ROCK ISLAND, IL (02/10/2014)(readMedia)-- The Augustana Symphonic Band will tour Japan for the first time from February 21-March 4. The band will perform four concerts while in Japan, and will perform a home concert on Saturday, March 15 at 8 p.m. in Augustana's Centennial Hall (3703 7th Ave., Rock Island).

The Augustana Symphonic Band is the college's oldest music ensemble, dating back to 1874. The band held its first formal concert in Clark's Hall in Paxton, Illinois, prior to the college's move to its Rock Island campus in 1875. Dr. James Lambrecht, professor of music and director of bands at Augustana, has directed the band since 1988.

Lambrecht is no stranger to Japan. He performed there as a graduate student under the direction of Ray Cramer, who directed the Indiana University Wind Ensemble and is a regular guest conductor at the Musashino Academia Musicae in Tokyo. Lambrecht has followed in Cramer's footsteps, having served as guest conductor at Musashino twice, with another appointment scheduled for this coming summer.

Mitchell Carter '14, a music education major from Mundelein, Ill., said, "It's a really exciting opportunity to be able to continue this tradition of sharing our music. Our program for this tour is a unique blend of works with ties to both the United States and Japan, including Julie Giroux's Symphony IV, which is based on famous Japanese woodprints, as well as classic Western band literature, such as a handful of Sousa marches and Holst's First Suite in E-flat."

While in Japan, the band will perform concerts and participate in exchanges with other bands in Osaka and Tokyo.

The following students from your area will tour with the Augustana Symphonic Band:

Ingrid Schneider of Davenport (52806)

Andrew Bainter of Coal Valley (61240)

Lizandra Gomez-Ramirez of Rock Island (61201)

Bobby Holmquist of East Moline (61244)

Benjamin McKay of Rock Island (61201)

About Augustana College: Founded in 1860, Augustana College is a selective four-year residential college of the liberal arts and sciences. The college is recognized for the innovative program Augie Choice, which provides each student up to $2,000 to pursue a high-impact learning experience such as study abroad, an internship or research with a professor. Current students and alumni include 149 Academic All-Americans, a Nobel laureate, 13 college presidents and other distinguished leaders. The college enrolls 2,500 students and is located along one of the world's most important waterways, the Mississippi River, in a community that reflects the diversity of the United States.

Mortgage Credit Certificates to provide Iowa home buyers with up to $2,000 in annual federal income tax credits 

(DES MOINES) - Gov. Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds today partnered with the Iowa Finance Authority and the Iowa Association of REALTORS to announce an opportunity for new Iowa home buyers to reduce their federal income tax liability by up to $2,000 a year for the life of their mortgage through the 2014 Take Credit Mortgage Credit Certificate program.  The program is estimated to assist 585 home buyers and is administered by the Iowa Finance Authority (IFA).

"With tax season upon us, many Iowans are looking for ways to keep more of their hard-earned income," said Branstad. "The Take Credit Mortgage Credit Certificate Program announced today offers new Iowa home buyers a way to do just that and put even more momentum behind Iowa's already strong real estate market as we enter the home buying season. I encourage all Iowa home buyers to look into this valuable resource."

"Research has consistently shown the importance of the housing sector on the economy and the long-term social and financial benefits," said Reynolds. "Every Iowa home sale provides a boost to the local economy, supports strong neighborhoods and aligns Iowa families for long-term stability."

The 2014 Take Credit Program provides eligible home buyers with a tax credit against their federal income tax liability every year for the life of their mortgage, as long as the home is used as their primary residence, up to a maximum of 30 years. The program is available only for IFA-approved new purchases closing after February 3, 2014. Eligible financing is limited to 30-year, fixed-rate, fully amortizing loans.

The amount of the tax credit is based on a percentage of the homeowners' mortgage interest. For the 2014 Take Credit Program, the credit rate is set at 30 percent of the annual interest paid on the mortgage loan, up to a maximum of $2,000 per year.

