Something We Can Do About Gas Prices...Now! Have you noticed how gas prices go up and down like a yo-yo, sometimes even throughout the day? This is because high gas prices are caused by more than just supply and demand. Wall Street energy traders and speculators are manipulating the market.Experts tell us that oil speculation and trading has raised the price of oil as much as 25 percent. Even Congressman Sam Graves seems to agree. He claims to "have played an active role in ensuring that traders are not cheating the system."But then, Graves turns right around and admits that his energy approach will not bring short-term relief to consumers. "There isn't much you can do [about high gas prices] in the short term, to be quite honest with you," Graves said to the Kansas City Star on July 14.
We know better. Almost everyone, from economists and the airlines to consumer groups - everyone but the oil companies - agree that we can lower gas prices by cracking down on speculators.But Graves' bills have applied only to natural gas and specifically exempted oil speculators. So first Graves tells us he's helping to lower gas prices. But then he won't support the legislation that actually cracks down on speculators. And finally, he tells us there's nothing we can do about high gas prices. With double talk like this, is it any wonder that Americans are furious with Washington? We all know that oil companies make more profits when gas prices are higher. And speculators drive prices up.
Sam Graves, one of the top recipients of campaign contributions from Exxon and Big Oil, just reported thousands more in contributions from oil companies. And again, he is caving in to the special interest lobbyists for Big Oil who write these checks.The fact is, we can do something to provide relief for consumers in the short-term. We must crack down on energy traders and oil speculators. I call on Congressman Graves to do what I would do in Congress: support the real "Close the Enron Loophole Act," which would prohibit oil speculators from making money off the backs of hardworking consumers by manipulating oil prices. While Graves misleads voters and protects his Big Oil company and speculator buddies, who are making a fortune at the expense of hard working families, Missourians are calling for change.
Kay Barnes is a candidate for U.S. representative for Missouri's 6th Congressional District
Monday, July 28, 2008
39 Players Out for Junior Football
Coach Richard Baker reported that 39 kids between 3rd and 6th grade have signed up for the Junior Football League team for its second year. This was their third camp of the year; they had one other camp in Worth County and then Coach Baker took 20 kids to the Bearcat Youth Camp where they learned football skills there.
Although the team lost 12 players, they gained 14, including another speedy third grade class to go with last year’s speedy class. There are twelve 6th graders, ten to eleven 5th graders, five to seven 4th graders, and the rest are 3rd graders.
Another camp will be held this Saturday, August 2nd. There will be guest speakers, food served, and the camp will be more intense than the first three. Junior footballers from around the league will come and participate in the camp along with Worth County’s kids. Baker said that his players improved greatly from the first two camps and that they would continue to improve.
Coach Baker talked about the importance of his players being good citizens. "I want you to be good students, athletes, and citizens. I don’t want to hear any complaints about you not doing your homework," he said to his charges. "Schoolwork has to come first. And I don’t want you mouthing off to any of the kids from other towns."
Worth County will host two games this year; they only hosted one last year.
"I can’t thank the donors and contributors enough, especially with the high cost of fuel," said Coach Baker. "I can’t thank the school enough for letting us use their facility, and I thank all of the kids and parents for all of their hard work. Without their support, none of this would be possible."
Although the team lost 12 players, they gained 14, including another speedy third grade class to go with last year’s speedy class. There are twelve 6th graders, ten to eleven 5th graders, five to seven 4th graders, and the rest are 3rd graders.
Another camp will be held this Saturday, August 2nd. There will be guest speakers, food served, and the camp will be more intense than the first three. Junior footballers from around the league will come and participate in the camp along with Worth County’s kids. Baker said that his players improved greatly from the first two camps and that they would continue to improve.
Coach Baker talked about the importance of his players being good citizens. "I want you to be good students, athletes, and citizens. I don’t want to hear any complaints about you not doing your homework," he said to his charges. "Schoolwork has to come first. And I don’t want you mouthing off to any of the kids from other towns."
Worth County will host two games this year; they only hosted one last year.
"I can’t thank the donors and contributors enough, especially with the high cost of fuel," said Coach Baker. "I can’t thank the school enough for letting us use their facility, and I thank all of the kids and parents for all of their hard work. Without their support, none of this would be possible."
Ergot Found in Area Fields
Ergot Found In Area Fields
Ergot has been identified in area fescue fields and other grass pastures. Ergot is dark black sclerotia (ergot bodies) found replacing the grain in the heads of grasses just prior to harvest. These are often larger than the seed of the plant but vary depending on the specie of grass infected. This is a disease caused by a fungus which reduces yield and quality of hay and may cause livestock disease called ergotism.
Grass plants first become infected by wind-borne spores. The spores land on flowers, germinate and invade the growing embryo of the developing kernel. Next, a yellow-white, "honey-dew" exudes from the infected flowers. The fluid contains a large number of asexually produced fungus spores (conidia).
Many species of insects visit the "honey-dew" and become contaminated with the fungus spores. These insects visit other grass flowers and spread the fungus, in a repeating cycle that continues as long as the florets are open. Spores may be transferred to other grain heads by rain-splash as well as direct contact.
Ergot develops more abundantly during wet seasons. Wet weather and wet soils favor germination of the ergot bodies and cool, wet weather during flowering favors development of the "honey-dew" stage. Dry weather during flowering is detrimental to spore production and germination. Susceptibility to infection among crops increases with any condition that may prolong flowering or cause sterile florets.
We have found ergot in tall fescue, orchard-grass at the Hundley Farm and also in tall fescue at the Graves-Chapple Farm.
Ergot is toxic to animals. Animals consume ergot by eating the sclerotia present in contaminated feed. All domestic animals are susceptible, including birds. Cattle seem to be the most susceptible.
The responses of animals consuming ergot are usually quite variable. For more information regarding impact of feeding ergot hay to livestock, you can contact your regional Extension livestock specialists, Amie Schleicher, Rockport; Jim Humphrey, Savannah; or Shawn Deering, Albany.
For agronomic information, contact Wayne Flanary, Regional Agronomist, University of Missouri Extension at 660-446-3724.
Ergot has been identified in area fescue fields and other grass pastures. Ergot is dark black sclerotia (ergot bodies) found replacing the grain in the heads of grasses just prior to harvest. These are often larger than the seed of the plant but vary depending on the specie of grass infected. This is a disease caused by a fungus which reduces yield and quality of hay and may cause livestock disease called ergotism.
Grass plants first become infected by wind-borne spores. The spores land on flowers, germinate and invade the growing embryo of the developing kernel. Next, a yellow-white, "honey-dew" exudes from the infected flowers. The fluid contains a large number of asexually produced fungus spores (conidia).
Many species of insects visit the "honey-dew" and become contaminated with the fungus spores. These insects visit other grass flowers and spread the fungus, in a repeating cycle that continues as long as the florets are open. Spores may be transferred to other grain heads by rain-splash as well as direct contact.
Ergot develops more abundantly during wet seasons. Wet weather and wet soils favor germination of the ergot bodies and cool, wet weather during flowering favors development of the "honey-dew" stage. Dry weather during flowering is detrimental to spore production and germination. Susceptibility to infection among crops increases with any condition that may prolong flowering or cause sterile florets.
We have found ergot in tall fescue, orchard-grass at the Hundley Farm and also in tall fescue at the Graves-Chapple Farm.
Ergot is toxic to animals. Animals consume ergot by eating the sclerotia present in contaminated feed. All domestic animals are susceptible, including birds. Cattle seem to be the most susceptible.
The responses of animals consuming ergot are usually quite variable. For more information regarding impact of feeding ergot hay to livestock, you can contact your regional Extension livestock specialists, Amie Schleicher, Rockport; Jim Humphrey, Savannah; or Shawn Deering, Albany.
For agronomic information, contact Wayne Flanary, Regional Agronomist, University of Missouri Extension at 660-446-3724.
Letter to the Editor -- Repudiate Graves
Missouri's Sixth Congressional District has a chance this fall to repudiate the failed policies and incompetence of the Bush-Cheney-Graves agenda. We must elect Kay Barnes to the US Congress. She offers a fresh agenda, independence from the special interests and a fighting voice for working families.
Sam Graves has sided repeatedly with corporate interests against the needs of the working people of the district. He helps big oil companies earn huge profits while we pay $3.50 for a gallon of gas. He claims to be pro-farmer and yet helps big corporations stop farmers from keeping back seed corn and has sided with corporations against ethanol production with farmers. Our choice is clear, Kay Barnes for Congress.
Robert Wheeler
Keytesville, MO
Sam Graves has sided repeatedly with corporate interests against the needs of the working people of the district. He helps big oil companies earn huge profits while we pay $3.50 for a gallon of gas. He claims to be pro-farmer and yet helps big corporations stop farmers from keeping back seed corn and has sided with corporations against ethanol production with farmers. Our choice is clear, Kay Barnes for Congress.
Robert Wheeler
Keytesville, MO
WCCC News for July 30th, 2008
Do you remember where and what you were doing July 20, 1969? Apollo II landed on the moon. In honor, we had Moon Pies and Tang for refreshments. Shirley Pierce came out and helped.
Becky and friends did Bible stories Monday evening. Grant City Christian Church brought church to us Tuesday.
Martha played dinner music.
Wednesday we partied! The staff had a surprise party for Patty Wimer. Patty retired after 15 years with the facility.
We will sure miss her and wish her the best! Thank you to Lois Downing for the beautiful cakes. They were delicious.
Ruth held Bible study Thursday morning. We played bingo in the afternoon.
Friday we did word puzzles. We learned a few new words.
Saturday Ruth took the shopping cart around. We enjoy shopping.
Shirley Pierce held Sunday school and the Allendale Baptist Church had services in the afternoon.
All of our resident's families need to mark their calendars, the Labor Day Picnic is coming August 28th!
Becky and friends did Bible stories Monday evening. Grant City Christian Church brought church to us Tuesday.
Martha played dinner music.
Wednesday we partied! The staff had a surprise party for Patty Wimer. Patty retired after 15 years with the facility.
We will sure miss her and wish her the best! Thank you to Lois Downing for the beautiful cakes. They were delicious.
Ruth held Bible study Thursday morning. We played bingo in the afternoon.
Friday we did word puzzles. We learned a few new words.
Saturday Ruth took the shopping cart around. We enjoy shopping.
Shirley Pierce held Sunday school and the Allendale Baptist Church had services in the afternoon.
All of our resident's families need to mark their calendars, the Labor Day Picnic is coming August 28th!
Grant City Council Meeting: Around $20,000 Raised for Pool Renovation Project
Economic Developer Charity Austin reported to the council that people had donated over $18,000 for the pool renovation project so far. The council met with Auditor David Rowe to discuss how best the city could manage the project. He said that it was best if the city oversaw the project since the city owns the pool; therefore, he said that all the money had to come through the city. He said that it was OK for the city to transfer the $25,000 that they pledged from the Street Light Fund since it was a transfer to a user-based account. This brings the total amount pledged from city and private donors combined to $43,000. Persons wanting to make a donation can send it to the WCPO Pool Fund at PO Box 53, Grant City, MO 64456.
After the meeting, even more money was raised; Austin told the Sheridan Express that the fundraiser dinner before the Draft Horse Pull Sunday brought in another $1,500 in donations; she estimated that the amount of money donated to the pool project was close to $20,000 as of Monday.
Austin said that she planned to send out even more fundraising letters; she said that she had already sent out 250 fundraising letters to Worth County Alumni for the pool renovations. She said that Brock Pfost was willing to donate some of the piping for the project and that volunteer crews were working. Becky McElvain of the Pool Renovation Committee reported to the Express in an e-mail that the Worth County Football Team had worked on the pool Wednesday night; a new blog has been started to report on progress of the renovations. The address is http://www.grantcitypool.blogspot.com/. There will be work nights every Tuesday and Thursday nights; weekends might be added as work nights as well.
Rowe said that the city would have to keep track of volunteer hours performed and that the project would fall under prevailing wage guidelines, but City Attorney David B. Parman said that the Division of Labor was not going to care in Grant City’s case since there were no unions involved in the project.
The council voted to approve the contract with Snyder and Associates for the Downtown Renovation Project.
Public Works Director Carl Staton told the council that the city had put in a new fire hydrant by Worth County lumber, put in a tube by Bob Wilson’s, and had fixed some of the signs that were torn up by the vandalism sprees this year. He said that it would take a lot of loads of clay to fix up the baseball diamond; the city has agreed to donate labor to the project and Staton said he would meet with Chuck Borey to discuss what was needed. He reported that the work on the streets would start next week; he said that the city would need to fix McKinney Street, which has ruts, a sand base, no crown, and extensive truck traffic.
The council discussed doing level billing for gas customers and discussed the rules. Customers must have had a 12-month history, and delinquencies would null and void the contract. They would run for a 12-month period with refunds at the end of the 12-month period. Currently, the city is doing a trial run starting in August to work out any glitches in the system. Parman and council members said the plan would help with residents on fixed incomes who were having trouble paying high heating bills during the winter months by avoiding bills of as high as $350. City Attorney David Parman said that he would draw up a proposed contract for the council to look at next meeting.
The council voted to accept a bid for tire mulch for the pool park from Entire Recycling for $6,144.32 which was the only bidder for the project. There were two $500 donations to the project, which means that the Park Board will have almost $1,000 left over. Councilwoman Linda Phipps was not present; Cathy James made the motion to accept the bid. But councilmen Bruce Downing and Doug Pickering, who voted against donating the money at the last meeting, refused to second the motion; Mayor Debbie Roach reached Phipps by phone and Phipps seconded the motion, which resulted in a 2-2 split. Roach cast the tiebreaking vote in favor of the bid. The Park Board subsequently scheduled a work day on Saturday, August 2nd at 8:30 a.m. to put in the mulch; the board is calling for volunteers for the project. (Ad, Page 10)
Clerk Ayvonne Morin reported that the city did not receive any bids for the debris management plan; she said that she would note that in the city’s FEMA management book.
The council voted to donate $100 to the Worth County Fall Festival.
Councilman Bruce Downing asked why Windstream was not paying its franchise fees like Aquila/KCPL does with Grant City. "We have to give the phone company right of way and work around their phone lines," he said. "They are collecting a tax in our name, but the city is not getting a dime." City Attorney David Parman said that he would look into the matter.
After the meeting, even more money was raised; Austin told the Sheridan Express that the fundraiser dinner before the Draft Horse Pull Sunday brought in another $1,500 in donations; she estimated that the amount of money donated to the pool project was close to $20,000 as of Monday.
Austin said that she planned to send out even more fundraising letters; she said that she had already sent out 250 fundraising letters to Worth County Alumni for the pool renovations. She said that Brock Pfost was willing to donate some of the piping for the project and that volunteer crews were working. Becky McElvain of the Pool Renovation Committee reported to the Express in an e-mail that the Worth County Football Team had worked on the pool Wednesday night; a new blog has been started to report on progress of the renovations. The address is http://www.grantcitypool.blogspot.com/. There will be work nights every Tuesday and Thursday nights; weekends might be added as work nights as well.
Rowe said that the city would have to keep track of volunteer hours performed and that the project would fall under prevailing wage guidelines, but City Attorney David B. Parman said that the Division of Labor was not going to care in Grant City’s case since there were no unions involved in the project.
The council voted to approve the contract with Snyder and Associates for the Downtown Renovation Project.
Public Works Director Carl Staton told the council that the city had put in a new fire hydrant by Worth County lumber, put in a tube by Bob Wilson’s, and had fixed some of the signs that were torn up by the vandalism sprees this year. He said that it would take a lot of loads of clay to fix up the baseball diamond; the city has agreed to donate labor to the project and Staton said he would meet with Chuck Borey to discuss what was needed. He reported that the work on the streets would start next week; he said that the city would need to fix McKinney Street, which has ruts, a sand base, no crown, and extensive truck traffic.
The council discussed doing level billing for gas customers and discussed the rules. Customers must have had a 12-month history, and delinquencies would null and void the contract. They would run for a 12-month period with refunds at the end of the 12-month period. Currently, the city is doing a trial run starting in August to work out any glitches in the system. Parman and council members said the plan would help with residents on fixed incomes who were having trouble paying high heating bills during the winter months by avoiding bills of as high as $350. City Attorney David Parman said that he would draw up a proposed contract for the council to look at next meeting.
The council voted to accept a bid for tire mulch for the pool park from Entire Recycling for $6,144.32 which was the only bidder for the project. There were two $500 donations to the project, which means that the Park Board will have almost $1,000 left over. Councilwoman Linda Phipps was not present; Cathy James made the motion to accept the bid. But councilmen Bruce Downing and Doug Pickering, who voted against donating the money at the last meeting, refused to second the motion; Mayor Debbie Roach reached Phipps by phone and Phipps seconded the motion, which resulted in a 2-2 split. Roach cast the tiebreaking vote in favor of the bid. The Park Board subsequently scheduled a work day on Saturday, August 2nd at 8:30 a.m. to put in the mulch; the board is calling for volunteers for the project. (Ad, Page 10)
Clerk Ayvonne Morin reported that the city did not receive any bids for the debris management plan; she said that she would note that in the city’s FEMA management book.
The council voted to donate $100 to the Worth County Fall Festival.
Councilman Bruce Downing asked why Windstream was not paying its franchise fees like Aquila/KCPL does with Grant City. "We have to give the phone company right of way and work around their phone lines," he said. "They are collecting a tax in our name, but the city is not getting a dime." City Attorney David Parman said that he would look into the matter.
Grow Your Own Farm workshops
Grow Your Farm workshops help those getting started in agriculture
University of Missouri Extension’s Grow Your Farm is a step-by-step educational program for people new to farming or who are thinking of diversifying their operation. The course is available at various locations throughout the state.
The program focuses on four management keys: marketing, operations, human resources and finance, said project manager Debi Kelly.
"At the end of the course, participants are expected to have developed a complete business plan," Kelly said.
"They first must identify their values, asking the question, ‘What is important to me?’" she said. From there, they take stock of their current situation, clarify their vision and develop a mission statement, which identifies their goals.
Goals lead to strategic planning and evaluation, and the final step, a written business plan, she said.
"Many people want to grow or raise farm products, but most do not think of the building blocks needed to write a successful business plan," she said. "You must ask yourself what skills and human resources you have, what market is out there for your product and how your business will be financed."
The curriculum includes eight weekly seminars and three farm tours. Instructors include extension specialists and farmers who have succeeded at their enterprises.
Cost is $200 per farm business for two people. Each additional person is $25. Fees include a set of course materials, including textbook and PowerPoint presentations.
