ROCK ISLAND, IL (04/23/2012)(readMedia)-- During the next two weekends, Augustana students will present the cult classic, Bat Boy: The Musical, described by The New York Times as "a jaggedly imaginative mix of skewering humor and energetic glee." The unusual storyline is based on a 1992 Weekly World News article about a half-boy, half-bat named Bat Boy.

Augustana's theatre arts department and Opera@Augustana have joined together to deliver six performances of Bat Boy: The Musical in Potter Theatre, inside Bergendoff Hall of Fine Arts (3701 7th Ave.) between April 27 and May 6.

Among those involved in the performance:

Samantha Kammerman, a first year from Milan, Ill., majoring in liberal studies, plays the role of Ron Taylor/Maggie/Clem Kammerman.

Keythe Farley and Brian Flemming wrote the story and book on which Bat Boy: The Musical is based, and Laurence O'Keefe wrote the music and lyrics. It was premiered at Actors Gang Theatre in 1997 and has become a cult classic. Off-Broadway productions around the world have increased its popularity.

Dramaturg Jacqui Schmidt, an Augustana senior English and theatre arts major from Algonquin, Ill., will give a pre-performance talk on Sunday, April 29, at 12:30 p.m., and Friday, May 4, at 6:30 p.m., in Larson Hall, inside Bergendoff Hall of Fine Arts. A dramaturg typically explores the context of the story and assists with adapting it to the stage.

Bat Boy: The Musical often is seen as a fluff musical, without any academic context. The pre-performance talk will use William Shakespeare's play The Tempest as one way to bring academic context to the production. In addition to the similarities between characters, the talk will present the blurring distinctions between human and beast.

This musical contains offbeat, adult content and is recommended for high school students and older.

Showtimes and ticket information

Fri., April 27 & Sat., April 28 - 7:30 p.m.

Sun., April 28 - 1:30 p.m.

Fri., May 4 & Sat., May 5 - 7:30 p.m.

Sun., May 6 - 1:30 p.m.

General Admission - $14

Students & Seniors (60+) - $12

Purchase tickets online at augustana.edu/tickets or call (309) 794-7306

On the web: http://readabout.me/achievements/Samantha-Kammerman-Performs-in-Augustanas-Bat-Boy-Production/3824912.

Wednesday, April 25th  9:00am-2:00pm


200 Middle School students from 23 schools around the Quad Cities will come together on Wednesday, April 25th to compete in the 5th Annual Rivermont Academic Invitational (RAI). This year's theme is The Human Body. 

The Rivermont Academic Invitational is an academic team competition providing youth of the Quad City Area with opportunities to strategize and problem solve in both individual and collaborative settings. It is the goal to provide challenges which foster creative, visionary and critical thinking and encourage students to identify local, global and environmental relevance.  Activity designers and judges for this competition are professionals from many local businesses.

The competition takes place on Wednesday, April 25th from 9:00am-2:00pm on the Rivermont Collegiate campus located at 1821 Sunset Drive, Bettendorf, IA 52722.

For more information about the Rivermont Academic Invitational contact Leigh Ann Schroeder 563-359-1366 ext. 343

CONGREGATIONAL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

30 N. CLINTON STREET, IOWA CITY IA 52245

IOWA CITY - The Sanctuary Choir, with organist Bill Crouch and a string orchestra, under the direction of John C. Hughes will perform the Haydn Kleine Orgelsolomesse this coming Sunday, April 29 at 10:15am, at the Congregational United Church of Christ, 30 N. Clinton Street in Iowa City.

The Choir will also present the anthem composed for the marriage of the Prince of Wales and Lady Diana Spencer, Let the People Praise thee, O God, by William Mathias.

For more information call 319-337-4301 or visit the church's website at www.uccic.org.  The Congregational United Church of Christ is located at 30 N. Clinton Street, across from the University of Iowa Pentacrest.  The Church is handicapped-accessible.

