Researchers look for clues in mutant bacteria

NORTHFIELD, MN (07/18/2013)(readMedia)-- Petra Hahn of Bettendorf was recently featured in the St. Olaf news article, Researchers look for clues in mutant bacteria.

She is a graduate of Central High School and the daughter of Diane Rasmus and Michael Hahn.

Please click on the link above to view the entire story. A photo is attached.

St. Olaf students Heena Joo (seated) and Petra Hahn(right) are working with Assistant Professor of Biology Lisa Bowers (left) this summer to discover the purpose of a gene they deleted from a common type of bacteria. Using this simple bacteria as a stepping stone could be key in future application to other fields such as embryology and stem cell research.

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.

  • END -

August 2, 2013 Pesticide Applicator Testing, Scott County Extension Office, 10:00 am-2:00 pm

August 13, 2013 Summer Gardening Webinar, Scott County Extension Office, 6:30 pm-8:30 pm

August 27, 2013 ISU Scott County Extension Council Meeting, Scott County Extension Office, 7:00 pm

Visit our events calendar at our web site: http://dbs.extension.iastate.edu/calendar/

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!

*****

The calendar at the Coralville Center for the Performing Arts continues to be full through the rest of the summer, with a variety of family, music, dance, and theatrical offerings.

The schedule includes:

·        New Horizons Band Summer Concert, Wednesday, July 24 at 7pm.  Based out of the Senior Center, the New Horizons Band consists of more than 70 "chronologically gifted" musicians under the direction of Erin Wehr.  $5 suggested donation at the door; proceeds will be split between the CCPA and the New Horizons Band.

·        Impromptu Summer Cabaret, Friday, July 26 at 7:30pm.  This "open mic" style event takes place on the CCPA stage, with everyone welcome to participate.  Sing or play a song, read a poem, perform a scene...or sit back and enjoy!  $5 suggested donation at the door.

·        City Circle Acting Company of Coralville presents Rent August 2-4.  In 2009, City Circle produced a production of Jonathan Larson's popular musical featuring local teens. Four years later, the cast reunites, bringing new life experiences and perspectives to this story of addiction, poverty, AIDS, and - most of all - love.  Performances are Friday, August 2 and Saturday, August 3 at 7:30pm; Sunday, August 4 at 2pm.  Tickets are $12-$27.

·        Nolte Academy Summer Gala August 10 and 11 will feature choreography by Martha Graham soloist Lloyd Wright, Merce Cunningham dance company member Melissa Toogood, Paul Taylor dancer John Eirich, Houston Ballet soloist Naomi Glass, and Broadway star Margot DeLa Barre. Saturday, August 10 at 7:30pm and Sunday, August 11 at 2pm.  Tickets $10-$14.

·        Nolte Academy presents Disney's Aladdin Jr August 17-19.  This stage adaptation of the hit Disney film will feature area children and teens in a production filled with magic, mayhem, flying carpet rides, and the tuneful, Academy Award-winning score.  Tickets $12-$20.

·        A minimally-staged production of Cole Porter's musical Anything Goes will mark the Center's second birthday on August 23 and 24.  Featuring a 17-piece orchestra, this production will place the focus on Porter's unforgettable music, including It's De-Lovely, I Get A Kick Out of You, You're the Top, Friendship, and the title number.  Special dance numbers courtesy of Leslie Nolte and Nolte Academy.  Tickets $12-$22; special $50 sponsor tickets for the August 23 performance include premium seating, a pre-show reception at The Luxe Zone, and program recognition.

Further information on these events and details on other upcoming events are available at CoralvilleArts.org.

Tickets for most CCPA events are available by phone at 319.248.9370, online at CoralvilleArts.org, and in person at the CCPA box office at 1301 5th Street and Coralville Recreation Center at 1506 8th Street.

Owned and operated by the City of Coralville, the Coralville Center for the Performing Arts is dedicated to enriching the community and contributing to the vitality of Coralville by offering an accessible, affordable venue for a variety of performances, presentations, and public and private events.  The 472 seat theater opened August 26, 2011 and has hosted performances from City Circle Acting Company, Orchestra Iowa, Cedar Rapids Opera Theatre, Dan Knight, Lola Astanova, Lorie Line, Judy Carmichael, Jim McDonough, Nolte Academy of Dance, and many others.  Coralville schools are also able to use the Center free of charge up to three times per year; 16 school events took place at the Center in the 2012-2013 school year. The Center was named 2012 Member of the Year by the Iowa City/Coralville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau.
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NOW PLAYING



Closing July 25
Star Trek:
Into Darkness 3D
Click here for more details!





