and fourth innings. Beloit scored its run in the fifth inning, when right fielder Aaron Shipman hit a leadoff double - the only extra-base hit by either side - and scored after consecutive groundouts.


Right-hander Daniel Minor inherited the 4-1 lead to start the sixth inning. He gave up two singles but no runs in the sixth, but after allowing two singles around two strikeouts in the seventh, right-hander Jordan Jankowski came in to get an inning-ending strikeout. Jankowski got three straight outs in the eighth, and right-hander Juan Minaya pitched a scoreless ninth inning for his fifth save.


Monday's victory also means The Captain's Table at 4801 River Drive in Moline will offer The Captain's Table Victory Discount on Tuesday, July 30. 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 Tuesday, July 30.

 

The River Bandits start a four-game series at Modern Woodmen Park against Peoria at 7 p.m. Tuesday. River Bandits right-hander Lance McCullers (5-5) will face Chiefs left-hander Kyle Helisek (7-4) in the opener.

30 Jul 2013

HARRISON STREET UPDATE

By Doing It in Davenport
On Thursday, August 1st, Harrison Street will have one lane closed for city crews to add parking on the west side of the street between 18th and 5th Street.

The work is expected to be finished by the end of the day and the changes to the street will be in effect upon completion.

Please use extra caution when traveling along Harrison Street and follow the signage indicating when to merge at or before 18th Street, one block south of Locust Street.
30 Jul 2013

Discover the Pinta and the Nina

By Columbus Foundation, Inc.

Arrival Time of Columbus Ships Pinta and Nina in Davenport Thursday, August 1, 2013 at 12:00 Noon

Davenport, Iowa - On Thursday, August 1st at 12:00 Noon, the "Pinta" and the "Nina", replicas of Columbus' ships, will arrive in Davenport.  The ships will be docked at Oneida Landing, at the foot of Bridge Street, next to the Boathouse Restaurant, until their departure early Monday morning, August 12th.

The ships open to the general public on Friday, August 2nd.

The "Nina" was built by hand and without the use of power tools and is considered to be the most historically correct Columbus replica ever built.  The "Pinta" was built in Brazil and is a larger version of the archetypal caravel.  Historians consider the caravel the Space Shuttle of the Fifteenth Century.

While in port, the general public is invited to visit the ships for a walk-aboard self-guided tour.  The prices are $8.00 for adults, $7.00 for senior citizens and $6.00 for students 5-14.  Children 4 and under are free.  The ships are open every day from 9:00am until 6:00pm. No reservations are necessary.

Teachers or groups wishing to schedule a 30 minute guided tour with a crew member should call the ship directly at 1-787-672-2152.  Minimum of 15 with the group rate of $5.00 per person, no maximum.  All age groups pay $5.00 per person for the guided tour.  For additional information, email columfnd@surfbvi.com. Visit our website at www.thenina.com

 

30 Jul 2013

IDOT, Illinois Law Enforcement partner for the I-80 Challenge to save lives during More Cops, More Stops Campaign

By Paris Ervin

QUAD CITIES - The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), Illinois State Police (ISP) and the Office of the Secretary of State, Department of Police (SOS) joined other safety advocates and law enforcement officials for the More Cops, More Stops "I-80 Cross Country Crackdown" to ramp up enforcement of life-saving laws during one of the busiest travel times of the year.

The purpose of this campaign is to crack down on drivers who are speeding, driving drunk or distracted, or not wearing a seat belt, with the goal of achieving a zero fatality rate for the eight-day period. The campaign began on July 24 and wraps up on July 31.

30 Jul 2013

ALLEGIANT ADDS NONSTOP, LOW-COST TRAVEL BETWEEN MOLINE/QUAD CITIES AND FORT MYERS/PUNTA GORDA

By Cathie Rochau

MOLINE, Ill. July 30, 2013 – Allegiant (NASDAQ: ALGT) announces today new, nonstop jet service between Moline/Quad Cities and Southwest Florida via Punta Gorda Airport, beginning November 1. The company, known for its exceptional travel deals, will introduce the new service with fares as low as $99.99* one way.

