Community

NORTH LIBERTY– The University of Iowa DeGowin Blood Center will hold a blood drive at the North Liberty Recreation Center on Monday, Jan. 13, 2014, from 4 until 7 p.m. in the Gerdin Conference Rooms.
In an average week, University of Iowa Hospital & Clinics patients need nearly 600 units of blood products. One pint of donated blood can help save the lives of several people.

By Alex Kline
North Liberty Leader

IOWA CITY– School and the activities planned for Iowa City Community School District (ICCSD) will continue as planned for Martin Luther King (MLK) Day on Jan. 20, 2014.
ICCSD Superintendent Stephen Murley informed the board that the Iowa Department of Education had no process for amending a district’s current calendar year at the Tuesday, Dec. 17, board meeting.

Grace Fiala (right) reacts while talking to Santa Claus along with sister Grace (left) at the Solon State Bank Friday, Dec. 13. Santa Claus spent time with more than a dozen children during his annual visit to the bank. (photo by Doug Lindner)

SOLON–Solon Boy Scout Troop 120 is hosting its annual soup supper on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2014, at St Mary Catholic Church from 5 until 7 p.m. The soup supper features homemade soups of all varieties. Previous year’s soups have included traditional choices such as chicken noodle and chili as well as some not so traditional selections such as demok (spinach and coconut milk) and shrimp chowder. This all-you-can-eat meal also includes fresh baked bread made by the Scouts the morning of the supper and a wide assortment of desserts.

By Lori Lindner
Solon Economist

JOHNSON COUNTY– Increasingly, as state and federal dollars are cut from social assistance programs, local organizations and individuals are attempting to absorb the costs.
When a funding shortfall empties the plates of our nation’s elderly– those who rely on home-delivered meal programs like Meals on Wheels or who regularly attend congregate dining sites– it can become a matter of eating or going hungry.