MONDAY, AUG. 19, 2019  |  IN THIS ISSUE  

Nearly half of Iowa adults feel that they are not adequately planning or financially prepared for their retirement, according to results of a statewide survey by the Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education, as reported in the Des Moines Business Record .  

The survey of 500 Iowa adults found that more than one-third (37 percent) - corresponding to 1.2 million Iowans - said they have less than $5,000 saved or invested for retirement, not including the value of their house. 

The survey results also reflect that a large percentage of Iowans do not have any investments at all, with many respondents saying they do not have sufficient retirement planning knowledge to feel comfortable contributing to a retirement fund without seeking help from a professional financial adviser or counselor. Notably, 24 percent of respondents said they do not have enough money to save or invest in their retirement.

"No amount is too small to save," said Doug Ommen, Iowa insurance commissioner, in a news release. "By starting with a little, they'll be surprised at how quickly it grows. The most important part is getting started. Every dollar matters for retirement." 

Other notable findings from the survey include:
  • 39 percent of Iowans are planning to live off of Social Security in retirement.
  • 51 percent of Iowans are currently carrying credit card debt.
  • 51 percent of Iowans said they did not verify a financial adviser's license status or check that investment products were registered before investing. 
The AFCPE conducted the survey in collaboration with the Iowa Insurance Division, AARP Iowa and Detroit Public Television, with funding by a grant from the Investor Protection Trust.
Link2Travel Leaders/Destinations Unlimited branches out
 
Travel Leaders/Destinations Unlimited President Anne Jasper announced today that the agency will offer five new categories of experiential travel, teaming up with local "celebrity experts."
  • New wellness travel offerings include a portfolio from Pravassa, and will feature trips based on the principles of stress reduction, unique accommodations, local food, expert-led education, time to recharge and commitment to sustainability. Experts in regional culture, history, spirituality, meditation and movement will serve as guides. Luxury, adventure and wellness travel specialist Aimee Langlas of Travel Leaders / Destinations Unlimited is Iowa's travel advisor for Pravassa
  • Foodie trips, tagged Taste the World will launch through the agency in 2020 with an Ireland Restaurant and Pub Crawl hosted by Corridor restaurateurs Brian and Cara Flynn and Matthew and Cayla Swift.
  • Adventure expeditions are planned annually with former Active Endeavors founders/owners Mark and Eadie Weaver, traveling in July 2020 to Machu Picchu in Peru following a 10-day itinerary from National Geographic Journeys.
  • A hybrid of independent and guided travel, Custom Aim For Travel, will embark with a trip to Switzerland led by Ms. Langlas in September. The annual Aim trip will feature a new destination each year, and is geared toward multigenerational travelers.
  • Literature and arts/culture travel itineraries for 2020 will be announced soon.
"We're excited to offer even more types of travel for our clients," Ms. Jasper stated in a release. "What we've discovered is that there are people of all walks of life in the Corridor that are interested in these types of travel. We want to plan it for them with our expertise and deliver life-changing trips."

Travelers interested in opting into any of the new trips or types of travel should contact Ms. Langlas by email at [email protected] or by phone at (319) 351-4510.
Story3Enhance Iowa Board awards grants to local projects

Cedar Rapids' Brucemore was one of three Corridor projects to receive a Community Attraction and Tourism grant from the Enhance Iowa Board.
The Enhance Iowa Board has awarded $2,556,547 in Community Attraction and Tourism grants to several Iowa projects, including projects at The Englert Theatre in Iowa City, Brucemore in Cedar Rapids and the  Johnson County Historical Society Museum in Coralville.

These local projects were approved for grants: 

Project Name: The Englert Theatre, Iowa City 
Total Project Cost: $1,765,358 
Amount Awarded: $220,631 
Project Description: This project includes extensive envelope renovation consisting of building façade preservation, window restoration brick repair, roof membrane replacement and marquee rehabilitation. Additionally, the second-floor gallery will be redesigned to expand and improve the space. 

Project Name: Brucemore Preservation Project, Cedar Rapids 
Total Project Cost: $4,470,416 
Amount Awarded: $400,000 
Project Description: This project includes restoring the Brucemore mansion exterior and outbuildings, preservation of the 26-acre grounds and landscape features and upgrading site infrastructure including HVAC, electrical and plumbing.

