17 Aug 2012

QUAD-CITIES WALK TO END ALZHEIMER'S - Saturday, September 8, 2012 - I Wireless, Moline, IL

By Joni Johnson

We have an epidemic in this country and it's name is Alzheimer's disease.  More people will die from this disease this year than breast and prostate cancer combined.  It is the 6th leading cause of death and the only one in the top 10 causes with no way to prevent, cure or slow the progression.  More money is allocated to fighting obesity than Alzheimer's.  We need all of you...  We need to raise awareness, raise funds and promote research...  We need to raise our voices to make noise so people take notice.

The WALK TO END ALZHEIMER'S is the largest national support group for people to do that.  It is our largest fundraiser and way to reach the masses.  We are contacting you because it is going to take all of us to make that happen.  I have attached the facts so I won't go into the numbers here, but they are jaw dropping.  Our country is not prepared for this tsunami headed our way, the numbers of persons with the disease, the number of caregivers needed and the costs of providing that care.  Let alone, providing support and healthcare for the caregivers.  The ripple effect of this disease is widespread as families struggle to care for their loved ones, often at home.
My name is Joni Johnson, Community Relations Coordinator for the Alzheimer's Association in the Iowa counties of Clinton, Muscatine and Scott; Illinois counties of Henry, Mercer and Rock Island.  I am writing to you today for your help.
Please email with any questions:  jjohnson2@alz.org
17 Aug 2012

NIA/NIH News: Federal report details health, economic status of older Americans

By Barbara Cire

Federal report details health, economic status of older Americans

Today's older Americans enjoy longer lives and better physical function than did previous generations, although, for some, an increased burden in housing costs and rising obesity may compromise these gains, according to a comprehensive federal look at aging. The report, Older Americans 2012: Key Indicators of Well-Being, tracks trends at regular intervals to see how older people are faring as the U.S. population grows older.

In 2010, 40 million people age 65 and over accounted for 13 percent of the total population in the United States. In 2030, the number and proportion of older Americans is expected to grow significantly?to 72 million, representing nearly 20 percent of the population said the report, by the Federal Interagency Forum on Aging-Related Statistics.

Older Americans 2012, the sixth report prepared by the Forum since 2000, provides an updated and accessible compendium of indicators, drawn from official statistics about the well-being of Americans primarily age 65 and older. The 176-page report provides a broad description of areas of well-being that are improving for older Americans and those that are not. Thirty-seven key indicators are categorized into five broad areas?population, economics, health status, health risks and behaviors, and health care. This year's report also includes a special feature on the end of life.

Highlights of Older Americans 2012 include :

  • Increased labor force participation by older women - Participation of older women in the labor force has increased significantly over the past 40 years. In 1963, 29 percent of women aged 62-64 worked outside the home; in 2011, that had increased to 45 percent. In 1963, 17 percent of women aged 65-69 were in the labor force; in 2011, that had increased to 27 percent. For women 70 and older, 6 percent worked in 1963, increasing to 8 percent in 2011. Some older Americans work out of economic necessity. Others may be attracted by the social contact, intellectual challenges or sense of value that work often provides.
  • Declines in poverty, increases in income since 1974 - Older Americans are in better economic shape now than they were in 1974. Between 1974 and 2010, the proportion of older people with income below the poverty thresholds (less than $10,458 in 2010 for a person 65 and older) fell from 15 percent to 9 percent. The percentage with low income (between $10,458 and $20,916 in 2010 for people 65 and older) dropped from 35 percent to 26 percent. There were also notable gains in income over the period, as the proportion of people 65 and older with high income ($41,832 and above in 2010) rose from 18 percent to 31 percent.
  • Increased housing problems -The most significant issue by far is housing cost burden, which has been steadily increasing over time. In 1985, about 30 percent of households with householders or spouses age 65 and over spent more than 30 percent of their income on housing and utilities. By 2009, the proportion of older people with high housing cost burden reached 40 percent. For some multigenerational households, crowded housing is also fairly prevalent.
  • Rising rates of obesity - Obesity, a major cause of preventable disease and premature death, is increasing among older people. In 2009-2010, 38 percent of people age 65 and over were obese, compared with 22 percent in 1988-1994. In 2009-2010, 44 percent of people age 65-74 were obese, as were 29 percent of those age 75 and older.
  • More use of hospice -The percentage of older people who received hospice care in the last 30 days of life increased from 19 percent in 1999 to 43 percent in 2009. The percentage of older Americans who died in hospitals dropped from 49 percent in 1999 to 32 percent in 2009. The percentage who died at home increased from 15 percent in 1999 to 24 percent in 2009. In 2009, there were notable differences in the use of hospice services at the end of life among people of different race and ethnicity groups.

Older Americans 2012: Key Indicators of Well-Being is available online at http://www.agingstats.gov.

