27 Feb 2012

Letters Bring Alive the Mom She Never Knew

By Ginny Grimsley
Daughter's Inheritance Proved More Valuable than Money

Actress and playwright Kim Russell was an adult when she finally got to know her mother, who died when Russell was just 2 months old.

Her father, Bernard Knighten, never spoke of his first wife, Luana.

"He never shared stories, never said I looked like her, unless prompted to by my aunts," says Russell, author of Tuskegee Love Letters (www.tuskegeeloveletters.com).

Eventually, though, he shared with her some letters he and Luana exchanged as young newlyweds during World War II. Bernard had been a Tuskegee Airman, one of the first 15 pilots in the pioneering all-African American flying squadron based in Tuskegee, Ala. Before its creation in 1941, blacks were not allowed to fly in the military.

Bernard was 23. In letters to Luana and his mother-in-law, he's cocky, funny and clearly smitten with his beautiful wife. Luana, 21, was a bright and educated stenotypist from St. Louis, discovering a completely foreign way of life in the Deep South.

"This Tuskegee is the dirtiest place in the country," she wrote to her mother. "You have taught me that everything in the world was nice and clean, or at least being around you, you have made things seem so, and it really hurts to find out that life isn't really like that."

Mostly, though, Luana's letters reveal a kind, brave young bride trying not to worry too much about her handsome husband flying over German artillery in Africa.

"It must be an awful shock to receive a brief telegram telling you the one person you love most is gone and that you will never see them again," she wrote Bernard after learning a friend was missing in action. "Please honey, see that I won't get one of those telegrams."

For his part, Bernard worked to keep his letters light.

"My bed is quite uncomfortable and I can't sleep, thus I dream of you all night long," he wrote to Luana. "I miss the sleep but thinking of you is better than whiskey or vitamin pills. Hmmmm, I'd better change that to just vitamin pills."

Russell compiled the letters her father had shared into a readers theater play. Her dad attended a performance.

"He was tickled," Russell recalls. "He laughed at the right places."

Four years later, after he died in 2000, he had another surprise for her: hundreds more letters he'd saved from his 13-year marriage. It was the best inheritance she could ever have hoped for, Russell says.

"Growing up, I had a wonderful, loving family, but I felt different, like an orphan or an adopted child, because I never knew my mother," she says. "When you lose a parent at an early age, what does that make you?

"I am so grateful my father saved all of those letters and I encourage anyone who's lost a loved one to write their story, save their diaries and letters, blogs or videos. I know my mother now - she was an actress, a photographer, a dreamer - and I absolutely adore her. I see so much of me in her."

About Kim Russell

Kim Russell is an arts administrator, writer, and performance artist best known for her one-woman show, "Sojourner Truth." She has a bachelor's in theater and mass communications and a master's in business. She's currently working on a book incorporating many more of the letters she inherited. To see Bernard's TV debut as a comedian on BET ComicView at about age 70, visit www.jaybernardcomedy.com.

27 Feb 2012

Luther College announces 2011 fall semester Dean's List

By Julie Shockey

DECORAH, IA (02/22/2012)(readMedia)-- Kevin Kraus, Luther College vice president for academic affairs and dean of the college, has announced that 858 Luther College students were named to the 2011 fall semester Dean's List.

Luther junior Zachary Jipp of Bettendorf, Iowa was named to Luther's Dean's List.

Luther senior Adam Dane of Bettendorf, Iowa was named to Luther's Dean's List.

Luther senior Erin Mykleby of Bettendorf, Iowa was named to Luther's Dean's List.

Luther senior Alexander Tomesch of Bettendorf, Iowa was named to Luther's Dean's List.

Luther senior Jennifer Winder of Bettendorf, Iowa was named to Luther's Dean's List.

Luther senior Dallas Wulf of Durant, Iowa was named to Luther's Dean's List.

Luther junior Shari Huber of Eldridge, Iowa was named to Luther's Dean's List.

Luther sophomore Chloe Gumpert of Eldridge, Iowa was named to Luther's Dean's List.

