25 Aug 2014

Braley Continues Fight for RFS During Final Step of Process

By Kirsten Hartman

As Obama Administration reviews final EPA proposal, Congressman continues his advocacy to protect the Renewable Fuel Standard

Washington, D.C. - Today, ahead of a final review of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) by the Obama Administration, Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) continued his push to support biofuel production and American energy independence. In a letter to Shaun Donovan, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Braley urged the Obama Administration to expand the RFS, which has created nearly 75,000 Iowa jobs.

On Friday, the EPA, which had originally proposed a cut to the RFS, sent their revised proposal to the OMB, which has 90 days to review the final rule before issuing a final decision.

"This has been a long journey advocating for the RFS, but as this last leg approaches we must not give up the fight," Braley said. "What it really comes down to is a decision between foreign oil, foreign jobs, and a boost to foreign economies or home grown Iowa energy, Iowa jobs, and billions of dollars added to Iowa's economy?seems like an easy, commonsense decision to me."

Since the creation of the RFS in 2005, nearly 10 billion gallons of foreign oil per year have been replaced by renewable fuels?much of it coming from Iowa.

"I urge you to reject any Rule that cuts biofuels, recognizing that this would be detrimental to our nation's energy supply and consumer choice at the pump," Braley's letter reads.

Braley has consistently fought against the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) proposed cuts to the RFS-- greatly harming Iowa's economy and America's move toward energy independence.

Timeline of Highlights of Rep. Braley's Action to Protect the RFS

·         April-2013: Wrote to leaders of House Committee on Energy and Commerce, discussing the economic benefits of the RFS and its importance in America's energy future and invited them to tour bioenergy facilities in Iowa.

·         May-July-2013: Held a series of four educational briefings on the RFS, whose purpose was to educate members of Congress and their staffs on the RFS and its importance to America's economy and march toward energy independence.

·         June-2013: Introduced Rural Energy Investment Act, which would help develop advanced biofuels, wind and other renewable energy resources and energy efficiency and require the federal government to increase their commitment to purchasing biobased products like cleaners, lubricants, building materials, and other industrial products by 50 percent?and reduce the use of products made with Middle East oil.

·         July-2013: Participated in Congressional committee hearing entitled: "Overview of the Renewable Fuel Standard: Stakeholder Perspectives," which included panelists involved in the production of biofuels and the importance of biofuels to Iowa and the nation's economy. Panel included Iowa native and former National Corn Grower president Pam Johnson.

·         August-2013: Toured the POET Biorefinery in Hanlontown, IA and met with employees to discuss Iowa's leadership on biofuel innovation and the importance of the RFS.

·         November-2013: Sent a letter to Farm Bill conference committee encouraging them to include an Energy Title that supports renewable fuel efforts.

·         November-2013: Toured the BioProcess Algae plant in Shenandoah, Iowa to visit with workers and see how ethanol byproducts, such as carbon dioxide, are being used to promote algae growth for use in advancements in a variety of industries.

·         November-2013: Sent a letter to President Obama regarding the negative economic impact and shortsightedness of lowering the RFS.

·         November-2013: Co-hosted a Congressional briefing with Rep. Steve King, and ISU professor Bruce Babcock as a panelist, in order to inform Congressional offices of the negative economic impact of lowering the RFS.

·         November-2013: Sent a letter to EPA Administrator McCarthy, USDA Secretary Vilsack, and OMB Director Burwell in support of an increase in the biodiesel volume requirement in the RFS.

·         November-2013: Sent a letter to EPA Administrator McCarthy urging the Administrator to review the draft proposal for the RFS volume obligations and support an RFS that will support innovation and economic growth, and reduce our reliance on foreign oil.

·         December-2013: Asked Iowans to share their stories of the positive impact the RFS had had on their lives, careers, and communities?later submitting their stories to the EPA during the open comment period.

·         December-2013: Testified in opposition to the reduction at an EPA field hearing in Washington?stressing the economic benefits of the RFS including the value added markets and innovation that come from increased biofuel production. Hearing included other Iowa elected officials (Branstad, Reynolds, and Grassley).

·         January-2014: Met with EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy to convey the RFS's impact on Iowa's economy and America's energy independence.

·         January-2014: Joined veterans with VoteVets.org to deliver a petition with more than 100,000 signatures to the EPA in opposition to changing the RFS.

·         March-2014: Met with senior White House Advisor John Podesta and Dan Utech, the White House's top climate advisor, to discuss Iowa's position as a world leader in innovation in wind and biofuel energy production, and the important role the RFS played in that innovation.