The Federal Interagency Forum on Aging-Related Statistics was established in 1986 to improve the quality and utility of federal data on aging. This report assembles data to construct broad indicators of well-being for the older population and to monitor changes in these indicators over time. The effort is designed to inform the public, policy makers, and researchers about important trends in the aging population. The 15 agencies represented in the Forum include the Administration on Aging, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, U.S. Census Bureau, Department of Housing and Urban Development, Department of Veterans Affairs, Employee Benefits Security Administration, Environmental Protection Agency, National Center for Health Statistics, National Institute on Aging, Office of Management and Budget, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (Department of Health and Human Services), Social Security Administration and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

Older Americans 2012: Key Indicators of Well-Being is available online at http://www.agingstats.gov and in limited quantities in print. Supporting data for each indicator, including complete tables, PowerPoint slides and source descriptions, can be found on the Forum's website. Single printed copies of Older Americans 2012: Key Indicators of Well-Being are available at no charge through the National Center for Health Statistics while supplies last. Requests may be made by calling 1-866-441-6247 or by sending an e-mail to nchsquery@cdc.gov. For multiple print copies, call 301-458-4460 or send an e-mail request to agingforum@cdc.gov.

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17 Aug 2012

Barack's Bus Tour: Moving Iowa's Economy Forward

By Rick Martin

The reviews are in on President Obama's grassroots swing across Iowa. The President crossed the state talking about the importance of Iowa's wind industry and building an economy from the middle out instead of the top down.

"From the military wife, to the middle school science teacher, to the union representative, to the family self-sufficiency coach, to the other 2,900 in attendance -- one and all took their own piece of inspiration from President Barack Obama's campaign speech Wednesday at the Alliant Energy Amphitheater in the Port of Dubuque," writes the Dubuque Telegraph-Herald. The Denison Bulletin & Review pens the trip "provided an opportunity that few Americans are afforded - the chance to meet a president in person." The Marshalltown Times-Republican cites that a "historic moment was made Tuesday" when President Obama became the first sitting President since Franklin D. Roosevelt to visit Marshalltown.  Here's a full rundown on what Iowa newspapers are saying about the President's trip:

Obama champions middle class in Oskaloosa speech (Oskaloosa Herald, 8/14). President Barack Obama told the audience at his campaign stop in Oskaloosa Tuesday that they have a critical choice to make at the polls this November. "It is a choice between two fundamentally different visions of how America became great and how it's going to stay great," Obama said to 852-person audience gathered underneath shade trees at Nelson Pioneer Farm just outside Oskaloosa. http://oskaloosa.com/local/x1040821729/Obama-Clear-differences-between-candidates

Obama rallies supporters in Boone (Webster City Freeman Journal, 8/14). President Barack Obama said it was good to be back in Boone County for a campaign stop yesterday afternoon at Herman Park. Crowds packed the park pavilion, chanting "four more years" in support of the President. He began his speech by stressing the importance of the coming election. "It is not just a choice between two candidates or two political parties, but more than any election in recent memory, this is a choice between two fundamentally different visions about how we move this country forward," Obama said. http://www.freemanjournal.net/page/content.detail/id/519884/Obama-rallies-supporters-in-Boone.html?nav=5006

Obama: Election choice will impact generations (Des Moines Register, 8/14). President Barack Obama kicked off his three-day Iowa tour with a clarion call to view this election as a stark choice about America's future ? and ended the day in the Bud Tent at the Iowa State Fair. Before he got to his Bud Light and pork chop, there was plenty of red meat politics, and lots of idyllic Iowa scenes. He stopped at a farm to talk about the drought and rode by scores of wind towers, hundreds of people waving American flags, and thousands of acres of drought-shriveled corn. http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20120814/NEWS09/308140049/Obama-Election-choice-will-impact-generations?Frontpage&nclick_check=1

Obama: 'We've been very good for the farm economy' (Carroll Daily Times, 8/14). President Barack Obama Monday announced a raft of agricultural initiatives aimed at stemming the fallout from the worst drought in a generation.  At the same time, while the full effect of Mother Nature's stinginess with rain in much of the nation unfolds, the president told a reporters' roundtable in Boone that his administration deserved some credit for the generally favorable farm economy over the past four years. http://www.carrollspaper.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=14407

Obama's message to voters: This one counts (Nonpareil, 8/13). For the first time on an overcast morning, the sun came out as President Barack Obama took the stage at Bayliss Park Monday. It was an electric atmosphere as an estimated 4,300 packed the park to catch a glimpse of the president as he kicked off three days of campaign activities across Iowa in Council Bluffs. Bruce Springsteen and Stevie Wonder songs blared through the public address system as an anxious crowd waited for the commander and chief, but it was U2's "Beautiful Day" that blasted forth as Obama mounted the stairs. http://www.southwestiowanews.com/council_bluffs/news/obama-s-message-to-voters-this-one-counts/article_213ea8ae-e57b-11e1-9f85-0019bb2963f4.html

