11 Mar 2013

Moline High School's Musical: Joseph and the Amazing Technocolor Dreamcoat

By M. McNeil
With a cast of 80 and a complete orchestra, Moline High School students are putting on the ever-popular Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

(Moline, IL)  Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat] is a popular Andrew Lloyd Webber musical with lyrics by Tim Rice. The story is based on the "coat of many colors" story of Joseph from the Bible's Book of Genesis. The show has little spoken dialogue; it is completely sung-through. Its family-friendly storyline, universal themes and catchy music have resulted in numerous productions of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.  This month, 42 Moline High School student actors along with 38 elementary and middle school students, a supporting crew of dozens of students, and an orchestra of 15 will produce four shows for local audiences.  Dates of the show are March 14, 15 and 16 and the media will get a sneak preview of the show this week.

WHO:  Moline High School Students and the children's choir
WHAT:  Media Preview of the MHS spring musical
WHEN:  Tuesday, March 12,  7:00 pm
WHERE: MHS Auditorium

There will be 4 performances-- Thursday, March 14 @ 7:30 PM; Friday, March 15 @ 7:30 PM; Saturday, March 16 @ 2 PM and 7:30 PM.   $6.00 for students; $8.00 for adults. Tickets are available at the door or in advance at the MHS bookstore. 309-743-8833
This show was the first Lloyd Webber and Rice musical to be performed publicly. Joseph was first presented as a 15-minute pop cantata at Colet Court School in London in 1968 and was recorded as a concept album in 1969. After the success of the next Lloyd Webber and Rice piece, Jesus Christ Superstar, Joseph received stage productions beginning in 1970 and expanded recordings in 1971 and 1972. While still undergoing various transformations and expansions, the musical was produced in the West End in 1973, and in its full format was recorded in 1974 and opened on Broadway in 1982. Several major revivals and a 1999 straight-to-video film, starring Donny Osmond, followed.

Musical Theatre Productions by the Moline High School Music Department

1961    Pajama Game
1962    Bells Are Ringing
1963    My Fair Lady
1964    Bye, Bye Birdie
1965    South Pacific
1966    The Music Man
1967    The Sound of Music
1968    How to Succeed In Business Without Really Trying
1969    Carousel
1970    Li'l Abner
1971    Guys & Dolls
1972    Pajama Game
1973    Hello Dolly
1974    No, No Nanette
1975    The Music Man
1976    Mame
1977    How to Succeed In Business Without Really Trying
1978    The King & I
1979    Hello Dolly
1980    Oklahoma
1981    Irene
1982    Li'l Abner
1983    Funny Girl
1984    Little Mary Sunshine
1985    The Sound of Music
1986    Hello Dolly
1987    The Music Man
1988    South Pacific
1989    Guys & Dolls
1990    How to Succeed In Business Without Really Trying
1991    Bye, Bye Birdie
1992    Oklahoma
1993    Cabaret
1994    West Side Story
1995    Mame
1996    Damn Yankees
1997    Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
1998    The Sound of Music
1999    Bye, Bye Birdie
2000    Once Upon A Mattress
2001    Grease
2002    Godspell
2003    Phantom
2005        Oliver
2006        A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum
2007        King And I
2008        Cabaret
2009        Beauty and the Beast
2010        The Music Man
2011        Bye Bye Birdie
2012        The Sound of Music
2013        Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

Joseph Director, Ron May, has been involved in musical theatre for more than 40 years.  His experience began upon the recommendation of his college advisor.  May was urged to become more knowledgeable about musical theatre if he wanted to be a high school choral director.  Immediately after college, May was cast as Thomas Jefferson in the Quad City Music Guild's production of "1776" and since then has performed additional leading roles in "Damn Yankees", "Cabaret", "Evita", "Godspell", among others.  As an educator, he has directed/produced more than 50 productions.  In addition to educational and community theatre settings, he has served as musical director for professional productions of "Hairspray", "Legally Blonde-the musical", "Whodunit? The musical" (world premiere at Circa 21), "The World Goes Round", and countless other reviews and industrial musical shows.


