18 Aug 2011

Music Therapy

By Joy Venhorst

Music therapy is the clinical use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals that address physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs. According to the American Music Therapy Association's web site (www.musictherapy.org), the idea that music could serve a healing purpose has been around for centuries. However, it was not until the late 1950s that the discipline of music therapy was formally developed and first recognized in this country after doctors and nurses in veterans' hospitals noticed positive physical and emotional responses evoked by injured soldiers, after musicians played for them.

Music therapists are trained to assess the strengths and needs of each client and to provide indicated  treatment by creating, singing, moving to, and/or listening to music. Through musical involvement, in a therapeutic context, an individual's abilities are strengthened and transferred throughout other areas of life. Essentially, music therapy can improve the quality of life for persons throughout the lifespan, despite diversity, disability, or illness. Music therapy interventions can be designed to:

? promote wellness

? manage stress and anxiety

? alleviate pain

? express feelings

? enhance memory and retrieval

? improve communication

? decrease frequency and duration of aggressive or agitated behaviors

? promote physical rehabilitation increase self-awareness

? motivate change and personal growth

? reinforce self-identity and self-worth

? alter mood

? encourage meaningful social interaction and emotional intimacy

? empower individuals and decrease feelings of helplessness

? foster successful experiences and a sense of control over life

Research highlights music therapy's usefulness specifically in working with older adults, as well as their families and caregivers. Music therapy has been proven to successfully address psychological, social, physical, and cognitive needs associated with aging issues. In addition, music therapy literature and research indicates effectiveness specifically in working with those who have suffered from strokes, or those who have Alzheimer's or other dementias.

Overall, music therapy offers a unique treatment approach, as music is a normal part of many facets of life. As a result, music therapy provokes unique responses and positive outcomes due to the sense of familiarity, predictability, and feelings of security associated with music. Research indicates that music therapy is a viable treatment mode even for those who have no musical background or for those who have been resistive to other treatment approaches.

Contact:

Keith L. Smith, Ph.D., Associate Vice President for Agricultural Administration and Director, Ohio State University Extension

TDD No. 800-589-8292 (Ohio only) or 614-292-1868

18 Aug 2011

New Publication Helps Farmers Save Energy in the Shop

By Joy Venhorst

AMES, Iowa - Constructing or upgrading a farm shop requires decisions about insulation and heating systems. A new publication from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach addresses energy efficiency for shop heating.

"Conserve Heat Energy in the Farm Shop" (PM 2089P) is available to download from the Extension Online Store, www.extension.iastate.edu/store.

"Seasonal and day-to-day use of the farm shop determines much of your energy consumption, but design features such as insulation and supplementary heating can be selected to conserve energy," said Greg Brenneman, ISU Extension agricultural engineer.

This publication explains recommended R-Values for shop insulation, as well as the placement of foundation insulation, windows and overhead doors when constructing a shop facility. It also addresses some of the features of different shop heating systems, including forced-air, infrared and in-floor heating.

For more tips on energy efficiency around the farmstead, visit http://farmenergy.exnet.iastate.edu or follow @ISU_Farm_Energy on Twitter.

The Farm Energy publications are part of a series of farm energy conservation and efficiency educational materials being developed through the ISU Farm Energy Initiative. The purpose is to increase farmers' awareness of opportunities for improving efficient use of farm energy. The initiative also will help farmers and utility providers to explore opportunities to reduce farm energy demand and to improve overall profitability in a rapidly changing energy environment.

-30-

18 Aug 2011

Financial Coaching Course Begins September 21st

By Joy Venhorst

Sharpen Your Financial Coaching Skills begins September 21st in Bettendorf. This course from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is designed for volunteers, clergy and others working in nonprofit groups and organizations who assist their clients or members with financial management concerns.

