11 Oct 2011

Families That Eat Together Stay Healthy Together, Says TOPS

By Kimberly Greene

MILWAUKEE, WI - With busy schedules full of work, sports, and other activities, it can be difficult to get the family together for a meal.  October is National Eat Better, Eat Together Month, an opportunity for families to start new traditions, make time for one another, and eat healthy.  TOPS Club, Inc. (Take Off Pounds Sensibly), the nonprofit weight loss support organization, provides ideas to make time for family meals and reap the rewards.

Enjoy the benefits

According to Martha Marino, M.A., RD, CD, and Sue Butkus, Ph.D., RD, of Washington State University and The Nutrition Education Network of Washington, there are many benefits of eating together.

• Family dinners promote healthy eating habits and are an ideal opportunity for parents to teach their children about nutrition and demonstrate healthy practices.  Kids who regularly eat with their families tend to consume more fruits and vegetables rather than junk food.  Parents can also broaden their children's horizons and introduce new foods during family meals.

• Time together can open the lines of communication between parents and children and help form stronger, healthier relationships.  Family members have a chance to share details about their day, plan, learn about one another, and more.  Table talk also allows children to express ideas and learn new vocabulary from adults' conversations.

• Studies show that eating together can contribute to higher academic performance and improved well-being.  The stability of family meals and conversation are essential for kids as they develop and learn.

• Food dollars can go further with large, homemade meals, rather than fast food or individual dishes.  Cooking one meal and preparing food in advance also saves time in the kitchen.

Put it on the calendar

The calendar fills up quickly, especially as kids get older.  It's important to make family time a priority and set a schedule that will work for everyone.  If there is only one day that works for each person, make it a weekly habit and work up to two or three times each week, if you can.  Breakfast and lunch count as meals, so don't limit family time to dinner.

Prepare meals ahead

To avoid falling into the common excuse that everyone's schedule is too hectic, make meals ahead of time.  Weekends are a great opportunity to compile a shopping list, purchase groceries, and prepare weekday meals.  If you have extra time, cook double servings and put the extra food in the freezer, to be used as a backup for busy nights.

Get the children involved

It's important to engage the kids and have them participate.  Give them the opportunity to provide input on what is served or assign tasks - setting the table, washing the produce, pouring beverages, and mixing ingredients.  Teenagers could even cook one of the meals.

Make it fun

Want to make meals more interesting?  There are many creative ideas that can keep family time exciting.

• Move it outdoors and have a picnic.

• Turn off the television, cell phones, and the computer and have a conversation.  Go around the table and talk about the highs and lows of everyone's day and ask each other questions.

• Plan a theme for different meals - fiesta, dinner and a movie, fondue party, build your own burger or pizza, "favorites meal" (making each family member's preferred dish), and more.

• Take turns planning the meals.  One night Mom or Dad can arrange dinner, and the kids can prepare breakfast another day.  This will get everyone involved with meal planning, and it will give family members an opportunity to be creative.

• Dress up the dinner table, making the occasion seem special.  Use candles, table clothes, fancy dishes, or props for a themed dinner.

TOPS Club Inc. (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) is the original weight-loss support and wellness education organization.  Founded more than 63 years ago, TOPS is the only nonprofit, noncommercial weight-loss organization of its kind.  TOPS promotes successful weight management with a "Real People. Real Weight Loss." philosophy that combines support from others at weekly chapter meetings, healthy eating, regular exercise, and wellness information.  TOPS has about 170,000 members - male and female, age seven and older - in nearly 10,000 chapters throughout the United States and Canada.

Visitors are welcome to attend their first TOPS meeting free of charge.  Membership is affordable at just $26 per year, plus nominal chapter fees.  To find a local chapter, view www.tops.org or call (800) 932-8677.

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11 Oct 2011

FIGGE Lecture on paris and French art

By Susan Horan

The Figge Art Museum is hosting a lecture entitled "Art, Urbanism, and the Parisian Experience: An Introduction" at 2:30 pm Sunday, October 16. The lecture, presented by Dr. Heidi E. Kraus, will serve as an introduction to a four-week seminar on Paris and French art to be held next at the Figge next spring.  In addition to a broad overview of major sites, monuments, and works of art, attention will also be focused on various aspects of Parisian life, including restaurants and cafés, shopping, education, and understanding cultural differences. The October 16 lecture and spring semester seminar are offered in conjunction with the Figge's member trip to Paris April 10-19, 2012.

