DeWITT, Iowa ? The Wartburg Players and Wartburg College music department are bringing the Cole Porter musical masterpiece, "Kiss Me, Kate," to DeWitt's Central Performing Arts Center Saturday, Feb. 2.

A cast of 30 Wartburg students and one chemistry professor will perform Porter's biggest Broadway hit ?featuring a play (William Shakespeare's "The Taming of the Shrew") within a play. All tickets are $10 for the 7:30 p.m. performance.

"Kiss Me, Kate" debuted in 1948 as Porter's first musical with a scripted storyline and won the first Tony Award for best musical. Fifty years later, it won another Tony for best musical revival.

The plot involves the egotistical producer, director and star of a foundering touring company. He recruits his ex-wife, a movie-star diva, to save his musical adaptation of the Shakespeare comedy. Mismatched lovers and gambling debts owed gangsters, who  also portray actors in the musical, add to the mischief.

"It's a big Broadway musical," said Dr. William Earl, associate professor of communication arts who directs the Wartburg Players theater group. "It's one of the great war horses of theater with all the elements ? terrific music and dancing, gangsters, and backstage and onstage intrigue."

Describing a recent revival of the musical, a critic wrote, "Cole Porter's unbeatable songs, divas, gangsters, dancing, jokes, and even Shakespeare make 'Kiss Me, Kate' all that it is ... pure fun."

Dr. Brian Pfaltzgraff, associate professor of voice, is teaming with Earl to present the latest in an annual series of Wartburg musicals. A number of the student performers are veterans of the 2010 production of "Oliver" and the 2011 opera workshop. "Kiss Me, Kate" will be performed at Wartburg College Feb. 21-23.

Mariah Driscoll, a freshman from DeWitt, is in the chorus.

Tickets are available at DeWitt City Hall, the Central Administration Building and online at midwestix.com.

CAST

Fred Graham/Petrucchio:  Christopher Kurt, senior, Independence
Lilli Vanessi/Kate:  Anne Bomgaars, senior, Sheldon
Lois Lane/Bianca:  Cailee Whitefield, junior, San Antonio, Texas
Bill Calhoun/Lucentio:  Gregory DiMarco, junior, Mason City
Harrison Howell:  Denis Drolet, associate professor chemistry
First Man (Gangster):  Maddie Paxton, senior, Milford
Second Man (Gangster):  Jenna Buhr, senior, Cedar Rapids
Harry Trevor/Baptista:  Andrew Tubbs, sophomore, Des Moines
Hattie:  Lauren Matysik, junior, Miramar Beach, Fla.
Paul:  Justin Cervantes, junior, Cedar Rapids
Gremio:  Kyle Harms, sophomore, Independence

CHORUS

Soprano ? Emma Hellevik, junior, Medford, Minn.; Mariah Driscoll, freshman, DeWitt; Mackenzie Walsh, sophomore, San Antonio, Texas; Carrie Pont, freshman, Oelwein.
Alto ? Erin Gleason, freshman, Platteville, Wis.; Haley Flores, senior, Dysart; Elizabeth Jewitt, freshman, Round Lake Heights, Ill.; Gregena Heard, junior, East St. Louis, Ill.; Alexandria Plumb, freshman, Spirit Lake.
Tenor ? Trent Teske, sophomore, New Providence; Michael Sauer, sophomore, LeMars; Koby Edler, sophomore, Fairbank; Chad Nelsen, sophomore, Rock Valley; Drew Peeler, sophomore, Indianola.
Bass ? Brady Frieden, freshman, Donahue; Sam Miller, sophomore, Ida Grove; Myles Finn, sophomore, Manchester; Connor Koppin, senior, Mason City; Ben Sande, junior, Adel.

Wartburg Players cast members Christopher Kurt and Anne Bomgaars have the lead roles in 'Kiss Me, Kate," the Cole Porter musical that will be performed 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 2 at DeWitt's Central Performing Arts Center.

