03 Apr 2012

Q&A on Beef

By Grassley Press

with U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley

Q:        How do you see the recent attention given to lean finely textured beef?

A:        I enjoy and appreciate beef in a meal as often as possible, and I have confidence in this meat product, which comes from a process that separates fatty pieces from beef trimmings to reduce the overall fat content.  There's nothing wrong with using all of the edible trimmings of an animal.  Lean finely textured beef is beef, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture inspects and regulates all beef products.  It has approved this product for ground beef since 1993.

 

Q:        What about the processing of this beef?

A:        The technology used for lean finely textured beef makes it possible to use beef that could not have been captured by hand trimming.  The edible trimmings left after other cuts of meat, including steaks and roasts, are removed from an animal and processed to separate the lean meat from the fat.  Then, an antimicrobial treatment is used to make sure the resulting lean beef product is safe to eat.

 

Q:        Is the antimicrobial treatment safe?

A:        Ammonium hydroxide - or ammonium combined with water - is used in food processing, including baked goods, cheeses, caramel, puddings and meat products.  The Food and Drug Administration determined that ammonium hydroxide was "Generally Recognized As Safe," or GRAS, in 1974.  The World Health Organization has listed hundreds of food products that can be processed using ammonium hydroxide in accordance with good manufacturing practices.  In the case of lean finely textured beef, an ammonium hydroxide gas controls dangerous forms of pathogens like E. coli.

 

Q:        What else is relevant to food safety?

A:        I'm committed to sound science practices that separate fact from fiction in food safety.  Consumers deserve it, and the consequences of misinformation and hype in March over lean finely textured beef were the layoffs of hundreds of people working for the company that produces most of this beef, including workers in Waterloo and Sioux City.  Without lean finely textured beef, as many as 1.5 million additional head of cattle could be needed to replace it in the meat supply, and the cost of ground beef for consumers would be higher.

 

April 2, 2012

03 Apr 2012

SUMMER EVENTS AT THE FIELD MUSEUM

By Rita Bellouze
03 Apr 2012

MAY EVENTS AT THE FIELD MUSEUM

By Rita Bellouze
03 Apr 2012

Governor Quinn Honors Uniting America Volunteers in Memory of Cesar Chavez

By Nafia Khan

Calls for All to Honor Hispanic Civil Rights Leader's
Legacy Through Service

 

CHICAGO - April 2, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today joined leaders from the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR) to commemorate the birth of America's greatest Hispanic civil rights leader by honoring the volunteers of the Uniting America service initiative. Volunteers performed thousands of hours of community service since the program's launch last summer. Today Governor Quinn called for all residents to honor the legacy of Cesar Chavez by recommitting themselves to community service.

 

"Service to others is the rent we pay for our place on Earth," Governor Quinn said. "We are all called to serve. Cesar Chavez spent his life working to improve the lives of others and our Uniting America volunteers live his legacy every day by going out into their communities to make a difference."

 

Uniting America is a volunteer program made possible through a strong partnership between the Governor's Office of New Americans (GONA) and ICIRR. It places Americorps volunteers within communities throughout the state to work on a wide variety of service projects that include park and school clean-ups, fundraising drives and citizenship workshops in immigrant communities.

 

"Having served in the Peace Corps after college, I understand how vital volunteerism is to bridging and creating healthy communities," said Lawrence Benito, executive director at the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights. "Through our Uniting America program, our fellows are immersed in communities working to build bridges and create healthy dialogues between immigrant and native born communities."

 

Uniting America has embarked on an ambitious 2012 agenda, with more than 100 community service and unity events planned. It hopes to recruit and train more than 8,000 additional volunteers to work on programs and activities that unite immigrants like citizenship workshops, immigrant civic engagement and community building. ICIRR has hosted nearly 1,200 volunteer-driven citizenship workshops in the past seven years, with volunteers performing more than 100,000 hours of outreach, legal assistance and tutoring.

 

In 2010, Governor Quinn signed an executive order reestablishing the Governor's Office of New Americans (GONA). The office builds upon the strength of immigrants, their families and their institutions and assists them in their journey towards self-sufficiency. About 20 percent of Illinois' population are immigrants or the children of immigrants. For more information about the Governor's Office of New Americans and the Uniting America initiative, visit http://www2.illinois.gov/gov/newamericans and www.ICIRR.org or contact GONA Director Denise Martinez at 312-814-6686.

 

 

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03 Apr 2012

Whitey's Ice Cream introduces new flavors

By Jon Tunberg

In addition to introducing a new small shake to our lineup this spring, Whitey's Ice Cream is announcing four new flavors for the season. Along with our usual spring flavors of Fresh Banana and Lemon Custard, the new flavors available by Wednesday are as follows:

Fiesta Chocolate- A new chocolate flavored ice cream with cinnamon swirled throughout.

