The mosquitoes this summer have hit all-time highs and have been a real deterrent to being outside. Mosquito population trends for the summer have reached four times the number from last year. Visit the Iowa State University medical entomology lab mosquito surveillance website at http://mosquito.ent.iastate.edu/browse_county.php for more information.

"It is too late in the season for homeowner mosquito management actions to have much effect," said Laura Jesse, Plant and Insect Diagnostic clinician. "Eliminating all possible water sources - buckets, tires, bird baths, and other objects that hold water that the mosquitoes could use for their development may reduce the number produced on your property, but not those blowing in the wind from outside your property lines."

Floodwater mosquitoes (the most common biters) have no respect for property lines and easily can fly several miles from where they developed, according to Jesse. That's why the most effective mosquito management programs are those that involve an entire community or encompass a large area.

Personal protection remains the most practical way of contending with mosquitoes for the remainder of the year. Avoid the areas and times of day when mosquitoes are most active if you can, and wear long, heavy-knitted clothing. Apply mosquito repellents sparingly but thoroughly prior to going outside and wash thoroughly when you return inside.

The CDC suggests that you use any of several EPA-registered products that have been shown to provide reasonably long-lasting protection. For most people, a low-concentration product will be sufficient for short intervals out-of-doors. Those working outside longer can benefit from a higher concentration of active ingredient, or repeated applications as needed. EPA-registered products contain one of the following active ingredients: DEET, Picaridin, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus or IR3535.

Consumer Reports magazine, July 2010, reviewed mosquito repellents and found that, "most of the tested products will do the job if you're going to be outside for only a couple of hours."

Also listen to a Consumer Reports podcast about the OFF Clip-On Repellent. Their conclusion was that the clip-on, fan-powered repellent did not work very well at keeping mosquitoes away from test subjects wearing the device in an enclosed cage of mosquitoes. Consumer Reports recommends that you choose a topical repellent for better results.

Giant numbers and giant mosquitoes
In addition to having an incredibly large number of mosquitoes in Iowa this year, extension entomologists also have had more questions and inquiries that start out, "I just saw the biggest mosquito of my life!"

"The very large mosquitoes that bite viciously are one of our 'usual' species found in Iowa," said Donald Lewis, extension entomologist. "However, this year is different in that the population seems to be larger than normal." The extra-large mosquitoes are in a genus called Psorophora. There is no customary common name for these mosquitoes, though some references use the term "gallinipper" or "gallinipper mosquito" for Psorophora mosquitoes.

Psorophora mosquitoes are a floodwater species. The females lay eggs on moist soil and the eggs hatch when covered with water from floods or temporary pools and impoundments. The larvae grow very quickly to the adult stage. Some of the Psorophora mosquito larvae are predacious; that is, they eat the larvae of other mosquitoes sharing the temporary pool. There can be several generations of Psorophora each summer depending on rainfall. In the fall of the year, the last eggs laid for the season remain dormant and wait for floods the following year. Some references claim the eggs can lay dormant for a long time and hatch years later.

Of the 14 species of Psorophora in North America, the one common in Iowa is Psorophora ciliata, a large mosquito with noticeably banded legs, pale stripes on the side of the dark thorax, and stiff, erect hairs along the legs. Females of Psorophora ciliata are vicious biters and prefer to feed on mammals. They will bite during both the day and night and are able to bite through heavy clothing.

"There is nothing special for the control of Psorophora mosquitoes," Lewis said. "The usual homeowner/gardener actions of eliminating breeding sites such as bird baths, plugged rain gutters and old tires may help reduce some kinds of mosquitoes, but not Psrophora that are breeding in flooded fields. Personal repellents remain the best defense against biting."

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When the days get longer and the weather gets warmer, many people want to take a break from their normal routine. Whether you're planning a week-long vacation or long weekend, planning a fun getaway doesn't have to be expensive. It is possible to take a vacation even during tough economic times. Below are some tips to save money on summer vacations:

• Start your planning with vacation goals and a budget. What would you like to do during your vacation? Relax on a beach or "see the sights" somewhere? The destination, planned activities, and length of a vacation will greatly affect the cost.

• To reduce the cost of vacation meals on road trips, plan to eat only one meal out a day, if possible. Pack foods such as granola bars, canned or dried fruits, and canned juices for breakfast, or select hotels that include a free continental breakfast. Many resorts and hotels offer deals (e.g., free breakfast, free Internet access, amusement park discounts, etc.) to attract visitors, especially in tough economic times.

