18 Sep 2012

The Ignorance of Booing at Sporting Events

By Ginny Grimsley

Every college football fan has asked, "What was the coach thinking?" at some point or other. That's OK,  says Kathy (Currey) Kronick, author of Mrs. Coach: Life in Major College Football (www.mrscoach14yrs.com), sometimes I wish they would bottle their "BOOs."

As college teams and their fans prepare for the kickoff of another contentious season, Kronick offers insights from her unique perspective as a longtime "Mrs. Coach."

"I have been in stadiums where I've thought to myself, 'This must be what it was like in ancient Rome,' " says Kronick, whose book recounts her years married to Coach Dave Currey. "Some fans get so caught up in the heat of the moment that they forget these players are just kids who may be dealing with injuries or personal problems."

There are many factors that feed into a coach's decision regarding players, plays and clock management, she says. Last-minute decisions may be influenced by events and observations that go back to Pop Warner, or even earlier.

"A football coach's work is never done," she says. "When they're not on the field, in the weight room or at meetings, a head coach's mind is still on football. It was frustrating for me to know all that was behind a decision when fans started booing."

She says fans should remember the following realities in college football:

• Student athletes: It's very difficult to earn a slot on a major college team's roster from high school, and only 2.4 percent of these young players ever make it to the next level. "These are kids just out of high school who have devoted their lives to the game. Most will not become millionaires, or even go pro, so I wish fans would give them a break," Kronick says. "They are also full-time students, too, with all the added pressures of academia."

• Injuries: Some of the most egregious booing comes from fans who think a player isn't tough enough when injured. "The charge is 'lack of heart' when an important player is out of a game due to a 'borderline' injury, which cannot be diagnosed by a doctor or seen in an x-ray," she says. "Many of these student-athletes incur injuries that may affect them if they try to go pro. Even if they don't continue in football, they may carry the limp of the game for the rest of their lives. No athlete should ever be forced to play with an injury."

• Coach knows best: It's the coach's job to obsess over every detail that will help the team win. They do that 24/7, 11 months of the year. (They're off the month of  July, when they attempt to make up for all the family time they've missed, but even then, they're still thinking about the team, Kronick says.) "Their lives revolve around winning - and not making mistakes. A bad call is only so labeled if a play doesn't work," she says. "Couch-surfing coaches and Monday-morning quarterbacks should be aware of that before criticizing."

Coaches always say that if fans buy tickets, they have the right to boo, Kronick says.

"But coaches' wives say, 'Please don't boo around us.' "

About Kathy (Currey) Kronick

Kathy (Currey) Kronick was married to Dave Currey from 1974 to 1989. He was an assistant coach at Stanford University when they met and married, and later moved on to Long Beach State (Calif.), the University of Cincinnati and UCLA. They divorced in 1996. Kronick, who has a bachelor's in education of the deaf and a master's in counseling, is the mother of two children and is happily remarried.

18 Sep 2012

Loebsack Meets With Social Security Administration Regional Commissioner, Expresses Opposition to Office Closure

By Vonnie Hampel

Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressman Dave Loebsack met with Ken Powell, the Social Security Administration Kansas City Regional Commissioner and again expressed his opposition to the closure of the Clinton SSA field office.  The Clinton SSA Office is part of the Kansas City Region and overseen by Regional Commissioner Powell.

"In today's meeting I again expressed my strong opposition to the closure of the Clinton office," said Loebsack.  "I have heard from many members of the community whom are concerned about the impact on local seniors and beneficiaries.  It is unfortunate that the Social Security Administration has not taken into account the loud local opposition to this closure, and has failed to make the business case argument for closing the office.  I will continue to fight the proposed closing."

Loebsack has voiced strong opposition to the closure of the field office in Clinton.  Most recently, he urged the House Appropriations Committee to block the closure in appropriations legislation, and spoke personally with Social Security Administration Commissioner Astrue to oppose the move.

