Hello!

Red, White, and Boom is almost here and we can't wait for Tuesday, July 3rd!  The largest fireworks display from Chicago to St. Louis will feature nearly twice as many fireworks this year and will light up the sky with more than 2,500 shells and over 2,400 pounds of fireworks!

 

We'd like to thank Genesis Health System and Riverboat Development Authority for hosting this great event along with all of our generous sponsors that make Red White & Boom possible.

 

The Mississippi Valley Blues Fest takes over LeClaire Park in the days leading up to Red, White, and Boom!  Acts this year include Sugar Ray and The Bluetones, Super Chikan, Kelley Hunt, Brooks Family Blues Dynasty, Johnny Rawls, Bobby Rush, Kenny Neal, and Coco Montoya.  This is one of the country's finest Blues festivals, so don't miss it!

 

We're proud to host one of  the most critically acclaimed bands in America downtown.  Wilco is returning to the Adler Theatre Tuesday night!  Their reputation continues to grow; the Austin Chronicle says "Wilco's new millennial emergence as an avant-garde Americana juggernaut now grooves a new found equilibrium."

 

A performance of "A Couple of Blaguards " comes to Mac's Tavern on Saturday night!  This touring show comes to downtown via the Irish American Theatre Company and the Irish Heritage Center of Greater Cincinnati. 

Beat the heat and enjoy FREE admission at the Figge today and Friday!  The Waxing Poetic Panel will host a lively discussion about artistic inspirations and expression tonight in the Figge auditorium.  Presenters at the event include Leslie Bell, E. Marie Bertram, Ryan Collins, and David Murray. The host of WVIK's "Art Talks," Bruce Carter, will host the event.  Also, the River Bandits are home all week down the street with lots of fireworks and giveaways t.

 

Tinsley Ellis, the hard-rocking blues-soaked guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter performs on the Redstone Room stage Monday night!   Free RME shows this week include Live Lunches with Alan Sweet, Mo, Dustin Lee, Luke Redfield,and Blues Cafe.  Other events at the River Music experience include Snogulated Pig, Nick and The Ovorols, Community Drum Circle, Matthew Kylestewa, and Float Face Down.

 

Final Friday at the Bucktown Center for the Arts signals the end to another month.  The theme this month is an Art Education Celebration.  We hope to see every at Bucktown on Friday and all the other events taking place downtown this week.

 

See you downtown!

 

 

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This Week's Events: June 28 - July 4


Thursday, June 28

$2,800 Bank It Blackjack Tournament

Where: Rhythm City Casino

Time: Registration 5 p.m. Tournament 6 p.m.

Price: $20 entry fee

Website

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Brady Street Pub Lunch Specials & Happy Hour

Where: Brady Street Pub

Time: Lunch specials every weekday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Time: Happy Hour specials every weekday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Time: Sunday, drink specials all day

Prices: See website

Website

 

Bix at 6

Where: 3rd Street & Brady

Time: 6:00 p.m.

Price: N/A

Website

Drop-In Hockey (Adult)

Where: River's Edge

Time: 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Price: $10

Website

 

Kilkenny's Live Music

Where: Kilkenny's Pub

Time: 9 p.m.

Price: FREE

Website

 

Live Lunch with Alan Sweet

Where: River Music Experience, Community Stage

Time: Noon - 1:00 p.m.

Price: FREE

Website

 

Million Points Giveaway

Where: Rhythm City Casino

Time: 10:00 a.m., Noon, and 2:00 p.m.

Price: FREE

Website

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Panel Discussion: "Poetic Images/Artistic Words"

Where: Figge Art Museum

Time: 7:00 p.m.

Price: Museum Admission ($7), or FREE with membership

Website

 

River Bandits v. Cedar Rapids Kernels - Pro Wrestling Night, Barrel House Thirst-Day

Where: Modern Woodmen Park

Time: 7:00 p.m.

Price: $5 and Up

Website

River's Edge Monthly Turf & Ice Schedule

Discover dozens of sporting events at River's Edge!  Follow the links below to see the complete ice and turf schedule for the month.

Ice Schedule

Turf Schedule

Website

 

Thursdays at the Figge

Where: Figge Art Museum

Time: 6:00 p.m.

Price: Museum Admission ($7), or FREE with membership

Website

 

Trivia Challenge - Win Gift Certificates!

Where: Brady Street Pub

Time: 8:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.

Price: FREE

Website

 

Friday, June 29

$25,000 Power Hour Hot Seat Giveaway

Where: Rhythm City Casino
Time: 5:30 p.m - 10:00 p.m.
Price: FREE

Website

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All Ages Show Featuring Snogulated Pig, I Am Your Disease, Murmur, and Picquerist

Where: River Music Experience, Performance Hall

Time: 7:00 p.m.

