The Linden String Quartet will perform at Brucemore on Sunday, March 3 at 5:30 p.m. Coached by the legendary Tokyo Quartet, the Cleveland-based Linden String Quartet has been praised for its "remarkable depth of technique and brilliantly nuanced, sumptuous tonality...." (MusicWeb International). The quartet's members - Sarah McElravy and Catherine Cosbey, violins; Eric Wong, viola; and Felix Umansky, cello - are currently part of the University of Iowa String Quartet Residency Program, the Auditorium Chamber Music Series (Moscow, Idaho), Sheldon Friends of Music (Lincoln, Neb.) and the Chamber Music Society of Logan, Utah.

The hour-long concert and commentary will take place in the Great Hall of the Brucemore Mansion. Doors open at 5:00 p.m. A light reception will follow the performance. Tickets purchased in advance are $7 per adult and $5 per Brucemore member or student.  All tickets at the door are $10. Space is limited; purchase tickets by visiting www.brucemore.org or calling (319) 362-7375.

This performance is made possible by a Better Futures for Iowans grant through The University of Iowa's Office of the Provost.

About the Linden String Quartet

Described as "riveting" by MusicWeb International, the Linden String Quartet is a winner of the 2010 Concert Artists Guild Competition. Founded in spring 2008, the Quartet has enjoyed remarkable success, also winning the Gold Medal and Grand Prize of the 2009 Fischoff Competition, First Prize at the 2010 Kauder Competition, and the ProQuartet Prize at the Borciani International String Quartet Competition. The Quartet was recently selected for the prestigious A.N. and Pearl G. Barnett Fellowship, including a $25,000 award. Featured engagements for the 2012-13 season include the season-opening concert on New York's renowned Schneider Concert Series at the New School and a weeklong residency for the Chamber Music Society of Detroit, culminating in a performance with Grammy award-winning clarinetist Richard Stoltzman. For more information, visit www.lindenquartet.com.

About Brucemore

Experience Brucemore, an unparalleled blend of tradition and culture, located at 2160 Linden Drive SE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. At the heart of the historic 26-acre estate stands a nineteenth-century mansion filled with the stories of three Cedar Rapids families.  Concerts, theater, programs, and tours enliven the site and celebrate the heritage of a community.  For more information, call (319) 362-7375 or visit www.brucemore.org.

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URBANA- Jay Goldberg Events and Entertainment has been selected to produce two of the three Gentlemen of the Road 2013 Stopovers in the United States featuring Mumford & Sons, alongside long-time partners Jam Productions Ltd. The events went on sale Friday morning and both sold out within hours. This will be the second year of the Gentlemen of the Road Stopovers and the second year Jay Goldberg Events & Entertainment has been involved with the events.

Each Stopover combines the intimacy of a community celebration with the excitement of a world-class music festival. This year the Stopovers are expanding to a Friday night concert followed by an all-day Saturday event. Mumford & Sons will headline the Saturday show, alongside an eclectic and energetic roster of artists curated by the band themselves. A series of smaller events involving local businesses, venues, and, most importantly, local people will happen in and around the town.

CHICAGO - February 11, 2013. Governor Pat Quinn today took action on the following bill:

 

Bill No.: HB 3636

An Act Concerning: Civil Law

Amends the Mechanics Lien Act to clarify the priority of creditors and lien holders of property to which improvements have been made when the proceeds from a foreclosure sale are insufficient to fully satisfy all claims.

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Immediately

 

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WASHINGTON, Feb. 11, 2013 - United States Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today issued the following statement about the 2013 farm income forecast from USDA's Economic Research Service:

 

"Today's forecast for the strongest net farm income in four decades is another positive testament to the resilience and productivity of U.S. farmers and ranchers. American agriculture continues to endure an historic drought with tremendous resolve, and last year was an important reminder of the need for a strong safety net. The commitment of American producers to embrace innovation and adapt to new challenges has helped fuel growth for American agriculture over the past five years. I am also heartened that our farmers' keen business sense is continuing the recent trend of strong farm finances, with farm equity set to reach another record high in 2013.  In the past year, President Obama and I have ensured that USDA carried out every possible measure to support farmers and ranchers in a tough, uncertain time. We know that today's positive economic forecast is no signal to let up, especially with regard to providing smart and defensible assistance for America's dairy and livestock producers who today do not have access to a viable safety net. To help all farmers and ranchers continue their efforts in the years ahead, and to ensure the certainty of a strong safety net, it is critical that Congress act on a multiyear, comprehensive Food, Farm and Jobs Bill as soon as possible."

 

Highlights from the 2013 Farm Income Forecast are available at: http://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/farm-economy/farm-sector-income-finances/highlights-from-the-2013-farm-income-forecast.aspx

 

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New-Age Love Veteran Says Finding Mr. Right is All About Attitude

Finding Mr. Right may seem as unlikely to some women as winning the lottery, but Debbianne DeRose's new book, "How I Met the Man of My Dreams: a Guide to MANifesting Yours," is a new-age-y and practical guide to having it all.

