DES MOINES, IA - The Des Moines Area Sports Commission has landed two more cycles of the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) Junior Olympic Games, both 2018 and 2023. The Games is a $1.5 million event run by the Des Moines Area Sports Commission staff, generating $47 million in economic impact for the Greater Des Moines economy. This announcement comes amid preparation for the 48th annual event in Des Moines?July 22 - August 2, 2014.

"Our hard work leading up to 2014 is paying off. The AAU governing body recognizes the strength of our community support, excellent venues and understanding of youth sports. Des Moines continues to deliver as a sports destination," says Katie Fencl, Director of Sports with the Des Moines Area Sports Commission, a division of the Greater Des Moines Convention and Visitors Bureau. Fencl is also Director of the 2014 AAU Junior Olympic Games in Des Moines.

"We're honored to host the AAU Junior Olympic Games not only this year?but looking ahead to coming years as well," says Greg Edwards, President and CEO with the Greater Des Moines Convention and Visitors Bureau and Des Moines Area Sports Commission.

2014 by the Numbers:

·         40,000 visitors to Central Iowa

·         30,000 hotel room nights for Greater Des Moines

·         14,000 athletes expected; ages 3 to 22 years old

·         2,600 volunteers

·         2,000 coaches

·         20 sports represented

·         5 Greater Des Moines venues; primarily the Iowa Events Center & Drake Stadium

·         3 times Greater Des Moines has previously hosted: 1995, 2004 & 2009

·         1 Honorary Chair of the 2014 AAU Junior Olympic Games: Suzie Glazer Burt

Mark your calendars! The Games will catch Des Moines July 25 - August 4, 2018 and July 26 - August 5, 2023.

How to Get Involved with the 2014 Event:

·         For media credential requests, CLICK HERE. Deadline is Saturday, July 19.

·         For volunteer opportunities, CLICK HERE. Shifts are available in four to six hour increments.

·         For a full schedule of events and ticket information, visit catchdesmoines.com/AAUJO.

About the Amateur Athletic Union

Founded in 1888, the Amateur Athletic Union is one of the largest multi-sport, not-for-profit, volunteer organizations in the United States. It is dedicated to the development of amateur sports and physical fitness programs for youth and adults. The AAU Junior Olympic Games are the largest national multi-sport event for amateur youth conducted in the United States.

WEST BRANCH, IOWA– On Saturday, July 19 a park ranger discusses "Herbert Hoover's National Parks": special places like Arches, Isle Royale, George Washington Birthplace, Sunset Crater Volcano, and other national parks and monuments preserved by Herbert Hoover's administration. The presentation is free and begins at 2 p.m. in the visitor center.

Herbert Hoover National Historic Site and Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum are in West Branch, Iowa at exit 254 off I-80. Both are open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time. For more information go online at www.nps.gov/heho or call (319) 643-2541.

Herbert Hoover National Historic Site

110 Parkside Drive

PO Box 607

West Branch, Iowa 52358

319 643-2541 phone

319 643-7864 fax

www.nps.gov/heho

Twitter: @HooverNPS

Facebook: HerbertHooverNHS

DES MOINES, IA (07/15/2014)(readMedia)-- The Iowa State Fair will offer a wide variety of new offerings to taste, watch and experience this year. New Fair foods, attractions and entertainment are available in addition to the many traditional Fair favorites. "Nothing Compares" to this array of new excitement that awaits Fairgoers August 7-17.

Foods

This year's Fair foods feature over a dozen new items including a collection of value-priced items. New bargain-priced treats include food contest finalists Funnel Cake Sticks, Smoked Brisket and Bacon Mac N Cheese, Caprese Salad On-a-stick, Brownie Blitz, and the Three Buck Bowl - all for only $3 each. The Fair's newest Fair Square Flavor, Fair-berry, a tasty blend of crisped rice cereal and marshmallows with a burst of strawberry flavor, is available for just $2.

Attractions

The newly completed renovations to the Patty and Jim Cownie Cultural Center include a fully air conditioned building and a new exhibit space for the Photography Salon on the third floor. In celebration of the 75th year of the Fair's popular Photography Salon, the Cultural Center will display hundreds of black and white entries as a salute to Ansel Adams. In addition, the Atrium will feature an exhibit of historic photos from Bill Woolston's 1975 photo essay, "Iowa's Fair."

Stop by the West Grand Exhibit Area (north of Elwell Family Food Center) to check out the Hoover Presidential Library Museum Special Exhibit Preview. This exciting new display focuses on President Hoover's food relief efforts during World War I. Brush up on your history, snag a Hoover biscuit, and be sure to catch the Hoover Humanitarian Relief Ship as it cruises the grounds daily at 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Visit Seward Johnson's amazing "God Bless America" sculpture. Standing at 25 feet tall and weighing 5,900 pounds, the traveling sculpture depicts Grant Wood's "American Gothic." It will be on display every day at the entrance to Pella Plaza on Rock Island Ave.

This year the Thrill Zone will be relocated to the southwest corner of the Fairgrounds, west of the Bruce L. Rastetter 4-H Building. Those daring enough to test their courage will find the Crazy Mouse, Sky Scraper, Sling Shot, and more in the new location.

Stage Entertainment

This year's free stage line-up features alternative rock band Alien Ant Farm. The group boasts more than five million record sales, a Grammy Award nomination and four top-ten singles including their double-platinum cover of Michael Jackson's "Smooth Criminal." Other rock groups include Great White, Slaughter, Los Lonely Boys, Winger and The Romantics.

