10 Apr 2013

Gov. Branstad signs three bills into law

By Office of the Governor of Iowa

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

House File 397: an Act relating to the administration of duties and programs by the Economic Development Authority.

House File 488: an Act concerning the Alcoholic Beverages Division of the Department of Commerce and Alcoholic Beverage Control, and making penalties applicable.

House File 544: an Act relating to the Iowa Veterans Home and providing for the consideration of contributing to support as repayment.

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10 Apr 2013

Good Start in 2013. Domestic Stocks Earn 11% in First Quarter

By Ron Surz
2013 stock markets started like 2012 stock markets - with a bang. U.S. stock markets kicked off 2013 with a very good 10.7% return. Also like 2012's first quarter, foreign markets didn't fare as well, earning only 3.5% in the quarter. If we merely hold onto these gains for the remainder of the year we'll do fine.

In the following I examine the details of what has been working in global stocks, providing quick insights into market segments that have succeeded and failed.

U.S. Stocks
Smaller value stocks led the way in the quarter, earning more than 13%. By contrast, large core companies earned only 7.5% and large value earned 9.5%. Other than these extremes, style returns clustered around 12%. This has been one of those unusual periods where the "stuff in the middle" (core) has not performed in line with the "stuff on the ends." I use Surz Style Pure® classification throughout this commentary.

On the sector front, health care and consumer staple stocks fared best, earning 15% and 14% respectively. By contrast, materials earned only 1%, and infotech gained only 6%.

But the interesting details lie in the cross-sections of styles with sectors, as shown in the following heat map. A heat map shows shades of green for "good," which in this case is good performance relative to the total market. By contrast, shades of red are bad, indicating underperformance. Yellow is neutral. In the table below, we see that the best performing market segment was comprised of mid-cap core companies in the consumer staples sector, earning 24.1%. And the worst performing segment was small cap core in the utilities sector, losing 11.4%. Many quantitative managers employ momentum in their models, buying the "green" and selling the "red." Fundamental managers use heat maps as clues to segments of the market that are worth exploring, for both momentum and reversal potential.

Foreign Stocks Looking outside the US, foreign markets earned 3.5%, lagging both the U.S. stock market's 10.7% return and EAFE's 5.3% return. Japan was the big story, earning 12.8% in $U.S. The return in Japanese yen was an even more impressive 23%. The Japanese stock market soared in the quarter as the yen was weakening against the dollar. By contrast, emerging markets suffered a setback, losing 2%.

On the style front, core surprised, as it did in the U.S., but core led rather than lagged. Like the U.S., further insights into market behavior are provided by heat maps, as shown in the following. As you can see, Japan was "green" in almost all styles and sectors, and emerging markets and the materials sector were both mostly red -- underperming.

How to Use This Information

We all have outlooks on the economy and the stock market, and adjust our thinking as results roll in. I personally remain surprised and grateful that stocks have performed so well recently. In my end of year commentary, I pointed out Japan as a bargain play, and the movement of assets into emerging markets. As 2013 has unfolded so far, bargain hunting has won, and asset flow has lost. You can use the information above to test your personal outlooks, to see which are unfolding as you think they should and which are not, with the intention to clear the haze from those crystal balls.
And now a word on target date funds: Department of Labor Guidance Creates Opportunities in Target Date Funds
After four long years of anxiously awaiting, the Department of Labor has finally released must-read guidance on the selection and monitoring of target date funds. These new rules clarify several safe harbor provisions, as well as provide various opportunities for proactive investment advisors.

The new DoL rules can be a threat or an opportunity. Advisors can ignore them, or embrace them. If you don't capitalize on these openings, someone else will. TDFs have grown from nothing to $1 Trillion in seven short years, and are forecast to grow another $3 Trillion, to $4 Trillion, by 2020.

To learn how you can profit from the DoL guidance, see OPPORTUNITIES and Fiduciary Guide.