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For more information, contact Saul Shapiro, Wartburg College Office of Marketing and
Communication, 319 352-8379 or saul.shapiro@wartburg.edu.

Sample the many varieties of food DeWitt restaurants have to offer.

Participating restaurants(partial list):

  • Barnes Foodland
  • Crossroads Coffee
  • DeWitt Nite Lions
  • Dream Cake Designs
  • Garden Cafe at The CROSSROADS Inspired Living
  • Golden Wok Chinese Restaurant
  • Hall of Fame Pizza & Wings
  • Happy Joe's Pizza & Ice Cream
  • Pizza Hut
  • Sunrise Cafe
  • TC's Point After
  • Whisk Away Cafe & Bakery

Adults: $15 & receives 5 food tickets. Children under 10: $7 & receives 3 food tickets. Extra tickets can be purchased at the event for $2 each.

This is a fund-raiser for future expenses. ALL proceeds benefit new Christmas decorations. Tax deductible amount of adult ticket is $10. Tax deductible amount of children ticket is $4.

Make checks payable to: Chamber Foundation

Tickets available at Chamber office, all Chamber board members and participating members.


 DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) _ About 250 students from Davenport and nearby Illinois schools have an appointment to talk with astronauts on board the International Space Station on Friday.

The event is scheduled for 11 a.m. for students gathered at the Putnam Museum of History and Natural Science in Davenport.

Participating students are from North High School, Smart Middle School and Buffalo Elementary in Davenport. In addition students from elementary schools in Rock Island and Moline in Illinois are invited.

Their conversation with astronauts Kevin Ford and Tom Marshburn will be carried live on NASA Television and the agency's website.

NASA works with educational organizations in the United States to improve teaching and learning in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics using the unique environment of space and the human spaceflight program.

Meet John Weis, NASA Aerospace Education Specialist, on Thursday, January 24!

 This FREE forum is from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. John will talk about NASA, it's programs and future opportunities. Attendees will even have an opportunity to see authentic moon rocks! Currently stationed at Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, AL, John is the state education liaison for Iowa, Missouri, Arkansas, Alabama and Tennessee.
All ages welcome - don't miss this special opportunity!

Reservations requested. Email: education@putnam.org with your name and requested number of seats.
Wizard of Oz:  January 29th at1pm and 7pm
The BIG Game on February 3
Event begins at 3:30 p.m., seating starts at 4:30 p.m.,  the Big Game starts at 5:30 p.m.!Don't miss The BIG Game on the GIANT Screen Sunday, February 3!
Putnam Snack Stop will be open, alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase. No outside food or drink allowed.
This is a free event, RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED with a maximum of 12 people per reservation. Space is limited, to reserve your spot today call 563-324-1933 ext. 242 or email your name/phone number to museum@putnam.org. All reservations not checked in at the ticketing counter will be released at 5 p.m.

Rock Island, IL - The Hubbell-Waterman Foundation Board of Trustees has awarded a
$10,000 grant to financially assist Christian Care feed the homeless and hungry.

"We couldn't possibly be able to fulfill our mission without generous supporters like The
Hubbell-Waterman Foundation," said Executive Director Elaine Winter, Ed.D. "This grant will
go a long way toward not only providing food, shelter and services for the hundreds of men,
women and children who will come through our doors this year, but also will help us provide
sustained help in the form of counseling, case management, advocacy and spiritual guidance."

Christian Care is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization operating two facilities?a domestic violence
shelter for women and children and a rescue mission for homeless men. It serves homeless
individuals, victims of domestic violence, veterans, men and women coming out of prison, and
those with mental illness.

Christian Care's community meal site is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner on weekdays
Monday through Friday, and for breakfast and dinner on Saturday and Sunday. Breakfast is
served at 6:30 a.m., lunch at 12:15 p.m., and dinner at 6:30 p.m. If you know of someone in
need, call Christian Care's crisis hotline any hour of the day at (309) 788-2273 or visit online at
christiancareqc.org.

