16 Jun 2009

WILTON CELEBRATES LIBRARY AND COMMUNITY CENTER GROUNDBREAKING

By Sharon Bowers

WILTON, Iowa--Wilton community leaders and friends of the library celebrated and expressed appreciation to supporters at a ceremony marking the start of construction on the new Wilton Library and Community Center on Friday, June 12th. Major contributors, fundraising campaign executive committee members, government officials and building contractors participated in the groundbreaking ceremony held at Wilton High School and the building's construction site.

"This is a big day for our community and the entire area," said Betty Cram, president of the Wilton Library Board of Trustees. "The library and community center will benefit everyone in Wilton. We wouldn't be here today without tremendous support from our donors and volunteers."

More than $3.1 million has been pledged to the $3.25 million Wilton Library and Community Center campaign goal. Funding has come from a variety of sources including a Community and Attraction and Tourism (CAT) grant from the state's Vision Iowa Board and numerous area businesses, community organizations and residents.

Representatives from several donor groups spoke at the groundbreaking ceremony, Community Bank, HNI Corporation, Muscatine Community College, Gerdau Ameristeel and Wilton Candy Kitchen.

"This event signifies that the spirit of Wilton is alive and well," said Wilton Mayor Carol Wade. "We are celebrating more than just the start of a building project, we are celebrating commitment and cooperation in our community. We are celebrating our future."

Built on land donated by the city at the intersection of Cypress and Division Streets, the proposed 20,000 square-foot building will benefit schools, families, senior citizens, nonprofit groups and businesses. Plans for the joint facility include spaces in the library to gather, browse, read, study and use computers while the community center provides space for civic gatherings, commercial meetings, receptions, reunions, fine arts performances, displays, banquets and fitness activities.

The current library building was erected in 1938 and has been serving the community from its present location for more than 26 years. The small library is hot and humid in the summer, cold in the winter and lacks much-needed meeting space for activities like 4-H meetings, Boy and Girl Scouts and children's story hour. The new library will increase the amount of space and allow the library to expand programming opportunities to better prepare local youth citizens for global participation.

To make a contribution, call 563-732-2583 or download a pledge form at www.WiltonLCC.org.

###

16 Jun 2009

U.S. Department of Labor's OSHA launches regional emphasis program to reduce lead exposure in the workplace

By Jeremy Eggers

KANSAS CITY, Mo. ? The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) office in Kansas City today announced a special regional emphasis program aimed at reducing occupational exposure to lead, one of the leading causes of workplace illnesses, for workplaces under OSHA's jurisdiction in the Midwestern states of Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska.

The potential for lead exposure depends on the industry, but generally speaking, lead is an ingredient in thousands of products widely used, including lead-based paints, lead solder, electrical fittings and conduits, tank linings and plumbing fixtures.

Some common operations that can generate lead dust and fumes include demolition operations; flame-torch cutting; welding; use of heat guns, sanders, scrapers, or grinders to remove lead paint; and abrasive blasting of steel structures.

"Occupational exposure to lead continues to be one of the most prevalent overexposures found throughout industry," said Charles E. Adkins, OSHA's regional administrator in Kansas City.  "It is imperative we do all we can to reduce that exposure to workers.  This special regional emphasis program will serve to amplify OSHA's commitment to ensuring the safety and health of workers in all occupations."

This program will set targeted inspections in industries or workplaces where there is a potential for lead exposure, and also will cover complaints and referrals regarding lead exposure.

Lead is a potent, systemic poison that serves no known useful function once absorbed by the body.  It is well-documented that lead adversely affects numerous body systems - including damage to blood-forming, nervous, urinary and reproductive systems - and causes forms of health impairment and disease that can arise from acute or chronic exposure.

For more information on OSHA's lead standards, visit http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/lead.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthy workplace for their employees. OSHA's role is to promote the safety and health of America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual process improvement in workplace safety and health.

# # #

16 Jun 2009

THE MOLINE FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES INAUGURAL MOLINE HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF '59 SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS

By Rick Martin

Two students have been chosen to receive the first annual scholarships from the Moline High School Class of '59 Scholarship Fund as administered through The Moline Foundation.

Casandra Goodpaster is a recent 2009 graduate of Moline High School. She will be attending DePaul University in Chicago, IL in the fall to major in Journalism and Theater Studies.

Austin Boyle is also a recent 2009 graduate of Moline High School. This fall he will attend Augustana College in Rock Island IL, to major in business.

The two Moline High School Class of '59 Scholarship winners were chosen by a Selection Advisory Committee to each receive a $1,000.00 scholarship. The fund was established by the Class of '59 as a way to commemorate their fiftieth class reunion this year. This high school class was also the first class to graduate from the Moline High School building located at 3600 23rd Avenue. It is celebrating its fiftieth anniversary this year.

