11 Jul 2012

134 Lives Saved With Early Diagnosis of Melanoma

By Dr. Carl W. Soderstrom
11 Jul 2012

National and Local Talent at Bluesmore 2012: Janiva Magness, The Chris Beard Band, and BF Burt and the Instigators

By Tara Richards

Music lovers and blues enthusiasts alike will revel in the live performances on Brucemore's First Avenue lawn at the 19th annual Bluesmore on Saturday, August 4 from 4:00 to 9:30 p.m. Presented by Brucemore and the Linn County Blues Society, Bluesmore will feature Janiva Magness, The Chris Beard Band, and BF Burt and the Instigators.  Cedar Rapids Bank and Trust sponsors Bluesmore 2012. Home Town Restyling sponsors the Back Porch Stage. The co-media sponsors are The Gazette and KCRG-TV9.

Janiva Magness, a charismatic performer known for her electrifying shows, is among the premier blues and R&B singers in the world today. Her voice possesses an earthy, raw honesty and beauty born from her life experience. As a teenager, Janiva discovered her musical calling at an Otis Rush show. She formed her first band in 1985, Janiva Magness and the Mojomatics. She released a series of Indy albums before making her major label debut, What Love Will Do, on Alligator Records in 2008. Janiva has given her heart and soul to the blues during her nearly 30-year career, but the award-winning singer has reached a whole new level of intimacy in her recently released tenth studio album, Stronger for It. A gusty and dynamic musical powerhouse, Janiva has received a total of 17 Blues Music Award nominations to date. In 2009, she received the coveted Blues Music Award for B.B. King Entertainer Of The Year?only the second woman to ever win this award?and Contemporary Blues Female Artist of the Year for the third time.

Chris Beard, "The Prince of Blues," is a modern blues guitarist and singer like few others. His assertive voice and exciting guitar are a seamless combination of traditional blues with a contemporary edge. Born in 1957, Chris is the son of Joe Beard, a blues guitarist who grew up on Beale Street in the 1950s before moving to Rochester, New York. When family friends like Matt "Guitar" Murphy and Buddy Guy stopped by, young Chris became their willing pupil.?After years of playing the clubs in and around Rochester, Chris was offered the opportunity to record. In 1998, he released his debut record, Barwalkin', and earned a W.C. Handy nomination as Best New Blues Artist.

BF Burt and the Instigators have been touring the Midwest for over a decade with what they call "American Music," a mix of American blues, rock, soul, and funk. The band met in Iowa City at the Yacht Club's Monday night Blues Jam and formed a four piece group of drums, bass, guitar, harmonica, and vocals. They have had the opportunity to observe, work with, interview, and perform with blues legends like Koko Taylor, B.B.King, David "Honeyboy" Edwards, Robert Jr. Lockwood, Albert Collins, Luther Allison, and many more. From local "battle of the bands" and Iowa Blues Challenge winners, the Instigators have won numerous awards. They have been featured at the Top 25 Unsigned Blues Band Competition and the International Blues Band Contest.

Advance Bluesmore tickets are $13 per adult and $12 per student or Brucemore/Linn County Blues Society member. All tickets are $15 at the gate - no discounts are available the day of the event. Children age 10 and under are free when accompanied by an adult.  Advance tickets must be purchased by August 3 and are available through Brucemore by calling (319) 362-7375, by visiting www.brucemore.org, or at the following outlets: Brewed Awakenings, Chappy's Safari Lounge, Checkers Tavern, Music Loft, Guitar Center, J.M. O'Malley's, The Longbranch Hotel, Music-Go-Round, Parlor City Pub and Eatery, and West Music (Cedar Rapids). Tickets are non-refundable.

Gates open at 3:00 p.m. Bands will perform from 4:00 to 9:30 p.m. on the First Avenue lawn at Brucemore, 2160 Linden Drive SE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. No on-site parking is available except handicap parking by entering on Dows Lane. No pets, coolers, or outside food is allowed during the event. Food and beverage vendors are available on-site, including the Jaycees beer tent. For further information on Bluesmore, please visit www.brucemore.org, www.lcbs.org, or call (319) 362-7375 or (319) 399-5105.

