31 Mar 2009

Open Casting Call for "Splatter"

By Ann Wilkinson

On April 5, from 10 AM to 4 PM, Casting Director Ann Wilkinson hold an open audition for the feature film Splatter at the Marriott at 1200 Collins Road, NE in Cedar Rapids.  The open casting call takes place in conjunction with the events at the Cedar Rapids Independent Film Festival (CRIFF).

Splatter will begin shooting in Iowa on May 1, 2009. Written and directed by Lonnie Schuyler and produced by Bruce Heppner-Elgin, this movie is a poignant, quirky comedy about relationships. It tells the story of a likable loser who finally realizes what makes life worthwhile and sets out to win back the love of his ex-wife and the respect of his son - in a paintball tournament.

Wilkinson is looking for Iowa talent to fill both principal and extra roles for the film. There is deferred pay for all principal and featured roles.

If you are interested in auditioning for Splatter and can't make the open call, you may send current pictures and resumes with contact numbers to:

PMS Casting
2018 Hwy G28, #122
Pella, IA 50219.

Splatter is the second collaborative effort between Schuyler, Heppner-Elgin and Director of Photography, Eric Freese.  The film is quite a departure from their last movie. The trio just wrapped filming on The Offering last month. Written, directed and produced by Heppner-Elgin, The Offering starred Schuyler as a chilling, cold-blooded killer.

For more information, go to www.pmscasting.com/casting.

For more details about CRIFF visit their web site http://www.crifm.org.

31 Mar 2009

"Dancing With The Stars" Julianne Hough issues $100,000 Challenge to Fans

By Alison Risso
"MAP EVERY PLACE TO PLAY IN AMERICA!"

Two-time "Dancing with the Stars" champion and Mercury Nashville recording artist Julianne Hough has partnered up with KaBOOM!, a national non-profit, to map and rate playspaces everywhere online. Once it has this comprehensive user-generated playground audit, KaBOOM! will know which areas of the country have a great place for kids to play every day and which areas fall short. Toward this end, Julianne will donate $1 to select charities every time someone uploads a new place to play (up to $100,000).

The challenge runs 100 days, from March 23 - June 30, or until Julianne gives away $100,000 to national non-profits that have teamed up with KaBOOM! for this project: the YMCA of the USA, National Wildlife Federation, Shaping America's Health, Jumpstart, and America's Promise Alliance. To participate, users go online to the KaBOOM! Playspace Finder (kaboom.org/playspacefinder), pick a great charity to earn money for, then post a picture they took of a place to play, and rate it. Julianne will then give the non-profit they selected $1 each time they load a new playspace to the map. In addition to benefiting charity, every playspace loaded counts as an entry in a sweepstakes to meet Julianne or win autographed merchandise. By using online technology to activate and engage individuals, the 100,000 Playspaces in 100 Days Campaign will alert communities of the importance of play, and motivate individuals to start taking action.

"In the U.S. childhood obesity numbers have tripled since I was little. Statisics say that nearly a third of our nations kids are overweight or well on their way. I have joined with KABOOM to try and make sure that kids have a place to play and run around every day," say Julianne. When complete, the KaBOOM! Playspace Finder will serve as a national audit of playspaces, allowing communities to evaluate how many there are, their quality, and how accessible they are.

Growing up in Utah, Julianne had a very active childhood. She and her siblings were always outside playing together as well as dancing and singing. She wants to help other kids have some of the same opportunities as she did.

To do something about the situation, Julianne teamed up with KaBOOM! to help them complete an online map of playgrounds, the KaBOOM! Playspace Finder. "I want to help parents know where all the great places are to play in their neighborhood," Julianne said. Once 100,000 new playspaces are entered onto the KaBOOM! Playspace Finder, KaBOOM! will have a national map full of places to play, parents can see where to take their kids, and KaBOOM! can spot areas that need attention.

