Thursday, October 2, 2014
N/Warren Town and County News
Page Seven
Harkin Announces More Than $3.2 Million to Expand
Higher Education Opportunities for Low-Income Students
Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) has announced that the Iowa College Student Aid
Commission in Des Moines has been awarded $3,206,922 to help low-income stu-
dents prepare for college. These funds were made available by the U.S. Department
of Education's Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs
(GEAR UP), an initiative that provides funding for academic and related support
services to eligible low-income students, including students with disabilities, to help
them obtain a secondary school diploma and to prepare for and succeed in
postsecondary education. As Chairman of the Senate Appropriations subcommittee
responsible for funding education (the LHHS Subcommittee), Harkin has consis-
tently helped to secure funds for GEAR UP, including an increase of $15.2 million in
the fiscal year 2014 omnibus spending package.
"One of the keys to a better future is education," Harkin said. "Even our best and
brightest students from low-income families often face numerous hurdles to not only
accessing higher education, but to succeeding in school and completing their de-
gree. I hope these funds will help the GEAR UP Iowa program provide students
with the academic and personal support they need to finish high school and col-
lege."
Beginning in the seventh grade, GEAR UP advisors work with students, families,
school staff and partners to provide comprehensive pre-college support. Specifically,
GEAR UP aims to increase academic performance and preparation for college, high
school and postsecondary graduation rates and knowledge of postsecondary op-
tions and financing, as well as promote professional development that supports all
students.
Beyond Buy Local, Invest Local
By Brian Depew, briand@cfra.org, Center for Rural Affairs
Buy local. It's a well known strategy for small towns. Keeping your grocery money
close to home keeps the grocery store close to home.
Economists tell us that every dollar spent at a locally-owned business generates
two to four times the economic benefit. But what if we take it to the next level? What
if we "invest local" too?
The concept is an extension of "buy local" campaigns that urge us to capture the
multiplier effect of commerce by keeping our spending money close to home. You
already see it all around you in small towns. Often it takes local citizens to see oppor-
tunity where an outsider would overlook it.
In our hometown of Lyons, NE, a new hardware and feed store went up on Main
Street this summer. The owner and his family have run independent businesses in
Lyons for two generations. It's not a Menards, or a Bomgaars. Those companies would
Norwalk Nursing & Rehab
Great job, Clyde! You worked hard with the therapy team at Norwalk Nursing &
Rehab and accomplished the goals you set out to achieve. Photo submitted.
'FLIP FOR A CURE'
/
Chow's Booster Club will host nearly 300 gymnasts
from around the Midwest at the 'Flip for a Cure' Rising
Stars Invitational, October 4-5, at F3 Fire Athletic Com-
plex, 4137 120th St. in Urbandale. The two-day event
will also serve as a fundraiser for Susan G. Komen for
Volunteers Needed
at Wildlife Refuge
Neal Smith National
Wildlife Refuge is in need
of volunteers to staff the
the Cure organization, information desk in the
USAG Level 3-5 gymnasts from Iowa, Nebraska and Prairie Learning and Visi-
Missouri will be competing for individual and team, tor Center. Volunteers will
awards Saturday, Oct. 4, from 9 a.m. - 8 p.m. and Sun- take on a regular, weekly
da3 Oct. 5, from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and, position. Curr ent!3 vol -
teers are needed for Tu s-
throughout the weekend Chow's Booster Club will be day or Thursday afternoon
raising money for Susan G. Komen for the Cure. One inI shifts, from 12:30-4 p.m,
eight women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with breast, This position offers a
cancer in their lifetime.
Tickets can be purchased at the F3 complex the day unique opportunity to
of the event (adults $8, seniors $6, ages 7-12 $5, 6 and serve the community and
never build here.
My hometown of Laurens,.IA took it upon
work that delivers high-speed internet to every house and business in town. They
didn't wait for Comcast or Verizon to build a network. If they had, they might still be
waiting.
Local residents, rooted in place, are often willing to take a financial risk to make
their small town a better place. Imagine if more of us joined them, investing locally.
visitors from around the
under free).
themselves'to build a broadband net-" ::,i ...........
.......... - ........ : %-?:,~7~;globe by gree ~t~and,~-
Arbor Day • enting them to the refuge,
answering basic questions
The Arbor Day Foundation will brighten up your fall and talking with guests. If
by offering 10 free autumn classics trees when you join you like to help people
the organization in October. while learning more about
The free trees are part of the nonprofit Arbor Day Iowa's natural heritage,
Foundation's Trees for America campaign, a program this is a great chance to.do
dedicated to environmental stewardship through the so right here in'our corff-
planting of trees, munity! i,:
Everyone who joins the Arbor Day Foundation in Volunteers of all ages
October will receive 10 free autumn classics: Two sugar and backgrounds are wel-
maples, two red maples and one each of scarlet oak, come and no experience or
sweetgum, northern red oak, silver maple, white flow-
special knowledge is nec-
ering dogwood and Washington hawthorn.
essary. Training and orien-
The trees will be shipped postpaid at the right time tation are provided and a
for planting, between November 1 and December 10. staff member is always
The 6- to 12-inch trees are guaranteed to grow or they present to help and to an-
will be replaced free of charge. Planting instructions will swer questions.
be enclosed with each shipment of trees. To learn more, contact
To receive 10 free autumn classics, send a $10 mem- the refuge's Volunteer Co-
bership contribution to Autumn Classics Trees, Arbor ordinator, Megan Wandag,
Day Foundation, 100 Arbor Ave., Nebraska City, NE at 515-994-3400 or megan_
68410, by October 31, 2014, or join online at arborday wandag@fws, gov.
.org/october.
Creating a vibrant future for your small town really is in your hands.
Poverty is uncomfortable, as I can testify: but nine times out of 10 the best thing
that can happen to a young man is to be tossed overboard and compelled to sink
or swim for himself.
-James A. Garfield
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