 

Businesses are Again Moving Toward More Polished Attire

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg aside, for many men, the days of wearing hoodies and flip-flops to work are over.

After a decade of increasingly casual office dress requirements (inspired by Zuckerberg's 1990s Silicon Valley predecessors), CEOs began demanding a more polished look beginning with the 2001 recession. By 2002, more formal dress codes had been reinstated by 19 percent of companies with more than $500 million in revenues, according to a Men's Apparel Alliance survey.

"The 2001 recession gave Americans a taste of the tougher job market," says Darnell Jones, a  business professional and creator of TUKZ Undergarments for men, (www.TUKZ.com), which have clasps that ensure shirts stay tucked.

"Then along came the Great Recession in December 2007 and, with it, the layoffs and high unemployment we're still experiencing. Today, if you want to get hired and if you want to get promoted, you've got to look like you mean business."

Jones notes that it's not just corporate leaders who want a more professional-looking workforce. In a 2012 survey by Salary.com, nearly 25 percent of respondents said their workplace's dress code is too lenient. Less than 10 percent said theirs was too strict.

"Right or wrong, how much care you take - or don't take - with your appearance communicates a lot about you," Jones says. "If you take pride in how you look, you probably take pride in the work you do. If your outfits are thrown-together or dated, you may be reckless with details and not up on the latest in your profession."

If you're ready to give up your office hoodie, but aren't sure what to replace it with, Jones offers these tips:

• Get a navy blue or gray blazer or suit coat: Solid colors are best, although pinstripes are fine, too. Get the best material you can afford. If wearing a jacket all day doesn't fit with your workplace vibe, keep one in your office or cubicle to have handy just in case. Whether it's a surprise visit from a client or an unexpected meeting with the CEO, slipping on a jacket is an easy way to make a good impression.

• Watch your feet: Invest in a good pair of lace-up shoes -- brown, black or, better yet, both. (The color should complement your trousers and match your belt.) Avoid square-toed shoes -- they're dated. Be sure your shoes are polished, and replace the heels when they get run down, particularly if you're going on a job interview or attending an important meeting. Of course, you'll need socks, too. They should coordinate with the color of your trousers - and with each other!

• Avoid the peacock effect: Your shirt should be a solid color - no patterns and no hot pinks. Be sure it's pressed. An undershirt is a must; it helps prevent unsightly perspiration stains and unwanted views of underlying body parts. If you're not wearing a tie and leaving the top button or two undone, make sure the T-shirt collar is not visible at your throat. If you're wearing a coat, about a half-inch of shirt cuff should be visible at your wrist.

• Flatter your face with a V-neck: A good-quality gray, V-neck pullover sweater worn over a blue dress shirt is a great look for business casual. The bottom of the sweater should stop at your belt line.

"You'll be amazed at how much more seriously people take you when you look the part," Jones says.

"The best thing is, dressing well makes you stand taller and feel more confident. That's really a winning look."

About Darnell Jones

Darnell Jones is the founder and president of TUKZ Undergarments, LLC, specializing in a unique functionality that prevents shirts from becoming un-tucked. He earned his bachelor's in health with an emphasis in management at Mesa State College in Grand Junction, Colo. Jones' vision is for TUKZ Underwear to reside in every household to improve appearance and build confidence in men and women of all ages. He currently serves as an investor and a Region Manager for Olive Medical Corp.

The Winter 2012/2013 issue of the National Weather Service Quad Cities' newsletter is now available on our website at http://www.weather.gov/quadcities/?n=additional-links#newsletter. This link also contains all past issues of our newsletter.  There is also a temporary link under the Top News of the Day section on our main webpage.

MOLINE, IL -- A screening of the PBS documentary, "Poor Kids" will be held from 5-6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 5 in Rooms 103 and 104 at the Western Illinois University-Quad Cities Riverfront Campus.

Produced by Jezza Neumann and Lauren Mucciolo, the documentary tells the story of child poverty in America through the eyes of children, including some from the QC region.

