Public Paul and Media

Still hanging out at Wordpress

2010-04-12T13:21:00.000-07:00

Sorry, Blogspot, but I've been spending a lot of time at Wordpress. I'll still keep this site operational for searches as I did not move everything over to WP.

We're talking about Iowa's big issues, Levi and Noah surviving with Mom in Brazil and The Netherlands while on business, innovations in education among other things.

Check us out at http://publicpaulandmedia.wordpress.com/
or click here.

Wanted: Your Innovative Education Ideas

2010-03-12T09:47:00.000-08:00

The Iowa Journal is working on a program about innovation in education.
What exactly does this mean?

That's what I'm asking you.

Give me your school's innovation in 100 words or less. Leave the response in the comments section below. Sorry, Iowa schools only.

What does innovations in education look like?

What new and different things are you doing at your school that is working in getting you to learn more, teach better, reach higher and improve yourself or your school? Is it all on technology? Does your innovation go beyond a new computer but real self-created content?

If you want to bring some life to it, make a 60 seconds or less video. You can post that to our Iowa Journal Flickr page. Your video will get cut at :60.

If you want to just talk to your webcam, great. If you want produce a video telling us what innovations you're doing at your school, show us.

We may use some of the entries in our story about innovation and would love to show as many Iowa innovations that are out there. That feature runs March 25th on Iowa Public Television at 8p. Entry deadline is March 21 at 6p CDT.

The videos will be on our Iowa Journal Flickr Page.

We'll also post the comments on our Iowa Journal home page on IPTV.org.

Show us your innovations and we'll show the rest of the state on The Iowa Journal on March 25th at 8p.

Flood potential in Iowa

2010-02-18T15:02:00.001-08:00

All of this snow has to go somewhere, right?
Or does it?

What is our flood potential for a top 10 record snow fall and its eventual melt?
There are a lot questions surrounding the snow fall of 2009-10.
The big question for this week's Iowa Journal is what is our flood potential for the rest of this year? Have any changes been made since the flood of 2008?
This is not a welcome topic for those of you in Cedar Rapids, Waverly, Cedar Falls, Mason City, Columbus Junction… need I go on?

The immediate answer to the question is: It depends. It depends how fast of a warm up and melt we have. It depends if we get more rain this spring. It depends if flood prevention measures since 2008 work. Will those new mitigation efforts work? Will more land in wetland protection hold back the water on the land and not end up so quickly into streams, rivers and downtowns?

We've heard the National Weather Service warn that Iowa is at risk for significant flooding this spring. That sounds more positive than what the NWS is saying Fargo, ND where they are dealing with a "keg of dynamite" of flood potential.
I just got back from looking at producer Nancy Crowfoot's piece. You'll see some familiar shots of flooding and snow, but we'll be talking with David Miller, administrator for the Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Division with responsibilities for coordinating the State's response to disasters; Kamyar Enshayan, city council member for Cedar Falls, whose town suffered in the 2008 floods, and who helped instigate plans to help safeguard the town during future floods; and Marty Adkins, of the USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service, whose office has a floodplain easement program to pay some qualified landowners who want to discontinue farming land with chronic flooding.

Our show airs in HD, not quite as pretty as the Olympics, at 8p Thursday, 630p on Friday and 830a on IPTV World on Saturday.
Last week we talked about Unemployed in Iowa. You can learn more about the show and watch it by clicking on this link.
Next week we'll be looking at how getting refugees to Iowa just got a whole lot harder. We'll be featuring a group of Iraqi musicians who are here in the state. On March 4th, we'll look the state of Iowa's Mental Health issue.
Thank you for the time.

Moved to Wordpress

2010-01-12T06:48:00.000-08:00

"Upon further review, the blog, Public Paul and Media is moving full-time to WordPress."

http://publicpaulandmedia.wordpress.com/

So, if you are a regular to this site, just change the RSS routing to the following site:

feed://publicpaulandmedia.wordpress.com/feed/

If you want to subscribe via email, you can do so on the front page of:
http://publicpaulandmedia.wordpress.com/ by going to the right side of the page below the search and RSS feed information and right above the Blogroll.

If you would like me add your blog to my blog roll, I'll gladly do that. A couple of you are already there. If you've got a different site you want me to promote, I will do so.

Again, the address of this blog is now:
http://publicpaulandmedia.wordpress.com/

Thanks again for reading my material. It means a lot.

Best Hat poll

2009-12-14T10:02:00.000-08:00

We are holding a best hat poll on the wordpress site.
Come on over and get a good look at the fun hats.

http://publicpaulandmedia.wordpress.com/2009/12/13/best-hat-finals/

Or you can just click here.

Enjoy the poll.

Green themes

2009-12-02T14:56:00.000-08:00

We're getting ready for green things on the Iowa Journal.

Some of it you may have seen before.

Check it out here: http://publicpaulandmedia.wordpress.com/

Iowa Wine Industry

2009-12-01T12:11:00.001-08:00

There's a new post about the Iowa Wine industry here that you might enjoy.

I'm still playing around with both formats of blogging, but I'm thinking Wordpress is my leader right now.

If you subscribe to this blog, you can also do so on the other site. I think.

Give it a shot, here.

Again, you can read the post about Iowa wine upcoming episodes on the Iowa Journal here.

We are talking about Tabor Home, Brush Creek, Fireside Winery and Tassel Ridge.

Blogger or Wordpress?

2009-11-28T20:12:00.000-08:00

I'm strongly considering switching this site to one on Wordpress.

I've been playing on Wordpress this week to see if its better.

I like to see stats on my posts. What is getting people's attention, both in reading and commenting. I can see posts on Facebook or Twitter, but I'm curious who's reading the whole post.

Wordpress gives you stats, not just clicks, but what buried links are getting clicked. That's a great tool for me.

Layout and design are key. If I just pick a good design, that shouldn't be a problem for the blog.

Blogger is a simple use tool.

But, I think, I want more.

What do you think?

Take a look at the new Wordpress site here:
http://publicpaulandmedia.wordpress.com/

Waiting for Miley with Wartburg College Comm Arts

2009-11-23T12:57:00.000-08:00

The kids at Wartburg College are doing it again.

I should be more specific, the Communication Arts students. Its been a few years since I was in their shoes, sweatshirts and hats, but once a Commie, always a Commie.

I've written about a couple of guys trying to get a student as Jimmy Fallon's intern. You can read about Nate and Spencer's adventures here.

This time, its all about Miley. Miley Cyrus, that is.

A few of of the Comm Arts students have made a music video. They didn't write or perform the music, just used it to add their own take with the help of their Mac computers and some creative downtime. It took a little bit of planning and from what I learned today. Including some casting involved.

Here's Waiting for Miley:

They are trying to be an internet sensation and are doing there best to be everywhere and tell everyone they know about their video. So far, its working on a Wartburg scale. The video posted late in the week. As of Friday, the views on YouTube were only about 300. Now they are approaching 3,000. Help them get there and tell your friends to make this everywhere. They've been peppering the Today Show and others about the video hoping for a little viral outbreak.

My Twitter Friend Leslie Berg knew she'd seen a video like it before, and here's a look at the same concept with a Backstreet Boys or Nsync or some other boy band's song.

The Wartburg version is students working primarily on the Trumpet, the student newspaper. The other version appears from a work site or office situation.

Traditional students spend late nights at the library, in lounges, maybe the bar. But Comm Arts students at Wartburg spend time at the J Lab or locked in a studio working on their craft. Its a fun environment where you can be a little loopy in a late night hour or even cranky.

I've gotten some great posts about Wartburg Comm Arts legends. That one is in production now and will posted soon. Thanks to all for the great comments so far.

From what Mac and Nate have said, more videos from this group could be coming soon. So, keep your eyes peeled.

Also, I've been told there's older versions of video from my time at Wartburg, so this could be a bad idea opening up this can of worms.

--Update--
I think the part that got me hooked was 1:16 in when everyone raises their hands up at once and I knew this was no low-budget item.

Best of the week Nov 11-20, 2009

2009-11-20T08:06:00.000-08:00

I'm going to try and keep a tab of stories through the week that are interesting or stories I think you should know that are happening in the state. These are stories that likely would have been in the news analysis portion of The Iowa Journal, but since we don't do that anymore, I'll compile them here.

If you'd like to see the next in the series of posts, click here for its new location.

Even though Thomson is in Illinois, it does have an impact on Iowa. The Obama administration is pushing for a plan to convert the Correctional Facility to become the new Gitmo.

This was a big deal during most of my time in the Quad Cities. I know the Watermelon Cafe was on TV and in print several times, all hoping for economic benefit of a new prison coming to the region that badly needed the jobs.

Here's a story out of the Clinton Herald. Lots of media stories have been done about this proposal.

A lot of the hub-bub is over jobs and fear. This area of Illinois has seen some rough economic times, even before this latest downturn.
John Carlson of the DM Register takes a visit to Thomson.

School districts are looking at a few options for saving money. One that's gaining some attention is sharing superintendents. Mason City and Clear Lake are larger schools, but the two are looking at the idea. Clear Lake has an interim super this year and he's warm to the idea.

Here's KIMT-TV's story.

Did Webster City ignore warning signs about a company's role in their economy? Electrolux was the major employer in town and recently announced they are closing and moving operations to Mexico. A few are wondering if the community economic officials should have removed some of the eggs out of the town's basket and diversified the community's economy. They city says they didn't want to upset their employer by bringing in competition for workers.

The Des Moines Register raised this thought earlier this week.

Ever get asked to write a recommendation for someone you may not know that well? Maybe a LinkedIn note or on another site. Here's a story from the NY Times about their advice.

Between OK Henderson and Dave Price, they've brought up an idea floated by Ed Failor, Jr about merging the 3 public universities into one. Failor cites the Wisconsin or somewhat how Missouri runs things.

Here's Kay's blog post on the subject.

Here's Dave's discussion on his show, Purple Matters, on Des MoinesLocalLive.com.

The city of Cedar Rapids is still rebuilding and now they are thinking about going green in the process as well, looking to expand into some LEED construction standards. That's being good citizens and leaders.

The issue came up in this Cedar Rapids Gazette story.

Adam Belz of the Cedar Rapids Gazette looks at how combing some of Iowa's counties may save money and make sense. Here's the story that may leave your home county merged with another.

And finally, a shout out to the Iowa Journal for looking at all tax credits, not just the movie tax credit. Now the Governor is wanting to examine all the credits. Here's the DM Register's story. Here's ours. Enjoy.

What did I miss that the state should care about?

If you'd like to read the next Best of the Week post, click here for its new location.

Iowa Tax Credits to get full review

2009-11-19T19:10:00.000-08:00

We know we have at least one viewer of the Iowa Journal - Gov. Chet Culver.

Late Thursday afternoon the Governor's press office sent out a release about an examination of all tax credits the state offers.

That sounds a lot like a recent Iowa Journal program. We looked at all tax credits in the state and discussed what is good and bad about offering them. That was back on November 5th, 2009. Producer Sara Frasher did a great job of breaking down what tax credits are and then we featured Newton's efforts with credits.

You can view the program right here.

Here's the blog post about the program here with a great West Wing clip just for Michael Graham.

Also, the Des Moines Register is writing about the story as well. Here's their story.

Here's the Governor's full release.

GOVERNOR CULVER ORDERS REVIEW OF STATE TAX CREDITS
State agency directors to submit report, provide recommendations on credits

DES MOINES – Governor Chet Culver today ordered a comprehensive review of each of the state’s 30 tax credit programs. He asked the Directors of the six state agencies that oversee the tax credit programs to submit a review of their respective department’s tax credit programs. Those Directors will then serve on a panel to review the programs and submit a report to the Governor addressing oversight, accountability, transparency, public reporting, cost-benefit, and which programs should be continued, curtailed, and or eliminated.

The Governor named Iowa Department of Management Director (IDOM) Dick Oshlo to chair the panel. The review will be due to IDOM at the close of business on Dec. 4, 2009. The panel will hold two public meetings to discuss the review in Des Moines and Cedar Rapids the week of Dec. 7, 2009. Dates and locations of the public meetings are yet to be determined.

The following letter was sent to agency directors today:

Dick Oshlo
Iowa Department of Management
State Capitol
Room G13
Des Moines, IA 50319

Fred Hubbell
Iowa Department of Economic Development
200 East Grand Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50309

Jeff Ward
Iowa Agricultural Development Authority
505 Fifth Avenue, Suite 327
Des Moines, IA 50309-2322

Bret Mills
Iowa Finance Authority
2015 Grand Ave.
Des Moines, Iowa 50312

Cyndi Pederson
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
600 East Locust Street
Des Moines, IA 50319

Mark Schuling
Iowa Department of Revenue
Hoover State Office Building
1305 East Walnut
Des Moines, IA 50319

Rob Berntsen
Iowa Utilities Board
350 Maple Street,
Des Moines, Iowa 50319

Dear Agency Directors:

During recent months the Culver-Judge Administration has worked to address the budget challenges facing the State of Iowa. In preparation for submitting my budget to the general assembly in January, we are reviewing all areas of state spending, including annual state investments in the form of tax credits. It is essential that we evaluate the expense and effectiveness of each tax credit program to ensure that Iowans are receiving an appropriate return on our investment.

Today I am announcing the creation of a tax credit review panel to be headed by Department of Management Director Dick Oshlo. As Directors of tax credit administering agencies, you will also serve on the panel. The panel is to prepare a report to the Governor with recommendations for each tax credit program, including oversight, accountability, transparency, public reporting, cost-benefit, and which programs should be continued, curtailed, and or eliminated.

There are many stakeholders in the state tax credit programs and we need to hear from each of them. The panel will meet once in Des Moines and once in Cedar Rapids during the week of December 7th to allow the tax credit program participants as well as the general public to voice their opinions and concerns.

To assist the panel with their work, I am asking you to submit information on your respective departments’ tax credits to the Iowa Department of Management by close of business December 4, 2009. Submissions should include the following information for each tax credit program administered by your agency:

· General description of the purpose of the tax credit
· Minimum, maximum and average value of tax credits issued
· Contingency liability for each tax credit
· Number of tax credits issued each year
· Number of individuals and/or businesses served by the tax credit
· Whether the tax credit is transferable and, if so, how many times
· Whether the tax credit is refundable
· Processes for oversight and regulation of the tax credit
· The Return on Investment for the tax credit
· Data on the fiscal impact of the tax credit for the past ten years, if available
· A description of what information is currently made available to the public for the tax credit(s) administered by each agency.

If you have any questions, please contact Dick Oshlo at 515-281-5201.Thank you for assistance in this important matter.

Sincerely,

Chester J. Culver
Governor of Iowa

====UPDATE===
BTW, we are likely moving sites. If you would like to check us out, visit the new one right here. Its just that simple. Thanks.

Looking for Iowa Visionaries

2009-11-18T07:40:00.000-08:00

Who are Visionaries in Iowa?
Who can see where the state is going and what needs to be done to get there?

We are looking for some people who you may consider having good vision for the state.

We hope to bring a few minds together to talk about the future of the state for an upcoming Iowa Journal.

Any ideas?

We are looking for someone who is not just an entrepreneur, but more with vision of 'we've got these problems, here's how we solve it,' type of thing.

For example, someone who can say "we've got these water quality issues, its going to be painful, here's how we fix it."

In the past we've turned to think-tank types or college professors who can study these issues and offer solutions who are not tied to an electorate to keep their jobs.

