12 Aug 2014

Settlement of Clean Water Act Violations Aims to Prevent Future Oil Spills by Cargill Inc.

By Ben Washburn

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 7 (Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Nine Tribal Nations)

(Lenexa, Kan., August 11, 2014) - Cargill Incorporated, a privately held multinational corporation headquartered in Minnetonka, Minn., has agreed to settle allegations that it violated the Clean Water Act (CWA) at two different large oil storage facilities located in Blair, Neb., and Eddyville, Iowa.

Through the settlement with EPA Region 7, Cargill will pay a civil penalty of $187,500 to the United States.

The Clean Water Act requires facilities that store large quantities of oil to develop a Facility Response Plan (FRP) that outlines procedures for addressing "worst-case" discharges of oil. By being prepared and by conducting required response drills, facilities are better situated to prevent environmental harm from such releases. Each of Cargill's two facilities produces and stores more than 1 million gallons of oil.  Combined, the two facilities have a total estimated storage capacity of more than 7 million gallons.

"The Clean Water Act requires large oil storage facilities to have adequate response plans to prevent a spill from turning into a large scale environmental disaster," said Karl Brooks, EPA Region 7 administrator.  "The lack of a Facility Response Plan for these facilities can have serious consequences for humans and the environment in the case of a spill.  This settlement helps protect the communities of Blair, Neb., and Eddyville, Iowa, if spills were to occur."

EPA identified the lack of a response plan during 2013 site visits at Cargill's facilities in Blair, Neb., and Eddyville, Iowa.  Each facility required a Facility Response Plan (FRP) because the storage capacity of its denatured ethanol tanks exceeded 1 million gallons.  As a result of the visits, in June 2014 Cargill submitted to EPA signed and effective FRPs.

The settlement resolves the FRP violations of the CWA by Cargill.

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12 Aug 2014

News from the Illinois National Guard

By Illinois National Guard PAO

Illinois Special Forces Soldiers conduct Airborne training

Story by Sgt. 1st Class Kassidy L. Snyder, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs

FORT MCCOY, WISC. (08/12/2014)(readMedia)-- With great weather for Airborne training, approximately 30 Special Forces (SF) Soldiers with the Illinois National Guard's Company A, 2nd Battalion, 20th Special Forces Group (Airborne) in Chicago, conducted day and night static line and military free fall operations at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, August 8.

Three CH-47D Chinook helicopters from Company B, 2nd Battalion, 238th Aviation Regiment in Peoria, Illinois, provided transportation to and from the sky for the SF Soldiers. Static line jumps were performed from roughly 1,500 feet, while free fall jumps were from 14,000 feet.

"We rarely get the occasion for night jumps and it's a great opportunity to stay proficient and keep our jumpmasters current," said Company A, 2-20th's commander.

During the night, Soldiers performed a high altitude high opening jump where they opened the parachute immediately and traveled a lateral distance of 9 kilometers to the drop zone.

SF Soldiers must conduct four jumps a year to maintain jump proficiency. Jumpmasters are senior Soldiers who manage airborne jump operations. They inspect all equipment prior to loading the aircraft, confirm in-flight navigation and act as a safety for proper exiting procedures.

"It's always an interesting mission for us and good real-world training for the Special Forces," said Capt. A.J. Hager of Galesburg, Illinois, a Chinook pilot with Company B, 2-238th. "It keeps us proficient transporting troops and allows us to assist Soldiers within the Illinois Guard."

Company B, 2-238th returned from Afghanistan in December and was back to fully mission capable in April. The company typically does two to three paradrop operations a year in addition to passenger and cargo movement and external loads, said Hager.

Special Forces Soldiers complete a multitude of missions from maritime operations to surveillance and reconnaissance.

"Airborne operations, both static line and military free fall provide a means of infiltration; it is our way of getting to work." said Company A, 2-20th's operations officer.

A majority of the Soldiers with Company A, 2-20th are traditional Soldiers, who also hold a full-time civilian career ranging from attorney to rocket scientist and physician assistant. Their ages range from the early 20s to late 40s.

"Within the span of those ages, the knowledge and experience we have allows us to adapt a lot easier and think out of the box to meet mission requirements," said Company A, 2-20th's commander. "Most SF Guardsmen serve because they like the flexibility to have a civilian job, but do it because they want to be here too."

Editor's note: Due to the nature of Special Forces missions, names of Special Forces Soldiers are not made public.

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Freedom Salute Ceremony for Springfield-based Team that Deployed to Afghanistan; Aug. 16 ceremony recognizes Bilateral Embedded Staff Team A12

SPRINGFIELD, IL (08/12/2014)(readMedia)-- Approximately 20 Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers will be recognized Aug. 16 by the National Guard Bureau Freedom Salute Campaign for their sacrifice and service in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The ceremony for the Bilateral Embedded Staff Team (BEST) A12 will be at 1 p.m. Camp Lincoln, 1301 N. MacArthur Blvd. in Springfield, Illinois.

The BEST A12 Soldiers were mobilized in September 2013 and deployed to Afghanistan, returning home in May 2014.

The team trained with the Polish Land Forces before deploying. The unique mission allowed Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers to train and deploy side-by-side with their Polish counterparts. The Soldiers are from various parts of Illinois and were selected for the mission based on their training and skills.

While embedded with Task Force White Eagle in Ghazni Province, the team enhanced the brigade's operational and logistical capabilities. The Soldiers developed and implemented the transition and retrograde plans for the base, transferring about 25 percent of the base to Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF). They also prepared the remaining portions for transfer to the ANSF as the U.S. continues to withdraw troops from the region. BEST A12 also recouped more than $80 million dollars of U.S. military equipment.

The team coordinated and executed the closing ceremonies for the Ghazni Islamic Cultural Celebration and the national elections, which saw a higher voter turnout and fewer incidents than expected.

The Freedom Salute Campaign program is a small way to show these patriotic citizen-Soldiers, their families and employers how much their sacrifice is appreciated. On behalf of the National Guard Bureau, the Illinois Army National Guard will present each eligible Soldier with an encased American flag, as well as a sequentially-numbered

commemorative coin, certificate of appreciation and lapel pin. Families will also receive items recognizing their support and sacrifice.

