Have you ever struggled to find information on or someone to talk to about a USDA program?

The USDA has developed a guide to organic and organic-related programs, and is implementing a department-wide training program to improve service to current and prospective organic stakeholders.

USDA has also developed a toolkit that helps farmers and businesses answer the question, "is organic an option for me?"

On Friday, September 7, President Obama, Vice President Biden, First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden will attend a grassroots event at Jessup Hall Lawn at the University of Iowa.

EVENT LOCATION: Jessup Hall Lawn, University of Iowa

DOORS OPEN: 1:00PM CDT, Friday, September 7

Ticket Distribution Information for Members of the Public: Tickets are available for the President's event in Iowa City, IA. The event is free and open to the public, but tickets are required for entrance. One ticket per person will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. To pick up your ticket, visit one of the following locations beginning Wednesday, September 5 at 9:00AM CDT:

Iowa Memorial Union Box Office

University of Iowa

125 North Madison Street
Iowa City, IA

Obama For America, Iowa, Iowa City Field Office

321 E. Market Street

Iowa City, Iowa 52245

Obama For America, Iowa, Coralville Field Office

2781 Oakdale Blvd.

Coralville, Iowa 52241

Obama For America, Iowa, North Liberty Field Office

70 Circle Dr.

North Liberty, Iowa 52317

University of Iowa Penatcrest Lawn

(East side of Old Capitol Building)

21 North Clinton Street

Iowa City, IA 52242

Why do we pay to watch scary movies?

Irwin Yablans, creator of the "Halloween" films that forever changed the genre, says the answer's easy.

"When done right, a horror movie evokes an involuntary response involving fear, excitement, repulsion and fascination," says Yablans, (www.irwinyablans.com),
author of the new memoir, The Man Who Created Halloween. In it, he details his rise as a successful independent producer, sales chief for Paramount Pictures and head of Orion Pictures. His masked creepster Michael Myers, who debuted in 1978, spawned a wave of iconic horror characters, and a new way to do business in Hollywood.

"Too many commentators focus on the cost of making a film, and how much the lead actors were paid," he says. "But, from a producer's point of view, the most important money question is: Is our movie worth the $10 ticket price?"

Yablans shares his views on why we love to be horrified:

• Universal appeal: Horror will always tantalize the masses because it touches a visceral emotional response within everyone - unlike other genres. Not everyone finds the same things funny, for example, but just about everyone finds the same things scary, he says. "Horror connects on that most fundamental level. A truly frightening boogieman, a likeable protagonist and sympathetic victims puts audiences right in the shoes of the characters being chased," he says.

• The difference between horror and horrible, and fan loyalty: As a boy, Yablans grew up in a poor tenement in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, listening to radio shows that relied on "theater of the mind" narratives, which captured the imaginations of listeners. He used this approach with the Halloween film series. "Too many of today's horror films rely on blood and guts to coax gross-out responses from audiences," Yablans says." 'Halloween' was successful, in large part, because it played more on the mind, where fear lives." Horror fans tend to give new movies the benefit of the doubt, and if the first one is good, then they'll return for parts 2 and 3, he says.

• Cost-effective: Most of the greatest horror film franchises began with modest budgets, including "Night of the Living Dead," $114,000; the first "Halloween," $320,000; "The Blair Witch Project," $35,000. Each of those movies were wildly successful, grossing millions. The "Friday the 13th" series, inspired from the success of "Halloween," has earned a worldwide total of $465 million. "There have been many failures, but the genre is one of the best bets in the film industry," he says.

• Great marketing: Yablans' legendary horror series appropriated a children's holiday, Halloween, and made it exciting for adults. "Everyone wants to be young again - at least sometimes," he says. Other successful horror franchises - "Nightmare on Elm Street," "Friday the 13th" and "Scary Movie" copied Yablans' branded approach: recognizable titles, costumes or makeup and theme music.

About Irwin Yablans

Irwin Yablans is the executive producer and creator of the "Halloween" film series, which forever changed the horror genre and the old studio system. His new autobiography, "The Man Who Created Halloween," details a true rags-to-riches tale of a boy who grew up in a roach-invested tenement in Brooklyn to become the man who transformed society's view of a children's holiday. Yablans' influence in Hollywood includes setting the standard for a new breed of independent producers and filmmakers, the discovery of famed director John Carpenter and advocating for studio support of one of the most acclaimed films in history, Francis Ford Coppola's "Apocalypse Now."

The 2012 David R. Collins Children's Literature Festival is set for October 2nd at the Davenport River Center and promises a day full of literary adventures. This year's festival features Cheryl Harness, author of historical fiction, Rick Eugene magician extraordinaire, and seven other enthusiastic authors. All third, fourth, fifth, and sixth graders from schools or home schools in the Mississippi Valley area are invited to experience the magic of the written word from 8:45 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. on October 2nd at a cost of $5 each. There must be one adult supervisor for every 10 students. Scholarships are available for schools or students who are unable to pay. The deadline for registrations is September 18th, but space is limited so register soon!

The featured presenter, Cheryl Harness, is an author and illustrator from central Missouri whose impressive repertoire of over 40 ghost stories and historical books have titillated young audiences for years. Funny and talented, she will demonstrate her process of researching, writing, and illustrating the ideas the pop into her head. All students will get to experience Harness' enthusiastic presentation as well as magician Rick Eugene's tricks and illusions.

Other presenters include Ryan Collins and Belinda Holbrook, both back by popular demand for their interactive presentations that encourage students to engage with literature as both readers and writers. A new group of presenters include non-fiction experts, poets, illustrators, and science aficionados and feature such names as Leone Castell Anderson, Eileen Boggess, Deb Bowen, Michael Graf, and Jill Esbaum. With such a wide array of professional interests, there will certainly be something for everyone.

In addition to the presentations, children will have the opportunity to shop for their favorite presenters' books as well as others. All children will receive a free book along with other giveaways.

Contact Joan Walton by phone at 563-391-2738 or by e-mail at djwalt4@msn.com for information and registration materials for your school. More information along with a registration form and Festival brochure are also available at www.midwestwritingcenter.org under the "Events and Opportunities" tab.

The 2012 David R. Collins Children's Literature Festival would not be possible without its partners, the Davenport Public Library, Bi-State Literacy Council, and the Midwest Writing Center; or it grantors, The Riverboat Development Authority, Scott County Regional Authority, and The Moline Foundation.