Price: $5

Website

 

Brewery Tours

Where: Great River Brewery

Time: 6:00 p.m, 7:00 p.m, and 8:00 p.m.

Price: N/A

Website

 

Cellarman's Series: Firkin Friday!

Where: Great River Brewery

Time: 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Price: N/A

Website

 

Class: Fridays at the Figge

Where: Figge Art Museum

Time: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Price: $45/member; $55/non-member

Website

 

Final Friday - Art Education Celebration

Where: Bucktown Center for the Arts

Time: 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Price: FREE

Website

 

Kilkenny's Live Music

Where: Kilkenny's Pub

Time: 9 p.m.

Price: FREE

Website

 

Lee Blackmon

Where: Rhythm City Casino

Time: 6:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Price: FREE

Follow on Facebook and Twitter

 

Live Lunch with Mo

Where: River Music Experience, Community Stage

Time: Noon - 1:00 p.m.

Price: FREE

Website

 

Mississippi Valley Blues Fest

Where: LeClaire Park

Time: 6:30 p.m. - Midnight

Price: $15

Website

 

Nick and the Ovorols with Jon Aanestad
Where: River Music Experience, Community Stage
Time: 8:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Price: $5

Website

 

Public Skate

Where: River's Edge

Time: 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Price: $5 and up

Website

 

River Bandits v. Cedar Rapids Kernels - Rally Towel Giveaway, Fireworks

Where: Modern Woodmen Park

Time: 7:00 p.m.

Price: $5 and Up

Website

 

Saturday, June 30

$1 Deals

Where: Rhythm City Casino

Time: While hard beverages are served

Price: $1 drink specials

Website

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A Couple of Blaguards

Where: Mac's Tavern

Time: 7:00 p.m.

Price: $15

Website

 

Brewery Tours

Where: Great River Brewery
Time: Noon, 1:00 p.m, 2:00 p.m, and 3:00 p.m.
Price: N/A
Community Drum Circle
Where: River Music Experience, Community Stage
Time: 10:30 a.m.
Price: $5 for Adults; $2.50 for Children 12 and under

Dustin Lee

Where: River Music Experience, Community Stage

Time: 7:30 p.m.

Price: FREE

 

Exhibition: David Plowden's Iowa

Where: Figge Art Museum

Time: 10:00 a.m.

Price: Museum Admission ($7), or FREE with membership

Website

 

Exhibition: Sculpting with Fiber

Where: Figge Art Museum

Time: 10:00 a.m.

Price: Museum Admission ($7), or FREE with membership

Website

 

Exhibition: Suds: History of Brewing

Where: German American Heritage Center

Time: 10:00 a.m.

Price: Museum Admission ($5), or FREE with membership

Website

 

Exhibition: Waxing Poetic: Exploring Expression in Art

Where: Figge Art Museum

Time: 10:00 a.m.

Price: Museum Admission ($7), or FREE with membership

Website

 

Freight House Farmers Market

Where: Freight House Farmer's Market

Time: 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Price: FREE

Website

 

Gift Cards Galore

Where: Rhythm City Casino

Time: All Day

Price: FREE

Follow on Facebook and Twitter

 

Kilkenny's Live Music

Where: Kilkenny's Pub

Time: 9 p.m.

Price: FREE

Website

 

Lee Blackmon

Where: Rhythm City Casino

Time: 6:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Price: FREE

Website

Follow on Facebook and Twitter

 

Matthew Kylestewa with Spaz

Where: River Music Experience, Redstone Room

Time: 10:00 p.m.

Price: $5

Website

 

Mississippi Valley Blues Fest

Where: LeClaire Park & Bandshell

Time: 2:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.

Price: $15

Website

 

Public Skate

Where: River's Edge

Time: 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Price: $5 and up

Website

 

River Bandits v. Cedar Rapids Kernels - Cael Sanderson Bobble Head, John Deere Night

Where: Modern Woodmen Park

Time: 7:00 p.m.

Price: $5 and Up

Website

 

Sunday, July 1

 

$1 Deals

Where: Rhythm City Casino

Time: While hard beverages are served

Price: $1 drink specials

Website

Follow on Facebook and Twitter

$3,000 Sunday Shake Up Slot Tournament

Where: Rhythm City Casino

Time: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Price: FREE

Website

Follow on Facebook and Twitter

 

All-Ages Show Featuring Float Face Down, Last 10 Seconds of Life, & In Alcatraz 1962

Where: River Music Experience, Performance Hall

Time: 7:00 p.m.

Price: $6

Website

 

Mississippi Valley Blues Fest

Where: Bandshell, LeClaire Park

Time: 3:00 p.m.

Price: $15

Website

 

Public Skate

Where: River's Edge

Time: 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Price: $5 and up

Website

 

River Bandits v. Wisconsin Timber Rattlers - Team Photo Giveaway, U.S. Bank Family Sunday

Where: Modern Woodmen Park

Time: 5:00 p.m.