·         May-2014: Met with House Congressional leaders and senior White House advisor John Podesta to emphasize the need to protect the RFS in order to spur domestic economic growth and enhance America's energy independence.

·         June-2014: Wrote to the EPA Inspector General General Elkins requesting that he investigate the process involved in crafting the RFS proposal?after reports that there may have been inappropriate lobbying efforts made to lower the RFS standard.  The letter echoed a request made by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW)?a nonpartisan group dedicated to promoting ethics and accountability in government.

·         July-2014: Sponsored an educational briefing with Republican Rep. Lee Terry (NE-02) for Members of Congress and their staffs on the importance of the RFS in lowering gas prices and reducing America's dependence on foreign oil.

A copy of the letter can be found HERE.

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25 Aug 2014

AP EXAMS HONOR SEVEN RIVERMONT COLLEGIATE STUDENTS

By Vanessa Douglas
The results of the May 2014 AP Exams honor the following seven Rivermont Collegiate students for high scores on the Advanced Placement Exams.
AP Scholars with Distinction: Shravya Pothula
AP Scholars with Honor: Summer Lawrence, Victoria Mbakwe, Amanda McVey, and Michal Porubcin
AP Scholars: Ryan Howell and Loring Telleen
These awards are made on the basis of both the number of exams taken and the scores on the exam. The scores range on a rising scale from 1 to 5.
Advanced Placement Exams follow a rigorous course of study and high scores may earn college credit at participating colleges and universities.
AP Scholars with Distinction:  students who receive an average score of at least 3.5 on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on five or more of these exams
AP Scholars with Honor: students who receive an average score of at least 3.25 on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on four or more of these exams
AP Scholars: students who receive scores of 3 or higher on three or more AP Exams
25 Aug 2014

Food Bank Competition Enters Final Week

By USDA Office of Communications
Winner Signs Up Most U.S. Food Waste Challenge Partners

WASHINGTON, Aug. 25, 2014 - A friendly competition among the nation's food banks to sign up the most donors in the U.S. Food Waste Challenge is drawing to a close, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Feeding America will determine a winner in early September. The food bank that registers the most donors as participants in the U.S. Food Waste Challenge will be honored in an event hosted by the Department of Agriculture. The competition was launched on July 22 and closes this week.

Food bank donors and partners can join the competition by signing up for the U.S. Food Waste Challenge on Feeding America's website and listing the activities they will undertake to help reduce, recover, or recycle food waste in their operations. USDA's Economic Research Service estimated food waste in the U.S. at between 30-40 percent of the food supply.

"When we do our part to lower food waste, we can help ease pressure on our natural resources and feed families in need," said Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack. "Through the Food Waste Challenge, food banks, producers, manufactures, and retailers are stepping up to do just that."

The U.S. Food Waste Challenge was inaugurated in June 2013 by USDA and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and calls on businesses and organizations to join the effort to reduce food waste in the United States. The goal of the U.S. Food Waste Challenge is to lead a fundamental shift in how we think about and manage food and food waste in America. Participants join the Challenge by listing what activities they will undertake to help reduce, recover, or recycle food waste in their operations. The Challenge includes a goal of 400 partners by 2015 and 1,000 by 2020.

By joining the U.S. Food Waste Challenge, businesses that donate to the nation's food banks are adding their voice to the growing movement to reduce food waste and keep wholesome food where it belongs: on someone's plate.

More information about the U.S. Food Waste Challenge is at http://usda.gov/oce/foodwaste/.

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Note to Reporters: USDA Office of Communications offers news releases, program announcements and media advisories on this topic. To sign up for updates, go to https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDAOC/subscriber/new and sign up for "U.S. Food Waste Challenge" under the Topics of Interest section.

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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).

