So it is the time of the year when rumors and secrets of new shows and what is going to happen this season and etc, etc, etc... To keep you in the loop, new content has started flowing in like water. Now this is only the tip of the iceberg, but more will be coming up shortly. So let us start off with the basics.

I have added a ton of pictures and videos for all four of these new shows we have starting. Now 18 To Life will be starting next week and last night was the premiere of Plain Jane. Hellcats and Nikita will be showing up this fall so keep an eye out on that schedule!

18 To Life
Plain Jane
Hellcats
Nikita

And for a bit of good measure, I threw in a promo for The Vampire Diaries. Check it out all you Damon lovers.

*UPDATED*

You will now notice some of the new pictures and graphics are floating around out there on the TV while you watch your favorite shows. So I figured it was time for me to update those graphics here too. Check out the new group shots for 90210, Gossip Girl, Life Unexpected, One Tree Hill, Smallville, Supernatural and The Vampire Diaries.

Only on KCWI23.com.

Iowa News Service

A statewide news service for Iowa
 
Producer: Dick Layman, 4225 Fleur Drive #137, Des Moines, IA, 50321 Ph: 515-299-3965 Fax: 509-695-9627 E-mail: ins@newsservice.org
Podcast and Web Content Version Online: www.newsservice.org

July 27, 2010

Taking Out The Trash Soon A Thing Of The Past In IA?

DES MOINES, Iowa - Is it possible that one day Iowans won't have the chore of taking out the garbage? Almost every community in Iowa has some sort of recycling program, and if citizens would find a way to recycle most of what they dispose of, the amount needing to go to the landfill would be tiny, probably fitting in a small box every week. That's according to Amy Hock with Metro Waste Authority, who says the way to start is with making smart choices about what we buy.

"It really takes a lot of thought and a lot of planning to get to a point where we have zero waste or where, as a resident, you throw away very little. It starts with making conscious purchases when you go to the store."

Hock recommends items that have little packing material, and says one of the things that ends up in landfills that doesn't need to is plastic grocery bags; there is a special recycling program for them.

"It's a program called "build with bags" and it's where residents can take their plastic shopping bags back to the grocery store and those bags will be recycled, and they never end up in the landfill."

She says of all the items that can be recycled, the one that can be recycled repeatedly is glass products. She says the "Curb It" program started by Metro Waste Authority last year has resulted in the largest increase in recycling locally in the last 16 years.

Welcome RAGBRAI riders...you are in a for a treat this year with a wonderful route across northern Iowa. One of the shortest and flattest routes as it winds through northern Iowa from Sioux City to Dubuque from July 25-31.

That combination means the 10,000 riders will navigate a 442-mile route that ranks as third-easiest historically, at least as far as hills and mileage go. The ride will be the sixth-shortest. The 14,527 feet of climb is fifth-lowest total, so rejoice and save the hill complaints until at least Day 3.

Among the highlights along the route will be the fledgling King's Pointe Resort in Storm Lake, the newly dredged Clear Lake, art displays that include works by Picasso and Rembrandt.

If you don't know what RAGBRAI is all about you are missing out!

RAGBRAI, The Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa, is an annual seven-day bicycle ride across the state. Heading into its 38th year, RAGBRAI is the oldest, largest and longest bicycle touring event in the world.

For more information click here.

Des Moines, IOWA - The leaders of the locally-owned Iowa Barnstormers Arena Football League franchise today announced the organization entered into a new five-year lease agreement with the Iowa Events Center, ensuring that downtown Des Moines will be the home of the Barnstormers through the 2014 season.

In a Thursday news conference on Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Field at Wells Fargo Arena, Barnstormers ownership group members Jeff Lamberti and Matt Strawn said the new agreement will send a strong signal to all fans that the Barnstormers and the AFL will have a place in Des Moines for the foreseeable future.

While the specific terms of the lease were not disclosed by the Barnstormers or the Iowa Events Center, Lamberti said the organization now enjoys a lease that no longer places the franchise at a competitive disadvantage with AFL teams in larger markets. "This is a true partnership," he said. "We are pleased that the Iowa Events Center recognizes the financial benefit to Polk County of keeping the Barnstormers here in Des Moines. This helps us not only keep an AFL team in Des Moines, but focus on delivering an Arena Bowl championship to Iowa."

Lamberti said a number of factors gave the organization's local ownership group the confidence to enter into this long-term agreement. "First and foremost is having the best fans in arena football. Next is the amount of supportive partners in Iowa's business community. Then there's the strength and promise of a bright future for the AFL. And finally, a lease agreement that allows the Barnstormers to share in the success of filling Wells Fargo Arena game after game."

Lamberti, who also serves on the AFL's Executive Committee, spoke to the future of the AFL noting that plans for the 2011 AFL season are progressing rapidly as the Kansas City, Philadelphia and San Jose markets return to the league. Additionally, he said the both the NFL Network and the AFL owners have been pleased with the first year of a featured AFL National Game of the Week on the NFL Network and look forward to continuing that level of exposure for the Barnstormers and the AFL.

The team's commitment for the future also included an announcement that the Barnstormers would not raise any ticket prices for the 2011 season, according to Strawn. "Despite the tough economic conditions here in Iowa and a challenging season on the playing field, the loyalty of our fans stayed strong as we're on pace to average over 9,000 fans per game for the third straight season. The best way to thank our fans and keep the ‘Stormers an affordable option for Iowa families is to not raise our ticket prices one penny for the 2011 season," concluded Strawn.

The Barnstormers (6-8) host the Milwaukee Iron (9-5) Saturday, July 24 at 7:05 p.m. in the team's home finale. Tickets are available by calling (515) 633-2255 or online at www.theiowabarnstormers.com.

Check out the state's BEST high school football players and cheerleaders this weekend at the 38th Annual Shrine Bowl! The game is Saturday, July 24th at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames at 7pm.

The players are selected by a process of nomination by coaches, balloting by state-wide sports media professionals, and official invitation from a representative of the Iowa Shrine Bowl.

The 2010 game will be the 38th Annual Iowa Shrine Bowl Game. To date, the Iowa Shrine Bowl has raised over $2,000,000 for the Shriners Hospitals for Children. Funds for Shriners Hospital For Children are developed by ticket sales, advertising in the Shrine Bowl program, merchandise sales, contributions and sponsorships.

Iowa Shrine Bowl, Inc is an incorporated 501(c)3 fundraising organization. All profits from operations are sent to Shriners Hospital For Children. The principle fundraising event of Iowa Shrine Bowl, Inc is the Iowa Shrine Bowl Game.

Good luck to all!

For more information go to http://zagazigshrine.org/shrinebowl.htm

It has been a long time since I have posted anything about the site, our shows and I feel like I may be letting everyone down. Well no worries, I have not forgotten to work for you! During this time of down, I have been redesigning the website, working on fixing some bugs, adding new features and well, making it more interactive for you our viewers! So make sure you keep checking back as the face lift will be in place very soon.

Alongside all of that, I need to let you know about a few of our new shows we are starting to air and...drum roll please...rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr...the Fall Preview! I already posted the Upfront Preview on the home page in the Video Gallery so check that out.

So here we go on the shows.

First off, we are beginning some of our new show airings already! The first one will be Plain Jane which begins Wednesday July 28th at 8pm.

Then on Tuesday August 3rd at 8pm we will begin airing the comedy 18 To Life.

Make sure you check out all the information about these shows right here on KCWI23.com.

OK, OK. I know you are wondering about the Fall lineup so here we go. Now this is only Prime, but the rest of our shows will be coming soon...OK, OK...moving on to the new shows and their premiere dates! Remember times and shows are subject to change.

Wednesday, September 8th 7:00PM America's Next Top Model 8:00PM Hellcats

Thursday, September 9th 7:00PM The Vampire Diaries 8:00PM Nikita

Monday, September 13th 7:00PM 90210 8:00PM Gossip Girl

Tuesday, September 14th 7:00PM One Tree Hill 8:00PM Life Unexpected

Friday, September 24th 7:00PM Smallville 8:00PM Supernatural

There you go! I hope you enjoy and keep checking back for all of the new items that will be happening very quickly. Shows to web updates...oh yeah!!!

Only on KCWI23.com.

Every summer, thousands of cats and dogs die needlessly after they are left inside cars. With the warm summer heat, the Animal Rescue League of Iowa (ARL) receives several calls each day alerting us to dogs locked in cars. So far this summer, the ARL's Animal Care and Control Officers have cited five people for leaving their dog(s) in a car; two of those citations were this week alone. Pets should never be left unattended in a car when the temperature is more than 70 degrees. When it is 85 degrees outside, the temperature inside a car can soar to 160 degrees in a matter of minutes, even with the windows cracked open. "Summer time heat can be brutal, especially for pets," said Tom Colvin, Executive Director for the Animal Rescue League, "Not only is it dangerous to leave your pet in a warm car, the Animal Control Officers are taking a tough stance against this unnecessary crime with a citation to violators to appear in court." Owners may face a simple misdemeanor and fine if found guilty. The ARL reminds people to act immediately if they see a distressed animal in anunattended car. In the city of Des Moines, residents can call ARL Animal Care & Control at (515) 283-4811. Residents outside of Des Moines can call their local law enforcement's nonemergency phone number.