Funds were raised by class members and volunteers over the past three years through a variety of fundraisers including barbeques, yard sales, and individual donations.

Founded in 1953, The Moline Foundation is a community-based, non-profit organization which provides grants to health, human services, education, community development, the arts, and other charitable organizations which benefit the citizens of the Quad City region. The Moline Foundation receives and administers charitable gifts. For more information contact Executive Director Joy Boruff at (309) 736-3800 or visit The Moline Foundation Web site at www.molinefoundation.org.

# # #

16 Jun 2009

"Waiting to Inhale" Medical Marijuana Forum - June 20 @ 3 pm - Bettendorf

By Carl Olsen

Free Medical Marijuana Documentary and Forum at Bettendorf Public Library this Saturday at 3 pm

The Marijuana Policy Project will be showing the award winning documentary, "Waiting to Inhale", this Saturday at the Bettendorf Public Library.  The film will be shown at 3:00 pm and will be followed by patient testimonies.  A legal expert and medical cannabis lobbyist will lead a forum where the general public can ask questions about the legislation, which will be debated by our state legislature next spring.

Bettendorf, Iowa, June 16 - On Saturday, June 20 at 3:00 p.m., a free screening of the award-winning medical marijuana documentary "Waiting to Inhale" will be held at the Bettendorf Public Library in the Quad Cities.  The screening will be followed by a discussion with patients and advocates involved in this year's efforts to make Iowa the 14th state to protect medical marijuana patients from arrest.

Ray Lakers, a Multiple Sclerosis patient, served time in jail for possession of less than one gram of marijuana.  Jeff Elton, a Diabetic Neuropathic Gastroparesis patient, claims marijuana to be the only medicine that stops his nausea.  Lisa Jackson will explain what it's like to live with Fibromyalgia and how medical marijuana saved her from overdosing on her old medications.  Also speaking will be Jacob Orr, a severe chronic pain patient who replaced highly addictive and dangerous opiates with medical marijuana.

The event is being led by Jimmy Morrison, a grassroots organizer for the largest medical marijuana lobbyist organization in the country.  Carl Olsen will explain the progress his lawsuit has made in finally addressing the medical marijuana legislation already passed in this state in 1979.  They hope to answer the many questions Iowans may have about the bill S.F. 293, which Senator Joe Bolkcom (D-Iowa City) introduced to be debated in the spring of 2010.  There are currently 13 states who have legalized medical marijuana, the most recent being Michigan where a ballot initiative was passed with 63% of the vote.  None of these states have found an increase in teen drug use since passing legislation.

The federal government started the Investigational New Drug Program decades ago, which grows and provides medical marijuana for free to fifteen patients.  Although the program has been shut down and only four patients are still alive, George McMahon and Barbara Douglass, both Iowa residents, continue to receive legal medical marijuana every month.  George McMahon suffers from Nail-Patella Syndrome and Barbara Douglass has Multiple Sclerosis.

In 1988, DEA Chief Administrative Law Judge Francis Young ruled marijuana to be "in its natural form, one of the safest therapeutically active substances known to man."  In 1999, the White House commissioned the Institute of Medicine to review all medical literature on marijuana.  This review found "Nausea, appetite loss, pain, and anxiety are all afflictions of wasting and can be mitigated by marijuana.  Although some medications are more effective than marijuana for these problems, they are not equally effective in all patients."  Since February of 2007, three studies have shown marijuana relieves neuropathic pain, commonly associated with AIDS, Multiple Sclerosis, Diabetes, and other illnesses.

Marijuana is Schedule I in Iowa, which means it has no accepted medical value.  This schedule includes such drugs as LSD and pure heroine; however, marijuana is also Schedule II in Iowa, which means it has accepted medical value.  Schedule II includes such drugs as cocaine, morpheine, oxycodone, other opiates, and methamphetamine.  In 1979, the Iowa Board of Pharmacy Examiners, a bureacracy, was supposed to study and decide if there is accepted medical value in the United States.  They recently disobeyed a court order to address the issue.

