06
Aug
2002
• The Light of Life program, sponsored by Scott County TRIAD and Seniors & Law Enforcement Together, encourages seniors to obtain a special adapter that turns an ordinary light fixture or lamp into an emergency beacon. The device can be activated by turning a light on, off, and then on again. It becomes a flashing signal for help that alerts neighbors that the resident is in trouble and also helps emergency personnel locate the home more quickly. The adapter is being offered to low-income and home-bound seniors free of charge thanks to support from many local agencies. Those who are ineligible for the free adapter can still purchase the Light of Life device at K&K Hardware in Bettendorf. For more information, contact a senior-social-service agency or call Pam Bennett at the Scott County Sheriff's Office at (563)326-8217.
• During the month of September 2002, the American museum community will come together to "Celebrate American's Freedoms." The Putnam Museum is asking all people to help build a "freedom wall" by bringing a poster to the Putnam Museum to express what freedom in this country means to them. The posters cannot be larger than a regular-sized poster, and your name and/or organization should be put on the front of the poster. The posters will be mounted on the wall of the Putnam's Grand Lobby. Bring your posters to the Putnam's Information Center beginning Labor Day weekend. The Putnam would like to receive as many posters as possible by September 11. Posters will be on display through the end of September.
• The United States Senate has approved an amendment to prescription-drug legislation that would provide Iowa a total of $75.9 million in health-care and social-services funding. The funds come in response to recent budget shortfalls suffered in many states, threatening care to thousands of low-income Iowans. The measure will temporarily increase the federal government's share of Medicaid costs by 1.35 percent for 18 months. This would bring Iowa an additional $18.1 million in Fiscal Year 2002 and $29.9 million in Fiscal Year 2003. This bill also provides Iowa an additional $27.8 million for social services such as adult day care and protective services.
• The Mississippi River Commission will conduct its annual "low water" inspection trip on the Mississippi River from August 11 to 23. Seven public meetings have been scheduled aboard the Motor Vessel Mississippi in selected towns along the river so commission members have the opportunity to meet with local residents and hear their concerns, ideas, and issues. The Davenport meeting will be held on August 13 at 3:30 p.m. at Oneida Landing. People are invited to present their views and suggestions on matters affecting the water-resources-infrastructure needs in the valley, including flood control and the Mississippi River and Tributaries project; environmental issues; recreation; and navigation.
• Trinity's Parish Nurse Program enables registered nurses (RNs) to combine their health-care expertise and personal faith into a unique ministry. The Trinity Parish Nurse Orientation begins October 1. RNs with at least two years of nursing experience and a strong faith background are invited to register. Nurses who would like more information or churches interested in initiating the program can call (309)779-5204. The course is approved for 42 hours of Iowa continuing education unit credits.
• According to the latest Justice Department report entitled "Prisoners in 2001," as of January 1, 2002, 2,100,146 Americans were incarcerated in jails and prisons across the country. The number of prisoners incarcerated by the states increased by 3,193 men and women (0.3 percent), while federal prisoners increased by 11,577 inmates (8.0 percent). Prisoners sentenced for drug offenses constituted the largest group of federal inmates - 57 percent - in year 2000. The full report can be seen at (http://www.csdp.org/research/p01.pdf).
• Generations Area Agency on Aging has expanded its Second Wind Employment Program to Louisa, Des Moines, Henry, Lee, and Jackson counties. In January 2002, Generations received a grant to spearhead a Mature Worker Expansion Program in Scott, Clinton, and Muscatine counties. The six-month grant enabled Generations to work on a pilot project to re-circulate workers 50 and older back into the workforce. Generations representatives will now travel to the new counties served through the employment program and will work closely with Scenic Valley Area Agency on Aging and Southwest Iowa Area Agency on Aging to expand the Second Wind Employment Program into the new counties. Seniors and businesses interested in participating in this program can call the Second Wind Employment program at (800)892-9085 or fax résumés to Jan McElhiney at (563)324-9384. For all other services and programs for seniors and their caregivers in these areas, please contact Scenic Valley Area Agency on Aging at (563)588-3970 or Southeast Iowa Area Agency on Aging at (800)292-1268.
