The Figge Art Museum is one of more than 1,800 museums across America to offer free admission to military personnel and their families this summer in collaboration with the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, and the Department of Defense

Davenport, Iowa (May 21, 2013) - Today the Figge Art Museum announced the launch of Blue Star Museums, a collaboration among the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, the Department of Defense, and more than 1,800 museums across America to offer free admission to all active duty military personnel and their families from Memorial Day through Labor Day 2013. Leadership support has been provided by MetLife Foundation through Blue Star Families. The complete list of participating museums is available at www.arts.gov/bluestarmuseums.

Active duty military personnel and their families will be able to experience a number of traveling exhibitions at the Figge including the American Pop! Selections from the CU Art Museum Collection (through September 8), Questionable Architecture: Terry Rathje in Collaboration with Steve Banks and Monica Correia (June 1- August 25) and No Shoes, No Shirt, No Service (June 29-October 6).

"Blue Star Museums is a collaboration between the arts and military communities," said NEA Acting Chairman Joan Shigekawa. "Our work with Blue Star Families and with more than 1,800 museums ensures that we can reach out to military families and thank them for their service and sacrifice."

"Blue Star Museums is something that service members and their families look forward to every year and we are thrilled with the continued growth of the program," said Blue Star Families CEO Kathy Roth-Douquet. "Through this distinctive collaboration between Blue Star Families, the National Endowment for the Arts and more than 1,800 museums across the United States, service members and their families can connect with our national treasures with this unparalleled opportunity to visit some of the country's finest museums for free."

This year, more than 1,800 (and counting) museums in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and American Samoa are taking part in the initiative, including more than 450 new museums this year. Museums are welcome to join Blue Star Museums throughout the summer. The effort to recruit museums has involved partnerships with the American Association of Museums, the Association of Art Museum Directors, the Association of Children's Museums, the American Association of State and Local History, and the Association of Science-Technology Centers. This year's Blue Star Museums represent not just fine arts museums, but also science museums, history museums, nature centers, and 75 children's museums. Among this year's new participants are the J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles, California, Grand Traverse Lighthouse Museum in Northport, Michigan, the Totem Heritage Center in Ketchikan, Alaska, and the World Museum of Mining in Butte, Montana.

About Blue Star Museums

Blue Star Museums is a collaboration among the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, the Department of Defense, and more than 1,800 museums across America. The program runs from Memorial Day, May 27, 2013 through Labor Day, September 2, 2013. The free admission program is available to any bearer of a Geneva Convention common access card (CAC), a DD Form 1173 ID card, or a DD Form 1173-1 ID card, which includes active duty U.S. military - Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, as well as members of the National Guard and Reserve, U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, NOAA Commissioned Corps - and up to five family members. Please see the chart of the acceptable IDs (PDF). Some special or limited-time museum exhibits may not be included in this free admission program. For questions on particular exhibits or museums, please contact the museum directly. To find out which museums are participating, visit www.arts.gov/bluestarmuseums. The site includes a list of participating museums and a map to help with visit planning. Museums that wish to participate in Blue Star Museums may contact bluestarmuseums@arts.gov, or Wendy Clark at 202-682-5451. This is the latest NEA program to bring quality arts programs to the military, veterans, and their families. Other NEA programs for the military have included the NEA/Walter Reed Healing Arts Partnership; Great American Voices Military Base Tour; and Shakespeare in American Communities Military Base Tour.

About the Figge Art Museum

The Figge Art Museum is located on the riverfront in downtown Davenport at 225 West Second Street.Hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday and Sundays 12-5 p.m. Thursdays the

museum is open until 9 p.m. Admission to the museum and tour is $7. Admission is free to Figgemembers and institutional members and free on Thursday evenings from 5 p.m. - 9 p.m.. To contact the museum, please call 563.326.7804, or visit www.figgeartmuseum.org.

About Blue Star Families

Blue Star Families is a national, nonprofit network of military families from all ranks and services, including guard and reserve, dedicated to supporting, connecting and empowering military families. With our partners, Blue Star Families hosts a robust array of morale and empowerment programs, including Books on Bases, Blue Star Museums, Operation Honor Corp, Blue Star Careers and Operation Appreciation. Blue Star Families also works directly with the Department of Defense and senior members of local, State and Federal government to bring the most important military family issues to light. Working in concert with fellow nonprofits, community advocates, and public officials, Blue Star Families raises awareness of the challenges and strengths of military family life and works to make military life more sustainable. Our worldwide membership includes military spouses, children, parents, and friends, as well as service members, veterans and civilians. To learn more about Blue Star Families, visit http://www.bluestarfam.org.