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25 Aug 2014

MODERN WOODMEN PARK TO OPEN FOR SEPT. 1 LABOR DAY RED, WHITE & BOOM FIREWORKS

By Marco LaNave
Free admission to ballpark begins at 4 p.m.; evening includes amusements and a free movie
DAVENPORT, Iowa. (August 25, 2014) - This Labor Day, the Quad Cities community will have the chance to enjoy the Red, White and Boom Fireworks show from Modern Woodmen Park along the Mississippi River on Monday, Sept. 1, when the venue voted the Best Minor League Ballpark in America in a nationwide vote at 10Best.com and USA TODAY will be open for a full evening of fun.
The gates of Modern Woodmen Park will open at 4 p.m. on Sept. 1. Admission is free, but attendees are welcome to make a free-will  donation, which will be split between the Bandit Scholars Program and the Genesis Foundation. The bounce houses in the Bounce QC Kids Zone will be open for free. Beginning at 6 p.m., there will also be free family activities. Event attendees may purchase concessions (no outside food and beverage) at the ballpark, as well as rides on the ballpark's amusements, including the Ferris wheel, Drop'N Twist, Space Camp and the newly expanded zip line.
"The Red, White and Boom Fireworks show is an annual summer highlight in the Quad Cities, and we are thrilled to welcome the Quad Cities community to watch the fireworks for free at Modern Woodmen Park," said River Bandits owner Dave Heller. "A full day of fun and celebration of the Quad Cities will conclude a great holiday weekend at the ballpark."
The River Bandits play their final regular season home game at 7 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 29. Amusements will be open for rides Saturday, Aug. 30, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., as well as Sunday, Aug. 31, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
The festivities on Sept. 1 will also include the family favorite movie, "The Sandlot," which will play on the video board at Modern Woodmen Park. The Red, White and Boom Fireworks show will begin at 8:30 p.m. over the Mississippi River with a show choreographed to a custom-made soundtrack on 96.9-FM 97X, which will be played through the public address system at Modern Woodmen Park.
While regular admission is free, luxury suites at Modern Woodmen Park can be reserved with a tax-deductible $200 donation, which will be split between the Bandit Scholars Program and Genesis Foundation. More information is available by calling the River Bandits at 563-324-3000.
More details about the Red, White and Boom Fireworks events are available at www.redwhiteboom.org.
UP NEXT: Fan Appreciation Week continues Monday with Illinios Fan Appreciation Night, when Illinois residents can get $1 bleacher or berm tickets by showing a valid driver's license at the box office. Regular bleacher and berm tickets are just $2, as are hot dogs, peanuts, popcorn, nachos, soda, and beer on a Markdown Monday presented by 97X. An all-you-can-ride amusements pass is just $10 on Monday. On Tuesday, Iowa residents can get $1 tickets, and Thursday is Modern Woodmen Half-Price Night, when all regular tickets are half-price. Regular tickets for the homestand through Aug. 29 are available at www.riverbandits.com
25 Aug 2014

JACK HATCH TO RELEASE PLANS FOR IOWA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN MONDAY ADDRESS TO DAVENPORT ROTARY CLUB

By John Hedgecoth

DES MOINES - Jack Hatch, candidate for Governor, is expected to release a detailed plan for the future of Iowa's economic development efforts at a noon speech to the Davenport Rotary Club Monday, August 25th.  The event is open to members of the media.   Hatch will hold a news conference at 1:30 p.m. in Davenport to answer questions about his plan.  Details appear below.

 

Jack Hatch Address to Davenport Rotary Club

Noon

Monday August, 25th

The Outing Club

2109 Brady St, Davenport, IA 52803

(This event is open to members of the media)

 

Jack Hatch News Conference

1:30 p.m.

Iowa Democratic Party

Scott County Campaign Headquarters

1708 Brady Street, Davenport, IA 50803

 

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25 Aug 2014

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Presents Built To Amaze!, the 143rd edition of the Greatest Show On Earth

By QCCVB

Surprise and wonder delights audiences with over the top feats of strength, agility and courage. As the momentum builds so does the anticipation, anything can happen when Ringling Bros. Presents Built To Amaze!

Circus performers from across the globe create the perfect blend of athleticism and bravery, where power meets fearlessness and amazement has no bounds.  Magnificent elephants, ferocious tigers, astonishing acrobats and awe-inspiring aerialists are engineered into one spectacular performance.

The show will make an appearance in the Quad Cities August 29, 30, 31 and September 1, 2014 at the iWireless Center, located at 1201 River Drive in Moline, IL.

Show times are Friday at 7 p.m.; Saturday 11 a.m., 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.; Sunday 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.; Labor Day Monday 1 p.m.  Admission prices are $15.00, $20.00, $33.00 and $66.00 per person.  For more information and to purchase tickets, click here or or call 800-745-3000.

Also, free with your ticket, come 90 minutes before showtime to see the Asian elephants at the Animal Open House or arrive an hour before showtime for the All Access Pre-show.  This is your chance to feel what it's like to be part of The Greatest Show On Earth!  Step Right Up and be part of the All-Access Pre-show where children of all are invited down to the show floor to try on costumes, learn circus skills, meet the performers and get their picture taken with the clowns! Then, enter for a chance to win an original pachyderm painting, which is painted right in front of you by one of the world famous Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey elephants!
25 Aug 2014

Should You Change Investment Strategies

By Ginny Grimsley

Should You Change Investment Strategies Because of Unrest in Ukraine, Iraq and Israel?
Advisors To The Affluent Offer Tips for People Concerned About World Events

The summer's headlines grew increasingly shocking:

• Malaysia Airlines Passenger Jet Shot Down Over Ukraine

• Israel Steps Up Airstrikes as Gaza Buries Dead

• U.S. Warplanes Strike ISIS in Iraq

The violence and instability, along with worries about the Federal Reserve ending its market-bolstering stimulus and raising interest rates, precipitated a negative return in July for the Dow Jones Industrial average, the first decline in 2014. Should you be taking steps to protect your portfolio?