Price: $5 and Up

Website

 

Sunday Jazz Brunch at Bix Bistro

Where: Blackhawk Hotel

Time: 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.

Price: Adults - $17.95 and Kids - $8.95

Website

 

Monday, July 2

2 Times Points Plus

Where: Rhythm City Casino

Time: 4:00 p.m. - Midnight

Price: FREE

Website

Follow on Facebook and Twitter

 

Happy Hour

Where: Rhythm City Casino

Time: 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Price: $1 Drink Specials

Website

Follow on Facebook and Twitter

 

Luke Redfield

Where: River Music Experience, Community Stage

Time: 5:30 p.m.

Price: FREE

 

Nifty 50's

Where: Rhythm City Casino

Time: 6:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Price: FREE

Website

Follow on Facebook and Twitter

 

Public Skate

Where: River's Edge

Time: 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Price: $5 and up

Davenport, IOWA (June 2012) In an effort to assist Davenport residents coping with the high temperatures, the Figge Art Museum will be opening its doors to area residents as a cooling center starting today through Friday at no charge. The Figge Art Museum is located at 225 West Second Street and museum hours are 10 am until 9 pm today and 10 am until 5 pm Friday.

Visitors to the museum can view two special exhibitions, in addition to the museum's permanent collection.  Now on view are the exhibitions Waxing Poetic: Exploring Expression in Art, featuring poetry and works from the permanent collection, and David Plowden's Iowa, a photography exhibition highlighting scenes from across Iowa. The permanent collection includes works by Grant Wood, Frank Lloyd Wright and John Bloom.

On Thursday at 7pm, Bruce Carter, Leslie Bell, Erin Marie Bertram, Ryan Collins, and David Murray will lead the panel discussion "Poetic Words/Artistic Images".  This discussion about artistic inspiration and expression is offered in conjunction with the Figge's weekly series "Thursdays at the Figge".

About the Figge Art Museum

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

-end-

Rare Documents, Artifacts to Reveal Human Side of the Civil War

To commemo­rate the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, the Library of Congress will present "The Civil War in America," a major exhibition opening Nov. 12.

More than 175 unique items?many never before on public view?from the Library's unparalleled Civil War collections, will be featured in the exhibition. "The Civil in America" will be free and open to the public, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday, from Nov. 12, 2012, to May 23, 2013, in the Southwest Exhibition Gallery of the Thomas Jefferson Building at 10 First Street S.E., Washington, D.C. The exhibition is made possible by the generous support of the James Madison Council. Additional funding is provided by Union Pacific Corporation, the Liljenquist family and AARP.

"The Civil War in America" will tell the story of the nation's greatest military and political upheaval. Through diaries, letters, maps, song sheets, newspapers and broadsides, photographs, drawings and unusual artifacts, the exhibition will chronicle the sacrifices and accomplishments of those?from both the North and South?whose lives were lost or affected by the events of 1861-1865.

The exhibition will reveal the complexity of the Civil War through those who experienced it first-hand. It will feature pivotal documents, such as Lincoln's own reading copy of the second Inaugural Address and Confederate Major Jedediah Hotchkiss's strategic map made for Stonewall Jackson's historic Shenandoah campaign, together with little-known gems, including the poignant diary of Georgia teenager LeRoy Gresham and moving war accounts penned by Union veterans who lost limbs in the war. The exhibition will offer a human perspective on the war and shed new light on the many ways that this terrible conflict helped shape the American people and the nation.

Companion programming is planned by multiple divisions throughout the Library and will be announced in the coming months.

"The Civil War in America" is the centerpiece of the Library's commemoration of the sesquicentennial of the Civil War. To mark the 150th anniversary of the start of the war?April 12, 1861 at Fort Sumter, S.C.?the Library featured nearly 400 ambrotype and tintype photographs of both Union and Confederate soldiers in an exhibition titled "The Last Full Measure: Civil War Photos from the Liljenquist Family Collection." The exhibition, which was on display April 12 to Aug. 13, 2011, may be viewed online at http://myloc.gov/exhibitions/civilwarphotographs/.

A Library-sponsored conference held last spring focused on the accomplishments of Civil War cartographers and topographic engineers from a multi-disciplinary perspective, and provided new insight into how their maps were used during one of the most difficult periods in U.S. history. The conference, titled "Re-Imagining the U.S. Civil War: Reconnaissance, Surveying and Cartography," can be viewed online at www.loc.gov/webcasts/.

