Muscatine, Iowa (December 2014) - Gilda's Club and Komen Quad Cities are partnering to host Judy Howell, Trinity Nurse Navigator who will discuss strategies to manage treatment side effects such as fatigue, hair loss, anemia, infection and pain. Learn how to manage emotional distress and optimize your quality of life during and after cancer treatment. The workshop will take place on Thursday, December 11th at 1st Presbyterian Church in Muscatine 401 Iowa Avenue, Muscatine, IA. Dinner will be served at 5:30 Presentation at 6:00.

Advanced Registration is preferred as dinner is included.

For more details and registration call Gilda's Club at 866-926-7504

Names Expert Robert Bloom as Advisor to Committee

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today directed the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) to take further action in light of recent reports of disturbing issues within residential care centers for troubled youth. The Governor today directed the Children and Family Services Advisory Council to convene immediately to assess the situation and develop necessary steps to resolve these issues. In addition, the Governor named a top expert as an advisor to the committee, which will meet Thursday. The Governor issued the below statement:

"The recent revelations regarding some residential youth centers in Illinois are alarming and unacceptable. They must be addressed immediately.

"Today I am directing the Children and Family Services Advisory Council to meet promptly to respond to the issues at these residential youth centers and develop a comprehensive action plan to address them.

"Every necessary corrective action will be implemented and monitored by the Department and its advisory committee. Our most vulnerable are of highest priority and must get the care and protection they deserve.

"The Department must take every step necessary to prevent these harmful incidents to youth from ever happening again."

The Governor directed the Children and Family Services Advisory Council to meet this Thursday, Dec. 11 to immediately address the issues at some of the state's residential care centers. In addition, the Governor today also named Dr. Robert R. Bloom as advisor to the Children and Family Services Advisory Council. Dr. Bloom, former longtime Executive Director of the Jewish Children's Bureau, previously served on the Child Welfare Advisory Board and is a widely respected expert on the topics of residential treatment and institutional child abuse.

Additionally, as announced previously, the DCFS is bringing in an independent expert to conduct a full investigation of the residential treatment centers with which the Department works. The results and recommendations from that review will be made public.

The DCFS is also conducting a comprehensive review of data from residential facilities to determine whether performance has improved since the timeframe examined by the Chicago Tribune and whether further sanctions or consequences are warranted.

Lawrence Hall Youth Services and ERIC Family Services have both been placed on intake hold effective Dec. 4, 2014.

###

WASHINGTON, Dec. 8, 2014 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced speakers for the 2015 Agricultural Outlook Forum, "Smart Agriculture in the 21st Century," to be held from Feb. 19-20, 2015, at the Crystal Gateway Marriott Hotel, Arlington, Va. The forum's plenary speakers and sessions will take a global, modern look at different aspects of today's agriculture industry.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and European Commissioner of Agriculture & Rural Development Phil Hogan will engage in a far-ranging roundtable discussion on agriculture. Dr. Richard N. Haass, President of the Council on Foreign Relations, will address "Food, Foreign Policy and International Order." USDA's Chief Economist Joseph Glauber will deliver the 2015 Agricultural & Foreign Trade Outlooks.

The plenary panel focuses on "A Discussion on Innovation, Biotechnology, and Big Data" with wide latitude for panelists to talk about the intersection of these issues. Moderated by Secretary Tom Vilsack, the panel includes: Cory J. Reed, Senior Vice President, Intelligent Solutions Group, John Deere and Company; Dr. Robert T. Fraley, Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, Monsanto; Mary Kay Thatcher, Senior Director, Congressional Relations, American Farm Bureau Federation; and Dr. Robert Sutor, Vice President, Mobile, Solutions, and Mathematical Sciences, IBM Corporation.

Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden will welcome the plenary audience and also moderate an afternoon session titled "Tomorrow's Opportunities," focused on the potential of agriculture as a career, and the importance of new and beginning farmers and ranchers.

The Forum's dinner speaker will be Ambassador Darci Vetter, Chief Agricultural Negotiator, Office of the United States Trade Representative.

