Ad featuring Iraq War Veteran to Run in Iowa, DC

Des Moines, IA - The largest progressive group of veterans in America, with over 360,000 supporters, VoteVets.org, is today launching a powerful new television ad in Iowa, aimed at protecting the bipartisan Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).  The ad buy is nearly $110,000 for one week of time in the Des Moines market as well as in Washington, D.C., where it will be seen by decision makers on the issue.  The group promised more ads will be coming in the next few weeks.

Today's ad features an Iraq War Veteran, Michael Connolly, making the case that gutting the Renewable Fuel Standard would allow for a greater flow of oil dollars to our enemies, who use that money for weaponry that has targeted our troops.  Connolly, who served in Iraq from 2007 to 2008, lived in Glenwood, Iowa from 2010 to 2012, and now lives just across the border, in Nebraska.

The ad opens with a massive explosion in front of a military convoy. Connolly says, "War is dangerous. I know. I was there.  Now, people ask me all the time how they can support the troops." Holding a yellow ribbon, Connolly says, "By putting one of these on your car?  Sure..." And then in front of an ethanol gas pump, "By putting this in your tank?  Even better... More renewable fuels, like the kind grown here in Iowa, means we use less foreign oil. And that means less money for our enemies.  But the oil companies are trying to kill renewable fuels."

The full script is below.  The ad can be viewed here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5cqc2-D51Iw.

The facts back up Connolly's words.  Although the United States often does not directly buy oil from hostile nations, like Iran, America's dependence on oil drives up demand, and prices of oil on the world market, which benefits all oil-rich nations.  Those oil dollars allowed Iran, for instance, to produce and ship Explosively Formed Penetrators (EFPs) to Iraqi insurgents, who used them to target our troops.¹

Additionally, the U.S. Department of Energy estimates for every one billion gallons of ethanol produced, 10,000 to 20,000 jobs are added to our domestic economy.² According to the Iowa Corn Growers Association, the ethanol Industry supports around 55,000 jobs in Iowa, and accounts for $5.4 billion of Iowa's GDP.³ Gutting the RFS would threaten the development of next generation biofuels, including cellulosic ethanol plants in Iowa scheduled to start operation next year.  Rather than using kernels of corn, these advanced plants will make the fuel from the "biomass" of various low-value plant material including corn stalks and wood chips.

VoteVets.org is one of the groups leading the way in calling for the EPA to protect the RFS, and is urging its members and supporters to, as well.  Along with a coalition of groups, VoteVets.org is collecting petition signatures from everyday Americans who want to see us reduce our dependence on foreign oil, protect our troops, and create jobs.

Founded in 2006,  and backed by over 360,000 supporters, the mission of VoteVets.org is to use public issue campaigns and direct outreach to lawmakers to ensure that troops abroad have what they need to complete their missions, and receive the care they deserve when they get home. VoteVets.org also recognizes veterans as a vital part of the fabric of our country and will work to protect veterans' interests in their day-to-day lives. VoteVets.org is committed to the destruction of terror networks around the world - with force when necessary - to protect America.  While non-partisan, the group is the largest progressive organization of veterans in America.

Sources:

¹ http://www.cbsnews.com/news/

² http://www.growthenergy.org/

³ http://www.iowacorn.org/en/

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The video of a blonde 5-year-old exuberantly singing "Santa was his name-O!" during a kindergarten holiday concert while simultaneously translating in American Sign Language captured hearts around the world.

It made headlines and news broadcasts from the New York Daily News and the United Kingdom's Daily Mail to ABC News and network affiliates coast to coast.

Claire Koch's mother, Lori Koch, says she posted the video on YouTube because she thought it was "share worthy." Claire, who is not hearing impaired, has grown up with sign language because her mom and dad, Tom, are deaf. Still, her parents were surprised to see her signing every song for them.

"We don't use Claire to interpret for us - she did it because that's how she communicates with us," says Koch. "Fortunately, the days of parents having to rely on their children to interpret are gone. There's so much great technology available now for the deaf."

Koch works at Stratus Video/ZVRS, www.stratusvideo.com, the video relay services provider for the deaf and hard-of-hearing that's developing a lot of that technology.

"Video relay service allows people to make phone calls without relying on friends and family. Video Remote Interpretation opens up whole new worlds of communication possibilities."