COMING SOON




PLAYING JULY 23 ONLY!
Lawrence of Arabia




 

 

Space Still Available -

Engineering Kids Camp

July 23 - Grades 4-6 GIRLS ONLY DAY!
July 25 - Grades 4-6
July 26 - Grades 7 & 8 NEW THIS YEAR!

 

 

 




Opening July 26
Monsters University 3D












OPENING IN AUGUST
Man of Steel 3D
Click here for more details!






Tickets on sale!
Monarch Butterfly

Workshop

Saturday, August 24

 




Putnam Museum
1717 W 12th St
Davenport, Iowa 52804
563-324-1933

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - While attending the annual meeting of the National Lt. Governors Association (NLGA), Lt. Governor Sheila Simon added her name to a resolution in support of comprehensive immigration reform. Legislation has passed the U.S. Senate but is awaiting action by the House of Representatives.

 

"When immigrant children have access to quality education, they are better prepared to join the workforce and help boost our economy, which is good for all of us," said Simon, the Midwest Region Chair of the NLGA. "In Illinois, we have taken steps to help these young people succeed and begin their paths to citizenship."

 

The Illinois Dream Fund is already helping young undocumented immigrants receive higher educations. Qualified high school graduates can apply for assistance through the privately-funded program to receive help with college tuition. More than 1,400 applications were received, and $100,000 in scholarship money was awarded to students for the 2013-2014 academic year. All recipients are undocumented immigrants attending schools that included Dartmouth and the University of Illinois.

 

"The young people receiving tuition aid through the Illinois Dream Fund are truly living the American dream," Simon added. "They will be able to benefit their communities as professionals and innovators."

 

Simon signed onto the bipartisan resolution supporting immigration reform and a way for foreign students to become valued members of the U.S. workforce. The U.S. Senate has passed immigration reform that would improve border safety and provide a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants. Despite passing the Senate with bipartisan support, the legislation currently awaits action in the House of Representatives.

 

Full text of the resolution follows.


RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF COMPREHENSIVE BIPARTISAN IMMIGRATION REFORM

WHEREAS, members of the National Lieutenant Governors Association are leaders in our states who are concerned about national and economic security, and are adding our bipartisan voices in support of comprehensive immigration reform;

WHEREAS, we all recognize that immigrants contribute a great deal to our economy and our culture;

WHEREAS, we as a nation need to build a common sense immigration system that reflects our nation's values and strengthens our national and state economies;

WHEREAS, our immigration system should require that individuals play by the same rules but also have the same opportunities to succeed;

WHEREAS, we support an immigration system that provides a fair pathway to citizenship for undocumented individuals currently in our country, and recognize that with these rights come responsibilities;

WHEREAS, we support an immigration plan that provides visas to foreign graduate students in science and math who came to this country for an education so these individuals can contribute to the growth of our national and state innovative economies. Our nation invested a lot of resources to attract these students and we should seek a return on this investment;

WHEREAS, we support continued efforts to improve our border security and strengthen criminal penalties to combat human trafficking and disrupt transnational criminal organizations that smuggle drugs and illegal weapons into our country. We should continue to invest resources in these areas to ensure that those who wish to take advantage of all our nation has to offer do so legally;

WHEREAS, two great leaders of our respective political parties President Ronald Reagan and Speaker Tip O'Neill showed leadership on the issue of immigration as well as others by finding common ground. In the spirit of that partnership and our nation's past successes we encourage you to support comprehensive immigration reform;

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Lieutenant Governors Association recommends that the President and Congress act with a sense of urgency and in a meaningful and responsible manner to adopt bipartisan, comprehensive immigration reform legislation that reflects the values of our nation and contributes to the growth of our national and state economies;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be sent to the President, Vice?President, Senate Majority Leader, Senate Minority Leader, Speaker of the House, House Minority Leader, and the eight U.S. Senators leading the work on immigration (Senators McCain, Durbin, Schumer, Flake, Graham, Menendez, Rubio and Bennet).

###

Greetings!

On Sunday July 21st at 2 PM at the German American Heritage Center --- Linda Anderson will tell us about the Prairie Style Landscape plans by Jens Jensen for the Denkman-Hauberg estate in Rock Island and highlights of Jensen's career.  She will introduce a walking guide of the landscape at Hauberg noting remaining areas and items still recognizable.

The guide booklet has been in progress for a few years, with original photos of the creation of garden terraces, meadow and trees, plans signed by Jens Jensen. The walking guide booklet will be available on Sunday, compiled by the Rock Island Preservation Society, to all attendees. Linda is the president of RIPS and lives in Highland Park Historic District in Rock Island.

