CEDAR RAPIDS, IA - On the eve of Grant Wood's 125th birthday and the 15th anniversary of the Overalls All Over public art project in Cedar Rapids, local organizations are working together to bring a public art parade to the Cedar Rapids area during the summer of 2016.

The Overalls All Over project will include approximately 30 life-sized 6' fiberglass statues depicting the farmer and daughter from the American Gothic painting. It is one of the most familiar images in 20th-century American art and painted at 5 Turner Alley in Cedar Rapids.

Overalls All Over is seeking artists to transform each American Gothic statue into something unique and beautiful. Artists are encouraged to submit unique and multiple designs for the statues. Iowa artists are especially encouraged to apply. A $1,500 stipend is available for each design selected. The deadline for submissions has been extended to August 7, 2015.

Additional information is available at http://croveralls.com/artists-application-form/ or by contacting croveralls@gmail.com.

Statues will be on parade from May through September 2016, culminating at the NewBo Arts Festival on Labor Day Weekend. The locations of these statues will be promoted as fun photo opportunities and both print and digital maps will direct visitors through the area.

Overalls All Over

The Cedar Rapids Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, Czech Village/New Bohemia Main Street District, NewBo City Market and Black Earth Gallery are working together to celebrate Grant Wood's legacy utilizing the theme of the American Gothic portrait as a celebration of Grant Wood's 125th birthday by creating an engaging experience in which organizations, businesses, and attractions throughout the Cedar Rapids area can participate. This event will attract visitors from across the state, region and nation.  www.croveralls.com

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Proclamation was set to expire July 31; now extended until Aug. 30

 

(DES MOINES) - Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad today announced that he is extending the State of Disaster Emergency in response to the avian flu outbreak through Aug. 30, 2015. This is the third extension the governor has made to the original disaster proclamation. The current disaster proclamation would have expired on July 31, 2015, without an extension from the governor.

The proclamation of disaster emergency does the following:

  1. Activates the disaster response and recovery aspect of the Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Department's (HSEMD) Iowa Emergency Response Plan.
  1. Authorizes the use and deployment of all available state resources, supplies, equipment, and materials as are deemed reasonably necessary by the Iowa Secretary of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) and Iowa HSEMD in order to do the following:

A.      Track and monitor instances of confirmed highly pathogenic avian influenza throughout the state of Iowa and the country,

B.      Establish importation restrictions and prohibitions in respect to animals suspected of suffering from this disease,

C.      Rapidly detect any presumptive or confirmed cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza within Iowa's borders,

D.     Contain the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza within our state through depopulation, disinfections, and disposal of livestock carcasses,

E.      Engage in detection activities, contact tracking, and other investigatory work to stop the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza within our state, and

F.       Eliminate the disease in those disaster counties where it has been found and lessen the risk of this disease spreading to our state as a whole.

  1. Temporarily authorizes the Iowa HSEMD, the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT), the Iowa Department of Public Safety (DPS), the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH), other state agencies, and local law enforcement agencies and private contractors employed by the same to remove and/or dispose of live animals and animal carcasses on publicly or privately owned land when those live animals and/or carcasses threaten public health or safety.
  1. Authorizes the Iowa HSEMD, the Iowa DOT, the Iowa DPS, the Iowa DNR, IDPH, other state agencies, and local law enforcement agencies to implement stop movement and stop loading restrictions and other control zone measures as are reasonably deemed necessary, including establishing buffer zones, checkpoints, and cleaning and disinfecting operations at checkpoints and borders surrounding any quarantine areas established by the IDALS or at any other location in the state of Iowa, in order to stop the spread of this contagious disease.
  1. Authorizes state agencies to assist the IDALS in disinfection, depopulation, and livestock carcass disposal efforts.
  1. Temporarily waives restrictions to allow for the timely and efficient disposal of poultry carcasses.

7.      Temporarily suspends the regulatory provisions pertaining to hours of service for commercial vehicle drivers hauling poultry carcasses infected with or exposed to highly pathogenic avian influenza or while hauling loads otherwise related to the response to this disaster during its duration, subject to certain conditions outlined in the disaster proclamation.

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SPRINGFIELD - The Governor's Office has issued the following statement, attributable to Lance Trover, Director of Communications:

"Governor Rauner appreciates today's action in the House and thanks all those members who showed leadership on this issue. We encourage President Cullerton to swiftly move this legislation to the governor's desk for his signature.  Governor Rauner is ready to work with Speaker Madigan, Leader Durkin and all members of the General Assembly to pass true structural reforms and a balanced budget."

