Cass County Extension and the Southwest Iowa STEM Hub are bringing science, technology, engineering and math fun to Cass County. The “Celebrate STEM” Festival is set for May 22 from 5:00-7:00 pm at the Cass County Community Center. Youth and families of all ages are invited to come explore STEM through hands-on learning and investigation. Cass County Extension and the Southwest Iowa Regional STEM Hub are partnering with local community organizations and educators and host the “Celebrate STEM” Festival.

Attendees will receive a “passport” at the front door to help them explore the many exhibits from throughout Cass County and southwest Iowa. There will be opportunities to learn more about STEM programs happening for local youth, sign up for upcoming summer events in the county, and also learn about STEM in local businesses and careers. A variety of activities will also be available to spark student and parent interest with hands-on learning ranging from testing chemical reactions to flying flight simulators.

The event is open to the public and there is no charge to attend. Anyone interested in learning more about opportunities in science, technology, engineering and math in Cass County is encouraged to attend. No pre-registration is required, and attendees are invited to stop in and stay for as long as they can. Any local business or organization that would like to participate is encouraged to call the Cass County Extension Office at 712-243-1132 for more information on this event!

The Epic Iowa Road Trip made its journey into Western Iowa today (Friday). A specially wrapped motor coach is traveling 2,100 miles promoting more than 60 tourism destinations in 33 counties and 46 communities across the state of Iowa. The trip began earlier this week in Eastern Iowa and made several stops in the area today. The Epic Iowa Road Trip ventured into Shelby County Friday afternoon. The first stop was at the Danish Windmill Welcome Center.

The motorcoach then stopped in Avoca at Farmall Land USA. Shawna Lode, Iowa Tourism Office Manager, said they have seen all portions of Iowa. “We started on Friday, May 2nd in Ottumwa and since that time we have traveled to all parts of the state from the eastern side to the central side and we are concluding on the Western side of the state.” She says the tour group has seen a lot of diversity.  “We were at Pella Tulip time and we visited the Iowa Speedway in Newton. Those are two big name destinations in the state. But we have also visited some of the unknown places like the little Brown Church or here at Farmall Land that is a hidden treasure and we want Iowans to know about.”

Lode says the Tourism committee had a great response and the road trip could become an annual event. “We have had a tremendous response and we are really happy with how the nine days have gone. We will sit back in a week or so and then talk about next year.”

On Saturday, the Epic Iowa Road Trip will head towards the Loess Hills with stops at the Council Bluffs Union Pacific Railroad Museum, Harrison County Visitor’s Center on Highway 30 and the Twisted Tail in Beebeetown. The Road Trip will conclude Saturday in Sioux City. The Epic Iowa Road Trip is a partnership among the Central Iowa Tourism Region, Eastern Iowa Tourism Association, Western Iowa Tourism Region and Iowa Tourism Office to promote tourism destinations in the state and raise awareness of tourism’s impact on Iowa’s economy.

(Joel McCall/KNOD)

Officials with Connections Area Agency on Aging (AAA) say the organization is looking to fill open positions on their Board of Directors. The opening are for professional volunteers who want to help develop and approves the service planning and the budget for 20 counties in western, southwestern and southern Iowa.

Board members meet on the last Thursday of each month, and serve three year terms of service. Connections AAA is looking for candidates with the following skills: Marketing, strategic planning, fund development, and disability services but we also value other unique skill sets and the commitment to make a positive impact on seniors is critical.

If interested, please contact Kelly Butts at Connections AAA – email to kbutts@connectionsaaa.org or phone 800/432-9209 ext. 1013 to declare your interest and receive an application form. If you’ve been looking for some place to apply your leadership skills, and if you care about quality of life for Iowa’s seniors, you should consider applying for a Board position.

The Nodaway Valley and CAM School Districts are closer to an agreement that would allow the districts to share one Superintendent, save money and receive incentive funds. The Nodaway Valley School Board voted unanimously Thursday night to enter into a sharing agreement for the services of a superintendent, with the CAM School District.

It’s expected the CAM School Board will approve the agreement during their meeting this coming week. If that happens, the arrangement would help to off-set recent budget cuts at Nodaway Valley, and maybe reverse some of those decisions.

Both districts stand to benefit from a superintendent sharing agreement, because the Iowa Legislature approved a new five-year program for operational sharing that allows cooperative districts to count eight additional students for each of the next five-years, which amounts to about $50,000 per year.

The Young Professionals of Atlantic spent an evening flying kites with kids at the YMCA, recently. YPA President Kevin Weiser said “It is great to spend quality time with these kids. We want to give them fun, positive activities to look forward too.”

The next YPA mentorship activity will be May 20th at the YMCA. YPA Civic Engagement Chair Hans Krengel said “We are just getting started and hope to recruit more YPA mentors for the program.”

If you are interested in joining the YPA Mentor Program contact the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce at 712-243-2017,  or e-mail chamber@atlanticiowa.com.

Cass County Veterans Affairs Director Mitch Holmes is putting out a call to all honorably discharged veterans in the County, in hopes they will apply to fill a seat on the Cass County Veterans Commission.  Applicants must be honorably discharged veteran who reside in Cass County.

The three-year Commission term begins on July 1st, 2014. To apply for the position,  you must provide provide proof of military service, and meet the requirements outlined in Iowa Code 35.1.

The deadline for applications is May 30th, 2014. For applications and more information, contact the Veterans Affairs office at the Cass County Courthouse, 5 W. 7th St., Atlantic, IA 50022, or call 712-243-6662.”