The five-week course combines two face-to-face sessions with three weeks of online learning.  Participants will learn how to recognize the causes, complexity and associated stress of financial problems. They'll gain tools and strategies they can use to assist clients with various financial problems. In addition, they'll apply coaching skills to typical financial situations facing their clients.  Just as important, this course will help in recognizing client situations that are and are not appropriate for a non-professional to address.

Sharpen Your Financial Coaching Skills will be taught by Phyllis Zalenski, Family Finance Program Specialist and Patricia Swanson, Family Finance State Specialist and CFP® certificant.

The registration deadline is September 14, 2011. The course fee is $60 and includes a book and other resources. To register, contact Phyllis Zalenski at 319-462-2791 or zalenski@iastate.edu for a registration brochure. Brochures are also available at the Scott County ISU Extension and Outreach office, 875 Tanglefoot Lane in Bettendorf.

The kick-off session on September 21st at the Scott County Extension and Outreach Office will provide an introduction to financial coaching.  Participants also receive links to resources for financial coaches and information on connecting to the online course.

The three-week online portion of the course begins September 26 and participants may log in at their convenience. Each week a new topic will be introduced: communicating about money, tracking spending, and understanding credit.  The course also includes the opportunity to complete learning exercises and interact with the instructor and other participants via a weekly chat room and course email.

The course will conclude with a face-to-face session on October 26th featuring community resources and discussion of typical financial coaching scenarios.

For more information, contact Phyllis Zalenski at 319-462-2791 or the Scott County Extension and Outreach Office at 563-359-7577.

-30-

18 Aug 2011

Yard and Garden: Late Summer and Early Fall Plantings

By Joy Venhorst

Creating a beautiful, functioning landscape depends on putting the right plant in the right place at the right time. Iowa State University Extension horticulturists describe the correct plants and care to give late summer and early fall plantings. To have additional questions answered, contact the experts at hortline@iastate.edu or call 515-294-3108.

Is fall a good time to plant trees?

Late summer and fall is an excellent time to plant balled and burlapped and container-grown trees and shrubs. Evergreens should be planted by early October in Iowa. Evergreens retain their foliage (needles) through winter. Evegreens need adequate time to get established at their new site before the onset of winter to prevent desiccation injury. Deciduous trees and shrubs drop their leaves in fall and go dormant. Deciduous trees and shrubs can be planted up to mid- to late November.

Late summer and fall planted trees and shrubs should be watered on a regular basis during the remainder of the year. Periodically check the moisture status of the plant's root-ball. Water newly planted trees and shrubs when their root-balls begin to dry out. Continue watering until the ground freezes in winter.

When is the best time to sow grass seed?

Late summer (mid-August to mid-September) is the best time to seed new lawns and overseed existing lawns. Late summer planting has several advantages over spring seeding. The seeds of cool-season grasses germinate quickly in the warm soil of late summer. The warm days and cool nights of early fall promote rapid turfgrass growth. The growing grass also has less competition from weeds as few weed seeds germinate in the fall.

After seeding, keep the upper 1 inch of soil moist with frequent, light applications of water. Most turfgrasses should germinate in two to three weeks if the seedbed is kept uniformly moist. Gradually reduce the frequency of watering, but water more deeply, when the turfgrass reaches a height of 1 to 2 inches. Mow the grass when it reaches the height of 3 to 3 ½ inches.

Can perennials be planted in fall?

Late summer and early fall is an excellent time to plant many perennials. It also is a good time to move or divide perennials, such as peony, daylily, garden phlox and oriental poppy. Perennials planted in late summer or early fall should be mulched with 4 to 6 inches of straw, pine needles or other materials in late fall. Mulching helps prevent repeated freezing and thawing of the soil that can heave plants out of the ground. Plants heaved out of the soil may be severely damaged or destroyed due to the drying of the exposed plant crowns and roots.

Is fall a good time to plant chrysanthemums?

Unfortunately, fall planted garden mums usually don't survive the winter even when given winter protection. Flowering mums purchased in late summer or early fall should be regarded as temporary additions to the landscape. Spring is the best time to plant mums in Iowa. Spring planted mums have the entire growing season to get established and usually survive the winter much better than those planted in fall.

