DES MOINES, IA (07/10/2014)(readMedia)-- The Iowa State Fair has a wide variety of free, family-friendly fun coming to the 2014 Fair. Kids' activities and entertainment, all free with admission, can be found everywhere from the Kids' Zone to the Fun Forest Stage. "Nothing Compares" to the Iowa State Fair, set August 7-17.

The Kids' Zone - a special area packed with games and entertainment - is planned with young Fairgoers in mind. Experience the wonders of Bruno's Tiger Show. Learn about farming and celebrate Little Hands on the Farm's 10th anniversary. Learn more about water, light, soil nutrients and plant growth at the interactive Seed Survivor display. Before you leave, visit the Blue Ribbon Kids tent for fun Fair-themed activities every weekday.

Blue Ribbon Kids, the Fair's special club for ages 10 and under, allows children to experience the Fair from a unique perspective. Blue Ribbon Kids members will get to be part of the action during special club activities every morning at 10 a.m. in the kids' club tent in the Kids' Zone, north of the Animal Learning Center and will last 30-60 minutes. Membership is free and children can sign up between 9 and 9:30 a.m. for any club event or download a form at iowastatefair.org/just-for-kids/blue-ribbon-kids-club and bring it along.

Schedule of Blue Ribbon Kids Events:

Thursday, August 7 - Become a Fair Entrant Day

Friday, August 8 - Paint the Sidewalks Day

Monday, August 11 - Dairy Daze Day

Tuesday, August 12 - Plant with Us Day

Wednesday, August 13 - Pay It Forward Day

Thursday, August 14 - Baby Farm Animal Day

Friday, August 15 - Make and Take Craft Day

Fun Forest Stage:

The Fair's family-friendly Fun Forest Stage is nestled in 1.5 acres of fun, located east of the John Deere Agriculture Building. All shows are ASL interpreted, courtesy of the Deaf Action Center and the Iowa State Fair.

James Johnson's World Record Balloon Stunt Show includes visual comedy, magic and stunts. He is best known for "pushing the limits" as he puts people inside a giant, 6 foot in diameter, latex balloon. Shows begin daily at 11 a.m.,1 and 3 p.m.

The Rubber Chicken Show starring Greg Frisbee, a comedian, juggler and escape artist. He keeps the audience on their toes by juggling while his hands are on fire, escaping from a straight jacket and launching a rubber chicken with a cannon. This family-friendly event is sure to entertain. Shows begin daily at Noon, 2 and 4 p.m.

Grounds Attractions:

The Red Trouser Show offers a high-end street theater production full of acrobatic tricks and hilarious stunts. This professional and highly skilled duo uses fire, juggling and illusions to provide a unique and visible attraction that leaves awe-stricken audiences laughing. Shows daily at Noon, 3, and 6 p.m. on Expo Hill.

Bandaloni gives musical entertainment a funny facelift as he belts out familiar family favorites while playing guitar, harmonica, tambourine, high-hat, kick-drum, snare and more - all at the same time! Strolling daily at 11 a.m.,1 and 3 p.m.

Hedrick's Petting Zoo is the ideal place for fairgoers can get up-close-and-personal with zebras, kangaroos, camels and more in a safe and fun environment. Open daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. north of Gate 11.

More Entertainment:

In addition to feeling the squish of grapes between your toes during the Grape Stomp (daily, 11 a.m., 2, 3, and 6 p.m.), more Grape Getaway kids' activities will be held daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. in a tent north of Grandfather's Barn.

No matter what your age, fun will be had by all on Iowa Park and Recreation day, Thursday, August 14. Participate in bubble gum blowing (9 a.m.) and the pie eating contests (10:30 a.m.) on the Anne and Bill Riley Stage and the Big Wheel Races (11 a.m. and 1 p.m.), arts and crafts (11 a.m. to 1 p.m.) and scavenger hunts (1 p.m.) on the Grand Concourse.