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Dr. Chris Nelson of Kemin Industries accepts appointment as co-chair alongside Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds

 

(CEDAR FALLS, Iowa) - Kemin Industries President and CEO Dr. Chris Nelson will serve as co-chair of the Iowa Governor's STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Advisory Council starting this month. Appointed by Gov. Terry Branstad, Nelson succeeds Vermeer CEO and Chair of the Board Mary Andringa, who completed her two-year term as STEM Council co-chair in May.

In 2013, STEMconnector named Nelson as one of the top 100 CEO leaders in STEM at the U.S. News & World Report's STEM Solutions Summit. STEM education is important to Nelson as Kemin is a bioscience leader in the Cultivation Corridor, manufacturing and distributing approximately 500 specialty ingredients for the global feed and food industries as well as the health, nutrition, and beauty markets.

"I established the STEM Council in 2011 with the goal of inspiring our next generation of innovators who can take full advantage of the great careers waiting for them across Iowa," said Governor Branstad. "Kemin is one of our state's outstanding career destinations, and Dr. Nelson is one of our most inspiring STEM leaders. I am grateful that he is willing to co-lead the STEM Council alongside Lt. Governor Reynolds."

"Kemin and Dr. Nelson have been outstanding partners to the Governor's STEM Advisory Council since the beginning," said Lt. Governor Reynolds. "So, it is a natural expansion of that partnership to invite Dr. Nelson to co-chair the STEM Council. His global perspective, STEM expertise and leadership skills will help us take Iowa STEM to new heights."

In 1980, Nelson began his career with Kemin as Director of Research and Development. Since 1993, he has served as President and CEO of the global nutritional ingredient company that specializes in improving human and animal health through molecular innovations. Under his leadership, the company has more than quadrupled in size and now employs nearly 2,000 people, operating internationally in more than 90 countries with manufacturing facilities in Belgium, Brazil, China, India, Italy, Singapore, South Africa and the United States. Nelson received his undergraduate training at Northwestern University and his Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Biophysics from Washington State University. He is the holder of 15 patents and has authored numerous peer-reviewed, published research studies.

"There is an increasingly global need for preparing students to become skilled in STEM subjects. The challenges presented by the scale and pace of change throughout the world calls for new innovative solutions from the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics," says Nelson. "I'm proud to personally further support the advancement of STEM in Iowa schools."

Outside of his role at Kemin, Nelson serves on the board of a leading international corporation, the National Institutes of Health Technical Advisory Committee, National Forum for Agricultural Executives Council, the Des Moines Symphony and the Des Moines Community Foundation among others. He continues to have a passion for science education and serves on the Board of the Science Center of Iowa where he helped lead a successful development effort for the construction of the $62 million Science Center.

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About the Iowa Governor's STEM Advisory Council

Established in July 2011 via Governor's Executive Order, the Iowa Governor's STEM Advisory Council is a public-private partnership of educators, companies and Iowa students and families addressing policies and programs designed to improve Iowa's educational system focused on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The STEM Council works to engage and prepare students for a career-ready workforce path, regain our State's historic leadership position in education and provide a vital competitive economic advantage now, and for the future, to ensure that every Iowa student has access to world-class STEM education opportunities. The 47-member STEM Council is chaired by Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds and Kemin Industries President and CEO Dr. Chris Nelson. For more information, visit www.IowaSTEM.gov.

DES MOINES, IA (07/28/2015)(readMedia)-- Just a few short weeks remain to purchase your tickets for the 2015 Grandstand entertainment during the Iowa State Fair.

Great seats are still available for Christian artist Casting Crowns with special guest for KING & COUNTRY on August 13, country artists Justin Moore with special guest Easton Corbin on August 14, Reba with special guest Caroline Kole on August 16, and Alabama with special guest Chris Janson on August 20. Tickets also remain for rock artists YES and Toto on August 18 and Rock-A-Thon hosted by Eddie Truck starring Dee Snider, Dokken, Warrant, and Firehouse, on August 23. Pop artists, The Fray with special guest Andy Grammer on August 21 and Meghan Trainor with special guests Charlie Puth and Life of Dillon on August 22 also have seats available. Don't wait to get your tickets for the Grand Outlaw National Tractor and Truck Pull sponsored by Iowa Farmer Today on August 19.

Tickets for all Grandstand events are on sale at Ticketmaster outlets, online at ticketmaster.com, by phone at 800/745-3000 and through the Iowa State Fair Ticket Office. All concert seats are reserved and do not include Fair admission. Gate admission must be purchased separately, discount advanced tickets are available at the Iowa State Fair ticket office or online at iowastatefair.org. Convenience charges apply.