The Library, in association with Little, Brown and Company, published "The Library of Congress Illustrated Timeline of the Civil War" by Margaret E. Wagner, with an introduction by historian Gary W. Gallagher. The 240-page, hardcover volume, with more than 350 color illustrations, is a companion volume to the upcoming exhibition. It is available for $35 in bookstores nationwide and at the Library of Congress Shop, Washington, D.C., 20540-4985. Credit-card orders are taken at (888) 682-3557, or shop on the Internet at www.loc.gov/shop/.

The Library of Congress, the nation's oldest federal cultural institution and the largest library in the world, holds more than 151 million items in various languages, disciplines, and formats. The Library seeks to spark imagination and creativity and to further human understanding and wisdom by providing access to knowledge through its magnificent collections, programs, publications and exhibitions. Many of the Library's rich resources can be accessed through its website at www.loc.gov.

# # #

DES MOINES, IA (06/28/2012)(readMedia)-- Six Iowa farm families will be honored as recipients of The Way We Live Award at the 2012 Iowa State Fair. Each family will be recognized for their love of the land and the product they produce in an individual award ceremony during the Fair. "Nothing Compares" to the Iowa State Fair, set for August 9-19.

The Way We Live Award recognizes industrious Iowa families who demonstrate a daily dedication to animal agriculture and exemplify farm values derived from hard work and a love for the occupation of farming. Entrants were asked to submit a short essay describing how living on a farm and choosing the occupation of farming has shaped their family's life. Six recipients of the award were chosen from a pool of 75 entries representing a variety of commodities and locations throughout Iowa.

Each family will receive a prize package including $250 cash, Fair admission tickets, parking, Fair food tickets, and recognition in the Paul R. Knapp Animal Learning Center during the Fair. The Way We Live Award is sponsored by NewsRadio 1040 WHO and Tractor Supply Company.

Benning Family

Ackley

Keith and Dar Benning live on the same farm now that they bought when they got married. Instead of attending college, Keith followed in his father's footsteps and pursued the farm life. Keith and Dar's three children did the same, and each of them were involved in 4-H and FFA in high school and showed at the Fair. Their two sons, Brad and Darin, have married and started families of their own, with both of their young sons already eager to join the farming operation.

Brad moved into his grandparent's house near Keith and Dar. Darin bought land close by and built a house. Between the three farms, they own 1400 acres, with four hog confinement barns, cattle and chickens. Keith, Brad and Darin work in the fields, keep up with maintenance and tend to the livestock. Dar and her two daughters-in-law help out with yard work, cooking and raising their young families. To the Bennings, farming is life and there is no other career they would rather be doing.

Henry Family

Indianola

Keith and Marie Henry not only share their love of farming with their own family, but they also open their home to share that love and understanding with others in their community. After over 25 years of marriage, they have established a farrowing operation and a several hundred acre farm. Keith has worked hard to establish a working relationship between his children and his father, Edwin Henry, and his uncle, Dale Henry. The multigenerational knowledge that flows between these three generations benefits all. The farrowing is done in conjunction with a family farm operation that includes cattle, hogs and crops. Keith and his children provide all the labor hours that are necessary to maintain the farm. As one of the few farrowing operations in Warren County, Keith has done all he can to promote this practice with other county youth.

Keith and Marie also spend their time teaching children who don't live on farms about agriculture. They volunteer to lead 4-H clubs and help with the Warren County Fair, and their four children (Lexie, Allison, Megan and Jordan) are all award winning members of 4-H and FFA and are working toward degrees in farming careers. The children are an intricate part of this operation and have serious responsibilities on the farm. Keith and Marie took their love for the farming community to a new level when their church, Farmers Chapel, burned down. They led the effort to rebuild the church and dedicated their time to those around them. The Henrys believe it is important to help involve the community in understanding what it means to farm and how important it is to our country.

Olthoff Family

Stanhope

Several years ago Bart Olthoff worked as a lab technician at the National Animal Disease Center in Ames and Katie, his wife, worked as a teacher. They had a desire to raise their children in the country but had no set plan. The opportunity to buy a turkey farm came up in 2009 and the couple couldn't pass it up. Bart's dad and grandfather had raised turkeys but timing did not allow Bart to continue in the turkey business. Since 2009, they have been living in the country raising their two children, Adam (3) and Isaac (1).

Although they are new to the farm world, Bart and Katie are fully embracing their new country life. Bart built tunnel ventilated turkey barns, using the latest energy efficiency and technology to keep his turkeys comfortable and well cared for. Bart and Katie hosted an open house with the Coalition to Support Iowa's Farmers to celebrate the third generation of the family turkey farm. Katie has a blog (www.onthebanksofsquawcreek.com), Facebook page and Twitter account to connect with people and educate them about her farm life, family and home. "There are lots of risks involved, but we feel that the financial benefits are nothing compared to raising our kids on a farm in this lifestyle," says Katie. Katie is also participating in a volunteer program called Common Ground, a social media effort sponsored by the United Soybean Board and the National Corn Growers Association, where she connects with other moms through social media and to answer questions about how farmers grow our food.