Experience Brucemore, an unparalleled blend of tradition and culture, located at 2160 Linden Drive SE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. At the heart of the historic 26-acre estate stands a nineteenth-century mansion filled with the stories of three Cedar Rapids families.  Concerts, theater, programs, and tours enliven the site and celebrate the heritage of a community.  For more information, call (319) 362-7375 or visit www.brucemore.org.

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11 Jul 2012

Big Win for Baby Sea Turtles

By Sierra Club
The Sierra Club's Puerto Rico Chapter notched a huge victory when the island's governor signed a bill protecting nearly 2,000 acres of the Northeast Ecological Corridor from development. For more than 15 years, a proposal to build two megaresorts loomed over the Corridor, which includes one of the most important nesting grounds on Earth for the endangered leatherback sea turtle.

"Golf courses and baby sea turtles don't mix," says Sierra Club Executive Director Michael Brune. Find out how the Sierra Club Puerto Rico Chapter and other grassroots groups kept this wondrous place from being turned into condos and putting greens.
11 Jul 2012

Governor Quinn Announces Start of LIHEAP Summer Cooling Program

By Leslie Wertheimer

Assistance Available to Help Low-Income Residents Pay Electric Bills

CHICAGO - July 10, 2012. In an effort to provide relief to residents facing high energy bills in the wake of the recent heat wave, Governor Pat Quinn today announced that applications will be accepted for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) beginning July 11. Through LIHEAP, utility bill payments are made on behalf of households with incomes of up to 150 percent of the federal poverty level.

"Temperatures have already reached dangerous levels across the state, and keeping people safe during the heat is my priority," Governor Quinn said. "We must do everything we can to ensure Illinois' most vulnerable citizens can remain healthy, safe and cool this summer."

The LIHEAP summer cooling program will run from July 11 through July 27, or until funds are exhausted. A total of $10 million in federal funding is available for the program. Households that are responsible for their own electric bills will be eligible only under the following criteria: household income over the last 30 days does not exceed 150 percent of the federal poverty standard threshold; and the household includes a person at least 60 years of age, a child under 60 months of age, and a person with a disability or an individual with a documented medical condition aggravated by excessive heat. In addition, current customers under the electric Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP) are ineligible for cooling assistance.

"Through the LIHEAP program, we have helped more than 378,000 Illinois families to live more comfortably and safely in their homes, while helping reduce burdensome energy bills for those who need it most," said Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Acting Director David Vaught.

People can apply for LIHEAP assistance by visiting their local administrating agency, but are encouraged to call ahead, as long lines should be expected. A complete listing of LIHEAP's local administrating agencies and additional information about the program are available at www.liheapillinois.com, or by calling the toll-free "Keep Cool Illinois" hotline at 877-411-9276 between 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. Monday through Friday or 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. on Saturday.

Seniors are among the most vulnerable to extreme heat. With temperatures remaining high, Governor Quinn urged seniors and families with small children to take special measures to stay safe. The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) advises residents to stay hydrated; avoid going outdoors during extreme heat; avoid or minimize physical exertion; keep window shades drawn; wear loose cotton clothing; and avoid eating heavy meals and cooking with ovens. People taking medications should check with their pharmacist or doctor to find out about any heat-related side effects.

Governor Quinn also urged Illinoisans to take advantage of more than 120 state facilities that serve as cooling centers. The cooling centers provide a place to stay cool and comfortable during the scorching hot days of summer. The centers are located at Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) offices throughout the state and the seven Illinois Tollway Oases in Northern Illinois. They will be open to the public during regular business hours.

More information on the state's cooling centers is available by calling the IDHS toll-free hotline (800-843-6154), or search by zip code for the nearest cooling center at www.keepcool.illinois.gov.

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11 Jul 2012

House Farm Bill Needs Much Work

By Elisha Smith

By John Crabtree, johnc@cfra.org, Center for Rural Affairs

The House Agriculture Committee's draft farm bill is deeply disappointing.

