(DES MOINES) - Today, Iowa Governor Terry Branstad proudly announced Iowa is among three states to be designated an All-Vet State by Hiring Our Heroes, a program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation.

"We are honored to be named an All-Vet State and to be in such good company," said Governor Branstad.  "This designation is a true testament to our unwavering support of veterans and their families.  We are dedicated to making Iowa a home for the nation's returning heroes."

The All-Vet States initiative was created to highlight the incredible opportunities, services, and support being offered by states to attract and hire transitioning service members and military spouses.  By showcasing the benefits and opportunities important to veterans and their families, a state can help influence a transitioning service member's decision-making process in bringing their skill sets and revenue to that state.

Michigan and Tennessee also received the All-Vet State designation.

"Iowa has worked aggressively to be a top destination for our nation's veterans and military spouses," said Eric Eversole, executive director of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation's Hiring Our Heroes program. "We are thrilled to work together through our All-Vet States initiative to help Iowa highlight the many economic and educational opportunities for the men and women who have served our country."

This designation comes on the heels of Governor Branstad's announcement of the creation of the Home Base Iowa program.  Home Base Iowa was founded to serve as a comprehensive source for job services and information about Iowa for veterans.  On March 13, Greene County was designated the state's first Home Base Iowa Community.  To date, Iowa businesses have set a goal of filling 2,900 jobs in Iowa with veterans through the Home Base Iowa initiative.

"Many thanks to the individuals guiding the Hiring Our Heroes program and their hard work in assisting veterans and their families," said Iowa Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds.  "We are so proud to be designated an All-Vet State and will continue to serve our nation's brave servicemen and women to the fullest extent."

# # #

Art Legacy League Launches our Art Preservation Campaign by Bringing Steve Berry to Discuss Importance of Historic Preservation of the Arts  The Art Legacy League, (ALL) a nonprofit organization honoring the life's works of Fr. Edward M. Catich, is proud to present Steve Berry, international bestselling author to speak about historic preservation, June 1, 2014, 7pm at Jumer's Casino & Hotel. Steve Berry is the New York Times and #1 internationally recognized author of "thrill novels." His themes are meticulously researched and the fictional aspects are blended with actual historic incidents. His books have been translated into 40 languages with more than 15 million printed copies in 51 countries.

"We are so pleased that Steve accepted our invitation to share his knowledge of historical preservation. The Art Legacy League's main goal is to preserve in accordance with the standards of professional art conservators the artworks of the late Reverend Edward M. Catich, artist, author and scholar." said Paul Herrera Chairman of ALL. "We are launching the Art Preservation Campaign hoping to provide funds for continued teaching events, gallery exhibitions and lectures to share Father Catich's legacy with a national and international audience. But most importantly, the preservation of his artwork."

Steve Berry and wife Elizabeth created the HISTORY MATTERS foundation dedicated to history preservation. They travel the country lecturing and giving workshops and have helped save historic treasures raising more than $750,000. Berry has been recognized by the American Library Association, which named him the first spokesman for National Preservation Week, a role he reprised in 2013. He has also been honored for his philanthropic work with the Poets & Writers' Barnes & Noble Writers for Writers Award, the International Thriller Writers Silver Bullet Award in 2013. The Spirit of Anne Frank Human Writes Award was given to Berry for the best exemplification of the spirit of Anne Frank in their work. In addition, Steve was asked to write the forwards for the 2014-2015 re-release of the novels of James Michener, his boyhood idol and one of America's foremost storytellers.

ALL, organized in 2012 as a nonprofit organization, has adopted as its primary purpose the fostering of the Catich doctrine and making it known and accessible to all. For more information regarding this event visit the Art Legacy League at www.artlegacyleague.com For more information regarding Steve Berry, visit www.steveberry.org

DAVENPORT - On Tuesday, March 25 the Iowa Finance Authority and members of the Landlords of Davenport, Muscatine and Clinton will meet to discuss the local impact of a new resource that will assist in locating rental housing for area residents. The site, IowaHousingSearch.org is the first of its kind in Iowa and is available for the public to search thousands of rental listings.

The web site provides real-time rental unit vacancy information, call center accessibility, advanced search components and disaster recovery infrastructure not available on other sites.

TUESDAY, MARCH 25

TIME: 6:30 PM

LOCATION:
Davenport Moose Club
2333 Rockingham Road
Davenport

With National Volunteer Month approaching, the American Red Cross encourages those who are eligible to become volunteer blood donors and support the Red Cross in its lifesaving mission.

PEORIA, Ill. (March 17, 2014) – Potentially lifesaving blood donations can only come from generous volunteers. This April, during National Volunteer Month, the American Red Cross invites eligible donors of all blood types to roll up a sleeve and help meet the constant need for donated blood.

Approximately 5,600 times a day someone receives blood donated through the Red Cross. While all types are needed, donors with type O positive or negative, B negative and A negative are especially encouraged to give.

Visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to learn more and schedule an appointment.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities:

Carroll County

April 3 from 12-5 p.m. at Chadwick Fire Department, 210 Calvert Street in Chadwick, Ill.

Clinton County

April 2 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Ashford University Regis Hall, 400 N. Bluff in Clinton, Iowa

April 12 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Prince of Peace Academy Grade School, 312 S. 4th Street in Clinton, Iowa

Henry County

April 8 from 1:30-5 p.m. at St. Patrick's Church, 201 First St. in Colona, Ill.

April 9 from 2-6 p.m. at First Christian Church, 105 Dwight St. in Kewanee, Ill.

April 14 from 2-6:30 p.m. at Sacred Heart Church, 108 N. Main in Annawan, Ill.

April 15 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Kewanee OSF St Luke Medical Center, 1051 W. South St. in Kewanee, Ill.

Mercer County

April 7 from 2-6 p.m. at Alexis Community Center, 204 W. Palmer Ave. in Alexis, Ill.

April 8 from 1-6:30 p.m. at Calvary Lutheran Church, 121 N. Meridian St. in New Windsor, Ill.

April 15 from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at VFW Hall, 106 SW 3rd Ave. in Aledo, Ill.

Rock Island County

April 11 from 12-5 p.m. at Center for Student Life, 639 38th S.t in Rock Island, Ill.

Whiteside County

April 2 from 2-6 p.m. at American Red Cross, 112 W. Second St. in Rock Falls, Ill.

April 3 from 9:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. at CGH Medical Center, 100 E. LeFevre Road in Sterling, Ill.

April 8 from 1-6 p.m. at Robert Fulton Community Center, 912 4th St. in Fulton, Ill.

April 9 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Sterling High School, 1608 4th Ave. in Sterling, Ill.

April 9 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at American Red Cross, 112 W. Second St. in Rock Falls, Ill.

April 10 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Morrison Institute of Technology, 701 Portland in Morrison, Ill.

April 14 from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Prophetstown-Lyndon-Tampico CUSD #3, 79 Grove St. in Prophetstown, Ill.

How to donate blood

Simply call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver's license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental consent in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

About the American Red Cross

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. The Red Cross is supported in part through generous financial donations from the United Way. For more information, please visit redcross.org or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

###