The Old Creamery's Theatre for Young Audiences kicks off the 2011 school tour with a free preview of What a Difference a Play Makes, Sunday, Feb. 20 at 1 p.m. on the Main Stage in Amana.

The Old Creamery offers this chance for the community to see What a Difference a Play Makes before it begins traveling to schools throughout Iowa with positive messages incorporated in a thoroughly entertaining show. Stories and songs in the show are based on materials submitted by children in grades 1 through 6 as part of the accompanying writing contest.

Although geared to school aged children, adults will find What a Difference a Play Makes just as much fun as the kids. "Always the highlight of our school year," said a teacher from Horizon Elementary School of a previous school tour. "The kids and adults enjoy the performances equally."

Sean McCall, artistic director at The Old Creamery Theatre said this year's show will be highly theatrical while focusing on ways we all can make a difference in the lives of others and our planet. "Not only is it exciting to once again partner with Character Counts in Iowa to remind everyone that each one of us can make a real difference, but this particular show is going to be a delightful way to celebrate 40 years of The Old Creamery Theatre bringing its particular blend of entertainment and education to Iowa students and educators," he said.

The cast consists of Tom Milligan and Deborah Kennedy of East Amana; Kamille Zbanek of Ely; Nicholas Hodge of South Amana, and T.J. Besler of Manchester. No reservations are needed for the free preview.

The Old Creamery is offering performances of What a Difference a Play Makes, to schools from Feb. 21 through May 13.

The Old Creamery Theatre Company is a not-for-profit professional theatre founded in 1971 in Garrison, Iowa. The company is celebrating 40 years of bringing live, professional theatre to the people of Iowa and the Midwest. We thank KGAN and Fox 28, our 2011 season media sponsor.

February 8, 2011

Grassley works to stop abuse of government charge cards by federal employees

WASHINGTON - Senator Chuck Grassley today introduced a bill to require federal agencies to put new safeguards and controls on government charge cards used by federal employees.  The bill also would require penalties for violations.

"This bill is about accountability," Grassley said.  "The public trust has been violated by abusive use of government charge cards.  The federal bureaucracy needs to improve the way it manages the use of these cards."

Grassley said his bill responds to outrageous accounts of purchases made with government charge cards, as well as independent analysis which found inadequate and inconsistent controls within government agencies for these government charge cards.  Purchase cards are used by authorized federal employees for the small-scale items needed for official business, such as office supplies.  Travel cards are issued to federal employees to pay for official travel expenses.

Grassley has put the spotlight on problematic use of these cards for ten years, first at the Department of Defense and then also at the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the U.S. Forest Service, the Federal Aviation Administration, and elsewhere.

Over the years, the nonpartisan Government Accountability Office has documented fraudulent, questionable and overly expensive purchases made by federal workers with government purchase and travel cards, including kitchen appliances, jewelry, gambling, cruises, and even the tab at gentlemen's clubs and legalized brothels.

Below is a summary of the reform legislation that Grassley is reintroducing.  It is cosponsored by Senators Joe Lieberman and Susan Collins.  The Senate passed the measure in 2009, but it was not taken up by the House of Representatives during the last Congress.

Summary of the Government Charge Card Abuse Prevention Act

The bill would require all federal agencies to establish certain safeguards and internal controls for government charge card programs, and to establish penalties for violations, including dismissal when circumstances warrant.  The bill would also increase oversight by providing that each agency Inspector General periodically conduct risk assessments and audits to identify fraud and improper use of government charge cards. These reforms are based on the experience of Senator Grassley and other members of Congress, the GAO, and agency Inspectors General in investigating the weaknesses in agency policies and procedures that have lead to instances of waste, fraud, and abuse in government charge card programs.

The required safeguards and internal controls include :

• performing credit checks for travel card holders and issuing restricted cards for those with poor or no credit to reduce the potential for misuse

• maintaining a record of each cardholder, including single transaction limits and total transaction limits so agencies can effectively manage their cardholders

• implementing periodic reviews to determine if cardholders have a need for a card

• properly recording rebates to the government based on prompt payment, sales volume, etc.

• providing training for cardholders and managers

• utilizing effective systems, techniques, and technologies to prevent or catch fraudulent purchases

• establishing specific policies about the number of cards to be issued, the credit limits for certain categories of cardholders, and categories of employees eligible to be issued cards

• invalidating cards when employees leave the agency or transfer

• establishing an approving official other than the purchase card holder so employees cannot approve their own purchases

• reconciling purchase card charges on the bill with receipts and supporting documentation

• reconciling disputed purchase card charges and discrepancies with the bank according to the proper procedure

• making purchase card payments promptly to avoid interest penalties

• retaining records of purchase card transactions in accordance with standard government record keeping polices

• utilizing direct payments to the bank when reimbursing employees for travel card purchases to ensure that travel card bills get paid

• comparing items submitted on travel vouchers with items already paid for with centrally billed accounts to avoid reimbursing employees for items already paid for by the agency

• submitting refund requests for unused airline tickets so the taxpayers don't pay for tickets that were not used

• disputing unauthorized charges and tracking the status of disputed charges to proper resolution

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The information and training session for prospective student volunteers will be held Sunday, February 20, 2011, from 2:00pm to 3:00 pm, at the Figge Art Museum.  This session will be geared specifically to students ages 14-21, who are interested in service learning, work study, or practical experience through internships in art education, public relations, administrative support or museum studies.  The session will include an introduction of volunteer and internship opportunities, a museum orientation and application procedures.  To register for this session, please call Museum Services Director Jennifer Brooke, 563-326-7804, ext. 2048

Volunteering at the Figge is a great way to get involved in your community and gain practical professional experience.  For more information, please visit the Figge Art Museum Web site, www.figgeartmuseum.org, or email j.brooke@figgeartmuseum.org.