If you've got an idea on someone, send it to iowajournal@iptv.org

Thanks for your time.

Chronic Care

2009-11-16T08:14:00.000-08:00

75-percent of the nation's health care spending goes to the treatment of chronic diseases. Can such on-going health issues be treated in a way to reduce health care costs?

That is one question we are working on for this week's Iowa Journal on chronic care.

We're talking about treatment for chronic conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, cancer, and asthma. That's almost 3/4 of the 2 trillion dollar spending on health care in this country.

So, what can you do to help this conditions?

We will be featuring the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program –coordinated/implemented by the Iowa Department on Aging. Also a look at a program that deals with juvenile diabetes.

Children are also being impacted -- It has been estimated that chronic health issues affect 10 to 30 percent of children.

So this week, we'll talk about those health issues.

Here's our guest list for the program. Bill Applegate, executive director of the Iowa Chronic Care Consortium, Kathy Leggett, director of the Center for Advocacy and Outreach at Blank Children's Hospital in Des Moines, and Helen Eddy, assistant vice president of Health and Wellness for Hy-Vee, Inc.

Here's the official news release on the program.
Chronic Health Conditions:
On the Thursday, November 19 edition
of The Iowa Journal

(Johnston, Iowa) –Thursday’s episode of The Iowa Journal will take a look at efforts to handle chronic health conditions. This program airs Thursday, November 19 at 8 p.m. It will be rebroadcast Friday, November 20 at 6:30 p.m. on IPTV and Saturday, November 21 at 8:30 a.m. on IPTV WORLD. It will also be available online at iptv.org/iowajournal.

Treating chronic conditions consumes 75 percent of the nation’s $2 trillion in health-care spending. These conditions include diabetes, arthritis, heart disease, cancer and asthma. The next episode of The Iowa Journal will feature a visit to a class offered to seniors on how to deal with the fatigue, pain and stress that often accompanies living with chronic conditions. It will also include a story about a special camp for children with diabetes where they learn the skills they need to manage their disease.

In the studio to discuss efforts to assess health risks and promote preventative health practices are Bill Applegate, executive director of the Iowa Chronic Care Consortium, Kathy Leggett, director of the Center for Advocacy and Outreach at Blank Children's Hospital in Des Moines, and Helen Eddy, assistant vice president of Health and Wellness for Hy-Vee, Inc.
For more information about The Iowa Journal, visit www.iptv.org/iowajournal or call (515) 242-3146. For information on how to watch IPTV WORLD in your area, visit Iptv.org.

I'm always open to your thoughts on questions for our guests. Also, we're always open to topic ideas.

We are still looking for those Iowans who you think are visionary. Who is doing something that in 5 to 10 years we're going to say, wow, they really knew what was happening. You can post it in the comments section of the blog or send me an email to paul.yeager@iptv.org

We're working on a crime victims program for December and also a look at the wine industry in Iowa. Next week we'll have a look at the natural heritage of Iowa.

Last week we talked about art in public places and the public discussion of art. I thought it went well and included a look at the Pappajohn Sculpture park in Des Moines and also the Molecule Man in Council Bluffs. You can view the entire program here.

Or you can read the entire post about the program here. That program also flew along with a Central Iowa Honor Flight.

See you next time.

More Sesame Street memories

2009-11-15T18:42:00.000-08:00

Last week I went down memory lane and started talking about the first 40 years of Sesame Street and the memories it gave me. It also rung true with many of you as well.

Here's a look at the post if you want to catch up on last week's start to the discussion.

But, I forgot a couple of segments, the above clip is from when Elmo visited The West Wing. He was given an exam by Mrs. Bartlett. That episode also is when Big Bird and CJ meet in the hall. Quite funny when you think that one could be confused with the other and the two had some similarities.

There also was a good discussion about government funding for Sesame Street by Toby. I'll get to that topic in a future post about our art discussion from the November 12 Iowa Journal.

Back to Sesame Street.

I found a couple of old classics that I had forgotten.

Guy Smiley anyone? Who didn't want to be a game show host after watching him? I've learned all my emcee skills from this segment.

Also, ABC did a couple of great stories about Sesame Street. This first clip talks about the controversial beginning to the program.

Here is a look at the 40 years includes some great lambchops from Gordon and an orange Oscar the Grouch.

Finally, here are some of your memories on Sesame Street.

Bob Palmer is old. Its just fun to say that, because he goes back to the beginning. "My memories are that I clearly remember the day it premiered in 1969 when I was 3 on Channel 11 in Chicago."

Steph Boeding likes the Grover classic. Maybe this is why Grover isn't on as much. "Near... far!"

Sesame Street has a pattern and is familiar in many parts. That's helpful for Anne Holtan. "The boys love sesame street and love being able to access them on the web. Routines & repetion is big in our household with autism therefore you can hear "the ladybug's picnic" song...123,456,789 etc This week's favority is 40th anniversary theme song over & over & over!"

My KWQC friends Lora Ullerich and Michael Colon didn't use to agree on many things, but they do on one thing now.

Lora Ullerich "PB & J sandwiches, apples & milk sitting in the kitchen where I could peak around the corner & watch TV. Fav. was the Count...1,2,3,4,5,-6,7,8,9,10-11,12. HA! HA! HA!"

We can all remember where we were when we watched the program. It used to be, we only had one, maybe 2 TVs in the house.

Laura Holtz Ballard remembers "Sitting in the den, watching with Lana, and being excited to watch her learn!"

Current caregiver and mother to 3 Katie Carey Lochner says "I remember watching it as a kid two or three times a day (same episode :) ) Then Bennett was obsessed with Sesame Sings Karaoke when we lived in Lincoln so we heard that on numerous trips home...several times...I still get the "Somebody come and play" song and "Ladybug Picnic" in my head!! :)"

I can say we go through that as well as Noah likes to watch the Sesame Street learns the ABC's. This includes Steve Carrell as the letter 'Z.'

And we finish with another old guy comment from Michael Peterson. "I remember the first time the Count appeared. He would silence Bert and Ernie everytime they would try to talk!!! Hilarious!!!"

Sorry to throw Bob and Mike under the AARP bus. Too easy.

Katherine Sue Sorensen has two favorites of Cookie Monster and Elmo! Plus Chris Reece reminds us all of The Yep-Yep monsters!

And how many songs we've learned from Sesame Street are still with us as Amy Bruxvoort Sauke reminds us. "We all sing with the same song, the same voice....and we sing in harmony."

Thank you everyone for your great comments. I know you are continuing to share these thoughts with your children and grandchildren.

Public Art - What does it do for you?

2009-11-13T07:42:00.000-08:00

We're talking public art on tonight's Iowa Journal at 630p on IPTV.

We had a lively discussion about who picks what art goes where, the economics of public art and what role art plays in our lives.

Should we forgo plowing streets for a public art statue?

Find out that answer in our discussion with Sarah Grant, artist and founder of Sticks. Also J. Todd Graham, CEO of the Iowa West Foundation and Porter Arneill of the Kansas City Municipal Arts Commission.

We also look at the new Pappajohn Sculpture park in Des Moines and some of the public art in Council Bluffs.

Our final segment tonight is the latest Central Iowa Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. This fits not only with Veteran's day, but the week that we at the very least should try to remember our members of the military.

You'll be able to view our segments on line at www.iptv.org/iowajournal

Here's where you can view the Vet's story now.

And here's where you can view the Pappajohn piece already.
See you next week for chronic care.

---Update--Sunday

In a post about Sesame Street, I wandered to a clip I was looking for about the NEA. Toby gets an earful about some of the NEA funded projects. We did talk a bit about that before our taping on Thursday, but not on the show. Do a few projects like the ones mentioned in the clip taint art discussions?

We also have the full show link done now. You can view the Iowa Journal talking about art in public, here.

Sesame Street Turns 40

2009-11-11T20:52:00.000-08:00

Do you know the difference between Bert and Ernie?
How about who Mr. Noodle is?
Do you remember Mr. Hooper's store?

How many of you grew up watching Sesame Street?

I did, too.

Now, I get the chance to share Sesame Street with my sons. That's Noah in the IPTV lobby last year with Bert and Ernie. He still waves at the two when he comes to visit me at work.

The landmark television program turns 40 this week and it appears to have no signs of a midlife crisis.

Yes, some of the originators of the series are gone, but there many long time parts of the program that don't go away. Including Big Bird, Rita, Oscar and Bert and Ernie.

I loved the program as a kid. I love it even more now as a father. Noah started watching the show after I encouraged him to. Now, he likes to watch Elmo and the gang on the show.

As a public TV employee, I appreciate it as well. Its a good feeling to have that program as your signature of your network.

I love showing Noah the great clips of Grover and Kermit. Each time, Grover would try to sell Kermit something. One that's funny is this clip.

You don't see Kermit on the show anymore, but you still see plenty of your familiar favorites hanging around the block.

The show also captures current popular programs and spoofs them. There's Law and Order: Special Letters Unit.
Or how about Mad Men:

Then, there's the classics.
Rubber ducky, you're the one.

I hope to see the program on for another 40 years.

Public Art on The Iowa Journal

2009-11-09T13:46:00.000-08:00

Here's a look at this week's public art discussion on The Iowa Journal.

You'll have to do a little homework by watching this past program from TIJ.

We also will be looking at the most recent Central Iowa Honor Flight. Producer Andrew Batt and Photojournalist Steve Carns made the trip to DC last week. We are putting together a little piece of their work. Andrew will feature WW2 vets who came home to be farmers.

We air this program on Thursday at 8p and Friday at 630p. Our show is recordable by DVR and TiVo.

See you then.

Art in Public Places:
On the Thursday, November 12 edition
of The Iowa Journal

(Johnston, Iowa) –(Johnston, Iowa) –Thursday’s episode of The Iowa Journal will take a look at the emergence of new public art in Iowa including the state’s newest sculpture park, which is in downtown Des Moines, and will feature a discussion with some experts about why art matters. This program airs Thursday, November 12 at 8 p.m. It will be rebroadcast Friday, November 13 at 6:30 p.m. on IPTV and Saturday, November 14 at 8:30 a.m. on IPTV WORLD. It will also be available online at iptv.org/iowajournal.
In September, a 4.4 acre sculpture park was unveiled in downtown Des Moines with 24 sculptures donated by a philanthropic couple, Mary and John Pappajohn. The project was a collaborative effort of the Pappajohns, the City of Des Moines, the Des Moines Art Center and numerous corporate and private funders.
There are many displays of art in public places throughout Iowa, including a major community-driven public art master project in Council Bluffs. Who determines what art is displayed in public areas? How it is funded? And what is the role of art in society? In the studio to discuss these question will be J. Todd Graham, president and CEO of the Iowa West Foundation and Iowa West Public Art in Council Bluffs; Porter Arneill, director/public art administrator of the Kansas City Municipal Arts Commission; and Sarah Grant, artist and founder of Sticks, Inc. which produces object art and furniture in Des Moines. Sticks work is on display in many places, including Blank Children's Hospital, Iowa State University and the Hotel Pattee in Perry.
This episode will also see how the trip went for 350 World War II veterans from Iowa who were flown to Washington, D.C. to visit the World War II Memorial.
For more information about The Iowa Journal, visit www.iptv.org/iowajournal or call (515) 242-3146. For information on how to watch IPTV WORLD in your area, visit Iptv.org.

Football friday, baseball is all OK

2009-11-06T11:22:00.001-08:00

Just wanted to post a couple of reads for your Friday.

If you like the Hawkeyes, you can't help but notice Pat Angerer on the field. This linebacker is everywhere. He's even more dominant than he was at Bettendorf High School.

I remember watching Pat play on the 2004 Bettendorf football team that went on to win the state title. That team dominated everyone and went on to beat West Des Moines Valley for the state title. The 2009 West Des Moines Dowling Catholic Maroons remind me a lot of the Bulldogs. Both dominate opponents. Bettendorf just had a couple of players that went onto play D1 ball with Angerer and Colin Sandeman. Ryan Frick was the QB of that team that went on to play at Minnesota State.

There's a blog post by @IowaHawkeys here from The Bleacher Report called Angerer Management. Its been hard for teams to manage Pat all season.

If you want to look at Angerer and Sandeman in action at Bettendorf in that title game with Valley, take a look here.

Also, I try to read Ken Levine's blog. Ken has written for several TV series like MASH, Cheers and his personal favorite, Big Wave Dave's. Ken does the post-game show on KABC radio for the LA Dodgers. I always enjoy his stuff. Here's a look at a posting this week about the 2009 Dodger season.

He'll post a lot about behind the scene's stuff of TV and Radio, so its always fun for me to read.

And of course, my friend O Kay Henderson has a new location for her blog. Kay is now a regular contributer to Iowa Press and used to visit us quite often on The Iowa Journal until we tweaked the format. Maybe that didn't go so well as we will be put on the shelf at the end of the fiscal year.

Now to the top of the post, picture explanation.

IPTV has updated their web videos. Hopefully I can post them in full form soon, but now you'll have to look at links and trust me on watching them.

A couple of weeks ago, we looked at the Midwest League and the Iowa teams in the league. It was a quick story, but is now posted in a higher quality of video than what you've seen before on IPTV.org. If its not updated yet, it will be shortly.

This week's show on tax credits in Iowa will be in that format and hopefully the same from here on out. Enjoy.

In the future, I will try to post a couple of links to interesting stories that you may be interested from a state-wide perspective. What plays well and impacts the whole state? I'll take your suggestions to iptvpaul@gmail.com

UPDATE: This just in. I like MASH. Its a good thing I've got a friend who helped complete my collection. Good ole' Michael Graham. Congrats to he and Jen on their wedding just two short weeks ago. For that reason, I'll post a picture of them here.

Tax Credits and Deducations on the next Iowa Journal

2009-11-04T08:55:00.000-08:00

Do you know the difference between tax credits and tax deductions?
Does your employer get a tax break?
Does your government know?

The recent stories of the Iowa Film Industry tax credit abuses got us thinking about the questions and others. Just how many tax credits are on the books? 30. What are they, what good are they and do we need more or less will be the focus of this week's Iowa Journal.

Our guests include Rep. Paul C. Shomshor, chair of the House Ways and Means Committee, a democrat from Council Bluffs. Also Peter Fisher, Research director with the Iowa Policy Project and Bill Brown, chair of the board for the Iowa Association of Business and Industry.

We had Peter Fisher our program about what to do with an old mall. You can watch that fun discussion here.

This week we'll have a fun tax talk at 8p on Thursday and 630p on Friday. I hope you can join us.

Last week I got a little wrapped up in the production of the Kathryn Koob show. Today (Nov 4), marks 30 year since she was taken into captivity in Iran. She and 52 others were held for the next 444 days. They were released on the day Ronald Reagan was inaugurated.

Koob is from Iowa, traveled the world and now is back in Iowa where she's done some teaching at Wartburg. Disclaimer: my alma matter.

There's a huge show page with the 20 minute version of the feature here:

The entire 49 minute interview is online on that page I've linked. If you want the best clip, including her discussion on the current president of Iran, check out clip 4.

If you want to see what else we're up to on The Iowa Journal, visit our Twitter page:
www.twitter.com/IowaJournal

Or our website as well.

Next week we'll talk public art. Followed by chronic care on Nov. 19.

BTW, I just had to post a West Wing clip to make newlywed Michael Graham read this posting. Its all for him. Also, I like the TV show "The West Wing."

