Davenport, IOWA (September 2012) On Thursday, September 27 at 7pm Posing Beauty in African American Culture curator Dr. Deborah Willis will speak at the Figge. Dr. Willis will talk about the contested ways in which African and African American beauty have been represented in historical and contemporary contexts through a range of media including photography, film, video, fashion, advertising and other forms of popular culture such as music and the Internet. The lecture will explore contemporary understandings of beauty by framing the notion of aesthetics, race, class and gender within art, popular culture and political contexts.

Deborah Willis, PhD, is chair and professor of photography and imaging at Tisch School of the Arts, New York University, where she also has an affiliated appointment with the College of Arts and Sciences, Africana Studies. Willis, a 2000 McArthur Fellow, is one of the nation's leading historians of African American photography and curator of African American culture. Her most recent works are Posing Beauty-African American Images from the 1890s to the Present; Michelle Obama, The First Lady in Photographs; and Black Venus 2010: They Called Her 'Hottentot' (editor).

Prior to the 7pm lecture an exhibition reception will be held. Refreshments will be served and a cash bar will be available from 5:30pm to 7pm. Both the reception and lecture are free with membership or paid admission.

About Posing Beauty in African American Culture 

Posing Beauty in African American Culture explores the contested ways in which African and African American beauty have been represented in historical and contemporary contexts through diverse media including photography, film, video, fashion, advertising and other forms of popular culture such as music and the Internet. Throughout the Western history of art and image-making, the relationship between beauty and art has become increasingly complex within contemporary art and popular culture.

The images in this exhibition challenge idealized forms of beauty in art by examining their portrayal and exploring a variety of attitudes about race, class, gender, popular culture and politics as seen through the aesthetics of representation.

Posing Beauty in African American Culture is sponsored by the Riverboat Development Authority, Hunt and Diane Harris and Dr. Ralph and Jennifer Saintfort.

About the Figge Art Museum

The Figge Art Museum is located on the riverfront in downtown Davenport at 225 West Second Street. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday and Sundays 12-5 p.m.  Thursdays the museum is open until 9pm. Admission to the museum and tour is $7. Admission is free to Figge members and institutional members. To contact the museum, please call 563.326.7804, or visit our website, www.figgeartmuseum.org.

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WASHINGTON, Sept. 25, 2012 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced the appointment of 16 members to the United Soybean Board.

"These appointees represent a cross section of the soybean industry and I am confident that they will serve the soybean producers well," said Vilsack.

Appointed Soybean Board members are as follows: James H. Carroll, III, Arkansas; Walter L. Godwin, Georgia; David P. Hartke, Illinois; Mark A. Seib, Indiana; Laura L. Foell, Iowa; Dennis R. Clark, Kentucky; Raymond S. Schexnayder, Jr., Louisiana; James A. Call, Minnesota; Todd A. Gibson, Missouri; Mark Caspers, Nebraska; Morris L. Shambley, North Carolina; Jay M. Myers, North Dakota; John B. Motter, Ohio; Jim Musser, Pennsylvania; David G. Iverson, South Dakota; and Robert W. White, Jr., Virginia.

The 69-member board is authorized by the Soybean Promotion, Research and Consumer Information Act. The Secretary selected the appointees from soybean producers nominated by Qualified State Soybean Boards. All appointees will serve 3-year terms beginning December 2012.

Research and promotion programs are industry-funded, authorized by Congress, and date back to 1966, when Congress passed the Cotton Research and Promotion Act. Since then, Congress has authorized the establishment of 20 research and promotion boards. They empower farmers and ranchers to leverage their own resources to develop new markets, strengthen existing markets, and conduct important research and promotion activities. AMS provides oversight, paid for by industry assessments, which ensures fiscal responsibility, program efficiency and fair treatment of participating stakeholders.

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The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies' dedicates new Johnny Morris Award in
his honor to recognize lifetime commitment to natural resource stewardship

WASHINGTON, DC (September 25, 2012) ? The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (AFWA), which represents North America's fish and wildlife agencies, has bestowed its inaugural Johnny Morris Award to its namesake, Johnny Morris, founder of Bass Pro Shops, in recognition of his lifetime of service to the cause of fish and wildlife conservation. AFWA presented the award to Mr. Morris on September 10, 2012 during a luncheon ceremony as part of the Association's annual meeting in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.

