MONDAY, FEB. 4, 2019  |  IN THIS ISSUE  
 
The Rodale Institute, the site of North America's longest running trial comparing organic and conventional growing methods, will open the Midwest Organic Center at the Indian Creek Nature Center's 190-acre Etzel Sugar Grove Farm in Marion later this year.
 
Rodale Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to advancing organic farming through research and outreach, and a leader in regenerative organic agriculture. 
 
Iowa, with 103,136 acres certified organic on 732 farms, is fifth in the nation for the number of certified organic farms, yet lacks widespread access to research and training in regenerative organic practices, the organizations said in joint press release.  The Midwest Organic Center will provide resources and support for Iowa's organic farmers and enhance the growth of more organic farms throughout the entire region. 
 
Goals of the center include:
  • Researching innovative, regenerative, organic farming methods and providing farmers with the education and resources to implement those methods on their own farms
  • Expanding organic acreage in the Midwest
  • Gathering data on differences between conventional and organic farming methods in Iowa's unique climate and soil
  • Expanding public access to Rodale Institute's research and creating progressive opportunities in agriculture 
"This is a real milestone," Rodale Institute Executive Director Jeff Moyer said in a release. "There are a lot of opportunities for Midwest farmers to transition to organic - whether it be in grains, livestock, or other specialty crops - and we want to be true partners to make that possible. We're looking forward to having boots on the ground in the Midwest to address some of the greatest challenges for farmers in the region, and to provide training, demonstration plots, field days and more."
 
Mr. Moyer said Rodale invites additional partners to join in the collaborative effort.  In 2019, researchers and farm staff will begin transitioning the land to organic, a process that requires three years. The center plans to host an education day for farmers sometime this year.
 
"We are very excited to work with Rodale Institute to launch the Midwest Organic Center," said John Myers, Indian Creek's executive director. "Rodale is a respected leader in the organic field and this partnership will allow us to expand the impact Etzel Sugar Grove Farm has on educating and supporting Midwest farmers."
 
The Midwest Organic Center will be supported by initial funding from Norway, Iowa-based Frontier Co-Op. 
 
"At Frontier Co-op, we've always believed that we have a responsibility to people and planet," Frontier Co-op CEO Tony Bedard said in a release. "The Midwest Organic Center represents a truly progressive approach to enhancing agriculture by demonstrating the benefit of not only organic but regenerative agricultural practices. These practices will restore topsoil, enhance soil health and grow better, more nutritious crops. We believe it is imperative that these progressive practices be exhibited and shared with producers in the Midwest, especially as topsoil levels continue to plummet in Iowa."
ESESP International acquires Texas Seal Supply Co. 
     
Cedar Rapids-based ESP International, a global provider of seals and rubber products to the off-highway equipment markets, has acquired Texas Seal Supply Co. of Arlington, Texas. 
 
Texas Seal is a seal distribution company that has served the industrial OEM, aerospace and oil and gas markets in the Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana region for more than 40 years. 

ESP International said Texas Seal is well-positioned to assist its existing service customers throughout the Southern United States from its strategic location off George Bush Highway in Arlington, and that the company shares ESP International's core values of expertise, service and passion.
 
"The Texas Seal team is passionate about the same thing we are and united by a common culture - a drive to deliver superior service," stated Jeff Hamilton, CEO of ESP International, in a press release.
 
ESP International is an employee-owned company that has served the industrial OEM markets for 50 years. The company now has branches in Davenport, Dallas, Shenzhen, China and Chennai, India. 
 
Competitors pass the finish line at the UCI Cyclo-Cross World Cup in Iowa City. CREDIT Iowa City/Coralville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau  
Jingle Cross, the annual cyclo-cross event held at the Johnson County Fairgrounds, has been selected to host the opening round of the 2019/20 Telenet UCI Cyclo-Cross World Cup on Sept. 13-15. 

Jingle Cross will kick off the elite race series spanning North America and Europe. A nonprofit organization, Jingle Cross benefits the University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital and is known for its demanding course, fun atmosphere, amateur racing and local hospitality.

Jingle Cross was awarded the best Cyclo-Cross World Cup of the 2017/18 racing season, and is again aiming to be the keystone event in the Telenet UCI Cyclo-Cross World Cup. 
 
Women's Iowa City World Cup winner Kaitie Keough praised the Jingle Cross as one of her favorite events on the World Cup Circuit.
 
"The course is unique with a bit of everything - hard climbs, tough running sections, challenging technical sections, flat power sections, sand and the best spectators racers will find," Ms. Keough said in a release. "Taking my first UCI CX World Cup win in 2018 at Jingle Cross, in front of all my family and friends, was a dream come true."
 
