12 Aug 2013

Turning the Tide on Childhood Obesity

By Amanda Browne

by Dr. Janey Thornton, USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services

As the Department of Agriculture's Deputy Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services, I am on a mission to make sure all of our nation's children have the best possible chance at a healthy life and a bright future. So, I'm very encouraged by some recent news from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):  the rate of obesity among low-income pre-school children appears to be declining for the first time in decades.

The declining rates show that our collective efforts?at the Federal, State and community level?are helping to gain ground on childhood obesity, particularly among some of the more vulnerable populations in our country.  Low-income children are often at a big disadvantage when it comes to getting the food they need to grow up healthy and strong, which is why the nutrition programs and resources available through USDA are so vital.

Programs like WIC?with its new, healthier food package offerings for pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers and young children, including more fruits and vegetables and more whole grains?and the Child and Adult Care Food Program?with its increasing emphasis on nutrition and physical activity for young children?are making a difference in the lives of millions of children.

Our efforts don't stop there. School-aged children are now getting healthier and more nutritious school meals and snacks, thanks to the support of First Lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move! initiative and historic changes implemented under the historic Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act.  We're supporting healthy, local foods in schools through our Farm to School grant program, and we're improving access to fresh produce and healthy foods for children and families that receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits.

So what can you do to make a change in your home and community? Parents and caregivers can use educational materials like Healthy Eating for Preschoolers and Nutrition and Wellness Tips for Young Children to help teach young children healthy habits from the start. Teachers, principals and school food service professionals can use nutrition education materials like the Great Garden Detective curriculum provided through Team Nutrition to motivate older children to eat healthy and try new foods. Kids can explore MyPlate Kids Place and take the MyPlate Pledge to commit to making healthy food choices at school and at home. And parents, teachers, and kids alike can get active and learn about healthy foods with Let's Move! in school, at home and in their communities.

Don't get me wrong?we still have a long way to go before America's childhood obesity epidemic is a thing of the past.  Far too many?1 out of every 8?preschoolers are still obese.  Unfortunately, obesity in these early childhood years sets the perfect stage for serious health problems throughout the entire lifespan. 

We at USDA are proud of our ongoing efforts to ensure the health of America's next generation, and we know that, combined with your efforts at home, we are beginning to see real results in thefight against early childhood obesity.

Dr. Janey Thornton serves as USDA's Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services Deputy Under Secretary.  Before coming to USDA, Dr. Thornton served as School Nutrition Director for Hardin County Schools in Elizabethtown, Kentucky and served as president of the 55,000-member School Nutrition Association during the 2006-2007 school year. Learn more about USDA's efforts to improve child nutrition and visit ChooseMyPlate.gov for quick, easy nutrition and diet tips for families.

12 Aug 2013

Do You Have to be a Renaissance Person in Today's Economy?

By Rick Martin
Deteriorating Job Conditions Affecting More U.S. Adults;
Professional Woman of Many Hats Offers Perspective

Brushes with poverty, extended periods of joblessness and a reliance on welfare is part of the "new normal" for the average American worker, according to new data reported from The Associated Press.

Economic security isn't what it used to be before the economic crash of 2008; survey data points to the loss of manufacturing jobs, the globalized economy and a widening gap between rich and poor as reasons for why 4 in 5 workers in the United States will experience economic hardship in their lifetime. 
"I certainly don't envy what the average worker will likely endure throughout his or her career, but as an ambitious woman coming up through the ranks of corporate culture - the boy's club - many decades ago, I know the hardship of sustaining the career of your dreams," says 75-year-old Darlene Quinn, author of Unpredictable Webs, (www.darlenequinn.net), the newest in her stand-alone series of suspense-filled dramatic novels which are now in development for a major TV series.

Quinn is a former senior executive with the Bullocks Wilshire department store chain who went on to pursue an award-winning career in fiction writing. She started by earning a bachelor's at San Jose State University and she became a schoolteacher, later climbing her way up the corporate retail ladder during a time of tremendous upheaval in the fashion industry.

"Change is natural; change is life, and you don't have to be afraid of it," she says.

Quinn, a family woman who has also been proactive in managing beauty pageants, volunteering for charity and corporate training, offers the following career advice to struggling professionals:

• Parlay your strengths; experience and education isn't everything. Unfortunately, many workers are finding this out. Nowadays, even advanced college degrees are no guarantee of job security. It's not uncommon to find holders of master's degrees working in low-paying jobs. While a degree is still needed to get your foot in the door of most professional job openings, consider that which you most excel. As a professional, you may not be perfect in every aspect of your career, but there are activities in a job that you probably do regardless of work. Perhaps that's managing groups of people, writing or designing websites. What is your strength, and how does that translate to a more promising field?

