Countryside Community Theatre is excited to announce that it will be returning to its home theater, North Scott High School in Eldridge, for the 2015 season.  Christina Myatt, board president, said, "We thought a lot about the future of CCT.  North Scott has been our home for 30 years.  We want to celebrate that history and that partnership.  We delayed announcing a season as we wanted to make sure that construction and improvements being made to the physical building would not impede our presentation or our patrons' enjoyment of this our 32nd season."

Countryside will also return to a two show season hoping to utilize more of the talent seen each year at auditions.  "We have really seen our numbers grow in the past years as we have presented area premieres of Les Miserables and Shrek.   We see a niche for ourselves in presenting larger than life, family-friendly entertainment that features a multi-generational cast of local talent, " Myatt said.

To that end, CCT will present "Something Old, Something New" for 2015- a classic piece of musical theatre that has stood the test of time and an area premiere of a more recent work.  The season will begin with Jesus Christ Superstar in June and conclude with Big Fish in July.  Directors will be announced closer to the end of the month.

Jesus Christ Superstar, with lyrics by Tim Rice and music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, is a retelling of the Christ's final days on earth. Propelled by a stirring score, by turns that are driving and majestic, satirical and tender, it illuminates the transcendent power of the human spirit with a passion that goes straight to the heart.

"For a 2,000-year-old story set to 30-year-old music, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR still has a fresh, timeless appeal. Andrew Lloyd Webber's music is haunting, snappy and touching... Tim Rice's lyrics are too good to miss a word." ? Sue Merrell, Grand Rapids Press, January 01, 2003

Big Fish is a new Broadway musical featuring music and lyrics by Tony nominee Andrew Lippa (The Addams Family, The Wild Party) and a new book by esteemed screenwriter John August (Big Fish, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory).

Based on the celebrated novel by Daniel Wallace and the acclaimed film directed by Tim Burton, Big Fish centers on Edward Bloom, a traveling salesman who lives life to its fullest... and then some! Edward's incredible, larger-than-life stories thrill everyone around him - most of all, his devoted wife Sandra. But their son Will, about to have a child of his own, is determined to find the truth behind his father's epic tales.
Overflowing with heart, humor and spectacular stagecraft, Big Fish is an extraordinary new Broadway musical that reminds us why we love going to the theatre - for an experience that's richer, funnier and BIGGER than life itself.

"4 stars! A GORGEOUS, CHARMING, DREAM MUSICAL! RAVISHING and ENCHANTING, with ONE KNOCKOUT DANCE NUMBER AFTER ANOTHER..." - Bloomberg News

"A HEARTFELT, POWERFUL AND MOVINGLY SCORED NEW AMERICAN MUSICAL full of QUALITY WRITING by JOHN AUGUST." - Chicago Tribune

Auditions for both shows will be held January 10 and 11 at North Scott HS in Eldridge.  Information on audition specifics will be released in early December via the company's website and Facebook page.

For more information or to volunteer to assist with either production, contact CCT at cctonstage@hotmail.com or call 563-285-6228.