It was doing a community theatre production of "The Sound of Music" where May met his wife of 36 years.  He and Cindy (a freelance choreographer) have collaborated in nearly all of his educational musical theatre productions.  They are both collaborating on this production.
Students of Mr. May have gone on to successful careers in professional theatre.   Former students have performed in "Miss Saigon", "The Full Monty", and "The Drowsy Chaperone" on Broadway and in national tours of "Peter Pan".  Many former students are currently pursuing a career in musical theatre across the country.   Some current seniors are exploring acting, musical theatre and/or directing in part because of Mr. May's influence.


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11 Mar 2013

Iowa Local government officials agree: It's time for property tax reform

By Rick Martin

(DES MOINES) - Local elected officials joined Gov. Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds at their weekly news conference this morning to express their support for the administration's property tax reform plan.

The officials note that the plan does not come at the expense of Iowa's local governments.

"If we do nothing, those hardworking Iowa taxpayers will face a two billion dollar tax increase over the next eight years, with half that increase falling directly on Iowa homeowners," said Reynolds, a former local elected official who served as the Clarke County treasurer. "I want to thank these local government officials who recognize our plan is an investment in Iowa's families and small businesses."

Branstad noted that his plan is needed for job creation in Iowa, citing conversations he's had in all of Iowa's 99 counties each year.

"These officials know the important roles local government plays but also know that our property tax system is making Iowa uncompetitive and costing our state jobs," said Branstad. "We have been clear since introducing our reform efforts that any property tax reform must be permanent and all classes of property must benefit. This year, there is one key difference to our proposal: we fully backfill the revenue local governments will lose due to the tax cut."

When fully implemented, the governor and lieutenant governor's reform plan would reduce property taxes by $400 million. Iowa's commercial property taxes are currently the third-highest in the nation, and for years making it difficult to attract and retain jobs in Iowa.

The growing list of local officials supporting the administration's property tax plan is as follows:

1.      Chad Airhart, Dallas County Recorder

2.      Kim Chapman, Dallas County Supervisor

3.      Creighton Cox, Urbandale City Council

4.      Jeremy Davis, Ames City Council

5.      Dave Drew, Woodbury County Sheriff

6.      John Etheredge, Johnson County Supervisor-Elect

7.      Brad Gaul, Cedar County Supervisor

8.      Jarret Heil, Marshall County Treasurer

9.      Harold Higman, Mayor of Akron

10.  Don Kass, Plymouth County Supervisor

11.  Jeff Kaufmann, Cedar County Supervisor

12.  Dick Kirchoff, Mayor of LeMars

13.  Jon McAvoy, Adel City Council

14.  Gary Nystrom, Boone City Council

15.  Alan Ostergren, Muscatine County Attorney

16.  Noreen Otto, Newton City Council

17.  Dale Petersen, Mayor of Sergeant Bluff

18.  Guy Richardson, Greene County Supervisor

19.  Adam Schweers, Mayor of Carroll

20.  Dick Sievers, Remsen City Council

21.  Dawn Smith, Mayor of Durant

22.  David E. Steffens, Mayor of Lake Mills

23.  Renee Twedt, Story County Treasurer

24.  Jayson Vande Hoef, Osceola County Supervisor

25.  Tom Walling, Oskaloosa City Councilman

26.  Stan Watne, Wright County Supervisor

# # #
11 Mar 2013

New Gaming Bill Will Create Jobs & Revenue

By Illinois Revenue & Jobs Alliance

New bill addresses Governor's concerns

Monday March 11, 2013, Springfield, Ill.–Last week, Illinois moved a step closer to generating much-needed jobs and revenue after a Senate Executive committee approved Senate Bill 1739, a gaming solution that will help kick start the state's economic growth.

On Sunday, one of the bill's chief sponsors in the Senate, Sen. Terry Link (D-Waukegan), appeared on Chicago's ABC Channel 7's News Views, calling the bill "a windfall" for the state.

"We still have to give the money to education. We have to give money to the pensions," said Sen. Link during the Sunday morning talk show. "This [the gaming bill] is new money that will be added to those pots."

A gaming solution for more jobs and revenue has been the focal point of the Illinois Revenue and Jobs Alliance (IRJA) since last spring. The IRJA is a growing body of labor organizations, business groups, farming and agribusiness interests, racetracks and horsemen associations, and local municipalities, all committed to a gaming solution that will generate jobs and revenue.