Ronnebaum Family

Earlville

For more than 30 years, Delbert and Darlene Ronnebaum farmed land that's been in their family since 1941. It's where they raised their five children, taught them about agriculture and dairy farming and built such close bonds with neighbors that they're considered family. Today all of their children live within five miles of the two family farms and are passing down the farming knowledge to their own kids.

Delbert has been a long-time member of the American Legion Post 136 in Dyersville and was awarded the Delaware County Distinguished Dairy Farmer Award in 2009. In addition to helping Delbert with both farms, Darlene also has worked at the Good Neighbor Home in Manchester for 23 years as a nurse.

The Ronnebaums were nominated by their neighbor, Jill Lantermans. "Having grown up on a dairy farm next to one of Delbert's farms, I've known his family my entire life," she says. "He's the first one to come pulling into your field if the rain is coming and you are frantically trying to finish your fieldwork. If there's something you need and he has it - it's yours. No questions asked. If someone has a fire, storm damage, is suffering with an illness or death in the family, he's there right away offering his help."

Sager Family

Atlantic

Mick and LaVon Sager both grew up on family farms in southwest Iowa, learning to care for beef, sheep and hogs, and maintaining the land for future generations. When it came time to raise a family of their own, they chose to raise their four children (Whitney, Heather, Jordan and Tucker) on the farm where Mick grew up. As a family, they care for their farm of 55 sheep, 38 feeder calves, 210 chickens, 20 turkeys and 2 llamas.

Sisters Whitney, Heather and Jordan have each begun raising their own sheep flock. They trade labor for feed from their dad to help lower their operation costs, and they have all earned the American FFA Degree for their sheep-raising efforts, the highest degree awarded by the FFA. Tucker began his own egg selling business. He sells more than 40 dozen eggs each week to local customers who are looking for farm fresh, free-range chicken eggs. Only when all the animals are fed and settled in for the night, does this farming family's day end.

Mick and LaVon, both former 4-H and FFA members, volunteer their time and leadership to the clubs their children are involved in. LaVon has served as a 4-H leader for the past 15 years and served as a fairgrounds committee member for 4 years. Together Mick and LaVon served as the county fair poultry superintendents for two consecutive years. The Sagers understand the important role today's youth play in the future of agriculture. The children are able to take the lessons they learned on the farm and apply those lessons in their everyday lives at school and work.

Kent Timmerman

Cherokee

Kent and Natasha Timmerman both grew up on farms, working alongside their dads when they were young. Natasha vowed she'd never marry a farmer but Kent changed her plans. Natasha met Kent in college and the two quickly immersed themselves in a farming life of their own. When Kent's dad died in a tragic ATV accident, Kent took over the whole farming operation and has managed it for the last 14 years. The couple bought Kent's grandfather's home and started a new generation of Timmerman cattlemen with their three children (Cole, Trey and Ally).

Kent's true passion is his cattle, and he takes every opportunity to share this love with his two boys. The boys have shown their bottle calves at the county fair for the past few years, and they help dad and ride along in the tractor. Kent is up at all hours checking calves, working the fields, baling hay or helping others in the community with their farms. Natasha is an elementary school teacher, and she makes sure her farm boys are well fed when she gets home. Kent Timmerman is dedicated to their herd of cattle and managing their crops.

"Nothing Compares" to the 2012 Iowa State Fair, August 9-19. For more information, call 800/545-FAIR or visit www.iowastatefair.org.

As the drought continues, cattlemen need to look at numerous management practices to help stretch their feed supply and maintain performance and reproduction in the cow herd. Here are a few strategies that may help.

First, develop a plan before the drought conditions get any worse. How do you plan to provide emergency feed in the short-term, as well as winter feed in the longer term? This requires an inventory of feed currently available and an inventory of the cow herd. You can often purchase hay less expensively during the growing season than in the winter. You also have the option now to incorporate silage into your winter feed supply.

Second, give your pasture some rest. Consider splitting your pasture into smaller paddocks and sacrificing one to use with supplemental feed. Allowing the other paddocks to rest and regrow when rain occurs this fall will probably result in more fall forage available to the cow herd. Also rotational grazing reduces selectivity in a cow's grazing habit, enhances forage utilization rate, and can improve pasture carrying capacity by 10 to 30%.

Consider weaning calves early. This will reduce the demand on the pasture forage by 25-35% and will reduce the nutritional demands of the cow by 30-40%. Creep feeding calves can help reduce the demand on the pasture slightly and will help prepare the young calf for weaning.

Cull all free-loader cows. Any late-calving cows, open cows, cows with feet, leg, and eye or udder problems should be sold immediately. Why waste precious feed on cows that don't perform?