Farm Bureau awards $180,000 to current and future college students

 WEST DES MOINES, IOWA - April 23, 2012 - Iowa students are preparing themselves to become the future leaders of agriculture and are interested in a variety of areas ranging from genetics to business to education to nursing. The Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF) has awarded $1,000 scholarships for tuition to 180 students who plan to study agriculture at their chosen colleges and universities.

In addition, Clayton Robison of Henry County was named the recipient of the Daniel Johnson Memorial Scholarship, a one-time $500 award for a student from one of eleven counties in southeast Iowa: Keokuk, Washington, Louisa, Muscatine, Wapello, Jefferson, Henry, Des Moines, Davis, Van Buren and Lee.  The scholarship is awarded in honor of the late Daniel Johnson, a former Iowa Farm Bureau director, farmer, volunteer firefighter and school board president.

"These scholarships help students pursue their dreams and so many of those career aspirations include agriculture or support jobs in rural communities. We're honored to help these future leaders get a start in their academic pursuits and help them with their educational goals," said IFBF Community Resources Director Barb Lykins.

First-time Farm Bureau scholarship recipients include 54 graduating high school seniors or students currently enrolled in their chosen college or university.  Students are eligible to renew the scholarships for up to four years by maintaining a minimum grade point average of 2.5 and by being a student in good standing with the college or university.

Six recipients were selected from each of the nine IFBF districts.  Scholarships were awarded to children of Farm Bureau members who plan to or currently attend an accredited college, university or community college to earn two or four-year degrees.

First-time applicants were asked to write an essay indicating the contributions they expect to make to agriculture and the rural community.  They also were selected based on their academic achievement, financial need, community and extracurricular involvement and letters of recommendation.

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Editor's Note: First-time scholarship winners (listed alphabetically by hometown), parent names and future or current college are listed below.

IOWA FARM BUREAU FEDERATION FIRST-TIME SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS

Ackley, Samantha Roelfs, Jim and Kandi Roelfs, Iowa State University

Alburnett, Dustin Lange, Timothy and Rhonda Lange, Iowa State University

Ashton, Michelle Fischer, Doug and Janelle Fischer, South Dakota State University

Audubon, Stacey Bruch, Brian and Nancy Bruch, Des Moines Area Community College

Chariton, Jennifer Fitzgerald, Tim and Darcy Fitzgerald, Iowa State University

Chariton, Tyler Folkerts, Todde and Michelle Folkerts, Central College

Clearfield, Matthew Kerns, Steven and Becky Kerns, Iowa State University

Clutier, Kelsey Upah, Duane and Gail Upah, Iowa State University

Columbus Junction, Delaney Howell, Dale and Dana Howell, Northwest Missouri State University

Corning, Haley Holbrook, Jerry and Tracy Holbrook, Iowa State University

Corwith, Katelyn Terhark, Bruce and Jackie Terhark, North Central University

Decorah, Kilah Hemesath, Keith and Linda Hemesath, Iowa State University

Delmar, Landon Rorah, Greg and Mary Lou Rorah, Kirkwood Community College

Donnellson, Derek Vandenberg, Brad and Sue Vandenberg, Kirkwood Community College

Dubuque, Michael Bahl, Martin and Linda Bahl, Iowa State University

Early, Isaac Jepsen, Lonny and Tracey Jepsen, Iowa State University

Eddyville, Nathaniel Harris, Terry and Lois Harris, Dordt College

Fairfield, Whitney Taglauer, Brian and Sherry Taglauer, Iowa State University

Galt, Adelai Swanson, Stuart and Lori Swanson, Iowa State University

Grafton, Marena Bartz, Merlin and Lisa Bartz, Iowa State University

Granville, Sterling Schnepf, Richard and Sharon Schnepf, Iowa State University

Greenfield, Rob Mensing, Bruce and Di Mensing, Iowa State University

Grimes, Lyndsey Niebuhr, Steven and Cynthia Niebuhr, Iowa State University

Griswold, Abigail Leighton, Scott and Angela Leighton, Iowa State University

Guttenberg, Kellie Walters, Barbara Wall and Marvin Walters, Iowa State University