"Nobody says gaming will be the ultimate solution for Illinois's economic woes," said former State Representative Bill Black, chairman of the IRJA. "But this bill opens up new markets, spurs new construction, puts people on a job and will lead to economic development. It will also produce new tax revenues for local municipalities and for the state."

The new bill addresses the concerns Gov. Pat Quinn outlined last summer by scaling back the total number of gaming positions, by including a provision to ban political contributions from gaming entities, and by assigning additional revenues to pensions and education.

Under the new bill SB1739, riverboat or land-based casinos would be added to Danville, Lake County, South Suburban Cook and Rockford, with a land-based casino to be built in Chicago, too. Included is a provision that will allow for I-Gaming, or Internet wagering.

Also, each of the state's existing horse tracks will be allowed to install slot machines, a measure that will increase purses and provide a boost to the horseracing industry and to the state's agribusinesses.

An economic impact study conducted last spring based on a similar bill showed that encouraging more gaming opportunities in Illinois would create 20,000 jobs and raise more than $200 million in new revenues. Last spring, an independent statewide poll showed that 62% of registered voters support gaming revenues as a solution to budgetary woes, a number that corroborates a similar poll conducted by Crain's Chicago Business wielding  nearly-identical results (61%).

During his budget address Wednesday, Gov. Pat Quinn acknowledged for the first time that gaming revenue could help remedy the state's ailing finances.

In each of the last two sessions, a gaming bill has passed through both chambers of the Illinois legislature, only to be vetoed.

11 Mar 2013

ART GUMBO Soup Dinners Raise Money for Dubuque Art Projects

By Paula Newhaus
DUBUQUE, IA. - The spring installment of Art Gumbo, a quarterly soup dinner that supports local art projects with community-supported micro funding, is scheduled for Thursday, March 21, 6-8 p.m., at St. Mark Community Center, 1201 Locust Street in Dubuque.

Art Gumbo is an independent community-based initiative that funds local arts projects using money collected at quarterly soup dinners. During each Art Gumbo funding cycle, artists and arts organizations are alternately invited to submit a brief project proposal that demonstrates an impact on the Dubuque community. The public is invited to attend and vote for their favorite proposal. A $10 donation at the door on March 21 entitles the attendee to soup and home-baked bread by East Mill Bakeshop & Catering and the opportunity to review all submitted proposals, and one vote for their favorite.

The March 21 soup dinner will feature seven proposals submitted by local arts organizations or creative groups whose project demonstrates an impact on the Dubuque community. The proceeds from the door will fund two proposals, first and second place, splitting the funding in a 70/30 fashion. A special group exhibit by Fun A Day Dubuque will feature the work of area individuals who met the challenge to engage in a daily creative activity each day of February. The work will be on display during the Art Gumbo event.

Art Gumbo dinners and micro-funding program are an independent effort initiated by local arts activists Paula Neuhaus and Megan Starr. The project's mission is to bring artists together with art patrons to explore and fund projects, create working relationships, and to build an all-arts network. Since the project's launch in September 2010, Art Gumbo has raised $8,565 to fund 16 creative projects. The March 21 soup dinner is open to anyone interested in attending the event. For more details about Art Gumbo and to review the proposals submitted for this funding cycle visit artgumbodubuque.blogspot.com or contact Paula Neuhaus at art.gumbo.dbq@gmail.com.

###
11 Mar 2013

DubuqueFest Fine Arts Festival Presents: "Hockey, Welding, & Ice Cream: A Love Story"

By Rick Martin

A Reading Featuring the Work of Thax Douglas, Al Johnson's Final Flu, & Ryan Werner

[Dubuque, IA] DubuqueFest Fine Arts Festival will host a reading entitled "Hockey, Welding, & Ice Cream: A Love Story" on Saturday, March 30, 7-9 p.m. at Eronel Art +Music Venue, 285 Main Street. The evening features a reading of original work from writers Thax Douglas, Al Johnson, & Ryan Werner. This rock-n-roll inspired reading serves as a fundraiser for the 36th annual DubuqueFest Fine Arts Festival scheduled for May 17-19, 2013 in downtown Dubuque.

American rock poet Thax Douglas is famous for creating literary snapshots of popular bands' performances and as a long-time fixture on the Chicago, New York, and Austin music scenes, reading his original poems inspired by bands as introductions to their sets. His self-published work includes several collections of poetry inspired by music. Al Johnson pushed the boundaries and destroyed the rules of rock as founder and front man of the band U.S. Maple. Al Johnson's Final Flu is now pushing boundaries in the field of writing as a contributor to Vice Magazine as well as his writing website, AlJohnsonisDecent.com. Local fiction writer and rocker Ryan Werner's short story collection Shake Away These Constant Days was recently published by Jersey Devil Press. His work is quirky, world-wise, and as joyfully rambunctious as your favorite punk rock song.

The public is invited to meet the writers, enjoy the reading, and buy their books. DubuqueFest t-shirts and signed, limited edition silk-screened posters by artist Rich Rossignol will be available for purchase. A sliding scale donation of $5-$10 is suggested. All proceeds from the door support DubuqueFest Fine Arts Festival. More information or donate directly at dubuquefest.org

###

11 Mar 2013

Illinois Republican Liberty Caucus Elects Officers and Welcomes Rand Paul to Illinois

By Laurie Bluedorn
The Illinois Republican Liberty Caucus aims to refocus the Illinois Republican Party by promoting the policies of limited government and free enterprise here in Illinois.

Monday the Illinois RLC welcomed a fellow RLC member from Kentucky, U.S. Senator Rand Paul. Paul was guest of honor at the Northwest Suburban GOP's Lincoln Day Dinner in Palatine and received a certificate of honorary membership in the Illinois RLC. IL-RLC stands with Senator Paul in his insistance that the government follow the rule of law, which is a fundamental principle of republican government.

The Illinois Republican Liberty Caucus Convention -- held February 26th -- unanimously elected officers committed to taking an active role in changing the Illinois political environment. The IL-RLC executive board now consists of Chairman Allen Skillicorn, Vice-Chairman Scott Davis, Treasurer Michael Smyk, and Secretary Laurie Bluedorn. At-large board members are Alan Fortini-Campbell, Justin Kuehlthau, Patricia Hampton, Harvey Bluedorn, Blair Garber, and Dane Stier.

Founded in 1991, the Republican Liberty Caucus promotes the principles and practices of individual liberty, limited government, and free enterprise within the Republican Party, working among party officials and its various organizations, identifying and supporting candidates sympathetic with these goals, and promoting caucus membership among Republican Party registrants, officials, and officeholders.

The IL-RLC recognizes that Illinois' single-party Democrat rule is not healthy for good governance and the well-being of Illinois families. The IL Republican Party offers the best vehicle to change Illinois for the better, but after decades of patronage and conformity, the Republican brand has been tarnished. We believe that less government intrusion means more liberty, and we will work through local activists, candidates, and persons of influence to oppose government excess and to demand accountability to the people. In 1854 the Republican Party was founded on the principles of liberty, and it is
the objective of the IL-RLC to reclaim the Republican Party as the party of liberty.

Please follow the Illinois Republican Liberty Caucus on facebook and twitter:

https://www.facebook.com/RLCIllinois
https://www.twitter.com/IllinoisRLC
11 Mar 2013

Charity Softball Tournament

By Allen Correll
The 2nd Annual JTC Softball Tournament will be held on June 8th and 9th, 2013 at Coralville Creekside Ballpark. We are currently looking for 24 softball teams to participate in this two day tournament. These teams can be either men's D league or co-ed teams. For more information call Allen Correll at (319) 331-3901 or Curtis Iburg at (319) 471-3892, e-mail ldsoftball@gmail.com, or visit www.facebook.com/JTCTourney.

All proceeds will benefit the Ronald McDonald House.
11 Mar 2013

MOUNT MERCY LOCAL ADMISSIONS VISIT

By Jennifer Jentz

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (March 7, 2013) - Mount Mercy University Admissions Counselor Heidi Goetzinger will be at

Bettendorf High School, Tuesday, March 19, at 10:00 a.m

Moline Senior High School, Tuesday, March 19, at 1:15 p.m

West High School, Tuesday, March 26, at 9:00 a.m

Davenport Central High School, Tuesday, March 26, at 1:00 p.m

to answer questions about admission, campus life, service-learning opportunities, scholarships and academic programs. (Last Name) will meet with high school students interested in learning more about Mount Mercy's 35 majors, 15 varsity athletic teams and more than 30 clubs and organizations. For more information about Mount Mercy University, please visit www.mtmercy.edu or call (800) 248-4504.