"Farming takes a lot of work and family commitment," said Ted Cunningham, extension livestock specialist and one of the program organizers. "Participants are likely to be more successful if both spouses, or a parent and an adult child who will be involved in the operation, are part of the learning process."
Northwest Missouri
St. Joseph, Chillicothe, Maryville
Jan. 15, 22, 29, Feb. 5, 12, 19, 26, March 5
Contact: Tom Fowler
816-279-1691
fowlert@missouri.edu
University of Missouri Extension’s Grow Your Farm is a step-by-step educational program for people new to farming or who are thinking of diversifying their operation. The course is available at various locations throughout the state.
The program focuses on four management keys: marketing, operations, human resources and finance, said project manager Debi Kelly.
"At the end of the course, participants are expected to have developed a complete business plan," Kelly said.
"They first must identify their values, asking the question, ‘What is important to me?’" she said. From there, they take stock of their current situation, clarify their vision and develop a mission statement, which identifies their goals.
Goals lead to strategic planning and evaluation, and the final step, a written business plan, she said.
"Many people want to grow or raise farm products, but most do not think of the building blocks needed to write a successful business plan," she said. "You must ask yourself what skills and human resources you have, what market is out there for your product and how your business will be financed."
The curriculum includes eight weekly seminars and three farm tours. Instructors include extension specialists and farmers who have succeeded at their enterprises.
Cost is $200 per farm business for two people. Each additional person is $25. Fees include a set of course materials, including textbook and PowerPoint presentations.
"Farming takes a lot of work and family commitment," said Ted Cunningham, extension livestock specialist and one of the program organizers. "Participants are likely to be more successful if both spouses, or a parent and an adult child who will be involved in the operation, are part of the learning process."
Northwest Missouri
St. Joseph, Chillicothe, Maryville
Jan. 15, 22, 29, Feb. 5, 12, 19, 26, March 5
Contact: Tom Fowler
816-279-1691
fowlert@missouri.edu
Study Shows Higher Ed Pays
At every level - associate, bachelor's or graduate - greater education translates into greater earning power for Missourians. Escalating fuel and food prices are pushing the cost of living ever higher. Many people are looking for ways to cut expenses, but trimming the fat from one's budget is not the only solution.
Another way to beat inflation is to increase one's earnings, and a good way to do that, plus improve one's job security, is to go back to school.
"It may be a forced opportunity, when times are tough, to go back and get that higher education," said Dr. James Kellerman, executive director of the Missouri Community College Association. "It has happened historically that during hard economic times people go back to school. People realize that if they want to have a better job, if they want to earn more money, then they have to have a different skill set."
Continuing your education makes even more sense if you know which degree programs are associated with the greatest earnings. Thanks to new research from the Missouri Department of Higher Education, Missourians can.
"While there are many good reasons and benefits to continuing one's education, there's certainly value in thinking about the earning power of your course of study," said Jeremy Kintzel, research associate with the MDHE. "Most people are aware that higher earning power and higher education are connected, but looking at the earning power of graduates by award level and program provides additional valuable information to students, institutions and policymakers."
The study, which looked at graduates from all public two-year and four-year institutions within the state, was a collaborative effort between the MDHE and the University of Missouri. The research focused on the short-term, looking at the median earnings of degree-earners six months to a year after their graduation. Included in the study were only those graduates who went on to work in Missouri. It is important to note that the study did not consider which fields the earners actually entered after their graduations but only their areas of study.
According to the research, Missouri's Top 5 degree programs by pay for new graduates are as follows:
For associate degrees: (1) dental support services and allied professionals; (2) fire protection; (3) electrical and power transmission installers; (4) nursing; and (5) precision metal working.
For bachelor's degrees: (1) chemical engineering; (2) electrical, electronics and communications engineering; (3) mechanical engineering; (4) computer engineering, general; and (5) industrial engineering.
For master's degrees: (1) nursing; (2) computer and information sciences, general; (3) management information systems and services; (4) civil engineering; and (5) rehabilitation and therapeutic professions.
For first professional degrees: (1) pharmacy, pharmaceutical sciences and administration; (2) dentistry; (3) veterinary medicine; (4) law; and (5) medicine.
"A striking characteristic of all of these lists is a heavy emphasis on careers associated with math, engineering, technology and science, or METS occupations," said Betty Brown, a research analyst with the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center, or MERIC. "In general, METS fields are not only high-paying but also in high demand, so workers trained in these fields are in an optimal position for career success."
The study also found an increase in the overall median earning between each education level, so that six months to a year after graduation, doctorate earners were making 77 percent more than associate degree earners.
Better Odds against Unemployment -- The connection between higher earning power and higher education is not the only good reason for going back to school. Cory Koedel, an assistant professor of economics at MU, explains that higher education improves one's chances of having any work at all, especially during tough economic times.
"In general, higher skilled jobs weather recession better than lower skilled jobs," he said. "When you see reports that unemployment is on the rise, that's kind of misleading because it's largely lower-skilled jobs that are disappearing. If you'll look across skill levels, unemployment really increases for some groups, and for some groups, there's hardly any change."
This difference is apparent in Missouri data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. According to the data, the unemployment rate for Missourians with less than a high school diploma or GED grew from 7.7 to 8.7 percent between January and June 2008, compared with 3.6 to 4.2 percent for those with some college or an associate degree. Faring best of all were employees holding a bachelor's degree or higher. Their rates hardly grew at all, from 2.1 to 2.3 percent.
The Secret to Long-term Success -- Laying aside the practical concerns of earning power and job security, there is still another strong motivation for going back to school: the long-term satisfaction that comes from a successful career. Of course, new graduates should not expect to start at the top, said Dr. Kellerman.
"If you want to advance in your career, education is the key," he said. "Advancing your education doesn't guarantee anything, but it opens doors for you that would not open otherwise. It puts you in the position to take advantage of those opportunities that may come."
Financial Aid is Available! Unfortunately, many Missourians may believe higher education is not an option for them because they have read or heard that the current "credit crunch" has made student loans impossible to obtain.
That's a false report, said Julie Meyer, Director of Marketing and Customer Assistance, Missouri Department of Higher Education.
"While it's true that the national credit crunch and changes within the student loan industry have prompted some lenders to leave the Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP), there is no need for Missouri students to worry that such federal student loans will not be available to them," she said.
"We encourage students to exhaust all possibilities for receiving financial aid that don't have to be paid back (i.e., grants and scholarships) before taking out a student loan, but we do realize that borrowing is necessary for some to realize their educational dreams. For those students, the current list of eligible lenders (www.dhe.mo.gov/mdhe/lenderlist.jsp) is still hundreds strong."
Another way to beat inflation is to increase one's earnings, and a good way to do that, plus improve one's job security, is to go back to school.
"It may be a forced opportunity, when times are tough, to go back and get that higher education," said Dr. James Kellerman, executive director of the Missouri Community College Association. "It has happened historically that during hard economic times people go back to school. People realize that if they want to have a better job, if they want to earn more money, then they have to have a different skill set."
Continuing your education makes even more sense if you know which degree programs are associated with the greatest earnings. Thanks to new research from the Missouri Department of Higher Education, Missourians can.
"While there are many good reasons and benefits to continuing one's education, there's certainly value in thinking about the earning power of your course of study," said Jeremy Kintzel, research associate with the MDHE. "Most people are aware that higher earning power and higher education are connected, but looking at the earning power of graduates by award level and program provides additional valuable information to students, institutions and policymakers."
The study, which looked at graduates from all public two-year and four-year institutions within the state, was a collaborative effort between the MDHE and the University of Missouri. The research focused on the short-term, looking at the median earnings of degree-earners six months to a year after their graduation. Included in the study were only those graduates who went on to work in Missouri. It is important to note that the study did not consider which fields the earners actually entered after their graduations but only their areas of study.
According to the research, Missouri's Top 5 degree programs by pay for new graduates are as follows:
For associate degrees: (1) dental support services and allied professionals; (2) fire protection; (3) electrical and power transmission installers; (4) nursing; and (5) precision metal working.
For bachelor's degrees: (1) chemical engineering; (2) electrical, electronics and communications engineering; (3) mechanical engineering; (4) computer engineering, general; and (5) industrial engineering.
For master's degrees: (1) nursing; (2) computer and information sciences, general; (3) management information systems and services; (4) civil engineering; and (5) rehabilitation and therapeutic professions.
For first professional degrees: (1) pharmacy, pharmaceutical sciences and administration; (2) dentistry; (3) veterinary medicine; (4) law; and (5) medicine.
"A striking characteristic of all of these lists is a heavy emphasis on careers associated with math, engineering, technology and science, or METS occupations," said Betty Brown, a research analyst with the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center, or MERIC. "In general, METS fields are not only high-paying but also in high demand, so workers trained in these fields are in an optimal position for career success."
The study also found an increase in the overall median earning between each education level, so that six months to a year after graduation, doctorate earners were making 77 percent more than associate degree earners.
Better Odds against Unemployment -- The connection between higher earning power and higher education is not the only good reason for going back to school. Cory Koedel, an assistant professor of economics at MU, explains that higher education improves one's chances of having any work at all, especially during tough economic times.
"In general, higher skilled jobs weather recession better than lower skilled jobs," he said. "When you see reports that unemployment is on the rise, that's kind of misleading because it's largely lower-skilled jobs that are disappearing. If you'll look across skill levels, unemployment really increases for some groups, and for some groups, there's hardly any change."
This difference is apparent in Missouri data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. According to the data, the unemployment rate for Missourians with less than a high school diploma or GED grew from 7.7 to 8.7 percent between January and June 2008, compared with 3.6 to 4.2 percent for those with some college or an associate degree. Faring best of all were employees holding a bachelor's degree or higher. Their rates hardly grew at all, from 2.1 to 2.3 percent.
The Secret to Long-term Success -- Laying aside the practical concerns of earning power and job security, there is still another strong motivation for going back to school: the long-term satisfaction that comes from a successful career. Of course, new graduates should not expect to start at the top, said Dr. Kellerman.
"If you want to advance in your career, education is the key," he said. "Advancing your education doesn't guarantee anything, but it opens doors for you that would not open otherwise. It puts you in the position to take advantage of those opportunities that may come."
Financial Aid is Available! Unfortunately, many Missourians may believe higher education is not an option for them because they have read or heard that the current "credit crunch" has made student loans impossible to obtain.
That's a false report, said Julie Meyer, Director of Marketing and Customer Assistance, Missouri Department of Higher Education.
"While it's true that the national credit crunch and changes within the student loan industry have prompted some lenders to leave the Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP), there is no need for Missouri students to worry that such federal student loans will not be available to them," she said.
"We encourage students to exhaust all possibilities for receiving financial aid that don't have to be paid back (i.e., grants and scholarships) before taking out a student loan, but we do realize that borrowing is necessary for some to realize their educational dreams. For those students, the current list of eligible lenders (www.dhe.mo.gov/mdhe/lenderlist.jsp) is still hundreds strong."
Elevator Bids Come in $50,000 Over Grant
The County Commission found that the bids for the elevator project came in $50,000 over the projected estimate. The Northwest Missouri Regional Council and Roger Versules, the engineer for the project, are working to cut the costs of the project. The county was unable to get extra money for the project from the state. One option for the county would be to turn down the grant and reapply based on the bids.
The commission set their next meeting for Wednesday, August 6th due to election day.
Mary Carroll was appointed by the commission to the Library Board.
The commission voted to authorize Dallas Ruth to set up a horseshoe pitch in the courtyard subject to commission approval.
Commissioners Bill Mozingo and Lorace Waldeier and County Clerk Lisa Hargrave were checking for a surplus truck that could give better mileage than the current one that Road and Bridge foreman Jim Fletchall could use to check gravel.
There was gravel washed off some roads and debris that was caused by the flooding last week. The commission authorized Jim Fletchall to get pictures and documentation in the event the county was declared a FEMA disaster area. Rain was not heavy in the west part of the county, but East Commissioner Bill Calhoon said that he got 3 inches of rain and the northeast corner of the county got 6. There was brush on the road near Jerry Cook’s, while the flooding completely submerged the Mosbarger bridge and the Nonneman bridge needed shoring up. In addition, there were some ditches that needed to be graded back into shape once the roads had sufficiently dried. Emergency Management Director Pat Kobbe said that she was doing preliminary estimates on damage.
Among other work, the Lynch road needed blading while a tube on the Kerwin road needed repair and the road by the Jerry Dignan was caving in. Fletchall said that the county would need to order some more tubes before the year was out. Richard Supinger told the commission that the repair work on the road west of his house help up against the rains and flooding of last week.
Len Green will look at the lock on the trailer that was broken.
Treasurer Linda Brown reported that the state had reimbursed $53,000 for Barb Foland’s office. The county is waiting on $7,000 that the state owes the county for prison restitution.
Fletchall reported that United Electric was working on an overhead power line at the Missouri Taylor bridge; after that project is complete in a couple of days, the project would be ready to start.
The commission set their next meeting for Wednesday, August 6th due to election day.
Mary Carroll was appointed by the commission to the Library Board.
The commission voted to authorize Dallas Ruth to set up a horseshoe pitch in the courtyard subject to commission approval.
Commissioners Bill Mozingo and Lorace Waldeier and County Clerk Lisa Hargrave were checking for a surplus truck that could give better mileage than the current one that Road and Bridge foreman Jim Fletchall could use to check gravel.
There was gravel washed off some roads and debris that was caused by the flooding last week. The commission authorized Jim Fletchall to get pictures and documentation in the event the county was declared a FEMA disaster area. Rain was not heavy in the west part of the county, but East Commissioner Bill Calhoon said that he got 3 inches of rain and the northeast corner of the county got 6. There was brush on the road near Jerry Cook’s, while the flooding completely submerged the Mosbarger bridge and the Nonneman bridge needed shoring up. In addition, there were some ditches that needed to be graded back into shape once the roads had sufficiently dried. Emergency Management Director Pat Kobbe said that she was doing preliminary estimates on damage.
Among other work, the Lynch road needed blading while a tube on the Kerwin road needed repair and the road by the Jerry Dignan was caving in. Fletchall said that the county would need to order some more tubes before the year was out. Richard Supinger told the commission that the repair work on the road west of his house help up against the rains and flooding of last week.
Len Green will look at the lock on the trailer that was broken.
Treasurer Linda Brown reported that the state had reimbursed $53,000 for Barb Foland’s office. The county is waiting on $7,000 that the state owes the county for prison restitution.
Fletchall reported that United Electric was working on an overhead power line at the Missouri Taylor bridge; after that project is complete in a couple of days, the project would be ready to start.
Worth County eligible for FSA Disaster Loans
Mr. Tim Kelley, State Executive Director, Farm Service Agency, announced effective July 11th, 2008, 29 counties in Missouri including Worth, Gentry, and Nodaway Counties will have FSA Disaster Loans available due to severe storms and flooding which occurred June 1st, 2008 and continuing.
Applications for assistance will be accepted at the Worth County office of the Farm Service Agency for physical and production losses caused by this disaster. Applications will be accepted through March 11th, 2009.
Loans for physical losses must be used to replace or repair damage to buildings, fences, or to compensate the farmer for losses of basic livestock, stored crops, or supplies on hand, equipment, etc., that was lost due to the disaster. Loans for production losses may also be used to buy seed, fertilizer, livestock, or to make payments on real estate or chattel debts. Generally, loans for production losses cannot be approved until crops have completed their production cycle or have been harvested.
In order to qualify, a farmer must have suffered a 30% loss in production or an actual physical loss that was essential to the successful operation of the farm.
Loans for actual losses are made at an interest rate of 3.75% for emergency loans to those eligible applicants who are unable to obtain the actual credit needed from another source. All loan programs of the Farm Service Agency are conducted on a non-discriminatory basis.
Applications for assistance will be accepted at the Worth County office of the Farm Service Agency for physical and production losses caused by this disaster. Applications will be accepted through March 11th, 2009.
Loans for physical losses must be used to replace or repair damage to buildings, fences, or to compensate the farmer for losses of basic livestock, stored crops, or supplies on hand, equipment, etc., that was lost due to the disaster. Loans for production losses may also be used to buy seed, fertilizer, livestock, or to make payments on real estate or chattel debts. Generally, loans for production losses cannot be approved until crops have completed their production cycle or have been harvested.
In order to qualify, a farmer must have suffered a 30% loss in production or an actual physical loss that was essential to the successful operation of the farm.
Loans for actual losses are made at an interest rate of 3.75% for emergency loans to those eligible applicants who are unable to obtain the actual credit needed from another source. All loan programs of the Farm Service Agency are conducted on a non-discriminatory basis.
Fruits & Vegetables: Better than Supplements
Fruits and vegetables: better than supplements
Many people try to fulfill their nutrition needs by taking dietary supplements. But instead of buying supplements, you might want to head to the produce aisle to meet your dietary requirements, said a University of Missouri Extension nutrition and health education specialist.
Fruits and vegetables contain hundreds of phytochemicals that help promote health and prevent disease, said Karen Elliott. These phytochemicals are easily absorbed to provide maximum health benefits. In contrast, common dietary supplements contain large doses of only one or two phytochemicals. Moreover, supplements do not have to undergo testing for safety and effectiveness.
Phytochemicals are natural compounds found in plants. Research suggests that phytochemicals, working with nutrients found in fruits, vegetables and nuts, may reduce the effects of aging and lower the risk of many diseases, including cancer, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, arthritis, cataracts, osteoporosis and urinary tract infections.
Fruits and vegetables that have bright colors – yellow, orange, red, green, blue and purple – generally contain the most phytochemicals and the most nutrients. USDA nutritional guidelines recommend a diet that emphasizes fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Look for these nutrition stars whenever you can:
· Cruciferous vegetables: Broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, kale, kohlrabi and turnips contain vitamin C, beta-carotene, sulforaphane and indoles, which help produce anti-cancer enzymes.
· Berries and their relatives: Blueberries, strawberries, kiwi and grapes (including raisins, juice and wine) are rich in vitamin C, anthocyanidins, flavonoids and ellagic acid, which help fight heart disease and cancer.
· Allium family: Onions, garlic, leeks, chives and shallots are sources of organosulfides, which block cancer-causing toxins, and other compounds that thin blood, possibly reducing risk of stroke and heart disease.
· Red, yellow and orange items: Tomatoes, red grapefruit, watermelon, strawberries, oranges, red pepper, carrots, mango and sweet potatoes are often good sources of antioxidants such as lycopene, vitamin C and carotenes, which fight prostate and stomach cancers.
· Soy, which can help reduce the risk of heart disease, can complement your diet in a variety of forms, including soymilk, soy flour, soy protein isolate, textured soy protein and fermented soy products (tofu and tempeh).
