(DES MOINES) - Gov. Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds today released the follow town hall schedule.

The following events are open to the press:

Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2013

10:15 a.m. Gov. Branstad and Lt. Gov. Reynolds hold "Our Opportunity. Our Iowa. Our Results." town hall

Fireside Pub & Steakhouse

205 S. 12^th St.

Manchester, IA

2:15 p.m. Gov. Branstad and Lt. Gov. Reynolds hold "Our Opportunity. Our Iowa. Our Results." town hall

Maquoketa Public Library

126 S. 2^nd St.

Maquoketa, IA

Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2013

10 a.m. Gov. Branstad and Lt. Gov. Reynolds hold "Our Opportunity. Our Iowa. Our Results." town hall

Tipton Family Restaurant

101 E. 4^th St.

Tipton, IA

12:30 p.m. Gov. Branstad and Lt. Gov. Reynolds hold "Our Opportunity. Our Iowa. Our Results." town hall

Muscatine County Environmental Learning Center

3300 Cedar St.

Muscatine, IA

2:30 p.m. Gov. Branstad and Lt. Gov. Reynolds hold "Our Opportunity. Our Iowa. Our Results." town hall

Washington Public Library

115 W. Washington St.

Washington, IA

Des Moines, August 13, 2013 ? Twenty-two Iowans have applied with the State Judicial Nominating Commission to fill the vacancy on the Iowa Court of Appeals that will occur when Chief Judge Larry J. Eisenhauer retires September 30, 2013.

The nominating commission will meet on August 21 and 22, 2013, in the Iowa Supreme Court Courtroom on the fourth floor of the Judicial Branch Building to interview the applicants. The public is invited to observe the interviews in the courtroom. Immediately following the interviews, the commission will begin deliberations to select a slate of three nominees from the group of applicants. Once the commission selects its slate of nominees, the commission will forward those names to the governor. The governor will then have thirty (30) days in which to appoint the new judge.

A summary resume, completed questionnaire and writing samples for each candidate will be posted on the Judicial Branch website at:

http://www.iowacourts.gov/State_Judicial_Nominating_Commission/Application_Information/

The commission welcomes written comments from the public about the qualifications of any of the applicants. Comments must be submitted to the State Court Administrator, who serves as the commission secretary, by August 20, 2013. Comments may be e-mailed to SupCtNom@iowacourts.gov. Comments may also be mailed to the State Court Administrator, Iowa Judicial Branch Building, 1111 E. Court Ave., Des Moines, Iowa 50319.

The 17-member commission is composed of a chair, who is the senior justice of the supreme court other than the chief justice, eight lawyer commissioners elected by lawyers licensed to practice law in Iowa and eight non-lawyer commissioners appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Iowa Senate. With the exception of the commission chair, membership on the commission is limited to one six-year term. Terms are staggered. The Iowa Constitution requires that commission members be chosen without regard to political affiliation.

The applicants for the court are:

Alan H. Bjork, Johnston, Age 64

Attorney, Bjork McDermott Law

J.D. 1976, Drake University

Emily Gould Chafa, Johnston, Age 53

Administrative Law Judge, Dept. of Inspections and Appeals

J.D., 1987, Loyola School of Law

Susan Kay Christensen, Harlan, Age 51

District Associate Judge (appointed 2007)?Fourth Judicial District

J.D., 1991, Creighton University

Mark Dana Cleve, Davenport, Age 58

District Judge (appointed 1998)?Seventh Judicial District

J.D., 1981, University of Iowa

Matt M. Dummermuth, Robins, Age 40

Attorney, Whitaker, Hagenow & Gustoff, LLP

J.D., 1999, Harvard Law School

George Scott Eichhorn, Stratford, Age 58

General Counsel, Rueter & Zenor, Co

J.D., 1980, Drake University

Sharon Greer, Marshalltown, Age 55

Attorney, Cartwright, Druker & Ryden

J.D., 1982, University of Iowa

Peter Christopher Hart, Emmetsburg, Age 60

Assistant County Attorney?Dickinson and Emmet Counties

J.D. 1979, DePaul University

Samuel Paul Langholz, Ankeny, Age 33

State Public Defender

J.D., 2008, University of Iowa

David Larry Leitner, Johnston, Age 57

Attorney, Leitner Law Office

J.D., 1979, University of Iowa

Thomas Arthur Mayes, Des Moines, Age 43

Attorney, Iowa Department of Education

J.D., 1996, University of Iowa

Christopher Lee McDonald, Des Moines, Age 38

District Judge (appointed 2012)?Fifth Judicial District

J.D., 2001, University of Iowa

Jennifer Lee Miller, Springville, Age 42

Attorney, Wachtel Missry LLP

J.D., 1995, Cornell Law School

Douglas Robert Oelschlaeger, Cedar Rapids, Age 56

Attorney, Shuttleworth & Ingersoll

J.D., 1981, University of Iowa

Alan Roger Ostergren, Letts, Age 41

County Attorney?Muscatine County

J.D., 1997, Drake University

Rebecca Saffin Parrish-Sams, Cumming, Age 42

Attorney?Soldat & Parrish-Sams, PLC

J.D., 1998, University of Iowa

Michael Joseph Shubatt, Dubuque, Age 48

District Judge (appointed 2008)?First Judicial District

J.D., 1990, University of Iowa

Phillip John Tabor, De Witt, Age 54

District Associate Judge (appointed 2008)?Seventh Judicial District

J.D., 1984, University of Wyoming

Frank Cal Tenuta, Sioux City, Age 54

Attorney, Iowa Legal Aid

J.D., 1985, University of Minnesota

Jeanie Kunkle Vaudt, West Des Moines, Age 59

Assistant Attorney General

J.D., 1991, Drake University

Randy Lee Waagmeester, Rock Rapids, Age 60

Attorney, Waagmeester Law Office

J.D., 1978, Drake University

Molly  McConville  Weber, Waukee, Age 39

Law Clerk, U.S. District Court

J.D., 2000, Georgetown University Law Center

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There are currently 1.1 million professionals in the beauty industry, according to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools. As this industry continues to grow, having a unique and broad skillset can be the deciding factor in landing that dream job. According to a survey by IES Abroad, 75 percent of students said they acquired skill sets outside the classroom that influenced their career path.

As part of the La 'James International College Global Learning Program, from Aug. 20 to 24, 42 students will travel to New York City to learn from industry leaders in a real world environment. The Global Learning program shows students the resources available to them and provides cultural exposure, networking opportunities and education from educators across the world.

During the trip, students will undergo cutting-edge beauty training at the Wella Studio in Rockefeller Center, tour the city and network with top and emerging stylists from across the country.

Aug. 17 ceremony recognizes Bilateral Embedded Staff Team A10

SPRINGFIELD, IL (08/13/2013)(readMedia)-- Approximately 20 Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers will be recognized Aug. 17 by the National Guard Bureau Freedom Salute Campaign for their sacrifice and service in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The ceremony for the Bilateral Embedded Staff Team (BEST) A10 will be at 10 a.m. Camp Lincoln, 1301 N. MacArthur Blvd. in Springfield.

The BEST A10 Soldiers were mobilized in August 2012 and returned May 16.

The team was part of Task Force White Eagle XII, which included more than 2,500 Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines from the U.S. and Poland. The task force was assigned two missions in preparation for the drawdown of coalition forces in 2014. The primary mission was to develop the Afghan Soldiers and Afghan law enforcement personnel to provide their citizens with civil and national security. Secondly, the combined U.S./Polish Task Force was tasked with transporting 10 years of war material out of their assigned area of responsibility as a key component of the eventual drawdown.

Task Force White Eagle/BEST A10 completed more than 1,600 tactical operations that ranged from clearing the roads of improvised explosive devices (IED) and humanitarian aid to neutralizing high-profile insurgent leadership. These operations resulted in finding and clearing 34 IEDs and 21 former Soviet high-explosive munitions. The Soldiers of the task force uncovered 35 insurgent weapons cache's that housed over a ton of various caliber weapon ammunition, 30 semi/automatic weapons and more than 45,000 pounds of homemade explosives. Task Force White Eagle was engaged in more than 300 firefights and five IED strikes. The combined efforts of the Polish Soldiers and Illinois Guardsmen yielded the capture of more than 80 insurgents, which included more than one dozen high-profile insurgent leaders.

The Freedom Salute Campaign program is a small way to show these patriotic citizen-Soldiers, their families and employers how much their sacrifice is appreciated. On behalf of the National Guard Bureau, the Illinois Army National Guard will present each eligible Soldier with an encased American flag, as well as a sequentially-numbered commemorative coin, certificate of appreciation and lapel pin. Families will also receive items recognizing their support and sacrifice.

The Freedom Salute Campaign is one of the largest Army National Guard recognition endeavors in history. It is designed to publicly acknowledge Army National Guard Soldiers and those who supported them while deployed.

News media attending the event should arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the ceremony and should notify the Public Affairs Office by 3 p.m., Aug. 16 to be granted access onto Camp Lincoln. For more information call the Public Affairs Office at 217-761-3569.

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