Iowa residents Craig Farlinger and Mike Whye need no words to explain how incredible their home state is?the proof is in the 109 color photographs that make up their new book, Iowa: A Photographic Journey, available from Farcountry Press this fall.

Working independently from Cresco and Council Bluffs, respectively, Farlinger and Whye have covered nearly every corner of Iowa in their 54 combined years of professional photography. In Iowa: A Photographic Journey, the duo delivers not only the cozy farm scenes and small-town charm that make the state great, but also a wide variety of true-blue Iowa subjects visitors and even locals may not have previously seen.

Although both photographers are well rounded, Iowa: A Photographic Journey brings out their individual strengths. Farlinger takes readers on a journey through majestic natural places, including Iowa's beloved state parks, old-growth forests, limestone bluffs, winding rivers, and the unique prairies of the Loess Hills. Whye highlights the state's culture, from the famous covered bridges of Madison County to the golden Iowa Capitol, from the freewheeling sculptures of Pappajohn Sculpture Park to the two-wheeled extravaganza RAGBRAI, and all the rodeos, museums, historical sites, and giant concrete bulls in between.

The book's images reveal a rare passion for all things Iowa. If, as the old saying goes, a picture is worth 1,000 words, Farlinger and Whye have composed a splendid love letter to the Hawkeye State.

Iowa: A Photographic Journey (9781560376330, $12.95, Farcountry Press, 2015) is available at local bookstores and gift shops, through online retailers, or from Farcountry Press at 1.800.821.3874, www.farcountrypress.com.

About the Photographers

Clint Farlinger, a professional photographer since 1992, photographs nature's beauty extensively in the Midwest as well as throughout the world. Through careful use of light and composition, he creates images that are both artful and illustrative of nature's story. He has years of experience working on assignment for magazines such as Midwest Living and writing for magazines including Outdoor Photographer, Sierra, and Shutterbug. In addition to these magazines, his vast array of credits includes National Geographic books and calendars, National Parks magazine, BrownTrout calendars (including several containing only his images), and numerous other books, magazines, and calendars. See Clint's work at www.farlingerphoto.com.

Mike Whye developed his love of travel from when he was an Air Force brat. As a freelance writer-photographer, he has been writing and photographing articles for newspapers, magazines, and private, public, and government entities since 1984. Mike has won the top Mark Twain Award for excellence in photojournalism four times from the Midwest Travel Writers Association, and he teaches photography and journalism at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. He resides in Council Bluffs, Iowa. For more on Mike's work, visit mwhye.home.radiks.net.

About Farcountry Press

Celebrating more than 30 years in business, award-winning publisher Farcountry Press specializes in softcover and hardcover color photography books showcasing the nation's cities, states, national parks, and wildlife. Farcountry also publishes several popular children's series, guidebooks, cookbooks, and regional history titles nationwide. Farcountry publishes more than 50 books annually; the backlist has grown to more than 300 titles. Visit www.farcountrypress.com or call 1.800.821.3874.

DES MOINES, IA (09/28/2015)(readMedia)-- State Treasurer Michael L. Fitzgerald's Great Iowa Treasure Hunt's fall publication is scheduled to be released soon. "The upcoming publication has the most up-to-date unclaimed property listings in the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt, so make sure to search, even if you've checked before. A lot of Iowans may be pleasantly surprised," said Fitzgerald. "You may also search for your name any time by visiting GreatIowaTreasureHunt.gov."

The Great Iowa Treasure Hunt program has returned over $198 million in unclaimed property to more than 468,000 individuals since Fitzgerald started it in 1983. Unclaimed property refers to money and other assets held by financial institutions or companies that have lost contact with the property's owner for a specific period of time. State law requires these institutions and companies to annually report and deliver unclaimed property to the state treasurer's office, where it is held until the owner or heir of the property is found. Common forms of unclaimed property include savings or checking accounts, stocks, uncashed checks, life insurance policies, utility security deposits, safe deposit box contents and many other types of property.

(@GreatIATreasure).

###

A generation ago, most families didn't think about financial fraud. Today, it can come in many forms - over the phone, through the mail and increasingly, online. It's an equal opportunity crime that affects consumers of all ages.

For the 15th straight year, the Federal Trade Commission tapped identity theft as the number one source of consumer complaints in its 2014 Consumer Sentinel Network Data Book (https://www.ftc.gov) released in February. The agency also noted a "large increase" in so-called "imposter" scams - phone calls and emails from thieves purporting to represent the government as a way to steal data and money from unsuspecting adults.

Young people - particularly students - may be the fastest-growing group of fraud targets. Due to their dependence and sometimes unwitting use of computers and mobile devices, young people may be the greatest potential victims of financial fraud, according to a 2015 study (https://www.javelinstrategy.com) by Javelin Strategy & Research. More than 64 percent of respondents said they were not "very concerned" about identity fraud, but were far more likely to find out they were fraud victims long after the damage occurred, such as through a call from a debt collector or a rejection letter from a lender.

Most consumers under the age of 18 shouldn't have a credit record at all. But as digital thieves become more sophisticated and federal agencies become occasionally vulnerable to hackers, critical privacy data like Social Security numbers - which many parents obtain for their children in infancy to save or invest money or buy insurance on their behalf - could be at risk years before a child ever opens a bank account or applies for a loan.

For all of these reasons, it may be time to think about a family fraud plan. Here are some steps to consider.

• Check the accuracy of all family credit data. Parents should begin by checking their own credit reports (https://www.annualcreditreport.com/index.action) to make sure creditor data and loan balances are accurate and no inaccuracies or unfamiliar lenders have crept into their information. Once clear, adult children can make sure senior relatives are taking similar steps. As for minors, the three major credit agencies - TransUnion, Equifax and Experian - have their own website guidelines for confirming and evaluating a minor's credit data.
• Make sure mailboxes are safe from thieves and any document with an account number or identifying data is destroyed before it is placed in the trash. The same goes for tax returns that are no longer needed.
• Learn how to protect all mobile computer and handheld data and have a plan in place in case any family member loses a smartphone, tablet or laptop/desktop computer. Tips are available online, from smartphone service providers and device manufacturers.
• Online, by phone and in person, be wary of collection demands or requests for Social Security numbers or other specific account data unless the identity of the caller can be verified. Fraudulent calls are called "vishing" scams, similar to "phishing" scams that involve fraudulent emails, texts and websites used to illegally collect personal data.
• Install all software security updates immediately on mobile devices and computers and ensure passwords are unique and frequently updated.
• Sign up for fraud alerts from banks, credit card issuers or investment companies to receive immediate word of unusual or potentially illegal activity on accounts.

Bottom line: Identity thieves and other financial fraudsters watch consumer behavior closely and are equally adept at stealing money and data in person, over the phone and online. Have a plan in place to protect the entire family.

The Figge Art Museum and Heart of America Group are pleased to announce the opening of the Figge Café located in the Figge Art Museum at 225 West Second Street, Davenport, IA 52801.  Lunch will be served Tuesday through Friday from 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 a.m..

"We are pleased to partner with Heart of America to open the Figge Café, a beautiful and casual lunch atmosphere, that is great for both businesses and families," said Tim Schiffer, Executive Director, Figge Art Museum.

HOA's Executive Chef Steve Hall will create a new menu each week with a selection of soups, salads, sandwiches and desserts featuring both fresh and local food options, as well as, cappuccino and espresso available for dining in or carry out.

There is no museum admission fee to eat at the restaurant. Call 563.726.2087 to make your lunch reservation.  Walk-ins are welcome.

About the Figge Art Museum