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18 Sep 2012

Death of President Hoover Remembered with Presentation

By Randy Stalsberg
WEST BRANCH, IOWA– Former President Herbert Hoover died in New York at the age of 90 on October 20, 1964. Five days later he was buried on a knoll overlooking his birthplace in West Branch, Iowa. Thousands paid their respects along the route from the airport in Cedar Rapids as an honor guard transported President Hoover to his burial place at what is now Herbert Hoover National Historic Site. His death offered an opportunity to reflect on his presidency, his long career of public service, and his numerous personal achievements. How did Iowa and the world remember him?

Join park ranger Kristin Gibbs for "In Memoriam: The Death of President Hoover" this October 20 at 1:00 p.m. in the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum. During the hour-long presentation, Ms. Gibbs will share the contents of archival letters, telegrams, photographs, and videos documenting the local and global remembrance President Hoover. Persons who attended or participated in the funeral procession and the burial ceremony are welcome to share their memories and experiences.

There will be no charge to attend the program; regular admission will be charged to visit the museum galleries. Parking is limited so please allow extra time to find a parking space.

Herbert Hoover National Historic Site and the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum are in West Branch, Iowa at exit 254 off I-80. Both are open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time. Parking is limited so please allow extra time to find a parking space. For more information go online at www.nps.gov/heho or call (319) 643-2541.


Herbert Hoover National Historic Site
110 Parkside Drive
PO Box 607
West Branch, Iowa  52358

319 643-2541 phone
319 643-7864 fax
www.nps.gov/heho

Twitter: @HooverNPS
Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Herbert-Hoover-National-Historic-Site/141181735922424
18 Sep 2012

Loebsack Applauds Move to Protect Jobs at Home, Not in China

By Joe Hand

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack released the following statement in response to the announcement that the United States will take action against China at the World Trade Organization for illegally subsidizing exports in their auto and auto-parts sectors, a practice that is putting U.S. auto parts manufacturers at a competitive disadvantage.  Loebsack has been a long time supporter of several pieces of legislation that would keep jobs here in Iowa, protect our homegrown wind energy from illegally subsidized products made in China, and stop the Chinese from illegally manipulating their currency. He also specifically called on the administration to address the threat against U.S. jobs in the auto-parts sectors earlier this year.

"When Iowa workers and manufactures have a level playing field, they will outcompete any other worker in the world and today's action will help level the playing field.   At a time when our economy is still struggling to recover, we have to do all we can to focus on preserving and protecting jobs here at home by working to stop the unfair practices by China that threaten good Iowa jobs. I will continue to fight against unfair and illegal trade practices to ensure Iowans are competing on a level playing field."

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18 Sep 2012

3 Things We Can Learn From Dying Hospice Patients

By Ginny Grimsley

Does our society hold too narrow a view of what defines strength?

The things many would point to as indicators - youth, wealth, a fully capable body - fall short, says Charles Gourgey, a veteran hospice music therapist and author of Judeochristianity: The Meaning and Discovery of Faith (www.judeochristianity.org), a book that explores the unifying faith elements of Judaism and Christianity.

"Youth is ephemeral, abundant wealth is for just a few, and we all experience some kind of disability, usually at several points in our lives," he says. "A car accident, the loss of a job or a home, grief over a loved one's dying: such things can happen to anyone and easily destroy our happiness."

Gourgey says some of the greatest strength he's ever seen was demonstrated by certain of his patients facing imminent death.

"Some people have complete love and grace when facing death - it's how they've lived their lives, and at the end of their lives, it's what supports them," he says. "Those who, at the end, are peaceful, grateful and confident share some common characteristics."
They are:

• Their love is non-self-interested. When we have awareness of and deepest respect and reverence for the individuality of others, we overcome the high walls of ego and experience a tremendous sense of freedom, says Gourgey. He says he continues to be inspired by patients who cared more for the well-being of others, including their fellow hospice patients, than themselves while facing their own mortality. Non-self-interested love - loving others for themselves without expecting or needing anything in return - is the greatest form of love, he says.

