Sandra Speer Wins Top Prize of $50,000 Playing "Super Crossword" Scratch Game

Sandra Speer, 58, said she and her husband, Bob, were sure she'd won a $5,000 prize on her "Super Crossword" scratch ticket, but soon learned she'd actually won a top prize of $50,000.

"Until we got up here we thought we won $5,000, so I'm still in shock," Speer said.

Speer said even when she thought it was a $5,000 prize, Bob didn't believe her. She even took the ticket to a local retailer to have it scanned, but still was unable to clearly understand what she'd won.

"Well, she printed up a receipt, but there's no commas, so we thought it was five thousand," Speer said.

Speer said when she claimed her prize Wednesday at the Iowa Lottery's regional office in Cedar Rapids, she could've fallen over when she heard what she'd actually won. She hadn't yet told anyone the news about her big win.

"I don't know who I want to share it with first," she said.

Speer said she plans to use some of her winnings to take a vacation. She purchased her winning ticket at Casey's, 3700 W. Locust St. in Davenport.

Super Crossword is a $5 scratch game. Players win a prize by scratching the "your letters" then scratching the corresponding letters found in Puzzles 1 and 2 and the "bonus word." If players have scratched at least three complete words in Puzzle 1 or 2, they win the corresponding prize shown in the prize legend for that puzzle. If players uncover all six letters in the "bonus word" by scratching the letters that match the "your letters" they win the prize shown in the prize box.

Ten top prizes of $50,000 are still up for grabs in Super Crossword, as well as eight prizes of $5,000, 120 prizes of $500 and more than 865 prizes of $100.

Players can enter eligible non-winning scratch tickets online to earn "Points For Prizes™" points. The point value will be revealed to the player on the website upon successful submission of each eligible valid ticket. There is a limit of 30 ticket entries per day. To participate in Points For Prizes™, a player must register for a free account at ialottery.com. Registration is a one-time process. Merchandise that can be ordered by using points will be listed on the website in the Points For Prizes™ online store. Players can choose from items in categories such as apparel, automotive, jewelry, sporting, tools and more.

Since the lottery's start in 1985, its players have won more than $2.8 billion in prizes while the lottery has raised more than $1.3 billion for the state programs that benefit all Iowans.

Today, lottery proceeds in Iowa have three main purposes: They provide support for veterans, help for a variety of significant projects through the state General Fund, and backing for the Vision Iowa program, which was implemented to create tourism destinations and community attractions in the state and build and repair schools.

Tampa, Fla. (February 3, 2012) - With the prediction of six more weeks of winter by Punxsutawney Phil, the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) provides guidance on how to protect your home or business against roof collapse and other winter weather-related hazards.

During both 2010 and 2011, the U.S. received near record amounts of snowfall, including 2011's Groundhog Day Blizzard, which caused $1.1 billion in insured losses and more than $2 billion in total losses, according to the National Climatic Data Center.

"Winter weather damage can be particularly disruptive and extremely damaging," said Julie Rochman, president & CEO of IBHS, "and it occurs at a time when it is difficult and uncomfortable to fix the problems.

"We thank Punxsutawney Phil for his role in reminding people that winter isn't over yet, so there is still time to protect your property from damage caused by freezing weather," she added.

Ice Dams

An ice dam is an accumulation of ice at the lower edge of a sloped roof, usually at the gutter. When interior heat melts the snow on the roof, the water will run down and refreeze at the roof's edge, where temperatures are much cooler. The ice builds up and blocks water from draining off of the roof, forcing the water under the roof covering and into the attic or down the inside walls of the house. Take the following steps to decrease the likelihood that ice dams will form:

• Keep the attic well-ventilated. The colder the attic, the less melting and refreezing on the roof.
• Keep the attic floor well-insulated to minimize the amount of heat rising through the attic from within the house.
• As an extra precaution against roof leaks in case ice dams do form, when re-roofing install an ice and water barrier under your roof covering that extends from the lowest edges of all roof surfaces to a point at least 24 inches inside the exterior wall line of the building.

Frozen  Pipes

Frozen water in pipes can cause water pressure buildup between the ice blockage and the closed faucet at the end of a pipe, which leads to pipes bursting at their weakest point. Pipes in attics, crawl spaces and outside walls are particularly vulnerable to freezing in extremely cold weather. Frozen pipes can also occur when pipes are near openings in the outside wall of a building, including where television, cable or telephone lines enter the structure. To keep water in pipes from freezing, take the following steps:

• Fit exposed pipes with insulation sleeves or wrapping to slow the heat transfer. The more insulation the better.
• Seal cracks and holes in outside walls and foundations near water pipes with caulking.
• Keep cabinet doors open during cold spells to allow warm air to circulate around pipes (particularly in the kitchen and bathroom).
• Keep a slow drip of water flowing through faucets connected to pipes that run through an unheated or unprotected space.
• Drain the water system, especially if your building will be unattended during cold periods.

Is Your Roof Strong Enough?

