01 Aug 2011

Braley Fights for Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown

By Alexandra Krasov

Bill benefitting home passes unanimously

Washington, DC - Congressman Bruce Braley (IA-01) co-sponsored and championed a bill to help the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown. With Rep.Braley's help, the bill passed unanimously out of the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Health. The bill will help the Iowa Veterans Home and similar veterans' homes across the country provide care to millions of elderly and disabled veterans.

"This bill will help us ensure that our veterans are getting the care they deserve - not just in Iowa, but all over the country," said Rep. Braley. "The men and women who served this nation deserve the best care we can possibly provide. That's why I'm proud to co-sponsor this bill which supports the veterans home in Marshalltown that cares for so many of our national heroes."

David Worley, who serves as Commandant of the Iowa Veterans Home and oversees operations, said the bill is an important step for Iowa veterans.

"This bill will be a big boost for the Iowa Veterans Home," said Commandant Worley. "It'll give us the resources we need to care for our elderly veterans, and as we see many more young men and women coming back from battle, this bill will help us provide our returning veterans with the services they need."

Rep. Braley will continue fighting to pass the bill through the full Veterans' Affairs Committee.

###

01 Aug 2011

Parks and Recreation August 2011 Newsletter

By Davenport Parks and Recreation

RECREATION:

For all events go online www.cityofdavenportiowa.com/parks to register or call 328-PARK (7275) for more information. Look this month to pick up the Fall/WINTER copy of THRIVE! and special events. Registrations begin August 10th for our Fall Session which starts Sept 12th!

  • - This extremely rare and exciting opportunity will be a blast for the whole family.  Please come and support these young students. Info on times and locations can be found @
  • Kindernature: Stars and the Moon. Tues August 9th, 10:00pm-11am at Vander Veer Botanical Park Conservatory. Cost $6.00. Bring your preschooler to learn about the night sky! Price includes an interactive program and snack.
  • Back to School Fiesta: Fri August 12th 1:00pm-7:00pm at Garfield Park. FREE! This is a family fiesta-that has games, activities, dunk tank, piñatas, etc... all to prepare for a fun back to school time!
  • 8th Annual Doggie Dig: Fri Aug 12th 6:00pm-7:30pm at Fejervary Aquatic Center. Cost $3.00 per dog, people get in free!
  • Central High School Jazz & Marching Bands: Wed August 17th at LeClaire Park-Music on the Levee Series. Cost: Free.
  • Chicago Cubs vs St Louis Cardinals Bus Trip to Wrigley Field! Fri August 19th, leaving The River's Edge at 9am. Return will be promptly after the game. Cost 95.00 per person, includes a ticket to the game.
  • City of Davenport Appreciation at the River Bandits! Sat August 20th. Cost-FREE, must pick up tickets at Davenport Parks and recreation and show proof of residency.
  • Iowa Prairie Heritage on display! Aug 20th-Oct 9th, in the Vander Veer Botanical Park Conservatory Park Store we will be hosting a special educational display. The displays will have huge panels that educate the public on the past, present and future of tall grass prairies in Iowa.
  • Wheelchair Basketball Clinic: Tues August 23rd, 5:00-6:30 location TBD. Call the parks office at 328-PARK (7275) for more information.

 

RIVER'S EDGE- Located at 700 W. River Drive (Across from Modern Woodmen Park)

  • The Rivers Edge Turf is hosting another fun month in August!
  • The Ultimate Sports Lock In: August 6th- Join us for an overnight stay packed with sports, sports and more sports! The fee is $40 and runs from 8PM to 8AM.
  • "Summer Showdown" Indoor Soccer Tournament: August 13th- A Coed bracket with a round robin style play leads to a champion! Team fee is $200.
  • Rage In The Cage Dodge ball Tournament: August 20th- Grab the bull by the horns and take home the trophy! Coed bracket, Team fee is $75.
  • Rivers Edge Community Flea Market: August 27th- Join us for one the QC Areas largest flea market. Admission is FREE, Vendor tables are $25 and you keep 100% of your profit. Market opens at 9 am.