I forgot to add, some of my co-workers are saying Hello Quad Cities this week as they are preparing for the recording of the Quad City Symphony. I believe they are recording Saturday night. So, if you see the big purple truck, that's what's going on from us in the QC this week.

See you soon.

5p Update: The show is done and ready for air. Good discussion on tax credits. We talked about transparency, cost/benefit and are tax credits the best tool in the economic toolbox. See you tonight. I'll post the link for the show when they are complete.

Kathryn Koob and Terrorism on the next Iowa Journal

2009-10-23T11:14:00.000-07:00

Thirty years ago this week, trouble was brewing in Iran. Militants were in the middle of planning a series of events that would change the country's landscape forever. On November 4th, 1979, militants stormed the American Embassy in Tehran. 66 people were taken hostage, 53 of them remained that way for 444 days.

One of them is Iowa native Kathryn Koob. Koob was working in the Iran American Cultural Center.

We traveled to Waverly to talk to Koob about her captivity and release plus her thoughts on the experience.

We'll also hear part of a speech from Jane Mayer, who spoke to Grinnell College about terrorism earlier this year.

Broadcast date is Thursday at 8p and Friday at 630p. You will also be able to view the story later in the week on www.iptv.org/iowajournal

Here's the newly released press release about next week's show.

Kathryn Koob, former Iranian Hostage
and Jane Mayer, author of The Dark Side:
On the Thursday, October 29 edition
of The Iowa Journal

(Johnston, Iowa) –Thursday’s episode of The Iowa Journal will talk with Kathryn Koob, who was taken hostage in Iran in 1979. This program airs Thursday, October 29 at 8 p.m. It will be rebroadcast Friday, October 30 at 6:30 p.m. on IPTV and Saturday, October 31 at 8:30 a.m. on IPTV WORLD. It will also be available online at iptv.org/iowajournal.
In 1979, Koob was the director of the Iran-American cultural center. While there, she was abducted and held hostage in Tehran for the 444 days Iranian students. She has chronicled her life in a book called Guest of the Revolution and is now an instructor at Wartburg College in Waverly. The Iowa Journal host Paul Yeager talks to Koob about her time as a hostage, her views on Iran today, and her belief that one of her captors is a well-known Iranian figure of today.
The Iowa Journal will also show an excerpt of a presentation by author Jane Mayer, whose book, Dark Side: The Inside Story of How the War on Terror Turned into a War on American Ideals, documents U.S. torture tactics on detainees as part of the post 9/11 war on terror.
For more information about The Iowa Journal, visit www.iptv.org/iowajournal or call (515) 242-3146. For information on how to watch IPTV WORLD in your area, visit Iptv.org.

H1N1 and the Midwest League.

2009-10-19T13:48:00.000-07:00

Here's a look at this week's show and the press release sent out for it.
I'll post a bit more on the show later in the week.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
October 19, 2009
FOR INFORMATION CONTACT:
Jennifer Glover Konfrst, 515-242-3146

H1N1, Professional Baseball:
On the Thursday, October 22 edition
of The Iowa Journal

(Johnston, Iowa) –Thursday’s episode of The Iowa Journal will focus on the H1N1 flu and take a look at Iowa’s professional baseball teams. This program airs Thursday, October 22 at 8 p.m. It will be rebroadcast Friday, October 23 at 6:30 p.m. on IPTV and Saturday, October 24 at 8:30 a.m. on IPTV WORLD. It will also be available online at iptv.org/iowajournal.
School districts across the state are reporting a greater-than-normal number of sick children. Medical clinics are seeing a growing number of patients with influenza symptoms. Given that flu season is just beginning, The Iowa Journal explores how government, business, and medical leaders are preparing for and responding to H1N1.
H1N1 is not necessarily more deadly than other flu strains, but because the virus is new, few people have immunity against it, and more people could get sick. The virus's ability to mutate is also causing concern. Although there's no evidence it will change, the possibility makes for unknowns. Who will be most vulnerable, what will be the severity of the illness, and will vaccines be safe and effective?
Guests for this episode include: Rebecca Curtiss, bureau chief for the Center for Disaster Operations and Response at the Iowa Department of Public Health; Jami Haberl, executive director for Safeguard Iowa Partnership, a statewide disaster management coalition of businesses and government leaders.
This episode will also look at Iowa’s professional baseball teams. Of the six teams in the state, four of them are in the Midwest League, which plays Class A baseball. There are teams in Cedar Rapids, Davenport, Clinton and Burlington. The Iowa Journal will explore the set up of these teams and how they create the baseball experience for their fans.
For more information about The Iowa Journal, visit www.iptv.org/iowajournal or call (515) 242-3146. For information on how to watch IPTV WORLD in your area, visit Iptv.org.
# # #

Iowa Public Television is Iowa's statewide public broadcasting network. IPTV provides quality, noncommercial programming to make a difference in the lives of Iowans. As one of the last locally controlled media enterprises in the state, IPTV is committed to telling Iowa's stories like no one else can. Our mission to educate, inform, enrich, and inspire Iowans enables IPTV to present an unequaled array of programs of lasting value to Iowans regardless of where they live or what they can afford. More than 1.4 million viewers a week turn to IPTV for programming that reflects a range of interests for Iowans in all demographic categories. Iowa Public Television stations include: Channel 11, Des Moines; Channel 12, Iowa City; Channel 21, Fort Dodge; Channel 24, Mason City; Channel 27, Sioux City; Channel 32, Waterloo; Channel 32, Council Bluffs; Channel 36, Davenport; Channel 36, Red Oak.

The World Food Prize and a guy named Bill Gates

2009-10-15T10:48:00.000-07:00

For last 22 years, those who've contributed to helping feed the world have been asked to come to Des Moines and discuss progress, research attempts and for some, accept the biggest award of all-- The World Food Prize.

Tonight is no different.

Dr. Gebisa Ejeta, native of Ethiopia, and now of Purdue University, will be given the award live on Iowa Public Television beginning at 7pm. Ejeta was born in a mud floored shack and now is helping feed his native country and others by his work with sorghum. His hybrids are resistant to drought and the Striga weed. You can learn more about Ejeta here on the World Food Prize website.

Ejeta appeared tall on the video taped piece I previewed earlier in the week. I asked about his height, I found out he'd been a member of the Ethiopian National team. He stands 6-7, so you can imagine the image if the two of us stood next to each other. So, we sat in the Iowa Capital's Law Library. We got a chance to talk to Ejeta on Wednesday. He was gracious with his time. You'll be able to view it later tonight following the ceremony. Our program begins at 8p.

Also included in tonight's Iowa Journal is Bill Gates. Yes, that Bill Gates as he addressed the symposium earlier in the day. Hear what he and others said at the end of our broadcast.

Last week we talked about Iowa's Natural Heritage. It was a fun program to be a part of as we brought in two panelists via the ICN in addition to our in-studio guests of Chuck Gipp, Pat Bode and former Congressman Neal Smith. You can view that on our website here.

Next week we talk about H1N1 and then a look at the Midwest League teams in Iowa. It was fun to visit the Burlington Bees, Quad City River Bandits, Clinton Lumberkings and Cedar Rapids Kernels earlier this summer. This will be the first time we use the video. We also are planning a program about minor league sports in iowa. We hope to talk about the USHL and NBA-D league that play in Iowa.

In two weeks, we'll talk with Iowan Kathryn Koob about her experience as a hostage in Iran. November 4th, 2009 will mark 30 years since she was taken into captivity.

See you on the air at 8p tonight and 630p on Friday.

Give us a follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/IowaJournal if you want all the Iowa Journal scoop.

See you tonight.

Upcoming Iowa Journals

2009-10-14T08:09:00.000-07:00

We are always working on new topics and shows here at IPTV.

Right now I've got a couple of shows and features in the works.

Here's a look at two of the topics I'll have a hand in.

Midwest League Baseball Oct 22 TIJ #307
5 cities in Iowa have professional baseball. 4 of them are in the Midwest League, which plays Class A baseball. ‘A’ ball is the lowest level of full-season minor leagues. There are teams in Cedar Rapids, Davenport, Clinton and Burlington. The last two cities usually battle for the title of smallest towns in the country that have professional, full-season baseball. They are community owned in Clinton and Burlington, one of the main reasons they still have a team. We’ll look at the set up of the teams in their towns and how they make the experience for fans and families. The date of the show is timed to be right before the beginning of the World Series on October 28th. We will do another show using the video and interviews for a show on minor league sports in Iowa and the economic challenges of having a team. This will be in either November or December and will include a look at hockey and basketball. Run time for the story is 3-4 minutes and will be the tag to the H1N1 program.

Kathryn Koob: Oct 29 TIJ #308
Koob was a hostage in Iran for 444 days. Her first day in captivity was November 4th, 1979. She has retired from her work in foreign service in Austria, Australia and other outposts. We talked to her in Waverly on the campus of Wartburg College, her alma matter and employer since her retirement. She’s a member of the Communication Arts faculty. We talked about her time in captivity, who they were (she’s convinced that one of the men in the group was current president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad). We also talked about treatment of hostages mentally and physically, including terrorism and torture. This will story will include her feature set up and then interview. Run time will be in the 20-22 minute length, depending on the show’s tag of the Jane Mayer’s speech from Grinnell.

I'm Back

2009-10-14T08:04:00.001-07:00

Just wanted to let you know, I've been away from the blog for a bit. But that's because I've been away from work for a bit.

Amy gave birth to Levi Paul Yeager on September 27th at 215a in Des Moines. Everything went fine. Everyone is fine. Noah has been extremely excited about his brother and we hope that continues.

I did take 2 weeks off, but did return for two Iowa Journal tapings. Now I'm back full time and ready for work. More on that later.

What role does Social Media play in your smart life?

2009-09-25T14:24:00.000-07:00

I like working at Iowa Public Television.

If you are a regular reader, all 2 of you, then you've seen me write that before.

I get to have great discussions on a daily basis about topics in the news, of interest and good stories.

Today I forwarded this YouTube video with newer numbers on social media and its impact. Thanks to Mike Mickle for sharing, BTW.

What are your thoughts on social media?
Is it good?
Is it the future?
What value do you gain as an intellect taking part in SM?
Why not call someone?

I argue that IPTV has to be involved in social media. We are still moving forward officially at a slow, plotted pace. Others, in their personal accounts, this blog being one of them, are not. I like what Twitter can do for me and my work. I've said before, if I was still running an assignment desk or reporting full time, I would be in heaven. I think public TV has a place to a part of it all.

I like how facebook keeps me in contact with friends. I can peer into their lives and have a starting point of conversation when I see them in person.

Do smart people, who watch public TV or listen to NPR think social media has a place and a future?

Does anyone under 30 without children watch public TV? That topic will wait for another day.

Please, please, share your thoughts.

Health Care and a trip in the time machine

2009-09-24T11:37:00.000-07:00

The Iowa Journal tries to get their arms around the debate of health care reform. The issue is huge and we take our bite tonight. We look at the "Summer of Discontent" when lawmakers went to their home districts to hold regularly scheduled town meetings. Those meetings were dominated by healthcare discussion. At times, it got loud, even a little uncomfortable. What does that mean? Will that help us solve any issues?

The reform bill is moving forward. What does this mean to insurance, hospitals and those helping craft the changes?

Great question, Paul.

We just happen to have people from those fields in our studio for tonight's show. We'll put the Iowa Journal on the monitors seen in the picture above.

Three guests with stakes in the health care debate will be in our studio: Iowa State Senator Jack Hatch, (D-Des Moines), chair of the White House Working Group of State Legislators for Health Reform; Kirk Norris, president/CEO of the Iowa Hospital Association; and Joe Teeling, chairman and CEO of Bearence Management Group, a consulting group that helps employers with the purchase of health insurance.

In our efforts to get more topics in the show, we've also hop into the time machine to go back to 1959. That year Soviet dictator Nikita Khrushchev took a whirlwind trip through the U.S. including a stop in Iowa. The story includes interviews with Khrushchev's son who made the 1959 trip with his father, and Roswell Garst’s granddaughter, Liz Garst, who was 8 years old when Khrushchev visited her grandfather's farm.

See if you notice any changes in the beginning of the show tonight. We are trying some things. See if you notice.

On a personal note, no baby yet. We are close, due date is Friday. We just hope to not deliver on the side of the road like our friends Brad and Carie. Great story here about their experience earlier this week. I did blog about it here with the link to the WQAD story. http://tr.im/zsJW

Maybe the monkey knows what the delay is all about.

See you tonight at 8p on IPTV in full HD. Also Friday at 630p.

If you watch The Office or Grey's or CSI, we are commercial free. No commercials to skip through on our program. So, watch us in real time and record the other show.

The entire show will be posted on Friday to www.iptv.org/iowajournal Some parts of the show are already posted.

We also have an official Iowa Journal Twitter page at www.twitter.com/IowaJournal

Thank you for reading this far.

I hope we can make it to the hospital

2009-09-22T19:52:00.000-07:00

We are ready. I think. I hope. I pray. This as we prepare for the birth of our second son.

I also hope and pray the same thing doesn't happen to us that happened to our friends Carie and Brad Kreiner.

Elliot Carl Kreiner was born at 10:54 p.m., Sunday night, 7 pounds 2 ounces, 20 inches long, on the side of John Deere Expressway. Elliot's mom and dad are Carie and Brad.

Carie and Amy were roommates when they first started their full-time careers with John Deere. They only knew each other from the internship program, but enough to live together in Moline. So, the girls have been close ever since. Carie was in our wedding and Amy was a part of their wedding.

We keep in touch and contact, especially now that they've come back to the midwest from North Carolina. Amy and Carie have another connection again they were both expecting a baby around the same time in late September. Amy is still holding on, but Carie and Brad couldn't wait to deliver their third baby.

When I say they couldn't wait, they really couldn't wait.

Carie and Brad were headed to the hospital late Sunday night as Carie knew it was time. Her water broke in the car on the drive from Geneseo to Moline and Trinity Hospital (the same place Noah was delivered, in the hospital). They were driving down John Deere Road when the baby wouldn't wait anymore. Brad then delivered the baby right there, 1/2 mile from the hospital.

Noah and I went to Kindermusik on Tuesday night and we came home to Amy being on the phone with Carie. I could tell they had their baby as Amy said, "oh, Elliot, what a great name."

Amy hung up the phone and said they had their baby, but there's a great story to go with it. Amy then tells the story you just read and I said, wow. That sounds like a story. Does the media know?

Yup. Figures that WQAD's Chris Minor reported their story. Here's the link to her story. As always, Chris does a great story.

Congrats to Brad and Carie.

I'm glad Brad is so cool under pressure. Even if he is a Central College grad.

I hope I can sleep tonight and not have their story going to my brain.

The Iowa Film Industry Part Deux

2009-09-21T14:21:00.001-07:00

A few days, more than a few changes for the Iowa Film Office and the Iowa Department of Economic Development.

The head of the Iowa Motion Picture Association, Tom Wheeler, is now out of a job after being put on paid administrative leave.

The Governor's office issued this release a few minutes ago.

GOVERNOR CULVER ANNOUNCES DISMISSAL OF FILM OFFICE MANAGER, RESIGNATION OF DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT

DES MOINES – Governor Chet Culver announced today the departure of two officials from the Iowa Department of Economic Development (IDED).