The KaBOOM! Playspace Finder is a Google-based map that currently shows more than 16,000 user-generated entries with photos, amenities, and ratings of places kids play.  The KaBOOM! Playspace Finder includes all different sorts of places to play: playgrounds, athletic fields, ice rinks, basketball courts, skateparks, and swimming pools, even nature trails and community gardens. When complete, the KaBOOM! Playspace Finder will serve as a national audit of playspaces, allowing communities to evaluate how many there are, their quality, and how accessible they are.
Since 1995, KaBOOM! has constructed almost 1,600 playgrounds, skateparks, sports fields and ice rinks across North America. KaBOOM! also created the KaBOOM! National Campaign for Play.
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31 Mar 2009

Pianist Leon Bates performs Ravel and Ellington for Masterworks finale

By Jared Johnson
Davenport, IA-The final Masterworks concert of the 2008-09 season features Leon Bates performing music from Maurice Ravel and Duke Ellington. This sixth Masterworks concert will also feature Roman-themed music from Berlioz and Respighi. These concerts will be performed on April 4 and 5, and sponsored in memory of Stanley and Bernice Harris, by Mrs. Isador Katz. Saturday evening's concert will be at the Adler Theatre in Davenport at 8 p.m. and followed on Sunday afternoon at Centennial Hall in Rock Island at 2 p.m.

Before the concerts begin, the QCSO is inviting their audience to stop by the office at 327 Brady Street in Davenport for "Super Subscriber Saturday" from 9 a.m. to 12 noon on Saturday, April 4. Those renewing their season tickets and those purchasing them for the first time are welcome to stop in, meet with the QCSO staff, chat with Music Director Mark Russell Smith about next year's repertoire, and enjoy coffee and donuts. One lucky subscriber will be randomly selected by a drawing at the morning's end to win a package of QCSO tickets that includes all of the non-Masterworks events and is valued at over $300.

On Thursday night, before each Masterworks concert, Quad Citians are regularly invited to go "inside the music" with conductor Mark Russell Smith at the Figge Art Museum. Inside the Music begins with wine and cheese at 5 p.m., followed by the presentation at 5:30. Expert and novice alike are sure to enjoy this casual musical conversation. Thanks to generous sponsorship from U.S. Bank, this event is free to the public.

Music Director Mark Russell Smith and pianist Leon Bates will also be available at Concert Conversations, hosted by Kai Swanson an hour before each of the weekend's concerts. At Concert Conversations, audience members will be given a quick tour of highlights of the program they are about to experience. This look into the background of the concert's repertoire, sponsored by Rich James of Wachovia Securities, is in its tenth year and has become an audience favorite.

The season culminates with pianist Leon Bates performing Ravel's Piano Concerto in G and an arrangement of Duke Ellington's music titled New World A-Comin'. Since winning the Philadelphia Orchestra Senior Auditions as a student over 20 years ago, Leon Bates has emerged as one of America's leading pianists. He has warranted critical and audience accolades in Carnegie Hall, Alice Tully Hall, the Kennedy Center, Philadelphia's Academy of Music, the Hollywood Bowl, and the Masonic Hall in San Francisco. He appeared in Naples, Italy, in two recitals and took part in the filming of the "Music in the 20th Century" telecast on PBS. His sheer mastery of his instrument has led to performances with many major symphonies in the U.S. and abroad.

Tickets for these concerts start at $10 for Saturday night and $20 for Sunday afternoon and can be purchased in person at the QCSO Box Office, 327 Brady Street in Davenport, by phone at 800.982.2787 or online at www.QCSymphony.com.

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30 Mar 2009

Camp Courageous Antique Market Show Sunday, April 5th, 2009

By Camp Courageous
MONTICELLO, IA - The Camp Courageous Spring Antique Market Show will be held this Sunday, April 5th at the Berndes Center at the fairgrounds in Monticello. Doors will be open from 9:00 A.M. until 3:00 P.M. Dealers and exhibitors from around the Midwest, many of whom have always been a part of this event, will be displaying their quality antiques and country collectibles. Food and beverages will be available for purchase throughout the day. This show is offered twice a year in the spring and the fall.