"We are excited to extend our brand of convenient low-cost travel with nonstop service from the Quad Cities to Southwest Florida," said Andrew C. Levy, Allegiant President. "We are confident the residents of the entire regional area will appreciate our affordable, nonstop service to popular Southwest Florida destinations, as well as take advantage of the value of booking hotel rooms, car rentals and attractions through us."

The new flights will operate twice weekly on Mondays and Fridays between Quad City International Airport (MLI) and Punta Gorda Airport (PGD.) Flights begin Friday, Nov. 1, 2013, using MD-80 series aircraft. Travelers can take advantage of everyday low fares and save even more when they book air, hotel, car and even activity and attraction reservations together. Flight days and times can be found at allegiant.com. 

"We have been in discussions with Allegiant for the past several months to secure this new service," says Bruce Carter, Director of Aviation. "Many local and regional travelers have been waiting with anticipation for nonstop access to the Southwest Florida region and we can now offer that with Allegiant," Carter adds. "This is Allegiant's fifth nonstop destination with us since they entered the market in October, 2010.  We are happy that their confidence in the Quad City area has grown in such a short time." 

Catering perfectly to a personal, romantic or family getaway, the Southwest Florida Coast destination features exquisite beach-front dining, exotic wildlife and a wide variety of recreation in the warm, pristine waters of the Gulf of Mexico.  Punta Gorda Airport is centrally located midway between the white-sand beaches of Fort Myers shore and Sarasota's tropical island communities.  Allegiant partners with many of the area's most exciting hotel properties, provides low-cost car rental service through its partnership with Alamo Rent a Car, and offers great deals on activities such as dinner and ocean exploration cruises. Travelers can book their entire Southwest Florida vacation for less by visiting allegiant.com or by calling the company's travel experts at 702-505-8888.

About the $99.99* one-way fares:
Seats are limited. Fares are one way and not available on all flights. Tickets must be purchased by Aug. 6, 2013, for travel by Feb. 11, 2014. For baggage fees, please visit allegiant.com. Additional restrictions may apply.

Allegiant, Travel is our deal. ®

Las Vegas-based Allegiant Travel Company (NASDAQ: ALGT) is focused on linking travelers in small cities to world-class leisure destinations. The company operates a low-cost, high-efficiency, all-jet passenger airline through its subsidiary, Allegiant Air, while also offering other travel-related products such as hotel rooms, rental cars, and attraction tickets. All can be purchased through the company website, allegiant.com. The company has been named one of America's 100 Best Small Companies by Forbes Magazine for four consecutive years. For downloadable press kit, including photos, visit: http://gofly.us/SQmY7O.

###
30 Jul 2013

Governor Quinn Proclaims Dennis Farina Day in Illinois

By Brooke Anderson

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today proclaimed July 29, 2013 to be Dennis Farina Day in Illinois in honor of his outstanding contributions to the entertainment industry and for his many years of public service.

WHEREAS, Illinois is a leader in supporting the arts, and acting has always been an important component of the artistic fabric of our state; and,

WHEREAS, one of the most successful actors to come from the Land of Lincoln was Dennis Farina, who was born in Chicago to a Sicilian-American family on February 29, 1944; and,

WHEREAS, Dennis Farina is unique in that he did not start acting until he was 37 years old, after serving in the military for 3 years and working for the Chicago Police Department for 18 years, where he spent most of his time in the burglary division; and,

WHEREAS, while still working in the burglary division, Dennis Farina's big break came when he was hired by director Michael Mann for the movie "Thief" (1981). This movie received critical acclaim, and they would go on to work together many times in the future; and,

WHEREAS, after "Thief," Dennis Farina started acting in Chicago theater before being cast by Mann in a lead role for the 1986 TV series "Crime Story"; and,

