21 Oct 2013

Six Tips for Quick and Convenient Healthy Eating During the Holidays from a Holistic Chef

By Ginny Grimsley
For many people, the holidays involve indulging in buffet tables loaded with lots of fattening, processed foods and sugary sweets.

For those of us who strive the rest of the year to eat a healthy diet while leading busy lives, it can be a challenging time. Not only are we busier than ever, we know that all those foods we usually try to avoid are going to give us indigestion, sap our energy, and pile on the pounds.

"It really isn't hard to give yourself, your family and friends the gift of delicious, nutrient-rich meals over the holidays," says holistic chef and certified healing foods specialist Shelley Alexander, author of "Deliciously Holistic," (www.aharmonyhealing.com), a new, full-color cookbook featuring more than 154 of her favorite healing foods recipes and 50 pages of holistic lifestyle tips to increase energy and immunity.

"Instead of heading to the local supermarket, visit a farmers' market, where you can buy fresh, local, seasonal and organic produce, along with other nutritious foods created by farmers and local food artisans," she says. "You'll have a much more enjoyable experience in addition to stocking up on all the ingredients you need to have handy. You can also find excellent choices at natural and health food stores."

Nutrient-rich, whole foods that don't have unnatural fillers and other additives, including seasonal, organic vegetables and fruits, wild-caught seafood, and pasture-raised, organic chicken and meats that come from well-fed, unadulterated, healthy animals, will completely nourish your body, make you feel better and ramp up your energy, she says. And you'll find you won't overeat, so it's much easier to maintain your weight without counting calories.

Alexander offers six tips for quick and convenient healthy eating during the holidays.

• When shopping, check labels and avoid foods with a long list of ingredients. The best whole foods have one or just a few unprocessed or minimally processed, easily recognized ingredients, Alexander says. Among ingredients to avoid: chemicals, artificial sweeteners, high fructose corn syrup, nitrates, MSG, genetically modified ingredients and preservatives (indicated by the initials BHT, BHA, EDTA and THBQ.)

• Set aside a few hours each week to prep foods to eat in the days ahead. Cut up produce and store it in airtight containers. Lightly wash produce before using with natural vegetable wash or use one part white vinegar to three parts water. Make several homemade vinaigrettes or dressings to last all week so you can make leafy greens and vegetable salads in minutes. Clean and marinate enough meat or poultry for dinners over the next few days.

• Start your day with a green smoothie. Cut and freeze organic fresh fruit to use in green smoothies. You can also buy frozen fruit that's already cut up. Add organic kale or spinach, coconut water or nut and seed milks plus natural sweeteners such as dates or stevia for an energy-boosting beverage.

• For your holiday dinners, plan on making at least three to four dishes that are both delicious and nutritious. Good examples are pasture-raised, wild turkey with sage and garlic, baked wild salmon with lemon and herbs, steamed greens, roasted heirloom root vegetables drizzled with balsamic glaze, pureed winter squash soups, and desserts made with seasonal fruits, spices, and healthy sweeteners like coconut sugar or raw honey.

• Invest in a dehydrator. Dehydrate fruits and vegetables and raw nuts or seeds that have been soaked in unrefined sea salt water (which removes anti-nutrients, kick-starts the germination process, and increases key vitamins), and you'll have plenty of on-the-go snacks with a long shelf life. Dehydrators are convenient and easy to use; Alexander recommends Excalibur.

• Make batches of fermented vegetables twice a month. Alexander recommends eating fermented vegetables every day to keep your digestive system healthy. They're loaded with probiotics - the good bacteria your intestines need. Mix a variety of organic vegetables such as carrots and celery into brine with warm filtered water, unrefined sea salt, and cultured vegetable starter or liquid whey, and mix with shredded cabbage heads. Pack the mixture into sterilized glass jars and allow the vegetables to ferment for five to seven days. Once done fermenting, store in the refrigerator for up to 6 months.

