Jack Hackman andMetropolitan Theater

The Metropolitan Theater in Iowa Falls dates back into the 1900's.  It was very well known as a beautiful opera house.  It had 3 floors and the third floor was for dancing.  It drew people from miles around and still does.  It has been totally redone and updated and Jack Hackman, actor and producer was in town for the red carpet opening gala.  He brought his family and took his boys fishing in the Iowa river while there.  Everyone said he was so friendly and they loved him.  The ticket money went to the expansion of the Iowa Falls hospital.  A good time was had for several days in Iowa Falls, Iowa.

Snowstorms

We have a snow storm pending in our area. It is in Nebraska now and they are having a real blizzard. Schools are all closed again, just when you began to feel Spring was near. But February can be brutal in the Midwest. Omaha, Nebraska is really getting the heavy snow and much of their state. It is headed for Des Moines and southern Iowa now and will creeping north until it gets to us. We are only supposed to get an inch but I heard 5 inches south of us so you never know. It is still over a month until it is officially Spring so there is no use getting too excited yet. We could have lots of cold weather and snow between now and then. Just so we don't get any freezing rain. That is the worst when it takes down trees and power lines.

Minimum Wage Goes Up January 1

Iowa's minimum wage is set to go up again January 1, the second round of an increase approved by the Legislature earlier this year. Beginning Jan. 1, the minimum wage will increase to $7.25, up from $6.20. The bill approving the two-step increase was signed into law by Gov. Chet Culver on Jan. 25. It was the first increase in the state's minimum wage in 10 years.