A presidential visit in Denison (Denison Bulletin & Review, 8/14). The combination of President Barack Obama's schedule and Denison's location along the route of two campaign stops on Monday - Council Bluffs and Boone - provided an opportunity that few Americans are afforded - the chance to meet a president in person. President Obama's motorcade traveled Highway 30 from Missouri Valley to Boone Monday afternoon and stopped at around 3 p.m. at Summer Magic tropical sno for one of Obama's favorite treats - shaved ice. http://www.southwestiowanews.com/denison/news/local_news/a-presidential-visit-in-denison/article_e5855b3c-e647-11e1-8245-0019bb2963f4.html

Obama says Romney doesn't understand importance of wind energy (Radio Iowa, 8/14). President Obama touted "home grown" wind energy today during a midday speech in Oskaloosa and criticized Republican rival Mitt Romney for opposing extension of the wind production tax credit. "He said that new sources of energy, like wind, are imaginary. His running mate calls them a fad," Obama said. http://www.radioiowa.com/2012/08/14/obama-says-romney-doesnt-understand-importance-of-wind-energy/

Obama: Clear differences between candidates (Ottumwa Courier, 8/14). President Barack Obama spent much of a half-hour speech in Oskaloosa drawing distinctions between himself and Republican challenger Mitt Romney.  "It is a choice between two fundamentally different visions on the path we need to take for our kids and our grandkids," Obama said. http://ottumwacourier.com/cnhi/x1744866290/Obama-Clear-differences-between-candidates

An historic hail to the chief (Marshalltown Times-Republican, 8/15). As President Barack Obama walked across the Miller Middle School gym floor arriving at the podium and saying "Hello Marshalltown," an historic moment was made Tuesday. Obama is the first sitting president to visit Marshalltown since Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1940. http://www.timesrepublican.com/page/content.detail/id/551903/An-historic-hail-to-the-chief.html?nav=5005

Obama attacks Romney's economic plan during stop in Waterloo (WCF Courier, 8/15). President Barack Obama stressed an economic message Tuesday night in Waterloo, saying electing Mitt Romney would mean a return to trickle-down economics. Speaking before a crowd of 1,800 at the RiverLoop Amphitheatre, Obama criticized Romney's economic plans, saying the idea of giving more tax breaks to wealthy Americans won't help the middle class and won't stimulate the economy. http://wcfcourier.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/update-obama-attacks-romney-s-economic-plan-during-stop-in/article_e82b251a-e66f-11e1-bb15-001a4bcf887a.html

Estimated crowd of 3,000 hears Obama speak in East Davenport (Quad City Times, 8/15). President Barack Obama criticized Republican rival Mitt Romney and running mate, Wisconsin Congressman Paul Ryan, telling thousands of people at two rallies Wednesday in eastern Iowa that he has protected Medicare, but the Republican ticket would turn it into a voucher system and end the program "as we know it." The argument over the health insurance program for seniors could be crucial, particularly in Iowa, a swing state with a large number of elderly. http://qctimes.com/news/local/estimated-crowd-of-hears-obama-speak-in-east-davenport/article_8e96ac3e-e685-11e1-8e31-0019bb2963f4.html

Obamas woo Dubuque (Telegraph Herald, 8/16). From the military wife, to the middle school science teacher, to the union representative, to the family self-sufficiency coach, to the other 2,900 in attendance -- one and all took their own piece of inspiration from President Barack Obama's campaign speech Wednesday at the Alliant Energy Amphitheater in the Port of Dubuque. http://www.thonline.com/news/tri-state/article_35dade16-ea74-56d3-a60b-4b949d0fb8c3.html

Detour: President thanks teachers (Telegraph Herald, 8/16). It was quite a back-to-school surprise. Teachers in the Western Dubuque Community School District were participating in their first official day of meetings for the new school year on Wednesday at Cascade High School when President Barack Obama made an unannounced visit. http://www.thonline.com/news/tri-state/article_4c7690f9-f871-5903-91d7-60871d2aed8e.html
17 Aug 2012

ISU Extension Calendar Aug 28 - Sept 25, 2012

By Joy Venhorst
17 Aug 2012

Dreaming of a Career in the Movies?

By Ginny Grimsley
Hollywood Director Offers Tips for Hopeful Writers, Actors, Cameramen

From the box-office smash "The Avengers" to the summer hit "Madagascar 3" reigniting the 3-D craze, movie lovers are more enthralled than ever with film magic, and many fantasize about becoming a part of it. Their annual Westward migration from every film and acting and writing school in the country is as active as ever as they seek their chance to wield the Hollywood wand.