The Freedom Salute Campaign is one of the largest Army National Guard recognition endeavors in history. It is designed to publicly acknowledge Army National Guard Soldiers and those who supported them while deployed.

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Illinois National Guard's 404th Maneuvers Enhancement Brigade BEST Warrior Competition

Story by Sgt. 1st Class Marie Schult-Slosser 404th MEB PAO

SPRINGFIELD, IL (08/11/2014)(readMedia)-- MARSEILLES, Ill. - The 44th Chemical Battalion in Galesburg, Illinois, swept the brigade level Soldier and noncommissioned officer (NCO) of the year competition at Marseilles Training Center, July 27. Sgt. Chris Morris of Robinson, Illinois, and Spc. Paul Born of Washington, Illinois, both chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear specialists, won against six other competitors. Both Soldiers will compete against other brigade winners at the state competition in September.

"I was actually surprised that I won," said Born, after being named the 404th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade (MEB) Soldier of the Year. "I just wanted to prove to myself that I could compete with the best Soldiers in the state."

Eight Soldiers competed in 11 events during the Best Warrior Competition at Marseilles, events included weapons qualifications, physical fitness test, a five-mile ruck march, land navigation, a confidence course, a call for fire exercise; they also completed Army Soldier tasks and an Army knowledge board.

"My hats off to these guys to want to put themselves through this to represent their units and themselves and eventually the state," said Master Sgt. Jose Guerrero of Grayslake, Illinois, an infantryman and operations noncommissioned officer with the 404th MEB.

Guerrero is in charge of coordinating and setting up the competition and the events, a task he has been doing at the 404th MEB and other units for years.

For Morris, the NCO of the year, this is his third year competing and his second year to move up to the state level in this competition. In 2012, he not only made it to the state level but he went on to compete at regionals, where he was knocked out of the competition.

"Of all the years I've competed, this group of competitors is the best," said Morris. "There is always one serious guy, but this year everyone was working together, motivating each other and rooting for each other. The camaraderie was great."

The eight competitors, four in the lower enlisted category (private to specialist) and four in the NCO category (corporal and above), spent three grueling days getting to know one another as they competed in the events throughout the Marseilles Training Center.

"This encourages Soldiers and to strive to be among the best and encourage them to exceed the standards," said Sgt. Maj. Shane Lammers. "This also gives brigades and battalions the opportunity to highlight the wonderful Soldiers we have in our ranks."

Soldiers spent three days testing themselves with the grueling tasks and very little time in between for rest or reflection. The afternoon of the first day, after taking tests and doing a call for fire exercise they went all in for a physical fitness test followed by a semi-formal banquet, only to rise at 4:30 a.m. the next morning to hit the ground running in the ruck march event.

"I enjoy the competition. We get to do out of the ordinary stuff like ruck marching and obstacle courses," said Morris. He also said he would advise anyone who wants to participate in this competition to, "train hard, study hard and try in every event regardless of how you did on the previous event."

For his part, Born said it is important to get a good sponsor.

"My sponsor was with me at every event, motivating me and encouraging me."

In September, both Born and Morris will return to Marseilles to test themselves against the other Soldiers who made it to the state competition.

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The 2014 Adjutant General's rifle and pistol match

MARSEILLES, IL (08/12/2014)(readMedia)-- Soldiers from around the state met at the Illinois National Guard Marseilles Training Center in Marseilles, Illinois, to compete in The Adjutant General's (TAG) Rifle and Pistol Match, 8 through 10 August.

Every unit in the Illinois National Guard has the opportunity enter a team into the TAG Match, and more than 100 Soldiers participated in the 2014 marksmanship event.

Shooters are rated both as teams and individuals using the pistol and rifle. The shooters are also evaluated on a combined arms, 3-gun match in which the Soldiers fired the pistol, rifle and shotgun.

The top 20 individual shooters received the Governor's Twenty Tab, which they can wear on their uniforms. The top three teams and individuals of each event received a plaque to display their accomplishments.

Winners of the TAG Match may be selected to join the Illinois National Guard's Marksman Team. The teams must select two new shooters to compete in regional and national events annually.

Results of the 2014 ILARNG TAG Rifle and Pistol Match:

Overall Top Three Individuals:

1. SGT Raleigh Walker of Goreville, Illinois; HHC 2/130 INF

2. CW4 Keith Koca of Custer Park, Illinois; HHC, 106 AVN

3. SSG Jacob Blount of Charleston, Illinois; 1544th Trans Co.

Overall Individual Rifle

1. CW4 Keith Koca of Custer Park, Illinois; HHC, 106 AVN

2. SGT Raleigh Walker of Goreville, Illinois; HHC 2/130 INF

3. SPC Joseph Miller of Petersburg, Illinois; HHC, 232nd CSSB

Overall Individual Pistol

1. SGT Raleigh Walker of Goreville, Illinois; HHC 2/130 INF

2. SPC Justin Titzer of Fairfield, Illinois; HHC 2/120 INF

3. SSG Jacob Blount of Charleston, Illinois; 1544th Trans Co.

Combined Arms (3-Gun)

1. SFC William Gibbs of Litchfield, Illinois; B Btry 2/123 FA

2. SSG Jacob Blount of Charleston, Illinois; 1544th Trans Co.

3. SGT Raleigh Walker of Goreville, Illinois; HHC 2/130 INF

Overall Top Three Teams

1. HHC 2/130 INF; SSG Travis Wisely of West Frankfort, Illinois; SGT Raleigh Walker of Goreville, Illinois; SGT Seth Johnson of Collinsville, Illinois; SPC Justin Titzer of Fairfield, Illinois.

2. 106 AVN.; CW4 Keith Koca of Custer Park, Illinois; CW2 Joseph Nicholas of Bolingbrook, Illinois, SSG Jason Jenkins of Montgomery, Illinois, SGT Mark Rosenak of Bartonville, Illinois.