· Tea: A cup or two a day may help prevent heart attacks, strokes and cancers. Tea (black and green, hot or iced) seems to have three to four times the antioxidant properties of some fruits and vegetables due to powerful flavonoids.
A variety of nutrition-related articles from University of Missouri Extension are available online at http://missourifamilies.org/FEATURES/NUTRITIONARTICLES/eatwell.htm.
Many people try to fulfill their nutrition needs by taking dietary supplements. But instead of buying supplements, you might want to head to the produce aisle to meet your dietary requirements, said a University of Missouri Extension nutrition and health education specialist.
Fruits and vegetables contain hundreds of phytochemicals that help promote health and prevent disease, said Karen Elliott. These phytochemicals are easily absorbed to provide maximum health benefits. In contrast, common dietary supplements contain large doses of only one or two phytochemicals. Moreover, supplements do not have to undergo testing for safety and effectiveness.
Phytochemicals are natural compounds found in plants. Research suggests that phytochemicals, working with nutrients found in fruits, vegetables and nuts, may reduce the effects of aging and lower the risk of many diseases, including cancer, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, arthritis, cataracts, osteoporosis and urinary tract infections.
Fruits and vegetables that have bright colors – yellow, orange, red, green, blue and purple – generally contain the most phytochemicals and the most nutrients. USDA nutritional guidelines recommend a diet that emphasizes fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Look for these nutrition stars whenever you can:
· Cruciferous vegetables: Broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, kale, kohlrabi and turnips contain vitamin C, beta-carotene, sulforaphane and indoles, which help produce anti-cancer enzymes.
· Berries and their relatives: Blueberries, strawberries, kiwi and grapes (including raisins, juice and wine) are rich in vitamin C, anthocyanidins, flavonoids and ellagic acid, which help fight heart disease and cancer.
· Allium family: Onions, garlic, leeks, chives and shallots are sources of organosulfides, which block cancer-causing toxins, and other compounds that thin blood, possibly reducing risk of stroke and heart disease.
· Red, yellow and orange items: Tomatoes, red grapefruit, watermelon, strawberries, oranges, red pepper, carrots, mango and sweet potatoes are often good sources of antioxidants such as lycopene, vitamin C and carotenes, which fight prostate and stomach cancers.
· Soy, which can help reduce the risk of heart disease, can complement your diet in a variety of forms, including soymilk, soy flour, soy protein isolate, textured soy protein and fermented soy products (tofu and tempeh).
· Tea: A cup or two a day may help prevent heart attacks, strokes and cancers. Tea (black and green, hot or iced) seems to have three to four times the antioxidant properties of some fruits and vegetables due to powerful flavonoids.
A variety of nutrition-related articles from University of Missouri Extension are available online at http://missourifamilies.org/FEATURES/NUTRITIONARTICLES/eatwell.htm.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Straight Talk with Sam Graves for June 30th to July 21st, 2008
Remembering the Founders
Two hundred and thirty-two years ago, our Founding Fathers declared their independence from King George and the British Empire. As we celebrate the 4th of July with family and friends we should all take a moment to remember the price paid for the freedoms that we enjoy today.
We live in the greatest country on earth. It is up to us to live up to the ideals of freedom and democracy for which our founding fathers pledged their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor. We must continue their work and strive to make our nation "a more perfect union."
Although our country is facing challenges today, it is nothing that we cannot overcome. Out of control energy prices, a slowing economy, and the threat of radical terrorism can all be conquered through American commonsense, hard work and commitment to freedom.
When our founding fathers faced unimaginable hardships back in 1776 they stood up to the challenge and gave the world its first democracy. While the challenges we face today are different, it is still required of us as Americans to stand up to the challenges of our time and make our nation more prosperous and peaceful.
By committing our selves to ending our dependence on foreign oil, making it easier for small businesses to keep their doors open and by standing resolute against the forces of tyranny, we can continue to keep the promise of our great nation alive for future generations.
Strengthen our Economy by Ending Dependence on Foreign Oil
With Missourians facing $4 gas, Congress needs to get its act together and address energy prices. Not only are high gas prices affecting every family who has to drive to work or get their kids to school, it is harming our economy.
Just a few weeks ago I was at a small business in Liberty. Because of out-of-control gas prices, they are now spending more on fuel than they are on wages and benefits for their employees. Something is seriously wrong when a small business is spending more on gas than they are on their employees.
This is not the only business that is threatened by high gas prices. Employees and small businesses across Missouri, from the local pizza shop to the local factory, are feeling the pinch.
Unless we address the problem now, and end our dependence on foreign oil, we face the potential of an even bigger energy crisis. If there is one terrorist attack or one country decides to turn off the spigot we could face an energy crisis as bad as or worse than the 1970s.
When OPEC shut off oil to our country in the 1970s, it devastated the U.S. economy. There were lines at gas stations, rationing of fuel, and runaway inflation. Our dependence on foreign oil has left our country virtually defenseless in the event we are cut off from foreign oil.
We must act now to end our dependence on foreign oil. Opening up American drilling and investing in alternative fuels will increase our domestic supply and ensure that our economy is never again at the mercy of foreign oil.
Fighting Inflation
Count inflation as another problem that Washington is ignoring. Washington bureaucrats will tell you that inflation is low and our economy is in good shape. But all you have to do is go the grocery story or fill up your car with gas to see that Washington bureaucrats are out of touch.
While there may not be inflation in the 17 square miles of Washington D.C., if you talk to anyone living out in the real world they will tell you that the cost for everything is going up. We need to get inflation under control and that starts with getting our energy prices under control.
Everything in this country is dependent on energy to move. Workers depends on energy to get to their jobs, farmers depend on energy to get their goods to the market, and small businesses depend on energy to keep the lights on in their stores. Like it or not, we need to face the fact that out-of-control fuel prices are causing the price of everything to rise. We need to get serious and Americanize our energy supply to preserve the purchasing power of Missouri's families.
We also need to get tough on countries who manipulate their currency at the expense of the American dollar. China is manipulating their currency to make their exports artificially cheap, which is undermining our exports and devaluing the dollar. It is putting Americans out of work, threatening American industry and inflating the cost of food and fuel.
I have introduced legislation to get tough on China and impose retaliatory tariffs if they continue to manipulate their currency. This is a common sense approach to strengthen the dollar and fight inflation.
Getting our Economy Back on Track
With out of control gas pricing hurting our economy, it is more important than ever to help families make ends meet and small businesses keep their doors open. We need to make it easier for families and small businesses by lowering taxes, reducing burdensome regulations, and ending frivolous litigation.
Missourians are not overtaxed, but you would not know that if you look at the actions of Congressional Leadership. In this Congress alone, House Leadership has pushed for tax increases on small business, energy production, married couples, and families with children. At this rate, they are going to run out of people to foot the bill for their out-of-control spending.
This is the wrong thing to be doing at a time when our economy is struggling. By keeping taxes low we make it easier for families to save for retirement, their children's college education or pursue the dream of home-ownership. By keeping taxes low on small businesses we encourage investment in our economy, promote entrepreneurship, and help create jobs.
We also need to make it easier for small businesses to stay in business and that means cutting excessive red tape and federal bureaucracy. Excessive regulations cost American businesses an estimated $1.1 trillion a year, making it more expensive for small businesses to do business. We need to cut the red tape. Our small businesses need an environment where they are creating jobs, not more federally required paperwork.
Lastly, frivolous lawsuits are making it more expensive for small businesses to operate. We need to end the jackpot justice mentality of the trial lawyers. We need to stop abusive and frivolous lawsuits that drive up costs for small businesses.
Two hundred and thirty-two years ago, our Founding Fathers declared their independence from King George and the British Empire. As we celebrate the 4th of July with family and friends we should all take a moment to remember the price paid for the freedoms that we enjoy today.
We live in the greatest country on earth. It is up to us to live up to the ideals of freedom and democracy for which our founding fathers pledged their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor. We must continue their work and strive to make our nation "a more perfect union."
Although our country is facing challenges today, it is nothing that we cannot overcome. Out of control energy prices, a slowing economy, and the threat of radical terrorism can all be conquered through American commonsense, hard work and commitment to freedom.
When our founding fathers faced unimaginable hardships back in 1776 they stood up to the challenge and gave the world its first democracy. While the challenges we face today are different, it is still required of us as Americans to stand up to the challenges of our time and make our nation more prosperous and peaceful.
By committing our selves to ending our dependence on foreign oil, making it easier for small businesses to keep their doors open and by standing resolute against the forces of tyranny, we can continue to keep the promise of our great nation alive for future generations.
Strengthen our Economy by Ending Dependence on Foreign Oil
With Missourians facing $4 gas, Congress needs to get its act together and address energy prices. Not only are high gas prices affecting every family who has to drive to work or get their kids to school, it is harming our economy.
Just a few weeks ago I was at a small business in Liberty. Because of out-of-control gas prices, they are now spending more on fuel than they are on wages and benefits for their employees. Something is seriously wrong when a small business is spending more on gas than they are on their employees.
This is not the only business that is threatened by high gas prices. Employees and small businesses across Missouri, from the local pizza shop to the local factory, are feeling the pinch.
Unless we address the problem now, and end our dependence on foreign oil, we face the potential of an even bigger energy crisis. If there is one terrorist attack or one country decides to turn off the spigot we could face an energy crisis as bad as or worse than the 1970s.
When OPEC shut off oil to our country in the 1970s, it devastated the U.S. economy. There were lines at gas stations, rationing of fuel, and runaway inflation. Our dependence on foreign oil has left our country virtually defenseless in the event we are cut off from foreign oil.
We must act now to end our dependence on foreign oil. Opening up American drilling and investing in alternative fuels will increase our domestic supply and ensure that our economy is never again at the mercy of foreign oil.
Fighting Inflation
Count inflation as another problem that Washington is ignoring. Washington bureaucrats will tell you that inflation is low and our economy is in good shape. But all you have to do is go the grocery story or fill up your car with gas to see that Washington bureaucrats are out of touch.
While there may not be inflation in the 17 square miles of Washington D.C., if you talk to anyone living out in the real world they will tell you that the cost for everything is going up. We need to get inflation under control and that starts with getting our energy prices under control.
Everything in this country is dependent on energy to move. Workers depends on energy to get to their jobs, farmers depend on energy to get their goods to the market, and small businesses depend on energy to keep the lights on in their stores. Like it or not, we need to face the fact that out-of-control fuel prices are causing the price of everything to rise. We need to get serious and Americanize our energy supply to preserve the purchasing power of Missouri's families.
We also need to get tough on countries who manipulate their currency at the expense of the American dollar. China is manipulating their currency to make their exports artificially cheap, which is undermining our exports and devaluing the dollar. It is putting Americans out of work, threatening American industry and inflating the cost of food and fuel.
I have introduced legislation to get tough on China and impose retaliatory tariffs if they continue to manipulate their currency. This is a common sense approach to strengthen the dollar and fight inflation.
Getting our Economy Back on Track
With out of control gas pricing hurting our economy, it is more important than ever to help families make ends meet and small businesses keep their doors open. We need to make it easier for families and small businesses by lowering taxes, reducing burdensome regulations, and ending frivolous litigation.
Missourians are not overtaxed, but you would not know that if you look at the actions of Congressional Leadership. In this Congress alone, House Leadership has pushed for tax increases on small business, energy production, married couples, and families with children. At this rate, they are going to run out of people to foot the bill for their out-of-control spending.
This is the wrong thing to be doing at a time when our economy is struggling. By keeping taxes low we make it easier for families to save for retirement, their children's college education or pursue the dream of home-ownership. By keeping taxes low on small businesses we encourage investment in our economy, promote entrepreneurship, and help create jobs.
We also need to make it easier for small businesses to stay in business and that means cutting excessive red tape and federal bureaucracy. Excessive regulations cost American businesses an estimated $1.1 trillion a year, making it more expensive for small businesses to do business. We need to cut the red tape. Our small businesses need an environment where they are creating jobs, not more federally required paperwork.
Lastly, frivolous lawsuits are making it more expensive for small businesses to operate. We need to end the jackpot justice mentality of the trial lawyers. We need to stop abusive and frivolous lawsuits that drive up costs for small businesses.
Golf League Results
Golf League at the Grant City Golf Course consists of 4 teams this year. The numbers are down, but with the weather conditions it’s not surprising. The 4 teams are
Stak it n’Wak it- Guy Fletchall, BJ Stephenson, Jon Claypool
Parless- Catherine Runde, Alan Supinger, Sharon Supinger
Fubar- Gary Owens, Bert Owens, Megan Stephenson
DMD- Dennis Downing, Dave Brown, and Meggan Brown
Week 1 results
DMD 3 points
Parless 3 points
Stak it n’ Wak it 1 point
Fubar 1 point
Men low score-Gary Owens 35 (scratch)
Women low score- Catherine Runde 41 (scratch)
Team low score-Parless-122 scratch, 92 with handicap
Scoring is based on a 4 point system. After 9 holes, Scores are averaged and then handicapped based off a par score of 35. Each individual has the potential to score a point, plus the team has the potential to score a point.
Week 2 results
Parless 7 pts
DMD 5.5pts
Fubar 2.5 pts.
Stak it n’ Wak it 1 pt.
Men Low score -Alan Supinger 36 (scratch)
Women Low score-Bert Owens 39 (scratch)
Team Low score-DMD 123 scratch, 101 with handicap
Stak it n’Wak it- Guy Fletchall, BJ Stephenson, Jon Claypool
Parless- Catherine Runde, Alan Supinger, Sharon Supinger
Fubar- Gary Owens, Bert Owens, Megan Stephenson
DMD- Dennis Downing, Dave Brown, and Meggan Brown
Week 1 results
DMD 3 points
Parless 3 points
Stak it n’ Wak it 1 point
Fubar 1 point
Men low score-Gary Owens 35 (scratch)
Women low score- Catherine Runde 41 (scratch)
Team low score-Parless-122 scratch, 92 with handicap
Scoring is based on a 4 point system. After 9 holes, Scores are averaged and then handicapped based off a par score of 35. Each individual has the potential to score a point, plus the team has the potential to score a point.
Week 2 results
Parless 7 pts
DMD 5.5pts
Fubar 2.5 pts.
Stak it n’ Wak it 1 pt.
Men Low score -Alan Supinger 36 (scratch)
Women Low score-Bert Owens 39 (scratch)
Team Low score-DMD 123 scratch, 101 with handicap
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Opinion: Sam Graves' campaign flyer gaffe
Opinions Represent the views of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Sheridan Express.
By the Kay Barnes campaign.
2001-2002: The Damage Begins
Presided over first Bush/Graves recession
Gave tax breaks to companies that outsource jobs
Sponsored wasteful pork-barrel project to combat "Goth" culture
2003-2004: Irresponsible Values
Opposed middle class tax cuts
Blocked minimum wage increase
Opposed better equipment for combat soldiers
2005-2006: Turned His Back on Our Priorities
Raided the Social Security Trust Fund and raised Medicare Premiums
Cut Veterans' funding
Protected employers who knowingly hire illegal immigrants
2007-2008: Putting Missourians At Risk
Presided over second Bush/Graves recession
Denied health insurance to millions of children
Blocked the Production Tax Credit for renewable energy five times
By the Kay Barnes campaign.
They say time flies when you're having fun. Well, apparently Congressman Sam Graves has been having such a good time in Washington representing special interests for the past eight years that he must want voters to forget as much of it as possible.
Sam Graves has been distributing re-election flyers touting that the incumbent Congressman has been in Washington for six years, when this is actually his eighth year in Washington.
"It's no wonder that Sam Graves wants us to forget how long he's been in Washington," said Steve Glorioso, Kay for Congress spokesman. "The Bush-Graves Administration of the last eight years has been a disaster. Whether it's passing tax breaks for companies that outsource jobs, opposing the Production Tax Credit for renewable energy, protecting companies that knowingly hire illegal immigrants, or cutting funding for veterans, seniors and children, each of Graves' four terms has wreaked havoc on Northwest Missouri's economy and people."
Glorioso added, "Maybe Graves thought that six years wouldn't seem as bad as eight. But looking at his abysmal record, it's hard to tell which of Sam Graves' disastrous two-year terms he wants us to forget."
Which two years does Graves want us to forget?
2001-2002: The Damage Begins
Presided over first Bush/Graves recession
Gave tax breaks to companies that outsource jobs
Sponsored wasteful pork-barrel project to combat "Goth" culture
2003-2004: Irresponsible Values
Opposed middle class tax cuts
Blocked minimum wage increase
Opposed better equipment for combat soldiers
2005-2006: Turned His Back on Our Priorities
Raided the Social Security Trust Fund and raised Medicare Premiums
Cut Veterans' funding
Protected employers who knowingly hire illegal immigrants
2007-2008: Putting Missourians At Risk
Presided over second Bush/Graves recession
Denied health insurance to millions of children
Blocked the Production Tax Credit for renewable energy five times
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Eat Right when Money is Tight
Eat right when money is tight
Most of us are feeling the financial crunch of skyrocketing fuel and food prices. Many families are driving less to conserve gas, but no one wants to jeopardize good nutrition and health to save money on food. "Through planning, budgeting and food selection you can spend less but still eat well," said Lynda Johnson, University of Missouri Extension nutrition and health education specialist.
Johnson shares a few ways to save on food costs:
·According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Americans spend more than 40 percent of their food dollar away from home. To identify areas where you can cut spending, keep a running tab of all money spent on fast food, at restaurants and for snacks and beverages from vending machines, convenience stories and concession stands.
·Take an inventory of all the food on hand at home. Think about what meals you could make using what you already have in the pantry.
·Check grocery store ads for specials and plan meals for a week at a time around the best bargains. Save your meal plans and rotate them throughout the month.
·To save time, gas and money, make a shopping list and shop for food only once a week. The more you frequent supermarkets, the more you may spend because store promotions tempt you to make impulse purchases.
·Compare prices and try store brands, which usually cost less.
·Don’t waste food. Store food right away to preserve freshness or freeze to prevent spoiling. Serve children smaller portions to prevent waste. Plan to incorporate leftovers in future meals or bag lunches, or freeze them for later use.
·Limit the number of meals and snacks eaten away from home. These foods generally cost two to three times more than similar items prepared at home. This is especially true for individually packaged snacks. Save money by bagging your own single-serving snacks. For family outings, pack fresh fruit like apples, bananas or oranges as snacks.
·Check out local farmers markets or produce stands for better buys on fresh fruits and vegetables. Buying local produce in-season stretches food dollars and lowers food safety risks.
·Plant a garden to add variety and nutrition to your meals. You can grow garden-fresh vegetables during spring, summer and early fall. Your local MU Extension office has information on gardening and seasonal vegetables.
