24 Feb 2012

Braley Lauds Reopening of Iowa National Guard Aviation Readiness Center

By Kira Ayish

Braley helped secure $2 million to fund renovation project in 2009

 

Davenport, IA - Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) today attended the reopening of the Iowa National Guard's Aviation Readiness Center, lauding the renovation of the facility and saying it will enhance the ability of the Guard to save lives and protect Iowa.  In 2009, Braley helped secure $2 million to fund the renovation project.

 

"The renovation of the Iowa National Guard's Aviation Readiness Center helped create jobs here in the Quad Cities and has given the facility new life," Braley said.  "I'm proud of my work helping to make this needed renovation happen.  This beautiful facility is a great addition to the Davenport area and will help the Iowa National Guard do its job."

 

The $2.1 million project completed today is the second part of a two-phase project that renovated the entire National Guard facility, originally constructed in 1972.  The first phase of the renovation was completed in 2010.

 

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24 Feb 2012

New Name, New Races For 'Nature Valley Pro Chase'

By Donnie Miller
Minneapolis - The only race series in the United States offering amateur cyclists trips to the Nature Valley Grand Prix, where they will compete against the country's top men and women professionals, has a new name and several new cities for 2012.

Formerly known as the Nature Valley Pro Ride, the new "Nature Valley Pro Chase" will select the top amateur man and woman at six races to become part of a pair of composite Nature Valley Cycling Teams for the 14th annual edition of the premier stage race on the 2012 USA Cycling National Racing Calendar.

"This name better reflects the goal of the program, which is to emotionally engage the entire cycling community by telling the stories of the participants," Nature Valley Grand Prix Executive Director David LaPorte said. "What hasn't changed is the opportunity it gives top amateurs to be noticed by pro team managers and potentially receive a pro contract."

Rider invitations will be issued following each of the six stops on the Nature Valley Pro Chase national tour: Tour de Murrieta (March 9-11) near San Diego; Jefferson Cup (April 1) near Charlottesville, Va.; Tour de Moore (April 28) near Raleigh, N.C.; Superior Morgul Classic (May 18-20) near Boulder, Colo.; Memorial Day Weekend Omnium (May 26-28) in the Quad Cities of Iowa and Illinois; San Jose Omnium (May 30-31) near San Jose, Calif.

The Tour de Murrieta, the Tour de Moore and the Superior Morgul Classic are new to the calendar while the Memorial Day Weekend Omnium and Jefferson Cup return from last year. The San Jose Omnium was a stop on the series in 2010.

Tour de Murrieta promoter Ernie Sanchez said he looks to add a new element to his race each year and the Nature Valley Pro Chase is a perfect fit.

"This is huge for us it's going to add that extra element of excitement to our race," Sanchez said. "We've had some great competitors over the years, from Chris Horner to Sarah Hammer and Chad Beyer and we always have a very strong, competitive men's category 1 field. I know they'll be looking forward to what some refer to as the "American Idol" of cycling. So we're proud to be a part of it."

Nature Valley Pro Chase qualifiers will earn free entries to the Nature Valley Grand Prix, generous travel stipends, team clothing, housing, ground transportation, and staff support for their composite teams. They will also receive pro-level recognition before, during and after the events, including pre-race call-ups and participation in promotional and media appearances. Their entire journey can be followed through blogs and on-line videos on the Nature Valley Pro Chase website (www.naturevalleyprochase), the Nature Valley Grand Prix Facebook page  (www.facebook.com/NatureValleyGrandPrix) and on Twitter (@NVBikeFest).

Snapshot glances at the six Nature Valley Pro Chase events:

Tour de Murrieta (March 9-11), San Diego: Three unique courses comprise a weekend of racing - Friday's time trial features a 1.2-mile portion of unpaved/dirt road. Saturday's criterium is run on a lightning-fast, one-mile course in historic Downtown Murrieta, while Sunday's circuit race is run on a 3.5-mile course (56 miles for men, 46 miles for women).