The new award will be conferred annually to a citizen conservationist who exemplifies Mr. Morris' extraordinary leadership at the highest level and steadfast commitment to solving large-scale natural resource challenges.

"Johnny Morris is the epitome of the enlightened, able and progressive citizen conservationist who sees beyond the limits of one hometown or one state to the national or international scale, and works accordingly and effectively to produce results," said Dr. Jonathan Gassett, Commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources and former AFWA President who created the award. "The Association dedicates the Johnny Morris award in his honor, not only because of his passion for the outdoors, but specifically because his actions show that he is one of us."

Mr. Morris related that he was absolutely surprised and humbled to receive the inaugural Citizen Conservation award from the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. "There can be no higher honor than having your name as part of an award that will recognize citizen conservation on a national and global scale each year," Johnny stated.  This award is especially meaningful to me as the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies is the front line for protecting America's precious fish and wildlife resources and implementing the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation.  "I proudly share this recognition with my fellow team members at Bass Pro Shops.  They fully recognize the future of our outdoor industry and the sports we love depend, more than anything else, on how we manage our natural resources and conservation," Johnny continued.

John L. Morris developed a love of the outdoors at early age while fishing with his father. He started in the early 1970's with a U-Haul trailer full of the newest bass tackle and eight feet of sales space in his father's liquor store in Springfield, Missouri. Since then, Bass Pro Shops has become what Sporting Goods Business magazine named the #1 Outdoor Retailer in America. More than 100 million shoppers annually visit one of the company's 58 destination outdoor retail stores across the U.S. and Canada.

Through all his success, Mr. Morris has remained an ardent conservationist and is the recipient of numerous honors including the Teddy Roosevelt Conservationist Award, the International Conservation Achievement Award and AFWA's "President's Award" in 1996. He was inducted into the International Game Fish Association's Hall of Fame in 2005 and served three terms as chairman of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.

Nominations for the Johnny Morris Award for citizen conservationist of the year will be solicited in early 2013. A state director member of AFWA must submit nominations. More information will be available on www.fishwildlife.org.

The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies?the organization that represents North America's fish and wildlife agencies?promotes sound resource management and conservation, and speaks on important fish and wildlife issues. Found on the web at www.fishwildlife.org, on Facebook /AssociationofFishandWildlifeAgencies and on Twitter @fishwildlife.

WEST DES MOINES, IOWA - Sept. 25, 2012 - In Iowa, fall is a time for touchdowns and tractors as football players and farmers take to their respective fields. And it's the perfect time to learn about the connection between the two groups at the newly launched www.americaneedsfarmers.org website.

The new website offers visitors a closer look at the legendary America Needs Farmers (ANF) campaign, started by Hayden Fry during the 1980s Farm Crisis, and a better understanding of how farmers raise food, fuel and fiber.

"We know consumers want to know more about where their food comes from and we want to provide as much information as we can," said Iowa Farm Bureau President Craig Hill. "Farming is a lot different now than it was in 1985 and the refreshed website provides more information to help consumers understand those changes. But one thing hasn't changed - making sure consumers have safe, wholesome food choices."

"Growing up in Iowa taught me the value of hard work," explained Dallas Clark, former Hawkeye great and current receiver with the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers. "No job is too big and no obstacle is too hard to overcome. These are the same values I take to the field every day, just like Iowa farmers."

Clark is just one player featured at www.americaneedsfarmers.org, which takes a fresh look at the Iowa Hawkeye football and National Football League (NFL) players with ties to farming that many fans will recognize and introduces visitors to Iowa farm families that team up to farm together.

"Farming has always been in our family," explained Eric Crosman, who raises corn, soybeans and hogs in Boone County. "As a kid, I always wanted to be out on the farm with my dad. Today, I work with him every day. Farming is what we do; it's who we are."

In addition, the site offers a chance to win the Ultimate ANF experience package for ANF Game Day Oct. 20 when the Iowa Hawkeyes take on Penn State. The package includes:

• Four game tickets to the ANF Game on Oct. 20.

• Opportunity to watch one quarter from the sideline of Kinnick Stadium.

• Autographed football signed by Head Coach Kirk Ferentz

• ANF Game Day gear

To register for your chance to win, simply fill out the entry form at www.americaneedsfarmers.org. One entry per email address allowed.  All entries must be received by Friday, Oct. 5 and the winner will be announced on Wednesday, Oct. 10.

