Iowa's longest-running film festival finds alternate home while Hardacre Theater undergoes renovation

TIPTON, Iowa?A Hardacre Film Festival ... without the Hardacre.

Iowa's longest-running film festival will celebrate its 17th year at the newly renovated Tipton High School auditorium. This single-day event will feature short and feature-length films from all over the world during a single-day event Saturday, Aug. 2.

The Hardacre Theater, the longtime home and namesake to the Hardacre Film Festival, is currently undergoing renovation. The theater was purchased by the nonprofit Hardacre Theater Preservation Association in February 2014 and is raising funds to renovate and reopen the theater in time for its 100th anniversary in April 2016.

"We wanted to find a way to continue the festival even while the theater is out of commission, and we're really lucky to have the brand-new Tipton High School auditorium just a few blocks from the Hardacre Theater," said Will Valet, director of the Hardacre Film Festival. "It's a comfortable alternative to our old-fashioned movie palace."

The Hardacre Film Festival shows the latest films touring the film festival circuit. Many films premiere at Hardacre, while others have had their premieres at the world's most prestigious film festivals, including South By Southwest, Sundance and Tribeca. Most films shown at Hardacre have never been seen in Iowa, and filmmakers from around the world attend the festival and interact with the audience.

The list of films selected for the 2014 festival will be released in July.

"The selections at the Hardacre Film Festival were a great cross-section of what is happening in independent film today," said Nicole Cosgove, producer of "GUN," Best Short Film winner at Hardacre 2013. "It's an honest representation of drama, comedy and warm, authentic storytelling. I was impressed with the caliber of films and the filmmaker turnout. It's a true hidden gem on the festival map?a creative Midwestern town in which artists can creatively connect with the community and filmmakers from across the country."

The Tipton Chamber of Commerce is the festival's primary sponsor. The festival takes place during Tipton's Ridiculous Day sidewalk sale event.

Tickets for the one-day festival event are $20, including continuous showings from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., followed by a catered dinner for all attendees.

For more information about the Hardacre Film Festival, go to hardacrefilmfestival.com. For more information about efforts to save the Hardacre Theater, go to thehardacre.org.

- END -

Infographic

What: 17th annual Hardacre Film Festival

When: Saturday, Aug. 2, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Where: Tipton High School auditorium, Tipton, Iowa

How much: $20 per attendee

The Old Creamery Theatre presents How I Became A Pirate, the 2014 Summer Theatre For Young Audiences show. How I Became A Pirate hits the Main Stage on June 14 and runs through June 28. Performances are on June 14, 21, and 28 at 1:00 pm and June 17, 19, 24, 25, and 26 at 10:00 am.

Book, music and lyrics by Janet Yates Vogt and Mark Friedman, and based on the book by Melinda Long with Illustrations by David Shannon.

A wrong turn at Bora Bora lands Capt'n Braid Beard and his crew on Jeremy Jacob's beach. Come along as Jeremy and the pirates search for the perfect place to bury a treasure chest, in this musical adventure on the high seas. Argh!

The cast includes Mason Jerry Erger of Marengo, IA, Jeff Haffner of Cleveland, Ohio, Joshua Jones of Greensboro, NC, Jillian Kuhl of Hazel Green, WI, Nikki Savvitt of Arlington Heights, IL, and Clark Skaggs of Cedar Rapids, IA.

Tickets are $9 and everyone gets the opportunity to meet the cast after the show! Call the box office for tickets and information 319-622-6262 or visit us online at www.oldcreamery.com. How I Became A Pirate is rated Theatre G.

Ridgecrest Foundation selected by Morrison to receive $7,500 grant

Bob Morrison, director and leader of the Honor Flight of the Quad Cities, will receive Modern Woodmen of America's 2014 Community Service Award at a breakfast ceremony from 7:15 a.m. to 8:15 a.m. on Friday, June 13. The event will be held at Abbey Station in Rock Island (program begins promptly at 7:45 a.m.). Media coverage of this event is welcomed and appreciated.

The fraternal financial services organization will honor Bob Morrison for his volunteer leadership and outstanding impact in the Quad Cities.

About the recipient

Graduate of the University of Iowa, Bob spent 11 years as a Development Director for the New Hope Foundation before transitioning into the development and marketing director position at Ridgecrest Foundation in Davenport, in 2008. The relationships he developed with members at Ridgecrest helped spark his passion for the Honor Flight of the Quad Cities.

In 2008, Bob started an Honor Flight hub based in the Illinois/Iowa Quad Cities area. Bob organized the volunteer board, which now helps oversee more than 200 volunteers. He speaks to civic clubs, churches, schools and other groups, and he has helped organize the past 28 honor flights.

