29 May 2013

Texas Wing personnel still on duty in tornado-ravaged Oklahoma

By Steve Cox
CAP's Oklahoma Tornadoes Response

MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. - Dozens of personnel from Civil Air Patrol's Texas Wing remain on duty in Moore, Okla., performing photo damage assessment of homes, public buildings and businesses more than a week after a twister ripped through the town of about 45,000 residents.

"Texas Wing has been absolutely monumental in us completing the mission that FEMA has given us," said Capt. Rick Rutledge, public affairs officer for CAP's Oklahoma Wing. "They were able to send us members almost immediately after the tornado struck. We've had Texas Wing boots on the ground literally in less than 24 hours."

The EF-5 twister mowed its destructive path through Moore May 20, killing seven students when it demolished Plaza Towers Elementary School. Moore is located in the central part of the state and is considered part of Oklahoma City's metropolitan area. The area is known as "Tornado Alley."

CAP's role in the recovery phase involves detailing the destruction from both ground and air for the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

"We're literally having to send teams to each and every house and business that's been damaged. From the air side, we've been able to provide FEMA with high-definition photographs for the entire 17-mile track of the tornado," Rutledge said.

An estimated 80 CAP air and ground team members ? many of them teenage cadets ? from Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas and Arkansas are augmenting 450 FEMA personnel who, by Memorial Day, had delivered 43,000 meals and 150,000 liters of water, along with thousands of cots, blankets and other comfort items. FEMA officials say 4,200 people have applied for disaster assistance. The agency has approved an estimated $3.4 million in emergency cash payments to victims of the tornado.

"Texas Wing is honored to have the opportunity to serve in the support mission for the Moore, Okla., tornado," said Col. Brooks Cima, Texas Wing commander.

Cima says approximately 30 Texas Wing members are in Oklahoma, providing air and ground communications and mission support in addition to performing damage assessment. She said CAP wings have a long tradition of supporting each other during emergencies.

"Oklahoma Wing has supported Texas when we've suffered from hurricanes," said Cima. "We owe them that same loyalty."

President Barack Obama toured the town over the Memorial Day Weekend to offer encouragement to Moore's citizens, thank first responders, survey the damage, and assure state and local officials that federal aid would be swift and long-term.

Moore previously suffered extensive damage from tornados on Oct. 4, 1998; May 3, 1999, May 8, 2003; and May 10, 2012. The 1999 twister was at the time considered the costliest in U.S. history.

Civil Air Patrol (CAP), the official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, is a nonprofit organization chartered by Congress in 1941 with a 501(c)3 designation and pre-dates the Air Force. CAP consists of 61,000 unpaid professional members nationwide, and operates a fleet of 550 aircraft. CAP, in its Air Force auxiliary role, performs 90 percent of continental U.S. inland search and rescue missions as tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center (AFRCC) and is credited by the AFRCC with saving an average of 80 lives annually. Its unpaid professionals also perform homeland security, disaster relief and drug interdiction missions at the request of federal, state and local agencies. The members play a leading role in aerospace education and serve as mentors to more than 26,000 young people currently participating in the CAP cadet programs. CAP is a force multiplier to the Air Force CAP received the World Peace Prize in 2011 and has been performing missions for America for 71 years. CAP also participates in Wreaths Across America, an initiative to remember, honor and teach about the sacrifices of U.S. military veterans.

29 May 2013

Great March for Climate Action

By Ed Fallon
Today we announced the route for next year's eight-month coast-to-coast march for climate action. We're delighted at the story in today's Des Moines Register. Please help spread the word by sharing the article with your local media, your personal contacts, and on Facebook. Also, please check out the map of the route and list of cities. We welcome any feedback as we further refine the details.


I am grateful to our awesome staff for pulling this together so quickly. We received excellent input and guidance from people across the country, too. Thanks to all of you as well.

