THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014

IWIRELESS CENTER

DOORS AT 6:30 PM/ SHOW AT 7:30 PM

TICKETS ON SALE OCTOBER 4 AT 10 AM

 

Tickets available at the iWireless Center Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster.com or by phone at 1-800-745-3000.

 

The nation's number one comedian Jeff Dunham and his beloved cast of characters announce the kick off of the winter leg of their 2013 "Disorderly Conduct" worldwide tour. The winter 2013/2014 international concert series begins on Dec. 26, 2013 in Toledo, OH and continues through Feb. 28, 2014 in Champaign. IL.

 

Fans all over the world can look forward to a new jam-packed show with more laughs than ever before. Dunham's famed troupe of sidekicks are back: Walter the Grumpy Retiree, Achmed the Dead Terrorist, the beer-fueled redneck Bubba J, the manic purple creature Peanut, the spicy pepper from south of the border José Jalapeño, and Peanut's own ventriloquist dummy Little Jeff, a mini-version of the ringmaster himself.

 

Dunham and his comedic sidekicks most recent Comedy Central one-hour special entitled "Minding the Monsters," is the fifth in a string of record-breaking specials. "Minding the Monsters" takes its audience into the ultimate haunted house where you can see Walter transform into something grumpier than he already is, watch Bubba J rise from the dead, meet Peanut's alter ego, The Purple Avenger of the Night, and his spicy sidekick, and witness Achmed literally dressed to kill in an outfit that would terrify the most terrifying terrorist! It debuted on Comedy Central to 7.5 million viewers, making it the most watched special of the year for the network. Upon its release on DVD, it was the #1 comedy DVD on Amazon.com and exceeded platinum sales within 6 days. It has already reached triple platinum status.

 

The amazing rise of Jeff Dunham continues apace, with 2013 having seen Jeff continue to pack arena-sized venues. Dunham and his sidekicks are preparing for their sixth trip to Europe this fall, stopping in the U.K., Germany, and Belgium.

 

In 2013, fans will also get the chance to see Achmed the Dead Terrorist like he's never been seen before! This December, Jeff Dunham will premiere his very first animated feature "Achmed Saves America," starring the world's most beloved, failed bad-guy!  In this full length animated movie, Achmed is having a very bad day... After accidentally blowing himself up, the world's most incompetent suicide bomber finds himself whisked away from his homeland by a giant bald eagle and dropped off in... Americaville, USA. There, mistaken by the kind-hearted Wilson family for a visiting French exchange student, "The Little Skeleton That Couldn't" bumblingly plots to destroy the town and all of its "infidels".  But, once he's exposed to the sweet things in life -- including all-you-can-eat buffets and frozen yogurt -- Achmed's campaign of hate turns into a patriotic All-American lovefest.

 

The phenomenal international success of Dunham and his cohorts have been driven by his Comedy Central specials, which set global records for both ratings and sales. Dunham's 4th Comedy Central TV special "Controlled Chaos," premiered to a staggering 8.3 million viewers overall making it the most viewed cable show that night. The global TV event enjoyed a never-before simultaneous same day worldwide debut in a dozen countries. Dunham continued to break ratings records at the end of 2011, when The Bio Channel's premiere of Jeff Dunham: "Birth of a Dummy" became the network's top rated telecast ever.

 

No wonder The New York Times Magazine declared Jeff Dunham "the most successful comedian working in America."  Dunham was recently named Pollstar's #1 Comedy Tour in North America for three years running as well as their Top Worldwide Tour for two years in a row.

A poll released tonight by The Des Moines Register confirms what other recent polls have shown - Iowans are growing tired of Terry Branstad's leadership in Iowa and are ready for a change. "Iowans are ready for a Governor with a new perspective to lead the state forward, and I have the experience and vision to move us in the right direction." said State Representative Tyler Olson, candidate for Governor. 

The Iowa Poll shows that 55% of Iowa voters think Governor Branstad has been in office long enough and are open to a change. Key point from the poll, "Perhaps more of a trouble sign for Branstad: Among self-identified independents, 62 percent said he has held office long enough, and just 28 percent said he should run again." The poll also shows that Governor Branstad's approval rating has also dropped by 4% since June. 

This is the first public poll following the firing of DCI Agent Larry Hedlund, the departure of Public Safety Commissioner Brian London, and the incidents surrounding the Iowa Juvenile Home.

