Former President Jimmy Carter will join audiences in 70 locations nationwide for a live "town hall" meeting on the U.S.-China relationship.

Some of the world's most critical issues, including economics, climate change, security and trade, will require the United States and China?the two largest economies, energy users and greenhouse gas emitters?to cooperate to achieve lasting global solutions. To help Americans understand the dynamic U.S.-China relationship and answer questions on issues that touch their daily lives, the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations in collaboration with The Carter Center is conducting the eighth annual CHINA Town Hall: Local Connections, National Reflections program at more than 70 locations nationwide featuring a live webcast and Q&A with former U.S. President Jimmy Carter on October 16, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. EDT. President Carter's discussion and responses to questions submitted by the nationwide audience will be moderated by National Committee President Stephen Orlins.

Location and time:

University of Iowa - Tippie School of Management

Cedar Rapids Center- 221 2nd Ave SE, Suite 300, Cedar Rapids IA

Registration 5:15 pm CST                            Cost: $15

Program 5:45 -8:00 CST                                        Register at www.iowatraders.org

Refreshments will be served                                      Prior to October 13th

In addition to the national portion of the program, each venue will have a prominent China specialist on site to address topics of interest to the local community, including economics and trade, energy and the environment, security and other issues.  Dru E Finley, China Gold Solutions. Dru E. Finley is an entrepreneur and innovator who has worked with China for more than 25 years, successfully founding, building and selling companies in both China and the United States. An interactive list of program locations nationwide will be available at: www.ncuscr.org/cth

Jimmy Carter (James Earl Carter, Jr.) was the 39th President of the United States, serving from 1977 to 1981. Under Carter's leadership, on January 1, 1979, the United States established diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China. In 1982, he became University Distinguished Professor at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, and founded The Carter Center, a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that addresses national and international issues of public policy. Since leaving office, President Carter has visited China 12 times, including most recently in September 2014.

DES MOINES, IA (10/01/2014)(readMedia)-- Adventure to the Iowa State Fairgrounds on November 2 for the 8th annual Fairgrounds 5K, presented by West Bank. Runners, joggers and walkers can experience the Fairgrounds' park-like setting without the hustle and bustle of the Fair. Nothing compares to an Iowa State Fair corndog and this is your chance to enjoy one "guilt free".

"In August, the Fairgrounds are filled with great people, entertainment, rides and the best food we all look forward to every year. The 5K is the perfect opportunity for Iowans to see how beautiful our Fairgrounds are while supporting its preservation and renovation," said Peter Cownie, Blue Ribbon Foundation Executive Director. "I encourage all runners, walkers, and Fair-goers alike to take part in this special event."

The 5K run's scenic race route will take you down the Grand Concourse, around the livestock barns and through the hills of the Campgrounds. Runners will see current projects on the Fairgrounds with the continued renovation of the Youth Inn and construction on the new MidAmerican Energy stage. Awards will be given to winners in different age groups and to the overall male and female finishers. Registration is $20 before October 20th, $30 from October 20-28 and $40 on race day. Entry fee includes a t-shirt and goodie bag.

Fair-lovers can also participate in the one mile walk. Take a nice stroll through the beautiful Fairgrounds. All participants in the walk will be entered into a drawing for additional prizes. Registration for the walk is also $20.

Just like the Iowa State Fair, the 5K event is for the entire family. Kids are able to participate in the Chase the Cow Kids' Run. All kids will receive a participation ribbon and a t-shirt for the $5 registration fee. To make it even more fun, kids will chase a cow mascot to the finish line!

Online registration for the Fairgrounds 5K is available at www.BlueRibbonFoundation.org. For more information about the Fairgrounds 5K or the Blue Ribbon Foundation, please visit our website or call 515-262-3111 Ext. 675.

The Blue Ribbon Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization. Since its inception in 1993, the Foundation has generated more than $100 million for renovations and improvements to the Iowa State Fairgrounds.

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Author Subba Rao pours out observations, insights in life through humor, fiction

SIOUX CITY, Iowa - A cornucopia of enthralling tales that immortalize the memories of experience lived in varied parts of the world awaits readers within the pages of author Subba Rao's newest book. "Dolphin Nose," (published by Xlibris) Rao's third title, exposes his light-hearted observations of life from the events and incidents of both present and past; producing an exquisite collection of lessons that aims to inspire and entertain.

