17 Jan 2011

Winter play reflects classic myths with modern twist

By Clyde Andrew Walter

Rock Island, Ill.-Augustana's Department of Theatre Arts will meld tradition with the avant-garde in its upcoming performances of Metamorphoses, a contemporary retelling of Ovid's classic tales written by American playwright Mary Zimmerman. Performances will run Jan. 28 and 29 at 7:30 p.m., Jan. 30 at 1:30 p.m., Feb. 4 and 5 at 7:30 p.m. and Feb. 6 at 1:30 p.m. in Potter Theatre, located in Bergendoff Hall of Fine Arts (3701 - 7th Ave.).

Metamorphoses made its debut in Chicago in 1998 with the famous Lookingglass Theatre Company.  Rather than telling one story, the play is divided into short segments, each of which portrays a different classic Greek myth. Because of the segmented structure, the actors play multiple roles throughout the show.

One of the play's most striking features is the scenery it requires. The separate vignettes all focus on human change, which is illustrated symbolically through frequent references to water. To convey this central theme, the majority of the stage is occupied by a large reflecting pool, which serves as everything from a wash basin to the River Styx during the production.

In addition to the pool, the myths are mostly conveyed through "ensemble movement" rather than with physical props. Director Saffron Henke explains, "[With ensemble movement,] instead of putting an actual tree onstage, the actors themselves create a tree." Although this technique is difficult, Henke says the students have risen to the challenge. "The cast has come a long way in terms of working together and creating an ensemble. They have been very willing to try new things."

Henke was asked to direct Metamorphoses after visiting Augustana to conduct a short workshop on movement for actors. An accomplished director, educator and performer, Henke currently lives in Iowa City. She has performed in more than 60 professional plays around the world and in television and film. Her directing credits include shows with the Sacramento Theatre Company, the University of Southern California and the Los Angeles Theatre Ensemble.

Tickets for Metamorphoses are available at $11 for the general public and $9 for senior citizens and full-time students. Tickets may be purchased online at www.augustana.edu/tickets, by calling the ticket office at (309) 794-7306 or at the door. This show is appropriate for older youth and adults.

Metamorphoses is the second production of Augustana's 2010-11 theatre season, "Reflections." At the end of April and beginning of May, the Department of Theatre Arts will perform Thornton Wilder's classic, Pulitzer Prize-winning play Our Town.

For more information, contact Andrew Walter at clydeandrewwalter@augustana.edu or (309) 794-7833.

About Augustana: Founded in 1860 and situated on a 115-acre campus near the Mississippi River, Augustana College is a private, liberal arts institution affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The college enrolls 2,500 students from diverse geographic, social, ethnic and religious backgrounds and offers more than 70 majors and related areas of study. Augustana employs 287 faculty members and has a student-faculty ratio of 11:1. Augustana continues to do what it has always done: challenge and prepare students for lives of leadership and service in our complex, ever-changing world. 

-end-

17 Jan 2011

Come Together For Music Education

By Tom Vaccaro
Date: Saturday, Feb. 5th, 2011-7:30 pm

Location: Moline High School Auditorium

Tickets: $25 in advance / $30 at the door

Proceeds to benefit the music dept. at Moline HS

Starring: The Liverpool Legends,  Beatles Tribute Band

Meet Louise Harrison!

 

The Beatles took America by storm when they were barely out of high school. Now Moline High School music students can benefit, thanks to The Beatles Tribute Band, The Liverpool Legends and their spectacular multimedia extravaganza, "Come Together For Music Education".

On Saturday, Feb. 5th at 7:30 pm, George Harrison's sister Louise brings this live, Broadway styled stage production to the Moline High School Auditorium to benefit the Maroon's music students. Don't miss this rare opportunity to meet Louise Harrison and the band!

In a new, special feature, students of the Moline High School music department will perform onstage with the Liverpool Legends, backing them vocally and instrumentally on "Got To Get You Into My Life", "Sgt. Pepper", "Hey Jude", "Yesterday", Hello Goodbye", "Something" and more.

