Education Series offered by the Iowa Finance Authority,  Iowa Association of REALTORS® and the
Iowa Home Ownership Education Project

DES MOINES - The Iowa Finance Authority, Iowa Association of REALTORS® and the Iowa Home Ownership Education Project are partnering to bring Iowa home buyers free educational sessions.

A series of seminars entitled, Free Home Buyer Education Series: Unique Iowa Programs & Information to Get You Started, will provide information on state mortgage and down payment assistance programs, homeownership benefits and the steps towards owning a home. Iowa Finance Authority staff will present the information, and housing counselors will also be on hand to answer questions. These events will be hosted by local boards of REALTORS®.

TIME:
Two sessions, beginning at 6:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., at each location

COST: Free

REGISTRATION: IowaFinanceAuthority.gov/Registration

LOCATIONS:

  • Council Bluffs
    Wednesday, May 22
    Council Bluffs Public Library
    400 Willow Avenue, Council Bluffs
  • Waterloo-Cedar Falls
    Thursday, May 23
    Waterloo-Cedar Falls Board of REALTORS®
    351 Fletcher Avenue, Waterloo
  • Des Moines
    Thursday, May 30
    Iowa Association of REALTORS®
    1379 NW 114th Street #100, Clive
  • Cedar Rapids
    Tuesday, June 4
    Wells Fargo
    1800 1st Avenue NE, Cedar Rapids
  • Quad Cities
    Wednesday, June 5
    Quad Cities Area REALTOR® Association
    1900 State Street, Bettendorf
  • Dubuque
    Thursday, June 6
    Hy-Vee Club Room
    2395 NW Arterial Road, Dubuque
  • Iowa City
    Thursday, June 13
    Iowa City Area Association of REALTORS®
    847 Quarry Road, Coralville
  • Spencer*
    Wednesday, June 19
    Spencer Public Library
    21 E 3rd Street, Spencer
  • Sioux City
    Thursday, June 20
    Holiday Inn
    701 Gordon Drive, Sioux City
  • Ames
    Tuesday, June 25
    City Hall
    515 Clark Avenue, Ames
  • Burlington
    Wednesday, June 26
    Burlington Board of REALTORS®
    2807 Summer Street, Burlington

*6:00 p.m. session only

More information can be found at IowaFinanceAuthority.gov.
###

Former Hawkeye All-American, Current NFL Star Advocates ANF

WEST DES MOINES, IOWA - May 16, 2013 - Chad Greenway, a small-town farm boy, now a dominant defensive player in the National Football League (NFL), is the latest football star teaming up with the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF) and the University of Iowa (UI) to promote the America Needs Farmers (ANF) campaign.

Greenway was raised on a small South Dakota farm that his parents still operate.  Today, he is one of the NFL's most prolific linebackers, but underneath his jersey and pads is a farmer passionate about highlighting the vital role agriculture plays in our country.   "The importance of farmers is never going to go away.  The foundation of human nature is farming: being able to produce something from the land, being able to feed your family, feed your community, and feed the world," Greenway said.  "It's the backbone of America.  It's what we're all about.  It's the fabric of our being."

Greenway says the life lessons learned on the farm help motivate him on the football field.  "There are so many levels where hard work and growing up on a farm can correlate to football.  I've used all the principles I gained growing up on a farm to really push me in the profession that I'm in now," said Greenway, star linebacker of the Minnesota Vikings entering his eighth season in the league.  "The game of football is unique and tests you in many ways; it tests your will; it tests your ability to get up from being knocked down; it tests your work ethic, for sure, and the want-to that you have."

Greenway joins an impressive list of former Hawkeye players who support ANF, a campaign launched by legendary Hawkeye coach Hayden Fry in 1985 during the Farm Crisis. The ANF emblem is displayed on Hawkeye football players' helmets today and is a source of pride for the former Hawkeye great.  "I'm proud that I went to the University of Iowa and that ANF is part of what the UI symbolizes and tries to push.  I'm proud that the people of Iowa can turn on the Hawkeye game and be proud of the people we are putting on the field who wear that emblem," said Greenway.