Dr. Heidi E. Kraus received her Ph.D. in Art History from The University of Iowa in 2010, where she specialized in Eighteenth- and Nineteenth-Century French art.  Currently Dr. Kraus is the Postdoctoral Research Fellow at The University of Iowa Museum of Art and is co-curator of "Napoleon and the Art of Propaganda," an exhibition opening at the University of Iowa Museum of Art in October 2012.

Admission to the museum and tour is $7. Admission is free to Figge members and institutional members.

For information about museum programs, including the Figge Member trip to Paris, please visit the Figge website at www.figgeart.org.

 

-end-
11 Oct 2011

October 13th Big $5.99 Breakfast Blowout at Bettendorf Happy Joe's!

By Rick Martin
In honor of National Pizza Month, The Bettendorf Happy Joe's will be offering a breakfast blowout bash for ONE DAY ONLY on Thursday, October 13 from 7am - 9pm.  This deal will happen no more than once a year and is available for dine in and carryout only on large omelet pizzas for just $5.99 + tax on October 13th. A large omelet pizza serves five people and is the perfect item to buy for your staff or group breakfast.  Be a super hero at a super price!

"This is an excellent opportunity for people to try our wonderful breakfast products at a fraction of the cost," says Bettendorf head coach, Adam Berntgen.  Our omelet pizza is served on a pan-style crust with eggs, cheese, and your favorite toppings. What a great day to try something new!"

The Bettendorf Happy Joe's also offers home-style cinnamon rolls that are baked daily, breakfast burritos, Happy Joe's Scramblers (similar to a breakfast skillet), and gourmet coffee.

"We've had tremendous success with our new breakfast products and are thrilled to offer an opportunity for the whole town to come in and try the omelet pizza at a ridiculous price! We want to make sure everyone gets a taste of the omelet pizza as we are confident that once they try it they'll come back for more!" stated Kristel Whitty-Ersan, Marketing Director for the company.

The omelet pizzas and cinnamon rolls are an excellent choice for business meetings and morning get-togethers. Happy Joe's breakfast items have been very popular with businesses, but the chain wants to ensure the general public knows that these products can be delivered to their homes, schools, organizations, and clubs as well. The products are offered all day long. The restaurant is available for business meetings and provides free space to groups that may want to come in for a morning meeting.

The $5.99 price point on a large omelet pizza will last for just one day, October 13th, so wake up and smell the omelet pizza, Bettendorf! Come on over to Happy Joe's!


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11 Oct 2011

New USDA TV Feature October 11, 2011: Finding The Best Fall Colors

By USDA Communications Office

Finding The Best Fall Colors

The USDA Forest Service can help you find the best Fall colors

A new TV feature is available on the USDA FTP site

Filename: Fall Color feature

Download instructions:

The host: ftp://ocbmtcmedia.download.akamai.com

User name: usdanews

Password:  Newscontent1

The new file is in QuickTime Movie (H.264 ), MPEG 4, MPEG2 and HDV.

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twNOResyOWU&feature=channel_video_title

video podcast: http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/usda-down-to-earth-video-podcast/id461819504?uo=4

RSS feed: http://downtoearth.usda.libsynpro.com/rss

Please email bob.ellison@usda.gov if you have problems or suggestions.

Also, use this free ftp client if you have problems.

http://filezilla-project.org/download.php?type+client

FEATURE - FINDING THE BEST FALL COLORS

INTRO: Leaf viewing season is upon us and the U-S-D-A's Forest Service has information on the best colors. The U-S-D-A's Bob Ellison has more. (1:25)

 

FALL IS HERE AND PEOPLE WANT TO SEE THE CHANGING LEAVES. BUT HOW DO YOU KNOW WHERE AND WHEN TO SEE THE BEST FALL COLORS? THE U-S DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE'S FOREST SERVICE CAN HELP WITH ITS FALL COLORS WEB PAGE AND HOTLINE.

 

Tom Tidwell, Chief, USDA Forest Service: So you don't have to spend any time trying to wonder if this is the right weekend to get out. Call our hotline. We do have a website that you can go to that you can get the best up to date information. We keep it up to date and we're going to tell you when the Fall colors are peaking in the area where you want to visit.