ANF and Hawkeye fans can also find flair at the America Needs Farmers website. There are buttons, banners and twibbons available for download to add some Iowa character to your Facebook, website or Twitter profile.

For more information about why America needs farmers or ANF Game Day, click on www.americaneedsfarmers.org.

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About Iowa Farm Bureau

The Iowa Farm Bureau Federation is a grassroots, statewide organization dedicated to enhancing the People, Progress and Pride of Iowa.  More than 153,000 families in Iowa are Farm Bureau members, working together to achieve farm and rural prosperity.  For more information about Farm Bureau and agriculture, visit the online media center at www.iowafarmbureau.com.

Humility of Mary Housing, Inc. (HMHI) will hold its semi-annual Fresh Start Benefit Sale Friday evening, October 12 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday, October 13 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The sale is at the HMHI office and donation center located at 3805 Mississippi Avenue, Davenport.

This sale continues a 23 year tradition of providing a large selection of gently used or new items, all in working condition, including house wares, bedding, toys, jewelry, gift items, furniture, books, games, clothing and much more.

Donations for this sale can be dropped off Monday through Friday any time between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Humility of Mary Housing has 47 apartments that are used for families in the program and there is a great need for single beds, dressers and sofas to help furnish these apartments. These items can also be taken to the office and donation center. Donations are accepted throughout the year.

Donated items that cannot be used to furnish apartments or by the families are put in the sale and all proceeds are used by Humility of Mary Housing, Inc. to provide housing and program services for single parents and their children who have been homeless. Through the program lives get turned around, children learn there is a different way to live and parents are provided with opportunities upon which they build the foundation for a greater future for their families.

 

Local Owner Takes Popcorn to the Next Level

Poppasneb's Gourmet Popcorn in known for offering over 12 flavors of hand popped popcorn. Spicy, sweet and everything in between can be found at Poppasneb's in various portions.

Poppasneb's is a local owner who is ready to work with customers to create a delightful and memorable popcorn experience. Popcorn makes the perfect gift for even the pickiest on your holiday gift list.

Stop by Poppasneb's today to start a new family tradition at SouthPark Mall. Prices start at $1.79, perfect for tailgating and Halloween treats.

Poppasneb's Gourmet Popcorn, located next to Dairy Queen and Orange Julius is at SouthPark Mall, 4500 16th Street, Moline, IL 61265

 

Conducting interviews on this topic is the senior staff writer for WND and the author of new book The Great Oil Conspiracy: How the U.S. Government Hid the Nazi Discovery of Abiotic Oil from the American People, Dr. Jerome Corsi.

Guest Profile and Information, Click Here: http://superstore.wnd.com/books/The-Great-Oil-Conspiracy-How-the-U-S-Government-Hid-the-Nazi-Discovery-of-Abiotic-Oil-from-the-Am

Website adjusts major surveys by 'removing Democratic Party bias'

WND
by Jerome R. Corsi

Arguing that most of the major polls reported by establishment media are "skewed" in favor of the Democratic Party and incumbent Barack Obama, a website contends that a true gauge of the presidential race, based on more realistic models, shows Republican challenger Mitt Romney leading by an average of nearly eight points.

In its daily readjustment of the polling data, UnskewedPoll.com also produces a table showing the spread in President Obama's approval/disapproval ratio is an average of 8.8 percent more disapproval, as of Monday.

Not a single major poll or approval/disapproval index favors Obama when Unskewed.com's analysis is applied.

The website says there is Democratic bias in polling because of over-sampling Democrats based on voter exit polls in the 2008 presidential election, when enthusiasm for a then relatively unknown but charismatic presidential candidate boosted Democratic Party voter registration and turnout to historic levels.

Link to Polls: http://www.wnd.com/files/2012/09/UNSKEWED-POLLS-Sept-24-2012.jpg

Republicans have complained that the establishment media's voter-turnout models can serve a partisan purpose by presenting margins that keep discouraged Republican voters at home thinking the election is already lost.

Signs Obama losing

Despite the establishment media narrative that the Romney campaign is behind and in disarray, there are abundant signs the Obama campaign is behind and scrambling not to lose further ground:

On Saturday, Obama campaign manager Jim Messina insisted to reporters that despite national polls showing Romney and Obama locked in a tie, Obama is still winning.