The documentary to be shown, "Waiting to Inhale", was produced and directed by Jed Riffe and was partially funded by the Marijuana Policy Project's grants program.  The film examines the medical marijuana debate up close by taking you inside the lives of patients, doctors, and activists, while seeking to understand why opponents support the continued criminalization of our sick and dying.  "Waiting to Inhale" has already played to critical acclaim, having won the 2005 CINE Golden Eagle Award, the Gold Special Jury Remi Award at the 38th Annual WorldFest-Houston, and the 2005 Best Documentary Film/Video at the New Jersey International Film Festival.
16 Jun 2009

Next Papa Murphy's Take 'N' Grill Tour Stop: Davenport

By Rick Martin

Take 'n' Bake giant promoting pizza on the grill this summer; giving away free samples this week

VANCOUVER, Wash. - (June 16, 2009) - Road trip! Armed with a map of the U.S. and an industrial-sized Traeger Smoker Grill boasting 50-square-feet of cooking space, Papa Murphy's Take 'N' Bake Pizza is on a mission to demonstrate how easy, convenient and delicious its grilled pizzas can be. The Take 'N' Grill Tour's next stop is Papa Murphy's in Davenport, 2406 East 53rd Street. Owner Eric Nelson and his crew will be giving away free pizza samples from the grill this Thursday, June 18th from 3pm to 6pm.

"One of the many things we know about our customers is that they love to grill, and with the weather warming up it's a perfect combination!" said Nelson. "Papa Murphy's specially-designed aluminum grilling trays and specific grilling instructions found in our stores allow grillers to easily bake their pizzas on gas, charcoal or wood pellet grills. Our pizza has great 'grillability'!"

Papa Murphy's pizzas, made from premium-quality, fresh ingredients that are mixed, shredded, sliced and diced in each store every morning, can be easily customized to fit any grilling aficionado's favorite flavor preferences. Don't want to heat up the oven on a hot summer day? Baking a Papa Murphy's pizza on the grill is fast and delicious.

About Papa Murphy's:

Papa Murphy's is the fifth-largest pizza chain in the country and the pioneer and leader of the take 'n' bake pizza segment. Papa Murphy's operates over 1,100 franchised and corporate-owned locations in 32 states and Canada. The Vancouver, Wash.-based company offers custom-made pizzas featuring high-quality fresh toppings generously layered on pizza dough that is made fresh each morning in each store.  By baking Papa Murphy's pizzas at home, customers get to experience the home-baked aroma of a convenient, delicious meal that the brand is known for. In addition to handmade pizzas, the company offers a growing menu of take 'n' bake items, including Cheesy Bread, Cinnamon Wheels, and chocolate chip cookie dough. Papa Murphy's has been voted "Best Pizza Chain in America" for five consecutive years by consumers nationwide in the Restaurants and Institutions "Consumers' Choice in Chains" survey and is a four-time recipient of Pizza Today's Chain of the Year award, most recently in 2009. For more information, visit www.papamurphys.com.

####

16 Jun 2009

More than 750 thank-you cards and letters collected for military men and women

By Kim Woodward

For Flag Day, Modern Woodmen and Royal Neighbors honor those who serve

Throughout a two-week collection, Quad-Cities residents donated more than 750 cards and letters to send to members of the Armed Forces serving overseas.

Modern Woodmen of America and Royal Neighbors of America, two Rock Island-based businesses, sponsored a card and letter collection during the first two weeks of June. All cards and letters collected are donated to the Rock Island Arsenal Chapter of Association of the United States Army to distribute to service men and women stationed overseas.

This project was in honor of Flag Day on June 14, a patriotic holiday paying tribute to the adoption of the Stars and Stripes in 1777.

Modern Woodmen and Royal Neighbors celebrate Flag Day to honor the nation's symbol of freedom. The two fraternal financial services organizations have long celebrated patriotism and proudly offer fraternal programs that continue this tradition by donating flags, honoring veterans, and supporting troops and their families.

Founded in 1883, Modern Woodmen of America touches lives and secures futures. The fraternal benefit society offers financial services and fraternal member benefits to individuals and families throughout the United States.

Royal Neighbors of America is a non-profit fraternal membership organization with a 100-plus-year history of helping women and their families. The organization insures lives, supports women, and serves communities by offering insurance and annuity products. Its members also participate in a variety of locally based volunteer opportunities and are eligible to apply for many member benefits such as scholarships and disaster aid.

- end -

15 Jun 2009

DAVENPORT METEOROLOGY STUDENT RECEIVES NOAA SCHOLARSHIP

By Valparaiso University

VALPARAISO, IN - Jason Davis, a junior meteorology student from Davenport, is one of three Valparaiso University students to be awarded the prestigious Hollings Scholarship.  The scholarships provide Summer research experiences with the Nationalal Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and Valpo is joined by only six other schools in the country in having this many undergraduates selected for the program.

Jason, the son of Larry and Mary Davis, was among 122 students selected for the Ernest F. Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship Program. The scholarships are geared to encourage undergraduates to pursue study in NOAA fields, such as atmospheric and oceanic science, research and technology.