With most people two to three generations removed from the family farm, IFBF and the UI joined forces to promote the ANF message and talk to consumers about the food, fuel and fiber raised by farmers. "Consumers want to know more about where their food comes from and the ANF effort is just one way farmers are helping build that understanding," said Craig Hill, IFBF president.

Greenway joins former Hawkeye greats Hap Peterson, Mike Haight, Matt Kroul, Casey Wiegmann, Jared Devries, and Dallas Clark as ANF supporters.  The ANF campaign continues to create excitement with the 2013 Hawkeye football season drawing closer.

  • Learn more about why Chad Greenway and the other members of the ANF team believe America Needs Farmers at www.iowafarmbureau.com/articles/89871/pro_bowl_linebacker_chad_greenway_joines_america_needs_farmers_team.
  • ANF and Iowa farmers will be featured at Farm Bureau Park, located on the Grand Concourse at the Iowa State Fair, Aug. 8-18. Visitors can register for prizes, play games and learn more about farming.
  • "ANF Day at Kinnick" will be held Oct. 26 for the Iowa versus Northwestern game.  The day will feature pre-game events featuring Iowa farmers and an autograph session with former NFL and Hawkeye greats.
  • Kinnick Stadium visitors can see ANF Plaza and the Wall of Fame, located between the stadium's west grandstand and the north grandstand.
  • ANF merchandise is for sale at www.bravosportsmarketing.com. Farm Bureau members can take advantage of special discounts throughout the year at www.iowafarmbureau.com.  A portion of the proceeds goes to the Iowa Food Bank Association.
  • The website www.AmericaNeedsFarmers.org features fun facts, trivia, ANF events and comments from former University of Iowa football players who proudly wore the ANF on their game helmets during their playing days at the UI.

-30-

About Iowa Farm Bureau

The Iowa Farm Bureau Federation is a grassroots, statewide organization dedicated to enhancing the People, Progress and Pride of Iowa.  More than 153,000 families in Iowa are Farm Bureau members, working together to achieve farm and rural prosperity.  For more information about Farm Bureau and agriculture, visit the online media center at www.iowafarmbureau.com.

Website highlights Braley's record of getting things done for Iowa

DES MOINES, IA - Braley for Iowa today launched a new website, www.iowaproblemsolver.com, to highlight Rep. Bruce Braley's unparalleled record of getting things done for Iowa.

The website includes details on Braley's many accomplishments for the people he represents. Going forward, the site will be updated frequently as Braley continues to effectively fight for Iowa.

Jeff Link, adviser to Braley for Iowa, said, "Governor Terry Branstad put it best: we need an Iowa problem solver to replace Tom Harkin in the US Senate.

"There is no more accomplished Iowa problem solver than Bruce Braley. For six years, Bruce has been getting things done for Iowa every day. From creating a program to train Iowa workers for jobs in renewable energy to fixing government regulations that put Marshalltown manufacturing at risk, Bruce doesn't stop working for Iowa. And he'll be even more effective in the Senate.

"We're launching iowaproblemsolver.com to highlight Bruce's tremendous record of accomplishment for the people he represents."

The website can be viewed at www.iowaproblemsolver.com. Braley for Iowa will be tweeting accomplishments all week using the hashtag #iaproblemsolver.

During a press conference on April 29, Governor Terry Branstad was discussing his thoughts on an appealing candidate for US Senate when he said, "I think we need an Iowa problem solver... in the United States Senate."

# # #

Hard rock will come alive this summer when the foursome of Ratt, Sebastian Bach, Dokken and Lita Ford hit the road stopping at the iWireless Center on Friday, August 16, 2013 for over five hours of Arena Rock. Tickets go on sale Friday, May 24 at 10 am.

 

Ratt lead singer Stephen Pearcy and original bassist Juan Croucier have reunited with band mates for a night of Ratt's greatest hits including Round and Round, Lay it Down, You're in Love, Back For More, Wanted Man, Lack of Communication, You Think You're Tough, I Want a Woman and more.

 

Sebastian Bach has sold in excess of 20 million records worldwide as lead singer with his former band, Skid Row and as a solo artist. I Remember You, 18 & Life, Slave to the Grind, Monkey Business and Youth Gone Wild were among the many hits with Bach on Vocals. Since departing the band, Bach has produced chart topping records and his most recent billboard chart topping solo album, Kicking and Screaming, has been met with universal acclaim and praise. Far from just being a multi-platinum recording artist, his career over the past decade includes starring roles on Broadway in Jekyll & Hyde and The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

 

Dokken a hard-rock staple has accumulated numerous charting singles throughout their iconic career including Breaking the Chains, In My Dreams, You Just got Lucky, Into the Fire, Burning Like a Flame, Heaven Sent and Kiss of Death and has sold more than 10 million albums worldwide.

 

Lita Ford broke into heavy metal with the Runaways and later released multiple solo albums. Her most successful album to date, Lita, featured Ford's first hit, Kiss Me Deadly. She scored her first Top Ten single with the ballad Close My Eyes Forever a duet with Ozzy Osbourne.

 

Ticket prices are $25.00 and $35.00 with a limited number of $50.00 VIP seats also available and go on sale Friday, May 24 at 10 am. Tickets are available at the iWireless Center box office, all Ticketmaster outlets, by phone at 800-745-3000, and on-line at www.ticketmaster.com


 

###

Teoscar Hernandez goes 4-for-5 with three runs as Quad Cities pounds out 14 hits in comeback win

GRAND CHUTE, Wis. (MAY 15, 2013) - One night after losing a three-run lead to Wisconsin, the Quad Cities River Bandits fell behind, 4-1, after four innings but used four-run frames in the fifth and sixth innings, along with 14 hits, to overcome the Timber Rattlers for a 9-4 road win at Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium.

The first four spots in the Quad Cities order went a combined 10-for-16 with five runs and six RBIs. Center fielder Teoscar Hernandez went 4-for-5 with a game-high three runs scored. Shortstop Carlos Correa extended his hitting streak to six games with a 3-for-5 night, including a double, two runs and two RBIs. Designated hitter Miles Hamblin went 2-for-2 with a double, two RBIs, and three walks.

Hernandez started the offense by leading off the game with a single against right-hander Leonard Lorenzo. Two batters later, Hamblin hit a liner past first baseman Adam Giacalone into the right-field corner to bring in Hernandez. Quad Cities right-hander Lance McCullers worked a scoreless bottom of the first inning but was removed from the game with hip tightness.

Left-hander Mitchell Lambson started the bottom of the second inning and worked two scoreless frames before alowing the first five Wisconsin batters to reach base in the fourth on a walk, an error by shortstop Carlos Correa, a walk and consecutive RBI singles by third baseman Alfredo Rodriguez and catcher Brent Dean. Right-hander Michael Dimock (5-0) came on to allow two inherited runners to score before ending the inning with back-to-back strikeouts and a 4-1 deficit.

Quad Cities (22-16) responded quickly against Lorenzo in the top of the fifth, as catcher Roberto Pena drew a leadoff walk in front of four consecutive singles by left fielder Jordan Scott, Hernandez, Correa and Hamblin - with each of the last three bringing in runs for a 4-4 tie. Correa scored on a ground-ball double play by first baseman Jesse Wierzbicki against right-hander Taylor Mangum (1-3).

Dimock allowed a double, walk and hit batter to load the bases in the bottom of the fifth before striking out shortstop Orlando Arcia to preserve the one-run lead. The River Bandits added four runs against right-hander Damien Magnifico in the sixth, as second baseman Brian Blasik drew a leadoff walk and in one play stole second, went to third on a wild pitch and scored on a throwing error by catcher Brent Dean. Pena doubled and scored on a wild pitch, and Hernandez singled and scored on a double by Correa, who scored on Wierzbicki's RBI single for a 9-4 advantage.

Right-hander Daniel Minor made the lead stand, allowing three hits in four shutout innings for his first professional save.

The River Bandits and Timber Rattlers (18-18) play the rubber match of their series at 12:05 p.m. Thursday, when Quad Cities left-hander Colton Cain (1-4) and right-hander Mike Hauschild (1-0) face Wisconsin right-handers Austin Blaski (2-0).

UP NEXT: The River Bandits begin their next home stand Friday, May 17, with Petrolpalooza Night - when berm tickets are 10 cents lower than the average price of a gallon of unleaded gasoline at BP, and bleacher tickets are 10 cents below the price of a premium unleaded gallon. Friday will also feature a Fireworks show presented by Eastern Iowa Toyota Dealers, WLLR and WQAD. Single-game tickets are on sale at the River Bandits box office at Modern Woodmen Park, by phone at 563-324-3000 and online at www.riverbandits.com. Season ticket and mini-plan packages start at just seven games and begin at less than $50. Call a River Bandits account representative today to choose your seats and get the details of our various mini-plan packages.

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack released the following statement calling on Steven Miller, the Acting Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), to step down in light of a report by the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration.  The report contained new information citing "ineffective management" as a reason non-profit organizations were illegally targeted based on ideological criteria for more than 18 months.

"After the report by the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, the IRS watchdog, I believe Acting Director Steven Miller must step down.  The American people expect the IRS to be wholly neutral and nonpartisan and to have a Commissioner who is capable of providing the leadership necessary to enforce that standard amongst every IRS employee.  I no longer believe Acting Commissioner Miller is viewed as such by the American people and he needs to be replaced.  If Mr. Miller will not step down on his own, I believe the President needs to dismiss him."

###

(DES MOINES) - Gov. Terry E. Branstad today signed the following bills into law:

Senate File 247 an Act providing for the possession of cats classified as bengals and savannahs.

Senate File 386 an Act relating to matters under the purview of the Department of Transportation, including the use of information contained in electronic driver and nonoperator identification records, the form of motor vehicle financial liability coverage cards, motor truck registration periods, regulation of glider kit vehicles, grounds for disqualification of commercial vehicle operators, provisions for the issuance of temporary restricted licenses for persons convicted of operating while intoxicated, county issuance of driver's licenses, and the administration of highway contracts, and including effective date provisions.

House Joint Resolution 13 a joint resolution relating to the location and exhibition of the statue of James Harlan, currently on display in the United States Capitol.

House File 355 an Act relating to driver's licenses, including the renewal of driver's licenses electronically and including effective date and transition provisions.

House File 471 an Act relating to parental rights, including the payment of reasonable attorney fees in juvenile court or appellate proceedings relating to a termination of parental rights petition and the awarding of visitation when a history of crimes against a minor is involved, and including effective, retroactive, and applicability date provisions.

House File 512 an Act providing for the determination of animal units which are part of confinement feeding operations, and making penalties applicable.

House File 527 an Act requiring certain aggravated misdemeanants to submit a DNA sample and including effective date provisions.

House File 566 an Act to establish requirements relating to the transfer of an interest in real estate by or on behalf of certain entities formed or organized on a profit, cooperative, or not-for-profit basis, and including warranties and a limitation on actions.

House File 627 an Act establishing a property tax exemption for fairgrounds owned by a county or a fair and including applicability provisions.