The MU Extension guide "Money Management: Living on Less" (GH3600) is available online at http://extension.missouri.edu/explore/hesguide/famecon/gh3600managing.htm. The guide provides practical, everyday suggestions for cutting expenses on food, housing and other essentials, as well as general tips on money management.
Most of us are feeling the financial crunch of skyrocketing fuel and food prices. Many families are driving less to conserve gas, but no one wants to jeopardize good nutrition and health to save money on food. "Through planning, budgeting and food selection you can spend less but still eat well," said Lynda Johnson, University of Missouri Extension nutrition and health education specialist.
Johnson shares a few ways to save on food costs:
·According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Americans spend more than 40 percent of their food dollar away from home. To identify areas where you can cut spending, keep a running tab of all money spent on fast food, at restaurants and for snacks and beverages from vending machines, convenience stories and concession stands.
·Take an inventory of all the food on hand at home. Think about what meals you could make using what you already have in the pantry.
·Check grocery store ads for specials and plan meals for a week at a time around the best bargains. Save your meal plans and rotate them throughout the month.
·To save time, gas and money, make a shopping list and shop for food only once a week. The more you frequent supermarkets, the more you may spend because store promotions tempt you to make impulse purchases.
·Compare prices and try store brands, which usually cost less.
·Don’t waste food. Store food right away to preserve freshness or freeze to prevent spoiling. Serve children smaller portions to prevent waste. Plan to incorporate leftovers in future meals or bag lunches, or freeze them for later use.
·Limit the number of meals and snacks eaten away from home. These foods generally cost two to three times more than similar items prepared at home. This is especially true for individually packaged snacks. Save money by bagging your own single-serving snacks. For family outings, pack fresh fruit like apples, bananas or oranges as snacks.
·Check out local farmers markets or produce stands for better buys on fresh fruits and vegetables. Buying local produce in-season stretches food dollars and lowers food safety risks.
·Plant a garden to add variety and nutrition to your meals. You can grow garden-fresh vegetables during spring, summer and early fall. Your local MU Extension office has information on gardening and seasonal vegetables.
The MU Extension guide "Money Management: Living on Less" (GH3600) is available online at http://extension.missouri.edu/explore/hesguide/famecon/gh3600managing.htm. The guide provides practical, everyday suggestions for cutting expenses on food, housing and other essentials, as well as general tips on money management.
Monday, July 21, 2008
Obituary: Kevin James Moellenberndt 1963-2008
Kevin James Moellenberndt, former Fayetteville, BC resident, died Sunday, July 6th at his home in Grant City.
He was preceded in death by his father, James Moellenberndt. Survivors include a son, Alexander; former spouse, Debora; mother Geri Polin, all of Fayetteville; step-mother Suzanne Straight, Shenandoah; brothers Chris, Grant City, and Michael, Shenandoah; sisters Donna Tinebrik, Sedro Wooley, WA, and Tammy Briggs, Shenandoah; seven nieces and nephews.
Kevin served in the 82nd airborne, was a Desert Storm Veteran, and received the Southwest Asia Media for service. He was a former commander of the Disabled America Veterans chapter 46 and a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was very active in disabled athletics locally and nationally. He received the National DAV/Freedom Award from the 1993 winter sports clinic.
Memorial services were held at 7:00 p.m., July 16th, 2008 at the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Fayetteville, NC with visitation to follow. A memorial service was held at 11:00 a.m., July 23rd at Prugh-Dunfee Funeral Home in Grant City. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the family for the benefit of Alexander or to the Wounded Warrior Program.
He was preceded in death by his father, James Moellenberndt. Survivors include a son, Alexander; former spouse, Debora; mother Geri Polin, all of Fayetteville; step-mother Suzanne Straight, Shenandoah; brothers Chris, Grant City, and Michael, Shenandoah; sisters Donna Tinebrik, Sedro Wooley, WA, and Tammy Briggs, Shenandoah; seven nieces and nephews.
Kevin served in the 82nd airborne, was a Desert Storm Veteran, and received the Southwest Asia Media for service. He was a former commander of the Disabled America Veterans chapter 46 and a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was very active in disabled athletics locally and nationally. He received the National DAV/Freedom Award from the 1993 winter sports clinic.
Memorial services were held at 7:00 p.m., July 16th, 2008 at the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Fayetteville, NC with visitation to follow. A memorial service was held at 11:00 a.m., July 23rd at Prugh-Dunfee Funeral Home in Grant City. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the family for the benefit of Alexander or to the Wounded Warrior Program.
Recollections of a Farm Woman for July 23rd, 2008
Country roads, take me home, to the place where I belong -- so the song goes. Life lesson 578 -- never go to the hayfield to check on your son and grandson in a pair of shoes you can’t walk a mile and a half in. Especially if you get the pickup stuck and your family isn’t in the hayfield yet.
I glanced towards the machine shed upon arriving home after being gone for the day. I could have sworn the tractor and bailer were missing, so after an hour or so, I decided to go to the field to see how things were going.
By the time I had hot-footed it to the highway, my feet were barking and I had to walk on my tippy-toes in the shoes until I made it to my ‘ole dirt road, and was I ever glad it was dirt. I took off my shoes and went barefoot. I was lucky to find a strip on the road that had sugar sand like dirt on it.
It wasn’t a total loss on my walk. I picked up several pieces of wire and barbed wire lying in wait for some hapless truck, tractor, or car tire to come along. My feet were none the worse for wear when I got home and had a good soak.
Ten years ago, my feet didn’t fare so well. I was trying to attend two high school graduations in different towns and counties. Halfway in between, my car quit on me as it was at the bast of my dirt road.
My dress shoes were not made to run up a road, so I took them off and left my hose on as I was in a big rush. I thought I could hurry a mile, get another vehicle, and continue on. No such luck; by the time I got home, I couldn’t have made the graduation in time, plus I had blisters on both my feet.
I glanced towards the machine shed upon arriving home after being gone for the day. I could have sworn the tractor and bailer were missing, so after an hour or so, I decided to go to the field to see how things were going.
By the time I had hot-footed it to the highway, my feet were barking and I had to walk on my tippy-toes in the shoes until I made it to my ‘ole dirt road, and was I ever glad it was dirt. I took off my shoes and went barefoot. I was lucky to find a strip on the road that had sugar sand like dirt on it.
It wasn’t a total loss on my walk. I picked up several pieces of wire and barbed wire lying in wait for some hapless truck, tractor, or car tire to come along. My feet were none the worse for wear when I got home and had a good soak.
Ten years ago, my feet didn’t fare so well. I was trying to attend two high school graduations in different towns and counties. Halfway in between, my car quit on me as it was at the bast of my dirt road.
My dress shoes were not made to run up a road, so I took them off and left my hose on as I was in a big rush. I thought I could hurry a mile, get another vehicle, and continue on. No such luck; by the time I got home, I couldn’t have made the graduation in time, plus I had blisters on both my feet.
Sheridan News for July 23rd, 2008
The Worth County Relay For Life was held at Grant City on Friday night from 7:00 p.m. till 7:00 a.m. Saturday morning. The Sheridan CBC team participated.
Sunday Oakley Risser of Vacaville, California, his sister Sally Beasley of Washington, Iowa, her daughter Kim Biasella of Overland Park KS, and Doris Risser visited with Myrtle Risser.
Faye Dowis Reynolds received 105 birthday cards in all. She thanks everyone for remembering her.
Wilma Dowis Brown and Jean Dowis O’Brien are in bad health. They are the sisters of Larry Dowis. Wilma is able to stay in her home with help from the hospice, while Jean is in a nursing home.
Estelle Bond, formerly a Sheridan resident now living in Portland, Oregon, has moved to a new apartment while hers is being cleaned up. Her husband Ernie is working 2 days a week for a hospice.
Joyce Dowis and another lady and a man will be driving a follow up car in the bicycle tour through Iowa Franklin Dowis had a birthday on the 19th of July. Happy Birthday Franklin. Robbie Dowis had a birthday party for his father Larry at Conception.
I'd like to thank Fran Dowis for keeping us up on the news of people who have been a part of this community in the past. It is always good to hear from old friends.
Sunday Oakley Risser of Vacaville, California, his sister Sally Beasley of Washington, Iowa, her daughter Kim Biasella of Overland Park KS, and Doris Risser visited with Myrtle Risser.
Faye Dowis Reynolds received 105 birthday cards in all. She thanks everyone for remembering her.
Wilma Dowis Brown and Jean Dowis O’Brien are in bad health. They are the sisters of Larry Dowis. Wilma is able to stay in her home with help from the hospice, while Jean is in a nursing home.
Estelle Bond, formerly a Sheridan resident now living in Portland, Oregon, has moved to a new apartment while hers is being cleaned up. Her husband Ernie is working 2 days a week for a hospice.
Joyce Dowis and another lady and a man will be driving a follow up car in the bicycle tour through Iowa Franklin Dowis had a birthday on the 19th of July. Happy Birthday Franklin. Robbie Dowis had a birthday party for his father Larry at Conception.
I'd like to thank Fran Dowis for keeping us up on the news of people who have been a part of this community in the past. It is always good to hear from old friends.
Show-Me State of Mind for July 23rd, 2008
Farmers Need a Strong Ally in Washington
More than ever, farmers need a strong ally in Washington. The soaring price of gas - which has nearly tripled since Congressman Sam Graves was sworn into office in 2001 - has hurt farmers more than almost anyone. The price of diesel fuel and fertilizer are at record highs, making it more difficult for farmers, especially our family farmers, to make a living.
We need to get serious about our energy policy. The first thing we must do is to stop playing politics with the Production Tax Credit. The PTC is essential for the growth of our renewable energy sources here in Missouri, which help decrease our dependence on foreign oil and benefit the economy.
The Production Tax Credit is set to expire in less than six months. Congressman Sam Graves can make all the excuses in the world, but the bottom line is that he has voted against extending it no less than five times in the past year. All this after he's supported giving tens of billions in generous tax subsidies to big oil companies. Is it any wonder that Graves is one of Exxon's top recipients of campaign contributions?
Graves' vote against the interests of his own District is just another example of how oil companies and other special interests have a stranglehold on Washington. It is unacceptable that our family farmers have a Congressman who supports more tax giveaways for oil companies and opposes incentives for wind, a technology which can do so much for Northwest Missouri.
We all know that oil companies are directly increasing the costs of production farming. We need someone in Washington who will stand up to them.
Kay Barnes is a candidate for U.S. representative for Missouri's 6th Congressional District
More than ever, farmers need a strong ally in Washington. The soaring price of gas - which has nearly tripled since Congressman Sam Graves was sworn into office in 2001 - has hurt farmers more than almost anyone. The price of diesel fuel and fertilizer are at record highs, making it more difficult for farmers, especially our family farmers, to make a living.
We need to get serious about our energy policy. The first thing we must do is to stop playing politics with the Production Tax Credit. The PTC is essential for the growth of our renewable energy sources here in Missouri, which help decrease our dependence on foreign oil and benefit the economy.
The Production Tax Credit is set to expire in less than six months. Congressman Sam Graves can make all the excuses in the world, but the bottom line is that he has voted against extending it no less than five times in the past year. All this after he's supported giving tens of billions in generous tax subsidies to big oil companies. Is it any wonder that Graves is one of Exxon's top recipients of campaign contributions?
Graves' vote against the interests of his own District is just another example of how oil companies and other special interests have a stranglehold on Washington. It is unacceptable that our family farmers have a Congressman who supports more tax giveaways for oil companies and opposes incentives for wind, a technology which can do so much for Northwest Missouri.
We all know that oil companies are directly increasing the costs of production farming. We need someone in Washington who will stand up to them.
Kay Barnes is a candidate for U.S. representative for Missouri's 6th Congressional District
Pool Fundraiser July 27th
The Pool Renovation Committee will be serving a Pork Supper before the Grant City Lion’s Club Horse Pull on Sunday, July 27th. Serving will begin at 5 pm and supper will include BBQ or Plain Pork Sandwich, Chips, Baked Beans, Dessert & Drinks. The cost is a free will donation with all proceeds going towards the renovation of the Pool. The supper is open to the public so please come join us for some good food.
There will be other fundraisers in the future and if you would like to give a donation to help renovate the pool please send to the Worth County Progress Pool Fund, PO Box 53, Grant City, MO 64456.
There will be other fundraisers in the future and if you would like to give a donation to help renovate the pool please send to the Worth County Progress Pool Fund, PO Box 53, Grant City, MO 64456.
WCCC News for July 23rd, 2008
We started off with the July Birthday Party Monday afternoon. Happy Birthday to Paul Thurman, Retha Maylan, Fern Parman and Kay Smith. Retha's family brought a pretty cake to share with the residents and staff. We enjoyed it very much.
Becky and friends led Bible stories Monday evening. Tuesday, Shirley Pierce and Elaine Mullock from the Grant City Baptist Church held church services. Martha Groom played dinner music in the evening. Everyone enjoyed Bingo on Wednesday afternoon. Don and Billie Carpenter from the Grant City Christian Church led Bible Study and we played games Thursday afternoon. Friday at coffee time we talked about Mother Teresa. In the afternoon we made beaded necklaces with Donna. Games were held during the day on Saturday.
Reverend Scott Marcum from Blockton led Sunday School.
The Worth County Convalescent Center will be having a quilt display on July 28th. Mary Kay Lambert will be bringing quilts that she has made as well as others. Please feel free to bring out some of your own handy work or just stop by and look.
Becky and friends led Bible stories Monday evening. Tuesday, Shirley Pierce and Elaine Mullock from the Grant City Baptist Church held church services. Martha Groom played dinner music in the evening. Everyone enjoyed Bingo on Wednesday afternoon. Don and Billie Carpenter from the Grant City Christian Church led Bible Study and we played games Thursday afternoon. Friday at coffee time we talked about Mother Teresa. In the afternoon we made beaded necklaces with Donna. Games were held during the day on Saturday.
Reverend Scott Marcum from Blockton led Sunday School.
The Worth County Convalescent Center will be having a quilt display on July 28th. Mary Kay Lambert will be bringing quilts that she has made as well as others. Please feel free to bring out some of your own handy work or just stop by and look.
Letter to the Editor -- Vandalism Rampant in Community.
This letter is about the vandalism that seems to be rampant in our community and getting worse. Last weekend I watched and listened to reports of the World Youth Day held in Sydney, Australia this summer. There were hundreds of thousands of youth from all over the world who planned for the opportunity to build on their faith. This happened to be a Catholic event and I being a Catholic was very impressed by the well-mannered youth, some of whom sacrificed greatly to be able to attend. Like our Worth County kids who worked so hard at fund-raisers to go to Carnegie Hall, these groups of kids worked and saved to do something that would lift them up—not tear them down the way vandals must suffer consequences if they are caught. A group of teens from China literally put their faith on the line because China forbid their people to attend this world-wide event. That’s how much our faith ought to mean to us….. that we would risk something, maybe even death, to partake in a good thing. If our Worth County vandals really knew the Lord God, who gave them their life at birth, they would not want to steal or damage property in any way. They would want to do good things for the community because they would know and see what the community has done for them. We could use those misguided energies to paint and fix up the pool etc. God Bless the volunteers who have been cleaning up the messes left by some of their peers. We are only here for a little while—eternity is forever, therefore let us be doing good things that our community can be proud of while we are in this world, then maybe we will be worthy of that special place in the next one.
Carol Parman
Grant City, MO
Carol Parman
Grant City, MO
Opinion: More than Fair
Opinions are the views of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Sheridan Express.
by Russ Kremer, Missouri Farmers Union
Advertising for the Missouri State Fair usually focuses on the big musical acts and shows. That's understandable. The fair must sustain itself, and big crowd getters add the gravy to the 11-day event. But often overlooked is the State Fair's ability to showcase the family farm to a growing urban populus.
There's no denying that with each succeeding generation, more Missourians get farther and farther away from their farm roots. There have been noble attempts to raise urbanite awareness about the beauty of rural life. Four years ago, the Missouri Department of Conservation enlisted the Missouri Division of Tourism to promote the fair to Kansas City residents. And the tourism division already had begun an effort to introduce inner city children from Kansas City and St. Louis to the charms of the State Fair. By the way, the children loved the experience. Many had never seen live farm animals up close.
The state fair does something else. Beyond the fun and the frills and the bright lights, the state fair allows Missourians to show their local products to other Missourians. It's a local marketplace. Sure, there are national and regional products, but everywhere you turn, you see the handiwork produced by Missouri hands.
As it should be, much of the fair's energy is aimed at youth. They will inherit our family farm culture. And they are the only hope we have that the family farm culture survives. We must get beyond the thought that youth should not stay on the farm, establish a farm or be in a rural area. Some parents even encourage their farm-raised children to leave rural Missouri due to lack of opportunity. But the state fair can highlight the rural quality of life. Obviously, to attract youth, family farms should have the same amenities as their urban counterparts -- things like access to rural broadband. The Missouri Farmers Union works on such issues as information access, and creating marketing opportunities through cooperatives and rural business.
When you visit the Missouri State Fair this year, do three things. First, take a look around at the diversity of the people who attend the fair. Hopefully, you'll see more urbanites, and more youth. Second, stop by the MFU booth to say hello and see what we're doing for the family farmer. And the third thing: Have fun. It's the State Fair!
by Russ Kremer, Missouri Farmers Union
Advertising for the Missouri State Fair usually focuses on the big musical acts and shows. That's understandable. The fair must sustain itself, and big crowd getters add the gravy to the 11-day event. But often overlooked is the State Fair's ability to showcase the family farm to a growing urban populus.
There's no denying that with each succeeding generation, more Missourians get farther and farther away from their farm roots. There have been noble attempts to raise urbanite awareness about the beauty of rural life. Four years ago, the Missouri Department of Conservation enlisted the Missouri Division of Tourism to promote the fair to Kansas City residents. And the tourism division already had begun an effort to introduce inner city children from Kansas City and St. Louis to the charms of the State Fair. By the way, the children loved the experience. Many had never seen live farm animals up close.
The state fair does something else. Beyond the fun and the frills and the bright lights, the state fair allows Missourians to show their local products to other Missourians. It's a local marketplace. Sure, there are national and regional products, but everywhere you turn, you see the handiwork produced by Missouri hands.
As it should be, much of the fair's energy is aimed at youth. They will inherit our family farm culture. And they are the only hope we have that the family farm culture survives. We must get beyond the thought that youth should not stay on the farm, establish a farm or be in a rural area. Some parents even encourage their farm-raised children to leave rural Missouri due to lack of opportunity. But the state fair can highlight the rural quality of life. Obviously, to attract youth, family farms should have the same amenities as their urban counterparts -- things like access to rural broadband. The Missouri Farmers Union works on such issues as information access, and creating marketing opportunities through cooperatives and rural business.
