Greater Des Moines Wins Big with

NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Regional Championship

DES MOINES, IA - The NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Regional Championship has wrapped up in Des Moines, leaving behind an economic impact of $2 million on Greater Des Moines.

"The community-wide support made this event a big win for our region," said Greg Edwards, President and CEO of the Greater Des Moines Convention and Visitors Bureau. "We put out the call to residents, corporations and visitors to support this sport in our community and the response has been overwhelming."

Hotel staff wore "Welcome to Des Moines" t-shirts and "Welcome NCAA" buttons. Businesses around the metro hung signs in their storefronts and lobbies welcoming NCAA student-athletes, coaches and fans.

"We've heard great feedback from visitors and locals. Hosting NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Regional Championship in Greater Des Moines was a slam dunk," said Edwards.

The Des Moines Regional Championship led the other regions in ticket sales on Saturday, with a total of 7,941 tickets sold. Last night, 9,068 tickets were sold. Final ticket numbers from other regions will be available later this week.

The Greater Des Moines Convention and Visitors Bureau is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to promote Greater Des Moines as a fun, vibrant and affordable destination statewide, nationally and internationally. Our focus increases visitors to our community through meetings, conventions, sports events, leisure travel, and group tours, thereby contributing to the local economy.

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Bill will help small businesses grow and expand

Washington, DC - Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) released the following statement today after voting to send a bill that will help small businesses expand and create jobs to the President's desk:

"Iowans can't afford any more gridlock or inaction from Congress on job creation.  Americans want to see politicians in Washington working together to get results.  They don't care about partisan labels.

"That's why I've voted twice to pass the JOBS Act.  It will reduce small business restrictions so they can get the capital they need to grow and expand.  I urge the President to sign this bill into law immediately."

The Jumpstart Our Business Startups (JOBS) Act would make it easier for small businesses to raise capital to grow and expand their businesses by making changes to federal business regulations.  For more information on the bill, visit: http://go.usa.gov/PB5

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SPRINGFIELD - March 27, 2012. Ambassador to the Illinois Main Street Program, Lt. Governor Sheila Simon announced today that the program will begin accepting applications next month from communities interested in joining.

Illinois Main Street is administered by the Regional Outreach Division at the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) and offers its 45 designated communities technical assistance and training in how to revitalize traditional downtowns, neighborhood business districts, and urban corridors. The program, which has not accepted applications since 2009, is part of the national Main Street Program run by the National Trust for Historic Preservation Main Street Center. 

"I am happy to announce that Illinois Main Street is once again open for business," Simon said while speaking to community members at the Illinois Main Street rally outside of the State Capitol. "I urge all communities searching for ways to revitalize their downtown areas to apply to Illinois Main Street, which is a proven way to spur reinvestment in a community."  

Nationally, Main Street programs attract $27 of local investment for every $1 spent, according to data from the National Trust for Historic Preservation. In Illinois, the Main Street Program attracted an average of 10,000 volunteer hours to each member community in 2010, which represents an investment of over $220,000, according to DCEO.

 

"Moving forward, we will continue to utilize the strong partnerships that have been developed between the Illinois Main Street communities, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Office of Regional Outreach, the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency and the Lt. Governor's office to offer many mentoring and training opportunities related to business incentives, design services, and a vast array of other topics so crucial to the economic success of the Illinois Main Street Communities," Illinois Main Street Coordinator Mitzi Brandenburg said.

 

Communities interested in applying to become a member of Illinois Main Street can visit www.illinoismainstreet.org. The Illinois Main Street selection committee considers several factors when scoring an application, including level of financial support from local government, creation of a Main Street committee, a full-time executive director and existence of historic preservation ordinances. Illinois Main Street may select up to two new communities per year.

Renewal of the application process follows Governor Quinn's signing last year of the Illinois Main Street Act, which formally placed Illinois Main Street under the purview of DCEO allowing the program to move forward after a transition period.

