Cedar Falls, Iowa – ABC's Emmy-winning hit show Extreme Makeover: Home Edition has selected a Northeast Iowa family to feature on its award-winning show that changes the lives of families and inspires remarkable community support. Each week, the show travels across the country building a new home for a deserving family.

Larson Construction Co., Inc., of Independence, Iowa, has been selected as the builder for the project. Larson Construction Co., Inc. is a family-owned business that has been in the construction industry since the 1960's and encompasses both general contracting for commercial and industrial buildings and project management.

Struxture Architects has been selected as the architect for the project. Located in Waterloo and West Des Moines, Struxture has designed commercial, educational and civic projects throughout Iowa and the Midwest since 1934.

While Larson is the main builder and a major contributor to the project, the project relies on volunteers and Northeast Iowa residents to join.  A pep rally will be held on Tuesday, September 20, at the University of Northern Iowa's McLeod Center to kick off the volunteer effort that will help accomplish this amazing feat for a deserving family.

Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. and the event will begin at 6 p.m. Parking and admission are free, but participants are encouraged to bring a nonperishable food item, which will be donated to the Northeast Iowa Food Bank.

The pep rally will be hosted by Gary Kroeger, formerly of Saturday Night Live and currently Creative Director at the Mudd Group, he'll be joined by several members of the Extreme Makeover: Home Edition production team who will talk about the show and give information on how people can help.

The event will also feature the Independence High School Marching Band, UNI cheerleaders and singer Elea Uhl, of Decorah.

The exact town and family details will not be released until after the door knock on Sunday, October 2, where Ty Pennington, team leader of the show, and his design team, will show up on the selected Northeast Iowa family's doorstep.

Larson Construction is inviting volunteers to provide their time, support and resources to help ensure the success of this life-altering project. Interested individuals or companies can find more information on how to volunteer time and/or resources at www.joinextreme.com/iowa.

There will also be a food drive for the Northeast Iowa Food Bank, which will be set up collecting canned or packaged food donations at the makeover site.

"We are thrilled that Extreme Makeover: Home Edition has selected a Northeast Iowa family for their next makeover and we are excited to not only make a difference in the lives of a deserving family, but to also play a part in inspiring our entire area for a great cause," said Ed Larson, President of Larson Construction.

For more information on volunteering visit www.joinextreme.com/iowa. To make a monetary donation toward the Family/Build Fund, make checks to Family/Build Fund, c/o BankIowa, PO Box 229, Independence, Iowa 50644

The Emmy award winning reality program Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, now in its 9th season, is produced by Endemol USA, a division of Endemol Holding. It's executive-produced by Brady Connell and George Verschoor. David Goldberg is Chairman, Endemol North America. The show airs Sundays from 7:00-8:00 p.m., CST on ABC.

PEP RALLY SUMMARY

WHAT: On Tuesday, September 20, a pep rally will be held for volunteers interested in being part of ABC's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition build in Northeast Iowa.

WHO: Gary Kroeger as host and special appearances by Milan Vasic, Senior Producer of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition as well as other representatives from the show.

WHEN: Tuesday, September 20, 6 - 8 p.m.

WHERE: University of Northern Iowa's McLeod Center, Cedar Falls, Iowa

WHY: Learn what Extreme Makeover: Home Edition is all about and how they bring communities together while changing lives. The rally will also provide those interested in volunteering or being a part of the project an opportunity to learn how they can help and get a jumpstart on signing up to volunteer. Find out the build schedule, the need for volunteers and how everyone can help. The team will also field some questions from the crowd. To make a monetary donation toward the Family/Build Fund, make checks to Family/Build Fund, c/o BankIowa, PO Box 229, Independence, Iowa 50644.

Blockbuster Productions Like Superman 'Man of Steel' Put Illinois on Pace for Another Record Year

CHICAGO - September 13, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn today visited the production set of the new Superman movie Man of Steel to highlight the impact the film industry is having on the Illinois economy. Illinois' film industry saw a record $161 million in spending in 2010, a 54 percent increase from 2009, and resulted in more than 8,000 job hires. Approximately 550 people in Illinois are being hired for Man of Steel alone.

"With major movie productions like Man of Steel coming to Illinois, the film industry is continuing to strengthen our state's economy and create thousands of jobs," Governor Quinn said. "This film is a great example of how the impact of film and television productions is far-reaching in the Illinois economy, benefiting everyone from local restaurants to the carpenters, truck drivers, caterers and custodial staff who make them possible."