• Another alternative is to pack some food in a cooler (or buy it when you arrive at your destination), and stay at hotels with a refrigerator and/or microwave oven in the room. The availability of a refrigerator and microwave lets you bring home "doggie bags" from a restaurant or order take-out food rather than a sit-down meal. Pack a few re-sealable food storage bags or plastic containers in your luggage.

• To keep food and beverages cold, freeze water in a cleaned milk jug. The frozen water will thaw slower than ice cubes, take up less space in a cooler, and keep things dry.

• On days that you must eat a meal out, consider dining out at lunchtime rather than dinner as the cost is often less. Beverages can add to the cost, so consider sticking with complimentary water. Consider sharing an entree, but check first to see if there is an additional charge for shared meals. Also, rather than order individual desserts at a restaurant, you may want to decide together on a shared dessert item such as a pie you can pick up at the supermarket to enjoy afterward.

• Additionally, some people save money by sharing vacation spots and expenses (including food) with family and/or friends, such as renting a multi-room condo or cottage and sharing the cost.

• In some areas, entertainment books or tourist guidebooks are full of coupons to save money on food such as buy-one/get-one-free meals or $5 off a meal for two.

• Look for deals on airfare through Web sites such as www.kayak.com or from the "last minute deals" links on airline Web sites. Cheaper modes of travel may be to drive your own car or a rental car or take a train or bus if your destination is fairly close. Amtrak offers discounts on train fare to AAA members who book their trips in advance. College students may qualify for discounted airfares on Web sites like www.studentuniverse.com.

• If money is tight, become a "local tourist." Visit your home county and/or state historical sites and learn about your heritage. Plan "daycations" (i.e., inexpensive one-day trips) and "staycations" (i.e., vacations at or near home) in lieu of vacation travel to distant areas. Focus on doing fun things together as a family or group of friends, no matter where the location.

• Look for discounts at resorts, theme parks, plays, museums, etc. Especially during economic downturns, entertainment providers may offer "deals" to attract customers.

• Shop around each time you take a vacation. Compare at least 3 competing product and service providers; e.g., car rental companies. Remember that, just because one company had the best deals once, doesn't mean that they always will.

• Make friends with "pet-friendly" neighbors. Trading pet-sitting services will eliminate the cost of kenneling a pet from your vacation budget.

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( # ) MISSISSIPPI BLUES CLUB MONTHLY
A Recap of Blues News  Edition 1

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BLUES NEWS FOR YOU

Mississippi Blues Club publishes a Monthly Newsletter and recap of Blues media coverage that we have been directly involved with each month. This is original content and posted more in depth on our website.

WE ARE AVAILABLE FOR FREELANCE MEDIA COVERAGE VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR INFORMATION

OUR BLUES MEDIA GOAL
The most common ground between blues fans and blues artists' are when they do what they do best, perform. We attempt to capture those moments at the source and share them with the public. Our media content is original material that may be edited by our staff for press release or use by other sources, but the original media material is kept on on the Mississippi Blues Club website to be shared with the public.

Let's Revisit Highlights Of Blues Events Covered In 2011

The 32nd Annual Blues Music Awards, organized by The Blues Foundation of Memphis, Tennesse. The formal awards presentation ceremony is to honor the blues artists' who have made the best contributions to the blues music industry. The highlight of this years 2011 event was Buddy Guy, receiving five awards including "Album Of The Year". There are many great artists' who participate in this event by nomination of The Blues Foundation members. This is a great opportunity to meet several of your favorite blues artists', enjoy a great dinner during the presentations, and show support to the artists' and The Blues Foundation that help keep the blues alive.

The Smokin' In Steele Blues And BBQ Festival, organized by The Knights Of Columbus and John "Blues Hammer" of Owatonna, Minnesota. A great three day blues music event which included qualifications for The International BBQ Competion to be held in Kansas City. Highlights of this event included performances' by Sena Ehrhardt, who is a 2011 International Blues Competition nominnee. Sena performs vocals, with her father on lead guitar and puts on a spectacular performance with amazing talent. Watch for them in the future, they are going to be heading straight towards the top from what we have seen. The Fabulous Lovehandles are a local band that have quite the following in the region, the dance floor became crowded as these guys' performed. The passion flows from  this  eight piece band with a full horn section. While performing off the stage on the dance floor, an enthusiastic crowd almost raised the roof! Bruce McCabe is a great songwriter and performer he has wrote top songs for Johnny Lang, the crowd came alive while performing songs like "Lie To Me". Becky Barksdale was the finale performance of this event and they say "save the best for last",  in this case it was true. Becky has performed on the former Michael Jackson tour as his lead guitarist. She has stayed true to her Texas Blues roots and has an incredible intimacy with her guitar and ability of playing great Texas style guitar licks.  Check out Becky Barksdale "It Hurts" recording, you won't go wrong if you appreciate great Texas Blues guitar style.

