MONDAY, OCT. 17, 2016  |  IN THIS ISSUE 
 
Story1Rockwell Collins announces layoffs, benefit adjustments

 
Rockwell Collins plans to reduce its global workforce of approximately 20,000 by up to 3 percent and implement other cost-saving measures that will affect employee benefits in the upcoming year.

Employees were informed last week by CEO Kelly Ortberg that spending reductions are being planned due to changes in the company's markets, including a declining market for business jet equipment and a stagnant air transport market.

Rockwell Collins will reduce its workforce through a combination of layoffs, attrition and eliminating some positions, company spokesman Josh Baynes said. The breakdown of those outcomes for employees has not been determined, he said.

Approximately 20,000 people work worldwide for the company, including about 8,700 in the Cedar Rapids area, according to data provided by the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance. It's unclear how the cuts will affect workers in Eastern Iowa.

In addition to the workforce reductions that began this month, Rockwell Collins plans to delay merit pay increases for non-bargaining unit employees that ordinarily take place in January by seven months until August. It also plans changes to its vacation policy that will reduce employees' vacation carryover from year to year by 40 hours.

Rockwell Collins, which manufactures aviation and defense electronics, began its fiscal year Oct. 1.  Financial results for the company's fourth quarter, which was completed last month, have not been released.
Story2McDonough named Independent Pharmacist of the Year
Randy McDonough. CREDIT: American Pharmacists Association
Randy McDonough, the co-owner of three independent community pharmacies in Iowa, has been named the National Community Pharmacists Association's (NCPA) 2016 Willard B. Simmons Independent Pharmacist of the Year.

The award recognizes an independent pharmacist for exemplary leadership and commitment to their community.

"Randy McDonough is a very deserving recipient of the prestigious Willard B. Simmons Independent Pharmacist of the Year award for 2016," Brad Arthur, NCPA president and a pharmacy owner in Buffalo, New York, said in a press release. "He is a huge proponent of ensuring that the transformation in the delivery of health care makes room for pharmacies in those efforts to help patients maximize their health outcomes and ultimately reduce costs. He is a visionary who practices what he preaches."   

Mr. McDonough is co-owner of Towncrest Pharmacy and Towncrest Compounding in Iowa City and Solon Towncrest Pharmacy in Solon. He is also co-founder/co-owner of Innovative Pharmacy Solutions, a consulting and clinical documentation software company.

He has co-authored a book on pharmaceutical care, written chapters for several other texts and regularly authors a column for the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) publication, Pharmacy Today.

Mr. McDonough received his award during the First General Session at the NCPA's 2016 Annual Convention, held Oct. 15-19. 
 
Meegan Hofmeister (left) and Emily Carlson of WRITTEN Apparel, shown at an Iowa Startup Accelerator preview event in August.
The Cedar Rapids-based fashion label WRITTEN Apparel will take its threads to the windy city this weekend as Midwest Fashion Week opens in Chicago.

Founder and Creative Director Emily Carlson was one of 18 designers invited to present at the event, which WRITTEN will use to showcase its fall and winter lines.

"I'm constantly inspired by nature and the seasons around us, and since we have an abundance of it in Iowa, that works out pretty well," Ms. Carlson said in a press release. "I've used fabrics that are common for fall weather but typically used for different garments. I love the sweatpants skirts I've created and can't wait to wear them."

This summer, Ms. Carlson and the WRITTEN Apparel team, which includes Meegan Hofmeister, vice president of sales, research and development, were accepted as members of the Iowa Startup Accelerator (ISA) 2016 Cohort.

"I have learned so much about developing a business in the past couple months, thanks to ISA," Ms. Carlson said. "I've always had the creative part covered, but the business side was this muddy area that I knew little about."
 
WRITTEN's collection will be shown at Midwest Fashion Week's "Fashion For A Cause" Showcase on Oct. 22 at the Godfrey Hotel Chicago. The label's next showcase will take place Nov. 3 at the Paramount Theatre in Cedar Rapids during the ISA's annual Launch Day event.
Story4Panel to discuss worker disabilities, employer tax benefits
An upcoming workshop will teach area employers and professionals about the many benefits of hiring individuals living with a disability.

The session will feature a panel of local business leaders who will share their perspectives and host a question-and-answer session, with the discussion primarily aimed at human resources professionals, equal employment opportunity officials and other employment decision makers.

The workshop is free, but pre-registration is required. The event will be limited to 30 people. Light refreshments will be provided.

