02 May 2012

Yoga: Avoid Beginner's Mistakes While Attaining a Well of Happiness

By Rick Martin

Yoga has become a popular option for alternative health management. Research has shown the practice can significantly reduce mental and physical stress, improve mood, and slow the aging process.

But some yogis believe many of the estimated 20 million U.S. students are missing the best part of the discipline - the inner happiness attainable through a healthy mind-body connection. They also worry about injuries that result when beginners tackle poses and exercises without proper guidance.

"There are several disciplines of yoga, and with its rich history, the beginner can easily get lost - or worse - injured," says Mary Jo Ricketson, an experienced yoga practitioner and healthcare specialist, and author of Moving Meditation (www.thegoodwithin.com). A registered nurse, she also holds a master's degree in education from Northwestern University.

"What I detail in my book is a comprehensive approach for both mind and body. This reciprocal relationship maximizes health benefits, and has exponentially positive consequences beyond the individual."

People have been practicing yoga for thousands of years, she says. In the West, the practice has integrated with our culture leading to variations including "extreme" yoga. Ricketson warns this sort of exercise can alienate beginners, who may not be ready to "jump in the deep end first." Without the proper training and guidance, she adds, beginners risk injuring their neck, lower back, knees and shoulders.

The most important step is getting started, Ricketson says. Here are seven things beginners - and anyone practicing yoga - should know to maximize their benefits:

1. Cardiovascular (aerobic) training: As with meditation, focused breathing is a cornerstone of mind-body training. Aerobic means "with oxygen" and aerobic movement increases the flow of oxygen-rich blood throughout the body, including the brain. Cardiovascular training is the single most important aspect of the physical training because it keeps the heart open and strong.

2. Core and strength training: This includes the students' abdomen and buttocks, and the lower back region, which extends to the base of the skull. Here is where strength, stability and balance originate.

3. Flexibility training (yoga postures): Stretching simply feels good, and it reminds students to not only be more flexible in one's body, but also one's mind. This step allows us to move (and live) with greater ease.

4. Adequate rest: Sleep is a necessary part of life, and sufficient rest is needed for energy and equilibrium.

5. Life-giving nutrition: Making the right choices in food allows yoga students to achieve an optimal, balanced state. This includes nutritional foods consumed in moderation.

6. Family/community/church: From Epicurus to modern science, study and observation show that we find greater happiness with access to friends and family.

7. Written goals and a plan of action: Goals and stated intention act as a road map to achieving balanced well-being.

Ricketson says the above steps are just the beginning. She says tapping in to the mind-body connection also helps memory loss, attention deficit disorders, public violence - including in schools - as well as an unknown amount of needless human suffering.

"We all have within us a potential to experience optimal well-being in mind and body," she says. "This potential, the Good Within, can be realized through the work of mind-body training. Our training is a moving meditation - a daily practice of exercises that awaken all that is Good Within."

About Mary Jo Ricketson

Mary Jo Ricketson has studied human health and well-being for decades, earning a Bachelor of Science in nursing and a master's in education. In 1999, she opened the Center for Mind-Body Training, which offers classes, seminars, and personal training. Yoga training is done in her studio, in schools, and in corporate settings. She lives in the Boston area with her husband and two children.

02 May 2012

Christine Nguyen inducted into Phi Beta Kappa at Cornell College

By Jamie Kelly

MOUNT VERNON, IA (05/01/2012)(readMedia)-- Christine Nguyen of Davenport was one of 18 Cornell students inducted into Phi Beta Kappa, the country's oldest and most prestigious academic honor society, on April 21.

These students will have their names added to the permanent plaque in Cole Library listing all members elected to Cornell's chapter.

Election is based upon good character and a distinguished record of performance in courses that demonstrate a broad exposure to the liberal arts, i.e., the fine arts, humanities, languages, natural sciences and mathematics, and social sciences, as well as substantive work in areas outside the major. Phi Beta Kappa considers members of the top 15 percent of the senior class and the top five percent of the junior class. You can learn more about the Cornell chapter of Phi Beta Kappa here.

