05 Aug 2014

Farm Futures survey indicates record crops for 2014

By Penton Farm Progress Group

This year's corn yields are on track for big yields and the soybean outcome still could change, as revealed in the latest Farm Futures producer survey.

ST. CHARLES, ILL., 7:30 A.M., CDT, (08/05/2014) ? Farmers are gearing up to harvest record corn and soybean crops this fall, if weather holds for the rest of the growing season, according to results of the latest Farm Futures survey.

Bin buster potential is high
Corn production could hit 14.331 billion bushels this fall; nearly 3% more than the bin buster they grew in 2013. Average yields of 171.06 bushels per acre (bpa) appear possible nationwide, also a record, after a summer marked by cool temperatures.

Soybeans also appear on track for records, though output could still be trimmed by late summer dryness - or driven higher if conditions moderate into fall. Farm Futures projects yields of 46.07 bpa on average, for a crop of 3.857 billion bushels.

"Soybean yields are still uncertain, with a lot of variance still possible in how the crop will wind up," said Bryce Knorr, Farm Futures senior market analyst. "Drying conditions headed into August are a concern from eastern Kentucky and Tennessee up through Missouri, Iowa and parts of the Dakotas."

Below average precipitation in the second half of July doesn't appear to be harming corn potential, thanks to mild, if not cool conditions in the Midwest that reduced moisture needs for the crop. "Our survey shows potential for larger corn yields if an extended period of grain fill allows kernels to gain weight," Knorr said.

Commodity price indications
Prices of both crops should be headed lower if yield potential holds. "Cheaper corn should encourage some additional demand, but ending stocks on Aug. 31, 2015 could still rise toward 2 billion bushels. That could send the average cash price for the crop under $3.75, with futures prices already below that level. Farmers should get some downside protection from the new farm program, but it may take production problems in other growing regions to stabilize prices," said Knorr.

Soybean inventories should also grow in the year ahead, starting to approach a burdensome level of 400 million bushels. That could push the average cash price for the crop below $10, even with robust export sales.

"Preseason bookings are off to a record start, and better economic growth in China could boost our exports significantly," Knorr said. "But stocks may still be huge a year from now, especially if growers in Brazil follow through with plans to increase production there."

Farm Futures surveyed more than 1,325 growers by email July 21 to Aug. 4. USDA makes its first estimate of 2014 corn and soybean production based on surveys of farmers and their fields Aug. 12.

05 Aug 2014

Governor Quinn Takes Bill Action **Monday, August 4, 2014**

By William Palmisano

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today took action on the following bills:

 

Bill No.: HB 5397

An Act Concerning: Education

Requires the Illinois State Board of Education to mandate that public schools use a physical fitness assessment.

Action: Signed

Effective: Immediately

 

Bill No.: SB 3274

An Act Concerning: Education

Provides that physical education and health education teachers can be regarded as highly-qualified if they meet the requirements applied to teachers in core academic subjects.

Action: Signed

Effective: Jan. 1, 2015

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05 Aug 2014

Governor Quinn Statement on the Passing of James Brady

By Grant Klinzman and Dave Blanchette

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today issued the following statement regarding the passing of James Brady:

"Jim Brady had a heart full of grace. Few people have overcome as much adversity as Jim, and yet this native son of Centralia refused to let his injuries get in the way of his passion for serving others and trying to make the world a better place.

"After surviving a shooting while serving as President Ronald Reagan's Press Secretary in 1981, Jim went on to campaign against gun violence. The "Brady Bill" was landmark legislation requiring background checks to stop guns from getting into the wrong hands. As the nation watched, the bill was signed into law in 1993 and has undoubtedly saved thousands of lives.

"For their commitment to public safety, I will always be grateful to Jim and his wife Sarah for their tireless efforts to raise awareness against gun violence.

"Jim was courageous in his convictions and never shied away from doing what he thought was right. People throughout the world will continue to look to Jim's example whenever they need inspiration.

"I join the people of Illinois and America in remembering our neighbor and friend, James Brady. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends as they find comfort in his purpose-filled life."

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05 Aug 2014

TOPINKA TO UNVEIL NEW OFFICE INNOVATION

By Brad Hahn

Illinois Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka will make a video announcement about the newest innovation in her office, first on her Facebook fan page and Twitter accounts at 10 a.m. Tuesday, August 5, 2014.

Please "like" Comptroller Topinka on her Facebook page or follow her on Twitter so you can get the news first!

Stay tuned!

05 Aug 2014

Simon to promote Disability Visability Project

By Ken Lowe

CHICAGO – To speak out in favor of equal rights for the disabled and raise awareness of the barriers they face, Lt. Governor Sheila Simon will visit Access Living Aug. 5.

The organization advocates on behalf of those with physical, psychiatric and cognitive disabilities in matters of housing, education, and access to health care. Access Living is participating in the Disability Visibility Project, a year-long campaign organized by StoryCorps to raise awareness of the issues facing people with disabilities in advance of the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act next summer.

"As we approach a quarter century under the Americans with Disabilities Act, it's important to look at how far we've come, but also how much more we need to do to ensure equality and protection for people with disabilities," Simon said. "I applaud Access Living's work in helping people who have disabilities overcome the barriers to information, services and advocacy they face."

Among other initiatives, Access Living is helping the elderly and people with disabilities living in nursing homes return to their own homes under the expansion of managed care outlined in the federal Affordable Care Act.

The organization's legal department also advocates for tenants and property owners with disabilities.

Simon will visit with organization officers and tour the Access Living facility Tuesday.

DATE: Aug. 5, 2014

TIME: 8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.

LOCATION: Access Living, 115 West Chicago Ave., Chicago

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05 Aug 2014

IDOT Chicago-Moline Rail Service

By Guy Tridgell

CHICAGO - The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that an agreement has been reached with the Iowa Interstate Railroad to perform design work for a portion of the route for the new passenger rail service between Chicago and Moline.

Next month, IDOT is planning to begin making improvements to accommodate service on the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway portion of the route.

"This agreement is another significant milestone in re-establishing passenger service between two great Illinois cities," said Acting Illinois Transportation Secretary Erica Borggren. "I would like to thank the Iowa Interstate Railroad, as well as the BNSF, for working with us as the host railroads to deliver a service that will create jobs, spark economic development, provide another travel option and improve the quality of life in so many communities along this line."

The agreement permits the Iowa Interstate Railroad to begin designing the signal system and plan the execution of the track and tie improvements that will allow passenger trains on the 53 miles between Wyanet and Moline. Once the planning work is done later this year and upon agreement between IDOT and the railroad regarding the scope of the project and the responsibilities for maintenance and operations expenses for the service, IDOT and the railroad will determine a construction timeline and start date for service along the entire route between Chicago and Moline.

Construction is scheduled to begin in September at BNSF's Eola Yard in Aurora to facilitate additional passenger trains on the 109 miles between Chicago and Wyanet.
The Chicago-Moline service is made possible by $78 million from Governor Pat Quinn's Illinois Jobs Now! capital program and $177 million in federal funding.

Agreement between IDOT and the railroads will return passenger rail to the Quad Cities for the first time since 1979. Service will begin with two daily round-trips, with stops in LaGrange, Naperville, Plano, Mendota, Princeton and Geneseo, which will receive a new $1.7 million station as part of the project.

In addition to these improvements, Illinois Jobs Now! is providing $5 million toward the new multimodal station in downtown Moline, a project that includes a federal contribution of $10 million and a $1.7 million local match.

Also under Governor Quinn, IDOT has led the multistate effort to utilize $47 million in federal funds from the $177 million grant to purchase new Amtrak locomotives and railcars for the Chicago-Moline corridor.

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05 Aug 2014

New Data Reflects the Continued Demand for Farmers Markets

By USDA Office of Communications
Three New USDA Directories Help Connect Consumers and Farmers through Local Food Opportunities

WASHINGTON, Aug. 4, 2014 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Administrator Anne Alonzo announced over the weekend that USDA's National Farmers Market Directory now lists 8,268 markets, an increase of 76 percent since 2008. The data reflects continued demand and growth of farmers markets in every region of the country. Alonzo also announced that AMS is developing three new local food directories that will expand USDA's support for local and regional foods by providing easy access to the most current information about the local food market.

Alonzo made the announcements at the Dane County Farmers Market in Madison, Wisconsin, the country's largest producer-only market, where she kicked off the 15th annual "National Farmers Market Week", from Aug. 3 through Aug. 9, 2014.

"The National Farmers Market Directory numbers reflect the continued importance of farmers markets to American agriculture. Since its inception, the directory has proven to be a valuable tool for accessing up-to-date information about local farmers markets," Alonzo said. "Farmers markets play an extremely important role for both farmers and consumers. They bring urban and rural communities together while creating economic growth and increasing access to fresh, healthy foods."

The USDA National Farmers Market Directory, available at farmersmarkets.usda.gov, provides information about U.S. farmers market locations, directions, operating times, product offerings, and much more. The data is collected via voluntary self-reporting by operating farmers market managers and is searchable by zip code, product mix, and other criteria. The National Farmers Market Directory receives over two million hits annually.

In addition to USDA's National Farmers Market Directory, AMS is adding:

USDA's National Community-Supported Agriculture (CSA) Enterprise Directory - A CSA is a farm or network/association of multiple farms that offer consumers regular deliveries of locally-grown farm products during one or more harvest season(s) on a subscription or membership basis.

USDA's National Food Hub Directory - A Food Hub is a business or organization that actively manages the aggregation, distribution, and marketing of source-identified food products to multiple buyers from multiple producers, primarily local and regional producers, to strengthen the ability of these producers to satisfy local and regional wholesale, retail, and institutional demand.

USDA's National On-Farm Market Directory - An On-Farm Market is a farm market managed by a single farm operator that sells agricultural and/or horticultural products directly to consumers from a location on their farm property or on property adjacent to that farm.

USDA invites local food business owners who fall within these categories to list their operational details in the new directories www.usdalocalfooddirectories.com. These new directories will be available online early in 2015, giving potential customers, business partners, and community planners easy, one-stop access to the most current information about different sources of local foods.

2014 Directory Highlights

According to USDA's 2014 National Farmers Market Directory, the states with the most farmers markets reported are California (764 markets), New York (638 markets), Michigan (339 markets), Ohio (311 markets), Illinois (309 markets), Massachusetts (306 markets), Pennsylvania (297 markets), Wisconsin (295 markets), Virginia (249 markets), and Missouri (245 markets). All geographic regions saw increases in their market listings, with the most growth in the South. The 10 states with the biggest increases in the numbers of farmers markets include Tennessee, Louisiana, Texas, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Arkansas, North Carolina, Montana, Florida and Nebraska. Five of these states - Tennessee, Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, and North Carolina - are part of USDA's StrikeForce for Rural Growth and Opportunity, where USDA has increased investment in rural communities through intensive outreach and stronger partnerships.

Farmers market development is a cornerstone of USDA's Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food Initiative, which coordinates the Department's policy, resources, and outreach efforts related to local and regional food systems. Secretary Vilsack has identified strengthening local food systems as one of the four pillars of USDA's commitment to rural economic development.

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05 Aug 2014

The Holmes Brothers—Saturday, August 16 at the Muddy Waters, Bettendorf

By Rick Martin

The internationally acclaimed Holmes Brothers will make their only Quad-Cities appearance at The Muddy Waters (1708 State Street, Bettendorf IA) on Saturday August 16.  The show starts at 8:00 p.m. and admission is $15.  Advance tickets are available only at The Muddy Waters for this special show in an intimate venue.

The Holmes Brothers perform "Timeless, deeply soulful and uplifting gospel-drenched blues, street corner doo-wop, ballads, R&B, country and funk" (New York Times).  Their brand of roots music was recognized this year when the National Endowment for the Arts awarded the Holmes Brothers a National Heritage Fellowship in the Folk and Traditional Arts.  The NEA Fellowships recognize the recipients' artistic excellence and support their continuing contributions to our nation's traditional arts heritage.

The Holmes Brothers - Wendell Holmes (guitarist/pianist/vocalist/songwriter), Sherman Holmes (bassist/ vocalist/songwriter) and brother-in-spirit Popsy Dixon (drummer/vocalist) - are true treasures of American roots music. For 35 years, The Holmes Brothers' joyous and moving blend of blues, gospel, soul, R&B, rock 'n' roll and country has been captivating audiences around the world. Their spine-tingling three-part harmony singing, mixing Wendell's gruff and gravelly vocals with Popsy's soaring falsetto and Sherman's rich baritone, brings the spirit of gospel-inflected deep soul music into every song they perform. Equally gripping is the rhythmic foundation laid down by Sherman's bass playing and Popsy's drumming, perfectly complementing Wendell's blues-soaked guitar solos and church-inspired piano playing. The band expertly blends Saturday night's roadhouse rock and blues with the gospel passion of Sunday morning's church service. Rolling Stone says The Holmes Brothers play "impressive, fervent country soul."  Entertainment Weekly goes farther, declaring "The Holmes Brothers are juke joint vets with a brazenly borderless view of American music...timeless and rapturous."

The band's new Alligator Records album, Brotherhood, was produced by Glenn Patscha (Ollabelle, Marc Cohn), Chris Bruce (Me'Shell Ndegeocello, Seal) and Hector Castillo (Brazilian Girls, David Bowie). It is another stellar chapter in The Holmes Brothers' storied and still-evolving history. It's also their most bluesy album to date, filled with roadhouse wisdom, late-night doo wop, a proto rock 'n' roll punch, soulful R&B and closing with an amazing dose of Sunday morning spirit. Featuring fourteen songs?including eight new Holmes Brothers originals and six carefully-chosen covers?Brotherhood finds The Holmes Brothers at the top of their game, creating timeless roots music.  Brotherhood is a testament to the uplifting musical power that comes from the close-knit, fraternally telepathic relationship of The Holmes Brothers.

All of The Holmes Brothers' musical gifts are displayed in full force on Brotherhood. With their deeply soulful singing, uplifting harmonies and unsurpassed musicianship, The Holmes Brothers' ability to deliver gospel fervor and raw blues intensity is as legendary as their ability to bring audiences to their feet. The band is eager to bring their new release to the stage. "We're looking forward to exposing the new songs to our fans, and bringing new fans to our songs," says Wendell. "If you stay ready, you don't have to get ready, and The Holmes Brothers are always ready."

The Holmes Brothers have seemingly done it all?from winning multiple Blues Music Awards to sharing stages and recordings with Bob Dylan, Van Morrison, Bruce Springsteen, Joan Osborne, Willie Nelson, Lou Reed, Peter Gabriel, Al Green, Ben Harper, Lucinda Williams, and Steve Earle. With Brotherhood, The Holmes Brothers prove yet again they are, as USA Today says, "glorious...full of soul and surprises."  "Fervent, inspired and joyful blues, R&B, soul, roadhouse rock and gospel...beautiful harmonies, true magic."-NPR

Their journey started in Christchurch, Virginia, where Sherman and Wendell were raised by their schoolteacher parents, who nurtured the boys' early interest in music. As youngsters they listened to traditional Baptist hymns, anthems and spirituals as well as blues music by Jimmy Reed, Junior Parker and B.B. King. According to Wendell, "It was a small town, and my brother and I were about the only ones who could play anything. I guess you could say we were large musical fish in a small pond. So we played around in all the area churches on Sundays." The night before, though, they would play blues, soul, country and rock at their cousin's local club.  "When he couldn't get any good groups to come from Norfolk or Richmond, he'd call us in," Wendell recalls. "That's how we honed our sound. We used to say we'd rock 'em on Saturday and save 'em on Sunday."

Sherman studied composition and music theory at Virginia State University, but in 1959 he dropped out and headed to New York for a promising job with a singer named Jimmy Jones (of "Handy Man" fame). His younger brother Wendell joined him in New York after completing high school. The two brothers played in a few bands before forming The Sevilles in 1963. The group lasted only three years, but they often backed up touring artists like The Impressions, John Lee Hooker and Jerry Butler, gaining a wealth of experience. Sherman and Wendell met drummer Popsy Dixon, a fellow Virginian, at a New York gig in 1967. Dixon sat in with the brothers and sang two songs. "After that second song," recalls Wendell, "Popsy was a brother." They continued to play in a variety of Top 40 bar bands?Wendell even toured with Inez and Charlie Foxx ("Mockingbird")?until 1979, when the three officially joined forces and formed The Holmes Brothers band.

In the early years, the band worked primarily at Dan Lynch's, a New York club that featured weekly jam nights and performances by a wide variety of blues acts, most notably The Holmes Brothers. More importantly, the club served as a meeting ground for many members of New York's blues community, including future members of Blues Traveler, Joan Osborne, and producer/harmonicist Andy Breslau, who brought the group to Rounder Records.

Since their debut on Rounder in 1989, The Holmes Brothers have toured virtually non-stop. They've performed in 50 different countries, including dates across the United States, Canada, throughout Europe, and in Singapore, Japan, Russia, Turkey, South America, Africa, Australia and New Zealand. In addition to their four critically acclaimed Rounder albums, they recorded Jubilation for Peter Gabriel's Real World label in 1992, becoming the first American group to record for the standout world music imprint. 1996 found The Holmes Brothers starring in the independent motion picture Lotto Land, for which they also recorded the soundtrack. Their albums all received massive praise. "Mind-blowing," said the Boston Herald. "Rich and satisfying," raved The Washington Post.

