ANKENY, Iowa - The Iowa Biodiesel Board today offered its congratulations to last night's election winners, and remains optimistic for the future of biodiesel policies in Washington. Grant Kimberley, IBB executive director, issued the following statement:

"We congratulate Iowa's election winners, and look forward to working with all of them in the effort to diversify our nation's fuel supply with biodiesel, America's Advanced Biofuel. We are confident the new Senate and House winners will support biodiesel and biofuel issues. Having hosted Senator Joni Ernst at a biodiesel plant during the campaign, we were pleased to hear her declare strong support for biodiesel and the Renewable Fuel Standard to IBB members. IBB will continue to be a resource for her and all of our elected officials.

"Sen. Ernst and Rep. David Young in particular have strong ties to Governor Terry Branstad and Senator Chuck Grassley, who have been tireless champions for biofuel and agriculture issues. We're confident these newly elected officials will be just as supportive in providing leadership on these important issues. We also look forward to working with Rep. Rod Blum. Likewise, we believe the House incumbents, Reps. Dave Loebsack and Steve King, will continue to support biodiesel and our nation's drive for smart, consistent federal energy policy. The economic and energy security benefits biodiesel provides are second to none, making the RFS one of the most effective policies we have."

Republican Joni Ernst defeated Democrat Bruce Braley for the U.S. Senate. Republicans Rod Blum and David Young also won the two open U.S. House seats, including the 1st District that had been held by Braley.

The biodiesel industry awaits final RFS volumes for 2014 from Washington, D.C. The last known proposal would set biodiesel volumes at 1.28 billion gallons. That's a sharp cut from last year's production of nearly 1.8 billion gallons.

The Iowa Biodiesel Board is a nonpartisan state trade association representing the biodiesel industry.

DAVENPORT, Iowa - Nov. 5, 2014 - The holidays are a special time for family gatherings and remembering those who have passed. The Genesis Remembrance Tree in Davenport will celebrate the memories of loved ones and focus attention on the continuing need for access to quality hospice care in the region.

The Genesis Remembrance Tree in Davenport will be lit in a ceremony on Friday, Nov. 14 at 6 p.m. in Bechtel Park at River Drive and Iowa Street.

Special guest performers this year will be the Riverbend Bronze Handbell Ensemble; Larry Peterson, director.

Individual "light" sponsors are invited to make a donation in any amount in the name of a loved one. All proceeds will benefit Genesis Hospice Care.

Genesis Hospice is comprised of a multi-disciplinary team to assist in managing symptoms, as well as enhancing quality of life. The common goal of all services is to provide the patient and family with comfort.

For information about how to honor the memory of a loved one, call (563) 421-6865 or go to www.genesishealth.com/give.

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2014 Red Kettle Campaign Kick-Off

Friday, November 7, 2014, 6:30pm

NorthPark Mall: JCPenney/Orange Julius Corner

near Armed Services Recruitment Office Entrance

    • Red Kettle Campaign Goal will be revealed by Mayors Bob Gallagher and Scott Raes.

    • Sunshine's Show Choir, three children's vocalist groups, will perform.

    • Salvation Army Advisory Board Chair Steve Garrington and Quad Cities Coordinator Major Gary Felton to host.

This campaign is a community-wide effort and The Salvation Army's most important fund raiser of the year. 60% of the annual budget is raised during these six weeks.

To volunteer: please sign up at www.ringbells.org

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On Tuesday, November 18, 2014, the election of officers and at-large members of the Executive Committee will take place at United Neighbors, Inc., 808 N. Harrison St., Davenport, Iowa.

Polls will open from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. In order to vote in a Branch election, one must be a member in good standing of the Branch 30 days prior (October 18th) to the election.  A form of identification is required.

Nominating Slate/Candidates for Offices:

Vera L. Kelly - President

Larry L. Robinson - Vice-President

Joseph Obleton - Treasurer

Janet L. Woods-Bragg - Secretary

Vernell Compton - Assistant Secretary

We look forward to your participation.

The 2014 Midterm elections will go down as the most expensive in American history, and it was clear that money won.

"We ran a robust program, talked to tens of thousands of union members, retirees and households, but we were not able to compete with all the money the Koch Brothers and others poured into this election." Said Ken Sagar, President of the Iowa Federation of Labor. "Clearly we are disappointed in that the 1% have purchased the outcome."

Unions all over Iowa made contact with over 100,000 Iowans, called many thousands more, sent mail to educate members on the stands of the candidates, yet all the negative advertisements appear to have turned even more voters away from the polls.

"I want to thank all the Iowans who took the time from their busy schedules to take time to vote. Iowans have made their choice." said Sagar. "We will continue to work to promote legislation to help working Iowans.  I also want to thank all our volunteers that helped with labor 2014."

The Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO looks forward to working with all elected candidates.

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World-renowned Expert Shares 5 Helpful Tips

Whether it's Mom, Dad, Grandma or Grandpa - or your spouse - the "holiday quarter" can present special challenges for families with a loved one suffering from dementia.

"We have an expectation that loved ones should never change from the person we've perceived them to be for years, but everyone changes significantly over an extended period, especially those diagnosed with dementia," says Kerry Mills, a sought-after expert in best care practices for people with dementia, which includes Alzheimer's. November is Alzheimer's Awareness Month.

"Dementia encompasses a wide range of brain diseases, which means it's not the fault of a Grandma if she has trouble remembering things or gets flustered. Empathy for what she's experiencing on the level of the brain will help your relationship with her. Do not expect her to meet you halfway to your world; you have to enter her world."

Spouses have a particularly difficult time coping with their partner's dementia, Mills says. A spousal relationship is a team and is central to the identities of both people. So, while you're paying special attention to a parent's or grandparent's condition, extend it to his or her spouse, she says.

Families tend to have a hard time coping with a loved one's dementia during holiday gatherings. Mills, coauthor with Jennifer A. Brush of "I Care, A Handbook for Care Partners of People with Dementia," (engagingalzheimers.com), offers tips for how to interact with a loved one - say, Grandma - whose brain is deteriorating.

•  Do not get frustrated. "First, do no harm" - the excellent maxim taught to medical students, is also a great first principle for those interacting with Grandma, who may be experiencing a level of frustration and anxiety you cannot comprehend adequately. She simply doesn't have access to certain details, but she is still a conscious and feeling person who has plenty to offer. If you get frustrated, she'll pick up on it.

•  Dedicate someone to Grandma during the gathering. Of course, loving families will want to include Grandma in the group, but be careful not to overwhelm her with attention. Her brain, which has trouble processing some information, could use assistance - a liaison to help her process things. Grandpa could probably use a break; her son or daughter may be the best handler during a gathering.

•  Give Grandma purpose; give her a task in the kitchen. Keep Grandma, who may've been prolific in the kitchen in the past, engaged! Simple tasks, such as mashing potatoes or stirring gravy, may be best. Engage her in conversation about the food. If it's Grandpa whose suffering dementia, include him in a group. Give him a cigar if the other men are going outside to smoke. Engage him in a conversation about football, which may allow him on his own terms to recall details from the past.

•  Use visual imagery and do not ask yes-or-no questions. Again, asking someone with Alzheimer's to remember a specific incident 23 years ago can be like asking someone confined to a wheelchair to run a 40-yard dash - it's physically impossible. Don't pigeonhole her. Direct Grandma in conversation; say things to her that may stimulate recollection, but don't push a memory that may not be there. Pictures are often an excellent tool.

•  Safety is your biggest priority. Whether during a holiday gathering or in general, Grandma may commit herself to activities she shouldn't be doing, such as driving.

"She's been driving for decades, and then she develops a memory problem, which not only prevents her from remembering her condition, but also how to drive safely," Mills says. "This major safety concern applies to any potentially dangerous aspect to life."

"Currently, there's a stigma with the condition, but I'd like to change the baseline for how we regard dementia," Mills says. "As with other medical conditions, Alzheimer's should not be about waiting to die - patients often live 15 years or more after a diagnosis. It should be about living with it."

About Kerry Mills

Kerry Mills, MPA, is an expert in best care practices for persons with dementia both in the home and in out-of-home health care residences and organizations. She is a consultant to numerous hospitals, assisted livings, hospice, home care agencies, senior day care centers and nursing homes. In her twelve-year career in health care, she has served as executive director and regional manager for numerous long-term dementia facilities. She is an outspoken advocate for persons with dementia, lecturing in Hong Kong, Canada, China, Europe and the United States. Her book, coauthored with Jennifer A. Brush, "I Care," (engagingalzheimers.com), is the 2014 Gold Award Winner of the National Mature Media Awards.

http://www.mercercountyrepublicans.org/the-people-of-mercer-county-speak/

The five Mercer County Republican board candidates applied republican principles to the troubles of Mercer County in the form of an 8-point pledge.

http://www.mercercountyrepublicans.org/a-republican-pledge-to-mercer-county/

Residents responded by electing all five to the board.

Republicans now hold the majority, 7-3.

When Republicans are not afraid to run as republicans, they appeal to the best interests of the people.

Final results for the five Mercer County Board races:

District 1-Karen Jones(R) defeats Randy Anderson(D) ? 747 to 430
District 2-Brian Anseeuw(R) defeats Dan Sedwick(D) ? 669 to 548
District 3-Lori Sindelar(R) defeats Larry Stone(D) ? 767 to 679
District 4-Joe Vann(R) defeats Dan Schroeder(D) ? 623 to 569
District 5-Mark Bieri(R) defeats Tom Haines(D) ? 885 to 602

GAHC Travel Opportunity - Germany Still Beckons for 2015  Seminar on Sunday, Nov. 9th

There are still spaces available for the GAHC trip to Germany in 2015, featuring "The Rivers of Southern Germany" and a land tour to follow. Participants may sign up for both portions or for just one.
A travel seminar will be held on Sunday, Nov. 9 at 2:00 p.m. for registered participants and anyone who would
like to learn more about these great opportunities and still join the group!
Presenters include :
  • Linda Meadors of Blue Horizon Travel, with cruise highlights, airfare info and updates on future group opportunities to prep for the trip in 2015.
  • Paul Larsen with the latest on hotel accommodations and sightseeing.
  • Janet Brown-Lowe, GAHC Executive Director, with announcements regarding genealogy and

All interested parties are welcome to attend!

See the heartwarming musical The Christmas Schooner with GAHC at the Mercury Theater!

The whole family will enjoy this tale of the first Christmas tree ship and the family who risked their lives to fill Chicago with the Christmas spirit. This critically acclaimed production features a powerful, moving story, an exquisite score of original music and traditional holiday favorites, and a company of 25 actors and musicians. Classic German and English songs performed throughout this wonderful musical.

"The Christmas Schooner has entertained audiences in hundreds of productions including a twelve year run at Chicago's Bailiwick Repertory Theatre. Last year the Mercury revived the tradition with a full orchestra and an all-star cast, garnering a "Best Production" nomination for the 2012 Jeff Awards. The Chicago Tribune calls this show "a grand family tradition" and "a sacred part of a Chicago Christmas". The Chicago Sun-Times raved, "an inheritance to be treasured", "pleases in every way", "highly recommended". A timely and uplifting tale of love and loss, The Christmas Schooner reminds us of tradition, and our responsibility to celebrate the living while honoring our heritage."

Join us by calling 563-322-8844 to reserve your place by Nov. 15th. $100 for members and $115 for non-members includes bus and theater ticket. Lunch and dinner at your own cost. Bus will depart Davenport at 7am, Lunch & shopping at Water Tower Place from 11am-1pm, Matinee performance of The Christmas Schooner at 3pm, Departure from Chicago at 5:30pm with meal enroute, and arrival in Davenport at 9:30. All times are approximate!

WEST BRANCH, IOWA– Dr. Richard Baker continues his series of lectures this winter about geology in our national parks with presentations on Wednesdays, November 12 (Zion and Bryce Canyon), January 28 (Isle Royale and Voyageurs), and March 25 (Glacier Bay and Kenai Fjords). The lectures are free and last about one hour. They begin at the visitor center of Herbert Hoover National Historic Site at 7:00 p.m.

The lecture series is offered in recognition of President Herbert Hoover's interests in geology and conservation. Dr. Baker is a professor emeritus in the Geoscience Department at University of Iowa. He completed his doctorate research at Yellowstone National Park. He has traveled to many of our national parks and has taught a course on them at the University of Iowa.

Herbert Hoover National Historic Site and the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum are in West Branch, Iowa at exit 254 off I-80. Both are open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time. For more information go online at www.nps.gov/heho or call (319) 643-2541.


Herbert Hoover National Historic Site

110 Parkside Drive

PO Box 607

West Branch, Iowa 52358


319 643-2541 phone

319 643-7864 fax

www.nps.gov/heho


Twitter: @HooverNPS

Facebook: HerbertHooverNHS

The 17th-annual Frieze Lecture Series, a partnership between the Rock Island Public Library and Augustana College, wraps up at 2:00 pm on Tuesday, Nov. 11 with a presentation on "Augustana's Hometown Heroes" by associate athletic director and sports information director Dave Wrath.

Wrath's topic builds on the library's recent Hometown Teams" collaborative exhibit from the Smithsonian Institution and the Illinois Humanities Council.

The college's best known sports legend, Ken Anderson, the NFL's 1982 Most Valuable Player, was featured in a local display at the library in September and October. But there are dozens of other worthy athletes that have catapulted Augustana to the national stage. Wrath, an inductee of the College Sports Information Directors of America's Hall of Fame, will share the stories of those whose exploits landed our community on sports pages around the country.

The lectures are offered annually on four Tuesdays in October and November at the Rock Island Main Library,  and take their name from an architectural feature of the historic building. Previous lectures this year considered Augustana's "hometown" connections to and from Sweden, how Conrad Bergendoff changed his thinking on the connections between Sweden and Lutheranism, and the stories of local writers who are part of the area's rich literary heritage.

Presentations are free and open to the public. For more details about events at the Rock Island Library, call (309) 732-READ (7323) or check the online calendar at www.rockislandlibrary.org

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