County Supervisor Meeting

Washington County Supervisors will look at quotes for roadway painting at their meeting today. The Washington County Engineer's office will present the quotes to supervisors. They will also consider an equipment purchase to be used on county secondary roads, fill a Brighton Township Trustee position and get a structural report on the English River Bridge. The Supervisors' meeting starts at 9:30am in the basement of the courthouse.

Edible Insect Program At Marr Park

Most Americans don't eat insects but there is program on Saturday talking about the many people around the world that do. According to Marr Park Naturalist Pam Holz the United States and Europe are the only places that don't eat insects. Holz says they are putting on Bug Banquet: Edible Insects, a program that talks about just what the title describes and the nutritional value. It will be Saturday at 1:00 pm at the Conservation Education Center at Marr Park. The cost is $3.

IMS Concert

Come enjoy an afternoon concert of musical talent presented by Iowa Mennonite School students. The concert will be given on Sunday, March 8th at 3:00 p.m. in Celebration Hall at Iowa Mennonite School. This concert is a fundraiser for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and donations will be accepted at the door. Light refreshments will also be served.

Kalona Days

Kalona is gearing up for Kalona Days, festival director Dave Finley is now accepting applications for food vendors, arts & crafts vendors, as well as groups, organizations and businesses that wish to have a booth or display at this 2 day event. Kalona will celebrate its 130th birthday during the festival with a parade, entertainment, contests, classic car show, dance and games for all ages. Organizers are constructing what may be the largest quilt cake of its kind in America. For information or a vendor application please call the Kalona General Store 319-656-3535.

Low Income Energy Assistance

Alliant Energy is reminding qualified Iowa residents that they can apply for Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funds now through April 15. To obtain energy assistance, qualified utility customers can apply for LIHEAP funds until April 15, 2009. Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible. For more information on where or how to apply for LIHEAP funds, people can contact their local community action agency or visit www.dcaa.iowa.gov and click on Bureau of Energy Assistance.

New Doctor Coming To Washington

A new doctor is coming to Washington. Washington Hospital and Clinics says Dr. Lloyd Holm is moving here from Omaha. Dr. Holm is an OB/GYN and will practice at Women's Healthcare of Washington. He will replace Dr. Nathan Thomas who is moving to Texas in July. Dr. Holm has been serving as an associate professor at the University of Nebraska and will begin work in Washington in June.

IMS Boys Make State Tournament

The IMS boys basketball team has qualified for trip to the state tournament in Des Moines. Saturday night, IMS beat Prince of Peace out of Clinton 59-51. So now IMS will have to wait to see exactly when and who they will play next Monday. The activities association won't post the pairing until all of the sub-state games are finished. There are still four sub-state games that will be played this evening. Once the finals are in, the state will post pairings which will make it clear when next Monday, IMS will play.

Antler Measuring

Deer hunters interested in having antlers measured should bring them to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Southeast District Office on March 2 or March 4. Donald Pfeiffer with the DNR based in Lake Darling says measuring will be held today from 1 p.m. until 8 p.m. and Wednesday from 1 p.m. until 8 p.m. The Southeast District Office is located in Lake Darling State Park, three miles west of Brighton on State Highway 1 and 78. If you would like to reserve a specific time between 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., please call 319-694-2430 for an appointment. Those not making appointments and others after 5:00 p.m. will be on a first come-first served basis. Allow 20 minutes for each antler set to be measured.

County Offering Historic Preservation Grant

Non-profit groups undertaking historic preservation projects in Washington County could be eligible for a grant from the county. The Washington County Historic Preservation Commission says they've been authorized to distribute $4000 to help with such projects. Projects that are eligible include those that involve securing, maintaining, acquiring, or retaining historic sites, structures, or artifacts that are at least 50 years old and have significance to the county. Grant applications are due March 15th. If you would like more information you can call 653-3879.

Talley's Folly Coming To Washington

The Old Creamery Theater Company is bringing a production of Talley's Folly to the Washington Community Theater in mid March. According to the group Talley's Folly is a charming story about one evening in the courtship of two unlikely lovers. Performances will be March 13th and 14th and March 20th and 21st with start times at 7:30 each evening. For tickets you can call the box office at 653-5175.