3. 1544th Trans Co; SSG Jacob Blount of Charleston, Illinois; SSG Brent Tripp of Warsaw, Illinois; SSG Eric Daggett of Jerome, Illinois, SGT Matthew Blount of Charleston, Illinois.

Top Pistol Team

1. HHC 2/130 INF; SSG Travis Wisely of West Frankfort, Illinois; SGT Raleigh Walker of Goreville, Illinois; SGT Seth Johnson of Collinsville, Illinois; SPC Justin Titzer of Fairfield, Illinois.

2. 1544th Trans Co; SSG Jacob Blount of Charleston, Illinois; SSG Brent Tripp of Warsaw, Illinois; SSG Eric Daggett of Jerome, Illinois; SGT Matthew Blount of Charleston, Illinois.

3. 106 AVN; CW4 Keith Koca of Custer, Park, Illinois; CW2 Joseph Nicholas of Bolingbrook, Illinois; SSG Jason Jenkins of Montgomery, Illinois, SGT Mark Rosenak of Bartonville, Illinois.

Top Rifle Team

1. 232nd CSSB; SSG Drew Geer, SGT Kraig Kennedy of New Berlin, Illinois, SPC Joseph Miller of Petersburg, Illinois, SPC Thomas Winlund of Mason City, Illinois.

2. B Btry 2/123 FA; SFC William Gibbs of Litchfield, Illinois; SGT Brandon Hornung of Utica, Illinois; SGT Eric Fowler of Lansing, Illinois; SPC Josh Webb of Lewiston, Illinois.

3. C Trp 106 CAV; SGT Scott Lange of Aurora, Illinois; SPC Ryan White of Macon, Illinois; SPC Aendri Decker of Montgomery, Illinois; PFC Steven McMahon of Streamwood, Illinois.

The Governor's Twenty

1. SGT Raleigh Walker of Goreville, Illinois; HHC 2/130 INF.

2. CW4 Keith Koca of Custer Park, Illinois; HHC, 106 AVN

3. SSG Jacob Blount of Charleston, Illinois; 1544th Trans Co

4. SFC William Gibbs of Litchfield, Illinois; B Btry 2/123 FA

5. SGT Scott Lange of Aurora, Illinois, C Trp 106 CAV

6. CW2 Joseph Nicholas of Bolingbrook, Illinois; 106 ANV.

7. SGT Brandon Hornung of Utica, Illinois, C Btry 2/123 FA

8. SGT Kevin Riggle of North Aurora, Illinois; 233rd MP's

9. SPC Aendri Decker of Montgomery, Illinois, C Trp 106 CAV

10. SGT Mark Rosenak of Bartonville, Illinois, 106 AVN.

11. SPC Joseph Miller of Petersburg, Illinois; 232nd CSSB

12. SGT Seth Johnson of Collinsville, Illinois, HHC 2/130 INF.

13. 1LT Arthur Morris of Peoria, Illinois; A Co 33rd BSTB

14. SGT Matthew Blount of Charleston, Illinois; 1544th Trans Co

15. SPC Josh Burns of St. Francisville, Illinois; 631st ENG

16. SPC Justin Titzer of Fairfield, Illinois, HHC 2/130 INF

17. SPC Josh Webb of Lewiston, Illinois, B Btry 2/123 FA

18. SGT Levi Worden, Illinois; HHC 2/130 INF

19. SSG Eric Daggett of Jerome, Illinois, 1544th Trans Co

20. SSG Gino Maldonado of Aurora, Illinois, 233rd MP's

12 Aug 2014

MICHAEL FELIZ NAMED MIDWEST LEAGUE PITCHER OF THE WEEK

By Marco LaNave

Top-ranked Quad Cities prospect allows just one run and six hits with 14 strikeouts in 13 innings to earn honor

DAVENPORT, Iowa. (August 11, 2014) - Quad Cities River Bandits right-handed pitcher Michael Feliz has been named the Midwest League Pitcher of the Week for August 4-10. The top-ranked prospect on the Quad Cities roster, Feliz made two starts totaling 13 innings, giving up a run on six hits with no walks and 14 strikeouts. His eight-inning start Aug. 5 against Burlington was the longest by a River Bandit since Kyle Hald tossed a complete game on June 4, 2012, in a 6-2 win over Burlington.

Ranked in midseason by MLB.com as the Houston Astros' seventh-best prospect and No. 98 in all of baseball, Feliz is the first Quad Cities Pitcher of the Week since Boone Whiting won for Aug. 20-26, 2012. Feliz becomes the third River Bandit to win a weekly honor from the Midwest League this season, as shortstop Thomas Lindauer was the Player of the Week for April 21-27, and outfielder Ronnie Mitchell was the league's Player of the Week for May 26-June 1.

A native of Azua in the Dominican Republic, Feliz helped snap a six-game Quad Cities losing streak for the second time in three weeks by firing eight shutout innings with a season-high nine strikeouts Tuesday in a 4-0 victory over Burlington. The 6-foot-4-inch, 228-pound right-hander followed that performance Sunday by limiting the Beloit Snappers to a run on three hits with four strikeouts in five innings to help the River Bandits earn a series split with a 6-1 win.

Signed by the Astros as a non-drafted free agent on May 19, 2010, Feliz spent the 2010 season with the Dominican Summer League Astros before pitching for the Gulf Coast League (GCL) Astros in 2011. He split the 2012 season with the GCL Astros and Rookie-level Greeneville Astros before pitching with Short Season Class A Tri-City last season.

In his first Midwest League season, Feliz is 8-4 with a 3.70 ERA. He has tossed 82 2/3 innings over 21 games, including 15 starts, fanning a team-high 94 batters against 31 walks with only 71 hits allowed and a .231 opponents' batting average. He pitched for the World Team in the 2014 SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game on July 13 at Target Field in Minneapolis.

