07 Oct 2015

Medicare Part B Premium Relief Must Be Offset, says Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget

By Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget
October 7, 2015
The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget urges lawmakers to couple any effort to prevent a Medicare Part B premium spike with offsetting savings to ensure the legislation does not add to the deficit or contribute to the rising costs of Medicare.
Next year, a small portion of beneficiaries are scheduled to experience a significant, temporary increase in their Medicare premiums of roughly 50 percent. As the result of a provision that prevents premium increases for most beneficiaries when Social Security cost-of-living adjustments are too low, higher-income seniors, new beneficiaries, and those whose premiums are paid by Medicaid will be required to pay the entire cost of Part B growth next year.
"Congress certainly has a full plate these next few months, between the need to address highway funding, sequester caps, the debt ceiling, tax extenders, and now this premium spike," said Maya MacGuineas, president of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget. "As we address these issues, we can't keep charging the costs to our credit card, and we especially shouldn't be increasing high and rapidly growing Medicare costs. Congress and the President need to pay for any premium relief, and preferably in a way that actually helps to slow future health care cost growth."
Media reports peg the cost of premium relief at about $7.5 billion.
"Just a couple of years ago, we were talking about health savings in the $300 billion to $600 billion range," MacGuineas said. "If our lawmakers can't even find $5 billion to $10 billion of health care savings, we're in big trouble as a country."
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07 Oct 2015

Healthy Relationships - 4-Week Series

By Rick Martin

October 7, 2015, Davenport, IA:   Imagine if all our relationship were free from conflict and deeply satisfying.  Finding the right mental attitude is the key to making this happen.

Healthy Relationships A 4-Week Series will be presented by Lamrim Kadampa Buddhist Center on Thursday evenings from October 29th to November 19th, 6:30pm-7:30pm.
Many of the meditations Buddha taught were ways to transform how we view ourselves, others and the world around us.  Without a fundamental shift in our often unconscious views about others, we will continue to be stuck in our well-worn relationship patterns.

In this four week series, uplifting meditations that will help us transform our personal relationships will be explained and explored.

This series is open to the public and no experience is necessary.

Class dates are Thursday evenings October 29th, November 5th, 12th & 19th.

Classes are held at Lamrim Kadampa Buddhist Center, 502 1/2 W. 3rd Street, Davenport, IA.  The Center entrance is on Scott St. which is closed from 3rd to 4th street for Davenport Central Fire Station Renovation.  Please park on 3rd Street and walk to entrance on Scott Street.

Cost is $10 per class or $30 for the series (no cost with class card).

For more information or to register call (563)322-1600 or email info@meditateiniowa.org, or visit www.MeditateInIowa.org.

About Lamrim Kadampa Buddhist Center:

Lamrim Kadampa Buddhist Center was founded under the guidance of Geshe Kelsang Gyatso; Internationally renowned Buddhist meditation master and scholar.  Lamrim Kadampa Buddhist Center is a member of the New Kadampa Tradition-International Kadampa Buddhist Union, a worldwide network of Buddhist Centers that are located in over 40 different countries.

The purpose of Lamrim Kadampa Buddhist Center is to help people learn practical methods to solve their daily problems and to live a happy and meaningful life.  Lamrim Center offers meditation classes In Davenport, Clinton and Iowa City, Iowa and in Rock Island and Galesburg, IL.  The Center in Davenport also offers Buddhist studies, day courses, retreats, chanted prayers in English, community outreach and a chance to learn more about the Buddhist way of life. Classes and courses are designed to help those who wish to learn about or deepen their understanding of basic Buddhist thought and practice, as well as for those who simply wish to start a meditation practice or to meditate in a group setting.  Lamrim Kadampa Buddhist Center is a State of Iowa registered nonprofit.

07 Oct 2015

Need an outlet for your holiday creativity? Festival of Trees wants YOU!

By Megan Schoff

Happy October, past and present Festival of Trees Designers!

THANK YOU to those who've already expressed an interest in helping to create TABLE TRIMMINGS to be sold at FESTIVAL OF TREES 2015!