Project Name: Johnson County Historical Society Museum Relocation, Coralville 
Total Project Cost: $6,405,244 
Amount Awarded: $500,000 
Project Description: This project includes the relocation of the Johnson County Historical Society Museum and Antique Car Museum of Iowa to the lower level of the Xtream Arena & Fieldhouse facility. The move will allow for new and more functional museum space to be used for exhibit and antique car displays, meetings, open houses and various programming. This move expands the total space to over  42,000 square feet, an increase of more than one third.

The Enhance Iowa Program provides financial incentives to communities for the construction of recreational, cultural, educational or entertainment facilities that enhance the quality of life in Iowa.

An estimated 40,000 people are excepted to attend this year's Market After Dark in downtown Cedar Rapids on Saturday, Aug. 24. 

In its fifth year, Market After Dark will bring together market vendors, stage and street performances and a unique nightlife ambiance with this free event for the community.

Market After Dark begins at 6:30 p.m. with more than 100 vendors lining the streets of downtown Cedar Rapids. As a nighttime market, patrons will find a more unique variety of vendors than what is typically found at a morning downtown Farmers' Market, with more prepared food options and retail offerings. A full vendor list and map is available at  maps.managemymarket.com/3627 .
 
This year, a ttendees also can enjoy light-themed experiences, such as wandering through a lighted balloon garden in Greene Square and having a "fireside" chat next to an unheated bonfire made entirely of LED lights. There also will be an illuminated Wild at Heart mural and  The Towne Center Plaza alley will be transformed with bubble machines, lights and music.

"We're proud to host one of the largest, free open-air events in Downtown Cedar Rapids for the fifth year," said Doug Neumann, executive director, Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance, in a news release. "This vibrant and economically impactful event is part of the Economic Alliance's efforts to grow core districts in Cedar Rapids and support surrounding communities."
 
Event details can be found at cedarrapids.org/events/market-after-dark .

The  Iowa Governor's STEM Advisory Council, in partnership with Kemin Industries, has launched the sixth year of the I.O.W.A. STEM Teacher Award. 

The award recognizes one full-time, licensed PreK-12 teacher from each of the state's six STEM regions for their passion in motivating students to develop a lasting interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) both in and out of the classroom. Each of the six teachers selected will receive an award of $1,500 for personal use and an additional $1,500 for their classroom.

"The stories we hear about Iowa's STEM educators providing students with exceptional educational experiences are extraordinary," said Gov. Kim Reynolds, STEM Council co-chair, in a release. "Iowa's future workforce is currently in the classroom, inspired and led by educators across the state. That's why it's so important for us to support and celebrate them in every way possible."

Anyone can nominate a teacher via stemaward.smapply.io through Oct. 4. Once nominated, each teacher will fill out an application to be assessed by a panel of judges who will select the six award recipients. Honorees will be announced in January.

"Teachers who foster and promote an innovative spirit and passion for STEM are helping to shape the changemakers of tomorrow," said Dr. Chris Nelson, president and CEO of Kemin Industries. "Their commitment to STEM education can introduce students to many career opportunities, and we are proud to recognize the Iowa educators who are encouraging the future of scientific advancement and breakthrough." 

Aug. 19
Stellar Women Achieving Greatness (SWAG), by U.S. Small Business Administration, 4-6 p.m., SBA Branch Office, 2750 First Ave. NE, Suite 350, Cedar Rapids. Women in business, or women who are thinking of starting a business, are invited to share thoughts, ideas and suggestions. Free. For more information, contact Jo Eckert at (319) 362-6535 or at  [email protected] .
 
Aug. 20
Continuous Improvement 101 for Teams Workshop, by Iowa Quality Center, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., The Vault (Geonetrics Building), 415 12th Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids. The first of many workshops focused on continuous improvement for teams in the Corridor. Cost: $750 per team; $600 per team for IQC members; and $500 for non-profit teams. For information, contact Deb Oliver at [email protected]  or (319) 538-1410.
 
Iowa City Roundtable, by Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce, noon-1 p.m., Pizza Ranch, 171 Highway 1 W., Iowa City. Members are invited to network and keep up-to-date with chamber and community events. Free. For more information, visit bit.ly/2YfN9k5.
 
Aug. 20 & 22
Commemorative Beam Viewing and Signing, by Xtream Arena and Johnson County Historical Society, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and 5-7 p.m., 860 Quarry Road, Coralville. Take photos and sign a commemorative beam before it's raised on the new Coralville arena, scheduled to open in August 2020. Free. For more information, visit bit.ly/2OKns7e.
 
Aug. 21
BigWig Lunch Talk, by ImpactCR, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Human Services Campus, 317 Seventh Ave. SE, Ste. 401, Cedar Rapids. Three nonprofit leaders will share their journeys of leadership, talk about the challenges and rewards of their roles and how young professionals can engage in nonprofit work. Free. To register, visit bit.ly/30CfSwa.
 
North Liberty Roundtable, by Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce, noon-1 p.m., Rocky O'Brien's Public House, 720 Pacha Parkway, Suite 8, North Liberty. Members are invited to network and keep up-to-date with chamber and community events. Free. For more information, visit bit.ly/2YtVSKL.
See and Be Seen

in the CBJ Book of Lists - THE definitive resource guide for business leaders. Ranked information on Corridor companies by sector, regional market facts and profiles of the most influential people under one cover. Don't be left out - Be Seen! For advertising information, contact Andrea Rhoades at  [email protected] .

Note: The CBJ is now observing summer hours through Aug. 30. The CBJ offices will be open Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., and Fridays, 8 a.m.-noon. 
Headlines from CBS2/FOX 28
T hese news items are provided by CBS2/FOX 28 

Saturday marked the first game in a six-week season for the first Marion Metro Kiwanis Miracle League at Prospect Meadows Baseball Complex in Marion.  Having opened enrollment for players at an  initial showcase game in June , the organization has four teams of 10 players of all abilities.  Some big names in Iowa athletics stepped up to volunteer for the opening day. John Walters, voice of the Iowa State Cyclones, came from Ankeny to serve as the game's official announcer. Former Major League Baseball player Tom Gorzelanny, who lives in North Liberty, also spent the day volunteering on the field.  "This is something that I had done in the past in my previous playing days, playing in the Major League," said Mr. Gorzelanny. "And so this is a special thing for Prospect Meadows to put something on like this, this was a great thing and a good opportunity for us to help and do our part."  Ashley Doser, mother of 6-year-old Max Doser, said watching her son play was a life-changing experience.  "I almost cried a couple times," said Ms. Doser. "We were told Max would never walk, never talk, never get to do those things. So it's pretty amazing to get to see him do things that my little brothers did and that his grandpa did and everything else that other kids get to do."  The games will be:  Aug. 24,  Sept. 7, S ept. 14,  Sept. 21 and  Sept 28. 

The National Weather Service in the Quad Cities confirmed an EF-0 tornado touched down in eastern Iowa Sunday morning.  The tornado hit a farm in Clinton County at 5:40 a.m., downing several tree branches and uprooting one tree.  A home suffered shingle damage and broken windows.  EF-0 tornadoes bring wind speeds from 65 to 85 miles per hour. This tornado brought speeds of 85 mph for a tenth of a mile and was 20 yards wide.  No one was hurt.  This same storm system brought heavy rain, hail and gusty winds  to Cedar Rapids.  The storm brought down a power line and knocked a large tree along E Avenue NW.  It's the 38th tornado to hit in Iowa in 2019.

T hese news items are provided by CBS2/FOX 28
CBS2 Chief Meteorologist Terry Swails' Weather First Forecast

It will be mostly sunny, warm and a bit muggy today. Temperatures will climb into the low 80s for highs. There will be enough moisture for a few brief showers, mainly south of Highway 30, but chances are low.  Clouds will begin to move in tonight ahead of our next storm system. Showers and thunderstorms will develop late tonight and move through the area Tuesday morning. Storms will end by 10 a.m. and skies will gradually clear. It will still be warm and muggy with temperatures in the mid-80s.