The Liverpool Legends are 4 talented musicians and actors handpicked by Louise Harrison making them the only Beatles Tribute Band in the world with a direct, biological link to the original Fab Four. "The Liverpool Legends present the very best portrayal of The Beatles" says Louise.

Headlining their own production in Branson, Mo. since 2006, Liverpool Legends have been voted Best New Show, Best Band, Best Show and the prestigious Branson Visitor's Choice Award. The Liverpool Legends perform songs spanning the entire career of The Beatles and on through the solo years. With precise attention to every musical detail, along with costume changes, vintage instruments, big screen documentary footage narrated by Louise and special effects, Liverpool Legends will make you feel like you are watching the real thing! Together, these four lads will bring "A Complete Beatles Experience."

In this era of state budget cuts, school music programs are struggling to survive.  George Harrison did one Public Service Announcement in his life and it promoted the creative and financial well being of music and performing arts programs within our nation's schools.

Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door. Call 309-743-8833 for tickets.

17 Jan 2011

Braley Statement on Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Day

By Alex Krasov

"This year, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day takes on a significant meaning because of the tragic events in Tucson. Dr. King gave his life for public service; the victims in Tucson - friends, colleagues and constituents - did too. And as our nation heals from the horrible events of January 8th, I hope we all recommit ourselves to that idea of service - of helping each other - not just our friends and family, but our neighbors as well. And not just here in Iowa, but across the country and the planet."

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17 Jan 2011

Governor Quinn Urges Participation in Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service

By Kara Beach

"Serve Illinois" Website Offers More Than 70,000 Volunteer Opportunities"

CHICAGO- January 14, 2011 Governor Pat Quinn today joined the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) and the Serve Illinois Commission in encouraging Illinois residents to take part in the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service this Monday, January 17th. This year's theme is "A Day On, Not a Day Off."

"During this day of service, people of all ages and backgrounds will come together to improve lives and move our nation closer to the 'Beloved Community' envisioned by Dr. King," said Governor Quinn. "Through volunteerism, we work together to strengthen communities and put people to work."

Persons interested in giving back to their community can visit Serve.Illinois.gov to connect with more than 70,000 volunteer opportunities throughout Illinois. Website visitors can search based on location or area of interest, and even generate results for ongoing, one-time or web-based volunteer opportunities.

"Volunteerism helps everyone, and everyone can serve in a variety of ways" said IDHS Secretary Michelle R. B. Saddler. "Research shows that communities with higher rates of volunteerism have reduced crime and higher educational achievement rates. Similar studies have shown that those engaged in their communities on a regular basis live longer, healthier and more fulfilling lives."

Visit Serve.Illinois.gov to find a volunteer opportunity, as well as information regarding the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service. The website is a joint project of IDHS and the Serve Illinois Commission.

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17 Jan 2011

Some John Deere Middle Schoolers are using their Saturdays to learn Science

By M. McNeil
A group of "Lights ON for Learning" students are focusing on engineering for the next 8 Saturday mornings. According to the Lights On site coordinator at John Deere Middle, Chad Potter, 40 students will be attending classes from 8 am until noon every Saturday until February 26th.

Potter says the students will focus on the process of engineering, "The students will weigh out design options and make choices based on the available materials and their own imagination.  They are going to build, test, collect data, and refine.  Many of our students start the program with no understanding of how math and science are used to make lives better and more comfortable."

According to Potter the program offers students an opportunity to experience different aspects of the field of engineering through hands-on problem solving activities. Potter says the students will be producing a mousetrap powered race car that will travel twenty five meters.  The students will also be creating a technical drawing and a detailed report explaining how it works. The students must also be able to explain how their car works in front of a multi-judge panel.

Bruce Boardman, a retired John Deere engineer and volunteer for the program, says working with the young students is as satisfying as seeing a product he helped design succeed in the marketplace.

