RAGBRAI : First Photo

This from the email:

Took this picture of Silver City, Iowa on the RAGBRAI journey.   Population is around 260 on a normal day.

- Jim Deitchler

Having some fun in iMovie 11

iMovie 2006 was my favorite platform to edit video. Elegant, stable and straight forward, it was a fine tool that Apple screwed up with updates the last five years. They dumbed it down, made audio editing and sound sliding almost impossible. But now, iMovie 11 is here and it is fine, fine fine.

You must update your Apple computer so you have an APP Store widget, gadget, whatever. Then for $14.99 you download it as an Application (APP). It's a 500MB+ download, but once you've figured out a few basic tools, making movies is easy and FUN!

Here's an example of a template movie trailer I'm using on my freelance page:

Jim Dietchler shares some recent photos of western Iowa flooding. His message follows:

"Hi John.  I managed, but don't ask how to get some flood pictures of I-29 south heading into Hamburg, Iowa.   These were taken on June 22 looking into town.  Since then the levee has held, but it is anybodys guess as to how long.   If it gives way these pictures will only be worse."

Vic Kesse Exhibit

Central Iowa photographer Vic Kesse has been invited to display some of his photos at St. Benedict's Abbey in Atchison, Kansas, right on the Missouri River.

According to Vic: I heard from Father Blaine on Tuesday confirming the exhibit.  I am trying to get everything ready so I can deliver the pictures July 12 on our way home from the family reunion in Kansas City.  I will have 20 of my photos and 5 - 10 of the old Kesse/Maday photos that show some interesting historical/family subjects.  It's going to be a rush to get everything done.  The photos and framing materials that I have ordered have to get here on time.  They want to have the pictures hung so they can be part of the Amelia Earhart celebration that begins on July 15.  Needless to say I am very excited about this opportunity.  I owe a big thank you to my cousin Lizann for introducing me to Father Blaine.

Below are a sample of some of Vic's marvelous work. I especially like the composition of the whale surfacing with the boat at the top.