13 Nov 2015

Holiday Pops: Cirque de la Symphonie Nov. 20-21

By Quad City Symphony Orchestra
Back by Popular Demand
QCSO Holiday Pops:  Cirque de la Symphonie
Stages Three Spectacular ALL-NEW Shows at the Adler Theatre
Friday, Nov. 20 at 8:00 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 21 at 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
Jaw-dropping Spectacle Evokes Joy...Gasps!

A heart-warming holiday tradition continues this year.  The Quad City Symphony Orchestra (QCSO) Holiday Pops concert is bringing back the über-popular Cirque de la Symphonie for three, big, all-new shows at the Adler Theatre.  There will be one Friday evening, November 20 performance at 8:00 p.m. and two Saturday, November 21 performances at 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.

"I didn't even blink when my Mother ask me if we wanted to go again.  What great fun", stated Chris Fenderson of Davenport.

Cirque de la Symphonie wows audiences worldwide with spectacular aerial and acrobatic feats that generate gasps and "ahs" from the audience.  The unique program is also peppered with humor and laughter that makes it fun for audience members of all ages.  The talents of the guest artists truly amaze.

The program features holiday hits like White Christmas and Deck the Halls and beloved movements from classical masterpieces like Swan Lake and The Nutcracker.  This popular holiday music is performed with resounding beauty and perfection by the professional musicians of the Quad City Symphony Orchestra.  And the combination of the symphonic sounds with the angelic choral voices from the First Presbyterian Sanctuary Choir of Davenport and Quad City Symphony Youth Choir creates a wonderful kick-off to the holiday season.

"I love planning these concerts and performing alongside the amazing musicians of the QCSO, choir members and Cirque performers, to usher in the good cheer of the holiday season," shared Benjamin Klemme, QCSO Associate Conductor.  "It doesn't truly feel like the holidays without Holiday Pops!"

Tickets are available in all price categories starting at just $10 for children and students and $15 for adults ranging up to the $75 adult price for Premier Loge.

QCSO Holiday Pops:  Cirque de la Symphonie leaves audiences full of wonder and is a lively and fun holiday outing the whole family will enjoy.  There's truly something for everyone in this event.

Group and student pricing is available for all performances.

More information and tickets are available at www.qcso.org
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13 Nov 2015

The Home Depot Partners with Rebuilding Together Quad Cities to Restore Independence for Milan-Area Veteran

By Rick Martin

Local Store Volunteers to Transform Veteran's Home as Part of Company's Fifth Annual Celebration of Service Campaign to Help Veterans Nationwide

WHAT: On Friday, Nov. 13, local Home Depot associates will partner with Rebuilding Together Quad Cities to improve the safety and accessibility for a Milan-area veteran home to help restore his independence. This local volunteer project is part of the company's fifth annual Celebration of Service campaign, a nationwide effort led by Team Depot, The Home Depot's associate-led volunteer force.  Since Sept. 11t, Team Depot volunteers have completed projects for veterans in every community The Home Depot serves, with a focus on senior veterans who need modifications to their homes to safely age in place and veterans with service-connected disabilities.

Local volunteers will help improve accessibility for Phillip Carman, a disabled Vietnam veteran who lives alone with help from his caretaker and family. At 86 years old, he finds it difficult to leave his home without access to a wheelchair ramp. The upgrades that Team Depot will make will allow Carman to enjoy the outdoors again and leave quickly in the event of an emergency.

Volunteer projects throughout the day will include :

•           Install a wheelchair ramp

•           Repair accessible entry on side of home

WHO: Spokespeople available for interviews include :

•           Teri Sutherland, daughter of veteran recipient

•           Jason Paskvan, The Home Depot

•           Lisa Lockhart, Rebuilding Together Quad Cities

WHERE: 314 W 29th

Milan, IL 61264

WHEN: Friday, Nov. 13 from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

 

CONTACT: For more information, please contact Jason Paskvan: Pakman72@me.com or 563-449-6553

About Giving Back at The Home Depot

Since the first The Home Depot store opened in 1979, giving back has been a core value for the Company and a passion for its associates. Today, The Home Depot, in partnership with The Home Depot Foundation, focuses its philanthropic efforts on improving the homes and lives of U.S. military veterans and their families and aiding communities affected by natural disasters. Through Team Depot, the Company's associate-led volunteer force, thousands of associates dedicate their time and talents to these efforts in the communities where they live and work.

Since 2011, The Home Depot Foundation has invested more than $105 million to provide safe housing to veterans, and along with the help of Team Depot volunteers, has transformed more than 22,000 homes for veterans. To learn more and see Team Depot in action, visit www.homedepot.com/teamdepot.