Finally, get your winter feeds lined up soon. Whether you need to locate a custom chopper or bagger to chop your silage, or you need to lay out fence for grazing standing corn, it is much easier to do now that at the last minute.

More information on cow management strategies during a drought, or forage planning, can be found on the Iowa Beef Center web site at www.iowabeefcenter.org/droughtresources.html or by calling the Benton County Extension office at 319-472-4739, or Denise Schwab, ISU Extension Beef Program Specialist, at 319-721-9624.

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Schilling Statement on the Supreme Court's Health Care Ruling
"Illinoisans deserve policies that reduce the cost of care and improve its quality without increasing taxes"

Washington, DC - Congressman Bobby Schilling (IL-17) released the following statement after the Supreme Court announced its ruling to uphold the President's health care reform law, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, in its entirety, ruling that its individual mandate is a tax:

"Like many folks throughout Illinois' 17th Congressional District I'm disappointed by today's ruling, but the fact is that the President's health care law will cost trillions of dollars while doing absolutely nothing to address the rising cost of health care," Schilling said. "The opportunity remains for folks in Washington to come together in support of policies that address the rising cost of health care and put patients and their doctors back in charge of health care decisions, without this tax.  I will continue working to roll back the harmful parts of this law so we can get health care reform done right.  We can start over and in a transparent fashion work to enact bipartisan, step-by-step reforms that guarantee folks in Illinois and throughout the country are able to access health care that is affordable, convenient, and high quality."

Since the Affordable Care Act was signed into law, health insurance premiums continued to rise.  - while President Obama once promised that premiums would fall by an average of $2,500, but they have already risen by $2,213 during his administration.  Despite its major provisions not taking full effect until 2014, it has been estimated that the President's health care reform law has already added more than 12,000 pages of regulations and Federal Register notices.  It also creates as many as 159 new commissions, boards, and programs.  

The Administration argued repeatedly as it was working to advance the President's health care reform law that its individual mandate (which required nearly all Americans to purchase health insurance) was permissible under the Commerce Clause of the Constitution, and that it wasn't a tax.  The Supreme Court ruled today, however, that the penalty a person must pay if they refuse to purchase health insurance is a tax that Congress can impose using its tax authority.  Under this ruling, the individual mandate survives as a tax, now leaving Americans with the choice between paying either higher insurance premiums or a massive tax.   

The House of Representatives has voted 30 times over the last year and a half on various proposals to repeal, defund, or dismantle the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.  Furthermore, five pieces of the law have been repealed or had their funding rescinded.  Click here to view Schilling's plan for quality, convenient, patient-centered, and truly affordable health care.

"True health care reform shouldn't raid Medicare, ignore the skyrocketing costs of care, limit the private sector's ability to grow jobs, and put unelected bureaucrats between patients and their doctors," Schilling said. "The time is now to work together and advance policies to save Medicare for our kids and grandkids, make care more affordable, provide the private sector with the confidence necessary to hire our unemployed friends and family, and put patients and doctors back in charge of their health care decisions."

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To send Congressman Schilling an e-mail, click here

Braley Statement on Supreme Court Healthcare Decision

Washington, D.C. - Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) today released the following statement regarding the Supreme Court's ruling on the Affordable Care Act:

"The Supreme Court got it right today.  This decision is good news for the middle class and affordable healthcare.  It makes me think of thousands of Iowans like my nephew, Tucker.  Tucker survived a fight with liver cancer at age 2 because his family had health insurance.  But his parents lived in constant fear of losing their jobs because Tucker would be denied new insurance due to his pre-existing condition.  The healthcare reform law ended those fears -- and this decision means many other critical reforms will stay in place.

"From allowing 18,000 Iowans to stay on their parents' insurance up to age 26, to requiring insurance companies cover screenings for diseases like breast cancer, to saving Iowa seniors hundreds of dollars per year on their Medicare prescription drugs, the law's positive impact on Iowa is just beginning to be felt.

"It's not a perfect law.  That's why I'll be working to bring Republicans and Democrats together to improve it and make it better."

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Branstad and Reynolds release statements on Supreme Court ruling

(DES MOINES) - Gov. Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds today released the following statements on the United States Supreme Court ruling of Obamacare.

Gov. Branstad:

"Today, the Supreme Court handed down a disastrous decision to uphold President Obama's destructive health care law, which means a future of higher costs, higher taxes, and increasing debt for Iowans.  The current health care system is nothing but a federal takeover and continues to exceed its budgeted amount every day.  But, as Governor Romney has said many times, no matter what may happen in Court, the American people must remain vigilant in their fight to repeal the law. Our goal is for Iowa to become the healthiest state in the country and to do so Iowans will need to take ownership of their own health to reduce health care costs and lead healthier lives."

