Thursday, January 10, 2019 N/Warren Town and County News Page Three
Senate News Norwalk
By State Senator Julian B. Garrett
j ulian.garrett@legis.iowa.gov
China Buys U.S. Soybeans /:''
China has agreed to purchase 1.3 million metric
tons of U. S. soybeans. This is considered an Information provided by Nancy Kuehl and Shanda Lewiston
encouraging sign that the trade dispute between the
U. S. and China may be easing. This is only astart, Registration forms for events are available 24 hours
however, because China normally buys 30 to 35 a day at the Parks and Recreation office (1100
million metric tons in a year. China has been buying Chatham Avenue, inside the Norwalk Public Safety
more soybeans from Brazilrecently, butBrazilcannot Building) or print them off our website:
supply all the soybeans that China needs. This means www.norwalk.iowa.gov. You can mail registration
forms, place them in our drop box, or walk in. Office
that China will likely buy more U. S. soybeans. The hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday thru Friday.
question is how much more. There is also hope that The drop box is open 24/7/If you have any questions,
China will purchase more corn from the U. S. China please call us at 515-981-9206. On-line registration
and the U. S. have agreed on a 90 day truce on more ts also available on our website:
tariffs while they negotiate on terms of a broader www.norwalk.iowa.gov.
settlement. Our fall and winter brochure is available online,
Obviously grain sales are very important to the or there are copies you can pick up at the Parks and
Rec office.
Iowa economy. News reports say that the Chinese We are now accepting Park Shelter House
economy is really struggling. Fortunately China reservations for April through October, and Pool
probably needs to trade with us more than we need Party reservations for the 2019 season.
to trade with them, but trade with them is very
important to the U. S. and Iowa. Please call us or visit our website for
In addition to the discussions on grain sales, China further details on the following events:
has agreed to reduce tariffs on U. S. cars from 40% Registrations dates for upcoming events:
Craft Club - Registration for February class through
to 15%, and to purchase more liquefied natural gas February 8
from the U.S. Adult Pick-Up Basketball Games - Registration open
Real Unemployment until full
We are hearing a lot about the low unemployment YEL Jr. Robotics League - Lakewood - Registration
rates, both nationally and here in Iowa. What we do through January 18
not hear about so much is the labor participation rate. Adult Fitness Classes - Registration through
The unemployment rate looks at the people actively January 20
Norwalk Family TaeKwonDo - Registration through
looking for work. It does not count people of working January 20
age who are not looking for work. The labor Daddy-Daughter Dance February 1 - Registration
participation rate is based on the total number of January 14 - 25
people 16 years of age or older, whether or not they Non Registration events
are looking for work. Family Open Gym- Sundays through February 24th,
According to the Department of Labor, the national 2-4 pro, Oviatt Gym
labor participation rate is currently 62.9%, down from Senior Exercise- Mondays/Wednesdays @ 10:00 a.m
Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church
a high of 67.3% in March of the year 2000, but up a
OPALS - January 11th, Public Safety Building from
little from the recent low of 62.5% in October 2015. 11:30- 1:00 p.m.
The rate here in Iowa is currently 68.3%. Iowa is 8th
best among the 50 states and the District of Columbia Craft Club
when it comes to the labor force participation rate. Get out your glue and imaginations for this
Some of these people are disabled, and others are program. Children in 3rd through 5th grades at
students or stay at home moms, but there are a Lakewood elementary are invited to join. They meet
significant number who are able bodied people who once a month after school on early out Wednesdays
choose not to work for one reason or another. The to make special arts and crafts projects. Instructor
is Nancy Kuehl.
improving economy seems to be bringing a few people Adult Pick-Up Basketball Games
back into the workforce. Pick-up basketball games will be offered for adults.
We are working hard here in Iowa to provide Please bring clean tennis shoes to wear for the games.
opportunities for people, especially young people, to This program is only for residents who live within
obtain the skills needed to get good jobs in our current the Norwalk School District.
economy. However, there should also be an effort to YEL (Youth Enrichment League) Junior
Robotics
bring people who have dropped out of the job market 21st Century Robotics Enrichment using LEGO
back in. That is happening to a certain extent but we bricks. Each class follows 4 components: Teach it,
can do better. One objective should be to minimize Build it, Program it, and Play it.
the able bodied, non working people who are on Adult Fitness Classes
welfare of orm kind or another. It is still true that Fitness classes include Circuit Sensation/Bootcamp
the best way-:to escape poverty is to have a full time Sensation, Early Bird Body Sculpting, and Step
job. Finding a job is easier now than it has been for Bench Aerobics/Interval. Mary Jane Sharp is the
some years, instructor.
As always please feel free to contact me with your
ideas or concerns.
Did you miss your chance to
order some peanut brittle?
not too
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$7 per quart bag (about 1 pound)
J's Peanut Brittle
515-205-1826
www.facebook.com/jspeanutbrittle
Fresh and locally made.
Visit us at www.norwalk.iowa.gov
Norwalk Family TaeKwonDo
Jason Brooks is the head instructor of Norwalk
Family TaeKwonDo, which offers programs for ages
5 through adults. The classes are separated by rank
and students meet twice a week.
Daddy - Daughter Dance
The Norwalk Parks and Recreation department
will hold the social event of the year for dads and
daughters in kindergarten through 5th grade. This
is an evening filled with dancing and fun to enjoy
with your daughter(s) that will also include light
snacks, dessert, photograph opportunities, and lots
of memories. If dad is not available, an uncle, brother,
or grandfather a.re welcome.
Family Open Gym
Shoot hoops or play a pick-up game with friends or
family. Bring clean tennis shoes for the floor. Only
residents in the Norwalk school district are eligible
to participate. No registration required; just show
up and play.
OPALS - Older People with Active Life
Styles
Senior Citizen Exercise
Everyone ages 55 and older is invited to attend a
free exercise program that will include stretching and
toning. We will meet at Christ Our Savior Lutheran
Church (new location) located at 515 Sunset Drive.
Registration is not required. This is a continuous
program every Monday and Wednesday from 10-
10:30 a.m.
Well-Seasoned Potluck
(The meat as well as the people)
All are invited, age 55 or Older, to attend a potluck
dinner to enjoy and socialize with the Park and
Recreation staff. Meat, tableware, and coffee/
beverage are provided. Dust off the cookbooks and
be creative to bring a side dish and/or dessert to share
with everyone. After the meal we will have some form
of entertainment from local talent. Let us know your
email address and we will send out reminders with
what meat that is prepared on that day. Call or emait
the office to register two days before the event.
Norwalk Outdoor Ice Rink
The Norwalk Outdoor Ice Rink is located on the
basketball court at Norwalk City Park; 907 North
Avenue. The Ice Rink is a public facility, and no fees
will be charged for open recreation use. The ice rink
measures 88'x44' and was donated by the Norwalk
Iowa Lions Club. The Ice Rink is open for skating
during the winter, when weather permits. A color
system will be used to inform the public of skating
conditions. A traffic signal (stop light) has been
installed at the Ice Rink. A green light indicates the
rink is open and conditions are suitable for skating.
A red light indicates the rink is closed. The Ice Rink
is closed when posted due to weather, ice conditions
or maintenance if there is damage to the rink or if
the ice has melted. The Ice Rink status will be posted
on the traffic signal and the Parks and Recreation
website homepage. We hope to open the ice rink
sometime in January as it has been too warm
for the ice so far.
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