Dazzling and Unique Blend of Puppetry, Technology and Dance As Seen on America's Got Talent

The Coralville Center for the Performing Arts is thrilled to bring Lightwire Theater's production of DiNO-LIGHT to the Coralville on Tuesday, November 11, with a public performance at 6:30pm and a special 12:30pm matinee for school groups.

Created by Corbian Visual Arts and Dance, DiNO-Light (also known as Darwin the Dinosaur) is a heart-warming original story that features a friendly dinosaur who wanders away from home and discovers a world of creatures who light up the darkness and help him find the true meaning of love. The story is told through electroluminescent puppetry, music, sound, and movement and has delighted children and adults around the world.

Tickets for the 6:30pm performance on Tuesday, November 11 are $16 for adults and $12 for children 12 and under and are available online at coralvillearts.org, by phone at 319.248.9370, and in person at the CCPA box office and Coralville Rec Center.  Special group pricing is available for the 12:30pm matinee performance; those interested can learn more by calling 319.248.9372.

Corbian creators Ian Carney and Corbin Popp met while dancing in Twyla Tharp's Broadway show Movin' Out. They immediately connected over their mutual love of art, theater, and technology.  After they discovered a product called EL wire, they developed puppetry based creatures that quickly gained personality.  "EL wire" is short for electroluminescent wire: unlike black lights, the technology can be powered by batteries and requires no theatrical lighting.

Based in New Orleans, Lightwire Theater rose to national prominence through its appearance on America's Got Talent in 2012, where the group made it to the semi-finals, and has toured extensively.  Lightwire Theater will be competing on the truTV series FAKE OFF, which premieres on October 27.

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.

DAVENPORT, IA (October 17, 2014) - Senior Star at Elmore Place welcomes all Quad City shoppers to join them for a one-of-a-kind On the Go Shopping event from 1 to 3 p.m., October 25 at 4502 Elmore Avenue, Davenport - just in time to shop for the holidays!

Twenty vendors will be in one place for the convenience and fun of a power two-hour shopping event.  Vendors including well-known designers, will be featured:  Stella and Dot, Scentsy, Pampered Chef, Avon, 31 Bags, Origami Owl Necklaces, Jamberry Nails and local artisans.

The event also will include a raffle and silent auction to benefit the Alzheimer's Association.  For more information, please call 563.484.5114.

For more information about Senior Star at Elmore Place or to schedule a tour, please call 563.484.5114 or visit the website at www.seniorstar.com.

About Senior Star at Elmore Place

Senior Star at Elmore Place, a Senior Star community, features 236 modernly decorated apartments spanning across 20 acres of beautifully landscaped property with many customized amenities to offer its residents three distinctive living experiences:  independent living, assisted living and memory care.  For more information, visit www.seniorstar.com.

SPRINGFIELD, IL (10/17/2014)(readMedia)-- CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait - The 108th Sustainment Brigade, an Illinois Army National Guard unit out of Chicago, turned over its sustainment support mission to the 3rd Sustainment Brigade, out of Fort Stewart, Georgia, following a transfer of authority ceremony, Oct. 14, at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait.

The 108th Sust. Bde. served in Kuwait for nine months, providing logistical support to U.S. and coalition forces in the U.S Central Command's area of responsibility.

Brig. Gen. Daniel Mitchell, deputy commanding general of the 1st Sustainment Command (Theater), said the 108th Sust. Bde. served with honor and distinction by managing sustainment and retrograde operations.

"When they recognized a problem - they addressed it," said Mitchell. "When they saw that something could be done better, they did it better. They improved sustainment and retrograde operations throughout [the region] with steadfast support, keeping them in the fight."

Mitchell thanked the Soldiers of the 108th Sust. Bde. for all they have done and will continue to do for the Army and the nation. Col. Drew Dukett, commander of 108th Sust. Bde. said, "The concept of sustainment is not always pretty or glamorous, but it is a necessity to the evolving military challenges we face today."

Since arriving last February, the 108th Sust. Bde. has been challenged numerous times with support requirements that stressed both its capabilities and experience level, said Dukett.

"Whether responding to the demands of difficult and quickly evolving contingency operations in Iraq, maintaining mission command over troops in seven different countries throughout the region, supporting sustainment operations or supporting the robust retrograde operations out of Afghanistan, the Soldiers of the 108th performed admirably."