Harlan, Nathan Ohms, Neil and Melanie Ohms, Iowa State University

Henderson, Samantha Keast, Russell and Diane Keast, Iowa State University

Hubbard, Becky Cook, Jeff and Val Cook, University of Northern Iowa

Jesup, Chelsea Bearbower, Don and Sue Bearbower, Upper Iowa University

Jewell, Calvin Carlson, Brad and Karleen Carlson, Iowa State University

Kellerton, Claire Andresen, Lyle and Stacey Andresen, South Dakota State University

Le Mars, Rebecca Clay, John and Kimberly Clay, Iowa State University

Madrid, Spencer Larson, Mike and Kathy Toms, Iowa State University

Manchester, Mikaela Boss, Todd and Donna Boss, Iowa State University

Mapleton, Kay Drenkhahn, Daniel and Julie Drenkhahn, Briar Cliff University

Montezuma, Kendra Doty, Daniel and Shawn Doty, Iowa State University

Moulton, Madison Probasco, John and Brenda Probasco, Iowa State University

New Sharon, Alexandra Ferguson, Brett and Carrie Ferguson, Iowa State University

Palmer, Amber Butcher, Joe and Beth Butcher, University of Northern Iowa

Plainfield, Kelsey Peters, David and Barb Peters, Wartburg College

Prole, Andria Harper, Amy and Craig Harper, Simpson College

Rockwell City, Tate Klocke, Doug and Paula Klocke, Iowa State University

Runnells, Sarah Stewart, Rob and Krista Stewart, Des Moines Area Community College

Sac City, Lauren Houska, Pete and Nancy Houska, Iowa State University

Sioux Center, Micah Rensink, Mark and Deb Rensink, South Dakota State University

Solon, Rebecca Haugland, Brett and Lisa Haugland, Kirkwood Community College

Spirit Lake, Keith Byers, Mark and Karen Byers, Drake University

St. Ansgar, Hailey Meitner, Leland and Barb Meitner, Iowa State University

State Center, Celene Slifka, Darrell and Cheryl Slifka, Iowa State University

Toledo, Tara Gray, Terry and Julie Gray, Kirkwood Community College

West Liberty, Avery Meyers, Mike and Pam Meyers, Iowa State University

What Cheer, Adam Striegel, Mike and Suzette Striegel, Iowa State University

Winfield, Clayton Robison, Chris and Sharon Robison, Iowa State University

Worthington, Jenna Lansing, David and Rebecca Lansing, Coe College

Soy Checkoff Works with Partners to Meet Customer Sustainability Demands

ST. LOUIS (April 23, 2012) - The United Soybean Board (USB) and soy checkoff have begun leading an effort to demonstrate the high sustainability performance of U.S. soy to customers who increasingly demand products grown using sustainable practices. USB continues to collaborate with the American Soybean Association, U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) and several state soybean checkoff boards to compile specific examples that show how U.S. soy production is sustainable.

The organizations intend to use the information to ensure U.S. soybean farmers' freedom to operate and open market access for U.S. soy across the globe. It will encompass all U.S. soy and all U.S. soybean farmers.

"We're taking an overall view of what's already being done by U.S. soybean farmers to become more sustainable and informing our customers around the world about it," says USB International Marketing program chair Sharon Covert, a soybean farmer from Tiskilwa, Ill. "U.S. soybean farmers have always been sustainable; it's at the heart of what we do. We have a tremendous amount of research to show how sustainable we've become."

As more customers demand sustainably sourced products and ingredients, checkoff-funded research provides facts that show U.S. soy meets those demands. USB's life-cycle analysis of soy production and processing and measurements against key sustainability metrics show U.S. soybean farmers continuously improving their sustainability performance.

"This is a time-sensitive issue, giving us an opportunity to avoid trade interruptions with any of our U.S. soy customers who demand sustainable soy," says USSEC Chairman Roy Bardole, a soybean farmer from Rippey, Iowa. "In fact, this provides an opportunity to open markets in the European Union, where sales of U.S. soy could be seriously inhibited in the future because of sustainability issues. It will be a huge boost to our efforts there."