10 Apr 2013

Lost Sales Leads: 4 Common Problems & How to Correct Them

By Ginny Grimsley

U.S. businesses spend billions of dollars generating sales leads only to lose more than 70 percent of them simply because they don't make contact quickly enough, according to one study.

But that's not the only way they're losing out on opportunities, says Brandon Stuerke, president of Advisors Edge Marketing (www.advisorsedgemarketing.com), a specialist in marketing strategy and automation for financial advisors and other professionals.

"A study of more than 600 companies by Dr. James Oldroyd of MIT found that the odds of a lead entering the sales process were 21 times greater if the business made contact within 5 minutes of generating the lead versus contact in 30 minutes," Stuerke says. "Another study, this one by the Harvard Business Review, found that the average response time by businesses to a generated lead is 42 hours - and that's just for responses that occurred within 30 days."

Generating sales leads is big business, with more than $23 billion spent on internet leads alone, he notes.

"If you're a financial advisor or another professional, you may also be spending money on direct mail, invitations to seminars, TV commercials and/or print ads," Stuerke says. "How many leads are you generating, and at what cost per lead, only to lose them?"

Stuerke, who began developing innovative marketing strategies while working as a financial advisor, says he has found four ways professionals commonly lose sales leads.

"And they can all be fixed!" he says.

• Advertising calls to action that are all-or-nothing. Most sales people offer only a face-to-face meeting or a telephone appointment as their call to action in their advertising. But that's asking a lot of prospects who are simply exploring options and aren't yet ready for that level of commitment. Those are leads that, three to six months from now, may become sales - but they're lost early in the process. Instead, offer a less committed option such as "download this free report" in exchange for their information for follow up.

• No lead capture on your website. This is a huge problem! Many sites have no strategy for capturing information about visitors to the site, such as an email address. As a result, businesses spend thousands of dollars driving traffic to their website, but capturing none of the prospects' information. As a result, those prospects come to the site and leave and the business never knows they were there. A free report, or series of reports or videos with useful information based on your expertise are good lead capture tools. Buyers today turn to the web for information while doing research, so that's what you should give them. Offering free resources in exchange for a small bit of information is a great way to do that.

• Indifference in interactions. No matter what your profession, it's likely you've got a lot of competition. For consumers, shopping includes researching, and they're comparing services, expertise and experience before deciding who best deserves their patronage. If your interactions with prospects fail to "wow" them, they will quickly move on. But most professionals don't have a storyboarded plan for giving prospects that experience, which is what is needed for consistent results. An automated system that delivers carefully planned interactions is a great way to achieve this.

• Using social media without a plan. Many professionals have discovered that delivering consumer-friendly, useful content through social media is an effective means of attracting followers and cultivating prospects. However, one of the biggest problems with how businesses use social media is that they post a lot of high level, one-way communication with no call to action.  Having a call to action in your posts leading prospects back to a website designed to capture leads is critical for producing tangible results through social media.

A lot of these issues stem from a common problem: businesses focusing only on the hottest leads - the people who are ready to buy today, Stuerke says.

"Instead of allowing those 'cooler' leads to fall by the wayside, businesses should capture and cultivate them," he says. "Eventually, they'll find that instead of constantly chasing leads, they're harvesting new clients."

About Brandon Stuerke

Brandon Stuerke is a business coach and cutting-edge marketing strategist, specializing in innovative new tools that save professionals time while building their practices. He is the founder and president of Advisors Edge Marketing, Inc., which produces Automated Advisor, a new program that strategically streamlines prospect cultivation. He's also the creator and president of the Strategic Alliance Program, Winning With CPAs, which teaches financial advisors how to build their practices by partnering with CPAs.

10 Apr 2013

Unsuccessful Prop 2 in Rock Island

By Shelly Chapman
(Rock Island) Proposition 2 and the expansion of the powers of the existing Rock Island Public Building Commission is still the best way to secure financing for updating existing county facilities.  It not only allows for savings through refinancing of existing obligations but also ensures that our facilities are maintained for years to come - protecting the next generation of county taxpayers.  Unfortunately, this expansion was voted down by the voters and we must respect the voice of the people.