• Shoot for the top! Of course, you don't have to be in a state of economic hardship to consider switching fields. The Internet is allowing us to be more connected than ever and permanently altering the employment landscape. Perhaps you see an opportunity in online education and, as an administrator on a college campus you know the weaknesses of today's traditional university system. If you take well to new software, are available beyond the usual 9-to-5 hours and have a stable work history, then why not make more than a lateral move?

• Is it time to trade in that necktie or pantsuit for your passion? After having accomplished so much in the corporate world, Quinn decided it was time for a new direction, so she pursued her passion for writing and has done very well, winning multiple awards. Perhaps it's time to take what you already love doing so well at home and apply it to a career. If you love cooking, for example, and others love what you create, you may want to consider a new career.

About Darlene Quinn

Darlene Quinn is an author and journalist from Long Beach, Calif., whose novels about deceit, intrigue and glamour in the retail fashion industry were inspired by her years with Bullocks Wilshire specialty department stores and are now in development for a major TV series. Her newest, Unpredictable Webs, is the winner of the Beverly Hills Book Awards for Excellence in Fiction and was selected as the number-one President's choice before publication. The novel continues her series, including Webs of Fate, which won the 2011 Reader's Favorites Award before it hit bookshelves; Webs of Power, winner of a 2009 National Indie Excellence Award, and Twisted Webs, winner of the 2011 International Book Award for General Fiction and the 2011 National Indie Excellence Awards for General Fiction.

12 Aug 2013

Should You Become Executor of Someone's Estate?

By Rick Martin
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By Jason Alderman

One of the most important decisions you'll make when writing your will is determining who should be named executor of your estate. Even if you're just leaving behind household goods and a small savings account, someone - whether appointed by you or the state court - must settle your affairs.

Some people consider it an honor - or duty - to take responsibility for ensuring that their loved one's final wishes are carried out. But serving as an executor can be onerous and time-consuming, even for those with a strong financial or legal background. In a worst-case scenario, executors who act imprudently or in violation of their duties can be sued by beneficiaries and creditors.

Plus, you'll likely have to deal with the dreaded probate, a court-supervised process of locating and determining the value of the deceased's assets, paying final bills and taxes, and distributing what's left to the heirs.

Before you agree to serve as an estate's executor, make sure you understand what will be required of you. Major responsibilities often include :

  • Manage paperwork on behalf of the estate, including the will, trusts, insurance policies, bank, investment and retirement account statements, birth and death certificates, marriage, prenuptial agreement or divorce papers, military service records, real estate deeds, tax records, etc.
  • If the estate is complicated or likely to be contentious, you may want to hire a lawyer and/or accountant to help navigate the maze of paperwork.
  • File a certified copy of the will with the local probate court, which will determine if probate is necessary.
  • If the probate court confirms you as executor, you'll be issued a document called "letters testamentary," which gives you legal authority to act on the estate's behalf, including opening a bank account in the name of the estate to pay outstanding debts (loans, utilities, medical bills, credit card balances, etc.)
  • Notify all interested parties of the death. These might include : government agencies (Social Security, Veterans Administration, Medicare, U.S. Post Office, DMV); financial institutions; creditors; current and former employers; retirement plan administrators; investment firms; insurance companies; doctors and other professionals; landlord or tenants; utilities, etc.
  • You'll often need to send a copy of the death certificate to close out accounts, claim insurance benefits, change ownership of assets or accounts to the estate or a beneficiary, so order ample copies through the funeral home or county health department.
  • Locate assets, including personal property, bank accounts and safe deposit box contents, and ensure that they are protected until sold or distributed to inheritors. This may involve updating home and car insurance, changing locks, overseeing appraisals of property that must be sold, etc.
  • Collect money owed to the estate, such as outstanding wages, insurance benefits, retirement plan benefits and rents.
  • Notify heirs about their bequest.
  • File the deceased's final federal, state and local tax returns, as well as federal and state estate tax returns, if applicable.
  • Once probate has closed, you will distribute the remaining assets to named beneficiaries.
  • Because acting as an executor can be very time-consuming (often taking months or years), you are allowed to charge the estate a fee for your time - usually a percentage of the estate's value, as dictated by state law.

In short, both parties should thoroughly understand what's required of an estate's executor to make sure it's a good fit. There's no shame in saying no if it's beyond your abilities, and plenty of professional help is available - and advisable - if you do need assistance.

12 Aug 2013

Top Tractors and Technology Tapped for Tribute at Iowa State Fair

By Lori Chappell
DES MOINES, IA (08/12/2013)(readMedia)-- FFA Agricultural Mechanics Technology projects were judged Friday at the 2013 Iowa State Fair. Youth from across the state were recognized for their outstanding exhibits.

Projects were judged on the basis of workmanship, design, usefulness, appearance and safety. Restored tractors were judged on appearance, mechanical work, safety and documentation. Oral presentations by the exhibitor were also considered in the judging of all projects.