Not familiar with this area? Table Trimmings are attractive centerpieces for sale at Festival on a cash and carry basis. Each centerpiece is unique and handcrafted especially for Festival of Trees by generous volunteers.

Marlene Marolf, Table Trimmings Chair, will be holding hours in the Table Trimmings workspace for DROP-IN DESIGNING a couple of times in the next few weeks:

Saturday, October 17

10 am - 4 pm

Wednesday, October 21

1 - 4 pm

Designing will take place at the Table Trimmings workspace at 1718 2nd Avenue in downtown Rock Island - right across the street from Quad City Arts!

**We are also looking for design materials - sleds (and other containers), florals, greens, focal point items (Santa's, snowmen, etc.). Donations can be dropped off at Quad City Arts (1715 2nd Avenue) weekdays between 10 am - 5 pm and on Saturdays between 11 am - 5 pm.

Are you interested in helping out on one of these dates? Are you interested in helping out, but would prefer to come at a different time? Are you interested in helping out, but would prefer to design in the comfort of your home? All of these options are possible! Contact Marlene by phone at 563-391-9621 or by email at gourddzn@aol.com
07 Oct 2015

L&D15 HOSTS SATURDAY NIGHT SOCIAL, OTHER EVENTS THIS FALL

By David Balluff
Retail boutique L&D15 will not only be hosting its second Saturday Night Social on October 24th, from 7-10pm, but will also be hosting a number of other fun activities this fall.
Saturday Night Socials were conceived of as an event where our friends and customers could shop, socialize and have a cocktail in a fun, relaxed environment. Inspired by salons, speakeasys and soirées, It's a chance to try on dresses, hats, print a t-shirt, or just browse and have a good time with friends. Each Saturday Night Social at L&D15 features a different complimentary cocktail.
L&D15 will also be participating in a new event, Third Thursdays, with many other businesses in downtown Davenport. "We love giving our customers a creative experience, so we will be silkscreening both on paper and on t-shirts with customers for Third Thursday," explains co-owner David Balluff.
This month L&D15 will also be unveiling a Day of the Dead ofrenda, or altar, created by area artist Carlos Durán. More details to be announced. In mid-November, L&D15 will celebrate it's first year anniversary with a special event on November 14.
"L&D15 exists because we wanted to create a space that supports our vision of the future of retail - a venue that not only allows us to produce and sell our own products in house, but also supports the greater artistic community," explains Balluff. "We want to support creative entrepreneurship in the Quad Cities."
Both Balluff and his partner, Lopeti Etu, have previous experience as makers themselves. Balluff started t-shirt line General Assembly in 2009, and Etu is a milliner by trade, and hand makes the majority of the hats in their shop.
L&D15 is located at 520 W. 2nd Street in downtown Davenport and is open Tuesday - Saturday  from 10am - 7pm, Sunday 11am - 5pm. For more information, visit landd15.com, or call 563-484-0415.
Upcoming Saturday Night Social events at L&D15: October 24th, November 7th & 28th.
07 Oct 2015

Anhalt Named Iowa's Outstanding Nurse Executive

By Rick Martin

DAVENPORT, Iowa - Oct. 6, 2015 -- Jackie Anhalt, Vice President, Patient Services, Genesis Medical Center, Davenport and Chief Nurse Executive, Genesis Health System, has been named the 2015 Outstanding Nurse Executive in Iowa by the Iowa Organization of Nurse Leaders (IONL).

The IONL award is intended to recognize an individual who demonstrates outstanding achievement in nursing leadership and holds the leadership position of Nurse Executive. IONL is an affiliate group of the Iowa Hospital Association.

Anhalt will receive the award in Des Moines on Oct. 7.

"The qualities of a transformational leader, as identified by Magnet, are many of the same qualities IONL was looking for in its Outstanding Nurse Executive," said Joan McCann, Magnet Program Supervisor, GMC-Davenport. "Jackie has always displayed a drive to go beyond what is expected and encourages others to strive for the same.

"As our CNE (Chief Nurse Executive) she has a strong vision for nursing and strategically understands what it takes to get us there. She is truly a transformational leader and has guided nursing at Genesis through many successes. The nursing team at Genesis is very proud to have her as our leader and recipient of this great award."