In today's press release, March Route Coordinator, Courtney Kain, writes, "We now turn our attention to the challenge of figuring out logistics, such as feeding marchers, transporting gear, providing portable bathroom, laundry and shower facilities, and showcasing the sustainable practices we need to embrace if America is to grapple successfully with the climate crisis. As we continue to build a strong foundation for this March, by mid-summer we'll be well-positioned to actively recruit marchers."

Thanks again for getting us this far. We have a long way to go, of course. But establishing the march route is an accomplishment we can all celebrate.

Ed

29 May 2013

Capri Supports "Cancer Survivor Beauty & Support Day"

By Abigail Hurm

Dubuque, Iowa- Capri College (Dubuque, Cedar Rapids, and Davenport) supports cancer survivors, and will hold a special event on Tuesday, June 4th from 10-4:30.  This annual event is designed to give any cancer survivor extra tender care, kindness and pampering. Capri will provide one FREE service to cancer survivors.  Guest may choose from haircut, thermal style, conditioner treatment, paraffin hand treatment, or facial.

If you or someone you know is interested, please call any Capri location to schedule an appointment. This free event is based on a first-come, first-served basis.  All work done by instructor supervised students.

Capri College Mission Statement: "Capri College is dedicated to providing the highest quality education possible. We enroll, educate and graduate individuals in an ethical and respectful manner, ready to excel in the field of their choice."

Additional information http://cancersurvivorbeautyandsupportday.org/

Cedar Rapids  2945 Williams Parkway SW   319-364-1541

Davenport       2540 E. 53rd Street                  563-388-6642

Dubuque         395 Main Street                      563-588-2379

For more information, contact Capri College, at (800) 728-0712 or visit us on the web at www.capricollege.edu

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29 May 2013

Free Home Buyer Education Series Coming to the Quad Cities, June 5

By Ashley Jared

Education Series offered by the Iowa Finance Authority,
Iowa Association of REALTORS® and the Iowa Home Ownership Education Project

QUAD CITIES - On Wednesday, June 5 the Iowa Finance Authority, Iowa Association of REALTORS® and the Iowa Home Ownership Education Project are partnering to bring Quad Cities area home buyers a free educational session.

One in a series of seminars entitled, Free Home Buyer Education Series: Unique Iowa Programs & Information to Get You Started, the program will provide information on state mortgage and down payment assistance programs, homeownership benefits and the steps towards owning a home. Iowa Finance Authority staff will present the information, and housing counselors will also be on hand to answer questions. The event will be hosted by the Quad City Area REALTOR® Association.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5

TIME: 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

LOCATION:
Quad City Area REALTOR® Association, 1900 State Street, Bettendorf

COST: Free

REGISTRATION: IowaFinanceAuthority.gov/Registration


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29 May 2013

Iowan of the Day: In Search of Ten "Shining Stars" Across Iowa

By Carly Grenfell

DES MOINES, IA (05/29/2013)(readMedia)-- Have you ever been star-struck by someone in your community? Do you know someone who deserves to be in the spotlight for their service to others? The Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation and Cookies Food Products are in search of ten outstanding Iowans to honor at the 2013 Iowa State Fair. The 17th annual Iowan of the Day program honors Iowa's finest for going above and beyond.

Nominations should be based on acts of relentless community involvement, leadership and an outstanding sense of Iowa pride. Support materials such as testimonials, photos or newspaper articles that demonstrate the greatness of your nominee are encouraged. Nominees must currently reside in Iowa. Each Iowan of the Day winner will receive his or her own day of stardom at the 2013 Iowa State Fair.

This day of honor includes an introduction on the Anne & Bill Riley Stage, VIP parking, gate admission, use of the Iowan of the Day golf cart and Grandstand show tickets for the evening of their award day. In addition, all winners will receive $200 in cash, accommodations at the Des Moines Downtown Marriott Hotel the night before their day of recognition and a one-year subscription to The Iowan & Iowa Gardening magazine.

For those feeling "star-struck," The Iowan of the Day remedy is here to help. You can obtain a nomination form by calling the Blue Ribbon Foundation at 1-800-450-3732 or online at www.blueribbonfoundation.org/iotd. Nominations are due by July 1, 2013.

