28 Aug 2012

Illinois National Guard officer candidates become second lieutenants

By Staff Sgt. Kassidy L. Snyder, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs

SPRINGFIELD, IL (08/28/2012)(readMedia)-- A crowd of more than 500 people gathered for 38 officer candidates who received their commission during the Illinois Army National Guard's Officer Candidate School (OCS) Commissioning Ceremony at Springfield High School in Springfield, Aug. 26.

"It's great to know we have a new generation of leaders stepping forward who are well trained to follow the great path our veterans have laid before us," said Maj. Gen. Dennis L. Celletti of Springfield, the Acting Adjutant General of the Illinois National Guard.

Officer candidates from the traditional OCS Class 56-11 and accelerated OCS Class 56B lifted their right hands in front of fellow servicemembers, family and friends and repeated the Oath of Office to become second lieutenants.

To meet commissioning requirements, an officer candidate completes more than 500 hours of classroom and field instruction. Candidates are evaluated on leadership abilities, physical and mental tasks and tactical exercises.

"I'm very proud of my daughter," said 2nd Lt. Marivon Ampier's father John Niemeyer, a Vietnam veteran from St. Louis. "The ceremony was very professional and made me feel patriotic all over."

Each new lieutenant's gold bars were pinned on by family members, friends and fellow servicemembers most important to them.

Second Lt. Aaron Ritter of Oak Run, was pinned by his wife Sarah and his father Lou Ritter, a Vietnam veteran who served with the U.S. Army.

"I was glad he was able to be here," said Aaron. "I am proud of his service and look up to him as a father."

Following the pinning of their gold bars, the officers received their first salute from a subordinate.

Ampier of Fairview Heights, chose her father, who served as a technical sergeant with the Air Force and Aaron also received his first salute from his father.

Many of the Soldiers had a close relative or friend who served in the military and were a part of the ceremony.

At the conclusion of the commissioning ceremony, 2,198 Army officers have received their commissions from the 129th Regional Training Institute in Springfield.

"Don't worry about the next assignment or promotion," said Celletti. "It will be there if you continue to give 100 percent effort, maintain your civilian and military education and take care of your Soldiers as you would want to be taken care of."

28 Aug 2012

Braley Announces Over $1.4 Million for Veterans Transportation Database

By Amanda Bowman

Funds will go toward creating a one call/one click resource for veterans

Dubuque, IA - Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) today announced that the Federal Transit Administration has obligated $1,461,800 to the Iowa Department of Transportation for the Veterans Transportation and Community Living Project. The funding will create a database that will hold veterans' transportation information and combine it with other resources to create a comprehensive database to start a one-call/one-click resource. This will allow veterans, persons with disabilities, persons over 60, and the general public to access information about transportation and other human service resources available.

 

"The more resources veterans, the disabled, and the elderly have to assist them in transportation, the more ability they have to live a full and active life," said Braley. "At the very least, we owe our veterans reliable transportation, and the assistance to the rest of the community will be a great asset to many groups. I am pleased this funding is coming to Iowa and hope the resource database will provide new information and assistance to these groups."

 

Braley has worked hard to provide needed assistance to veterans. Less than a month ago the Andrew Connolly Veterans Housing Act, which he introduced, was signed into law by President Obama.

 

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28 Aug 2012

Chinese Officials Complimentary, Optimistic About Future with U.S. Soy

By United Soybean Board
U.S. soybean farmers praised for success of checkoff-funded programs in China

ST. LOUIS (August 28, 2012) - When a group of U.S. soybean farmers stepped off a plane in China last month, they anticipated a celebration of 30 years of partnership. What they got, however, was a whole lot more. The work of the soy checkoff through the United Soybean Board (USB) and its international marketing arm, the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC), has paid dividends in China and the officials wanted to make sure these farmers knew it.

"We're more than just a supplier of soybeans, but that is part of it," says Vanessa Kummer, a soybean farmer from Colfax, N.D., and chair of USB. "We've helped them improve their food safety and, during this visit, we heard how much they appreciate it."

The Chinese aquaculture industry is a big part of this partnership. The soy checkoff funds projects that help increase the food safety and growth rates for fish farmers, and the group of U.S. soy farmers heard about the positive success of these programs.

