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Mines of Spain to get a facelift and addition

September 7, 2009 By

The interpretive center at the popular Mines of Spain Recreation Area in Dubuque is slated to get a facelift. Alan Foster with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources says the project begins Wednesday (September 9th).

He says they will shut the interpretive center down and create a 7,400 square foot addition to the center and they will also renovate the current center. Foster says the improved center will have several new features.

There will be new aquariums and some expanded opportunities for kids, some hands on learning, and they will also put in classrooms that schools can use. Foster says the former site of lead mines has been popular place to visit. He says it’s probably one of the D.N.R.’s busiest facilities with lots of nature-based activities going on every month.

Foster says the new addition and renovation will help make the programs even more enjoyable. Foster says it will take about six months to complete the changes. Foster says they hope to see it open by mid-April of 2010 and it will basically be a brand new facility when it is open again.

Foster says the one-point-five-million dollar project is being funded in part by donations. The trails around the Mines of Spain will still be open for use during the expansion and renovation.

Filed Under: Recreation & Entertainment

ISU coach says Cy-Hawk is one of best rivalries

September 7, 2009 By

Iowa State faced North Dakota State in their season opener. Iowa State coach Paul Rhoads has been a part of several rivalries but says none match the feeling of the annual showdown with the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Rhoads has been a part of the Ohio State-Michigan, Auburn-Alabama and Pitt-West Virginia rivalries and this Saturday’s matchup will mark the sixth time he has been part of the rivalry with the Hawkeyes.

Rhoads says being part of a rivalry is always special, but more so when you grow up in the state. He says this week becomes cardinal and gold and black and gold everywhere, and everyone had an opinion on what is going to happen, “So this game is special.”

Paul Rhoads Rhoads says this series is much different than the others he has been a part of as it is a different kind of rivalry that is “competitively friendly” while he says some of the other games have hate involved.

He says people move on after this game and that’s what makes it so great.

Rhoads says their feelings about this year’s Iowa team have not changed despite The Hawkeyes one point victory over UNI. He says the Hawkeyes are nationally ranked and deserving of that ranking and the kids play each other and know how physical Iowa is and the Hawkeye tradition of winning.

This will be Rhoads first matchup with Iowa as head coach and he says he doesn’t know if it will mean any more than the others. The Cyclones opened with a 34-17 win over North Dakota State and Rhoads says it was a good start for his team. He says the effort was outstanding as they have very few players loafing, something he says is rare in a first game.

North Dakota State and Iowa have similar styles on offense and Rhoads says that will be a benefit in preparation. He says that allows them to continue practicing things they worked on the week before. ISU’s new “spread” offense posted more than 440 yards in the opener, including 204 on the ground.

Rhoads says they were pleased with the 200-plus rushing yards and says it’s hard to plan for a quarterback that can run the ball like they do.

Iowa State quarterback Austen Arnaud calls the annual game against Iowa the biggest sporting event of each year in the state. The Ames native will lead the Cyclones when the teams meet for the 57th time this Saturday in Ames. He says without any pro sports teams, the fans flock to the rivalry.

Arnaud says the season opening victory over North Dakota State was a good start but says the offense needs to improve this week. He says he did not play well in the first half and some of that was jitters, but he says he hopes to improve on that.

Arnaud says he does not expect to see a different Iowa defense than in past years, as he says they stay with what they are good at and they are good at what they do.

Iowa State has won two in a row at home over the Hawks and Arnaud says that helps give them confidence. Arnaud says they can play with anybody if they are focused. 

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: , , ,

USDA grants, loans to 44 renewable energy projects

September 7, 2009 By

The U.S.D.A. has forwarded thousands of dollars worth of grants and loans to 44 different renewable energy projects in Iowa. The grants come from the "Rural Energy for America Program" and many of the smaller grants — in the range of $10,000 to $20,000 — will help farmers erect wind turbines.

"Those grants are designed to encourage farmers to take a look at their operations to determine how they might be able to use renewable energy more effectively in their operations and then be able to give them the resources to be able to implement those plans," U.S. Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack says. "It’s a very successful program."

Milford Wind Energy in Story City is getting a $1.8 million guaranteed loan and $500,000 grant. the company will build a wind turbine that will generate excess electricity that can be sold to the local utility. When it’s up and operating in 2010, experts estimate the turbine should earn the company $200,000 annually.