Speaking at the 25 breakout sessions and five topical luncheons will be more than 100 distinguished experts. Breakout session topics on the agenda include : Perspectives on Global and U.S. Trade; Big Data's Impact on U.S. Agriculture; Commodity Situation and Outlooks; Food Price and Farm Income Outlooks; Moving Feed, Food and Fuel to Market; Opportunities in the Bio-Economy; Antimicrobial Resistance; and Bee/Pollinator Issues Facing Agriculture.

Additional breakout sessions will cover: Conservation and Regulatory Program Updates; Water Issues and Drought, Climate Change; Nutrition Trends and New Opportunities for Producers; Regional Approaches to Rural Growth; Local Food Marketing Trends; The 100th Anniversary of USDA Market News; and Reducing Food Waste.

Registration is available at www.usda.gov/oce/forum. First held in 1923, the Agricultural Outlook Forum provides farmers and ranchers, government, and agribusinesses with sound information for decision-making. Attendees are expected to include members of farm organizations, food and fiber firms, academia, foreign governments, and the news media,

Registration is $400 until Jan. 21, 2015, and $450 thereafter. Plenary speeches will be Webcast after 6 p.m. ET on Feb. 19, and breakout session speeches and presentations will be posted online after 6 p.m. Feb. 20.

#

USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users).

A Year with Frog and Toad is a delightful family-friendly musical;
The Holiday Cabaret Offers "Naughty" and "Nice" Entertainment

 

A Year with Frog and Toad

City Circle Acting Company of Coralville and Hills Bank will present the Broadway hit musical A Year with Frog and Toad for six performances December 12-21 at the Coralville Center for the Performing Arts.  Adapted from the beloved books by Arnold Lobel by Willie Reale and Robert Reale, this heartwarming musical tells the story of a year in the life of forest neighbors Frog and Toad and their many woodland friends.

 

Lobel's stories of the worrywart Toad and the perky Frog are brought to life in lively songs and charming scenes.  Through the course of their year, Frog and Toad awake from hibernation, plant gardens, swim, have picnics, bake cookies, fly a kite, rake leaves, tell stories, and celebrate Christmas before hibernating again.  They have comic interactions with Birds, Moles, a Mouse, a Snail, and a Squirrel.  The New York Times calls the script, "bright, bouncy, altogether lovable."

The cast features Joe Mosher as Frog, Ken Van Egdon as Toad, Brett Boden as Snail, and Renee Zukin, Heidi Bibler, Katherine Boothroyd, and Kristina Rutkowski as the forest animals.  This production is directed by Liz Tracey, who previously directed the hit production of Jesus Christ Superstar for City Circle.  Wesley Habley serves as music director.  Lead sponsorship is provided by Hills Bank and Trust.

Performances are Fridays at 7pm and Saturdays and Sundays at 2pm December 12-21 at the Coralville Center for the Performing Arts.  Tickets ($12-$27) are available at coralvillearts.org, by phone at 319.248.9370, and in person at the Coralville Center for the Performing Arts box office (1301 5th Street) and Coralville Recreation Center (1506 8th Street).  ACT is sponsoring 100 free tickets for youth under 18 for the December 12 performance; these free tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis by calling or visiting the box office.

Holiday Cabaret - Sugar & Spice

City Circle is again presenting a Holiday Cabaret featuring music, dance and comic performance by local artists celebrating the season.  Performances are Saturdays, December 13 and 20, with a "Nice" cabaret of warm family fare at 7:30pm, and a "Naughty" show at 10pm featuring more mature material.  Performs include Broadway veteran Kristen Behrendt DeGrazia,  Christopher Okiishi, Ryan Shellady, Ellen Stevenson, Carrie Houchins-Witt, Elijah Jones, Paula Grady, Young Footliters, and more.  Tickets are $10 for one performance, or $15 for both, and are available at coralvillearts.org, by phone at 319.248.9370, and in person at the Coralville Center for the Performing Arts box office (1301 5th Street) and Coralville Recreation Center (1506 8th Street).