Jefferson Cup (April 1), Charlottesville, Va.: Nearly two dozen editions make this is the oldest continually run road race in the Mid-Atlantic region. The course for the one-day race winds through rolling countryside south of Charlottesville. The race is 70 miles for men and 50 miles for women.

Tour de Moore (April 28), Southern Pines, N.C.: The oldest road race in the South (this is the 37th edition) has previously been used as both a Pan American games qualifier and a qualifier for the Quebec Provincial Team. Men will tackle four laps of a 27-mile rolling loop of the Fort Bragg Military Reservation (112 miles) while women do two laps for a 58-mile race.

Superior Morgul Classic (May 18-20), Boulder, Colo.: The Morgul Classic has three days of racing and roots in the famed Red Zinger and Coors Classic races. Friday's time trial starts on top of "The Hump" and is a 6.5-mile course up "The Wall." Satruday is a criterium through the town of Superior, followed by Sunday's road race on the fabled Morgul Bismark course.

Memorial Day Weekend Omnium (May 26-28), Iowa and Illinois: Returning for the second straight year, the three days of racing consist of a trio of unique criteriums: Snake Alley, Melon City and the Quad Cities Criterium - which, at 47 years old, is the fourth oldest criterium in the nation and the oldest in Illinois. All three have been a fixture on the Midwest racing circuit on Memorial Day weekend for more than a quarter century.

San Jose Omnium (May 27-28), San Jose, Calif.: One of the longest running bike races in San Jose, Calif., the road race (63.5 miles for men, 63.5 miles for women) climbs 4,500 feet in 20 miles over Mt. Hamilton, the highest peak in the Bay area, on a course that was part of the 2010 Amgen Tour of California. The criterium is run over a one-mile course in Morgan Hill, Calif.

About the Nature Valley Bicycle Festival
Now in its 14th year, the Nature Valley Bicycle Festival is a ten-day celebration of bicycling that includes amateur and professional racing and community events. The Nature Valley Grand Prix has become the premier professional bike race in the U.S., attracting top American racing teams and nearly 300 top riders from around the world. Races are free and open to the public. It is the only professional sporting event in Minnesota for which no admission ticket is required. Proceeds from the Nature Valley Grand Prix are donated to Children's Lighthouse of Minnesota, a pediatric hospice project. For a detailed schedule of events visit www.naturevalleybicyclefestival.com.

About Nature Valley
Nature Valley, the brand that created the granola bar category in 1975, brings variety to healthy, active consumers looking for wholesome and great-tasting snacks. Headquartered in Minneapolis, Nature Valley is part of General Mills, a leading global manufacturer and marketer of consumer foods products.
24 Feb 2012

Murder Rides Again extended!

By Shelley Klimes
Amana - The Old Creamery Theatre and the Ox Yoke Inn are pleased to announce that due to sold out shows Murder Rides Again, will be extended. The comic murder mystery dinner theatre at the Ox Yoke Inn opened Feb. 3 and has enjoyed so much success that additional shows are scheduled on March 23 and 24.

Written by James Daab, Murder Rides Again is set in the Old West and features your favorite Old Creamery folk including Ian Zahren, Sean McCall, Amber Snyder, Deborah Kennedy, Nicholas Hodge and Jackie McCall. The show was scheduled to close March 3.

Tickets are $45 per person for dinner and the show. The special menu for Murder Rides Again comes with soup, salad, choice of entrée, beverage, and dessert. Reservations for the additional shows are now being taken. Call the Ox Yoke, Amana at 800-233-3441.

The media sponsor for Murder Rides Again is City Revealed Magazine.

The Old Creamery Theatre Company is a not-for-profit professional theatre founded in 1971 in Garrison, Iowa. The company is celebrating 41 years of bringing live, professional theatre to the people of Iowa and the Midwest.
24 Feb 2012

DES MOINES TO HOST THE 29TH ANNUAL HEARTLAND CARWASH ASSOCIATION'S PRODUCT AND EQUIPMENT INDUSTRY TRADE SHOW

By Rick Martin

For individuals and businesses interested in, related to, or part of the vehicle washing industry

DES MOINES, IOWA ? FEBRUARY 21, 2012

Have you ever thought about owning or operating a carwash, but not sure where to begin? Do you already own or operate a carwash and want to see the latest equipment, hear about industry trends or network with industry professionals? How about a Dog Wash?