Complete results below:

First Year Tractor Exhibitor

1) Cassidy Simmons, Guthrie Center

2) Logan Adair, Truro

3) Scott Evans, Iowa Falls

1958 and Prior

1) Jarad Taylor, New Virginia

2) Collin Fenneman, Clarksville

3) Jacob Miller, Dixon

1959 and Later

1) Matt Tekippe, Manchester

2) Meghan Miller, Dixon

3) Jacob Miller, Dixon

Group of 2 or More Tractor

1) Meghan Miller, Dixon

2) Mount Ayr FFA

3) Dalton Webster, Sigourney

Champion Restored Tractor: Matt Tekippe, Manchester

Restored Farm Equipment

1) Calvin Richardson, Tama

2) Kyle Huber, Wellman

3) Samantha Urmie, Long Grove

Computer Designed Project

1) Derek Anderson, Garner

2) Angela Delariva, Ellsworth

Metal Working/Welding - Small

1) Natalie Johnson, Murray

2) Kayla Kuhnle, Marengo

3) Trevor Stevenson, Wheatland

Metal Working/Welding - Medium

1) Marshal Wilz, Eddyville

2) Matthew Sturges, Rockwell

3) Zachary Neff, Fremont

Metal Working/Welding - Large

1) Bradley Ver Steegh, Oskaloosa

2) Bradley Ver Steegh, Oskaloosa

3) Ben Offenburger, Chariton

Woodworking - Indoor

1) Jami Wiesen, Shenandoah

2) Dylan Riedesel, DeWitt

3) Christian Jorgensen, Griswold

Woodworking - Outdoor

1) Brent Ver Steegh, Oskaloosa

2) Briana Ver Steegh, Oskaloosa

3) Cassidy Simmons, Guthrie Center

"Nothing Compares" to the 2013 Iowa State Fair, August 8-18. 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 2013

Awards and Top Honors at the Iowa State Fair

By Lori Chappell

Clark Takes Top Honors at State Fair FFA Rabbit Show

DES MOINES, IA (08/12/2013)(readMedia)-- Caitlan Clark of Zearing won Market Best of Show in the FFA Rabbit Show judged Thursday at the 2013 Iowa State Fair.

Noah Clark of Letts was awarded Breeding Best of Show.

Additional results below:

MEAT PENS

Champion Meat Pen: Caitlan Clark, Zearing

Reserve Champion Meat Pen: Justin Brant, Glidden

Champion Roaster Pen: Justin Brant, Glidden

Reserve Champion Roaster Pen: Caitlan Clark, Zearing

Champion Fryer Pen: Caitlan Clark, Zearing

Reserve Champion Fryer Pen: Marillea Gaunitz, Tipton

MEAT RABBITS

Champion Meat Rabbit: Caitlan Clark, Zearing

Reserve Champion Meat Rabbit: Kylie Pendleton, Red Oak

Champion Roaster: Kylie Pendleton, Red Oak

Reserve Champion Roaster: Justin Brant, Glidden

Champion Fryer: Caitlan Clark, Zearing

Reserve Champion Fryer: Kylie Pendleton, Red Oak

SIX CLASS BREEDS

Champion Six Class Breed: Marillea Gaunitz, Tipton

Reserve Champion Six Class Breed: Caitlan Clark, Zearing

Champion California: Caitlan Clark, Zearing

Reserve Champion California: Caitlan Clark, Zearing

Champion Champagne D' Argent: Marillea Gaunitz, Tipton

Reserve Champion D' Argent: Lindsey Gaunitz, Tipton

Champion Cinnamon: Colin Zidlicky, Decorah

Reserve Champion Cinnamon: Colin Zidlicky, Decorah

Champion English Lop: Ethan Faeth, Fort Madison

Champion Flemish Giant: Colin Zidlicky, Decorah

Reserve Champion Flemish Giant: Nicole Furne, Maquoketa

Champion French Lop: Austin Faeth, Fort Madison

Reserve Champion French Lop: Elizabeth Hahn, Morning Sun

Champion Hotot : Colin Zidlicky, Decorah

Reserve Champion Hotot : Colin Zidlicky, Decorah

Champion New Zealand: Caitlan Clark, Zearing

Reserve Champion New Zealand: Justin Brandt, Glidden

Champion Satin: Alec Osland, Muscatine

Reserve Champion Satin: Noah Clark, Letts

Champion Other than Registered Six Class: Tapanga Birkenholtz, Newton

FOUR CLASS BREEDS

Champion Four Class Breeds: Noah Clark, Letts

Reserve Champion Four Class Breeds: Elizabeth Hahn, Morning Sun

Champion Dutch: Stacy Weets, Mechanicsville

Reserve Champion Dutch: Stacy Weets, Mechanicsville

Champion Florida White: Noah Clark, Letts

Reserve Champion Florida White: Noah Clark, Letts

Champion Harlequin: Tapanga Birkenholtz, Newton

Champion Havana: Noah Clark, Letts

Reserve Champion Havana: Noah Clark, Letts

Champion Himalayan: Bethany Schnieders, Delhi

Reserve Champion Himalayan: Bethany Schnieders, Delhi

Champion Holland Lop: Kelsi Gensley, South Amana

Reserve Champion Kelsi Gensley, South Amana

Champion Lilac: Colin Zidlicky, Decorah

Reserve Champion Lilac: Elizabeth Hahn, Morning Sun

Champion Mini Lop: Alex Osland, Muscatine

Reserve Champion Mimi Lop: Alex Osland, Muscatine

Champion Mini Rex: Mary Broadfoot, Charlotte

Reserve Champion Mini Rex: Mary Broadfoot, Charlotte

Champion Polish: Mary Broadfoot, Charlotte

Reserve Champion Polish: Mary Broadfoot, Charlotte

Champion Rex: Mary Broadfoot, Charlotte

Reserve Champion Rex : Mary Broadfoot, Charlotte

Champion Other Registered Four Class : Elizabeth Hahn, Morning Sun

Reserve Champion Other Registered Four Class : Elizabeth Hahn, Morning Sun

FFA Photographers Win Awards in Iowa State Fair Competition

DES MOINES, IA (08/12/2013)(readMedia)-- Ribbons were awarded in the FFA Photography competition judged prior to the start of the 2013 Iowa State Fair.

Additional results follow:

Black & White/Toned

1) Ella Gehrke, Clive

2) Tayler Foster, Riverside

3) Tayler Foster, Riverside

4) Sydney Younge, Ventura

5) Kayleigh Koch, Hawkeye

Color

1) Tayler Foster, Riverside

2) McKenna Davenport, Adair

3) Molly Schmitt, Hawkeye

4) Maddison Stewart, Oskaloosa

5) Tayler Foster, Riverside

Animals/Birds/Wildlife

1) Alaina Martensen, Onslow

2) Dana Armstrong, Ottumwa

3) Taylor Beachy, Britt

4) Kelly Colehour, Anamosa

5) April Smith, Leon

Still Life Compositions

1) McKenna Davenport, Adair

2) Molly Schmitt, Hawkeye

3) Dylan Riedesel, DeWitt

4) Maddie Maurer, Wilton

5) Anthony Lappe, Griswold

Iowa Landscape

1) Rachel Wonderlich, Ollie

2) Hannah Fisher, Coggon

3) Heather Tauke, Greeley

4) Darcey Tjaden, Wyoming

5) Macey Wilke, Panora

Landscape Outside Iowa

1) Hannah Fisher, Coggon

2) Wes Young, Oakland

3) Kelley Glanz, Manchester

4) Anna Krug, Newhall

5) Heidi Fichter, Shenandoah

Plants

1) Rachel Phelan, Story City

2) Katie Orr, Elgin

3) Brett Roquet, Fremont

4) Tyler Steele, Keystone

5) Kelly Anderson, Britt

FFA

1) Easten Lovelace, Grand Mound

2) Amanda Crow, Lamont

3) Lauren Heilig, Lost Nation

4) Sierra Kaufman, Chelsea

5) Stacey Tjaden, Wyoming

Supervised Agricultural Experience

1) Tyler Sellner, Earlville

2) Eli Joslyn, Muscatine

3) Abigail Galm, Spencer

4) Kristin Mcconnaha, Moscow

5) Hannah Pagel, Sumner

Agricultural Photo Essay

1) Ella Gehrke, Clive

2) Randa Wall, Casey

3) Madison Hirl, Olin

4) Calise Hammes, Wilton

5) Kylee Silliman, Fremont

Contemporary/Creative

1) Jennessa Helm, Ayrshire

2) Dawne Schminke, Shellsburg

3) Wes Young, Oakland

4) Elizabeth Stock, Newton

5) Marshal Wilz, Eddyville

Theme Class

1) Hannah Fisher, Coggon

2) Easten Lovelace, Grand Mound

3) Parker Preul, Denison

4) Gabi Martens, Wyoming

5) Paige Shafer, Eddyville

State Advisor's Choice

1) Easten Lovelace, Grand Mound

State Executive Secretary/Treasurer's Choice

1) Macey Wilke, Panora

Best of Show

1) Ella Gehrke, Clive

2) Hannah Fisher, Coggon

Expertise Awarded in Weed Identification Contest at Iowa State Fair

Madelyn De Jong of Montezuma defended her first place title in the Youth category while Ed Ricks of Knoxville earned the blue ribbon in the General category. In the Professional category, Richard Pope of Sloan earned the blue ribbon.