GOLF:

  • 50yr Anniversary of Emeis Golf Course! August 19th marks the 50th Anniversary of Emeis Golf Course and the exhibition match played by Arnold Palmer and Gary Player. Come and celebrate the wonderful history and current transformations that have made Emeis a success for 50 years.
  • Golf Gift Cards - great for any occasion, are always available at Davenport golf shops, Parks and Recreation desk at Rivers Edge, and now at Vander Veer Park Store.
  • Visit www.golfdavenport.com for the 2011 Golf fees, latest updates and information
  • Family Friday Nights at Red Hawk Golf and Learning Center - Start a new activity this summer fit for the whole family. (Must be 8 years of age to use the Driving Range Area) Golf clubs sets are available upon request. Age - Children K and up accompanied by an adult. $10 - per family of Four, $2 each additional person, 6pm - 9pm June 3d - Aug 5th (10 Fridays)         
    • Price includes:
    • Unlimited Use of Short Course (Par 3 course)
    • Medium Bucket of range balls - one per family
    • Putting Green Activities - putting course etc.
    • Clubhouse Host with Pizza and Beverage provided. 7:30-9pm
01 Aug 2011

Deep Fried Butter & Deep Fried Pop Tarts - new fair treats!

By Administrator

Machine Shed Restaurant will be serving these treats at the 2011 Mississippi Valley Fair

The Machine Shed continues to bring the extreme and the delicious to the Mississippi Valley Fair adding "Deep Fried Butter" and "Deep Fried Pop Tart" to the 2011 fair menu. The chefs have worked all winter long and have created a pure butter concoction deep fried with a crisp coating.   This treat is crunchy and oozing with melted butter and only a mere 250 calories for each butter ball.  "We had over 50 taste testers over the past few months try several different variations of the fried butter and overwhelming we got a 'gotta have more' opinion" states Jeff Grunder, Manager at the Machine Shed restaurant.  Grunder continues: "The deep fried strawberry pop tart is my favorite, it tastes like a warm strawberry cake, I think it's the only way to eat a pop tart from now on!".   Deep Fried Butter sells for $5 and you get 4 "butter balls", while the Deep Fried Strawberry Pop Tart sells for $2 each.

You will ONLY find Deep Fried Butter and Deep Fried Pop Tarts at the Machine Shed booth at the Mississippi Valley Fair. The Mississippi Valley Fair runs Tuesday Aug. 2nd - Sunday Aug. 7th, 2011.

# # #
01 Aug 2011

Patt Englander Appointed Quad City BBB Leader

By Laura Chavez

The Better Business Bureau is pleased to announce that Patt Englander has accepted the position of Quad City BBB Community Representative.  Patt will be responsible for implementing a new vision and strategic direction for the BBB in the Quad Cities.  She will lead a decade-old office by reenergizing the local BBB brand and promoting the 450 Quad City BBB Accredited Businesses.  

"We are thrilled to have Patt serving the BBB.  We are a 99 year old organization and Patt's skills will propel us in to our second century of work.  She is a proven and recognized Quad City leader," stated Chris Coleman, President of the BBB serving Greater Iowa, Quad Cities and Siouxland Region. 

Former President and Chief Executive Officer of the Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center, Patt has also served in leadership positions at the American Red Cross of the Quad Cities and Center for Active Seniors.    She has a MBA from St. Ambrose University and recently helped create a local Dress for Success affiliate.

In recent years, the BBB system has embraced the benefits of technology with consolidation of services.   The new vision for the Quad Cities reverses that trend by reopening the Bettendorf office and focusing exclusively on the Quad Cities and surrounding areas.  The BBB will still provide state-of-the-art online and phone services to residents of the Quad Cities.  The re-tooled office will add a local flavor and enable the BBB to effectively promote its Accredited Businesses, warn consumers of pending scams, and provide tips and advice to the community.

Englander stated, "The mission to advance trust- right here in the Quad Cities is why I was attracted to this position.  In tough economic times like we are in today, I know the BBB is needed more now than ever.   I look forward to building our brand and our membership."

