Paddling the Lower Mississippi River

Caruthersville, Mo. - There was no brass band playing to greet John Ruskey and his five crewmates as they paddled their 30-foot wood canoe into Caruthersville to end an 11-day voyage on the Mississippi River from St. Louis.

Instead of trombones and tubas, lightning flashed, thunder boomed and rain fell. Lots of rain.

"That's part of the adventure, you have to accept what Mother Nature throws at you," said Ruskey, shrugging off the storm. "That becomes part of the stories that come off the river with you."

Ruskey, 50, owns Quapaw Canoe Co. in Clarksdale, Miss., which made the handsome cypress strip canoe, dubbed "the Grasshopper," that the travelers arrived in. The "voyageur canoe" is similar to the big boats paddled by early explorers and pioneers.

Ruskey also is director of the Lower Mississippi River Foundation, which he founded in 2011. The foundation's mission is to spread the word about the beauty of floating the stretch of the Mississippi from its confluence with the Missouri north of St. Louis to the Gulf of Mexico.

Over the last two years, Ruskey has gathered information for his Rivergator, a paddler's guide to the Lower Mississippi; it's available free online at RiverGator.org. The website currently has stories, photos, maps and information on the stretch from Caruthersville to Vicksburg, Miss.

"Most people only experience the Mississippi from a bridge, which always goes over an industrial area that is not attractive," Ruskey said. "And the locals will tell you, 'Don't get on the river; it's ugly.'

"People just don't think of the Mississippi as a place to go and enjoy the outdoors. But the fishermen know. It's like a greatly held secret."
Ruskey and his crew now have traveled the Mississippi from St. Louis to Baton Rouge, La., a total of almost 1,000 miles. Along the way, they've accumulated data on camping spots, points of interest and potential obstacles, all of which will be posted online by Oct. 15. In 2015, they'll add 235 miles through New Orleans to the Gulf of Mexico to complete their Lower Mississippi Water Trail.

"We want to share the wild aspects of the Lower Mississippi River for paddlers," Ruskey said.
"Primarily this is for advanced paddlers in expedition-style canoes or sea kayaks. Those are made for long-distance travel and are capable in all the challenges the Mississippi presents - waves, winds, long crossings, quick crossings in between towboats."

Their argument, that much of the Lower Mississippi is wild and scenic, was evident in the 307-mile stretch from St. Louis to Caruthersville, Ruskey said.

"For about half the way, all you see is big trees, big bluffs, big islands thriving with wildlife and the big river that ties them all together," he said.

"The bluffs below St. Louis were just spectacular, particularly around Herculaneum and Crystal City," he added. "In the back chutes, behind the islands, we saw deer, coyotes, bald eagles, numerous songbirds. At Osborne Chute, below Crystal City, we saw three eagles feasting on a gar. Sunrise on the limestone cliffs at Trail of Tears State Park was beautiful."

Paddlers will share the river with towboats and barges, but Ruskey said that was not a problem.

"The towboats are slow-moving and very predictable," he said. "Normally, on any stretch of the river, you'll see them about an hour before they actually pass. That gives any perceptive paddler time to predict where they'll go, and how to maneuver around them."

Getting more paddlers out on the Lower Mississippi will have a beneficial impact by making more people conscious of the landscape of the river's flood plain, Ruskey said.

"Not only do paddlers clean up places they camp, but they also become impassioned users of the river," he said. "That leads to more public land along the river and better decisions about its use."

As far as the occasional thunderstorm, that is just part of life on the Mississippi, Ruskey said.

"You might be slightly uncomfortable, like getting mud between your toes or sunburn," he said. "But these are things that make you remember the experience and what wilderness is all about."

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Being at the market can work up an appetite. We have just what you are looking for. Hot dogs, Smoothies, Ice Cold drinks, and right beside you will find Brats, Gyros, Chicken and Rib Eye Sandwiches, Pizza, Shish Kebab, Fried rice oh and not to mention Kettle corn, cheese corn, Roasted Almonds and much more!

Our furry friends love coming to the market.  Well mannered dogs are welcome on a leash, except this one might need a helmet! Enjoy the market and be safe.

Upcoming events: June 21 -  A Cake Walk is scheduled for this Saturday with the proceeds going to the Friendly House Food Pantry. It will begin at 9:00 a.m only $1 per entry.