Armenian Program at the Kalona Public Library

There will be a program at the Kalona Public Library about Armenia and its culture, songs, music and language. Youth Services Librarian, Marissa Tartaglia says the main goal of Armenia: the Sleeping Beauty is to teach American children about Armenia: culture, language, music and art. The classes will be taught by two foreign exchange students from Armenia, Arevik Torosyan and Armen Sahakyan. This is a 6-week program starting March 7th and ending May 2nd, every Saturday from 10:30am to 12:00pm at the Kalona Public Library.

Midwest Regional Orchestra Festival

Iowa Mennonite School will be hosting the Midwest Regional Orchestra Festival March 20-22. Marcia Miller with the Lower Deer Creek Church says host homes are needed for the approximately 80 students attending from Bethany Christian in Goshen, Indiana and Central Christian in Kidron, Ohio. She says if you are willing to host anyone, or would like further information; please contact Paul Davidson at 319-668-8041. Please let him know by March 9, indicating how many boys or girls you would be able to host. Host families are asked to provide two breakfasts, sack lunch on Saturday, and lunch on Sunday as well as taking the youth to worship with you.

New Doctor Coming to Washington

A new doctor is coming to Washington. Washington Hospital and Clinics says Dr. Lloyd Holm is moving here from Omaha. Dr. Holm is an OB/GYN and will practice at Women's Healthcare of Washington. He will replace Dr. Nathan Thomas who is moving to Texas in July. Dr. Holm has been serving as an associate professor at the University of Nebraska and will begin work in Washington in June. 

Talley's Folly

The Old Creamery Theater Company is brining a production of Talley's Folly to the Washington Community Theater in mid March. According to the group Talley's Folly is a charming story about one evening in the courtship of two unlikely lovers. Performances will be March 13th and 14th and March 20th and 21st with start times at 7:30 each evening. For tickets you can call the box office at 653-5175.

IMS Culinary Arts Class

The IMS Culinary Arts class is opening a student-run restaurant called "Saveurs du Monde" which will run for six weeks featuring a different international cuisine each week. This Wednesday will feature French Cuisine with a menu of Quiche Lorraine, French yogurt, fruit tart, and a croissant for the price of $6.00. Please call the office to make your reservation by Monday. Serving begins promptly at 8:30 a.m. 

Armenia: The Sleeping Beauty

There will be a Program at the Kalona Public Library about Armenia and its interesting culture, songs, music, language, and other fun stuff. Youth Services Librarian, Marissa Tartaglia says the main goal of Armenia: The Sleeping Beauty is to teach American children about Armenia: culture, language, music and art. The classes will be taught by two foreign exchange students from Armenia, Arevik Torosyan and Armen Sahakyan. This is a 6-week program starting March 7th and ending May 2nd, every Saturday from 10:30am to 12:00pm at the Kalona Public Library.

Home Foreclosure

State Representative Larry Marek is backing a plan to prevent foreclosures on Iowa homes. Four proposed bills deal with the subject. One would make it illegal for bankers or brokers to mislead borrowers or make false statements. They also would not be able to charge fees for loans that don't materialize, or accept undisclosed compensation for their service. Another bill would mandate that homeowners are given the number to a foreclosure hotline at the beginning of a foreclosure. Finally the foreclosure on homes of military reserve member or their family while serving on active duty would be prohibited.

Washington School Facilities Consultants

Washington Community Schools is in the process of having their facilities reviewed by a consultant, who intends to provide the district with a recommendation, most importantly the high school. Board President Eric Turner says these two consultants have been working with the Iowa School Boards Association, and have reviewed other districts for the association. He says the Washington board felt their services would be useful, so the consultants are carefully looking at all of the district's facilities as well as past plans presented to voters. Turner says in the end they will provide the board with a concise recommendation concerning buildings in the district.

Kalona Rec Center

The Kalona Rec Center may have received some damage this winter with the snow and melting ice. Todd Fitzsenry the Parks and Recreation Director says there may have been a leak into the building from the roof that has caused some damage to the racquetball courts. Fitzsenry says he has spoken with the Kalona City Council and they are aware of the problem and will be working on getting a builder to look at the building and see what can be done.

Disaster Area Taxes

Special income tax benefits apply to many who were affected by the natural disasters in the Midwest last summer. Phyllis Zalenski, Family Resource Management Specialist with the Iowa State University Extension says even those who did not suffer direct property losses may be eligible for tax benefits. Some counties are eligible for all the tax provisions while others are eligible only for some of the tax benefits. The best thing is for people to consult a tax expert and to always ask questions.