Looking in at Iowa

Posted recently by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission:

West Music Recalls Egg-Shaker Toy Instruments Due to Choking and Aspiration Hazards

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Transparent Toy Egg Shakers

Units: About 5,500

Manufacturer: West Music Company, of Coralville, Iowa

Hazard: The end cap can detach from the egg shaker and allow the small beads to spill out, posing choking/aspiration hazards to young children.

Incidents/Injuries: West Music has received a report of the end cap detaching. No injuries have been reported.

Description: This recall involves clear, plastic egg-shaped instruments with various color beads inside. The beads inside the shaker instrument come in five colors: red, white, green, dark blue and aqua. “Basic Beat” and “Jumbo Egg Crystal” is printed on a label attached to the plastic bag packaging. Model numbers “BB5102” and “202212” are printed on the side of the label.

Sold at: West Music stores in Iowa and Illinois, West Music catalog, www.westmusic.com and at West Music exhibit booths nationwide from October 2006 through December 2007 for about $2.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the recalled egg shakers from young children and contact West Music for a free replacement product.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact West Music at (800) 397-9378 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or e-mail the firm at rcousins@westmusic.com

EGG SHAKER TOY INSTRUMENT PHOTO HERE

Just a tidbit from this TIME magazine article:

Do Presidents Matter?

… [Former Iowa Rep. Jim] Leach, who hasn’t endorsed a candidate (although his wife has been campaigning for Obama), told me the crucial trait for the next President will be the ability to inspire confidence. 

See also recent Gazette article, Leach has praise, but no endorsement, for Obama.

AP photos of Tom Arnold here at Yahoo! News.

From White House release:

Nearly 200 Nominees Are Still Waiting For Senate Confirmation …

DUKE, Elizabeth A.                                 Member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System

DUMMERMUTH, Matt Michael             United States Attorney for the Northern District of Iowa

EPSTEIN, Anthony C.                             Associate Judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia …

See also Matt Dummermuth U.S. Attorney nomination sent to Senate

According to Upper Midwest Broadcasting, Clear Channel-owned KKSY (95.7) was heard testing Wednesday evening.