When is the best time to plant peonies?

Peonies are available as potted and bare root plants. Potted peonies are often available at garden centers and can be planted anytime during the growing season. Bare root peonies are best planted in late summer/early fall (September in Iowa). When planting bare root peonies, position the "eyes" (buds) 1 to 2 inches below the soil surface.

-30-
18 Aug 2011

Work Begins on Iowa's New Local Food and Farm Initiative

By Administrator

AMES, Iowa - Iowa has a new statewide program that aims to boost production, processing, distribution, marketing and consumption of Iowa-grown food.

The Local Food and Farm Initiative's purpose is to increase profitability for farmers and the number of jobs in local foods. The program brings together the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and ISU's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

"This initiative is designed to get more of the food we produce here in Iowa on the table while keeping more of the food dollar on the farm," Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey said. "By utilizing the expertise of all three organizations it should help speed the development of this already growing part of Iowa agriculture."

Craig Chase, ISU Extension farm management specialist and interim marketing program leader at the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture, will coordinate the new program.

John Lawrence, director of Extension to Agricultural and Natural Resources and associate dean in the college, said that Chase's 27 years of experience in extension programs as well as co-leading ISU Extension's new Regional /Local Food System Task Force makes him a good choice to be the Local Food and Farm Program Coordinator for Iowa.

"This initiative will help network the many activities already underway across Iowa and will leverage new investment in fruit and vegetable production expertise made by the college, ISU Extension and the Leopold Center," Lawrence said.

The new program was created by the Iowa Legislature, which outlined broad goals and membership of a Local Food and Farm Program Council within IDALS that will advise the coordinator. First-year operating funds of $75,000 were included in the agriculture and natural resources budget bill signed by Governor Terry Branstad in July.

The initiative's four goals are to:
• Promote the expansion of local food production, processing, distribution and marketing of Iowa food;
• Increase consumer and institutional spending on Iowa foods;
• Increase the profitability of farmers and businesses engaged in local food enterprises; and
• Increase the number of jobs associated with local foods.

The six-member Local Food and Farm program council will include representatives from IDALS, Iowa Farmers Union, Iowa Farmers Market Association and three people appointed by the governor to represent Iowa resource conservation and development; a food processor, wholesaler or retailer; and a regional food system working group participant or expert in local food.

The Local Food and Farm Initiative follows recommendations outlined in an Iowa Local Food and Farm Plan prepared by the Leopold Center at the request of the Iowa Legislature. The plan calls for more coordination of programs at the state level and assistance in the areas of business training, loans, food processing, food safety and programs for beginning, minority and transitioning farmers.

Since April, Chase has been leading the Marketing and Food Systems Initiative at the Leopold Center. One of Chase's duties is to work with 16 groups throughout the state that participate in the Regional Food Systems Working Group.

"Craig has been effectively coordinating these regional food system efforts to increase Iowa's local food supply and use and is a well-known leader," said Mark Honeyman, interim director at the Leopold Center. "These groups will be an important part of achieving some of the goals set out for the new state initiative."

New investment at Iowa State University to improve the economic viability of regional food systems in the state has included hiring an extension commercial horticulture specialist for central and western Iowa and a new faculty member in horticulture to conduct research and extension on vegetable production. Financial support for the new hires for the next three years was made possible by donor support to the Leopold Center. The two new hires join nine other ISU faculty and staff on campus and around the state who work in commercial fruit and vegetable production.

-30-

 

 

18 Aug 2011

Iowa Learning Farms' August Webinar Focuses on 'Losing Ground'

By Administrator

AMES, Iowa -- The Iowa Learning Farms' (ILF) August webinar, to be held Wednesday, Aug. 17 at noon, will feature Rick Cruse. He will discuss the report "Losing Ground." The webinar is part of a series, hosted by ILF, held on the third Wednesday of each month. The webinars are held over the noon hour through Adobe Connect. All that is needed to participate is a computer with Internet access.

