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Study: Rural Iowans may live shorter lives than city folk

November 27, 2009 By

A study finds people who live in rural Iowa may have shorter life spans than people who live in the state’s suburban areas. Sheila Burke, with the Commission to Build a Healthier America, says researchers compiled the data using a variety of vital statistics.

Burke says, “Where we live, where we learn, where we play, where we work makes a huge difference in terms of our long-term health, that of ourselves and our children.” The study finds people who live in the suburbs of Iowa’s larger cities may live as much as five years longer, on average, than their counterparts.

“Living in a suburban area as compared to an inner-city or a very rural area, tends to be a bit healthier,” Burke says. “It depends on what’s available to you. For example, we know in some inner-city areas, there’s an inadequate availability of fresh food — fresh meat, fresh chicken, fresh pork, fresh vegetables, fresh fruit.”

She says Iowa ranks 7th in the nation in terms of longevity, which is very good, but she notes, even in Iowa, life expectancy can vary by half a decade. “It depends on where you live,” Burke says. “On average, people in suburban areas tend to have more availability of fresh foods, have exercise areas, have sidewalks, have places where children can play in a healthy way — it can make a real difference.”

She says some large metro areas, even in Iowa, have very few grocery stores per capita — and the same goes for rural areas. “People in rural areas sometimes are more challenged in terms of their ability to get to those because of a lack of public transportation,” Burke says. “Some of the housing stock might well be older and housing stock that is older tends to provide some challenges in terms of its physical condition, whether or not there are toxic materials in old building supplies.”

The Commission to Build a Healthier America is a part of the New Jersey-based Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the country’s largest philanthropic organization devoted exclusively to health and health care. For more information on the study, visit: www.rwjf.org

Filed Under: Health & Medicine

Anonymous letter brings surprise to Clarke College president

November 27, 2009 By

An anonymous gift recently given to Clarke College in Dubuque has an unusual story that goes back over 50 years.

Dar Danielson reports:Clarke report

A plain white envelope addressed to Clarke College President, Sister Joanne Burrows, arrived with a Chicago postmark and her secretary’s name listed as the sender. Burrow says her secretary said she didn’t send the letter, so she thought it was some type of complaint about something some student had done or the college had done — but when she opened the envelope, she found five crisp 100-dollar bills and “an incredible note.”

The letter said the person had stolen a portable radio from the teacher’s lounge at the school over five decades ago, and they wanted to apologize and give something for the faculty’s enjoyment. Burrows says it’s a great story that “illustrates it is never too late to right our wrongs.”

Burrows says that’s what so moving about the story, is “at last after all this time they can go to bed with a clean conscience and a peacefulness around it.” Burrows says they will use the money as the sender intended. Burrows says they will put the money in a pool for faculty socials and entertainment activities for things like parties that give the faculty a break while doing grades during exam week.

Clarke is a Catholic college with an enrollment of about 1,200 that was established in Dubuque in 1843.

Filed Under: Crime & Courts, Education, Human Interest

State launches traveling exhibit on Abe Lincoln

November 27, 2009 By

Illinois may be known as the Land of Lincoln but Iowa has many close ties to the nation’s 16th president. The State Historical Museum of Iowa is launching a new traveling exhibit on Abe Lincoln that will visit schools and libraries statewide, according to Cyndi Pederson, director of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs.

Pederson says, “This mobile museum will talk about all of the connections that Lincoln had to Iowa and his legacy he left behind.” Pederson says many students might otherwise not be able to learn about Iowa’s many links with the Great Emancipator, with so many budget cuts at all levels in schools.

“It’s harder and harder for them to make the trip to Des Moines or to their local museum because of lack of busing and field trip opportunities,” Pederson says. “We didn’t want that to stop students from learning about Iowa history so we took a proactive approach and decided we’ll come to you.”

The exhibit was developed in cooperation with the Iowa Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission, a panel on which Pederson is vice-chair.

The exhibit will travel to Iowa schools in conjunction with a stage performance being produced by the Old Creamery Theater of Amana. “They have a one-person play, called ‘Lincoln as a Young Man,’ and they will be marketing that throughout the state,” Pederson says.

