In what has become a seasonal tradition, area musicians have heeded the call once again to help collect money and toys to benefit the Quad Cities Toys for Tots.

Bent River Brewing Company will be hosting a benefit concert to raise money for Toys for Tots on the evening of November 20th. Join us at 1413 - 5th Avenue in Moline, along with the United States Marine Corp, in making a child's holiday a bit more special. Please bring a toy or cash donation and enjoy dinner, raffles & live entertainment provided by some of the area's finest musicians. This year adds a new twist. Guest chef Damen Lightner has graciously agreed to donate his talents in preparing special "Toys for Tots only" dinner features. Brewer Steve Ratcliff will also be on hand to provide a first taste of this years Jingle Java seasonal ale.

Area musicians have been donating their talents for Toys for Tots in this seasonal event that was started back in 1978 by two local musicians, Greg Krogman and Scott Carlson. The two musical partners spearheaded a successful campaign with the help of area musicians to raise funds for the Toys for Tots program for over 20 years. Since that first show, hundreds of musicians and business owners have gotten together to raise thousands of dollars and distribute thousands of new toys to needy area families. Due to current economic conditions, the need for toys is anticipated to be much greater than previous years. Greg's younger brother Joel has decided to continue the tradition with a multi band one night show for this year's toy drive. "We thought this would be a great way to give something back to the community and a pretty fun way to donate to a great cause."

This year's event adds some new faces, but promises to live up to the tradition of having a great time while helping out a great cause. Please join us for the 26th Musicians Benefit for the Toys for Tots. Come early as seating is limited. For more information please call 797-2722 or visit Bent River on Facebook.

Washington, DC - Rep. Bruce Braley (D-Iowa) issued a floor statement today congratulating Rose Frantzen on the premier of her exhibit, 'Portrait of Maquoketa', at the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery.

"I congratulate Ms. Rose Frantzen on this tremendous honor and recognition," Braley said. "Her exceptional skill is evident in each of the individual portraits. When placed side by side, the portraits are an inspiring interpretation of American life. The exhibit is an expression of the dignity of small-town Iowa, and the unique beauty of Maquoketa."

'Portrait of Maquoketa' is a compilation of 180 individual oil paintings of Maquoketa residents painted between the summers of 2005 and 2006. During this time, Frantzen opened her studio to anyone who wished to be painted, attracting a diverse collection of subjects. Frantzen conducted formal interviews and made audio recordings' of her clients' stories, ideas and beliefs.

Frantzen's exhibit, accompanied by samples of the audio recordings, will be on display at the National Portrait Gallery from November 2009 - July 2010.

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(Monday, November 2, 2009) - The first Holiday Hat Bash will be held this year in the Quad-Cities to raise funds to assist two local non-profits that provide food and gifts to lonely seniors in the community.

Last year, at the end of the Senior Santa program, local director Steve Habenicht was faced with a dilemma. "We had over 100 names of seniors left on the trees at Hy-Vee, but even worse, over 100 names that were taken and gifts were not brought back,'' he said.

Faced with a lack of funding, Steve and his Home Instead Senior Care staff scrambled to do what they could to help these 200 seniors have happy holidays.

The same thing was happening with the food baskets CASI (Center for Active Seniors Inc.) delivers every year to its seniors who are in need during the holidays.

"Funding has been tough, and last year we saw a significant decrease, so we did what we could to supply a healthy meal to our seniors in need," said Tom Bahls, CEO of CASI. "With even more state and federal cuts this year, we knew upfront we'd have to be very creative in funding the gift and food basket programs for our local needy seniors."

In response, a group of friends and business acquaintances decided to combine a unique holiday party with the mission of helping both non-profits who provide much-needed assistance to the area's senior population. The Holiday Hat Bash was born and is expected to be an annual event.

The inaugural Hat Bash will be held from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. Thursday, December 3rd at CASI, 1035 West Kimberly Road in Davenport. Admission is a tax-free donation to the Senior Santa and Holiday Food Basket programs. Hats are encouraged but not required.

Deemed "a party with a purpose," this new fundraiser has several twists and will be a must see. CASI's hall will be lit up with holiday lights inside and out, and Lifestyles Furniture will be providing its unique, brightly colored leather furniture to turn the hall into a colorful lounge. The night will feature wine tasting by The Grape Life and beer tasting by Great River Brewery. Appetizers are provided by some of the best chefs at the area's senior living communities: Jersey Ridge Place, The Fountains, Senior Star at Elmore Place, and Park Vista Senior Living.