In such a competitive and crowded circus tent, how can a person ensure they catch that elusive trapeze?

Here are five tips from film director Guy Magar, picked up over 30 years making movies and TV shows and teaching through Action/Cut Filmmaking Seminars, the educational course he founded. Magar is also the author of the new Hollywood memoir and love story, Kiss Me Quick Before I Shoot, about his years in Hollywood which is a must-read for all who love movies (www.kissmequickbeforeishoot.com).

· Find out if you really love it. "The movie business demands passion and dedication; the work is difficult and exhausting, the journey fraught with disappointments and financial stress," he says. "So you better find out if this is truly something you want and you're ready to sacrifice whatever it takes." The best place to do that is at a film school or a university filmmaking program. "This is where I fell in love with the cinema and forged my commitment to the craft," he says.

· Find out if you're any good at it. When you discover that less than 5 percent of the 125,000 actors in the Screen Actors Guild ever make a livable wage in any one year, the reality check about how competitive this business is can be quite intimidating, Magar says. So it's not enough to love it - you have to have an aptitude for the craft if you want a chance at bat. "You better be one of the very best directors or writers or cameramen or actors wherever you're studying and developing your work, so you can gain the self-confidence to throw your talent in a very crowded ring," he says.

· Get your showreel ready! No one is going to hire you unless they can see what you can do. For a director, you better have an award-winning "wow" short. If you're a writer, have some dazzling, unique screenplays. Actors need a great reel with diverse scenes showing range from comedy to drama. Cameraman? You need a reel that sizzles with cinematic visuals. Don't come to Los Angeles without a reel. It shows who you are, what you can do ? and why you're worth paying to do it.

· Networking! Networking! Networking! "The movie business is first and foremost a people business," Magar says. "Regardless of your talent, you better be good at schmoozing and an extrovert at heart." It's all about who you know, who can introduce you to whom, who likes you, who is willing to help you move forward, he says. If you're a great networker, you have a better chance at a career than if you're talented with no social skills. Introverts do not apply!

· Enjoy your journey or the dream will be a nightmare. Don't put off having a life until you "get there," he says. The big secret is to enjoy the journey and to have a life in the industry, regardless of the amount of work and accolades that may or may not come your way. You must commit to making a fulfilling life for yourself if you're to find happiness in Tinseltown. Family, friends and a soulmate are as important and fulfilling as career gains. "They will sustain you in much deeper emotional ways than winning a spot on a softer toilet paper commercial," he says.

Magar says his career in Hollywood was an exciting, gratifying one. "Between the words 'action' and 'cut', I get to make my magic ... my visual storytelling," he says. "I fell in love with making movies and have continued loving it for more than 100 production credits in my career."

"If you share that passion to make film, have a terrific sense of humor to balance the obstacles, and can manage the five tips above, then welcome to Hollywood. Break a leg!"

About Guy Magar

Film and TV director/writer/producer Guy Magar has worked for more than 30 years in the motion picture industry. He recently published his Hollywood memoir, "Kiss Me Quick Before I Shoot: A Filmmaker's Journey into the Lights of Hollywood and True Love." His TV credits include "La Femme Nikita," "The A-Team," "Dark Avenger" and "Blue Thunder." His feature films include "Lookin' Italian," "Stepfather 3," "Children of the Corn: Revelation," and the cult thriller "Retribution," to be rereleased on DVD for its 25th anniversary this summer 2012. Magar has taught and inspired thousands of students through his Action/Cut Filmmaking Seminar, and his Action/Cut Short Film Competition is designed to discover and encourage new talent annually. He is a popular public speaker who inspires young filmmakers.

17 Aug 2012

Braley-A Hard Working Iowan that Gets Results

By Amanda Bowman

Most Iowans know that U.S. Representatives write laws that affect many Americans. However, it is less known that Representatives provide assistance to their constituents every day of the week. Representative Braley has helped thousands of Iowans cut through red tape, fight for federal assistance, and improve their personal situations.

Rep. Braley's proudest accomplishments include helping Iowans and ensuring their needs are met. Many of Rep. Braley's legislative accomplishments have been inspired by these constituents, and he works hard every day to ensure that Iowans get what they need from the federal government.

Helping Iowans is incredibly important, and the following includes just a few examples of the thousands of Iowans that Rep. Braley has assisted.

With that, here are a few examples of Bruce Braley's Constituent Assistance Cases:

Getting Results for Iowa Businesses and Workers

Helped Russell Electric keep its doors open, Bettendorf:

  • Jeff Lanum is the CEO of Russell Electric, a local electric company in Bettendorf. The company was on the verge of closing the doors because the Department of Labor had not paid almost $500,000 to the company. After Braley pushed the DOL, it paid Russell Electric, which was able to save jobs and keep the business open.

