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Master Gardener training now enrolling for August class

Ag/Outdoor, News

June 23rd, 2022 by admin

Applications are now being accepted for anyone interested in the Iowa Master Gardener training, which will be offered in many locations across the state, including Cass County, beginning in mid-August. Applicants have from June 3 to July 8 to apply for the fall session. Online training begins August 22, with a local orientation session scheduled for Monday evening, August 15th.  The program will be delivered in a hybrid format this fall, with many lessons taking place online, but several face-to-face learning opportunities also offered for trainees to connect and participate in hands-on learning activities as a group.

“Throughout the pandemic, many of our programs have been forced into virtual formats and participants have missed out on peer-to-peer interactions,” said Alicia Herzog, Master Gardener Statewide Coordinator with ISU Extension and Outreach. “We find immense value in the learning that happens when our participants interact with each other, their county Extension and Outreach staff, and experts in their local communities. We’re happy to be able to offer the best of both worlds with this hybrid format.”

Iowans wishing to complete Master Gardener training should complete the initial registration online by July 8, and then will be contacted by their local extension office to complete a background screening and finalize payment and registration. Once accepted into the program, trainees will participate in online learning modules at their own pace through their home computer, and should also plan to attend at least 4 in-person training sessions organized by their county office to complete the training.

A total of 17 educational modules will be offered online by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, on topics that include houseplants, pollinators, vegetables, and perennial flowers. Each course module includes a book chapter, lecture video, online discussion board for trainees to connect and discuss the topic and a follow up quiz. Participants will also take an online pre-test and post-test to gauge knowledge gained through the course.

Applicants for the 2022 training must apply online by Friday July 8. The online class begins on Monday, August 22. An in-person orientation class will be held at the Cass County Extension Office on Monday August 15th to distribute materials and discuss the hands-on training schedule. Apply and learn more about the program online at www.extension.iastate.edu/mastergardener.

The fee for the training is $150 and covers all class materials. The fee will be payable to the Cass County Extension Office upon acceptance into the program. Because Master Gardener volunteers work with many community partners, applicants will also be required to successfully pass a background screen before being accepted into the program. At the end of the course, there is an open-book test that participants will need to pass to complete the course and receive their certificate.

The Master Gardener program is open to anyone who is passionate about volunteering and gardening. No previous garden knowledge is required. The program equips participants to grow in knowledge about gardening best practices. After the training, Master Gardeners volunteer in their community, making contributions such as donating vegetables to food pantries, leading community beautification projects and maintaining demonstration gardens at local parks and county fairgrounds.

After completion of the MG Training, participants have 13 months to complete 40 volunteer hours to finish their “internship” and become a full Master Gardener. Annually, Master Gardener status can be maintained with 20 volunteer hours per year and ten hours of continuing education. Cass County has an active Master Gardener group that participates in many projects throughout the year, so opportunities to learn and volunteer are plentiful! Examples of local Master Gardener volunteer projects include educational workshops and seminars, maintaining community parks and demonstration gardens, and donating fresh produce to food pantries. Iowa State has offered Master Gardener training since 1977, engaging more than 15,000 people in learning about gardening best practices.

Iowans who want professional development training for their job and who do not plan to volunteer can participate in the ProHort option, for a fee of $550. No background check is required for this option.

Local extension staff can help anyone with questions about joining Master Gardener training this year, including details of when and where in-person meetings will take place locally.

For more information on the class, or the Master Gardener program in general, contact the Cass County Extension Office at 712-243-1132, or email Cass County Extension Director and Master Gardner Coordinator Kate Olson at keolson@iastate.edu. Online program registration can be completed at www.extension.iastate.edu/mastergardener.

IHSAA releases Class 1A and 2A baseball postseason brackets

Sports

June 23rd, 2022 by admin

Postseason baseball brackets have been released by the IHSAA for Class 1A and 2A schools. Competition in those classes begin on Saturday, July 2nd. Here’s a look at the area match-ups listed in the bracket order.

CLASS 1A

District 13

Baxter @ Ankeny Christian (Northview Park Field 1) 7:00 p.m.
Collins-Maxwell @ Madrid (Northview Park Field 1) 5:00 p.m.
Murray @ Ogden 7:00 p.m.
Earlham @ Martensdale-St. Marys (@ Ogden) 5:00 p.m.