The Benefits of Disability in the Work Place workshop will take place from 9:30-11:30 a.m. Nov. 3 at the Eastside Educational Center, located at 2401 Scott Blvd. SE in Iowa City.

This event is sponsored by the Center for Disabilities & Development, Arc of Southeast Iowa, the Iowa City Human Rights Commission and Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services.  
Head5Author to talk walkable cities amid IC planning efforts
 
Jeff Speck.  CREDIT: TED 
An author and urban design expert who advocates for walkable cities will speak in Iowa City later this month.

In his latest book, Jeff Speck, author of "Walkable City: How Downtown Can Save America, One Step at a Time," writes that creating a walkable city is more than constructing sidewalks. Instead, he argues, the urban environment must be designed so walking is useful, safe, comfortable and interesting.

Mr. Speck served as director of design at the National Endowment for the Arts from 2003-2007, where he presided over the Mayor's Institute on City Design and created the Governor's Institute on Community Design. Since 2007, he has headed Speck & Associates, a planning firm that specializes in American downtowns.

Mr. Speck's talk follows a similar talk the city of Iowa City hosted in May with Daniel Parolek, an architect and urban planner who writes about the design concept of the "missing middle." Mayor Jim Throgmorton and fellow city council members have said the talks underscore the importance of revitalization efforts around downtown, including the Riverfront Crossings district, where the city plans to invest in more trails, pedestrian areas and other amenities as part of the district master plan.

The city of Iowa City and University of Iowa's School of Urban Planning are partnering to bring Mr. Speck to the Iowa City community. Prairie Lights will sell copies at the event and will also have them in stock at their book shop located at 15 S. Dubuque St.  

The talk will begin at 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 24 at the Iowa City Public Library, 123 S. Linn St., Iowa City. This event is free and open to the public.
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EventHeadlinesShort-Term Event Planner
 
Oct. 17 
2016 Fall Welcome Reception, by Iowa City Area Development Group, 5-7 p.m., Cedar Ridge Winery & Distillery, 1441 Marak Road SW, Swisher. UI alumni and friends are invited to help welcome these newcomers to Iowa's Creative Corridor: Jeff Durham, vice president, Whirlpool, Amana operations; Jay Schroeder, director of finance, Whirlpool, Amana operations; and Beth Tarini, division director, General Pediatrics, University of Iowa. Anyone new to the area is invited. Complimentary hors d'oeuvres and cash bar provided. Free. RSVP at bit.ly/CFWR16.
 
Oct. 18
Campaign Kickoff Breakfast, by the Iowa City Area Development Group, 7:30-9 a.m., hotelVetro, 201 S. Linn St., Iowa City. This event will kick off the next four years of ICAD Group's plans economic development and innovation in the Corridor. Free. Register online at bit.ly/2dRYuPC.
 
Google (and Other Platform) Analytics, by the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance, 8:30-10 a.m., Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance, 501 First St., Cedar Rapids. Understand electronic platform results through various analytics tools. Free. Register online at bit.ly/2e40C48.
Headlines from CBS 2/FOX 28
These news items are provided by CBS 2/FOX 28  
 
Iowa City police are looking for suspects in two armed robberies early Monday morning. At 3:21 a.m., officers responded to a report of an armed robbery at the Kum & Go at 513 S. Riverside Drive. The clerk there reported a man came into the store with a handgun and demanded money. The clerk gave money to the suspect, who then left the store. He was described as a black male, with slender build, average height, wearing a red hoodie and a black bandanna that covered the bottom portion of his face. Nine minutes later, at 3:30 a.m., police got another report of an armed robbery at the Kum & Go at 1310 S. Gilbert St. This time, the clerk said two males entered the store. Again, one showed a handgun and demanded money. After the clerk gave money to the suspect, both men left the store. The description of the man who demanded the money was the same as at the other robbery. The second suspect was described as a black male dressed entirely in black, also with a slender build and average height. Police ask anyone with information about this crime to call Iowa City Area CrimeStoppers at 319-358-TIPS (8477). All calls are guaranteed to be anonymous. CrimeStoppers is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to the arrest of the suspects.
 
T hese news items are provided by CBS 2/FOX 28 
CBS 2 Chief Meteorologist Terry Swails'  Weather First Forecast
 
Mild weather will continue as a warm front continues to move north through Iowa. Mild air will continue to surge in from the southern U.S., which means unseasonably warm temperatures that are more typical of July than October. Skies will become sunny from south to north throughout the day. Strong southerly flow will help boost temps into the low 80s for most areas and perhaps mid-80s in the far south, where there will be more sun.