"What a fun way to help seniors have a happy holiday," said Gwen Tombergs, chair of the Holiday Hat Bash. "Our senior population is growing and they desperately need the help of these two great organizations. Our solution is the Holiday Hat Bash. It's fun, it's simple and it will be a great networking opportunity for business people."

Sponsors include Northwest Bank & Trust; Tri State Windows, Siding & Roofing; Eye Surgeons Associates; Lifestyles Furniture; The Grape Life; Great River Brewery; Metro MRI; WHBF TV4; RTV4; Star 93.5; and Davenport Printing.

Donations can be sent to CASI Holiday Hat Bash, c/o Northwest Bank & Trust, 100 West Kimberly Road, Davenport, IA 52806. For more information, call Gwen Tombergs at 563-343-2058 or Jane VenHorst at      563-355-1683.

ROCK ISLAND, IL (11/05/2009)(readMedia)-- Augustana's opera singers will delight audiences with their heartwarming performance of "Little Thieves of Bethlehem" from Friday, November 20, through Sunday, November 22, at 8 p.m. in Wallenberg Hall at Denkmann Memorial Building (3520 7th Ave.). The opera is set in Bethlehem after Jesus' birth and follows three outcast children who find new hope in the Christmas story.

Augustana students will be only the second group to perform "Little Thieves of Bethlehem," which was first performed in Rochester, N.Y., in the 1990s. The story focuses on an orphaned brother and sister in Bethlehem who must steal food to keep from starving. They are shunned by children and adults in their community, but they are the first to hear Mary sing to her new baby. The three kings who come to see Jesus also bring along a child servant who is an outcast, but is embraced in the Christmas story. The opera runs approximately 55 minutes.

Kelly Mitroff, a vocal music major who will play the innkeeper's wife, says the performance is fun and family-friendly. "This opera has a song about a camel, which seems to come out of nowhere. It gives everyone a break from the drama of what's going on, and let's face it, you just can't go wrong with a song about a spitting camel," says Mitroff.

Melissa Goode, a senior music major from Davenport, will play the lead role of Mary. Goode has performed with Opera@Augustana in the past, but finds this production to be particularly special because it is only the second time the show has been performed. "It is a twist on the traditional story of Christ's birth, so that will make it new and exciting for audiences," she says.

"The magic of Christmas comes alive to all on stage and in the audience," says Dr. John Pfautz, professor of voice and the opera's director and producer. Pfautz founded Opera@Augustana shortly after coming to Augustana in 1987. He earned his Doctorate of Musical Arts from West Virginia University where he studied under Frances Yeend and has performed as the featured tenor soloist in operas throughout the United States and Canada.

Pfautz is excited that "Little Thieves of Bethlehem" includes some of the faculty and staff's children, in addition to Augustana students. Aislinn Geedy, daughter of biology professors Dr. Dara Wegman-Geedy and Dr. Kevin Geedy; Mackenzie Parboosingh, daughter of theater professor Adam Parboosingh; and Robert Ducey, son of Beth Ducey from art history, will appear onstage as local children.

Melissa Goode is a senior music major from Davenport, IA. Goode is part of the 26 cast members performing in the opera.

Jennifer Youngs is a sophomore general studies major from Taylor Ridge, IL. Youngs is part of the 26 cast members performing in the opera.

"Little Thieves of Bethlehem" is the first of a series of musical festivities at Augustana during the Christmas season. The second annual "Christmas at Augustana" holiday concert features performances by Augustana's premier choir, band and orchestra on Friday, December 4, at 8 p.m. and Saturday, December 5, at 4 p.m. The public event will be held in Centennial Hall (3703 7th Avenue). Tickets are available at www.augustana.edu/tickets or by calling (309) 794-7306.

The Handel Oratorio Society, a choir that combines the vocal talents of Augustana students and Quad-City community members, will perform Handel's Messiah on Saturday, December 12, at 8 p.m. and Sunday, December 13, at 2 p.m in continuation of an annual tradition started in 1879. The event is open to the public and will be held in Centennial Hall (3703 7th Ave). For tickets, log onto www.augustana.edu/tickets or call (309) 794-7306.

The Augustana Chamber Singers and Office of Campus Ministries will present Lessons and Carols on Thursday, December 17, at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. This beautiful Christmas service chronicles Christ's birth through songs and readings in Ascension Chapel (820 38th St). This event is free and open to the public.