The Blue Ribbon Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization. Since its inception in 1993, the Foundation has generated more than $95 million for renovations and improvements to the Iowa State Fairgrounds.

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29 May 2013

Iowa Voters Strongly Oppose Slaughter of Horses for Human Consumption According to New Research

By Maureen Linehan

ASPCA urges support for the Safeguard American Food Exports (SAFE) Act to ban horse slaughter

NEW YORK–The ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) today announced in a new poll conducted by Lake Research Partners that 71 percent of Iowa voters are opposed to the slaughter of U.S. horses for human consumption, and that 76 percent do not want a horse slaughter plant in their community. The statewide survey reveals that Iowans overwhelmingly oppose horse slaughter regardless of their political affiliation, gender, geographic location or whether they live in a city, a suburb, a small town or a rural area.

In 2007, the few remaining slaughter plants in the U.S. closed their doors when Congress chose to suspend funding for any further meat inspections. However, in the 2012 budget, the language preventing horse slaughter inspections was not included, opening the door for a return of horse slaughter on American soil, despite broad opposition to the practice. Several applications have been filed with the U.S. Department of Agriculture by companies that want to slaughter horses on American soil - including one in Sigourney, Iowa. If the application is approved, it would be the first facility in the U.S. to slaughter horses for human consumption since 2007.

"Iowa voters affirm what we learned in New Mexico and Missouri and what we discovered through national polls as well - an overwhelming majority of Americans believe that our horses deserve more than to be shuttled off to a gruesome death and served abroad as a toxic delicacy," said Nancy Perry, senior vice president of ASPCA Government Relations. "With 71 percent of all registered voters in the state opposed to the slaughtering of American horses, opening a slaughterhouse in Iowa would be a tragic mistake, as voters have clearly stated that they would not support such a facility. Using precious tax dollars to enable the inhumane practice of horse slaughter on U.S. soil is irresponsible, and we urge legislators to take note and enact a permanent ban on horse slaughter."

According to the new research, more than 7 in 10 Iowa registered voters are opposed to allowing American horses to be slaughtered for human consumption, with 54 percent in strong opposition to the practice, and only 15 percent approving of the practice. In addition, more than 3 in 4 Iowa voters do not want a horse slaughter plant in their community, with just 12 percent of voters supporting such a facility. Furthermore, opposition to a horse slaughtering facility extends across age, political affiliation, and geographic divides, including at least 69 percent opposed in every congressional district in the state, 84 percent of urban voters, 80 percent of suburban voters, 77 percent of small town, and 73 percent of rural voters disapproving of such a facility.

The surprising move toward a resumption of domestic horse slaughter comes in the wake of the recent scandal in the European Union, where consumers were alarmed by the discovery of horse meat mislabeled as beef in prepared food products ranging from lasagna to meatballs. Horses are routinely given medications and other substances that are toxic to humans and are expressly forbidden by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use in animals intended for human consumption. In March, U.S. Sens. Mary Landrieu, D-La., and Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and Reps. Patrick Meehan, R-Pa., and Jan Schakowsky, D-Ill., introduced the Safeguard American Food Exports (SAFE) Act (S. 541/H.R. 1094) to prevent the introduction of horse slaughter operations in the U.S., end the current export of American horses for slaughter abroad, and protect the public from consuming toxic horse meat.

Horse slaughter is inherently cruel and often erroneously compared to humane euthanasia. The methods used to slaughter horses rarely result in quick, painless deaths, as horses are difficult to stun and often remain conscious during their butchering and dismemberment. Whether slaughter occurs in the U.S. or abroad, these equines suffer incredible abuse even before they arrive at the slaughterhouse, often transported for more than 24 hours at a time without food, water or rest, and in dangerously overcrowded trailers where the animals are often seriously injured or even killed in transit. The majority of horses killed for human consumption are young, healthy animals who could go on to lead productive lives with loving owners. Last year, more than 160,000 American horses were sent to a cruel death by a grisly foreign industry that produces unsafe food for consumers.