Red Velvet Cake- White chocolate flavored ice cream with cream cheese frosted homemade Red Velvet cake.

Super Blueberry Cheesecake- A "Super" Blueberry Cheesecake flavored ice cream with additional blueberry swirled throughout.

And finally, our most exciting flavor:

Kid Crunch- This is for kids from 2 to 92. In keeping with the tradition of Sgt. Camo, ALL profits from the sale of this flavor will be donated to children's charities!  Kid Crunch is made with locally supplied honey from the Illinois Beekeepers Association and includes five different ingredients to give it that "crunchy" taste. Included with the light honey ice cream are: Pecans, Almonds, Toffee, Chocolate Flakes, and Cookie pieces.

Any questions feel free to contact the Whitey's corporate offices at: (309) 762-2175

Thank you-
02 Apr 2012

Traffic Safety Coalition Announces Traffic Fatalities in Iowa on the Decline

By Justin Richards
CHICAGO - The latest statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) show the number of fatalities on Iowa's roadways declined 11 percent, including a 28 percent reduction in pedestrian fatalities, from 2006 to 2010. Iowa roads are getting safer with increased seat belt usage, improved air bag technology, safer driving habits and local police departments taking advantage of new technology to hold lawbreakers accountable through the use of live-saving enforcement tools such as red light cameras. 

According to NHTSA data, there were 390 fatalities on Iowa roads in 2010, down from 439 in 2006.  Pedestrian fatalities were also reduced from 25 in 2006 to 18 in 2010. 

One contributing factor to this reduction has been the increased use of traffic safety cameras.  Data across the country shows cameras change driver behavior, deter drivers from breaking the law, reduce crashes and save lives.  This has been the case in communities across Iowa:

• Council Bluffs, Iowa - Red light running crashes were reduced in Council Bluffs by 90 percent at intersections with safety cameras (Iowa Department of Transportation).

• Cedar Rapids, Iowa - Red light running was reduced by 49 percent after the installation of traffic safety cameras at Cedar Rapids intersections (Iowa State University Institute for Transportation).

• Davenport, Iowa - Red light running crashes were reduced by 40 percent in Davenport where traffic safety cameras were present (Iowa Department of Transportation).

In February, the Iowa State Senate voted unanimously to pass Kadyn's Law, legislation to increase penalties for drivers who ignore stop signs extended from school buses.  The legislation further required a study on the effects of using traffic safety cameras on school bus stop arms to catch and hold accountable drivers who ignore school bus safety laws.

###

About the Traffic Safety Coalition:
The Traffic Safety Coalition is a not-for-profit, grassroots organization comprised of concerned citizens, traffic safety experts, law enforcement, public officials, victim's advocates, health care professionals, and industry leaders who are committed to working together to make our roads safer for drivers, passengers, and pedestrians.  We work with our partners throughout the country to promote technology and education that save lives and keep our roads safe.

The Traffic Safety Coalition received the 2011 Peter K. O'Rourke Special Achievement Award from the Governors Highway Safety Association for outstanding achievements in highway safety. 
For more information about traffic safety issues, visit www.trafficsafetycoalition.com or connect with us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/trafficsafetycoalition and Twitter: www.twitter.com/TrafficSafetyCn






02 Apr 2012

Celebrate National Volunteer Week by Donating Blood

By Ben Corey
This National Volunteer Week, April 15-21, the American Red Cross
encourages eligible blood donors to make an appointment to donate and
help save lives. Approximately every two seconds a patient in the United
States needs a blood transfusion. Thanks to volunteer blood donors, the
Red Cross is able to provide needed blood products to local hospitals and
more than 3,000 hospitals and transfusion centers around the country.

In the hour it takes to donate blood, donors can help save the lives of more
than one patient. Only 3 percent of the U.S. population currently donates
blood. Become a Red Cross volunteer donor and join a family of blood
donors across the nation in a lifesaving cause.

How to Donate Blood
Simply call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org
to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are
needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or
driver's license, or two other forms of identification are required at check-
in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental permission in some states), weigh at
least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school
students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and
weight requirements.

About the American Red Cross
Governed by volunteers and supported by giving individuals and communities, the American
Red Cross is the single largest supplier of blood products to hospitals throughout the United
States. While local hospital needs are always met first, the Red Cross also helps ensure no
patient goes without blood no matter where or when they need it. In addition to providing
nearly half of the nation's blood supply, the Red Cross provides relief to victims of disaster,
trains millions in lifesaving skills, serves as a communication link between U.S. military
members and their families, and assists victims of international disasters or conflicts.