The Heartland Carwash Association's 29th Annual Product and Equipment Show takes place March 23rd and 24th, 2012, at the Prairie Meadows Events and Conference Center in Altoona, Iowa. This year marks the 29th consecutive HCA Product Show, one of the largest and longest-running industry trade shows in the country.

Exhibitors and attendees from around the country will be coming to Des Moines for this year's event. Many national and international equipment manufacturers and suppliers will be showcasing the latest products and services available on the market today. And, industry executives will be on-hand to discuss current trends and provide insight into owning and operating a vehicle wash.

Whether you are looking for additional suppliers, considering a new equipment purchase, buying an existing carwash or building a new carwash from the ground-up, the HCA Product Show is the place to get the answers to your questions. Attend our seminars and listen to guest speakers discuss topics such as 'Utilizing Social Media' to grow your business and 'Installing Energy-Efficient Products' to save dollars and realize a true return on your investment.

Product Show Details

The HCA Product Show is open to the public and entrance admissions start at $25 for members of the HCA and $75 for non-members. The HCA is offering a limited time '2-for-1' special promotion for both members and non-members from now until March 1st. For more details on attending the Show or exhibiting your products, please call locally 515.224.6845 or toll-free 888.873.9735. You can also visit our web site at www.heartlandcarwash.org.

About the Heartland Carwash Association

Established in 1981, the Heartland Carwash Association is a non-profit industry association representing the interests of carwash owners, operators and distributors as well as national and international manufacturers, suppliers and other related companies. Based in Des Moines, Iowa, the HCA represents the states of Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska,
South Dakota and Wisconsin and annually hosts one of the largest industry trade shows in the country.

###

For Additional Information on the Heartland Carwash Association:
www.heartlandcarwash.org
info@heartlandcarwash.org

24 Feb 2012

Use Tax Season to Organize for the Future

By Ginny Grimsley
Financial Planner Shares Tips for a 21st-Century Filing System

Jane was not looking forward to going through her parents' belongings to get their house ready to sell. Their health had been failing for some time and they finally agreed to move to a retirement community. Now that they were both comfortably moved into their new apartment, it was up to Jane to get rid of the things they no longer needed.

Her parents had lived in the same house for more than 50 years, so Jane expected to find things that should have been tossed out years ago.  But she was amazed to discover 50 years of tax returns and bank statements carefully stored in boxes in the attic. Her parents had saved all their financial records!

Many people are confused about what records they need to keep and for how long. They hold onto tax returns, bank records, brokerage statements and other financial information simply because they don't know if they'll need it again. Like Jane's parents, the documents get packed in boxes that eventually take over valuable living or storage space.

Financial planner Rick Rodgers, author of The New Three-Legged Stool: A Tax Efficient Approach To Retirement Planning (www.TheNewThreeLeggedStool.com), says tax time is a great time to get organized.

"Most people are going through their records to get ready to file their return," he says. "This is the time to get smart about what you need to keep and then set up a system to store it efficiently going forward."

Rodgers suggests these five steps to help you effectively organize your finances for 2012 and beyond:

1. Out with the old - Discard the records you no longer need: Tax returns older than seven years; bank records and credit card statements that are not related to the tax returns you're keeping; brokerage statements that aren't related to purchases of current holdings. Be sure to shred all your old documents before throwing them out.

2. Go digital - Convert the documents you plan to save into digital images that are stored on your hard drive. Invest in a good scanner and scan as you go through your paperwork, shredding and tossing the hard copies as you go. On your computer, file by tax year, so your 2011 folder will contain your tax return for 2011 and all pertinent bank records and receipts. Organize the previous six years the same way. Next year you can delete the oldest folder when you add the 2012 folder.

3. Save a forest - All of the financial institutions you deal with would prefer to send your statements electronically. Stop receiving paper statements. Instead, download your statements electronically and store them in your new filing system.  Most banks and credit card companies keep at least a year's worth of statements available.  You need to download these files only once a year to complete the year's file.

