WASHINGTON, July 18, 2013– On Saturday, July 20, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will give remarks at the opening ceremony for the Traer Historical Museum exhibit honoring the longest serving cabinet member, former U.S. Agriculture Secretary James "Tama Jim" Wilson. Wilson was Agriculture Secretary from 1897-1913 under Presidents McKinley, Roosevelt and Taft.

Saturday, July 20, 2013

10:30 a.m. CDT

WHAT: Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will give remarks at the ribbon cutting for the Traer Historical Museum Exhibit honoring former U.S. Agriculture Secretary James "Tama Jim" Wilson.

WHERE: Traer Historical Museum

514 Second St.

Traer, IA

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The Iowa Restaurant Association is hosting 5 regional mixology competitions, the third of which will be held July 30 at Van's Pub & Pizza in Davenport. The top two contestants will advance to the state final competition. The past two reigning champs advanced from the Davenport region.

(DES MOINES) - In an effort to strengthen Iowa's trade and investment relationship with one of the world's fastest growing economies, Iowa Governor Terry E. Branstad today announced that he will lead a delegation of business leaders on a six-day trade and investment mission to India September 10-16.  The announcement was made today during a webinar on opportunities and challenges in entering the Indian market that featured the governor and U.S. Ambassador to India, Nancy J. Powell, a native of Cedar Falls.

"India's economy has transformed in the last couple of decades and is forecasted to be one of the world's largest economies in coming years," said Gov. Branstad.  "With India's tremendous growth and a burgeoning young and career-oriented middle class, it is an excellent opportunity to promote Iowa as a U.S. headquarters for Indian companies, particularly those in biotech, information solutions and advanced manufacturing, and also open new trade doors for Iowa small and mid-sized businesses."

The trade mission is being organized by the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA), with support from various organizations including the U.S. Department of Commerce's Commercial Service and the Confederation of Indian Industry.  Iowa mission delegates will visit Mumbai, Hyderabad and Chennai, the country's major business and industry centers.

As part of the mission, the Governor, IEDA director Debi Durham and delegation will meet with potential investment and trade partners and government leaders in each of the cities.

While the itinerary is still being developed, Gov. Branstad is also scheduled to meet with business leaders who have expressed an interest in establishing an Iowa location and representatives from existing industry.  Iowa companies will participate in meetings specific to their market entry or expansion needs and attend daily briefings on doing business in India.  Prior to joining the mission in Mumbai, Gov. Branstad will make a brief stop in New Delhi to attend a luncheon hosted by the U.S. Embassy.

The IEDA works to stimulate foreign direct investment in the state, offers export assistance for small and mid-sized Iowa companies and coordinates international trade and investment missions and trade show opportunities for Iowa companies. Iowa companies interested in participating in the trade mission can contact Ms. Victoria Nwasike at victoria.nwasike@iowa.gov.

For more information on resources available to Iowa businesses that want to market their products or services globally, visit www.iowaeconomicdevelopment.com.

With our community being under a heat advisory now until Saturday, the Center for Active Seniors, Inc. (CASI) is emphasizing the danger this may cause older adults in our community. Older adults are more susceptible to heat than younger people because they are more likely to have a chronic medical condition that changes normal body responses to heat and they are more likely to take prescription medicines that impair the body's ability to regulate its temperature or that inhibit perspiration.

In an effort to help older adults in the Quad Cities Area to stay cool this summer, CASI is holding its Annual Be A Fan To Seniors - Summer Heat Relief Program. From now until the end of the hot summer days, community members are being ask to bring in new (preferably box style) fans to be distributed to older adults who are in need this summer. CASI will also be taking monetary donations to go out and purchase fans as well. Donations can be dropped off at CASI, 1035 West Kimberly Road, Davenport, IA 52806 during normal business hours, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Due to the increased demand from older adults in the community, CASI will only distribute one fan per household with an adult 55 years of age or older. The following information will be requested at time of pick-up:

• A valid ID to provide proof of age and residency

CASI's Senior Advocacy Department encourages friends, family and neighbors to check on older adults more frequently during extreme days of heat. Signs of heat related problems may be: cramping in legs or abdomen, heavy sweating, nausea, headaches, dizziness, or confusion, seek medical attention if any of these signs occur. If person is vomiting, refusing water or loses consciousness call 9-1-1 immediately.

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