Anhalt has been an employee of Genesis for nearly 25 years, beginning as a bedside nurse on the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Nursing Unit. Her experience also includes Care Coordinator for the Rehab Department, Nurse Manager of the Orthopaedic Unit and most recently, Director of Nursing Operations.

Anhalt was named one of the 100 Great Iowa Nurses in 2007.

Anhalt is an RN, holds a bachelor's degree in Health Science from the University of St. Francis, Joliet, Ill.; a master's in Health Education and Promotion from Western Illinois University, Macomb, Ill.; and a second master's in Nursing from St. Ambrose University, Davenport.

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07 Oct 2015

Senior Star at Elmore Place Hosts Medicare Coverage Presentation

By Christina L. Maggio-Kellerstrass

Community is invited to learn about viable plan options available to senior adults

 

DAVENPORT, IA (October 7, 2015) - Senior Star at Elmore Place is pleased to invite the Quad Cities community to a Medicare presentation at 1 p.m. on Thursday, October 15 at 4502 Elmore Avenue, Davenport.

This seminar will be especially helpful in addressing the sometimes confusing Medicare system and application process.  Attendees will be able to ask specific questions of a trained professional with experience in the complexities and misconceptions of the different coverage plans.

Richard Schillig of RJS & Associates will present information on the following points:

  • Basics of Medicare
  • Prescription Drug Plans
  • Medicare Alternatives (Advantage Plans)

For more than 37 years, Schillig has been offering trusted guidance and valuable financial solutions.  Among his diverse selection of service, Schillig provides explanations on the provisions of Medicare, helping his clients navigate the often confusing aspects of preserving existing assets while making important decisions.

Senior Star at Elmore Place understands that decisions regarding Medicare and prescription plans can be challenging and strives to provide pertinent information to its residents and senior adults in the Quad Cities area.  "We are proud to host local experts on diverse subjects such as Medicare planning, which contribute vital information to our community and neighbors," said Marc Strohschein, executive director at Senior Star at Elmore Place.  "Senior Star embraces all aspects of aging well including the opportunity to learn more about current health coverage options in order to make informed choices."

Please RSVP by October 14 by calling 563.359.0100 to reserve your spot.

For more information about Senior Star at Elmore Place or to schedule a tour, call 563.359.0100 or visit the website at www.seniorstar.com.
07 Oct 2015

Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds and IPEP kick off the Iowa Energy Plan

By Office of the Governor of the State of Iowa

Consultants selected; timeline, process and public input for statewide effort are detailed

(PELLA) -The Iowa Partnership for Economic Progress (IPEP) meeting was held at Pella Corporation to kick off the Iowa Energy Plan. The initiative, chaired by Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds and Pat Meyer, CEO of Pella Corp., is a means to set state priorities and provide strategic guidance for a statewide plan that assesses current and future energy supply and demand, examines energy policies and programs and identifies emerging challenges and opportunities.

"Iowa is a leader in biofuels and renewable energy," said Lt. Governor Reynolds. "That leadership was achieved because of thoughtful planning. Creating a statewide energy plan will keep Iowa at the forefront of energy policy and allow our state to develop a path toward the future."

The statewide energy plan will be built on four foundational pillars: Economic Development and Energy Careers, Iowa's Energy Resources, Transportation and Infrastructure and Energy Efficiency and Conservation. Working groups will be formed around these areas to provide input, review data and help shape the goals and strategies of the energy plan. Applications for the working groups are being accepted now at www.iowaenergyplan.org. More information on the timeline, process and how to provide input for the energy plan can also be found at this website. In addition, five energy forums will be conducted across the state to facilitate public input for the Iowa Energy Plan.

"At Pella, we tackle energy conservation every day - in every process and with every product - like so many other Iowa manufacturers and businesses," stated Meyer. "Since 2010, through planning and prioritization, we have been able to reduce our own energy consumption by more than 24 million kilowatt hours. The Iowa Energy Plan will give us the ability to hear from Iowans while developing and using the same proactive look at the state's energy future."