District 14

Bedford @ CAM 7:00 p.m.
Mormon Trail @ Lenox (@ CAM) 5:00 p.m.
Southwest Valley @ Mount Ayr 7:00 p.m.
East Union @ Lamoni (@ Mount Ayr) 5:00 p.m.

District 15

Griswold @ Tri-Center 7:00 p.m.
Logan-Magnolia @ Exira-EHK (@ Tri-Center) 5:00 p.m.
AHSTW @ Coon Rapids-Bayard 7:00 p.m.
Stanton @ Audubon (@ CR-B) 5:00 p.m.

District 16

River Valley @ Kingsley-Pierson 7:00 p.m.
Ar-We-Va @ IKM-Mannning (@ Kingsley-Pierson) 5:00 p.m.
Glidden-Ralston @ Woodbury Central 7:00 p.m.
Boyer Valley @ Newell-Fonda (@ Woodbury Central) 5:00 p.m.

CLASS 2A

District 14

Des Moines Christian BYE
PCM @ Pleasantville (@ Nodaway Valley) 5:00 p.m.
I-35 BYE
Central Decatur @ Nodaway Valley 7:00 p.m.

District 15

Clarinda BYE
Missouri Valley @ Red Oak (@ Treynor) 5:00 p.m.
Underwood BYE
Shenandoah @ Treynor 7:00 p.m.

DISTRICT 16

Cherokee Washington BYE
MVAOCOU @ OABCIG 5:00 p.m.
Kuemper Catholic BYE
West Monona @ Ridge View 7:00 p.m.

Iowa Hall of Pride to transition to online format

Sports

June 23rd, 2022 by admin

(IHSAA) BOONE, IA — The Iowa Hall of Pride will soon live on through a digital format with the launch of the Iowa High School Athletic Association’s online program, Achieve.

The Hall of Pride museum, run by the IHSAA, will conclude its public schedule and operating hours on June 30 and close its physical location during the 2022-23 school year. Before that, it will transition to an online platform featuring many of the experiences that have made the Hall of Pride a special venue since its opening at Iowa Events Center in downtown Des Moines in 2005.

“While the Hall of Pride has been a unique space to honor excellence in Iowa’s history and education-based activities, we have seen declining attendance at the location in recent years,” said IHSAA executive director Tom Keating.

“We believe the best way to serve our member schools and the most students is through Achieve. The new digital format will make the Hall of Pride’s lessons available to anyone, anywhere at no cost.”

Through Achieve, online visitors will be able to view a variety of videos previously only seen at the Iowa Hall of Pride and learn about the rich history of Iowa high school activities. Achieve will also provide a hub for student programs and IHSAA history, including archives, Halls of Fame, and educational offerings for member schools.

Achieve launches online on June 22 and its programming, videos, and archives will continue to grow through the digital platform after the Hall of Pride closes. Achieve’s URL through the IHSAA website is: https://www.iahsaa.org/achieve.

“From its inception under Bernie Saggau and Jack Lashier, the Hall of Pride opened with a goal of ‘Educating the future, preserving the past, celebrating the accomplishments of all Iowans.’” Keating said.

“We are excited to launch the next chapter through Achieve, which will honor the vision and mission of the Hall of Pride and continue to celebrate the incredible student-athletes and individuals who have positively affected Iowa for generations.”

The Hall of Pride’s museum averaged around 800 visitors per month from January 2015 through January 2020. Since reopening in July 2020 at Iowa Events Center following a COVID-19 related closure, the 26,000-square foot space has averaged around 250 monthly visitors. The IHSAA’s current website averages one million pageviews per month and will highlight Achieve with an opportunity to present focused content and video through IHSAA channels.

The Iowa Hall of Pride will honor existing field trip and event reservations. Its public hours and scheduling will conclude June 30.

Creston Police report one arrest Wednesday

News

June 23rd, 2022 by admin

The Creston Police Department reports the arrest Wednesday of 58-year-old Christine Annette Larkin of Creston at her residence. The arrest occurred at 9:01 p.m. and Larkin was charged with Harassment 1st Degree. Larkin was booked into the Adams County Jail on no bond until seen by a Magistrate.

Frozen Fruit Slush (6-23-2022)

Mom's Tips

June 23rd, 2022 by Jim Field

  • 3 medium firm bananas, sliced
  • 1/2 cup lemonade concentrate
  • 6 medium ripe peaches, peeled and cubed
  • 3 cups water
  • 1 can (20 oz.) crushed pineapple, undrained
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 1 1/3 cups seedless red grapes, halved
  • 1 cup orange juice concentrate

In a large bowl, stir the bananas and lemonade concentrate until coated.  Stir in the remaining ingredients.  Cover and freeze for 8 hours or until firm.  Remove from the freezer 1 to 1 1/4 hours before serving so mixture becomes slushy.