UP NEXT: A Fireworks Friday kicks off the next homestand, with a 7 p.m. game on City of Davenport Night and Global Cultural Night presented by Tyson Fresh Meats. When gates open at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, the first 1,500 fans receive a Trevor Rosenthal Bobblehead courtesy of DHCU and FOX18. Sunday's 1:15 p.m. game is a Celebration and Appreciation of Senator Tom Harkin for 40 years of service with a bobblehead giveaway for the first 1,000 fans when gates open at noon. Tickets are available at www.riverbandits.com.

12 Aug 2014

Don't Miss Jim Gill this Thursday!

By Lisa Lockheart

All sorts of wacky word silliness hits the Main Library on Thursday, Aug. 14, with the Jim Gill Family Room Tour!

Jim Gill is an award-winning children's entertainer and expert on how music and movement promote learning. Kids will move, jump and sing along with Jim while they learn and play. 

Join us at 6:00 pm for a special Hug-A-Book concert for two to five-year-olds and families in the Rock Island Main Library Community Room. Each child will take home a free book to keep, thanks to the Merrill Harris memorial of the Rock Island Public Library Foundation. 

This Hug-A-Book event supports the early learning needs of children ages two to five years old.

Watch for more news about what's happening at your library! Or, click the News or Calendar menus on our website anytime.

 

You can also print a monthly events calendar from our website. See the links below to find more programs:

Website calendar of events

Newsletters/MonthlyCalendar

Find our branches:

Map to Main

Map to 30/31

Map to Southwest

12 Aug 2014

Evolutionary Evangelists Issue a "Call to Greatness"

By Rick Martin

Bestselling author and evolutionary theologian Rev. Michael Dowd will present "The Future is Calling Us to Greatness" on Tuesday, August 26th at 7:00pm at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Quad Cities, 3707 Eastern Avenue in Davenport. Rev. Dowd and his wife, Connie Barlow - an acclaimed science writer and gifted evolutionary educator - are travelling across the country accompanying the Great March for Climate Action. The goal of the coast-to-coast march is to raise awareness and inspire action to resolve the climate crisis. Rev. Dowd will also be presenting a worship service at the Unitarian Universalist church on Sunday, August 24th at 11:00am. Both events are being offered free of charge.

Rev. Michael Dowd's bridge-building book, Thank God for Evolution: How the Marriage of Science and Religion Will Transform Your Life and Our World, has been endorsed by six Nobel Prize-winning scientists, noted skeptics, and by religious leaders across the spectrum. Michael's 2012 TEDx talk, a program he delivered at the United Nations, and a New Hampshire Public Television documentary on his science-honoring message have also been well-received. Michael and Connie's work has been featured in The New York Times, LA Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Newsweek, Wired, Skeptic, Discover, and on CNN, ABC News, and Fox News.

Since 2002, Michael Dowd and Connie Barlow have crisscrossed North America and have addressed more than 1,800 religious and secular groups. They focus on meaningful and inspiring interpretations of big history, human nature, death, and climate change.

Michael and Connie's passion is sharing the inspiring side of science in ways that offer practical tools for living and inspiration for taking personal and collective action regarding climate change. The couple live permanently on the road, teaching and preaching an awe-inspiring, inclusive, science-based message of hope and possibility in churches and living rooms as well as in public and private schools all across North America.

"Humans, unwittingly, have become a planetary force. We are changing, irreversibly, the very climate of our world. Henceforth, any actions we take as individuals and societies will be done in the new light of climate change," says Dowd. "What vision will carry us forward through such times and inspire us to work together? "

The mission of our Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Quad Cities (UUCQC) is to create a vibrant, welcoming, diverse church family which embraces individual searches for meaning and devotes itself to community good. For more information about the UUCQC visit www.uucqc.org.

For more information about Michael Dowd, visit www.thegreatstory.org/itinerary.html

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12 Aug 2014

Love Without Borders

By Rev. Rich Hendricks
12 Aug 2014

Food News and Results from the 2014 Iowa State Fair

By Lori Chappell

Best Bacon Dessert Cook Crowned at Iowa State Fair

DES MOINES, IA (08/11/2014)(readMedia)-- Cristen C. Clark of Runnells proved that when sweet and savory meet good things are bound to happen, as she won first place and a $1,000 cash award in the Beeler's Bacon Dessert competition judged Thursday at the 2014 Iowa State Fair.

Anita Van Gundy of Des Moines claimed second place and $500. Norita Solt of Bettendorf earned third place and $250.

Entries were judged on taste, bacon's contribution to the dessert and originality.

The Iowa State Fair Food Department is the largest of any state fair in the country. There are 226 divisions, 883 classes and over 10,500 entries at this year's Fair. Food judging is held in the Elwell Family Food Center sponsored by Blue Bunny.

Funnel Cake Sticks Win Iowa State Fair Value-Priced Food Contest

DES MOINES, IA (08/12/2014)(readMedia)-- The Funnel Cake Sticks took top honors in the New Food Contest at the 2014 Iowa State Fair. The tasty new treat bested four other value-priced finalists after receiving nearly 40 percent of the votes. The winning dish will be available throughout the Fair, August 7-17.

The champion treat is just $3 and offers a new twist on a Fair classic with funnel cake batter fried to golden perfection, served on-a-stick and topped with chocolate, strawberry or vanilla glaze. Fairgoers can find the sweet snack at Arnold's Concessions on Grand Avenue across from Hy-Vee Health and First Aid.

Arnold Blewer will receive an official Iowa State Fair plaque and a year's worth of bragging rights for his winning entry.

The four other finalists are also $3 and will remain available throughout the Fair at their respective locations:

  • Brownie Blitz: available at Bauders Ice Cream on the southwest side of the Agriculture Building
  • Caprese Salad On-a-Stick: available at the Salad Bowl in the Agriculture Building and Cultural Center Courtyard
  • Smoked Brisket and Bacon Mac N Cheese: available at the Rib Shack in Walnut Square
  • Three Buck Bowl: available at Steer N Stein on the Grand Concourse

Entries in the New Food Contest were limited to value-priced items for $3 or less. Prior to the start of the Fair, five finalists were chosen based on taste/flavor, presentation/appearance, value and creativity/originality. Fairgoers were invited to vote for their favorite finalist during the first four days of the Fair.