"Stick to whole, healthy foods this holiday season, and you'll feel so good, you won't want to go near the buffet table at your office party," Alexander says.

About Shelley Alexander, CHFS: Shelley Alexander has enjoyed a lifelong love of delicious, locally grown, seasonal foods. She received her formal chef's training at The Los Angeles Culinary Institute. Alexander is a holistic chef, certified healing foods specialist, cookbook author, and owner of the holistic health company, A Harmony Healing, in Los Angeles.
21 Oct 2013

Don't Ignore Tax Deduction for Moving Expenses

By Steve Burke

Don't Ignore Tax Deduction for Moving Expenses

By Jason Alderman

Whether you're relocating across town or across the country, moving is expensive. By the time you've paid to have your household goods packed and moved, cancelled and reconnected utilities and racked up storage fees, you could easily be out thousands of dollars.

Many people don't realize that if they're moving to start a new job, transferring with a current employer or even returning to the U.S. to retire after working abroad, their moving expenses may be tax deductible. Plus, moving expenses are an "above-the-line" deduction, which means they reduce your adjusted gross income and can be claimed even if you don't itemize deductions.

Two tests generally must be satisfied to claim a moving-expense deduction:

Distance test. The distance between your new job and your former home must be at least 50 miles farther than your previous workplace is from that home. For example, if you used to work 10 miles from home, your new workplace must be at least 60 miles from your old home. If this is your first job or you were unemployed, the job must be at least 50 miles from your old home.

Time Test. Regular employees must work full-time at least 39 weeks during the 12 months after moving, although the weeks needn't be consecutive or for the same employer. (For self-employed people, it's 78 weeks during the first 24 months.)

If you moved this year, you can claim the deduction on your 2013 taxes even if you haven't yet met the time test, provided you expect to during the coming year. If you later fail to meet the time test, you must reverse the deduction, either by including the amount as "other income" on your 2014 tax return, or by filing an amended 2013 return.

Qualified moving expenses include :

  • Costs for packing and transporting household goods, personal effects, pets and vehicles.
  • Fees to disconnect and/or connect utilities.
  • Travel costs for you and household members to the new home. (Meals cannot be charged).
  • Use of your car during the move.
  • Storing and insuring your possessions for up to 30 days.
  • Note: Family members needn't move at the same time nor by the same means of transportation.

Expenses that do not qualify include :

  • Expenses of buying or selling a home, including closing costs, mortgage fees, house-hunting expenses, home improvements or new furnishings.
  • Loss on the sale of your old home.
  • Charges for signing or breaking a lease.
  • Fees for new car tags or driver's license in your new locale.
  • Expenses incurred on side trips en route to your new home (e.g., sightseeing).
  • Security deposits (including any given up due to the move).
  • Also, you cannot take a moving expense deduction and a business expense deduction for the same expenses.

See IRS Publication 521 for all eligible and ineligible expenses and other details about the moving expense deduction. To file for the deduction, complete IRS Form 3903 and attach it to a Form 1040 Income Tax Return. You don't need to complete a Schedule A unless you are otherwise itemizing deductions. (You cannot claim moving expenses on a 1040EZ Form.)

Also note: If your employer reimburses you for any deductible expenses, you must reduce your moving deduction by that amount; and, employer reimbursement for non-deductible expenses will likely be treated as wages on your W-2 Form.

Take a few minutes to calculate whether you qualify for the moving expense deduction - you could save a bundle on your taxes.

Jason Alderman directs Visa's financial education programs. To Follow Jason Alderman on Twitter: www.twitter.com/PracticalMoney

21 Oct 2013

Rolling Calendar of Events from Churches United of the Quad City Area

By Janet Martin
November

November 1st - Taizé Service, 6:30 p.m., in the Chapel of First Presbyterian Church, 1702 Iowa St., Dav Taizé worship is filled with song, scripture, and silent meditation. It is based on the liturgical season and is modeled on the style as practiced in the Taizé Community in France. The Chapel is candlelit, the music is repetitive and chant-like, and the silence ushers in the presence of God.

