Merchants Association 28th Annual Christmas Antique Walk

Once again this year, thousands of lights will outline the turn-of-the-century storefronts lining Walnut's downtown and the traditional towering live Christmas tree will again dominate this town's brick streets. Horse drawn carriage tours or horse drawn sleigh rides will be available, while merchants serve up holiday treats and hot spiced cider and coffee in shops.

Visiting antique dealers will set up tempting displays of fine antiques and collectibles in the American Legion building and each and every one of Walnut's 250+ dealers in the antique shops and malls will be restocking their shops and spaces with newly found treasures for your selection.

For more information about the Christmas Walk or special holiday shop hours and events, call the Walnut Visitors Center at (712) 784-2100.

Its a slower-paced, enjoyable, and peaceful start to the Holiday shopping season.

More at WalnutIowa.org

WCS Submits Written Recommendations Regarding Pottawattamie County TIF Proposal

The Urban Renewal Plan proposes to establish an Urban Renewal Area around the individual wind turbines comprising the Walnut Wind Farm in order to authorize a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district on an existing facility. The Walnut Wind Farm became operational in 2008. Its first assessment date for property tax purposes was Jan 01, 2009.

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The primary goal of our recommendations is to limit the financial impact to the school district and our residents and thus protect our ability to meet our obligations to our current and future students. Any steps taken to lessen the financial impact on our school district will also lessen the impact on the other taxing authorities affected by this plan, including but not limited to, A-H-S-T School District, Layton and Knox Townships, and Iowa Western Community College.

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Full Text of the Letter Here

Supervisors Discuss TIF District at Walnut City Council Meeting Oct 7, 5PM

Supervisors Discuss TIF District at Walnut City Council Meeting Oct 7, 5PM

From FriendsofWCS.com (Full Articles)

The Pottawattamie County Board of Supervisors is investigating establishing a tax increment financing district around the more than 100 existing wind generators in the eastern part of the county to capture money for road improvements.

According to a map provided by Pottawattamie County Planning Director Kay Mocha, 18 of the wind generators are located in the A-H-S-T Community School District and 93 in the Walnut Community School District.Under Iowa law, the county is not able to levy property taxes on the net acquisition cost for the wind turbines the first year. In the second year, the county can tax 5 percent of the acquisition cost, a figure that increases 5 percent per year up to 30 percent of the acquisition cost in year seven, at which point the taxable value is capped through the 20th year.

Currently, Houser said the land’s tax base value is as agriculture land. If a TIF were created the county would capture any value above the base value.

Houser said it was unclear how much money would be captured, but in May, the Supervisors said that if the 5 percent estimate were to be applied, it would increase the county’s property tax base by about $16 million. If a TIF area were established, the county would capture all of the tax money from the area, above the base value and less the school district’s debt service and physical plant and equipment levies.

Houser said a majority of the money, a maximum of 80 percent, that the school districts lose would be “backfilled” by the state.

Silo Trees and B-24s

A couple of pictures from Homer's Travels. Homer-Dog traveled to Walnut to some antiquing and get a picture of the B-24 memorial outside of Walnut and something else caught his eye: a silo-tree. Who knew silo-trees had a fan club?


This was a follow-up trip for Homer. On his first trip to Walnut, he forgot his camera and missed some Rockwellesque moments.

18th Annual Optimist Antique Car Show - August 1, 2010

Sunday, August 1st 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

The Walnut Optimist Club's Annual Antique City Car Show is always scheduled for the first Sunday in August. For 2010, that will be August 1st.

http://www.iowasantiquecity.com/events.php

28th Annual AMVETS Antique Show -- June 18-20 -- Father's Day Weekend

Father's Day weekend is fast approaching. Walnut merchants and residents are busy preparing for the busiest weekend of the year.

June 18-20, 2010
Father's Day Weekend
Friday 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Sunday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Visit the Events Page for more details.

YouTube Channel Shows Views from atop Windmills

Most people wouldn't have the opportunity (or the guts) to climb to the top of one of the many wind turbines surrounding Walnut, Iowa. That's where YouTube user techy508 comes in. His YouTube Channel has many videos taken while working on the wind farm near Walnut, including an unusual view of a crop duster - from above.