So, how did little Claire's video go viral? Lori deconstructs the evolution:

• She uploaded her video to YouTube because it seemed "share worthy." Music videos are by far the most popular on YouTube - "Gangnam Style" by PSY is the all-time No. 1 most-viewed; Justin Bieber's "Baby" is No. 2. Humor does well, as do videos with incredibly unusual content. Super cute kids and animals can also attract attention. Lori's video combines almost all of those elements: The kids are singing holiday songs; little Claire hams it up with a humorous performance; and she's adorable. Seeing such a young child who is not deaf signing away so expertly may also qualify as incredibly unusual.

• A major world news event involving sign language broke. "The story about the fake fiasco at Nelson Mandela's funeral came up," Koch says, referring to the deaf "interpreter" who signed gibberish as he stood alongside global leaders. "That gave me the opportunity to get attention for my story. ... Claire's video put a positive highlight on a bad experience.

• Using the funeral interpreter as a news hook, Lori shared her video with influential people via social media. "I sent the video to some famous people, like Piers Morgan, and news outlets, via Twitter," she says.  That significantly ramped up her exposure, which included a retweet by Academy Award-winning deaf actress Marlee Matlin, who commented, "This is too cute. Can you spot the child who has deaf parents?"

Lori says Claire was a bit overwhelmed by her 15 minutes-plus of fame, but enjoyed it.

"At school, some fifth-graders came up to her and introduced themselves by finger-spelling their names in sign language," Lori says. "She was really inspired by that."

As for her daughter's potential future as an interpreter for the deaf, Lori says, "I'd rather see her on the stage.

"She can be whatever she wants to be."

About Lori Koch and Stratus Video/ZVRS

Lori Koch is a business analyst for Stratus Video/ZVRS, which provide On-Demand Interpreting and video phone service for the deaf. The Z was the first to offer 24/7 availability and is utilized in government agencies and businesses across the country, including the Social Security Administration, Boeing Corp. and Wal-Mart.  More than two-thirds of Stratus Video's non interpreters are deaf or hard of hearing, all of its 250-plus contractors across the country are deaf, as are three of its eight company vice presidents.

January 6, 2014 - Davenport, Iowa Mandala Integrative Medicine, 2206 - 52nd Street, Suite A Davenport, Iowa 52807 563-355-7411

Mandala Integrative Medicine opens in Davenport and is accepting new patients, offers a fresh look at how families choose treatment and consultation for overall health wellbeing.

Medical providers on staff include : Sayed A. Shah, M.D., Tammy Conner, Occupational Therapist, Dawn Strauss-Berta, Doctor of Chiropractic, and Becky Holdorf, Reiki Master.

Dr. Shah is accepting new patients looking for a family doctor. Dr. Shah prefers being a guide for his patients and providing a road map that will help them improve their quality of life and lifestyle. He will provide patients with both standard methods of care and alternative approaches to medicine. He provides alternative methods to addressing different symptoms of Autism. His focus on treating autism relies on improving nutrition and environment.

Other services and treatments at Mandala Integrative Medicine include : ADHD, Autism, Chiropractic Care, Detox Infrared, General Medicine, Hypnosis, Life Coaching, Lymphatic Drainage, Meditation, Occupational Therapy, Pain Management, Reiki, Stress Reduction, Weight Management.

Visit the clinic website at www.mimqc.com

Author Michael Hib has created in 'BOOMERVILLE: Getting Off the Corporate Merry-Go-Round' an eye-opening read on how to survive and thrive in today's economy

COVINGTON, Ga. - The Baby Boomers generation has always been fortunate. This is due to the fact that most of them were born after the Second World War and have reaped the economic and moral benefits of the times. Therefore they have reaped the benefits of a higher income and better working conditions and benefits in their lifetime. But with a huge majority of baby boomers reaching retirement age and the world economy in shambles, the collective fates of all baby boomers seem uncertain. In "BOOMERVILLE: Getting Off the Corporate Merry-Go-Round" author Michael Hib has written a helpful guide on how the baby boomer generation can survive and thrive in the new economic arenas.

"BOOMERVILLE: Getting Off the Corporate Merry-Go-Round" shows how as millions of baby boomers head toward retirement and to new ventures, the world in which everyone lives in is shrinking rapidly. Many more countries attempt to become an economic player and US competitor as the global economy emerges. Rapidly expanding technologies and communications are enabling more countries to become borderless within a global economic community of creative destruction ? competitors on a global stage and 24 hour global clock. This highly informative book shows readers how millions of retiring baby boomers getting off the corporate merry-go-round will play a crucial role as freelancers and free agents in bridging the gaps in skills, talent, business wisdom, and sustainability.

This eye-opening and helpful read is a must have for all baby-boomers who wish to survive in the ever changing economic landscape of the times.