Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack announced today that his office will provide tickets to President Barack Obama's swearing in ceremony through a lottery system during the month of December.  Residents of Iowa's Second Congressional District who are interested in attending the event must fill out the form at http://loebsack.house.gov/inauguration to register for the lottery.  Each resident awarded a ticket will be responsible for their own travel arrangements.

The lottery drawing will take place in mid-December.  At that time, constituents will be required to provide additional information before they can secure their ticket allotment.

Inauguration Day is Monday, January 21, 2013.   It is expected there will be a variety of events that will not require tickets, including a public viewing area of the Inaugural ceremony on the National Mall and the public Inauguration parade. Iowans unable to attain tickets through Congressman Loebsack's office are encouraged to monitor the Inauguration Planning Committee website, http://inaugural.senate.gov/, for further details on non-ticketed events.

Please be aware that there are a few organizations trying to sell fake tickets to people.  Tickets are only being provided free of charge from official government offices, and tickets must be picked up in person from Loebsack's office before Inauguration. Any group that suggests differently is providing incorrect information.

Bettendorf – The Family Museum will continue its tradition of WinterFest on Sunday, December 2, from noon - 5:00 pm. There will be a host of joyful family activities for everyone including dance performances of the Nutcracker from the Family Museum LimeLight dancers, holiday music performed by the Pleasant Valley High School Tuba and Euphonium Ensemble, refreshments, fun activities such as snowpeople sculptures and handmade ornaments, and a visit from Santa from 2:00-4:00 PM. Admission to this event and the Family Museum's hands-on gallery is free with the donation of a non-perishable food item or monetary donation to a local food pantry. This event is sponsored by the DHCU Community Credit Union.

A huge, 300 square foot train set will be set up again this year, and each passenger on the mini Polar Express will be enjoying hot chocolate in their seats with all of the lights burning bright and the smokestacks going full blast as the train winds its way on its journey to the North Pole.

The centerpiece window dressing is the last set of animated figurines from the Petersen Harden Von Maur store in Davenport.  Created by the (George) Silvestri Art Manufacturing Company, this Santa's House scene includes a Living Room with a decorated tree and fireplace, a Kitchen with a very busy stove, a Workshop where elves are busy making toy trains, and a snowball battle in the woods among the elves who are gathering firewood.  The display was built in Chicago during October of 1966, and was donated to the Family Museum in 1990 when the store was sold.

The Family Museum is located at 2900 Learning Campus Drive. For more information, please call (563) 344-4106 or visit www.familymuseum.org.

Strategy is a science and technology based approach to reducing nutrients to Iowa waters and the Gulf of Mexico

(DES MOINES) - Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad today joined Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey and Director Chuck Gipp from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and Dr. John Lawrence from Iowa State University to announce the release of the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy for public comment.

"Iowans care about our natural resources and want to protect them for future generations." Branstad said. "This strategy keeps us at the forefront of using voluntary, science-based practices to improve water quality in our state, and is an important step forward."

The Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy is a science and technology-based approach to assess and reduce nutrients delivered to Iowa waterways and the Gulf of Mexico.  The strategy outlines voluntary efforts to reduce nutrients in surface water from both point sources, such as wastewater treatment plants and industrial facilities, and nonpoint sources, including farm fields and urban areas, in a scientific, reasonable and cost effective manner.

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) worked with Iowa State University over a two-year period to develop the strategy.  The resulting strategy is the first time such a comprehensive and integrated approach addressing both point and nonpoint sources of nutrients has been completed.

The Iowa strategy has been developed in response to the 2008 Gulf Hypoxia Action Plan that calls for the 12 states along the Mississippi River to develop strategies to reduce nutrient loading to the Gulf of Mexico.  The Iowa strategy follows the recommended framework provided by EPA in 2011 and is only the second state to complete a statewide nutrient reduction strategy.

"The strategy's science assessment provides a research-based foundation to quantify the effectiveness of current practices for reducing nutrient losses from the landscape," said John Lawrence, associate dean for extension and outreach programs in ISU's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and director of ISU Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension. "The assessment reflects two years of work to evaluate and model the effects of the practices by scientists from ISU, IDALS, DNR, USDA Agricultural Research Service, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and other institutions."

Iowans are invited to review the strategy and provide feedback during a 45 day comment period that starts today and will end on January 4, 2013.  The full report, additional information and place for comments can be found at www.nutrientstrategy.iastate.edu.

In addition, presentations will be made to farmers, certified crop advisors and others in the agriculture industry as part of ISU Extension and Outreach educational meetings beginning this fall. Thousands of people will learn of the strategy, where to find more information and how to provide comments about it.

Point Sources (DNR)

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources will be working with major facilities throughout the state to reduce nutrient discharges from point sources to Iowa's waters with a goal of reducing total phosphorus by 16 percent and total nitrogen by 4 percent.

"The DNR has been working with the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Iowa State for nearly two years and support this strategy document and the collaborative process that created it.  Many Iowans enjoy our state's natural resources and it important we protect them for future generations," Gipp said.

Nonpoint Sources

To address nutrient transport from nonpoint sources the strategy uses a comprehensive, first of its kind scientific assessment of conservation practices and associated costs to reduce loading of nutrients to Iowa surface waters.  The strategy identifies five key categories to focus the efforts in addressing nonpoint sources and identifies multiple action items within each category.

The five categories are: Setting Priorities; Documenting Progress; Research and Technology; Strengthen Outreach, Education, Collaboration; and Funding.

By harnessing the collective innovation and capacity of Iowa agricultural organizations, ag businesses and farmers the strategy takes a significant step forward towards implementing practices to improve water and soil quality.

"This strategy provides the most up-to-date scientific information available to farmers as they seek to use the best practices available to reduce nutrient delivery from their farm," Northey said.  "The goal of this strategy is to get more conservation practices on the ground.  This is not about rules or regulations, instead this strategy provides resources to farmers to help them improve water quality."