• They had an unwavering faith that transcended religious dogma. Faith is the knowledge that there is more to life than the apparent randomness of the material world; a sense that we are known to a greater reality and will return to that reality. No matter what their religion, the patients who were most at peace with their life's journey were those who had faith in something higher than themselves. The problem with many concepts of faith, Gourgey continues, is that people attach specific doctrines to it, which means some people will always be excluded. A unifying faith - that all people are connected and love is the force that binds us - allows for trust, compassion and caring.

• They were motivated by an innate sense of what is good. They didn't get mad at themselves; they didn't beat themselves up for mistakes they might have made in the past. That's because they were always guided by their sense of what is good, and they made their choices with that in mind. That did not prevent them from making some bad choices or mistakes over the course of their lives, Gourgey says. But when they erred, they addressed the problem with the same loving compassion they extended to others. "Their compassion overcame even any self-hate they may have experienced."

Many patients left lasting impressions on Gourgey, and taught him valuable life lessons. He remembers one in particular.

"She was in hospice, a retired nurse who had developed a rare, incurable disease," he recalls. "She would go around every day, checking to see what she could do for the other patients. She fetched blankets for a 104-year-old lady who always complained of cold feet. She sat with and listened to patients who needed company and someone to talk to. She had an attentive awareness about her, like she was fully in touch with her soul."

Gourgey was with the woman when she died.

"She was radiant, she just glowed. She kept repeating how grateful she was for her life," he says. "It was as if the life of love she'd lived was there to transport and support her at the end."

About Charles "Carlos" Gourgey

Charles "Carlos" Gourgey, PhD, LCAT, MT-BC, is a board-certified and New York state-licensed music therapist. He has more than 20 years of experience working in hospices and nursing homes, and for 10 years was music therapist for Cabrini Hospice in New York City. He has published articles on psychology and religion in various journals.

18 Sep 2012

Soldiers from across the state compete in combatives tournament

By Staff Sgt. Kassidy L. Snyder, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs

SPRINGFIELD, IL (09/17/2012)(readMedia)-- Approximately 25 Soldiers from units throughout Illinois competed in the Illinois Army National Guard's third annual Adjutant General's Combatives Tournament at Camp Lincoln in Springfield, Sept. 16.

The tournament was open to all Illinois National Guard Soldiers regardless of combatives experience.

"I didn't know what to expect," said Sgt. Zechariah Johnson of Oregon, a cavalry scout with Troop B, 2nd Squadron, 106th Cavalry Regiment in Dixon. "It was a smaller tournament, but the Soldiers who showed up were motivated and made it a good competition."

Fighters competed individually in brackets based on weight class, while team points were awarded based on individual placement. The 33rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion received the overall team award.

The tournament was double elimination. The preliminary rounds were fought under Modern Army Combatives standard rules, which allows takedowns, joint locks and choke submissions. The championship bouts were fought under intermediate rules, which added open hand strikes to the head, punches to the body, and head to toe kicks.

Just before the end of the 10-minute light heavyweight championship round, Johnson defeated his opponent 1st Lt. Jarod Thomas of Decatur, with the 766th Engineer Battalion in Decatur, by a collar choke submission. Johnson said this was his first combatives tournament.

"He put up a really good fight and it was close," said Johnson. "I look forward to next year's competition."

Overall individual winners included: Bantamweight division (110 pounds and under): Spc. Ashley Hicks of Pickneyville, Company C, 33rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion in Carbondale

Flyweight division (110.1 to 125 pounds): Spc. Ricardo Brambila of Berwyn, Troop C, 2nd Squadron, 106th Cavalry Regiment in Aurora

Lightweight division (125.1 to 140 pounds): Spc. Jacob Bultmann of Petersburg, Company B, 33rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion in Bloomington

Welterweight division (140.1 to 155 pounds): Sgt. Jacob Trigleth of Altamont, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 130th Infantry Regiment in Marion