WHEREAS, Dennis Farina has acted in numerous other films including "Reindeer Games," "Paparazzi," "Midnight Run," and "Manhunter"; and,

WHEREAS, more recently, Dennis Farina appeared in the feature films "The Grand," "Bottle Shock," and "What Happens in Vegas." In addition, he also appeared on the NBC Series "Law and Order" and in the HBO mini-series, "Empire Falls," for which he won a Golden Globe Award for Best Mini-Series; and,

WHEREAS, on July 22, 2013, in Scottsdale, Arizona, Dennis Farina passed away at the age of 69; and,

WHEREAS, Dennis Farina's warmhearted nature, passion for acting, and great sense of humor were evident to everyone who had the pleasure of meeting him; and,

WHEREAS, his personality was formed in Chicago and, despite his remarkable accomplishments, he always remained loyal to his hometown; and,

WHEREAS, Dennis Farina is survived by many loving friends and family members including three sons, several grandchildren, and his longtime partner, Marianne Cahill; and,

THEREFORE, I, Pat Quinn, Governor of the State of Illinois, do hereby proclaim July 29, 2013 as DENNIS FARINA DAY in Illinois, in recognition of his tremendous contributions to the entertainment industry as an actor, and in remembrance of his years of public service to the Chicago Police Department and commitment to the Land of Lincoln.

###
30 Jul 2013

Ten Iowans to be Honored at the 2013 Iowa State Fair

By Carly Grenfell

News from Blue Ribbon Foundation

DES MOINES, IA (07/29/2013)(readMedia)-- The Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation and Cookies Food Products are pleased to announce the recipients of the Iowan of the Day award for the 2013 Iowa State Fair.

Each winner will receive a special day of perks at the Iowa State Fair. Along with a one night's stay at the Downtown Des Moines Marriott, they will each receive a cash prize, grandstand tickets and use of the Iowan of the Day golf cart. There will also be a recognition ceremony on their day at 2:30 p.m. on the Anne and Bill Riley Stage.

The Blue Ribbon Foundation began the Iowan of the Day award in 1997 to honor those Iowans who have truly made a difference in their communities. This year, the judges reviewed hundreds of nominations and selected those that demonstrate integrity, Iowa pride, hard work and dedication.

"We are pleased to recognize these outstanding individuals as Iowans of the Day," said John Putney, Executive Director of the Blue Ribbon Foundation. "Their volunteerism, dedication and service to their community and the state of Iowa make each one deserving of this honor."

The 2013 Iowan of the Day recipients are:

Cole Mace of Estherville

Steve Leinen of Panama

Sharon Juon of Waterloo

Dean Kluss of Clarion

Keith Sash of Gladbrook

Shirley Stout Frederiksen of Chariton

Beth Titman of Boone

Paul Venner of Breda

Jack Finneseth of Jefferson

Ellen Lemke of Bedford

The Blue Ribbon Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization. Since 1993, the Foundation has generated more than $95 million for renovations and improvements to the Iowa State Fairgrounds.

###

30 Jul 2013

Loebsack, Petri Lead Bipartisan Letter Calling for Strong Support of Meals on Wheels

By Lee Brooks

64 members sign letter to House Appropriations Committee leaders

Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressmen Dave Loebsack (IA-02) and Tom Petri (WI-06) sent a bipartisan letter to the leaders of the House Appropriations Committee, calling on them to include strong funding for Meals on Wheels and other Senior Nutrition Programs in the FY2014 Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations bill.  The letter, which was signed by a bipartisan group of 64 members, called on the House Appropriations Committee to fund these important programs at the same level as the Senate.  Earlier this month, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved their FY14 Labor, Health and Human Services Appropriation bill, which included $816 million for Meals on Wheels and other Senior Nutrition Programs under the Older Americans Act.