To take advantage of the program home buyers must be approved for a mortgage and meet federal eligibility requirements. Interested home buyers should visit IowaFinanceAuthority.gov/TakeCredit to find a Take Credit Participating Lender, access eligibility information and more.

After an eligible homeowner has closed a mortgage loan with an IFA Take Credit Participating Lender, IFA will issue the homeowner a mortgage credit certificate for pre-approved applicants. The homeowner in turn may apply the credit against their federal income tax liability on an annual basis for the life of their mortgage. The credit may be claimed on IRS Form 8396.

"This program is a win-win for Iowa as it will help to fuel an already healthy Iowa real estate market and help hundreds of Iowa families realize a reduction in their federal income taxes," said Iowa Finance Authority Executive Director Dave Jamison.

Iowa Association of Realtors CEO Dave Bert said, "Iowa home sales in 2013 increased by an impressive 7.9 percent. The Take Credit program announced today will encourage even more home buyers to take the step into homeownership."

The mortgage credit certificate was authorized by Congress in the 1984 Tax Reform Act and functions like a federal income tax credit. Funding for the program is made available through federal private activity bond volume cap, which was set to expire if not used. The mortgage certificate credit funding will be available through 2014 or until the funds are expended.

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One topic I've learned to avoid with new acquaintances until I know them better (along with politics and religion) is where they stand on the treatment of pets. Some people, when their dog gets sick or badly injured, say, "It's an animal - that's just part of the circle of life." Others consider Rover a close family member and would take out a second mortgage to save his life.

Pet owners from both camps probably see the barrage of ads for pet insurance and wonder whether it's worth the expense, which might be several thousand dollars over the life of your pet. I did some research and the best answer I can come up with is, it depends.

First, ask yourself: Do you regard pet insurance as a financial investment, where you expect to get back more in benefits than you paid out in premiums over the pet's life? Or, is it more like auto or homeowner's insurance, where you hope nothing ever goes seriously wrong, but you want coverage in case there's a catastrophe?

Either way, here are some basic facts about pet insurance that may help you decide whether it's right for you:

Pet insurance shares many features with human health insurance: Policies typically have annual deductibles, copayments and exclusions, and some limit which veterinarians, clinics and hospitals you can use.

But there are numerous differences as well. For example, pet insurers are allowed to refuse coverage for preexisting conditions and to set annual and lifetime payout limits. Among the many other restrictions you should watch for when comparing plans are:

• Premiums vary greatly depending on where you live and may increase based on your pet's age, breed, veterinary cost inflation and other factors.
• Typically you must pay the vet or hospital bill out of pocket and get reimbursed later.
• Many plans deny or restrict coverage for congenital or hereditary conditions (like hip dysplasia in dogs or kidney failure in cats) and preventable conditions like periodontal disease.
• Along with annual and lifetime maximums on benefits paid out, there may be a limit on how much it will pay for treatment of an individual illness or accident.
• If your pet suffers a particular disorder one year, don't be surprised if that condition is excluded at renewal - or if you're required to pay an additional fee for future coverage.
• Pets over certain age limits frequently are denied coverage.
• Certain breeds are often excluded or only eligible for restricted coverage.
• Some carriers let you augment your accident and illness policy with optional "wellness care" coverage for things like spaying and neutering, annual physicals, vaccines and routine tests. Make sure the additional premium is worth the extra cost.

Perhaps the biggest challenge when choosing pet insurance is trying to compare plans, apples to apples. There are about a dozen carriers in the U.S. Each offers a variety of plans with varying deductible, copayment and maximum coverage amounts, as well as different covered benefits and exclusions.

You can go directly to their websites for plan details and to request a quote, or use an independent comparison website to pull quotes from multiple carriers. I'd recommend creating a spreadsheet to compare benefits and costs side by side, just as you would when shopping for auto insurance.

Bottom line: If you decide pet insurance isn't right for you, at least be sure you're setting money aside to cover expected - and unexpected expenses.