Off-Site Book Club for Adults Blends Cocktails & Reading

Rock Island, IL: If you're the type of reader who likes to enjoy the occasional cocktail while discussing books with friends, the Rock Island Public Library has a brand new book club for you.

The first meeting of the Rock Island Library's new Last Call Book Club is 7:00 pm next Tuesday, Aug. 19 at Icons Martini Bar, 124 18th Street, Rock Island. Interested members age 21 and older will meet to select a list of books for future discussions, and obtain a free copy of the September read, which is The Ocean at the end of the Lane, by Neil Gaiman.

The club meets on the third Tuesday of each month in the back room of Icons. Participants are welcome to bring dinner or snacks. Drinks will be available for purchase. There is no charge to join the book club.

For information about future selections in the Last Call Book Club, call 309-732-READ,  or check the library's online calendar at www.rockislandlibrary.org.

For more events at Rock Island Public Libraries, visit the library website, follow the library on Facebook or Twitter, or sign up for free email newsletters.

####

Founded in 1872, the Rock Island Public Library serves the area through three locations, which include the Main, 30/31 and Southwest Branches, community outreach efforts, and online opportunities that provide resources to enhance personal achievement and stimulate the imagination.

Talented Sprouts Surprise Crowd in Iowa State Fair Talent Search

DES MOINES, IA (08/12/2014)(readMedia)-- Six talented Sprout division acts (ages 2-12) have advanced to the semi-final round in Bill Riley's 55th annual Iowa State Fair Talent Search. Each act will perform again on Thursday, August 14, Friday, August 15, or Saturday, August 16.

The names, ages, hometowns and routines of the acts are:

Eli Smith, 11, Cedar Falls, Piano

Morgan Schroeder, 10, Burlington, Katie Stephens, 10 Burlington, Jazz/Acro Dance

Allison Koch, 12, Grimes, Vocal

Addie Sopha, 13, Cresco, Josie Sopha, 11, Cresco, Ella Sopha, 9, Cresco, Gwen Sopha, 8, Cresco, Vocal

Taylor Knaack, 12, Correctionville, Emma DeStigter, 11, Moville, Tap Dance

Zach Hein, 12, Walcott, Fiddle

Bill Riley, Jr. is once again hosting the competition. Two Sprout acts will be crowned champions every day of the semi-finals. The six winning acts will perform in the talent-packed championship set for Sunday, August 17, at 1:30 p.m. on the Anne and Bill Riley Stage sponsored by Pepsi.

Each of the six Sprout Champions will receive a prize of $250 after the Championship Show. More than $18,000 will be awarded to the Senior and Sprout divisions combined. This year's contest is sponsored by Hy-Vee.

Outhouse Team Earns Number-One Spot in Iowa State Fair Contest

DES MOINES, IA (08/12/2014)(readMedia)-- The Afton Care Center Dribblers/Iowa Select Farms won the 11th annual Outhouse Races Tuesday at the 2014 Iowa State Fair. Team Jason Winther, Jordan Winther, Jamie Peterson, and Misty Gettler were awarded $300 in cash for besting their competition in style and speed.

DMACC team members Keith Wersinger, Matt Walsh, Jay Tiefentahler, Dale Chell and Melody Riley took second place and earned $200. The team has competed every year of the competition.

Third place and $100 in cash went to The Real Deal team members Hannah, Abbi, Brittany and Amanda also won Best Outhouse. Best costume went to Urgent Business team members Steve Larson, Joyce Moreland, Corey Oelberg and Laurie McClannahan.

Teams, composed of three pushers and one driver, construct their own outhouses. During the race, teams push the outhouses to a toilet where the drivers must clean off the toilet seat without using their hands. Then the drivers search for a corn cob buried in a cattle trough, change a roll of toilet paper and return to the outhouses where the teams push them back to the starting point.

Monster Men and Women Compete in Iowa State Fair Contest

DES MOINES, IA (08/13/2014)(readMedia)-- Strong-armed men and women competed in five different weight classes in the Monster Arm Wrestling Tournament held Sunday at the 2014 Iowa State Fair.

First, second and third-place trophies were awarded in each class.

Complete results below:

MEN'S RIGHT

Flyweight

1) Kiefer Willis, Greenview, Ill.