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Clinton, IA - Clinton and the Clinton County Sherriff's Office, will be coordinating the American Medicine Chest Challenge in Clinton, Camanche and DeWitt.
The event will take place on November 8, 2014 in communities across the country. This initiative will challenge residents to take the Five-Step American Medicine Chest Challenge:
· Take inventory of your prescription and over-the-counter medicine.
· Secure your medicine chest.
· Dispose of your unused, unwanted, and expired medicine in your home or at an American Medicine Chest
Challenge Disposal site.
· Take your medicine(s) exactly as prescribed.
· Talk to your children about the dangers of prescription drug abuse.
To help combat this growing threat to our nation's children, we are hosting the American Medicine Chest Challenge (AMCC) on November 8, 2014. Residents can find a local collection site on www.americanmedicinechestchallenge.com or dispose of their medicine at home, following the guidelines on the site.
The most recent National Survey on Drug Use and Health shows prescription medicines to be the most abused drugs by Americans, other than marijuana and found that 70% of people who abuse prescription pain relievers say they got them from friends or relatives. A recent study on drug use by teens by the Partnership for a Drug Free America (PDFA) found that one in 9 children are abusing prescription pain relievers to get high.
"This Challenge will raise awareness about the dangers of abusing prescription drugs and reduce the availability of potent drugs that lead kids down a path to addiction,'' explained American Medicine Chest Challenge Chief Executive Officer Angelo M. Valente.
"With the American Medicine Chest Challenge we are calling on residents to see their medicine cabinets through new eyes -- as an access point for potential misuse and abuse of over-the-counter and prescription medicine by young people," explained Valente.
The American Medicine Chest Challenge has gained the national support of PhRMA, The Partnership at DrugFree.Org, the Generic Pharmaceutical Association and the American College of Emergency Physicians.
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MOLINE, IL - Western Illinois University-Quad Cities and WQPT's AmeriCorps program has completed its first year of service.

The original class of 12 AmeriCorps members served the Illinois Quad City area and set out to improve literacy skills in the classrooms they serve by 15 percent. After completing a pre-test and post-test based on Illinois Early Learning Standards, the results show improvement in literacy skills of the students served by 49 percent.

The AmeriCorps program has also undergone changes for the 2014-2015 class. The program is now able to serve both Illinois and Iowa and has been expanded to 24 members. Currently there are 20 members enrolled.

Fifteen of the members are new to the program, and five are returning for a second year of service. Members are serving at all three Skip-a-Long locations (Moline, Rock Island and Davenport, IA), Casa de los Ninos in Moline, Grant Wood Elementary and Thomas Jefferson Elementary School, both in Bettendorf, IA, Blackhawk Family Literacy Program in Moline, Hillcrest Elementary School in East Moline and the WIU Infant and Preschool Center in Macomb.

This is also the 20th anniversary of AmeriCorps and the Western/WQPT members celebrated in Springfield, IL, marching through the city and taking the oath of service on the steps of the Old State Capital.

Other projects included making 250 blank books for children to write and illustrate their own stories at the newly opened Newcome Early Learning Center in Davenport, IA, and helping at the National Bullying Prevention Month CommUNITY Party in Bettendorf, IA, promoting kindness and helping the children make Elmo puppets.

Anyone interested in applying to AmeriCorps can email Scott at s-brouette@wiu.edu.

WQPT is a media service of WIU.

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Grand Opening Dedication Celebration of their new church building located at 2930 W. Locust Street, Davenport, IA to be held the weekend of November 15 and 16.

DAVENPORT, Iowa, November 3, 2014 -. The community is invited to participate in the MCC QC Sneak Peek Open House on Saturday, November 15 from 2:00 - 6:00pm. Guests will be treated to coffee, punch and desserts as they tour the newly remodeled former Blockbuster building, which is now the home of an inviting social hall and a sanctuary wrapped in the warmth of stained glass windows. As artist Jim Rocker of Glass Illusions in East Moline says, "It's raining color to nourish our souls." All of the windows were purchased by members and friends to honor loved ones.

MCC QC was without its own church home for about a year after selling its former property at 3019 N. Harrison. The congregation was blessed to be able to meet for a time at the TriCity Jewish Center in Rock Island, and then at Tanglewood Chapel in Bettendorf. "The remodeling has been quite a challenge, both time-consuming and financially, but it is the result of the efforts of many, many loving hands and we are excited about the possibilities for new ministries and outreach at the new location," says MCC QC's pastor of ten years, Rev. Rich Hendricks.

The old Blockbuster Video sign at the location has been repurposed, with the same ticket shape that now has "MCC QC" and the MCC denominational logo on it. "It suits us," says Hendricks, "because after all, we're all a little bent, we're all a little torn, but with God and Jesus' love we've got just the ticket!" The Grand Opening and Dedication Service will take place at 11:00am on Sunday, November 16, and will be presided over by the Rev. Rachelle Brown, Emerging Church Specialist for Metropolitan Community Churches worldwide. Rev. Brown has served as a Pastor at two Chicago-area MCCs and is also the North Central MCC Network Leader. She holds a Master of Divinity from Eden Theological Seminary, St. Louis, MO, a Master of Communications from Missouri State University, and is a current PhD Candidate at Chicago Theological Seminary.

Immediately following the Dedication Celebration, MCC QC will host a spaghetti dinner in their new social hall. Those interested in attending the dinner should RSVP by November 13. For additional information, or to RSVP, please contact Rev. Rich Hendricks at 563-324-8281 or by email at richdhendricks@msn.com.

The Crane & Pelican will be featuring a special Sliders & Suds menu on Thursday nights from 5pm-9pm. Every Thursday night you can come get 3 gourmet sliders and hand-cut chips for $10 and 3 8oz sample pours of our delicious beers for $5.The menu will change monthly and will be posted at www.craneandpelican.com

4 Ways You Can Help Alleviate the Problem

While most Americans will worry about eating too much this holiday season, 16 million of our country's children live in households that struggle to afford food, according to a 2012 report from the United States Department of Agriculture.

"We hear about 'food insecurity' quite a bit, especially after the 2008-09 economic crash, but I think most people don't have a clear picture of what that means," says Lois Brandt, a former Peace Corps volunteer and author of "Maddi's Fridge," (www.MaddisFridge.com), a children's picture book that asks the question: what do you do if your best friend's family doesn't have enough food?

"Food insecurity means an empty refrigerator. Food insecurity means soda instead of milk. Food insecurity means a child coming to school hungry and unable to focus. Poverty may not look exactly the same in our country as it does in a war-torn region or a developing country, but it is affecting our children and their futures. Sometimes, working parents have to choose between rent and food, medicine and food, or gas and food.

Brandt suggests four things you can do to help prevent childhood hunger.

•  Support non-profit organizations like Feeding America (www.FeedingAmerica.org). Previously known as Second Harvest, Feeding America is a national network of food banks that feeds more that 37 million people through food pantries, soup kitchens and shelters. It's the nation's leading organization for countering hunger and educating the public about this crisis.

"Public awareness is important," Brandt says. "Many people simply do not know that we're surrounded every day by hungry children."

•  Talk to your children about childhood hunger and how they can help. "When I was a child I opened my best friend's refrigerator to get a snack and was shocked to see it held almost nothing," she says. "I didn't know what to do."

As an adult, Brandt says she's amazed by the number of people who share with her their own stories of childhood food insecurity.

"Rather than sheltering your children from this sad fact of American life, talking to them about it can help nurture their compassion and empathy," she says. "And there's plenty they can do to help, from making posters to raise awareness, to organizing a food drive at school."

Taking action teaches children that they do have the power and ability to change the world for the better.

•  Don't make childhood hunger a political issue. Of course, childhood hunger doesn't exist in a vacuum; issues like welfare, minimum wage, income inequality and access to health care - all of which are heavily politicized - surround the problem. Whatever your take on these topics, realize that no matter the decisions a parent has made in his or her lifetime, children are innocent and have no control of their family's circumstances.

•  Volunteer with your family at a shelter or food pantry during the busy holiday season. While serving or cooking food for a holiday-themed meal at a shelter during Thanksgiving or Christmas does not solve the larger problem, it will affect every person whose life you touch that day. Your efforts and kind words can become a fond, lifelong memory for a child, or remind adults that others care and they're not alone.

Volunteering also has personal benefits, not the least of which is knowing that, despite whatever problems you're facing, you were able to help someone else.