Middleweight division (155.1 to 170 pounds): Spc. Allen Simmerman of Chillicothe, Company A, 33rd Brigades Special Troops Battalion in Marseilles

Cruiserweight division (170.1 to 185 pounds): Sgt. Ardel Buchanan of Cicero, 766th Engineer Battalion in Decatur

Light heavyweight division (185.1 to 205 pounds): Sgt. Zechariah Johnson of Oregon, Troop B, 2nd Squadron, 106th Cavalry Regiment in Dixon

Heavyweight division (over 205.1 pounds): Spc. Jason Pilman of Johnsburg, Company A, 33rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion in Marseilles

Hicks was the only female competitor in this year's tournament. No other Soldiers weighed in at the bantamweight class, so she competed with Soldiers in the flyweight division.

"I liked the challenge of being the only female," said Hicks.

She recently completed the Tactical Combatives Course (Level 2) and decided to enter the tournament after hearing about it at the class.

The Modern Army Combative Program (MACP) uses competitions as a tool to motivate soldiers to train, build esprit de corps and to build confidence by testing techniques against a fully resistant opponent. MACP Instructors with the Illinois Army National Guard administered this year's tournament.

"I was really impressed by the raw determination I saw in many of today's Soldiers," said Staff Sgt. Nick Grant of Caseyville, tournament noncommissioned officer in charge and Combatives Course Manager for the 129th Regional Training Institute. "Even those that fell short certainly displayed a strong will to win. It was also very satisfying to see Soldiers I've personally trained in the past comeback and employ potentially live saving techniques they learned months or years ago."

Top tournament finishers will be considered to join the Illinois Army National Guard Combatives Team at future national competitions such as the All-National Guard and All-Army Combatives Championships.

For more information on Illinois' Combatives Program and updates on future competitions, please visit the Illinois Army National Guard Combatives Team's Facebook Page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Illinois-Army-National-Guard-Combatives-Team/224254734272195

 

High resolution photos of all the winners are available. Contact the Illinois National Guard Public Affairs Office at ngilstaffpao@ng.army.mil.

18 Sep 2012

DAVENPORT MAN GETS EARLY MORNING SURPRISE

By Amy Garringer

DES MOINES, Iowa - A Davenport man was reading the newspaper before starting work when he discovered he'd won a $10,000 prize in Wednesday's Powerball® drawing.

Robert Johannsen, 43, was at E. J. Welch Company in Davenport, where he is the branch manager, when he checked his numbers against those printed in the newspaper.

"I was with my coworkers and I just did not believe it, so I had to come up here to make sure," Johannsen said.

Johannsen claimed his prize Thursday at the Iowa Lottery's regional office in Cedar Rapids. He said the high jackpot is what drove him to purchase a ticket at Porter's Convenient 66, 1512 Lincoln Way in Clinton.

"I haven't told too many people," Johannsen said. "But now I'm here, now I believe it!"

Johannsen said he's planning to take some time to think about how to use his winnings.

"It hasn't really hit me yet," he said.

The winning numbers in the $110 million Powerball jackpot drawing on Wednesday were 24-33-36-48-56 and Powerball 6. Johannsen won a $10,000 prize by matching four of the first five numbers and the Powerball. Had he added the Power Play® to his ticket, Johannsen would have multiplied his win to $40,000.

There was no jackpot prize winner in Wednesday's drawing. The estimated jackpot for this Wednesday's drawing is $149 million.

Players can increase their prizes with the Power Play (except the jackpot). The cost is $1 per play. Players who chose the Power Play prior to Jan. 15 and matched four white balls and the Powerball won a $10,000 prize multiplied by the number that was chosen for the Power Play. In the new $2 Powerball game, players who choose the Power Play and match four white balls and the Powerball win a $40,000 prize.