The 27th Annual Mississippi Valley Blues Festival, organized by The Mississippi Valley Blues Society. Another great three days of blues music, workshops for kids and elder alike, a blues photo gallery and 29 top blues performers' from around the nation. This is a spectacular annual blues event in LeClaire Park, along the banks of the Mississippi River in downtown Davenport, Iowa. Highlights of this event were Eric Gales who plays guitar upside down, as he was taught by generations in his family. Reviews of Eric have called him "the next Jimi Hendrix", a label that is not thrown around loosely in the" Blues World", Eric performs with electrifying amazment. Lionel Young who plays electric violin performed with his band which includes a great horn section. Lionel is a natural with the crowd and played off stage in the audience sitting down. Taking in the sunshine, with excitment flowing from the crowd, the Lionel Young Band did not miss a beat of their unique soothing sound. The performance by Linsey Alexander "If You Ain't Got It" was great. Linsey has a full venue tour scheduled and has been receiving great air time on Sirius/XM B.B. Kings Bluesville, with his new hit song. Joe Louis Walker electrified the crowd, it was a special evening as he performed. Joe Louis Walker is one of the greatest legends still performing today, he has performed for two Presidents and has won numerous blues awards. Other highlights of this event were Smokin' Joe Kubek performing with Bnois King, belting out Texas Blues. The finale ends with Otis Clay performing and receiving an award for "Life Time Acheivement" presented by The Mississippi Valley Blues Society. Our friends Jay Sieleman, Executive Director of The Blues Foundation and his wife were present with a tent setup at this event. All the right ingredients were available, making this one of the biggest blues events in the nation organized by all volunteers.

copyright 2011 Mississippi Blues Club           http://www.mississippibluesclub.com

WASHINGTON, July 15, 2011 –The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reminds farmers and ranchers in states across the country that USDA offers a variety of resources for those affected by recent extreme weather, including floods, drought, fires and tornadoes. USDA also urges producers in need or those with questions to contact their local county or state USDA Service Center or Farm Service Agency office for assistance. In a recent tour of flooding in Iowa and Nebraska, as well as droughts and wildfires in Arizona and New Mexico, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack promised farmers, ranchers and others that USDA would continue to work hard to deliver assistance to those in need.

"America's farmers and rural communities are vitally important to our nation's economy and our values, and my heart goes out to all who are facing hardships because of severe weather and natural disasters," said Vilsack. "In the past two months alone, I have visited with hundreds of Americans who have had to put their lives and livelihoods on hold to deal with floods, tornadoes, drought and wildfires. Since the beginning, I have instructed USDA staff in the affected states that our main priority must be to work with farmers, ranchers and others to explain the type of aid that is available. We will continue to listen to your concerns and, whenever possible, offer assistance to help you through these difficult times."

Heavy rainfall, snowmelt, and flood conditions have caused crop damage and slowed planting in many states. USDA's Risk Management Agency reminds producers faced with questions on prevented planting, replant, or crop losses to contact their crop insurance company for more information. Other types of USDA assistance available to those affected by flooding include the Emergency Loan Program and the Emergency Watershed Protection program.

USDA reminds producers affected by drought and fires that resources are available to cover losses, including losses to livestock, crops, orchard trees, and private forests. Types of USDA assistance to farmers and ranchers may include the Supplemental Revenue Assistance Program (SURE), federal crop insurance, and the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program.

Through spring and summer, drought and wildfires have affected millions of acres of cropland, forests and grasslands in the United States. Drought conditions stretch from Arizona to the southern Atlantic States.

USDA continues working with state and local officials, as well as our federal partners, to make sure people have the necessary resources to recover from these challenges.

To learn more about USDA's disaster assistance, please visit http://www.usda.gov/Emergency_Preparedness_and_Response.html.

To find the USDA Service Center nearest you, please visit http://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app?state=us&agency=fsa.

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