About Lois Brandt

Lois Brandt is a children's fiction writer whose work has appeared in Highlights and other fine children's magazines. Her new book "Maddi's Fridge," (www.MaddisFridge.com), illustrated by Vin Vogel, is the first picture book to address child hunger in the United States. It was inspired by Brandt's childhood memory of opening her friend's refrigerator and finding only condiments and a lunch milk carton her friend had saved from school for her little brother. Ten percent of proceeds from sales of "Maddi's Fridge" go to hunger solutions. Brandt, who holds an MFA from Northwest Institute of Literary Arts, served as a Peace Corps volunteer in West Africa.

This November 15th, Get Covered Illinois and TPQC will host a Kick-Off Enrollment Event for Rock Island County residents to get insurance under the federal health law. This event is scheduled for Saturday, November 15th:

9:00am - 3:00pm at 1830 6th Avenue, Moline, Il.

This is an open invitation for all Rock Island County residents to learn more about their expanded options for health insurance coverages. There is no cost for attendees and there will be great give away prizes and snacks for all. Illinois certified counselors will be available to help with questions, concerns and portal navigation.

The Affordable Care Act's first open enrollment period drew what officials call the "low-hanging fruit" of the uninsured population: the sick and those who knew the law requires everyone to have insurance.

This year, the TPQC and the State of Illinois are targeting people who often need a thorough explanation and several face-to-face meetings to understand their options. With a shorter enrollment period and a stiffer penalty for going without insurance, the state is intensifying its efforts to get the enrollment message out.
The law's second open enrollment period runs from Nov. 15 through Feb. 15, half as long as last year's enrollment period. The penalty for not having insurance will increase in 2015 to $325 or 2 percent of annual adjusted income, from $95 or 1 percent of income in 2014.

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IRS impersonators are making their rounds throughout our service area. BBB is receiving numerous calls from consumers who are inquiring about the legitimacy of a call from someone claiming to be from the IRS.  The impersonator states that the IRS is pursuing a lawsuit against the consumer for "back taxes," and they are demanding payment via prepaid money card or a wire transfer.

Those who don't answer their phone are left with a threatening message to call them back at 202-864-1213. Scammers often target the elderly or immigrant population. Some of the threats include jail time, deportation or suspension of the victim's business or driver's license.

BBB offers the following tips to protect you from the IRS scam and others like it:

  • Don't wire money to people you don't know. The IRS will never ask for payment over the phone. Furthermore, they will never ask for payments by wire transfer or prepaid debit card.
  • Just hang up. Don't engage in conversation with a scammer. A scam artist is often cunning. They may extract information from you the longer you engage in conversation with them.
  • Never give out your personal information. Caller ID spoofing makes it very easy for callers to pretend to be someone else. You should never give anyone your credit card, social security number or bank account information if they are soliciting you.
  • Call the IRS/ or company directly. If you owe taxes or think you might owe taxes, call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040. An IRS employee will help you with payment issues. Verify legitimate phone numbers on company websites or in the phonebook.

 

About Better Business Bureau: BBB is an unbiased, nonprofit organization that sets and upholds high standards for fair and honest business behavior. All BBB services to consumers are free of charge. BBB provides objective advice; free BBB Business Reviews on more than 4 million businesses, 11,000 Charity Reviews, dispute resolution services, alerts and educational information on topics affecting marketplace trust. BBB Serving Greater Iowa, Quad Cities and Siouxland Region was founded in 1940 and is one of 112 local, independent BBBs across North America.

Free event open to the community; registrations due by November 14th

QUAD CITIES IL/IA - Echoes and Reflections, a free Holocaust workshop open to the entire Quad City Area community, will be presented at North Scott Junior High School (502 S. 5th St., Eldridge, IA) on Tuesday, November 18th, 5:30-8:30 PM.

Registrations are required by Friday, November 14th. Contact Chris Green at (563) 570-4741 or via email at chris.green@north-scott.k12.ia.us. The program is designed by the Anti-Defamation League with assistance from the USC Shoah Foundation and Yad Vashem. It is presented locally by the Holocaust Education Committee of the Quad City Area (www.hecqc.org).