Luther junior Gregory Daniels of Long Grove, Iowa was named to Luther's Dean's List.

Luther freshman Tyler Crowe of Davenport, Iowa was named to Luther's Dean's List.

Luther freshman Melissa Lockwood of Bettendorf, Iowa was named to Luther's Dean's List.

Luther sophomore Jennifer Park of Bettendorf, Iowa was named to Luther's Dean's List.

Luther junior Andrew Ambrose of Bettendorf, Iowa was named to Luther's Dean's List.

Luther freshman Kelli Golinghorst of Dixon, Iowa was named to Luther's Dean's List.

Luther freshman Matthew McKinney of Donahue, Iowa was named to Luther's Dean's List.

Luther freshman Carrie Kilen of Eldridge, Iowa was named to Luther's Dean's List.

Luther junior Nicole Woodson of Davenport, Iowa was named to Luther's Dean's List.

To be named to the dean's list, a student must earn a semester grade point average of 3.5 or better on a 4.0 scale and must complete at least 12 credit hours with 10 hours of conventional grades (A, B, C, D).

Luther is a selective four-year college located in northeast Iowa. The college has an enrollment of 2,500 students and offers a liberal arts education leading to the bachelor of arts degree in 60 majors and pre-professional programs.

27 Feb 2012

Business Tax Reform

By Grassley Press
Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Senator Chuck Grassley made the following comment about the tax reform proposal put forward today by the Obama Administration.

"The President's proposal for business tax reform is disappointing for its lack of substantive leadership, especially considering the importance of tax reform and tax certainty in getting America back to work and keeping America competitive in the global economy.  The President's proposal is overly vague with the exception of demagogic political proposals, like those related to aircraft and oil and gas depreciation rules.  Instead of a campaign document, and one that isn't a credible plan of action, American workers need and deserve leadership from the White House for a tax code that will encourage economic growth and job creation."

27 Feb 2012

Lt. Gov. Simon: Abolish political scholarships

By Kathryn Phillips

SPRINGFIELD - February 22, 2012. Lt. Governor Sheila Simon today put her support behind a House bill that would abolish a legislative scholarship program that more than half of the state's legislators are voluntarily abstaining from this year.

Simon backed House Bill 3810, sponsored by Rep. Fred Crespo, which passed out of the state government administrative committee 14-3 today. Earlier this month, the Better Government Association delivered an online petition with more than 600 signatures in support of the program's abolishment to the Lt. Governor and state leaders.

Simon said: "While legislative scholarships help a small number of students, the program's abuse comes at an incredibly high cost in terms of trust in government and absorbed tuition at colleges and universities. We would do better by our schools and students if we strengthened the need-based Monetary Award Program (MAP) grants that help thousands of Illinois students across the state fulfill their dreams of higher education. By eliminating the legislative scholarship program, Illinois can take a meaningful step toward improving our ethical standards, while focusing our efforts on making college more affordable for all students."

Nearly 100 of the 177 members of the General Assembly have now opted out of giving legislative scholarships this year. HB3810 would end the political scholarship program June 1, 2012.

###
27 Feb 2012

Join Us! Rivermont Collegiate Info Nights

By Rachel Chamberlain
Discover the Difference:

Middle & Upper School at
RIVERMONT COLLEGIATE

Upper School (Grades 9-12) Info Night

Tuesday, February 28th - 6:00 p.m.

Middle School (Grades 6-8) Info Night

Tuesday, March 6th - 6:00 p.m.

Why Middle & Upper School at Rivermont?

Challenging curriculum with a wide variety of AP & Independent Study options Broad spectrum of electives, extra-curricular activities & athletics Comprehensive advising system & individualized college counseling 100% of graduates are accepted to 4-year colleges & universities

These events are open to the community. Join us to explore Rivermont - no pressure, just information!

For more information and to RSVP:
Rachel Chamberlain, Director of Admission & Marketing, (563) 359-1366 ext. 302 - chamberlain@rvmt.org

Events will be held on the Rivermont campus, located directly off 18 th Street behind K&K Hardware in Bettendorf.