November 2nd - "Holiday Happenings" - Church Bazaar at Faith United Church of Christ, 1630 W. 38th Street, Davenport, 8am-2pm, Breakfast 8am-10am., Salad and Dessert Lunch  11am - 1pm. Cookies by the Pound, Bake Sale, Holiday Crafts, and much more!

November 14th - Bettendorf Senior Recourse Center at Harmony Hills Church - 1642 Tanglefoot Ln, Bettendorf, IA. Harmony Hills Church will present the 2nd program in our Thursday night Senior Informational Program on Nov 14th from 6:30-8:00pm. In this session Five Wishes deals with all of a person's needs: medical and legal for end of live issues. Five Wishes will help you express how you want to be treated if you are seriously ill and unable to speak for yourself. Seating is limited and reservations are required. Call 309-517-1937 or 563-355-0980. Refreshments will be served.

November 16th - Old Fashioned Bazaar & Luncheon at St. Mark Lutheran Church, 2363 West 3rd Street, Davenport. Vendor and Craft Fair 8:00am-2:00pm with the Luncheon served from 11 am-1pm. Luncheon tickets available for sell now, or at the door for $5. Lunch will include a chicken casserole, salads and dessert. Forty vendors will be available, so start your Holiday shopping early!! For information call Angi Kauffman 563-579-7285.

November 23rd - Photo Opportunity!! Bring your child and/or pet to 15th Avenue Christian Church, 3600 15th Ave., Rock Island on Sat. November 23rd from 1-5pm for a photo with Santa Claus! Your donation will be a canned good which will go to a local food pantry.

November 23rd - 21st Annual Cookie Walk at First Lutheran Church, 1230 5th Avenue, Moline on Saturday Nov. 23rd from Noon-2pm. We will also have craft items, a silent auction and a raffle for an amethyst-colored, handmade shawl. Come early for best selections!

November 23rd - Holiday Pops Dinner, 5:00 p.m.; Holiday Pops Concert, 7:30 p.m. On November 23 at 5:00 p.m., we will celebrate the Christmas holiday season with a festive dinner in Fellowship Hall of First Presbyterian Church, 1702 Iowa St., Dav., followed by bus transportation to the iWireless Center for the Holiday Pops concert featuring Debby Boone. The cost is $53 per person which includes dinner, transportation, and concert tickets. Tickets can be purchased in advance during normal office hours, Monday - Thursday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., or by credit card through the church office: 563-326-1691(concert tickets will be distributed at the dinner). A reminder postcard will be sent to you a week prior to the event.

November 27th - Thanksgiving Eve Service 7:00 - 7:45 p.m. in the Sanctuary of First Presbyterian Church, 1702 Iowa St., Dav. After service, please join us for pie and fellowship.

November 28th - Thanksgiving Meal Riverside church is having a free home cooked Thanksgiving meal on November 28th, 12pm, at Riverside United Methodist Church, Moline, IL. This will be in addition to our end of the month meal which is the last Sunday of every month. All are welcome!

 

December

December 6th - Chordbuster Chorus and Churches United presents Celebrate the Holidays, on Friday, December 6th at 7:00pm. This variety show benefits Churches United and its hunger ministries including 24 food pantries and 3 meal sites. There is no admission charge but a free will offering will be taken. Come join us at Heritage Church, 4801 44th Street, Rock Island.

December 6th - Taizé Service, 6:30 p.m., in the Chapel of First Presbyterian Church, 1702 Iowa St.,Dav. Taizé worship is filled with song, scripture, and silent meditation. It is based on the liturgical season and is modeled on the style as practiced in the Taizé Community in France. The Chapel is candlelit, the music is repetitive and chant-like, and the silence ushers in the presence of God.