The manager of the Iowa Film Office, Thomas Wheeler, has been dismissed from his position effective this afternoon. The Iowa Film Office is a division of IDED. Amy Johnson will serve as the interim manager of the Iowa Film Office.

In addition, the resignation of Vince Lintz as deputy director of IDED has been accepted.

IDED is currently reporting to Richard Oshlo, director of the Department of Management, while new leadership for the department is being considered.

Earlier today, Governor Culver asked the Attorney General, State Auditor and Department of Revenue to assist in a review of the Film, Television and Video Project Promotion Program. On Friday, Governor Culver accepted the resignation of IDED Director Mike Tramontina and asked the Economic Development Board to not approve further film tax credit certificates until questions about the administration of the program are answered.

This news comes on the same day members of the board of the Iowa Motion Picture Association held a press conference in Des Moines. Pictured above are Bruce Heppner Elgin, VP of the IMPA Board of Directors and president of StoryBench, Ann Wilkinson, IMPA board member and owner of PMS Casting, and Kent Newman, president of the IMPA Board of Directors and Full Spectrum Productions.

Many media outlets attended, lots of questions and lots of coverage has already happened this weekend.

Several members of the IMPA were in attendance as were those who are in the film industry of Iowa. It almost felt like a pep rally at one point and a wake at another.

Also got a comment about a movie StoryBench is starting next week in the West Branch and Williamsburg area.

The movie is called "Collapse," the last movie to receive tax credits before this mess. Its the third movie the Coralville-based Storybench has done and all of them have been all-Iowa productions.

Thanks to Criss Roberts for the comments.

The story continues...

Take Out the Trash Day?

2009-09-18T15:42:00.000-07:00

NBC's political drama The West Wing gave light to the subject of taking out the trash. A story that was piled in with others that most journalists didn't care about. Sometimes, real stories, usually buried deep, were all thrown out together.

Some newsrooms empty on Friday or are focused on sports. When I worked weekends in Davenport, I was in on Friday to get a feel for what's happening and what would be a story the next couple of days. That helped to not come into a weekend cold and void of all current events.

Sometimes, when news breaks late in a day, its hard to get anything official. That can be a problem, but that sometimes leads to better stories of people reacting, not officials reacting. Sometimes that strategy works, but people are noticing when you dump a story on the weekend.

It appears that maybe that's happened Friday with the State of Iowa, Governor Chet Culver's office and the Iowa Department of Economic Development.

Governor Culver's press office normally issues schedules of the Governor, Lt. Gov and First Lady on Friday afternoons.
But this release has a bit more bite.

GOVERNOR CULVER ACCEPTS RESIGNATION OF MIKE TRAMONTINA AS DIRECTOR OF IOWA DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Press Release from Iowa Governor's Office
Sent: Friday, September 18, 2009 4:49 PM

GOVERNOR CULVER ACCEPTS RESIGNATION OF MIKE TRAMONTINA AS DIRECTOR OF IOWA DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

DES MOINES – The Director of the Iowa Department of Economic Development, Mike Tramontina, has tendered his resignation, effective immediately, to Governor Chet Culver.

The Governor has accepted Tramontina’s resignation.

The Department of Economic Development will report to Richard Oshlo, the interim director of the Department of Management, while new leadership at IDED is being considered.

Department heads will resign from time to time during the middle of an administration.
But the news comes at the time of stories floating and in print that the head of the Iowa film office was out of a job. That story was posted on line earlier today.

Here's the most current story from the Register.
The Iowa Film Office issued a statement Friday afternoon.

Good afternoon,

You may have heard false rumors that Tom Wheeler, Manager of the Iowa Film Office, was no longer with the IDED. The IDED has shared with IMPA that Tom is still with the IDED, but currently is not in the office and, according to IDED policy, does not disclose information on personnel matters.

The main thing to know is that the Iowa Film Office is open and operating. In the interim, Amy Johnson is the main contact for the Iowa Film office, which is continuing to accept and process tax incentive applications.

The IMPA is currently finalizing our formal comments regarding the IDED administrative rules for the Film Tax Incentives. Our comments will focus on the need to maintain stability and continuity in the program; as well as continuing support for workforce training and business/infrastructure development.

Thank you,

Tammy Shutters
Program Director
Iowa Motion Picture Association

More to come on this story, that's for sure.
We've had Tramontina on the Iowa Journal a few times. We've also talked about the Iowa Film Tax Credit. In fact, it was the show's second episode back in 2007.

Then we revisited the issue in the spring.

This story brings up several questions. Have we seen the end of the film boom in Iowa?
Will Iowa's Film Office be put back together?
Is the Governor responding to pressure from critics of the tax credit?

We'll see how this story develops.

Mayor Brent Matthias?

2009-09-17T14:29:00.001-07:00

A former TV reporter, Wartburg VP and emcee for Dolly Parton plans a run at mayor of Waverly.

We've featured Waverly on The Iowa Journal and talked to now-retiring mayor Ike Ackerman. Fun thing about Ike is he can recite every town in Iowa and its population as according to the DOT map issued.

This is not an endorsement of Brent Matthias' campaign, but rather sharing the info.

Brent and I go back a bit during my time at Wartburg and the time since. He's a guy like me, communications major, went through the doors at KWWL-TV and loves the color orange.

Here's an article from 2005 about Brent from the Waterloo Courier.

He'll be in the race against some political big hitters for the Bremer County town. Bob Brunkhorst, the former State Senator, Fifth Ward Councilman Fred Ribich and At-large Councilman Duane Liddle all have already announced their candidacy.

Brunkhorst was in the Senate when I was at Wartburg and started my reporting career at KIMT-TV. Ribich was on faculty at Wartburg during my time, but I did not have any classes with him.

You may have seen Brent on commercials for Casey's General Stores a few years ago. Maybe we can find a couple of those out there and post as well.

What are your favorite Brent Matthias stories?

Here's his release.

Matthias to run for Mayor

A stranger to politics but no stranger to the Waverly Community is running for Mayor. Brent Matthias former KWWL reporter and former Wartburg Assistant Vice President for Admissions is the latest candidate to seek the office of Mayor of Waverly.

"As a son of a Mom who was a social worker and a Dad who was a farmer, and a Wartburg graduate, service and hard work have been ingrained in my life since a young age. Being raised in Bremer County and now living in Waverly since 2002, I have come to appreciate what a wonderful community Waverly is." Matthias stated.

Matthias, 39, will be running against three other candidates, all who have political backgrounds. Bob Brunkhorst, the former State Senator, Fifth Ward Councilman Fred Ribich and At-large Councilman Duane Liddle all have already announced their candidacy.

Therein lies the motivation for Matthias declaring his candidacy.

"There are so many good things about Waverly, but now it is time to take the community to the next level, and one of the ways to do that is to bring in a fresh face and new perspectives; perhaps it’s time for folks to have a non-politician to choose from on the ballot."

Matthias is not unfamiliar to serving the community. He currently serves on the Waverly Cable & Telecommunications Commission, has coached Little League Baseball and Youth Football in Waverly, and is currently a high school baseball coach and motivational speaker. That has led him to start his own company, Matthias Entertainment & Consulting. He and his wife, Kari, have four children and are members of St.John's Lutheran Church here in Waverly. Kari is a speech language pathologist for AEA 267.

"My family and I have talked about giving back by being involved in city government and I always said "someday". But after being flooded out of our house in the summer of 08' and learning more about the political process through recovery efforts, I realized that this is the time to become more involved and that "someday" is now." Matthias said.

Matthias's key issues will include; bringing more economic development to town, looking into flood recovery and flood mitigation issues, improving the systemic health of city government, and bringing in more tourism to Waverly.

"We want to focus on all the citizens of Waverly and hear what their needs are and how they want to see their community move into the future. Waverly has good schools, a good college, a good hospital, a good retirement community, good businesses, and there is no reason that Waverly can't be the star of the state! It should be an exciting time for all of the families and citizens of Waverly!"

Norman Borlaug, Economy and the Dead Zone

2009-09-16T20:11:00.000-07:00

The first show of the new season is in the books, now its time for episode two of The Iowa Journal.

I've mentioned before that we playing with the format a bit. Did you notice?

This week we also do something different. No studio discussion. Its just three stories this week. We had a discussion scheduled on the Dead Zone and Iowa's contribution, but have dropped that for another big story. The death of Iowa native Norman Borlaug.

We've got a hold of a documentary that was in the works about Borlaug and will air a part of that Thursday night at 8p on statewide Iowa Public Television. Market to Market is also working on a feature as well. Andrew Batt is on the case. Look for his report Friday night. On a side note, I had just mentioned Borlaug's health to Batt about ten days ago after hearing that Borlaug was not in good health. I will stop mentioning anyone and their health for quite sometime.

We also will look at the economy according to Creighton University Economics professor Ernie Goss. Earlier this month, Rick Fuller and I traveled to Omaha to spend a couple of days with Dr. Goss. He's been on show in a couple of other times to talk about gambling, and regional economies. He's a good friend of the show and always enjoyable to talk to. We already aired one feature on his MidAmerica Business Conditions Index on Market to Market. You can watch that story here. We'll air our feature on Thursday and then post the full interview about Iowa's economy on our website.

--UPDATE-- The full interview lives here. If the video is not there, check back, it will be soon.

Another fun side note about Borlaug as said by Penn and Teller. Ok, really just Penn since Teller is silent. Here's a fun video sent to me by Derek Balsley.

Producer Nancy Crowfoot also is putting the finishing touches on Iowa's contribution to the Dead Zone. What are Iowans doing to put chemicals in the Mississippi River and eventually the Gulf Of Mexico? There is a conference about this issue taking place in the next few days, so this is a preview to that. We'll revisit the topic later in the season in-studio when we can devote time to it.

Thanks for taking the time. Glad to have you reading this far.
Have you seen the monkey?

See you Thursday at 8p on IPTV. BTW, no new Grey's Anatomy this week.
UPDATE: The Office is new. But they do reruns. We don't.
You can also watch our replay Friday night at 630p.

New Season of The Iowa Journal

2009-09-09T09:13:00.000-07:00

Its time to get those DVRs ready to record a brand new season of The Iowa Journal, your favorite Iowa Public Television program. Except for Clifford, Sid, Martha and a whole bunch of other great shows on the network.

We are back Thursday at 8p on statewide IPTV in full high definition. We begin season 3 with a look at education in Iowa. The official line from our website is:

"The Iowa Journal examines the need to refocus the work of school principals, and how that could help increase student achievement."

In a previous Tweet on Wednesday morning, you were given homework. Here's the note again..

"Your homework before Thursday's return of The Iowa Journal at 8p on IPTV. http://tr.im/yfTU"

Our program will include a look at The Principal Story, a documentary airing on IPTV September 15th.

Here's part of the official news release.

Troyce Fisher of the School Administrators of Iowa; long-time Des Moines North High School principal, Vincent Lewis; and Ben Johnson, a newer assistant high school principal from Fort Dodge. The program will also feature reports from Clear Creek Amana Middle School, and an interview with Iowa Department of Education Director Judy Jeffrey.

See you Thursday at 8 or Friday at 6:30p on IPTV.

How is Iowa doing on healthcare, economy and stimulus?

2009-08-24T13:08:00.000-07:00

There's a chance I may get to do an interview segment for PBS' NewsHour on Tuesday or Wednesday. Now that I've said it, I'll jinx it. Regardless, I would like to know how you feel on some issues.

PBS is looking for hosts and producers across the country to answer questions about the state of the country from our home view.

I need to do a little research and that's where you can help. This way, I sound like I know what's on the mind of Iowans best answer the questions.

The producer of the segment has a few questions, so I have a few questions for you.

Can you help me answer these questions?

Q: Are you surprised on what has happened to President Obama's public approval in your area?

Q: How are people feeling about health care reform?

Q: How engaged are they in the debate?

Q: Areas of reform they feel strongly about?

Q: How has unemployment been fairing there?

Q: What sectors are hardest hit by the recession?

Q: Any other topics people care about right now besides Economy and Health care reform?

Q: What budget issues is your legislature dealing with?

Q: What impact has stimulus money had on your area?

If you've got thoughts on any of these questions, please send me a response or post them in comments. I appreciate the time.

If you want to email me, drop me a line to iptvpaul@gmail.com

The Iowa Journal returns September 10th

2009-08-24T08:48:00.000-07:00

The new season of The Iowa Journal is getting closer.

We have put the Iowa State Fair in the rearview mirror and now its time to set sail for season 3 of The Iowa Journal.

We begin September 10th with a look at "The Principal Story." Its a documentary featuring a new and veteran school principal. Both women are followed in their ups and downs of the world of education. We will be doing a local look at the program to see the Iowa angle to this POV documentary. You can watch a video clip right here.

September 17th will bring a look at the 50th anniversary of Khrushchev's visit to Iowa and the Garst family in Coon Rapids. It was ground breaking then and would still be major news today if it was to be repeated. We've found some old TV footage with Jim Zabel and Jack Shelley doing commentary on the visit by the Soviet Union leader.

We are visiting with Creighton University economics professor Ernie Goss next week as he releases his latest economic survey. What goes into that survey will be seen on Market to Market next week, but we will have an extended interview with Goss on the Iowa economy.

We've also got producers looking at the healthcare debate, the preparedness for H1N1, Iowa's contribution to the Dead Zone and look at our natural heritage.

These topics will be discussed in full on some programs, while others will be a snapshot of what's happening now and compiled for a larger discussion down the road.

The Iowa Journal may look a little different to you at home this fall, but we hope its still the same show that you've come to expect from Iowa Public Television.

For now, you can see some of our past work at www.iptv.org/iowajournal

See you September 10th at 8p.

Help bring Wartburg and Jimmy Fallon together

2009-08-21T11:44:00.000-07:00

I don't know Spencer Albers.
I don't know Nate Vaughn.

But I do know their school and their cause.

Both are trying to get Nate a spot as Jimmy Fallon's intern on Fallon's new late night talk show on NBC.

Nate is like me in that we are/were electronic media majors at Wartburg College in Waverly.

Spencer sent me a note on Twitter asking me to help the cause, so here I go.

Vaughn would be a campus based intern doing funny stuff from Waverly and also blogging about it.

Wartburg has a full release here.

And if you want to see Nate's video. Its here. Fun stuff featuring the Wartburg Chapel, track and studios of Wartburg TV.

Please take time to vote and send to your friends if you think Nate's the right guy for the job.

Take time to help your fellow Iowan and Wartburg student.

My Time at the Iowa State Fair

2009-08-11T14:36:00.000-07:00

I think most of the Iowa State Fair prep is done and ready. Now I just need the days to arrive to do the stories.

This is my second year of producing fair coverage for IPTV. Its still fun for me to got out and enjoy a day. I'm always amazed at how you can get sucked into one event and not notice anything else that's happening around me.

Here's a look at where you can see me or avoid me during the Iowa State Fair. I plan to post pictures as the days go on from the mobile production.

Wednesday, August 12th, 2009.
Tallest Cornstalk: Annual event. This year one of the spectators will be a family from Washington, Iowa who has connections to the tallest corn stalk ever.
For more than 30 years, from 1939 to 1967, no one grew corn taller than Don Radda. His top stalk reached 31 feet 7/8 inches. Now a permanent commemoration of the stalk has been erected at the Washington County Fairgrounds with hope for a similar statue at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. We are looking at the historic growth efforts by Radda and this year's corn competition at Pioneer Hall. Measuring begins at noon on Wednesday.