Mount Pleasant Pumpkin Grower Wins Iowa State Fair Contest

DES MOINES, IA (08/11/2014)(readMedia)-- The state's best giant pumpkin growers squared off in the Big Pumpkin competition judged Friday at the 2014 Iowa State Fair.

Martin Schnicker of Mount Pleasant won first place and a $1000 cash award for his 1,131-pound pumpkin.

Don Young of Des Moines earned second place and a $650 cash award with his 780-pound entry.

David Miller of Riverside received third place and a $450 cash award with his 768-pound pumpkin.

Marc Peterson of Clinton was awarded fourth place and a $250 cash award for his 715-pound pumpkin.

Jennifer Heeren of Allison received fifth place and a $150 cash award for her 414-pound entry.

The State Fair record of 1,323-pounds was set in 2010.

The winning entries will be on display outside the John Deere Agriculture Building throughout the Fair.

"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.

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12 Aug 2014

Judges Do a Double Take in Iowa State Fair Contest

By Lori Chappell
DES MOINES, IA (08/11/2014)(readMedia)-- Fairgoers and judges saw lookalikes and copycats at the annual Twins, Triplets and More contest judged Thursday on the Anne and Bill Riley Stage at the 2014 Iowa State Fair.

Complete results below:

Under 1, Most Alike

1) Avril and Becca Shahan, Jefferson

2) Quinn and Kylie McKillip, Ankeny

3) Hannah and Henry Althoff, Indianola

Under1, Least Alike

1) Abel and Tessah Hayes, Keota

2) Holden and Breck Noah, North Liberty

3) Kinsley, Hadley and Landon Meyer, Newton

4) Elly and Gage Branson, Melcher-Dallas

Age 1, Most Alike

1) Tell and Ethan Saylor, Cambridge

2) Rachel and Veronika Rathjen, Urbandale

3) Landon and Logan Tibken, Wiota

4) Gabriella and Sophia Coleman, Des Moines

5) Isabella and Ellaina Thornton, West Des Moines

Age 1, Least Alike

1) Cameron and Trinity Newton, Grimes

2) Lydon and Sawyer Stephenson, Des Moines

3) Jameson and Eden Ortner, Slater

4) Sidney and Stella Wickett, Newton

Age 2, Most Alike

1) Ashlyn and Jillian Whitehead, Nevada

2) Emma and Audrey Nielsen, Des Moines

3) Alyssa and Abigail Bos, Montezuma

4) Brooke and Katie DeVries, Monroe

5) Carys and Harper Hayes, Martensdale

Age 2, Least Alike

1) Lincoln and Jordyn Schnell, Sully

2) Rayni and Rylan Lynch, Cumming

3) Riley and Reece Goodrich, Urbandale

4) Alex and Eva Koerner, Fair Oaks Ranch, Texas

5) Kennahriah and Abrianna Hardin, Des Moines

Age 3, Most Alike

1) Bradie and Brenna Bruck, Boone

2) Madeline and Reagan Monsma, Des Moines

Age 3, Least Alike

1) Kylen and Kyler Williams, Chariton

2) Mason and Jackson Carter, Eldridge

3) Jacob and Jaiden Briggs, Des Moines

4) Krystol and Brooklon Clarke, Des Moines

5) Julianne and Jocelyn Waters, Collins

Age 4, Most Alike

1) Avery and Aubry Fisher, Humboldt

2) Ada and Evie Roberts, Urbandale

3) Violet and Lily Tedder, West Des Moines

4) Jenna and Nora Grovert, Shellsburg

5) Ainslee and Kylee Doty, Danbury

Age 4, Least Alike

1) Zachary and Isaac Thorpe, Ames

2) Lexton and Brycen Markin-Weber, Des Moines

3) Reece, Riley and Regan Russell, Bondurant

4) Peyton and Kalli Watters, Des Moines

Ages 5 and 6, Most Alike

1) Jackson and Joel Waters, Collins

2) Brodie and Bryce Aiken, Des Moines

3) Kyleigh and Kennedey Ozmun, Ogden

4) Zach and Nick Chance, Norwalk

5) Zoey and Bella Boots, Des Moines

Ages 5 and 6, Least Alike

1) Anna and Logan Vandell, Waverly

2) Hayden and Harper Janssen, Urbandale

3) Logan and Lucas McNeeley, West Des Moines

4) Livia and Savanna Davenport, Rhodes

5) Claire and Luke Erselius, Montezuma

Ages 7 and 8, Most Alike

1) Maxx and Jett Tyler, Des Moines

2) Ethan and Evan Tollari, Altoona

3) Addi and Alexis Zaehringer, Davenport

4) Sidney and Addison Swartzendorber, Cedar Rapids

5) Autumn and Gracie Glosser, Ottumwa

Ages 7 and 8, Least Alike

1) Luke and Alyssa Bartlett, Pleasant Hill

2) Quinn and Heath Leone, Ankeny

3) McClain and Carson Crigger, West Des Moines

4) Kerrigan and Jamesyn Guthrie, Altoona

5) Emerald and Cloud Abbott, Clive

Ages 9 to 11, Most Alike

1) Bailey and Bella Buerger, Mitchellville

2) Georgia and Jasmine Padget, Keosauqua

3) Ella and Grace Sundstrom, Des Moines

4) Antonía and Bernadette Venturi, Carroll

5) Natalie and Karlyn Parkins, Indianola

Ages 9 to 11, Least Alike

1) Jillian and Tessa Kniep, Mount Ayr

2) Tommy and Torin Chinery, Ames

3) Jack and Sarah Wicker, Windsor Heights

4) Ben and William Iboshi, Portland, Ore.

5) Justin and Jacob Keller, Melrose

Ages 12 to 17, Most Alike

1) Jessica and Jenna Stringer, Guthrie Center

2) Alexis and Aricka Oppman, Manly

3) Katie and Molly Lorence, Mason City

4) Cade and Coy Snakenberg, Oskaloosa

Ages 12 to 17, Least Alike

1) Abby and Zoee Buffalo, Tama

2) Paige and Peyton Migby, Carroll

3) Christy and Michelle Diggins, Omaha, Neb.

4) Elizabeth and Danielle Lara, West Des Moines

5) Christy and Cindy Parker, Nevada

Ages 18+, Most Alike

1) Valerie and Sarah Hermann, Altoona

2) Sherry Wells and Shelly Robertson, Des Moines

3) Jacklynn and Jordann Rush, Manly

4) Karen Pope and Kay Moranville, Jefferson

5) Mollie and Megan Harney, Granger

Ages 18+, Least Alike

1) Sandy Sargent and Sharon Shufert, Sarasota, Fla.

2) Patty Garland, Altoona, and Betty Judkins, Pleasant Hill

3) Christine Fry, Salt Lake City, Utah, and Laura Ready, Ankeny

4) Nancy Winn, Ollie, and Norman Reiner, Newton

5) Glen and Dawnlee Cosner, Osceola

"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.

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12 Aug 2014

Iowans Carve Out Honors in Wood Projects Contest at Iowa State Fair

By Lori Chappell

DES MOINES, IA (08/11/2014)(readMedia)-- Woodcarvers from all around Iowa gathered to showcase their skills in the Wood Projects contest held prior to the start of the 2014 Iowa State Fair.

The contest is divided into two divisions: Woodcarving and Woodworking. Randy Hansen of Des Moines earned Best of Show honors in the Woodcarving division. Clark Weaver of Grinnell grabbed second-place Best of Show honors, and Sue Orth of Plainfield received third. Judy Simmons of Windsor Heights snagged fourth.

First place in the Best of Show category for Woodworking went to Tom Brumback of Alleman. Second and third places were given to Bernie Kluesner of New Vienna. LeRoy G. Monson of Waukee received fourth.

Additional results below:

WOODCARVING

Animals Domestic - Realistic

1) Sue Orth, Plainfield

2) None Awarded

3) None Awarded

Honorable Mention) Randall Freeman, Clive

Animals Domestic - Caricature

1) Roger Beane, Oskaloosa

2) Roger Beane, Oskaloosa

Human Figures - Realistic

1) None Awarded

2) Sharon L. Powell, Urbandale

Human Figures - Caricature

1) Linda Medhus, Gilman

2) Roger Beane, Oskaloosa

3) None Awarded

Honorable Mention) Walter Smith, New Sharon

Abstract - Non-Objective

1) Perry Schaeffer, Ankeny

Stylized - Human Figure

1) Perry Schaeffer, Ankeny

Stylized - Animal

1) Perry Schaeffer, Ankeny

Stylized - Other

1) Perry Schaeffer, Ankeny

2) None Awarded

3) Ray Layton, Ankeny

Honorable Mention) Darrell Brown, Des Moines

Miscellaneous - Signs, Canes & Gunstocks

1) Sue Orth, Plainfield

2) Roger Beane, Oskaloosa

3) None Awarded

Honorable Mention) Randy Pleva, Urbandale

Miscellaneous - Chip Carving

1) Linda Medhus, Gilman

Miscellaneous - Woodburning

1) Nole Blair, Auburn

2) Nole Blair, Auburn

3) Kelsie Adams, Fruitland

Honorable Mention) Paula Eichinger, Slater

Miscellaneous - Miniatures

1) Roger Beane, Oskaloosa

2) Hazel Bohardt, Waukee

3) Denny Neubauer, Rockford, Ill.

Honorable Mention) Denny Neubauer, Rockford, Ill.

Miscellaneous - Decorated Functional Frames & Clocks

1) Nedra Herr, Newton

2) None Awarded

3) Rex Kepford, Des Moines

Honorable Mention) Denis Johansen, Knoxville

Miscellaneous - Bark Carving & Cyprus Knees

1) Judy Simmons, Windsor Heights

2) Robert Frisk, Des Moines

3) Robert Frisk, Des Moines

Honorable Mention) Roger Beane, Oskaloosa

Miscellaneous - Seasonal Decorative

1) Roger Beane, Oskaloosa

2) Roger Beane, Oskaloosa

3) David Cretors, Grimes

Honorable Mention) Hazel Bohardt, Waukee

Whittled Pieces - Chains, Balls & Cages

1) None Awarded

2) David Lammers, Sioux Center

Decoys - Ducks & Geese Floating

1) Randy Hansen, Des Moines

2) Tom Swale, Clive

3) Harvey Blanchard, Hartford

Decoys - Shore Birds

1) Richard Peterson, Callender

Decoys - Other Waterfowl

1) Richard Peterson, Callender

2) Don Van Ekeren, Hartford

3) Tom Swale, Clive

Decoys - Working Decoys

1) None Awarded

2) None Awarded

3) Robert Sellers, Council Bluffs

Wild Fowl - Birds of Prey

1) Clark Weaver, Grinnell

2) Randy Hansen, Des Moines

3) Richard Peterson, Callender

Honorable Mention) Jim Chittenden, Ames

Honorable Mention) Robert Sellers, Council Bluffs

Wild Fowl - Song Birds

1) Randy Hansen, Des Moines

2) Randy Hansen, Des Moines

3) Clark Weaver, Grinnell

Wild Fowl - Upland Game Birds

1) Harvey Blanchard, Hartford

2) Tom Swale, Clive

3) Tom Swale, Clive

Wild Fowl - Miniature Birds

1) Clark Weaver, Grinnell

Wild Fowl - Birds (group or pair)

1) Randy Hansen, Des Moines

2) Richard Peterson, Callender

Novice Adult - 1st Year Carver, Age 18 & Over

1) None Awarded

2) None Awarded

3) Jim Evans, Knoxville

Youth - Age 12 & Under

1) Ian Landers, West Des Moines

2) Emma Landers, West Des Moines

Wildlife - Realistic Predators

1) None Awarded

2) Harvey Blanchard, Hartford

3) None Awarded

Honorable Mention) John Ver Steeg, Runnells

Honorable Mention) Clarion Lofte, Des Moines

Wildlife - Caricatures

1) Perry Schaeffer, Ankeny

Wildlife - Other Animals

1) None Awarded

2) None Awarded

3) None Awarded

Honorable Mention) Clarion Lofte, Des Moines

Wildlife - Fish/Sea Mammals

1) None Awarded

2) None Awarded

3) Harvey Blanchard, Hartford

Honorable Mention) Harvey Blanchard, Hartford

Religious Carving - In the Round

1) Hazel Bohardt, Waukee

2) Stephen Bennett, Pella

3) Hazel Bohardt, Waukee

Religious Carving - Relief

1) None Awarded

2) Don Van Ekeren, Hartford

Relief Carving - Nature Scenes

1) None Awarded

2) None Awarded

3) Leroy Orth, Ames

Honorable Mention) Ray Layton, Ankeny

Relief Carving - Natural History

1) Robert Sellers, Council Bluffs

2) Denny Lind, Colfax

3) Don Van Ekeren, Hartford

Honorable Mention) Leroy Orth, Ames

Relief Carving - Scene (other than nature)

1) Sue Orth, Plainfield

2) Denis Johansen, Knoxville

3) Sharon L. Powell, Urbandale

Relief Carving - Human Subject

1) Roger Beane, Oskaloosa

2) Roger Beane, Oskaloosa

3) Dwayne Mortenson, Knoxville

Honorable Mention) Denis Johansen, Knoxville

Group Carvings

1) None Awarded

2) Philip Kohler, Ankeny

3) Philip Kohler, Ankeny

Instructor Assisted - Birds

1) None Awarded

2) None Awarded

3) Denny Lind, Colfax

Instructor Assisted - Human

1) Roger Beane, Oskaloosa

2) Roger Beane, Oskaloosa

3) Denny Lind, Colfax

Honorable Mention) Darrell Brown, Des Moines

Instructor Assisted - Wildlife

1) Dorcas (Dee) Wolfe, Des Moines

2) Darrell Brown, Des Moines

3) Darrell Brown, Des Moines

Honorable Mention) Dorcas (Dee) Wolfe, Des Moines

Roughouts - Human

1) Roger Beane, Oskaloosa

2) James Hogue, Winterset

3) Dwayne Mortenson, Knoxville

Honorable Mention) Dorcas (Dee) Wolfe, Des Moines

Roughouts - Other

1) Harry Pringnitz, Urbandale

2) Harry Pringnitz, Urbandale

WOODWORKING

Turned Wood - Bowl

1) Dick Meuler, Runnells

2) James Hogue, Winterset

3) LeRoy G. Monson, Waukee

Turned Wood - Box

1) James Hogue, Winterset

2) James Hogue, Winterset

3) James Hogue, Winterset

Turned Wood - Hollow Vessel

1) Robert Beattie, Des Moines

2) Robert Wallace, Ames

3) Jack Rolison, Ottumwa

Turned Wood - Household Item

1) Robert Beattie, Des Moines

2) Robert Beattie, Des Moines

3) Jeremiah S. Murphy, Mount Ayr

Turned Wood - Jewelry

1) LeRoy G. Monson, Waukee

2) Dick Meuler, Runnells

3) Dick Meuler, Runnells

Turned Wood - Pen, Pencil, Seam Ripper, etc.

1) Dick Meuler, Runnells

2) Chuck Spitler, Des Moines

3) Nate Gibson, Indianola

Turned Wood - Seasonal

1) Dick Meuler, Runnells

2) Walter Smith, New Sharon

3) Walter Smith, New Sharon

Turned Wood - Segmented Bowl or Vessel

1) Walter Smith, New Sharon

2) Ben Swartz, Clive

3) Pete Holden, Traer

Turned Wood - Stylized

1) Jack Rolison, Ottumwa

2) Jack Rolison, Ottumwa

3) Daniel Henderson, Waukee

Turned Wood - Any Other

1) LeRoy G. Monson, Waukee

2) Robert Beattie, Des Moines

3) Peggy Smith, New Sharon

Other Techniques - Luthier Class

1) Roger D. Anderson, Marengo

2) Larry DaRos, Ankeny

3) Roger D. Anderson, Marengo

Other Techniques - Wood Inlay or Intarsia

1) Dave Rabe, Ottumwa

2) Russell Hansen, Collins, Iowa

3) Dick Meuler, Runnells

Honorable Mention) Sue Orth, Plainfield

Other Techniques - Furniture Item

1) Tom Brumback, Alleman

2) Tom Whalley, Urbandale

3) John Twedt, Ankeny

Other Techniques - Table

1) Stephanie Riva, Norwalk

2) John Twedt, Ankeny

3) Tom Brumback, Alleman

Other Techniques - Model

1) Bernie Kluesner, New Vienna

Other Techniques - Clocks

1) Dave Rabe, Ottumwa

Other Techniques - Household Item

1) John Twedt, Ankeny

2) John Cinnamon, West Des Moines

3) Lee Nepple, Clive

Honorable Mention) Steve Dishman, Pella

Other Techniques - Wood Toy

1) Tom Whalley, Urbandale

2) Shawn Brown, Urbandale

3) John Cinnamon, West Des Moines

Honorable Mention) Tom Whalley, Urbandale

Other Techniques - Scroll Saw

1) Bernie Kluesner, New Vienna

2) Lynn Clary, West Des Moines

3) Todd Olstad, West Des Moines

Senior Citizen Project

1) Robert Beattie, Des Moines

2) Ben Swartz, Clive

3) Dwayne Mortenson, Knoxville

Honorable Mention) Russell Hansen, Collins, Iowa

"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.