If the recent geopolitical events have made you uneasy about the possible effects on your portfolio, now might be a good time to evaluate the real risks you are taking, says wealth management expert Chris Snyder, co-founder with Haitham "Hutch" Ashoo of Pillar Wealth Management, LLC, www.pillarwm.com. (Get their white paper, Intelligent Investing: Making Smart Investing Decisions In Today's Volatile Market, at the website.)

"You have to allocate your assets to avoid Undue Risk which will help protect your portfolio through  the inevitable wars, natural disasters, recessions and depressions that will occur," Ashoo says.  "That's right - not if, will. A well-diversified portfolio provides peace of mind."

Snyder and Ashoo offer these tips for weathering today's troubles - and those to come in the years ahead:

•  Ensure your portfolio is diversified.
Modern Portfolio Theory, developed by Nobel Prize-winner Harry Markowitz, tells us that 90 percent of the return in your portfolio is based on the allocation of stocks, bonds and cash, Snyder says.

"The percentages you allocate between these asset classes is far more important than timing the market or chasing around for the best manager, hedge fund, gold/commodities, dividend paying stocks or whatever Wall Street's next pitch is," he says.

•  Steer clear of active portfolio management.
Trying to outperform the markets involves active trading, which can have great impacts on your portfolio's net return. With active management normally comes high management fees and high portfolio turnover, which lead to higher taxes and transaction costs, potentially leaving Wall Street and the IRS the biggest winners!

"World-class investment management must rise above the noise from Wall Street and day to day news headline," Ashoo says.

• Never make financial decisions based on emotion.

Individual investors tend to buy and sell based on the emotions: greed and fear. When the markets are up, they tend to buy, hoping to catch a piece of the rise, yet when markets are losing, fear sets in and investors sell. Investing with emotion often leaves investors wondering why they are overweight in growth investments before a market drop and subsequently why they were out of the market when it recovered.

"Be sure that you and your investment advisers are qualified to understand and test the volatility and risk consequences your portfolio faces before the next big bad event happens " Snyder says.

About Chris Snyder and Haitham "Hutch" Ashoo

Chris Snyder and Haitham "Hutch" Ashoo are co-founders of Pillar Wealth Management LLC, (www.pillarwm.com), of Walnut Creek, Calif., specializing in customized wealth management advice to affluent families. Their unique five-step consultative process for new clients ensures they have a deep understanding of clients' goals. With a combined 51 years of experience, they are the authors of numerous published works, have addressed thousands of investors nationwide, and have been interviewed on radio shows across the country.

25 Aug 2014

Mori-nu Silken Tofu Declared a Winner at State Fair Soy Salad Dressing Competition

By Katelyn Kostek
August 22, 2014 - West Des Moines, IA - Fried food was not the only fan favorite at this year's Iowa State Fair.  Hundreds of people took the time to stop by the Ag Building and sample original Mori-nu Silken Tofu-based salad dressings presented by four professional chefs as part of The Soyfoods Council and Iowa Restaurant Association's 2nd Annual Soy Salad Dressing Competition. The Professional Chef's Competition took place Monday, August 11 at the Agriculture Building. Some of the area's top chefs were invited to showcase their artistry in this delicious and healthy competition.

Top Chefs Wow the Crowd
The competitors included: 
· Chef Michael Kelley of the Great Caterers of Iowa, Pleasant Hill
· Chef Eric McDowell of Prairie Meadows, Altoona
· Chef Brian Pomerenk of the Iowa Machine Shed , Urbandale 
· Chef Robert Sanda of Tally's, Beaverdale

The Chefs were challenged to make salad dressing recipes which were consumer friendly, used Mori-nu Soft Silken Tofu as the base of the dressing and were delicious enough to put on their own menu.  Each chef demonstrated the process of making the dressing, then served five judges as well as a crowd of fair-goers who then cast their vote for People's Choice award winner. 

Contest judges included Tom and Susanne Oswald of the Iowa Soybean Association, Liz Cox of the Iowa Healthiest State Initiative, Wini Moranville of KCWI's Great Day segment Great Foods, and certified culinary instructor Phil Carey of the Iowa Culinary Institute.