First, I would like to thank all of the voters in this election.  This is what democracy is all about and I appreciate all of those who exercised that precious right.  Second, I am gratified by the service of those on the County Facilities Ad Hoc Committee that have so graciously and will continue to give volunteer their time for the betterment of Rock Island County.  I want to personally thank them and the many County taxpayers who helped in our effort to educate the public on the benefits of the Public Building Commission.

The need for a new courthouse remains. The cheapest form of financing is not available to the taxpayers but we still have to find a cost effective way to replace the current building. So the work continues but it is now moving into a new phase. The Ad Hoc Committee and County Board will attempt to find a way to bring about a space needs assessment and will assess the various options available.

The Ad Hoc Committee has always stated that its responsibility is efficiency, transparency and doing what is in the best interest of the taxpayer of Rock Island County.  The lack of passage of Proposition 2 will not change that ideal.  Even though there is no question any option available for providing for a new courthouse will cost more than if the county board could have been able to finance through the existing public building commission - the Ad Hoc Committee is committed to the next best solution.
10 Apr 2013

BEES BREAK BANDITS' PERFECT STREAK, 6-4

By Rick Martin

Quad Cities falls behind for first time, drops first game after five-game winning streak opened season

 

BURLINGTON, Iowa (APRIL 9, 2013) - The Quad Cities River Bandits' run of five consecutive wins to start the season came to an end Tuesday night, as the Burlington Bees used three home runs and a two-run, eighth-inning double by Michael Bolaski to break a 4-4 tie and send the Bees to a 6-4 home win at Community Field.

After holding the Bees scoreless in the sixth and seventh innings, right-hander Lance McCullers (0-1) allowed an eighth-inning leadoff single by Bees second baseman Sherman Johnson. Right fielder Kyle Johnson then put down a bunt to the third-base side of the mound, which McCullers fielded and threw wide of first, allowing Sherman Johnson to reach third base. With catcher Anthony Bemboom batting, Sherman Johnson stole second base, but McCullers fanned Bemboom for the first out of the inning. After an intentional walk to Bees first baseman Wade Hinkle, McCullers faced Bolaski, who had been hitless in three previous at-bats. Bolaski hit a line drive over the head of right fielder Terrell Joyce to bring in both Johnsons for a 6-4 lead.

McCullers left following Bolaski's double after working 2 1/3 innings, allowing three hits and two runs - one earned - and walking two batters while striking out three. Left-hander Mitchell Lambson entered and escaped the jam to keep the deficit to two runs.

Right-hander Jairo Diaz pitched the top of the ninth inning and allowed a two-out infield single by River Bandits third baseman Ryan Dineen. Diaz then retired second baseman Carlos Perdomo on a one-hopper back to the mound for his second save.

The River Bandits (5-1) left 13 runners on base and were just 2-for-14 with runners in scoring position Tuesday night. The Bees (3-3) left only five runners on base and none in the first five innings against right-hander Daniel Minor, who allowed four hits but three home runs that accounted for the Bees' first four runs. Minor did not walk a batter while striking out five in five innings of work.

Quad Cities scored first for the sixth straight game, as center fielder Teoscar Hernandez hit a leadoff double, advanced to third on a bunt single by shortstop Carlos Correa and scored on a ground ball by designated hitter Chase Davidson. Burlington took its first lead in the bottom of the second inning, when Hinkle hit a leadoff double, and center fielder Chevy Clarke took Minor deep to center field.

The 2-1 deficit was the first of the season for the River Bandits, but they quickly retook the lead in the top of the third inning, as Correa walked, Davidson doubled and first baseman Jesse Wierzbicki tied the game with a single. Catcher Roberto Peña put down a squeeze bunt to give Quad Cities a 3-2 lead against left-hander Brandon Love, who worked 4 1/3 innings, allowed four hits and three runs.

