(DES MOINES) - Gov. Terry E. Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds today invited Iowans to join them at 7 p.m. on Dec. 11, 2015 at the Iowa DCA's Fourth Annual Celebrate Iowa Gala.  This event will highlight and showcase Iowa's arts, history and culture.  Gov. Branstad, Mrs. Chris Branstad, Lt. Gov. Reynolds and Mr. Kevin Reynolds are all serving as Honorary Chairs for the gala.

"Chris and I are pleased to serve this year as Honorary Chairs for the gala and wish to extend an invitation to Iowans to attend the fourth annual Celebrate Iowa Gala," Branstad said. "This event will support new initiatives that promote Iowa's history and important heritage."

"Kevin and I hope that many Iowans will attend the Gala this year to support the State Historical Society of Iowa's events and programs that better connect Iowans to exhibits, interactive educational workshops, National History Day, the Preserve Iowa Summit and many more," Reynolds said.

"To date, including this year, we have raised more than $600,000 for Iowa history experiences as we celebrate all Iowa has to offer," Iowa DCA Director Mary Cownie said.  "These dollars support programs that encourage an appreciation of Iowa history and connect Iowans to the people, places and points of pride that define our state."

DCA's Celebrate Iowa Gala will be 7-11 p.m., Friday, Dec. 11, 2015, at the State Historical Building, 600 E. Locust Street in Des Moines. Visit www.culturalaffairs.org/gala or contact DCA at HistoricalGala@iowa.gov or 515-281-8352 for additional information. Tickets are available at www.culturalaffairs.org/gala.

Gala proceeds and donations through the Iowa Historical Foundation, a 501(c) 3 organization, support exhibitions and programs offered by the State Historical Society of Iowa and the State Historical Museum of Iowa.

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CONTACT: Governor's Office 515-281-5211

(DES MOINES)  - Tonight, Gov. Terry Branstad's Communications Director, Ben Hammes, issued a statement on the ALJ's decision on Medicaid Modernization that was released late this afternoon.

"The ALJ's decision this evening allows Medicaid Modernization to move forward.  Tonight's decision emphasizes that the process was both "thorough and methodical."  We continue to evaluate the next steps in the administrative review of the procurement process and remain on schedule to implement our plan on January 1, 2016."

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MUSCATINE, Iowa - The 31st annual Holiday Stroll in Muscatine is set to take place in downtown Muscatine on Friday, Dec. 4 from 5:30-8 p.m.  The event is sponsored by the Muscatine Journal and the Muscatine Downtown Action Alliance.

"This year's Holiday Stroll is going to be bigger, better and brighter than ever," said Karla Pinner, publisher of the Muscatine Journal. "We're really excited about the lighted parade, which is new this year. Local kids will be carrying special lanterns; it should be a lot of fun.  You're also going to see more lighted decorations downtown. "

There will be free refreshments up and down Second Street in various shops and there will be an opportunity to extend the holiday spirit further by dropping toys off for the Salvation Army at Carriage House Carpet One Floor and Home, 121 E. Second St.

In addition to being able to enjoy music, people will be able to appreciate other kinds of art with an artist meet and greet at We Can Frame That, 221 E. Second St., and with artist Carol Steinmetz at Pearl City Iowa Realty, 222 W. Second St.

Not only will Second Street be abuzz with family friendly activities as is tradition, but festivities will extend all the way up to Third Street via Cedar Street. Local band Lefty and the Spinners, which typically only performs once a year, will be playing at the Muscatine Journal building at 301 Third Street and Vineyard Church, at 224 E 3rd St., will host an array of live music as well.

There will be plenty of photo opportunities at the Stroll, so don't forget to bring your camera and to share them using the hashtag #MuscaStroll. The Pearl City Players will be dressed in costumes for photo ops and Santa will be at several locations after his appearance in the parade at 6 p.m., including Sarah Siler Photography and the Jubilee Community Center.

The parade will also include dogs from the Humane Society and anybody else who'd like to participate can sign up to do so by calling Pinner at 563-262-0552.

Also, the Muscatine Parks and Recreation department is holding its annual Candy Cane Hunt down at the riverfront at 7 p.m. for preschool through fourth graders.  There will be lots of candy canes to be found by all participants as well as several "special" candy canes that can be redeemed at Pearl City Station for a special toy.  Cookies and drinks will be available at Pearl City Station after the hunt.  The Candy Cane Hunt will be held in the dark, so bring a flashlight if you can!  LED flashlights will be available if you're unable to bring your own.

"Bring your kids, bring your friends," Pinner said. "There's going to be so much to do, you'll be lucky if you can do everything before the night's over."

Businesses and organizations participating in the Stroll (At this time, watch for a complete list in the Muscatine Journal)

Carriage House Carpet One Floor and Home - Salvation Army toy drop off, toy drawings

Candle Shed Effect - Open

CBI Bank and Trust - Muscatine High School instrumental group 4:50-5 p.m.; Muscatine High School chorus groups 5-6 p.m.; light refreshments

Creations by Oz - Wine tasting, hot cocoa, discounts on handcrafted jewelry, and unique finds

Elly's Tea and Coffee - Hot chocolate and cider for $1

Feather Your Nest - "Pick a top hat" savings on store purchase

Fighting Chance Solutions - live music and home school orchestra

First National Bank - Holiday villages decorating the patio

Fresh Vintage - Hot cider and treats in the Pearl Plaza atrium

Grillzilla Food Truck - On Cedar Street between 2nd and 3rd Streets

Gypsy Junk Market - Refreshments

Hall Tree Boutique - Open

Hubbles - $1.50 domestic draft beer

Ideal Wellness - Specials instore

Jubilee Community Center - Santa

Just Because - Open

Mealy Law Offices - Cookies, hot chocolate, ornaments

Muscatine Journal - Lefty and The Spinners band

Muscatine Photography Studio - Cider, hot chocolate, cookies and photo ops; magic show

Muscatine Search and Rescue - Hot chocolate and demonstrations on Cedar Street between 2nd and 3rd Streets

Pearl City Iowa Realty - Artist Carol Steinmetz, treats and refreshments

Pearl City Players - Dressing in costumes for photo ops, location to be announced

Ruhl & Ruhl - Starbucks, fire pit, HyVee serving coffee and cookies

Salon Incognito - Music, refreshments

Sarah Siler Photography - Photos with Santa

Sherwin Williams - Miss Louise dance group performing in windows

Start to Finish - Specials on shakes, hot tea, soup, oatmeal and protein bars

The Flower Gallery - Three guys with Soule performing

The Wild Thing - Open

Trinity Episcopal Church - Louisa-Muscatine Elementary Choir performing during the soup supper

Under the Bed Antiques - Hot chocolate and cookies, 10 percent off items

U.S. Cellular - Handouts and refreshments on Cedar Street between 2nd and 3rd Streets

Vineyard Church - Vineyard Collective performing at 6-6:30 p.m.; Muscatine High School group performing at 6:30-7 p.m.; Muscatine Community College Variety Singers at 7-7:30 p.m.; refreshments

We Can Frame That - Queens C&S Pageant singing; artist meet and greet with hot chocolate, cookies, etc.

Wine Nutz - After party with live music from Fighting Chance Solutions

Zogg Pilates - Pilates and yoga demonstrations, balance yoga and massage