Winning numbers may be checked at the lottery website at www.ialottery.com or through the winning numbers' hot line at (515) 323-4633. Winning numbers may also be checked with lottery retail outlets or by calling the lottery at (515) 725-7900 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Players may visit the Iowa Lottery at 2323 Grand Ave. in Des Moines or go to one of the lottery's regional offices in Council Bluffs, Storm Lake, Mason City or Cedar Rapids to claim prizes.

Since the lottery's start in 1985, its players have won more than $2.9 billion in prizes while the lottery has raised more than $1.4 billion for the state programs that benefit all Iowans.

Today, lottery proceeds in Iowa have three main purposes: They provide support for veterans, help for a variety of significant projects through the state General Fund, and backing for the Vision Iowa program, which was implemented to create tourism destinations and community attractions in the state and build and repair schools.

 

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18 Sep 2012

Loebsack Announces More than $449,000 for the Eastern Iowa Community College District Library

By Joe Hand

Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressman Dave Loebsack announced that the Eastern Iowa Community College District Library will receive a $449,714 National Leadership Grant (NLG) from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.  The NLG is given to library institutions to support projects that address challenges faced by the museum, library and archive fields that have the potential to advance practices in those fields.

"This funding will allow the Eastern Iowa Community College District Library to make modernizations and advancements to library practices," said Loebsack.  "I am pleased that the library will put this funding to use to advance environmental sustainability and energy efficiency initiatives throughout the Davenport community."

Eastern Iowa Community College District Library will partner with seven partners including city museums, libraries, and cultural and educational organizations to develop programs to advance the science and information literacy skills of Davenport residents, attract new audiences to current programs, and engage residents in activities promoting environmental sustainability and energy efficiency. These coordinated activities will support the City of Davenport's efforts to become a sustainable city, one that manages harmful emissions and uses resources wisely; improves local air and water quality; respects native flora and fauna; and provides natural habitats, shade, and natural cooling.

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18 Sep 2012

Help the RI Foundation Earn a Chase Grant: Vote!

By R.I. Public Library

This covered entrance at the Main LIbrary is just one project made possible by Foundation dollars. Voting is open for the Chase Community Giving Grants. Please cast a vote for the Rock Island Public Foundation before Sept. 19!

Everyone gets 2 votes on Facebook to use on 2 different charities before Sept. 19. If you share a link to a charity by clicking the Like, Tweet, Send or Copy Link button, and a friend uses that link to vote, you earn a bonus vote. Your bonus vote can be used on any charity, even one you've previously voted for. In addition, Chase customers get 2 additional votes to use. You can use those votes by visiting ChaseGiving.com and logging in using your Chase online ID and password.

 

Foundation funds enhance the Rock Island Library is so many ways - by sponsoring Hug-A-Book early learning programs, library visits for HeadStart classes, and summer art and drama programs for children. Foundation dollars also renovated the Children's Room and handicapped entrance at the Main Library, and paid for three self-check machines, Bookletters book recommendation service and Ancestry.com subcription. Please vote today - and share the link with your friends!

 

Vote for the Rock Island LIbrary Foundation

18 Sep 2012

Girls' Night Out: Movie And A Mammogram

By Craig Cooper
DeWitt, Iowa -- Sept. 17, 2012 -- Genesis Medical Center, DeWitt and the Kenneth H. McKay Center for Breast Health are offering a great deal that could protect the breast health of women who attend.

Genesis will host a free screening of "The Help" and a wine tasting on Monday, Oct. 22 at the DeWitt Opera House. The event begins at 6 p.m. with the screening at 7 p.m.

The event is being held during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month to remind women to make an appointment for their mammogram. Enjoy the free event and encourage your friends to attend and to schedule their appointment.

Here is why a regular schedule of mammograms is so important:

• About 1 in 8 women in the United States will develop invasive breast cancer over the course of their lifetime.

• An estimated 230,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer are diagnosed each year in the U.S.

• A woman's risk of breast cancer approximately doubles if she has a first-degree relative (mother, sister, daughter) who has been diagnosed with breast cancer.

For more information about breast health at Genesis Health System, go to www.genesishealth.com/cbh.

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