Burlington tied it in the bottom of the third inning, as shortstop Wendell Soto homered to right field. The Bees took a 4-3 lead when designated hitter Andrew Ray homered to left field leading off the bottom of the fifth. Bees right-hander Brandon Efferson kept the lead until the seventh inning, when Wierzbicki reached on an infield single, Joyce singled, and Dineen put down a squeeze to tie it, 4-4, against right-hander Joseph Krehbiel (1-0), who earned the win with 1 2/3 innings of work.

Quad Cities will play the series finale in Burlington at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday.The River Bandits tandem of right-hander Mike Hauschild (0-0) and left-hander Colton Cain (0-0) will face a Bees tandem of left-hander Ryan Crowley (0-0) and right-hander Reid Scoggins (0-0).

 

UP NEXT: The 2013 home opener at Modern Woodmen Park is Thursday, April 11.Tickets for the 2013 season are now on sale! Call 563-324-3000 or visit www.riverbandits.com. It's not too late lock in your season ticket plan for the 2013 season! Season ticket and mini-plan packages start at just seven games and begin at less than $50. Call a River Bandits account representative today at 563-324-3000 to choose your seats and get the details of our various mini-plan packages.

ABOUT THE BANDITS: The River Bandits will make one of the biggest improvements to Modern Woodmen Park since the ballpark was first built back in 1931! A new Ferris wheel, standing 112 feet over the playing field, is scheduled to open in early June, along with two new zip lines, a carousel, a Frog Hopper, new bounce houses and many other fun attractions. The team also boasts a new major league affiliate, the Houston Astros, and fans will see last year's No. 1 overall draft pick, Carlos Correa. The Astros will also make the very first selection in the major league draft this June and could have another top pick end up in the Quad Cities. With new rides, new attractions, new improvements, a new affiliate and future major league stars, this season will be one every fan will not want to miss!

10 Apr 2013

Grassley statement on the Motion to Proceed to Reid Gun Control Legislation

By Grassley Press

Prepared Floor Statement of Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa

Ranking Member, Senate Judiciary Committee

The Motion to Proceed to Reid Gun Legislation

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Click here for video of the speech.

Mr. President, earlier today, I met with families from Newtown, Connecticut to discuss the legislation we are currently debating.  It was emotional and difficult for all of us.  I thank them for sharing their stories of their loved ones and their concerns with me.  I hope my colleagues will also consider meeting with these families.

At the meeting, they called for a debate on the legislation, a debate we are having.  And under the new procedures available under Senate Resolution 15, the Majority Leader can move to proceed to a measure and vote on some amendments.  A vote against the motion to proceed does not cut off debate or votes on amendments.

Nonetheless, Mr. President, we are in the unusual position of being asked to take a leap into the unknown.  We are being asked to vote to proceed to an uncertain bill.  That bill is not even the bill that we would likely consider if the motion to proceed were successful.  The language on background checks would change.  Remarkably, if the language changed, it would be replaced with language that does not now exist.

The world's greatest deliberative body should not operate in this fashion.

In the Judiciary Committee, four bills were considered separately.  There was no consensus.  Three of them have now been combined.  But they are not ready for consideration.  At the time, the sponsor of the background check bill said it was not ready.  There are numerous problems with that bill.

Movement of firearms from one law-abiding citizen to another would be legal or illegal based on arbitrary distinctions that citizens could not be expected to know.  This is true even though when this language was the subject of a hearing in a previous Congress, a witness pointed out the problems.  But no changes have been made to address those issues.  Even an official with the ACLU says that criminal laws should give more guidance to citizens.

The bill operates in a way that would make gun safety efforts more difficult.  That does not make any sense.

The bill requires recordkeeping for private sales.  That is a step toward gun registration.  Indeed, we heard testimony in the Judiciary Committee that "universal" background checks cannot be effective without gun registration.

And the ACLU official is right to be concerned about the threat to privacy that the background check language presents.

He notes that the government would possess information concerning gun owners that it would not be required to destroy within 24 hours, as it must for current background checks.