Complete results below:

Youth

1) Madelyn DeJong, Montezuma

2) Henric Krause, Johnston

3) Brian Haden, Primghar

4) Matthew Canfield, Dunkerton

5) Samantha Urmie, Long Grove

General

1) Ed Ricks, Knoxville

2) Jim Andersen, Council Bluffs

3) Judy Ricks, Knoxville

4) Mark Jennings, Prairie City

5) Emily Ryherd, Haverhill

Professional

1) Rich Pope, Sloan

2) Rod Temeyer, Granger

3) David R. Tousain, Coon Rapids

4) Dawn Refsell, Wallingford

5) Dave Kraushaar, Hull, Ill.

"Nothing Compares" to the 2013 Iowa State Fair, August 8-18. 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 2013

Awards at the Iowa State Fair

By Lori Chappell

Top Honors Awarded in Iowa State Fair 4-H Poultry Competition

DES MOINES, IA (08/10/2013)(readMedia)-- 4-H members from across Iowa received honors in the 4-H Poultry Show held Thursday at the 2013 Iowa State Fair. Sydney Klimesh of Calmar showed the Grand Champion Market Broiler, and the Reserve Champion Market Broiler was shown by Gage Weber of Winthrop.

Additional results below:

Champion American: Attylissa Bailey, Hamilton

Reserve Champion American: Avery Martensen, Onslow

Champion Asiatic: Justin Fisch, Zwingle

Reserve Champion Asiatic: Sydney Hansen, Onslow

Champion Mediterranean: Alex Martens, Wyoming

Reserve Champion Mediterranean: Tommee Pelky, Bonaparte

Champion English: Shau Landt, Charles City

Reserve Champion English: Attylissa Bailey, Hamilton

Champion Continental: Elijah Pasker, Runnells

Reserve Champion Continental: Sydney Hansen, Onslow

Champion Miscellaneous: Camryn Norton, Knoxville

Reserve Champion Miscellaneous: Trevor Grubb, Ellsworth

Grand Champion Large Fowl: Shau Landt, Charles City

Reserve Grand Champion Large Fowl: Attylissa Bailey, Hamilton

Champion Old English: Jayce Malone, Morning Sun

Reserve Champion Old English: Jayce Malone, Morning Sun

Champion Single Comb Clean Legged: Tanner Hild, Webster City

Reserve Champion Single Comb Clean Legged: Hannah Beekman, Pierson

Champion Rose Comb Clean Legged: Tanner Hild, Webster City

Reserve Champion Rose Comb Clean Legged: Tanner Hild, Webster City

Champion Feather Legged: Tanner Hild, Webster City

Reserve Champion Feather Legged: Clover Churchill, Altoona

Champion Any Other Comb: Camryn Norton, Knoxville

Reserve Champion Any Other Comb: Clover Churchill, Altoona

Grand Champion Bantam: Tanner Hild, Webster City

Reserve Grand Champion Bantam: Tanner Hild, Webster City

Champion Waterfowl: Emma Dahir, Minden

Reserve Champion Waterfowl: Gabe Button, Van Meter

Grand Champion Commercial Fowl: Trey Tempel, Kamrar

Reserve Grand Champion Commercial Fowl: Bobbi Jo Bellmann, Dubuque

Champion Poultry Presentation: Bobbi Jo Bellmann, Dubuque

Reserve Champion Poultry Presentation: Eric Keller, Gladbrook

Champion Junior Showmanship: Lillian Dahir, Minden

Reserve Champion Junior Showmanship: Trey Tempel, Kamrar

Champion Intermediate Showmanship: Emma Dahir, Minden

Reserve Champion Intermediate Showmanship: Marla Grubb, Ellsworth

Champion Senior Showmanship: Tanner Hild, Webster City

Reserve Senior Intermediate Showmanship: Samantha Urmie, Long Grove

Egg Production

1) Trey Tempel, Kamrar

2) Trey Tempel, Kamrar

3) Justin Fisch, Zwingle

The Grand and Reserve Champion Market Broiler, along with 14 other livestock champions, will be auctioned in the prestigious Sale of Champions on Saturday, August 17, at 2 p.m. in the Penningroth Media Center of the Cattle Barn. The event is sponsored by the Iowa Foundation for Agricultural Advancement, a non-profit organization established to encourage the pursuit of agriculture-related careers by Iowa's youth.

Youth Earn Honors in FFA Breeding Swine Show at Iowa State Fair

DES MOINES, IA (08/11/2013)(readMedia)-- Youth from across Iowa captured the spotlight at the FFA Breeding Swine Show on Thursday at the 2013 Iowa State Fair.

Luke Worden of Belmond captured the Champion Commercial Gilt title, while Cole Grings of Wilton took the Reserve Champion Commercial Gilt title.

Elizabeth Jones of Williamsburg received the Supreme Champion Purebred Breeding Gilt title, while the Reserve Champion Purebred Breeding Gilt title went to Austin Hofman of Sioux Center.

Champions in the FFA Breeding Swine Show included:

Champion Berkshire Gilt - Austin Lane, Spragueville

Reserve Champion Berkshire Gilt - Seth Warren, Glenwood

Champion Chester White Gilt - Cole Jamison, Anamosa

Reserve Champion Chester White Gilt - Larame Boysen, Columbus Junction

Champion Duroc Gilt - Elizabeth Jones, Williamsburg

Reserve Champion Duroc Gilt - Amy Sampson, Nevada

Champion Hampshire Gilt - Austin Hofman, Sioux Center

Reserve Champion Hampshire Gilt - Cody Vantiger, Mount Union

Champion Poland China Gilt - Walker Wagener, DeWitt

Reserve Champion Poland China Gilt - Walker Wagener, DeWitt

Champion Spotted Gilt - Bay Boysen, Columbus Junction

Reserve Champion Spotted Gilt - Wyatt Orr, Mediapolis

Champion Yorkshire Gilt - Cole Grings, Wilton

Reserve Champion Yorkshire Gilt - Alexis Delaney, DeWitt

Doubles Defeat Competition in State Fair Horseshoe Contest

DES MOINES, IA (08/12/2013)(readMedia)-- Horseshoe enthusiasts across the Midwest competed in the Doubles State Fair Championship and the Open Singles divisions of the Horseshoe Pitching Tournament held Saturday at the 2013 Iowa State Fair.

The State Fair hosts both Championship and Open Class competitions every Fair day. Division winners are crowned daily. All Horseshoe Pitching competitions take place on the clay courts just east of Farm Bureau Pioneer Hall.

Complete results below:

DOUBLES STATE FAIR CHAMPIONSHIP

Championship Class

1) Ron Rowley, West Des Moines, and LeRoy J. Law, West Des Moines

2) Vern Kollasch, Iowa City, and Bill Sprague, Berwick

3) Joseph Smith, Gladbrook, and Deb Davis, Ankeny

Class A

1) Marvin Dirks, Fonda, and John Ghrist, Des Moines

2) Tom Flores, Des Moines, and Anthony Buttrey, Des Moines

3) Derek Bloodgood, Creston, and Kyle Hines, Prole

OPEN SINGLES

Class A

1) LeRoy J. Law, West Des Moines

2) Vern Kollasch, Iowa City

3) Donald Draker, Hills

Class B

1) Jake Clair, Colo

2) Derek Bloodgood, Creston

3) Jerry Gering, Des Moines

Class C

1) Mike Kelling, Davenport

2) Todd Thompson, Des Moines

3) Jeremiah Johnson, Creston

Class D

1) Todd Baker, Council Bluffs

2) Ramon Scarpino, Des Moines

3) Alison Wenck, Farmington, Minn.

Class E

1) Tyler Wenck, Farmington, Minn.

2) Colton Kollasch, Iowa City

3) Kyle Wenck, Farmington, Minn.

"Nothing Compares" to the 2013 Iowa State Fair, August 8-18. 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 2013

Local back-to-school fairy drops supplies on doorsteps?

By Matt DeMargel

No. There isn't a back-to-school fairy to deliver your school supplies right to your doorstep or give you a sleek, new laptop, but Great Clips can make it happen. The world's largest hair salon brand with salons in our area has launched two great back-to-school contests that could win a local family some amazing prizes.

1)School Supply Give away - Great Clips takes the headache out of school supply shopping by awarding 50 lucky families a big box of back-to-school supplies right on their doorsteps.  To enter, upload your specific school supply list to http://www.thegreatlist.com. Great Clips will shop for your list and deliver it right to your door! 50 families will win a box of school supplies worth no more than $150.

2) Apple Give away - An apple isn't just for teacher. In one contest, Great Clips will award some $50 thousand dollars worth of Apple products to students, including $1200 MacBook Air® laptops and $200 Beats® studio headphones.  To enter text "PRIZE" to 47328 or go on line to www.greatclips.com

I've included a press release on the Great Clips Back-To-School contests below and would love you to have you write a story or include them in a piece  about back-to-school contests.

More back-to-school contests to include in your story:

Academy Sports and Outdoors - $50,000 Back to School Sweepstakes: Win gift cards worth $500 or $10,000. Ends on 8/18/2013.

Pottery Barn Kids - Back to School Instant-Win Sweepstakes: Win Pottery Barn gift cards worth $100 or $2,000. Ends on 8/20/2013.

iVillage - Back to School Sweepstakes: Win $1,000 to put toward your back-to-school needs. Ends on 8/25/2013.

Gerber Life - $10,000 College Plan Giveaway Sweepstakes: Win a $10,000 scholarship and over $4,000 cash. Ends on 8/29/2013.

Procter and Gamble - Puffs and Bounty Back To School Sweepstakes: Win a year's supply of Puffs and Bounty for yourself and for a designated school. Ends on 8/31/2013.