The 69 farmer-directors of USB oversee the investments of the soy checkoff to maximize profit opportunities for all U.S. soybean farmers. These volunteers invest and leverage checkoff funds to increase the value of U.S. soy meal and oil, to ensure U.S. soybean farmers and their customers have the freedom and infrastructure to operate, and to meet the needs of U.S. soy's customers. As stipulated in the federal Soybean Promotion, Research and Consumer Information Act, the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service has oversight responsibilities for USB and the soy checkoff.

For more information on the United Soybean Board, visit www.unitedsoybean.org
Visit us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/UnitedSoybeanBoard
Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/unitedsoy
View our YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/user/UnitedSoybeanBoard

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SUNDAY, MAY 6, 2012, 4PM

 

CONGREGATIONAL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

30 N. CLINTON STREET, IOWA CITY IA 52245

 

IOWA CITY - SUNDAYS AT FOUR, a free community arts series, will present a concert by the Iowa City Piano Quartet on May 6 at 4pm, at the Congregational United Church of Christ, 30 N. Clinton Street in Iowa City.

Members of the quartet are Réne Lecuona, piano; Scott Conklin, violin; Elizabeth Oakes, viola; and Hannah Holman, cello.

They will perform works by Bohuslav Martinu and Antonin Dvorak.

For more information on the SUNDAYS AT FOUR series, call 319-337-4301 or visit the church's website at www.uccic.org.  The Congregational United Church of Christ is located at 30 N. Clinton Street, across from the University of Iowa Pentacrest.

The Quad City Wind Ensemble announces its Spring Concert, "Songs and Dances" to be performed on Sunday, April 29th at 3pm.  The concert will feature the winner of the Dr. Charles B. DCamp Young Performer's Solo Competition, Crystal Mondragon. She is a senior at United Township High School in East Moline and studies flute privately with Lynne Stukart.
Ms. Mondragon will perform "Poem" by Charles Griffes accompanied by the wind ensemble.  In addition, the QCWE will perform a variety of song and dance works from the concert band and wind ensemble repertoire, including works by Leo Delibes, Percy Grainger, Philip Sparke, David Holsinger, Eric Ewazen, Arturo Marquez, and John Philip Sousa. The concert will immediately be followed by a reception with free refreshments and homemade treats!
Admission in $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and FREE for all students through 12th grade. See attached media release for details. We hope you can join us at the Galvin Fine Arts Center on the campus of St. Ambrose for this special event!
The Bettendorf Discovery Shop invites you to join them Monday, April 30th for our Garden event.  We are ready to welcome spring by filling the shop with all of the beautiful spring things that have been donated over the last year.  

The store will be bursting with lovely items for your home and garden.  Plants, flowers, pictures, dishes, yard decorations, birdhouses, the list goes on and on.  We will also have lots of beautiful flowered clothing and accessories to brighten your day.  There will be a lot of great things to see, so we hope that you can stop by and take part in the fun!
The Discovery Shop is an upscale resale shop that is celebrating 24 years of successful fundraising in Bettendorf.  Thanks to the generosity of the community, the Discovery Shop raises money by selling gently used items donated by individual donors and local businesses.  Helping to make the shop such a success is the staff of wonderful volunteers that donate their time, if you are interested in joining our volunteer team we are always happy to have extra hands to help.   All proceeds go to the American Cancer Society for cancer research, education, patient services and advocacy.

Donations are accepted anytime the shop is open and a tax receipt is always available.  Hours are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 am to 5 pm., Thursday from 10 am to 7 pm. and Saturday from10 am to 4 pm.

We are thankful for all the wonderful donations and excited to have this fun event for our customers.

The Fourth Annual Continuing Education Conference will feature nationally recognized lecturers in the field of obesity treatment.