The Iowa State Fair Ticket Office, located on the front porch of the Administration Building, will be open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to Noon Saturday through August 12 for walk-up orders only. During the Fair, August 13 through 23, the Ticket Office is open for will-call pick-ups only. Any remaining tickets go on sale at the Grandstand ticket windows, open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on the day of the show.

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DAVENPORT, IA:  July 28, 2015 -- The National Alliance on Mental Illness of the Greater Mississippi Valley (NAMI GMV) is pleased to offer 2 opportunities to participate in the Family-to-Family Education Program this fall:

In Davenport:

NAMI GMV Office

1706 Brady St, Suite 101

- 12 Wednesdays -

September 2–November 18, 2015

6pm–8:30pm

Davenport class participants must register through the NAMI GMV Office: 563-322-8870

 

In Muscatine:

Muscatine Comm. College

152 Colorado St.

- 12 Thursdays -

September 10 -December 3, 2015

6pm–8:30pm

Muscatine class participants must register through the college: 563-288-6100; Reference Course#: 159532

 

The NAMI Family-to-Family Education Program is a FREE 12-session course taught by other family members who have a loved one dealing with the challenges of living with a mental illness.  These family members receive intensive training from the class presentation.  Instruction and course materials are provided FREE to class participants.

Class topics include :

  • Current information about schizophrenia, major depression, bipolar disorder (manic depression), panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder.

  • borderline personality disorder, and co-occurring brain disorders and addictive disorders.

  • Up-to-date information about medications, side effects, and strategies for medication adherence.

  • Current research related to the biology of brain disorders and evidence-based treatments to promote recovery.

  • Gaining empathy by understanding the subjective, lived experience of a person with mental illness.

  • Problem solving, listening, and communication techniques.

  • Acquiring strategies for handling mental health crises and relapse.

  • Focusing on care for the caregiver: coping with worry, stress, and emotional overload.

  • Guidance on locating appropriate supports and services within the community.

  • Information on advocacy initiatives designed to improve and expand mental health services.

Testimonials:

"I was empowered by the education I received in the Family To Family program offered by NAMI.  I also found peace in knowing our family was not alone in this battle of mental illness."   Laurie E., Bettendorf, IA

"For families to advocate for their loved one, they must be knowledgeable; Family to Family offers up to date information that is invaluable when helping their loved one cope with the journey that is mental illness."

Jamie Kreuger - Davenport, IA

"Taking the NAMI Family to Family Class in the fall of 2005 empowered me to help my son struggling with schizophrenia in ways I would never have dreamed possible."

Suzanne Wiese - Davenport, IA


About NAMI

NAMI is the nation's largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. NAMI advocates for access to services, treatment, supports and research and is steadfast in its commitment to raising awareness and building a community of hope.

http://www.namigmv.org (Local)

http://www.nami.org (National)

http://www.namiiowa.com (NAMI Iowa)

http://www.il.nami.org (NAMI Illinois)

WASHINGTON, July 28, 2015 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the first round of investments in rural infrastructure projects through the U.S. Rural Infrastructure Opportunity Fund. Through the Fund and its expanded public-private partnerships, USDA has facilitated the investment of nearly $161 million in private capital 22 critical water and community facilities projects in 14 states, maximizing the impact of USDA's own investments in job-creating rural infrastructure projects across the country.

"The Fund and USDA's other public-private partnership efforts help to facilitate private investment in rural businesses and infrastructure projects and maximize USDA's own record investments in rural America," said Tom Vilsack, U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary and Chair of the White House Rural Council. "USDA and other agencies invest in infrastructure through a variety of federal initiatives, but our resources are finite and there are backlogs of projects in many parts of the economy. Efforts like the Fund help encourage substantial private investment in even more projects that help to grow the rural economy and support rural communities where people want to live, work and raise their families."

Strong, secure infrastructure-roads and bridges, but also internet access and community facilities like hospitals and schools-improves connectivity and access to information, moves products to market, and makes communities competitive and attractive to new businesses and investments.

Investments include 11 community facilities projects in Colorado, Illinois, Minnesota, Mississippi, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota and Wisconsin, including building new nursing homes, constructing new preschool and day care facilities, constructing a new facility for a rural ambulance service that covers a 685 square mile area in South Dakota, and building or upgrading two new critical access hospitals in rural Illinois and North Carolina. In addition, the Fund invested in 11 critical water projects in California, Kansas, Mississippi, North Dakota, Ohio, South Carolina, South Dakota and Texas. Projects include upgrades to existing water systems and the construction of a new reservoir. At least 38 additional critical infrastructure projects are in the pipeline for investment.

The U.S. Rural Infrastructure Opportunity Fund is part of a broader effort across the Department to rethink how to best leverage private sector resources to revitalize and reenergize the rural economy. Last year, Secretary Vilsack announced the creation of a $150 million privately-funded Rural Business Investment Company (RBIC), which has already made three investments in rural businesses with high-growth potential. Earlier this year, Secretary Vilsack announced the launch of two additional new privately-funded RBICs, which will be run by Innova Memphis and Meritus Kirchner Capital. Once the capital has been raised, these companies will make equity investments in rural businesses with high-growth potential. Efforts like the Fund and the RBICs help to maximize USDA's own portfolio of investments in rural development.

CoBank, as anchor investor, agreed to commit up to $10 billion of its balance sheet capacity to lend in conjunction with the Fund, consistent with CoBank's existing authority. AgStar Financial Services, another Farm Credit institution, also made investments in the first year. Capitol Peak Asset Management manages the Fund, has developed a strong pipeline of infrastructure related projects and investments, is working to recruit additional investors, and is providing capital advisory services to companies in rural America. The USDA and other federal agencies are helping to identify rural projects that could be potential beneficiaries of financing through this new Fund and other private sources.

This announcement comes in conjunction with the second White House Rural Opportunity Investment Conference in Washington, DC, focused on building equity capital in rural America. The conference will connect senior leaders from financial institutions, fixed income funds, and other investors with rural business leaders, senior-level Government officials, economic development experts, and program sponsors to discuss the unmet need for investments in rural America-matching investments with opportunities. This year's conference builds on the work of the first-ever conference, held last year at the White House and focused on debt investments. The U.S. Rural Infrastructure Opportunity Fund was announced at last year's conference.

Over the past six years, USDA has made historic investments in every state to support the farmers, ranchers and growers who are driving the rural economy forward, carry out record conservation efforts, facilitate groundbreaking research, promote new markets for rural products, and provide a safe, affordable and nutritious food supply for American families. To see how USDA has invested in your state, visit www.usda.gov/results.

About the White House Rural Council

To address challenges in Rural America, build on the Administration's rural economic strategy, and improve the implementation of that strategy, the President signed an Executive Order establishing the White House Rural Council. The Council coordinates the Administration's efforts in rural America by streamlining and improving the effectiveness of federal programs serving rural America; engage stakeholders, including farmers, ranchers, and local citizens, on issues and solutions in rural communities; and promoting and coordinating private-sector partnerships. The work of the White House Rural Council and USDA to bring investment to rural America is an example of how the Administration is creating smart partnerships with the private sector to better support Americans in all parts of the country.

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CHICAGO - Governor Bruce Rauner took action today on the following bills:

 

Bill No.: HB 246

An Act Concerning Government

Action: Signed

Effective: January 1, 2016

 

Bill No.: HB 362

An Act Concerning Local Government

Action: Signed

Effective: January 1, 2016

 

Bill No.: HB 1665

An Act Concerning Transportation

Action: Signed

Effective: January 1, 2016

 

Bill No.: HB 2477

An Act Concerning Regulation

Action: Signed

Effective: January 1, 2016

 

Bill No.: HB 2627

An Act Concerning Business

Action: Signed

Effective: Immediate

 

Bill No.: HB 2677

An Act Concerning Regulation

Action: Signed

Effective: Immediate

 

Bill No.: HB 3122

An Act Concerning Veterans

Action: Signed

Effective: January 1, 2016

 

Bill No.: HB 3503

An Act Concerning Public Aid

Action: Signed

Effective: Immediate

 

Bill No.: HB 3504

An Act Concerning State Government

Action: Signed

Effective: Immediate

 

Bill No.: HB 3560

An Act Concerning State Government

Action: Signed

Effective: Immediate

 

Bill No.: HB 3622

An Act Concerning State Government

Action: Signed

Effective: January 1, 2016

 

Bill No.: HB 3683

An Act Concerning Civil Law

Action: Signed

Effective: January 1, 2017

 

Bill No.: HB 3840

An Act Concerning Regulation

Action: Signed

Effective: January 1, 2016

 

Bill No.: HB 3909

An Act Concerning Regulation

Action: Signed

Effective: January 1, 2016

 

Bill No.: HB 3988

An Act Concerning Criminal Law

Action: Signed

Effective: January 1, 2016

 

Bill No.: HB 4015

An Act Concerning Regulation

Action: Signed

Effective: January 1, 2016

 