For more information on the ASPCA's poll, please contact Maureen Linehan at Maureen.Linehan@aspca.org or 646-706-4602. To learn more about the ASPCA's efforts to ban horse slaughter or support the SAFE Act, please visit www.aspca.org.

About the ASPCA®
Founded in 1866, the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) is the first animal welfare organization in North America and serves as the nation's leading voice for animals. More than two million supporters strong, the ASPCA's mission is to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States. As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation, the ASPCA is a national leader in the areas of anti-cruelty, community outreach and animal health services. For more information, please visit www.ASPCA.org, and be sure to follow the ASPCA on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.

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29 May 2013

IOWA FARM BUREAU ECONOMIST SAYS THE STATE'S WET WEATHER IS DAYS AWAY FROM AFFECTING 2013 YIELDS

By Rick Martin

USDA Report Sending Ripple Effects to Grain Markets

WEST DES MOINES, IOWA - May 29, 2013 - Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF) economist, Dave Miller, says Iowa farmers are now well behind the five-year average in terms of planting progress, increasing concern among farmers about what to plant.

"We are approaching the deadline set by the USDA risk management agency for prevented planting; that means the last date that you can plant a corn crop and still receive full insurance coverage if you decide to plant.  In Iowa, that's May 31," Miller says.  "Insurance coverage for corn planted after that date is reduced by 1 percent daily.  Farmers can still choose to plant beans with full insurance coverage through June 15."

Nationally, 2013 is seeing the slowest planting progress for both corn and soybeans in at least two decades.  "It is even slower than in 1993 when rain-soaked Iowa fields were covered with so much water that Iowa appeared in satellite photos as the '6th Great Lake'," says Miller.

The nation's farmers, biofuels makers and grain exporters will all be affected if another crop falls short of expectations, and there is a lot of pressure on farmers to produce this year.  "When we talk about the numbers, the reality is we've got a lot of soybeans yet to be planted.  Regionally in Iowa, soybean fields still unplanted range from 80 percent in north central Iowa to 44 percent in east central Iowa with 60 percent of soybeans  yet to be planted statewide.  It's likely that by the time it dries up enough for farmers to get into the fields to plant, they'll be subject to yield reductions due to late plantings, because more of the crop will be forced to pollinate in summer heat...and will have shortened growing seasons and other factors that research has shown contributes to lower yields," says Miller, who also is a longtime grain farmer.  "Lower

crop yields affect the whole food chain from farmers to consumers, because higher feed costs translate to higher meat production costs and reductions in cattle and hog herds.  Smaller herds lead to reduced meat supplies, which always drives prices up.  Another option in times of weather-delayed planting or field flooding is to accept the prevented planting indemnity provisions and then plant a cover crop whenever the fields dry out. Farmers have until June 15 before the prevented planting provisions for soybeans kick in, which means we have about a two-week window for that."

Helping Iowa farmers manage market risks like these and discussing farm policy challenges is the focus of the 2013 IFBF Economic Summit, "Grain, Gridlock and Globalization: Meeting the Economic Challenges in Today's Agriculture," which will be held July 22 and 23 in Ames.  The two-day summit brings nationally-known experts on crop and livestock market trends, exports and commodity price experts to the Iowa State Center Scheman Building on the Iowa State University campus.  Experts ranging from economists Allen Featherstone of Kansas State University, Michael Boehlje from Purdue, export and policy analyst Ross Korves and Ag Meteorologist Elwynn Taylor are among many nationally-recognized monetary, policy, trade and economic experts tapped for the July IFBF Economic Summit.

For a complete listing of the panelists and schedule, click here: www.iowafarmbureau.com.

The price of the two-day summit is $50 for Iowa Farm Bureau members and $150 for non-members.  Information about the summit, lodging and online registration forms can be found at www.iowafarmbureau.com.

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29 May 2013

Land & Water exhibit at GAHC!