"Fish are a big part of the Chinese diet, so the aquaculture industry is a major player in their economy," adds Kummer. "The checkoff has helped these fish farmers achieve the right rations and populations, which lessens negative effects."

Through checkoff-funded demonstrations, USSEC helps show the Chinese aquaculture industry how to lessen disease and pollution in their production systems. Soy-based diets play a role in these improved practices. As the Chinese increase their protein consumption, soy meal use in animal feed continues to increase. Kummer notes the checkoff also works in other animal sectors, including China's fast-growing poultry sector.

"The people we met with in China recognize the investment U.S. soybean farmers have made in their food security," says Kummer. "They appreciate our partnerships and look forward to the future of our business relationships together."

The relationship continues to grow demand for U.S. soy, as well. In 2011, the United States exported a record 895 million bushels of soybeans to China.

The 69 farmer-directors of USB oversee the investments of the soy checkoff to maximize profit opportunities for all U.S. soybean farmers. These volunteers invest and leverage checkoff funds to increase the value of U.S. soy meal and oil, to ensure U.S. soybean farmers and their customers have the freedom and infrastructure to operate, and to meet the needs of U.S. soy's customers. As stipulated in the federal Soybean Promotion, Research and Consumer Information Act, the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service has oversight responsibilities for USB and the soy checkoff.


For more information on the United Soybean Board, visit www.unitedsoybean.org
Visit us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/UnitedSoybeanBoard
Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/unitedsoy
View our YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/user/UnitedSoybeanBoard

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28 Aug 2012

Loebsack to Speak at Acciona Windpower to Celebrate Assembly of First AW3000 Turbine

By Joe Hand

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack announced today that he will speak at Acciona Windpower to celebrate the assembly of the first AW3000 turbine produced in the United States.  The celebration will take place TOMORROW, August 29th at 11:00am in West Branch.  Earlier this year, Loebsack was presented the American Wind Energy Association's USA Wind Champion Award during a visit to Acciona's facilities.  He was given this award in recognition of his ongoing support of wind energy in Iowa and working to extend the Production Tax Credit (PTC).

Acciona Windpower Celebration

601 Fawcett Drive

West Branch

11:00am

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28 Aug 2012

Agriculture Deputy Under Secretary Thornton to Host Virtual Office Hours to Discuss How USDA is Making the School Day Healthier for America's Students

By USDA Office of Communications

WASHINGTON, August 28, 2012 - TOMORROW at 1 pm EDT, Agriculture Deputy Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services Janey Thornton will host a live Twitter chat focusing on the new nutrition standards for school meals to kick off USDA's "The School Day Just Got Healthier" back to school campaign.

Ask the Deputy Under Secretary about USDA's school meals programs and its work to make the school day healthier. She played a key role in bringing these changes to fruition and this is a great opportunity to touch base with a national leader in school meal services. The new standards, established under the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, ensure students are offered both fruits and vegetables every day of the week; substantially increase offerings of whole grain-rich foods and low-fat or fat-free milk; limit calories based on the age of children being served to ensure proper portion size; and focus on reducing the amounts of saturated fat, trans fat and sodium.

Submit your "The School Day Just Got Healthier" related questions in advance to the @USDA Twitter account using the hashtags #AskUSDA and #SchoolFoodsRule.

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

1 p.m. EDT

WHAT: USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services Thornton will answer questions about the new nutrition standards for school meals.

WHERE: Tune in online by following the @USDA Twitter account. Use hashtags #askUSDA and #SchoolFoodsRule to submit questions in advance and during the live Twitter chat.

 

USDA Virtual Office Hours, a monthly live question and answer series allows stakeholders to directly engage with USDA leadership and subject matter experts-through Twitter. Sessions will be focused on a specific mission, issue or program, as aligned with the Department's strategic goals and based on stakeholder interests.

 

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28 Aug 2012

The 'Moneyball' Approach to Business Hiring

By Rick Martin
Expert Offers Tips for Creating Championship Teams

Great coaches take into consideration an athlete's talent and heart when they're building a team, but they consider group dynamics, too, says entrepreneur J. Allan McCarthy.

"It's not just a matter of getting the fastest, strongest and smartest players on your side," says McCarthy, an international scaling expert and author of Beyond Genius, Innovation & Luck: The 'Rocket Science' of Building High-Performance Corporations (www.mccarthyandaffiliates.com).