German American Heritage Center

Thank you for supporting our events and programs.
712 W Second Street
Davenport, Iowa 52802
German American Heritage Center
563-322-8844

 

QUAD-CITIES?Over the last 10 years, Xstream Cleanup volunteers have pulled nearly 900,000 pounds of garbage and debris from area waterways. In 2013, organizers hope to break one million pounds as they usher in a second decade of Xstream.

"You can't pick up a million pounds of junk all by yourself, but in concert with friends and neighbors?and with the support of organizations and municipal entities?we're almost there. It's amazing what Quad-Citians can do when we band together, and the results of Xstream Cleanup are a testament to the great power of our combined efforts," said longtime event chair Curtis Lundy.

Xstream Cleanup 2013 will be held 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 10. Registration is open online at xstreamcleanup.org. Deadline to register is Aug. 1.

The Xstream Cleanup committee formed in September of 2003 following the successful summertime Duck Creek Cleanup. At that time, Chad Pregracke of Living Lands & Waters suggested that the group expand the cleanup to include sites in Illinois and Iowa. Xstream Cleanup was born.

The first annual Xstream Cleanup was held August 18, 2004. That morning, over 1,300 volunteers bent down and picked up over 80,000 tons of debris from 28 sites throughout the Quad-Cities. The debris included 1,300 bags of trash, 270 tires, 50 pieces of furniture, 45 bicycles, 40 railroad ties, 30 appliances, 18 drums and more.

Xstream Cleanup continues to grow. In 2008, invasive species removal?the removal of non-native plants?was added. And in 2013, volunteers will have another opportunity to make a difference in water quality, this time through marking storm drains with messages that discourage illegal dumping.

"Xstream Cleanup always has been about water quality. While we enjoy seeing our natural areas free from trash, we're cleaning up because garbage on the ground, sooner or later, creates polluted water. Our goal is to help keep Quad-Cities waterways clean for our community, the environment, and everyone downstream," said longtime volunteer Lundy.

Today the Xstream Cleanup committee includes representatives from area cities, as well as representatives from several organizations and businesses throughout the community. The event is made possible by the generous, ongoing support of many proud sponsors.

For more information about Xstream Cleanup, or to sign up, visit xstreamcleanup.org.

Xstream Cleanup 2013 is sponsored by the following. Presenting Sponsors: Group O and Riverboat Development Authority. Platinum Sponsors: Alcoa, THE National Bank, Living Lands & Waters® and Waste Commission of Scott County. Gold Sponsors: Iowa American Water, Rock Island County Waste Management Agency and The Moline Foundation. Silver Sponsors: Alter Metal Recycling, DHL Global Forwarding, Independent Insurance Agents of Scott County, McCarthy-Bush Corporation, MidAmerican Energy, Radish magazine, R. A Jones, Quad City Conservation Alliance, Sears Seating and Wallace's Garden Center. Bronze Sponsors: Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Downtown Davenport Partnership, Eastern Iowa Grain Inspection, Great River Brewery and Midas Auto Systems Experts, Inc. Logistics Sponsors: Cities of Bettendorf, Buffalo, Davenport, LeClaire, McCausland, Milan, Moline, Rock Island and Silvis; Bi-State Regional Commission, Keep Rock Island Beautiful, iLivehere®, Partners of Scott County Watersheds, Republic Services and River Roots Live.

# # #

The Quad Cities' own Creekside Vineyards Winery of Preemption, Illinois, received 1 Gold medal, 1 Silver medal and 1 Bronze medal in the seventh Annual Mid-American Wine Competition held at the Des Moines Area Community College campus in Ankeny, IA.

"The quality of Midwestern wines continues to improve," said Bob Foster, Director of the Mid-American Wine Competition (MAWC). These are high quality wines that wine lovers should seek out and try."

The competition was held July 12-14 and included wines from 14 Midwestern states.

Professional wine judges from throughout the United States awarded 66 Gold medals, 155 Silver medals, and 188 Bronze medals. Full results can be found at www.midamericanwine.org.

"This marks the seventh consecutive year of the MAWC and we have had the distinction of watching the local wine industry develop into a great representation of our region," said Chief Judge Doug Frost of Kansas City. "The wine industry throughout the Midwest has evolved into tourist destinations, where wine enthusiasts visit local wineries. This helps the local economy and area wine industry."

The judges were selected by Frost, who has earned both the coveted Master of Wine degree and the Master Sommelier title. The judges, who have over 200 years of cumulative experience, are experts in wine production, service and distribution.

"We've added a new component following the wine competition this year," said MAWC Director Bob Foster. "A fund-raiser for the American Heart Association titled "Affair of the Heart" was held where wine enthusiasts could sample some of the award winning wines from the 2013 Mid-American Wine Competition."

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