December 7th - Annual Cookie Walk at 15th Avenue Christian Church, 3600 15th Ave., Rock Island on Saturday, Dec. 7th from 9-11am

December 15th - The Performing Arts Series of First Presbyterian Church, 1702 Iowa St., Dav. Destino, 2:00 p.m. Back by Popular Demand!Popera - a Canadian Classical Crossover Sensation Co-sponsored by Quad City Arts Visiting Artist Series Reserved seating: Sunday, December 15, 2013 2:00 p.m. Adults $15, Students $10, Tickets will be available at the door. Tickets can be purchased in advance during normal office hours, Monday - Thursday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., or by credit card through the church office: 563-326-1691

December 21st - The Performing Arts Series of First Presbyterian Church, 1702 Iowa St., Dav. O Holy Night, Christmas Concert, 7:30 p.m. The Twenty-fourth Annual Christmas Concert Featuring the choirs of First Presbyterian Church - The Sanctuary Choir, Chamber Chorale, Celebration Singers, Cecelian Carolers, Cathedral Choir of Young Men and Boys, Vesper Bells, organ, and orchestra. Complimentary Tickets with Reserved seating: Saturday, December 21, 2013 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets must be picked up in advance at the church office, during normal office hours, Monday - Thursday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Limit four (4) tickets per person.

December 22nd - The Performing Arts Series of First Presbyterian Church, 1702 Iowa St., Dav. O Holy Night, Christmas Concert, 4:00 p.m. The Twenty-fourth Annual Christmas Concert featuring the choirs of First Presbyterian Church - The Sanctuary Choir, Chamber Chorale, Celebration Singers, Cecelian Carolers, Cathedral Choir of Young Men and Boys, Vesper Bells, organ, and orchestra. Complimentary Tickets with Reserved seating: Sunday, December 22, 2013 at 4:00 p.m.Tickets must be picked up in advance at the church office, during normal office hours, Monday - Thursday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Limit four (4) tickets per person.

December 24th - Three thematic Christmas Eve Services with Christmas Carols and the choirs of First Presbyterian Church, 1702 Iowa St., Dav. Christmas Eve Family Service, 4:00 - 5:00 p.m., in the Sanctuary featuring the Cherub Choir and Kirkwood Choir. Christmas Eve Communion Service, 9:00 - 10:00 p.m., in the Sanctuary featuring the Celebration Singers Christmas Eve Candlelight Service, 11:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m., in the Sanctuary, featuring the Sanctuary Choir, Cathedral Choir of Young Men and Boys, Cecelian Carolers, and Vesper Bells

21 Oct 2013

Trunk n Treat at St Mark Lutheran Church, Davenport

By Pastor Doris Nolan

St. Mark Evangelical Lutheran Church, 2363 West 3rd St., Davenport will be having a trunk n treat event on Sunday, October 27th from 3:00 to 5:00 pm in the east parking lot of the church.

Children of all ages are invited to this fun event. In addition to candy filled trunks, there will be a balloon man who will make balloon animals, a facepainter, other small gifts will be distributed and hot apple cider will be served. During the event, a police car and a fire engine will be there so the kids will be given a brief tour of these vehicles.

All are welcome.

For more information, call the church office, at 563-322-5318; from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. week days

St. Mark Cares...Welcome, Worship, Witness.

-end-

21 Oct 2013

Mallards Drop Opener to Rapid City 6-4

By Brian Lavelle

MOLINE, Ill. (October 19, 2013) - Ryan Palmer broke a 4-4 tie with just over four minutes left in the third period and the Rapid City Rush, who got a 40-save effort from Tim Boron and a goal and two assists from Tristin Llewellyn, went on to defeat the host Quad City Mallards 6-4 Saturday evening and in the process spoil the Mallards' season opener.

 

Palmer's shot from the point put the Rush up 5-4 and set the stage for Scott Brannon's game-clinching empty net goal in the final minute.  Brannon's was the fourth Rapid City goal of the third period.  The Rush overturned a 3-2 deficit earlier in the third with consecutive goals from Konrad Reeder- a tip-in at 4:36- and Jared Brown- a long-range blast at 8:28.  The 4-3 lead given to the Rush by Brown lasted only 17 seconds before the Mallards' Mike Stinziani pounced on a rebound to equalize.

