PAC rallies Liberty Movement in support of Dubuque businessman

Des Moines, Iowa - Liberty Iowa has renewed its support of Rod Blum for U.S. Congress in Iowa's first congressional district.  Blum, who announced his candidacy today, earned the PAC's support in 2012 as well, when his run ended with a narrow primary loss to Ben Lange. 

"I'm thankful to accept the support of Liberty Iowa, and I believe that their endorsement highlights my unshakable commitment to protecting the civil liberties and Constitutional rights of Iowans who are concerned about the unchecked growth of government," said Blum.

Liberty Iowa, a state PAC that will celebrate its first anniversary in April, has quickly become a leading voice on issues like agricultural freedom and domestic drone use, and boasts a wide network of conservative and libertarian-leaning activists throughout the state.  Adil Khan, Executive Director of LIPAC, believes that network will be a critical part of deciding the upcoming congressional election.  "The nation is witnessing a surge of support for principled leaders willing to stand for the liberties of everyday Americans," said Khan.  "Rod is that kind of leader, and we are going to work to bring the youth and enthusiasm of the Liberty Movement to bear for him in the first district."

Blum, who garnered 47% of the primary vote last year despite being a first-time candidate, acknowledges the importance of appealing to young liberty-minded voters as well as traditional fiscal and social conservatives.  "The Liberty Movement has gained a tremendous amount of momentum among Republicans and Independents, and I want to invite voters from across the spectrum of conservatism to join me in fighting for limited government, sound money, and a responsible foreign policy," said Blum.

Liberty Iowa currently has active chapters in 13 counties within the first district, including the population centers of Linn, Dubuque, and Blackhawk.

 

2013 marks the 2nd anniversary of Creekside Vineyards Winery, the 4th anniversary of Creekside Vineyards Inn, and plenty of "fresh and flavorful" offerings, holding true to both the owners' vision and chosen slogan.

FRESH IDEA #1: Seasonal Terrace
"The Seasonal Terrace at the vineyard is the place to be," says Marketing Director Jennifer Mital. "Patrons enjoy flavorful wines, awesome music, and various special events." Word about Terrace Season has spread, as Creekside Vineyards has partnered with Indigo Wellness for Yoga in the Vineyard, Two Rivers Massage for Spa-licious Fridays, local musicians like Ellis Kell, Danika Holmes, Jordan Danielson, Lee Blackmon & others for Saturday afternoon performances, & artists like William Marsoun for art shows. New to this season is Open Mic Saturdays, which allows emerging musicians to perform for the crowd.

"Two of best comments we received are posted online," says Jennifer, "the Illinois Department of Tourism blogged Creekside Vineyards as 'the Quad Cities' hidden gem' & a FB friend commented that 'There's a little slice of heaven tucked right in Coal Valley.'" Picnics are welcome & private rental is available. Terrace hours: Weekends, May-Oct., 1-6.

FRESH IDEA #2: Creekside Vineyards Inn
Creekside Vineyards Inn is nestled in a 30 acre hidden valley between Pinnacle Golf Course and Arrowhead Ranch just south of the Moline Airport. "The inn's vineyard view, along with it being home to the Seasonal Terrace and close to the Quad Cities- yet a world away- makes it a popular place for travelers and natives  alike," says Inn owner Beverly Mital.

The Inn now offers Golf Getaways with Pinnacle Country Club and Wine & Relax Retreats with Indigo  ellness. From vineyard trails, to golf, massage, and ski packages, the Inn offers indulgence at every level, & some  peace and quiet to boot. The Inn is open year round.

FRESH IDEA #3: Winery & Tasting Room along Historic US Highway 67
"I have always had an affinity for old buildings," smiles winemaker John Mital. "Our revitalization of what was once a family diner and service station, connecting the Quad Cities with Macomb and St. Louis, has been  warmly welcomed. My parents renovated an old building in Le Claire, IA in the 1990s, and when the Preemption building came up for sale, well, it was perfect." The Tasting Room opened November 2012, and passersby can watch the completion of exterior renovations on this historic 1940s building throughout 2013. Tasting Room hours are Th-Fri 3-7pm, Sat-Sun 12-6pm.

In terms of the wine, it speaks for itself. Last year Creekside Vineyards entered both the Illinois Wine and  idAmerican Wine Competitions. Nine medals were bestowed, including Gold. Creekside Vineyards also enjoys spreading good cheer at various non-profit and business events in the Quad Cities, from the RME Winter Wine Festival, to Hy-Vee's upcoming Food & Wine Experience in April and the Chamber's annual Schmooza Palooza this summer.

For an Events Calendar, online reservations and details, visit www.creeksidevineyards.com, or call the Inn at 309-787-6919 or the Winery, Tasting Room, & Seasonal Terrace at 309-787-WINE (9463).

Saturday May 18, 2013 at the Long Grove Community Center

121 North 1st Street

Long Grove, IA

Dinner Served from 5:30 pm till 8 pm

Dinner Includes 3 beef enchiladas, beans, rice, and drink

$8.00 Adults

$5.00 Children under 18

All proceeds raised will go directly to the purchase of the Long Grove Volunteer Fire Departments New Tanker Truck to be delivered in June.