By Kelly Lao

The German American Heritage Center announces the opening for its new exhibit, Land & Water. We will host Daryl Smith, Director of the Tallgrass Prairie Center at UNI for a presentation on "Our Prairie Heritage." Hear Smith speak about what made the prairie landscape so special for our ancestors and for Jens Jensen on Sunday, June 2nd at 2pm.

Land and Water is an exhibition about two figureheads in the conservation and preservation movement. These two individuals took their fields to new heights with their love of the natural world and cherished the beauty of their surroundings.  Jens Jensen and Ernest Oberholtzer, secured the beauty, power, and grandeur of the Midwest prairie and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area to their own generation and to those that followed. These two men and the landscapes they loved still inspire us today!

About our speaker: Daryl Smith

Smith has served as head of UNI Department of Biology, president of the Iowa Academy of Science, board member of the Iowa Chapter of The Nature Conservancy and National Association of Biology Teachers, director of the Twelfth and Twenty Second North American Prairie Conferences, and director of Iowa Prairie Conferences 1991-01. A native Iowan, Smith has been involved in prairie preservation, management, and restoration for 40 years.  His former students are active in prairie restoration and management, natural area assessment, resource management, secondary and collegiate teaching and natural history interpretation.  He founded the Tallgrass Prairie Center and serves as the Director.  The Center most recent project involves the utilization of mixtures of prairie plants as biomass feedstock.  Smith was also executive director and co-producer of the documentary film, America's Lost Landscape: The Tallgrass Prairie, winner of the Pare Lorentz Award from International Documentary Association and the Cine Golden Eagle Award.

More about Jensen & Ober:

Jens Jensen (1860-1951) organized and inspired the early conservation movements that led to the creation of the Cook County Forest Preserve District, the Illinois state park system, the Indiana Dunes State Park and National Lakeshore, among many more projects. Everywhere he championed his core conviction: people must have some contact with the "living green," - flowers and plants native to their home. To Jensen, landscape architecture was not just a profession, nor was the use of native plants just one style among many - they expressed his near-mystical belief in the renewing and civilizing powers of nature. He was a reformer with his practice and passion taking him from Schleswig to Berlin and Florida to Decorah.

He believed that beauty does not have to come from a tulip in Holland or a maple in Japan; it can come from the wild reaches of our backyards or state parks.

"Every Plant has fitness and must be placed in its proper surroundings so as to bring out its full beauty. Therein lies the art of landscaping".

-Jens Jensen

Ernest Oberholtzer (1884-1977) is one of the great unsung heroes of the American conservation movement of the twentieth century. A Davenport, Iowa native and one of the founders of the Wilderness Society, "Ober" was best known for his pioneering work to preserve one of the last remaining wilderness areas east of the Rockies - the Quetico-Superior region of northern Minnesota and southern Ontario. The long campaign by Ober and many others to preserve this area made a significant and lasting impression on conservation and wilderness preservation efforts around the world. This exhibit looks to explore the life of the man who led the fight to save the area that eventually became Voyageurs National Park and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (today the most visited wilderness area in the United States).

"We gain inspiration and take heart from Oberholtzer, a leader of the nation's wilderness movement for much of the twentieth century, and his philosophy of action, an acknowledgment that 'we never know our powers until we put them to the test.' His story continues to inspire wilderness activists."

-William H. Meadows, President of The Wilderness Society
Other Land and Water Events!

Sunday, June 9th 2pm- The Legacy of Jens Jensen presented by  Jens Jensen, of Fitchburg, WI. Life and work of the great prairie landscape architect by his great-great grandson.

Saturday, July 20th 2pm- Double Film Feature! At the Figge Art Museum $5 admission includes both films! Showing- Lost Landscape: The Tallgrass Prairie award winning prairie documentary from UNI & Jens Jensen: Harmonious World. A world premier of this new documentary on world renowned landscape architect and naturalist and meet the filmmakers of Viva Lundin Productions!

Sunday, July 21st 2pm- Jens Jensen: The QC Connection  with Linda Anderson Learn where Rock Island boasts some of this famed landscape architect's work at the Denkmann Hauberg Estate!