 

MANY FACTORS INFLUENCE FALL COLORS SO THE FOREST SERVICE RELIES HEAVILY ON EYEWITNESS REPORTS.

 

Tidwell: And each year depending on how the weather develops in the Fall that helps dictate the color changes. So not only do have the science but we also have folks out there observing when these colors are changing so we can give you the best up to date information that's available.

 

AND WHILE FALL COLORS CAN BE ENJOYED IN MANY PLACES, TIDWELL SAYS SOME OF THE BEST VIEWING OPPORTUNITIES ARE IN THE NATIONAL FORESTS.

 

Tidwell: Where you have the variety of both the hardwoods and also of our conifers. So you get that combination of the brilliant, magnificent Fall colors also with that solid green color from our conifer trees.

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO F-S DOT FED DOT U-S FORWARD SLASH FALL COLORS OR CALL ONE EIGHT HUNDRED THREE FIVE FOUR FOUR FIVE NINE FIVE. FOR THE U-S DEPARMENT OF AGRICULTURE, I'M BOB ELLISON.

11 Oct 2011

Ron Paul to Make Far-Reaching Visit to Iowa

By Drew Ivers
Consequential visit includes outreach to core voters
LAKE JACKSON, Texas- 2012 Republican Presidential candidate Ron Paul will campaign in Iowa for two days.  
The visit will occur on Friday-Saturday, October 21st- 22ndand will encompass three postponed campaign stops previously meant for earlier in the month, as well as a series of new events.

"Perhaps it was for the better that the prior one-day visit was re-organized since its elements are inserted into what will be a memorable, far more comprehensive visit to the Hawkeye State," said Ron Paul 2012 Presidential Campaign Iowa Chairman Drew Ivers.  

"Over the course of two days Ron Paul will reach out to media, manufacturing workers, voters at town hall meetings, college-age youth and persons of faith.  We expect this visit's impact to exceed that of any past visit, save for the generous amount of time Dr. Paul spent in the run-up to his near-statistical tie at the Ames Straw Poll," said Mr. Ivers.

Details of the events are as follows.  All times Central.

Friday, October 21, 2011
10:00 a.m.
Interviewed live in-studio w/ Jan Mickelson
WHO Radio - 1040am
2141 Grand Avenue
Des Moines, 50312

12:00 p.m.
Plant Tour & Meeting w/ American Wind Energy Association*
TPI Composites
2300 N 33rd Avenue E
Newton, IA 50208

3:00 p.m.
Davenport Town Hall Meeting
Figge Art Museum - John Deere Auditorium
225 West 2nd Street
Davenport, IA 52801

5:30 p.m.
Burlington Town Hall Meeting ***New Location***
Pzazz Convention and Event Center - Huckleberry Hall
3001 Winegard Drive
Burlington, IA 52601

8:00 p.m.
Speech
Ron Paul Celebrates Homecoming with Youth for Ron Paul
University of Iowa Memorial Union - Main Lounge
125 N. Madison Street
Iowa City, IA 52242

Saturday, October 22, 2011
10:00 a.m.  
Des Moines Town Hall
Embassy Suites on the River
101 E. Locust Street
Des Moines, IA 50309

5:00 p.m.  
Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition Presidential Candidate Forum
Iowa State Fairgrounds - Knapp Learning Center
3000 E. Grand Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50317
This event is open to the public, but tickets are required and available online at ffciowa.com, or by calling (515)225-1515.


*Open to media; not a public event.


Authorized and paid for by Ron Paul 2012 PCC Inc. www.RonPaul2012.com
11 Oct 2011

Putting America's Wind Power on the Grid

By Rick Martin

By Johnathan Hladik, johnathanh@cfra.org, Center for Rural Affairs

Here at the Center for Rural Affairs we talk a lot about clean energy transmission. We've long recognized that improved transmission infrastructure is the key to job creation and economic development, in rural and urban communities alike.

Fortunately, others do too. Last week the Obama administration announced a plan to fast-track the approval of much-needed electric transmission lines. This follows the creation of two USDA Rural Development loan programs designed to improve transmission facilities in rural areas.

What does this mean for rural residents? It means that now is the time to become engaged. Each proposed line offers an opportunity for you to become involved almost every step of the way.

