10 Jan 2012

Governor Quinn Launches New Year's Challenge: "Walk Across Illinois"

By Rick Martin

Encourages Illinoisans to Walk 167 Miles in One Year for Better Health

CHICAGO - January 6, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today announced the "Walk Across Illinois Challenge," an initiative to help improve the health and wellness of Illinois residents. The Governor walked 167 miles across Illinois 10 years ago to advocate on behalf of decent healthcare for all people. Today the Governor called on state residents to walk 167 miles during 2012 to improve their own health.

"As the New Year gets underway, many Illinois residents are already making the commitment to get fit and live healthier," Governor Quinn said. "Together, we can make 2012 a year of fitness by accepting the challenge to add a half-mile of walking to each day."

Former Chicago Bears and Chicago Bulls players, schoolteachers and students joined Governor Quinn to launch the program, which is designed to help Illinois residents get healthier by adding a half-mile of walking to their daily routines, which is roughly the distance across Illinois from Rock Island on the Mississippi River to Chicago on Lake Michigan. Residents can accept the "Walk Across Illinois Challenge" by visiting www.WalkAcrossIllinois.org, where they can register and log their miles.

As part of his broader effort to improve the well-being of residents, Governor Quinn also announced the creation of the Governor's Council on Health and Fitness to develop practical ideas to help residents embrace healthier lifestyles. Sandy Noel, a Golden Apple award-winning teacher and physical fitness instructor, will co-chair the Governor's Council with former Chicago Bear and Super Bowl champion Otis Wilson.

"Adding a little exercise to your daily agenda can make a big difference in your quality of life," Otis Wilson said. "I'm proud to stand with the Governor in encouraging Illinois residents to live healthier in 2012."

Governor Quinn initially launched "Walk Across Illinois" 10 years ago to bring attention to the need for access to decent healthcare. The Governor has converted it into a fitness challenge for 2012 to bolster efforts to improve the health of Illinois residents. Participants who complete the challenge within the year will receive a certificate from the Governor honoring their achievement.

Obesity, high blood pressure and a lack of exercise are growing community health problems across the nation. Illinois came in as the 23rd most obese state in the country, according to a recent report from the Trust for America's Health (TFAH) and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF).By encouraging Illinois residents to include just one half-mile of walking into their daily routines, the "Walk Across Illinois Challenge" can help boost the health, life expectancy and well-being of all Illinois residents, no matter whether they run, walk or use a wheelchair.

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10 Jan 2012

Statement by Chris Bern, President of the Iowa State Education Association regarding the Governor's education proposal

By Randy Stalsberg

DES MOINES, IA (01/06/2012)(readMedia)-- "The Iowa State Education Association (ISEA) remains dedicated to the success of every student. We strongly support education policy with proven methods of success that places students at the center of its goals.

We continue to be frustrated with the lack of real focus and detail of how the Governor's proposal directly impacts student learning in a meaningful way. The ISEA is committed to the ideas we originally discussed: giving teachers the appropriate and important preparation time to improve their craft, continuing with early childhood learning opportunities, and creating additional learning time for struggling students.

We will know more about the Governor's commitment to education once we see his and the Department of Education's budgets. Any plan must give our public schools the tools and resources to help every child succeed and resist the urge to experiment with the latest ideas on the education reform circuit. This issue is too important and the stakes are too high.

The ISEA remains ready to be an integral partner in improving our schools. However, while we appreciate a seat at the table while decisions are made, our presence must not be mistaken for tacit approval of a plan that does not, ultimately benefit Iowa's students."

The ISEA is a professional organization made up of more than 34,000 educators who are dedicated to supporting and protecting a quality public education for all Iowa students. Great Education. It's an Iowa Basic!

10 Jan 2012

ISU Extension and Outreach Calendar

By Amanda Heitz
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January 12, 2012 Private Pesticide Applicator CIC, Scott County Extension Office - 9:30 a.m.

Private Pesticide Applicator CIC, Scott County Extension Office - 1:30 p.m.

 

January 17, 2012 ISU Scott County Extension Council Meeting, Scott County Extension Office - 7:00 p.m.

 

February 8, 2012 Commercial Ag Weed, Insect, & Plant Disease CIC, Scott County Extension Office - 9:00a.m.

 

February 22, 2012 Seed Treatment CIC, Scott County Extension Office - 9:00 a.m.