Job Training at Community Colleges in Eastern Iowa:

  • Rep. Braley created the New Era Rural Technology Grant Program when he passed the first bill he introduced, the New Era Act, into law.  Then, he helped get grant funds for Iowa community colleges to train the next generation of biofuels technicians.  Rep. Braley secured job training funding for Hawkeye Community College (Waterloo), Eastern Iowa Community College (Quad Cities) and Northeast Iowa Community College (Calmar) to provide the job skills that Iowans will need to fill the biofuels workforce.

Getting Results for Iowa Veterans

Accessible Housing for the Connolly Family, Dubuque:

  • Andrew Connolly was an Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran who served in the Iowa National Guard 1-133rd.  He lost the use of his legs due to cancer near his spine, and the cancer then spread.  Andrew and his wife, Jenny, have a severely disabled young son, Brody, who will need medical care his entire life.  When Andrew's son was born he and his wife knew they would need a home that could accommodate his needs.  That need became more urgent after Andrew's disease progressed.  Rep. Braley helped Andrew get an upgraded VA disability rating, and secured a special VA housing grant to build a new home for the family, which is fully handicapped-accessible.  Andrew passed away in August 2011, though Jenny and Brody now have a fully accessible home to live in.  Braley also passed into law the Andrew Connolly Veterans Housing Act, to ensure that more disabled veterans have access to these important housing grants.

Secured Overdue Pay and GI Bill Benefits for Hundreds of Members of the Iowa National Guard, 1-133rd, Statewide:

  • There are roughly 800 Iowa Guard soldiers who are now getting the pay they earned because of Rep. Braley's work on their behalf, when the Pentagon tried to deny these benefits.  In addition, Rep. Braley made sure that nearly 600 Iowa National Guard soldiers could take advantage of the GI Bill, and some of those have since gone to college thanks to those benefits.

Helping Iowa Veterans get the Medals they've Earned - For Example: Zane Thorpe, Dubuque:

  • Zane Thorpe is a WWII veteran who was eligible for several medals including the Purple Heart. He had not received any of the medals for his service. Braley worked with the National Personnel Records Center and Thorpe was awarded the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, and several other medals. Braley presented the medals immediately following Zane's 89th birthday.

Fighting for the Well-Being of Iowa troops - For Example: Jennifer Short, Winthrop:

  • Jennifer disagreed with the findings of the Formal Physical Evaluation Board regarding her PTSD as not being combat-related and other discrepancies with the findings of her other medical issues. She contacted the Braley office for help with having the Air Force take a careful look at this and ensure a fair decision based on the evidence submitted. Rep. Braley worked closely with the Air Force on her behalf, and in May 2012 she received a favorable outcome.

Getting Results when Iowans Need it Most - Disaster Relief

Replaced the Iowa Northern Rail Bridge in Waterloo and Cedar River Rail Bridge in Cedar Rapids:

  • These two major rail bridges collapsed in the 2008 flooding, and Rep. Braley was immediately in touch with the rail companies and government officials.  Due to Rep. Braley's work, Iowa Northern gained access to federal funds which enabled them to quickly rebuild the Waterloo bridge, and CRANDIC railroad received new funds for the Cedar Rapids bridge.  These bridges are critical transportation arteries for Iowa businesses including John Deere and Alliant Energy, and they were rebuilt quickly due to Braley's prompt action to secure disaster funding.

Secured Replacement Computers for Waverly-Shell Rock Washington Irving Elementary School, Waverly:

  • After the Disasters of 2008, Rep. Braley worked with the Library of Congress to replace 16 destroyed computers at Waverly-Shell Rock Washington Irving Elementary School. Braley presented the computers to the school about four months after the flooding, and they were immediately put into use in the classroom.

Got Results to Clean Up after a Massive Fire, Maquoketa:

  • After a severe fire destroyed many buildings in downtown Maquoketa, the building owners were underinsured so the city was facing huge cleanup costs, coupled with concerns that debris was contaminated with asbestos. Braley helped secure and expedite an Environmental Protection Agency grant to assist with the debris removal, which allowed the city to recover much faster than without that assistance.

Getting Results for Iowa Families

Secured Benefits for the James Family following Tragedy, Dubuque:

  • Dubuque native Holley Lynn James was murdered by her husband while serving in the Armed Forces, in Fort Bragg, North Carolina.  After she was killed, Rep. Braley helped her father, Jesse James of Dubuque, secure Holley's benefits so they could be put in a trust for her children, which was completed in 2010.  In 2011, the family again faced problems with the Department of Veterans Affairs, and Rep. Braley was able to secure Tricare coverage for Holley's children.  Rep. Braley has also introduced the Holley Lynn James Act, and passed legislation into law that will help prevent military sexual assault and domestic violence in the future.

