The Iowa Restaurant Association is hosting 5 regional mixology competitions, the third of which will be held July 30 at Van's Pub & Pizza in Davenport. The top two contestants will advance to the state final competition. The past two reigning champs advanced from the Davenport region.

(DES MOINES) - In an effort to strengthen Iowa's trade and investment relationship with one of the world's fastest growing economies, Iowa Governor Terry E. Branstad today announced that he will lead a delegation of business leaders on a six-day trade and investment mission to India September 10-16.  The announcement was made today during a webinar on opportunities and challenges in entering the Indian market that featured the governor and U.S. Ambassador to India, Nancy J. Powell, a native of Cedar Falls.

"India's economy has transformed in the last couple of decades and is forecasted to be one of the world's largest economies in coming years," said Gov. Branstad.  "With India's tremendous growth and a burgeoning young and career-oriented middle class, it is an excellent opportunity to promote Iowa as a U.S. headquarters for Indian companies, particularly those in biotech, information solutions and advanced manufacturing, and also open new trade doors for Iowa small and mid-sized businesses."

The trade mission is being organized by the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA), with support from various organizations including the U.S. Department of Commerce's Commercial Service and the Confederation of Indian Industry.  Iowa mission delegates will visit Mumbai, Hyderabad and Chennai, the country's major business and industry centers.

As part of the mission, the Governor, IEDA director Debi Durham and delegation will meet with potential investment and trade partners and government leaders in each of the cities.

While the itinerary is still being developed, Gov. Branstad is also scheduled to meet with business leaders who have expressed an interest in establishing an Iowa location and representatives from existing industry.  Iowa companies will participate in meetings specific to their market entry or expansion needs and attend daily briefings on doing business in India.  Prior to joining the mission in Mumbai, Gov. Branstad will make a brief stop in New Delhi to attend a luncheon hosted by the U.S. Embassy.

The IEDA works to stimulate foreign direct investment in the state, offers export assistance for small and mid-sized Iowa companies and coordinates international trade and investment missions and trade show opportunities for Iowa companies. Iowa companies interested in participating in the trade mission can contact Ms. Victoria Nwasike at victoria.nwasike@iowa.gov.

For more information on resources available to Iowa businesses that want to market their products or services globally, visit www.iowaeconomicdevelopment.com.

With our community being under a heat advisory now until Saturday, the Center for Active Seniors, Inc. (CASI) is emphasizing the danger this may cause older adults in our community. Older adults are more susceptible to heat than younger people because they are more likely to have a chronic medical condition that changes normal body responses to heat and they are more likely to take prescription medicines that impair the body's ability to regulate its temperature or that inhibit perspiration.

In an effort to help older adults in the Quad Cities Area to stay cool this summer, CASI is holding its Annual Be A Fan To Seniors - Summer Heat Relief Program. From now until the end of the hot summer days, community members are being ask to bring in new (preferably box style) fans to be distributed to older adults who are in need this summer. CASI will also be taking monetary donations to go out and purchase fans as well. Donations can be dropped off at CASI, 1035 West Kimberly Road, Davenport, IA 52806 during normal business hours, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Due to the increased demand from older adults in the community, CASI will only distribute one fan per household with an adult 55 years of age or older. The following information will be requested at time of pick-up:

• A valid ID to provide proof of age and residency

CASI's Senior Advocacy Department encourages friends, family and neighbors to check on older adults more frequently during extreme days of heat. Signs of heat related problems may be: cramping in legs or abdomen, heavy sweating, nausea, headaches, dizziness, or confusion, seek medical attention if any of these signs occur. If person is vomiting, refusing water or loses consciousness call 9-1-1 immediately.

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McCullers pitches career-high 6 1/3 innings, Scott has game-high three hits and go-ahead single

DAVENPORT, Iowa (JULY 17, 2013) - Quad Cities River Bandits right-hander Lance McCullers lost a 2-0 lead on a seventh-inning home run by TinCaps shortstop Tyler Stubblefield, but center fielder Jordan Scott hit a bases-loaded single to break a 2-2 tie in the ninth inning that led the River Bandits to a 4-3 road victory at Parkview Field Wednesday night.

Quad Cities (14-10 second half, 52-41 overall) snapped a streak of six consecutive losses in series openers against Eastern Division opponents this season and snapped a four-game losing streak in one-run games.

McCullers pitched a career-high 6 1/3 innings and notched his eighth strikeout to open the seventh inning before allowing a single by designated hitter Corey Adamson and a two-run shot by Stubblefield to the left-field seats. McCullers departed with a no-decision for left-hander Mitchell Lambson (6-3), who worked 1 2/3 scoreless innings to keep the 2-2 tie into the ninth inning.

Fort Wayne (9-16, 52-42) brought in right-hander Roman Madrid (5-3) to start the ninth inning. Leading off, River Bandits right fielder Dan Gulbransen hit a fly ball that TinCaps right fielder Brian Adams misplayed, allowing Gulbransen to reach second base. Designated hitter Bobby Borchering drew a walk, and first baseman Jobduan Morales put down a sacrifice to move two runners into scoring position. Madrid intentionally walked second baseman Austin Elkins, and then Scott bounced a single past first baseman Diego Goris for his third hit to bring in Gulbransen. Shortstop Carlos Correa followed with a ground ball to third baseman Gabriel Quintana, whose errant throw to catcher Dane Phillips pulled the latter off home plate and allowed Borchering to score an insurance run.

With a 4-2 lead, right-hander Juan Minaya started the bottom of the ninth inning by allowing a single to Quintana, who reached third base when a grounder got past Correa. Adamson grounded into a fielder's choice that brought in a run, but Minaya fanned the next two batters with the tying run at first base to earn his third save in four chances this season. The victory also means The Captain's Table at 4801 River Drive in Moline will offer The Captain's Table Victory Discount on Thursday, July 18. 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, July 18.

Quad Cities built its 2-0 lead against TinCaps right-hander Zach Eflin with single runs in the fourth and seventh innings. Scott led off the fourth with a bunt single, went to second base on a wild pitch, stole third and scored on left fielder Jesse Wierzbicki's sacrifice fly. In the seventh inning, third baseman Rio Ruiz hit an infield single, reached second base on an error, went to third on Gulbransen's sacrifice and scored on Elkins' two-out RBI walk.

Quad Cities and Fort Wayne will meet for the second game of the series at 6:05 p.m. Central Time Thursday. River Bandits right-hander Vincent Velasquez (6-3) will face TinCaps left-hander Max Fried (3-4).

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!

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