It would make federal subsidies for crop insurance premiums the primary farm program, but impose no payment caps, no income limits for recipients and no conservation requirements. Mega farms would get unlimited subsidies to bid land away from small, mid-size and beginning farmers.

For traditional farm programs, the draft would increase the commodity payment limit by 250 percent above generous Senate-passed levels. Unlike the Senate bill, however, it would leave current loopholes that invite widespread farm program abuse wide open. It would also reduce acreage enrollment for the Conservation Stewardship Program by a staggering 30 percent at a time when record numbers of farmers are enrolling acres into the program.

But that's not all, this farm bill would remove restrictions on subsidies intended to protect native grasslands everywhere except one small region of the Northern Great Plains. It would slash investment in programs for beginning farmers and ranchers by half. It would cut investment in proven job-creating rural development initiatives by 88 percent.

The House's draft farm bill fails to deliver for family farmers and ranchers, rural communities and the natural environment. The Committee should address these deficiencies when they take up the bill this week and, failing that, all members of Congress should prepare to debate these crucial issues on the House floor if there is any hope that this farm bill will reflect rural America's values and invest in a better future for our rural communities and the people that live there.

11 Jul 2012

Loebsack Announces More than $2.7 Million for Community Development and Housing

By Joe Hand

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack announced today $2,763,341 in funding for housing development in Davenport and Iowa City.  The funding comes from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development through the Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) and HOME program.

"This HUD funding will assist communities in Davenport and Iowa City with providing affordable, quality housing to those who are struggling," said Loebsack. "As someone who grew up in poverty, I believe we need to ensure an adequate safety net is in place for Iowans, particularly those who are getting back on their feet in these difficult economic times.  This funding will provide better opportunities to succeed for many in eastern Iowa, as well as support economic growth and greater prosperity in Iowa communities."

The CDBG program helps develop more viable communities by investing in local economic development projects and expanded economic opportunities for low- and moderate-income individuals.  The HOME program helps to increase the supply of decent, affordable housing to low- and very low-income families by providing grants to fund housing and development initiatives that meet local needs and priorities.

Details of the funding are below:

$1,328,125 - Davenport (CDBG)

$410,918 - Davenport (HOME)

$638,918 - Iowa City (CDBG)

$385,380 - Iowa City (HOME)

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11 Jul 2012

Braley Statement on CFTC Complaint against Peregrine Financial Group

By Jeff Giertz

Washington, D.C. - Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) today released the following statement after the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission announced it had filed a complaint against Peregrine Financial Group of Cedar Falls:

"Like many residents of the Cedar Valley, I was shocked at the seriousness of the allegations levied against Peregrine Financial Group today.  My immediate concern is with the Iowa farmers and grain elevators who may be victims of Peregrine's alleged fraud.  I'm also deeply concerned about the impact of this situation on the employees of Peregrine and the entire Cedar Valley community.  In the days and weeks to come, I'll be closely monitoring the actions of the CFTC and the FBI investigation of Peregrine."

# # #
11 Jul 2012

Find Catfish in Holes

By John Phillips
BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA - 07/10/2012 - Editor's Note: Phil King is not only a catfish guide, but he's one of the nation's and the world's top tournament catfishermen, having competed in the World Catfish Classic in Spain.
King guides on the Tennessee River near Pickwick Lake and Memphis, Tennessee. In 2009, King took first place in the Bass Pro Shop Big Cat Quest tournament held in Memphis with nine catfish weighing 234 pounds. His largest catfish was a 67.10-pound blue cat. For much of his life, King has fished either full-time or part-time as a commercial catfisherman on the Tennessee River. He knows the places in the river where the big cats hang-out, because he's fished this river for more than 2 decades.

