PELLA, IA (11/19/2014)(readMedia)-- Local students will compete with Central College's mock trial team throughout this winter.

Dan Dankert of Davenport

Jacob Logan of Bettendorf

The team travels Nov. 21 to Omaha, Neb., for the Creighton Invitational, then competes next semester in Pella, Dubuque and Cedar Rapids. Central College will host a mock trial competition Jan. 24-25, and students will also compete at the Loras National Invitational Jan. 30-31 and the American Mock Trial Association regional competition in February.

Central College is a residential liberal arts college dedicated to the education of 1,500 undergraduate students. Founded in 1853, the college is affiliated with the Reformed Church in America and NCAA Division III athletics. Central is a recognized leader in study abroad as a result of its international, residential programs. The college is located in Pella, Iowa, a thriving community of 10,000 two minutes from the state's largest lake and 40 minutes southeast of Des Moines. Learn more at www.central.edu.

Enter Your Love Songs And/Or Social Cause Songs


November 18, 2014 - Nashville, TN, USA...Do you have a great love song? Do you have a great song about a social cause? ISC is opening entries from November 18 - December 4, 2014 for songs relating to either of these topics. To enter, go to http://www.songwritingcompetition.com/submit

ISC's "Sing Your Heart Out" promotion is for songs about love, falling in love, heartbreak, or anything to do with love. ISC's "Pick Your Cause" promotion is for songs about any sort of social cause. When you enter either promotion, you will receive a free Radio Airplay account, have your love song included on the Jango.com "Independent Love Songs" or "Sounds Of Social Cause" radio station, and receive 100 free spins, per entry, to your Radio Airplay account whether you are a new or existing Radio Airplay member. A group of winners will also be selected and will receive promotion and airplay from Jango.com and Radio Airplay.

Entrants will also be automatically entered into the ISC 2014 competition. ISC Prizes include over $150,000 in cash, merchandise, and services (including a Grand Prize of $25,000 cash). ISC is open to amateur and professional songwriters from all over the world, including bands and solo performers. Winners are selected by a panel of high-profile recording artists and music industry executives.

Over the years ISC has become a benchmark for songwriting talent, and winning ISC can be a tremendous career booster. Winners have included artists such as Gotye, Kimbra, Gin Wigmore, The Band Perry, Passenger, Bastille, Kasey Chambers, Gregory Porter, Lindsey Stirling, and many more. Many winners have gone on to record label deals and have secured publishing deals, licensing deals, and distribution deals, in addition to getting more gigs, fans, and recognition.


The complete list of 2014 ISC judges includes:

Recording Artists
Tom Waits; American Authors; Sarah McLachlan; Pat Metheny; Sara Evans; Bastille; Casting Crowns; Avicii; Wayne Shorter; John Hiatt; Keane; DJ Snake; Robben Ford; Danilo Perez; Kenny Wayne Shepherd; Natasha Bedingfield; Martina McBride; Newsboys; Jon Secada; The Chainsmokers; Jason Isbell; Afro Celt Sound System; London Grammar; Michael W. Smith; Craig Morgan; Gerald Casale (Devo); Jean-Luc Ponty; James Cotton; Taylor Goldsmith (Dawes); Darryl McDaniels (Run D.M.C.); Matt Thiessen (Relient K); Chayanne; J. Holiday; Femi Kuti; and Bela Fleck

Industry Executives
Monte Lipman (Founder and Chairman/CEO, Republic Records); Craig Kallman (Chairman/CEO, Atlantic Records); Dan McCarroll (President, Warner Bros. Records); Jeff Castelaz (President, Elektra Records); Alison Donald (Co-President, Columbia Records UK); Ted Cockle (President, Virgin Records UK); Mike Smith (President, Mercury Records UK); Nir Seroussi (President, Sony Music Latin); Ed Vetri (President, Wind-Up Records); Rosie Lopez (President, Tommy Boy Entertainment); Glen Barros (President, Concord Music
Group); Rex Rideout (VP of A&R, Motown Records); Jay Landers (Executive VP of A&R, Verve Music Group); Bryan Stewart (VP of A&R, Curb Records); Jason McArthur (VP of A&R, Provident Label Group / Sony Music Entertainment); Bruce Iglauer (Founder/President, Alligator Records); Edward Chmelewski (President, Blind Pig Records); Angel Carrasco (Sr. VP A&R, Latin America, Sony); Keith Naftaly (Executive VP of A&R, RCA Records); Steve Lillywhite (Producer); Joseph Burney (VP of A&R, RCA Inspiration/Sony Music Entertainment); Richard Stumpf (CEO, Atlas Publishing); Steve Greenberg (CEO, S-Curve Records); Kim Buie (A&R, Thirty Tigers); Albert Schilcher (VP of Music and Music Marketing, MTV International); Gary Briggs (Senior VP of A&R/Producer, New West Records); Lori Teig (VP of Talent, VEVO); Jermaine Hall (Editor-In-Chief, Vibe Magazine); Jamie Masada (Owner, Laugh Factory); Cory Robbins (Founder/President, Robbins Entertainment); Julie Kertes (General Manager, National Parenting Publications Awards, NAPPA); Claire S. Green (President, Parents' Choice Foundation); Leib Ostrow (Founder/CEO, Music For Little People); Nate Dern (News Editor, Funny Or Die News); Shannon O'Neill (Artistic Director, Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre NY); and Wende Curtis (Owner, Comedy Works)