One of the 40 "Colleges That Change Lives," Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa, is a national liberal arts college with a distinctive One Course At A Time (OCAAT) academic calendar. The OCAAT schedule provides students with intellectual immersion, academic focus, and unique freedom to shed the confines of the traditional classroom to study off-campus, pursue research, or accept an internship-all without missing out on other classes. Founded in 1853, the college's entire hilltop campus is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

02 May 2012

Specialized Springfield Based National Guard Team Returns from Afghanistan

By readMedia

BLOOMINGTON, IL (05/01/2012)(readMedia)-- Approximately 20 Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers who served in Afghanistan as part of an embedded training team have completed their mission and will return to Illinois this week. The homecoming ceremony for Bilateral Embedded Staff Team (BEST) A8 will be May 2 at the Bloomington National Guard Armory, 1616 S. Main St. in Bloomington at 4:30 p.m.

Mobilized in June, the team trained at Camp Atterbury, Ind., and joined its Polish counterparts in Poland for training before deploying to Afghanistan.

BEST A8, who was part of Task Force White Eagle, was instrumental in preparing the southern half of Ghazni Province for the 82nd Airborne's arrival.

"The amount of time, coordination and physical labor put into this mission is impressive by itself, but the fact that the Army and Air Force engineers completed this mission is incredible," said 1st Lt. Ryan Bivins of Dixon with BEST A8.

The operation consisted of more than 500 Army, Navy and Air Force engineers, expanding five existing bases and building five new bases during the harsh winter months of Afghanistan.

"A logistics operation of this significance was only possible through cooperation of the Soldiers, Airmen, transporters and aviators, Department of Defense agencies and the Polish military contingent," said Maj. Rhonda Petersen of Lindenhurst with BEST A8. "Task Force White Eagle was able to realize this objective through coordination and execution with more than nine task forces within Regional Command East and 1st Cavalry Division. The proactive dynamic of all involved ensured a winning combination."

Attack helicopters were not something Task Force White Eagle had received too much of in the past until Capt. Tony Keel of Grayslake ensured Soldiers in Task Force White Eagle had support from the sky.

"Helicopter planning was extremely time consuming, but very rewarding and I really enjoyed my job," Keel said. "I especially enjoyed planning with Kiowa and Apache attack helicopter crews because all the ground units loved having that air power overhead supporting their missions and that motivated me to obtain as much air support as possible."The Illinois National Guard has co-deployed with every Polish rotation to Iraq and Afghanistan since 2003. Col. Tom Purple of Rochester said leadership and experience were evident in the success of their team.

"It is a true honor to serve with outstanding warriors during a critical time in the campaign and be part of the success and history of our great Army," Purple said.

Become our Facebook Fan!

www.facebook.com/illinoisnationalguard

-30-

02 May 2012

Arlington Park's Future Still in Gov's Hands

By Barry Rozner

Another year has passed.

Another year without a new gambling bill in Illinois.

The truly amazing part is that the Illinois House and Senate ? made up of the people who represent us, the people ? actually got together in 2011 and agreed on a gambling bill.

And then one person out of 13 million Illinois residents decided he didn't like it.

Governor Pat Quinn killed the bill because it included slot machines at race tracks that would have saved the horse racing industry.

It's hard to decide which part of this story carries the greatest irony.

While the state is in financial crisis, millions in revenue go across the borders every day as Quinn worries about a bill that expands gambling too much.

And while he worries about expanded gambling, he expands by adding online lottery gambling.

He worries about expanded gambling with slot machines at race tracks, but he's willing to add five new Illinois casinos tomorrow if a bill meets his approval.

He's worried about casino oversight and protecting the public from corruption and crime, yet Arlington Park isn't a new gaming operation.

There's been wagering at the racetrack for 85 years, or 85 years longer than any of the new casinos in the bill.

If anything, the new casinos are the ones that need greater oversight, not Arlington Park.

Furthermore, the fear of what "element'' slots will bring to neighborhood racetracks is the same "element" cities and villages always fear when there's talk of adding off-track betting.

Perhaps, those who voice such concerns have never been to an OTB, or visited the slots rooms at race tracks in other states.

If they ever walked into one, they would see that the patrons are not the guys from "Goodfellas."