The BBB's mission is to be the leader in advancing marketplace trust. The BBB accomplishes this mission by creating a community of trustworthy businesses; setting standards for marketplace trust; encouraging and supporting best practices; celebrating marketplace role models, and denouncing substandard marketplace behavior.  The BBB is the resource to turn to for objective, unbiased information on businesses. Our network of national and local BBB operations allows us to monitor and take action on thousands of business issues affecting consumers at any given time.
01 Aug 2011

Braley Statement on Branstad Veto of Tax Breaks for Iowans

By Alexandra Krasov

Washington, DC - Today, Congressman Bruce Braley (IA-01) released the following statement after Governor Terry Branstad vetoed a state bill that would have given taxbreaks to Iowans making $45,000 or less:

"I'm disappointed by Governor Branstad's veto, and I have to ask, "what are his priorities?" This bill was passed with bipartisan support and would have provided tax relief to thousands of hard-working Iowa families. This doesn't make sense to me, and I don't think it makes sense to middle class Iowans who are struggling."

# # #

01 Aug 2011

Braley Statement on Severe Storm Damage in Iowa

By Alexandra Krasov

Washington, DC - Today, Congressman Bruce Braley (IA-01) released the following statement after severe storms hit parts of Iowa:

"My staff and I are closely monitoring these storms and the reports of damage around Eastern Iowa. While officials are still assessing the full extent of the damage, my office is open and my staff is available to help any Iowans who need it."

# # #


01 Aug 2011

Barrel House 211 Opening

By Rick Martin
The brand new Barrel House 211 has opened for business at 211 E 2nd Street, Davenport, just down the street from the Bucktown Center for the Arts.
01 Aug 2011

Grassley Bill to Ban Synthetic Drug Advances via Committee

By Grassley Press

WASHINGTON -- Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa today received Judiciary Committee passage of his legislation to ban the chemicals used to make the dangerous drug known as "K2" or "Spice." As committee Ranking Member, Grassley advanced the legislation, named for a young Iowa man who took his own life after using the drug.

"People are buying this drug so easily at the local mall or online that they think it's safe," Grassley said.  "The marketing is deceptive. The product is readily available.  This all makes the drug seem harmless.  It's anything but harmless.  David Rozga lost his life from using this product.  Others also have died or been seriously injured.  Congress needs to permanently control the substances used in this drug so no more lives are lost."

In March, Grassley introduced the David Mitchell Rozga Act, S. 605, named for the 18-year-old from Indianola who took his own life in June 2010, soon after using K2 purchased from his local shopping mall.  Poison control centers and emergency rooms around the country are reporting skyrocketing cases of calls and visits resulting from K2 use, with physical effects including increased agitation, elevated heart rate and blood pressure, hallucinations, and seizures.  A number of people across the country have acted violently while under the influence of the drug, dying or injuring themselves and others.

David Rozga's death may have been the first in the country stemming from this new type of synthetic drug.  In January, a high-school student in Omaha killed his assistant principal and himself.  He had K2 in his system.

Grassley met with the Rozga family last August, and David's father traveled to Washington to testify in April at a Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control hearing that Grassley co-chaired. 

K2 abuse has even led all branches of the military to ban the use of the synthetic drug after high-profile cases arose at the Naval Academy and on the U.S.S. Bataan, which was deployed to Libya. 

In addition to approving Grassley's bill today, the Judiciary Committee also approved bills from other senators that would ban the chemicals used to make other dangerous synthetic drugs, "bath salts," "2C-E" and others.

"All of these drugs should be banned as soon as possible," Grassley said.  "They're all highly dangerous to users.  The chemicals used to produce them have no household use.  The manufacturers and sellers of these products are engaging in a cynical money-making ploy that plays with human life." 

It's necessary for Congress to act to ban the chemicals used to make the new wave of synthetic drugs because the federal Drug Enforcement Administration's capacity to ban chemicals is limited.  Grassley's legislation treats K2 like other banned narcotics such as methamphetamine and cocaine.  The same is true for the bills on "bath salts" and "2C-E." 

The text of Grassley's prepared written statement at today's Judiciary Committee meeting is available here.  Video of his verbal remarks delivered at the Judiciary Committee session is available here.

-30-

01 Aug 2011

Governor Quinn Signs Legislation to Help Protect Illinois' Student Athletes from Concussions

By Andrew Mason

New Law Ensures Injured Student-Athletes Do Not Return to Play Without Medical Clearance and Increases Critical Head Injury Education

CHICAGO - JULY 28, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn today signed comprehensive legislation that will help protect Illinois' student-athletes from concussions and other brain injuries. The new law ensures that athletes who receive a concussion will not be allowed to return to play or practice until they are evaluated and receive written clearance from a licensed health professional. Additionally, the law ensures that student-athletes, their parents and their coaches are able to recognize the signs of a concussion.