MOUNT LAUREL, NJ – The 2012 Certification Examination for Obesity Medicine Physicians (COMP) will be administered November 3-17, 2012. The examination will test basic knowledge, evaluation and assessment, management and practice issues related to pediatric and adult obesity.

In December 2011, the COMP Steering Committee, composed of 11 professional societies and the American Board of Bariatric Medicine, merged their respective individual exam content, clinical expertise and administrative resources to form the American Board of Obesity Medicine (ABOM). ABOM will administer the certification exam for obesity medicine physicians. The ABOM certification exam is a voluntary certification designed to elevate the professional standard of experience and expertise in the treatment of obesity and influence the future of this vital field. The certification serves as a mark of distinction for physicians treating overweight and obese patients, raising their standing among peers and the public (source: Obesity.org).

Prior to the exam, physicians must have a minimum of sixty (60) credit hours of continuing medical education (CME) recognized by the American Medical Association Physician Recognition Award (AMA PRA) Category 1 Credits on the topic of obesity; at least thirty (30) credit hours must be obtained by participation and attendance at a conference.

The 2012 Weight Conference, "The Science and Business of Weight Management for the New or Experienced Practitioner," will help satisfy 11 CEUs of this requirement. And, during his discussion of Obesity Treatment in Primary Care, Dr. Robert F. Kushner, first chair of the American Board of Obesity Medicine, will be discussing the new certification.


Dr. Kushner joins other distinguished faculty, including, Judith S. Beck, PhD and Deborah Beck Busis, LSW; Thomas Wadden, PhD; John Baker, MD; John Hernried, MD; Susan Baker, MHA; and John Foreyt, MD, to help participants:

 

  • Gain an understanding of the role of obesity care in primary practices and how to establish an effective program
  • Learn effective counseling strategies for behavior change to help patients stay on your program longer, achieve successful weight loss results and maintain their goal weight
  • Explore the role of the Very Low Calorie Diet (VLCD) and meal replacements in the clinical management of all overweight individuals, including those with co-morbid conditions especially diabetics

The 4th Annual Continuing Education (CME/CEU) Conference, "The Science and Business of Weight Management for the New or Experienced Practitioner," will focus on the operational and treatment skills, techniques, and strategies healthcare professionals need to successfully open a new weight loss facility or enhance a current weight management program.

For more information about the 4th Annual Continuing Education (CME/CEU) Conference, visit www.WeightConference.com, or call Jennifer Eisenhofer at 888.519.1192, ext. 3012.

 

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"A rising tide of Republicans who share Ron Paul's philosophy of limited government are flooding into GOP party roles in Iowa." - Des Moines Register
LAKE JACKSON, Texas - Supporters of 2012 Republican Presidential candidate Ron Paul were elected last night to state Republican Party positions helpful for his delegate-attainment strategy, and for ensuring that constitutionally-limited government has a voice in the state party.  At four district conventions held Saturday, party activists tied to Paul won seats in the state nomination committee that selects at-large delegates to the Republican National Convention in Tampa, and in the state central committee, writes the influential Des Moines Register.

Ron Paul backers sweep into GOP party roles in Iowa
by Jennifer Jacobs
Des Moines Register

A rising tide of Republicans who share Ron Paul's philosophy of limited government are flooding into GOP party roles in Iowa.

Like the anti-abortion movement and tea partiers that made in-roads into GOP politics here in recent years, Paul loyalists want to send a message to party leaders, the governor, the state legislature and the nation, they said Saturday.

Six of the new Iowa GOP state central committee members elected Saturday have publicly expressed support for Paul, a libertarian-leaning presidential candidate: Joel Kurtinitis, Kris Thiessen, Dave Cushman, Jeff Shipley, John Kabitzke and Marcus Fedler.  Two more have close ties.

"Ron Paul's display of strength is to encourage their followers to say, 'We have the numbers. Join us and we can accomplish even more,'" said Gopal Krishna, a popular longtime central committee member who has declined to reveal his caucus vote.  "Because once they're a force to be reckoned with, everybody starts to cater to them."

To read the full article online, please click here.
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