DAVENPORT, Iowa - July 15, 2009 -- Cancer does not only impact the patient. Children, grandchildren, spouses and other loved ones can also be involved in the cancer fight.

Cancer can disrupt families and disrupt their financial situations, making vacations more difficult.

From Aug. 2-Aug. 8, Genesis Health System, Gilda's Club of the Quad Cities and the Scott County Family Y will provide an opportunity for children coping with cancer in their families to enjoy time together at YMCA Camp Abe Lincoln.

Camp Genesis will provide children ages 8-12 with an outstanding resident camp experience with special cancer education programs provided by Gilda's Club and Genesis to help kids better cope with the effects of cancer in their family. The usual $450 camp fee will be donated by Genesis. There will be no charge to campers or their families.

"This camp will provide a much-needed opportunity for kids to just be kids,'' said Sally Werner, Director, Genesis Cancer Care Institute. "This camp will be a relief to parents who may be facing illness and financial concerns because of the illness.  They will be able to share the joy and fun their children and grandchildren are having by enjoying an active, safe camp experience. Camp Genesis will provide a unique camp experience specifically designed for children who are dealing with cancer in their families.''

Camp Genesis will provide youth impacted by cancer in their family with a great Y camp experience - from campfires and canoeing to horseback riding and swimming - at Camp Abe Lincoln. Mixed in with the fun will be 30 minutes of support and education each day from the experts at Gilda's Club. The Gilda's Club staff will help campers cope with the new stresses on their families caused by cancer.

New this year will be a Parent Night for camper parents to let them see what their child or children have been doing. There will be a presentation on Parent Night about the services available at Genesis to serve the needs of cancer patients and their families.

The Genesis Cancer Care Institute in Davenport has transformed cancer care in the region with new cancer-fighting technology, renovated facilities and an expanded focus on treating the "whole'' cancer patient and families.

Gilda's Club has an office at the Genesis Cancer Care Institute and offers its special support services throughout the Quad Cities from the Gilda's "clubhouse" at 1234 E. River Drive in Davenport.

"It is especially difficult for children affected by cancer to talk to their family and friends, to express fears, to ask questions, and explore their feelings,'' said Claudia Robinson, CEO of Gilda's Club of the Quad Cities. "Because it is impossible for children to change things that are beyond their control, it is important to help them identify and express what they realistically do control. Camp Genesis will help children learn to overcome obstacles in a fun and enriching environment.''

"Camp Abe Lincoln is the perfect location for our children to forget about their worries and just have fun,'' said Frank Klipsch, President and CEO of Scott County Family Y. "Camp is where children can step outside of their shells and experience something new. YMCA Camp Abe Lincoln was recently voted Best Camp by River City Readers and offers year-round character development programming at its 250-acre site located just outside Buffalo, Iowa. Camp Abe Lincoln has been serving Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois for more than 85 years.

Anyone who knows a child affected by cancer in their family is encouraged to call Gilda's Club Quad Cities at (563) 326-7504 for more information and applications. Information can also be found at www.ScottCountyFamilyY.org or by calling YMCA Camp Abe Lincoln at (563) 381-3053.

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CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (July 9, 2009) - More than a year after floodwaters did massive damage to Theatre Cedar Rapids' home in the Iowa Theater Building, the Vision Iowa Board voted Wednesday to award $1.5 million toward renovation and expansion of the downtown facility.

Funds will preserve and upgrade the historic Iowa Theater building in downtown C.R., with the reopening expected to be in February 2010.

In addition to repairing flood damage, the project will give the theater a massive facelift, creating more space for its patrons, adding modern facilities and helping to inspire reinvestment in downtown Cedar Rapids.

"I think this is a linchpin for Cedar Rapids' recovery," Vision Iowa Board Chairwoman Regenia Bailey told the media Wednesday. "Theatre Cedar Rapids comes back downtown (and) the restaurants will be motivated to come back."

Pat Deignan, President of the Theatre Cedar Rapids Board of Directors, agreed.

"The Vision Iowa Board believes, as we do, that bringing TCR back as soon as possible after the flood will help bring people back downtown, and will be a catalyst for further redevelopment of downtown Cedar Rapids," said Deignan, of Bankers Trust.

The $7.8 million project by Theatre Cedar Rapids received a major boost from the announcement of Vision Iowa's support. The new funding will combine with over $3 million pledged to the Next Act Capital Campaign and several FEMA grant applications that total more than $3 million.

Together, these funds will complete the renovation and re-opening of the Iowa Theatre Building, Deignan said.

"When we embarked on this redevelopment plan in earnest last fall, we set an aggressive goal of being back in the theatre by the end of February 2010 with the musical The Producers," said Deignan. "That remains our goal, although the timeframe is getting very tight. We are currently working diligently with FEMA on completing their review process so we can commence full-scale construction in order to get TCR back into its home, and start bringing patrons back to downtown Cedar Rapids."