The program was established by the 2008 Farm Bill.

"I will tell you the folks in Iowa have probably been the most aggressive in terms of the utilitization and application process as reflected by the fact that the majority of the awards went to Iowa farmers," Vilsack says. "Our hope is that farmers around the country will begin to understand this program and begin to utilize it."

Late last week the U.S.D.A. announced more than $13 million was being released in the form of both grants and low-interest loans. The money went to 232 projects in 38 states, including the 44 projects in Iowa. 

You can read the U.S.D.A.’s list of the Iowa projects below.

Christopher J. Schwarck, $19,902 grant

Jason Meester, $18,450 grant

Joe Duwe, $10,533 grant

Ted Becker, $12,280 grant

Kevin L. Pietig, $12,252 grant

Kurt Steinbronn, $20,000 grant

Keith Franck, $20,000 grant

Milford Helgeson Farms, Inc.,$20,000 grant

Deutmeyer Farms, Inc., $6,750 grant

Roger Schmitt $20,000 grant

Neumayer Farm Partnership, $20,000 grant

Michael L. Haubrich, $20,000 grant

Bruce Schultz, $20,000 grant

Boshart & Sons, $20,000 grant

Jason Wiebers $15,995 grant

Oldham Farms, Inc., $19,784 grant

Neil Kruger, $19,874 grant

Daniel Bockenstedt, $20,000 grant

Leslie Clampitt, $20,000 grant

Bates Family Farms Corporation, $19,992 grant

Buskohl, Mark, $19,836 grant

3Fueled, LLC, $50,000 grant

LincolnWay Energy, LLC, $10,000 grant

Market Management Services, LLC, $18,000 grant

Consumers Energy Cooperative, $100,000 grant

Hawkeye Tri-County Electric, $100,000 grant

Alan Laubenthal, $38,722 grant; $77,444 loan

Ronald Bowman $23,681 grant; $47,363 loan

Klover Pork, LLC, $34,302 grant; $68,604 loan

Garry Anstoetter, $24,320 grant; $24,320 loan

Dale Zhorne $38,349 grant; $38,349 loan

McCool Bros., LLC, $30,971 grant; $31,141 loan

Steven Mummelthei, $39,313 grant; $78,625 loan

Jack D. Moulds, $49,982 grant; $99,964 loan

Dean & Sandra, Inc., $27,388 grant; $27,388 loan

Michael Blake $49,121 grant; $49,121 loan

Danny Newell $41,559 grant $41,559 loan

Jay R. Clasing $155,794 grant; $311,588 loan

Steve Robinson, $27,500 grant; $27,500 loan

Milford Wind Energy, LLC, $500,000 grant; $1,831,820 loan

Seuntjens Farm, Partnership, $37,240 grant; $37,240 loan

Daniel Lonnevik, $31,912 grant, $63,824 loan

D J Keehner Farms, Inc., $25,678 grant; $25,678 loan

Franzen Brothers, $50,000 grant; $66,750 loan

 

Filed Under: Agriculture, Business, Environment & Conservation, Politics & Government Tagged With: , , ,

Labor official says prevailing wage a priority next session

September 7, 2009 By

An Iowa Labor official says much has been accomplished, but there is more left to do. The president of the Iowa Federation of Labor, Ken Sager, says that is often forgotten during this holiday. He says a lot of people view this as the traditional wrap up of summer and vacation with the kids, but he says the original intent was to celebrate the contributions of working people across this country.

Sager says unions have done a lot to help workers. Sager says they continue to work for civil rights, and cites the minimum wage law. He says that is not a labor issue, but a social issue and that’s what labor is all about, improving conditions for working people as he says that’s the only path for a majority of people to get into the middle class.

Sager says a prevailing wage law is one of the priorities of for labor organizations for the upcoming legislative session.

 

Filed Under: Business Tagged With: ,

New method of making meth shows up in Iowa

September 7, 2009 By

Iowa law enforcement officers aren’t discovering near as many meth labs today as they did five years ago. But, Dale Woolery with the Iowa Office of Drug Control Policy says the dangerous and highly addictive drug is still very prevalent in the state. He says most of the methamphetamine in Iowa is shipped here from Mexico or the southwestern portion of the U.S. And Iowans continue to make their own meth.