• The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers released a blueprint for its plan to ensure that the Mississippi and Illinois rivers continue to be nationally treasured ecological resources, as well as effective transportation systems. The blueprint is included in the Corps' Interim Report of the Restructured Upper Mississippi River & Illinois Waterway System Navigation Feasibility Study. The report outlines navigation-improvement and ecosystem-restoration measures that will be carried forward for evaluation. They include nonstructural measures such as congestion fees and traffic management, as well as structural measures such as guidewall extensions, lock extensions, and new locks. This Interim Report is available on the navigation-study Web site at (http://www2.mvr.usace.army.mil/umr-iwwsns/). The next step in the study is the completion of a Draft Feasibility Report in early 2004.
• During the month of September 2002, the American museum community will come together to "Celebrate American's Freedoms." The Putnam Museum is asking all people to help build a "freedom wall" by bringing a poster to the Putnam Museum to express what freedom in this country means to them. The posters cannot be larger than a regular-sized poster, and your name and/or organization should be put on the front of the poster. The posters will be mounted on the wall of the Putnam's Grand Lobby. Bring your posters to the Putnam's Information Center beginning Labor Day weekend. The Putnam would like to receive as many posters as possible by September 11. Posters will be on display through the end of September.
• The United States Senate has approved an amendment to prescription-drug legislation that would provide Iowa a total of $75.9 million in health-care and social-services funding. The funds come in response to recent budget shortfalls suffered in many states, threatening care to thousands of low-income Iowans. The measure will temporarily increase the federal government's share of Medicaid costs by 1.35 percent for 18 months. This would bring Iowa an additional $18.1 million in Fiscal Year 2002 and $29.9 million in Fiscal Year 2003. This bill also provides Iowa an additional $27.8 million for social services such as adult day care and protective services.
• The Mississippi River Commission will conduct its annual "low water" inspection trip on the Mississippi River from August 11 to 23. Seven public meetings have been scheduled aboard the Motor Vessel Mississippi in selected towns along the river so commission members have the opportunity to meet with local residents and hear their concerns, ideas, and issues. The Davenport meeting will be held on August 13 at 3:30 p.m. at Oneida Landing. People are invited to present their views and suggestions on matters affecting the water-resources-infrastructure needs in the valley, including flood control and the Mississippi River and Tributaries project; environmental issues; recreation; and navigation.
• Trinity's Parish Nurse Program enables registered nurses (RNs) to combine their health-care expertise and personal faith into a unique ministry. The Trinity Parish Nurse Orientation begins October 1. RNs with at least two years of nursing experience and a strong faith background are invited to register. Nurses who would like more information or churches interested in initiating the program can call (309)779-5204. The course is approved for 42 hours of Iowa continuing education unit credits.
• According to the latest Justice Department report entitled "Prisoners in 2001," as of January 1, 2002, 2,100,146 Americans were incarcerated in jails and prisons across the country. The number of prisoners incarcerated by the states increased by 3,193 men and women (0.3 percent), while federal prisoners increased by 11,577 inmates (8.0 percent). Prisoners sentenced for drug offenses constituted the largest group of federal inmates - 57 percent - in year 2000. The full report can be seen at (http://www.csdp.org/research/p01.pdf).
• Generations Area Agency on Aging has expanded its Second Wind Employment Program to Louisa, Des Moines, Henry, Lee, and Jackson counties. In January 2002, Generations received a grant to spearhead a Mature Worker Expansion Program in Scott, Clinton, and Muscatine counties. The six-month grant enabled Generations to work on a pilot project to re-circulate workers 50 and older back into the workforce. Generations representatives will now travel to the new counties served through the employment program and will work closely with Scenic Valley Area Agency on Aging and Southwest Iowa Area Agency on Aging to expand the Second Wind Employment Program into the new counties. Seniors and businesses interested in participating in this program can call the Second Wind Employment program at (800)892-9085 or fax résumés to Jan McElhiney at (563)324-9384. For all other services and programs for seniors and their caregivers in these areas, please contact Scenic Valley Area Agency on Aging at (563)588-3970 or Southeast Iowa Area Agency on Aging at (800)292-1268.
• The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers released a blueprint for its plan to ensure that the Mississippi and Illinois rivers continue to be nationally treasured ecological resources, as well as effective transportation systems. The blueprint is included in the Corps' Interim Report of the Restructured Upper Mississippi River & Illinois Waterway System Navigation Feasibility Study. The report outlines navigation-improvement and ecosystem-restoration measures that will be carried forward for evaluation. They include nonstructural measures such as congestion fees and traffic management, as well as structural measures such as guidewall extensions, lock extensions, and new locks. This Interim Report is available on the navigation-study Web site at (http://www2.mvr.usace.army.mil/umr-iwwsns/). The next step in the study is the completion of a Draft Feasibility Report in early 2004.
