(Kansas City, Kan., July 27, 2010) - EPA has awarded the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) a total of $70,000 to assist with outreach, education and implementation of the Clean Air Act's Risk Management Program. All fertilizer facilities that handle, process or store more than 10,000 pounds of anhydrous ammonia are subject to EPA's chemical safety requirements.

"EPA wants to assure the continued safe handling of anhydrous ammonia which is a source of nitrogen fertilizer widely used for corn, milo and wheat," said Karl Brooks, regional administrator.

"This grant is designed to prevent releases and protect the health and safety of area residents, employees at the facilities, emergency responders and the environment."

IDALS is receiving this funding to conduct on-site audits, workshops and follow-up safety assessments at agricultural retail anhydrous ammonia facilities in Iowa. Anhydrous ammonia is generally safe provided handling, storage and maintenance procedures are followed. However, it is toxic and can be a health hazard. Inhaling anhydrous ammonia can cause lung irritation and severe respiratory injuries.

EPA Region 7 receives more accidental release reports for ammonia than for any other chemical. In addition to releases caused by transportation accidents, human error and equipment failure, a number of releases have been caused by anhydrous ammonia thefts. Anhydrous ammonia is a key ingredient in the illegal production of methamphetamine. When stolen, the toxic gas can be unintentionally released, causing injuries to emergency responders, law enforcement personnel, the public and the criminals themselves.

Retailers were first required to be in compliance with the Risk Management Program in 1999. EPA then started facility inspections and enforcement of the program, which includes five components: hazard assessment system, management, accident prevention, emergency response and submittal of a risk management plan.

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Learn more at: www.epa.gov/region07/toxics/arpp.htm

What: Schoeneman Sculpture Dedication

When: Sunday, August 8, 12:00 pm

Where: Schwiebert Park 17th Street at the Mississippi River Rock Island, IL 61201

Contact: Dawn Wohlford-Metallo, Visual Arts Director, 309-793-1213 ext.108, dwmetallo@quadcityarts.com

The press and public are invited to join us for the dedication.

Please join Quad City Arts and the family of Lloyd Schoeneman for the dedication of the sculpture in his honor, on Sunday, August 8, 12:00 pm at Schwiebert Park in Rock Island, Illinois. The sculpture, created by artist and Lloyd's friend Stuart Morris, commemorates the life and work of arts leader Lloyd S. Schoeneman who passed away in 2001.

Lloyd founded and worked for Quad City Arts for 22 years and was an early proponent of the community built process for public art. He was revered as an expert in the field by colleagues across the nation and encouraged any and all interested community members be they artists, bicycle riders, historians, or bankers to get involved in the planning, designing and building of the environment in which they live, work and play. His most notable successes using this model are the Navigation Steps at Leach Park in Bettendorf, The Nature Spiral at Illiniwek Forest Preserve in Hampton and Lindsey Architectural Sculpture Park in Davenport.

Local artists of many genres who were mentored by Lloyd, family, friends and community members have all been contributors to the sculpture project. The design for the piece evolved over five years of meetings with the involved individuals and embodies Lloyd's love of nature and his work in the arts community.

Come and join us as we announce the title of the sculpture, honor this memorable arts leader and remember his many accomplishments in the community. A potluck luncheon will follow after the dedication.

Will update information in real time, provide assistance to Iowans

NOTE: Updated times for Davenport and Buffalo events

Washington, DC - After a weekend of historic flood levels in the First District, Congressman Bruce Braley (D-Iowa) unveiled a new website to keep constituents up to date as flood relief moves forward. Constituents can click on the Disaster Relief link on Braley's home page, or go to www.braley.house.gov/disasterrelief to find helpful resources and information that will be updated with new information about federal assistance as it becomes available.

Braley spent the day traveling across the First District to meet with local officials about the historic flood levels impacting several communities. Braley is visiting nine towns and cities to receive briefings, survey the damage and hear from constituents about the help they need to rebuild their homes and small businesses.

"Many communities across Iowa are still recovering from the Floods of 2008," Braley said. "Rising flood waters are wreaking havoc across Eastern Iowa and I want Iowans to know that my office is here to help. Since Friday night, I have been in close contact with officials from Speaker Pelosi's office, the White House, FEMA and other agencies that will likely be involved in federal assistance efforts. We are doing everything we can to ensure Iowa's families receive the assistance they need to rebuild after yet another summer of record flooding.