YIELD: 12 servings

New state law means some teachers don’t have to pass exam to get licensed

News

June 23rd, 2022 by admin

Teachers who go through an Iowa college program no longer have to pass a professional exam to be licensed, thanks to a new state law that eliminates the so-called Praxis requirement for new teachers. The test was a particular obstacle for dual-language immersion programs because it’s only offered in English. Noelia Espinal (no-EH-lee-uh esp-ee-NAHL), a teacher at the Muskie Early Learning Center in Muscatine, says it was an unnecessary hurdle for bilingual teachers.

The Praxis test will still be required for teachers coming to Iowa from outside the U-S, which is a major drawback for schools that rely on teachers from Spanish-speaking countries. Rebecca Gomez leads a Spanish-immersion program at Pella Christian where many of the teachers are native Spanish-speakers from outside the U-S. Gomez says it’s hard to find qualified candidates locally.

She says the school’s religious requirements also narrow the hiring pool. Gomez says taking and retaking the Praxis can add months to the process of bringing in a new teacher on a visa.

Heartbeat Today 6-23-2022

Heartbeat Today, Podcasts

June 23rd, 2022 by Jim Field

Jim Field visits with Shelli Larsen at the Museum of Danish America about the Sankt Hans Aften festival on Saturday, June 25.

Play

Iowa to make its pitch today that the Caucuses remain first in the nation

News

June 23rd, 2022 by admin

Three Iowa Democrats are making a pitch to national party leaders today, arguing the Iowa Democratic Party’s Caucuses should be first in 2024. National Democrats are hearing applications from 16 states and Puerto Rico seeking to be among the five “early” voting states in the presidential campaign. Members of the party’s Rules and Bylaws Committee have made it clear they’re looking for states with diverse populations. State Representative Ras (like Ross) Smith of Waterloo is a member of the Black Caucus in the Iowa House.

Smith says while Iowa’s overall population is nearly 91 percent white, Iowa is diverse in other ways.

The chairmen of the Iowa Democratic Party AND the Iowa G-O-P have both been arguing that Iowa inserts geographic diversity in the presidential selection process. Smith says national party leaders need to consider what will be lost if Iowa’s Caucuses aren’t an early providing ground for those who aspire to be president.

Smith made his comments during a recent episode of Iowa Press on Iowa P-B-S. Iowa Democratic Party chairman Ross Wilburn, Democratic National Committee member Scott Brennan of Des Moines and House Democratic Leader Jennifer Konfrst are making Iowa’s pitch to the Rules and Bylaws Committee of the Democratic National Committee this (Thursday) morning. They will be discussing a big change in the voting process — mail-in balloting rather than a Caucus Night scramble in precinct meetings using complicated math that ultimately decides who won the Democratic Party’s Caucuses. The Republican National Committee has already set its calendar of 2024 presidential contests. The Iowa G-O-P’s Caucuses — which essentially conduct a straw poll to determine the winner — are first.

Iowa’s Keegan Murray set for NBA Draft

Sports

June 23rd, 2022 by admin

Iowa’s Keegan Murray will discover his NBA destination on Thursday night at the draft in New York City. Murray declared for the draft after an All-American sophomore season in which he averaged better than 23 points and nearly nine rebounds.

Murray says last season prepared him for the demands of the NBA.

Murray feels his defense is ready for the next level.

Murray looks forward to the challenge wherever that might be.

College World Series Scores (6/22) and Schedule (6/23)

Sports

June 23rd, 2022 by admin

Wednesday’s Scores

Oklahoma 5, Texas A&M 1– David Sandlin struck out 12 over seven innings for the Sooners. Jimmy Crooks had a home run amongst his tow hits and had 3 RBI to lead Oklahoma to the Championship series.

Arkansas 3, Ole Miss 2- Hagen Smith pitched five innings and struck out 8 for the hogs. Chris Lanzilli and Brady Slavens both hit homers for the Razorbacks. Arkansas forces another elimination game on Thursday against the Rebels.

Thursday’s Schedule

Ole Miss vs. Arkansas | 3 p.m. | ESPN2- Winner will advance to the Championship series against Oklahoma that starts on Saturday.