 

February 28, 2012 ISU Scott County Extension Council Meeting, Scott County Extension Office - 7:00 p.m.

 

March 8, 2012 Ornamental & Turf Applicators CIC, Scott County Extension Office - 1:30 p.m.

 

March 14, 2012 Certified Handlers CIC, Scott County Extension Office - 9;00 a.m.

 

March 23, 2012 Women In Agriculture (Overall Women), I Wireless Center, Moline (More info to come)

 

March 30, 2012 Commercial & Private Pesticide Applicator Testing

Scott County Extension Office - 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.

10 Jan 2012

Decision Issued on Iowa's Water Quality Standards

By Rick Martin

Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Nine Tribal Nations

Decision Issued on Iowa's Water Quality Standards

(Kansas City, Kan., Jan. 6, 2012) - EPA has approved the Iowa Department of Natural Resources' (IDNR) designated use changes for 430 water bodies and disapproved proposed changes for 89 water bodies.  Designated uses describe the achievable recreational activities and aquatic life uses for Iowa's waters.

"Healthy watersheds provide Iowa communities with safe drinking water, recreational opportunities, environmental benefits and clean water for habitat for fish and wildlife," said Karl Brooks, regional administrator. "EPA will continue working with the state to protect Iowa's lakes, rivers and streams."

IDNR submitted these new and revised Iowa surface water quality standards to EPA for review and approval, as required by the Clean Water Act (CWA).  The state based its recommendations on site-specific field data gathered by IDNR in and near streams, lakes and rivers. This submission updates the use designations to determine the highest attainable use for the individual waters.

Designated recreational uses protect for activities such as swimming, fishing and canoeing; and for human consumption of aquatic life.  Aquatic life uses provide for the protection and maintenance of a healthy environment for fish and other animals.

The CWA assigns EPA the duty to oversee state-agency actions to protect water quality. In partnership with IDNR, EPA works with the public, community leaders, local and state agencies to meet the growing needs and demands of our water resources.

EPA's Jan. 5, 2012, decision letter provides a more detailed description of EPA's review and the basis for this action.  The decision letter is available at http://www.epa.gov/region07/news_events/legal/index.htm

# # #

 

For more information about activities in EPA Region 7, visit

www.epa.gov/region07/water/

 

Connect with EPA Region 7 on Facebook:

www.facebook.com/eparegion7

10 Jan 2012

Guys on Ice Opens at Riverside Theatre Jan. 20

By Sarah Burnett

Iowa City, IA - Guys on Ice: An Ice Fishing Musical Comedy, about two ice fishing buddies, opens at Riverside Theatre January 20 and runs through February 19. 

In this manly musical, long-time pals Lloyd and Marvin spend their free time in a ramshackle ice fishing shanty outside of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. As the guys anxiously await their opportunity to appear on a popular cable TV fishing show, they scramble to protect their beer from fellow angler, Ernie the Moocher.

They pass the time by fishing, swapping jokes, playing cards, talking about their romantic problems - and occasionally breaking into song and dance about snowmobile suits, beer, and fish.

 

With songs like "Ode to a Snowmobile Suit" and "Fish is de Miracle Food" Guys on Ice is sure to be a roaring good time that will charm your wool socks off. 

"This show has a cult following like you wouldn't believe, and rightly so," said John Watkins, who plays Lloyd. "It's a terrifically written show with fabulous music, a big heart, sidesplitting humor grounded in Ernie, Marvin and Lloyd's candid simplicity, and a halftime show where you can win prizes."

 

Book and lyrics are by Fred Alley and music is by James Kaplan. The show is directed by Riverside Theatre Resident Artist and Production Manager Ron Clark, who previously appeared as Marvin in the 2007 and 2009 productions of Guys on Ice. 

Watkins and Randal Sandersfeld play Lloyd and Marvin respectively. Watkins appeared as Lloyd in the 2009 production of Guys on Ice. This is Sandersfeld's first appearance on the Riverside stage. Ryan Westwood rounds out the cast as the dreaded Ernie the Moocher. Westwood was last seen at Riverside Theatre in End Days.

Guys on Ice also features lighting design by Courtney Schmitz Watson, choreography by Patrick DuLaney and accompaniment by Ruth Baldwin. The show is sponsored by ACT. Ernie the Moocher's popular "Half-Time Show," an audience quiz game, features prizes provided by Fin and Feather.