As the 3rd Sust. Bde takes over operations, Dukett said he is confident the brigade is ready to support logistical operations in the region.

"As you now take on this mission I look forward to seeing your unit continue the legacy of successful sustainment operations here in Kuwait," said Dukett. "The theater is in good hands with you at the sustainment helm. Enjoy the varied challenges that this theater provides and continue the excellence of supporting the warfighter."

Mitchell said the 3rd Sust. Bde. has provided support for service members in combat theaters time and time again; and while Kuwait is not a combat zone, the sustainment mission is unique and ever changing.

"You are the Soldiers who provide the warfighter what they need to win and make our forces and our allies successful on the battlefield," said Mitchell.

Col. Anthony Coston, commander of the 3rd Sust. Bde., said that his Soldiers are ready to take on the mission.

"Each of our subordinate units wears a different patch, but we're all united for a single purpose-- to sustain the Soldiers," said Coston. "For this mission in Kuwait we support a total force of active duty, National Guard and Reserves and other forces from across the globe."

Campus-Style Community Designed to Serve Veterans with Families Now Open in Chicago

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today announced the opening of Hope Manor II, one of the first large-scale housing developments in the nation designed to address the needs of female veterans and veterans with families at risk of homelessness. The Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) and the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) provided approximately $1 million in funding to finance the development located at 60th and Halsted streets in Chicago's Englewood neighborhood. Today's event is part of Governor Quinn's agenda to make Illinois the most veteran-friendly state in the nation.

"Hope Manor II is not only about housing, it is about helping our veterans get a job, keep a job and provide for their families," Governor Quinn said. "We have a duty on the homefront to take care of our heroes and protect those who protected us especially when it comes to jobs, education and housing. For all they have sacrificed in the name of freedom, Hope Manor II will give our servicemembers the comforts and safety of home they deserve."

Developed by the Volunteers of America of Illinois (VOA), Hope Manor II is designed for veterans and their children. It will be home to more than 100 Illinois heroes and family members who were previously homeless or at risk of homelessness. The development will be an important part of the state's goal to help struggling veterans change and improve their lives over the long-term by promoting self-sufficiency, building new skills, creating strong support networks and integrating veterans more positively into community life.

Services at the campus include employment readiness classes, job training and coaching, computer training, peer support groups, recovery resources, individual and family counseling, mental health screening, emergency assistance for food and household items and case management support. Residents will also have access to the Volunteers of America of Illinois' True North Project which aids veterans who are struggling, in crisis or at risk of serious instability in their lives.

"This is a great day for our veterans, Chicago businesses and for Illinois," Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs Acting Director Rodrigo Garcia said. "We know that employment and stability for families is critical in helping veterans and those at-risk bridge from the military to a thriving civilian life. Hope Manor II will be a great base for our veterans to find great jobs here in Illinois and help businesses thrive."

The campus-style community features a mix of single-family town homes and apartments built around a park, all located on a three-acre site donated by the city of Chicago. In addition to state resources, the development also received a $1.9 million loan and a $3 million tax-increment financing grant from the city of Chicago. All 73 apartments will receive Project-Based Rental Assistance from the Chicago Housing Authority.

"We are excited to partner with the Volunteers of America of Illinois to provide the stability and support our veterans need to transition back into civilian life," IHDA Executive Director Mary R. Kenney said. "Our goal is to provide a comprehensive response to the unique challenges of today's veterans, delivering the tools they can use to change their lives over the long-term."

Women veterans and those with dependent children are the fastest growing demographic in the veteran community, often facing significant challenges as they transition to civilian life. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs estimates that approximately six to eight percent of all homeless veterans are women and as many as 175 female veterans, most with children, are homeless in Chicago each night. After IHDA provided federal stimulus funds and federal tax credit financing for Hope Manor I to provide housing and services to single veterans, a community to serve families was the next appropriate step.

Since Governor Quinn took office, Illinois has made it a priority to address the need for affordable housing and supportive services. He is the first Governor in Illinois history to dedicate state capital dollars to supportive housing, creating approximately 2,150 community-based supportive housing units since 2009. IHDA has financed 860 units of affordable housing either reserved or specifically targeted to veterans in that same timeframe.