“We will be able to be an added bonus to that school visit if they chose to bring the mobile museum along with the play.”

For more information, visit www.iowahistory.org and click on the “History on the Move” link.

Filed Under: Education, Human Interest

Eldora residents struggle to make repairs

November 27, 2009 By

Residents of Eldora in Hardin County are rushing to repair their homes that were damaged in a freak hail and wind storm in early August.

Eldora City Administrator Patrick Ian Rigg says the storm didn’t show up on radar, so people had little warning to take shelter. ”There was nothing, then it was there, then it was gone,” Rigg said of the storm. “There was no lead time, no preparation, there was virtually nothing for us except…just getting hit.”

Around 1,500 homes and 500 businesses were badly damaged in the storm. 

 ”Pretty much every building in town needed a new roof,” Rigg said. “There were maybe a few that fared better than other ones, where you don’t need to replace it right away, but every roof sustained some level of damage.”

The nearly nonstop rain in October delayed much of the needed repair work. With winter looming, Rigg says many residents have conceded that they’ll have to wait until spring to finish certain repairs.

Throughout Eldora, there are hail-damaged vehicles and homes with plywood nailed over windows. The storm on August 9th sent 11 Eldora residents to the hospital and also destroyed thousands of acres of crops.

Filed Under: Fires/Accidents/Disasters, Human Interest, Weather

“Madhouse” makes beer in old Maytag facility

November 27, 2009 By
Madhouse brewery

Madhouse brewery

A former Maytag facility that was used to test washing machines in Newton is now the site of a brewery. Mason Groben started The Madhouse Brewing Company, moving copper kettle and stainless steel fermentation tanks into the former Maytag testing room.

“It’s actually worked out really well,” Groben said. “It’s a concrete floor, all draining floors, which is ideal because for a brewery you need to be able to wash everything down and you need nice concrete.”

Groben also runs the Jasper Winery with his parents. ”With the wine, the work is very seasonal, so I do have a lot of months during the year that I’m looking for something else to do,” Groben said. “I figured, fermentation, I understand that. Why not try to make some beer?”

The Iowa-grown hops for Groben’s brews are still a couple years away, but Madhouse plans to roll out its pale ale and an American style wheat beer to grocery stores and bars soon after the new year. Groben named the pale ale “Pastime,” an homage to Maytag’s original wooden washing machine.

Newton Mayor Chaz Allen and others lobbied state lawmakers this year to change a prohibition-era law that prevented Groben from working for both a winery and a brewery. 

“If you had asked me six years ago, when Maytag was here, that (Newton) would be a tourism capitol with the Iowa Speedway, the focus of all the green energy and now a brewery – I would have thought you’re crazy,” Allen said. “I’m hoping it becomes the next Budweiser.”

Twenty investors are hoping Groben’s business is a success, too.

Filed Under: Business, Human Interest

Des Moines Democrat says “someone” should run against Culver

November 27, 2009 By

A Democrat who served a term on the Des Moines school board says “someone” should step forward to challenge Governor Chet Culver’s reelection in 2010.

On Monday, Jonathan Narcisse told The Des Moines Register that Culver has been a “reckless and irresponsible” governor and “any Democrat who loves the state must call on someone to run against Culver.”  On Tuesday, Narcisse held a news conference with Republican gubernatorial candidate Chris Rants to announce he and Rants will appear at six, 90-minute-long debates around the state in December. Narcisse laughed when asked if the tour was a prelude to his own run for the governorship.

“You know, I said to (Des Moines Register reporter) Jason Clayworth when he asked me that question, ‘I always laugh when I’m asked that question.’ I’ve also heard other rumors:  ‘I’m running for the senate — running against (State Senators) Jack Hatch or Matt McCoy…I’m going to primary Grassley,’” Narcisse said.  “You know, that’s not what this is about. This is about advancing solutions.”

Rants, who is running for governor, and Narcisse plan to debate issues like education reform and the two discussed their debate tour at a news conference Tuesday morning.  But Narcisse was unwilling to discuss his own political future with the three radio reporters in the room.

“You know, if I were running for governor I wouldn’t announce it  here.  If I don’t run for governor, I won’t confirm that here.  I’ll let you all speculate,” Narcisse said.  “What I’m going to focus on are the real critical issues facing iowans like 28 of our 29 urban…high schools in our ‘urban eight’ officially failing.  I’m going to focus on the fact that poverty — real poverty — is up in this state.” 

As Radio Iowa reported on Tuesday, Narcisse has established a website where he and Rants will blog about their upcoming debate tour. The web address is www.IowaSolutionsDebate2010.com. 

Narcisse wrote a three-page “open letter” to Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob Vander Plaats on Wednesday.  Read it below:

Mr. Bob Vander Plaats:

I saw your attack on former Governor Branstad in yesterday’s Des Moines Register and was extremely disappointed. Is this going to be the essence of your campaign?

When we met November 9th you stated you wanted to run a campaign of substance and ideas. Now it appears the only thing you are really concerned about is getting elected. And while an examination of former Governor Branstad’s record is essential it has become apparent offering real solutions to Iowa’s crisis is no longer a priority of yours.
 
Following your disturbing presentation at the September 12th IFPC dinner I sent you an email challenging you to a debate. For a decade you’ve been running for governor yet you failed to offer any plan to fix our state or even one detailing how you would implement your agenda.

In response to my challenge you asked if we could meet and we did, September 15th in Brooklyn, Iowa for two hours. At that meeting you confirmed you had no plan to fix state government. I asked point blank “do you have a plan to fix state government.”

After avoiding the question twice you simply stated “no” the third time I asked.

This is not an insignificant admission Mr. Vander Plaats since prior to our meeting you were attacking Governor Culver and stating you would fix and reduce state government.
 
Since that date we have met again and then again. We even discussed meeting several more times collaborating on the creation of real solutions for Iowans. After seeing your website, however, and reading yesterday’s article I have come to accept the hard truth.

There is now public speculation I plan to primary Governor Culver. What the media and many members of the political class do not grasp is that I am a lifelong Iowan, a father, and a concerned citizen.

I love this state. I would sit down with you, Gov. Culver, former Gov. Branstad or any other Iowan committed to addressing the very serious issues facing this state. The pain of Iowans is real and that pain calls for answers and leadership.

Unfortunately, it has become obvious, you have no real interest in providing those answers or that leadership.
 
Mr. Vander Plaats, that’s not good enough.

The time has come for you to stop offering platitudes and promises; pandering is not leadership.

You say you are the “Turnaround” CEO.
 
Former House Speaker Chris Rants says you are not.

As for me, I do not question your assertion you “turned around” various fledgling organizations. But it is one thing to turnaround an organization that wants that type of “consultation” were friendlies occupy the seats of power. It is another thing to enter hostile territory and engage fierce opposition.

Where have you demonstrated the public courage to stand and fight?

When corruption in education was exposed years ago, despite your promise to stand and fight, you turned around. When the movement you propose now to champion sought a G.O.P. leader from amongst its own you agreed to lead until Chuck Larson stepped to you, then, you turned around. Passionate Iowans invested time, talents and money into your 2002 and 2006 campaign. They sacrificed in order to make you their leader and our state’s next governor. But when Jim Nussle stepped to you, you turned around.

So unlike Speaker Rants, I do not question you are a turn around CEO. What worries me is when Mike Gronstal steps to you you will do what you have done again, and again, and again – turn around!
 
Yesterday I looked at your website and found two consistent themes.

The first is pandering to issues that have little to do with the constitutional duties of a Governor. For example you talk about the need for a federal fair tax while you completely fail to offer a vision of tax reform in Iowa. If that is your plan, to neglect Iowa’s needs and debate federal matters, you should run against United States Senator Charles Grassley or United States Representative Steve King.

The second is affirmation that, with the exception of the executive order, your policies are no different than those of former Governor Terry Branstad’s sans the experience. In many respects your priorities are no different than Governor Culver’s.