"Whether you're new to the Woo - metaphysical or beyond ego-brain perception - or a veteran looking for a breakthrough, you'll be hard-pressed to find a more practical, fresh (or fresh-mouthed) look at the MANifestation process," DeRose says. "So much more than just the metaphysical mechanics of rustlin' up a mate, it's about who you become in the undertaking."

Years of single-womanhood can leave a gal wondering if she'll ever find a bona fide SuperLove, says DeRose, who also came to doubt that finding Mr. Right was possible.

Negative feelings and thoughts are all that stand between a woman and the man of her dreams, she says. He's there. Be sure you're ready to recognize him by focusing on self-love, acceptance, appreciation and amusement.

"That's where the MANifesting gets really interesting: believing is not a requirement," she says.  "When my Dreamboat sailed into the harbor, I was so inspired that I decided to 'reverse-engineer' the Law of Attraction for the single sisterhood, with humor and tough love."

DeRose is the author of other New Age books that focus on self-acceptance and self-empowerment. Fans love both her message and her style.

"Debbianne has a delightful sense of humor and is quite gifted in the art of descriptive prose,'' writes K.S., an Amazon reviewer.

S.C. writes, "I love her chutzpah and independent, clear-thinking mind."

This guide to finding Mr. Right includes DeRose's true-love story, told in part to prime the imagination of her readers, she says.

"Those ladies who read the book and actually give the advice a chance should prepare to laugh, take an honest look within and, best of all, be ready to be taken off the market!"

About Debbianne DeRose

Debbianne DeRose specializes in honest, humorous explorations of all things "woo-woo" - that is, metaphysical, mystical, spiritual, paranormal or New Age-y. She's the author of a hilarious memoir, "What I Did On My Midlife Crisis Vacation." Formally trained in the conservative arts of engineering and economics, she has worked as an "enginerd," database geek, non-profiteer, college instructor, bricolage artist and house flipper before diving headlong into the world of woo-woo wordsmithery. DeRose resides in the San Francisco Bay Area with the man of her dreams.

(Des Moines, IA) - This year, AARP Foundation and ISED Ventures are again providing free tax assistance and preparation for taxpayers with low to moderate income through the AARP Foundation Tax-Aide program and the ISED tax assistance program. AARP Foundation Tax-Aide, in its 46th year, is the nation's largest free tax assistance and preparation service, giving special attention the older population.  You do not need to be a member of AARP or a retiree to use this service.

ISED is an asset development organization with the mission of creating opportunities for low and moderate income Iowans to increase income and achieve financial stability.

Attached is an updated and expanded list of locations where low income or elderly Iowans can receive assistance preparing their income taxes. These sites are all staffed by trained and qualified volunteers.  They are organized by a network of non-profits and AARP Tax-Aide whose goal is to help people file their taxes and assure they receive their Earned Income Tax Credits (EITC) and Child Tax Credits. Taxpayers are never solicited for advance refund loans.

For more information or to locate an AARP Foundation Tax-Aide site, visit www.aarp.org/taxaide or call 1-888-AARPNOW (1-888-227-7669).  AARP Foundation Tax-Aide is a program of AARP Foundation, offered in cooperation with the IRS.

In 2012, AARP Foundation Tax-Aide's 36,000 volunteers at nearly 6,000 sites provided over 2.5 million people with free tax help. Taxpayers who used AARP Foundation Tax-Aide received $1.3 billion in income tax refunds and more than $233 million in Earned Income Tax Credits (EITCs).


About AARP Foundation

AARP Foundation is working to win back opportunity for struggling Americans 50+ by being a force for change on the most serious issues they face today: housing, hunger, income and isolation. By coordinating responses to these issues on all four fronts at once, and supporting them with vigorous legal advocacy, the Foundation serves the unique needs of those 50+ while working with local organizations nationwide to reach more people, work more efficiently and make resources go further. AARP Foundation is AARP's affiliated charity. Learn more at www.aarpfoundation.org
PORT BYRON, IL - State Rep. Mike Smiddy (D-Hillsdale) announced the opening of his full-time
constituent services office, located at 201 N. Main Street, Unit 2, in Port Byron, IL.

The office will be open from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and
Fridays and from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm on Wednesdays. To increase his accessibility for working
families, Smiddy is offering weekend office hours from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm on Saturdays.
Members of the community are invited to visit the office to receive assistance on state issues or
give feedback on proposed legislation.

"My top priority is to be accessible and for residents to feel comfortable bringing issues to my
attention," said Smiddy. "My staff and I are always here to be a resource."