 

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Tuesday, March 27, 2012

 

This morning, Senator Grassley attended an hour of the oral arguments before the U.S. Supreme Court on the 2010 health care reform law.  After listening to the arguments, Senator Grassley commented on the proceedings and how allowing cameras in the courtroom would allow millions of people to see one of the most historic cases heard by the court in the last 60 years.  Grassley is leading the effort to permit cameras in federal courtrooms, including the Supreme Court.  He was the first member of Congress to ask Chief Justice John Roberts to allow cameras in the Supreme Court during the health care reform proceedings so, "Every American (can) have the opportunity to see and hear this landmark case as it plays out, not just the select few allowed in the courtroom...Video coverage would help with the public's understanding of the controversial law, as well as the American judicial system."

 

Grassley's comments today are available at several places.

Video:  Click here to download the HD version of Grassley's comments. A SD version of the comments will be available today between 2:45 and 3 pm Central Time at the following coordinates:

AMC 1

Transponder 23 Horizontal

Downlink 4160

Audio - C-band analog

Audio: Comment is available on Senator Grassley's website at the following link:

Grassley Supreme Court Proceedings

Here is additional information about Grassley's efforts to permit cameras in federal courtrooms.

 

Q&A on Cameras in the Courtroom 

with U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley

 

Q:        Who is able to witness arguments made in a case before the Supreme Court?

A:        The Supreme Court case to consider the constitutionality of the health care law enacted in 2010 has brought public access to court proceedings front and center.  While arguments are made for and against the sweeping health care law that requires citizens to obtain health insurance and puts unprecedented demands on states to provide Medicaid coverage, the justices, the lawyers, a few reporters, and 250 people have the opportunity to see them.  Some people with these seats may stay for the entire argument.  Others must leave the courtroom and give their seats to the next in line after three to five minutes.  In response to requests from me and others, the Supreme Court is making audio recordings of arguments available on its website later the same day.

 

Q:        What about anyone else being able to see the arguments?

A:        I've been working to give America a front-row seat to Supreme Court cases, as well as the proceedings in the nation's federal courts.  I've sponsored legislation for more than a decade to grant federal judges the authority to allow cameras in federal courtrooms.  That sunshine legislation has been passed many times by the Senate Judiciary Committee and with bipartisan support.  I've also introduced legislation for broadcast coverage of the Supreme Court, and the Judiciary Committee has voted to pass such a reform.

 

Short of enacting legislation, this year I appealed to the Supreme Court to allow broadcast coverage of the health care case.  Every citizen is impacted by this law, and it affects one-sixth of the nation's economy.  The first time I appealed for broadcast coverage of oral arguments before the Supreme Court was in 2000 in the Bush v. Gore case regarding the presidential election.  Audio was released immediately following the arguments.  Since then, the Court occasionally releases the audio of oral arguments the day it hears significant cases.  However, in most cases the Supreme Court now releases the audio recording of arguments at the end of each week.

 

In addition, a three-year experiment now is under way allowing camera coverage in 14 federal district courts across the country, including the Southern District of Iowa, in civil proceedings.  This program was adopted by the Judicial Conference, the policy-making entity for the federal courts, because of congressional interest.

 

These are steps in the right direction, but more can be done and should be done, so I will continue to work for passage of both pieces of legislation and complete access to the proceedings of the Supreme Court and federal courts.

 

Q:        What's the basis for your effort to allow broadcast coverage?

A:        Allowing cameras in the federal courtroom is consistent with the intent of America's founders that trials be held in front of as many people as choose to attend.  The First Amendment requires court proceedings to be open to the public and, by extension, news media.  As the Supreme Court articulated in 1947, in Craig v. Harney, "A trial is a public event."  And, "What transpires in the courtroom is public property ... ."  Beyond First Amendment implications, enactment of my legislation also would assist courts in complying with the Sixth Amendment's guarantee of public trials in criminal cases.

 

Public access to the proceedings of the courts reflects the democratic values of government transparency, due process, integrity of court proceedings, and civic education.  The best way to make sure government is accountable to the people is to establish transparency.

 

Most every state allows broadcast coverage of state courts.  In Iowa, it's been the case for more than 30 years.  In fact, for the Iowa Supreme Court, expanded media coverage includes not only traditional broadcast but also live and archived streams of all oral arguments.  The Chief Justice of the Iowa Supreme Court testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee in Washington last December about the success and value of this accessibility.  He said that "cameras expose the courts to what they are - a proud institution of justice."