* * *

12 Aug 2014

TIMBER LAKE PLAYHOUSE ANNOUNCEMENTS

By James Beaudry

Shout! Celebrates the 60s at TLP

Mount Carroll?The summer season at Timber Lake Playhouse comes to a close with Shout! The Mod Musical, opening Thursday, August 14 and performing through Sunday, August 24. This "swinging sixties sensation" features TLP favorites Daryn Harrell, Allison Hunt, Caroline Murrah, Lexie Plath and Melissa Weyn performing songs made famous by Petula Clark, Dusty Springfield, Nancy Sinatra and more.

Featuring terrific new arrangements of such classics as "Those Were The Days," "To Sir With Love," "Downtown," "Son of a Preacher Man," "Goldfinger," and the title song, Shout! The Mod Musical follows five women through Swinging London. With a shimmy and shake, the songs are tied together by hilarious sound bites from the period -- from 60s advertisements from face creams to The Pill, to letters answered by an advice columnist who thinks every problem can be solved with a "fetching new hair style and a new shade of lipstick."

The cast includes some of the best talent TLP has had in the last several years. Daryn Harrell (Sweet Charity, Children of Eden) returns after spending the last two years working with Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. Allison Hunt won the heart of the audience and "the monster" in Young Frankenstein. Caroline Murrah brought her gorgeous voice and charms to all six of TLP's mainstage shows this year. Lexie Plath is completing her second full summer, and Melissa Weyn is back after blowing audiences away as the narrator in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

Courtney Crouse, who helmed last year's hit 'SWonderful, directs the show, with musical staging by James Beaudry. While the show takes a lighthearted look at the 1960s, it includes some discussion of the sexual revolution, so parental discretion is advised.

Shout! The Mod Musical performs Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:30. There is a Saturday matinee at 3:00 p.m. on August 16, Sunday matinees at 2:00 p.m. on August 17 and 24, and a Wednesday matinee at 2:00 p.m. on August 20. Tickets are $17-$23. This program is partially sponsored by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency, with federal funds from the National Endowment for the Arts.

To purchase tickets, visit www.timberlakeplayhouse.org or contact the TLP box office. The box office is open daily 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. through August 24.

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Timber Lake Playhouse Announces 2015 Summer Season

Mount Carroll?Timber Lake Playhouse, the professional summer theatre of Northwest Illinois, and Executive Director James Beaudry announced their 54th consecutive summer season for 2015 at on July 19th. The theatre company, which has over 20,000 visitors annually, announced a lineup of six mainstage shows. Two productions for young people will be announced shortly.

The season will be begin June 4, 2015 with the musical Hairspray. Winner of 8 Tony Awards including Best Musical, Hairspray is a family-friendly musical piled bouffant high with laughter, romance, and deliriously tuneful songs. It's 1962 in Baltimore, and the lovable plus-size teen Tracy Turnblad has only one desire?to dance on the popular Corny Collins Show. When her dream comes true, Tracy is transformed from social outcast to sudden star, using her newfound power to dethrone the reigning teen queen, win the affections of heartthrob Link Larkin, and integrate a TV network, all without denting her 'do.

Following Hairspray, is a big-hearted new play called The Big Meal, which premiered in Chicago in 2011 and tells the extraordinary story of an ordinary family. Somewhere in America, in a typical suburban restaurant on a typical night, Sam and Nicole first meet. Sparks fly. And so begins an expansive tale that traverses five generations of a modern family, from first kiss to final goodbye.  Though it premiered in 2011, The Big Meal already feels like a classic. In the spirit of Thornton Wilder's plays (Our Town, The Long Christmas Dinner), The Big Meal is humorous, human and ambitious.  Pulitzer Prize Winner Annie Baker recently called it "The greatest play ever written."

In July, for the first time ever, TLP will present the Broadway musical Peter Pan. Since 1955, when Mary Martin first took to the air as Peter, the show has become a must-see classic around the world. Beloved by generations, the playhouse will offer additional matinees of the productions to accommodate families.

The fourth show and second play of the season is Greater Tuna, the hilarious comedy about the third smallest town in Texas, where the Lion's Club is too liberal and Patsy Cline never dies. The eclectic band of citizens that make up this town are portrayed by only two performers, making this send-up of life in rural America even more delightful as they depict all of the inhabitants of Tuna -- men, women, children and animals. The action takes place in the early Eighties, though nothing in Tuna has changed since then, anyway.

In 2003, film director Tim Burton transformed the novel Big Fish into a beloved film starring Albert Finney, Ewan McGregor and Jessica Lange. Last year, the story was turned in a glorious new Broadway musical. TLP will present the area premiere of this show in a special production starring long time TLP favorite Karl Hamilton (last seen as Rev. Moore in Footloose) and Elizabeth Haley (who starred as his wife, Vi Moore). The two are also married in real life.

Big Fish tells the story of Edward Bloom, a traveling salesman whose incredible, larger-than-life stories thrill everyone around him - most of all, his adoring wife Sandra. But their son Will is determined to find the truth behind his father's fantastic tales. Overflowing with heart, humor and spectacular stage magic as Edward's stories come to life, it is an extraordinary new musical that reminds us why we love going to the theatre - for an experience richer, funnier and bigger than life itself. Executive Director James Beaudry, who brought his inventive style to Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, directs and choreographs.

The final production of the 2015 season will be Roger Miller's Big River: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Propelled by an award winning score from Roger Miller, the king of country music, this journey down the mighty Mississippi provides a brilliantly theatrical celebration of pure Americana. Twain's timeless classic is played out by actor-musicians to the sound of country and bluegrass as irrepressible Huck Finn helps his friend Jim, a slave, escape to freedom. Their adventures are hilarious, suspenseful and heartwarming, bringing to life our favorite characters from the novel.

Subscribers may reserve advance tickets to all six productions immediately. Tickets for individual shows will go on sale in 2015. Gold series subscriptions are $105 (30% off the individual ticket price), and are available through Labor Day only. Silver series subscriptions are $119 (20% off the individual ticket price) and will be available following Labor Day.

Audition opportunities for area teens and kids will be announced in March.

To purchase a subscription, visit www.timberlakeplayhouse.org or contact the TLP box office. The box office is open daily 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. through August 24.

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