WND reported last week Obama's chief financier, Penny Pritzker, has entered the Hawaii housing market to buy a retirement home for the president and his family that will be available not in 2016, but in January 2013.

On the eve of the opening session of the General Assembly, the Obama administration's Middle Eastern policy appears to be imploding in the wake of the murder of U.S. Ambassador Christopher Stevens in an attack that intelligence sources believe was coordinated by jihadists tied to al-Qaida. The administration, nevertheless, insisted the attack was a response to an anti-Muslim movie trailer produced in the U.S.

Initial jobless claims for the week ending Sept. 15 were a seasonally adjusted 382,000, exceeding forecasts of 375,000, suggesting no improvement in the percentage of Americans unemployed could be anticipated before the November election, as reported by Wall Street Journal Market Watch.

Politico has reported that in the latest Politico-George Washington University Battleground Poll with middle-class families, which constitute approximately 54 percent of the electorate and usually split their vote between Democratic and Republican candidates, Romney holds a 14-point advantage, 55 percent to 41 percent.

http://www.wnd.com/2012/09/unskewed-polls-show-nearly-8-point-romney-lead/

CHICAGO, IL - On Friday, September 28, First Lady Michelle Obama will travel to Iowa, where she will speak to grassroots supporters in Cedar Falls on the second day of early voting in the state. The First Lady will speak about what's at stake in this election for Iowans, encourage them to help organize their communities between now and November and promote voter registration and voting through GottaVote.com.  And, as part of the campaign's It Takes One effort, the First Lady will ask every supporter to help grow Obama for America's national grassroots network.

The First Lady's event is free and open to the public. Tickets are required due to limited space, and will be available to the public starting on a first-come, first-served basis at the following pick-up locations below.

CEDAR FALLS

WHAT:  First Lady Michelle Obama Speaks to Grassroots Supporters in Cedar Falls

WHEN:  Press/Public Access:  9:30 AM CDT

Final Press Access: 12:00 PM CDT

Remarks (*Off the Record - For Planning Purposes Only*): 1:10 PM CDT  

September 28, 2012

WHERE:  University of Northern Iowa

McLeod Center

2501 Hudson Road

Cedar Falls, Iowa 50614

 

PRESS ACCESS: This event will be open to pre-credentialed, TV and print correspondents and still photographers. Space is limited and members of the media interested in covering the event must send an email requesting credentials to FirstLadyPress@barackobama.com before Wednesday, September 26 at 9:00 AM CDT. Those receiving credentials will receive a confirmation with additional logistical information via email.

CROWD ACCESS INFORMATION:

Tickets are available starting on a first-come, first-served basis at the following locations and times:

CEDAR FALLS

Tickets are available on Tuesday, September 25, from 5:00-9:00 PM CDT, and if tickets are still remaining, on Wednesday, September 26, from 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM CDT and on Thursday, September 27 from 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM CDT.

 

Organizing for America - Cedar Falls

4302 University Ave.

Cedar Falls, IA 50613

 

University of Northern Iowa Campus

Maucker Union

1015 Union Drive

Cedar Falls, IA 50614

 

Organizing for America - Waterloo

512 Mulberry St.

Waterloo, IA 50703

 

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Go behind the scenes of ACORN's controversial voter registration drive, which did almost as much to hurt as it did to help Barack Obama win the 2008 presidential election, in the new memoir Ring of Fire 2008: My Wild Ride to the Bleeding Heart of ACORN's Last, Greatest, Voter Registration Drive by Miguel Esteban.

Way back in Election '08?which, like every presidential election, was the most important ever?the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now collected over 1.3 million voter registrations and joined forces with a broad coalition to spread the good news of "quality, affordable healthcare for all Americans" to nearly fifty million potential voters deemed least likely to cast a ballot because they were poor, minorities, or the youth.

Miguel Esteban was one of them. A young, Puerto Rican-American, starving artist who walked in the door of Orlando ACORN looking for a part-time job, he went from zero to hero after blowing the whistle on a conspiracy to commit voter registration fraud in early 2008. Because of his efforts, news of eleven Miami ACORN workers forging voter registrations did not make headlines until after Election Day, and Esteban went on to become an unlikely political operative upon his promotion to the national ranks of ACORN's "PolOps" division?Project Vote?where his official job title was, no joke, Quality Control Czar #2.