As a longtime community supporter, Bob gives back in a variety of ways. Bob currently serves as a committee member for the Boy Scouts of America Loud Thunder Camp, chair of board of Discipleship for the Iowa Conference United Methodist Church, lay leader of Wesley United Methodist Church, secretary for REVIVE board of directors, Davenport Rotary board member and ILLOWA Partnership of Philanthropic Planning board member.

About the Community Service Award

The Community Service Award is an annual award that includes a grant presented to local charitable organizations. Bob Morrison selected Ridgecrest Foundation to receive a $7,500 award.

The 2014 award recipient will also receive an engraved Waterford crystal clock, representing his time and dedication to community volunteer service. Modern Woodmen initiated the award program in 1997 to help support local charities and encourage community involvement.

Selection is based on:

• Leadership in the community.
• Impact on quality of life.
• Long-term community service.
• Involvement in the business community.
• Encouragement of others to be active.

"The purpose of this award is to encourage others to volunteer in the Quad Cities," says W. Kenny Massey, president and CEO of Modern Woodmen. "That's why we recognize local leaders like Bob. His commitment to service and to our veterans encourages those around him to make a difference in the community."

In 2010, Bob joined forces with Modern Woodmen to fly 100 World War II veterans to Washington D.C. All 100 veterans were Modern Woodmen members.

Founded in 1883, Modern Woodmen of America touches lives and secures futures. The fraternal financial services organization offers financial products and fraternal member benefits to individuals and families throughout the United States.

-end-

Plan to prepare working Iowans for careers in demand has certified 45,000 individuals through National Career Readiness Certificate

(DES MOINES) - Gov. Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds today were joined by Iowa Workforce Development Director Teresa Wahlert at the administration's weekly press conference as they celebrated the successes of the Skilled Iowa Initiative, two years after its launch in June 2012. The Skilled Iowa Initiative has had impacts across every county in Iowa, far greater than originally imagined.  To date, over 10,000 Iowa businesses have signed on in support of the initiative and over 45,000 Iowans have certified their skill sets through the National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC).

"Skilled Iowa has made tremendous strides across the state, realizing success in areas beyond the traditional workforce, which is positioning Iowa - and hardworking Iowans - for continued success for years to come," said Branstad. "The Skilled Iowa Initiative is helping Iowa businesses identify capable and qualified employees, and giving working Iowans an opportunity to demonstrate the extent of their skillset with a recognized accomplishment - the National Career Readiness Certificate."

One of the cornerstones of the Skilled Iowa Initiative is the internship program, a unique opportunity that connects unemployed Iowans with training opportunities at Iowa businesses.  The individuals receive a new transferrable skill through an internship that provides on-the-job training in conjunction with basic skill development all while maintaining unemployment benefits.  To date, over 300 unique internship opportunities have been utilized by unemployed Iowans and those receiving public assistance.  Fifty-five percent of the internships have resulted in offers of full-time permanent job opportunities.

"With $8.8 billion in private capital investment coming to Iowa since 2011, Governor Branstad and I knew there would be tremendous opportunities for working Iowans to apply their unique skillsets in high-quality careers," said Reynolds. "The innovative Skilled Iowa Initiative helps workers prepare to fill the jobs that are being created all across Iowa."

"The Skilled Iowa Initiative is a perfect demonstration of working together to improve the Iowa economy without concern for politics," stated Bill Knapp, who helped launch the initiative in 2012.  "Governor Branstad and Director Wahlert through Skilled Iowa, and especially the internship portion, have done much to achieve success for the initiative."

The Skilled Iowa Initiative targeted the future workforce during the second year.  The goal was to connect high school students with growing high-tech, high-demand occupations in Iowa.  To date, over 7,000 Iowa high school students have taken the National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC) assessment, and several students achieved the platinum status.  They join the less than three hundred Iowans who have attained platinum.

"Our students are critical to tomorrow's workforce," stated Teresa Wahlert, director of Iowa Workforce Development.  "By embedding the work critical skills of applied mathematics, reading for information and locating information into the high schools, our students are receiving a sound platform to begin further education and employment."

The Skilled Iowa Initiative strives to create Skilled Iowa Communities across the state.  Des Moines County was the first area to become a Skilled Iowa Community and was quickly followed by others across the state.  To date, the Skilled Iowa Community designation has also been given to Union County, Ringgold County, Adams County, Jones County, Monona County, Lucas County, Keokuk County, Washington County and the City of Onawa.  In order to become a Skilled Iowa Community, the area must meet the following metrics: 10 percent of the employers covering at least 20 percent of the areas employment must be Skilled Iowa Members, 5 percent of the current labor force has achieve the NCRC certification, and 20 percent of the transitioning labor force must receive the NCRC certification.

The Skilled Iowa Initiative has gained national attention for its success from the National Governor's Association and other states looking to implement a similar program.  For more information on the Skilled Iowa Initiative, visit http://www.skillediowa.org/.