It's more like the guys from "Sunshine Boys."

I believe Quinn when he says he's trying to look out for the people of Illinois. I think he believes he is, but in this case he's not doing that.

Illinois is desperate for revenue, and the longer he waits, the more he's costing the people of Illinois.

People who want to gamble will find a way to do it, and right now those without access are doing it in Indiana, Wisconsin, Iowa and Missouri.

Quinn is listening to people who are trying to steer him away from slots at tracks as if that's going to make expanded gambling more palatable to those who don't want expanded gambling.

This is, of course, nonsense.

You can't sort of expand gambling. You either do or you don't.

Quinn already has done it with the lottery and wants to do it with five new casinos. To borrow from Winston Churchill, we've already established that. Now we are haggling about the price.

Why expand gambling and at the same time further degrade a horse racing industry that has been around much longer than casinos, let alone five startup casinos, and perhaps put horse racing in Illinois out of business entirely?

It just doesn't make any sense. It's not logical. It's downright baffling.

Then again, this is still Illinois.

02 May 2012

NATION'S LARGEST 100 AGRICULTURE CO-OPS POST NEAR-RECORD SALES, MARGINS

By USDA Communications

WASHINGTON, DC, May 01, 2012 -- The nation's 100 largest agriculture cooperatives reported near-record revenue of $118 billion in 2010, USDA Rural Development Under Secretary Dallas Tonsager announced today. This was an increase of 4 percent over 2009 figures. Net income for the 100 top agriculture co-ops was also up more than 10 percent in 2010, reaching $2.39 billion, up from $2.16 billion in 2009.

"Farmer and rancher-owned cooperatives are a mainstay in the American economy, not only helping members market and process their crops, milk and livestock and creating jobs, but also helping producers keep more of the earnings derived from their products at home, in rural counties and communities," Tonsager said. "The end result is a huge net benefit for producers, their communities and the overall rural economy. Farmer co-ops also account for significant numbers of jobs and economic activity in many cities."

CHS Inc., a farm supply, grain and foods cooperative based in Saint Paul, MN, topped the list with 2010 revenue of $25.3 billion. Land O' Lakes, a dairy foods and farm supply co-op, also based in Saint Paul, ranked second, with revenue of $11.1 billion; Dairy Farmers of America, based in Kansas City, Mo., was third with $9.8 billion in 2010 revenue.

USDA's top 100 ag co-op list shows that 23 co-ops had 2010 revenue of more than $1 billion. Another 47 co-ops had revenue between $506 million and $1 billion. The 100th ranked co-op had sales of $276 million.

Leading the revenue increase from 2009 to 2010 were dairy cooperatives, which saw 2010 revenue climb more than 14.5 percent from the previous year, to $29.5 billion. Dairy cooperatives accounted for more than half of the revenue increase recorded by the top 100 ag co-ops in 2010.

Gross margins, as a percent of total sales, were up slightly, from 9 percent to 9.2 percent. The increase in gross margins partially covered higher expenses. Gross margins plus service revenue climbed to $684 million.

Total expenses for the top 100 ag co-ops were up $575 million in 2010. The largest cost increase was for labor, where expenses climbed by 7 percent, to $4.6 billion. On the other hand, lower interest rates and less debt caused interest expense to drop 11 percent.

"While it is encouraging to see the nation's largest farmer-owned cooperatives reporting strong revenue and income, it is also noteworthy that the nation is seeing a surge in the formation of small-farmer cooperatives and quasi-cooperatives that have been created to meet the growing demand for locally produced foods," Tonsager said.

The asset base for the top 100 ag co-ops grew by $2.3 billion between 2009 and 2010. Current assets accounted for nearly two-thirds of that increase. Fixed assets also showed an increase of $600 million.

For a complete list of the top 100 cooperatives, go to http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/SupportDocuments/rdTop100AgCoopList04-27-2012.pdf. For a more detailed look at the top 100 Ag Co-ops, see page 16 of the March-April issue of USDA's "Rural Cooperatives" magazine: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/pub/openmag.htm.