The "Losing Ground" report is based on research by Iowa State University (ISU) scientists and the Environmental Working Group (EWG). The report shows that Iowa farms are losing topsoil up to 12 times faster than government estimates. But, aerial surveys conducted by EWG indicate that soil erosion and runoff are worse than the research numbers suggest. Many fields are scarred by gullies that channel soil and chemicals into streams, which is not accounted for in ISU's erosion estimates. Cruse is one of the ISU scientists who aided in the report, working with the Iowa Daily Erosion Project.

Rick Cruse is a professor of agronomy at Iowa State and director of the Iowa Water Center. His research focus is on soil management and soil erosion processes. He recently served on the National Advisory Council for Environmental Policy and Technology, a bioenergy advisory council to the chief U.S. EPA administrator and has served on the Iowa Climate Change Advisory Council. Cruse teaches two graduate level soil management classes at Iowa State.

To connect to the webinars, go to: https://connect.extension.iastate.edu/ilf/. Cruse will be able to answer questions from webinar "attendees" via the Adobe Connect chat box. The ILF website homepage contains links for archived webinars from previous months: www.extension.iastate.edu/ilf.

Upcoming Iowa Learning Farms webinars

Drake University's Agricultural Law Center fellow Edward Cox will present information on the land tenure project with the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture in September. ISU agricultural and biosystems engineer Mark Hanna will discuss farm energy saving measures in October. Please contact ILF with other topic ideas for future webinar sessions.

--30--

18 Aug 2011

Film Selected for Iowa 4-H Film Festival at State Fair

By Joy Venhorst

AMES, Iowa - The top 10 films produced by Iowa teens and preteens have been selected for the 2011 Iowa 4-H Film Festival. The films will be shown Friday, Aug. 12, 3:30-5:30 p.m., on the big screen in the 4-H Exhibits Building at the Iowa State Fair.

"We will show the top 10 films that were submitted by young Iowans and announce the category winners, first and second runners up and best of festival award. Also, the crowd will get to vote by text messaging for the People's Choice Award," said Karen Frank, 4-H special events coordinator.

The following film will be featured in the Iowa 4-H Film Festival.

Blue and Green by Arthur (Arthur Behnke, Scott County)

This year's sponsors for the Iowa 4-H Film Festival are KCWI 23, Traviss Audio/Video, Blank Park Zoo, G & L Clothing, Taco Johns and Stivers Ford.

For more information about the Film Festival check the website at http://www.extension.iastate.edu/4h/StateFair/filmfestival.htm or contact Holly Bignall (hbignall@iastate.edu) or Karen Frank (kmnaig@gmail.com).

 

-30-

18 Aug 2011

CYSTEM Connects Youth with Programs, Careers and Mentors

By Joy Venhorst

AMES, Iowa – Iowa youth now can quickly find science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) resources near them. CYSTEM, an online map resource created by Extension Science, Engineering and Technology (E-SET), is designed to link Iowa youth with STEM programs, careers and mentors. E-SET is part of the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach 4-H Youth Development Program.

"As 4-H increases the program opportunities for youth relating to science, engineering and technology, we needed a way to link youth with mentors, opportunities and clubs across the state," said Holly Bignall, with E-SET. "An interactive map seemed like a great way to allow our clients to find out what is available and connect with each other, as well as find mentors. The map also allows us to take advantage of all our great ISU alums and the many STEM careers that are in Iowa."

CYSTEM can be accessed at http://ags.gis.iastate.edu/cystem. Once on the map, youth can quickly and easily find the programs, mentors or careers they are interested in, by topic, with several check boxes and drop-down menus. The resources are marked on an Iowa map so youth can pinpoint the resources closest to them.

Each resource item on the map also includes extra information so youth can learn more about it. For example, mentor entries give information on the type of work they do, what they love about their job, what they can mentor in and past projects they`ve enjoyed.