Lt. Gov. Reynolds:

"America needs real health care reform and we need Governor Romney in Washington. Gov. Romney will enact real reforms to ensure that the future of Iowa and America as a whole can replace Obamacare with solutions that put Iowans in control of their own health care and preserve the economic future of Iowa's next generation. "

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Loebsack Statement on the Supreme Court Ruling on the Affordable Care Act

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack released the following statement after the U.S. Supreme Court issued their decision on the Affordable Care Act.

"Today's decision will bring stability and certainty to Iowans as they make critical health care choices for themselves and their families.  It maintains protections for those who have pre-existing conditions, ensures no Iowan will be denied coverage, and that young Iowans can stay on their parents' health care plans until they are 26.  Additionally, this ruling affirms that preventative care will be provided without a co-payment, and that those who lose their jobs will not lose their coverage.  It also prevents women from being charged higher premiums simply because they are female, and prohibits pregnancy from being treated as a pre-existing condition.  Further, the Medicare prescription drug donut hole will be completely closed by 2020, through reforms that are already saving our seniors $650 each this year.

"As we move forward, the bill is not perfect and I will continue to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to ensure that the Affordable Care Act is enacted in a way that will reduce health care costs and help bring stability to Iowans during these difficult economic times."

 

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Statement from Lt. Governor Simon on Supreme Court decision

CHICAGO - June 28, 2012. Lt. Governor Sheila Simon today released the following statement on the Supreme Court's decision to uphold the Affordable Care Act:

"The Affordable Care Act is a good law. It helps seniors, young adults and middle class Americans receive stronger, more affordable care. It promotes preventive care, such as checkups and mammograms. And it prevents insurance companies from denying care to people with pre-existing conditions or charging women more based on their gender. The Supreme Court ruling today upholds these commonsense protections and puts our country on a healthier path. In Illinois, I encourage our state leaders to use this ruling as a backdrop as we set policies to make our citizens healthier, train the next generation of health care workers, grow local food systems and find other opportunities to move our state forward."

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Governor Quinn Statement on Supreme Court Decision Upholding Affordable Care Act

CHICAGO ­- June 28, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today released a statement hailing today's decision of the United States Supreme Court to uphold the federal Affordable Care Act.

"Today is a great day for Illinois and a great day for our country. This decision means that millions of working families across Illinois will continue to receive better healthcare.

"These historic reforms that are strengthening our healthcare system will continue to benefit young people, those with pre-existing conditions and care providers.

"We took a big step forward today as a nation and state, and I will continue to work with President Obama to help working families get the healthcare coverage they need."

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Thursday, June 28, 2012

The Fortune magazine piece on Operation Fast and Furious is problematic in several respects.   Sen. Chuck Grassley began investigating the circumstances of the death of border patrol agent Brian Terry 18 months ago after whistleblowers came to him with concerns.  The following statement is from Grassley's office.  Supporting documents are available here.

"The Fortune piece conspicuously ignores the most important fact in this case: ATF encouraged cooperating dealers to sell guns to known traffickers.  That fact is key to understanding how ATF made a strategic choice to track the guns instead of stop them.  The central claim of the article, that there was nothing ATF could have done to stop the illegal sales, is simply incompatible with the evidence.  If it is true that ATF could not interdict and seize weapons due to legal hurdles beyond its control, then ATF had no business telling gun dealers to go ahead with the sales.

"The Fortune article asks the reader to believe that sworn statements by whistleblowers who put their careers on the line to expose the truth for Brian Terry's family are merely conspiratorial fabrications for the sole purpose of getting back at their boss.  It asks the reader to believe that the ATF Director, the Attorney General, the White House, and Congress all fell victim to the fabrication and completely misinterpreted or misunderstood the thousands of pages of documents that corroborate the whistleblower allegations. The Justice Department retracted its previous denials of those allegations last December 2.  If the Fortune article is accurate, the Justice Department's December 2 retraction would itself be a false capitulation under political pressure aimed at protecting senior DOJ officials at the expense of ATF field office personnel in Arizona.

"The Fortune article inexplicably credits the self-serving statements of the supervisors in Arizona responsible for overseeing Fast and Furious.  There is no explanation as to why, given their obvious motive to claim there was no gun-walking to save themselves from criticism and punishment.  That's why the written records, the interviews on the record, and obtaining and weighing all evidence is so important.  We can only draw fair, informed conclusions from the facts."
FOR AQUA FUN, SEE AQUAPALOOZA ...