Helped the Craig Family Adopt a Child, Des Moines & Waterloo:

  • In 2011, Rep. Braley was contacted by the Waterloo parents of Jonathan and Kayla Craig.  Jonathan and Kayla were trying to adopt a baby boy from Nigeria, and were being told by the US Embassy in Lagos, Nigeria that their son Joseph's adoption was not legal. After several weeks of late-night phone calls and emails with the US Embassy and State Department, Braley was able to obtain an IR-4 visa for Joseph. This was the first time an IR-4 visa had ever been issued in Nigeria, and Joseph arrived at his new home in Des Moines in late 2011.  Inspired by Joseph, Rep. Braley introduced the Making Adoption Affordable Act, to improve the adoption tax credits so that more families are able to provide homes to children in need.

Secured Funding for the Mobile Mammography Unit in Northeastern Iowa, West Union:

  • This traveling unit, based in West Union, goes to rural communities to provide free mammograms for Iowa women.  Braley secured the funding for this unit, which was provided to Gundersen Lutheran hospital, who now runs the mobile mammography unit.  As of mid-2011, the Unit had provided over 2,700 mammograms, and found 11 benign and 4 malignant tumors to women in Northeastern Iowa and the other states in the region.

Fought for Increased Pay for Iowa Doctors and Hospitals, Benefiting Seniors:

  • Rep. Braley secured a 5% Medicare pay increase for Iowa doctors in 2010 and 2011, and $33 million in payments to historically-underpaid Iowa hospitals in 2011 and 2012.  These bonus payments, which help make up for years of underpayments due to a flawed Medicare equation, have helped make sure more providers accept Medicare patients, which improves both access and quality of care for Iowa seniors.

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17 Aug 2012

Youngsters Power Past Competition in Pedal Power Pull at Iowa State Fair

By Lori Chappell

DES MOINES, IA (08/16/2012)(readMedia)-- Young Fairgoers pedaled their way to victory at the Pedal Power Pull held Tuesday at the 2012 Iowa State Fair.

In the Pedal Power Pull, kids attempt to pedal a mini tractor 40 feet (a "full pull") pulling a box weighing from 80 pounds for 4-year-olds to 260 pounds for 11-year-olds. In the event of a tie or two full pulls, weight is added and a re-pull is held to determine the winner.

Results below:

GIRLS

4-Year-Olds

1) Reagen Liggett, Corydon, 26 feet, 4 inches

2) Lillianna Wayne, Iowa City, 22 feet, 4 inches

3) Katelyn Moffitt, Indianola, 21 feet, 8 inches

4) Kylee Beamer, Dallas Center, 21 feet, 3 inches

5) Landri Steenhard, Ankeny, 18 feet, 7 inches

5-Year-Olds

1) Stacia Linder, Deep River, 33 feet, 7 inches

2) Alyssa Bartlett, Pleasant Hill, 29 feet, 6 inches

3) Samantha Price, Bloomfield, 29 feet

4) Rylee Jiras, Oxford, 27 feet, 6 inches

5) Emma Cook, Colfax, 23 feet, 4 inches

6-Year-Olds

1) Elizabeth Stohlmann, Marengo, Full Pull, 34 feet, 6 inches

2) Grace Prybil, Riverside, Full Pull, 31 feet, 2 inches

3) Laney Jiras, Oxford, Full Pull, 26 feet, 9 inches

4) Isabella Van Oosbree, Full Pull, Des Moines, 25 feet, 6 inches

5) Allie Turnbull, Mingo, Full Pull, 25 feet, 4 inches

7-Year-Olds

1) Quinn Grubbs, Casey, 27 feet, 8 inches

2) Madeline Barker, Floris, 26 feet, 3 inches

3) Julia Bents, Ames, 20 feet, 9 inches

4) Erin Renshaw, Cedar Rapids, 19 feet, 3 inches

5) Lydia Sandbulte, Waukee, 16 feet, 6 inches

8-Year-Olds

1) Becca Mohlis, Tripoli, Full Pull

2) Katie Schlosser, Colfax, 39 feet, 6 inches

3) Katie Wardlow, Kahoka, Mo., 37 feet, 5 inches

4) Clare Schnicker, Mount Pleasant, 32 feet

5) Keely Malone, Morning Sun, 21 feet

9-Year-Olds

1) Kenzie Smith, Knoxville, Full Pull

2) Megan Van Zante, Sully, 39 feet, 7 inches

3) Sky Weber, Harper, 22 feet, 1 inch

4) Tatum Grubbs, Casey, 20 feet, 7 inches

5) Kayla Jiras, Oxford, 19 feet, 9 inches

10-Year-Olds

1) Korie Jack, Kellogg, Full Pull, 36 feet, 2 inches

2) Tala Saulmon, Memphis, Mo., Full Pull, 30 feet, 6 inches

3) Renee Grimm, Audubon, 30 feet, 8 inches

4) Learia Wardlow, Kahoka, Mo., 28 feet

5) Rowan Langford, Des Moines, 21 feet, 1 inch

11-Year-Olds

1) Morgan Hines, Clinton, Full Pull, Full Pull, Full Pull

2) Lexi Mohlis, Tripoli, Full Pull, Full Pull, 35 feet, 9 inches

3) Faith Diephuis, Farmington, Full Pull, Full Pull, 33 feet, 6 inches

4) Camilla Schlosser, Colfax, Full Pull, 39 feet, 4 inches

5) Madison Warschkow, Iowa Falls, 33 feet, 7 inches

BOYS

4-Year-Olds

1) Evan Stohlmann, Marengo, 26 feet

2) Dawnson Elliot, Bloomfield, 25 feet, 1 inch

3) Trice Van Ryswyk, Chariton, 22 feet, 7 inches

4) Cooper Linder, Deep River, 22 feet, 6 inches

5) Truman Van Oosbree, Des Moines, 19 feet, 5 inches

5-Year-Olds

1) Kaiden Smith, Knoxville, 36 feet, 4 inches

2) Leyton Steenhard, Ankeny, 33 feet

3) Colton Metcalf, Pleasantville, 32 feet, 11 inches

4) Tanner Klejah, Grant City, Mo., 32 feet, 6 inches

5) Michael Jensen, Winterset, 31 feet, 10 inches

6-Year-Olds

1) Ethan Thimmes, Mechanicsville, Full Pull

2) Isaac Wardlow, Kahoke, Mo., 32 feet, 1 inch

3) Cade Odell, Princeton, 27 feet, 9 inches

4) Brayden Moeller, Urbandale, 26 feet

5tie) Milo Staver, Afton, 22 feet, 6 inches

5tie) Jesse Kenseth, Ankeny, 22 feet, 6 inches

7-Year-Olds

1) Brandon Greiner, Washington, 38 feet, 5 inches

2) Lanten Simpson, Albia, 32 feet, 8 inches

3) Ryan Doud, Batavia, 31 feet

4) Zachary Bradfield, Huxley, 30 feet, 6 inches

5) Luke Van Essen, Pella, 29 feet, 5 inches

8-Year-Olds

1) Kenny Schlosser, Colfax, 38 feet, 7 inches

2) William O'Connor, Clearfield, 37 feet, 2 inches

3) Bryce Moffitt, Indianola, 34 feet, 9 inches

4) John Koll, Urbandale, 32 feet, 2 inches

5) Kai Malone, Morning Sun, 30 feet, 6 inches

9-Year-Olds

1) Benjamin Moffit, Indianola, Full Pull, Full Pull, 36 feet, 4 inches

2) Grant Prybil, Riverside, Full Pull, Full Pull, 32 feet, 4 inches

3) Dominic Baker, Des Moines, Full Pull, 38 feet, 2 inches

4) Jaxton Elliot, Bloomfield, Full Pull, 27 feet, 4 inches

5) Thomas Schnicker, Mount Pleasant, 39 feet, 4 inches

10-Year-Olds

1) Ethan Diephuis, Farmington, Full Pull, Full Pull

2) Tristan Clark, Swan, Full Pull, 37 feet, 9 inches

3) Dillon Berynett, Panora, Full Pull, 33 feet, 8 inches

4) David Wedemeyer, Lake City, Full Pull, 30 feet

5) Nathan Kroeger, Carroll, Full Pull, 28 feet, 6 inches

11-Year-Olds

1) Koby Van Houweling, Prairie City, Full Pull

2) Brady Smith, Knoxville, 33 feet

3) Noah Bassett, Urbandale, 31 feet, 2 inches

4) Sage Bents, Ames, 25 feet, 1 inch

"Nothing Compares" to the 2012 Iowa State Fair, August 9-19. 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.

* * *

17 Aug 2012

Lt. Governor Simon to recognize hometown gold medalists, join Chicago Sky Title IX team

By Justin Stofferahn

CHICAGO - Fresh from the Olympics break, the Chicago Sky basketball team will honor Lt. Governor Sheila Simon and other female athletes and coaches Friday during the 40th anniversary celebration of Title IX.

The WNBA's Sky features two players, Sylvia Fowles and Swin Cash, who helped Team USA earn gold in London. The Sky's honorary Title IX team includes Julie Foudy, former USA Women's Soccer Team captain and a two-time Olympic gold medalist.

"This year's Olympics are a testament to the possibilities Title IX has made available to women," Simon said. "This summer's US Olympic team featured more women than men, and the majority of US gold medalists in London were women."

Title IX, enacted on June 23, 1972, banned sex discrimination in federally funded schools and led to expanded opportunities for female athletes. This summer Simon declared June 23 "Title IX Day" in Illinois and joined the Sky for a celebration in recognition of the 40th anniversary of Title IX.