Friday, August 14th, 2009.
Welde Bear show: Johny Welde operates the bear show and it is more than just an attraction, this is a way of life.
For 85 years the Welde family has raised bears and kept them. These bears at the Iowa State Fair are part of a traveling show that leaves Florida during hurricane season. His bears are movie stars, nothing new for the family. Current group were in Brother Bear and have modeled before. Family history goes into many TV shows and movies.
They travel with 11 bears, they do not sell the bears. Johnny's been around the Bears since he was 3. That's almost 50 years.
We plan to attend the noon show.

Sunday, August 16th, 2009.
Marbles shooting contest: - Marvin Oline has run the show for nine years.
There are 2 or 3 shoots every day, between 1 and 5 near the old church and the chainsaw guy. Its in the shade, raised tables and everyone gets a button, bag of marbles and a ribbon. A couple of divisions, finalists get call backs for the last day of the fair. 9th year at ISF. Marvin has been facinated by marbles his whole life. Meet at 12 on Sunday.

Polka Performance: First time feature for the IPTV Fair coverage. Polka people from across the state will dance at Pioneer Hall. We followed a central Iowa polka club on a dance warm up at a senior center in Clive. Then we're following them as they entertain at the State Fair with other polka clubs across the state. The show is interactive, trying to get people from the crowd involved in the dancing. This is also an effort to preserve the spirit that is the polka including wardrobe, music and dance.
See you at 9AM on Thursday, August 20th, 2009.

Say hello to us or any of the IPTV crew and let them know how you think we're doing and that you love the Iowa Journal.

Did I mention you can see Dan Wardell at the Fair as well? Stop by and say hello in the Varied Industries building.

Blast from the State Fair past

2009-08-03T20:40:00.001-07:00

This week is the time to get our Iowa State Fair features in order before next week hits. We did more pre-fair features than in years past as a way to cut down on OT. So, I even got into the mix.

I was editing the Corn Dog Kickoff on Monday. I was in need of tapes from 1993 when the Blue Ribbon Foundation really got going. I pulled some of our tapes from that year when I stumbled across some great video from my high school years.

It wasn't my personal experience, but from my time frame of when I was there with my 4H projects.

But what I found was the State Fair Queen contest. A review of tape of the 1993 Fair was well worth it. Former Wartburg students Emily Jaspers, Cheri Jensen, Steph Harvey and a name I hadn't seen in quite some time, Sara Franken. Sara was a Comm Arts major. Even one of Amy's high school mates, Nellie Bassett. Also Amy Horst, currently with the Metro Waste Authority.

The 1994 tape found former Wartburger, Amy Fleming. I think the KIMT-TV anchor would love me if that tape showed up one day.

I know in 10 or 20 years I'll look at the stuff I'm doing now and laugh. But until that time, I can just chuckle at my past.

Iowa State Fair coverage

2009-07-31T09:01:00.000-07:00

Its time to get our corn dogs and lemonade diets ready for IPTV's coverage of the Iowa State Fair.

We got our assignments of fair stories for this year. We've got some fan favorites again. For me, most everything is new to me. There's so much to the fair that I don't see or have seen before.

You can spend 6 hours at the same event and be focused on that same event and have no idea there's anything else going on at the fair. Last year I was at the Monster Arm Wrestling event inside a show arena. You have no idea the fair is going on because there's no windows to the outside and you are focused on that one event.

This year I'll be covering the marble shoot, bears, tall corn, polka plus my features already shot on the Jacobson Exhibition and the corn dog kick off.

Iowa Public Televisions coverage of the Iowa State Fair is usually some of our most watched programming of the network. That's exciting to be part of something that special to Iowans. Here's a look at our coverage from the past and plans for this year. We begin airing nightly highlight shows on August 17 at 9 P.M.

Check out page for past coverage like the husband calling and mom calling contest.

Here's my rubber chicken toss story.

Right now I'm finishing writing about the Corn Dog Kick Off and soon time for the Jacobson story.

What's your favorite event of the Iowa State Fair?

ELCA Youth Gathering Time Again

2009-07-22T21:04:00.000-07:00

This week 37,000 Lutherans have invaded New Orleans.

I don't know if you call it locusts, but its an invasion nonetheless.

This is the every-three-year youth gathering held by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Its a chance for high school kids and their chaperones to experience their faith with others in a way they probably haven't done before. Some kids are getting a second chance at the gathering, but for many, this is it.

I don't know how to best describe a youth gathering. Its not full of chants or prayer, but it is about exploration of ones faith and experiencing something with thousands of your new best friends. Plus you meet all sorts of people from around the country and learn some music that stays with you forever.

For the record I did find some pictures from my 1994 journey. Are you ready? This is John Bergman, Scott Schaefer, my self and Jeremy Anhalt. We had been walking back in the rain and needed to stay dry. We had the bright yellow hats so our chaperone's could see us while we were walking in the crowd. I also found pictures of the same group of adults asleep during the great speakers. I guess that was tradition for them.

I remember Randy and Iva Ruehs, and Merritt and Connie Jones telling me how cool it was and that I needed to attend this event about 20 years ago. The Ruehs' and Jones' were our Luther League sponsors and served American Lutheran Church in Jesup in that capacity for a long time.

They were planting a seed for my first opportunity in 1991. I did not go then but did in 1994 to Atlanta for the "2 Be Alive" event held at the Georgia Dome and the convention center. We raised money through pizza sales, car washes, bake sales, and other dinners to get the money. I think we took a couple of vans to Atlanta on a straight through driving experience.

There were many firsts on that trip, including the all-night driving, communing with 25,000 others in a football stadium, singing songs I'd never heard and doing a conga line across the Georgia Dome.

We learned the best seats were on the floor, but you had to be there EXTREMELY early to get that prime real estate. A lot of pressure was there, too. You had to dance for others, get the crowd going by what you were doing on the floor. You were close to the stage and could rush it if required.

Jay Beech was the band that played for many of those youth gatherings. I always remember Randy saying how good they were and how they could entertain a crowd. That was true.

The theme "2 Be Alive" was put into song that you sang each night and heard the theme several times through the day on shirts, posters and the convention hall. That's another animal in itself where you could experience rock climbing, team building and buy plenty of Lutheran-themed attire.

I thought at the conclusion of that week in Atlanta was it for me and youth gatherings. But that fall at Wartburg College, I found I was not the only one who had attended the event. Several others had our clay necklaces. We would sing some of those same songs in chapel and Sunday services at Wartburg.

In 1997 I was called at the last minute to be a chaperone for the ELCA Youth Gathering in New Orleans. My youngest sister Kris was on the trip, so that was special to be with her as she experienced her first youth gathering. Our sister Alane went to a national youth gathering in Denver in probably 1985.

I remember seeing Hurricane Katrina coverage and seeing sites I had been through just a few years before, seeing them under water or damaged or used as a shelter of hell, like the New Orleans Convention Center was in 2005. We all knew the city was hurting, but when you'd walked many of those streets, you knew the damage that was done was serious.

Then in 2006 I got to chaperone again, this time for All Saints Lutheran in Davenport. Kristen Reece and I were on the trip to San Antonio. Amy did all the work in organizing, but I got to go have the fun. She stayed home with 3-month old Noah. We paired up with a couple of other churches in the Quad Cities and then Cedar Rapids as we chartered two buses. That was a lot different than the all-nighters of driving straight through.

My thanks to Sarah Stadie for the photo. Even if she goes to Luther.

This week begins Jesus, Justice and Jazz in New Orleans. The site was picked in 2006 and announced in Texas. It was the ELCA's way of saying, we are going to take these young locusts and them use their energy to help that city. Hurricane Katrina had barely been gone from town when the ELCA decided to take the NYG back to NO. The youth this year are doing service projects to help the community.

You can follow several people in New Orleans this week by looking for the Twitter hashtag #jjj09

Our current church, Holy Trinity Lutheran in Ankeny sent 55 people this week. Think of them and think about your past experiences on this trip.

I remember each trip well and hope you do too.

Thanks to Kevin Secoy for use of the opening Wednesday night. You can follow him at http://twitter.com/foghornleghorn3

--UPDATE-----
I'm amazed at how many paths do cross in life. The ELCA trip would be one of those. After I posted this, I heard from many people about their experiences. So, I thought I would share some of them.

Mike Peasley is so old, he remembers going to Dallas. That was like 1991. He even noted that the process of tearing down Reunion Arena is underway, so he's a bit reflective on his trip.

Eric Kurtz remembers the 1991 "Called to Freedom." Eric reminds of big names who addressed the crowd, Tony Campolo and Maya Angelou. Campolo would address the crowd again in later years.

My co-worker Joe Bustad was a youth leader when he took kids to St. Louis. I hear that city is in the running for the next gathering in 3 years. Joe left his experience in just a few short words. "It was awesome!!"

Even new generations of my family are going. My second cousin Thea is planning a trip in 2011 and first cousin Kirk was there this year.

Amy Wood Rahe says "I feel so lucky that I got to go to Dallas and Atlanta! I had a blast! Good times and great memories!"

I mentioned how small this world really is. Anne Williams is our youth leader at Holy Trinity Lutheran in Ankeny. I rode down to San Antonio with her parents on the same bus. Anne took kids this year and has a few thoughts and reflections posted here on her blog.

Also another friend and Wartburg grad, Erik Ullestad guided kids from Windsor Heights Lutheran to New Orleans. Here's a look at what they've been up to on their journey.

I did find some fun old photos. Here's one and its blurry, so what a shame, you can see how young some of us used to be. Here's John Bergman, Scott Schaefer, me and Jeremy Anhalt. Enjoy. We were walking back from the Georgia Dome when the rain hit and we took our plastic bags for our bodies and tucked them under the great yellow hats. We wore those so we would be seen while walking in the crowd. Good times.

Polka Party

2009-07-21T20:43:00.000-07:00

My job with Iowa Public Television allows me an opportunity to travel across the state and cover all sorts of topics. Last week it was baseball and the wine industry. This week, its the polka.

I will try to post pictures of those adventures here on this site as I usually do as they happen on Twitter which also feeds my Facebook page. So, you may have seen some of these pics before, sorry about that. But its also a chance to keep track of what I've been up to if the bosses get curious.

Tuesday night Steve Carns and I were on another pre-fair story. This time we were hanging out with the Polka Club of Iowa during a performance in Clive, IA. They will be performing at the Iowa State Fair on August 20th in Pioneer Hall at 9a. Check them out if you get a chance. Currently there's about 600 people statewide who take part in a dancing polka group like this one.

The Tuesday event was a senior community center and gave a chance to do something different for the evening. The polka group was having fun with the crowd even getting them to do everyone's favorite, the chicken dance.

If you want to learn more about the Polka Club of Iowa, check out their website. Magically, you can find it here.

The Polka Club of Iowa was part of last year's Oktoberfest in downtown Des Moines through the Hessen Haus and Principal Park. There's a little bit more to the story for this year according to Tim Westemeyer. He's got a blog that has his story of why they won't be polka-ing at this year's Oktoberfest that's been renamed to Rocktoberfest.

He's looking to do a story if anyone's interested.

Back to the polka story. We'll follow up with the Polka Club of Iowa at the Fair on August 20th and will air during our Iowa State Fair coverage on IPTV beginning the second week of the fair.

If you want to see polka in person before the fair, the Polka Club of Iowa will be in the Iowa State Fair parade the day before the fair begins.

By the way, who likes to see the chicken dance in action? Everybody.

The first 30 seconds

2009-07-21T07:15:00.000-07:00

I love baseball. Many of you already know that about me.

I love going to the ballpark for many reasons, the sights, sounds and I guess the game.

My 3-year-old, seen here with his new ICubs hat, likes to go as well and he knows the between inning promotions, almost to an obsession. He knows when he misses something, like the race around the gloves promotion in the 1st inning.

I also like to hear fun music. I don't need to hear the same songs every night. I'm guessing I'm not the only one.

The Iowa Cubs have favorites, but I'm hoping we can mount a campaign to hear some new music, or a different shuffle of tunes. Don't get me wrong, I love, "Buttercup", so that one can stay.

Now the ICubs do a sing along to Neil Diamond's "Sweet Caroline." We don't usually make it that late most nights, but its fun when we do.

Ballclubs are looking for extra income at every opportunity.

Here's how you do it.

You already have a text to win contest with shuffling cell phones. But what about using the cell phones to pick a song. You get a cell company to sponsor, make a few cents and you've got a new revenue stream.

They already allow fans to participate in St. Louis and Kansas City where fans can pick a song by texting their pick from 4 songs that are displayed on the big scoreboard.

You find a cell company, get them to get a bunch of texts for requests and you have a new promotion. Or, if picking by cell is too expensive, then just ask the crowd to pick by cheering for a song selection.

But the song has to have a great first 30 seconds. GNR's "Welcome to the Jungle" has a great first 30. Because of time limits, you usually don't hear the whole song, so you need something to spark the crowd. Even "Hey Ya" by Outkast is great.

Noah likes music and dances when the song is good, so then we have a good time when he's having a good time.

What's your request?

Getting Ready for the Iowa State Fair

2009-07-17T14:44:00.001-07:00

We are getting closer to Iowa State Fair mode around here and that's a lot of fun. My fellow producers here at Iowa Public Television are out shooting stories and some have even edited them for air. Judy Blank went to my hometown of Jesup on Thursday for a look at the Schwennen family farm and their dairy goat operation.

Fair preview pieces are being shot all over the state as well. I've been to the Corn Dog Kick Off which is a fundraiser for the Blue Ribbon Foundation. They are the fundraising arm of the fair that's raised nearly $80 million since inception. The BRF has done work on nearly every building on the fairgrounds from the Grandstand to the Ag Building (which will NOT have a Michael Jackson butter sculpture afterall) and now the new Jacobson Exhibition Pavilion.

Here's few pictures of the fun at the fair.

The first is a look at the Jacobson from the east looking west. This is a massive 110,000 square foot building. It won't replace, but rather compliment the original livestock building nearby that was recently air conditioned, so its not going anywhere soon.

There's also a look from the far southwest of the fairgrounds looking east. You can see the Jacobson on the right and the 4-H building on the right. You will no longer be able to see the grandstand from the front of the 4-H building, so that will be a little different.
Our Fair coverage begins soon. We'll let you know when it airs.

During our shoot I asked where we were standing on one particular shoot.
Here's the picture. It was photographer Steve Carns on the far east side of the fairgrounds. We were in what is called the VIP campgrounds. Its right above a new livestock prep and show area. We were looking west and you can see the Des Moines skyline in the background.

Thanks for playing to my Twitter friends:
@chriswoods85
@LauriStruve
@GeorgieGurl
@MichaelLibbie
and our first winner, @ScottKirstein

Thanks for playing The Iowa Journal Travel Quiz or TIJTQ.

Do we need a change on The Iowa Journal?

2009-07-15T07:28:00.000-07:00

The Iowa Journal is still in production, but you just aren't seeing much of our work, at least not right now.

We are in the middle of a transition. Our executive producer, Sid, retired at the end of the fiscal year. He's in the hills of retirement and reading. But now, we need to figure out what's next for our show.

We are seeing if there's anything different we want to do with the program.

Seriously, I want to hear from you.

Here's a few ideas that we've been kicking down the road.