"For more than 40 years, Senior Nutrition Programs have provided more than just meals. They have produced millions of dollars in savings for Medicaid and Medicare. The nutritious meals, along with the daily social contact provided at senior centers or by Meals on Wheels volunteers or staff, help seniors remain independent and healthier, live in their own homes and communities, and stay out of more costly health care settings," the members wrote.  "Meals on Wheels and congregate nutrition programs are proven, effective and are exactly the type of investment taxpayers are looking for us to make with their hard-earned dollars.  We urge you to support strong funding for Meals on Wheels and Senior Nutrition Programs in the FY2014 Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations bill."

"What a tremendous show of bipartisan leadership and support at a critical time for millions of hungry seniors," commented Ellie Hollander, President and CEO, of the Meals On Wheels Association of America. "It is clear that the message has been resoundingly heard:  Meals on Wheels programs make a social and economic difference, offering taxpayers a significant return on investment."

National Association of Nutrition and Aging Services Programs Board President Paul Downey of Senior Community Centers in San Diego called it "an important message to the House that these proven and effective nutrition programs need to be spared from further cuts which will result in the loss of millions of meals this year" and said that the co-signers were "important champions for older people in their Districts and the nation."

A copy of the letter can be seen here.

###
30 Jul 2013

Israeli Chamber President To Appear At Aug. 22 QC Business Event

By Randy Stalsberg
Uriel Lynn will discuss local export opportunities to Israel at August 22nd business event

ROCK ISLAND, IL - The Jewish Federation of the Quad Cities announces that Uriel (urr-ee-ull) Lynn, President of the Federation of Israeli Chambers of Commerce, will appear in the Quad Cities Thursday, August 22nd - 9:00 AM to Noon. He will lead a presentation and networking event on export opportunities for local small and medium size businesses to the State of Israel.

Scheduled for the QC Waterfront Convention Center, 2021 State Street, Bettendorf, IA, the event is free and open to the business community, but RSVP's are required by Monday, August 19th. Recommended attendees include CEO's and Sales Managers for companies in manufacturing, technology, production of raw materials and pharmaceuticals. For questions and to RSVP, contact the Jewish Federation of the Quad Cities at (309) 793-1300 or email events@jfqc.org.

Lynn boasts an extensive career as an attorney, business executive and political leader in Knesset, the Israeli parliament (see attached bio). Regularly contributing to trade and news publications on a variety of subjects, he has served on a number of corporate boards and governmental agencies in Israel. Lynn's opening keynote presentation entitled, "Israel as a Market" will provide background on export opportunities with his country.

Also attending is Dan Carmely (Car-muh-lee), Vice President of the Federation of Israeli Chambers of Commerce, and representatives from the Consul for Economic Affairs with the Government of Israel Economic Mission to the Midwest in Chicago, IL and the America-Israel Chamber of Commerce-Chicago. They will join with Iowa and Illinois economic development specialists for an introduction to making export to Israel simple for small and medium size businesses.

"Israel is a world leader in agritech, computer science, alternative energy, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, communications and revolutionary high technology innovations," said Allan Ross, Executive Director, Jewish Federation of the Quad Cities. "However, they still rely heavily on imports to sustain growth. This opportunity for small and medium size Quad City businesses to connect with Israeli companies and identify export partnerships could result in job growth for our local economy. That would be a win-win situation for all."

The Jewish Federation of the Quad Cites (www.jfqc.org) is a non-profit, 501 c (3) Illinois corporation founded in 1980. With other local organizations, JFQC addresses a broad range of needs to include cultural, religious, educational, family welfare, care of the elderly and interfaith relations. The Federation combats hate and anti-Semitism by supporting religious liberty and civil rights for everyone.

A core mission of JFQC is to preserve, protect, enrich and enhance Jewish communal life and the well-being of Jews locally, in Israel and throughout the world. It is a proud member of the Jewish Federations of North America (www.jewishfederations.org). The Jewish Federation of the Quad Cities is also on Facebook at www.facebook.com/jewishfedqc.

