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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Calendar of Events

February 20 – Evening Optimists Sweetheart Dinner - Social Hour – 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.; Dinner – 6:00 p.m.; there will be an auction, a silent auction, a raffle, and dancing to the DJ & Karaoke “It’s So Easy”; Cost is $40 per person. Come treat your sweetheart to an enjoyable evening sponsored by Marshalltown’s Evening Optimists. For more information call Leroy Morford at 641-752-1761.

February 20 & 21st - The Friends of the Library's Annual Book Sale Donations accepted February 12-19; Saturday, February 20 9am-2pm & Sunday, February 21 1-4pm ($1/bag)

2010 Community Clean-up: Cleaniac and his friends are gearing up for the 2010 Community Clean-up Week: April 19-23, in celebration of Earth Week. Volunteers interested in helping with the Cleaniac’s Community Clean-up Week are invited to meet on Tuesday, February 16 at 7 a.m. at the Chamber Office. For more Information, contact the Chamber office at 641-753-6645.

Community Y Healthy U: Healthy U, a 12-week ongoing program of the Community Y of Marshalltown, is now open to the general public. Meeting Times: Thursdays @ 11:30 a.m.; 3rd Saturday of the month @ 8:30 a.m. Weekly Healthy U group fitness class: Saturdays @ 9 a.m. Cost for Y members is $75. Non-Y members can participate for $120.

Nunsensations! The Nunsense Vegas Revue – another hilarious Nunsense musical at Marshalltown Community Theater, February 26 and 27 at 7:30 p.m., February 28 at 2 p.m. and March 5 and 6 at 7:30 p.m.; tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students. For more information check out: www.mctonline.org

March 4, 2010 – 14th Annual Des Moines Summit & Legislative Day; organized by the Marshalltown Area Chamber of Commerce since 1997; Senator Steve Sodders, Representatives Mark Smith, Annette Sweeney, and Lance Horbach are assisting with the organization. Watch for registration information or visit the Chamber website at: www.marshalltown.org

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, 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.

Looking for a great Valentine’s Gift? – MMSC’s Diagnostic Imaging Department has put together a wonderful cookbook for the new year. The “breast Friends” Cookbook is now available in the MMSC Gift Shop. 212 pages, 500 recipes, artwork by Amy Damman, an MMSC employee. One book is $20, 3 for $55 or 5 for $90. Check it out!!!

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.

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Miltenberger Benefit planned

Mike Miltenberger, owner of Mike’s Bikes and Fitness, is facing a challenging time. His wife, Pat has been diagnosed with Cancer. A benefit has been planned to help with the cost of some of her medical treatments.

The Miltenberger Benefit is scheduled for Sunday, February 14, from 4-7 p.m. at the Moose Lodge. Press On Quartet will provide entertainment and the Marshall County Pork Producers will provide a burger meal (free will donation). A silent auction, raffle, live auction, dessert walk, and quilt block fundraiser are also planned. For more information contact Deleana Roseland at 641-751-4031.

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Kindergarten Registration Coming Up

Marshalltown Community Schools will hold Kindergarten Registration Friday, Feb. 26, 2010, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at all six MCSD elementary schools.

Students must be 5 years old by Sept. 15, 2010, in order to enroll in the 2010-2011 school year. Parents should bring the student's birth certificate when they register.

Students should register at the school in their attendance zone (see map below). Students residing in the rural areas, the Woodbury Zone or the Central Zone can register at any building, but not might be placed in that school.

For more information call your neighborhood elementary school or call the Central Administration at 641-754-1000.

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Anson students create Valentines for soldiers overseas

Students at Anson Elementary recently created Valentine's Day cards for men and women serving overseas in the US Armed Forces. On Friday, Jan. 29, the students decorated cards. They were collected by Vogel Funeral Homes and sent out Feb. 1 with cards from other area schools.

Other district schools participating included, Franklin Elementary and Lenihan Intermediate School.

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Families Can Apply for Tax Refund; Free Tax Filing

Thousands of hard-working, middle class families are struggling to pay their bills in these tough economic times and many do not realize they are eligible for a refundable tax credit when they file their 2009 federal and state income taxes.

The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is the largest federal cash benefit to low-income workers.

For the federal income tax, workers with one child and earning less than $35,463 in 2009 are eligible for a tax credit up to $3,043. Workers raising more than one child with income less than $40,295 can get up to a $5,028 credit. Working individuals between the ages of 25 and 64, who are not raising children in their home, and had income less than $13,440 are eligible for a $457 tax credit. Read More

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Texting Ban Passes Committee

Under separate bills that passed out of committee, texting while driving a motor vehicle would be illegal and young drivers in the graduated driver’s license program would only be able to have one unrelated person in the vehicle.

These bills were done in response to studies showing the increased likelihood of accidents when persons are texting, and the likelihood of accidents among young drivers due to inexperience and distractions in the vehicle. Read More

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Protecting Iowans from Dishonest Auto Repair Shops

Dishonest auto repair shops will no longer be able to hold a customer’s car ransom, in order to coerce payment of a disputed bill, thanks to legislation passed by the Iowa House. Senate File 2108 will now go to the Governor. If he signs the bill, it will take effect on May 1, 2010.

Under the current Artisan Lien Law, a person who repairs another’s property has a lien on the property and may hold it until agreed upon or reasonable compensation is paid for the repair work. Read More

Protecting Iowa’s Auto Dealers

Iowa’s Disaster Case Management System a National Model

Protecting Older Iowans Rights

Prevailing Wage with Local Option Passes Committee