Other members of the honorary Title IX team are: Margaret Stender, chairwoman, former president and CEO of the Chicago Sky; Sarah Spain, ESPN/ESPNW contributor and reporter; Amy Skeen, president and CEO of Girls in the Game; Lisa Cole, founder of the Chicago Force; Peg Kopec, volleyball coach at St. Francis High School in Wheaton; Ramelia Williams, former Chicago director of Go Girl Go!; and Maria Wynne, CEO for Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana; and Lt. Governor Simon, who has held the indoor and outdoor high jump records at Wittenberg University since the 1980s.

Click here to view a video of Simon discussing her personal experience with Title IX.

DATE: Friday, August 17

TIME: 6 p.m. reception, 7:30 p.m. tip-off

PLACE: Allstate Arena, 6920 North Mannheim Road, Rosemont

ADDITIONAL: For credentialing information, please contact Will Steinberg with the Chicago Sky: wsteinberg@chicagosky.net
17 Aug 2012

Checkoff Farmer-Leaders Commit to Maintaining Sustainability of U.S. Soy

By United Soybean Board
Pledge states 'We are sustainable' on behalf of U.S. soybean farmers

ST. LOUIS (August 16, 2012) - When it comes to buzzwords, sustainability is one that U.S. soybean farmers believe has staying power. It's so important, in fact, that the United Soybean Board (USB) and soy checkoff recently joined other U.S. soybean organizations in supporting a pledge and set of data that demonstrate U.S. soybean farmers continue to improve their sustainability performance. These organizations will use this pledge and data to help increase sales of U.S. soy among customers that demand sustainably sourced ingredients.

"Instead of a certification process for individual U.S. soybean farmers, we are recommending an aggregate approach, in which the data show the environmental, economic and societal benefits of U.S. soybean production," says Jim Call, soybean farmer from Madison, Minn. and USB secretary. "This pledge will be the commitment by the entire U.S. soy industry that we, as farmers, are sustainable."

At their most recent meeting, the soy checkoff recently joined the American Soybean Association and state checkoff boards in further committing the U.S. soy industry to sustainability. The United Soybean Export Council Board is expected to take similar formal action in the next few weeks.

"Our customers, the end-users, want to use products that are sustainable, and it is our responsibility to provide them," adds Call. "Within the pledge, we share data that shows our decreasing use of inputs and the increasing use of conservation practices by U.S. soybean farmers."

Also during the meeting, checkoff farmer-leaders adopted a series of recommendations to finish implementing USB's new operating structure. As part of one of these recommendations, USB Chair Vanessa Kummer appointed a Strategic Management Committee, which will ensure all checkoff-funded projects contribute toward meeting the checkoff's long-range strategic plan.

Kummer appointed farmer-leaders Dwain Ford, Kinmundy, Ill.; Richard Fordyce, Bethany, Mo.; and Nancy Kavazanjian, Beaver Dam, Wis., to join USB Vice Chair Jim Stillman, Emmetsburg, Iowa; and immediate past chair Marc Curtis, Leland, Miss., to the committee.

The 69 farmer-directors of USB oversee the investments of the soy checkoff to maximize profit opportunities for all U.S. soybean farmers. These volunteers invest and leverage checkoff funds to increase the value of U.S. soy meal and oil, to ensure U.S. soybean farmers and their customers have the freedom and infrastructure to operate, and to meet the needs of U.S. soy's customers. As stipulated in the federal Soybean Promotion, Research and Consumer Information Act, the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service has oversight responsibilities for USB and the soy checkoff.

For more information on the United Soybean Board, visit www.unitedsoybean.org
Visit us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/UnitedSoybeanBoard
Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/unitedsoy
View our YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/user/UnitedSoybeanBoard

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17 Aug 2012

Environmental Agencies Invite Public to Discuss Muscatine Air Quality Issues and Participation Opportunities

By Kris Lancaster

(Kansas City, Kan., Aug. 21, 2012) - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 7 and Iowa Department of Natural Resources will host two public availability and informational sessions to share Muscatine air quality information and public participation opportunities Aug. 28 at the Environmental Learning Center in Discovery Park.

The event is free and open to the public.  Subject matter experts will be available to answer questions on all air quality issues including specific air pollution types, monitoring and community resources.  Materials and information will be available in English and Spanish.

WHO: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 7, Iowa Department of Natural Resources

WHAT: Public Availability and Information Sessions on Muscatine Air Quality

WHERE: Environmental Learning Center, Discovery Park, 3300 Cedar St., Muscatine Iowa

WHEN: 1-3 p.m. and 7-9 p.m., Aug. 28, 2012

Each session will be identical so the public can choose the session they would like to attend.

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