"I think the reason a lot of people don't know about Guys on Ice is that those who do are trying to keep it all for themselves," Watkins said.

Tickets for Guys on Ice, January 20 - February 19, are $15-$29 with discounts available for those over 60, those under 30, and youth. $15 students rush tickets are available on a first come first served basis 20 minutes before curtain. Tickets are available by phone at (319) 338-7672, online at www.riversidetheatre.org or in person at the Riverside Theatre Box Office, located at 213 N. Gilbert St., Iowa City, IA.

 

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Performance calendar:

 

Friday, January 20 at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, January 21 at 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, January 22 at 2:00 p.m. - Talkback Sunday following the performance

Thursday, January 26 at 7:30 p.m.

Friday, January 27 at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, January 28 at 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, January 29 at 2:00 p.m.

Thursday, February 2 at 7:30 p.m.

Friday, February 3 at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, February 4 at 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, February 5 at 2:00 p.m.

Thursday, February 9 at 7:30 p.m.

Friday, February 10 at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, February 11 at 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, February 12 at 2:00 p.m.

Thursday, February 16 at 7:30 p.m.

Friday, February 17 at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, February 18 at 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, February 19 at 2:00 p.m.

Talkback Sunday: January 22, 2012, stay after the Sunday performance on this date to chat with company members and gain behind-the-scenes info about the play.
10 Jan 2012

The German American Heritage Center Presents

By German American Heritage Center

The Des Moines Metro Opera Company,

Iowa's Premier Opera Company performing

by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

 

Mozart's delightful commentary on love, forgiveness, tolerance and the brotherhood of mankind has become one of the most beloved operas in all the repertory. Filled with star-studded queens, dragons, bird-catchers, heroes and heroines and noble priests, The Magic Flute is a spectacular potpourri of worldly and heavenly delights all set with sublime enchantment to some of Mozart's greatest music! It is the perfect opera to delight and dazzle audiences of all ages.

 

2 hour performance, sung in English

Tuesday, February 7, 2012 - 7:00 p.m.

Rogalski Center, St. Ambrose University

Premium Seating $25 (limited to 60)   General Admission $15

Sorry...no GAHC discount

Tickets in person at GAHC, by mail or phone order

(563) 322-8844 or contact kelly.lao@gahc.org

 

This performance is supported in part by the
Riverboat Development Authority

10 Jan 2012

German American Heritage Center Event

By Egon Gerdes

Attention GAHC Members and Friends!

Could we appeal for your help?

 

We are in preparation for two Readers Theatre performances of "The White Rose: A True Story of Freedom in Nazi Germany" on Saturday, Feb 11, 2012. We are in need of several items to assist with our staging and would like to ask if anyone can provide the following for use at GAHC from February 1 through February 11th.

 

Please contact Kelly Lao (kelly.lao@gahc.org) or Janet Brown-Lowe (admin@gahc.org) if you can help!

 

  • Standard wooden dining or occasional chairs, any type  (combined for 12 total)
  • Bar-type high stools (combined for 12 total)
  • White flameless candles of any size, votive type or holders particularly helpful
  • Outdated stationery or letterhead to print scripts on back side  (help GAHC save green and go green!)
  • Black 3-ring binders, 1" width or less (12)
White Rose Play
10 Jan 2012

Riverside Theatre to Hold Outdoor Fish Fry Jan. 14

By Sarah Burnett

Iowa City, IA - Riverside Theatre will celebrate the opening of Guys on Ice: An Ice Fishing Musical Comedy with an outdoor fish fry on Jan. 14 from Noon-3 p.m.

Guys on Ice: An Ice Fishing Musical is a manly musical about two ice fishing buddies from Wisconsin. The show runs Jan. 20-Feb. 19, at Riverside Theatre, 213 N Gilbert St, Iowa City.

The fish fry will be held outdoors in the parking lot off 319 E Bloomington, behind Murphy-Brookfield Books.

Tickets for the fish fry are $10 for a meal of fried fish served with sides, dessert and hot beverages.

Tickets can be purchased by calling the box office at 319-338-7672 or by stopping by the box office at 213 N Gilbert St.

All proceeds from the event benefit Riverside Theatre.