Beginning on Wednesday, February 20th, a representative from Smiddy's office and a
representative from State Senator Mike Jacobs' (D-Moline) office will be available to assist
constituents at the Morrison Public Library in Whiteside County, located at 307 South Madison,
every Wednesday from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. Smiddy plans to hold additional satellite office
hours in the coming months.

"Satellite office hours are a way to bring resources directly to local residents and make it easier
for them to interact with our office," Smiddy said. "The 71st District encompasses many towns
and parts of four counties, making it even more important to reach out to residents in all
corners of the district."

The 71st District includes the towns of Albany, Cleveland, Coal Valley, Colona, Como, Cordova,
Deer Grove, Erie, Fulton, Hampton, Hillsdale, Lyndon, Morrison, Port Byron, Prophetstown,
Rapids City, Rock Falls, Savanna, Sterling, Tampico, and Thomson and portions of Carbon Cliff,
East Moline, Moline, and Silvis.

For more information, contact Smiddy's constituent services office at (309) 848-9098 or
RepSmiddy@gmail.com. Residents can also call toll-free at (855) 243-4988.

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A key source within the Rock Island County Democrat Party has told QCNews.org that Jerry Lack, District Director for Rep. Cheri Bustos, has decided to leave her office after just thirty days. The source, speaking on a condition of anonymity, said that the departure was due to a stemming frustration over the lack of progress with opening the district offices and making in-district staff hires.

The source also said there was a growing discontent because Lack believed that Rep. Bustos was giving the DC office preferential treatment, in budgeting and staffing matters, over the in-district operations.

Lack, a well-respected member of the Rock Island County Democrat Party and senior aide to Rep. Lane Evans, was believed to be a key hire for Rep. Cheri Bustos. The source said that Lack will return to working for the Illowa Construction Labor and Management Council.

As of this writing, Bustos has only opened an office in Rock Island. On the campaign trail, Bustos promised to open offices in the Quad Cities, Peoria, Rockford, and Galesburg.

(DES MOINES) - Gov. Terry E. Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds today joined Des Moines North High School Principal Matthew Smith to outline their educational achievement goals.

In 1992, Iowa was a top performer on the National Assessment of Educational Progress, also known as the nation's report card because it is the only state-by-state comparison. Iowa eighth-graders were No. 1 in math, with an average score of 283. Iowa fourth-graders placed fifth in reading, with score of 225, but no state scored significantly higher.

By 2011, the most recent national test data, Iowa eighth-graders had fallen to 25th in math, with a score of 285. Iowa fourth-graders had dropped to 29th in reading with a score of 221.

The governor identified his first achievement target: For Iowa to score in the top 10 on national tests in fourth-grade reading and eighth-grade math by 2019.

"National tests in reading and math are given every two years," said Branstad. "If the Legislature passes our education reform package, it would be fully implemented in 2017-18. The 2019 national tests would be our first opportunity to see how we are doing a few years into implementation."

Meanwhile, by 2011 many other states significantly improved their scores bypassing Iowa in the rankings. No. 1 Massachusetts, for example, in 2011 scored 299 in eighth-grade math, and No. 2 Minnesota scored 295. Third-place New Jersey scored 294.

By 2011, in fourth-grade reading, No. 1 Massachusetts scored 237, followed by second-place New Jersey and third-place Maryland each scoring 231.

Branstad also stressed the importance of Iowa's global competitiveness.

"Iowa eventually will need to benchmark not only against No. 1 Massachusetts but against academic stars like Singapore, Canada and Finland," said Branstad.

Attracting more top students into teaching is a focus of the governor and lieutenant governor's education reform plan. In the Iowa class of 2012, students who took the ACT who said they plan to become teachers scored lower than other test-takers. Here is the breakdown:

  • Prospective teachers (820 students) had an average composite score of 20.8.
  • For other test-takers (22,299), the average composite score was 22.2.

"Higher expectations for all students mean it's no longer reasonable to expect one principal in each building to provide all the instructional leadership needed," said Reynolds. "That's why we're calling for principal and teacher leadership teams to work together to do this."

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Feb 14th. 2013
" What is your Love name? "
In celebration of Valentine's Day.
This is the first time The Thursday ISE coincides with Valentine's Day.
Open evening dedicated to Love Names !
Bring in your love name.
And the love names you use.
The celebratory evening dedicated to Valentine.
Chef Linda of The Moline Commercial Club is making a special wine chololate cake.
Independent Scholars Evenings. 7.00 p.m.
Thursday.
1530 Fifth Avenue. Moline. Illinois 309-762-9202
Doors open at 6.30 p.m.
Free and open to the public.
Dress code: business casual.
Elevators are located through the 16th Street entrance.
The Institute for Cultural and Healing Traditions, LTD is a 501(c)3 at State and Federal level organization under US laws since 1996.
Please visit www.qcinstitute.org to see our archives.

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