30 Jul 2013

Even Fellow Republican Senators Are Unimpressed with Chuck Grassley's Threats to Shut Down Government Unless Obamacare Defunded & Its New Consumer Protections Stripped Away

By Rick Martin

Burr (R-NC): "The dumbest idea I've ever heard of"

Coburn (R-OK): "intellectually dishonest"  

McCain (R-AZ): "shenanigans"

Shelby (R-AL): "it's foolish"

Washington DC - When Senator Chuck Grassley sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid last week warning that he would block a continuing resolution that would keep the federal government open after September 30 unless Obamacare was defunded, he probably didn't expect a barrage of friendly fire in response from fellow Republicans who have called his threats everything from "terror politics" to "intellectually dishonest" to "really dumb."

Jeremy Funk, Comm. Dir., Americans United for Change: "We get it.  Senator Grassley really, really wants to make it legal again for insurance companies to deny care to kids born with a 'pre-existing condition', drop people when they get seriously sick, and charge women more than men for premiums -- so much so that he is willing to shut down the government and disrupt services for millions unless he gets his way.  But Grassley's latest attempt to strip away Obamacare's new consumer protections that are already working to lower premiums is so beyond the pale and counterproductive that even many of his Republican colleagues are condemning it."

A Growing Chorus of Republicans Urging Grassley to Release the Political Hostage, Don't Shut Down the Government:

 

  • U.S. Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK): "It's a terribly dangerous and not successful strategy. You're going to set an expectation among the conservatives in our party that we can achieve something that we're not able to achieve. It's not an achievable strategy. It's creating the false impression that you can do something when you can't. It's a denial of reality mixed with a whole bunch of hype to promote groups and individuals who are saying, 'I'm going to give you hope' for something that we can't do," Coburn said. "The underlying premise is intellectually dishonest. ... Creating false expectations and being less than honest about how you're going to do this is the worst of politics." [Washington Examiner, 7/29]
  • U.S. Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC): "No, I think it's the dumbest idea I've ever heard of... Listen, so long as Barack Obama's president, the Affordable Care is gonna be law... I think some of these guys need to understand that, you shut down the government, you better have a specific reason to do it that's achievable. Defunding the Affordable Care Act is not achievable by shutting down the federal government. At some point, you're gonna open the federal government back up, and Barack Obama's gonna be president, and he won't have signed the dissolution of the Affordable Care Act." [Think Progress, 7/29]
  • U.S. Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK), Deputy Majority Whip:  Condemned the idea as "the political equivalent of throwing a temper tantrum" and accused Senate Republicans of "blackmail."  Cole: "Shutting down the government is a suicidal political tactic. Eventually it will be reopened, but the president will not have capitulated and you will have discredited yourself and along the way you will have hurt the American people," Cole (R-Okla.) said Monday on MSNBC's "Now with Alex Wagner." // "The only way Republicans will lose the House is to shut down the government or default on the debt," the Oklahoma Republican told Politico. "Shutting down the government is not in the best interests of the American people and it makes you look politically irresponsible." "I'm not inclined to jeopardize the crown jewel, and the House of Representatives is the crown jewel in this election cycle." [Newsmax, July 26; Twitter, 7/24; Politico, July 29]
  • John McCain (R-AZ): Obamacare repeal is "not going to happen" and that the American people would not stand for political "shenanigans" that tie a government shutdown or a hike in the debt ceiling to the health law. [Washington Post, 7/22]
  • U.S. Rep. Peter King (R-NY): "There's no reason to be threatening to bring down the government, let's make this work get spending cuts we need but the American people get turned off with the threat of terror politics." [Political Wire, July 28]
  • U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby (R-AL): "it's foolish" not to fund the government. [Huffington Post, 7/26]

###


Americans United for Change is a 501c4 issue-advocacy organization established in 2005 to beat back President Bush's effort to privatize Social Security and has been working ever since to advance a progressive agenda in Congress including health care reform, reversing climate change, Wall Street reform, protecting Medicare/Medicaid/Social Security from benefit cuts, minimizing gun violence, and requiring millionaires and big corporations to pay their fair share in taxes.

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