He also points out that the bill contains none of the restrictions in current law that prevent other parts of the government from using the database for purposes beyond why the information was supposedly obtained.

The background check provision is also not ready for consideration because of the new federal felony that it creates.  If a law-abiding gun owner's gun is lost or stolen, he or she would be required to report that to both the Attorney General and appropriate local officials within 24 hours.  At the markup, I asked a number of questions of the bill's sponsor about how the offense would work.  For instance, who would pay for the additional law enforcement personnel who would take those calls?  What would a citizen's legal obligation be if the gun were misplaced rather than lost?  What would determine when the loss occurred that started the 24 hour period?

The sponsor said that these issues would be clarified.  So far, however, they have not been.  So law-abiding citizens will not know whether they are acting in compliance with the law or face a 5 year jail sentence.  The issues have not been clarified, but we are being asked to proceed to the bill anyway.

This new offense criminalizes inaction.  That is a grave threat to freedom.  Except for filing tax returns or registering for the draft, we punish bad actions.  We do not punish inaction. This new crime punishes failure to act.  And it only applies to those who lawfully own their guns.  A criminal whose gun is stolen is not required to report that fact.  With this offense, law-abiding citizens can be turned into felons, but felons cannot commit a crime.  Under this new offense, law-abiding citizens might be looking at five years in jail for doing nothing.  And all that is necessary for the gun to be subject to the reporting requirement is that the gun once moved in interstate commerce.

The Supreme Court has outlined three categories of situations in which Congress can rely on the Commerce Clause.  This is not one of them.

If Congress can do this, it can make people take all sorts of action simply because they owned a product that once moved in interstate commerce.  Like bread.  Or soap.  And they can face jail time if they do not do what Congress demands that they do.  Even the individual mandate from Obamacare only established a penalty, not a prison sentence.  I do not think 90 percent of Americans would support this universal background check bill if they read it.

The motion to proceed also goes to a bill that contains language on straw purchasing and gun trafficking.  I voted to report that bill to the Senate floor.  Many changes were made to that bill at my behest.  An amendment of mine was adopted.  At the time, I expressed concerns.  I spoke of my desire to have those concerns worked out before the bill went to the floor.  I said I would not necessarily support that bill on the floor if those concerns were not responded to.  They have not been addressed so far.  And those provisions were tied to the ever-changing background check provisions.

The whole process makes me wonder whether the efforts to pass a bill on this subject really are serious.  It seems that if a half-baked bill is brought up, the majority can be sure that they can force Republicans not to agree to proceed to it.  It seems like that may be just what they want to happen.   If so, that is a very cynical way to treat a very serious issue.

Mr. President, how can we responsibly proceed to a bill that contains language that even its sponsor admits is not ready for consideration?

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10 Apr 2013

DubuqueFest Fine Arts Festival Presents An Emerging Artist Showcase

By Paula Neuhaus

Nash Gallery, 371 Bluff Street in Cable Car Square, will host an emerging artist showcase exhibit and reception on Friday, April 19 from 7-9 p.m. This multi-genre exhibit features the work of nine emerging artists from the art departments of Clarke University and Loras College. Featured artists include Sara Steuer, Kalli Olberding, Randi Westervelt, Samantha Sewell and Mark Fuentebella from Loras College and Emily Cram, Traci Bauer, Gwen Gross, and Kayla Carlson from Clarke University. The artists' work include explorations in photography, installation, collage, mixed media/conceptual, painting, illustration, drawing, ceramics, and sculpture.

The exhibit and opening reception serves as a fundraiser for DubuqueFest Fine Arts Festival 36th annual all-arts festival scheduled for May 17-19 in downtown Dubuque. The artists will donate 10% of all sales made on opening night to the festival. DubuqueFest t-shirts and signed, limited edition silk-screened posters by artist Rich Rossignol will be available for purchase. The public is invited to attend. Refreshments and treats will be served. A $10 donation is suggested for adults and $5 for students who show their current college ID.