RIVERMONT COLLEGIATE

1821 Sunset Drive - Bettendorf, IA 52722 - www.rvmt.org

The Quad Cities' only private, independent, nonsectarian, multicultural college-prep school, serving students in preschool through grade 12.
27 Feb 2012

Solon student selected by Merchant Marine Academy

By Grassley Press

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

WASHINGTON - Brady St. John of Solon has been selected for admission to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, New York, for the 2012-2013 school year, according to U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley.

St. John will graduate in May from Solon High School.  He is the son of Lynn and Edward St. John of Solon.

"Admission to the service academies is highly competitive and a great honor," Grassley said.  "Young people like Brady St. John work very hard to earn this kind of opportunity, and I join many others, no doubt, in wishing him well."

In high school, St. John has been a member of the Robotics Team, the Community Youth Leadership Program, the Iowa City Eels Swim Club, and the City High Swim Team.

For more than 200 years, the U.S. service academies have educated and trained the best and the brightest to lead and command the U.S. armed forces.  In time of war, the Merchant Marine can be called upon to deliver troops and supplies for the military.

Grassley nominated St. John for admission to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy.  Information about seeking an academy nomination is posted at http://grassley.senate.gov/info/academy_nominations.cfm.

-30-
27 Feb 2012

Governor Quinn Delivers Budget Address

By Andrew Mason

Reduces Discretionary Spending to Below 2008 Levels;
Cuts FY2013 Agency Spending by $425M

SPRINGFIELD - February 22, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today delivered his fiscal year 2013 budget address to the Illinois General Assembly, a plan for budget stability through major reductions and efficiencies, pension and Medicaid stabilization, fundamental tax reform and jobs and economic growth. The Governor proposed a budget that takes necessary steps to restore fiscal stability to Illinois, ensure job growth and a strong education for children across the state.

"The truth is that over the past 35 years, too many governors and members of the General Assembly have clung to budget fantasies rather than confronting hard realities, especially when it comes to our pension and Medicaid investments," Governor Quinn said. "Today I am proposing a budget that includes serious spending reductions and major reforms in order to restore fiscal stability to our state and build and grow our economy."

The Governor's budget has reduced discretionary spending to below 2008 levels. Agency spending has been cut by more than $425M since Fiscal Year 2012. Governor Quinn's introduced budget is based upon Budgeting for Results. The new budgeting process ensures that the proposed budget is based on existing revenues, funding policy priorities that are most important to helping move Illinois forward and ensuring that taxpayer dollars are spent wisely.

Spending Reductions and Efficiencies

 

Since taking office, Governor Quinn has significantly reduced discretionary spending, achieving more reductions than any Governor in recent memory. In 2008, general funds were $25.7 billion. The Governor's introduced budget of $24.8 billion is a 3.6 percent decrease, bringing general funds below 2008 levels. The Governor is calling for most agency budgets to be reduced by at least 9 percent. The Governor cut his own budget by 9 percent and asked all constitutional officers to do the same.

Under Governor Quinn, the state has already realized close to $200 million in annual savings by reducing the number of state employees by more than 2,200 since January of 2009. Today, the Governor announced plans to further reduce state employee headcount by more than 700.

The state has consolidated and eliminated lease space, primarily in the Chicago area, saving more than $43 million with more savings expected during fiscal year 2013. At Governor Quinn's direction, a number of state agencies will reduce or consolidate facilities. During the coming year, 59 state facilities, offices, garages and other governmental buildings will close 

Pension and Medicaid Stabilization

The state's pension and Medicaid systems are the greatest financial pressure on Illinois' budget, and limit the ability to provide core services that people throughout the state depend upon.

For decades, the necessary payments were not made to the pension system, and increased benefits were promised without sufficient revenue to pay for those benefits. As a result, Illinois' pension system is now under-funded by $83 billion. For the past three years, Governor Quinn has paid exactly what the law required into the pension system.

To address Illinois' unfunded liability, Governor Quinn has convened a working group to deliver a proposal by April 17 to repair the state's pension systems. At the Governor's direction, everything is on the table including historical funding practices, employer contributions, employee contributions, the retirement age and the cost of living adjustment.