Stop by the Maytag Family Theaters to enjoy Pella Wildlife Company's daily educational presentations. Learn about Iowa's wolves and bats, or become an expert on reptiles and birds of prey. Shows daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Stop by the William C. Knapp Varied Industries Building Atrium for the return of Sandscapes, a team of national, international and world champion sand sculptors, and watch them construct an agriculture-themed masterpiece. Open daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Silly Sally the Clown's shows teach and entertain audiences of all ages with magic, music, puppetry and dancing. The performance will be held on Thursday, August 7, at 10:30 a.m. on the Fairview Stage.

"Nothing Compares" to the 2014 Iowa State Fair, August 7-17. The Fairgrounds are located at East 30th and East University Avenue, just 10 minutes east of downtown Des Moines. Discounted gate admission tickets are on sale now through our convenient print at home ticket option at www.iowastatefair.org. For more information, call 800/545-FAIR or visit www.iowastatefair.org.

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Master Gardeners are volunteers, trained by Iowa State University (ISU) in horticulture, who return service to the community through educational projects. What really sets them apart from other home gardeners is their commitment to learning and sharing what they learn with others. Each year ISU Scott County Extension & Outreach extends this opportunity to 25 residents of Scott County.

Master Gardener trainees attend over 40 hours of scheduled classes and complete 40 hours of volunteer service during their first year to become Master Gardeners.

Classes will be held from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays starting September 11^th and ending November 6^th. There is a fee of $195.00 which covers your training and materials provided by ISU Scott County Extension & Outreach.

Please consider Master Gardeners when seeking credible information about home gardening in Iowa. And if you are interested in becoming an Iowa Master Gardener, contact the ISU Scott County Extension & Outreach Office, 875 Tanglefoot Lane, Bettendorf (359-7577) for an application form for this fall's training session.  The application may also be accessed from our website http://www.extension.iastate.edu/scott/ .

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Ames, Iowa - (July 10, 2014) - The Iowa State University College of Human Sciences and its academic departments offered over $800,000 in scholarships to students for the 2014-2015 academic year.

Local recipients include :

from Bettendorf, Iowa

Jamie Blaser, Senior, Event Management, Assumption High School , Mark and Nancy Blaser, Marjorie Chollett Scholarship - College of Human Sciences, Polly Baichly Scholarship - Apparel, Events, and Hospitality Management

Jacqueline Colarusso, Freshman, Apparel, Merchandising, and Design, Pleasant Valley High School, Joe and Jennifer Colarusso, Kathryn Knudson Totty Scholarship - College of Human Sciences

Safwan Elkhatib, Senior, Kinesiology and Health, Pleasant Valley High School, Nizar and Etaf Elkhatib, Mary Beard Gibson Scholarship - College of Human Sciences

Jill Mekalson, Freshman, Hospitality Management, Bettendorf High School, Lisa and Ron Mekalson, Mary Ellen Lewis Scholarship - Apparel, Events, and Hospitality Management

from Davenport, Iowa

Joshua Byrne, Sophomore, Elementary Education, Central High School, , Betty Holland Dop and Howard L. Dop Scholarship - School of Education

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Jobs legislation was incorporated in reauthorization of Workforce Investment Act

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack released the following statement today after large portions of the SECTORS Act, legislation he introduced to close the gap between the kinds of skills that workers have and skills that businesses need, passed the House. HR 803, the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WOIA), is designed to improve the nation's workforce development system. The legislation, which already passed the Senate on an overwhelming bipartisan vote, now heads to the President for his signature. Video of Loebsack discussing his SECTORS Act on the House floor can be found here.

"The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WOIA) is critical to our nation's economic recovery, and I am pleased that it was passed with truly bipartisan support. I am also pleased that this bill contains large portions of the SECTORS Act that will close the gap between the kinds of skills that workers have and the skills that businesses need. The sector partnerships created by this bill will get people back to work and move our economy forward."

Loebsack's SECTORS Act links together businesses, labor organizations, local stakeholders, and education and training providers connected to a particular industry. These partnerships work to develop or implement plans for growing or saving that targeted industry, promoting long-term competitiveness and advancing employment opportunities for workers. The inclusion of the legislation will ensure employees on the local level are properly trained so they can effectively compete in the 21st Century global economy. Loebsack first introduced the SECTORS Act in 2009 and the House of Representatives unanimously passed it in 2010. While it was not taken up in the Senate at that time, Loebsack has continued to fight for its passage.