"The desire to compete must never trump the safety of our student athletes," Governor Quinn said. "This new law will ensure that student-athletes, parents and coaches recognize the symptoms and understand the risks of concussions, so that they can prevent a more serious, lasting injury."

House Bill 200, sponsored by Illinois House Minority Leader Tom Cross (R-Oswego) and Sen. Kwame Raoul (D-Chicago), requires each school board in Illinois to adopt a concussion policy that complies with Illinois High School Association (IHSA) guidelines. Those guidelines prevent students who are removed from a game or practice due to a possible head injury from returning without being evaluated and cleared by a medical professional. 

The new law also requires all school boards in the state to partner with the IHSA to develop clear guidelines and materials to educate coaches, student athletes and their parents about concussions. In addition, the bill encourages park districts to educate about the dangers of concussions. 

"I am so thankful to the many groups, athletes and parents who came together to help this bill get to the point where it is being signed today by the Governor," said Rep. Cross. "We are hopeful that this new law will raise awareness for our youth in Illinois when it comes to these devastating and sometimes fatal head injuries."

"We have seen too many disturbing stories about the long-term negative impact of concussions," said Sen. Raoul. "From junior football to youth hockey, from girls' basketball or soccer to gymnastics, this new law will help make sure that young athletes are better protected from potentially life-altering head injuries."

CDC research indicates that sports are the second-leading cause of brain injury in young adults 15-24, and that more than 40 percent of high school athletes returned to play before fully recovering from a concussion. Former Chicago Bears guard Kurt Becker, a member of the 1985 championship team and proponent of the legislation, testified before an Illinois House of Representatives' committee on the effects of head injuries that can last a lifetime. Concussion, defined as a type of traumatic brain injury that interferes with normal function of the brain, creates long-term detrimental health effects that are especially harmful for teenagers.

House Bill 200 goes into effect immediately and has already begun to generate results. Chicago Public Schools has distributed concussion awareness materials to all CPS schools and begun to hold meetings with the IHSA to discuss next steps for implementation. 

###

29 Jul 2011

Governor Quinn Takes Bill Action **Thursday, July 28, 2011**

By William Palmisano

CHICAGO - July 28, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn today took action on the following bills:

Bill No.: HB 12
Permits special education joint agreements (cooperatives) to receive grants from the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) for school energy efficiency projects.
An Act Concerning: Education
Action: Signed                        
Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: HB 236
Designates the second Thursday in April of every year as D.A.R.E. Day and tasks the Secretary of State with making grants from the State D.A.R.E. Fund and County D.A.R.E. Fund.
An Act Concerning: D.A.R.E. Programs
Action: Signed                        
Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: HB 1128
Strengthens the Department of Insurance's regulation of public adjusters.
An Act Concerning: Insurance
Action: Signed                
Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: HB 1295
Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code so that Interstate Commercial Driver's License (CDL) holders, subject to the physical qualification federal requirements, shall submit a medical examiner's certificate to the Secretary of State prior to the issuance of CDL.
An Act Concerning: Transportation
Action: Signed                        
Effective Date: Jan. 1

Bill No.: HB 1391
Prohibits Trauma Center Fund moneys that have been collected from one EMS region from being distributed to a different EMS region.
An Act Concerning: Health Facilities
Action: Signed                        
Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: HB 1485
Authorizes the human service agencies to adopt joint rules to establish a cross-agency prequalification process, master service agreement and common service taxonomy for contracting with human service providers.
An Act Concerning: State Government
Action: Signed                        
Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: HB 1531
Allows licensed medical personnel to administer vaccinations on Chicago Park District property provided they obtain necessary permits.
An Act Concerning: Local Government
Action: Signed                        
Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: HB 1542
Amends the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act so that economic interest statements may be filed via the Internet, or by standardized form. 
An Act Concerning: Government
Action: Signed                        
Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: HB 1657
Adds a member of the Illinois U.S. Congressional delegation or a designee to the Task Force on the Conservation and Quality of the Great Lakes, and sets June 1 as an annual reporting date.
An Act Concerning: Conservation
Action: Signed                        
Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: HB 1683
Modifies the process by which 4-H agricultural fair premiums and reimbursements are documented and paid by the Department of Agriculture and University of Illinois extension offices.
An Act Concerning: Finance
Action: Signed                        
Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: HB 2861
Permits the Department of Natural Resources to create a special no-charge hunting and fishing license program for children and adults who are terminally ill.
An Act Concerning: Wildlife
Action: Signed                        
Effective Date: Jan. 1

