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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Healthy Family Fair Set for Feb. 20

This year, Building Healthy Families with several other community agencies will host the 5th Annual Healthy Family Fair: Prenatal 2 Preschool at the Marshall Town Center. All families with young children, along with expectant parents, are invited to attend the Healthy Family Fair on Saturday, February 20 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m at Marshall Town Center Mall. There will be many events and activities planned for the family. This year’s events feature preschool information and registration opportunities; child ID kits; a variety of interactive activities for children; over 20 different exhibits on health, safety, parenting, and early childhood; and door prizes. Families will also enjoy dance performances by Tanya’s Studio of Dance.

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11th Annual Cedar Valley Hospice Quilt-a-thon to be Held Feb. 20

The 11th annual Cedar Valley Hospice Quilt-a-thon will be held Saturday, February 20 at the Wellsburg Community Center. Doors will open at 8 a.m. with the event continuing throughout the day. The Quilt-a-thon is organized by Debbie Poland, a member of the “Knot Sew Perfect Pieces” quilt group from Wellsburg.

Anyone may sponsor a quilt in memory or in honor of a loved one for $25. For sponsorship information or to volunteer, call Debbie Poland at 641-485-6154 or call the Cedar Valley Hospice office in Grundy Center at 319-824-3868.

Services through Cedar Valley Hospice are available to anyone suffering from any life-limiting illness, regardless of their age, diagnosis or ability to pay. Cedar Valley Hospice serves Black Hawk, Bremer, Buchanan, Butler, Grundy, Tama, parts of Benton, Chickasaw, Delaware, Fayette, Floyd, Hardin, Linn and Marshall counties. For more information, visit www.cvhospice.org or call 800-617-1972.

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House Unanimously Passes Government Reorganization

Another piece of a massive state government reorganization plan was approved by the Iowa House this week bringing the total savings for Iowa taxpayers to $272 million next year.

The bill, Senate File 2088, is the result of work by the Legislative interim committee charged with finding efficiencies in state government that will deliver services to Iowans in a more efficient and cost-effective manner. The bill also incorporates some of the Governor’s cost saving and efficiency recommendations. Read More

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Iowa Guard Continues to Serve

Currently, with less than 200 Soldiers and Airmen deployed overseas, the Iowa National Guard is at its lowest number of personnel deployed since the beginning of the Iraq war in 2001. However, the Iowa National Guard is preparing for the largest deployment, over 3,000 members, in the 170 year history of the Iowa National Guard.

This week, Adjutant General Timothy Orr presented his first Condition of the Guard Address to the Iowa Legislature. He has served as Adjutant General for the past ten months. Read More

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Budget Targets Set to Balance Budget

Legislative leaders released budget targets for fiscal year 2011 that maintain essentially a status quo budget. The targets spend less than both the budget proposed by the Governor and the current year’s budget.

The budget targets act as a guide for the seven budget subcommittees to establish a fiscally responsible and balanced budget. The goal of this process is to maintain commitments to education, health care, and job creation without raising taxes on middle class families. The targets take into consideration the $126 million saved through the Government Reorganization legislation in Senate File 2088, $88 million in savings from the Governor’s Executive order, and $57 million in early retirement savings. Read More

Task Force Finds Workers Have Been Misclassified

Assistance in a Disaster Made Easier

Disaster Recovery Continues Throughout Iowa

Bill to Help Cancer Trial Participants Sent to Governor

Criminal Code Reorganization Bills Pass House

Funding for Natural Resources Trust Fund

Bill Guarantees Choice of Auto Glass Repair Shops

Iowa’s Wine and Beer Small Businesses Continue to Grow

Transportation Commission Announces Public Input Dates