The consultants selected to assist in the development of the plan were also announced today. Inova Energy Group and Battelle Memorial Institute were selected to conduct the study. The selection was made after a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) process that yielded 12 responses.

The plan will be developed over the next year with a tentative delivery in November of 2016. The leadership team for the Iowa Energy Plan will consist of co-chairs Reynolds and Meyer, IPEP members, Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) and Department of Transportation (DOT) representatives. The cost of the plan, estimated at approximately $500,000, will be paid by IEDA and IDOT.

IEDA houses the Iowa Energy Office, which coordinates a variety of state and federal programs related to energy.

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07 Oct 2015

City Circle Acting Company Opens 18th Season with William Shakespeare's Land of the Dead on October 16-18

By Rick Martin

City Circle Acting Company opens its 18th season with John Heimbuch's William Shakespeare's Land of the Dead on October 18-20.  Performances are October 16 and 17 at 7:30 pm  and October 18 at 2:00 pm.

Described by Director Patrick DuLaney as "a bizarre mashup of Shakespeare in Love and The Walking Dead," the play tells the tale of the 1599  zombie plague in Elizabethan London, just as Shakespeare is premiering his play, Henry V at the newly-constructed (and strong enough to keep out the "Afflicted") Globe Theatre. The play takes you backstage when Shakespeare and his company of players have just finished the opening night performance of Henry V. Before they can celebrate, they become aware of a plague in London that allows the "Afflicted" to rise from death.  The newly-constructed Globe is the safest place in town, so everybody who's anybody seeks shelter there and the characters must learn how to survive amongst both the undead and each other. " I'm so excited to bring Land of the Dead to this community," says Director DuLaney. "It's got everything?sword duels, wordplay, amazing makeup effects from Andrew Burlage, and an unbelievably great professional-grade cast. You won't want to miss this brand new, unique theatre experience."

Tickets are $12-$27 and can be purchased online at coralvillearts.org or by calling 319.248.9370 or in person at the CCPA box office at 1301 5th Street.  Tickets are also available at the Coralville Recreation Center at 1506 8th Street. The show is sponsored by Ken Krizan.

City Circle Acting Company is the resident theater company of the Coralville Center for the Performing Arts and Coralville's community theatre. Other shows in the 18th season include Oliver in December, Sweeney Todd in February, 1776 in May, and Kiss Me Kate in June.

***

City Circle Acting Company is the community theater program of the Coralville Center for the Performing Arts. Since 1997, City Circle's mission has been the production of high quality dramatic, musical, and performing art pieces for the enjoyment of the public. The next City Circle production is Into the Woods (April 24-May 3).

***

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; 15 school events took place at the Center in the 2013-2014 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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07 Oct 2015

Nation's Ag Co-ops Set Records for Income and Revenue; USDA Also Reports Revenue Data for the Top 100 Co-ops

By USDA Office of Communications

WASHINGTON, Oct. 7, 2015 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that the nation's farmer, rancher and fishery cooperatives posted record income and revenue in 2014.

As part of USDA's observance of October as National Cooperative Month, Vilsack previewed a USDA report to be released later this month that shows cooperatives earned $6.5 billion in net income and generated $246.7 billion in total revenue last year.

Net income increased 16.5 percent while revenue rose 0.4 percent from 2013. Co-ops set records for income and revenue in 2014 for the fourth year in a row.

"The nation's co-ops are essential to the U.S. economy and to rural America," Vilsack said. "The income they generate is reinvested or returned to members who spend it in their local communities. USDA is proud to continue its support of the cooperative movement."

Ag co-op employment increased 0.4 percent to 191,000 people in 2014. The number of full-time co-op employees dipped slightly, 0.4 percent, while the number of part-time employees increased by 2 percent.

The total number of ag cooperatives declined from 2,186 in 2013 to 2,106 last year, a drop of nearly 4 percent. Despite the decline, co-op memberships grew by 1 percent, to just under 2 million. Many farmers and ranchers are members of more than one cooperative. In addition to providing supplies and marketing services to farmers and ranchers, the nation's co-ops provide telecommunications, energy, financial and other important services.

Vilsack recently signed a Cooperative Month proclamation that salutes the nation's cooperative business sector, which includes about 30,000 co-ops.