 

It was the Mallards who twice grabbed the lead in the first 40 minutes.  The Mallards responded after letting a 2-0 advantage slip away in the second period when Jim McKenzie stuffed in his second goal of the night to break a 2-2 tie at 15:54 of the middle frame.  The Rush had briefly tied the game thanks to back-to-back goals from Eric Giosa and Llewellyn.  Giosa got Rapid City on the scoreboard for the first time by burying a rebound at 9:58; Llewllyn's breakaway goal knotted the score at 13:42.

 

The Mallards had jumped in front early when McKenzie's drive from the right wing circle gave Quad City a 1-0 lead at 5:14 of the first period.  Gabriel Levesque doubled the advantage with a wrist shot from the slot at 15:55 of the first.

The Mallards return to action next Saturday night at 7:05 p.m. on home ice against the St. Charles Chill.  Tickets for next Saturday's game and all other Mallards regular season home games are now on sale at Ticketmaster outlets, through ticketmaster.com, through Ticketmaster charge-by-phone toll free at 1-800-745-3000 or at the iWireless Center ticket office.  The ticket office is open weekdays from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and on game days from 10:00 a.m. until the start of the second period.

About the Quad City Mallards
A proud affiliate of the National Hockey League's Minnesota Wild and the American Hockey League's Iowa Wild, the Quad City Mallards are approaching their seventeenth season and their fourth in the Central Hockey League.  One of the winningest teams in all of minor league hockey, the Mallards competed in the United Hockey League from 1995 through 2007 and in the International Hockey League in 2009-10.  The Mallards' proud history has seen them capture the UHL's Colonial Cup Championship three times (1997, 1998, 2001) and secure that league's Tarry Cup four times (1998, 2000, 2001, 2002) for the best overall regular season record.  In 2001, the Mallards made professional hockey history, recording their sixth consecutive season with 50 or more wins, a feat that has yet to be matched.  The i wireless Center provides a unique environment for hockey and features one-of-a-kind seating areas such as the Nest for groups and functions and the exclusive Drake Club.  For more information on the Quad City Mallards or for Mallards tickets go to www.myqcmallards.com.  Fans can also follow the Mallards via Twitter at twitter.com/myqcmallards and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/quadcitymallards. 

-### Quad City Mallards ### -

21 Oct 2013

Governor Quinn Announces 600 Rental Units for Seniors and People with Disabilities to be Rehabbed

By Grant Klinzman

State-Funded Preservation Now Project to Create 500 Jobs in Chicago and Peoria 

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today announced the state's Preservation Now program will finance the preservation of approximately 600 affordable rental units for seniors and people with disabilities in Chicago and Peoria. The project is expected to create more than 500 jobs and is part of the Governor's agenda to ensure quality affordable housing for working families, seniors and people with disabilities across Illinois.

"This project will preserve critical affordable housing options for hundreds of families while creating 500 jobs," Governor Quinn said. "Today it is more important than ever that we maintain reasonably priced rental homes for all residents, no matter what challenges are, and the Preservation Now program is key to making that happen."

The Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) administers the Preservation Now program to preserve affordable housing across the state. IHDA board members on Friday approved financing for the first two projects under the program: 478 apartments in four developments in Peoria and a 100-unit development in Chicago.

"Governor Quinn's commitment will safeguard the affordability of these developments by extending existing U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development project-based rental subsidies by an additional 20 years," IHDA Executive Director Mary Kenney said. "Under Governor Quinn, IHDA has provided more than $3 billion to create or preserve approximately 18,600 rental units across the state."

Work is expected to be completed by next fall.

 

Peoria Developments:

231-unit Parkview Estates - 2401 N. Gale Ave.

97-unit Reservoir Estates - 3336 W. Kiva Court

75-unit Hurlburt House - 818 W. Hurlburt St.

75-unit Schlarman House - 707 NE Madison Ave.