Cindy and Pete Hall established the Antique Market Show as a family venture in 2000. As stated by Cindy, "It was time for a change. Camp Courageous of Iowa was offered this venture because more people would benefit. This is an established show with great dealers! By having a show of this magnitude, it brings people to Monticello which also benefits the community." 100% of the proceeds from this show now go to benefit the campers attending Camp Courageous.  The camp looks forward to continuing the tradition of offering a quality antique market show.

Camp Courageous of Iowa is a recreational and respite care facility for individuals with disabilities of all ages. It is run on donations, without government support, without paid fundraisers, and without formal sponsorship.

The general public is invited to see the many items that will be available for sale at the Antique Market Show. Admission is $3.00 and parking is free! For any inquiries or dealer information contact Sharon Roller at Camp Courageous ((319) 465-5916 Extension 2200). All proceeds for this event goes to benefit the over 5,000 campers with special needs who visit Camp Courageous each year.
30 Mar 2009

The Moline Foundation Announces New Moline High School Scholarship

By Joy Boruff
Applicants are sought for the Moline High School Class of "59" Scholarship through The Moline Foundation with an application deadline of Wednesday, April 15, 2009.

    • Applicants must:

      • Be a 2009 Moline High School graduate

      • Have a GPA of 2.8 on a 4.0 scale

      • Provide a transcript and proof of class rank

      • Be involved in at least one community service activity

      • Submit an essay answer to the questions "What do you anticipate your life to be like in fifty years?" and "What prompts your interest in this scholarship?"

    • Applicants who want to pursue a college, university or trade/technical school education are encouraged to apply for this newly established scholarship.

    The scholarship funds have been generated by alumni of the Moline High School Class of 1959. They have conducted hog roasts, participated in Birdies for Charity and received other donations. The initiation of this scholarship in 2009 will commemorate the MHS Class of 1959's fiftieth reunion and the golden anniversary of the current Moline High School campus located at 3600 Avenue of the Cities, Moline.

    To obtain a copy of an application for the Class of "59" scholarship, please contact the counseling department at Moline High School or call Linda at The Moline Foundation at (309)764-4193.

    Founded in 1953, The Moline Foundation is a community-based, non-profit organization which provides grants to health, human services, education, community development, the arts, and other charitable organizations which benefit the citizens of the Quad City region. The Moline Foundation receives and administers charitable gifts and has a current endowment fund of approximately $13 million. For more information contact Executive Director Joy Boruff at (309) 736-3800 or visit The Moline Foundation Web site at www.molinefoundation.org.

    • # # #

27 Mar 2009

Beginning Genealogy Classes

By Kathryn Davis

Are You Interesting In Researching Your Family History But Don't Know Where To Start?

 

Come to the German American Heritage Center's Beginning Genealogy Classes starting this Thursday, April 2nd at 6:30 p.m. to begin the journey to your family's past!

 

The following topics will be covered during the six weeks of class:

  • Beginning Your Research? - Importance of Record Keeping
  • Documenting Your Research:  Primary & Secondary Sources
  • Finding Information by Contacting Relatives
  • Library Research:  Determining What Library - What to Look for and How to Get it
  • Census Records: What They Are, What They Contain & Their Importance to My Research
  • Court House Records:  Types of Records & Where to Find Them

Instructor Scharlott Goettsch Blevins has taught genealogy classes for over 30 years, is past president of the Federation of Genealogical Societies, past president of the Iowa Genealogical Society, and member of many other organizations locally and nationally.  She has traveled throughout the country, England and Germany on extensive genealogical research trips.

ALL ETHIC GROUPS COVERED!  Beginning Genealogy Classes Thursdays:  April 2 - May 7   6:30 p.m.

Cost:  $50/person Non GAHC member - $45/person GAHC member; minimum 10 participants  - registration required.

Offered at the German American Heritage Center,712 West 2nd Street Davenport, IA 52802.

Contact (563) 322-8844 director@gahc.org for more information

26 Mar 2009

5 Local Nominations Received for 2009 Freedom Award

By Holly Fantaskey

 

Five Quad City area employers have been nominated for the 2009 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award.  The Freedom Award is the highest recognition given by the U.S. Government to employers for their support of their employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserve.