4. Save backups in case of emergency - Make backup copies of your files on a CD. Choose a CD-R (recordable) as opposed to a CD-RW (rewriteable), because CD-R cannot accidentally be overwritten. Depending on your computer operating system, you may be able to continue adding data to a CD-R each year, until the CD is full. However, some operating systems won't allow that, so you'll need a new CD for each year.

5. Go paperless - Your new electronic filing system can be expanded to include all your financial records, from car maintenance receipts to pay stubs.  Wills and insurance policies can also be scanned and stored but, of course, keep the originals of those in a safe deposit box or fireproof safe.

Gone are the days of saving your financial documents in box and shoving it into the attic.  Technology advances have made organizing your personal finances easier with minimal cost.  Make 2012 the year you get organized by moving your finances into a 21st century filing system.

About Rick Rodgers

Certified Financial Planner Rick Rodgers is president of Rodgers & Associates, "The Retirement Specialists," in Lancaster, Pa. He's a Certified Retirement Counselor and member of the National Association of Personal Financial Advisers. Rodgers has been featured on national radio and TV shows, including "FOX Business News" and "The 700 Club," and is available to speak at conferences and corporate events (www.rodgersspeaks.com).

24 Feb 2012

"'Joe the Plumber' Joins '9-9-9 The Revolution' in Congressional Bid"

By Rick Martin
Herman Cain to Join Joe Wurzelbacher for Ohio Events
(Atlanta)  A familiar name has joined Herman Cain's ever-growing "9-9-9 The Revolution". The former businessman and former presidential frontrunner today announced that Joe Wurzelbacher, a.k.a. 'Joe the Plumber', has pledged his support for Cain's 9-9-9 economic growth and jobs plan.
Wurzelbacher is running as a Republican in Ohio's 9th Congressional District. The seat has been held by Democrat Marcy Kaptur for 30 years, and due to redistricting, she will face 10th District Representative Dennis Kucinich in the March 6th Primary election.
A simple, honest and bold question posed in 2008 to then-candidate Barack Obama about his small business tax plan launched the Ohio plumber into the national spotlight. Obama's answer that  spreading the wealth around is "good for everybody" exposed the presidential hopeful for harboring a dangerous socialist agenda. Now, as a Congressional candidate, 'Joe the Plumber'   wants to fight back after spending the "last 3 years watching now-President Obama make good on his threat of spreading the wealth around."
On this battle, Wurzelbacher has an ally in Cain. In fact, a January 14, 2012 post in the Daily Beast favorably compared the two:
"Wurzelbacher shares with Cain an appetite for devolving power from the federal government to the states?and a zeal for tax reform. He, too, would like to blow up the federal income tax...In its place, Wurzelbacher favors a fair tax and a flat tax, and proclaims that Cain's infamous "9-9-9" plan is better than "what we have now."
Cain agrees and welcomes 'Joe the Plumber''s simple, honest and bold attitude to "9-9-9 The Revolution".
"Joe is an unconventional candidate, just like I was," Cain remarked. "He shows a true working man's appreciation for what it is to be a good steward of the hard-earned money the government takes from us in the form of taxes."
"Joe the Plumber agrees that 'blowing up' the current federal tax code is paramount to the success of this nation." Cain also joked, "And we have seen first hand he's not afraid to tell the president so."
Wurtzelbacher's support adds his name to a list of more than a dozen 2012 U.S. Candidates who are committed to thoroughly reading the '9-9-9' legislation that is being drafted, and then working to make '9-9-9' the law of the land.
Cain and Wurtzelbacher will ride the "Cain Revolution" bus through Ohio on Friday, February 24 for a series of scheduled stops on Joe the Plumber's "Jobs for Ohio" tour. Among the appearances:
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM                                      5:45 PM - 6:30 PM
Private Reception                      Chairman's Reception
Don Umerley Memorial Hall                            Stranahan Theater
21016 Hilliard Blvd.                                        4645 Heatherdowns Blvd.
Rocky River, OH                                 Toledo, OH
1:30 PM - 2:30 PM                                        6:30 PM - 7:00 PM
Public Rally                          Lincoln Day Dinner
Don Umerley Memorial Hall                            Stranahan Theater
21016 Hilliard Blvd.                                        4645 Heatherdowns Blvd
Rocky River, OH                                Toledo, OH
8:30 PM - 9:15 PM
Oak Harbor Rally
Open to Public
Ottawa County Fair Banquet Facility
7880 W SR 163
Oak Harbor, OH
Candidate commitments to '9-9-9' are just a part of the much broader Cain's Solutions Revolution. To learn how this revolution is coming to life  - across the nation, in our states and in our local communities, please visit www.cainconnections.com.
24 Feb 2012