2) Dustin Ohmstede, Newton

3) Jermaine Day, Des Moines

Lightweight

1) Jake Reed, Bussey

2) Todd Bolar, Marshalltown

3) Lavern Yoder, Zearing

Middleweight

1) JD Brittain, West Des Moines

2) Bobby Chance, Cambridge

3) Jake Willis, Des Moines

Heavyweight

1) Brian Willett, Muscatine

2) Branden Smith, Coon Rapids

3) Patrick Brown, Melcher-Dallas

Super Heavyweight

1) Brian Willett, Muscatine

2) Steven Aikin, Rhodes

3) Patrick Brown, Melcher-Dallas

MEN'S LEFT

Flyweight

1) Trent Todd, Washta

2) Dustin Olmstede, Newton

3) Mitch Todd, Papillion, Neb.

Lightweight

1) Jake Reed, Bussey

2) Mory Lassa, Fort Dodge

Middleweight

1) JD Brittain, West Des Moines

2) Bobby Chance, Cambridge

Heavyweight

1) Rob VanDerMolen, Des Moines

2) JD Brittain, West Des Moines

3) Jake Reed, Bussey

WOMEN'S RIGHT

Flyweight

1) Kelsey Reed, Mingo

2) Kara Rempe, Sioux City

Lightweight

1) Shawna Hartley, Nevada

2) Tiffany Davison, Middletown, Ill.

Middleweight

1) Heather Edwards, Washington

2) Kaylan Simmons, Casey

3) Riley Anderson, Kamrar

The contest was part of "Rural Americana Olde Tyme Competitions" in Farm Bureau Pioneer Hall. A first prize of $5 and ribbons were awarded to each class.

"Nothing Compares" to the 2014 Iowa State Fair, August 7-17. The Fairgrounds are located at East 30th and East University Avenue, just 10 minutes east of downtown Des Moines, and are open 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. each day of the Fair. Exhibit hours may vary. For more information, call 800/545-FAIR or visit iowastatefair.org.

* * *

Everyday Health: How does weight affect diabetes?

Ping H. Wang, MD: Excess weight can present health risks for anyone, not just people with diabetes. But this excess weight, in combination with other indicators such as high blood glucose (hyperglycemia), high blood pressure, and high cholesterol/triglycerides (known as metabolic disorder) is implicated in heart disease and can be life threatening to patients with diabetes. Losing weight and lowering blood pressure and lipids reduces the risks associated with metabolic disorder. In addition, losing weight can "reverse" diabetes in some individuals whose excess body fat prevents the body from effectively using its own insulin (insulin resistance).

Melissa Meredith, MD (with assistance from Barb Uselman, RN/CDE, and Carol Sargent, RD/CDE) : The most common form of diabetes, type 2 diabetes, is characterized by 2 main defects. First, the pancreas is unable to produce enough of the hormone insulin. Insulin allows the body's tissues to use glucose for energy. When there is not enough insulin, blood sugars will rise. Second, what insulin is produced does not work effectively in people with type 2 diabetes. This is referred to as insulin resistance. When a person has insulin resistance, it takes more insulin to lower the blood sugar. Weight is the major factor that contributes to insulin resistance. Excess weight will lead to worsened insulin resistance. Conversely, weight loss will improve insulin resistance and therefore less insulin will be needed to control the blood sugar. As little as a 10 pound weight loss can markedly improve insulin resistance and make it much easier to manage blood sugars!

Theresa Garnero, APRN, BC-ADM, MSN, CDE: Extra weight (being overweight or obese) affects the body's ability to effectively use the hormone called insulin (also known as insulin resistance). If your body doesn't use the insulin well, whether you make it naturally or need to inject it, your blood sugar (glucose) will go up. Also, extra weight is hard on the heart. It increases the likelihood of high blood pressure ? and thus the risk for a heart attack or stroke. It is important to know you can be fit at any weight. Just get your doctor's clearance before starting a program. Even a 5-percent weight loss can improve diabetes and lessen the risk for heart disease.

Gretchen Scalpi, RD, CDE: Being overweight or obese significantly increases the risk for developing diabetes, and in people who already have diabetes, a possible worsening of their condition. Weight that accumulates around the abdomen affects the body's cell sensitivity to insulin. An overweight or obese individual can gradually develop resistance to their own insulin. Insulin resistance leads to persistently high levels of blood sugar, and, eventually, type 2 diabetes.

Events highlighting Harkin's investment in Iowa: Clinton, Keokuk, Burlington, Jewell, Mason City, and Davenport

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) today announced several events in Iowa this week designed to complement a legacy tour announced earlier this summer.  A full list of his public events follows.