The Governor and his administration have also developed a roadmap for Medicaid restructuring. Today, the Governor pledged that his administration will work with the General Assembly to find a combination of liability reductions, modernized eligibility standards, utilization controls, rate reduction and reform, acceleration of integrated managed care, and coordination of long-term care programs to manage Medicaid spending.

Last year's Medicaid appropriation fell nearly $2 billion short, which means that at the end of this fiscal year, the state will owe $1.9 billion in unpaid Medicaid bills. The combination of Medicaid bills deferred to future years, the expiration of federal stimulus, enrollment growth resulting from the recession and Illinois' fee-for-service system has led to unsustainable growth in Medicaid spending. The Governor has therefore proposed cutting $2.7 billion in order to ensure that the state's Medicaid program can be returned to sustainability and continue delivering essential medical services for those that need them.

 

Rebalancing

Governor Quinn also reaffirmed his commitment to rebalancing the way Illinois cares for individuals with developmental disabilities and mental illness to improve their quality of life. The FY 13 budget includes funding to ensure smooth transitions and coordinated care as individuals move from costly institutions to supportive community settings.

The Governor today announced plans to close two additional centers, Murray Developmental Center and Singer Mental Health Center, over the course of the next fiscal year. Through this rebalancing process, the administration will comply with all consent decrees, provide individualized care and ultimately achieve savings for the state.

 

Tax Reform

For far too long, the Illinois Revenue Code has included many loopholes that are based on politics - not economics. Today, Governor Quinn directed a thorough search of the Illinois Revenue Code for unnecessary loopholes that do not efficiently support jobs and economic growth.

The Governor has instructed Revenue Director, Brian Hamer to meet with legislative leaders of both houses and parties to identify and close unfair loopholes. Loophole revenue can be used to pay down the state's backlog of bills and provide targeted tax relief for hard-working families and businesses.

 

Investing in Education

In today's budget address, Governor Quinn reiterated his commitment to education, jobs and economic growth. To move Illinois forward, we must ensure that we are providing all Illinois students with a high-quality education and preparing our workers for the jobs of today and tomorrow.

The Governor's budget maintains funding for K-12 and higher education. In addition, the state will increase early childhood funding by $20 million. The Monetary Award Program (MAP), which provides college scholarships for needy students, will also see a funding increase of more than $50 million during fiscal year 2013 to help deserving students achieve higher degrees.

For more information and copies of Governor Quinn's operating and capital budget proposals for fiscal year 2013, please visit www.Budget.Illinois.gov.

###


27 Feb 2012

Lt. Governor Simon FY13 Budget Statement

By Kara Beach

SPRINGFIELD - February 22, 2012. Following the Governor's budget address, Lt. Governor Sheila Simon recognized state agencies that voluntarily made cuts to help balance the fiscal year 2013 budget and encouraged state residents to participate in public hearings that will be held on proposed facility closures.

 

"A responsible budget must be based on real revenue. With pension and Medicaid costs eating up more of our tax dollars, we must reduce spending. As Lt. Governor, I worked hard to cut 9 percent of our budget, and applaud the other agencies who scoured their operations to do the same. As a Southern Illinois resident, I am disappointed that the state is proposing facility closures in areas that already suffer from high unemployment. I encourage the people whose livelihoods will be affected to join me in the budget process and speak up as we review the economic impact of such closures."

 

Simon's fiscal year 2013 appropriation request is more than 9 percent lower than her budget request from fiscal year 2012 and includes a reduction in full-time staff, from 24 to 21 members. The appropriation request is the lowest in at least 16 years and will net taxpayers a savings of nearly $200,000. In FY12, Simon is the only constitutional officer to return the equivalent of 12 days pay to the General Revenue Fund. Her senior staff voluntarily is taking four unpaid furlough days in FY12, as well.

 

As the Governor's point person on education reform and a member of the Budgeting for Results Commission, Simon recently announced a community college reform package that will use existing state resources to increase college completion rates. As chair of the Classrooms First Commission, Simon is developing recommendations that will make elementary and high school districts more efficient.