 

The governor also signed Executive Order 81 today, which states: 

Executive Order Number 81

 

WHEREAS, the Governor's Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Advisory Council has made significant progress toward the  ambitious goal of raising student interest and achievement in STEM; and

 

WHEREAS, from scale-up programs, to regional hubs, to community involvement, the STEM initiative has expanded to every county in every corner of the state; and

 

WHEREAS, Iowa has more than 900 educators, club and faith-based leaders, and others   implementing STEM scale-up programs in the 2012-13 school year, which deliver first-rate STEM education  to students all over the state; and

 

WHEREAS, STEM initiatives and programs existed in Iowa prior to  formation of the Governor's STEM Advisory Council in July 2011, but access depended on where students lived and now the STEM scale-up programs have expanded access across Iowa; and

 

WHEREAS, the Lieutenant Governor and I are committed to restoring Iowa's education system to best in the nation and this goal cannot be achieved without stronger STEM education; and

 

WHEREAS, the Governor's STEM Advisory Council's priorities moving forward include establishing STEM-focused schools or classrooms to offer students more STEM opportunities, building an online best practices STEM clearinghouse, and increasing of the number of top STEM teachers; and

 

WHEREAS, STEM provides an important intersection among K-12 education, higher education, vocational training, job creators, job seekers and communities, and the initiative's growth will continue to foster these important relationships; and

 

WHEREAS, the STEM initiative is engaging  business and community leaders, educators from early childhood through higher education, and parents as partners in this initiative to create new education and economic opportunities in Iowa; and

 

WHEREAS, the Iowa Constitution encourages a strong educational foundation by providing that, "[t]he General Assembly shall encourage, by all suitable means, the promotion of intellectual, scientific, moral, and agricultural improvement" (Iowa Const. art. IX, 2d, § 3); and

 

WHEREAS, the rapid rise of awareness and activity of the STEM initiative demonstrates its popularity and the demand for further growth; and

 

WHEREAS, to that end, I am expanding the Governor's STEM Advisory Council in response to continued rapid growth.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Terry E. Branstad, Governor of the State of Iowa, declare that science, technology, engineering and mathematics education should be strengthened as part of creating world-class schools, encouraging innovation and enhancing economic development. I hereby order the expansion of the Governor's Science Technology, Engineering and Mathematics ("STEM") Advisory Council.

 

1.      Purpose:  The Governor's STEM Advisory Council shall advise the Governor on ways to improve STEM education, STEM innovation and STEM careers in the public and private sectors.

2.      Organization: The Council shall be composed of members appointed by the Governor. Each member will serve at the pleasure of the Governor without compensation and in an advisory capacity.  The Council shall be led by an Executive Committee.  In addition to the Executive Committee, the Governor may appoint to the Council:

    1. representatives with STEM qualifications from the following sectors, including but not limited to: advanced manufacturing, agribusiness, biotechnology, clean energy, engineering, healthcare and information technology, higher education, post-secondary training institutions, early childhood, elementary and secondary education, and vocational-technical education.
    2. additional qualifying members, including representatives of national STEM organizations as appropriate.
    3. two members of the Iowa Senate to serve as non-voting, ex-officio members, one majority party member and one minority party member.
    4. two members of the Iowa House of Representatives to serve as non-voting, ex-officio members, one majority party member and one minority party member.

 

The Governor's STEM Advisory Council shall be co-chaired by the Lieutenant Governor of Iowa.  The other co-chair shall be selected by the Governor for a two-year term. After that, the Lieutenant Governor will continue as co-chair with the other co-chair position to be selected by the Governor and to rotate on a biennial basis.

 

The co-chairs, or the executive director with the approval of the co-chairs, may direct the Council to form subcommittees to address particular issues facing STEM education and other STEM matters in the State of Iowa. The makeup and nature of each committee shall be determined by the co-chairs.

 

Administrative operations of the Council shall vest with an Executive Director who will serve at the pleasure of the Council. The Executive Director and Staff shall be housed at the University of Northern Iowa, unless otherwise transferred to another location by the Governor. The Department of Education shall provide staff support to the Council, as needed, to enable the Council to fulfill its responsibilities.