The nominees are:

 Bettendorf Police Department

Civil Constructors Inc., East Moline

Kelly's Medical Equipment and Supply, Davenport

Springfield Armory Inc., Geneseo

Superior Labels, Davenport.

More than 3,200 National Guard and Reserve members from across the country nominated their employers for their outstanding support. Many employers, for example, provided continued benefits, differential pay, family assistance and additional support. A national selection board comprised of senior defense officials and business leaders will select up to 15 recipients for this year's award. The Department of Defense will announce the 2009 Freedom Award recipients this summer. The 2009 Freedom Awards will be presented at a ceremony in Washington, D.C., September 17th at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Center.

 

About ESGR

 Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) is a Department of Defense agency established in 1972 that seeks to promote a culture in which all American employers support and value the military service of their employees. We recognize outstanding support, increase awareness of the law, and resolve conflicts through mediation. For more information, please visit www.esgr.mil.

About the Award

The Freedom Award was instituted in 1996 under the auspices of the National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) to recognize exceptional support from the employer community. Previous honorees include American Express, the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, Sears, Home Depot, the State of Tennessee and the Winner School District of South Dakota. For more information, please visit www.FreedomAward.mil.

26 Mar 2009

Rock Island County youth news conference TODAY, March 26th, 2009

By M. McNeil

(Moline, IL)  Some of the county's newest voters are holding a news conference asking voters to approve the one percent sales tax referendum on the April 7th ballot.  These students have been in area schools for years and they know first hand the buildings need major updates.

The news conference is scheduled for Thursday, March 26th at 3:30 pm in the King Plaza strip mall in Moline.  The event will take place in front of Kinetic Fitness at 3620 Avenue of the Cities.

Student leaders from Moline, United Township and Augustana will be available for questions after the news conference.
26 Mar 2009

2nd Annual Teen Film Festival at the Putnam

By M. McNeil
There is a red carpert event tonight at the Putnam Museum and IMAX Theatre.  Twelve locally produced movies, trailers, and outtakes will be shown and awards will be given to the movie makers.
Quad-city area public libraries have teamed up to present this evening of glamour and excitment beginning at 7:00 pm in the IMAX.  There is a 6:00 pm pre-party for the teens and their guests in the Putnam Museum exhibit hall...following by a walk down the red carpert, film viewing and then awards.
Two grand prizes of $100 will be given as well as a number of other "Oscars".  The contest began in February with a call for entry.  Teens could chose among three themes related to their favorite book--outtakes, book trailer or missing/unwritten scene.
For information contact Christie at 563-326-7893.
26 Mar 2009

Shoe Carnival Wants to Help Their Customers Through Tough Economic Times With a First Ever Promotion

By Stacy Carr
Evansville, IN- March 26, 2009-- Beginning April 1 through April 11, with any purchase, Shoe Carnival customers will receive a "BOGO When You Want 2" (SM) card. Anytime through January 19, 2010 customers can present the "BOGO When You Want 2" (SM) card and receive "Buy one, get the second pair of equal or lesser value for ½ off."
"We know our customers are going through a tough economic time right now, which is why we want to help by giving them our best offer anytime they want it," said Todd Beurman, Senior Vice President of Marketing for Shoe Carnival. "With the "BOGO When You Want 2" card, our customers will be able to take advantage of this valuable deal, even when the promotion isn't running in our stores, to better meet their families' footwear needs."
This is the first time Shoe Carnival has run this promotion and wanted to offer this deal with their Spring Sale Event running April 1 - April 11 where you can get great deals on name brand footwear for the entire family plus get Buy 1, Get 2nd Pair ½ Off just in time for the Easter holiday.
About Shoe Carnival
Shoe Carnival is a chain of more than 300 footwear stores located in the Midwest, South and Southeast. Combining value pricing with an entertaining store format, Shoe Carnival is a leading retailer of name brand and private label footwear for the entire family. Headquartered in Evansville, Indiana, Shoe Carnival trades on the NASDAQ Stock Market LLC under the symbol SCVL. Visit www.shoecarnival.comfor more information.

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