"If you're building a championship team, you're gauging how the individual athletes fit together; how their personalities, talents, drive and abilities will mesh to meet the team's goals. It's exactly what you need to do to build a winning corporate team. As Michael Jordan, put it, 'Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships.' "

In the 2011 film Moneyball, Coach Billy Beane picks his players based on analysis and evidence, says McCarthy, who has worked with hundreds of companies. He doesn't ever just "go with his gut."

McCarthy provides key points for building a successful, effective team:

· Lead with a team, not a group: A team of leaders behaves very differently than a group of leaders. Many companies don't know the difference. "It comes down to clear goals, interdependencies and rules of engagement," McCarthy says, Every corporation claims to hire only the best and the brightest but it is evident that getting the best and brightest to function as a team can be a challenge.

· Know your goals: McCarthy cites Bill Gates - "Teams should be able to act with the same unity of purpose and focus as a well-motivated individual." Many big-name CEOs like to say their talent runs free with innovative ideas. "It makes for compelling literature," McCarthy says. But would that work on the football field? Corporations need their personnel to think out-of-the-box but also act in a prescriptive culture - to work within a system in order to achieve common objectives.

· Not everyone can be the coach - or the quarterback: The problem with executives is that they all want to lead and none want to follow, McCarthy says. A team made up of executives is like a group of thoroughbred stallions confined to a small space called an organization -- plenty of kicking, biting and discord. Thoroughbreds don't naturally work well as a team. Better to define responsibilities that build a "foxhole mentality," wherein one person has the gun, the other the bullets, McCarthy says. It's in the best interests of both for each to succeed.

· The strongest teams are adept at resolving conflict: Hiring the best and the brightest should create a diverse, competent group ? but inevitably these stallions generate friction that can sabotage company progress. So, sensitize team members to the early warning signs: know-it-all attitudes, multi-tasking during team meetings, exhibiting dominant behavior, not responding in a timely fashion or engaging in avoidance. Agree, as a team, on how to mutually manage and minimize counterproductive behaviors as they surface.

· Create individual and team agreements: Here is where the "rubber meets the road" - it's the final stage of planning who will do what for team objectives, as well as a collective agreement on team rules and interdependencies. Ask individuals to openly commit to what they will do, and how the team is to function. The public declaration stresses employee obligation and collaborative management.

"We live in a 21st-century economy where speed and efficiency is a top priority, and that often means a 'shoot first, ask questions later' mentality," McCarthy says. "But you get the team that you plan for, not necessarily what you pay for. If time is money, then I'd invest it in creating and building a championship team."

About J. Allan McCarthy

J. Allan McCarthy, principal of J.A. McCarthy & Affiliates, has more than 20 years of experience across 15 industries and more than 200 companies. He is a scaling expert who helps organizations determine how to best align strategy, structure and workforce capabilities. He earned his master's of management from Golden Gate University, a Stanford University AEA MBA refresher, and has worked with many international companies, including Cisco Systems, Raychem Corporation, SAP Inc., Redback Networks, BEA Systems and Ericsson.

28 Aug 2012

Governor Quinn Vetoes SB 1849

By Illinois Revenue and Jobs Alliance
OFFICIAL STATMENT FROM THE ILLINOIS REVENUE AND JOBS ALLIANCE:

We missed an opportunity today to add 20,000 new jobs and generate more than $1 billion in one-time licensing fees and more than $200 million in new annual revenue. Despite efforts that would have satisfied the Governor's call for tighter restrictions and additional oversight, fiscal relief for the state has now been further delayed. Our leaders in Springfield are committed to getting us back onto steady financial footing and providing more economic opportunity to Illinois residents. We're confident that they will do what is necessary so the state can benefit from sorely needed jobs and revenue.

Former State Representative Bill Black, Chairman, The Illinois Revenue and Jobs Alliance

28 Aug 2012

Rural school districts receive grants of up to $25,000

By Paul Spooner

Winners announced for America's Farmers Grow Rural Education?