CABARET, DAN KNIGHT, BROADWAY MUSIC, DANCE, AND MORE

The Coralville Center for the Performing Arts stage will feature a variety of events in April 2013, giving members of the community many opportunities to participate in performances and enjoy cultural offerings.  Highlights include a production of Cabaret by Way Off Broadway, Iowa's only professional musical theater company; two performances by composer and Steinway artist Dan Knight; and a benefit showcase of Creative Corridor artists performing Broadway music.  In the month of April, the CCPA will host 25 public performances.

The schedule includes:

·        General music concerts by Coralville Central Elementary (Monday, April 1 at 7pm, grades 3-6); Van Allen Elementary (Thursday, April  4 at 6:30pm, grades 3-4); and Kirkwood Elementary (Thursday, April 11 at 6pm).  These events are part of the CCPA's program offering free use of the theater to Coralville schools.

·        The LUNAFEST Film Festival is a traveling film festival of award-winning short films by, for, and about women.  The benefit engagement on Wednesday, April 3 is presented by Girls on the Run of Eastern Iowa.  The evening includes a silent auction at 6pm and the films at 7pm.  Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door and are available at lunafest.org.

·        The 2013 American Girl Fashion Show is a fundraiser presented by the Iowa Children's Museum, with 100 local girls serving as models representing American Girl characters in historical fashions and contemporary styles.   Friday, April 5 at 7pm and Saturday, April 6 at 10am and 2pm. Tickets are $27 ($15 tax deductible).

·        Orchestra Iowa Chamber Players present works by Beethoven, Vanhal, Halvorsen, Ibert, and Prokofiev Sunday, April 7 at 2:30pm.  $20 tickets are available at 319.366.8203 or orchestraiowa.org.

·        Ballet Folklorico Los Angelitos brings audiences on a journey through the regions, eras, and customs of Mexico in a free performance at 7:30pm on Sunday, April 7.  Their Iowa tour is presented by a cooperative effort of foundation and individual sponsorship and the support of Rotary Clubs.

·        Hancher presents Compagnia TPO - the world's foremost pioneers in interactive performance media for all ages - in Kindur: The Adventurous Life of Icelandic Sheep, a charming nature adventure.  The public performance is Tuesday, April 9 at 7pm; there will be additional performances for school groups on April 9 and 10.  Tickets ($10-$25) are available through Hancher at 319.335.1160 or at hancher.uiowa.edu.

·        Way Off Broadway presents Kander and Ebb's award-winning musical Cabaret April 12 and 13 at 7:30pm, following a 2-week run in their home Sondheim Center theater in Fairfield.  Lyric Benson as Sally Bowles and Jonathon Christopher as the emcee lead the cast of 18 professional actors accompanied by a live band.  WOB Artistic Director Randal K. West directs. Tickets are $18-$38.

·        Composer and pianist Dan Knight leads children through a fun and educational introduction to jazz (with the help of his dogs Oscar and Ella) in Oscar and Ella Listen to Jazz: A Kid's Musical Introduction by Dan Knight on Saturday, April 13 at 2pm.  Knight demonstrates jazz techniques and works with children to create a new piece of music in this interactive performance.  Tickets are $7.

·        The award-winning dancers of AFFECT Dance Company present a showcase of pieces from the spring competition season on Sunday, April 14, with a solo and duet showcase at 1pm and group performances featuring more than 100 dancers at 6pm.  $5 tickets are available at Nolte Academy, 1619 2^nd Street in Coralville, or at the door.

·        Artists from across Iowa's Creative Corridor come together in The Corridor Sings Broadway on Friday, April 19 and Saturday, April 20 in a benefit performances for the CCPA and resident theater company City Circle Acting Company of Coralville.  The performance features Broadway favorites and hidden gems, as well as a silent auction and raffle.  Tickets are $10-$25.

·        Dan Knight performs again with two debut compositions: The Kandinsky Suite, inspired by the art of Vassily Kandinsky, and MURAL, inspired by Jackson Pollock's iconic painting, on Sunday, April 21 at 3pm.  Tickets are $12-$17.

·        Borlaug Elementary students perform in My School's Got Talent on Tuesday, April 23 at 6:30 PM  My School's Got Talent is a fundraising program for PTO's sponsored by Nolte Academy.  Tickets are $8 and are available at Nolte Academy and at Borlaug Elementary, and at the door.  Weber Elementary also has a MSGT date scheduled for May 1.

·        Dr. Zubo & The Bird Purples, an Iowa-based musical ensemble with members hailing from around the globe, performs music composed for, and dedicated to, the CCPA on Friday, April 26 at 7:30pm.  Music will fill the theater, lobby, and hallways, morphing from classical to pop, and incorporating traditional and nontraditional instruments.  Tickets are $8.

·        Iowa Dance 2013: Dancing Our Visions on Saturday, April 27 at 8pm celebrates National Dance Week and International Dance Day in Iowa with a special evening featuring dancers and choreographers from across the state. Tickets are $3 for children 12 and under, and $8 for adults.

·        The Iowa City Girl's Choir performs on Monday, April 29 at 7pm.  Suggested donation of $5 per family benefits the CCPA Access Fund, which offers rental subsidies for small nonprofit organizations.

Further information on these events and details on other upcoming events are available at CoralvilleArts.org.

Tickets for most CCPA events are available by phone at 319.248.9370, online at CoralvilleArts.org, and in person at the CCPA box office at 1301 5^th Street and Coralville Recreation Center at 1506 8^th Street.

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

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