Wednesday, August 13 – Clinton

9:30 A.M.       Clinton Community Health Center Event

The Canticle, Sisters of St. Francis

843 13^th Avenue North

Clinton, IA 52732

Senator Harkin will meet with members of the health care community as well as local officials and supporters to encourage their ongoing commitment to the future success of the clinic. Over the years, Harkin has worked to secure $3.2 million to build the Clinton Community Health Clinic.

 

3:00 P.M.        Burlington Community Health Center

1706 W. Agency Road

West Burlington, IA 52655

Senator Harkin secured $1,825,000 to construct Burlington's Medical and Dental Clinics.  These clinics are housed on the grounds of Southeastern Community College, which provides hands-on training for nursing and health aide students studying at the college. The Burlington Community Health Center provides services to a five county area (Iowa-Des Moines, Lee, Henry, Louisa and Illinois-Hancock).

 

Thursday, August 14 – Keokuk and Burlington

9:15 A.M.       Tour of Lock and Dam No. 19

Lock 19

525 N. Water Street

Keokuk, IA 52632

Senator Harkin will meet with local officials and Colonel Mark J. Deschenes, Commander and District Engineer of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District at the Army Corps Lock and Dam 19 to discuss how federal funding has helped improve the Lock and Dam system along the Mississippi River. From 2004 to 2007, as a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, Harkin helped to secure more than $23 million for rehabilitation and maintenance of projects at Lock and Dam 19.

 

11:30 A.M.      Iowa Army Ammunition Plant Picnic

Burlington Memorial

200 Front Street

Burlington, IA 52601

Senator Harkin will attend the annual Iowa Army Ammunition Plant (IAAP) Picnic in Burlington to meet with local officials and current and former IAAP workers. In 1997, Harkin received a letter from Bob Anderson, a constituent in Iowa who wrote about how he and many of his former co-workers at the IAAP had become ill with various types of cancer after working at the plant. Although the U.S. Army initially denied these accusations, Harkin continued to investigate the situation and discovered that Department of Energy workers were in fact exposed to massive doses of radiation at the Burlington plant from 1948-1974. The primitive safety measures in place at the time meant that these workers were exposed to unmonitored and excessive levels of radiation and other chemicals that led many to develop various types of cancer and other illnesses. Harkin has continued to work to get compensation to Bob Anderson and thousands of other sick workers across the United States, including the passage of the bipartisan Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Plan Act of 2000. To date, the U.S. Department of Labor has paid out almost $300 million in compensation to workers and survivors in Iowa, including both the Burlington workers and former workers at the Ames Laboratory.

 

Friday, August 15 – Jewell and Mason City

1:00 P.M.        Hamilton County Main Street Investments Tour

632 Main Street

Jewell, IA 50130

 

Senator Harkin will tour a portion of Main Street in Jewell to see firsthand the impact that Harkin Main Street Grants have had on the community. Since 2004, Hamilton County has received four Harkin Main Street Grants totaling $240,000 for restoration of historic areas in the downtown district. These Grants have leveraged over $650,000 in private funds for the projects. On the tour, Harkin will see projects completed as a result of these funds, including the Shorthorn Building that was reconstructed in 2007 as well as three residential and commercial properties that have been completely renovated after long-term vacancies.

 

3:45 P.M.        Mason City Water Treatment Plant Tour

Senator Harkin will tour the Mason City Water Treatment plant to learn about how investments for the facility have helped to protect the public health and provide access to clean water for Mason City residents. From fiscal years 2003 to 2004, Harkin worked to secure $4.9 million to help the treatment facility construct the world's third largest electrodialysis reversal technology system to remove increased levels of radium from the local water. Over the years, Harkin has worked to maintain federal assistance for the water treatment plant, including $492,000 in 2008 to expand the facility's operating capacity and $220,000 for self-chlorination services following Hurricane Katrina.

 

Sunday, August 17 – Davenport

1:15 P.M.        Quad City River Bandits' "Tom Harkin Day" Game

Modern Woodmen Park

209 S. Gaines Street

Davenport, IA 52802

Senator Harkin will throw out the first pitch at the Quad City River Bandits' game as part of "Tom Harkin Day" at the Modern Woodmen Ballpark. The Bandits, along with the Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce will host the event to honor Harkin's years of dedicated service to the region through securing federal funding for local projects and investing in programs that benefit all generations of the community. Spectators will receive a Tom Harkin bobblehead and the Bandits will present Harkin with an honorary jersey for his work to support the Quad Cities region.

 

###