15 Feb 2013

CALL FOR ARTISTS: Typecast | Recast public art exhibition

By Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS AND PROPOSALS

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) - Plains States Region, in cooperation with the Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts, invites artists living within a 250-mile radius of Omaha, Nebraska to submit qualifications and preliminary proposals to be considered for the 2013-2014 Typecast | Recast public art exhibition. This is the inaugural year for what the ADL hopes will become a recurring project for Omaha. The deadline for submission of entries is Saturday, March 2, 2013.

 

THE PROJECT: TYPECAST | RECAST TEMPORARY ART INSTALLATIONS

The Plains States Anti-Defamation League is now accepting qualifications and preliminary proposals from artists to participate in the inaugural Typecast | Recast exhibit. Typecast | Recast will be a recurring public art exhibit that seeks to activate and amplify the urban conditions of a seven-block stretch of downtown Omaha, Nebraska through innovative and adventurous temporary public artworks. ADL is seeking qualifications from artists who have experience working in the public realm, as well as from artists for whom the project would represent an expansion of their practice. ADL and its partners believe this temporary public exhibition will animate a specific urban corridor, promote nuanced cultural dialogue and communicate the transformative power of public art.

 

The ADL will commission up to 10 artists to produce temporary site-specific art installations for North 12th Street in Downtown Omaha between Mike Fahey and Douglas streets with a total budget of $50,000 to be divided among the artists for creation and installation of their artworks. The art will be installed mid-August, 2013 and remain on view until July, 2014. Artists should consider the outdoor elements when selecting materials and structure of their piece.

 

Proposals are not required to adhere to thematic parameters. However, the selection process, led by the Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts, will include sensitivity to ADL's mission to secure justice and fair treatment for all. It should be noted that this call is intentionally broad so as not to limit artistic vision. The review committee and jury will consider any medium - for this exhibition, public art will be interpreted broadly. The selection team would like to encourage unconventional public works, ranging from public sculpture and two-dimensional works to other media, such as window vinyl, video installation, sound works, event-based projects, placemaking initiatives, billboards, signage or surely many other forms we haven't yet considered. Please be adventurous with your proposal.

 

The ADL, in collaboration with the Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts, will make their best efforts to work with the City of Omaha and any private property owners impacted by a proposal in order to negotiate necessary approvals, permissions, and permits for installing a selected piece.

 

Artists may be asked to work collaboratively with members of the Artist Selection Panel and project consultants in determining unique design opportunities. In some circumstances, proposals may need modifications in order to gain feasibility.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Selected artists will be expected to fabricate and install their works by August 16, 2013. Please consider this schedule before submitting your materials.

 

The ADL will also help to facilitate and coordinate installation of the art, although costs associated with installation will be the responsibility of the artists.

 

In some circumstances, selected artists may need space for fabrication. The ADL and Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts may be able to help artists find this space if artists notify the organizations of their needs.

 

ANTI-DEFAMATION LEAGUE MISSION

The Anti-Defamation League is keen to improve the culture of our community so that all people - no matter who they are - can strive to live in a respectful and hate-free world. ADL seeks to challenge perceptions, break down stereotypes, and generate understanding. We have all felt typecasted at times and we all hold our own typecasts or biases of others.  Typecast | Recast offers each one of us the opportunity to recognize and examine typecasts, perceptions, and personal biases and through art, to consider a world free of them. By using art to initiate crucial conversations, people are drawn to understand one another on a more human level. In consideration of this underpinning, proposals may embody ADL's mission to secure justice and fair treatment for all, and the pursuit to make Omaha a No Place for Hate community. The exhibition is anticipated to serve as a public illustration of respect, diversity, and mutual understanding. For more information on the ADL's work to secure justice and fair treatment for all, visit www.adl.org.

 

THE SELECTION PROCESS

This call seeks artists wishing to be considered by a professional Artist Selection Panel for this project. Applicants will utilize ADL's online Call for Artists Submission Portal: http://typecastrecast.org/call-for-artists/.

 

The selection process will consist of two phases. To be considered in the first phase, artists are invited to complete the online form and upload the following: 1. a current resume (maximum of three pages); 2. Up to 10 documents of related past work; 3. A general statement of interest and brief description outlining the proposed project consisting of a maximum of 150 words.  The deadline for submissions is March 2, 2013.