About Rebuilding Together Quad Cities

As an affiliate of a nationally-recognized nonprofit organization, Rebuilding Together Quad Cities works with volunteers to rebuild homes, communities, and lives. The organization provides emergency and needed home repairs for elderly, disabled, and low income homeowners at no cost to the home owner. More recently, they began an initiative to support the nation's disabled veterans and improve the safety and accessibility of their homes. For more information, visit www.rebuildingtogetherquadcities.org

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13 Nov 2015

Terrorists to U.S. Soil?

By Grassley Press

Thursday, November 12, 2015

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley issued the following statement regarding President Barack Obama's possible attempt to move enemy combatants housed at Guantanamo Bay to U.S. soil.  Congress has passed and the President has signed into law several bills that restrict any move to transfer these detainees to the United States.  Most recently, on Tuesday, the Senate passed and sent to the president the National Defense Authorization Act for 2016, which maintains those restrictions, on a 91-3 vote.  Grassley has also pressed for the Obama administration to release the legal analysis done by the Justice Department that authorized the release of five senior Taliban commanders from Guantanamo Bay in June 2014 in exchange for Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl without the legally required 30-day notice to Congress.  Grassley's June 5, 2014, letter is here.  The Obama administration's response is here.  After an unresponsive reply, Grassley is renewing and expanding his request for information about the Department's role in facilitating the release of those terrorists.   That letter can be found here.

"President Obama's pledge to shutter the detention facility at Guantanamo was always based on the notion that softening America's image abroad would somehow soften our enemies' resolve. The headlines every day remind us that's not the way it is.  If anything, as a direct result of the president's national security policies, our homeland is in more danger now than when he took office.

"There are a number of serious concerns with moving hardened terrorists to U.S. soil.  These include questions surrounding any additional legal, immigration and constitutional rights that terrorists will be afforded by such a move, as well as the obvious public safety threat that would come from permanently housing them in U.S. communities.  Those who remain at Guantanamo include the worst of the worst  -- for example, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the mastermind of the 9/11 attacks.  President Obama has admitted that many of them are too dangerous to be transferred or released.  Officials in New York refused to house some of them even temporarily for a trial.  And many of their home countries won't even take them back.

"Reports have suggested that President Obama may try to go around Congress if he can't secure a change in the law that would permit these terrorists to be brought to the United States.  If so, the President's effort to close the Guantanamo Bay facility will combine two of the worst aspects of his presidency -- his naiveté in dealing with our enemies and his lawlessness when dealing with Congress.  This is reminiscent of when he swapped five senior Taliban commanders from Guantanamo for Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl without notifying Congress in advance, which the non-partisan Government Accountability Office later determined was unlawful.  I've been asking to see the flawed advice that the Department of Justice provided in connection with the Bergdahl swap for over a year now, and after receiving another inadequate response, I've renewed and expanded my request for information.

"In the days following one of our most sacred days of honoring millions of U.S. veterans, including thousands from Iraq and Afghanistan, the President should reconsider placing the fulfillment of a mistaken campaign promise over the safety of the American people and respect for the rule of law."

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13 Nov 2015

Pest Management Featured at Ag Chemical Dealer Update

By Angela M. Orr

"Managing Soybean Sudden Death Syndrome and Northern Corn Leaf Blight in 2016," by Daren Mueller, Iowa State University Extension Plant Pathologist, is one of the presentations featured at the November 24 Agricultural Chemical Dealer Update in Iowa City, beginning at 9:00 a.m.  Other topics include herbicide resistance, corn rootworm management, and new sprayer technology.  While the target audience is individuals who provide advice to farmers, it is open to the public.

Continuing Education Units will be available for Certified Crop Advisors and 2015 Continuing Instruction Course credit will be available to agricultural Commercial Pesticide Applicators.

Contact your local Iowa State University County Extension for more information.

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13 Nov 2015

Ag Chemical Dealer Meeting

By Angela M. Orr

Agricultural crop consultants and input suppliers will want to attend the Agricultural Chemical Dealer Update in Iowa City on November 24, 2015, according to Virgil Schmitt, Iowa State University Extension Field Agronomist.  "These meetings are an excellent opportunity for crop consultants and input providers to meet with Extension specialists to review current research, discuss new products, and learn of new recommendations," Schmitt said.  "We feature presentations on weed, insect and crop disease management as well as sprayer technology," he continued.

The meeting is approved for 6.5 Certified Crop Adviser (CCA) credits and also offers Iowa Commercial Pesticide Applicator recertification in categories 1A, 1B, 1C and 10.  Attendance at the entire meeting is required for recertification.