Located at 102 Third St. SE in the heart of downtown, originally the Iowa Theater Building had served as a movie theatre. Last renovated in 1983, it is currently home to Theatre Cedar Rapids, the Cedar Rapids Opera Theatre and the Cedar Rapids Harmony Hawks, as well as touring companies and corporate events. The 500-seat auditorium provides a key piece of the city's venue portfolio.

However, the building's age had already created difficulties before the flood. Many of the building's plumbing and heating systems were still original, and were in poor condition even before they were decimated by the floodwaters. The theatre also struggled with small lobby and restroom space.

Among the elements of the new Iowa Theater Building design:

• More than 30 additional seats for audiences.

• • A wider, more modern lobby that accommodates more patrons, shows photos and updates on TV monitors and restores original architecture from the building's construction in 1928.
  • A digital marquee on the building's exterior that evokes the design of the original Iowa Theater marquee from 1928.

• A lounge that extends out to the windows along 1^st Avenue.

• Larger and more accessible restrooms.

• • Renovated dressing rooms, additional classroom space and better facilities for volunteers.
  • Relocating new electrical and HVAC systems to higher levels as a protective measure against flooding.

The value of arts in the community was recently illustrated by the Americans for the Arts study, which found that more than $63 million is generated by nonprofit arts and cultural organizations like TCR each year in the Corridor. With more than $31 million in spending by local organizations, local nonprofit arts organizations support 1,986 full-time jobs; generate almost $34 million in household income to local residents; and deliver more than $6 million in local and state government revenue

TCR brings more than 30,000 people downtown each year, playing a vital role in the rebirth of downtown Cedar Rapids. Improvements to the Iowa Theater Building could create a drastic increase in that number, said Casey Prince, TCR Managing Director.

"I can tell you there is more enthusiasm and excitement about the future of live theatre among the board, our volunteers, actors and patrons than we have sensed for several years," Prince said. "This initiative will create perpetual support for our storied organization, improve an historic and unique downtown community structure, more efficiently use existing space for educational programming and ensure that this venue remains a source of local pride as well as a home for Theatre Cedar Rapids."

Independent filmmaker looking for an experienced film sound designer/mixer for REBIRTH, a short HD fiction film shot in Iowa. REBIRTH tells the story of two women in a small town in Iowa.  The project was awarded a major grant by the Iowa Arts Council in 2007 and is currently in post-production.

The Sound Designer must have experience designing and mixing sound effects tracks for fiction or nonfiction film / video projects.  Experience with and access to Pro Tools or other professional sound editing software needed.

Contact Francesca Soans at soansf@yahoo.com with resume in PDF or .doc formats.

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ST. LOUIS, July 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc., today announced that the Company's founder and chairman of the board of directors, Bernard Goldstein, passed away on Sunday, July 5, 2009.

 

"Bernie was a true visionary, an entrepreneurial spirit. He will be remembered fondly as a man who stood by his word, who cared deeply about all those who worked for the many companies he led and loved his family with all of his heart," said James B. Perry, executive vice chairman and chief executive officer. "He founded and built this company with his outstanding dedication and constant desire to help improve communities and create good jobs. He will be missed dearly by his family, friends and those who knew him, but his legacy will live on each day through the thousands of individuals who proudly go to work in a company Bernie built."

 

Complete Obituary of Bernard Goldstein:

 

Bernard (Bernie) Goldstein, chairman of the board of the Alter Companies and Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc. passed away on Sunday, July 5, 2009 surrounded by his family. A Quad Cities native and Florida resident, Bernie will be remembered for his entrepreneurial spirit and extraordinary commitment to his family, to the communities where his companies operate and to all those who worked with him at the companies he led.

 

Born in Rock Island, Illinois, in 1929 and raised in the Quad Cities, Bernie married his high school sweetheart Irene (Renee) Alter in 1949. Graduating from Rock Island High School at age 15, he earned a law degree from the [] in 1951 the same year he became a full-time employee at Alter Company, a Davenport, Iowa scrap metal company owned by his father-in-law, Frank R. Alter.

 

His career was marked by his innovative business spirit. Bernie always focused on his co-workers, his customers and his communities; over the course of his career Bernie created thousands of jobs essentially producing lifelong careers for many of his employees. In addition to building Alter Company into a multi-state scrap recycling business, he went on to found Alter Barge Line, River/Gulf Grain, Rock Island River Terminal, Azalea Fleet in Louisiana, Blackhawk Fleet in Davenport, Iowa and Green Bridge Company. He remained chairman of the board of Alter Companies until his death.

 

Following a successful 40-year career in scrap metal recycling, river freight transportation and affiliated businesses as leader of the Alter Companies, Bernie tested retirement in Florida before he started a second career. At that time in the early 1990s, many industrial towns found themselves in a recession and like today, were diligently looking for new sources of revenue. With strong ties to the Quad Cities region, Bernie became a pivotal figure lobbying for the original legislation for riverboat gaming in Iowa and opened the nation's first riverboat casino the M/V Diamond Lady, which opened in Bettendorf, Iowa, at 6:00 a.m. on April 1, 1991.