Hit a summer celebration high-water mark with AquaPalooza, the Lake's largest family-fun boating party, July 21 at Dog Days Bar & Grill (on land at 1232 Jeffries Road or the 19 mile marker on the water) in Osage Beach. Experience a free, live concert with four bands (including Australian country-music trio The McClymonts and AC/DC tribute band Hells Bells), contests, games, T-shirt giveaways, a live radio broadcast and special promotions throughout the day. Bring your family, your friends and float on the water in a boat, raft or tube. Or if you're a land lover, enjoy AquaPalooza with your crew inside the cool and dry comfort of Dog Days Bar & Grill. Admission is free. AquaPalooza 2012 is sponsored by Lake of the Ozarks Marine Dealers Association, Budweiser, Benne Media and Dog Days Bar & Grill. For more information, visit LOMDABoats.com, text "BOAT" to 22828, or call the Lake of the Ozarks Convention & Visitor Bureau at 1-800-FUN-LAKE (386-5253).

WINES & BREWS ...

Wine and beer aficionados, unite and sample the works of some of Missouri's best wineries and breweries at the Midwest Wine and Brew Festival on Aug. 11. The event is presented by the Lake Area Chamber of Commerce and will take place from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Country Club Hotel & Spa in Lake Ozark. Over a dozen wineries and microbreweries will have their wares on display to sample and purchase. Lake-area restaurants also will be on hand to offer light fare as a perfect complement to the wine and brew samples. Festival advance tickets are available for $15 and will include a tasting of all of the wines and beers, as well as a souvenir wine glass. Tickets bought the day of the festival are $20. For more information, call the Lake Area Chamber at 573-964-1008.

MASTER YOUR (WATER)CRAFT AT THE LAKE OF THE OZARKS ...

Your boat is welcome at the Lake of the Ozarks! Speedboats, fishing boats, pontoon boats and personal watercraft are all ways to have some relaxing summer fun at one of Missouri's largest lakes. There are nine public access boat ramps available for use at the Lake and if you're staying the night, most of the area's lodging facilities have their own boat docks. Don't have a boat? Don't worry. Watercraft can be rented by the hour or the day at most of the Lake of the Ozarks' resorts or marinas. For more about how to get out on the water or for a list of hotels and resorts with boat docks, call the Lake of the Ozarks Convention & Visitor Bureau at 800-FUN-LAKE (386-5253) or visit the Bureau's website, FunLake.com.

TOP GUNS AT TOP SPEED ...

RC BoatIf one has the need for speed, there will be as much velocity as a fan of the throttle can handle at the Lake of the Ozarks Shootout, Aug. 25-26 at Captain Ron's Bar & Grill in Sunrise Beach. The event features more than 100 boats competing to be named the lake's fastest boat, racing against the clock in individual runs. Last year, Bill Tomlinson and Ken Kehoe captured the event's "Top Gun" title and electrified the crowd with a course record-tying speed of 208 mph. The timed runs take two days to complete and are the unquestioned Main Event, but the Shootout festivities stretch over nine days including a variety of activities for the whole family. Among this year's events during the week-plus of revelry are: a Class One R/C Mini Shootout for remote controlled boats (Aug. 18), a benefit golf tournament (Aug. 19), The Great Shootout Treasure Hunt (Aug. 20), The Shootout Street Party (Aug. 22), The PWC Dam Run (Aug. 23), a poker run (Aug. 24) and much more fun for fans of all ages. For more information about the Shootout and for a full schedule of Shootout-related events, visit LakeoftheOzarksShootout.org.

LOOKING AHEAD...

Summer is loaded with fun fairs, festivals and events at the Lake of the Ozarks! For more information about getaway packages, lodging, dining, shopping, events and attractions throughout the Lake area, contact the Lake of the Ozarks Convention & Visitor Bureau at 800-FUN-LAKE (386-5253) or visit the Bureau's website, FunLake.com.

 

July 13, August 10 & September 14

HOT SUMMER NIGHTS

Hot Summer Nights, a cruising series on the Bagnell Dam Strip in Lake Ozark, will feature all makes and models of cars, trucks and motorcycles. Visitors attending the event will enjoy classic cars, trucks and motorcycles, contests, giveaways, helicopter rides, live entertainment and much more. For more information about Hot Summer Nights, call 573-964-1008 or visit CruiseHotSummerNights.com.

 

August 4

The GREAT BAGNELL DAM DUCK DROP

Rubber duckies make Lake time lots of fun at The Great Bagnell Dam Duck Drop in Lake Ozark. In this distinctive event at Bagnell Dam, spectators "adopt a duck" (purchase numbered tickets) and then thousands of the familiar bathtub toys (with numbers corresponding to tickets) are unleashed from the air to splash down into the Osage River. The ducks "race" to the finish line. The first duck to cross the finish earns a lucky patron the grand prize of $5,000. Consolation prizes include $1,000 for second place and several Lake-area shopping cards for other finishers. The event also boasts a 5K Fun Run and Waddle Walk, live music and entertainment, a Family Fun Zone (complete with clowns, kids' games, bounce houses and puppet shows), and a variety of delicious food for sale. For more information, visit GreatDamDuckDrop.com or call 573-286-8291.

 

 

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