"Many times youth don`t have access to role models and mentors who can help them pursue their interests. This map helps conquer this sense of isolation and connect youth with knowledgeable mentors who are ready and willing to assist," said Jay Staker, director of E-SET.

CYSTEM will only be as useful as the resources posted to the map, so E-SET is ready to start taking submissions from around the state. A form is available online for anyone to submit a youth program, career opportunity or name as a mentor. The information then will be added to the map for all Iowa youth to access.

-30-

18 Aug 2011

ISU Scott County Extension Calendar

By Iowa State Univ Extension Office

August 23                             
Scott County Extension Council Meeting at the Extension Office
7pm

September 2                       
Pesticide Applicator Testing
10am-2pm at the Extension Office

September 27                     
Scott County Extension Council Meeting at the Extension Office
7pm

October 5                             
Aquatic, Forest and Roadside Pest Management CIC, $35 if registered by 9/28/11, after that $45
At the Scott County Extension Office, 9am-11:30am

October 7                             
Pesticide Applicator Testing
10am-2pm at the Extension Office

October 25                           
Scott County Extension Council Meeting at the Extension Office
7pm

October 27                           
Mosquito & Public Health Pest Management CIC, $35 if registered by 10/20/11, after that $45
At the Scott County Extension Office, 9am-11:30am

November 4                        
Pesticide Applicator Testing
10am-2pm at the Extension Office

November 9                        
Ornamental & Turf Applicators CIC, $35 if registered by 11/2/11, after that $45
At the Scott County Extension Office, 1:30pm-4pm

November 16                      
Commercial Ag Weed, Insect, and Plant Disease Management CIC, $35 if registered by 11/9/11, after that
$45, at the Scott County Extension Office, 9am-11:30am

November 29                      
Fumigation CIC, $35 if registered by 11/22/11, after that $45, at the Scott County Extension Office,
9am-11:30am

December 2                        
Pesticide Applicator Testing
10am-2pm at the Extension Office

December 7                        
Pest Control Operators CIC, $35 if registered by 11/30/11, after that $45, at the Scott County Extension
Office, 9am-11:30am

Visit our events calendar at our web site:   http://dbs.extension.iastate.edu/calendar/

18 Aug 2011

Huge Benefit Sale Going On Right Now

By Sister Mary Ann Vogel

Humility of Mary Housing Presents the 22nd Annual

Fresh Start Benefit Sale

Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds - 4-H/Keppy Building

This sale opened Tuesday evening, August 16 and continues on the rest of this week:

August 17 and 18: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

August 19: 8:00 - 12 noon

Find a wide selection of clean, gently-used items in good working order.  Kitchenware, china, a big selection of jewelry, books, bedding, linens, toys, tools, furniture, appliances and more.

 

Cash Raffle!

$500 First Prize and 3 - $100 prizes

Humility of Mary Housing, Inc. is a transitional and permanent supportive housing program that provides single-parent families experiencing homelessness with opportunities for growth and development that could lead to self-sufficient living.  Children in the program learn there is a different way to live, they grow in self-esteem, and some of these children have become the first in their family to complete high school and then go on to college.

We hear of growing numbers of homeless children and children living in poverty.  These stories are not just about other countries and other communities; they include our own Quad City community.  Humility of Mary Housing is working to reduce some of those statistics.  In their 21 years 684 families including 1349 children have been served. Every day, except when an apartment is being prepared for a new family, HMHI is serving 47 single parents and approximately 100 children. A caring and generous Quad City community has made it possible for HMHI to continue serving the needs of these families.

Pages

more

Subscribe & Listen to Reader Podcasts

On Stands Now

 

Tagged Content

Two Ways to Subscribe

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

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

Subscribe!

* indicates required

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

Get 12 issues mailed monthly for $48 per year.

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

Click this link to Subscribe now.

 
 

Meetings Calendar

Kids Calendar

Eat & Drink Calendar