Boardman says what the kids will learn each week is a life experience that goes well beyond multiple choice and true/false questions.  "While the concept of a mousetrap powered car appears, on the surface, to be simple, it is not.  The students need to balance several conflicting design and material considerations.  It is an exercise in merging both the art and science of mechanical devices to achieve the best overall performance within a demanding set of rules and criterion for success.  It is an exercise where there is no one correct answer - rather there are several solutions from which they must choose."
Caroline Anthony is a former John Deere student who participated in the program last year and was a part of a national winning team.  Anthony says science was not her favorite subject before, but now it is.  "I think that it would be a good idea for anybody to participate in Saturday Science even if they don't like science because it's fun and it's a great way to meet the most interesting people. We met several amazing engineers who came and helped us with anything that we had trouble with. All of them made it a great experience".

The John Deere Middle Engineering Program is made possible through two grants and the generous donation of time by Deere and Company engineers.  John Deere Middle is in year three of a five year 21st Century Lights on for Learning federal grant.  This grant funds academic and enrichment programming beyond regular school hours at the school and covers a substantial part of the Saturday Science program.  Deere and Company also provides funds making travel, team shirts, and morning breakfast possible.  The volunteer engineers work with teams of students each Saturday.  The program would not exist without their help.

17 Jan 2011

Rock Island County launches new website

By Shelly Chapman

Rock Island County is pleases to announce that our newly designed website has launched!  Visitors will find a new look, site navigation, department menus, search, and an email alert registration at www.rockislandcounty.org.

After months of updating, the user friendly menus are in place.  These menus provide a great deal of information to our citizens.  Questions regarding the website design should be directed to our GIS Director, Josh Boudi at 558-3760, or Sue Adams at 558-3761.

17 Jan 2011

The Great Scott Community College Talent Show

By Ruth Ann Gallagher
The Great SCC Talent Show will be Thursday, Jan. 27 from 6:15-8:15 in the Student Life Center at Scott Community College, 500 Belmont Road, Bettendorf, Iowa.  Admission is $1.00.  Join us and Celebrate Iowa Community College Day at the Great SCC Talent Show!
17 Jan 2011

Local Students in the News

By readMedia

Nicholas Skaggs of Davenport, IA graduated from Morehead State University, Morehead, Kentucky, with a Bachelor of Arts degree during the 2010 Winter Commencement cermony.

 

Trent Carlson, Bachelor of Science, Business Economics and Kevan Kadavy, Bachelor of Science, Biomedical Sciences, both of Davenport, along with Matthew Noe, Bachelor of Science, Business Administration and Tara Vandygriff, Bachelor of Arts, Public Relations, both of Rock Island, were named to the Dean's List at Marquette University, Milwaukee, for the Fall 2010 term.  Also, Andrew Czachowski of Bettendorf has graduated from Marquette University with a Master of Arts degree in English.

 

Adam Ryan Eaker, School of Engineering & Computer Science; Blake Matthew Rauba, Hankamer School of Business, both of Moline, IL, were named to the Dean's Academic Honors List at Baylor University, Waco, TX.

 

The following local students have been named to the President's List at Drake University, Des Moines. This academic honor is achieved by earning a grade point average of 4.0 during the Fall 2010 semester at Drake.

Kelsey Berneking of Bettendorf, IA, Kelsey Brandt of Bettendorf, IA, Lauren Brandt of Bettendorf, IA, Amanda Cleppe of Bettendorf, IA, Jared Dammann of Bettendorf, IA, Caitlin Pryor of Bettendorf, IA, Abby Sheehan of Bettendorf, IA, Chelsea Rink of Davenport, IA, Erika Sevigny of Davenport, IA, Stephanie Merrick of Eldridge, IA, Jordan Porter of Eldridge, IA, James VanEchaute of Moline, IL, Claire Vandercar of Port Byron, IL, and Marshall Phares of Princeton, IA.

The following local students have been named to the Dean's List at Drake University. This academic honor is achieved by earning a grade-point average of 3.5 or higher during the Fall 2010 semester at Drake.