The Holmes Brothers joined Alligator Records in 2001, releasing the Joan Osborne-produced Speaking In Tongues to overwhelming popular and critical acclaim. They followed with 2004's Simple Truths, 2007's State Of Grace and 2010's Feed My Soul (which debuted at #1 on the Billboard Blues Chart), each release earning the band more fans and more accolades. The success of their albums led to multiple appearances on national television, including visits to The Late Show With David Letterman and two trips to Late Night With Conan O'Brien, as well as a rousing performance on CBS Saturday Morning. Profiles and concerts on NPR have put them in front of millions of listeners. They have appeared on Weekend Edition, All Things Considered, A Prairie Home Companion and performed on NPR Music's Tiny Desk Concert. They played their original song "Opportunity to Cry" with Willie Nelson for the Willie Nelson & Friends: Outlaws And Angels TV special. The Holmes Brothers continue to tear up the highway, touring across the country and around the world. Greg Kot of The Chicago Tribune said The Holmes Brothers are a "joyous, foot-stomping carnival...a gift to the world of music."

05 Aug 2014

Special Programs to Honor Veterans at the 2014 Iowa State Fair

By Lori Chappell

DES MOINES, IA (08/04/2014)(readMedia)-- On Monday, August 11, the Iowa State Fair will honor active and retired military with special Veterans' Day programming and discounts throughout the day. "Nothing Compares" to the Iowa State Fair, August 7-17.

Veterans will be honored with discounted gate admission on Veterans' Day, August 11. With a military I.D., retired and active members of the armed forces and their spouses will receive $8 gate admission from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Veterans' Day will also feature special patriotic programming.

The Veterans' Day parade, an annual tradition featuring military bands, floats and more, will parade down the Grand Concourse at 11 a.m.

The Spirit of Liberty Foundation's Freedom Bell will be on display north of the Administration Building through August 11. The bell honors our armed forces past, present and future.

Stop by the West Grand Exhibit Area to check out Hoover Presidential Library Museum display focused on President Hoover's food relief efforts during World War I. Brush up on your history, snag a Hoover biscuit and be sure to catch the Hoover Humanitarian Relief Ship as it cruises the grounds daily at 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Visit the "Remembering Our Fallen" display in the Richard O. Jacobson Exhibition Center Atrium and pay tribute to Iowa's military who have died from wounds since September 11, 2001. The display is open daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

The special events don't stop there. Throughout the day Fairgoers can enjoy performances such as a military tribute concert honoring Iowa's veterans as well as performances by the 34th Army Band and Iowa Military Veterans' Band.

"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. Discounted gate admission tickets are on sale now through our convenient print at home ticket option at iowastatefair.org. For more information, call 800/545-FAIR or visit iowastatefair.org.

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05 Aug 2014

Branstad, Reynolds host Iowa Teacher & Principal Leadership Symposium

By Office of the Governor of the State of Iowa

Sold-out event to continue conversation about providing Iowa's children with a world-class education

(DES MOINES) - Gov. Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds today are hosting the second Iowa Teacher and Principal Leadership Symposium at the FFA Enrichment Center at Des Moines Area Community College in Ankeny. The purpose of the event, which is sold out, is continuing the conversation about how to give Iowa children a world-class education.  More than 450 educators, parents, legislators, school board members and others are expected to attend.

WATCH THE SYMPOSIUM LIVE: http://bit.ly/IAEDLeaders

"Iowa's education system must keep pace with the demands of a knowledge-based, global workforce," said Branstad. "Iowa's new Teacher Leadership and Compensation System will create the capacity to do that by better utilizing the expertise of top teachers to fine tune instruction for individual students. We'll learn more from symposium speakers about how to make the most of this new approach to instructional leadership. "

Iowa is the first state to launch a teacher leadership system of this magnitude, with every school district having the option of participating over the next three years. The goal is for 25 percent of highly qualified teachers to take on new leadership roles, such as instructional coaches and mentors, to improve instruction and raise student achievement. When fully phased in during the 2016-17 school year, the Iowa Teacher Leadership and Compensation System is estimated to cost $150 million annually.

"Nothing inside schools has a bigger impact on learning than highly effective teaching," said Reynolds. "Iowa has many first-rate teachers, and we are looking forward during the symposium to learning more about exciting developments in teacher leadership in Iowa and beyond."

Featured symposium speakers include Vivien Stewart from the Asia Society, Ee-Ling Low from the National Institute of Education in Singapore, Barnett Berry from the Center for Teaching Quality, Iowa 2014 Teacher of the Year Jane Schmidt and Iowa Secondary Principal of the Year Aiddy Phomvisay. Also featured are Iowa's first 39 school districts to launch the state's new Teacher Leadership and Compensation System; two Iowa school districts that started teacher leadership systems with a federal grant; and a student panel on the difference great teaching makes.

Participants, attendees and those wishing to follow the symposium are encouraged to use the #IAEdLeaders hashtag on social media. For more information about the symposium: https://educationleadership.iowa.gov/

 

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