Early registration, which includes CCA credits and pesticide applicator recertification, is $70 if received by midnight, Nov 18, 2015.  Late or on-site registration is $85. Visit www.aep.iastate.edu/acu for program details or to register online.

For additional information contact Virgil Schmitt at vschmitt@iastate.edu or (563) 263-5701.

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13 Nov 2015

3 New Deputies will be Hired 11/13/15

By Pamela Bennett

On Friday, November 13, 2015, at 09:00, the Scott County Sheriff's Office will hold a Swearing In Ceremony at the Sheriff's Office on second floor of the Scott County Courthouse.  Due to three sheriff deputy vacancies, Howard Wilson, Daniel Grafton and Eric Poirier have been hired as the newest three deputy sheriffs of Scott County.

Howard Wilson graduated from North Scott High School and attended Upper Iowa University.   Howard has been a Scott County Sheriff's Reserve Deputy, worked as a correctional officer and with the Scott County Sheriff's Office and worked as a police officer for the Dodge City, Kansas Police Department.  Currently Howard works part-time as a police officer for the Cities of Walcott, Buffalo and Eldridge. Howard Wilson is certified as a lead homicide and death investigator, certified in SWAT/close quarter battle as well as a self-defense instructor.

Daniel Grafton graduated from United Township High School in East Moline, IL and attended Black Hawk College in Moline.  While in high school and college, Dan worked for a volunteer fire department and while in college, Dan was elected as the youngest alderman to ever serve for the City of Silvis.  Dan was hired as a policeman by Muscatine, Iowa Police Department in 2009 where he served as a K-9 officer for two years, became a field training officer and was promoted to third shift corporal. Dan was recently engaged and plans to be married in early 2016.

Eric Poirier graduated from North Scott High School in May, 2010, graduated from Scott Community College with an associate's degree in May 2012 and graduated from Western Illinois University in December, 2012 with a business management major and a criminal justice minor.  Eric was employed by Hy-Vee in Davenport as a produce clerk from August 2008 until July 2015, after which he was employed by the 7th Judicial District of Correctional Services for the State of Iowa as a residential officer and most recently was employed as a seasonal park ranger by Scott County Conservation.  Eric has volunteered as a high school basketball coach at North Scott High School since 2010 and enjoys hunting and fishing.

13 Nov 2015

CORALVILLE CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS PRESENTS THE 2015 FESTIVAL OF TREES and BREAKFAST WITH SANTA AT BROWN DEER GOLF CLUB NOVEMBER 28

By Nancy Mayfield

The Coralville Center for the Performing Arts will host the 2015 Festival of Trees on Saturday, November 28 beginning at 6:30pm at Brown Deer Golf Club, located at 1900 Country Club Drive in Coralville.

This annual event features live and silent auctions of artistically decorated trees and wreaths created by local artists and organizations.  In addition to the auction, the event features heavy hors d'oeuvres, cash bar, and performances by City Circle, Young Footliters, and dancing to Rod Pierson's Not-So Big Band.  The popular grab bags will again feature exciting prizes for both children and adults!

Tickets ($25, or 10 for $200) are available at coralvillearts.org, by phone at 319.248.9370, and in person at the CCPA box office and Coralville Recreation Center.

Breakfast with Santa

Families are invited to join Santa at Brown Deer Golf Club for pancakes, fruit, juice, and coffee on the morning of November 28 at 9am or 10:30am, all in the gorgeous atmosphere of the Festival of Trees.  Santa's elves will have crafts, and each family will get to take a picture with Santa, which will be emailed by the following Monday, perfect for holiday cards!

Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 the day of the event, and are available at coralvillearts.org, by phone at 319.248.9370, and in person at the CCPA box office and Coralville Recreation Center.

City Circle Acting Company is the community theater program of the Coralville Center for the Performing Arts.  Since 1997, City Circle's mission has been the production of high quality dramatic, musical, and performing art pieces for the enjoyment of the public.  Upcoming City Circle productions include Oliver (December 11-20), Sweeny Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (February 12-14), and 1776 (April 29-May 8).

Owned and operated by the City of Coralville, the Coralville Center for the Performing Arts is dedicated to enriching the community and contributing to the vitality of Coralville by offering an accessible, affordable venue for a variety of performances, presentations, and public and private events.  The 472 seat theater opened August 26, 2011 and has hosted performances from City Circle Acting Company, Orchestra Iowa, Cedar Rapids Opera Theatre, Dan Knight, Lola Astanova, Lorie Line, Judy Carmichael, Jim McDonough, Nolte Academy of Dance, and many others.  Coralville schools are also able to use the Center free of charge up to three times per year. The Center was named 2012 Member of the Year by the Iowa City/Coralville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau.