Little Debbie - Pack a Lunch They'll Love Sweepstakes: Win a $5,000 scholarship or other prizes for your kids. Ends on 9/14/2013.

Lance Snacks - Back to School Sweepstakes: Win one of three $10,000 prizes to use for scholarships, one of 20 cash cards to use for school supplies, or one of 3,500 lunch bag prizes. Ends on 9/15/2013.

L'Oreal - Connected Through STEM Sweepstakes: Win a $5,000 scholarship, a laptop, and L'Oreal products or weekly cash prizes. Ends on 9/23/2013.

The Children's Place - Cash for Class Contest: Win a $10,000 scholarship for your child's education or other prizes. Ends on 9/30/2013.

Scholastic - Fit and Fresh Be Cool for School Sweepstakes: Win a Fit & Fresh Back-to-School product line for the winner and books, cash, and more for a school of the winner's choice. Ends on 10/15/2013.

Ziploc - Back to School Instant Win Sweepstakes: Win cameras, tablet computers, eBoxTops, and more. Ends on 10/15/2013.

12 Aug 2013

The Gershwin's 'S Wonderful Ends the Season at TLP

By Rick Martin

Mount Carroll--Timber Lake Playhouse (TLP) presents the area premiere of 'S Wonderful: The New Gershwin Musical, an all-singing, all-dancing celebration of the brilliant music and lyrics of brothers George and Ira Gershwin.  The show, which includes over 40 classics like "I've Got Rhythm," "Someone to Watch Over Me," "Summertime," "Rhapsody in Blue," and "Nice Work If You Can Get It," opens Thursday, August 15, 2013 and runs through Sunday, August 25th.

The show premiered in 2010 at Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera and has been a hit around the country. Five performers sing and dance their way through 5 different stories that transport the audience to 1940s Hollywood, 1920s New York, 1930s Paris, 1950s New Orleans and the present day. The cast includes Genna-Paige Kanago, Sarah Larson, Zak McMahon, Lexie Plath and Tim Wessel, all resident performers from TLP's 2013 company. Wessel and Cameron Turner (Monty Python's SPAMALOT) provide choreography.

Director Courtney Crouse said, "The beauty of the Gershwin's music and lyrics is palpable. The feelings they evoked when first written, they still evoke today. It connects deeply with people everywhere. The storytelling we do with dance adds to the universal nature of these themes. It moves us, and we identify. It's impossible not to."

Gold Series Subscriptions for TLP's next season are also on sale now. Summer 2014 brings a thrilling line-up that includes Andrew Lloyd Webber's Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, The new Mel Brooks musical Young Frankenstein, and the local premier of the most popular musical of all time, Les Miserables. The rest of the season includes the plays An Inspector Calls, which is a thrilling ghost story by J. B. Priestley, and Neil Simon's Rumors. Next summer will close with a revue of 60s hits called SHOUT! The Mod Musical.

Season subscriptions are  $100, 28% off the single ticket price. Subscription prices increase to $110 on September 1. Single tickets for TLP's 2014 mainstage season will go on sale in May 2014. Groups of 15 or more may reserve blocks of tickets immediately.

Waiting in the wings for the Magic Owl Children's Theatre are a new adaptation of Robin Hood in May and Pinkalicious the Musical in July and August, based on the ever-popular children's books by Victoria Kann and Elizabeth Kann. All Magic Owl Children's Theatre tickets are available now through the box office only.

'S Wonderful performs evenings at 7:30pm, and there are 2pm matinees on Sunday and Wednesday. There is also a Saturday matinee performance on the opening weekend at 3pm. Order tickets through the box office 10am - 5pm daily at 815-244-2035 or any time at www.timberlakeplayhouse.org. Tickets are non-refundable.

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12 Aug 2013

HERNANDEZ, HOLMES CARRY BANDITS OVER RATTLERS

By Marco LaNave

Quad Cities turns second triple play of the season and remains 1 1/2 games behind Cedar Rapids

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AUG. 11, 2013) - Quad Cities River Bandits center fielder Teoscar Hernandez homered twice to drive in all five of the team's runs in a combined shutout effort from left-hander Brian Holmes and right-handers Zach Morton and Juan Minaya for a 5-0 victory over the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers in front of 4,171 at Modern Woodmen Park Sunday night.

On a day of highlights, the River Bandits (30-18 second half, 68-49 overall) turned their second triple play of the season. With a 3-0 lead in the top of the seventh inning, Morton allowed back-to-back singles by catcher Parker Berberet and third baseman Alfredo Rodriguez. With both runners taking off on a pitch, center fielder Lance Roenicke hit a fly ball down the right-field line. River Bandits right fielder Jordan Scott made the catch before reaching the foul line, and he threw to first baseman Bobby Borchering to double off Rodriguez. Borchering then tossed to shortstop Austin Elkins at second base for the 9-3-6 triple play. Elkins was also part of a ground-ball, 5-4-3 triple play on April 28 at home against Great Lakes.