Blood Donation Opportunities

CARROLL COUNTY
4/27/2012, 1:00 pm- 6:00 pm, Carroll County Farm Bureau, 811 S. Clay Street, Mount Carroll

CLINTON COUNTY
4/19/2012, 10:00 am- 4:00 pm, Lyondell Chemical Company, 3400 Anamosa Road, Clinton

HENRY COUNTY
4/17/2012, 10:30 am- 5:30 pm, Kewanee Hospital, 1051 W. South St., Kewanee

4/25/2012, 2:00 pm- 6:00 pm, First Christian Church, 105 Dwight St., Kewanee

MERCER COUNTY
4/17/2012, 12:00 pm- 6:00 pm, VFW Hall, 106 SW 3rd Ave., Aledo

SCOTT COUNTY
4/27/2012, 10:00 am- 1:00 pm, Hy-Vee, 4064 E. 53rd St., Davenport

WHITESIDE COUNTY
4/17/2012, 1:00 pm- 5:15 pm, Old Fulton Fire Station, 912 4th Street, Fulton

4/18/2012, 2:00 pm- 6:00 pm, Rock Falls Blood Donation Center, 112 W. Second St., Rock Falls

4/20/2012, 9:00 am- 2:00 pm, Fulton High School, 1207 12th Street, Fulton

4/20/2012, 10:00 am- 2:00 pm, Halo Branded Solutions, 1980 Industrial Drive, Sterling

4/24/2012, 1:00 pm- 5:15 pm, Old Fulton Fire Station, 912 4th Street, Fulton

4/25/2012, 10:00 am- 2:00 pm, Rock Falls Blood Donation Center, 112 W. Second St., Rock Falls

4/26/2012, 4:00 pm- 7:00 pm, Rock Falls Blood Donation Center, 112 W. Second St., Rock Falls

4/28/2012, 6:30 am-11:00 am, CGH Medical Center, 100 E. LeFevre Road, Sterling
02 Apr 2012

Operation Gratitude and Team Rubicon Announce Partnership Supporting First Responders

By Operation Gratitude

Military support charity Operation Gratitude and veteran-focused disaster relief organization Team Rubicon today announced a strategic partnership to send "First Responder Kits" to volunteers assisting with natural disaster and crisis relief efforts world-wide. 

The "First Responder Kits" (FR Kits) will be assembled at the Operation Gratitude Headquarters in Van Nuys, CA and shipped to every Team Rubicon volunteer across the country.  Each FR Kit will contain an assortment of donated items such as batteries; a drawstring backpack; a towel; energy bars; a spork (a combination utensil/tool); heavy work gloves; head lamp; safety glasses; a write-in-the-rain notebook; pens; a Leatherman; a Nalgene water bottle; a Team Rubicon t-shirt and a Paracord "Survival" bracelet hand-made by Operation Gratitude supporters.  

Most of the Team Rubicon volunteers are recent U.S. Military veterans. "We sent care packages and supported these heroic service members while they were deployed overseas in combat zones," says Operation Gratitude founder, Carolyn Blashek. "Now that they are serving our country and the world by assisting with natural disasters and humanitarian relief, we will continue to express our deep appreciation and respect to them through our First Responder Kits." 

Team Rubicon co-founder William McNulty agrees that the partnership between the two organizations makes perfect sense: "Team Rubicon engages U.S. military veterans, many returning home after fighting ten years of war, and offers a renewed sense of purpose for their skills and experiences," he said.  "The FR Kits will provide our volunteers with essential gear as well as morale-boosting encouragement from fellow Americans who are grateful for their continued service."   

As with its other programs, Operation Gratitude will rely on the generosity of the American people -- individuals and corporate sponsors -- to supply, assemble and ship the initial 5,000 FR Kits by the end of June, 2012.  The organization seeks both product donations to fill the FR Kits as well as financial donations to pay assembly and shipping costs of $75,000.  

Item donations may be shipped to:

Operation Gratitude/California Army National Guard
17330 Victory Boulevard
Van Nuys, CA 91406
Attn: First Responder Program

Financial donations are welcome and may be made online: 
https://www.operationgratitude.com/donate/

Or by check payable to Operation Gratitude and mailed to:

Operation Gratitude
16444 Refugio Road
Encino, CA 91436 

In keeping with Operation Gratitude's mission of providing "hands-on" opportunities to say "Thank You" to our nation's heroes, the organization is encouraging supporters all over the country to make Paracord "Survival" Bracelets to include in each First Responder Kit, as well as in the care packages to deployed troops.  More information and instructions can be found here: How to Make a Paracord Bracelet.