 

A shortlist of candidates will receive an invitation to participate in Phase 2 of the Artist Selection Process no later than March 15, 2013. Artists selected to participate in Phase 2 will submit a site-specific proposal of their project. Candidates will be asked to interview with the artist selection panel and will be invited to publicly present proposals at the Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts. Finalists will be invited to participate in a public Typecast | Recast selection and fundraising event on April 11.

 

Incomplete submissions will not be considered.  For inquiries regarding the application and selection process contact Alex Priest at 402.341.7130 x 21 or alex@bemiscenter.org.

 

If you wish to mail hard copies, they must be received no later than March 1, 2013.  Send them to Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts, 724 S 12th St, Omaha Nebraska, 68102.

 

For more information about this exhibition and to submit your qualifications, see typecastrecast.org

15 Feb 2013

Pepperjack's Restaurant in Davenport

By Danny A Holmes
After months of construction, Pepperjack's Restaurant and Lounge opened for business Monday, October 22nd, on the site of the former Cheddar's Casual Cafe at 1225 East Kimberly Road in Davenport.

The building sat vacant for over 6 years after the closing of Cheddar's Casual Cafe, and has been almost completely rebuilt including new windows and doors, a new roof, new drains, an entirely new interior, new décor, and all new heating and air conditioning equipment, kitchen equipment, and furniture. A new semi-private dining room is available by reservation for groups up to 50 people.

The business is locally owned by Danny Holmes, former long-time general manager of Radisson Quad City Plaza Hotel, and Wesley Ludloff, the opening general manager of the new Hotel Blackhawk. Pepperjack's is the first joint venture for these partners and is not affiliated with any other restaurant of similar name.

Pepperjack's serves a varied casual American menu for both lunch and dinner, featuring a number of roasted specialties in addition to unique appetizers and soups, and a variety of entrees including steaks, salads, ribs, seafoods, pastas, salads, and sandwiches. All soups, sauces, and dressings are homemade daily from recipes developed by the restaurant's culinary staff. Special items are featured every meal - sometimes appetizers, sometimes entrees, sometimes soups or desserts. Pepperjack's is tentatively planning to eventually introduce a Sunday Brunch featuring several brunch-appropriate plated dinners.

All of the restaurant's specialty roasted dinners - including Savory Herb Roasted Chicken, Roasted Prime Rib, and Baby Back Ribs are available for takeout, as well as its signature Savory Chicken Pie and most items on the menu.

Other unique and popular Dinner menu selections include Seafood Quesadilla, Jambalaya Pasta, Braised Beef Short Ribs, Steak Frites, Chicken Piccata, Porterhouse Pork Chop, Blackened Grouper, Barbequed Shrimp, and Tenderloin Tips en Casserole. Mouth-watering steaks include the 12 oz. Ribeye Steak, 8 oz Top Sirloin, and 8 oz Filet Mignon.

Luncheon choices feature a selection of 6 oz. and 12 oz. burgers, including a challenging Quadruple Stacked Burger with Bacon and Cheese. "Just for Lunch Sandwiches" include, among others, the Pastrami Melt, Iowa Pork Tenderloin, Roasted Prime Rib Sandwich, Chicken Club on a Buttery Croissant, Grilled Ahi Tuna, Vegetarian Monte Cristo and Cold Veggie Wrap, Tuna Salad Melt, and the Wisconsin Cheese Melt.

Appetizers common to both menus include Blackened Ahi Tuna, Crab and Artichoke Casserole, Roasted Chicken Wings, Beef and Chicken Nachos, and several samplers. The signature soups are Mandatory Cheese Soup, Peggy's Thick and Hearty Bean and Sausage Soup, and Roasted Chicken and Noodle Soup. A choice of roasted, baked and grilled vegetables are offered each meal as side orders, in addition to seasonal fruit, wild rice, and fettucine.

The lounge has been fully remodeled, and features a colorful back bar display of top shelf liquors and 6 big screen TVs for comfortable viewing of sports and other events. Food service is also available in the lounge along with a broad selection of unique martinis, margaritas, and specialty beverages, several local beers, and affordable wines by the glass, most not available in local supermarkets. Happy Hour is celebrated every day from 2 pm - 6 pm, and features half price appetizers, discounted prices for draft beers, well drinks, and wines. At least one $5.00 martini is offered all day, every day.