Quad Cities' last two triple plays before this season came in 2007, when second baseman Jaime Landin and first baseman Brandon Buckman were each part of triple plays May 31 against Clinton and June 16 against Beloit.

Holmes (4-3) was stellar in going six innings for a second straight start to earn his first win since May 3. He allowed three singles and a walk while striking out seven batters. He had three 1-2-3 innings and set down the final seven batters he faced. Morton worked around two hits and a walk in the seventh and eighth innings, and Minaya pitched around a single in a scoreless ninth inning. The Timber Rattlers (21-28, 50-64) were held to six hits and no runs after a seven-run, 12-hit, three-homer showing Saturday night.

Wisconsin starter Jorge Lopez (6-8) retired the first seven River Bandits hitters, including four on strikeouts, before Scott had a one-out bunt single in the third inning. Scott was later thrown out trying to steal third, but Elkins and second baseman Tony Kemp hit consecutive singles with two outs. Hernandez then drove an 0-1 offering to the Modern Woodmen Berm for a 3-0 lead. The four-hit, three-run inning was the only offense against Lopez, who retired seven straight hitters following the home run and finished with six strikeouts.

In the eighth inning, Kemp reached against right-hander Jono Armold on a fielding error by second baseman Chris McFarland. Hernandez then hit a 3-2 pitch just over the left-field fence to the berm, capping his 3-for-4, five-RBI game. His two home runs and five RBIs matched career highs set July 20, 2011, when he played in the Dominican Summer League against a Los Angeles Dodgers affiliate.

Sunday's victory also means The Captain's Table at 4801 River Drive in Moline will offer The Captain's Table Victory Discount on Monday, Aug. 12. Anyone who mentions the River Bandits victory can receive a free appetizer or dessert with the purchase of two lunches or dinners with beverages on Monday, Aug. 12. The River Bandits will play the rubber match of the series Monday at 7 p.m. against Wisconsin. Quad Cities right-hander and 2013 No. 1 overall pick Mark Appel (1-0) will face right-hander Austin Ross (0-0).
12 Aug 2013

Governor Quinn Signs Legislation to Honor Illinois' Veterans

By Andrew Mason

Governor Signs Bills During Veterans Day at the Illinois State Fair

SPRINGFIELD - In honor of Veterans Day at the Illinois State Fair, Governor Pat Quinn today signed several new laws to support our service members across Illinois. The laws today are designed to address the unique needs of women veterans; increase opportunities for veteran-owned businesses; and protect military memorials. These actions are part of Governor Quinn's agenda to honor, protect and support the men and women who have served our nation.

"Our men and women in uniform deserve our gratitude, and these new laws are a way of saying thanks," Governor Quinn said. "Memorials to our heroes should be treated with dignity and honor, and Illinois must be a state that supports our women veterans and veteran business owners. These laws will strengthen our mission of making Illinois the best state in the nation for our veterans."

"It is very fitting that these bills become the law of the land on Veterans Day at our State Fair," Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs Director Erica Borggren said. "We appreciate Governor Quinn's leadership on veteran issues and his support for this community of proven public servants. These bills will help our women veterans and will assist veteran entrepreneurs to access more business opportunities."

The new laws signed today by Governor Quinn include :

House Bill 3346, sponsored by State Representative Barbara Wheeler (R-Crystal Lake) and State Senator Pamela Althoff (R-McHenry), requires the Illinois Discharged Service Member Task Force to evaluate the needs of women veterans and, as part of its fiscal year 2014 report, make recommendations regarding how to meet those needs. The law goes into effect immediately.

House Bill 2408, sponsored by State Representative Jerry Costello II (D-Belleville) and State Senator Michael Hastings (D-Matteson), allows small businesses owned by veterans and service-disabled veterans to also register as minority, disabled and women owned businesses when applicable. This gives these businesses more opportunity to do business with the state of Illinois. The law goes into effect immediately.

Senate Bill 1824, sponsored by State Senator John M. Sullivan (D-Rushville) and State Representative Joe Sosnowski (R-Rockford), requires those who build veteran memorials on public property to raise enough funds to cover the maintenance and preservation of the memorial as well as its construction. The law goes into effect immediately.

Senate Bill 2231, sponsored by State Senator Kwame Raoul (D-Chicago) and State Senator Natalie Manley (D-Joliet), increases penalties for criminal damage and defacement of veteran and military memorials. The law goes into effect January 1, 2014.

House Bill 3112, sponsored by State Representative Rita Mayfield (D-Waukegan) and State Senator Terry Link (D-Waukegan), allows the Learn Charter School in North Chicago to set aside 33 percent of its lottery seats for children of military personnel stationed at the Great Lakes Naval Station. This will help the Navy recruit more instructors for the base by offering enhanced educational opportunities for their children. The law goes into effect immediately.

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