Set: Do we want to go back to the couch and comfy chair for interviews? Stay on the stools that were exclusively used for analysis of the news? Two analysts? No analysts?

Do we start to look more like a magazine show? This would mean 3 or 4 stories a program on various topics. Do we have the staff to do that to our quality standards?

Or do we look at staying on a central theme through the show?

We've talked about doing more interviews of interesting people to use as a 5 minute segment or 10 or even the whole show if it makes a good show. Before we have stayed away from newsmakers or just random interviews except in rare situations.

What are you thoughts on commentary segments? Maybe from authors or writers of letters to the editor? We tried this with Neal Harl early in the show, but haven't used it much since.

What do you like about what the Iowa Journal does?
What can the Iowa Journal improve?
What will get you to keep watching the program?
How do we get you to tell your friends to watch?

I appreciate your input.
Drop me a line here in the comments or privately at iptvpaul@gmail.com

Thanks for the time.

Kent's surgery update Wednesday 230p

2009-07-01T12:43:00.000-07:00

Just got the off the phone with Alane. She's back in Des Moines now after coming back late this morning.

Dad's blood pressure was low yesterday following the surgery, but that was by design to not blow out the artery after surgery. His heart rate is normal now.

His spirit is good, his mind is good.

His cough is still a concern and he did have another nebulizer last night and maybe this morning. The cough can do some damage if its not treated.

He was still in intensive care this morning, as the surgeon had not been by yet to check on him. He will hopefully be sent to a regular room to have some visitors. Larry Schmidt stopped by this morning and maybe two of the 3 John Bergman's will stop by yet today.

----3p update---

Kent is now in a regular room. He's in 505 if you are planning a visit to Covenant. He still hasn't seen the surgeon, but the surgeon gave the verbal okay to move Kent from the ICU to 505.

Kent is still not feeling any pain and is feeling good. He's just sitting their doing crossword puzzles. He's still on Tuesday's. He said he didn't get a chance to do that one before they went in for the surgery.

I did actually talk to Kent on the phone and he sounded normally, a little different, but that could have been the cell phone to cell phone quality.

He said he's just a bit tender in a couple of spots and this numbness is likely to fade like a slow leak. He's bitten his mouth while eating, but it feels like he did a dental visit. Kind of like when the novocaine wears off, it takes awhile.

Mom thinks they'll be discharged from the hospital on Thursday.

Dad's surgery Update

2009-06-30T13:23:00.000-07:00

Just an update about my father's surgery this afternoon at Covenant in Waterloo.

Dad went into the recovery room and will likely be there until about 4p today and will then head to an Intensive Care Room. That is standard procedure following this surgery.

The doctor said it went well, even showing mom the hunk they took out, which to what Mom called, "scary" for its size. She said it was about 1.5 inch long and fairly wide, the doctor said he's not sure how blood was still going through the opening.

He will be in ICU for the overnight and will likely be there until mid-morning, or depending on how his recovery is doing. He'll then go to a regular room and again his recovery pace will determine how soon he'll be discharged.

Right now the artery is thin, but will strengthen up in 24 hours. There was one other spot they were looking at and concerned about, but will only prescribe a baby aspirin to help take care of that blockage and gathering at that spot.

The doctor, who was called the best in the hospital, said the blockage gathers at the carotid because of the Y shape of the artery and vein right there and its common for stuff to gather there.

There was a concern about his lungs. Dad came back from his fishing trip with a bit of a cough and initially the staff thought Dad would be fine during the surgery. The doctors changed course and had him do a nebulizer this morning to clear up as much as possible so dad wouldn't cough during the surgery.

He went in surgery around 1:15p and Mom was called back to a room around 2:35p.

Mom said all is good for now on this procedure.

He can take visitors later, but not sure how many. He'll probably be home in two days. So, he'll be ready for the 4th. Alane is headed up right now and will likely greet him in his room around 4p. Kris will likely be there Thursday night and we plan to be there Friday and Saturday.

Thank you so much for your prayers and concerns over Kent. He can be difficult at times and if he only knew how much support he has, he'd likely be embarrassed. But this is why social media is important, a short work on my end can tell a lot of people quickly. I can give detailed info that you get and understand and you can be informed.

Thanks again for your support.

5p Update---
Alane made it to Waterloo. Kent was awake and knew who everybody was. He did take 3 tries to get Alane's name right... Hey, Julie, I mean Kris, I guess you're Alane...

He was a little uncomfortable, but that's what happens when you have a catheter in. Its now out and he's feeling better. I expect he'll see some visitors Wednesday.

Dad goes to the hospital

2009-06-29T19:52:00.001-07:00

I better explain a few more details about my father's condition.

He's got glaucoma and was in for a regular check up. The doctor noticed something and passed on the info to another doctor who noticed the blockage. That's a sharp eyed eye doctor who was on the ball. There was really no indication of anything wrong. But dad did say one night he had a moment of numbness in his side and his speech slurred for a moment. I'm still not sure when this happened, but it was done in an instant.

His surgery will be on the carotid arteries. The test was done last week and the surgery will happen Tuesday at Covenant Hospital in Waterloo. He'll likely be there 2 days, maybe two overnights, but we'll see. He's not big on hospitals, but this will have to do.

The procedure will try to free up the 80% blockage in his carotid. The doctors will cut along his neck and try to free that blockage. It should take about 90 to 120 minutes.

Dad's cholesterol, blood pressure, eye pressure levels are all normal. He's a really healthy guy for someone who smoked for more than 40 years, but has since stopped.

I appreciate the prayers and thoughts for Kent.

The Summer Sunset

2009-06-28T19:31:00.000-07:00

There's something about a good sunset that's inspiring.

Some like a quick snapshot of reds, yellows and golds with some blue and purples, if you're lucky. Some like the tranquilness of the sunset to pause for reflection at the end of the day.

As a photographer, I don't know a sunset I didn't like. Some are better than others, but its usually hard to screw them up with your lens. But taking a picture of a sunset is one of those few things that you should just do with your mind's eye and not with your camera eye. Just bank it in your photo memory bank and not your online photo storage.

I am writing this from my back deck's patio, on a recliner chair watching a fire pit slowly die. The breeze is tickling me and is finally a cooling one. The day's wind is all but gone as a stillness settles in over my neighborhood. Its Sunday night. The festivities are all but done, people are starting to look at the week ahead. The trees stand stall and dark against the fading sky that's now more blue than red, and soon will be purple.

The farm where I grew up would provide some good sunsets. But our view to the west horizon was blocked by a barn and grove of trees. Those evergreens provided a windbreak against the northwest wind of winter, but did also block out the sun's dip below the horizon. I was on many a tractors at night when the sun went down as we were still working. The fall's sky fades quickly as the sun is hurrying to the southern hemisphere for summer. For these summer nights, the sun takes forever to settle. Its like a child trying to calm down after a big day of amusement park rides, trips to the pool and playing baseball in the backyard.

The summer sunset is a chance to sit on the porch, reflect on the day and get ready for the new one.

This past week, I did go on a road trip for the Iowa Journal. I was in Burlington and Davenport hanging out at the old ballpark. Each night around 9, I was waiting for the sun to go down and provide me with a great closing shot for my story, the sun giving off its palate of colors in the background as my favorite game played on in the foreground.

I didn't need a beer or cigar, just the gifts of sight and sound to take in the beauty ahead of me.

Now about that week that's ahead of me.

What's your favorite sunset moment?

Trying to understand

2009-06-24T12:28:00.000-07:00

The murder of Aplington-Parkersburg head football coach Ed Thomas troubles me on so many fronts.

I just can't understand what goes through someone's mind in that situation. I've studied the mentally ill and wondered what is the cause of crimes like these, mental illness, drugs, a bio-chemical imbalance, what not.

This story is confusing because of the past relationship. I can understand holding a grudge against a coach for not letting you play, or screwing you over (in your own mind, when in reality, you probably didn't deserve to play) and out of playing time and holding that grudge for most of your life. But this is a place where they win. It wasn't a coach who was bad. They were good, year in, year out.

Now, he's gone.

What became center stage after one tragedy, is again in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons.

I don't know the exact situation. One of my big sources of AP info is out of the state right now, so I'll wait, and be a consumer of the story that troubles me to no end.

Again, I learned many breaking details on Twitter. There were sources there resending someone else's info, but the story was out there.

A personal side note. My dad was at Covenant this AM for a test. His appointment was at 830. He told my mom later he heard the helicopter arrive from his exam room. Mom was in the waiting room and could see commotion and heard enough details and picked up signals that something was going on. The Trauma 1 call, 4 minutes ETA were both tips.

Its sad because so many kids thought the world of Ed Thomas and the role football played in their lives.

Football helped heal the community after the tornado of 2008, now they're going to have to heal again, and this wound seems mighty deep and the healer before is gone.

--- Update ---

ESPN featured the community in an E:60 story called the Sacred Acre.

Todd Bailey did work for the Des Moines Register in several pieces following the first game after the tornado. Also, this video is well done.

Parked Inn a hotel and on the side of the road

2009-06-23T20:07:00.000-07:00

What started as a simple trip, ended with storm chasing.

Phil Blobaum and I set out for Mason City on Tuesday morning for a look inside the historic Park Inn Hotel in Mason City. Its one of 6 hotels in the world designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Its also the only one still standing.

The city has gone back and forth on whether to save the hotel and attached bank building, but finally it looks like a full fledged renovation is going to happen. When I left Mason City for Davenport back in 2000, work started on the roof and a few exterior projects. Over the years, the hotel has seen some steady work on getting ready for the future, but not like what's planned.

We got a tour inside both buildings and it promises to be a big deal when complete. We'll follow that on Iowa Public Television's Iowa Journal program. IPTV also is showing a documentary called The Last Wright, in August. The doc was done by Lucille Carra and Garry McGee out of New York.

After getting a view from my old apartment building, City Center, Phil and I set out for lunch at The Other Place. Phil now knows what us Knights, Panthers, Lions, Mohawks and Overland Parkers have known for years, the pizza rocks.

When we got out of the OP, we noticed the skies were turning blue. We looked at the radar and started heading home, directly into the storm. I sent a text to KGLO/KRIB+many other stations, news director Bob Fisher to let him know we were headed into the storm and available for anything he needed. I ended up doing a live phone interview with Bob to tell my tale of the storm.

I started snapping pictures with my iPhone and posted them on twitpic through my Twitter account. I saw great shots of blue clouds, puffy skies and eventually wind, rain but no hail. We pulled off I-35 at the Burchinal exit to let the wind pass. The storm ended and we headed home.

Until we got to the Highway 20 exit and noticed the skies were getting blue, again. So we kept driving into another storm around Ankeny, to Johnston and then back to Ankeny.

Do you know how many times chasing storms I never caught them? Let alone twice in one day?

What are you favorite storm chasing stories?

The Ironman of TV - Ron Steele

2009-06-22T20:27:00.000-07:00

There's really only one ironman in my book.

His name is Ron Steele.

Many of you know him for his on-air work at KWWL-TV in Waterloo, Iowa. He's been working at Channel 7 for longer than most of his co-workers have been alive.

Ron has been in the main anchor chair since the 1980's and before that, he was in the sports chair. I grew up watching him deliver the news. My parents still watch him deliver the news.

I had many tours through KWWL and each time I learned a lot from the man of Steele. I also got to learn a lot more about him from his former co-workers and boss, Liz Mathis and Grant Price. Liz would tell the story of how Ron reads down the middle of the tele-prompter. Not all the words around it, just down the middle, often re-writing his copy on-air after re-writing the copy 3 times before he went on-air.

Grant thought the world of Ron and the feeling was mutual.

But the stories that stuck with me were ones of dedication to the product. He would tell the newscast producer to have his suit coat and scripts along with his earpiece on his chair, on the set.

He was usually saying this as he was running out the door to go shoot some fire or robbery or hostage situation in Waterloo. Did I mention it was often after 9:30 PM, just 30 minutes before he was to say, "Good evening, I'm Ron Steele?"

Ron often will shoot his own stories. He'll take a camera and go on some trip in the viewing area and shoot his own video. He's the main anchor at the TV station that has reporters to do that. But, he still does it.

He did it again this weekend.

Storms were rolling to and through the viewing area. It was a Sunday night and Ron was ready to go. Twitter was a blaze about storms firing up and how @ronsteele7 was on the case.

Then there's this video. It is Ron, in the field, doing a live report, from the scene of storm damage. Eric Hanson is a former co-worker of Ron's and said Ron probably set that live shot up with the lights, camera and live truck all by himself, and then taught some neighbor to pan the camera during his live shot.

I don't doubt that's far from the truth.

He's not an anchor who's afraid to get his hair wet, hands dirty and chase a few storms now and then.

We all can learn more from the man of Steele.

What are your favorite Ron Steele stories?

Iowa Press makes news again

2009-06-19T14:31:00.000-07:00

Each Friday, some of Iowa's most important people come to my workplace.

Not to see me, but face the gauntlet called "Iowa Press."

The show is big horse in the stable of Iowa Public Television's local productions.

Any given week, a governor, a United States senator or legislative leader comes in and sits down for 27 minutes.

I don't actively participate in the production of the show, but I do follow closely what is done on the program and who is coming and going. I sit on the other side of the wall to Mike Newell, the producer of the program. I hear Mike make many calls a week looking for the big hitters each and every week for the show.

This week, Sioux City republican Rep. Chris Rants was in the building for his turn.

As expected, the first question was about Rep. Rants' plans to run for governor.

Rants said, he's forming an exploratory committee.

So, once again, news was made at 6450 Corporate Drive.

During most tapings, reporters from around the state will gather in our Maytag lobby to listen to the show. Then, most guests will emerge from the studio for a post-game wrap up or further follow up of their appearance. They can also get a soundbite or comment on another subject with our guest for their stories.

Today was no different as Radio Iowa, Iowa Public Radio, WHO Radio, the Des Moines Register all had representatives to hear Rep. Rants.

Many Friday's I can watch the program being taped while sitting at my desk. Its a great chance to see the show and then if need be, tweet the live action. Its fun to be a part of the news and hear extended interviews and comments from newsmakers.

You can see Iowa Press Friday's at 7:30p and Sunday at 11:30a.

The Iowa Journal hits the road

2009-06-18T13:12:00.000-07:00

I've asked for show ideas or topics in the past, so I thought I would update you on my progress.

Here's a look at some of the stories that are on my radar and are in the works for the next couple of weeks.

Park Inn Hotel (Mason City)

Next Tuesday or Wednesday, I'll go to Mason City for a look inside the Park Inn Hotel, the last Frank Lloyd Wright designed and standing hotel in the world. The Park Inn Hotel also is the source of documentary called The Last Wright. I think we may be airing it in August. I think this is relevant in a couple of ways for an icon of design (both Wright and the PIH) and the community is finally going to be taken out of disrepair and maybe into production (planned) as a hotel.

I will be getting a tour inside the hotel before they start the full reconstruction process in August. So, they are about to shut this thing down. Good to get inside and can follow a bit of the construction if we like. Also, if we do the Vision Iowa ten years later story (which would be in 2010), this can give us new video on a recent Vision Iowa project.

Midwest League Baseball
June 25 - 27
Trip to Burlington and Quad Cities for a look at their minor league baseball operation. Getting interviews and video of night games. What does a minor league team mean to its region, what is life like for the ballplayers, what is their chances of making it to the show. The same goes for the staff who have major league aspirations as well.