When you visit the Missouri State Fair this year, do three things. First, take a look around at the diversity of the people who attend the fair. Hopefully, you'll see more urbanites, and more youth. Second, stop by the MFU booth to say hello and see what we're doing for the family farmer. And the third thing: Have fun. It's the State Fair!
Plant now for a fall crop of beans.
Plant now for a fall crop of green beans
Homegrown beans are second only to tomatoes in popularity in home gardens. Now is the time to plant a fall crop of green beans, said a University of Missouri Extension horticulture specialist.
According to Lala Kumar, the best time to plant beans varies across the state:
–Northern Missouri: July 25-Aug. 5
–Central Missouri: July 25-Aug. 10
–Southern Missouri: Aug. 1-20
Green beans were once known as string beans because of the fiber that develops along the seams of the pods. Plant breeders have reduced these fibers through selection and green beans now are commonly known as snap beans.
There are two main types of snap beans: bush snap beans and pole snap beans. "Bush snap beans stand erect without support, mature early, yield well and require the least amount of work," Kumar said. "Pole snap beans climb a support, are easily harvested and can produce a lot of beans in very little space."
There are many snap bean cultivars available to the home gardener. Recommended cultivars include
–Bush snap beans: Contender, Provider, Jade, Strike and Tema
–Pole snap beans: Blue Lake and Kentucky Wonder
In addition, open-pollinated, heirloom (old) cultivars are available in many nurseries.
Snap beans grow best when they receive full sunshine. The plant grows in many different soil types, but a deep, loamy soil, well-drained and supplied with organic matter and nutrients, is most suitable, Kumar said.
Optimum soil pH for snap beans is 6.0-6.8. If your garden soil is high in clay and low in organic matter, Kumar recommends applying an inch-thick layer of organic matter (compost, manure, etc.) to the garden soil every year. Soil tests are available at your local Extension center.
In the absence of a soil test, the general fertilizer recommendation for snap beans is to apply 5-10-10, 10-10-10 or similar fertilizer at the rate of 2 pounds per 100 square feet. Work fertilizer thoroughly into the upper 6 inches of soil before planting snap beans. Heavy application of compost or fertilizers high in nitrogen may induce a large amount of vine or bush growth but often delays maturity and reduces yield.
The recommended depth of planting all varieties is 1 inch. Plant seeds of bush beans 3 inches apart with at least 24 inches between rows. Plant seeds of pole beans 5 inches apart in rows 30 inches apart, or in hills (four to six seeds per hill, with 30 inches between hills and 30 inches between rows).
Beans have shallow roots and require frequent shallow cultivation and hoeing to control small weeds and grasses. Use mulches to avoid a lot of hoeing and hand weeding. Give beans at least 1 inch of water per week during the growing season. Flowering and fruiting time is a critical period for watering. Avoid getting water on the leaves because this may promote disease. Beans are sensitive to hot, dry weather; affected plants frequently lose flowers and pods.
Harvest when the pods are firm, crisp and fully elongated, but before the seeds within the pods have developed significantly, Kumar said. On average, pick snap beans every four to six days. A few old pods left on a plant will greatly reduce the set of new pods.
For more information, call your local Extension office or visit http://extension.missouri.edu/.
Homegrown beans are second only to tomatoes in popularity in home gardens. Now is the time to plant a fall crop of green beans, said a University of Missouri Extension horticulture specialist.
According to Lala Kumar, the best time to plant beans varies across the state:
–Northern Missouri: July 25-Aug. 5
–Central Missouri: July 25-Aug. 10
–Southern Missouri: Aug. 1-20
Green beans were once known as string beans because of the fiber that develops along the seams of the pods. Plant breeders have reduced these fibers through selection and green beans now are commonly known as snap beans.
There are two main types of snap beans: bush snap beans and pole snap beans. "Bush snap beans stand erect without support, mature early, yield well and require the least amount of work," Kumar said. "Pole snap beans climb a support, are easily harvested and can produce a lot of beans in very little space."
There are many snap bean cultivars available to the home gardener. Recommended cultivars include
–Bush snap beans: Contender, Provider, Jade, Strike and Tema
–Pole snap beans: Blue Lake and Kentucky Wonder
In addition, open-pollinated, heirloom (old) cultivars are available in many nurseries.
Snap beans grow best when they receive full sunshine. The plant grows in many different soil types, but a deep, loamy soil, well-drained and supplied with organic matter and nutrients, is most suitable, Kumar said.
Optimum soil pH for snap beans is 6.0-6.8. If your garden soil is high in clay and low in organic matter, Kumar recommends applying an inch-thick layer of organic matter (compost, manure, etc.) to the garden soil every year. Soil tests are available at your local Extension center.
In the absence of a soil test, the general fertilizer recommendation for snap beans is to apply 5-10-10, 10-10-10 or similar fertilizer at the rate of 2 pounds per 100 square feet. Work fertilizer thoroughly into the upper 6 inches of soil before planting snap beans. Heavy application of compost or fertilizers high in nitrogen may induce a large amount of vine or bush growth but often delays maturity and reduces yield.
The recommended depth of planting all varieties is 1 inch. Plant seeds of bush beans 3 inches apart with at least 24 inches between rows. Plant seeds of pole beans 5 inches apart in rows 30 inches apart, or in hills (four to six seeds per hill, with 30 inches between hills and 30 inches between rows).
Beans have shallow roots and require frequent shallow cultivation and hoeing to control small weeds and grasses. Use mulches to avoid a lot of hoeing and hand weeding. Give beans at least 1 inch of water per week during the growing season. Flowering and fruiting time is a critical period for watering. Avoid getting water on the leaves because this may promote disease. Beans are sensitive to hot, dry weather; affected plants frequently lose flowers and pods.
Harvest when the pods are firm, crisp and fully elongated, but before the seeds within the pods have developed significantly, Kumar said. On average, pick snap beans every four to six days. A few old pods left on a plant will greatly reduce the set of new pods.
For more information, call your local Extension office or visit http://extension.missouri.edu/.
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Barnes: "Are you better off than you were eight years ago?"
Tuesday evening, July 15th, Kay Barnes announced the grand opening of a campaign office in her hometown of St. Joseph. Speaking to a group of supporters from Buchanan County, Barnes echoed the call for change she sounded 14 months ago when she announced her candidacy in front of her mother's home in St. Joseph.
"In 2001, when President Bush and Congressman Sam Graves were sworn into office together, they inherited a strong economy and a budget surplus. Bush and Graves told us they had a plan to continue growing the economy, pay down our national debt, secure our borders, and reduce our dependence on foreign oil. Well, as I give you some facts about the last eight years, I invite you to ask yourself the question: Are you better off than you were eight years ago?" Barnes asked.
Barnes listed the following facts:
"The cost of living has spiraled out of control: gas prices have almost tripled; food prices have soared; and health care premiums have almost doubled -- from about $7,000 per family in 2000 to $12,000 per family today.
"Wasteful spending on pork barrel projects like the "bridge to nowhere" in Alaska has doubled. Fiscal irresponsibility has turned record surpluses into record deficits and caused the value of the dollar to plummet.
"Five million more illegal immigrants have entered the United States.
"Six straight months of job losses and rising unemployment has followed the weakest job expansion since the Great Depression. Under Bush and Graves - more than 3 million manufacturing jobs have been lost."
Barnes concluded: "Now, let me ask you: Are you better off than you were eight years ago? Most American's aren't. George Bush is already headed out the door, and Sam Graves has got to go with him."
"In 2001, when President Bush and Congressman Sam Graves were sworn into office together, they inherited a strong economy and a budget surplus. Bush and Graves told us they had a plan to continue growing the economy, pay down our national debt, secure our borders, and reduce our dependence on foreign oil. Well, as I give you some facts about the last eight years, I invite you to ask yourself the question: Are you better off than you were eight years ago?" Barnes asked.
Barnes listed the following facts:
"The cost of living has spiraled out of control: gas prices have almost tripled; food prices have soared; and health care premiums have almost doubled -- from about $7,000 per family in 2000 to $12,000 per family today.
"Wasteful spending on pork barrel projects like the "bridge to nowhere" in Alaska has doubled. Fiscal irresponsibility has turned record surpluses into record deficits and caused the value of the dollar to plummet.
"Five million more illegal immigrants have entered the United States.
"Six straight months of job losses and rising unemployment has followed the weakest job expansion since the Great Depression. Under Bush and Graves - more than 3 million manufacturing jobs have been lost."
Barnes concluded: "Now, let me ask you: Are you better off than you were eight years ago? Most American's aren't. George Bush is already headed out the door, and Sam Graves has got to go with him."
Friday, July 18, 2008
Japanese Beetle Numbers High in Missouri
Japanese beetle numbers high in Missouri
Late-planted corn at greatest risk of yield loss
After years of being primarily a horticultural pest, Japanese beetles are emerging as a threat to field crops across Missouri, said Wayne Bailey, University of Missouri Extension entomologist.
The beetles are still not a major crop pest in Missouri, Bailey said, but that may soon change as their range continues to expand.
"Their numbers have really started to increase in the past two to three years," Bailey said. "We’ve had them in Missouri for a few decades, but mainly as garden pests in St. Louis, Springfield, Kansas City and Columbia. What’s changing now is they are moving to field crops, and their distribution is changing as their numbers have increased."
Late-planted corn is most at risk this year. Adult beetles feeding on corn silks can disrupt pollination and cause substantial yield loss, Bailey said.
"We have more corn in the silking stage than usual, which is why we’re worried," he said. "Usually, corn has silked and pollinated by this time and defoliation is more of a problem. Corn tassels and silks can be severely damaged by adult beetles feeding."
If beetles clip corn silks so that less than one-half inch remains, the ear may die, Bailey said. "If there's one-half inch of silk left, the corn can still pollinate. But pollination may be reduced."
Japanese beetles can defoliate both corn and soybean plants. They often feed in groups, starting at the top and moving down. Damaged leaves appear lacy or skeletonized. "You can get 30 percent defoliation of soybean without much problem," he said.
Treat soybean when 20-30 percent of plants are defoliated, and corn when silks are clipped to within one-half inch of the husk, he said. "There’s enough corn in the silking stage that I’d be looking in fields with green silk to see if there are beetles feeding in your area."
Japanese beetles are identified by their shiny, metallic-green bodies and copper-colored wing covers. They can be confused with adult green June beetles but are smaller—about one-half inch long. Japanese beetles also have five small white tufts on either side of the abdomen and two at the back end, Bailey said. "They look like taillights if you hold the beetles up and look at them."
In Missouri, adults usually start hatching from late May to mid-July, but cool weather has delayed peak emergence by 10 to 14 days, he said.
At present, beetles are scattered in small pockets across most of Missouri. On July 11, about 1,630 adults were caught in traps at the MU Gustin Golf Course in Columbia, said Steven Kirk, an MU Extension integrated pest management specialist who manages the trap counts. In southeast Missouri, MU Extension field staff caught 1,650 in Mississippi County over a four-day period, while nearly 200 were caught in Wilton, southern Boone County, on a single day.
Japanese beetles are also a problem in southwest Missouri and Rolla, Kirk said. "We don’t have traps there, so we can’t get exact numbers. But they’re in and they’re a problem."
In rural areas, Bailey said, the beetles will initially appear in low numbers. "It may take two to three years before they start causing real damage. But once they show up in a field, they’re usually a pest every year after. They’ll feed and then go back underground."
The insects are year-round inhabitants, which aids their spread. While Japanese beetle adults will die in cold weather, the grubs burrow into the soil and emerge the next year when the soil warms up, Bailey said. "The grubs feed on roots. No one has documented whether there is grub damage, but the insects are a grub up to 10 or more months of the year," he said.
Thresholds for economic damage in field crops may be higher than in horticultural plants, Bailey said. "If it’s high-value and aesthetic, like roses or apples, three or four may cause damage as soon as they arrive in an area," he said. "Field crops are a little more forgiving. Once you start to get a few hundred, you’re probably at economic levels."
For more information on Japanese beetles, see the MU Plant Protection Programs 2008 pest management guidelines at http://ppp.missouri.edu/pestguide/.
Late-planted corn at greatest risk of yield loss
After years of being primarily a horticultural pest, Japanese beetles are emerging as a threat to field crops across Missouri, said Wayne Bailey, University of Missouri Extension entomologist.
The beetles are still not a major crop pest in Missouri, Bailey said, but that may soon change as their range continues to expand.
"Their numbers have really started to increase in the past two to three years," Bailey said. "We’ve had them in Missouri for a few decades, but mainly as garden pests in St. Louis, Springfield, Kansas City and Columbia. What’s changing now is they are moving to field crops, and their distribution is changing as their numbers have increased."
Late-planted corn is most at risk this year. Adult beetles feeding on corn silks can disrupt pollination and cause substantial yield loss, Bailey said.
"We have more corn in the silking stage than usual, which is why we’re worried," he said. "Usually, corn has silked and pollinated by this time and defoliation is more of a problem. Corn tassels and silks can be severely damaged by adult beetles feeding."
If beetles clip corn silks so that less than one-half inch remains, the ear may die, Bailey said. "If there's one-half inch of silk left, the corn can still pollinate. But pollination may be reduced."
Japanese beetles can defoliate both corn and soybean plants. They often feed in groups, starting at the top and moving down. Damaged leaves appear lacy or skeletonized. "You can get 30 percent defoliation of soybean without much problem," he said.
Treat soybean when 20-30 percent of plants are defoliated, and corn when silks are clipped to within one-half inch of the husk, he said. "There’s enough corn in the silking stage that I’d be looking in fields with green silk to see if there are beetles feeding in your area."
Japanese beetles are identified by their shiny, metallic-green bodies and copper-colored wing covers. They can be confused with adult green June beetles but are smaller—about one-half inch long. Japanese beetles also have five small white tufts on either side of the abdomen and two at the back end, Bailey said. "They look like taillights if you hold the beetles up and look at them."
In Missouri, adults usually start hatching from late May to mid-July, but cool weather has delayed peak emergence by 10 to 14 days, he said.
At present, beetles are scattered in small pockets across most of Missouri. On July 11, about 1,630 adults were caught in traps at the MU Gustin Golf Course in Columbia, said Steven Kirk, an MU Extension integrated pest management specialist who manages the trap counts. In southeast Missouri, MU Extension field staff caught 1,650 in Mississippi County over a four-day period, while nearly 200 were caught in Wilton, southern Boone County, on a single day.
Japanese beetles are also a problem in southwest Missouri and Rolla, Kirk said. "We don’t have traps there, so we can’t get exact numbers. But they’re in and they’re a problem."
In rural areas, Bailey said, the beetles will initially appear in low numbers. "It may take two to three years before they start causing real damage. But once they show up in a field, they’re usually a pest every year after. They’ll feed and then go back underground."
The insects are year-round inhabitants, which aids their spread. While Japanese beetle adults will die in cold weather, the grubs burrow into the soil and emerge the next year when the soil warms up, Bailey said. "The grubs feed on roots. No one has documented whether there is grub damage, but the insects are a grub up to 10 or more months of the year," he said.
Thresholds for economic damage in field crops may be higher than in horticultural plants, Bailey said. "If it’s high-value and aesthetic, like roses or apples, three or four may cause damage as soon as they arrive in an area," he said. "Field crops are a little more forgiving. Once you start to get a few hundred, you’re probably at economic levels."
For more information on Japanese beetles, see the MU Plant Protection Programs 2008 pest management guidelines at http://ppp.missouri.edu/pestguide/.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Farmers for Kay group formed.
Today, the Kay Barnes for Congress campaign unveiled "Farmers for Kay" and called for Washington to stand up to oil companies, which are to blame for the outrageous gas prices that are forcing dramatic increases in the price of production farming. She also said Washington needs to stop playing politics with the Production Tax Credit, which is essential for the growth of our renewable energy sources that will decrease our dependence on foreign oil and benefit the Northwest Missouri economy.
Bill Bruce of Lucerne, chairman of Farmers for Kay, said, "As a farmer, I can tell you that we're not happy with Sam Graves as our representative. In the District, he says what we want to hear, but in Washington, he does the bidding of the oil companies and special interests."
Farmers for Kay has members in each of the 6th Congressional District's 26 counties and will be responsible for advising Kay Barnes on the issues that are affecting our family farmers. They will also contact their colleagues and neighbors to inform them of Kay Barnes' positions on the issues.
"More than ever, farmers need a strong ally in Washington," said Kay Barnes, candidate for Congress in the 6th Congressional District. "The soaring price of gas - which has nearly tripled since Congressman Sam Graves sworn into office 2001 - has hurt farmers more than almost anyone. The price of diesel fuel and fertilizer are at record highs, making it more difficult for farmers, especially our family farmers, to make a living."
Continued Barnes: "I am proud to have the strong support of farmers from around the 6th Congressional District. I pledge to stand with them, and not with the oil companies and other special interests that have a stranglehold on Washington. It is unacceptable that our family farmers have a Congressman who votes for more tax giveaways for oil companies and against the Product Tax Credit for wind, a technology which is doing so much for Northwest Missouri."
Graves voted against H.R. 5351, the Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Act, a bill which would redirect tax breaks away from the big oil companies and toward renewing the Production Tax Credit for wind farms and creating new tax incentives for solar power and ethanol. This vote was cast on February 27, 2008. Only two weeks prior, Exxon Mobil, which strongly opposed the legislation, gave Congressman Sam Graves a $2,000 campaign contribution. The Production Tax Credit is set to expire in less than six months.
Concluded Bruce: "Kay Barnes is who we need in Congress. She has the courage to stand up to oil companies and fight for our interests. And she has gotten things done by working with people from both political parties. Barnes would be a much better person to have speaking for us than Graves."
Farmers for Kay has the following chairmen in each county: Harold Johnson (Andrew), Rick Oswald (Atchison), Rodney Harrington (Buchanan), Donnie Cox (Caldwell), Travis Graham (Carroll), Keith Eisberg (Chariton), Charlie Trump (Clay), Judy & Delbert Wright (Clinton), Alice Wendleton (Cooper), Stan Huffman (Daviess), Wendell Berry (DeKalb), Mike Waltemuth, (Gentry), Gary Dolan (Grundy), Russell Meinecke (Harrison), Melvin Hayzlett (Holt), Elizabeth Brown (Howard), Joe Bolger (Jackson), Randy Wade (Linn), Wayne Ware (Livingston), Brad and Pam Bruse (Mercer), Mike Killingsworth (Nodaway), John Pepper (Platte), Bill Bruce (Putnam), Eddie Berry (Schuyler), Wayne Halter (Sullivan), Mark Cadle (Worth).
