Saturday, February 7, 2009

Saturday, February 7-Washington County News

State Budget Cuts
State lawmakers are preparing to cut the state's budget. State Representative Larry Mareck from Riverside says Iowa is looking at around a 6% cut across the board. He says we are in better shape than some other state around us but that doesn't make it any better. Merick says one thing they can do to turn things around is take steps to make Iowa more attractive to new industries.

Tax Refund Loans
Tax season is nearly here and as you prepare an area state lawmaker warns about the temptation of refund loans. State Senator Becky Schmitz says it maybe tempting to borrow on your refund and pay the loan off when your refund check arrives, but she says in many cases the interest is excessive considering it's backed by your tax return. Schmitz says these loans might have been more reasonable in the past but with e-file the time to process your return is much faster.

Kalona Tourism
Some business owners in Kalona feel that the economy has not affected Kalona tourism very much. Edie Kemp owner of the Carriage House Bed & Breakfast says the people around Kalona do what they want to do when they want to do it. She says she has not seen a big down turn in tourism. Kemp says when it comes to people doing things with their family, people will do what it takes to take care them.

Prospective Student Day
IMS is having a Prospective Student Day. Larry Swartzendruber says the day is for students in 8th grade that may wish to attend IMS to come out and visit the campus and meet teachers and students. He says it gives students a chance to see students life and what is taught in the classrooms. The event is Friday, February 13. Swartzendrubber says they hold the Prospective Student Day every year but are contemplating holing it more often to increase exposure to IMS.

Ainsworth Breakfast Buffet
The Ainsworth Opera House is putting on their first fund raiser of the New Year this morning. They have a breakfast buffet going on from 7-10am. They are serving biscuits and gravy, bacon, sausage, hash browns, scrambled eggs, breakfast casseroles, fresh fruit, pancakes, rolls, coffee cake, and more plus coffee, juice and milk. The cost is seven dollars for adults and children ten and under are free. That again is going on at the Ainsworth Opera House from 7-10 this morning.

Bee Keeping Class
Calling all interested bee keepers. There is a class coming to the Kirkwood Washington Center later this month for beginning bee keepers. Andrew Joseph works for the State of Iowa and says the four week course starts February 17th, and the next three Tuesdays after that. The cost is $39 for the class and $25 for the manual. You can register by calling Kirkwood Washington Center at 653-4655.

4-H Skate Party
The Washington County 4-H County Council held a countywide 4-H Skating Party on Sunday, January 25, at the Wellman Rec. Center. Kati Peiffer, the 4-H-Youth Coordinator says 211 4-Hers, family members, and friends took advantage of the fun by roller-skating. She says the skaters had time to free skate, as well as do the limbo and racing games. The Skating Party is one of the many countywide activities held for 4-Hers throughout the year.