I'll be getting some video around those towns as well.

A third trip will be to Clinton July 6 and 7. I'll be trying to get some of the vineyard story shot as well when I'm out that far. This may be in Maquoketa or Jackson County, depending on what happens and schedules work out together.

That's my plan for now. Hope to see you on the road.

What would you pay?

2009-06-16T08:34:00.000-07:00

You're reading this blog for free. Hopefully not against your will, but you never know.

Would you be willing to pay to read this? I'm not asking $47 a month, but what about a nickel or dime?
Would you be willing to pay to read a real bloggers thoughts?
Would you be willing to pay to read websites and their original news content?

Most of the time, the answer has been no. Most of the content on the web is free. Is that good?

There are still hard working people in the business of media. They should get paid for original work. Just like they do now by their companies, but when the New York Times turns a Ralph Blumenthal story onto the web, does he get paid extra for it?

Apple figured out that 99 cents wasn't so much to ask for a song. I don't mind paying that. It doesn't seem like a lot of money for a song I'll listen to 34 times.

If the content is good, original and insightful, why not pay for info? If its linked 12 times from the original source, it must be good, but who gets money for all that linking?

How about older material? If we've got archives of old video at IPTV, would you be willing to pay to see a clip from 1974? How about 2004? We like our content to be seen, but we also are trying to not be a huge sucker of tax payer money and at least get some money for our content.

The horse is out of the barn. Its hard to get the toothpaste back into the tube. So, getting money for what is now 'free' on the internet is hard to do.

What are your thoughts on paying for content?

Cape meets war and presidential candidate veteran

2009-06-15T11:10:00.000-07:00

Just a follow up on Dan Wardell hitting the road and coming to your city.

Monday Dan was in Denison and Glidden. Tuesday you can see the cape in Guthrie Center and Bayard. Then he continues to northwest Iowa for Orange City, LeMars, Sioux City and points beyond. His Dantastic Blog is here.

Here's also a follow up on the meeting between Dan Wardell and Sen. John McCain during their photo op during the Iowa State Fair in 2006.

Check out the fun meeting right here.

DTV is finally here

2009-06-11T05:59:00.000-07:00

Its finally here.

The digital TV conversion will finally become reality on June 12, 2009.

Billions have been spent in making the transition from analog to digital TV signals for stations across the country.

Iowa Public Television is a part of this as well. We've hosted town hall meetings across the state, answered phone calls and done several call-in programs about the DTV conversion.

The facts are out there at several websites that are all linked at www.iptv.org.

IPTV is shutting off their analog signal at 12:01 AM Friday. That's the earliest you can do that. This gives us a chance to help you during business hours on Friday. We'll have people answering your questions on phone banks on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

Other TV stations will be staggering their analog signal shutoff all Friday. KCCI and WOI will be shutting off their analog signals at the last possible minute at 11:59 PM Friday.

If you watch on satellite or cable, you are fine. Or if you've already got a digital TV, you're fine. But if you use an antennae to bring in analog TV, you'll need to get a converter box. Even if you've got sat or cable, I would still recommend a converter box just in case your cable signal goes out. That way, you can still get information in what's likely an emergency event.

UPDATE:

On a follow up to yesterday's post about Dan Wardell.

Two years ago at the Iowa State Fair, Dan Wardell and Sen. John McCain were in the Varied Industries building at the same time. Dan made his way to the mob of people that was a part of the McCain train. Dan approached McCain who was visible taken aback by a grown man in a yellow cape and a camera with him. I think Dan got a picture with McCain, but you can tell McCain was wondering if this would make the Daily Show or the nightly news.

Dan Wardell is a machine

2009-06-10T07:12:00.000-07:00

I don't think I fully appreciated Dan Wardell until I started to work with him.

Sure, I heard he still had a radio show. But, he's been a doing a radio show with his friends for years. That goes back to their time traveling to Waverly to do a radio show on KWAR. They were there every Saturday morning doing their wackiness.

Dan started working at IPTV years ago and found a way to the on-air side of things. He was doing some kids club events, some pledging fun and other tidbits like health minutes.

When I got to IPTV in 2007, he was the man here. He hits the road the entire summer on a grueling schedule reading to kids in nearly every library in the state. He puts in long days, but loves what he does.

My son loves Dan. He doesn't really know that Dan and I go all the way back to Wartburg, but he knows his dad and Dan are friends. Dan and I are members of the Wartburg College class of 1998 and both communication arts majors.

Last summer Dan came to the Kirkendall Library in Ankeny and Noah was there as well. Noah not only got called out of this massive crowd, but got to go on stage with Dan and answer some questions in front of the entire group. Good times for Noah. I've got the picture still on my desk top from the Des Moines Register.

Dan makes memories like that all summer wherever he goes. Today its Fort Dodge and Algona.

You can follow his travels and see all the pictures he uploads right here.

He'll be in Clear Lake and Hampton on Thursday. There's a great story about the people of Hampton wanting Dan to come to their library. Dan opens applications or requests for his visit on January 1. Dan got emails from Hampton at 12:01 A.M. on January 1st, 2009 requesting that Dan come visit them in Hampton. He'll be there Thursday.

Happy reading and road tripping with Dan Wardell.

If you miss him in your town, try seeing him at the State Fair in the Varied Industries Building. Just look for the crowd that's stopping up the aisles and hallways and look for a guy in a yellow cape.

Have you got pictures with Dan and your kids? Post them, I'd love to see them.

The Daily Show does it again

2009-06-09T07:32:00.000-07:00

The Daily Show is an incredible show.

Comedy Central's lead program brings the network incredible ratings and legitimacy with its nightly program about the news. Its a faux newscast that does a good job of educating the young americans who watch it instead of the real news.

Its a show that says we as journalists are not doing our job. Each and every night Jon Stewart skewers networks and reporters and anchors for thoughtless things they do and say.

Stewart also does a great job of pointing out the spin the networks seem to provide.

Take Monday's show for instance. Stewart pointed out, actually showed the Fox Network news team, going after President Obama. Stewart then shows MSNBC and many on the team going after Rush Limbaugh. Then there's CNN and how they only seem to be talking about Twitter.

I don't remember journalism training being to biased. Its sad that each network can only be broken down to the apparent political leaning. But that's the times we live in now.

There's been several stories about the Daily Show and how they sort out the days news and pull all those clips and flips and flops by candidates and government officials. This New York Times blog story has a good synopsis of the show's routine.

The Washington Post did a story about Adam Chodikoff last year that shows how much knowledge is in this guys brain and how he remembers dates and who said what and when. Each newsroom needs a guy like this and each network should have 17 of these guys around to make sure nothing slips through the cracks.

The Daily Show uses comedy to point out inaccuracies, but its something the press tries to do each day, but can't quite pull it off. Usually when a media outlet points out something inaccurate, they get accused of being slanted or biased and then you get lost in the actual story whether it was wrong or right.

I haven't even begun to talk about the Jim Cramer interview.

Take a look at Monday, June 8th's Daily Show. You'll see why Stewart continues to be must see TV.

Preventing another great flood

2009-06-08T09:06:00.001-07:00

This week marks the anniversary of the great flood of 2008. Cities from Mason City to Burlington along every river inbetween, remembers the water all too well.

Now, it is time to look back and see how people are doing a year later.

I helped a good friend move last week in Iowa City. I had not been in town in the daylight in quite some time. I was amazed at how many buildings along the Iowa River are still vacant and likely won’t be coming back in their current state. Several businesses on the Coralville strip are back, but its been a slow climb back to being above water. But several shops are still closed a year later.

I’ve been to Cedar Rapids a few times in the last year and there’s still work to be done there. House after house in an area south and west of downtown still has debris in the streets and homes are abandoned. Some still have part of a foundation left, but likely, not for long.

I still don’t think many people outside the flood zones have any idea how bad it really is in several parts of our state. I know many people saw the pictures during this week of June, 2008, but haven’t given it much thought since. That’s a shame. People are still hurting and are not back in their homes.

Our last Iowa Journal of the 2008-09 season aired last week. Producer Nancy Crowfoot looked at the flood issue from several angles. The official description is this:

“From climate change to agricultural practices to urban sprawl, there is plenty of blame to go around for the cause of the 2008 floods. The Iowa Journal explores the "blame" and what can be done to help mitigate future floods.”

We hit several areas of the state from Waukon to Waverly, Cedar Falls, Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Wapello and Louisa County.

You can view the Iowa Journal online here.

Here’s one review of our program.

"Thank you for a very good program. It was balanced, it was based on reality and science, and it focused on people who know what they are talking about. And it dared to raise the overdue question of mandatory land-use regulations and the uncomfortable but has-to-be-faced fact that Iowa is behind the times in regard to watershed thinking. It should be required viewing for every state legislator. Thanks again!!"

So take a little time this week to see what you and I can do to make a difference. It is not going to be easy and this is something we all need to take stock in for ourselves.

Radio is the theater of the mind, what's that make internet radio?

2009-06-05T06:51:00.000-07:00

Radio has always been fun to me. Its been a start to many things in my career.

Officially, I did start my media career as a picture printer at the Jesup Citizen Herald, but one of my first jobs at Wartburg College was working at KWAR radio. I did several radio shows on several topics and had fun at every turn of the record.

That was over the air, you could get the signal for 5 miles around campus and that was about it. There was no internet streaming to supplement your signal. KWAR was truly 10 watts of pure power.

What if you only had the internet signal? It wouldn't really be a signal, but rather a stream.

That's what is fun about the internet, everything is new and you can experiment and see what works.

Just like radio was when it started. It was new, people experimented and tried new things.

A Des Moines area business owner, J. Michael McCoy has done just about everything in media in this town. He's been on country, rock, talk and even christian radio stations. Now he's started up a web-only radio station. Its called Mac's World Live, a play on his old talk radio show.

The line up covers all sorts of topics and age groups. It really is community radio the way it once was. Even my friend Dave Price has a show.

The station is run out of his bar, Miss Kitty's in Clive. The studio is carved out of an old service area of the bar. The signal is only online but its also a webcast as well. There's 3 cams and the host of the radio show also is the director, switching shots as people talk on the radio in a room no bigger than my closet at home.

But that's what is so fun about radio and broadcasting. You hear it, you think big, grand thoughts. You think expansive studios with stuff happening all around it.

Radio has always been theater of the mind. Its a challenge to make it happen and be good. That's what is fun about it.

You can tell, I was excited to get a chance to do radio again.

Michael Libbie was one of our guests on our social media Iowa Journal. Libbie owns an ad agency called Insight Advertising, Marketing and Communications. Michael is also an old radio guy who loves the theater of it as well. He hosts Insight on Business Monday - Friday from 1230 to 2p. He talks business, but wanted to talk more about IPTV and The Iowa Journal.

We did talk about social media, Sandi Lincoln, Twitter, Pat Dix, WHO-TV, gay marriage, Iowa, Wartburg, and eventually we did get to IPTV and the Iowa Journal.

Give us a listen if you like, the archived version is here.

Thanks again to Michael for the opportunity. Who knows, this may be the future of broadcasting.

Internet Radio

2009-06-03T20:38:00.000-07:00

I'm going to see what this internet thing is all about tomorrow.

Michael Libbie invited me to his show Insight on Business as part of Mac's World Live.

I'll be on around 1245 central. So, log on and see what we talk about. I think we'll have some conversation about IPTV and the Iowa Journal.

We'll see if I know anything about my organization and show.

Give us a look and listen from 1245 for at least an hour. Michael is on until 2, not sure if I'll be there or not, so we'll see.

Also, on another personal note, a good friend of mine Mike VanGorkom is featured in Los Angeles Times. Mike was recently laid off from Yahoo. He has taken to his time off as fUnemployment. I've read part of the story and watched the video story on him. Great plug for Waverly's Wartburg College.

Take a look at the LA Times story if you get a chance.

What to do on The Iowa Journal

2009-06-02T09:03:00.001-07:00

Earlier this week the group of producers for The Iowa Journal got together to talk about The Iowa Journal.

It doesn't sound newsworthy, but it is if you watch the show.

We spent the majority of the two hours talking about ideas for the show. We are in a bit of a transition. Sid Sprecher has been at the reigns of the show since the beginning in October of 2007. He's retiring at the end of the month and we are now in hiatus after Thursday's flood show. We are done as a cost saving measure until the fall, maybe September, maybe October.

So, we've got a little time to do some tweaking if we want. This may happen.

What do you want to see?

Here's some of the ideas being tossed around.

We need to make sure the I in IPTV stands for Iowa. Its a lot to ask someone to travel from Decorah to Johnston for an interview that may last 14 minutes. Its another to travel there and do the interview by satellite. The cost is too great for one interview.

Have you used Skype? Oprah uses Skype for her show. Why can't we? We talked about how we could use it for guests in our news analysis section or a guest if we like.

Its not HD quality, but from what I've seen Oprah do, the audio sounds good, but the pic is a little pixelated.

What do you think of our interviews? Do they add to the information we provide on our topics. How about one guest or 4 guests each week? Do we do a show with just guests one week on a topic. We talked about spending a show with one topic in a taped piece. Then the next week we would look at the topic in a discussion. It seems like a lot of work, but would it be worth it?

Just thought I would clue you in what we're up to and talking about here on The Iowa Journal.

Do ya, you know, Twitter?

2009-05-29T11:04:00.000-07:00

Do you Twitter?

Do you Facebook?

Do you care to?

Do you want the madness to stop?

The Iowa Journal looks at social media tonight in a Friday only showing of this program at 630p on IPTV.

Social Media sounds like a party and that’s kind of what it is. The social networking site Facebook boasts 200 million users world wide. The fastest growing demographic on the site is 35 years and over.

Now the even quicker, more ADD site is Twitter, a site that allows users to send out short bursts of information. Twitter is growing leaps and bounds--- Nielson Rating Service says the site has grown 13-hundred percent from year to year since Feb of 08.

We begin with a look at a face to face meeting of users and then we’ll show you how others are getting into business to help others navigate these tools for their business. We head to Lava Row in Des Moines to see how this company teaches social media to businesses.

We also went to a Des Moines area TweetUp to see what that is about. Several of you are in the piece that went that night, but not everyone will make the cut. So, please don't be mad. I didn't think Abbie Shipton wanted to see her full profile about a month from delivery.

Our panel discussion includes Michael Libbie, principal and owner of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications a Des Moines based Advertising Agency that specializes in traditional media messages from print to television to Social Media. Michael also hosts a number of radio shows in the Des Moines market dealing with a issues revolving around advertising and the rural lifestyle.

Michael blogged about his appearance and put in some very nice words about IPTV and our operation. Thanks to that. Also a great picture off set. He called it magic. TV still is to me as well, Michael.

Mike Templeton is the director of social media and web strategy for the Iowa Hospital Association. He uses social media on a daily basis through his job and personal life. The discussion was taped last Thursday.

The show will only air tonight, May 29^th, 2009 at 630p on IPTV. There is no news analysis. The discussion was posted online last Friday.

The feature is online already.

So, if you want to watch the show before it airs, you can do so here on our site.

Paul's Add: There is a tiny, inside joke off the top of the discussion. I said, its a Paul and 2 Mike's again. That was in reference to a great radio show I did in college on KWAR in Waverly with two of my best friends named Mike and Mike. We were on before those ESPN guys came along, for the record.

The show was called Bitter Coffee with a Paul and 2 Mike's. Great radio for our time. We even got the president of Wartburg to stop by on our final show of the year.