The restaurant and lounge employ about 45 people and are open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner. Reservations are gladly accepted. Gift cards are available in any denomination.

Pepperjack's Restaurant and Lounge, 1225 East Kimberly Road, Davenport, Iowa 52807    563.324-9525
15 Feb 2013

CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY WISCONSIN RELEASES FALL DEAN'S LIST

By Jeff Bandurski

(February 12, 2013) - Concordia University Wisconsin officials released the Fall Dean's List for the first semester of 2012-2013 academic year. To be eligible for the honor, students must achieve a minimum 3.50 GPA.

Among the area students named to the list were: Elizabeth Vondera, Freshman from Davenport, Athletic Training

Founded in 1881, Concordia University Wisconsin, 12800 North Lake Shore Drive, Mequon, offers 49 undergraduate majors and is affiliated with The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. The school is located on 155 acres of Lake Michigan shoreline, only 15 minutes north of downtown Milwaukee.

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15 Feb 2013

VFW POST HONOR FLIGHT

By Duane Miller

It takesabout $80,000 to fully support just one Honor Flight. $30,000 of that is paid for by the Guardians that accompany the veterans and that leaves just $50,000 to sponsor a flight.

The Edward W. Knapper VFW Post 6174 is hoping that through the residents, various organizations, and businesses in the Eldridge and North Scott area that we can raise that amount to be able to say that we, as a community have fully funded one Honor Flight.

The post has opened an account at DuTrac Credit Union in Eldridge that will receive deposits from the community. If one is depositing a check, it needs to be made out to either VFW Post 6174 (with notation to HONOR FLIGHT) or it can be made out to Honor Flight of the Quad Cities, as they have established a local account as well.

Honor Flight of the Quad Cities is a non-profit 501(C)3 organization. Your donation is tax deductible.  For background information: http://www.honorflightqc.com/

We are looking for donations both large and small. From pocket change to memorials, all donations are welcome.

We are looking for any fundraising source that may be out there; classroom projects, neighborhood donations, sewing circles, book clubs, Sunday School collections, service organizations, and collectors clubs are all possibilities.

We will have containers placed at various businesses around town. We urge anyone that wishes to have a container placed in their place of business to call Duane Miller at 285-8613 and he will get one there for you. This would be a great way to honor any veteran; whether it be your brother, sister, spouse, parent, grandparent, or classmate.

Our ultimate goal is to get all WWII veterans out to Washington DC to see their memorial. The number of WWII vets is diminishing every day. Korean Vets are now eligible and hopefully Honor Flights will continue long enough to be able to include Vietnam Vets as well.

The local VFW is passing along 100% of all donations. We have no administration fees to deduct from your generosity. What we take from this project is the satisfaction of getting more veterans recognized for their service to our country.

Please contact Duane Miller for any additional information you may need.

15 Feb 2013

Here's What's Happening at the Putnam!

By Jenna Smith
COMING SOON!


The Sting
February 14 - 6 p.m. & 8:45 p.m.
February 17 - 4:15

 

Music, trivia and a special "mob" photo opportunity will be offered that night. $1.00 select candy all night. Beer, wine, and frozen drinks available.





OPENING - February 15
Flight of the
Butterflies 3D
12:30 p.m., 2:50 p.m., 5 p.m.







Jaws

February 21 - 6 p.m. & 8:30 p.m.

 

Join us for a themed showing of Jaws as it was meant to be seen.
$1.00 select candy all night.
Beer, wine, and frozen drinks available. You can't get it anywhere else!

 



See the BIG RACE like you've never seen it before!
Click Here for more details.
15 Feb 2013

AAUS Boards Approve Merger: Benefits Insufficient To Offset Consumer Harms

By Kevin Mitchell
American Airlines - US Airways Proposed Merger Problematic; Benefits insufficient to offset consumer harms

February 13, 2013, WASHINGTON, DC - Business Travel Coalition (BTC) today responded with concern regarding the news of board approvals of an eleven billion dollar proposal from American Airlines' parent AMR Corporation and US Airways Group Inc. to merge their third and fifth largest U.S. airlines respectively. The transaction would create the country's and world's largest carrier by passenger traffic and would require various approvals from the U.S. Departments of Justice (DOJ) and Transportation (DOT) as well the EC's DG COMP. If governmental analyses don't force a regulatory tarmac delay, then decisions could be expected in some four to six months.

