IRIS Program Schedule August 1-August 5, 2011

Highlights of the IRIS Program Schedule for August 1-August 5, 2011

Hello, IRIS fans! This is Jim Boyd, weekend guy at IRIS, bringing you the highlights of this week's programming on IRIS.

Coming up Monday through Saturday, 9 p.m.: Ron Nielsen reads from The Iowan Magazine, a bi-monthly publication celebrating the people and communities, history and traditions, and the ideas and events that make up our captivating state.

On Wednesday, July 27 at 12 p.m.: "Midweek Shopping Cart" with Marlys Van Hauen. Repeated 9 p.m. Wednesday and 4 p.m. on Thursday, July 28. Catch all the weekly grocery ads and department store specials!

Thursday, July 28, 9 p.m.: Old Radio Shows, featuring comedy stories told by Phil Harris and Alice Fay, Maisie, and Father Knows Best.

Also, remember that you can hear The Des Moines Register every day at 9 a.m., and many other programs on IRIS: the Iowa Radio Reading Information Service!

Highlights of IRIS Program Schedule, July 25-30, 2011

Hello, folks! This is Jim Boyd, weekend guy at IRIS, bringing you the highlights of this week's programming on IRIS.

Coming up Monday through Saturday, 9 p.m.: Readings from the book, "RAGBRAI: Everyone Pronounces it Wrong", by John and Ann Karras, read by Anthony Pisut.

On Wednesday, July 27 at 12 p.m.: "Midweek Shopping Cart" with Marlys Van Hauen. Repeated 9 p.m. Wednesday and 4 p.m. on Thursday, July 28.

Thursday, July 28, 9 p.m.: Old Radio Shows, featuring stories of Gunsmoke, The Lone Ranger, and Have Gun, Will Travel.

Also, remember that you can hear The Des Moines Register every day at 9 a.m., and many other programs on IRIS: the Iowa Radio Reading Information Service!

IRIS Receives $10,000 Prairie Meadows Grant

IRIS was recently awarded $10,000 as a recipient of Prairie Meadows Community Betterment Grant Program. IRIS is thrilled to be one of 192 organizations to receive financial support.

IPTV Partnership and Digital Radios

As of February 4th, 2011, IRIS has officially gone digital. Executive Director Maryfrances Evans announced the news last week. This news came alongside word of the new partnership of IRIS and Iowa Public Television. This collaboration has been in the works since January 1st. News crews diligently covered this event.

Previously, IRIS news was delivered using an analog FM signal. This signal, unfortunately, left many listeners with patches of inaudible sound throughout their favorite shows. The new digital radios allow for listeners to enjoy their new digital signal that will be uninterrupted and available statewide. The signal will be transferred and available via Iowa Public TV and our digital radios. Iowa is one of the first states to accomplish this feat statewide.

IRIS is a small, nonprofit organization that relies on volunteers to read newspapers and other publications as printed to the blind and print handicapped. This signal streams 24/7 and contains a variety of programs. Radios that IRIS provides, free of charge, are pre-tuned to the IRIS signal. All listeners have to do is turn the knob. This makes our airwaves incredibly easy to access. Before the IRIS and IPTV partnership, Iowans used an analog FM signal that was not available in all areas. Thousands of potential listeners were not offered IRIS's services due to this signal. Now, these listeners can tune in anywhere in Iowa. It truly makes a difference.

IRIS is the only radio reading service in Iowa and has been around since 1989. Senator Tom Harkin is an avid supporter and constant advocate for IRIS. He was very instrumental in this collaboration, as he has been helping IRIS for years. He spoke at the partnership announcement last Friday at the IPTV studios.

If you have questions about IRIS, our digital signal, or our new partnership, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Email: iris89@netins.net

Phone: (515) 243-6833

Website: www.iowaradioreading.org

Blog: www.IRISradioreading.blogspot.com

New Microphones

Above: One of our new microphones!

IRIS has two new microphones. They are PG 42 Shure side address microphones installed in the control room and studio. Some time back, two of our microphones died at about the same time, and were too old to repair. We limped along with a spare and a loaner, but it was time for two new ones. Thanks to Dick Trump for the recommendation and installation.

Above: Dick Trump installs one of the new microphones.

Celebrity Reader visits IRIS

On Tuesday, November 10, IRIS listeners heard a pair of special guest celebrity readers; Heidi Soliday and her son, J.D. Heidi is the former sports director at KCCI Channel 8 news here in Des Moines. J.D. is a freshman at Dowling High School in Des Moines and will be joining the roster of IRIS weekend readers.

Fort Dodge Luncheon

Fort Dodge listeners and readers gather at Friendship Haven to enjoy some music and lunch at the annual event. Great to see everyone there !