What I did on my summer-- from the Iowa Journal

2009-05-29T10:55:00.000-07:00

We are looking ahead to the future of the Iowa Journal and stories we are working on for you.

This week we'll look at the flood of 2008 and what's been done to try and prevent a disaster like that doesn't happen again. That program is a little different format as well with no studio discussion, just a look at stories in Waverly, Cedar Falls, Cedar Rapids, and Louisa County to just name a few.

Then, we are done for a few months. I wish we weren't, but now we can devote time to traveling the state to find the next best stories for The Iowa Journal. If you miss us, please write IPTV a little note to say, we like the show, we don’t like the show, we think the host is a dink, how does his hair never move?

You can contact us here.

I've got a few ideas that I'll try to flush out this summer. I'm hoping to get to Clinton, Davenport and Burlington to look at minor league baseball. Also we may look at the wine industry, Iowa's cold criminal cases, new teachers and some other topics that come our way. Thank you so much for reading all of this note. If you have ideas you think we should do, let me know.

I love to hear ideas from across the state that impact all Iowans.

Post a comment here. If you want to keep it on downlow, send me a note to paul.yeager@iptv.org

As always, check out our past stories to see some fan favorites at www.iptv.org/iowajournal

Spending the day in a tiny room

2009-05-27T06:49:00.000-07:00

Today is a day of editing for me.

The script is written for the first pass and is then getting a good look over by fellow producers. One who has social media knowledge, the other who only hears about it from me. So, that should make sure both groups of people can understand it.

I'm in an Avid room today trying to piece together the story. I voice my own stories, so that's not a problem, but sometimes producers will use a scratch track to get started editing before the final voice over person comes in. I've been the scratch guy, but also been the guy coming in at the last minute.

This feature on social media is about Lava Row and the Des Moines TweetUp back in March when NBC's Today Show came to town.

So, I've got the iTunes ready to play at a nice soft level to keep me going as I'm locked in a Avid 3. Now you know where to find me.

Holiday News

2009-05-25T20:14:00.001-07:00

Its amazing to think that I used to be into the news on holiday weekends. Now, its hard to think about the news that's happened the last 4 days.

For years, my holidays were spent on a random Tuesday or Friday that was compensation for my working of a holiday. Plenty of Memorial Days, Labor Days, 4th of July, you get the picture.

I knew every holiday celebration in every town. Usually, the holiday's themselves weren't the problem, it was the Saturday and Sunday around them.

Working weekends is part of the deal. Now, in my world of public TV, its just not the same. I'm still getting used to it, but it can be done.

Thank goodness for Twitter feeds to keep me informed over the last few days. I really enjoy how that medium and following the right sources can keep you informed just enough to be dangerous and not put you too much behind.

This week, social media is on the plate again. There's quite a bit of pressure on myself to make this feature good. I've got expectations to make this piece sing and not get another round of oh, that was weak.

The discussion is already posted on the IPTV video page. Its an online exclusive. Tell your friends, we're hoping to have some good traffic to show for our efforts.

See it online BEFORE on TV

2009-05-22T07:20:00.000-07:00

How cool can we be sometimes?

In a show about social media, its only fitting that we launch the discussion of our upcoming show about social media, here on line on the Iowa Public Television website.

Thanks to fellow producer Nancy we've posted the video of the discussion recorded on Thursday afternoon about social media for next Friday's Iowa Journal. Actually, it was Nancy's idea, I just said, that would be fitting, so here you go. Thank Nancy.

We usually will post our Thursday programs on Friday's online at www.iptv.org/iowajournal around noon. So, you can soon see our economic roundtable about underemployed and unemployed here as well.

The social media show will also feature Lava Row and the Des Moines area TweetUp. That will be ready for Friday's airing at 630p on IPTV.

Here's the link to the Iowa Journal's discussion on Social Media with Mike Templeton and Michael Libbie.

Out of order social media

2009-05-21T14:09:00.000-07:00

Sometimes in TV you had do things out of order. This would be one of those days.

I'm not really sure how TV shows or movies or reality shows do it, but they do. They'll tape scenes way out of order as to how their seen on air. Today we taped the discussion on the topic of social media. We had Mike Templeton who is director of social media for the Iowa Hospital Association.

Mike and I met online, but then had our own Ankeny TweetUp on my son's birthday. We were in the McDonald's Playland eating lunch before he was allowed to play on the playland, Noah, not Mike, when Mike walked into the restaurant. It is too small of a world.

Mike got his job through a discussion with Nathan Wright of Lava Row, another part of our social media show. Nathan heard that Iowa Hospital Association was hiring a director of social media and thought of Mike.

Small Iowa world that it is, Nathan's got family from hometown of Jesup. Now I have another connection to the Bert Rigdon family. Bert is Nathan's uncle and spent a lot of time with Bert's daughters Sara and Katey.

So, through social media, I've made connections to old high school classmates to new business and media experiences.

Also on the program was Michael Libbie. He's the principal and owner of Insight Advertising, Marketing and Communications. A lot of his clients are rural and he talks alot about the rural lifestyle. He does that on Sunday mornings from 8-9 on 98.3 WOW-FM in Des Moines. Libbie is showing clients how they've been able to hear the conversation around them to learn more about their business and clients. Its led to some sales leads, but also to some new products being developed when clients say, what if you made a widget that did this....

Mike Templeton took 12 seconds to show us what he was doing before our taping.

This show will air on May 29th, 2009 at 6:30 P.M. on Iowa Public Television's The Iowa Journal.

Remember how I said we sometimes have to do things in parts? I still need to finish the feature on Lava Row and the Des Moines TweetUp for that airing.

Back to work.

Yes, the economy is still bad for people

2009-05-20T14:19:00.000-07:00

Are there any signs things are improving for Iowans?

What hope can we give to people about the economy?

Who or what industries are looking like they will be hiring?

What can be done in the meantime while we wait for the economy to turn?

This week we bring the phone operators and volunteers to take your questions about the economy. Its a topic that is continually on the brain of many, if not all of us.

Yes, there's been some good indicators this week, but for some, they are still without a job.

The Iowa Journal is committed to answering your questions about the economy. We've assembled an impressive panel.

Elisabeth Buck is the director of the Iowa Workforce Development. Rob Denson is president of Des Moines Area Community College. Adam Carroll is a personal financial consultant and Jim Adams coordinates the Hope@Work program at one of, if not the, biggest churches in the state, Lutheran Church of Hope.

Jim will be making his Iowa Journal debut and the rest are veterans on the program. Glad to have Jim on the show.

You can call with your questions or email them ahead of time. Call 866.282.2846 or send an email to iowajournal@iptv.org

We're on live Thursday night from 8-9.

There will be no cutdown version of the program this week that airs on Friday. So, if you want to catch up if you miss our on-air signal, hop onto www.iptv.org/iowajournal

If you want to see our program on Autism, that's last week's show. Also see fan favorites like auto racing in Iowa, water quality and the Out and About in Red Oak. All available on our website, any time of the day.

We will also be taping a discussion tomorrow about social media. We're talking about Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn. How do we go beyond email. That will air only on Friday, May 29 at 630p. Another DTV or digital TV call in will air at 8p next week.

Thanks for the time.

The monkey is now blogging. Hard to believe. Check it out for longer versions of my Iowa Journal ramblings.

Thanks for reading this last line. If you send a question to iowajournal@iptv.org and you're on this list, I'll send you an IPTV prize.

So Much Apparent Time

2009-05-18T06:55:00.000-07:00

Each Monday seems like the whole week is in front of you.

It is, but its also a little daunting knowing what's ahead. This week I've got a couple of shows to put together, one on the economy and the other is a discussion of social media to be used in a later show.

Plus I'm taking a trip to Rock Island to speak on Tuesday, so that will eat an entire day in the car in a trip I just took already this weekend. Oh well, that's the price of fame.

This week we'll need your questions about the economy. We've got the president of DMACC, a personal finance guy, the director of the Iowa Workforce Development and a guy who leads the Hope@Work program at Hope Lutheran in West Des Moines. We're live Thursday at 8p.

Any ideas on how to make a good story about Twitter/Facebook happen? I've got some ideas, so I'll get to playing around with that right now.

Iowa State Fair Food on-a-stick options 2009

2009-05-15T11:22:00.000-07:00

The Iowa State Fair boasts nearly 200 food stands and more than 40 delectable items available on-a-stick. Here's the list as of August 2008:

Pickle on-a-stick
Pork chop on-a-stick
Corn dog
Cheese on-a-stick
Cajun chicken on-a-stick
Sesame chicken on-a-stick
Carmel apple
German sausage on-a-stick
Teriyaki beef on-a-stick
Corn on the cob on-a-stick
Cotton candy
Veggie dog on-a-stick
Turkey drumstick
Nutty bar
Fried pickle on-a-stick
Hot bologna on-a-stick
Shrimp on-a-stick
Chicken on-a-stick
Monkey Tails (chocolate covered banana on-a-stick)
Taffy on-a-stick
Honey on-a-stick
Ice cream Wonder Bar
Deep fried Snickers bar on-a-stick
Deep fried 3 Musketeers bar on-a-stick
Deep fried Milky Way bar on-a-stick
Deep fried Twinkie on-a-stick
Lamb on-a-stick
Meatballs on-a-stick
Deep fried hoho on-a-stick
Fudge Puppy (waffle drenched in chocolate syrup and topped with whipped cream)
Chili Dog on-a-stick
Funtastick Pork on-a-stick
Dutch letters on-a-stick
Turkey tenders on-a-stick
Deep fried hot dog on-a-stick
Chocolate covered cheesecake on-a-stick
Potato Lollipop (4 thick slices of russet potato deep fried and on-a-stick with dipping sauces)
Pineapple on-a-stick (Fresh pineapple dipped in funnel cake batter and deep fried)
Chicken lips on-a-stick (breaded chicken breast smothered with hot sauce, served with blue cheese dressing).
Cornbrat on-a-stick (bratwurst dipped in corndog batter)
Frozen fudge brownie on-a-stick
Ice cream cookie sandwich on-a-stick
Rock candy on-a-stick
Salad on-a-stick
Hard-boiled egg on-a-stick

Health Hikes and Soda Tax

2009-05-15T10:25:00.001-07:00

IPTV UPDATE

Friday, May 15, 2009

Healthy Hike inspires 16 million minutes of reading and moving!

Kids in every Iowa county joined together to move and read more than 16 million minutes during the month of April as part of Iowa Public Television’s “Healthy Hike” initiative. Dan Wardell, popular host of the IPTV Kids Clubhouse, will help schools celebrate their accomplishments this month.

One elementary school classroom and one library in each county was selected to participate in the competition, with students working to log minutes exercising and minutes reading throughout the month of April. The combined efforts of these 99 communities totaled 16,508,686 minutes of reading and moving.

Every school and library participating in the effort will receive books about exercise for the school and for the library, and a certificate for each student.

The schools that logged the most moving/reading minutes will be treated to a visit from Dan Wardell when they take their celebratory “Healthy Hikes” to their local libraries. Dates and times are yet to be announced. The top ten communities are:
1^st place: Lamoni Community Schools, Lamoni (5,245 average minutes read/moved per student)

2^nd place: Southeast Webster-Grand, Dayton (4,150 average minutes read/moved per student)
3^rd place: Villisca Elementary School, Villisca (3,592 average minutes read/moved per student)

4^th place: Clayton Ridge Elementary, Guttenberg (3,547 average minutes read/moved per student)
5^th place: West Sioux Elementary, Hawarden (3,487 average minutes read/moved per student)
6^th place: North Tama Elementary, Traer (3,383 average minutes read/moved per student)
7^th place: Prince of Peace, Clinton (3,230 average minutes read/moved per student)
8^th place: St. Rose of Lima, Denison (3,163 average minutes read/moved per student)
9^th place: South Winn Elementary, Ossian (3,149 average minutes read/moved per student)
10^th place: Marnie Simons Elementary, Hamburg (3,142 average minutes read/moved per student)

Students in these top 10 classrooms will each receive a Healthy Hike jump rope, in addition to their certificates.

Chariton and Columbus Junction will also receive visits from Dan Wardell to recognize their outstanding commitment to the effort through community partnerships.

Programming Highlights Next Week

Tonight at 7:30, Iowa Press features an interview with State Sen. Mike Gronstal (D-Council Bluffs), discussing the work of the recently completed 2009 legislative session. The program will be rebroadcast Sunday at 11:30 a.m., and will also be available at www.iptv.org.

Tonight at 8, Market to Market will explore a "soda tax" being considered by the Senate to help pay for an overhaul of the nation's health care system, and the USDA's monthly supply and demand estimates that have revealed reduced stockpiles of major grain and oilseeds. The program will be rebroadcast Sunday at noon and will also be available at www.iptv.org.

Sewing with Nancy, Saturday at 3:30 p.m., gives tips on sweatshirt appliqués for kids.

Be more amazed on Nature Sunday at 7 p.m. This all-new episode takes viewers to the largest waterfall in the world – Victoria Falls.

On Monday at 8 p.m., Kennedys: American Experience tells the family’s story of ambition, family loyalty, and personal tragedy. The film is updated with information about Sen. Ted Kennedy’s battle with cancer.

Tuesday at 9 p.m., Frontline: Inside the Meltdown investigates the causes of the worst economic crisis in 70 years, and how the government responded.

Then at 10 p.m., on IPTV World, Intelligent Talk Television: Understanding the Economic Meltdown features a lecture by James Bernard, Jr., general manager of MarketWatch.com, given in Iowa in September 2008.

Blueprint America, airing Wednesday at 7 p.m., examines the steps that need to be taken to move our infrastructure systems forward.

Thursday’s The Iowa Journal features a special call-in program addressing Iowa’s economic concerns. Tune in Thursday at 8 p.m., or visit www.iptv.org to watch online.

The Economy Call In

2009-05-15T09:09:00.000-07:00

Live Call-in Program on Jobs and Iowa’s Economy:

On the Thursday, May 21 edition

of The Iowa Journal

(Johnston, Iowa) – On Thursday, May 21, The Iowa Journal focuses on jobs – layoffs, job searches, entrepreneurship, and other issues facing workers in the current economy. Viewers will have the opportunity to call and ask questions of an expert panel during this live, one-hour broadcast at 8 p.m.

The program will feature experts on a range of workforce issues. Personal financial consultant Adam Carroll will address the challenges to household budgets that arise with a layoff or job change. Robert Denson, president of Des Moines Area Community College, will discuss the importance of gaining new skills and re-training to adapt to the changing economy. Elisabeth Buck, director of Iowa Workforce Development, will offer insights into resources available to workers, as well as opportunities for Iowans to change career paths following job losses.

The panel will also feature Jim Adams, coordinator of the Hope@Work program at Lutheran Church of Hope in West Des Moines. Recently, group participation has grown from 10-15 individuals a week to 35-40.

Viewers can call in during the live broadcast, or they can email questions ahead of time to iowajournal@iptv.org.

For more information about The Iowa Journal, visit www.iptv.org/iowajournal or call (515) 242-3146.

Autism

2009-05-15T09:00:00.000-07:00

The Iowa Journal looked at Autism on Thursday, May 14.

Sally Pederson and Ethel Faust were the guests.

We had a lot of ground to cover and did in our 17 minutes. The show is online at www.iptv.org/iowajournal