 

Monday, March 26, 2012
Spot Early Signs of a Struggling Young Adult

Adolescence is difficult in the best of times. It's doubly stressful for kids today; they're experiencing the same worries and insecurities as adults in this troubled economy, and with far fewer coping skills. From families struggling with joblessness and foreclosure to increasing competition for college admissions to the normal fears associated with impending adulthood, they're particularly vulnerable.

"Teens who are overwhelmed by stress often are unable or unwilling to ask for help," says noted psychologist Dr. Gregory L. Jantz, (www.drgregoryjantz.com), author of When Your Teenager Becomes...The Stranger in Your House.

"But the longer they continue to flail and struggle emotionally, the greater the chance they'll develop more serious problems like clinical depression, generalized anxiety disorder, dependence on alcohol or drugs and, sadly, suicidal tendencies," Jantz says. "It's up to parents and other adults to recognize when a teen is struggling and intervene."

So how do you know when typical teen characteristics, such as moodiness, have moved beyond "normal?" Jantz offers these tips:

• Arguing is normal; constant anger is not. Sometimes teens argue just to argue. It allows them to let off steam, express their displeasure about life in general and test boundaries. The occasional dramatic meltdown is to be expected. But it's not normal for a teen to be angry and hostile all the time, constantly fighting and yelling.

• Withdrawal from parents is normal; pulling away from family and friends is not. Expect your teen to start pulling away from you - unless she wants something - and occasionally from their friends, as well. Sometimes, they just need to pull back for a few days, even from friends. But when they appear to isolate themselves for weeks, spending weekend after weekend alone in their room, they may be struggling with depression. Socializing with friends is one of the first things to go as depression sucks the joy out of life.

• Anxiety is normal; feeling constantly overwhelmed is not. Teens have a lot to be anxious about - the prospect of independence is both exhilarating and terrifying, so some worrying is to be expected. But a teen who seems to be, or says he is, struggling daily with stress needs help. Two types of kids are especially vulnerable to developing generalized anxiety disorder, a heightened, constant state of anxiety: The worker bee perfectionist who crams his schedule with activities, responsibilities and tasks, and the kids who worry so much over anything, they can't get anything done.

• Being upset for days after a bad experience is normal; more than two weeks is not. Teenagers tend to react dramatically when things go wrong - their boss chews them out, they fail a test, they get in an argument with their sweetheart. Adults know from experience that these things aren't the end of the world and all will be well again, but teens lack that perspective. It's normal for them to be in a bad mood about it for a few days, but to dwell on the problem for more than two weeks indicates they're struggling.

The most recent data available, which is about 3 years old, puts suicide as the third-leading cause of death for teens after unintentional injuries (such as car accidents) and homicide, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. More than 2 million teens attempt suicide each year.

"I suspect new data will put suicide as the second and possibly even the leading cause of death for that age group, because depression is the biggest risk factor," Jantz says. "We're seeing more teenagers suffering from depression in recent years because of the economy and overstimulation by technology."

Visit www.aplaceofhope.com for an online survey to see if you or your teen is showing signs of depression (click "Depression" and then "Depression Survey" in the drop-down menu)."

About Gregory L. Jantz, Ph.D.

Gregory Jantz has more than 25 years experience in mental health counseling and is the founder of The Center for Counseling and Health Resources, near Seattle, Wash. The Center, "a place for hope," provides comprehensive, coordinated care from a treatment team that addresses medical, physical, psychological, emotional, nutritional, fitness and spiritual factors involved in recovery. He is the best-selling author of more than 20 books on topics from depression to eating disorders.

Statewide curriculum aims to increase college completion

 

SPRINGFIELD - March 27, 2012. Illinois middle and high schools could use a state recommended math curriculum come 2013, if a bill that passed a state Senate committee today with Lt. Governor Sheila Simon's support is adopted.

 

SB 3244, sponsored by Sen. Michael Frerichs (D-Champaign), authorizes the Illinois State Board of Education to design curriculum models that illustrate how to teach state standards in middle and high school math. Schools could opt to follow the state-recommended scope and sequence of study for math and math equivalent courses through a student's final year of high school, or continue to follow local curricula.

 

Within four years of the bill's effective date, the state board and P-20 Council will measure the effectiveness of the statewide curriculum based on test scores and math remediation needs at colleges. The aim is to recommend a standard curriculum that is proven to boost college readiness and reduce the expensive and time-consuming remedial math needs at colleges and universities.