Bill Bruce of Lucerne, chairman of Farmers for Kay, said, "As a farmer, I can tell you that we're not happy with Sam Graves as our representative. In the District, he says what we want to hear, but in Washington, he does the bidding of the oil companies and special interests."
Farmers for Kay has members in each of the 6th Congressional District's 26 counties and will be responsible for advising Kay Barnes on the issues that are affecting our family farmers. They will also contact their colleagues and neighbors to inform them of Kay Barnes' positions on the issues.
"More than ever, farmers need a strong ally in Washington," said Kay Barnes, candidate for Congress in the 6th Congressional District. "The soaring price of gas - which has nearly tripled since Congressman Sam Graves sworn into office 2001 - has hurt farmers more than almost anyone. The price of diesel fuel and fertilizer are at record highs, making it more difficult for farmers, especially our family farmers, to make a living."
Continued Barnes: "I am proud to have the strong support of farmers from around the 6th Congressional District. I pledge to stand with them, and not with the oil companies and other special interests that have a stranglehold on Washington. It is unacceptable that our family farmers have a Congressman who votes for more tax giveaways for oil companies and against the Product Tax Credit for wind, a technology which is doing so much for Northwest Missouri."
Graves voted against H.R. 5351, the Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Act, a bill which would redirect tax breaks away from the big oil companies and toward renewing the Production Tax Credit for wind farms and creating new tax incentives for solar power and ethanol. This vote was cast on February 27, 2008. Only two weeks prior, Exxon Mobil, which strongly opposed the legislation, gave Congressman Sam Graves a $2,000 campaign contribution. The Production Tax Credit is set to expire in less than six months.
Concluded Bruce: "Kay Barnes is who we need in Congress. She has the courage to stand up to oil companies and fight for our interests. And she has gotten things done by working with people from both political parties. Barnes would be a much better person to have speaking for us than Graves."
Farmers for Kay has the following chairmen in each county: Harold Johnson (Andrew), Rick Oswald (Atchison), Rodney Harrington (Buchanan), Donnie Cox (Caldwell), Travis Graham (Carroll), Keith Eisberg (Chariton), Charlie Trump (Clay), Judy & Delbert Wright (Clinton), Alice Wendleton (Cooper), Stan Huffman (Daviess), Wendell Berry (DeKalb), Mike Waltemuth, (Gentry), Gary Dolan (Grundy), Russell Meinecke (Harrison), Melvin Hayzlett (Holt), Elizabeth Brown (Howard), Joe Bolger (Jackson), Randy Wade (Linn), Wayne Ware (Livingston), Brad and Pam Bruse (Mercer), Mike Killingsworth (Nodaway), John Pepper (Platte), Bill Bruce (Putnam), Eddie Berry (Schuyler), Wayne Halter (Sullivan), Mark Cadle (Worth).
Letter to the Editor -- Farmers for Kay
Dear Editor,
I am writing for hundreds of Missouri farmers who believe we need a change in Washington, and Kay Barnes is the right person for the job. The family farmers I know are not happy with Sam Graves. We are sick and tired of being represented by someone who does the bidding of the oil companies and special interests.
With diesel and fertilizer costing more than ever, it is hard for many of us to make a living. But instead of looking out for us, Graves has voted to give oil companies more tax breaks. And he even voted against the Production Tax Credit for renewable energy. Many farmers have benefited from the biofuel and wind energy investments in their communities.
Family farmers are getting hit from all directions---increased cost of production and health insurance premiums are skyrocketing so there is little left to save for retirement. Kay Barnes is who we need in Congress instead of Special Interest Sam. She has the courage to stand up to oil companies and fight for our interests. And she knows how to get things done by working with Republicans and Democrats. Vote for change in November.
William Bruce Jr.
Chairman
Farmers for Kay
I am writing for hundreds of Missouri farmers who believe we need a change in Washington, and Kay Barnes is the right person for the job. The family farmers I know are not happy with Sam Graves. We are sick and tired of being represented by someone who does the bidding of the oil companies and special interests.
With diesel and fertilizer costing more than ever, it is hard for many of us to make a living. But instead of looking out for us, Graves has voted to give oil companies more tax breaks. And he even voted against the Production Tax Credit for renewable energy. Many farmers have benefited from the biofuel and wind energy investments in their communities.
Family farmers are getting hit from all directions---increased cost of production and health insurance premiums are skyrocketing so there is little left to save for retirement. Kay Barnes is who we need in Congress instead of Special Interest Sam. She has the courage to stand up to oil companies and fight for our interests. And she knows how to get things done by working with Republicans and Democrats. Vote for change in November.
William Bruce Jr.
Chairman
Farmers for Kay
Opinion: Repealing Renewable Fuel Standard Costly
Opinions are the views of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Sheridan Express.
Repealing the Missouri Renewable Fuel Standard (MoRFS) would have costly consequences for Missouri drivers, Missouri Corn Growers Association (MCGA) CEO cautions.
"While recent misleading political proposals claim that repealing the statewide ethanol standard would lower fuel and food prices, the effect would be quite the opposite," says MCGA Chief Executive Officer Gary Marshall. "Simple economics dictate that increasing supply helps reduce price. Utilizing a fuel produced and refined in Missouri is part of the reason our state has some of the lowest gas prices in the nation."
The Missouri Renewable Fuel Standard requires gasoline to be blended with 10 percent ethanol when ethanol is cheaper than conventional gasoline. This price provision means ethanol cannot increase the cost to consumers, Marshall said.
A wide range of independent economists confirm the savings ethanol is providing to Missouri drivers. A study by Iowa State University's Center for Agriculture & Rural Development concluded Midwest states are saving 39 cents a gallon on gasoline due to the additional supply ethanol adds to the fuel market. Merrill Lynch commodity strategist Francisco Blanch estimated higher savings, with ethanol reducing prices by approximately 15 percent, or 60 to 70 cents per gallon.
"By adding an American-made product to the strained fuel chain, ethanol is holding prices down by at least 40 cents a gallon," emphasized Marshall. "Those who blame ethanol for skyrocketing food and fuel costs are not basing their arguments on all the facts."
Despite what some political ads claim, recent reports point to escalating energy costs as the predominant driver in increased food prices. According to figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, while households are facing a 23 percent increase in their total food costs, they are facing a 335 percent increase in their gasoline costs since 2002.
"If fuel prices had increased at the same rate as food, we would only be paying $1.39 per gallon for gasoline," Marshall says. "And while grocery bills are going up due mainly to increasing transportation, labor and marketing expenses, Missouri's food costs remain inline with other neighboring states. The hype is just that - hype."
To learn more about corn and ethanol production in Missouri, or to find additional facts on food and fuel, visit Missouri Corn Online at www.mocorn.org.
Repealing the Missouri Renewable Fuel Standard (MoRFS) would have costly consequences for Missouri drivers, Missouri Corn Growers Association (MCGA) CEO cautions.
"While recent misleading political proposals claim that repealing the statewide ethanol standard would lower fuel and food prices, the effect would be quite the opposite," says MCGA Chief Executive Officer Gary Marshall. "Simple economics dictate that increasing supply helps reduce price. Utilizing a fuel produced and refined in Missouri is part of the reason our state has some of the lowest gas prices in the nation."
The Missouri Renewable Fuel Standard requires gasoline to be blended with 10 percent ethanol when ethanol is cheaper than conventional gasoline. This price provision means ethanol cannot increase the cost to consumers, Marshall said.
A wide range of independent economists confirm the savings ethanol is providing to Missouri drivers. A study by Iowa State University's Center for Agriculture & Rural Development concluded Midwest states are saving 39 cents a gallon on gasoline due to the additional supply ethanol adds to the fuel market. Merrill Lynch commodity strategist Francisco Blanch estimated higher savings, with ethanol reducing prices by approximately 15 percent, or 60 to 70 cents per gallon.
"By adding an American-made product to the strained fuel chain, ethanol is holding prices down by at least 40 cents a gallon," emphasized Marshall. "Those who blame ethanol for skyrocketing food and fuel costs are not basing their arguments on all the facts."
Despite what some political ads claim, recent reports point to escalating energy costs as the predominant driver in increased food prices. According to figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, while households are facing a 23 percent increase in their total food costs, they are facing a 335 percent increase in their gasoline costs since 2002.
"If fuel prices had increased at the same rate as food, we would only be paying $1.39 per gallon for gasoline," Marshall says. "And while grocery bills are going up due mainly to increasing transportation, labor and marketing expenses, Missouri's food costs remain inline with other neighboring states. The hype is just that - hype."
To learn more about corn and ethanol production in Missouri, or to find additional facts on food and fuel, visit Missouri Corn Online at www.mocorn.org.
Monday, July 14, 2008
Sheridan Christian Church News for July 16th, 2008
Relay for Life will be this Friday night, July 18th at the Worth County High School Football Field. Hope there will be a good turnout supporting this worthy cause of fighting cancer.
The community will certainly miss Bill Lantz. He was a handyman who could fix about anything, and lots of folks knew they could count on him. Our sympathies are with Joan and the rest of the family.
Elaine Mitchell and her sister Ellen Hunt spent a few days last week visiting their children and grandchildren in Indiana. Elaine’s grandson, Caleb, celebrated his first birthday.
Gary Dean Constant is recovering from open heart surgery last week. I’m sure he’d appreciate cards. He lives in Hopkins. We’re praying for his speedy recovery.
Treva Smyser plans to shampoo carpets at church on Saturday, August 2nd. Anyone who can help will be much appreciated.
We enjoyed seeing lots of old friends at the Gravity All School Reunion last weekend in Bedford. I graduated from Gravity 49 years ago, the last class to graduate from Gravity before consolidating with Bedford in 1960. Where have the years gone?
The community will certainly miss Bill Lantz. He was a handyman who could fix about anything, and lots of folks knew they could count on him. Our sympathies are with Joan and the rest of the family.
Elaine Mitchell and her sister Ellen Hunt spent a few days last week visiting their children and grandchildren in Indiana. Elaine’s grandson, Caleb, celebrated his first birthday.
Gary Dean Constant is recovering from open heart surgery last week. I’m sure he’d appreciate cards. He lives in Hopkins. We’re praying for his speedy recovery.
Treva Smyser plans to shampoo carpets at church on Saturday, August 2nd. Anyone who can help will be much appreciated.
We enjoyed seeing lots of old friends at the Gravity All School Reunion last weekend in Bedford. I graduated from Gravity 49 years ago, the last class to graduate from Gravity before consolidating with Bedford in 1960. Where have the years gone?
Adcock to Compete in North American Under 23 Championships
University of Missouri sophomore Nick Adcock (Kansas City, Mo. / Oak Park HS) will be traveling to Mexico later this week, joining Team USA for competition in the men's decathlon at NACAC (North American) Under-23 Championships. The event will be held 40 miles from Mexico City in Toluca, a city that lies at high-elevation at 8,750 feet. For Adcock, at the young age of 20, this will be his second U.S. team, having competed with Team USA at the 2007 Pan-Am Junior Games where he won Silver in the decathlon.
Adcock has had quite a 2008 which started with the indoor season and his Big 12 title in the heptathlon, the seven-event cousin to the decathlon. At the conference meet, Adcock won with a near-meet record of 5,795, toppling Olympian Hans Uldal's school record by a wide margin. Adcock would later earn his first All-America honor in placing fourth in the heptathlon at the NCAA Indoor Championships.
In the outdoor season, Adcock won the decathlon at the Kansas Relays and then set his current personal best of 7,657 in placing second at the Big 12 Outdoor Championships, at altitude, in Boulder, Colo. Adcock again finished fourth at the national meet to earn his second All-America certificate of the year to total a team-high, 10 national-team points for the entire 2008 indoor and outdoor seasons.
Adcock had been training past the NCAA Championships for a possible bid in the U.S. Olympic Team Trials, but was the "first one out". A day after the decathlon at the trials had completed, Adcock received the call from USA Track & Field that he had been chosen for the NACAC roster.
In 2007, Adcock won the USATF Junior crown in the decathlon to earn an automatic spot on the U.S. team that traveled to Brazil for the Pan-Am Junior Games where Adcock mined Silver. Adcock is the grandson of Galen and Betty Ruckman of Grant City.
Adcock has had quite a 2008 which started with the indoor season and his Big 12 title in the heptathlon, the seven-event cousin to the decathlon. At the conference meet, Adcock won with a near-meet record of 5,795, toppling Olympian Hans Uldal's school record by a wide margin. Adcock would later earn his first All-America honor in placing fourth in the heptathlon at the NCAA Indoor Championships.
In the outdoor season, Adcock won the decathlon at the Kansas Relays and then set his current personal best of 7,657 in placing second at the Big 12 Outdoor Championships, at altitude, in Boulder, Colo. Adcock again finished fourth at the national meet to earn his second All-America certificate of the year to total a team-high, 10 national-team points for the entire 2008 indoor and outdoor seasons.
Adcock had been training past the NCAA Championships for a possible bid in the U.S. Olympic Team Trials, but was the "first one out". A day after the decathlon at the trials had completed, Adcock received the call from USA Track & Field that he had been chosen for the NACAC roster.
In 2007, Adcock won the USATF Junior crown in the decathlon to earn an automatic spot on the U.S. team that traveled to Brazil for the Pan-Am Junior Games where Adcock mined Silver. Adcock is the grandson of Galen and Betty Ruckman of Grant City.
Capitol Report for July 16th, 2008
Holding the Line on the Gas Tax
As the cost of gasoline continues to skyrocket, we are feeling the pain in our pocketbooks. As a result, many Americans are reducing their rate of gasoline consumption. This reduction in consumption has led to a reduction in the tax revenues that support our transportation infrastructure. This revenue drop along with the increasing costs of road construction has compounded our transportation challenges.
Concerned about our transportation future, many transportation engineers and legislators across the country have begun to discuss possible options. One option that is receiving a fair amount of debate is the idea of raising the tax on gasoline in order to increase road funding. I believe, this idea would do nothing more than siphon more money out of our pockets while failing to find a long-term solution to our transportation problems.
Missourians deserve solutions that make sense and that don’t take more money out of the pockets of our hard working families. The roads and bridges of our state serve as the lifeblood of our communities and they are critical to a prosperous and strong economy. It comes as no surprise that our need to continue improving our transportation infrastructure has grown over time, however we cannot afford the old government mindset of just raising taxes whenever times are tough.
As Missouri looks to addresses the need for high quality infrastructure, legislators and engineers must take a complete look at maximizing efficiencies while reducing inefficient and wasteful programs. It is imperative that our state government does not engage in reckless tax and spend policies. Now more than ever, every level of government must live within its means. Making transportation a higher priority in the budget and finding ways to reduce costs is a far better solution than raising taxes and taking more money away from hard working Missourians.
As always, please feel free to call, email, or write with your ideas or concerns. The Capitol number is (573) 751-1415, my email is brad.lager@senate.mo.gov and my mailing address is Room 429, State Capitol Building, Jefferson City, MO 65101.
As the cost of gasoline continues to skyrocket, we are feeling the pain in our pocketbooks. As a result, many Americans are reducing their rate of gasoline consumption. This reduction in consumption has led to a reduction in the tax revenues that support our transportation infrastructure. This revenue drop along with the increasing costs of road construction has compounded our transportation challenges.
Concerned about our transportation future, many transportation engineers and legislators across the country have begun to discuss possible options. One option that is receiving a fair amount of debate is the idea of raising the tax on gasoline in order to increase road funding. I believe, this idea would do nothing more than siphon more money out of our pockets while failing to find a long-term solution to our transportation problems.
Missourians deserve solutions that make sense and that don’t take more money out of the pockets of our hard working families. The roads and bridges of our state serve as the lifeblood of our communities and they are critical to a prosperous and strong economy. It comes as no surprise that our need to continue improving our transportation infrastructure has grown over time, however we cannot afford the old government mindset of just raising taxes whenever times are tough.
As Missouri looks to addresses the need for high quality infrastructure, legislators and engineers must take a complete look at maximizing efficiencies while reducing inefficient and wasteful programs. It is imperative that our state government does not engage in reckless tax and spend policies. Now more than ever, every level of government must live within its means. Making transportation a higher priority in the budget and finding ways to reduce costs is a far better solution than raising taxes and taking more money away from hard working Missourians.
As always, please feel free to call, email, or write with your ideas or concerns. The Capitol number is (573) 751-1415, my email is brad.lager@senate.mo.gov and my mailing address is Room 429, State Capitol Building, Jefferson City, MO 65101.
Sheridan Express Cooperative Meeting for July 16th, 2008
It was noted that seven new paid members have recently joined the Sheridan Express Newspaper Cooperative. This brings the number of paid members to 25, which is in addition to three participating members. One of the new members is a business, and while this is not a problem when dividends are distributed, it will be a problem in voting for members of the cooperative governing body. An amendment to the by-laws was suggested permitting a business to designate a representative as a voting member.
Also discussed was the need to establish a democratic method to choose participating members so that the cooperative governing board would be less likely to perpetuate itself. One suggestion was to amend the by-laws to designate the county clerks or presiding commissioners in the five-county area as an oversight committee to select participating members.
The chess advertisement in last week’s Sheridan Express was discussed. A chess club would be a great benefit to students in local schools, as would a foreign language club. Our community had good chess players and natives of Spanish speaking countries who could be utilized at minimal cost.
Also discussed was the need to establish a democratic method to choose participating members so that the cooperative governing board would be less likely to perpetuate itself. One suggestion was to amend the by-laws to designate the county clerks or presiding commissioners in the five-county area as an oversight committee to select participating members.
The chess advertisement in last week’s Sheridan Express was discussed. A chess club would be a great benefit to students in local schools, as would a foreign language club. Our community had good chess players and natives of Spanish speaking countries who could be utilized at minimal cost.
WCCC News for July 16th, 2008
We started Monday off with Virginia leading activities, and games in the afternoon. Tuesday we had Resident Council. Reverend Bob Pinkerton and Betty came for Church in the afternoon. Martha played dinner music for us. We all had a great time playing Bingo on Wednesday afternoon. Alice Miller from the Grant City Christian Church led Bible Study Thursday morning. Kay and Evanell Havner brought out their motorcycle and let us look it over. It was quite the machine, we were still talking about over the weekend. Friday, there was eight of us that went and had lunch at the Senior Center. We always enjoy their meals.
The Laplanders came and entertained on Friday afternoon. Janell Dignan joined them and sang, along with others. Saturday the Auxiliary Ladies made pies. Shirley, Alberta, and Ruth served. They were very good. Sunday school was led by Shirley Pierce. Sheridan Christian Church held service in the afternoon.