Echoes and Reflections (www.echoesandreflections.org) is a multimedia program that provides interested community members and US secondary educators with print and online resources to teach about the Holocaust. Participants receive a complimentary copy of the Echoes and Reflections Teacher's Resource Guide and educators also review strategies for using the curriculum in academic standards such as the Common Core State Standards.

The Holocaust Education Committee of the Quad City Area (www.hecqc.org) exists to promote a higher awareness of the Holocaust as a unique historical event with universal implications for today.

The Jewish Federation of the Quad Cites (www.jfqc.org) is a non-profit, 501 c (3) Illinois corporation founded in 1980. With other local organizations, JFQC addresses a broad range of needs to include cultural, religious, educational, family welfare, care of the elderly and interfaith relations. The Federation combats hate and anti-Semitism by supporting religious liberty and civil rights for everyone.

The core mission of JFQC is to preserve, protect, enrich and enhance Jewish communal life and the well-being of Jews locally, in Israel and throughout the world. It is a proud member of the Jewish Federations of North America (www.jewishfederations.org). The Jewish Federation of the Quad Cities is also on Facebook at www.facebook.com/jewishfedqc.

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Gary Sinise and Collective Soul Help Salute Our Nation's Heroes

RALEIGH, N.C. (Oct, 2014) - On Monday, Nov. 17, Golden Corral will thank thousands of active duty and retired United States military personnel for their service with a free dinner buffet and beverage, while raising donations for DAV (Disabled American Veterans). A tradition started 13 years ago to celebrate our nation's heroes, Golden Corral's Military Appreciation Monday has served more than 4 million complimentary meals to military personnel and generated more than $8.8 million dollars in guest contributions to support community-based service initiatives for veterans.

"Our 45,000 employees in 500 restaurants nationwide are very passionate about supporting our military service men and women on Military Appreciation Monday," said Ted Fowler, president and chief executive officer of Golden Corral. "While the current economy is challenging, we remain committed to recognizing the military through this program. We hope this year we will reach a new grand total of 5 million meals served since we began the program 13 years ago. We also hope to raise our contributions to the DAV to a grand total of more than $10 million dollars."

Golden Corral has enlisted Gary Sinise, celebrated actor/director, and Collective Soul, the platinum award-winning band, to record public service announcements for Military Appreciation Monday. Sinise and Collective Soul are all actively involved in supporting active duty and retired military personnel through a variety of organizations and initiatives including tours to military installations overseas.

"This is the 10th year I've had the pleasure to partner with Golden Corral in supporting our troops, past and present, through Military Appreciation Monday," said Sinise. "The number of meals given away and amount of money donated in the past 13 years really distinguishes Golden Corral's commitment to the military. I'm proud and happy to help raise awareness for Golden Corral Military Appreciation Monday."

Golden Corral will serve free dinner buffets with beverage from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Nov. 17 to any person who is or has served in a United States Military branch, including the National Guard and Reserves - identification is not required. State and local DAV representatives will be on-site at all Golden Corral locations coordinating the collection of donations from customers. While only current and former military qualify for the free meal, everyone is encouraged to come out and show support for our veterans. For more information on Military Appreciation Monday, please visithttp://www.goldencorral.com/military/.

About Golden Corral Corporation:

Founded in 1973, privately held Golden Corral Corp. is headquartered in Raleigh, N.C. Theodore M. Fowler Jr. serves as its president and chief executive officer.  Golden Corral currently has 500 restaurants in 41 states.  The company's vision is to be the leader in the family restaurant segment by making pleasurable dining affordable for every guest, at every restaurant, every day.  Golden Corral restaurants nationwide have long been strong supporters of the U.S. Military and the Disabled American Veterans (DAV).  Golden Corral helped raise more than $1.40 million dollars for the DAV in 2013 as part of its annual "Military Appreciation Monday" initiative. Golden Corral is the major sponsor of Camp Corral, a free "week of a lifetime" summer camp for children of wounded, disabled or fallen military families (www.campcorral.org ).  For more information on Golden Corral, visit www.goldencorral.com.

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