Bill No.: SB 94

An Act Concerning Insurance

Action: Signed

Effective: January 1, 2016

 

Bill No.: SB 689

An Act Concerning Health

Action: Signed

Effective: January 1, 2016

 

Bill No.: SB 780

An Act Concerning Revenue

Action: Signed

Effective: Immediate

 

Bill No.: SB 1610

An Act Concerning Human Rights

Action: Signed

Effective: Immediate

 

Bill No.: SB 1641

An Act Concerning the Secretary of State

Action: Signed

Effective: Immediate

 

Bill No.: SB 1680

An Act Concerning Insurance

Action: Signed

Effective: January 1, 2016

 

Bill No.: SB 1704

An Act Concerning Transportation

Action: Signed

Effective: January 1, 2016

 

Bill No.: SB 1734

An Act Concerning Local Government

Action: Signed

Effective: Immediate

 

Bill No.: SB 1847

An Act Concerning Public Aid

Action: Signed

Effective: January 1, 2016

 

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Red Skelton - The Legend Continues starring Tom Mullica comes to Amana on August 27 - 30 to perform his award winning show on the Old Creamery Theatre's Main Stage.

Shows are August 27- 30 at 2:00 pm with a special evening performance on August 29 at 7:30 pm.

Tom Mullica's tribute is the only Red Skelton Tribute show in America Authorized by the Red Skelton Estate and Lothian Skelton!

Tom Mullica Transforms himself into Red Skelton, the legendary comic who is beckoned to regale the audience with his rubber-faced pantomimes, ageless sight gags, obscenity-free jokes, and a legion of memorable characters.

Tom Mullica knew Red Skelton.  Red Skelton gave Tom permission to use material from Red's long-running TV show.  Tom brings Red Skelton's famous characters to vivid life: Clem Klediddlehopper, Gertrude and Heathcliff, Guzzler's Gin, Freddie the Freeloader.

Tickets are $28.50 for adults and $18.50 for students.

Season tickets are not valid for this special event. Call the box office for tickets and information 319-622-6262 or visit us online at www.oldcreamery.com.

The Old Creamery Theatre is a not-for-profit professional theatre founded in 1971 in Garrison, Iowa. In 2015, the company will be celebrating 44 years of bringing live, professional theatre to the people of Iowa and the Midwest.

WASHINGTON - Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa is urging the Environmental Protection Agency to revise and increase its proposed volume obligations for renewable biofuels under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) for 2014, 2015, and 2016.

"The RFS has added value to agriculture markets and energized many rural economies across Iowa and the nation," Grassley wrote to EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy.  "It has helped create hundreds of thousands of jobs while lowering prices for consumers at the pump while reducing emissions.  It has also increased our national security by reducing our dependence on foreign oil.

"Unfortunately, the EPA's proposal will undermine these efforts.  While I recognize the proposal is a modest improvement over the previous proposed rule, without significant improvements, the proposal will lead to job losses and will increase our dependence on foreign oil.  It will harm the development of next generation and cellulosic fuels and weaken efforts to build out renewable fuels infrastructure."

Grassley cited the success of the RFS in driving the development and use of alternative and advanced biofuels.  He wrote that as a result of this program, cellulosic biofuels are already being produced in Galva and Emmetsburg, Iowa, with construction under way at a third facility in Nevada, Iowa.  Grassley said the EPA is underestimating the available supply of renewable fuel and available infrastructure needed to meet statutory requirements.

"It's clear, based on this proposal, that the EPA continues to fall for Big Oil's argument that the infrastructure isn't in place to handle the fuel volumes required by law," Grassley wrote.  "This proposal rewards Big Oil's obstruction.  The fact is, the supply of renewable fuel is adequate to meet the statutory volumetric requirements, and the EPA is therefore required to hold firm on those levels and see that the obligated parties make the necessary adjustments to distribute the fuel to consumers.  Importantly, if the program had been implemented by EPA on time and consistent with congressional intent, private investments in distribution infrastructure would have already been made.  Regardless, now is not the time to put oil producers in charge of implementing the Renewable Fuel Standard."

Grassley submitted his letter as part of the formal comment process on the EPA's proposed rule that closed Monday.   The EPA intends to finalize the rule by Nov. 30.  Grassley's letter is available here.

In April, Grassley was a leader of a bipartisan group of senators in calling for a strong volume requirement for biofuels under the RFS.  The senators' letter is available here.

Earlier this month, Grassley led a bipartisan group of 36 senators in urging the EPA to increase the proposed volumes it set for biodiesel production under the RFS.  That letter is available here.

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