Local Dad Learns that Kids Take Things Literally

(New York, NY - September 23, 2011) Gary Metivier of Davenport, Iowa is one of the 150-word life stories being considered for publication in an upcoming issue of Reader's Digest magazine. Metivier's story is available for viewing at facebook.com/ReadersDigest. Locals can also show support by voting for Metivier's story or any others they like at facebook.com/ReadersDigest.

His story:

"Doctor's Orders" by Gary Metivier

Our five year old son's odd behavior started the night following a brother-induced head injury. Little Adam, with his scalp staples securely in place and somewhat bent spectacles pushed up high on his nose, was saying things really out of character. Examples: "I want candy before supper," and "I can do or have whatever I want." Was he just working the sympathy thing? He's not a spoiled kid, but 'was' acting quite -spoiled! A couple days later we finally asked him, "Why do you keep acting like this? You are a good kid." His answer: "The doctor said I can do whatever I want with the staples in my head. So, I have a whole week to do whatever I want!" Turns out he heard us ask the doctor if there were any restrictions as his head heals. The well intended doctor's answer, "No restrictions. He can do whatever he wants."

This is all part of the Reader's Digest continual effort to enrich and simplify Americans' lives.  This particular project "Your Life...The Reader's Digest Version" celebrates the launch of the new book, "Life... The Reader's Digest Version," which is also the first of a new series, by creating a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for people's personal stories to be widely read and for the opportunity of one story to be published in Reader's Digest to its more than 30 million readers, plus be the recipient of a major cash award. Several runner-up stories will also receive attention and cash prizes.  Stories will be voted on by consumers and winners will ultimately be selected by Reader's Digest editors.  Americans can vote for and submit 150-word stories about lessons, simple advice, funny moments and other life stories at facebook.com/ReadersDigest.

Monday deadline looming, but Congress skips town before funding FEMA disaster relief 

Washington, DC - Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) today called on Congress to stay in town to provide desperately-needed funding to FEMA's Disaster Relief Fund, which includes support for Iowa flood recovery, and finish its work on a spending bill to temporarily fund government operations.   According to news reports, FEMA could run out of funding as early as Monday if no spending bill is passed.

"It disgusts me that Iowa flood recovery has gotten caught in Congress' latest juvenile partisan game.  Helping people get back on their feet after a disaster is the most basic function of government - it shouldn't be an issue bogged down in Washington politics.

"Rather than going home for the weekend, Congress should stay in town, do its job, and make good on a three year promise to fund Iowa disaster recovery.  Thousands of Iowans haven't gotten a day off since this year's flooding ripped their lives apart.  Why should Congress?"

Congress hasn't yet passed a funding bill for the fiscal year that begins on October 1^st.  For the past week, House and Senate leaders have argued over bills that would temporarily fund US government operations until November 18^th and add money to FEMA's Disaster Relief Fund to continue paying the cost of disaster recovery from this year's Iowa floods and other natural disasters.  No bills have passed into law.

PELLA, IA (09/23/2011)(readMedia)-- Jessica Emard, a senior German studies and English major, earned a spot on the spring 2011 dean's list at Central College.

Emard, a native of Bettendorf, Iowa, is the daughter of Douglas and Karen Emard and a graduate of Bettendorf High School.

The honor is awarded to full-time students who achieve a 3.5 grade point average or higher on a 4.0 scale while taking 12 or more graded credit hours for the semester.

Central College is a private, four-year, residential, liberal arts college in Pella, Iowa. Central's academic program offers 39 majors leading to a bachelor's degree along with pre-professional programs and advising. Central was recognized in the 2011 U.S.News & World Report's annual rankings of the best liberal arts colleges in the nation.

More information about Central College is available at www.central.edu or by calling 877-462-3687.

(Kansas City, Kan., Sept. 22, 2011) - Through Nov. 8, EPA Region 7 will accept proposals from eligible applicant schools and entities for a $150,000 environmental education grant to develop new programs promoting environmental stewardship in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska communities.

The environmental education grant program is a competitive grant program that supports EPA's efforts to increase public awareness and knowledge about environmental issues.

Proposals for the grant should be mailed to Environmental Education Coordinator Denise Morrison, Office of Public Affairs, EPA Region 7, 901 North 5th Street, Kansas City, Kan., 66101. Proposals must be received by 5 p.m. (CDT) Nov. 8, 2011; those received after the due date will not be considered.

A solicitation notice announcing the grants program is available online at

www.epa.gov/enviroed/grants.html.  Go to the website to learn how your questions about the solicitation and the application process can be answered via email or three conference calls on Sept. 22, 27 and 30. For additional information, contact Denise Morrison at morrison.denise@epa.gov.

Environmental education grants provide funding to local education agencies, state education and environmental agencies; colleges and universities; not-for-profit organizations; and non-commercial broadcasting entities. Tribal education agencies controlled by an Indian tribe, band or nation, including schools and community colleges, may also apply.

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