Building age is a major factor in how much snow a roof can handle.  Newer building codes provide much better guidance for estimating snow loads, particularly the increased loads near changes in roof elevations where snow drifts and snow falling from an upper roof can build up on the lower roof near the step. For flat roofs, the step-down area between roof sections is particularly susceptible to snow overload because of the tendency for ice and snow collection, especially during periods of windy weather.

Older roofs can suffer from corrosion of members and connections which can reduce its ability to resist high snow loads. Buildings with lightweight roofs, such as metal buildings or built- up roofs on bar joists generally provide less protection from overload than heavy roofs.

Roof top equipment and roof projections, such as mechanical equipment that is over 2 feet tall, causes snow accumulation due to drift, creating the need for higher snow load consideration in these areas. A serious condition can be created when a taller building or a taller addition is built adjacent to shorter, existing building. Unless the shorter building is strengthened in the area next to the taller building or addition, snow accumulation on the lower roof near the step could produce much higher loads than those considered by the original designer for the existing building.

The best source for determining how much snow load a building can handle is the original design plan. Most roof designs can support at least 20 pounds per square foot. However, design loads can range from 10 pounds to 20 pounds per square foot in Mid-Atlantic states, and between 40 pounds and 70 pounds per square foot in New England.

Guidelines to Estimate Snow Weight

• 10 inches to 12 inches of fresh/new snow equals about 5 pounds per square foot of roof space.
• 3 inches to 5 inches of old/packed snow equals about 5 pounds per square foot of roof space.
• Ice is much heavier, with 1 inch equaling about 1 foot of fresh snow.

Snow and Ice Removal from Roofs

IBHS recommends that property owners not attempt to climb on their roof to remove snow. A safer alternative is to use a snow rake while standing at ground level.

Visit the IBHS Severe Winter Weather page on DisasterSafety.org to learn more about how to protect your home or business against winter weather-related hazards.

To arrange an interview with IBHS, contact Joseph King at 813-675-1045/813-442-2845, jking@ibhs.org or via direct message on Twitter @jsalking.

# # #

About IBHS

IBHS is an independent, nonprofit, scientific and educational organization supported by the property insurance industry. The organization works to reduce the social and economic effects of natural disasters and other risks to residential and commercial property by conducting research and advocating improved construction, maintenance and preparation practices.

LOS ANGELES, CA, January 31, 2012 - As part of its expansion into the entertainment arena, Raging Artists, Inc. has announced the establishment of a division dedicated to the development, production and promotion of independent films. These three components are not mutually exclusive, according to founder Hershel Rephun. "Returning from Sundance, it was clear to us that the opportunity exists to nurture unique ideas and content with the potential to reach a broad audience," he said, "whether we are involved at the promotion stage or as early as development."

Known for marketing broadcast and Web content from a wide range of companies in commercial production, post, and fashion, Raging Artists has an unusual perspective on the relationship between brands and artists.

"We're starting with a few properties that are fully produced but can benefit from bold, strategic promotion," said Partner/CEO Juicy Diaz. "Whether it's a documentary dealing with special needs like GORK! - which had no brand involvement - or a couple of films sponsored by brands but which retain an independent spirit, we can help them reach their audiences." Diaz noted that courage and freedom are two traits that hit home for Raging Artists. "The unifying element is fearlessness," he said. "We aren't traditional, not in our culture, not in our content. So we're seeking out people who mirror that dynamic in the work they do."

Produced by Bottoms Up Productions and directed by Devon Terrill, "GORK!" won the Audience Choice award and Interrobang Film Festival and screened at the Landlocked Film Festival, both in the summer of 2011 (due to overflow crowds, the fest held an encore screening of the film last September). The documentary turns a spotlight on Terrill's outrageous, charismatic, and perplexing younger brother Adam, his challenges and disabilities, and his impact on the dynamic of his 7-member family. It is a film that has garnered accolades from critics and audiences alike for its frankness and its willingness to challenge the status quo. "GORK!" and Raging Artists are gearing up for a May 2012 DVD release and accompanying campaign.

"There is a sense of urgency at our company and I think that's worked to our advantage, with PR, marketing, even standup comedy," said Partner/CFO Ernie Noh. "We like to do, not talk. This quote is already too long."

Braley is the highest-ranking Democrat on Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity 

Washington, DC - This morning, at the request of Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01), two Iowans testified before the US House Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity about lowering the rate of unemployment for the National Guard.  Braley is the highest-ranking Democrat on the subcommittee.

Iowa National Guard Adjutant General Timothy Orr joined Dick Rue, the state chair of the Iowa Employer Support for Guard and Reserve (ESGR), to testify about their experience helping veterans return to work when they come home from a deployment.

Last October, Braley brought the Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity to Waterloo for a field hearing on veterans' job creation.

High-resolution photos of the hearing can be downloaded here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/repbraley/sets/72157629146584591/

High-resolution video of highlights from the hearing can be downloaded here: http://www.mydigitalmanager.com/index.php?a=ViewItem&i=3228