June 21- The Extension Office will be on the patio to discuss urban gardening an to answer any questions.

June 28 - Children bring a white t-shirt.  They will decorate the t-shirts in red and blue paint (fireworks theme).

You will all ways find wonderful, unique, home made and local items at the Farmers market. The whole family can have a great time at the Freight House Farmers Market every week on Tuesdays (3pm-6pm) and Saturdays (8am-1pm).

Don't wonder what is in the food that you are eating.  At the Market, you can watch it being made, talk to the producer, try a sample and eat healthy.

And last, but not least: Please take a moment and complete a brief 10 question survey so that we can better understand how we can serve you better.  As our appreciation for your time we are giving away a 5 burner gas grill and $100 dollars in market gift certificates to load it up with all those wonderful market vegetables, brats, steaks to one lucky survey taker, so be sure to enter your email address at the end of the survey to enter the drawing. You could have a market party!

·         Free emotional-support help line from Optum open to anyone
  • Assistance for UnitedHealthcare plan participants whose access to care may have been affected

 

 

minnetonka, Minn. (June 19, 2014) - UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) and its benefits and services businesses, UnitedHealthcare and Optum, are taking immediate action to help people in Iowa and Nebraska affected by the recent tornadoes and floods.  This includes a free emotional-support line to help people in the affected communities and assisting health plan participants who may be affected and need to make alternate arrangements to ensure continuity of care.

  • Free Help Line: Optum, a leading health and behavioral health services company, is offering a free emotional-support help line.

The toll-free number, 866-342-6892, will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for as long as necessary. The service is free of charge and open to anyone. Specially trained Optum mental health specialists help people manage their stress and anxiety so they can continue to address their everyday needs. Callers may also receive referrals to community resources to help them with specific concerns, including financial and legal matters.

Along with the toll-free help line, emotional-support resources and information are available online at www.liveandworkwell.com.

  • Help Finding a Network Care Provider, Early Refills: Plan participants who need help finding a care provider in the UnitedHealthcare network or obtaining early prescription refills can call customer care at the number located on the back of their medical ID card.

For plan participants who cannot locate their medical ID card, call 866-633-2446, 8 a.m.-8 p.m. (in the local time zone), Monday through Friday. People enrolled in employer-sponsored and individual health plans who have a smartphone can download the free Health4Me app, which provides instant access to their ID card, network care providers, their personal health benefits and more. The Health4Me app is available as a free download at the Apple iTunes App Store and the Android Market on Google Play.

About UnitedHealth Group
UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) is a diversified health and well-being company dedicated to helping people live healthier lives and making health care work better. With headquarters in Minnetonka, Minn., UnitedHealth Group offers a broad spectrum of products and services through two business platforms: UnitedHealthcare, which provides health care coverage and benefits services; and Optum, which provides information and technology-enabled health services. Through its businesses, UnitedHealth Group serves more than 85 million people worldwide. For more information, visit UnitedHealth Group at www.unitedhealthgroup.com.

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LOWELL, MA (06/19/2014)(readMedia)-- Eric Andresen of Davenport, Iowa was among a record number of graduates - 3,478 - presented with diplomas at UMass Lowell's 2017 Commencement exercises on Saturday, May 17 at the Tsongas Center at UMass Lowell.

Andresen received a associate'sdegree in information technology from the College of Sciences.

For the third year, UMass Lowell held two Commencement ceremonies because of the increase in graduates, up more than 300 from 2013 and more than 1,500 since 2007. During that timeframe, UMass Lowell has seen enrollment grow 45 percent and this is the seventh year in a row that a record number received degrees from the university.

Piggybacking the obesity epidemic, diabetes rates continue to surge. On June 10, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released new and alarming statistics on diabetes. An estimated 29 million Americans have the disease, a nearly 12 percent increase from the 26 million diabetics in 2010.

One-fourth of people don't know they have diabetes?a scary fact, given the complications of chronically high blood sugar: heart attack, stroke, sight-robbing eye disease, kidney failure, foot amputation. Worse, another 86 million adults have prediabetes, a condition of elevated blood sugar just below the threshold for diabetes.