IHDA will provide approximately $30 million in low-interest loans and other financing to rehabilitate 478 units in four developments in Peoria. An estimated 400 construction and post-construction jobs will be created.

Developer Wallick Asset Management will replace roofs, windows, siding and exterior doors. Green and Energy Star upgrades include windows, doors, appliances, low-flow water devices, lights and flooring. Site improvements will provide new paving and striping, landscaping upgrades, upgraded recreational spaces and fencing repairs. The planned scope of work will dramatically upgrade these developments, preserving these affordable housing units and their vital rental subsidy.

Chicago Development:

Evergreen Towers I - 1333 N. Cleveland Ave.

IHDA will provide approximately $18 million in low-interest loans and other financing toward the acquisition and rehabilitation of Evergreen Towers, a 100-unit high-rise apartment building for seniors in Chicago's Old Town neighborhood. An estimated 120 construction and post-construction jobs will be created.

In partnership with Voice of the People in Uptown and Near North Development Corp., developer Daveri Development Group will modernize the apartments with green and sustainable features designed to increase resource efficiency, reduce environmental impacts and yield cost savings through a long-term reduction in operating expenses. Green features will include a photovoltaic solar system (PV), solar thermal water system, Energy Star appliances, high-efficiency lights in common areas, and low-flow plumbing.

The Preservation Now program aims to preserve project-based rental subsidy in existing developments by encouraging the acquisition and rehabilitation of properties by owners agreeing to extend the existing rental subsidy contracts related to the development. Approximately $245 million in project-based subsidy will be preserved over the next 20 years as a result of Preservation Now.

Preservation Now has made available Illinois Affordable Housing Trust Fund and other resources, which are anticipated to leverage up to $100 million in IHDA bond volume cap to support preservation efforts. Trust Fund revenue is generated from half of the state real estate transfer fee.

###

21 Oct 2013

Simon to march in support of marriage equality

By Annie Thompson

SPRINGFIELD - As the 2013 fall legislative session gets underway, Lt. Governor Sheila Simon will rally in support of marriage equality Tuesday. Simon will join marriage equality proponents in the March on Springfield for Marriage Equality.

"Tuesday marks the start of the fall veto session, and I am hopeful that it also marks the time that equality for all becomes the law of the land in Illinois," said Simon. "Illinois families have waited long enough."

The March on Springfield for Marriage Equality is part of a grassroots movement aimed at passage of Senate Bill 10, the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act. The legislation, sponsored by Sen. Heather Steans (D-Chicago) and Rep. Greg Harris (D-Chicago), passed the Senate in February and is awaiting a vote in the House. Its passage would make Illinois the 14th state in the nation to recognize marriage equality.

 

DATE: Tuesday, Oct. 22

TIME: Rally begins at 1 p.m.

LOCATION: Lincoln Statue, Illinois State Capitol, 401 S. Spring St., Springfield

###

21 Oct 2013

2014 Iowa Teacher of the Year

By Tammy Wawro

DES MOINES, IA (10/18/2013)(readMedia)-- The ISEA is proud that one of our own, Jane Schmidt, has been selected as the 2014 Iowa Teacher of the Year. Jane is a tremendous educator who has dedicated her career to the success of every student in her care. She represents the best of the best in Iowa schools today with unending passion and commitment to continuous improvement. She truly embodies what we know is at the heart of our profession and what is taught in our schools.

--00--

21 Oct 2013

Christmas in LeClaire 2013

By LeClaire Chamber of Commerce

Friday, December 6th

10:00am until 8:00pm

Crafts & Silent Auction @ Civic Center

Free Trolley Rides - Cookie Tin Sales

Bazaars and Craft Fair

Baked Goods

 

Saturday, December 7th

10:00am until 8:00pm

Breakfast with Santa (8am-10am)

Buffalo Bill Museum Tours

Santa's Playhouse (12pm-3pm)

Crafts and Silent Auction

Cookie Tin Sales

Bake Sale - Free Trolley Rides

 

