AMERICAN RED CROSS SAYS MOUNTING EFFECT OF SEVERE WINTER WEATHER CAUSES LOWEST JANUARY BLOOD SUPPLY IN A DECADE

PEORIA, Ill. (January 25, 2011) - Severe winter weather throughout much of the eastern half of the United States in recent weeks has caused the cancellation of more than 14,000 blood and platelet donations through the American Red Cross. The severity of the impact has stressed even the Red Cross' robust national inventory management system, which can move blood products to where they're needed most, such as when severe weather hits.

"We have not seen the January supply drop this dramatically in a decade and we need to reverse this now," said Shelly Heiden, CEO of the Heart of America Red Cross Blood Services region.   "You don't wait to refuel once you've run out of gas. Donating blood or platelets now helps ensure immediate and future patient needs will be met."

The Red Cross urges all eligible donors in unaffected areas to make an appointment to give blood or platelets in the coming days, and those in affected areas to donate as soon as travel is deemed safe, by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or by visiting redcrossblood.org. Donations will help replenish the Red Cross blood supply to ensure that blood products are readily available for patients with serious medical needs.

The need for blood is constant. Every two seconds a patient in the United States needs a blood transfusion. Blood is perishable and has no substitute. Red blood cells have a shelf life of only 42 days and platelets just 5 days - they must be replenished constantly.

Blood and platelets can be used for trauma victims - those who suffered due to accidents and burns - heart surgery patients, organ transplant recipients, premature babies and for patients receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or other diseases, such as sickle cell disease.

All blood types are needed, especially type O negative, to ensure a reliable supply for patients. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental permission in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.  Please bring your Red Cross blood donor card or other form of positive ID when you come to donate.

On Saturday, February 5th the Wapsi River Environmental Education Center will be hosting a winter fun day from 9:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M. Come to the Wapsi River Center for a fun-filled day of winter activities.  This is an event the whole family can enjoy, so plan to come out and discover winter at its best.  A limited number of skis and snowshoes are available, so please call to reserve equipment; (563) 328-3286.  BYOM ~ Bring your own mug.

9:00 A.M. ~ Cross-country Ski Clinic ~ Come learn the basics of cross-country skiing and tour the Wapsi Center trails, if conditions allow. Participants will learn about proper skiing techniques, safety and equipment. Participants may bring their own equipment.

12:30 P.M. ~ Snowshoe Nature Hike ~ Join Michael Granger, Wapsi River Center Naturalist, on this excursion into the Wapsi River Center's woodlands. We will be traveling the way of the Native Americans and early pioneers, looking for signs of life in the still, winter woods.

2:00 P.M. ~ Winter Bird Feeding ~ Come learn how to identify winter birds; plus how to attract and feed our feathered friends. Fun for all ages!

3:00 P.M. ~ Wonderful Owls ~ Learn how to identify Iowa's owls and those that reside at the Wapsi River Center. Amazing nocturnal adaptations make these birds incredible hunters. Learn about these amazing raptors and then do some bald eagle viewing in the comfort of the Eagle View Eco Center.

4:30 P.M. ~ 4th Annual Chili Cook-off ~ The Friends of the Wapsi Center, Inc. will be hosting this annual competition. Please bring your best chili creation to share, and possibly win the coveted chili cup!!! Donations are accepted, and please bring your own table setting.

5:30 P.M. ~ Frostbite Star Party ~ Winter is a great time for astronomy. The sky is never clearer than on cold, winter nights. The winter constellations center around Orion, the Great Hunter. In the sword hanging from Orion's Belt, one can find the Orion Nebula, which is one of the most spectacular objects to be seen through a telescope. The St. Ambrose University's Menke Astronomical Observatory is the location; park in lot A.

7:00 P.M. ~ Folk Concert ~ Wapsi River Center ~ Relax and enjoy an evening of acoustical guitar and vocal offerings of the music of Paul Simon, Peter Meyer, John Denver, John Prine and several others as rendered by local talents. You may participate by using one of our simple percussion instruments, bringing your own, singing along, slapping your knee, tapping your foot or just being a quiet listener.

[DUBUQUE, IA ] DubuqueFest Fine Arts Festival, scheduled for May 20-22 in downtown Dubuque announces the appointment of Paula Neuhaus as their new art fair director. Neuhaus has spent the last five years working in non-profit arts administration including program development and promotion. Neuhaus is the Director of Maquoketa Art Experience in Maquoketa, Iowa and developmental coordinator for the Eastern Iowa Cultural Alliance. She also manages two independent projects; Wordcure Spoken Word Series and Art Gumbo Micro-funding Program that provides funding to Dubuque artists and arts groups. Neuhaus served five years on the Board of Directors for Dubuque County Fine Arts Society and volunteers with the Dubuque Winter Farmers Market. She holds degrees from both Loras College and University of Iowa.

"Goals of the DubuqueFest 2011 committee," Neuhaus says, "Include enhancing the reputation of this art fair as one that offers the best in fine art and fine craft in the region and to attract serious buyers who believe in directly supporting artists & artisans who are creating original work." Neuhaus joins current DubuqueFest Festival Director, Aaron Hefel in co-management of the all arts festival including children's art activities, a two-day art fair, and three days of live music on two stages.

"Paula has served on the DubuqueFest committee since 2007," Hefel said, "She brings a lot of new ideas to the table with her experience in arts and culture development."

DubuqueFest Fine Arts Festival celebrates its 33rd year in 2011. Visit the DubuqueFest website for a full schedule of events: www.dubuquefest.org.

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SINAI, EGYPT (01/24/2011)(readMedia)-- Two Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers were promoted while their unit was deployed to Sinai, Egypt.

Approximately 440 Soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 123rd Field Artillery Regiment in Milan, Galesburg and Macomb were mobilized in May for a one-year deployment to Sinai, Egypt. The unit is expected to return home around Memorial Day.

The Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers are part of the Multinational Force and Observers. The international peacekeeping force oversees the terms of the 1979 peace treaty between Egypt and Israel.

• Sgt. Brian Kohrt, of Port Byron, with Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 2nd Battalion 123rd Field Artillery is promoted to the rank of staff sergeant Jan. 17, while deployed to Sinai, Egypt.
• Pfc. Kristy Rolfs of Milan, with Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 2nd Battalion, 123rd Field Artillery is promoted to the rank of specialist Jan. 17 while deployed to Sinai, Egypt