Before a project moves forward, the developer will look for input from the community. Each will hold educational meetings and open house events to share information and better understand your needs.  Objectives will be discussed, as will route estimations.

Next, most states require the developer to demonstrate project need, and to prove the project is in the public interest.  This determination is made by a state regulatory agency, most often the public service commission or a variation thereof.

Finally it will be time to determine the route. This offers yet another opportunity to weigh in and submit comments to your state regulatory agency. Your concerns will be taken into account and influence the final determination.

To get you started, we've created a transmission map. Visit http://www.cfra.org/clean-energy-transmission-map to find projects in your area and learn more about those affecting you.

11 Oct 2011

Gramma's Kitchen Awarded "Best Breaded Pork Tenderloin" in Iowa

By Rick Martin

Iowa Pork Producers will present restaurant with award on Wed. 10/12 at 11:45AM

Gramma's Kitchen selected the winner of IPPA's Best Breaded Pork Tenderloin Contest for 2011.

Gramma's Kitchen in Walcott has received this year's honor from IPPA for its breaded pork tenderloin sandwich and will receive a check for $500 and a plaque. The eatery is located near the World's Largest Truck Stop on Interstate 80 at the Walcott exit.

Gramma's Kitchen has been in business since 1980 and serves about 150 tenderloin sandwiches per week. The loins are bought from Reinhart  Foodservice and are tenderized and battered at the restaurant.

"We are absolutely excited about winning this award and it's so great that we are receiving such accolades for all of our hard work that we have put in these last several years," said Aaron Tuftee, one of the managers of Gramma's Kitchen.

Country House in Colo placed second and will receive a plaque and $250 from IPPA. Legal Limit Pub & Grill in Boone, The Rusty Duck in Dexter, and Newton's Paradise Café in Waterloo received honorable mention awards and each will receive a plaque.

Joe Golinghorst from Walcott nominated Gramma's Kitchen and will receive $100.

A total of 327 nominations were submitted for this year's contest and 34 received the required three or more nominations and became finalists. Judging by committee members was completed last month. The committee judges the pork tenderloin sandwiches on taste, physical characteristics and appearance.

All restaurants, cafes and taverns that serve breaded pork tenderloin sandwiches can be nominated for the award each year. Previous contest winners also are eligible, but are prohibited from winning two consecutive years.

Gramma's Kitchen is open daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. and is a member of the Heart of America group. You can find them on the web at www.heartofamericagroup.com. Gramma's Kitchen also has a Facebook page.
11 Oct 2011

Central College Representatives at area high schools

By readMedia

PELLA, (10/10/2011)(readMedia)-- A Central College admissions representative will soon be visiting area high schools. All students are invited to visit the representative in the schools' counseling centers to learn more about Central.

Admissions counselor Jessica Steward will visit Alleman High School at 9 a.m. on Thursday, October 20.

Admissions counselor Brynn Phillips will visit Durant High School at 2 p.m. on Monday, November 7.

Admissions counselor Brynn Phillips will visit Mid-Prairie High School at 11:15 a.m. on Tuesday, November 8.

Central College is a private, four-year, residential, liberal arts college in Pella, Iowa. Central's academic program offers 39 majors leading to a bachelor's degree along with pre-professional programs and advising. Central was recognized in the 2010 U.S.News & World Report's annual rankings of the best liberal arts colleges in the nation. Central's study abroad program was included in the programs to look for section.

More information about Central College is available at www.central.edu or by calling 877-462-3687.

11 Oct 2011

Senior Coffee to be held at Vander Veer Botanical Park

By Ron Summers

Are you looking for a beautiful way to spend a Wednesday morning? Join Davenport Parks and Recreation at the Conservatory in Vander Veer Botanical park for our Senior Coffee. This informal program is designed to encourage senior citizens to visit the warmth of the conservatory during the colder months and enjoy the color and fragrance of beautiful flowers.

On October 12, participants will be able to enjoy the Fall Color Show from 10 am - Noon. The cost for the program is $1 and each participant will have the opportunity to experience the sights, sounds and fragrances of the colorful and vibrant plants.

Preregistration is not required, for further information, please call, 326-7812.