In this documentary, "Frontline" follows several of the more than 13 million children in poverty for a glimpse at what life is like for a child in need. There is the near-constant hunger, the stress that comes from watching a parent struggle, and oftentimes, days and weeks spent living in a shelter or bouncing from motel to motel. A post-film discussion will be led byTammy Werner of the WIU-QC sociology department.

While the screening is open free to the public, participants are asked to bring a nonperishable item for the River Bend Food Bank. The screening is sponsored by WIU-Quad Cities, the WIU-QC Communication Student Society (CSS), WQPT and the River Bend Food Bank of the Quad Cities.

For more information, visit pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/poor-kids.

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Program Will Create Hundreds of Jobs, Improve19 Airports and Increase Public Safety

CHICAGO - January 23, 2013. Governor Pat Quinn and Illinois Department of Transportation Secretary Ann L. Schneider today announced a $9 million investment that will create hundreds of construction jobs while improving 19 airports across the state. Illinois' State-Local Airport Improvement Program for Fiscal Year (FY) 2013 will rehabilitate aging infrastructure, improve accessibility for travelers and businesses and maximize economic development opportunities at Illinois airports from Cairo to Moline. The program is funded by $7.3 million from Governor Quinn's Illinois Jobs Now! capital program and a local match of $1.6 million.

"Maintaining and improving Illinois' aviation infrastructure is vitally important to meeting the needs of travelers and small businesses, and ensuring the safety of airport workers," Governor Quinn said. "Airports are a local economic engine for communities, regional trades and professional services, and are essential to making sure Illinois remains competitive in today's growing economy. This major investment will generate hundreds of direct and indirect jobs, improve accessibility and further strengthen Illinois' position as a national leader in infrastructure."

The wide variety of airport improvement projects include the rehabilitation of a terminal and a number of taxiways, aircraft parking ramps and entrance roads and the modification of major parking lots. In addition, the construction of an automatic weather observation system in Mt. Sterling will significantly improve safety for the flying public.

"We are extremely proud to announce the FY13 State-Local Airport Improvement Program, and remain committed to making the financial investments needed to maintain and improve our existing aviation infrastructure," Secretary Schneider said. "This critically important maintenance program for airports statewide would not have been possible without Governor Quinn's leadership and his Illinois Jobs Now! plan."

Illinois' aviation system is comprised of nearly 80 publicly-owned airports and is vital to a healthy economy. A recent economic impact study reported that Illinois airports contribute more than $40 billion to local economies: http://illinoisairportsmeanbusiness.com/IL-Econ_TechnicalReport.pdf

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St. Malachy's Winterfest

Artisan fair, raffles and auction

Saturday, February 12

9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Spaghetti Dinner

Sunday, February 13

4:00 - 7:00 p.m.

ARTISAN FAIR - crafts from approximately 30 vendors

Featuring: Jewelry, garden items, wooden bird houses, collage glass, doll clothes for Barbie & American Girl dolls, doll furniture, decorative sweatshirts, clothing, baskets, shelves, woven rugs, hand crafted mittens recycled from woolen sweaters,

and much much more.

BAKE SHOPPE with homemade bread, baked goods, candies, jams, jellies, etc.

MEN'S DEN - This is a special room for men to hang out when their wives are shopping. They can look at TV or just visit with other guys.

RAFFLES: "Lanie" American Girl Doll

A beautiful handmade Quilt, Hand-crafted Oak Deacon's Bench, John Deere Pedal Tractor & Wagon, $100 in Heaven Sent Script

CASH RAFFLE with $500 first prize

ITALIAN CAF> serving coffee & homemade rolls from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m.

LUNCH SERVED from 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. and featuring:

HOMEMADE MINESTRONE SOUP, HOMEMADE CHICKEN

NOODLE SOUP, ITALIAN BEEF & TURKEY SANDWICHES; PIES

SPAGHETTI DINNER (Sunday)

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