 

###
27 Feb 2012

Homeowners Gravitate to Custom Roof Color Blends

By Kathy Ziprik

KANSAS CITY, KS - In a world filled with "make-your-own" opportunities for everything from ice cream concoctions to custom-creations for morning coffee, people are now embracing the idea of personalizing their roof with custom color blends.

Research at DaVinci Roofscapes®, the color leader in the polymer roofing industry, shows a dramatic increase in the amount of custom blend roofing color combinations ordered in 2011 over 2010. While all product lines saw advancement in color combination requests, the company's Bellaforté product line saw the most substantial increase as requests for custom color blends rose from four percent in 2010 to 38.7 percent of its sales in 2011.

"One large order for a Bellaforté roofing project in Bali involving a custom blend of Light Clay, Medium Terracotta and Dark Terracotta which significantly increased these numbers, but we've seen strong sales growth within the past year in virtually all of our color blend options," says Ray Rosewall, CEO and president of DaVinci Roofscapes. "Once we added in our eight new colors and eight additional color blend options in early 2011 we saw color selections start to skyrocket."

Rosewall feels that people are gaining confidence in adding colors to their roofs to reflect their personalities and accent the entire home structure. "Homeowners are breaking away from the traditional monochromatic blacks and grays on a roof by adding in accent colors and varied shades of colors," says Rosewall. "It's a matter of people becoming more educated on roofing color options and feeling more empowered to make personal design statements on their home's exterior."

DaVinci Roofscapes offers the largest roofing color selection in the industry with a total of 49 standard colors and 28 standard color blends. Custom color blends are virtually limitless, since people can create their own blends using any of the 49 available colors.

Colorful Roofs

In 2011, more than 30 percent DaVinci's Valoré Slate products sales came from custom blends compared to just seven percent in 2010. The addition of new color blend options in 2011 of Castle Gray, Milano, Evergreen and Sabino accounted for more than 30 percent of the sales for the year of the product line.

"This comes down to DaVinci offering more colors in 2011 and people responding by embracing the color options," says Rosewall. "We've seen escalating numbers in all our product lines this past year as people seek out and purchase more colorful roofing options."

According to national color expert Kate Smith, DaVinci's strategy of offering an abundance of roofing colors perfectly matches consumer's current "color empowerment" mind frame. "My latest color trends report clearly shows that self expression through colors is a popular way for people to project their personalities," says Smith, chief color maven at Sensational Color.

Smith, who authored the "FRESH Exterior Colors" guide for DaVinci in 2011, is not surprised by the growing number of people who are choosing to create their own custom color combinations for their roofs. "Today's consumers --- especially those who grew up in front of a computer screen --- are not satisfied with the mundane in life. They embrace the idea of experimenting with color combinations and rely on the colors on their home's exterior to express their sense of style.

"This doesn't mean the combinations of colors they're choosing are bright or outrageous. It simply means that these consumers want to have the ability to choose from a variety of color options or have a hand in customizing the final look of their home's exterior."

To assist homeowners and professionals with roofing color decisions, DaVinci offers its popular online DaVinci Color Studio. Located at http://davinciroofscapes.com/color-studio.php, the free online site includes the "FRESH Home Exterior Colors: 5 Steps for Finding the Perfect Hues for Your Home" step-by-step downloadable guide, a Color Designer tool, an "Ask the Color Expert" section, a Color Studio FAQ and the DaVinci Masterpiece Gallery portfolio of home projects.

"Color From the Top Down" Sweepstakes

Consumers interested in creating their own dream roof color can participate in DaVinci's "Color From the Top Down" online sweepstakes currently underway. To participate, Facebook users who "like" DaVinci Roofscapes on Facebook (located at https://www.facebook.com/pages/DaVinci-Roofscapes/119452491414564), can access the sweepstakes.