Your site affirms your commitment to major expanded government. Your site affirms your commitment to a failed education bureaucracy. Your site affirms your commitment to government intrusion into the private business sector in multiple and unacceptable ways.

Most tragically your site affirms, amidst your meaningless rhetoric, you too will betray the God fearing, patriotic, family loving supporters that trust you.

You may be a good father, and a good husband, and a man of faith and personal charisma but your “For and Against” statements absolutely affirm you are not the fiscal conservative you market yourself to be any more than former Governor Branstad is.

You are a big “G” government Republican in the best of the hypocritical tradition.

Your now posted public positons are reckless and irresponsible.

Now perhaps you aren’t committed to their implementation but merely offer them as part of your leadership balkinization strategy to win the election. But if that’s not the case your ideas can only be implemented through Republican Commandment 12 – cut taxes but spend our children into debt or Republican Commandment 13 – raise taxes and lie about it.

You, sir, have put honorable people at credibility risk. You are charismatic. I give you that. But your failure to develop a plan after 10 years made your advocates vulnerable. And now your blatant embrace of Culver like public extravagance and excess threatens the very credibility of those that say you are the “conservative champion.”

Granted, you are absolutely for traditional marraige. But so are the voters of California, Maine and 100% of the states allowed to vote on the issue. Yours is not a courageous stand. Rather your position is as American as a Big Mac, fries, a cold supersized soda and two apple pies for a dollar.
 
It is obvious you just want to be the boss and that your agenda isn’t really different than that of the previous Governors including the one you attacked yesterday.

As Iowa’s expert on the Branstad years I can say with confidence you are no different than Terrry Branstad prior to his election. And now, as he returns, there are no substantive differences offered between what would be his fifth term and your first term with the exception of your differences on issuing an executive order on marriage.

If I were the former Governor I wouldn’t say “Bob, remember Reagan’s 11th Commandment.” I would say “Bob, the only real difference between us is I know what I’m doing.”

Mr. Vander Plaats, have the courage to do what Speaker Rants is doing – enter the realm of solutioneering. I am sending you the questions we are debating. You don’t have to fear being sandbagged if you debate me.

So are you willing to advance real solutions and defend them instead of offering slogans, your personal story and attacks on your opponents?

Or, will you live up to your title and do what you’ve always done when challenged – turn around?

Jonathan R. Narcisse
An Iowa Worth Fighting For

P.S. The offer to join Team Vander Plaats during the campaign and to join your executive team and administration after the election should you win is declined.

Filed Under: Politics & Government Tagged With: , , ,

Uptick in lead poisoning cases related to economy?

November 27, 2009 By

State health officials say an increase in childhood lead poisoning cases in Iowa could be tied to the economic downturn.

Kevin Officer, with the Iowa Department of Public Health’s Bureau of Lead Poisoning Prevention, says many people living in older homes are choosing to do their own repairs and they’re not always following lead-safe practices.

“Homeowners or landlords are doing scraping or sanding of the existing lead pain on the homes,” Officer said.

Removing lead-based paint can be dangerous if it’s not done correctly. “One of the primary things they can do when they’re removing the paint is keeping it moist or wet with a mister, basically a bottle mister to mist the area before scraping or painting it. That will keep the dust down and keep paint chips from getting all over the place,” Officer said.

Other safety tips include using a tarp or piece of plastic to catch paint chips and washing all surfaces with household detergent when the renovation job is complete. Officer says the prevalence of lead poisoning among children in Iowa under the age of six is seven-percent. That’s more than four times the national average. Many homes built before 1978 were painted with lead-based paint.

“The homes in Iowa are a lot older than in many other states,” Officer said. “Iowa ranks in the top five in terms of older homes around the state.”

Officer says children with very high blood lead levels can suffer severe brain damage or even die. Of the childhood lead poisonings investigated by inspectors with the Iowa Department of Public Health, 75-percent were exposed to lead from home remodeling projects.

Filed Under: Environment & Conservation
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