 

  1. Executive Committee: Membership for the Governor's Science Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Advisory Council Executive Committee may include the following members appointed by the Governor, or their respective designees:

a.      Lieutenant Governor of the State of Iowa

b.     Director of the Iowa Department of Education

c.      Director of the Iowa Partnership for Economic Progress (Iowa Economic Development Authority)

d.     Director of the Iowa Department of Workforce Development

e.      President of Iowa State University

f.      President of the University of Iowa

g.     President of the University of Northern Iowa

h.     Community college president

i.       Independent college president

j.       Two representatives of preschool, elementary or secondary education

k.     Two representatives of private employers who hire job candidates with STEM skills

l.       Any other individuals that the Governor may appoint.

 

The Executive Committee shall conduct business on behalf of the full Advisory Council including, but not limited to, launching initiatives, making final recommendations and scheduling meetings.

4.      Goals: The Council shall have the following objectives:

a.      collaborate with participants and parties from the public and private sectors to promote STEM education, innovation and careers statewide; and

b.     work to dramatically increase students' interest and achievement in STEM subjects so they will have a greater opportunity to pursue STEM careers; and

c.      recommend how to better recruit and prepare teachers to teach STEM; and

d.     map STEM education to economic development with an emphasis on fostering innovation in research and entrepreneurship; and

e.      build on the outstanding work of the Iowa Mathematics and Science Education Partnership and the Iowa STEM Education Roadmap to advise on development and implementation of a statewide STEM plan with clear goals; and

f.      reach other goals and objectives as requested by the office of the Governor.

 

 

5.      Activities: The Council shall undertake the following actions:

a.      Continue creating a campaign to generate public support for STEM subjects and careers by reaching out to parents, students and others; and

b.      the Council shall report any findings or recommendations to the Governor, at the request of the Governor, and at such periods as determined by the Co-Chairs; and

c.      commission reports on issues related to STEM education, innovation and careers to promote an important public conversation about STEM issues; and

d.     recommend policy changes that will better position Iowa's young people, educational institutions and business and industry to compete in STEM areas; and

e.      undertake other activities as requested by the office of the Governor.

 

All agencies, departments and boards of the State of Iowa shall cooperate fully with the Council. The Council may seek the expertise and services of individuals and entities outside its membership for research, advice and other needs, as required to accomplish its mission.  Executive Order Number 74, dated July 26, 2011, issued by Governor Terry E. Branstad, shall be rescinded because this order expands and replaces Executive Order Number 74.

 

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I HAVE HERE­UNTO SUBSCRIBED MY NAME AND CAUSED THE GREAT SEAL OF THE STATE OF IOWA TO BE AFFIXED.  DONE AT DES MOINES THIS 15th DAY OF MAY IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD TWO THOUSAND THIRTEEN.

 

__________________________________

TERRY E. BRANSTAD

GOVERNOR OF IOWA

 

 

 

 

ATTEST:

 

_________________________________

MATT SCHULTZ

SECRETARY OF STATE

 

###

NOW ON EXHIBIT!




COMING SOON!





Classic Film Series
Citizen Kane
May 21 - 1 p.m., 4 p.m., 7 p.m.










Opening in May
Oblivion











Opening in June
Iron Man III












Opening in July
Star Trek: Into Darkness 3D
Summer Camps!
Registration NOW OPEN


Butterfly Project
Help us grow a butterfly garden!

EVANSVILLE, IN (05/15/2013)(readMedia)-- Patilyn Lowery of Bettendorf, IA, has achieved a place on the University of Evansville Dean's List for academic achievements during the Spring Semester 2013. Lowery is majoring in Art.

To make the Dean's List, a student at UE must earn at least a 3.5 grade point average on a 4.0 scale.

"At the University of Evansville, students such as Patilyn Lowery thrive under personal guidance from faculty mentors," said UE President Thomas A. Kazee. "Earning a place on the Dean's List shows a strong commitment to academic success, and students and their families should be very proud of this accomplishment."

The University of Evansville is a private, liberal arts-based university with a full-time undergraduate enrollment of approximately 2,400. UE's diverse student body represents 42 states and 46 countries. U.S. News & World Report recognizes UE as a top 10 master's-granting university in the Midwest, and third in the region for "Great Schools, Great Prices." For more information, please visit http://www.evansville.edu.

Pages