The 2010 legislative session is underway and we have a lot of work ahead of us. My priorities this year include balancing the budget, quality education and creating good jobs. I encourage you to contact me with your ideas and suggestions.

If you have any friends who are not on the list encourage them to subscribe here.

I look forward to serving you.






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Films @ the Library: Join other area adults in viewing and discussing a classic film in the Marshalltown library's Community Meeting Room. All films will start at 6:30p.m. Tom LaVille will lead our discussions.

Thursday, January 28: The Natural (1984)
Thursday, February 25: The Searchers (1956)
Thursday, March 4: The Usual Suspects (1995)
Thursday, March 25: Singin' in the Rain (1952)


Films have been selected for an adult audience -- these programs are not suitable for children.

Helpful Information

The Central Iowa Art Association offers classes, volunteer opportunities, and art shows every month. Please check their website for a detailed calendar: www.centraliowaartassociation.com.

A new local information hotline regarding H1N1 vaccinations has been established at 641-754-5005. Information is available in English and Spanish.

The 2010 Census will create hundreds of jobs across the State of Iowa. If you are interested or know someone who is, you may call the Census at 866-861-2010. Please mention this opportunity to anyone you know who is looking for a great employment opportunity.

Marshalltown Community Theater offers a wonderful opportunity to see local talent perform in productions throughout the year. To see a complete schedule of coming shows check out their website at: www.mctonline.org.

The Marshall County Conservation Board invites preschoolers who are - accompanied by an adult- to Nature’s Story Hour the first and third Wednesday of each month. Location is the Grimes Farm & Conservation Center, 2359 233rd Street at 10 a.m. For more information, contact Diane Pixler at 641-752-5490.

Iowa River Hospice hosts a Grief Healers Support Group at Our NEW Location 502 Plaza Heights Rd on Feb. 4th from 1:00-2:00 p.m. This group meets at the same time and place the first Thursday of each month. We are open to all individuals who have experienced the death of a loved one. Grief is a healthy and natural response to death. It is difficult to process. Come join us in our journey of healing. If questions, call 753-7704.

Iowa River Hospice hosts a Spousal Support Group at Hy-Vee in Marshalltown on Feb. 14th at 5 p.m. This group meets at the same time and place the second Sunday of each month for a meal, support and socialization (Usually not intended for newly bereaved persons). If questions, call 753-7704.

Iowa River Hospice hosts a caregivers group Common Bonds developed to nurture caregivers on Feb. 15th at 2 p.m. Each day can be a challenge for the caregiver but you are not alone. All are welcome; meets every 3rd Monday at Villa Del Sol in Marshalltown in the 200 Hall Lounge.

NEW Group- Grief Share an informal meet & eat group. Meets the last Monday of each month. Feb. 22nd 5:30 – 6:30pm @ Iowa River Hospice Home-502 Plaza Heights Rd Marshalltown Enter through the bottom entrance (staff entrance). *Dinner to be provided. **This group is intended for those dealing with the recent loss of a loved one. There are hosts of agencies to assist with a number of issues that you and your family may be facing. These agencies are often a member of the Marshalltown Area United Way. For a list of agencies, go to www.marshalltownunitedway.org.

Compassionate Friends a support group created to help people following the death of a child meets the first Tuesday of every month. The Marshalltown Group meets at the First Friends Church, at 2409 South 6 Street, Marshalltown, Iowa at 7:30 p.m.

The first Tuesday night of every month, the Marshalltown Cancer Support Group meets at the Congregational Church, 312-west Main. Meetings are held at 7 p.m. Enter through the west door.

Marshalltown Speech Groups move on to State Contest

Nine Marshalltown speech groups earned Division I ratings at Iowa High School Speech Association District Contest at Grinnell on Jan. 23. The following groups will advance to State Contest at Linn Mar High School on Feb. 6. The Choral Reading, entitled “Seasons of Love,” was written by MHS Assistant Principal Ken Hayes, and was presented by these students: Autumn Nelson, Brittany Ryerson, Brianna Rasmussen, Tomi Degrado, Becca Wunsch, Jessica Atcher, Phoebe Ryan, Ryan Jensen, James Lindgren, Philip Kirner, Matt Bromley, and Joseph Schoborg. The one act play, Eleemosonary, featured Samantha Gill, Gwen Morrison, and Allie Smith. Readers theatre, “The Octette Bridge Club,” included Shellie Robinson, Maggie Halverson, Gwen Morrison, Becca Klass, Anna Klaas, Marissa Chase, Allison Sherman, Laura Larkin, and Jordan Cline.

