Saturday, December 5; 8:00 p.m.
RiverCenter's Mississippi Hall

This tour will feature headliners heard on The Bob & Tom Show, one of the longest-running and highest-rated radio programs in America and the premiere radio showcase for today's top comedians. The following Bob & Tom comedians will be featured: Todd Yohn, Costaki Economopoulos and Al Jackson.

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ANKENY - The future of agriculture is bright in Iowa and youth across the state want to be a part of it?in record numbers. The Iowa FFA Association has achieved a new plateau in membership by setting an all-time record with 14,857 members in 225 high schools across Iowa during the 2014-15 school year. This is the highest membership for the Iowa FFA Association since the charter of the organization in 1929 and surpassing the previous record set during the 2013-14 school year with 14,318 Iowa FFA members.

"The increase of our membership is a reflection of the dedication of our agriculture teachers and the appeal of leadership programs pertaining to all facets of the agriculture industry," said Iowa FFA Advisor Dale Gruis.

"The rigorous combination of agricultural education classes, experiential learning through supervised agricultural experience projects, and the FFA provided by our agriculture teachers provides students with relevance to their futures and helps them to build relationships within their communities."

The Iowa FFA Association has experienced a recent surge in membership with an increase of over 20% over the last four years. The new membership record is also 69% larger than 25 years ago in 1988-89 when there were only 8,748 members.

Iowa FFA President Michael Tupper added, "Our increasing membership is the result of growing opportunities available to all our students. These opportunities range from hands-on learning, leadership experiences, and over $2 million of scholarships offered through the National FFA Scholarship program annually. There are so many doors that are open to members of the Iowa FFA."

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Educational discussions by local experts offer solace to family members and friends

DAVENPORT, IA (October 13, 2015) - Senior Star at Elmore Place is pleased to invite the Quad Cities community to an informative presentation on Lewy Body Dementia (LBD) at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, October 21 at 4500 Elmore Avenue, Davenport.

According to the Alzheimer's Association website, LBD is a type of progressive dementia that leads to a decline in thinking, reasoning and independent function.  The site also notes most experts estimate that LBD is the third most common cause of dementia after Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia, accounting for 10 to 25 percent of cases.

Discussions at Senior Star will focus on the science of LBD as well as the emotional side of the disease.  Dr. Phillip Kent, retired neuropsychologist and former director of Genesis Psychology Associates, will help participants understand the four major types of dementia with an emphasis on LBD, in addition to discussing the diagnosis and treatment.  Paul Smith, moderator of a local LBD caregiver support group and volunteer for the Lewy Body Dementia Association, will talk about the realities of caring for someone with LBD, drawing from his own personal experiences as well as the many private heartfelt conversations he has had with people across the country.  Smith's keen understanding of the emotional impact and toll the disease can have on loved ones is evidenced by his invitation to present at the upcoming International Lewy Body Dementia Association Conference in December.

As leading experts in caring for those with Alzheimer's and LBD, Senior Star associates will also be on hand to discuss and share examples of how they are providing care for residents who have LBD.  Associates go through an intense quarterly training and additional instruction as needed to understand the specific needs of those with LBD and how they differ from those who have Alzheimer's.  This training also leads to doctor referrals based on behaviors so that a resident's primary care physician or neurologist can make an appropriate and early diagnosis.  Associates also work with families on an individual basis to help them become the biggest advocates for their loved ones.  Through education and understanding, Senior Star is able to meet the personalized needs of those with LBD while also assisting the entire family through the disease process.

"We are so pleased to host Dr. Kent and Paul Smith who each bring a unique perspective and understanding to the complexities of LBD.  This presentation is essential for anyone trying to navigate the challenges of this disease in the role of caregiver, family member or friend," said Marc Strohschein, executive director at Senior Star at Elmore Place.  "Every day we work with residents and families affected by LBD and it's our goal to help educate the greater Quad Cities community since knowledge can bring strength and focus to this disease."

Please RSVP by October 20 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.

About Senior Star at Elmore Place

Senior Star at Elmore Place, a Senior Star community, features 236 modernly decorated apartments spanning across 20 acres of beautifully landscaped property with many customized amenities to offer its residents three distinctive living experiences:  independent living, assisted living and memory care.  For more information, visit www.seniorstar.com.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 13, 2015 - ON THURSDAY, Oct. 15, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will travel to Iowa, kicking off a series of events focused on conservation and food security in Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and Marshalltown through Friday afternoon. Members of the media who wish to attend a listed event may email adriane.brown@oc.usda.gov to RSVP.

On Thursday, Oct. 15, in Des Moines, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will make a major announcement pertaining to USDA's work to conserve natural resources and protect water quality throughout the state. Since 2009, USDA has invested more than $2 billion in efforts to conserve and protect Iowa's land, water and air resources, and Thursday's announcement will further USDA's engagement with Iowa on these important issues.

When and Where:
Thursday, Oct. 15
9 a.m. CDT
Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
909 Robert D. Ray Drive
Des Moines, Iowa

Later on Thursday, Secretary Vilsack will host the Secretary's Roundtable discussion at the World Food Prize on Open Data for Agriculture and Nutrition. The Secretary will be joined by Alexander B. Howard, Senior Editor for Technology and Society, Huffington Post; Brady Deaton, Executive Director, Deaton Institute, University of Missouri and Member PUSH Steering Committee; Alfred Busolo Tabu, Director General of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Authority of Kenya; and Gavin Starks, CEO, Open Data Institute.  He also will address the World Food Prize Foundation that evening at their Annual Award Ceremony and Dinner. All World Food Prize events will be livestreamed here.

When and Where:
3:15 p.m. CDT
Marriott Des Moines
Iowa Ballroom
700 Grand Avenue
Des Moines, Iowa

On Friday, Oct. 16, Secretary Vilsack will meet with local and state partners to discuss an innovative project designed to reduce nitrates in the Cedar Rapids water supply.  The locally-led project, funded by USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service, brings together 16 partners in the Middle Cedar Partnership Project to reduce nitrates. Vilsack will review key conservation practices used to protect water quality in the Middle Cedar watershed and highlight the role the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) plays in helping local communities and private partners target natural resources concerns in Iowa and across the nation.

When and Where:
Friday, Oct. 16
11:45 a.m. CDT
Nick Meier Farm
12925 Dysart Rd
La Porte City, Iowa

Later on Friday, Secretary Vilsack will host a roundtable discussion on the White House Rural Council's Rural IMPACT initiative in Marshalltown, Iowa. Rural IMPACT takes a two-generational approach to addressing the challenge of rural child poverty by forming a learning community for coordinated health, human service and workforce development service deliver. Marshalltown was designated one of ten demonstration sites at the launch of Rural IMPACT on Sept. 25, 2015.

When and Where:
3:00 p.m. CDT
Mid-Iowa Community Action, Inc.
Child Care Center
206 West High Street
Marshalltown, Iowa