BOONE, IOWA (Aug. 28, 2012) - Rural schools help grow the next generation by planting seeds of knowledge, passion and imagination in the youth of rural America. Now, local farmers and America's Farmers Grow Rural EducationSM are helping to prepare the next generation of industry leaders to meet the challenges that come with feeding an ever increasing population.
America's Farmers Grow Rural Education, sponsored by the Monsanto Fund, gives farmers the opportunity to nominate a public school district in their community to compete for a merit based grant of either $10,000 or $25,000 to enhance education in the areas of math and/or science. More than 1,000 nominated school districts submitted applications. The Monsanto Fund will invest $2.3 million in 176 rural schools through this program.
"School districts were innovative and creative in their applications," said Deborah Patterson, the Monsanto Fund president. "We are really looking forward to seeing the proposals come to fruition and learning how the students benefit from them."
After being nominated by local farmers, school districts completed an online application and finalists were chosen by math and science teachers from ineligible school districts. The America's Farmers Grow Rural Education Advisory Council, a group of 26 prominent farmers from across the country, then reviewed the finalists' applications and selected the winners.
"Who better to judge the practical content and quality of these applications from rural school districts than experienced, working farmers?" said Jim Andrew of Jefferson, Iowa, America's Farmers Grow Rural Education Farmer Advisory Council member. "We devoted many hours at home evaluating and scoring the applications and then met as a group in St. Louis for two days to discuss and select the schools we recommended to the Monsanto Fund for grants. It was personally very rewarding to read the creative and practical grant applications that were eventually selected by our advisory group to receive the grants."
There were 176 school districts in 35 states that received grants of up to $25,000. Winners are posted at www.growruraleducation.com and below. America's Farmers Grow Rural Education started with a successful pilot in Illinois and Minnesota in 2011, in which farmers were given the opportunity to nominate public school districts in 165 eligible counties in those two states. The Monsanto Fund awarded more than $266,000 to local schools in sixteen communities. Now, the program has expanded to 1,245 eligible counties in 39 states. 
America's Farmers Grow Rural Education is sponsored by the Monsanto Fund to help farmers positively impact their communities and support local rural school districts. This program is part of the Monsanto Fund's overall effort to support rural education and communities. Another program that is part of this effort is America's Farmers Grow Communities, which gives farmers the opportunity to direct a $2,500 donation to their favorite community nonprofit organization in their county. Farmers can participate in this program through Nov. 30, 2012 by visiting growcommunities.com.

 

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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Alabama- Geneva City, Madison County

Arkansas-Des Arc School District, Estem Elementary Charter, Monticello School District, Southside High School, Texarkana School District, Valley View School District

Arizona-Buckeye Union High School District

California-Brawley Elementary, Esparto Unified School District, Farmersville Unified, Hilmar Unified School District

Colorado-Frenchman School District Re-3, Limon School District, No. Re 4J, Re-1 Valley School District, Walsh School District No. Re-1

Delaware-Smyrna School District

Georgia-Burke County, Terrell County, Wilcox County School System

Iowa-George Little Rock Community Schools, Hampton-Dumont Community School District, Lamoni Community School District, Logan-Magnolia School District, Mormon Trail Community School District, New Hampton, New London Community School District, North Tama County Community School District, Northeast Community School District, Riceville Community School District, Schleswig Community School District, Sidney Community School District

Idaho-Caldwell School District No. 132, Filer School District

Illinois-Allendale CC School District 17, Brussels CUSD 42, Farmington Central CUSD 265, Indian Creek CUSD 425, Morrisonville CUSD #1, North Greene CUSD 3, Olympia CUSD 16, Oregon Community Unit School District 220, Red Hill CUSD10, Tolono CUSD 7, Willow Grove SD 46

Indiana-Clay Community Schools, Delaware Community School Corporation, Fairfield Community Schools, Flatrock Hawcreek School Co, Jennings County Schools, Oregon-Davis School Corp, Pike County School Corp, Salem Community Schools, South Central Com School Corp, Southwest Parke Com School Corp

Kansas-Bucklin, Girard USD 248, Hoxie Community Schools USD 412, Royal Valley, Scott County Schools, Sedgwick Public Schools, Sterling USD376, Wamego, Washington County Schools, Wellsville-USD 289

Kentucky-Calloway County, Daviess County Public Schools, Logan County, Nelson County School District