About Operation Gratitude

Operation Gratitude annually sends 100,000+ care packages filled with snacks, entertainment items and personal letters of appreciation addressed to individually named U.S. Service Members deployed in harm's way, to their children left behind, to military families and veterans in financial distress due to unemployment, and to Wounded Warriors recuperating in transition units. The organization's mission is to lift morale, bring a smile to a service member's face and express to our Armed Forces the appreciation and support of the American people. Each package contains donated product valued at ~$125 and costs the organization $15 to assemble and ship. For safety and security, assembling of packages occurs at the Army National Guard armory in Van Nuys, California. Since its inception in 2003, Operation Gratitude volunteers have shipped more than 760,000 packages to American Military members and their children.   

Learn more about Operation Gratitude by visiting:

Web: http://OperationGratitude.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/OpGratitude
Facebook: http://facebook.com/OperationGratitude
Blog:          http://OpGrat.wordpress.com
YouTube: http://youtube.com/OpGrat
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/opgratitude

About Team Rubicon
Team Rubicon unites the skills and experiences of military veterans with medical professionals to rapidly deploy emergency response teams into crisis situations. TR is creating a new paradigm in disaster response that recognizes and harnesses the skills of military veterans; offering them a chance to continue their service by helping and empowering those afflicted by disasters, and also themselves.

Learn more about Team Rubicon by visiting:
Web: http://teamrubiconusa.org
02 Apr 2012

Bryan Lohmar Named U.S. Grains Council China Director

By Marri Carrow

WASHINGTON, D.C., April 2, 2012 - The U.S. Grains Council is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Bryan Lohmar as its new director in China. In this capacity, Lohmar will oversee the Council's programs in the country while maintaining and fostering key relationships with Chinese policy officials. Lohmar comes with a wealth of industry knowledge and experience having most recently served a three-year stint as the director of economic research for Bunge CHINA in Shanghai. Prior to that, he was an economist for USDA's Economic Research Service, where he focused on a wide range of agricultural production and trade topics, many pertaining to China.

"Mr. Lohmar's background will be a tremendous benefit to the Council's work in China," said Dr. Wendell Shauman, USGC chairman. "We are happy to have him with us as his business leadership and trade promotion experience will be incredibly valuable to the Council's work in this important market."

Lohmar is graduate of the University of California, Davis, holding a Ph.D. in agricultural economics. He has authored numerous papers on China commodity supply and demand trends, and China's own natural resource challenges and future needs.

"The Council has been active in the China market since 1982. Persistent, on-ground engagement in China created a foundation of credibility and trust that enables the Council to engage with the highest levels of Chinese ministries, research institutes and end-users on the value of trade as a solution to food security," said Thomas C. Dorr, USGC president and CEO. "This level of engagement, combined with China's growing middle-class economy has made this market into one of the newest demand drivers for U.S. corn and co-products. Lohmar's direction and leadership will be essential to continuing our market presence in China."

Lohmar will begin working for the Council in late April.

-30-

02 Apr 2012

Blackhawk Hills Names Melanie Flesch as Assistant Outreach Coordinator

By Daniel Payette
ROCK FALLS, IL - Blackhawks Hills Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D)
announces that Melanie Flesch has been named Assistant Outreach Coordinator. Melanie will
be responsible for outreach support on the iFiber broadband project, as well as general marketing
including research, reporting, social media development, and design.

"We are excited to have Melanie start at Blackhawk Hills," said Outreach Coordinator Daniel
Payette. "She has a keen sense of communications and brings much enthusiasm to the office.
Importantly, she will allow us to expand our outreach efforts on the broadband project, especially
in researching fiber optic-oriented opportunities for economic and business development."

Melanie, a native of East Dubuque, IL, is a 2009 graduate of Clarke University's Business
Administration program. With a concentration in marketing, she has specialized in working
with small businesses in the Dubuque area. Over the past two years, she provided consultation
services with her company, Truly Organized Marketing. Her past experience includes the
positions of Marketing Project Specialist for Heartland Financial and Sales and Marketing
Director for Dubuque Area Steamatic.

About Blackhawk Hills RC&D

Blackhawk Hills RC&D is a not-for-profit corporation based in Rock Falls, IL that serves
Carroll, Jo Daviess, Lee, Ogle, Stephenson, and Whiteside counties in northwest Illinois.
Blackhawk Hills RC&D's services include community planning, development assistance, natural
resources conservation and protection support, and grant writing and administration. Blackhawk
Hills RC&D is sponsored by local county boards and Soil and Water Conservation Districts and
is overseen by an 18-member council, consisting of three representatives from each of the six
counties.

Questions about Blackhawk Hills may be directed to Daniel Payette at (815) 625-3854 or
daniel.payatte@blackhawkhills.com.

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