Bill No.: HB 3035
Extends various sunsets to give military families more leniency in out-of-state school transfers.  
An Act Concerning: Education
Action: Signed                        
Effective Date: Jan. 1

Bill No.: HB 3171
Recognizes assistant principals in the Illinois School Code and specifies their duties, terms of employment and methods for their evaluation.  
An Act Concerning: Education
Action: Signed                        
Effective Date: Immediately  

   

Bill No.: HB 3179
Redefines a "chronic or habitual truant" as those children who are absent without valid cause for 5 percent or more of the previous 180 regular attendance days. Currently, the definition requires absence for 10 percent or more of the previous 180 regular attendance days.  
An Act Concerning: Education  
Action: Signed                            
Effective Date: Immediately  

Bill No.: SB 64
Expands the definition of false personation to include use of the Internet as well as using a public office to benefit, defraud or injure another.  
An Act Concerning: Criminal Law  
Action: Signed                            
Effective Date: Jan. 1  

Bill No.: SB 100
Makes numerous changes to acts that govern the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency in order to streamline and coordinate state statutes.  
An Act Concerning: Safety  
Action: Signed                            
Effective Date: Immediately     

Bill No.: SB 1360
Directs the Secretary of State's office to complete a feasibility study for the creation of a corporate-sponsored license plate program.  
An Act Concerning: Transportation  
Action: Signed                            
Effective Date: Immediately     

Bill No.: SB 1396
Requires the Illinois Commerce Commission to revise consumer education information program.  
An Act Concerning: Regulation  
Action: Signed                            
Effective Date: Immediately  

Bill No.: SB 1654
Changes certain reporting requirements for the Illinois Commerce Commission.  
An Act Concerning: Public Utilities  
Action: Signed                            
Effective Date: Jan. 1  

Bill No.: SB 1669
Promotes school transportation safety by strengthening requirements for school bus driver permits, improving soundness of school transport vehicles, prohibiting smoking and requiring school districts to maintain copies of the permits of each individual operating a vehicle for the district.  
An Act Concerning: Transportation  
Action: Signed                            
Effective Date: Immediately   

Bill No.: SB 1754
Amends the Criminal Code to include in the offense of aggravated assault, the assault of an employee of a county juvenile detention center.  A violation is a Class 4 felony.
An Act Concerning: Criminal Law
Action: Signed                        
Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: SB 1806
Updates the Home Inspector License Act language to be consistent with other professional licensing acts, and eliminates grandfather language; also extends the licensing act sunset date. Eliminates the Home Inspectors Board and allows the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to hire a licensed home inspector as a peer review advisor when necessary.
An Act Concerning: Regulation
Action: Signed                        
Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: SB 1833
Replaces outdated terms for individuals with mental and physical disabilities in state statutes with more appropriate terms.
An Act Concerning: Health
Action: Signed                        
Effective Date: Jan. 1

Bill No.: SB 1923
Redefines the purpose of the Target Market program as a remedy to "particular incidents and patterns of egregious race or gender discrimination," and gives the chief procurement officer and the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) the power to implement a Target Market program.
An Act Concerning: State Government
Action: Signed                        
Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: SB 1924
Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code and the Illinois Identification Card Act to make various technical changes.
An Act Concerning: Secretary of State
Action: Signed                        
Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: SB 1929
Changes regulations for the handling of recyclable general construction and demolition debris at waste processing facilities.
An Act Concerning: Safety
Action: Signed                        
Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: SB 2027
Amends the Criminal Code of 1961 and provides that a person commits forgery when, with intent to defraud, he or she knowingly makes a false document or alters any document to make it false and that document is apparently capable of defrauding another.
An Act Concerning: Criminal Law
Action: Signed                        
Effective Date: Jan. 1

Bill No.: SB 2143
Extends from two to four years the window of time within which a specified requirement must have been met in order for a reorganized school district or cooperative high school to use a previously submitted school construction application.
An Act Concerning: Education
Action: Signed                        
Effective Date: Immediately

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