The poll of 800 Iowans was conducted Sept. 22-25 by Selzer & Co. of Des Moines and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points.

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack today called on House and Senate leaders to immediately come back into session to find a way forward to avoid a government shutdown. The House and Senate are currently scheduled to come back into session only hours before the shutdown deadline.

"At a time when Washington should be working on a bipartisan basis to create jobs and boost the economy, Congress is dark as the clock ticks down to an unnecessary and reckless shutdown," Loebsack wrote to Congressional leaders. "I call on you to bring the House and Senate into session immediately and get to work on a simple, bipartisan Continuing Resolution that can be signed into law. I continue to stand ready to work on a bipartisan basis to avert this manufactured crisis and get to work on the priorities of the American people."

The full text of the letter follows.

 

September 29, 2013

 

The Honorable Harry Reid                           The Honorable John Boehner

Majority Leader                         Speaker of the House

US Senate                         US House of Representatives

S-221, The Capitol                        H-232, The Capitol

Washington, DC 20510                          Washington, DC 20515

 

Dear Majority Leader Reid and Speaker Boehner:

With less than 48 hours until the government shuts down without bipartisan action by the House of Representatives, United States Senate, and the Administration, both Chambers should be in session and working today and through the Monday night deadline.  The brinksmanship, political posturing, and partisan ideology that have gotten us to this point cannot continue.  There is no excuse for ongoing political games or inaction - Congress and the Administration must come together and take the simple steps necessary to keep the government running.  Ongoing partisan posturing by those hoping to score political points on the back of our economy is not just inexcusable, it's reckless and it must end.

As our country faces down yet another manufactured crisis, both sides of the aisle must put politics aside and come together to take action.  Our economy and Iowa families cannot afford more brinksmanship and the effects of a government shutdown would have ripple effects across the economy and the brunt of the impact would be felt by middle-class families such as those at Rock Island Arsenal who could go without pay, our troops who would report for duty to protect our country but see their pay delayed, and small businesses that would be unable to expand without the loans they need to create jobs.

At a time when Washington should be working on a bipartisan basis to create jobs and boost the economy, Congress is dark as the clock ticks down to an unnecessary and reckless shutdown and federal agencies are spending taxpayer dollars preparing for a government shutdown instead of carrying out the work of the American people.  This situation is inexcusable.

I call on you to bring the House and Senate into session immediately and get to work on a simple, bipartisan Continuing Resolution that can be signed into law.  We have reached the eleventh hour and there is no time for more political posturing or for both Chambers of Congress to be waiting at home for the other side to blink.

I continue to stand ready to work on a bipartisan basis to avert this manufactured crisis and get to work on the priorities of the American people.

Sincerely,

 

Dave Loebsack

Iowa's Second District

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Moving stories from walkers, survivors and patients

URBANDALE, IOWA (September 28, 2013) - Jessie McLearn-Montz walked for his sister, Amanda, whose lungs collapsed four times in her early teens. Karen and Pam Van Deest walked for their father who has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Nadine Killmer is a lung cancer patient and walked with her sister, Maureen Ekeland in memory of Nadine's husband, who died from COPD. The University of Iowa Lung Transplant Team had more than 100 walkers, 17 of which are lung transplant patients, along with their families, as well as donor families.

These are just a few of the heartfelt stories from some of the participants in the American Lung Association in Iowa's 2013 Fight for Air Walk. Hundreds of Des Moines residents and Iowans from across the state and the mid-west walked the 5K at Principal Park (I-Cubs Ballpark) this past Saturday, September 28. Some photos are attached and can be used by media at will. A photo credit to the American Lung Association in Iowa is appreciated. Contact Micki Sandquist for more photos or information.

Every year, the Fight for Air Walk gives individuals the power to improve the air we breathe by taking action and fundraising. The Lung Association saves lives by fighting for healthy lungs and healthy air. Eighty-eight cents of every dollar raised goes directly to education, research and advocacy.

About the American Lung Association in Iowa: Our mission is to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease. With your generous support, the American Lung Association is "Fighting for Air" through research, education and advocacy. For more information about the American Lung Association or to support the work it does, call 1-800-LUNG-USA (1-800-586-4872) or visit www.LungIA.org.