 

Bernie went on to found Casino America and opened the first riverboat casino in the South, Isle of Capri Casino, in Biloxi, Mississippi on August 1, 1992. Under Bernie's leadership as chief executive officer and chairman of the board, Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc. owned and operated regional casinos in Mississippi, Louisiana, Missouri, Iowa, Colorado and Florida. He retired from his role as CEO in 2008 and served as chairman of the board until his death.

 

He also served as chairman of the board and president of Casino Cruises, Inc., which opened and managed the gaming operations of the Par-A-Dice Riverboat Casino in Peoria, Illinois, through March 1993.

 

Bernie was often referred to in the gaming industry as the Father of Riverboat Gaming. His strong community commitment is illustrated in his pledge to a provision in the Iowa gaming legislation that requires the funding of community non-profit organizations, in effect creating a lasting legacy to support community needs. His community spirit was tapped once again in 2005 when three hurricanes wrought havoc on the lives of so many. His guidance and leadership led Isle of Capri to keep its employees in Mississippi, Louisiana, and Florida on the payroll until operations were repaired and reopened.

 

In addition to his interests in the gaming industry, Bernie Goldstein served as chairman of the board of Goldstein Group, Inc. The affiliated Goldstein companies include Alter Barge Line, Inc; Alter Trading, Inc; River/Gulf Grain Company, and Green Bridge Company.

 

The author of "Navigating the Century," a book published by the History Factory (1998), Bernie earned recognition from various organizations for his community spirit. He twice received the Simon Wiesenthal Distinguished Community Award. In 1993, he was selected Outstanding Business Leader by the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County, Florida. In 1995, Passenger Vessel Association presented him the Compass Award, and in 1999, he was inducted into the National Rivers Hall of Fame. He was also honored in 1999 as Louisiana Ernst & Young Master Entrepreneur of the Year. In 2004 he received the Distinguished Alumnus Award from the [] College of Law at Champaign-Urbana, where he served on the Board of Governors. In 2007, the Goldstein Family Foundation honored Bernie by establishing a scholarship fund at the A.B. Freeman School of Business at []. In 2008, he received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries and was named to the American Gaming Association Hall of Fame.

 

Bernie's charitable donations included gifts to philanthropic and community organizations, including the Jewish Federation and the Simon Wiesenthal Center.

 

Bernie is survived by his wife, Renee; his children, Jeffrey Goldstein (Regina) of Bettendorf, Iowa; Robert Goldstein (Susan) of St. Louis, Missouri; Kathy Goldstein of Bellevue, Washington and Richard Goldstein (Isabel) of St. Louis, Missouri; and his nine grandchildren, Michael Goldstein, Josh Millan, Marc Goldstein, Nathan Millan, Samantha Goldstein, Lauren Goldstein, Jeremy Goldstein, Alex Goldstein and Jesse Goldstein. He will be remembered by his lifelong friends and thousands of employees.

 

Services and burial will be held at the Tri-City Jewish Center in Rock Island, Illinois on Tuesday, July 7 at 11:00 am. Memorial contributions may be made to the Jewish Federation of the Quad Cities, Jewish Federation of St. Louis, or the Simon Wiesenthal Center.

 

About Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc.

Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc., founded in 1992, is dedicated to providing its customers with an exceptional gaming and entertainment experience at each of its 17 casino properties. The Company owns and operates casinos in Biloxi, Lula and Natchez, Mississippi; Lake Charles, Louisiana; Bettendorf, Davenport, Marquette and Waterloo, Iowa; Boonville, Caruthersville and Kansas City, Missouri, two casinos in Black Hawk, Colorado. and a casino and harness track in Pompano Beach, Florida. Isle of Capri Casinos' international gaming interests include a casino that it operates in Freeport, Grand Bahama, a casino in Coventry, England, and a two-thirds ownership interest in casinos in Dudley and Wolverhampton, England.

 

This press release may be deemed to contain forward-looking statements, which are subject to change. These forward-looking statements may be significantly impacted, either positively or negatively by various factors, including without limitation, licensing, and other regulatory approvals, financing sources, development and construction activities, costs and delays, weather, permits, competition and business conditions in the gaming industry. The forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by the statements herein.

 

NOTE: Other Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc. press releases and a corporate profile are available at http://www.prnewswire.com. Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc.'s home page is http://www.islecorp.com.

 

 

    CONTACTS:
    Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc.,
            Dale Black, Chief Financial Officer-314.813.9327
            Jill Haynes, Director of Corporate Communication-314.813.9368
            http://www.islecorp.com

Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc.

CONTACT: Dale Black, Chief Financial Officer, +1-314-813-9327, or Jill
Haynes, Director of Corporate Communication, +1-314-813-9368, both of Isle
of Capri Casinos, Inc.

Web site: http://www.islecorp.com/