"From a consumer standpoint - individual traveler or corporate travel department - there are few benefits to offset the negative impacts of this proposed merger that include reduced competition, higher fares and fees and diminished service to small and mid-size communities," stated BTC Chairman Kevin Mitchell. "To be clear, there is benefit in a financially viable air transportation system. However, previous mergers have already enabled seat capacity cuts, higher fares and billions of dollars in fees for ancillary services resulting in a financially strengthening industry. As such, consumer harms from this merger are indeed exacerbated, as there are no substantial countervailing consumer benefits," added Mitchell.

BTC has just published an Industry Analysis of the proposed merger at http://bit.ly/VfUnMK. The analysis includes the following section titles:

- Introduction

- Summary Analysis

- The Right Regulatory Review Construct

- Coordinated Effects A Big Problem

- The Problem Of Monopsony Power

- No Failing Firms Here

- The Diminishing Influence Of Low Cost Carriers

- A Need To Forensically Analyze Past Merger Projections And Promises

- Anti-Consumer Elephant In The Room

The American Antitrust Institute and BTC in the coming weeks will be updating their August 2012 White Paper on the proposed American Airlines - US Airways merger. This paper titled: "The Proposed Merger of US Airways and American Airlines: The Rush to Closed Airline Systems," can be found at http://bit.ly/YKbshf

BTC's 2008 testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee regarding the Delta Air Lines - Northwest Airlines merger can be found at http://bit.ly/12yyuYP

###

About BTC
Founded in 1994, the mission of Business Travel Coalition is to interpret industry and government policies and practices and provide a platform so that the managed travel community can influence issues of strategic importance to their organizations.
15 Feb 2013

The Fun Co Partners With Nedrebo's Formal Wear

By Rick Martin
Tuxedo Rental for the Quad Cities

Moline, Illinois - February 14, 2013

 

The owners of the Fun Co, Eric W. Dany and Jerry Phillips announced today they have partnered with Nedrebo's Formal Wear to bring a complete line of men's formal wear to the Quad Cities.

Commenting on the new addition to the Fun Co, Eric Dany said, "The Fun Co is proud to be associated with a Nedrebo's, a proud member of Savvi Formal Wear. With our partnership we are able to offer the latest in formal wear fashions for weddings, proms, college formals or any black tie affair."

Jerry Phillips added, "I am excited about the latest designer tuxedo styles from Joseph Abboud, Ralph Lauren, Perry Ellis, Ecko, Calvin Klein and others. And because we are associated with Savvi Formalwear we have a nationwide network of over 400 stores to assist groomsmen and ushers with out-of-town fittings."

Dany continued, "We are pleased to offer a very reasonable $59.95 starting price for our tuxedos, bridesmaid dress color matching service, free groom tux try-on and substantial savings with six or more tux rentals."

With prom season right around the corner and weddings coming up in the spring and summer Dany and Phillips are ready to help customers select their tuxedos. Appointments can be arranged for private wedding party consulting.

In addition to formal wear the Fun Co offers a large selection of costumes for rent, celebration yard cards, magic tricks, clown supplies, make-up, balloons, juggling equipment and novelties.

The store is open Wednesday through Friday afternoons on Saturday and by appointment. A visit to The Fun Co* will definitely put a smile on your face.

Eric Dany and Jerry Phillips            www.funcoformalwear.com The Fun Co*

309-721-8810 www.magicandfunco.com 1520 6th Avenue Moline, IL
15 Feb 2013

Iowa Wedding Crashers on Katie Couric Valentine's Day Show

By Jonathan Narcisse

Former Des Moines School Board Director and 2010 gubernatorial candidate Jonathan Narcisse and his wife, Kerin Narcisse will be guests on "The Katie Show's" annual "Unforgettable Weddings" show to air February 14th - Valentine's Day.

"The Katie Show" hosted by Katie Couric will feature a segment with three couples and their "unforgettable weddings" including a couple's wedding caught in a sandstorm, a couple's wedding ending with the entire wedding party falling into water after the pier crashed during photos, and the Narcisses who were married in a hot air balloon in San Diego prior to the balloon crashing.