Users can create their dream roof color combination and submit a form to enter their name in a drawing for two chances to win an Apple® iPad2®. Running from February 13, 2012 through April 30, 2012, the promotion allows people ages 18 and older to create and submit a dream roof color combination via DaVinci's Facebook page.*

DaVinci Color Options

DaVinci offers the widest select of polymer roofing colors in the industry. Slate colors are available in Medium Terracotta, Dark Terracotta, Light Clay, Dark Clay, Light Gray, Medium Gray, Dark Gray, Light Green, Medium Green, Dark Green, Light Brown, Medium Brown, Medium Tan, Dark Tan, Light Purple, Dark Purple, Green Stone, Dark Stone, Slate Gray, Slate Black, Light Violet, Dark Violet and Dark Amber.

Shake colors are available in Light Chesapeake, Medium Light Chesapeake, Medium Chesapeake, Dark Chesapeake, Light Autumn, Medium Light Autumn, Medium Autumn, Dark Autumn, Light New Cedar, Medium Light New Cedar, Medium New Cedar, Medium Dark New Cedar, Dark New Cedar, Light Mountain, Medium Mountain, Dark Mountain, Light Tahoe, Medium Tahoe, Medium Dark Tahoe, Dark Tahoe, Light Weathered Gray, Medium Light Weathered Gray, Medium Weathered Gray, Medium Dark Weathered Gray and Dark Weathered Gray.

DaVinci Roofscapes has manufactured award-winning polymer slate and shake roofing since 1999. The roofing tiles are virtually maintenance free and far more cost effective than the natural product. DaVinci leads the industry in tile thickness, the tile width variety and the greatest selection of subtle earth-toned colors. Company products have a 50-year warranty and are 100 percent recyclable. DaVinci proudly makes its products in America and is a member of the National Association of Home Builders, the Cool Roof Rating Council and the U.S. Green Building Council. For additional information call 1-800-328-4624 or visit www.davinciroofscapes.com.

###

27 Feb 2012

War Requiem film screening this Friday at the Figge Art Museum

By QCSO

The Quad City Symphony Orchestra is screening Derek Jarman's film War Requiem in preparation for the live production of the orchestra masterpiece on March 3 & 4. A cash bar will open at 5:30 p.m. with the 92-minute film beginning at 6:30 p.m. Variety called the 1989 film "a stunning visual and serious music treat."

War Requiem reunites Jarman with his Tilda Swinton (2008 Oscar® Winner for Michael Clayton) for a spectacular and moving interpretation of composer Benjamin Britten's groundbreaking 1961 orchestral masterpiece. Just as Britten combined the sacred Latin Requiem Mass with the searing unromantic war poetry of British infantry lieutenant Wilfred Owen, who was tragically killed in the final week of World War One, Jarman interprets Britten's six movements in eye-popping and heartbreaking dialogue-free tableaus illustrating war's infinite futility, sacrifice, and waste. War Requiem boldly combines archival footage of war's devastation with Jarman's keen and gifted eye for both the theatrical and the political as Owen, played by Nathaniel Parker, doggedly struggles to survive on the field of battle in defense of a cause rendered unjust by the human toll it takes in the trenches and on the home front. Featuring Sean Bean (The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, National Treasure) as Owen's star-crossed German counterpart, and Sir Laurence Olivier in his final screen appearance, War Requiem is a "violent, horrifying, ultimately inspiring film" that remains Derek Jarman's definitive, "eloquent, complex, and profoundly negative statement on war" (Washington Post).

 

Don't miss the many other opportunities around the Quad Cities inspired by this historic production. For a full listing of events and exhibits participating in the Britten Peace Project, click here.

 

BUY TICKETS TODAY

 

Saturday, March 3

7:30 p.m.

War Requiem

Adler Theatre, Davenport

 

Sunday, March 4

2 p.m.

War Requiem

Centennial Hall, Augustana College, Rock Island

 

Saturday, March 31

7:30 p.m.

All Singing! All Dancing!

Adler Theatre, Davenport

 

Sunday, April 1

2 p.m.

All Singing! All Dancing!

Centennial Hall, Augustana College, Rock Island

Saturday, May 19

8 p.m.

Rhythym Unleashed

Redstone Room, River Music Experience, Davenport

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