Nash Gallery has recently moved to their new home above Monks Kaffee Pub, 371 Bluff Street. The entrance is at the rear of building. For more information visit dubuquefest.org. DubuqueFest Fine Arts Festival and Nash Gallery are affiliates of the Dubuque County Fine Arts Society.

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10 Apr 2013

Fire Safety Project Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Davenport, American Red Cross of the Quad Cities Area and the Davenport Fire Department

By Rick Best
The Rotary Club of Davenport is partnering with the American Red Cross and the Davenport Fire Department to distribute educational materials for fire prevention and safety and emergency procedures in the home.
Rotary volunteers will work in conjunction with Red Cross volunteers and the Fire Department this Saturday,  April 13 from 9 am to noon to hand out materials in three Davenport neighborhoods. Volunteers will meet at a designated spot to park and then the Red Cross will provide vehicles and volunteers to transport everyone around the community.
Davenport Rotarian Eloise Graham is coordinating the project with two other Davenport Rotarians, Betsy Pratt, CEO of the American Red Cross of the Quad Cities Area, and Davenport Fire Chief Lynn Washburn.  The Rotary club has been collecting funds that the Red Cross uses to provide supplies to families that have experienced a fire. Through this new partnership project, we hope to prevent those tragedies by providing information about fire safety to Davenport residents.
"Fire safety is an important part of the mission of the American Red Cross of the Quad Cities Area. We're honored that the Davenport Rotary has chosen this project that can help us save lives in our community," said Betsy Pratt.
Additional volunteers are needed, and they do not need to be Rotary members.  To volunteer, contact Eloise Graham at grahamjg64@gmail.com, or call 563-359-8696.
10 Apr 2013

Pop Sensation Carly Rae Jepsen Completes Iowa State Fair Grandstand Line-up

By Lori Chappell
Grandstand Tickets on Sale May 4

DES MOINES, IA (04/10/2013)(readMedia)-- Carly Rae Jepsen will perform at the Iowa State Fair Grandstand on Saturday, August 17, with special guest The Wanted. The show completes this year's Grandstand line-up. Tickets for all shows will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 4, through all Ticketmaster outlets. The 2013 line-up is presented by U.S. Cellular.

With 9.1 million singles sold and a record-breaking nine consecutive weeks at number-one, Jepsen's "Call Me Maybe" catapulted the Canadian singer's success and made her an over-night viral sensation. The multi-platinum song earned two Teen Choice Awards and two Grammy Award nominations as well as over four hundred million hits on YouTube. British pop artists The Wanted will open the August 17 show.

Grammy Award-winning rock artists Train will perform hit songs like "Drops of Jupiter," "Calling All Angels" and "Marry Me" on August 16. They will be joined by double-platinum contemporary artist Matt Nathanson.

Country superstars Alan Jackson and Gary Allan will take the stage August 18. Jackson's authentic lyrics and connection to traditional country roots helped him produce anthems like "Chattahoochie," "It's Five O'clock Somewhere" and "Small Town Southern Man." Allan's ten studio albums have produced hit song after hit song including "Nothing on but the Radio," "Watching Airplanes" and "Every Storm."

Shows featuring Dierks Bentley and Toby Keith round out this year's country selections. Bentley will perform with special guest Justin Moore on August 11. Kip Moore will open for Keith's August 15 performance.

Contemporary Christian artists Casting Crowns will bring their soulful tunes to the stage opening night, August 8. They will be joined by special guest Jeremy Camp.

Launched into stardom with her hit show on Nickelodeon, Victoria Justice has quickly made her mark on the music scene. She will be joined by The Sing Off's season three champions, Pentatonix, on August 13.

Former Saturday Night Live stars Dana Carvey, Kevin Nealon and Dennis Miller will offer their own unique flavor of comedy in a stand-up routine that's sure to have Fairgoers laughing on August 10.