In addition to the World Cup races, there will be three full days of amateur races, a product expo, local vendors and family events. Highlight activities will include the Doggy Cross, Grinch's Kids Race, Beers and Gears and Junior Devo Cup.

"We are honored to have Jingle Cross as the opening round of the 2019/20 Telenet UCI Cyclo-Cross World Cup," said promoter and Race Director John Meehan. "It is excellent for the cycling community and the continued growth of cyclo-cross in North America. It is the fourth year in a row that Jingle Cross has hosted a World Cup, and it's a testament to the hard work of everyone at Jingle Cross, the volunteers and the people of Iowa City."

Kirkwood Community College has announced it will hold its second-annual All Stars  of  ICR luncheon on May 24. 
 
The event honors young people making an impact in Eastern Iowa's key industries and brings occupations with shortages to the forefront in an effort to grow the region's talent pipelines. Thirteen individuals will be honored at The Hotel at Kirkwood Center from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. The event gives recognition to promising individuals, 35 years old and younger, from each industry.

Since 2011 the college has been part of Iowa's sector partnership initiative, which brings together educational institutions, community partners, workforce developers and businesses within the same industry to overcome workforce challenges. Kirkwood belongs to the six partnerships from key industries in Eastern Iowa: advanced manufacturing; architecture, construction and engineering; financial service, insurance and customer service; health care; information technology; and transportation and logistics.  
 
"We're proud to once again collaborate on the All Stars project," Kirkwood Senior Director of Corporate Training Amy Lasack said in a release. "It's important to do our part to shed light on area job opportunities. The goal is to of fill positions and keep people in Iowa."

The following individuals will be honored:
  • Interior Carpenter Sam Jones - McCreedy-Ruth Construction
  • Architectural Associate & Digital Media Manager Derek Powers - Martin Gardner Architecture,
  • Superintendent Nathan Vanderweide - Iowa Bridge & Culvert
  • Production Manager Chris Biechler - Clickstop
  • Job & Logistics Manager Laura Tietz - Barnes Manufacturing
  • Account Manager Linsey Eiben - TrueNorth
  • Recruiting Manager Diana Rodriguez - Hibu
  • Family Nurse Practitioner Alison Lagrange - Vinton Family Medical Clinic
  • Acute Adult Float Nurse & Nursing Supervisor Abby Siek - UnityPoint Health - St. Luke's Hospital
  • Software Developer Cody Metz - Bio::Neos
  • Project Manager Madison Williams - ProCircular
  • Service Manager Chad Peska - Papa's Truck & Trailer Repair
  • Certified Nursing Assistant Alivea Carnahan - Oaknoll Retirement Community
The cost to attend is $49 per person or $400 for a table of ten. Pre-registration is required, by calling (319) 398-1022.

Lora Dodd-Brosseau at Lilly and Rose Floral Studio. CREDIT Marion Chamber of Commerce
Iowa Master Florist Lora Dodd-Brosseau is bringing 37 years of floral design experience to her new business, Lily and Rose Floral Studio, which will hold its ribbon-cutting at 4 p.m. tomorrow. 
 
Located in a converted 1920s craftsman-style house at 620 Seventh Ave., Lily and Rose Floral Studio will offer a unique shopping experience including original fresh flower designs, green and blooming plants, and an array of gift items.
 
Ms. Dodd-Brosseau has spent the past 18 years teaching as a floral careers professor at Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids. Prior to teaching she started in the industry working and in management at local floral shops.
 
"I love giving flowers, and who doesn't love receiving them?" Ms. Dodd-Brosseau said in a release. "It brings people joy and I get to be part of creating that experience every day."
 
In addition to being a full-service florist, Lily and Rose Floral Studio will offer hands-on workshops on topics including floral design, interior plant care, European dish-gardens, terrariums, seasonal centerpieces and more.
 
Studio hours are 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday-Friday and 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday. 

Feb. 4
Coralville Roundtable, by Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce, noon-1 p.m., Buffalo Wild Wings, 2500 Corridor Way, Ste. 1, Coralville. Roundtables are social lunches over the noon hour. All are invited to network, keep up to date with chamber and community events and frequent a member restaurant or business. Free. Contact Emily at (319) 337-9637 or  info@iowacityarea.com with questions.
  
Feb. 5
TechBrew AM, by Technology Association of Iowa, 8-9 a.m., Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance, 501 First St. SE, Cedar Rapids. TechBrew AM is an informal networking event for entrepreneurs, technologists, businesspeople and funders. Free. For more information visit  bit.ly/2Udt34l.
 