The Laplanders came and entertained on Friday afternoon. Janell Dignan joined them and sang, along with others. Saturday the Auxiliary Ladies made pies. Shirley, Alberta, and Ruth served. They were very good. Sunday school was led by Shirley Pierce. Sheridan Christian Church held service in the afternoon.
Sheridan News for July 16th, 2008
I would like to wish everyone who had anniversaries and birthdays this past week a very happy day.
Paul and Garland George visited with Ed and Margaret Findley on Saturday. On Sunday Rosalie visited from Savannah, Mo.
Paul and Sally Beasley, Washington, IA visited with Icle Young on Saturday July 5. Icle Young, Retha Floyd, Maxine Roberts, Glenda Wyer from the Sheridan Housing Complex went on the Oats bus to Grant City for the pot lunch on Friday
Fred and Patty Ray had a nice 25th Anniversary party at the community center on Sunday July 13 The weather was nice. There were many friends and family in attendance.
Paul and Garland George visited with Ed and Margaret Findley on Saturday. On Sunday Rosalie visited from Savannah, Mo.
Paul and Sally Beasley, Washington, IA visited with Icle Young on Saturday July 5. Icle Young, Retha Floyd, Maxine Roberts, Glenda Wyer from the Sheridan Housing Complex went on the Oats bus to Grant City for the pot lunch on Friday
Fred and Patty Ray had a nice 25th Anniversary party at the community center on Sunday July 13 The weather was nice. There were many friends and family in attendance.
Wind Farms Generate Power, Revenue
Wind farms generate power, revenue, say MU Extension specialists
ROCK PORT, Mo. – The landscape in northwest Missouri is changing. Scattered across three counties, 75 turbines spin to harvest the wind.
University of Missouri Extension specialists say that there are excellent opportunities for sustainable wind power in northwest Missouri. Four wind turbines supply all the electricity for the small town of Rock Port in Atchison County. The city of just over 1,300 residents is the first in the United States to operate solely on wind power.
"That’s something to be very proud of, especially in a rural area like this—that we’re doing our part for the environment," said Jim Crawford, University of Missouri Extension natural resource engineer. "Anybody who is currently drawing their utility through Rock Port utilities can expect really no rate increase for the next 15 to 20 years."
There are currently 24 wind turbines in Atchison County, 24 in Nodaway County and 27 in Gentry County. MU Extension specialists say the wind farms will bring in more than $1.1 million annually in county real estate taxes, to be paid by Wind Capital Group, a wind energy developer based in St. Louis.
"This is a unique situation because in rural areas it is quite uncommon to have this increase in taxation revenues," said Jerry Baker, MU Extension community development specialist.
The alternative-energy source also benefits landowners, who can make anywhere from $3,000 to $5,000 leasing part of their property for wind turbines.
Other wind energy companies are looking at possible sites in northwest Missouri, Baker said.
A map published by the U.S. Department of Energy indicates that northwest Missouri has the state’s highest concentration of wind resources and contains a number of locations potentially suitable for utility-scale wind development.
"We’re farming the wind, which is something that we have up here," Crawford said. "The payback on a per-acre basis is generally quite good when compared to a lot of other crops, and it’s as simple as getting a cup of coffee and watching the blades spin."
"It’s a savings for the community in general, savings for the rural electric companies, and it does provide electricity service over at least a 20-year time period, which is the anticipated life of these turbines," Baker said.
Baker said the wind turbines attract visitors from all over, adding tourism revenue to the list of benefits.
ROCK PORT, Mo. – The landscape in northwest Missouri is changing. Scattered across three counties, 75 turbines spin to harvest the wind.
University of Missouri Extension specialists say that there are excellent opportunities for sustainable wind power in northwest Missouri. Four wind turbines supply all the electricity for the small town of Rock Port in Atchison County. The city of just over 1,300 residents is the first in the United States to operate solely on wind power.
"That’s something to be very proud of, especially in a rural area like this—that we’re doing our part for the environment," said Jim Crawford, University of Missouri Extension natural resource engineer. "Anybody who is currently drawing their utility through Rock Port utilities can expect really no rate increase for the next 15 to 20 years."
There are currently 24 wind turbines in Atchison County, 24 in Nodaway County and 27 in Gentry County. MU Extension specialists say the wind farms will bring in more than $1.1 million annually in county real estate taxes, to be paid by Wind Capital Group, a wind energy developer based in St. Louis.
"This is a unique situation because in rural areas it is quite uncommon to have this increase in taxation revenues," said Jerry Baker, MU Extension community development specialist.
The alternative-energy source also benefits landowners, who can make anywhere from $3,000 to $5,000 leasing part of their property for wind turbines.
Other wind energy companies are looking at possible sites in northwest Missouri, Baker said.
A map published by the U.S. Department of Energy indicates that northwest Missouri has the state’s highest concentration of wind resources and contains a number of locations potentially suitable for utility-scale wind development.
"We’re farming the wind, which is something that we have up here," Crawford said. "The payback on a per-acre basis is generally quite good when compared to a lot of other crops, and it’s as simple as getting a cup of coffee and watching the blades spin."
"It’s a savings for the community in general, savings for the rural electric companies, and it does provide electricity service over at least a 20-year time period, which is the anticipated life of these turbines," Baker said.
Baker said the wind turbines attract visitors from all over, adding tourism revenue to the list of benefits.
Worth County Residents to Get New E-911 Addresses
As most of the residents of Worth County are aware, Worth County has entered into a contract with GeoComm Inc. of Saint Cloud MN (www.geo-comm.com) to implement an enhanced 9-1-1 system for the residents of Worth County.
Worth County residents will begin receiving notification letters within the next several weeks advising them of their new E-911 address.
Residents are requested to post their address for E-911 so that they can easily be seen by emergency service responders. Residents should use a minimum of 4 inch numbers, preferably reflective on the structure. For those residents with long driveways, addresses should be posted alongside the driveway so that they can be seen coming from both directions on the road.
Residents currently using a rural route and box number for mailing purposes will begin using their new address for mail as well as for E-911. The U.S. Postal Service will deliver to both the route/box and the new address for one year to enable residents to notify all correspondents and to use up existing stationary, checks, etc. After one year, the U.S. Postal Service will drop the route/box information from their records and will no longer deliver mail to them. Those residents receiving rural mail delivery are requested to post their new address for their route carrier in addition to posting the address for E-911. If the mailbox is located on the same road as the structure, it should be sufficient to post just the house number on the mailbox. If the mailbox is located on a different road than the structure, the house number and street name should be posted on the mailbox. Abbreviations of the road name on the mailbox are acceptable. Cluster mailboxes can have the new addresses posted and abbreviated on the lid of the mailbox.
Residents using a Post Office Box for mailing purposes should not include or use their E-911 address for mail, but are required to post their E-911 address for emergency service response. It is important for residents using Post Office Boxes to call GeoComm to confirm their physical location.
These new addresses are part of a uniform addressing system established within the County and affect all rural county residents. The addressing system was based on the National Emergency Number Association (NENA) guidelines for addressing. The purpose of the new system is to assign a complete locatable street type addressing for E-911 purposes. The addressing grid begins at 10,000 at the northwest corner of the county and increases by 1,000 addresses for each mile going north and south.
Residents who have questions or concerns after receiving their notification letter should contact GeoComm Inc., Worth County addressing consultant, at (888) 436–2666 within the next two weeks between the hours of 8:00-5:00 CST.
Worth County residents will begin receiving notification letters within the next several weeks advising them of their new E-911 address.
Residents are requested to post their address for E-911 so that they can easily be seen by emergency service responders. Residents should use a minimum of 4 inch numbers, preferably reflective on the structure. For those residents with long driveways, addresses should be posted alongside the driveway so that they can be seen coming from both directions on the road.
Residents currently using a rural route and box number for mailing purposes will begin using their new address for mail as well as for E-911. The U.S. Postal Service will deliver to both the route/box and the new address for one year to enable residents to notify all correspondents and to use up existing stationary, checks, etc. After one year, the U.S. Postal Service will drop the route/box information from their records and will no longer deliver mail to them. Those residents receiving rural mail delivery are requested to post their new address for their route carrier in addition to posting the address for E-911. If the mailbox is located on the same road as the structure, it should be sufficient to post just the house number on the mailbox. If the mailbox is located on a different road than the structure, the house number and street name should be posted on the mailbox. Abbreviations of the road name on the mailbox are acceptable. Cluster mailboxes can have the new addresses posted and abbreviated on the lid of the mailbox.
Residents using a Post Office Box for mailing purposes should not include or use their E-911 address for mail, but are required to post their E-911 address for emergency service response. It is important for residents using Post Office Boxes to call GeoComm to confirm their physical location.
These new addresses are part of a uniform addressing system established within the County and affect all rural county residents. The addressing system was based on the National Emergency Number Association (NENA) guidelines for addressing. The purpose of the new system is to assign a complete locatable street type addressing for E-911 purposes. The addressing grid begins at 10,000 at the northwest corner of the county and increases by 1,000 addresses for each mile going north and south.
Residents who have questions or concerns after receiving their notification letter should contact GeoComm Inc., Worth County addressing consultant, at (888) 436–2666 within the next two weeks between the hours of 8:00-5:00 CST.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Fat Gets a Bad Rap
A growing body of research suggests that Americans need to get over their love/hate relationship with fat, and develop a much more sophisticated understanding of what fats are good for you, how much is appropriate, and what fats to avoid.
It’s not as simple as saying all fats are bad, scientists say, because some of them are critically important. It’s certainly not an endorsement of stuffing yourself with ice cream and deep-fried chicken. And if you aren’t planning your diet fairly carefully, it could be that many people would benefit from supplements.
"We’re learning more all the time about the effect of dietary fat on diabetes, heart disease, and even reproductive failure, learning disabilities and other health issues," said Donald Jump, a professor of nutrition with the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University, and author of dozens of publications in this field.
"It’s pretty clear that the average Western diet is too high in fat, but it’s not that simple," Jump said. "Dietary fat plays an essential role in our health, development and well being. The real issue is that people are eating too much of the wrong kinds of fat, and not enough of the right kinds. The type of fat you eat is very important."
The short version of a complex story, Jump said, is that most diets have too much saturated fat – like in meat and dairy products – and too much "trans" fats, most commonly found in processed foods like margarine or shortening. People also eat too much fat in general. And they often get too little of their fat in the form of unsaturated fatty acids, found to some degree in meats, and at higher levels in nuts or vegetable oils.
And the most scarce fat of all – but one very important for good health – is the omega 3 polyunsaturated fat found at some of the highest levels in fish.
The omega 3 fats have been the focus of extensive research in recent years for their value in preventing heart disease and acting as an anti-inflammatory agent.
"Omega 3 fatty acids will lower blood triglycerides and modulate inflammatory processes," Jump said. "Both of these effects are why physicians prescribe omega-3 supplements for patients with elevated blood lipids and who are at risk for atherosclerosis."
This can be necessary because a common Western diet too often emphasizes steak, pizza and ice cream instead of salmon, sardines and tuna. Too many cookies full of shortening, not enough vegetables sautéed in olive oil.
"The best approach, pretty much everyone agrees, is to develop a more sophisticated understanding of diet, including the right types and amounts of fat, and eat more healthy foods," Jump said.
"But if you are not going to do that," he said, "I would not hesitate to suggest people should consider fish oil supplements to help provide needed levels of omega 3 fat."
Some basic facts about fat:
Dietary fat provides flavor to food, is very important for the absorption of lipid-soluble vitamins like A, D, and E, and provides building blocks for all cells in the body.
Fat helps to maintain cellular structural integrity, regulates cell function and gene expression, and functions as signaling molecules.
The fat composition of foods is complex, and only a few foods such as vegetable oils, fish, and nuts contain higher levels of the unsaturated fatty acids that are comparatively healthy.
High fat diets and obesity can lead to heart disease, diabetes and other serious health problems. But deficiency of essential fatty acids can lead to reproductive failure, poor visual acuity, learning disabilities, skin lesions and other issues. The good fats tend to offset the negative effects of the bad fats.
Most Western diets contain too much saturated fat and too little omega 3 polyunsaturated fat. The latest studies suggest near elimination of dietary "trans fats."
Humans do not efficiently convert omega 3 fatty acids from plants to the forms of omega 3 fatty acids found in our brain and eyes. The omega 3 fats in fish, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), are essentially the same as those found in the brain and retina. These fats are available in fish, like salmon, and can also be obtained from fish oil supplements.
Proper diet and adequate levels of omega 3 fatty acids is especially important for pregnant and nursing women; brain tissue is very fatty, and proper neuronal development depends upon adequate nutrition. Some manufacturers of baby formula now supplement their products with DHA and another polyunsaturated fatty acid called arachidonic acid (ARA).
A website set up by the American Heart Association outlines the complexities of fat consumption, the foods to eat and avoid, and the overall role of fat in human health, Jump said. Additional information on dietary fat can also be found at the Linus Pauling Institute info center -- lpi.oregonstate.edu /Micronutrient Information Center
About the Linus Pauling Institute: The Linus Pauling Institute at OSU is a world leader in the study of micronutrients and their role in promoting optimum health or preventing and treating disease. Major areas of research include heart disease, cancer, aging and neurodegenerative disease.
It’s not as simple as saying all fats are bad, scientists say, because some of them are critically important. It’s certainly not an endorsement of stuffing yourself with ice cream and deep-fried chicken. And if you aren’t planning your diet fairly carefully, it could be that many people would benefit from supplements.
"We’re learning more all the time about the effect of dietary fat on diabetes, heart disease, and even reproductive failure, learning disabilities and other health issues," said Donald Jump, a professor of nutrition with the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University, and author of dozens of publications in this field.
"It’s pretty clear that the average Western diet is too high in fat, but it’s not that simple," Jump said. "Dietary fat plays an essential role in our health, development and well being. The real issue is that people are eating too much of the wrong kinds of fat, and not enough of the right kinds. The type of fat you eat is very important."
The short version of a complex story, Jump said, is that most diets have too much saturated fat – like in meat and dairy products – and too much "trans" fats, most commonly found in processed foods like margarine or shortening. People also eat too much fat in general. And they often get too little of their fat in the form of unsaturated fatty acids, found to some degree in meats, and at higher levels in nuts or vegetable oils.
And the most scarce fat of all – but one very important for good health – is the omega 3 polyunsaturated fat found at some of the highest levels in fish.
The omega 3 fats have been the focus of extensive research in recent years for their value in preventing heart disease and acting as an anti-inflammatory agent.
"Omega 3 fatty acids will lower blood triglycerides and modulate inflammatory processes," Jump said. "Both of these effects are why physicians prescribe omega-3 supplements for patients with elevated blood lipids and who are at risk for atherosclerosis."
This can be necessary because a common Western diet too often emphasizes steak, pizza and ice cream instead of salmon, sardines and tuna. Too many cookies full of shortening, not enough vegetables sautéed in olive oil.
"The best approach, pretty much everyone agrees, is to develop a more sophisticated understanding of diet, including the right types and amounts of fat, and eat more healthy foods," Jump said.
"But if you are not going to do that," he said, "I would not hesitate to suggest people should consider fish oil supplements to help provide needed levels of omega 3 fat."
Some basic facts about fat:
Dietary fat provides flavor to food, is very important for the absorption of lipid-soluble vitamins like A, D, and E, and provides building blocks for all cells in the body.
Fat helps to maintain cellular structural integrity, regulates cell function and gene expression, and functions as signaling molecules.
The fat composition of foods is complex, and only a few foods such as vegetable oils, fish, and nuts contain higher levels of the unsaturated fatty acids that are comparatively healthy.
High fat diets and obesity can lead to heart disease, diabetes and other serious health problems. But deficiency of essential fatty acids can lead to reproductive failure, poor visual acuity, learning disabilities, skin lesions and other issues. The good fats tend to offset the negative effects of the bad fats.
Most Western diets contain too much saturated fat and too little omega 3 polyunsaturated fat. The latest studies suggest near elimination of dietary "trans fats."
Humans do not efficiently convert omega 3 fatty acids from plants to the forms of omega 3 fatty acids found in our brain and eyes. The omega 3 fats in fish, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), are essentially the same as those found in the brain and retina. These fats are available in fish, like salmon, and can also be obtained from fish oil supplements.
Proper diet and adequate levels of omega 3 fatty acids is especially important for pregnant and nursing women; brain tissue is very fatty, and proper neuronal development depends upon adequate nutrition. Some manufacturers of baby formula now supplement their products with DHA and another polyunsaturated fatty acid called arachidonic acid (ARA).
A website set up by the American Heart Association outlines the complexities of fat consumption, the foods to eat and avoid, and the overall role of fat in human health, Jump said. Additional information on dietary fat can also be found at the Linus Pauling Institute info center -- lpi.oregonstate.edu /Micronutrient Information Center
About the Linus Pauling Institute: The Linus Pauling Institute at OSU is a world leader in the study of micronutrients and their role in promoting optimum health or preventing and treating disease. Major areas of research include heart disease, cancer, aging and neurodegenerative disease.
A Moment with Mike for July 16th, 2008
It is that time of year when many are making plans for vacations and summer fun. For some that means enjoying a week on a beach in some tropical locale but for many of us it means enjoying some of the recreation areas that our state has to offer. Water activities are a popular option and local lakes like Mozingo or Big Lake may become especially popular as gas prices inhibit travel to some of the bigger lakes in our state. As we plan to enjoy some well-deserved time away from work, it is important to put safety first with everything we do.
Our lakes and rivers provide a natural vacation destination for Missourians, however, these spots for family fun can also become dangerous when irresponsible consumption of alcohol is added to the mix. Alcohol has played a part in far too many of the boating accidents and fatalities we have seen in recent years and part of the problem has been that our legal intoxication limit for boating is not in line with the similar requirements we have for driving. Fortunately, legislation we passed this year makes that much-needed change to enforce the same limit for boating as we do for motorists on our roadways.
House Bill 1715 lowers our legal intoxication limit for boating from .1 of one percent to .08 of one percent. With this we create consistency with all legal limits for operating a vehicle. We hope this will help reduce the number of alcohol-related accidents on our waterways just as it has on roads and highways. In addition, the law clarifies the definitions of persistent and chronic offenders and ensures those who repeatedly offend will not get off easy.
I also want to mention another piece of legislation signed into law this month that will help reduce the number of alcohol-related accidents on our roadways. Senate Bill 930 requires repeat drunk driving offenders to have an ignition interlock device placed on their vehicle before they can regain their driving privileges from the Missouri Department of Revenue. These devices are proven to be effective as they won’t allow an individual who has consumed a dangerous level of alcohol to start his or her vehicle. While this is a method the court system has as an option for repeat offenders, our new law makes it mandatory and shifts the responsibility to our Department of Revenue. This change should help keep dangerous drunk drivers off our roadways and make traveling in our state even safer.
With both of these bills we can take comfort in the fact that Missouri is sending a strong message to those who operate a vehicle under the influence of alcohol. We want Missouri to be a safe vacation spot for our residents as well as visitors from outside our borders. May your travels this summer be safe and enjoyable.
If you have questions, you may reach me at my Capitol number 573-751-9465, at the local district number, 660-582-4014, by email at mike.thomson@house.mo.gov or by mail at Room 406A State Capitol Building, Jefferson City, MO 65101.
Our lakes and rivers provide a natural vacation destination for Missourians, however, these spots for family fun can also become dangerous when irresponsible consumption of alcohol is added to the mix. Alcohol has played a part in far too many of the boating accidents and fatalities we have seen in recent years and part of the problem has been that our legal intoxication limit for boating is not in line with the similar requirements we have for driving. Fortunately, legislation we passed this year makes that much-needed change to enforce the same limit for boating as we do for motorists on our roadways.
House Bill 1715 lowers our legal intoxication limit for boating from .1 of one percent to .08 of one percent. With this we create consistency with all legal limits for operating a vehicle. We hope this will help reduce the number of alcohol-related accidents on our waterways just as it has on roads and highways. In addition, the law clarifies the definitions of persistent and chronic offenders and ensures those who repeatedly offend will not get off easy.
I also want to mention another piece of legislation signed into law this month that will help reduce the number of alcohol-related accidents on our roadways. Senate Bill 930 requires repeat drunk driving offenders to have an ignition interlock device placed on their vehicle before they can regain their driving privileges from the Missouri Department of Revenue. These devices are proven to be effective as they won’t allow an individual who has consumed a dangerous level of alcohol to start his or her vehicle. While this is a method the court system has as an option for repeat offenders, our new law makes it mandatory and shifts the responsibility to our Department of Revenue. This change should help keep dangerous drunk drivers off our roadways and make traveling in our state even safer.
With both of these bills we can take comfort in the fact that Missouri is sending a strong message to those who operate a vehicle under the influence of alcohol. We want Missouri to be a safe vacation spot for our residents as well as visitors from outside our borders. May your travels this summer be safe and enjoyable.
If you have questions, you may reach me at my Capitol number 573-751-9465, at the local district number, 660-582-4014, by email at mike.thomson@house.mo.gov or by mail at Room 406A State Capitol Building, Jefferson City, MO 65101.
Show-Me State of Mind for July 16th, 2008
Washington Needs a Lesson on Education
As a former school teacher and a parent of two children, I know first-hand that good schools produce young people who can achieve the American Dream. That's why Washington needs to make it easier, not harder, for teachers to teach and for students to learn. Unfortunately, when it comes to education, Congress has been playing hookie.
The obstacles for schools and teachers only increased when President Bush and Congress passed the flawed No Child Left Behind Act in 2001. This legislation punished schools that lacked resources, such as those in small towns. And instead of helping them out, Congressman Sam Graves and his colleagues consistently voted against funding for these schools.
It's no wonder that Graves only got a 15 percent rating from the National Parent Teacher Association!
Last month, I called for a suspension of penalties on No Child Left Behind until Washington fixes this failed legislation. I am proud to announce that Congressman Sam Graves - who is undergoing an election-year transformation - is now supporting a bipartisan bill to do just that.
Thank you, Congressman, for finally standing with Missouri's hardworking parents and teachers. We just wish that you would have done your homework years ago.
Kay Barnes is a candidate for U.S. representative for Missouri's 6th Congressional District
As a former school teacher and a parent of two children, I know first-hand that good schools produce young people who can achieve the American Dream. That's why Washington needs to make it easier, not harder, for teachers to teach and for students to learn. Unfortunately, when it comes to education, Congress has been playing hookie.
The obstacles for schools and teachers only increased when President Bush and Congress passed the flawed No Child Left Behind Act in 2001. This legislation punished schools that lacked resources, such as those in small towns. And instead of helping them out, Congressman Sam Graves and his colleagues consistently voted against funding for these schools.
It's no wonder that Graves only got a 15 percent rating from the National Parent Teacher Association!
Last month, I called for a suspension of penalties on No Child Left Behind until Washington fixes this failed legislation. I am proud to announce that Congressman Sam Graves - who is undergoing an election-year transformation - is now supporting a bipartisan bill to do just that.
Thank you, Congressman, for finally standing with Missouri's hardworking parents and teachers. We just wish that you would have done your homework years ago.
Kay Barnes is a candidate for U.S. representative for Missouri's 6th Congressional District
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Bertha Hawbeck Celebrates 100th Birthday
Bertha Hawbeck celebrated her 100th birthday on April 5th, 2008. She was born on April 7th, 1908 in Hopkins, MO. Her parents were Mason and Lena Myrtle (Surplus) Wilson. Mason died at the age of 39 and Myrtle married Delbert Glass. They resided in Sheridan and raised their children there. Bertha is their only surviving child. She married Ernest (Tine) Hawbeck in September of 1926 and they raised 6 children in Sheridan. Bertha moved to Nebraska and later to Washington where she currently resides in Moses Lake and lives and cares for herself. She has a wealth of information about Sheridan, people who have lived there, things that happened, and just a lot of history. They saying, you can take the girl from the farm, but you can’t take the farm from the girl holds true from her. Her birthday celebration was held in a friend’s barn.
She loves her flowers and has some potted tomatoes, etc, for her garden. She can still bake a pie that just makes your mouth water. Her love for her family and her friends is strong and has kept us all together for years.
The one sad thing for her was that her good friend Bob Gartside passed away on July 5th, 2007. She always loved to visit with him and misses him. Also, her baby sister, George Glass Bowman and her niece Willa Ray Breivik passed away recently. She was very close to them.
Helping her to celebrate her birthday were many relatives including Gary and Mary Jo Hawk and Tuker, Sheridan; Richard and Evelyn Jobst of Independence; Robert Constant of Vancouver, WA; David, Robin, Jeff, James, Jon, and B.J. McDonald, The Dulles, OR; Keith and Susie Ray, White Bird, ID; Tom and Connie Campbell; Jerry and Roberta Card, Moses Lake; Scott, Roxi, and Matthew Mortimer, Wilson Creek; Alisha Adamson, Willow Creek; Rhonda and Jeremy Rodriguez, Moses Lake; Bob Johnson, Ellensburg, WA; Joshua Beeks, Glenwood, WA; Tom Jr. and Andrew Campbell, Moses Lake; Nathan, Ashleigh, Kaitlyn, Alexandreya, and Jayson Laney of Moses Lake, Francis and Joan Card, Moses Lake; and Kevin and Shawna Adamson, Ephrata, WA.
Many neighbors and friends from Moses Lake were there. Con Covey, mayor of Moses Lake, presented her with a lovely rose and spoke at the celebration. Leo Gaddis and his band entertained with beautiful country music. She received many cards and letters from friends and family members who could not come. Myrtle Risser, her dear friend, writes her often, as does Doy Musick, her nephew from Wyoming. Doy makes glass crafts and sent her a beautiful butterfly. A dinner was served and a great time was had by all.
Michael Jobst and his family of Blue Springs was unable to attend as was Tracy Beeks and his family from Independence and Holly Beeks and her family from Goldendale, WA. Also, Jack and Chris Ray from White Bird, ID was unable to attend; however, they visited in June.
Her children and grandchildren bought her a computer for her birthday. If anyone would like to e-mail her, they can do so at berthababe_08@hotmai.com or write to her at Bertha Hawbeck, 7808 Rainer Rd. NE, Moses WA 98837.
She loves her flowers and has some potted tomatoes, etc, for her garden. She can still bake a pie that just makes your mouth water. Her love for her family and her friends is strong and has kept us all together for years.
The one sad thing for her was that her good friend Bob Gartside passed away on July 5th, 2007. She always loved to visit with him and misses him. Also, her baby sister, George Glass Bowman and her niece Willa Ray Breivik passed away recently. She was very close to them.
Helping her to celebrate her birthday were many relatives including Gary and Mary Jo Hawk and Tuker, Sheridan; Richard and Evelyn Jobst of Independence; Robert Constant of Vancouver, WA; David, Robin, Jeff, James, Jon, and B.J. McDonald, The Dulles, OR; Keith and Susie Ray, White Bird, ID; Tom and Connie Campbell; Jerry and Roberta Card, Moses Lake; Scott, Roxi, and Matthew Mortimer, Wilson Creek; Alisha Adamson, Willow Creek; Rhonda and Jeremy Rodriguez, Moses Lake; Bob Johnson, Ellensburg, WA; Joshua Beeks, Glenwood, WA; Tom Jr. and Andrew Campbell, Moses Lake; Nathan, Ashleigh, Kaitlyn, Alexandreya, and Jayson Laney of Moses Lake, Francis and Joan Card, Moses Lake; and Kevin and Shawna Adamson, Ephrata, WA.
Many neighbors and friends from Moses Lake were there. Con Covey, mayor of Moses Lake, presented her with a lovely rose and spoke at the celebration. Leo Gaddis and his band entertained with beautiful country music. She received many cards and letters from friends and family members who could not come. Myrtle Risser, her dear friend, writes her often, as does Doy Musick, her nephew from Wyoming. Doy makes glass crafts and sent her a beautiful butterfly. A dinner was served and a great time was had by all.
Michael Jobst and his family of Blue Springs was unable to attend as was Tracy Beeks and his family from Independence and Holly Beeks and her family from Goldendale, WA. Also, Jack and Chris Ray from White Bird, ID was unable to attend; however, they visited in June.
Her children and grandchildren bought her a computer for her birthday. If anyone would like to e-mail her, they can do so at berthababe_08@hotmai.com or write to her at Bertha Hawbeck, 7808 Rainer Rd. NE, Moses WA 98837.
Letter to the Editor -- Electric Cars about to take over.
The best solution to high gas prices is electric cars. We need to find ways to make more of them. There are several reasons for the continuing interest in these vehicles:
1. Electric cars create less pollution than gasoline-powered cars, so they are environmentally friendly.
2. An electric car is a car powered by an electric motor rather than a gasoline engine. From the outside, you would probably have no idea that a car is electric.
3. When you drive an electric car, often the only thing that clues you in to its true nature is the fact that it is nearly silent.
There is great interest in electric cars. According to VentureBeats, thirty companies are ready to take over the road with different models of electric cars. VentureBeat’s mission is to provide news and information about private companies and the venture capital that fuels them. These companies all recognize that there is a market big enough for them all to be pursuing making electric cars.
Walmart supermarket chain has a couple of all-electric 7.5 ton delivery trucks on trial. Modec produces and sell all-electric 5.5 ton delivery vehicles. There are 500 electric Minis coming to California.
Companies like Smith Electric Vehicles already have hundreds of all-electric trucks and vans. They are now commencing production of a 12 ton US-specification truck at their factory in Fresno, California, where they are making around 800-900 this year and are building a new 300,000 sq.ft US factory to produce 10,000 vehicles a year by 2010. That's in addition to 5000 a year for Europe by the same date.
Gloria Abercrombie
Kansas City, MO
1. Electric cars create less pollution than gasoline-powered cars, so they are environmentally friendly.
2. An electric car is a car powered by an electric motor rather than a gasoline engine. From the outside, you would probably have no idea that a car is electric.
3. When you drive an electric car, often the only thing that clues you in to its true nature is the fact that it is nearly silent.
There is great interest in electric cars. According to VentureBeats, thirty companies are ready to take over the road with different models of electric cars. VentureBeat’s mission is to provide news and information about private companies and the venture capital that fuels them. These companies all recognize that there is a market big enough for them all to be pursuing making electric cars.
Walmart supermarket chain has a couple of all-electric 7.5 ton delivery trucks on trial. Modec produces and sell all-electric 5.5 ton delivery vehicles. There are 500 electric Minis coming to California.
Companies like Smith Electric Vehicles already have hundreds of all-electric trucks and vans. They are now commencing production of a 12 ton US-specification truck at their factory in Fresno, California, where they are making around 800-900 this year and are building a new 300,000 sq.ft US factory to produce 10,000 vehicles a year by 2010. That's in addition to 5000 a year for Europe by the same date.
Gloria Abercrombie
Kansas City, MO
EQIP Signup July 21st
Missouri landowners can apply July 21 to September 19 for natural resources conservation assistance through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced.EQIP promotes agricultural production and environmental quality. Through EQIP, farmers and ranchers receive financial and technical assistance to help install structural conservation practices and to implement management systems that promote conservation. State Conservationist Roger Hansen says that beginning with this sign up, limited-resource farmers, beginning farmers and socially disadvantaged farmers are eligible for increased rates of financial assistance. Also new, Hansen says, is that financial assistance is available for new practices that improve air quality or conserve energy.Hansen says some tasks associated with this sign up, such as scoring and ranking, cannot be completed until there is a final EQIP rule. The rule will provide new guidance for the EQIP program and will incorporate the 2008 Farm Bill changes. However, NRCS can accept applications, screen them and develop conservation plans while the new rules are pending. To apply for EQIP or to get more information about EQIP and other NRCS programs, contact the NRCS office serving your county. Look in the phone book under "U.S. Government, Department of Agriculture," or access this website: http://offices.usda.gov. You can also get information about NRCS programs online at http://www.mo.nrcs.usda.gov/programs.
Tougher Laws against DWI Offenders Signed.
As many Missouri families prepare to travel this holiday weekend, Gov. Matt Blunt signed tough legislation to better protect them from drunk drivers requiring repeat offenders to modify their vehicles with ignition interlock devices to ensure they cannot endanger other Missourians by drinking and driving.
"Drunk drivers take thousands of innocent lives every year. My heart goes out to the parents, the children, the brothers, the sisters, and the friends who have had their lives changed forever by the criminal irresponsibility of drunk drivers," Gov. Blunt said. "No one should have to suffer through the pain caused by drunk driving accidents. When someone abuses their driving privilege they should have to prove their trustworthiness to get their driver’s license back. And not just by promising not to do it again, but through ignition interlocks which verify sobriety."
"I appreciate Gov. Blunt signing this comprehensive transportation reform package," Sen. Stouffer said. "These reforms come from several years of collaborative work which will result in moving transportation forward in Missouri."
Senate Bill 930, sponsored by Sen. Bill Stouffer, amends Missouri law regarding the issuance of ignition interlocks as penalties for repeat drunk driving offenders. Under current law courts are required to mandate ignition interlock devices, a vehicle modification system that disables a vehicle’s ignition if the driver is drunk or drinking, on the second or subsequent offense.
The legislation shifts responsibility for interlock devices from the courts to the Department of Revenue. To re-gain their driving privileges from the Department of Revenue, convicted drunk drivers must use an ignition interlock device.
In 2005 there were 3,163 drivers convicted of second and subsequent offenses. Of those only about 19 percent, or 614, were required by the courts to install the interlocks. The shift of this responsibility for interlock devices from the courts to the Department of Revenue should address this problem.
The legislation signed by Gov. Blunt also addresses a loophole in our current drunk driving laws. Earlier this year, the Supreme Court ruled, essentially, that municipal DWIs could not count in a prosecutor’s calculation of whether to charge a defendant as a persistent prior offender. This legislation closes this new loophole and with Gov. Blunt’s signature, municipal DWIs will once again count against a defendant.
Gov. Blunt’s action continues his strong stance against alcohol offenders. He has signed legislation closing a loophole in the law that had allowed some arrested for drunk driving to avoid prosecution on a technicality. He also signed legislation creating two new classes for repeat DWI offenders, aggravated and chronic, that both carry increased penalties. In addition the governor strengthened Missouri’s laws against underage drinking by changing penalties to address both the possession and consumption of alcohol by minors. In Missouri a minor could be found guilty of a "minor in possession" if he or she is visibly intoxicated or has a blood alcohol content of more than .02. New laws enacted by the governor also prohibits adults from allowing minors to drink on their private property unless they are the minor’s legal guardians and requires school districts to create a policy detailing the consequences if a student is found to either possess or drink alcohol on school property or at school events.
"Drunk drivers take thousands of innocent lives every year. My heart goes out to the parents, the children, the brothers, the sisters, and the friends who have had their lives changed forever by the criminal irresponsibility of drunk drivers," Gov. Blunt said. "No one should have to suffer through the pain caused by drunk driving accidents. When someone abuses their driving privilege they should have to prove their trustworthiness to get their driver’s license back. And not just by promising not to do it again, but through ignition interlocks which verify sobriety."
"I appreciate Gov. Blunt signing this comprehensive transportation reform package," Sen. Stouffer said. "These reforms come from several years of collaborative work which will result in moving transportation forward in Missouri."
Senate Bill 930, sponsored by Sen. Bill Stouffer, amends Missouri law regarding the issuance of ignition interlocks as penalties for repeat drunk driving offenders. Under current law courts are required to mandate ignition interlock devices, a vehicle modification system that disables a vehicle’s ignition if the driver is drunk or drinking, on the second or subsequent offense.
The legislation shifts responsibility for interlock devices from the courts to the Department of Revenue. To re-gain their driving privileges from the Department of Revenue, convicted drunk drivers must use an ignition interlock device.
In 2005 there were 3,163 drivers convicted of second and subsequent offenses. Of those only about 19 percent, or 614, were required by the courts to install the interlocks. The shift of this responsibility for interlock devices from the courts to the Department of Revenue should address this problem.
The legislation signed by Gov. Blunt also addresses a loophole in our current drunk driving laws. Earlier this year, the Supreme Court ruled, essentially, that municipal DWIs could not count in a prosecutor’s calculation of whether to charge a defendant as a persistent prior offender. This legislation closes this new loophole and with Gov. Blunt’s signature, municipal DWIs will once again count against a defendant.
Gov. Blunt’s action continues his strong stance against alcohol offenders. He has signed legislation closing a loophole in the law that had allowed some arrested for drunk driving to avoid prosecution on a technicality. He also signed legislation creating two new classes for repeat DWI offenders, aggravated and chronic, that both carry increased penalties. In addition the governor strengthened Missouri’s laws against underage drinking by changing penalties to address both the possession and consumption of alcohol by minors. In Missouri a minor could be found guilty of a "minor in possession" if he or she is visibly intoxicated or has a blood alcohol content of more than .02. New laws enacted by the governor also prohibits adults from allowing minors to drink on their private property unless they are the minor’s legal guardians and requires school districts to create a policy detailing the consequences if a student is found to either possess or drink alcohol on school property or at school events.
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