About the National Endowment for the Arts

The National Endowment for the Arts was established by Congress in 1965 as an independent agency of the federal government. To date, the NEA has awarded more than $4 billion to support artistic excellence, creativity, and innovation for the benefit of individuals and communities. The NEA extends its work through partnerships with state arts agencies, local leaders, other federal agencies, and the philanthropic sector. To join the discussion on how art works, visit the NEA at arts.gov.

(DES MOINES) - Gov. Terry Branstad today announced that retired Col. Robert King will serve as head of the Department of Veterans Affairs in the Branstad-Reynolds administration. Col. King replaces Gen. Jodi Tymeson, who was recently named the new Chief Operating Officer at the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown.

Col. King, 64, served in the Iowa National Guard for nearly 36 years prior to his Sept. 2004 retirement. During his last fifteen years of service he handled media relations, command information and community relations for the Iowa National Guard.

"I want to thank Gen. Tymeson for her outstanding work in this position and I wish her well at the Iowa Veterans Home," said Branstad. "We are excited to welcome Col. Robert King as the new head of this important department. I have known Col. King for a number of years, and appreciate and understand how much passion and enthusiasm he will bring to this job. Veterans will have no bigger advocate than Col. Robert King."

Col. King's military awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal (4th Award), Army Commendation Medal (4th Award), Army Achievement Medal, Outstanding Volunteer Service Award, Humanitarian Service Medal, and brevet promotion to brigadier general. For a number of years, Col. King has played a major role in coordinating the Veteran's Day Parade at the Iowa State Fair. Colonel King was inducted into the Iowa Broadcaster's Association Hall of Fame in 2004.

"I'd like to thank Governor Branstad for this opportunity to serve veterans and their families, and I'd like to thank Jodi Tymeson for her dedicated service to Iowa's veterans," said King. "There are a number of state, county and local veterans organizations throughout the state, and I look forward to working with all of them to support Iowa's veterans and their families. Throughout my many years working on behalf of veterans, I know first-hand how Iowans appreciate the service and sacrifice of veterans and their families, and we will do our best to serve them."

"Our administration will work closely with Col. King to ensure we understand and are able to address the needs of those who served our state," said Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds. "We respect our veterans and their families, and it was important for us to have someone who will be available and responsive to their needs. Col. King will be a hard worker on behalf of Iowa's veterans."

King currently resides in Urbandale with his wife, Joy. He has two sons and four grandsons.

# # #

JACKSONVILLE, ILLINOIS (05/20/2013)(readMedia)-- The following students were awarded degrees from Illinois College 179th commencement exercise on the Historic Upper Quadrangle of the liberal arts college in Jacksonville, Ill. The ceremony was held May 12.

Kirk Atwater of Davenport, Iowa graduated from Illinois College with a Bachelor of Science degree.

Kelsey McFarren of Fulton, Ill. graduated from Illinois College with a Bachelor of Arts degree.

Illinois College has awarded diplomas annually since 1835 when it was the site of the first college commencement ceremony in the state. The newest class of graduates totaled 205.

In his 10th and final commencement at Illinois College, retiring President Axel Steuer on Sunday offered four guideposts to help this year's 205 graduating seniors lead fulfilling lives.

"Think of me today as a scout who has traveled quite a few years in front of you," he said. "I have been over the road that lies ahead to wherever your careers may take you. And here, in short, are the guideposts I offer:

"1. Never compromise integrity and you will have a life worth living; 2. Persist in following your dreams and your dreams have a good chance of being fulfilled; 3. Commit yourself firmly to justice and the world will be better because of you; and 4. Serve the needs of others, and your life as well as theirs will be enriched."

Founded in 1829, Illinois College is a residential liberal arts college fostering academic excellence rooted in opportunities for experiential learning while preparing students for lifelong success.

Quad Cities - The Family Museum, Putnam Museum, Quad City Botanical Center and Moline's Riverside Aquatic Center, in partnership with The Family Credit Union are pleased to offer $1.00 admission on Mondays this summer!  Beginning June 3rd, and running through August 12th, (5pm - 8pm at Moline's Riverside Aquatic Center), admission to these four wonderful Quad City amenities will be just $1.00 on Mondays.

With the support of The Family Credit Union, Family Dollar Days will provide guests four unique and fun opportunities each and every Monday between June 3rd and August 12th.  "It is with great pleasure that we have been able to craft a program with these four wonderful facilities where there is family fun and exciting opportunities in Bettendorf, Davenport, Moline and Rock Island", states Kris Lundquist of The Family Credit Union.  "We are excited to be able to support the community this way, and showcase four of the Quad City's best attractions", stated Lundquist.

Also, as a great new incentive this year, each participating venue is pleased to offer extended discounts and coupons!  Visit familycu.com/fun for full details.

For contact information, driving directions or more information, the community is encouraged to visit www.familycu.com, or to call the four venues directly.  Group bookings, theatre admission, blockbuster exhibits, and services where added staff/volunteers are necessary will incur applicable charges.