 

"Students learn locally, but they compete globally," Simon said. "Colleges and employers are telling us that too many of our students are not competing in math. Our goal is to recommend math content and teaching techniques that educators across the state, in all zip codes, can build on so that more of their students graduate from high school ready for college and careers."

 

In 2011, 42 percent of high school graduates met the math college readiness benchmark, according to ACT. More than one-third of recent high school graduates who transitioned as full-time community college freshmen between 2006-08 enrolled in at least one remedial math course (17,527 out of 48,328 students), according to the Illinois Community College Board. Students who enroll in remedial courses are more likely to drop out or graduate late.

 

Simon said the optional statewide curriculum moves away from simply requiring "seat time" to promoting use of that time wisely. It could be most helpful to teachers in districts that cannot afford curriculum directors or curriculum committees. It will also provide guidance to districts that otherwise rely on textbook manufacturers that claim their materials are aligned with state standards.

 

SB 3244 passed 10-0 and awaits a vote by the full Senate. Simon's written testimony can be found here.

 

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Soy checkoff partners with city, county and state fairsST. LOUIS (March 27, 2012) - With soy biodiesel powering trams and carnival rides, soy-based paint freshening up show barns and soy-based cleaning products getting the fairgrounds ready, 13 fairs will be a little greener this year with the help of the United Soybean Board (USB) and the soy checkoff.

"U.S. soy feeds the animals that provide the meat we eat, but soy does a lot more than that," says Geno Lowe, a soybean farmer from Hebron, Md., and USB farmer-director. "U.S. soy is increasingly popular as a 'green' ingredient in everything from biofuel to paint to cleaning products and more."

Lowe and his fellow USB farmer-directors selected the 13 fairs as part of a competitive application process. Through the Green Ribbon Fairs reimbursement program, now in its second year, the checkoff works with fairs across the country to promote the use of soy-based products such as biodiesel, paint, cleaners, hand sanitizers and more. The following fairs will use soy-based products and help educate fairgoers by participating in the 2012 Green Ribbon Fair Reimbursement Program:

•    Barton County Fair (Kan.)
•    Delaware County Fair (Iowa)
•    Dutchess County Fair (N.Y.)
•    Dyer County Fair (Tenn.)
•    Houghton County Fair (Mich.)
•    Indiana State Fair
•    Minnesota Fairs
•    North Carolina State Fair
•    Ohio State Fair
•    Saunders County Fair (Neb.)
•    South Dakota State Fair
•    State Fair of West Virginia
•    St. Mary's County Fair (Md.)

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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Quad Cities, USA - This Saturday at The Salvation Army Community Center in Davenport, a

class will be presented to prepare local volunteers for deployment during a disaster. The class,

called "An Introduction to Emergency Disaster Services," is open to all interested. Included in this

course are: jobs to be accomplished, command structure, and getting ready for deployment. This

is a hands-on, down-to-earth, no-nonsense class with the basics.

WHEN: Saturday, March 31, 2012, 9:00am - 3:00pm

WHERE: Davenport Salvation Army Community Center, 3400 W. Central Park Avenue, Davenport,

IA 52806

If you would like to attend or have any questions, please call Steve Garrington at 309-569-0660.

About The Salvation Army:

The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church, has been supporting those in need in His

name without discrimination since 1865. Nearly 30 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army

each year through the broadest array of social services that range from providing food for the hungry, relief for disaster

victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter to the homeless and opportunities

for underprivileged children. About 82 cents of every dollar raised is used to support those services in nearly 5,000

communities nationwide.
Broadway at the Adler Theatre Announces 2012-2013 Season!
The Broadway at the Adler Theatre 2012-2013 season, presented by Lujack Lexus, will feature a line-up of smash-hits including, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, WEST SIDE STORY, ROCK OF AGES, CIRQUE DREAMS HOLIDAZE, A CHORUS LINE and ELVIS LIVES!