ISC is sponsored by: Ableton, Airplay Direct, Berklee College Of Music, Celebrity Access, D'Addario, Disc Makers, George Stein, Esq., Hammond USA, Indie Pro Mix and Final Mix, Inc., Gauge Microphones, Indie Venue Bible, LowdenGuitars, Lurssen Mastering, Slate Digital, SongU.com, The Music Business Registry, Taxi, Thayers, and Vosges Haut-Chocolat.

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A new series of abstract art celebrating the Iowa Landscape will be unveiled in Cedar Rapids.

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA, December 5th 2014 - January 31st 2015 - Nationally acclaimed local artist Mary Zeran will be exhibiting her recent body of work at Gilded Pear Gallery in a show titled: "La Tierra de Mi Corazón...The Land of My Heart"

The new series comprised of Zeran's trademark joyous color, will be unveiled Friday, December 5th at an opening reception from 5:00-7:00 at Gilded Pear Gallery, 808 Third Ave SE, Cedar Rapids, IA. For more information regarding the exhibit contact Suzy McGrane-Hop at 319-366-0205, gildedpeargallery.com

Mary Zeran is known for her innovative painting and collage techniques using archival polyester film. Zeran's work evolves over time. The final pieces are compilations of scraps, isolated brushstrokes and forms created from her stock of individually painted polyester sheets. She finds this spontaneous, painterly way of working allows her to be responsive to the cutting and gluing, collaborating directly with the process and materials.

The new abstracted landscapes celebrate the land of Zeran's heart, Iowa; a place flowing with small rivers, and creeks, bursting with bountiful fields of corn, powerful oak trees, and expansive skies.

"When Zeran and her husband first moved back to Iowa from Seattle, WA, the thing that surprised her most was how much calmer she felt. The bustle of the city was invigorating at first, but then became exhausting. Life turned into endless traffic jams, loud noises, and cramped spaces. The only way to contact family was by phone or plane. Luckily older parents, new generations, and memories of a better quality of life called them back to Iowa. What she and her husband found was a much welcomed calm and ever inspiring landscape that has fueled Zeran's artwork for the last 5 years."

"I've been working to develop a series of abstract brush marks that describe the sense of joy and wonder I feel when I look at the Iowa landscape. One of the symbols I've been using is wood. Not only is this my way of honoring Iowa's majestic Oak trees, it is a way of celebrating my rich family."

"I'm fascinated with tree rings and how they are an annual record of a life well lived."

About Mary Zeran

Mary Zeran is a third generation American artist known for her innovative painting and collage techniques using polyester film. She grew up in a family of women folk artists.  Textiles, embroidery, and woodcarving, were the visual language of her family. Each time Zeran picks up a brush or scissors, she immerses herself in the language of her family. When she abstracts flowers, trees, and all the colors of nature, she speaks her mother tongue. This language brings her closer to her family's traditions, history and stories. For more information about her work, visit maryzeran.com

CITY CIRCLE ACTING COMPANY PRESENTS THE 2014 FESTIVAL OF TREES AT THE CORALVILLE CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS NOVEMBER 29

Holiday Kick-Off Celebration Also Features Breakfast with Santa

City Circle Acting Company of Coralville will host the 2014 Johnson County Festival of Trees on Saturday, November 29 beginning at 6:30pm at the Coralville Center for the Performing Arts, 1301 5^th Street, Coralville.

This annual event features live and silent auctions of artistically decorated trees and wreaths created by local artists and organizations.  2014 donors include the City of Coralville, Cabinet Style, Karen Chappell,  Rick Crooks, Jan Finlayson Designs, Bret Gothe, Hands Jewelers, Harvest Oil, The Iowa Children's Museum, David Lair, Lensing Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Liberty Iron Works, TheLuxeZone, MidWestOne Bank, New Song Episcopal Church, Nolte Academy, Northwest Mutual, Toyota/Scion of Iowa City, University of Iowa Community Credit Union, and Velvet Coat.

In addition to the auction, the event features heavy hors d'oeuvres, cash bar, and performances by City Circle, Nolte Academy, and boogie-woogie pianist Chase Garrett, and dancing onstage to Rod Pierson's band.  The popular grab bags will again feature exciting prizes!

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 in the CCPA lobby for pancakes, fruit, juice, and coffee on the morning of November 29 at 9am or 10am.  Saint Nick's helpers will have crafts, and each family will get to take a picture with Santa, which will be emailed the next day, perfect for holiday cards!

Tickets ($8) 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 A Year with Frog and Toad (December 12-21) Black Comedy and The Real Inspector Hound (February 13-15), and Into the Woods (April 24-May 3).

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; 15 school events took place at the Center in the 2013-2014 school year. The Center was named 2012 Member of the Year by the Iowa City/Coralville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau.