AMANA, Iowa- SAVE THE DATE! Midwest's Greatest Wood Show, Woodfest sponsored by the Amana Arts Guild, returns for its fifth year to the Amana RV Park and Events Center August 22-24, 2014 with two major additions. The three-day wood show is adding a Tool Swap Meet and Wood Crafting Seminars to the over 50 wood crafting exhibitors from throughout Iowa and the Midwest.

The Tool Swap is open to all who have any kind of tools for sale or trade or are looking for that missing tool for their collection. Details and applications for displaying, selling or swapping tools can be obtained by emailing, woodfest@southslope.net. Event coordinator, RC Eichacker says, "There are many who no longer use or have need for good tools in their homes and shops. There are still many others who are looking for a secondhand item to meet their current need, skill level or project completion.

The 45 minute professional wood working subjects will include skill techniques as well as demonstrations of new and innovative equipment. As an introduction, all are free and open to the visiting public. Plans call for each seminar to be presented twice each day of the festival.

Special featured wood crafter of the Woodfest is Mr. and Mrs. John Woodhouse of Delhi, Iowa with their unique 3D artistry of barn scenes. Indoor and outdoor demonstrations of crafting techniques are ongoing throughout the early fall festival.

Woodcrafters who are interested in renting spaces should contact the coordinator, RC Eichacker, at woodfest@southslope.net or call 319-622-3908.

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(OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma) - Iowa Gov. Terry E. Branstad yesterday joined Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin in visiting a grove of trees the people of Iowa donated to the victims of the April 19, 1995, bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Building in Oklahoma City. This is the first time that Branstad has returned to view the bombing memorial tree garden since he took part in a dedication ceremony in November 1995. 

"After the bombing in Oklahoma City in 1995, the governor's office worked with Iowa citizens to pay tribute to the victims of this horrific act in Oklahoma," said Branstad. "We remembered that two years prior to the bombing, Oklahomans graciously donated food and water to Iowans affected by the 1993 floods. I was honored to be able to pay my respects to the victims of the bombing and visit the grove that Iowans so generously donated during a difficult time for Oklahomans."

The idea for the grove came from former Iowa State Horticulturist Dan Cooper. Horticulture students from Iowa community colleges and Iowa State University planted the trees. The Iowa State Horticulture Society partnered with Iowa citizens and businesses to raise funds to cover the costs of the planting.

A November 17, 1995, article published by The Oklahoman described the grove of trees stating, "When the linden trees are mature, their tops will form a thick green canopy. The trees have a nondescript yellow bloom but it has a marvelous spicy fragrance."  

The article continued, "[T]he crab apple trees, which will be planted in a horseshoe shape in the center of the grove, have a dark pinkish-red blossom. They will be planted around a large piece of red marble, salvaged from the rubble of the Murrah Building, being placed in the center of the grove. On it will be a plaque dedicating the grove as a gift from the Iowa State Horticulture Society."

"Oklahomans will never forget the outpouring of support from across the country that helped us cope with the senseless and cold-blooded attack on the Murrah Building," Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin said. "Acts of kindness provided hope during those dark days. We are grateful for the many Iowans who donated their time and resources to design and plant a bombing memorial garden at the Oklahoma state Capitol."

Branstad is visiting Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, for a National Governor's Association conference on education and the workforce. Fallin, who was Oklahoma's lieutenant governor when the grove was planted, invited Branstad to visit the memorial.

Photos of the visit are available on Gov. Branstad's website. Photos are courtesy of Michael McNutt, Press Secretary in the Office of Governor Mary Fallin.

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(DES MOINES) - Gov. Terry E. Branstad today denied the following applications for commutation:

LeRoy W. Basham, age 64, committed his crime on March 2, 1987, in Boone County.  He is currently serving a life sentence for first-degree murder. 

James W. Bettis, age 43, committed his crime on September 6, 1988, in Page County.  He is currently a life sentence for first-degree murder.

Tina M. Bowers, age 44, committed her crimes on about October 1, 1996, in Cedar County.  She is currently serving a term of incarceration not to exceed fifty years for four counts of second-degree Sexual Abuse; twenty-five year sentences consecutively and two twenty-five year counts concurrently for a total of fifty years with a 70% mandatory. 

Gerne E. Dryer, age 66, committed his crimes on December 8, 1993, in Dubuque County.  He is currently serving a life sentence for first-degree kidnapping and four counts of assault with a dangerous weapon.

James Eaglefeather, age 34, committed his crimes on October 6, 1998, in Pottawattamie County.  He is currently serving a term of incarceration not to exceed twenty-five years for Robbery - 1^st degree, 85%.

Brandon S. Horkheimer, age 24, committed his crime on December 30, 2009, in Dubuque County.  He is currently serving a term of incarceration not to exceed ten years for Robbery - 2^nd degree, 85%. 

Jennifer L. Kerby, age 32, committed her crime on September 28, 2000, in Polk County.  She is currently serving a term of incarceration not to exceed twenty-five years for Robbery - 1^st degree, 85%.

Danny Ray Long, age 39, committed his crimes on or about December 11^th and 18^th, 1998, in Pottawattamie County.  He is currently serving a term of incarceration not to exceed fifty years for two counts of Robbery - 1^st degree, 85%. 

Murl E. McMullin, age 49, committed his crime on June 4, 1986, in Linn County.  He is currently serving a life sentence for first-degree murder.

Emanuel Myers, Jr., age 41, committed his crime on June 10, 2007, in Johnson County.  He is currently serving a term of incarceration not to exceed ten years for Robbery - 2^nd degree (85%).

Robert L. Pate, age 39, committed his crimes on February 1, 2000 and October 4, 2007, in Polk County.  He is currently serving a term of incarceration not to exceed seventy-five years for second-degree Controlled Substance and Prohibited Acts - Controlled Substance (cocaine).

Derome Robertson, age 36, committed his crime on November 14, 1996, in Linn County.  He is currently serving a term of incarceration not to exceed twenty-five years for first-degree robbery.

Steven G. Sempek, age 46, committed his crimes on April 1, 1998, in Pottawattamie County.  He is currently serving a 100-year sentence for six counts of Sexual Abuse in the second-degree (85%). 

Kenneth Allen Todd, age 53, committed his crime on September 18, 1982, in Polk County.  He is currently serving a life sentence for first-degree murder.

David Tomlinson, age 40, committed his crimes on May 22, 1998, in Tama County.  He is currently serving a life sentence plus fifty-five years for first-degree murder, second-degree murder (85%), and flee state to avoid prosecution.

Simon C. Tunstall, age 58, committed his crime on August 31, 1986, in Woodbury County.  He is currently serving a life sentence for first-degree murder.

Mark A. Wilder, age 38, committed his crimes on July 11, 2002, in Black Hawk County.  He is currently serving a term of incarceration not to exceed thirty years for first-degree robbery (85%) and escape of a felon.

Arthur Lee Williams, Jr., age 65, committed his crime on May 31, 1972, in Black Hawk County.  He is currently serving a life sentence for first-degree murder.

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Des Moines, March 26, 2014 - AARP applauds today's action by members of the Iowa House for their unanimous passage of much-needed uniform power of attorney legislation, Senate File 2168, a bill creating a Uniform Power of Attorney Act (UPOAA).  This vote follows yesterday's House passage of legislation defining financial exploitation of a vulnerable elder, Senate File 2239.  AARP advocated for enactment of both measures to help curb the growing problem of elder financial abuse in Iowa. 

"We commend members of the Iowa House of Representatives for working through the complexities of the issue of elder abuse and coming up with two very strong bills to better protect vulnerable Iowans and their families from this growing problem," said AARP State President Tony Vola. "AARP advocated passage of a Uniform Power of Attorney Act as the most important tool Iowa can use to combat the devastating problem of financial exploitation of elders. Together these bills give Iowans greater peace of mind with the assurance stronger protections against financial abuse and exploitation," said Vola.

Multiple national studies have found that financial exploitation is the most common and under-reported type of elder abuse, with estimates that one of every six adults over age 64 has been a victim of financial abuse.

A power of attorney is a legal document that allows someone to make decisions on behalf of someone else. A power of attorney document can be a useful tool in the event of future incapacity and can avoid the need for court appointment of a guardian or conservator. But power of attorney misuse and abuse can lead to dire consequences for the person it was meant to benefit.  

Many Iowans are fortunate to have a power of attorney agent who fulfills their responsibilities. This legislation addresses the unfortunate cases where an agent representing an older Iowan either fails to understand his or her responsibilities, misuses the power of attorney, or outright abuses the power of attorney, all of which hurt the individual and his or her family.

For the past two years, AARP Iowa has been active on the Iowa Elder Abuse Taskforce, working with state leaders, advocates and other organizations appointed by the Iowa General Assembly to study the issue of elder abuse in our state and recommend actions to combat it.  Passage of a strong Uniform Power of Attorney Act (UPOAA) was a consensus taskforce recommendation and a legislative priority of Iowa Bar Association. 

AARP urges the Iowa Senate to pass and the Governor to sign SF 2168 to more effectively address the growing problem of elder financial abuse in our state and help older Iowans and their families have the protections they need to take action against current and future abuse. 

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AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, with a membership of more than 37 million, that helps people turn their goals and dreams into real possibilities, strengthens communities and fights for the issues that matter most to families such as healthcare, employment security and retirement planning. We advocate for consumers in the marketplace by selecting products and services of high quality and value to carry the AARP name as well as help our members obtain discounts on a wide range of products, travel, and services.  A trusted source for lifestyle tips, news and educational information, AARP produces AARP The Magazine, the world's largest circulation magazine; AARP Bulletin; www.aarp.org; AARP TV & Radio; AARP Books; and AARP VIVA, a bilingual news source.  AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to political campaigns or candidates.  The AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. AARP has staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands. Morewww.aarp.org.