PEORIA, Ill. (Sept. 3, 2013) ? Many patients need a one-time blood transfusion, but the estimated 100,000 Americans with sickle cell disease face a lifetime of them. During September, National Sickle Cell Awareness Month, the American Red Cross encourages blood donations from donors of all types.

Most people with sickle cell disease are of African descent, but many are of Indian, Middle Eastern, Hispanic, Mediterranean and other descents. Because recipients are less likely to have complications from blood donated by someone with the same ethnicity, a diverse supply is important.

Sickle cell disease causes red blood cells to form an abnormal shape. Regular blood transfusions can help reduce the risks of stroke, damage to major organs and other complications. While better management of the disease has increased life expectancy in recent years, there is still no cure.

Visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS to learn more and make an appointment to donate blood for patients in need like those with sickle cell disease.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities:

Clinton County

Sept. 22 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Assumption Catholic Church, 147 Broadway St. in Charlotte, Iowa

Sept. 27 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Ashford University, 400 N. Bluff in Clinton, Iowa

Sept. 28 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Faith Lutheran Church, 1364 Washington St. in Andover, Iowa

Henry County

Sept. 17 from 1:30-5 p.m. at St. Patrick's Church, 201 First St. in Colona, Ill.

Sept. 17 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Kewanee High School, 1211 E. Third St. in Kewanee, Ill.

Sept. 24 from 1-6 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 214 NW Second Ave. in Galva, Ill.

Sept. 25 from 2-6 p.m. at First Christian Church, 105 Dwight St. in Kewanee, Ill.

Mercer County

Sept. 17 from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at VFW Hall, 106 SW Third Ave. in Aledo, Ill.

Sept. 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Aledo Genesis Medical Center, 409 NW Ninth Ave. in Aledo, Ill.

Rock Island County

Sept. 27 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Moline Country Financial, 3709 16th St. in Moline, Ill.

Whiteside County

Sept. 16 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Prophetstown-Lyndon-Tampico CUSD #3, 79 Grove St. in Prophetstown, Ill. -Platelet donations only. Platelet donations are taken by appointment only.

Sept. 18 from 2-6 p.m. at American Red Cross, 112 W. Second St. in Rock Falls, Ill.

Sept. 19 from 12-6 p.m. at United Methodist Church, 200 W. Lincolnway in Morrison, Ill.

Sept. 24 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Robert Fulton Community Center, 912 Fourth St. in Fulton, Ill.

Sept. 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at American Red Cross, 112 W. Second St. in Rock Falls, Ill.

Sept. 28 from 7:30-10:30 a.m. at American Red Cross, 112 W. Second St. in Rock Falls, Ill.

Sept. 30 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Illinois State Police District 1 HQ, 3107 E. Lincolnway in Sterling, Ill.

How to donate blood

Simply call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver's license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental consent in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

About the American Red Cross

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. The Red Cross is supported in part through generous financial donations from the United Way. For more information, please visit redcross.org or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

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Celebrate the autumn harvest by building your own scarecrow for display on Brucemore's historic 26-acre property during the Scarecrow Invasion. Scarecrow armatures are on sale now and can be purchased by calling (319) 362-7375 or visiting the Brucemore Store located in the Visitor Center. Armatures are $15 per individual, family, class, or non-profit organization; or $25 per for-profit business. Delivery is available for a fee to Cedar Rapids, Marion, and Hiawatha addresses on October 1; all other scarecrows must be picked up at the Brucemore Store. The public is invited to witness the invasion, October 14 through 28, Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, noon to 4 p.m. Vote for your favorite scarecrow October 14 through October 24. Winners will be announced on October 25.

Experience Brucemore, an unparalleled blend of tradition and culture, located at 2160 Linden Drive SE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. At the heart of the historic 26-acre estate stands a nineteenth-century mansion filled with the stories of three Cedar Rapids families.  Concerts, theater, programs, and tours enliven the site and celebrate the heritage of a community.  For more information, call (319) 362-7375 or visit www.brucemore.org.

(DES MOINES) - The Connect Every Iowan initiative is drawing wide praise following this morning's announcement by Gov. Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds. The following are statements put forth by organizations representing thousands of Iowans across the state:

Iowa Telecommunications Association:

Dave Duncan, President of the Iowa Telecommunications Association (ITA), said "Governor Branstad's announcement today rings so close to the guiding principles our association has promoted over the past four years - that we need 'broadband for all Iowans.'

"Broadband connectivity is an essential service when you are looking to advance Iowa's economic growth opportunities," Duncan said.  "Whether you are a small business looking to connect to customers around the world, a farmer checking global markets, or a student doing homework, you cannot afford to be without high-speed broadband internet access."

Rural Iowa Independent Telephone Association:

The Rural Iowa Independent Telephone Association (RIITA) announced its support for Governor Terry Brandstad's initiative today, "Connect Every Iowan" and efforts to increase the access, adoption and use of broadband technology.