Sunday, December 8th

10:00am until 4:00pm

Free Trolley Rides

Buffalo Bill Museum Tours

Local Stores Open with Great Shopping Opporunities

Crafts and Silent Auction @ Civic Center

21 Oct 2013

Iowa Insurance Division Uses Theatre to Inspire Students to Create Good Money Habits

By Katie Miesen
Making Financial Literacy Fun

Iowa Insurance Division Continues to Inspire Students to Create Good Money Habits

Minneapolis, MN (October 18, 2013) - For the seventh year in a row, the Iowa Insurance Division will sponsor a unique, theatre-based program for middle schools throughout the state that will entertain and educate tens of thousands of students on the ways they can create good personal money habits.  Mad About Money II: Pay Yourself First! opens on October 21 and will play to 100 Iowa middle schools at no cost to the individual schools.  It is an entertaining and inspiring program - featuring live, educational theatre performances by professional actors - that also includes print and Internet curriculum for use in the classroom and at home.

All the characters in Mad About Money II: Pay Yourself First are play by two experienced improvisational actors who play eight different characters in the 40-minute program that's performed for the entire school.  Students learn important lessons about their money management and buying habits through four comical and informative sketches, including:

  • Wages minus deductions equals take-home pay
  • Saving and investing always have some risk involved
  • Don't let advertisers make your decisions for you
  • What is "opportunity cost?"

The program is produced by The National Theatre for Children (NTC), and while performances and educational content are completely scripted, the shows themselves are built to incorporate moments of improvisation.  At the beginning of each scene, actors solicit information from the audience that is then humorously integrated into the show.  "Using humor to illustrate a particular point about money management is really powerful with this age group," says Craig Goettsch of the Iowa Insurance Division. "That's why we keep bringing these NTC programs back year after year.  It's never too soon to begin good money habits, and we want to expose these ideas to as many Iowa students as possible."

But the financial education doesn't stop with the end of the audience applause.  Following the performances, students return to their classrooms to complete print activities and digital classroom games that further reinforce the financial literacy concepts from the show. Combining live, educational theatre with interactive classroom activities and homework assignments enhances retention of the important lessons.  "Our goal is to help educate the future generation of earners, savers, spenders and investors," continues Mr. Goettsch.  "That's why we're offering Mad About Money free-of-charge to the schools.  The smarter they are with their money today, the better off we'll all be in the future."

The Mad About Money program and format was the focus of a study conducted by financial literacy researcher Dr. Lewis Mandell.  His study provided empirical evidence that NTC-style productions?live educational theatre combined with print and classroom activities - positively influence student attitudes on personal finance.  For a copy of Dr. Mandell's study, please contact NTC.

About the Iowa Insurance Division (IID)
The Iowa Insurance Division's mission is to protect consumers through consumer education and by effectively and efficiently providing a fair, flexible and positive regulatory environment.   This financial education program is funded not from tax revenues, but rather from investor education fund created with settlements between regulators and large brokerages houses, as well as a part of license fees for securities agents.  Additionally, the IID supervises all insurance business transacted in the state. The insurance commissioner grants permission to companies wishing to sell insurance in Iowa and has general control over all aspects of their business, from the forms they use to the rates they charge. The commissioner also serves as the administrator of the securities act which involves the licensing of brokerage firms and their agents, examining new securities offerings and investigating investment fraud cases:  www.iid.state.ia.us
About The National Theatre for Children
NTC is the largest touring educational theatre company in the world. Since 1978, NTC has successfully tackled one important issue after another including: financial literacy, electrical safety, water conservation, health care, smoking prevention, recycling, wise energy use, renewable energy, nutrition, and bullying prevention, (to name a few). Our educational outreach programs are entirely underwritten by corporate, non-profit and governmental sponsors who want to be associated with delivering healthy-living messages to students and their families. NTC performs approximately 7,000 times a year throughout the country, actively engaging 2.8 million students and parents through its programming: www.nationaltheatre.com
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