The vast majority of cases are type 2 diabetes, a condition characterized by insulin resistance, meaning cells fail to respond to insulin. In type 1 diabetes, the pancreas doesn't make enough insulin.

The good news is type 2 diabetes is largely preventable. A seminal 2006 study demonstrated that intensive lifestyle modification reduced the risk of developing diabetes by 58 percent, as compared to a 31 percent risk reduction achieved with the antidiabetes drug metformin.

  • Lose excess body fat. Being overweight is a big risk factor for diabetes.  In contrast, every kilogram (2.2 pounds) of weight lost reduces diabetes risk by 16 percent.
  • Follow a plant-based, low-calorie diet. Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables?a dietary pattern studies show reduces diabetes risk. Foods to avoid are those rich in trans fats (also called hydrogenated fat), saturated fat, and sugar.
  • Drink water. Studies link sugar-sweetened beverages with obesity and diabetes.  Cut them out of your diet and the risk of both conditions falls.
  • Move your body. Physical inactivity raises the risk of diabetes. Exercise renders cells more sensitive to insulin. The aforementioned 2006 study had volunteers exercising moderately 150 minutes a week. Brisk walking does the trick.
  • Stress less. The stress response triggers the release of several hormones that increase blood sugar. Studies show that mindfulness meditation improves the ability to cope with stress. Physical activity and social support also help relieve stress.
  • Sleep well. Chronic sleep deprivation and poor quality sleep increase the risk for diabetes and obesity. For tips on sleeping better, see this Remedy Chick's blog. If you have continued problems sleeping, contact your doctor.
  • Keep medical appointments. Warning signs of type 2 diabetes are less dramatic than those of type 1 diabetes.  That's why it's important to see your doctor regularly.

New Environmental Protections Signed on Anniversary of Hoopeston Fire

CHICAGO - On the anniversary of a devastating fire in Hoopeston, Governor Pat Quinn today signed legislation to strengthen oversight of used tire processing and storage facilities. Today's action is part of Governor Quinn's agenda to protect our natural resources and ensure a clean and healthy environment for future generations.

"The destructive fire that shook Hoopeston last year proved the need for increased oversight of our used tire facilities," Governor Quinn said. "This new law will help safeguard against any disaster of this magnitude and ensure our communities are protected. It will protect the environment and homeowners, and help find alternative uses for used and waste tires."

On June 19, 2013, a large accumulation of tires at J&R Used Tire Service in Hoopeston ignited and burned for more than a month. Nearby residents were evacuated, a railway and local roads were blocked off and emergency responders occupied the site to prevent the fire from spreading. The resulting damage to the facility required demolition of all structures on-site. The response action, clean-up of debris and demolition took until November 2013 to complete. SB 2671 was proposed by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) in response to the Hoopeston fire.

"This bill helps us ensure these facilities are meeting requirements to protect Illinois residents," IEPA Director Lisa Bonnett said. "The IEPA will also be able to initiate a market development program for used tires, resulting in increased economic activity and job creation."

Senate Bill 2671, sponsored by State Senator Michael Frerichs (D-Champaign) and State Representative Will Davis (D-Hazel Crest), requires used tire storage sites with more than 10,000 passenger tires, or that process 500 tons of used tires in a calendar year, to acquire a solid waste permit to operate in Illinois. As part of the permitting process, these facilities will be required to comply with regulations by maintaining records, allowing inspections and submitting documentation, including a tire storage plan and a contingency plan, to the IEPA. Any tire facility that does not comply with financial assurance requirements could be ordered to immediately cease operations to prevent any threat to the public health and the environment. The new law also authorizes the IEPA to establish a program to develop new markets for used and waste tires. The legislation is effective immediately.

"We were able to quickly respond to last year's tire fire in Hoopeston and institute new guidelines to prevent other communities from experiencing similar accidents," Senator Frerichs said. "This new law will help save state funds that would otherwise have to be spent on environmental clean-up."

"Illinois residents want to make sure our neighborhoods are protected from harmful waste and pollution," Representative Davis said. "If we want to maintain our neighborhoods for generations to come, we have to improve sustainability efforts, hold corporations accountable for their impact on the environment and hold them to strict environmental standards."