With the filming of Man of Steel, several major television shows and many commercial productions that have already filmed in the state this year, 2011 is promising to be another banner year for the Illinois film industry.

Man of Steel began production in late July in and around Plano, where the city was transformed into Clark Kent's hometown of Smallville. Production moved to Chicago on Sept. 7, where the movie is currently filming. The film stars Henry Cavill as Superman/Clark Kent, Amy Adams as Lois Lane, Kevin Costner and Diane Lane as Clark's parents, Laurence Fishburne as Daily Planet Editor Perry White and Russell Crowe as Jor-El, Clark's biological father. Chicagoan Michael Shannon stars as General Zod.

"Illinois continues to make important investments in the film industry as a way to create jobs and cultivate a more sustainable industry, which will help Illinois maintain its competitive edge against other leading production centers," DCEO Director Warren Ribley said. "The state sees an immediate return on investment when productions like Man of Steel film in Illinois, not only by increasing economic activity and adding jobs, but also by showcasing Illinois' great locations and skilled workforce."

"Last year was a record-breaking year for the Illinois film industry and with major productions like Man of Steel filming in Illinois, this is sure to be another successful year," Betsy Steinberg, Managing Director of the Illinois Film Office said. "We're seeing more and more films, TV series and commercials choosing to shoot in Illinois, which is giving our economy a boost and creating jobs."

Illinois' film industry saw a record $161 million in spending in 2010, which topped the $155 million in spending in 2007 and represents a 54 percent increase from 2009.

Earlier this year, Governor Quinn helped dedicate a new soundstage development, Cinespace Chicago Film Studios, which will make Illinois an even more attractive filming destination. The new studio, when fully built out, will include 1.2 million square feet of space and is located on 48.2 acres at the site of the old Ryerson Steel property on the near southwest side of Chicago between Ogden and Western Avenues.

With many unique locations, talented crews, and ample sound stages, the Illinois Film Office (IFO) actively pursues film projects by promoting Illinois as an ideal location to film. In addition, the IFO administers the Illinois' Film Tax Credit, which has been instrumental in spurring growth of Illinois' film industry. Illinois offers a 30 percent tax credit to filmmakers for money spent on Illinois goods and services, including wages paid to Illinois residents. Since its inception, the Film Tax Credit has helped bring over half a billion dollars in revenue to the state and over 10,000 full time equivalent jobs.

MOLINE, ILLINOIS - WQPT hosts the 12^th annual Brew Ha Ha at LeClaire Park in downtown Davenport on Saturday, September 17^TH from 1 to 5 p.m.  A wide variety of ales, pilsners, and porters are available for tasting as well as cheeses provided by Cabot Creamery Cooperative of Vermont.

Musical performances by Wicked Liz and the Belly Swirls take place at 1 - 2:30 pm and 3:15 to 4:15 pm. The comedy will be provided by The Blacklist Improv Comedy Troupe.  They perform from 2:30 - 3:15 pm. Games return for attendees to try like the Beer Bottle Ring Toss and the Golf Ball Stack, with prizes from everyone. Admission to Brew Ha Ha includes an event program, unlimited tasting, and a commemorative tasting glass.

Presenting Sponsors for Brew Ha Ha are Old Chicago, Rhythm City Casino,  River Cities Reader, Rock 104.9, Star 93.5, 97X Classic Hits, KJOC 1170AM, along with Dimitri Wine & Spirits, Inc., Glazer's Distributors of Iowa, Coors Light, Budweiser, KWQC, Mediacom, Downtown Partnership,and Cabot Creamery Cooperative. With additional support from The Blacklist Improv Comedy Troupe,  Hawkeye Ice, Iowa American Water, Iowa QC Chamber Downtown Partnership, Millennium Waste, Quad City Golf Cars and Sunbelt Rentals.

Tickets for Brew Ha Ha are $20.00 prior to the event and $25.00 at the gate. "We are continuing our tradition of keeping ticket sales capped so that our attendees are able to enjoy as many tastings as they like," said WQPT Special Projects Coordinator, Bea Brasel. Tickets may be purchased at the WQPT offices at 3800 Avenue of the Cities, Suite 101, Moline and  CO-OP Records in Davenport and Moline (add a $1.00 service fee at CO-OP locations) until 5 pm on Friday, September 16^th and until midnight at Old Chicago in Bettendorf.  Attendees must be 21 or older. Children in strollers and animals will not be admitted. Feel free to bring your own lawn chair.  For more information log on to wqpt.org/brew.

Brew Ha Ha is a fundraising event to support WQPT, the local public television station serving eastern Iowa and western Illinois.