Sanda Wins, McDowell is People's Choice
Chef Robert Sanda won first place with a refreshing Walnut Silken Tofu Vinaigrette dressing. He received a $250 prize. Chef Kelley received second place for his Tofu Miso Soy Salad dressing and Chef McDowell received third place with a Summer Beef and Broccoli Salad with Miso Blue Cheese Vinaigrette dressing. Chef McDowell impressed the crowed with his elaborate recipes and received People's Choice award.

All of the chefs' recipes are available for download on both the Iowa Restaurant Association and The Soyfoods Council websites. 

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Iowa Restaurant Association
The Iowa Restaurant Association is an advocacy organization supporting Iowa's industry with educational and promotional programs across the state. www.restaurantiowa.com

The Soyfoods Council
The Soyfoods Council is an affiliate of the Iowa Soybean Association.  The mission of The Soyfoods Council is to serve as a catalyst, leader and facilitator to mainstream soy-based foods into the global marketplace?America and beyond. 
www.thesoyfoodscouncil.com .
25 Aug 2014

EXELON GENERATION SPONSORS NICK TEDDY 5K

By Holly Larson

PORT BYRON, IL - PORT BYRON, IL - The Nick Teddy Foundation is pleased to announce Exelon Generation, of Cordova, IL, as a sponsor of the 2014 "Nick Teddy 5K." The event will take place on Sept. 13, 2014, beginning at 9:00 AM.! !

The "Nick Teddy 5k" is held in memory of 29-year old Port Byron native Nick Strub, who fought a courageous battle against Ewing's sarcoma for more than 5-years. The NT5k is a family-focus event, and offers a fun day for hundreds of participants and their families. Last year's event raised $25,000 to fund research through the Liddy Shriver Sarcoma Initiative, and to help defray travel and lodging expenses during treatment for a local Ewing's patient and her family.!

Exelon has been a sponsor of the Nick Teddy 5k since the Nick Teddy Foundation's first event in 2012.

25 Aug 2014

Will Your Kids Inherit Your Debt?

By Jason Alderman

Many people finally get around to writing a will in order to safeguard their assets for their heirs. But what if you've got the opposite problem: Your nest egg was decimated by the recession, bad investments or simply living longer than expected and now you've got a mountain of bills you can't pay off.

Will your kids inherit your debts after you die?

The short answer is, not in most cases. But there are situations where someone could be legally responsible for paying off your bills after death. Plus, aggressive creditors have been known to coerce heirs into paying off debts for which they're not responsible, just to be left alone.

If you're afraid that your financial legacy will be a heap of unpaid bills, here's what you need to know and prepare for:

In general, children aren't responsible for paying off their parents' unsecured debts - things like credit cards, personal loans and medical bills, which aren't collateralized by physical property. If there's not enough money in the estate to pay off those bills, creditors will have to write them off.

There are several exceptions, however:

  • If your child, spouse or other acquaintance is a cosigner on a credit card or loan (e.g., mortgage, car, personal loan), they share equal responsibility for paying it off. This is why you should always think twice before cosigning anyone's loan.
  • If someone is a joint account holder - that is, their income and credit history were used to help obtain the loan or credit card - they're generally responsible to pay off the balance.
  • Widows and widowers are responsible for their deceased spouse's debts if they live in a community property state.

Note that authorized users on your credit cards aren't liable for repayment since they didn't originally apply for the credit. Chances are they were simply "piggybacking" on your credit record to help build their own. However, to protect authorized users from being bothered by creditors after your death, you may want to remove them from your accounts.

If you have outstanding secured debts upon death, such as a mortgage or car loan, your estate must pay them off or the creditor can seize the underlying asset. For example, if you were planning to leave your house to your kids, they'll need to either pay off or continue making payments on any outstanding mortgage, property taxes and insurance, or risk foreclosure.

Depending on your state's laws, there are a few types of assets, like life insurance proceeds and retirement benefits, which you can pass along to beneficiaries that generally won't be subject to probate or taxation and thus may be safe from creditors.

Just be aware that if you name your estate as beneficiary for an insurance policy or retirement account, creditors can come after the money to pay off your debts. Thus, it's usually wise to name specific individuals as beneficiaries - and back-up beneficiaries, in case they die first. Also, if your beneficiary is a cosigner on any of your debts, creditors can pursue him or her for any balances owed.

Check with a probate attorney or legal clinic familiar with your state's inheritance and tax laws. Free or low-cost legal assistance is often available for lower-income people.

Bottom line: If you expect to leave unpaid debts after you die, alert your family now, so that together you can plan a course of action. You don't want to blindside your loved ones in the midst of their grief.

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