Top 100 Ag Co-ops

Also today, Secretary Vilsack previewed findings from USDA's annual rankings of the nation's Top 100 Ag Co-ops. Among other things, the rankings show that 15 of the Top 100 agricultural co-ops are headquartered in Iowa, the most of any state. Minnesota is home to the second most Top 100 agricultural co-ops, with 12 headquartered there. Nebraska is next with nine, followed by Illinois with six and California and Wisconsin, both with five. Indiana, Missouri and Ohio each have four Top 100 co-ops, while Kansas is home to three.

For co-op revenue, Minnesota ranks first, with $67.6 billion. Missouri is second at $21.4 billion, and Illinois is third at $14.1 billion.

According to the rankings, CHS Inc., a fuel, supply, grain and food cooperative based in Inver Grove Heights, Minn., is the nation's largest cooperative. It posted $43 billion in revenue in 2014. Rounding out the top three ag co-ops are Kansas City-based Dairy Farmers of America, with $18 billion in total revenue, and Land O'Lakes, headquartered in, St. Paul, Minn., with $15 billion in revenue.

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07 Oct 2015

USDA Announces $3 Million in Funding for Critical Agriculture Production Research

By USDA Office of Communications

WASHINGTON, Oct. 7, 2015 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) today announced nearly $3 million in grants to address critical issues affecting agriculturally-important plants and animals. The science developed from these grants will provide timely assistance and have an immediate impact for the agriculture community. The awards were made under the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative's (AFRI) Critical Agricultural Research and Extension (CARE) program, and addresses priority areas of the 2014 Farm Bill.

"It is essential to promote partnerships between researchers, extension experts, and producers to ensure the success of American agriculture," said Sonny Ramaswamy, NIFA director. "The CARE program is centered on the swift identification of problems, creation of solutions, and prevention of interruptions or issues that impact farmers' ability to provide a safe and abundant food supply for our nation."

Fiscal year 2014 is the first year NIFA has made awards under the CARE program. Examples of what these grants will focus on include a project from the University of Georgia that is researching disease management practices for blueberries, particularly addressing the currently unknown life cycle time of the damaging Exobasidium leaf and fruit spot disease. An Extension project from Montana State University will be working directly with cattle producers to adopt sagebrush grazing techniques for their cattle that create a sustainable environment for the greater sage-grouse. Fiscal Year 2014 grants include :

  • University of Florida, Gainesville, Fla., $149,399
  • University of Florida, Gainesville, Fla., $149,580
  • University of Georgia, Athens, Ga., $149,925
  • University of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii, $149,884
  • Purdue University, West Lafayette, Ind., $149,995
  • Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kan., $149.988
  • Michigan State University, East Lansing, Mich., $149,655
  • Michigan State University, East Lansing, Mich., $149,899
  • Montana State University, Bozeman, Mont., $149,924
  • University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Neb., $148,203
  • University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Neb., $148,209
  • University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Neb., $150,000
  • Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y., $150,000
  • North Carolina State University, Raleigh, N.C., $149,800
  • Pennsylvania State University, State College, Pa., $150,000
  • South Dakota State University, Brookings, S.D., $149,999
  • University of Tennessee-Knoxville, Knoxville, Tenn., $150,000
  • University of Vermont, Burlington, Vt., $141,807
  • Washington State University, Pullman, Wash., $149,837
  • University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisc., $149,992

AFRI is NIFA's flagship competitive grants program and was established under the 2008 Farm Bill. The AFRI Foundational Program addresses six priority areas to continue building a foundation of knowledge in fundamental and applied food and agricultural sciences critical for solving current and future societal challenges. The six priority areas include : plant health and production and plant products; animal health and production and animal products; food safety, nutrition and health; renewable energy, natural resources and environment; agriculture systems and technology; and agriculture economics and rural communities.

NIFA invests in and advances agricultural research, education, and extension and seeks to make transformative discoveries that solve societal challenges. To learn more about NIFA's impact on agricultural science, visit nifa.usda.gov/impacts or follow us on Twitter: @usda_nifa #NIFAimpacts.

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