"We are currently in the process of acquiring a federal disaster declaration. In the meantime, our primary focus is maintaining the safety and security of families near the flood zones and providing immediate disaster assistance. As we move forward, my office will continue to coordinate efforts and do everything we can to assist the families who have been impacted.  My thoughts and prayers are with those who have been impacted by these overwhelming swells."

The list of towns Braley is visiting today is below. Friday night, Braley visited local officials in Manchester.  On Saturday, Braley visited the Lake Delhi dam, Independence and Monticello.

8:00 CDT

Braley to visit Anamosa, meet with local officials about flooding

Tapkin's Convenience Store

Corner of South Elm Street and Cemetery Road, Anamosa, Iowa

8:45 CDT

Braley to visit Olin, meet with local officials about flooding

Olin Fire Station

105 West Cleveland Street, Olin Iowa

9:30 CDT

Braley to visit Monticello, meet with local officials about flooding

Monticello City Public Works Building

Corner of Hwy 38 and 11^th Street,  Monticello, Iowa

10:30 CDT

Braley to tour Lake Delhi Dam site, meet with local officials

Meet on north side of dam on County Road X31.  You must approach the bridge from the north.  There is no way to cross at that point from the south.

12:00 CDT

Braley to visit Manchester, meet with local officials about flood recovery efforts

Maquoketa River bridge

Corner of River Street and Main Street, Manchester , Iowa

1:00 CDT

Braley to visit Dyersville, meet with local officials about flood recovery efforts

Meet at 1^st Ave bridge

Corner of 1^st Ave East and 1^st Street SW, Dyersville, Iowa

3:00 CDT

Braley to visit Maquoketa, meet with local officials about flooding

Meet at corner North Main and North Street, Maquoketa, Iowa

UPDATED

5:00 CDT

Braley to visit Davenport, meet with local officials about flooding

Meet in downtown Davenport at corner of Brady Street and East River Drive, Davenport, Iowa

6:00 CDT

Braley to visit Buffalo, meet with local officials about flooding

Clark's Landing Restaurant

Corner of West Front Street and Jefferson Street, Buffalo, Iowa

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July 22, 2010

Singer-Songwriter Jamie McLean Brings His Exhilarating Musicianship, Burning Guitar, and Propulsive Band to Gabe's on August 3rd

In just a few short years, Jamie McLean has transformed himself from six-stringed sideman of the celebrated, New Orleans-based Dirty Dozen Brass Band into a full-fledged bandleader with plenty of rock & roll swagger to live up to his first-rate musicianship. McLean is an astounding songwriter, vocalist and player in that place where Southern and streetwise rock, roadhouse blues, downtown R&B and swampy soul music find communion. With a backing band lending smooth-groovin' muscle to his hook-filled guitar chops and soulful vocals, McLean comes to Gabe's touring behind his latest release, Completely, which sees him ooze romance and heartache through roots-rock blues and guitar-pop. Fresh off a tour with Greg Allman and a smattering of dates with Grammy nominated singer-songwriter Joan Armatrading, the Jamie McLean Band is poised to take their music to great heights. And with McLean's wailing guitar, driving rhythms, and dynamic showmanship on display at Gabe's on August 3rd, this is one show that's sure to be memorable.

More about Jamie McLean Band:

From Madison Square Garden to Bonnaroo to Japan's Fuji Rock, Jamie McLean's musical footprint has marked every corner of the globe. Performing alongside musical icons such as Elvis Costello, Widespread Panic, and Dave Matthews, he has shared the stage with scores of prevalent names in the industry. Always in high demand, McLean has also lent his studio chops to everyone from Norah Jones to Chuck D, proving he is the quintessential workingman's guitarist. Backed by a dynamic voice loaded with soul, McLean's transformation from sideman to front man has been seamless. With drops of southern roots rock, blues, R&B, funk and soul oozing from their amplifiers, the Jamie McLean Band offers "honest rock and roll" that pulls no punches. Night in and night out, Jamie McLean's performances are smothered in soul and confident command of the six-string. Take the straightforward, no-nonsense rock of the Rolling Stones and The Black Crowes and mix in the personal sincerity of Ryan Adams and Tom Petty and the result is the Jamie McLean Band.

Show Details:

JAMIE MCLEAN BAND

Tuesday August 3, 2010

9:30PM doors, 10PM show

$8 Advance and Day of Show | 21+

Presented by Majestic Live

JAMIE MCLEAN BAND:

http://jamiemcleanband.com/

http://www.myspace.com/jamiemcleanband