What really happened during ACORN's infamous 2008 campaign? How widespread were the electoral shenanigans that prompted the FBI to investigate ACORN in numerous swing states? In this era of SuperPACs, secret money and Web 2.0 "voter targeting" technology, how nonpartisan are the nonpartisan campaigns unleashed by groups such as ACORN each election cycle? Can the now defunct ACORN family of organizations best be described as AntiPoverty, Inc.? Is it true that ACORN not only perpetrated widespread voter registration fraud, but also helped cause the housing meltdown that precipitated the Great Recession, and if so, why wasn't the organization bailed out by Uncle Sam? Were ACORN's "redshirts" communists? Un-American? Neo-progressives struggling to save America from itself?

Explore the answers to such questions and more in Ring of Fire 2008: My Wild Ride to the Bleeding Heart of ACORN's Last, Greatest, Voter Registration Drive; which is scheduled for a three-part release: Part 1, which is 80,000 words in length, is available now; Part 2 is scheduled for release in early October; Part 3 is scheduled for release in late October. The full version, including hardcover, is scheduled for release during the holiday season.

eBook formats (with photographs) only $3.33:

Kindle: www.amazon.com/RING-FIRE-2008-Registration-ebook/dp/B009DU8QT0

Nook: www.barnesandnoble.com/w/ring-of-fire-2008-miguel-esteban/1112939187

EPUB (compatible with most eReaders) & PDF: www.smashwords.com/books/view/237414

Apple iStore, Google Play, Sony, Kobo & more: COMING SOON

 

Paperback (170 pages w/out photos) only $7.99: www.createspace.com/3939225

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Those Eligible Must File Claims No Later Than March 25, 2013

Espanol

WASHINGTON, Sept. 24, 2012- Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that Hispanic and women farmers and ranchers who allege discrimination by the USDA in past decades can file claims between September 24, 2012 and March 25, 2013.

"Hispanic and women farmers who believe they have faced discriminatory practices from the USDA must file a claim by March 25, 2013 in order to have a chance to receive a cash payment or loan forgiveness," said Secretary Vilsack. "The opening of this claims process is part of USDA's ongoing efforts to correct the wrongs of the past and ensure fair treatment to all current and future customers."

The process offers a voluntary alternative to litigation for each Hispanic or female farmer and rancher who can prove that USDA denied their applications for loan or loan servicing assistance for discriminatory reasons for certain time periods between 1981 and 2000.

As announced in February 2011, the voluntary claims process will make available at least $1.33 billion for cash awards and tax relief payments, plus up to $160 million in farm debt relief, to eligible Hispanic and women farmers and ranchers. There are no filing fees to participate in the program.

The Department will continue reaching out to potential Hispanic and female claimants, around the country to get the word out to individuals who may be eligible for this program so they have the opportunity to participate.

Call center representatives can be reached at 1-888-508-4429. Claimants must register for a claims package (by calling the number or visiting the website) and the claims package will be mailed to claimants. All those interested in learning more or receiving information about the claims process and claims packages are encouraged to attend meetings in your communities about the claims process and contact the website or claims telephone number.

Website: www.farmerclaims.gov

Phone: 1-888-508-4429

Claims Period: September 24, 2012 - March 25, 2013.

Independent legal services companies will administer the claims process and adjudicate the claims. Although there are no filing fees to participate and a lawyer is not required to participate in the claims process, persons seeking legal advice may contact a lawyer or other legal services provider.

Under Secretary Vilsack's leadership, USDA has instituted a comprehensive plan to strengthen the Department as a model service provider and to ensure that every farmer and rancher is treated equally and fairly as part of "a new era of civil rights" at USDA. This Administration has made it a priority to resolve all of the past program class action civil rights cases facing the Department, and today's announcement is another major step towards achieving that goal. In February 2010, the Secretary announced the Pigford II settlement with African American farmers, and in October 2010, he announced the Keepseagle settlement with Native American farmers. Both of those settlements have since received court approval. Unlike the cases brought by African American and Native American farmers, the cases filed by Hispanic and women farmers over a decade ago were not certified as class actions and are still pending in the courts as individual matters. The claims process provides a voluntary alternative to continuing litigation for Hispanic and female farmers and ranchers who want to use it.

Audio and video public service announcements in English and Spanish from Secretary Vilsack and downloadable print and web banner ads on the Hispanic and women farmer claims process are available at: http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?contentidonly=true&contentid=PSAs_Print_and_WebBanner_Ads.xml

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USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users).


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