The Grandstand will be filled with hits from the 60s and 70s on August 9 with the Happy Together Tour 2013 starring The Turtles featuring Flo & Eddie, Gary Puckett & The Union Gap, Chuck Negron, Mark Lindsay and Gary Lewis.

Motor sports action kicks into high gear August 12 with the Deery Brothers Summer Series for Late Models. The Grand Outlaw National Tractor and Truck Pull roars into the Grandstand August 14. The Demolition Derby and Figure Eight will tear up the track for a morning session on August 17.

Tickets for all concert and track events will go on sale Saturday, May 4, at 10 a.m. through all Ticketmaster outlets, online at Ticketmaster.com or by phone at 800/745-3000. All concert events are reserved seating. All track events are general admission. Beginning July 8, the Fair's Ticket Office will be open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to Noon on Saturday for walk-up orders only (no mail, phone or fax orders). Convenience charges will apply to all tickets. Grandstand tickets do not include admission to the Fair. Gate admission must be purchased separately.

A complete listing of event dates, times and ticket prices follows:

2013 Iowa State Fair Grandstand Line-up

presented by U.S. Cellular

Thursday, August 8 Casting Crowns with special guest Jeremy Camp, 8 p.m., $30

Friday, August 9 Happy Together Tour 2013 starring The Turtles featuring Flo & Eddie, Gary Puckett & the Union Gap, Chuck Negron, Mark Lindsay and Gary Lewis, 8 p.m., $25

Saturday, August 10 Dana Carvey, Dennis Miller and Kevin Nealon from SNL, 8 p.m., $38

Sunday, August 11 Dierks Bentley with special guest Justin Moore, 8 p.m., $39

Monday, August 12 Deery Brothers Summer Series for Late Models, IMCA Sport Mods, IMCA Stock Cars, IMCA Hobby Stocks and Karl Chevrolet Dirt Trucks, 5:30 p.m. Hot Laps, 6 p.m. Races, $17 adults, $5 children ages 6-11, free for ages 5 and under

Tuesday, August 13 Victoria Justice with special guest Pentatonix, 8 p.m., $29

Wednesday, August 14 Grand Outlaw National Tractor and Truck Pull sponsored by Iowa Farmer Today, 2 p.m., $20 Adults, $10 children ages 6-11, free for ages 5 and under

Thursday, August 15 Toby Keith's Hammer Down Tour presented by Ford F-Series with special guest Kip Moore, 8 p.m., $49

Friday, August 16 Train with special guest Matt Nathanson, 8 p.m., $39

Saturday, August 17 Demolition Derby: Modified Weld, Stock Weld and Compact Weld; Figure Eight: Front Wheel Drive and Rear Wheel Drive, 11:30 a.m., $15 adults, $5 children ages 6-11, free for ages 5 and under

Saturday, August 17 Carly Rae Jepsen with special guest The Wanted, 8 p.m., $35

Sunday, August 18 Alan Jackson and Gary Allan, 8 p.m., $39

"Nothing Compares" to the 2013 Iowa State Fair, August 8-18. For more information, call 800/545-FAIR or visit www.iowastatefair.org.

* * *

10 Apr 2013

Lt. Gov. Simon to be featured speaker at University of Chicago

By Kara Beach

CHICAGO - Lt. Governor Simon will be the featured speaker at the University of Chicago's Institute of Politics' "Poultry and Politics" on Wednesday. Simon will talk to students about her commitment to public service, which has led to her serving as the state's second highest-ranking official.

"Our students are the next generation of leaders," Lt. Governor Simon said. "I look forward to sharing my background with them, and hearing their perspectives on today's pressing issues."

As Lt. Governor, Simon serves as the state's point person on education reform and as an advocate for victims of domestic violence and military families. Simon will also discuss her work with the General Assembly on high-profile issues such as marriage equality and concealed carry - all over Harold's Fried Chicken, an institution on Chicago's South Side.

DATE: Wednesday, April 10

TIME: 6 p.m.

PLACE: University of Chicago's Institute of Politics, 5707 S. Woodlawn Ave., Chicago

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