Louisiana-Pointe Coupee Parish

Maryland-Harford County Public Schools, Talbot County Public Schools

Michigan-Breckenridge Community Schools, Frankenmuth School District, Fremont Public Schools, Ida Public School District, Lowell Area Schools, North Huron School District, Springport Public Schools, St. Louis Public Schools

Minnesota-Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa Schools, Farmington Area Public Schools, Glacial Hills Elementary, Greenbush-Middle River School District, Lakeview Public Schools, Lancaster Public School District, N.R.H.E.G. School District, United South Central Independent School District 2134

Missouri-Community R-VI School District, Johnson Co. R-VII, Liberal R-II, Lone Jack C-6, Miami R-I School District, Monroe City R-I, Northeast Nodaway Co. R-V, Oak Ridge R-VI, Orrick, Pleasant View R-VI, Strain-Japan R-XVI

Mississippi-Pontotoc Co School District

North Carolina-Craven County Schools, Perquimans County Schools, Rowan-Salisbury Schools

North Dakota-Carrington School District, Dakota Prairie, Hatton Public School 7, Richland 44, Wishek 19

Nebraska-Cambridge Public Schools, Falls City Public Schools, Hayes Center Public Schools, Lyons-Decatur Northeast Schools, Mitchell Public Schools, Northwest Public Schools, Osceola Public Schools, Rock County Public Schools, Thayer Central Community Schools

New Jersey-Chesterfield Township

New York-Albion Central School District, Argyle Central School District, Arkport Central School District, Canton Central School District, Greece Central School District, Tully Central School District

Ohio-Clinton-Massie Local, Crestview Local Schools, Eastern Local Schools, Garaway Local, Northeastern Local, Ridgedale Community, West Liberty-Salem Local, Westfall Local

Oklahoma- Garber Public School , Navajo Public School

Oregon-Vale SD 84

Pennsylvania-Danville Area SD, Greensburg Salem SD, Manheim Central SD, Northwestern School District, Seneca Valley SD, Tyrone Area School District, Upper Adams SD

South Carolina-Calhoun 01, Dillon 02

South Dakota-Dell Rapids School District 49-3, Milbank High School-01, Parker School District, Wolsey-Wessington School District 20-6

Tennessee-Franklin County School District, Obion County School System, Robertson County, South Carroll County Special School District

Texas-Brownsville ISD, Dalhart ISD, Edna ISD, Hillsboro ISD, Ira ISD, Levelland ISD, Memphis ISD, Southland ISD, Wall ISD

Virginia-Southampton Co Public Schools

Washington-Warden School District

Wisconsin-Cadott Community School District, Chilton School District, Cornell School District, Gillett School District, Lake Geneva-Genoa City UHS School District, Lancaster Community School District, Marathon City School District,  Monticello School District, School District Of New London, Sparta Area School District, Tri-County Area School District, Wrightstown Community School District

28 Aug 2012

Governor Quinn Takes Bill Action **Tuesday, August 28, 2012

By William Palmisano

CHICAGO -August 28, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today took action on the following bill:

 

 

Bill No.: SB 1849

An Act Concerning: Gaming

Creates the Chicago Casino Development Authority and amends several other statutes to expand gaming in Illinois.

Action: Vetoed

 

 

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28 Aug 2012

GYM GIVES NEW MEMBERS OPPORTUNITY TO SUPPORT NICK TEDDY FOUNDATION

By Holly Larson
PORT BYRON, IL - The Nick Teddy Foundation, in partnership with Nelson Chiropractic, is excited to announce a new, long-term partnership with Core Fitness Bettendorf.

Core Fitness Bettendorf has provided generous contributions for the "Nick Teddy Fight Against Ewing's Sarcoma 5k." The gym will be giving away four 3-month gym memberships to 5k participants.

Additionally, 5k runners will have the opportunity to give five dollars each month to the Nick Teddy Foundation by signing up for a 1-year membership at Core Fitness Bettendorf. For each race participant who signs up for a 1-year membership during the 5k, Core Fitness Bettendorf has agreed to donate five dollars every month to the Nick Teddy Foundation for an entire year!

The "Nick Teddy Fight Against Ewing's Sarcoma 5k" starts at 9:00 AM on Sat., September 15, 2012. More information on how to register can be found online at http://www.NickTeddy.org, on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/NickTeddyOrg), and on Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/NickTeddyOrg).

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