Two improv groups received Division I ratings: Brock Slowiak, Samantha Gill, Nick Heiserman; Brennan Goodman, Hannah Carter, and Jill Schoborg. The musical theatre entry, Rent, was Marshalltown’s first-ever state qualifier in this event and featured these members: Charlotte Schorle, Analisa Donahey, Mallory McKay, Zoe Harris, Nick LeWarne, and Phillip Kirner. The television news team was made up of Kennedy LaVille, Pemika Makasuwandamrong, Numwan Pitoktang, Jared Mills, Christian Kremer, Rachel Norton, Charlotte Schorle, and Stephen Peterson. The radio news team included Rachel Norton, Marissa Chase, Pemika Makasuwandamrong, Numwan Pitoktang, and Dominik Obruca. Allison Sherman and Yessy Chavez were partners in the ensemble acting selection, “Pipe Dreams.”

One group, a group improv troupe, received a Division II rating. Its members included Colleen Grady, Teresa Grady, and Dominik Obruca. Large Group coaches are Cindy Rolfes-Eggers and Julie Bousum.

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MHS Student to participate in National Special Olympics

JoAnne Johnson (high school Special Olympics athlete) has been selected to participate in the aquatics event at the National Special Olympics games in Lincoln Nebraska during the summer of 2010. Wendy Olinger has been selected to be the assistant coach for the aquatics events at the National Games. They are required to sell at least 20 t-shirts as part of a fundraiser for this event. The shirt design is shown below:



The shirts are $10 each. Please make checks out to Special Olympics Iowa. Sizes available are Youth through Adult 4XL. Please send orders to wolinger@marshalltown.k12.ia.us.

Thank you for supporting these two Marshalltown residents in Special Olympics -Team Iowa!

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MICA to Offer Free Tax Assistance for Low-Income Families

Along with its collaborators, Mid-Iowa Community Action, Inc (MICA), a nonprofit agency serving low-income children and families, will soon be launching the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program in Marshall County. In cooperation with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the VITA program offers free tax preparation to low-income individuals and families.

As part of an outreach campaign designed to educate individuals and families in local communities, trained VITA program volunteers not only prepare taxes free of charge, but they also help families locate tax credits for which they may not realize they qualify, including the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). EITC is a tax credit offered to low to moderate income working individuals and families. This year, a family with more than two children and an annual income of less than $48,279 could earn as much as $5,657 on their tax refund. Read More

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Bobcats compete at Special Olympics Winter Games

Twenty-seven Marshalltown Bobcats traveled to Dubuque Jan. 11-13 for the 2010 Iowa Special Olympics Winter Games. Seven competed in the downhill, 12 in the cross country competition at Sundown Ski Resort in Peosta and eight competed in snow shoe at Camp Albrecht Acres.

The Bobcats were housed at the Grand Harbor Motel located at the Port of Dubuque. One of the highlights was the large indoor water park! Read More and See the Results

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Supporting Military Families

The Iowa House took another step to support veterans, military members, and their families this week.

House File 2110 provides unemployment insurance benefits for the spouses of military personnel forced to leave their job due to a military reassignment or a spouse called to active duty.

The benefits will be paid out of interest on the Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund and will not be paid for by employers. Read More

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House Approves Accountability Measures for Lobbyists

Many Iowans want to know what special interests are spending to obtain passage or cause defeat of legislation. The Iowa House has made that easier to find out through new ethics laws governing lobbyists and clients.

The measure, House File 2109, will improve accuracy and transparency in the activities of lobbyists and their clients. The bill will also give the House and Senate Ethics committees more authority to deal with companies and organizations that lobby state government. Read More

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Governor Proposes Lean Budget for Fiscal Year 2011

This week, Governor Culver released his budget plans for the state fiscal year 2011, which begins July 1, 2010. With Iowa still struggling due to the effects of the lingering national recession, the Governor proposed a lean budget that reflects the priorities of Iowans – helping middle class families, balancing the budget without raising taxes, maintaining quality schools, and creating good-paying jobs.

The Governor recommends a budget that incorporates many of the cost saving initiatives proposed by his office and the Legislature to reduce the cost of state government. The Governor is proposing a general fund budget that expends $5.32 billion, which is less than the budget three years ago. Read More

House Votes to Help Participants in Cancer Trials

Iowa Receives Green Jobs Grant

Distracted Drivers Hot Topic at State and Federal Level

Expanding Access to Health Care

Anti-Gouging Law in Effect Following Winter Storms

DNR Creates New Livestock Database

Main Street Challenge Grants Announced