###

15 Jun 2009

Christian Concert Saturday June 20th

By Kathy Yaudas

Immanuel Lutheran Church is having an Indoor Christian Concert on Saturday, June 20, 2009 from 5:00pm until 7:30pm. Groups featured include the praise band "Smile" and "Immanuel's VBS Kids."

The concert will be providing a variety of live Christian music for all ages. There will be hot dogs, popcorn and drinks for 50¢ each. Children 12 and under will receive a free coupon for 1 hot dog, 1 popcorn and 1 pop!  There will also be activities for children.

This is a free event open to the public and all are welcome to join us.  For more information, please contact the church office at 563-324-6431.

###

15 Jun 2009

QCSO announces 2009-10 Pops season

By Jared Johnson
QCSO announces 2009-10 Pops season
 Davenport, IA - Following on the heels of a sell-out Spring Pops concert, the QCSO has some exciting announcements regarding its Pops schedule for next year:

The Riverfront Pops returns to LeClaire Park - September 12th
The Quad City Symphony Orchestra and Music Director Mark Russell present Steve Lippia performing the music of Frank Sinatra as the 27th annual Riverfront Pops returns to LeClaire Park. Steve Lippia is one of the most prominent, in-demand vocalists and has quickly established his place among the finest interpreters of "standards" and traditional pop music in the nation. Steve's youthful, energetic talent and powerful show create a perfect blend of "classic" with "today." His show introduces a new generation to this timeless music, while appealing to long-time listeners. As is traditional, the concert will end with the 1812 Overture, Stars and Stripes Forever, and fireworks.

Cirque comes to Holiday Pops - November 21st
The QCSO and Quad City Arts take the Holiday Pops in an exciting new direction this year with Cirque de la Symphonie. Cirque is an exciting adaptation of the artistic performances widely seen in theaters and arenas everywhere. Artists include the most amazing veterans of exceptional cirque programs throughout the world - aerial flyers, acrobats, contortionists, dancers, jugglers, balancers, and strongmen. These artists include world-record holders, international competition gold-medal winners, and some of the most original talent seen anywhere. Conducted by Music Director Mark Russell Smith and featuring return engagements from the First Presbyterian Church Sanctuary Choir and the Holiday Pops Children's Chorus, this year's concert promises to be the most spectacular Holiday Pops ever.

Another rockin' Spring Pops - June 5th
Conductor and arranger Brent Havens returns to the Adler Theatre with the Music of the Eagles, a program he scored to extend the listening experience of the Eagles' timeless tunes. Amplified by a full rock band and accompanied by singers Terry Brock, Randy Jackson, and John Hines, creator Brent Havens guest conducts the ensemble as they capture the Eagles' amazing vocal harmonies surrounded by the Quad City Symphony Orchestra in a concert rich with lush melodies like you've never heard before. The 2-hour concert features 18 Eagles tunes, including Heartache Tonight, Desperado, New Kid in Town and Hotel California.

###
15 Jun 2009

New interactive website launched by German American Heritage Center

By Angela Hunt

DAVENPORT, IOWA (June 12, 2009) The German American Heritage Center (GAHC) launched their new website at www.gahc.org. The website has several interactive features including photo galleries, videos, and RSS feeds. Visitors can also become a fan on GAHC's new Facebook page, subscribe to their new youtube page, or sign up to receive a free enewsletters.

GAHC continues to offer several programs and events, including the upcoming Brewery Ephemera Exhibit, opening July 6 and Volksmarch on July 18. Over the past year, major construction and renovations are occurring inside GAHC.

GAHC Behind the Scenes on the website
By October 1, the interior exhibit space will have increased about six times to accommodate a new large interactive and audiovisual permanent exhibit. Over the course of the summer, GAHC will post behind the scenes photos and videos on the website as they build the new exhibit spaces. The exhibit will includes an orientation theater, six education stations, and two restored hotel rooms.  Two additional new temporary exhibit spaces have also been created and will open the door for new collaborative exhibits in conjunction with the new permanent exhibit.

The exhibit progresses through experiences from immigrants' journey by sea, train and foot, to their final destination at the GAHC, originally a hotel, which welcomed thousands of immigrants in the 1860s to the 1900s. The second half of the exhibit shows contributions to the region by immigrants, and highlights daily life, from recreation, family life, religion and organizations. The expansive exhibit will allow GAHC to develop new tours, increase family offerings and create new school group programs.

Finally, the top floor, which boasts panoramic views of the Mississippi River, has also been completely renovated. The floor includes state of the art audio-visual equipment so that it may be used for GAHC's programs as well as meeting space open for community groups.

To learn more, visit www.gahc.org.

-END-

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 Amy Alkon Advice Goddess, Real Astrology, Red Meat cartoon and RCR Crossword every week?) 

* indicates required

View previous campaigns.

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