"Iowa has a unique position in that our state has the most Independent Telecommunication Companies (ITCs) in the country. Over 140 companies have been instrumental in deploying broadband and working with their communities relating to the adoption and use of this technology," noted Sheila Navis, RIITA Executive Director.

CenturyLink:

"CenturyLink appreciates the efforts of Governor Branstad to further strengthen Iowa's broadband climate, which will ultimately grow Iowa's economy and enhance educational opportunities. We look forward to working with all stakeholders and policymakers to increase broadband adoption and access."

Technology Association of Iowa:

"Access to larger bandwidth is essential to connect Iowans to each other and for businesses to connect to Iowa customers. TAI will engage in the process that Governor Branstad has established and will work with the legislature to put in place policies that make sense for Iowans."

Heartland Technology Alliance:

The following statement is attributable to Heartland Technology Alliance Executive Director John Stineman:

"The Heartland Technology Alliance is excited to learn of Governor Branstad's 'Connect Every Iowan' initiative.  Broadband connectivity, adoption and deployment can be a game changer for the Midwest.  Whether Iowa's metros or rural areas, broadband helps us compete with the world.  We are hopeful the STEM Advisory Council's Broadband Committee examines not only the issues of adoption and connectivity, but the regulatory environment Iowa ought to pursue in order to attract private sector investment in broadband deployment in all forms across the State.  The Heartland Technology Alliance looks forward to being an active participant in these important discussions and appreciates Governor Branstad and Lt. Governor Reynolds' leadership in this critical area."

Lighten up!!

That's the buzz phrase for fall as a recovering economy fans a collective determination to put the bad news of recent years - from layoffs to natural disasters - behind us, says Roy Joulus, CEO of the award-winning, design-forward Greenbo, LLC, (greenbo.co).

"We'll see an insistence on hope, optimism and joy in the simple things in life reflected in bright, happy colors and clean designs with strong lines,'' says Joulus, whose innovative new railing flowerbox, Greenbo XL, won the prestigious international Red Dot Design Award for product design in 2012.

As a manufacturer of high-quality products for urban homes, Joulus says he and his team must forecast global style trends two to three years out. That's why their new line of garden containers is made from sustainable and recyclable materials in uber-upbeat colors, with attached drainage trays that can be mixed and matched for custom color combos.

The Greenbo designers also see a growing demand for products whose form is as appealing as their function. That's why the Greenbo XL railing planter is a flowerbox "that you don't have to hide with flowers,'' Joulus says.

"Consumers' desire for sustainability and 'green' products is only going to continue to grow; in fact, that was one reason we launched our company in 2008 even though the global economy was tanking at the time," says Joulus. "The interest in gardening will continue to grow, as will demand for high-grade products that can either be recycled or are made from recycled materials."

The fall colors, which you'll see in everything from fashion to furniture to the garden, include bright greens, deep fuschia, bright orange, fiery red, ochre yellow and violet. How can you brighten your garden with these colors? Joulus offers some tips:

• Forget terra cotta - use containers that offer a vivid pop of color. Colorful containers add a carefree, cheerful element to any garden - whether it's a full yard, a patio, a balcony, or a cluster of plants indoors by a south-facing window. "Plastic containers require less watering than terra cotta or unglazed ceramic, but be sure to get a very high-grade plastic," Joulus says. "Nothing looks worse than plastic that has faded and cracked, which will happen quickly when low-quality plastics are exposed to the elements." Mix up the colors, just as you would wildflowers in a garden, or use all one color for more impact."

• Coordinate plant color and pot color. Play with different combinations to see what you like. One extreme is the monochromatic approach - where container and plants are all the same color, although shades may vary. On the other end of the extreme, a "cottage garden" with a jumble of colors (polychrome) will work beautifully, too. You might try pairing containers and plants from opposite sides of the color wheel, such as red and green, violet and yellow, or blue and orange. Or use colors that reside side by side on the color wheel, such as salmon and violet or fuchsia and bright red.

• Create a pattern of repeating colors and textures. Containers and plants with different colors can create an eye-catching display when arranged so that each color repeats at a regular interval.  For instance: blue, purple, violet, green, blue, purple, violet, green. This technique is sometimes used with border plants, or plants in linear beds. The addition of colorful containers heightens the effect and adds to the options for placement. Create a repeating pattern on a railing, along a patio or even using hanging containers.

About Roy Joulus

Roy Joulus is CEO of Greenbo, which was founded with a focus on simplicity, efficiency and innovation in creating urban agricultural products. Its Greenbo XL flowerbox, designed to hang securely on any balcony railing up to 6 inches wide, won the prestigious 2012 Red Dot Design Award. Greenbo products are manufactured in a multi-cultural Israeli-Arab setting using sustainable and recyclable materials, and with safety the No. 1 priority. Find Greenbo products at garden centers and independent nurseries in the United States and Europe, and online at amazon.com.