After watching the videos and hearing from the newlyweds the all bride audience will select America's most unforgettable wedding.

Jonathan Narcisse served on the Des Moines School Board from 2007-2009 and has been a longtime education and government reform advocate. He finished third out of six candidates in the 2010 gubernatorial contest behind Governor Terry Branstad and Governor Chet Culver earning support in all 99 counties and nearly every Iowa precinct. Narcisse is also Editor-in-Chief of the Iowa Bystander Newspaper founded in 1894.

Kerin (Lang) Narcisse is an Iowa native and graduate of Humboldt High School. She is an ordained Presbyterian Pastor and educator. She has been a resident of San Diego, California and has served the last decade as a Chaplain with San Diego Hospice. She also served as a Pastor in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and will join Iowa Health System next month as a Hospice Chaplain.

It was always Kerin's dream to get married in a hot air balloon. 

After the friends reconnected late November the six week romance ended with the couple taking their vows in a hot air balloon overlooking the pacific ocean, the sun setting with clouds as their witness.

Following the ceremony the landing went bad with the balloon just missing traffic, buzzing homes and trees, hitting a tree, missing powerlines and the powergrid by about six feet prior to crashing to the earth where they bounced twice and were then dragged into a steel fence and giant thorn bushes. The balloon covered a house and the basket came to rest on a cliff.

Kerin suffered a concussion and the wedding party suffered minor injuries but the near death experience could have been much worse.

Mark Carlile, a resident who observed the crash and assisted the wedding party, alerted the local media. The couple was interviewed at their wedding dinner by local media and within hours video and story went viral being featured on every major news network in the U.S. and media throughout the world.

15 Feb 2013

Loebsack Discusses Impact of Sequestration on Arsenals and Depots

By Vonnie Hampel

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack today questioned the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Deputy Secretary of Defense at a House Armed Services Committee hearing on the impacts of sequestration on our military.  Loebsack continued to express his opposition to letting the automatic, across the board spending cuts contained in sequestration take effect. He has concerns about the affects of sequestration on national security, including the operations at the Rock Island Arsenal and the Iowa Army Ammunition Plants.  He questioned General Ray Odierno, Chief of Staff, U.S. Army, about the impact of these arbitrary cuts on the Army's arsenals and depots.

"I was opposed to these arbitrary, across the board cuts, known as sequestration, since they were first proposed last year.  They do not make sense for our budget and they certainly do not make sense for our nation's defenses.  I strongly believe we must reduce the unsustainable deficit, but this is not the way to do it. I am greatly concerned about the long-term effects of sequestration on our readiness and the workforce at our nation's arsenals and depots, including the Rock Island Arsenal and the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant.  The organic industrial base and its workforce are critical to our readiness and ability to respond to a national security contingency.  As a military parent, we have to ensure our troops serving overseas have the best equipment available to them.  We cannot allow these cuts to take place," said Loebsack.

Video of the discussion can be found here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EjrGfhTGBeg

###
15 Feb 2013

IRS whistleblower office cases drop off, bad news for taxpayers

By Grassley Press
Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2013

Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa today made the following comment on the Internal Revenue Service's annual whistleblower report to Congress and the agency's response to Grassley's letter expressing concern about problems implementing new incentives for whistleblowers to come forward on tax fraud.  Grassley authored the 2006 whistleblower improvements.

"The report shows a drop in whistleblowers coming forward.   That's alarming.  Instead of rushing to raise new revenue through tax increases, as the President wants, the government should work with whistleblowers to collect taxes that are due under current tax levels.  I'm concerned that the delay in awards and the way the IRS treats whistleblowers might be contributing to the drop in whistleblower cases.   Unfortunately, the regulations proposed in December are likely to further contribute to a drop-off in whistleblowers coming forward.  The IRS has made some progress in processing and tracking claims, but whistleblowers are still left in the dark for years.  The IRS needs to do a lot more to give whistleblowers the confidence they need to take the risk of coming forward to expose tax fraud."

The IRS' annual report to Congress on whistleblowers is available here.  The agency's response to Grassley's Jan. 28 letter is available here.  Grassley's Jan. 28 letter is available here.

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