Through the narration of Juggernaut, Rao shares whimsical and jovial tales based on his thoughts and observations of life. His perspective is rich, astute and full of reflective insights that grace the readers with quotable life lessons. As per the world events, the best he could do was to come out with his own list of wishful thinking. He ponders on many pointless pursuits in life, all presented with light humor.

The dominant influence of diverse cultures spices up Rao's portrayal of every unique character. He takes readers through the beguiling terrains of India, the azure Caribbean and the land of freedom that is the United States. "Without looking at the events from the past and learning from it," Rao believes, "one cannot move forward." Through his eccentric approach in writing, he hopes to create a comforting reprieve from the ills of existence and inspire readers to look at life in a new light.

"Dolphin Nose"

By Subba Rao

Hardcover | 6x9in | 268 pages | ISBN 9781499055092

Softcover | 6x9in | 268 pages | ISBN 9781499055108

E-Book | 268 pages | ISBN 9781499055115

Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

About the Author

Subba Rao was born in 1948 in Visakhapatnam, a southern Indian City he fondly calls Pineappleville since it is known for growing pineapples. The author considers himself a non-conformist and defies conventional writing style using his ear as measuring rule for use of grammar. A gypsy at heart, Rao has a penchant to travel through different cultures.  He published his first collection of short stories "Curry Goat and Calypso" in 2012 and "From Donkey's Mouth" in 2013. He lives in Sioux City, Iowa with his wife Radha and daughter Samantha.

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More than 685,000 People Now Have Access to Quality Health Coverage Under the Affordable Care Act

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today announced that since open enrollment began nearly one year ago, more than 685,000 people across Illinois now have access to quality healthcare through the Affordable Care Act. State officials are gearing up to ensure even more residents sign up for healthcare in year two of the Affordable Care Act's open enrollment period, which begins Nov. 15. Today's announcement is part of Governor Quinn's agenda to ensure all people have access to quality healthcare and improve the health and well-being of the people of Illinois.

"Thanks to the leadership of President Obama and the Affordable Care Act, we have made health coverage a reality for hundreds of thousands of people across Illinois," Governor Quinn said. "Today, more than 685,000 people have access to healthcare who didn't have it just one year ago. We have come a long way but we are not going to stop until everyone in Illinois has the quality care they deserve."

According to the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services, 468,000 people have enrolled in the expanded Medicaid program under the ACA, more than double the state's initial projections. Coupled with the 217,000 who enrolled in private health plans through the Illinois Health Insurance Marketplace, approximately 685,000 people have enrolled in health care as a result of the state's aggressive enrollment efforts. The state's Marketplace enrollment during the initial six-month enrollment period exceeded the federally established goal of 143,000 Marketplace enrollees by 52 percent.

Get Covered Illinois is in the process of training and preparing navigators for the second open enrollment period under the ACA, which will begin Nov. 15 and run through Feb. 15.

Governor Quinn made the announcement at Alivio Medical Center in Pilsen, one of the dozens of trusted community organizations across the state that is participating in the state's In-Person Counselor (IPC) program. The federally-funded program establishes a network of "navigators" across the state whose job is to educate consumers about the financial assistance available under the ACA for those who qualify based on their income, and help them navigate through their healthcare options and enroll in a healthcare plan.

The Illinois Department of Public Health recently announced that 37 community organizations around the state, including Alivio, were selected through a rigorous application process to participate in year two of the IPC/navigator program.

"Alivio Medical Center is very proud to have the opportunity to serve our community for a second year by participating in Get Covered Illinois' IPC program," Alivio Medical Center's CEO Esther Corpuz said. "We see families coming through our doors every day who remind us of the critical need for access to healthcare and the role it plays in allowing children and families to achieve their full potential in life."

Governor Quinn has long supported affordable and effective healthcare for all. In addition to the success of the ACA, Governor Quinn has signed multiple pieces of legislation to clarify and expand the scope of practice for certain health care professionals in order to ensure that Illinois residents have access to the health care they need. He also supports efforts to streamline and expedite veteran applications for professional licenses to benefit military families seeking employment and consumers seeking access to qualified health care professionals.

For more information about Get Covered Illinois and the state's implementation of the ACA, go to: www.GetCoveredIllinois.com.