Caitlin Araujo of Bettendorf, IA, Stuart Bildner of Bettendorf, IA, Leah Christensen of Bettendorf, IA, Bret Larson of Bettendorf, IA, Erika Milas of Bettendorf, IA, Elizabeth Shoemaker of Bettendorf, IA, Kathryn Hamilton of Blue Grass, IA, Evan Clark of Davenport, IA, Scott Copeland of Davenport, IA, Alise Farrell of Davenport, IA, Luke Hansen of Davenport, IA, Eric Hartmann of Davenport, IA, Kristin Stopulos of Davenport, IA, Taylor Bender of Eldridge, IA, Karmen Rocker of Hillsdale, IL, Taylor Odegard of Le Claire, IA, Kayla Pearson of Milan, IL, Christine Hoegner of Moline, IL, Andrew Olson of Moline, IL, Hailey Shelton of Moline, IL, Ryan Hendricks of Rock Island, IL, and Sarah VanLandegen of Rock Island, IL.

 

The following area students graduated from Creighton University, Omaha, NE during the winter commencement ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 18, 2010.

Chris Cameron of Davenport earned a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree.

Diane Ferry of Eldridge earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Adminsitration degree.

 

Tate Kapple, a resident of Parnell, Iowa, made the Dean's List for the fall 2010 semester at the University of Montana Western, Dillon, MT.

 

Dr. Nancy Erickson, vice president for academic affairs at Iowa Wesleyan College, Mount Pleasant, has announced the names of students who have qualified for the 2010 fall semester Dean's List. Local students achieving this honor are:

Brittany Kahler, a Senior majoring in Studio Art from Marengo, IA

Ayla Serrano, a Sophomore majoring in Life Science from Rock Island, IL

Sarah Voss, a Freshman majoring in Physical Education from Marengo, IA

17 Jan 2011

Governor Quinn Takes Bill Action

By William Palmisano

SPRINGFIELD - Thursday, January 13, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn today took action on the following bill:

Bill No.: SB 2505

Provides revenue needed to stabilize the state's budget and sets unprecedented limits on state spending.

An Act Concerning: Revenue

Action: Signed                        

Effective Date: Immediately

Friday, January 14, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn today took action on the following bill:

Bill No.: SB 3514

Authorizes financing for the state's pension funds.

An Act Concerning: Finance

Action: Signed                        

Effective Date: Immediately  

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13 Jan 2011

Treasurer Fitzgerald Reminds Teachers to Register for Free Pencils

By Rick Martin

DES MOINES, IA (01/13/2011)(readMedia)-- State Treasurer Michael L. Fitzgerald wants every second and third grade teacher in the state to take advantage of the free pencils being offered through Prepare for the Basics. This no-cost program, which provides pencils for students to use during the Iowa Test of Basic Skills, supplied almost 13,500 students with pencils during the 2008-09 school year. "Any teacher interested in participating in the program has until April 1st to submit their requests," stated Fitzgerald. "I really hope all teachers take advantage of this program. It is a small gesture of appreciation for all that they do."

The Prepare for the Basics program also provides information to families about College Savings Iowa, the state's 529 plan that is designed to give them an affordable way to save money for college. "Families who begin saving early are better prepared to meet the educational needs of their children. Any little bit that can be saved now will offset what has to be borrowed in the future," stated Fitzgerald.

College Savings Iowa lets anyone - parents, grandparents, friends and relatives - invest for college on behalf of a child. Iowa taxpayers can deduct up to $2,865 in contributions per beneficiary account from their adjusted gross income in 2011.* Investors do not need to be a state resident and can withdraw their investment tax-free to pay for qualified higher education expenses including tuition, books, supplies and room and board at any eligible college, university, community college or accredited technical training school in the United States or abroad.** For more information about College Savings Iowa, go to www.collegesavingsiowa.com or call 1-888-672-9116.

Teachers who would like to take part in the Prepare for the Basics program can register online by visiting www.treasurer.state.ia.us and clicking on the financial literacy tab. Materials should be requested at least two weeks prior to testing to ensure timely arrival and will be delivered directly to the participating schools. Supplies are limited, so early registration is advised.

*Adjusted annually for inflation. If withdrawals are not qualified, the deductions must be added back to Iowa taxable income.

** Earnings on non-qualified withdrawals may be subject to federal income tax and a 10% federal penalty tax on the earnings, as well as state income taxes. The availability of tax or other benefits may be contingent on meeting other requirements.

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