"I don't know why catfish prefer chicken livers, because they certainly aren't found naturally in anywhere," King says. "But I've learned that during the hottest part of the summer, for some reason, chicken livers produce more and bigger cats during hot weather than any-other bait I've ever fished." King's catfish honey hole at Pickwick Lake on the Tennessee River is a spot in the middle of the river where the bottom drops off from 41 to 78 feet. "Upriver of the hole are a lot of mussel beds," King explains. "The cats feed on those mussels and then come back and rest in the hole. At this particular spot, the river necks-down. Even when there's not much current coming-through the river, this place almost always has more current than other locations on the river do. Anytime you can find a spot where a river becomes a bottleneck, and the area has plenty of current as well as a deep hole in it, you not only can find cats there but specifically big cats."

King fishes with bottom-bumping tackle and techniques. King also carries with him a large dip net, another of his secrets for landing big cats. "Many big cats are lost at the boat because an angler isn't prepared to boat a large catfish," King comments. "I use a 32-inch x 27-inch size dip net. Then, I can get a big cat in the net and pull it into the boat." King caught his biggest catfish ever, a 64 pounder, in 1997 during the National Catfish Derby. King has spent his lifetime fishing and more than 25 years targeting catfish on the Tennessee River and other places, including overseas. He'll take two anglers catfishing with their rods and reels all day, and they'll average 30 to 100 pounds of cats. "All the fishermen have to do is show-up with their fishing licenses, what they want to eat and drink and an ice chest to carry home their catches," King says. "I provide the rods, the reels, the hooks, the tackle and the bait. I clean the fish for them and then put the fish in their ice chests." To fish with Phil King's Catfishing Guide Service, call 662-286-8644, or go to http://www.h2othouse.com/catfish/

In John E. Phillips' new Kindle book, "Catfish Like a Pro," he interviews some of the best catfishermen in the world, to learn the techniques for not only catching big catfish, but also for catching large numbers of eating-size catfish. Or, you can go to http://www.amazon.com/kindle-ebooks, and type-in the name of the book to find it.
11 Jul 2012

Hewlett-Packard, Deere, BestBuy, CVS, and MillerCoors dump ALEC

By Matt Sinovic

When will Iowa stop sending tax dollars to this extreme organization?

DES MOINES, IOWA -- Five additional companies have left the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC): Hewlett-Packard, John Deere, BestBuy, CVS, and MillerCoors, in an announcement made today. In total, twenty five corporations, four major non-profits, and fifty five confirmed elected leaders have dropped out of ALEC since the killing of Trayvon Martin in February.

"Today five prominent corporations have added their names to a long list of those who realize that ALEC should be prevented from influencing our legislative process," said Matt Sinovic, executive director of Progress Iowa. "When will Iowa legislators stop using our tax dollars to fund such an extreme organization?"

In May, Iowa State Representative Brian Quirk announced he was cancelling his membership in ALEC, and went on to say that "ALEC is not the bipartisan organization it claims to be. I disagree with ALEC's extreme agenda and the partisan way in which they operate. Our tax dollars should never be spent on funding such a partisan organization."

In April, Progress Iowa began a petition campaign to stop taxpayer money from funding state legislative membership in ALEC. The petition can be found here: http://bit.ly/IowaALEC

ALEC is a secretive, corporate front group that drafts legislation, allowing Iowa legislators to pass it off as their own - turning them into what the New York Times calls "stealth lobbyists". According to the Center for Media and Democracy, ALEC has provided model legislation in Iowa to suppress voter rights, withdraw from regional environmental partnerships, and require 'intellectual diversity' reporting from our college campuses. ALEC also holds direct influence in the Iowa legislature, with State Representative and House Majority Leader Linda Upmeyer serving as Second Vice Chairman on ALEC's Board of Directors.