On the Menu: Understanding Financial Statements, by Marion Chamber of Commerce and SCORE of East Central Iowa, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Marion City Hall, 1225 Sixth Ave., Marion. Learn about balance sheets, income statements and statements of cash flows, as well as how they interact. Cost: Free for members, $10 for non-members. Lunch included. To register, visit  bit.ly/2QVGGat.
 
Iowa City Roundtable, by Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce, noon-1 p.m., MERGE, 136 S. Dubuque St., Iowa City. This special roundtable will be hosted by MERGE and catered by Oasis Falafel. RSVPs required. Cost: $12. Contact Emily at (319) 337-9637 or  info@iowacityarea.com to register.
 
Business Startup Basics, by SCORE of East Central Iowa and Kirkwood Community College, 6-8 p.m.,Kirkwood Linn County Regional Center, 1770 Boyson Road, Hiawatha. This three-night series will explore the basic steps in starting a business. The first night will cover entrepreneurship, financing and marketing. Cost: $59, covers all three nights. To register, visit  scorecr.org.

Feb. 6
1 Million Cups, by 1MC Cedar Rapids, 8:15-9:15 a.m., Geonetric, 415 12th Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids. Join for community connections, free coffee, and presentations by entrepreneurs, established companies, experts and more. Free. For more information, visit facebook.com/1MCICR.

1 Million Cups, by 1MC Iowa City, 9-10 a.m., MERGE, 136 S. Dubuque St., Iowa City. Join for community connections, free coffee, and presentations by entrepreneurs, established companies, experts and more. Free. For more information, visit facebook.com/1MillionCupsIC/.

Siren Wednesday, by ImpactCR, 5-7 p.m., Fong's Pizza, 1006 Third St. SE, Cedar Rapids. Meet other young professionals at this casual, after-work social at Economic Alliance-member bars and restaurants. Held the first Wednesday of each month. Free.
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Headlines from CBS2/FOX 28
These news items are provided by CBS2/FOX 28  

Record rain in 2018 slammed Eastern Iowa, breaking total yearly precipitation records in Waterloo and other Eastern Iowa reporting stations north of Highway 20. That sent the Cedar River in Cedar Rapids into flood stage later than ever before. New data shows that 2018 was the fourth-warmest on record globally, behind 2016, 2015 and 2017. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, global temperatures from last January through November were 1.4 degrees above normal, making it the fourth warmest year on record to date. "As you get warmer temperatures, the atmosphere can hold more moisture," said Rich Kinney, warning coordination meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Davenport. "We're seeing indications of that across the Midwest." Annual average precipitable water values have trended higher by nearly .20 inches since 1965. The proof? Precipitable water - a value showing the atmosphere's moisture content and how it has changed over time. To see the full CBS2/FOX 28 report, 'Iowa's Changing Climate,' click here.

Between 1.6 million and nearly 4 million concussions in the United States each year are related to sports and recreation. Fortunately, medical and research experts said state legislation and access to insurance have made positive strides in helping students get back on their feet after facing their own concussion experience. "Brain injury is the last thing on your mind until it is the only thing on your mind," said Geoffrey Lauer, CEO of the Brain Injury Alliance. In 2018, the Iowa Legislature updated state concussion law to ensure high school officials and health care providers take more steps before a concussed student can go back on the field. "It's a multi-step process, five or six steps where you start with some easier exercise, progressed to more sport specific drills before you see contact and before you go all the way back to full practice and full play," said Dr. Andy Peterson, associate professor of pediatrics with University of Iowa Sports Medicine. "Most people were already doing that kind of stuff. This law really puts those things more officially into the law." The law also requires 'return to learn' protocols for schools, which is how and if a student can go back to learning after their concussion. To see the full report on KGAN/CBS2, click  here.

T hese news items are provided by CBS2/FOX 28 
CBS2 Chief Meteorologist Terry Swails' Weather First Forecast

The thaw comes to an end today as cold air moves back in. There will be several systems that move through Eastern Iowa this week and bring the chance for freezing rain, sleet, and snow.  Any light rain or drizzle will move out early this morning. A cold front will move through and increase the winds and send temperatures tumbling down through the day. Temperatures will start in the low 40s and drop into the 20s by the afternoon. Skies stay clear tonight and temperatures drop into the single digits and low teens by Tuesday morning. Temperatures will be in the upper 20s to low 30s Tuesday afternoon as clouds move back in. The next storm moves in Tuesday afternoon and evening. There will be a wintry mix and snow with this storm; the higher chances of snow will be close to the Iowa/Minnesota border. Freezing rain and sleet will be more likely across the rest of the area.  There will be another storm Wednesday night into Thursday and bring another chance for a wintry mix. There may be some additional snow and ice accumulations.