Mount Mercy University offers baccalaureate and graduate education to more than 1,800 traditional, transfer, adult and graduate students. Popular undergraduate majors include business, nursing, criminal justice, education, and social work. Students have numerous clubs and organizations to participate in, ranging from the Biology Club to the Quiz Bowl. The Mount Mercy Mustangs have earned more than 35 conference championships competing in men's basketball, baseball, golf, soccer, bowling, cross country and track & field, and women's basketball, softball, volleyball, golf, bowling, cross country, track & field, and soccer.

Located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Mount Mercy University is the regional Catholic, Mercy University that promises students of diverse backgrounds, ages and faiths a challenging, practical education that inspires them to discover knowledge, build community and lead courageous lives. Mount Mercy offers baccalaureate and graduate education to more than 1,800 enrolled students and uniquely blends liberal arts education with professional preparation.

-30-

11 Mar 2013

Governor Quinn Takes Bill Action **Friday, March 8, 2013**

By William Palmisano

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today took action on the following bill:

Bill No.: HB 1237

An Act Concerning: Criminal Law

Allows police officers who have had their FOID card denied or revoked due to mental health reasons the opportunity to apply for the card to be reinstated, so long as they did not act threateningly and that they voluntarily seek mental health evaluation or treatment.

Action: Signed

Effective Date: June 1

Bill No.: HB 4148

An Act Concerning: Revenue

Clarifies that only parking lots, garages and facilities that charge a parking fee shall be taxed through the Illinois Municipal Code and the Counties Code.

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Immediate

Bill No.: HB 5547

An Act Concerning: Revenue

Allows Chicago and Cook County to impose a tax on the parking lots, garages and other parking facilities based on gross receipts.

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Immediate

Bill No.: SB 622

An Act Concerning: Regulation

Addresses the structural deficit in the Illinois State Medical Disciplinary Fund and increases physician licensing fees, which have not changed since 1987.

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Immediate

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11 Mar 2013

Simon to be recognized for work to end domestic violence

By Kara Beach

CHICAGO - Lt. Governor Sheila Simon will be honored by Between Friends of Chicago for her years spent helping victims of domestic violence. The organization will name Simon a "Friend of the Year" at its annual Bubble Ball on Saturday at the River East Arts Center.

"This week, President Obama signed an extension of the Violence Against Women Act, reinforcing the idea that all relationships should be healthy," Simon said. "I have been fortunate to have worked with organizations like Between Friends of Chicago to help the victims of domestic violence rebuild their lives, and we need to continue working to end domestic violence."

Between Friends of Chicago is a nonprofit agency that provides services to domestic violence survivors and their families. Between Friends also provides youth and adult education programs aimed at preventing domestic violence. Proceeds from the event will support the organization's efforts.

"Lt. Governor Sheila Simon exemplifies the mission of Between Friends. For example, Lt. Governor Simon's Virtual Legal Clinic, which uses the Internet and webcams to link domestic violence survivors in underserved areas with volunteer attorneys, is the type of creative thinking we need to helps victims of domestic violence get crucial assistance," says Kathleen A. Doherty, executive director of Between Friends.

Lt. Governor Simon is a former assistant state's attorney who worked with victims of domestic violence and prosecuted domestic violence cases. As a law professor, she helped launch the Southern Illinois School of Law's domestic violence clinic to serve clients and train law students. Since becoming Lt. Governor, Simon has worked with the Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence (ICADV) to start virtual legal clinics that connect survivors with attorneys through webcam technology. Simon has also partnered with Verizon and the ICADV to raise revenue and collect used cell phones for survivors, and she worked with Sen. Toi Hutchinson (D-Olympia Fields) on a new law that requires adult entertainment establishments to collect a surcharge that supports programs that help sexual abuse victims.

For more information, please visit www.ltgov.il.gov.

Saturday, March 9

EVENT: Between Friends of Chicago's Annual Bubble Ball

TIME: 7 p.m.

PLACE: River East Arts Center, 435 East Illinois St., Chicago, 6061

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