Subscriptions for the upcoming season are now available for purchase at the Adler Theatre Box Office (136 E. 3rd St.), at AdlerTheatre.com, or by calling 563-326-8522.  Tickets for individual shows will go on sale at a later date.
Subscribers enjoy the following benefits:
  • Best seats in the house
  • No waiting in line
  • More discounts & advance notice on added shows
  • Lost ticket insurance - free
The times and dates for the productions are as follows:
Fiddler on the Roof, Sunday, November 18, 2012 at 7:00 PM
Cirque Dreams Holidaze, Sunday, December 2, 2012 at 7:00 PM
A Chorus Line, Tuesday, January 22, 2013 at 7:30 PM
West Side Story, Monday, February 18, 2013 at 7:30 PM
Elvis Lives!, Friday, March 22, 2013 at 8:00 PM
Rock of Ages, Wednesday, April 24, 2013 at 7:30 PM
For a synopsis of each performance, please visit AdlerTheatre.com.

Click here to subscribe online today!  Prices range from $130 to $320 depending on series package and seating choice.  Click here to download an order form.  Call 563-326-8522 or email boxoffice@riverctr.com for more information.

Straight No Chaser
Tuesday, April 17; 7:30 pm
Adler Theatre

On Sale Now
Find Tickets

Agency Chief testifies before House Committee on Agriculture

WASHINGTON, March 27, 2012 - In testimony on Capitol Hill today, U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell emphasized the importance of collaboration in developing restoration projects on national forests and grasslands.

"The aim of these efforts is to move beyond the conflicts which have characterized forest policy in the past and toward a shared vision that allows environmentalists, forest industry, local communities, and other stakeholders to work collaboratively toward healthier forests and watersheds, safer communities and more vibrant local economies," Tidwell said.

Tidwell emphasized that such collaboration not only results in better projects, but will also create jobs.

His remarks were made before the House Committee on Agriculture's Subcommittee on Conservation, Energy, and Forestry.

"The Forest Service recognizes the need for a strong forest industry to help accomplish forest restoration work," Tidwell remarked.  "Forest industry involvement also lowers the cost of restoration to the taxpayer by providing markets for forest products."

Tidwell presented a list of programs already in place at the Forest Service that will enhance the restoration and management efforts on the nation's forests and grasslands:

- Implementation of the new forest Planning Rule that emphasizes restoration, public involvement, and sustainable management to provide benefits and services both today and for future generations.

- Investing in restoration projects with partners though the Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program. These projects have demonstrated that collaboration among stakeholders can facilitate large landscape scale restoration, thereby improving forest health, reducing wildfire risk, restoring fire-adapted ecosystems, and increasing timber and biomass production from the national forests.

- The Watershed Condition Framework which provides a consistent and comprehensive approach for classifying the condition of the 15,000 watersheds that comprise the National Forests and Grasslands and for prioritizing restoration needs.

- Integrated Resource Restoration which allows the agency to align its budgeting to focus on landscape scale restoration projects across resource areas and, with partners, combine the restorative focus of several line items into a single item.

- The National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy which is a collaborative process with active involvement of all levels of government, non-governmental organizations and the public working for an all-lands solution to wildland fire management issues.

- The Forest Service bark beetle strategy which focuses management efforts on priority treatment areas to ensure human health and safety and to reduce hazardous fuel conditions on more than 17 million acres of National Forest System lands impacted by bark beetles.

- Use of stewardship contracting which allows the Forest Service to offset the value of the services received with the value of forest products removed. This authority is crucial to collaboratively restore landscapes at a reduced cost to the government.

- Expanding markets for forest products through the development of new markets for woody biomass utilization and green building materials by providing a reliable and predictable supply of biomass for potential investors. 

- Research using new technologies and cutting-edge science to help better understand impacts of forest disturbance on natural and cultural resources. 

- Use of a new objections process prior to a decision, rather than using an appeals process after a decision. The process tends to increase direct dialogue between the agency and stakeholders and often results in resolution of concerns before a decision is made.

- Improved efficiency of the National Environmental Policy Act process by learning from and sharing the lessons of successful implementation of streamlined NEPA analyses.

"Today, people understand that forests provide a broad range of values and benefits, including biodiversity, recreation, clean air and water, forest products, erosion control and soil renewal, and more. Our goal is to sustain and restore ecosystems that can deliver all the benefits that Americans want and need," Tidwell concluded.

The mission of the U.S. Forest Service is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the nation's forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. Recreational activities on our lands contribute $14.5 billion annually to the U.S. economy. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, provides assistance to state and private landowners, and maintains the largest forestry research organization in the world.

 

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