National Entrepreneurship Week is Upon Us

By Elisha Smith

By Elisha Smith, elishas@cfra.org, Center for Rural Affairs

This week, the week of February 18-25, is National Entrepreneurship Week. It was so named in recognition of the contributions of entrepreneurs and to celebrate and nurture the entrepreneurial spirit.

Entrepreneurs create many jobs and economic opportunities in America, especially in our rural communities. They take the biggest risks to capture opportunity where others fear to tread.

Revitalizing rural America requires us to encourage entrepreneurship, stimulate innovative community development, and open up new opportunities for farming and ranching enterprises.

One program that thousands of small business owners across the country have benefited from is the Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program, which provides loan capital and training grants to organizations, like the Center for Rural Affairs, who work with small business owners in rural areas.

Perhaps a business in your community has been helped by this program.

Unfortunately, Congress cut this crucial investment in November, citing the need to decrease spending. However, programs like the Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program generate new economic activity for businesses that otherwise may not be able to get started or grow.

We need investment in our rural communities, and we need to fight for rural development programs within our government. In the coming year, the Center for Rural Affairs will be fighting for both to be adequately represented in the Farm Bill. We'll let you know about ways to take action and opportunities for your voice to be heard.

Visit www.cfra.org for more information.

24 Feb 2012

Francis and Susan Thicke honored as 2012 MOSES Organic Farmers of the Year

By Greg Leaf
La Crosse, WI - The 2012 Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service (MOSES) Organic Farmer of the Year honorees are Francis and Susan Thicke, owners and operators of Radiance Dairy in Fairfield, IA.

Since 2003, the annual MOSES Organic Farmer of the Year Award has been presented to an outstanding organic farmer or farm family to recognize those who practice outstanding land stewardship, innovation and outreach. This honor is commemorated during the annual MOSES Organic Farming Conference in La Crosse, which is the largest organic farming conference in the country. Held February 23-25, 2012, the Organic Farming Conference is in its 23rd year.

Francis and Susan Thicke will share with conference attendees their successful philosophies and strategies on the evening of Thursday, February 23. The Organic Farmer of the Year award will be officially presented to the Thickes at 10:30 am Friday, February 24.

Francis and Susan purchased their land in 1996, taking on the challenge of healing a worn out and heavily eroded row crop farm. Intense management over many years has resulted in productive land and continually improving soils.

Francis recommends that farmers "listen to your inner agronomist, not be so tied to pre-conceived notions, and be more fluid" in making management decisions.

Using sound science and their intuition of what is right for both land and animals, the Thickes' farming style is fun and functional. The natural world and its numerous ecological systems are a continuous source of inspiration and learning for them.

Radiance Dairy is in a location well suited for growing grass and raising cattle. The Thickes maximize their grazing by stockpiling grass, with cows out on pasture April through December.

A crop rotation including hay and small grains minimizes weed pressure, and the Thickes sometimes need only to cultivate once per season to keep their soybean crop clean. Diverse plantings in and near pastures are designed for conservation, including windbreaks of fruiting trees and shrubs for wildlife habitat.

The Thickes serve as the "community dairy" of this Southeastern Iowa college town, marketing the production of their 80-cow organic Jersey herd within four miles of the farm.