A few other tips to keep pets happy & healthy this summer are:

• Always provide shelter


• Always provide cool, fresh water


• Exercise your pet in the morning or late evening, when the weather is coolest - do not overdo it


• Keep pets away from auto coolant puddles in parking spaces or garages - it's poisonous!


• Beware of hot surfaces such as asphalt, concrete & truck beds that can burn tender animal feet


• Don't let dogs ride in the backs of pickup trucks


• Keep your pet well-groomed & don't let them become overweight

Hy-Vee and Casey's will share the $250,000 cost of transporting 300+ veterans of World War II to Washington, DC to visit the nation's monuments honoring their military service. The Central Iowa Honor Flight organization is coordinating the trip, which is scheduled to leave Des Moines early on Tuesday, August 17th and return late the same day. Also, Knapp Development will be sponsoring an additional flight on August 18th.

The veterans busses will be parading through the Iowa State Fair on their way to Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino who has volunteered to sponsor the send-off dinner for the Honor Flight participants on the evening of August 16. Come out to the Iowa State Fair and show your appreciation to these veterans on their way to Washington DC.

The Central Iowa Honor Flight organization is composed entirely of volunteers. Over the last two years, the organization has raised $1.4 million and sent nearly 1,800 World War II veterans to Washington, DC.

"It's the least we can do, to sacrifice one day of our lives to say ‘thank you' for a lifetime of freedom," said Jeff Ballenger, Central Iowa Honor Flight coordinator.

Hy-Vee sponsored Honor Flights in August and November of last year and Casey's sponsored a flight in October.

For more information, visit the organization's website: www.centraliowahonorflight.org.

Little River Band Concert at the 7 Flags Event Center has been rescheduled from July 23 to October 8. The Little River Band was asked to be a part of a benefit concert for the Gulf Coast affected by the oil spill and the Event Center agreed to reschedule.

Click here for more information.

We have two families so far that have won a fun, family day at Adventureland. The Bartmess Family from Nevada and the Hood Family from Ottumwa. Be sure to get your stories in and your family could also be a winner. KCWI wants to thank those families for sacrificing so much to have their loved ones serve our country and especially to the military men and women risking their lives. Check out what their stories said about our local heroes!

If your 4th of July holiday weekend was rained out you should definitely be going to Ankeny Summerfest. It begins this Thursday and goes through the weekend with more events than you can imagine. After looking at the line-up of almost 50 different activities I picked a few that interest me. Starting on Friday a must see concert with The Nadas. Then on Saturday come prepared to sweat by taking part in the mud volleyball tournament, bean bag toss tourney, and co-ed sand volleyball tournament. If you haven't had enough fun return on Sunday for some great fireworks.

Video Games and TV are really guilty for attention and focus problems in kids. This has been proven by a recent study at the Iowa State University. The study was published in the July 2010 issue of the journal Pediatrics and says that children who spend too much time playing video games and watching tv are more prone to focus and concentration problems. According to the study by Iowa State University, kids who spend more than 2 hours of using a screen per day are twice more likely to experience attention problems as they grow up.

Studying two groups of students over 13-months, a group of 1323 4th to 6th graders and a group of 210 college undergraduates, psychologists at Iowa State University and the National Institute of Media and the Family report that video games contribute as much as television viewing to an increase in attention problems in school. The scientists noticed that those students who spent more than 2 hours per day continuously playing video games or even watching tv, were more subjected to attention problems in class. What was most surprising to the scientists was the fact that the difficulties were as strong among the older children as they were among the younger ones. That suggests that regardless of when television viewing or video game playing exerts its strongest effect on attention, the influence is long lasting.

The Iowa State University study recommends only two hours of daily screen time per day. Both the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Canadian Pediatric Society recommend parents limit a child's screen time to one or two hours daily also. The issue is with all the technology we own in our daily lives is the problem. The average child in the U.S. and likely in Canada, spends many more hours per day with screen-based technology.

For more information on the study at Iowa State University, click here.