The Chris Moeller Archives

The 6th Annual Moeller TV Festival

Since the organization of the first Moeller Television Festival in Athens, Greece in 1896, the annual competition to host the event has maintained an aggressive pace. 2007 has been no different as formal hosting bids were received from the communities of Helsinki, Finland, Perth, Australia, and Mexico City. Finally, the festival committee settled on the city of Des Moines, Iowa, USA, due primarily to the fact that it's the birthplace of actor Bill Daily of "The Bob Newhart Show," and that it's in close proximity to Creston, Iowa, the birthplace of actress Marcia Wallace of "The Bob Newhart Show."

From the French, the name "Des Moines" was taken from the Des Moines River that flows in a southeasterly vane through town. "Riviere Des Moines" translates literally into "the River of the Monks," though others contend that the river's name evolved from an Indian tribe in the area during the period of white settlement called the Moingonas. The high concentration of insurance companies at Des Moines' business center has earned it the colorful nickname "the Hartford of the West."

Also attractive to the co-chairs of the International Moeller Committee was Des Moines' large population of highly discerning entertainment consumers, evident currently by the high placement of the films "Die Hard" and "50 First Dates" in the community's shared Netflix rankings. The city offers public transportation in the form of in-city, express, and commuter bus routes, and a 3.5 mile-long skywalk system at its downtown. The Des Moines International Airport has recently added non-stop service to Cleveland, Ohio.

Des Moines offers a hospitable climate during the month of November, with a normal high temperature for the month of 46.7 degrees and average November precipitation of just 2.1 inches, making it the fourth driest month on the city calendar.

The 6th Annual Moeller Television Festival will be held at high noon on Saturday, November 10th, and offers the same annual promise of eclectic entertainment offerings, and lean, but hearty sandwiches. All are invited and encouraged to attend.

The location of the festival will be my home: 700 15th St, Penthouse Unit #6. Des Moines, Iowa is located at 41 degrees, 35'27" north; 93 degrees, 37'15"west. Please email any questions or suggestions to christophermmoeller@msn.com, or to my brother Aaron at atmoeller@hotmail.com. A viewing schedule will be posted in the coming weeks. Begin your vision exercises today.

posted by CM @ 8:59 PM