GenerationNOW Entertainment, Sub Sonic Social and 515 Alive present the "Fair-well to Summer Dance Party," offering teens and young adults a place to show off their dance moves at the Iowa State Fair. Featured performances include Jesse Jamz (Sub Sonic Social / 515 Alive), DJ Raj (Sub Sonic Social / 515 Alive), DJ Mad Mardigan (Official DJ of the Minnesota Timberwolves), Mister Black (Firepower Records) and emcee Shawn Brighton. Not only will they be spinning music from all eras and genres but they will also be offering some fun surprises and special guests.

After reuniting in 2013, Trick Pony is back and better than ever with a new flare to fit today's country radio. Their hits include "On a Mission," "Just What I Do" and the top-ten single off their gold-certified debut album, "On a Night like This." Other country acts include Dustin Lynch, The Swon Brothers, Kristian Bush and Eric Paslay.

Back by popular demand, the self-proclaimed "Glee-meets-Stomp" group Vocal Trash will perform daily. Also returning is southern rock band Black Stone Cherry, Here Come the Mummies and Hairball, the world's ultimate 80s arena rock impersonation act.

"Nothing Compares" to the 2014 Iowa State Fair, August 7-17. The Fairgrounds are located at East 30th and East University Avenue, just 10 minutes east of downtown Des Moines. Discounted gate admission tickets are on sale now through our convenient print at home ticket option at iowastatefair.org. For more information, call 800/545-FAIR or visit iowastatefair.org.

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Quad Cities allows season-high 13 runs, as eight players score and seven drive in runs for Wisconsin

GRAND CHUTE, Wis. (July 13, 2014) - Wisconsin second baseman Chris McFarland led off a seven-run third inning Sunday with a triple and capped it with a two-run single in a four-hit day, while eight Timber Rattlers contributed to the largest run total against the Quad Cities River Bandits in more than a year, resulting in a 13-4 win for the home team at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium.

A day after losing an 8-1 lead before pulling out a 9-8 win, Wisconsin (12-11 second half, 48-44 overall) built an 8-0 lead in the first three innings. Eight Timber Rattlers scored a run, seven had a hit, and seven had an RBI, including five who drove in two. Quad Cities (12-11, 47-45) was only outhit, 14-13, but committed four errors and allowed its most runs since a 14-5 loss at Cedar Rapids on June 5, 2013.

For a third straight game, the Timber Rattlers were first on the scoreboard. Third baseman Taylor Brennan began the second inning by reaching on an error by shortstop Dayne Parker, went to second base on a passed ball by catcher Jake Rodriguez and scored on a two-out double by shortstop Steven Halcomb off right-hander Edison Frias (5-5).

McFarland began his team's huge third inning with a triple to right-center field. Right fielder Michael Ratterree walked, and catcher Clint Coulter hit a sacrifice fly to center field. Brennan doubled to right-center field, sending Ratterree to third base. First baseman Rafael Neda made it 4-0 with a two-run single to center field and went to second base on the throw. After a passed ball put Neda at third, he scored on left fielder Omar Garcia's single for a 5-0 lead. Garcia stole second base and Frias hit designated hitter Jose Pena with a pitch. After Frias struck out Halcomb, center fielder Johnny Davis reached on an error by Parker at second base, scoring Garcia for a 6-0 lead and moving Pena to third base. Frias was removed for right-hander Tyler Brunnemann, who gave up McFarland's two-run single for an 8-0 deficit. The 11-batter inning tied the longest by a Quad Cities opponent this season. Frias was charged with eight runs - three earned - in 2 2/3 innings.

Timber Rattlers right-hander Zach Quintana (3-4) worked around two hits and two walks in the first three innings. In the fourth inning, River Bandits third baseman Tyler White hit a leadoff double and scored after consecutive singles by shortstop Thomas Lindauer and first baseman Chase McDonald. Wisconsin answered in the bottom of the inning with Coulter singling and scoring on a sacrifice fly by Garcia.

In the fifth inning, Quintana held a 9-1 lead but allowed a one-out single by left fielder Marc Wik, who scored on a double by right fielder Ronnie Mitchell. But Ratterree hit a two-run home run - his fifth against Quad Cities and 15^th in the Midwest League - in the bottom of the fifth inning off Brunnemann to extend the lead to 11-2. Brunnemann allowed three earned runs on five hits in 2 1/3 innings of relief.

Quintana lasted 5 1/3 innings, giving up two earned runs on nine hits and two walks with two strikeouts. Right-hander Tyler Spurlin relieved Quintana for 1 2/3 scoreless innings, allowing one hit and one walk with two strikeouts. Quad Cities remained behind, 11-2, until the eighth inning against right-hander Tristan Archer. McDonald and Rodriguez hit consecutive singles, and center fielder Brett Phillips hit an RBI double to right field. Phillips had three hits and two doubles for a second straight game. Archer's wild pitch scored Rodriguez, making it 11-4. But Wisconsin answered against right-hander Andrew Walter with a sacrifice fly by Pena and RBI single by Halcomb. Walter worked a season-high three innings, giving up two runs - one earned. Archer worked around two walks for Wisconsin in the ninth.

Quad Cities seeks a split of the four-game series and 16-game season series with Wisconsin at 12:05 p.m. Monday. River Bandits left-hander Blaine Sims (1-1) is scheduled to face Timber Rattlers right-hander Barrett Astin (5-4) in the teams' final regular season meeting.