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13 Nov 2015

RIVERMONT COLLEGIATE APPOINTS NEW HEADMASTER

By Jill Weitzel

November 11, 2015, Bettendorf, IA - After an extensive international search, Rivermont Collegiate's Board of Trustees is very pleased to announce the appointment of Colin Max Roach as the school's Headmaster, beginning in June 2016. Mr. Roach is an experienced leader and has extensive experience working with independent schools like Rivermont and we believe he has the skills in academic leadership and a track record of success in building enrollment and fundraising that we need in the coming years.

With an administrative career spanning from the elementary through high school levels, Mr. Roach is well suited to lead our PreK-12th grade programs. He is an experienced teacher and understands that all members of an independent school faculty must take on various roles. As an academic administrator, Mr. Roach has been involved in curriculum and program development and faculty development. Mr. Roach's academic passion is Japanese history and the samurai sword's iconography. While his teaching of Japanese martial arts (aikido and iaido) is quite serious, his passion for ukulele and Frisbee reveal his relaxed and approachable nature.

Mr. Roach says, "I am thrilled and humbled to join the Rivermont Collegiate community. I was deeply impressed by the quality of the school's faculty and students. In addition to the programmatic distinctions,the school's culture is one of genuine warmth and palpable commitment to excellence. The charm of the Quad Cities cemented our commitment to join the Rivermont Collegiate community. My wife Alethea and I look forward to serving the school while watching our children grow up among its outstanding students."

Prior to being appointed Headmaster of Rivermont Collegiate, Mr. Roach held various positions at a number of independent schools including Jackson Hole Community School (WY), the Darlington School (GA) and his high school alma mater, Wasatch Academy (UT).

Mr. Roach earned a B.A. from Westminster College (Utah) in education, an ESL teaching endorsement, and Master of Educational management and innovation. In addition, Mr. Roach is a Vanderbilt Peabody Fellow of Independent School Leadership.

Until June of 2016, Mr. Curtis Fee will continue to serve as Interim Headmaster.

The Board of Trustees is grateful to Melissa Sears and members of the search committee for their great work in developing and cultivating a talented pool of applicants from which we were able to select Max Roach as Rivermont's Headmaster.

Rivermont Collegiate is the Quad Cities' only Private College Prep School for PreSchool through 12th Grade. For more information visit: www.RivermontCollegiate.org

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13 Nov 2015

Honoring Our Veterans

By Alex Youn
This past Wednesday we took time to recognize the brave men and women who have served our country.  Generations of Americans have fought for, protected, and renewed the principals and liberties on which our country was founded, and I believe that we have a responsibility to come together to show our gratitude for their service.

A few weeks ago, I was honored to present twelve medals, including the Bronze Star and Purple Heart, to Robert Swan, an Army veteran of the Vietnam War, whose recognition was long overdue.  Drafted right out of high school, he proved to be an excellent Army medic, resilient fighter, and all-around selfless person - he even helped to deliver a Vietnamese woman's baby after she went into labor in a particularly dangerous village and made sure that both mother and baby got to safety afterward.  Robert represents the best our country has to offer - his strength of character, sense of duty, and bravery have been reflected by millions of service-members since the birth of our democracy, and I was honored to be able to say "thank you" in person to Mr. Swan on behalf of a grateful nation.

We will also never forget the heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice and all those who have not yet returned home.  As a nation, we must show our appreciation by working to ensure that our promise to America's veterans is fulfilled.  Whether helping veterans receive quality and timely health care, ensuring that military retirees get their due benefits on time, or making sure that mental health services are available for veterans suffering from PTSD, I will continue to fight in Congress on behalf of the courageous men and women who have fought for us.

My office works year-round on behalf of veterans and their families.  If you believe I can be of assistance to you, please contact my Iowa City office at (319) 351-0789.  Thank you again to all of our country's veterans for their service.

Sincerely,

Dave Loebsack
Iowa's Second District

13 Nov 2015

2015 Red Kettle Campaign Kick-Off Event

By Holly Nomura
Friday, November 13, 2015 at 6:00pm

NorthPark Mall:  Near Vitamin World, Dairy Queen/Orange Julius Corner

Red Kettle Campaign Goal will be revealed by Mayors Bill Gluba and Dennis Pauley
Sunshine's Show Choir, two children's vocalist groups, will perform.
Salvation Army Advisory Board Vice-Chair John McBride and Quad Cities Coordinator Major Gary Felton to host.

This campaign is a community-wide effort and The Salvation Army's most important fund raiser of the year.  
60% of the annual budget is raised during these six weeks.    

To volunteer:  please sign up at www.ringbells.org

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