11 Oct 2011

Governor Quinn Opens First Chicago Ideas Week

By Katelyn Tye

Proclaims "Ideas Week" in Illinois to Support Innovation

CHICAGO - October 10, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn today opened the first-ever Chicago Ideas Week conference and proclaimed this week "Ideas Week" in Illinois. Chicago Ideas Week is a seven-day celebration of ideas, innovation and community, that will focus on bringing the world's best speakers together with the Midwest's best thinkers. Today's event follows Governor Quinn's launch of a program last week to give Illinois entrepreneurs access to $78 million in capital for new and innovative business ideas.

"Illinois is proud to be home to some of the brightest minds in science, technology, business and education," Governor Quinn said. "It only makes sense that the best minds in the world should come together here to develop innovative ideas and technologies that will help create the jobs of today and tomorrow to move our economy forward."

Chicago Ideas Week was founded by Brad Keywell, chair of the Illinois Innovation Council introduced this year by Governor Quinn (www.illinoisinnovation.com), and co-founder of Groupon and Lightbank. The purpose of the conference is to bring the world's leading visionaries together for collaboration and discussion that could lead to breakthroughs and new understanding of some of the world's most important issues.

"This week provides a world-class platform that is designed to showcase our state as a center of innovation and entrepreneurship," said Keywell, creator of Chicago Ideas Week. "We are thrilled by the support we've received from both the city of Chicago and Illinois state government leaders for this celebration."

The week-long celebration of ideas will take place at some of Chicago's most prominent landmarks and will feature more than 150 key figures in business, science, health, technology, journalism, the arts, sports and government. Former President Bill Clinton, Mayor Michael Bloomberg of New York City and Kasim Reed of Atlanta are among the featured speakers. For a full list of speakers and more information about each session, visit www.chicagoideas.com.

"Ideas Week" in Illinois is the latest step Governor Quinn has taken to solidify Illinois' place as the leading state in the Midwest for entrepreneurship and innovation. Last week Governor Quinn launched the Advantage Illinois program to provide Illinois businesses and entrepreneurs with access to the capital they need to start new companies and expand existing business. Advantage Illinois will leverage $78 million in federal funding that will allow businesses to bring innovative ideas and new products to market and accelerate job creation and economic growth in Illinois. Earlier this year, the Governor created the Illinois Innovation Council with the goal of keeping Illinois on the cutting-edge of the global economy.

This year Governor Quinn's leadership has been instrumental in expanding the availability of more than $150 million in investment capital through enactment of the Technology Development Account II, implementation of the Angel Investment Tax Credit and the Advantage Illinois program.

A copy of Governor Quinn's proclamation is attached.

WHEREAS,                innovation has long been a hallmark of the Illinois economy, however success in today's era requires an extensive network of support; and

 

WHEREAS                 the nature and pace of innovation have changed dramatically and our global economy is increasingly driven by our ability to find and nurture value though new products, improved processes or advanced scientific discoveries; and

 

WHEREAS,                American innovations in science and technology, fueled by public and private research investments and accelerated through entrepreneurial activity have created economic prosperity,  enhanced quality of life, and aided those who bravely provide our nation with safety and security; and

 

WHEREAS,                the Illinois Innovation Council is working to identify and advance strategies to foster and accelerate the innovation and economic growth that will create the jobs of today and tomorrow; and

 

WHEREAS,                the American Association for the Advancement of Science estimates that up to half of all economic growth in the Unites States over the past five decades is due to innovations in technology; and

 

WHEREAS,                the state's economic growth is tied to its ability to successfully execute long-range research, development and innovation projects that address challenges facing our industries and that cultivate areas of likely scientific and technological advancement; and

 

WHEREAS,                to accelerate the innovation economy in the Midwest, the Illinois Innovation Council is advancing a common platform and fostering an ecosystem through which startups, innovation-driven enterprises, service providers, research institutions, colleges, universities and civic leaders can connect, share ideas, raise capital, and access the services and resources necessary to accelerate the growth of businesses, create new industries and generate jobs; and

 

WHEREAS,                from October 10-16, 2011, Chicago Ideas Week will bring the world's top speaker together with Chicago's best thinkers to create an ecosystem of innovation, exploration, and intellectual recreation.

.

 

THEREFORE, I, Pat Quinn, Governor of the State of Illinois, do hereby do hereby proclaim October 10-16, 2011 as CHICAGO IDEAS WEEK in Illinois, and encourage everyone in the Land of Lincoln to recognize, celebrate and support the vital role that innovation plays in the in the economic future of our state.

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