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10 Jan 2012

$10,000 and $25,000 grants available to rural school districts

By Kevin Stillman

$10,000 and $25,000 grants available to rural school districts
through America's Farmers Grow Rural EducationSM

ST. LOUIS (Jan. 6, 2012) - Statistics show that the U.S. ranks only 25th in math scores and 21st in science compared to 30 industrialized nations. These facts show that education is strongly in need of support. To help, Monsanto Fund, the philanthropic arm of Monsanto Company, is launching America's Farmers Grow Rural Education? to aid rural school districts by providing $10,000 and $25,000 grants in 1,245 counties across 39 states.

"We believe our rural communities are the heart of America," said Deborah Patterson, Monsanto Fund president. "We want to help strengthen local communities and education systems, especially in the areas of science and/or math. A strong science and math education helps build a foundation for many careers in agriculture, but also will help our students to be more competitive with those in larger cities and other nations."
America's Farmers Grow Rural Education gives farmers the opportunity to nominate a public school district in their rural community to compete for a grant. Nominated school district administrators can then submit an application for either a $10,000 or $25,000 grant to support a science and/or math educational program by April 30, 2012. School districts that apply for a $10,000 grant will compete against other school districts that are located in the USDA-appointed Crop Reporting District (CRD); except that CRDs with fewer than five eligible school districts will compete against each other for a single grant. A school district that applies for a $25,000 grant will compete against schools that are located in its state or designated region.
The Monsanto Fund will award 199 grants this year. There will be 177 $10,000 grants and 22 grants of $25,000 awarded. Visit growruraleducation.com to see a complete list of eligible states and regions. Overall, the Monsanto Fund will donate more than $2.3 million to school districts in 39 states through this program.

Grants will be awarded based on merit, need and community support. The America's Farmers Grow Rural Education Advisory Council will select the winning grant application. This group is made up of 26 farmer leaders from across the country, who are passionate about both farming and rural education. The council members, from across the country, are actively engaged in their local communities through various leadership positions, such as a member of the local School Board, an active Farm Bureau leader or a member of an educational organization or committee within various organizations. The council is responsible for reviewing the top grant applications to select the winning school. These individuals are passionate about both agriculture and education, which is essential when choosing the best grant.
The program started with a successful pilot in Illinois and Minnesota, in which farmers were given the opportunity to nominate a public school district in 165 eligible counties in those two states. The Monsanto Fund awarded more than $266,000 to local schools in 16 CRDs through the pilot.
The America's Farmers Grow Rural Education program is part of a broad commitment by Monsanto Fund to highlight the important contributions farmers make every day to our society by helping them grow their youth. Visit www.growruraleducation.com for additional information and to view a complete list of winning school districts.

 

About Monsanto Fund
The Monsanto Fund, the philanthropic arm of the Monsanto Company, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening the farm communities where farmers and Monsanto Company employees live and work.  Visit the Monsanto Fund at www.monsantofund.org.

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10 Jan 2012

Iowa Supreme Court Opinions

By Iowa Judicial Branch
January 6, 2012

Notice: The opinions posted on this site are slip opinions only. Under the Rules of Appellate Procedure a party has a limited number of days to request a rehearing after the filing of an opinion. Also, all slip opinions are subject to modification or correction by the court. Therefore, opinions on this site are not to be considered the final decisions of the court. The official published opinions of the Iowa Supreme Court are those published in the North Western Reporter published by West Group.

Opinions released before April 2006 and available in the archives are posted in Word format. Opinions released after April 2006 are posted to the website in PDF (Portable Document Format).   Note: To open a PDF you must have the free Acrobat Reader installed. PDF format preserves the original appearance of a document without requiring you to possess the software that created that document. For more information about PDF read: Using the Adobe Reader.

For your convenience, the Judicial Branch offers a free e-mail notification service for Supreme Court opinions, Court of Appeals opinions, press releases and orders. To subscribe, click here.

NOTE: Copies of these opinions may be obtained from the Clerk of the Supreme Court, Judicial Branch Building, 1111 East Court Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50319, for a fee of fifty cents per page.

No. 09-1170

STATE OF IOWA vs. LEE ALLEN BREUER

No. 11-0435

IOWA SUPREME COURT ATTORNEY DISCIPLINARY BOARD vs. MATTHEW M. BOLES

No. 11-0799

IOWA SUPREME COURT ATTORNEY DISCIPLINARY BOARD vs. GORDON LILES

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