Each year, the IEPA co-sponsors approximately 20 county-wide tire collections where local governments can give used tires the state to remove. The agency also forces the removal of waste tires from dumps that pose an immediate threat to human health and the environment. Already in 2014, IEPA has removed more than 875 tons of waste tires, equivalent to more than 70,000 passenger tires.

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Dear Friend,

As you may have recently seen in the news, sectarian violence has dramatically increased between warring factions in Iraq. As a military parent and a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I am closely following the situation and have deep concerns about the use of troops in Iraq. While there are many ideas about how involved the United States should be, I want to know what you think.

Take this quick poll and tell me your opinion.

I have traveled to Iraq multiple times to meet with the troops and receive on the ground briefings from the commanders who were leading the war. I believe that when United States troops left Iraq, we set the stage for the Iraqi government to make their own decisions. I am disappointed in the failure of Iraq's current leaders for not creating a more inclusive and peaceful partnership.

I will continue to monitor the situation and hope that you will take a quick poll to let me know your thoughts.

Sincerely,

Dave Loebsack
Iowa's Second District

PS- Your voice matters. Please click here to take the poll.

Washington DC -- The Western States Land Commissioners Association (WSLCA) applauds the introduction of the Advancing Conservation and Education Act of 2014 (ACE) by Congressman Rob Bishop (R-UT) and Congressman Peter DeFazio (D-OR) in the U.S. House of Representatives.

The act ? crafted by WSLCA and its members ? will enhance funding of public education and improve management of Federal conservation lands by streamlining the removal of state institutional and school trust lands from within Federal conservation areas. "The ACE Act will allow states to manage trust lands as intended by Congress ? to generate funding for our schoolchildren across the nation," stated WSLCA President, Kathy Opp.

WSLCA has been working with its 23 member states, the Western Governors' Association, the Wilderness Society, Congress, and others to craft the ACE Act. It will allow states to remove school trust lands and minerals that are trapped inside congressionally and administratively designated conservation areas such as national parks, wilderness areas, and national monuments.

The broadly supported ACE Act will allow states to efficiently exchange these trapped assets for federal lands where generation of income for public education is appropriate. Upon statehood, lands were granted to states in trust for the specific purpose of generating income for public education and other state institutions. When federal conservation lands surround state lands, the ability to manage the land for income and provide funding for education suffers. This new authority will also enhance some of our nation's most prized conservation lands by ensuring our national parks, wilderness, and other conservation areas do not contain state holdings within their borders, thus fulfilling the purpose of the conservation lands.

Established in 1949, WSLCA is comprised of 23 Western and some not so Western states that share the common mandate of managing trust lands on behalf of schoolchildren and other designated beneficiaries in our states on a bi-partisan basis. WSLCA's member states manage more than 447 million acres of lands, submerged lands, and minerals with combined trusts amounting to over $271 billion, which generated more than $3.8 billion for public schools in 2012.

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CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today issued the following statement on the passing of Lisa Marie Radogno, daughter of Illinois State Senate Republican Leader Christine Radogno:

"There are no words in the English language to comfort a parent who loses a child.

"My deepest and most heartfelt condolences go out to Leader Christine Radogno and her family during this extremely difficult time.

"It is my hope that Lisa's purposeful life and the cherished memories that Christine, Nunzio and their daughters have of her will help relieve some of the pain in the days ahead."

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SIOUX FALLS, SD (06/19/2014)(readMedia)-- Augustana College today announced that Kara Bartels, of Davenport, Iowa, has been named to the Dean's List for the spring semester of the 2013-2014 academic year.

The Dean's List recognizes full-time students who have a minimum of 12 credit hours with grade-point averages at 3.5 or above.

About Augustana

Founded in 1860, Augustana College in Sioux Falls, S.D., is a selective, residential, comprehensive college of the Lutheran Church. Committed to enriching lives and fostering development, Augustana combines a foundation in the liberal arts with professional skill and advanced study, leading the Templeton Guide to include the College among those that inspire students to lead ethical and civic-minded lives. With 1,765 students from 30 states and 44 countries, Augustana is featured among "America's Top Colleges" by Forbes; was ranked among the top baccalaureate colleges in the nation for its efforts to advance social mobility, research and service by Washington Monthly; and has been named a "Best Midwestern College" by The Princeton Review.

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