Comptroller welcomes comprehensive approach

SPRINGFIELD - Illinois Comptroller Leslie Geissler Munger released the following statement Wednesday in response to Gov. Bruce Rauner's State of the State address:

"Governor Rauner showed leadership today by addressing our challenges head-on and laying out a comprehensive strategy for getting our state, and its economy, back on track.

"Too often, Illinois has taken a piece meal approach to governing, managing crisis to crisis instead of addressing the root of the problem. The Governor took a different tact in his address today, clearly defining the most pressing issues facing our businesses and families and offering his vision for how best to address them.

"To be clear: we will not agree on everything. And when the Governor offers more detail in his budget address later this month, there will be plenty of debate about how best to move forward. But that spirited discussion is exactly what is required and I look forward to working with all parties to ensure that it results in real solutions for our state and its taxpayers."

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A Double Bill of Hilarious One-Act Comedies Features Tom Stoppard's The Real Inspector Hound and Peter Shaffer's Black Comedy

City Circle Acting Company of will present a double-bill of British comedies February 13-15 at the Coralville Center for the Performing Arts.  The program consists of Tom Stoppard's The Real Inspector Hound and Peter Shaffer's Black Comedy. Performances of An Evening of Farces are Friday, February 13 and Saturday, February 14 at 7:30pm, and Sunday, February 15 at 2pm.  Tickets ($12-$27) are available online at coralvillearts.org, by phone at 319.248.9370, and in person at the Coralville Center for the Performing Arts box office and Coralville Recreation Center.  Sponsorship support is provided by Meadowlark Psychiatric Services; TheLuxeZone and Skeffington's provided furniture and costume support.

On Friday, February 13, ticket buyers are encouraged to stop by TheLuxeZone, 1303 5^th Street, for a pre-show reception from 6pm-7pm.  Patrons are invited to arrive early from the Sunday, February 15 performance for an informal pre-show chat at 1:45pm.

In The Real Inspector Hound, two theater critics are reviewing the opening night of a typical drawing-room murder mystery when they unexpectedly become part of the action.  This brilliantly absurd play sends up the typical whodunit trappings of mysterious strangers, a bitter love triangle, and, of course, a madman on the loose!

Black Comedy is staged under a reversed lighting scheme -the action supposedly in the dark is illuminated, while when the lights are to be on, the stage is dark.  Lovesick and desperate "starving artist" Brindsley Miller has "borrowed" furniture and precious objects d'arte from his antique collector neighbor in an attempt to impress his fiancee's pompous father and a wealthy art dealer.  When the neighbor returns unexpectedly as a blown fuse plunges the apartment building into darkness, Brindsley must attempt to return the purloined items before light is restored - while plagued by unexpected guests, aging spinsters, errant phone cords, his ex-mistress, and other obstacles.

" So much of the comedy of The Real Inspector Hound is verbal," says director Krista Neumann.  "I looked for actors who can bring Stoppard's words to life and really embody the ridiculousness of the play-within-a-play and the critics who become involved."  Black Comedy is more physical, says director Tara Acton.  "It's amazing to work with actors who can handle physical comedy so brilliantly. A farce can be almost like a choreographed dance--it's all about timing. Seeing all the elements come together is very rewarding!"

The cast of The Real Inspector Hound includes Joseph Dobrian, Ellis Fontana, Kristin Owens, Rip Russell, Josh Sazon, Catherine Shook, Christina Sullivan, and Hank Welter.  Black Comedy features Robyn Calhoun, Christopher Carpenter, Bryant Duffy, Derek Johnson, Elijah Jones, Katy Karas, Larry Newman, and Oli Peters.  Set design is by James Mayfield; set décor by Jan Finlayson; lighting design by Drew Bielinski; and costume design by Rachael Lindhardt.

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 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.

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- Largest Wine Boutique Franchise to Host Discovery Day on Feb. 23 in Coralville, Iowa -

"We see great potential for further development in these metropolitan areas of Iowa," said Bryan McGinness, CEO of WineStyles Tasting Station. "Our new store design and ongoing corporate support, as well as our high unit volumes and low start-up costs are just some of the reasons that make our brand an attractive investment opportunity for entrepreneurs. We look forward to meeting with prospective franchisees at our Discovery Day event in Coralville and sharing the many benefits of becoming a WineStyles Tasting Station franchisee."

In addition to Coralville, WineStyles Tasting Station currently has three other Iowa stores located in Johnston, Sioux City and West Des Moines. The company aims to develop an additional 5-7 locations throughout Iowa in cities such as Ankeny, Marion and Dubuque over the next several years.

To fuel WineStyles Tasting Station's growth in Iowa and across the country, the company is seeking entrepreneurs with retail experience. WineStyles Tasting Stations will be developed through single-unit and area developer agreements. Depending on the real estate site selected, franchisees can expect the total cost of investment for one store to be approximately $229,000 - $380,500. The initial franchise fee is $25,000. For more information on franchising and conversion opportunities, visit our newly designed website, www.winefranchise.com or call 866-424-WINE.

About WineStyles Tasting Station:

WineStyles Tasting Station demystifies wine and craft beers by categorizing bottles by style and taste, rather than by varietal or region. Each store features regional craft beers and hundreds of rotating wines from around the world with most priced $15 - $30 per bottle. WineStyles Tasting Station customers can also Taste, Learn and Enjoy^® the best in artisanal cheeses, fine chocolates, craft beers, organic teas and other gourmet items. Headquartered in West Des Moines, Iowa, WineStyles Tasting Station currently operates more than 25 locations across the country. WineStyles Tasting Station encourages all customers to drink wine and beer responsibly. For more information, visit www.winestyles.com.

DAVENPORT, Iowa - Feb. 4, 2015 -- Genesis Health System is not only hiring nurses, but also has scholarship opportunities for employed nurses who want to further their educations and for college students who are pursuing BSN educations.

The Genesis Health Services Foundation, DeWitt Community Hospital Foundation and Illini Hospital Foundation jointly will award a total of $120,000 in scholarships. Scholarship programs are available not only for college students in nursing programs, but also for employed Genesis nurses who would like to advance their nursing educations.

Deadlines are approaching for applications. Here is more about the nursing scholarship programs available from Genesis:

BSN NURSING SCHOLARSHIP - This scholarship is for full-time college students only. This unique program provides $10,000 scholarships for students who have been accepted into a baccalaureate program in nursing or are seeking admission. It also provides for repayment to be waived once the recipient has completed a period of employment with Genesis. Application Deadline: March 27, 2015.

NURSING DEGREE COMPLETION SCHOLARSHIP - This scholarship is for Genesis Health System employees only. As much as $10,000 will be awarded to Genesis nurses for BSN completion and up to $2,500 to Genesis nurses for MSN completion. Nurse practitioner programs do not qualify for this scholarship. Application Deadline: March 20, 2015.

VIRGINIA L. PILCHER SCHOLARSHIP -- GMC, Davenport, nurses only

Application Deadline: March 27, 2015.

ASSET SCHOLARSHIPS - Applicants can be a child, grandchild or legal dependent of a qualified Genesis employee. Application Deadline: April 1, 2015.

Go to www.genesishealth.com/scholarships for more information and to review eligibility requirements. If you have questions, please email us at scholarships@genesishealth.com.

 

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