USDA, through its Rural Development mission area, administers and manages housing, business and community infrastructure and facility programs through a national network of state and local offices. Rural Development has an active portfolio of more than $165 billion in loans and loan guarantees. These programs improve the economic stability of rural communities, businesses, residents, farmers and ranchers and improve the quality of life in rural areas.

#

02 May 2012

PIZZA RANCH EARNS IOWA FARM BUREAU'S RENEW RURAL IOWA ENTREPRENEUR OF MONTH AWARD

By Rick Martin

WEST DES MOINES, IOWA - May 1, 2012 - A well-known Iowa family-owned pizza restaurant chain is being recognized for its commitment to good food, community involvement and support for international needs. Pizza Ranch, headquartered in Orange City, is the winner of Iowa Farm Bureau Federation's (IFBF) Renew Rural Iowa Entrepreneur of the Month award.

The company started with one restaurant in Hull three decades ago and has grown to 66 locations in Iowa and 100 more in eight other Midwest states.

"It started in an area where there is a spirit of entrepreneurialism and had the resources to get a company like this started," said Matt Schuiteman, president of the Sioux County Farm Bureau. "Pizza Ranch makes a positive impact in every community they're in."

In small-town Iowa, where many Pizza Ranch restaurants are located, the business brings jobs and supports local schools with fundraising opportunities.

"Pizza Ranch provides many opportunities for jobs and has an economic impact on our community that's very special," said Orange City Mayor Les Douma. "It raises the bar for all commercial entities."

In addition to its local community focus, Pizza Ranch is also working to support educational efforts in Ethiopia. Owner Adrie Groeneweg is switching coffee brands and working with farmers in Ethiopia to help keep a portion of coffee bean sales in the African country to support schools there.

Renew Rural Iowa (RRI) is an IFBF initiative supporting new and existing businesses through education, mentoring and financial resources. For more information, go to www.renewruraliowa.com.

-30-

02 May 2012

Harkin Announces Over $7.5 Million for Iowa Health Centers

By Sen. Tom Harkin

Funding comes from Affordable Care Act Program

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) today announced that six Iowa communities will be awarded funding totaling $7,582,021.00 from the Affordable Care Act Capital Development's Immediate Facility Improvement and Building Capacity grant programs. The funding will help build, expand, and improve community health centers in the state. As Chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, Harkin played a pivotal role in passage of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).  He is also Chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education and Related Agencies.

"Particularly in these tough economic times, community health centers play a vital role in our state, providing health care for thousands of Iowans who lack adequate health insurance," said Harkin.  "These Affordable Care Act funds will help health centers care for additional patients while also creating jobs in these communities.  I applaud Secretary Sebelius for today's announcement and congratulate the Iowa communities that were awarded funding."

Today's awards are part of a series of investments that are made available to community health centers under the Affordable Care Act, which provides $9.5 billion to expand services nationally over five years and $1.5 billion to support major construction and renovation projects at community health centers.  According to a new report released today by the Department of Health and Human Services, the ACA has already supported 190 construction and renovation projects at health centers and the creation of 67 new health center sites across the country, and will support more than 485 new health center construction and renovation projects and the creation of 245 new community health center sites nationwide over the next two years.

Details of the funding are as follows:

Immediate Facility Improvements Program:
Davenport-Community Health Care, Inc.-$38,750
Dubuque-Crescent Community Health Center-$260,053
Leon-Community Health Centers of Southern Iowa, Inc.-$483,500
Urbandale-Primary Health Care, Inc.-$499,718

Building Capacity Grant Program:
Ottumwa-River Hills Community Health Center-$5,000,000 for consolidation of facilities
Sioux City-Siouxland Community Health Center-$1,300,000 for expansion of current facilities

02 May 2012

MOTHER'S DAY GIFT IDEAS TO FIT ANY BUDGET

By Rick Martin

Top Outdoor-related gifts to make Mom a happy camper

Springfield, MO ---(May 1, 2012)---It's almost Mother's Day and time to thank Mom.  Show your appreciation for all the home-cooked meals, love and advice no matter what your budget is.  Make her day an extra special memory even better than flowers that she is sure to love.  Celebrate Mom with one of these great gift ideas.

Bass Pro Shops® Collectible Sterling Silver Charm Pendant
Mom will love this keepsake for years to come.  This Bass Pro Shops Collectible Sterling Silver Pendant is the perfect attachment to a charm bracelet, necklace, zipper pull and more. Featuring the familiar Bass Pro Shops logo, this charm comes with a jump ring for easy attachment to anything you want to embellish. It's the perfect zipper pull for your fishing vest or jacket, and you'll want a second one to attach to your favorite fishing hat! Item number 38-615-300-01 $14.99USD. Available at www.basspro.com

NEW Natural Reflections® Umbrella 13'' Waterproof Boots for Ladies - Paris
Shoes are a woman's best friend.  Look great and stay dry with our chic umbrella boot designs! Featuring a print of Parisian landmarks, these fun, fashionable rain boots have waterproof rubber uppers, adjustable straps with gussets for easy on/off, removable EVA insoles for extra cushioning, and durable rubber outsoles. Color: Paris. Imported.   Product Color: Paris.  Item number 38-747-078-45.  $39.99USD.  Also available at www.basspro.com

Deep Woods 16-Piece Dinnerware Set
Mom can experience the rustic charm of the wilderness everyday with the Deep Woods 16-piece Dinnerware Set! This authentic set is made of stoneware and fired at high temperatures for durability. Each piece features an embossed nature design and is finished with a reactive glaze for a striking effect. This set includes four 10.5'' dinner plates, four 8'' salad plates, four 6'' cereal bowls (28 oz.), and four 14 oz. mugs. All pieces are dishwasher and microwave safe. Imported. Item number 38-955-166-7.  $49.99USD.  Available at www.basspro.com

Natural Reflections® Moc Slippers for Ladies - Black
Our Moc Slippers are styled just for ladies, with a leather upper featuring fleece-like lining for extra warmth and comfort. Easy when in a hurry and easy to slip out of too! Soft and flexible outdoor non-skid sole Mom will use everyday. Color: Black. Imported. $24.99USD.  Available at www.basspro.com

Big Cedar Lodge - Romance Package
Mom and Dad deserve a relaxing getaway.  Located just 10 miles south of Branson, Missouri on Table Rock Lake and tucked into the wooded hillsides of the Ozark Mountains, Big Cedar resides. This popular vacation paradise - complete with Jack Nicklaus signature golf course and Dogwood Canyon Nature Park- offers cozy accommodations, delicious dining options and first class service.  Guests find all amenities typical of a luxury resort, yet this wilderness lodge is anything but typical. Accommodations at Big Cedar range from a choice room in one of three tastefully appointed lodges to a cozy cottage or a rustic log cabin. You'll find that lodging includes a fireplace and a Jacuzzi tub or a lovely view of Table Rock Lake. Besides our Top of the Rock nine-hole golf course, we also off a full service marina on Table Rock Lake, horseback riding, bass fishing and trout fishing, and trails suited for walking, biking and hiking. Scenic vistas, refreshing mountain air and Ozark hospitality included - at no extra charge!  Call 1-800-BCLODGE (1-800-225-6343) for more information or to book this package.


About Bass Pro Shops®: Bass Pro Shops® operates 58 retail stores in 26 states and Canada visited by over 110 million people annually.  Bass Pro Shops® also conducts an international catalog and internet retailing operation, American Rod & Gun® wholesale division sells to over 7,000 independently owned retail stores worldwide.  Outdoor World® Incentives also sells Bass Pro Shops® gift cards through over 132,000 retail outlets across America.  The Bass Pro Shops® restaurant division with 26 locations.  The company's Tracker Marine Group® (www.trackerboats.com) manufactures and sells Tracker®, Nitro®, SunTracker®, Tahoe®, Grizzly® and Mako® boats through Bass Pro Shops® retail stores and over 400 dealers worldwide.  The Resort Group (www.bigcedar.com) includes Big Cedar Lodge® and other resort properties including restaurants and golf courses. For more information regarding Bass Pro Shops® store locations, products or special events, please visit www.basspro.com.  To request a free catalog, call 1-800-BASS PRO.  Follow us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/bassproshops.

02 May 2012

Muscatine Marine on duty in Afghanistan

By Carlos Cruz

Lance Cpl. Noel Miranda, infantryman, Golf Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, patrols through Musa Qa'leh District, Afghanistan, April 23, 2012. Miranda, from Muscatine, Iowa, was part of a patrol to disrupt insurgent supply lines and gain intelligence from locals
02 May 2012

Rutherford Institute Urges Charlottesville City Council to Adopt Resolution De-Emphasizing Primary Arrests for Marijuana Offenses

By The Rutherford Institute

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. ?John W. Whitehead, president of The Rutherford Institute, is calling on members of the Charlottesville City Council to vote yes on a resolution which would declare marijuana offenses the lowest law enforcement priority in the city. In a letter to the City Council, Whitehead points out that while overwhelming evidence points to the fact that the government's so-called war on drugs ranks as the longest-running, most expensive and least effective effort by the American government?as well as being racially and economically discriminatory?federal, state and local governments continue to operate under misguided policies that pose a great danger to American citizens while exhausting police resources. A far wiser approach, advises Whitehead, would be to de-prioritize marijuana arrests and prosecutions and redirect limited government resources toward addressing more pressing problems such as urban homelessness, poverty, hard-core drug dealing and gang activity.

The Rutherford Institute's letter to the Charlottesville City Council is available at www.rutherford.org.

"In adopting the resolution to de-emphasize primary arrests for marijuana, the City Council has an opportunity to set an example for the Commonwealth of Virginia and the country about what it means to be a community that prioritizes people over policy," said Whitehead. "Doing so would also show that Charlottesville is progressive enough to act on Americans' changing attitudes towards marijuana possession, recognizing that the nation's drug war is a failure and that a new direction is sorely needed."

Charlottesville resident and activist Jordan McNeish proposed a resolution to the Charlottesville City Council that, if adopted, would de-emphasize marijuana as a cause for primary arrest in the city, freeing up valuable police resources which could then be directed to more pertinent problems, such as investigating and prosecuting violent crime and property crime. In calling on the City Council to adopt the resolution, constitutional attorney John Whitehead cited a number of studies and statistics indicating that the federal government's so-called "war on drugs" has caused the prison population to balloon to over 2 million people, wasted valuable state resources, and has created a burden for minority and lower-income communities, while doing little to resolve the issue of drug addiction. Moreover, for those who fear that de-emphasizing marijuana prosecutions might lead to an increase in drug use, Whitehead pointed to studies showing the contrary to be the case?that decriminalization actually results in reduced drug usage.

"The challenge is how to adequately address these problems in a compassionate and just manner without becoming overly legalistic and impersonal, thereby sacrificing the values and atmosphere which have endeared our community to so many," said Whitehead.

Putting the discussion in a more personal context, Whitehead recounted the case of 53-year-old Albemarle County resident Philip Cobbs who cares for his blind, deaf 90-year-old mother and who was charged with misdemeanor marijuana possession after a joint task force comprised of state and local law enforcement officials, aided by military helicopter surveillance and acting without a search warrant, raided his property as part of a routine sweep of the countryside and allegedly found two marijuana stalks growing among weeds on his 39-acre property. "If we continue along our present course, it will only be a matter of time before someone is fatally injured, whether it be a member of our community or a law enforcement official," warned Whitehead. "Clearly, something must be done."

CLICK HERE TO READ THIS ARTICLE ONLINE

Pages

more

Subscribe & Listen to Reader Podcasts

On Stands Now

 

Tagged Content

    

Two Ways to Subscribe

1. Subscribe to free weekly e-mail content updates.

You'll get both the current official narrative challenge and What's Happenin' in the Quad Cities.
(Did you know we publish a new Real Astrology and RCR Crossword every week?) 

Subscribe!

* indicates required

2. Get 12 monthly issues mailed first class for $48

Get 12 issues mailed monthly for $48 per year.

Get the printed Reader edition mailed to you (or anyone you want) first-class for 12 months for $48.
$24 goes to postage and handling, $24 goes to keeping the doors open!

Click this link to Subscribe now.

 
 

Meetings Calendar

Kids Calendar

Eat & Drink Calendar