Value-added products are key to the farm's profitability.  Radiance Dairy organic products include non-homogenized milk, yogurt, several cheeses, and soft-serve ice cream mix for restaurants.

By educating others through example, teaching at events and participating in political activities, Francis and Susan Thicke help to build regional and national public support of organic agriculture.

MOSES is a non-profit organization working to promote sustainable and organic agriculture through trainings, workshops, educational initiatives, and by providing free resources to farmers striving to produce high-quality, healthful food using organic and sustainable techniques.
24 Feb 2012

Braley in Davenport for National Guard Ribbon Cutting, Dubuque for Community College Roundtable

By Jeff Giertz

Braley traveling in eastern Iowa this week to hear about community college affordability

 

Washington, DC - Beginning today, Tuesday February 21st, Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) will embark on a three-day tour of eastern Iowa community colleges to host a series of roundtable discussions on community college affordability and accessibility.

 

Braley will host the first roundtable discussion at Northeast Iowa Community College in Dubuque tomorrow afternoon.

 

This morning, Braley will also attend a ribbon-cutting event at the recently renovated Iowa National Guard's Army Aviation Support Facility #3 in Davenport.  Braley helped secure $2 million in funding for the renovation project in 2009.

Tuesday, February 21st, 2012

 

10:00am               Ribbon Cutting Event

Iowa National Guard Army Aviation Support Facility #3

9650 Harrison St.

Davenport, Iowa

 

2:00pm                 Northeast Iowa Community College Roundtable

Northeast Iowa Community College, Town Clock Center for Professional Development

700 Main Street

Dubuque, Iowa

 

TOMORROW, Wednesday, February 22nd, 2012

 

10:30am               Kirkwood Community College Roundtable

Kirkwood Community College, Kirkwood Hall Room 309

6301 Kirkwood Blvd. SW

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

 

Thursday, February 23rd, 2012

 

9:45am                 Iowa Valley Community College Roundtable

Iowa Valley Community College, Student Union Room 301

3700 South Center St.

Marshalltown, Iowa

 

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24 Feb 2012

Book Chronicles 10 Years of Bicycle-borne Living

By Jan Meyer

Jan Meyer's Biker's Diary offers readers reflections of life from a decade on the seat of a bike

LANESBORO, Minn. - Originally written as a diary and published as a weekly newspaper column, Jan Meyer's new nonfiction book Biker's Diary: The Best of Ten Years--One Woman's Adventures in Life, Both On and Off Her Bicycle (published by AuthorHouse) covers 10 years of the author's life and bicycling.

 

Biker's Diary: The Best of Ten Years crosses the globe both physically - visiting landscapes as diverse as Lincoln, Nebraska and Bluff County, Minnesota to Norway, Thailand and Southeast Asia - and emotionally:

 

12 August 2002: Shock can't be anticipated. The oncologist/hematologist came in and found a place to sit down, even though that wasn't easy since my spouse, I, and my elevated leg were occupying all the chairs. That should have been the first clue.

He then proceeded to say that what he had to talk with us about was bad. And he went right into the nitty gritty: "You have acute myelogenous leukemia."

 

Despite the sometimes-serious content, Meyer insists the book is a light and fun read, "...incorporating humor and everyday experiences into a book about one person's philosophy of life."

 

About the Author

Jan Meyer started riding a bike at an early age and, like many, dropped the bike as a form of either transportation or fun as soon as she could drive. Many years later, the bike trails of southeast Minnesota and then Lincoln, Nebraska, called to her, and her bike again became both a way to go to and from places and, with enough bungee cords, a way to tote and haul anything. Good exercise was an added bonus. And then she discovered it was also a good perch for philosophizing about life.

 

Meyer holds a Ph. D. from the University of Minnesota, worked for United Airlines for many years, and was faculty at the University of St. Thomas and the University of Minnesota. She spent many years as a management development consultant for companies in the U.S. and Canada, Eastern Europe, and Southeast Asia. She specialized in crisis management: preparation, prevention, and response for companies vulnerable to highly visible crises such as airlines and oil companies, among others. In retirement, she does more of the same along with volunteer work and continuing a longtime love of writing.

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