Sunday, August 11 2pm- University of the Wilderness- The Legacy of Ernest Oberholtzer with Mary Swalla Holmes of the Oberholtzer Foundation in Minnesota. She will highlight Ober's work to save the Boundary Waters.

Thursday, Sept. 19 7pm- Flutes Unlimited of the QC presents a salute to water and waves in this evening concert.

Contact: Kelly Lao, Assistant Director, kelly.lao@gahc.org or 563-322-8844?

29 May 2013

Loebsack, Jordan, Walz Commend IOC on Decision to Keep Wrestling in the Running for Olympics

By Joe Hand

Will Continue Fight to Ensure Wrestling is Reinstated When Final Decision is Rendered in September

Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressman Dave Loebsack (IA-02), Jim Jordan (OH-04), and Tim Walz (MN-01) commended the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board's decision to keep wrestling in the running for inclusion in the 2020 Olympic Games.

The IOC Executive Board is meeting this week (May 29-31) in St. Petersburg, Russia and selected three sports to short-list for the 2020 Olympic Games to recommend to the 125th IOC Session.  The Executive Board has short-listed wrestling, baseball/softball, and squash.  The full IOC will meet to vote on the final sport September 7-10 in Buenos Aires.

"The sport of wrestling is a true embodiment of the Olympic spirit and has been embraced by millions around the world.  We are pleased that the IOC Executive Board has recognized this and moved the sport into the next round of consideration," said Loebsack, Jordan and Walz.  "We will continue to fight to ensure wrestling remains an Olympic sport when the final decision is made this fall."

Earlier, the three wrote to IOC President Jacques Rogge urging him to reconsider the decision to remove wrestling from the Summer Olympic program.

"The sport of wrestling and the athletes that represent it are a true testament to the Olympic spirit," wrote the Representatives.  "A decision to eliminate it from the Summer Games would be a loss for the American people, the Olympic family and the entire world community.  We strongly urge you to reconsider your earlier decision and honor the values and traditions of the Olympic Games by recommending wrestling for inclusion in Summer Olympic programs."

The three have also introduced a Resolution (H.Res. 71) expressing opposition to the IOC decision to eliminate wrestling as a core sport.  The bill currently has 46 bipartisan cosponsors and strong support from the wrestling community.

To view a copy of the letter, please click here.

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29 May 2013

The QUAD CITIES FILM COALITION welcomes Liz Gilman, Executive Producer of Produce Iowa, Office of Media Production, Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs

By J Douglas Miller
The Quad Cities Film Coalition is hosting a welcoming visit for the head of the replacement organization of the former Iowa Film Office on June the 11th.  Liz Gilman has been named the Executive Producer of Produce Iowa, Office of Media Production, which is a unit of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs.  Her appointment was announced earlier this month in Des Moines, Iowa, by Mary Cownie, Director of the Department of Cultural Affairs.
Ms Gilman will be touring the area, meeting with various community leaders, becoming acquainted with the Quad Cities area production community both in front of and behind the camera, as well as those who are interested in media production of all kinds in the digital age of computers.
The main focus of Produce Iowa is to rebuild the infrastructure of the promotional efforts of the production industry of the State of Iowa and to promote the abilities of the production community itself within the state as well to those outside of the state who are interested in utilizing the production professional's skills of the state while doing production in Iowa.  The Office of Media Production will also be engaged in the identification of new trends in media production and the advancements that are being made within the State of Iowa as those trends evolve on a global basis.
Ms Gilman will also be briefing an Ad Hoc committee of the Quad Cities Film Coalition, concerning the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs program and exhibit, HOLLYWOOD IN THE HEARTLAND, which is slated for development in the coming year and an unveiling in Des Moines at the State Historical Museum of Iowa, which is near the Capitol, in June of 2014.  The program is being co-sponsored by the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs, Preserve Iowa, Main Street Iowa and Iowa Tourism.
HOLLYWOOD IN THE HEARTLAND's objectives are to bring attention to the many contributions that have been made to Hollywood through the actors that made their way to the silver screen from Iowa and became noteworthy, the motion pictures that have been shot in the state over the years and the many historic motion picture exhibition experiences that can be had throughout the state through the extensive theater venues located in the State of Iowa.  A vast inventory of these historic venues that are in existence and those that are long gone across the state is currently be developed.  The history of the film industry and its many facets with Iowa connections will also be explored through this program.  A virtual, (on the internet and otherwise) and real tour will be available for the public to experience once the proposed exhibit and program has matured in June of 2014.  Tours are contemplated across the State of Iowa to take place over the expected three years of the program.
The Iowa Quad Cities has a rich and deep history that is to be explored and contributed to this effort by the Quad Cities Film Coalition to the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs and its co-sponsors, which spans motion picture and live entertainment going back over 100 years.
Davenport, Bettendorf and Scott County has an extensive background to share with regards to the many motion picture venues that have existed here going back to the 19th Century and the dawn of the motion picture era.  At one time, over 30 theaters existed in the Davenport and Bettendorf and Scott County area alone with some of the most famous actors of the era visiting the region from time to time to make personal appearances.  Most of these venues are gone but some still do exist though they are not used as theaters any more.  Two of the remaining four motion picture palaces of the golden era in the State of Iowa, with seating in the thousands, still exist here in the presence of the Adler Theatre (the former RKO Orpheum) in Davenport and the Capitol Theatre also in Davenport.
Many motion pictures stars came from the area going all the back to the silent era through to the present including Nate Pendleton, former President Ronald Reagan, Hugh Marlowe and Jock Mahoney to name a few, as well as Linnea Quigley, the B-Movie Queen, who was born in Davenport and graduated from Bettendorf High School.  All of these and numerous other notables in the industry can be researched by checking Davenport, Iowa on imdb.com the motion picture data base.
The area contributed greatly to the advancement of film related to inventions, manufacturing, production, and distribution industries globally through such companies as the Victor Animatograph Company, one of the inventors, developers and manufacturers of the first 16 mm cameras and projectors in 1923.  Alexander F. Victor was the holder of over 60 motion picture related patents that advanced the industry tremendously during the first half of the 20th Century.  At one time, the Victor Company, which began in downtown Davenport, employed over 500 people in the area in a large factory on the edge of the city in Northwest Davenport just after World War II.
Blackhawk Films contributed to the development of an advanced method of classic film distribution for over 50 years and became world famous because of the distribution agreements that they had acquired which included the Fox Movie Tone Newsreels and many others similar rare novelty items as well as a large number of the films of the most important actors and players in the silent era including Charles Chaplin and those of the golden age of the studios.  Blackhawk Films' products were highly prized by film buffs from around the world and are still considered to be the finest of their kind today.  Blackhawk Films was owned by the Eastin/Phelan Corporation of Davenport.
There will be a reception held at the Lodge Hotel in Bettendorf, Iowa in the Garden Atrium next to the Black Bear Lounge to introduce Ms. Gilman to the local production community at large and those who are interested in Produce Iowa and the Office of Media Production.  Musical entertainment will be provide by members of the BUCKTOWN REVUE.
All are invited to this event which will include the opportunity for the local media to interview Ms. Gilman about her tour and impressions of the region.  The event will last from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm.
You can contact Liz Gilman, Executive Producer of Produce Iowa, the Office of Media Production, directly in Des Moines at 515-725-0044 for an interview in advance of her appearance in the Iowa Quad Cities on the 11th of June.
Doug Miller, the co-founder and facilitator of the Quad Cities Film Coalition, the main sponsor of this tour and reception event is available at 563-349-1041 for more information.
We would like to thank the Lodge Hotel and the BUCKTOWN REVUE for the gracious contributions.
BELOW IS A NEWS RELEASE FROM THE IOWA DEPARTMENT OF CULTURAL AFFAIRS ABOUT MS. GILMAN'S APPOINTMENT EARLIER THIS MONTH IT IS AVAILABLE FOR YOUR REVIEW AND USE.

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