"There’s a new method called a ‘one pot’ or ‘shake and bake’ method of manufacturing meth," Woolery said. "We’ve heard about it mainly in places outside of Iowa, but we are beginning to hear about it within the state of Iowa as well. It’s just a new, quicker way to make a smaller amount of methamphetamine for those who are inclined to do so."

According to the Iowa Department of Narcotics Enforcement, less than 20 meth labs per month are found in the state. That compares to 125 labs per month in 2004. Woolery says Iowa appears to be in the second year of a "small resurgence" of meth, but hundreds of people are seeking help to kick the habit and the treatment is working.

"We know that from research here in Iowa," Woolery said. "If you become a meth addict, not all is lost. You can get into recovery, you can get clean, you may need help, but you need to ask and go there. Family members also need to be aware and take the step to intervene and get help for a loved one if they need it."

The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy is launching an $8 million anti-meth advertising campaign in 16 states, including Iowa. 

Filed Under: Crime & Courts Tagged With:

Afraid of the dentist? Here are some cures for dental phobia

September 7, 2009 By

Some people are afraid of spiders, heights or crowds, but one type of fear could lead to serious consequences — dental phobia. As part of Mental Health Month, Delta Dental of Iowa is working to raise awareness about the fear of dentists. Spokesman and dentist Dr. Ed Schooley says regular cleanings, exams and X-rays are vital to good oral health.

"It is well established that seeking routine care really has a lot of cost savings for the patient," Dr. Schooley says. "On average, every dollar that you put into just having a preventive dental service done saves up to 50 dollars in terms of treatment costs." He says avoiding the dentist could cause someone’s minor untreated dental problems to develop into severe oral health conditions and in rare cases, even death.

He says it’s critical to look around and find the right dentist for you. "You certainly want to find one you have confidence in, that you have trust in," Schooley says. "Not all dentists were created equal. Some take more of an authoritarian type of role and feel that they’re in charge."

He says that’s the last type of dentist someone with a phobia would need. He suggests working with the dentist to reduce anxiety, asking the dentist to explain what’s happening during every stage of the exam. Another strategy is to set up a hand signal to let the dentist know when to take a break.

Schooley says, "Patients will often model after the behavior of the dentist so if you can find one that follows the ‘tell, show, then do’ type of dental practice that they feel comfortable with, have confidence in, that will go a long ways." Some dental offices offer services that help patients better manage their fears, including: hand massages, massaging dental chairs, virtual reality eyewear and headsets with music or calming nature sounds.

Filed Under: Health & Medicine, Human Interest

Beach Boy found life saving cure in Fairfield

September 7, 2009 By

Mike Love The Beach Boys will play their first-ever concert in Fairfield today but one of the men who founded the legendary band in 1961 says he’s been visiting the southeast Iowa community for decades.

Mike Love learned transcendental meditation in 1967 and says he steals away to Fairfield frequently for R-and-R, that’s rest and relaxation, not rock ‘n’ roll. The singer and songwriter says the community facility, known as the Raj, offers health treatments which he believes have helped prolong and greatly improve his life.

“Ayurveda is an ancient science of health from India,” Love says. “It has all kinds of aspects to it but they have fantastic treatments that reverse the clock biologically speaking, in other words, you can reverse the aging process through a combination of meditation and the Ayurveda, so it’s been really helpful to me.”

Love is 68 years old but when he inputs his vital information before a treadmill workout, he says he usually punches in 50, as that’s how young he says T-M allows him to feel. “It’s been really helpful to me to be able to meditate and get these treatments occasionally because the schedule we keep is pretty intense,” Love says, laughing. “We haven’t had a summer off in 47 years.” He says transendental meditation helped prevent him from falling into the same traps that have caught and killed many other celebrities.

“That has helped me to stay away from too much drinking, I don’t smoke, all the lifestyle choices that can lead to disease and early death, I’m not interested in that path,” Love says. “I’ve seen plenty people go that way and it’s a drag because I’m sitting there thinking, gee, if they could only learn this technique and benefit by it, it’d be great.”

The concert will be held in the open fields beside Fairfield Middle School. The gates open at noon. For tickets, directions and parking information, call 641-472-2787.


AUDIO: Radio Iowa’s Matt Kelley reports on Mike Love. :46 MP3

Filed Under: Human Interest, Recreation & Entertainment
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