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.  Upcoming City Circle productions Black Comedy and The Real Inspector Hound (February 13-15), and 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.

###

MOUNT VERNON, IA (12/08/2014)(readMedia)-- Matt Hamma of Davenport was one of more than 50 students who participated in the Cornell College holiday concert on Saturday, Dec. 6 in King Chapel.

Hamma is a member of the Concert Choir.

The concert, titled "A Gift of Song," featured the Concert Choir and Chamber Singers. The featured works were Daniel Pinkham's "Christmas Cantata" with organ and brass, as well as carols, spirituals, and motets.

One of the 40 "Colleges That Change Lives," Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa, is a national liberal arts college with a distinctive One Course At A Time curriculum. The One Course schedule provides students the chance to dive into their studies, focus more intensely on the disciplines of their choice, and learn authentically with the unique freedom to shed the confines of the traditional classroom to study off-campus, pursue research, or accept an internship--all without missing out on other classes.

Cornell has been recognized by numerous publications for the value its education offers and for academic excellence. This year it was named of the 100 best values in liberal arts education by Kiplinger's, one of the "Best Value Schools" among national liberal arts colleges by U.S. News and World Report, and one of the 100 Affordable Elite Colleges by Washington Monthly. Ninety-three percent of Cornell graduates earn their degrees in four years. In 2013 Cornell was named one of the 25 colleges with the best professors by the Center for College Affordability and Productivity.

AMES, IA (12/08/2014)(readMedia)-- The College of Engineering at Iowa State has named James Dewey Boddie, Jr., of Bettendorf, Iowa, the outstanding senior for fall 2014. Boddie, Jr. will graduate with a degree in Software Engineering during the university's commencement held December 20.

Each academic department nominates one senior to receive this honor. Outstanding seniors represent some of the best and brightest students in their program and boast impressive achievements.

Boddie has completed internships at Maverick Software Consulting, HERE: a Nokia company and VSI Aerospace. During these experiences, Boddie built his professional portfolio in various ways, including performing iPad testing for Thompson Reuters, worked within Nokia's autonomous vehicle team and helped develop an educational flight simulator known as DAVinCI Flight. He also served as teaching assistant, tutor and proctor.

On campus, Boddie was also active in educational outreach; he served as mentor and facilitator for first LEGO League Team and is developing an educational USS Battleship Iowa game for the naval vessel's museum. He was also selected for many scholarships during his time at Iowa State.

Boddie will be working for software engineer for IBM.

(DES MOINES) - Gov. Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds today announced that Jake Ketzner will serve as the Governor's Office legislative liaison. Ketzner replaces Adam Gregg, who was appointed as State Public Defender by Branstad.

"I am pleased to announce the hire of Jake Ketzner to serve as our legislative liaison," said Branstad. "Jake is a talented professional who will work with legislative leaders to build a consensus on meaningful legislation that will continue moving Iowa forward."

Ketzner is a 2008 graduate of The University of Iowa. In 2010, Ketzner served as the Branstad-Reynolds campaign's organization director. He served as a policy adviser in the Branstad-Reynolds administration, focusing on the issues of transportation, inspections and appeals, corrections and lottery. He was the 2014 Branstad-Reynolds campaign manager.

"Jake's strong work ethic and focus will be an asset in his new role in our office," said Reynolds. "With important work to be completed in the 2015 legislative session, we're eager to have Jake join our team as legislative liaison."

Ketzner, who will begin his role today, December 8, said, "I'm grateful to have the opportunity to return to the Governor's Office and for challenge of serving in this new capacity. I look forward to working with legislators in our shared interest of building Iowa for the future."

###

The Rock Island Beautification Commission is sponsoring the 29th Annual Holiday Lighting Contest to recognize Rock Island residents and businesses that decorate with exceptional seasonal lighting displays. To nominate a residential or commercial light display, send the name and address of the display to the Rock Island Beautification Commission, Rock Island City Hall - 1528 Third Avenue, or call (309) 732-2909 with a nomination.