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Background:

John Deere, CVS Caremark, MillerCoors, HP, and Best Buy will no longer fund American Legislative Exchange Council
http://colorofchange.org/press/releases/2012/7/10/five-more-major-companies-will-no-longer-fund-alec/

Brian Quirk cancels ALEC membership
http://wcfcourier.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/brian-quirk-cancels-alec-membership/article_1e1fac1f-9ede-54d6-bc03-3a64a6d2e7a1.html

ALEC-modeled legislation introduced in Iowa
http://alecexposed.org/wiki/Iowa

About ALEC (Board of Directors, listing Rep. Upmeyer as Second Vice Chair)
http://www.alec.org/about-alec/board-of-directors/
11 Jul 2012

New Food and Fun at the 2012 Iowa State Fair

By Lori Chappell

DES MOINES, IA (07/10/2012)(readMedia)-- The Iowa State Fair will offer a plethora of new attractions to try, taste and watch this year. New Fair foods, attractions and contests are available in addition to the many traditional Fair favorites. "Nothing Compares" to this array of new excitement that awaits Fairgoers August 9-19.

Attractions

Experience the Fair's new zipline, located west of the Jacobson Exhibition Center. Leap from the 28-foot tower and fly 130 feet across the grounds. Buy your tickets now and save $4. A two ticket zip pack is $10 through August 8. Details at iowastatefair.org.

Get your adrenaline pumping with the BMX Pros Trick Team, also located west of the Jacobson Exhibition Center. This BMX show features the world's most extreme bicycle stunt riders in a spectacular, non-stop, action-packed event. Visit the Bengal Tiger Encounter in Kids' Zone for an inspirational program featuring the Bengal Tiger. On display all day with three shows every day of the Fair, these tigers are helping to educate the public on the loss of habitat and the killing of tigers for profit in India and Africa.

The eco-friendly transformation of Expo Hill will be complete for the 2012 Iowa State Fair. The latest additions include a uniquely-designed covered structure which provides a new location for free entertainment and solar panels worked into the design of the structure which will provide a portion of the venue's power needs. Expo Hill will feature the Red Trouser Show each day at noon, 2 and 5 p.m. This duo amazes audiences with their flawless combination of acrobatics, juggling and comedy.

Ag Education

Sheep Stop joins our other agricultural education stops Pig Place, Horse Haven and Cattle Corner; each located in its respective barn. In this newest exhibit, learn how many sheep there are in Iowa and how much wool they produce.

Learn about Iowa's agricultural commodities with the AgVenture Discovery Trail. Explore ten stops by starting at the USDA booth in the Agriculture Building or the Canstruction exhibit in the Varied Industries Building. Learn about plants and what makes them grow with Seed Survivor. This interactive display is located in the John Deere Agriculture Building. The Paul R. Knapp Animal Learning Center will also be expanding its programming for the 2012 Fair by adding an aquaculture exhibit.

Foods

The Elwell Family Food Center will house a life-size moose made of Dutch chocolate. This delectable creature, crafted by the master chocolatiers at Chocolaterie Stam, will stand more than 9 feet tall. The building is also home to the largest foods department in the nation with 893 contests, 43 of which are new this year. New contests include A Taste of Ireland, Seattle's Best Coffee "Search For Deliciousness," Best Pizza in Iowa, Gramp's Bacon and more.

New mouthwatering foods to join the list of Fair favorites include :

• Gourmet s'mores, available at Beaverdale Confections in the Shoppers' Mart;

• Peach, apple or cherry crisps, available at Iowa Orchard located inside the southwest entrance of the Agriculture Building;

• Caribbean-style crab fritters, available at Ollie's Crab Fritters west of the Jacobson Exhibition Center;

• German chocolate funnel cakes, available at The Best Around on the Triangle;

• Carrot cake funnel cakes and blue sapphire funnel cakes from Westmoreland Concessions, located south of the Riley Stage;

• Chocolate chip cannolis and chocolate chip cookie dough pops, both dipped in chocolate and on a stick, will be featured at Oasis Concessions on the southwest corner of the Pioneer Livestock Pavilion;

• Deep fried pickle "dawgs," available at the Dawg House on the Triangle.

Also, look for our new Fair Square flavor made with marshmallows, crisped rice cereal, pretzels, potato chips, Oreos, toffee and M&Ms®. Find the Fair Square stand on the northwest corner of the Administration Building.

"Nothing Compares" to the 2012 Iowa State Fair, August 9-19. A complete listing and details of all daily programs is available online, for more information, call 800/545-FAIR or visit iowastatefair.org.

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