Nominations must be received by 5 p.m., Wednesday, December 17, 2014. Judging will take place on Monday evening, December 22. All displays should be illuminated by 5:30 p.m. There will be awards for the top winners in the residential and commercial categories. Winners of the 2012 and 2013 Holiday Lighting Contests are not eligible.

Rock Island, IL: Out shopping and need a quick family break? The Rock Island Public Library's Children's Department will offer a special 11:00 am storytime on Saturday, Dec. 13 in the Rock Island Main Library Children's Room, 401 19th Street.

The event will feature holiday stories, songs, games, Christmas tree and reindeer crafts for ages birth to five. The monthly Saturday story time meets the early learning needs of children under five, and the schedules of busy families.

For more events at Rock Island Public Libraries, visit the library website at www.rockislandlibrary.org, follow the library on Facebook or Twitter, or call 309-732-READ (7323.)

###

Founded in 1872, the Rock Island Public Library serves the area through three locations, which include the Main, 30/31 and Southwest Branches, providing community outreach efforts, online opportunities and resources to enhance personal achievement and stimulate the imagination.
Physician Explains What's Missing From Most Protein Shakes

Every New Year inspires a wave of self-improvement, which for many people includes improving their overall health.

Unfortunately, a recent study from the University of Scranton's Journal of Clinical Phycology says only 8 percent of those who make a New Year's resolution see their goals come to fruition.

Regardless of the specific goal, people establishing resolutions to improve their health need to start with a foundation. A nutritional foundation is required for anyone who is setting out to improve his or her 'health'," says Dr. John Young, M.D., a physician specializing in the treatment of chronic illnesses through biochemical, physiological and nutraceutical technologies, and the author of "Beyond Treatment: Discover how to build a cellular foundation to achieve optimal health," (www.YoungHealth.com).

"Many of us want to lose weight, gain muscle and improve our cardiovascular endurance, but those goals cannot be accomplished without addressing the body's fundamental needs. A healthy body begins with a healthy cellular foundation, and a healthy cellular foundation begins with what we're putting in our bodies."

A protein shake is a common way some people like to supplement their health plans, but Dr. Young says those health drinks are usually missing one or more essential components. He lists them and explains why they're so important.

1.  Whey protein: Can be a great option for protein supplementation assuming it's of the highest possible quality. Look for protein powder that is cold processed (non-denatured), meaning it's never heated to temperatures above 130 degrees. Also makes sure it's made with milk from cows that haven't been pumped full of hormones and that have been grazed on pesticide-free, chemical-free, natural grass pastures. Make sure the protein is completely free of chemicals, artificial flavors and artificial sweeteners.

2.  Omega oils: Because of their molecular makeup, Flax Seed oil and Cod Liver oil are two of the most important oils you can consume. They supply a number of important nutrients for nearly all systems of the body, including the heart and immune system as well as the brain. In order for these oils to be effectively incorporated by the body, they need to be "hidden", or emulsified into a protein so they aren't destroyed during the digestive processes. This is a huge key that most people completely miss.

3.  pH stabilization: pH is a measurement of the acidity or alkalinity in your body and ranges from zero on the acidity end to 14 on the alkaline end. Evidence suggests that a healthy balance in pH increases strength in muscle and bone, improves brain function and decreases the risk of chronic disease. Because our diets are so acidic these days, I use a pH balancing formula in my practice to help keep my patients in the stable pH range.

Along with the three pillars of Dr. Young's approach to healthy protein shakes, he recommends appropriate amounts of fruits and vegetables and an overall balanced diet.

About Dr. John Young, M.D.

Dr. John Young is a medical doctor with more than 15 years' experience working in emergency rooms and pediatric burn units. He's the Medical Director of Young Foundational Health Center, specializing in treating patients with chronic diseases such as diabetes by addressing the physiological issues. He's also the Medical Director of Young Health Products, a company that produces nutritional products developed by incorporating the latest biochemical, physiological and Nobel Prize-winning protocols. Dr. Young is the author of "Beyond Treatment." He answers questions via a call-in conference call every Tuesday at 8:30 p.m. Eastern time by calling 760-569-7676 and using access code 772967

Pages