28 Aug 2012

Chinese Officials Complimentary, Optimistic About Future with U.S. Soy

By United Soybean Board
U.S. soybean farmers praised for success of checkoff-funded programs in China

ST. LOUIS (August 28, 2012) - When a group of U.S. soybean farmers stepped off a plane in China last month, they anticipated a celebration of 30 years of partnership. What they got, however, was a whole lot more. The work of the soy checkoff through the United Soybean Board (USB) and its international marketing arm, the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC), has paid dividends in China and the officials wanted to make sure these farmers knew it.

"We're more than just a supplier of soybeans, but that is part of it," says Vanessa Kummer, a soybean farmer from Colfax, N.D., and chair of USB. "We've helped them improve their food safety and, during this visit, we heard how much they appreciate it."

The Chinese aquaculture industry is a big part of this partnership. The soy checkoff funds projects that help increase the food safety and growth rates for fish farmers, and the group of U.S. soy farmers heard about the positive success of these programs.

"Fish are a big part of the Chinese diet, so the aquaculture industry is a major player in their economy," adds Kummer. "The checkoff has helped these fish farmers achieve the right rations and populations, which lessens negative effects."

Through checkoff-funded demonstrations, USSEC helps show the Chinese aquaculture industry how to lessen disease and pollution in their production systems. Soy-based diets play a role in these improved practices. As the Chinese increase their protein consumption, soy meal use in animal feed continues to increase. Kummer notes the checkoff also works in other animal sectors, including China's fast-growing poultry sector.

"The people we met with in China recognize the investment U.S. soybean farmers have made in their food security," says Kummer. "They appreciate our partnerships and look forward to the future of our business relationships together."

The relationship continues to grow demand for U.S. soy, as well. In 2011, the United States exported a record 895 million bushels of soybeans to China.

The 69 farmer-directors of USB oversee the investments of the soy checkoff to maximize profit opportunities for all U.S. soybean farmers. These volunteers invest and leverage checkoff funds to increase the value of U.S. soy meal and oil, to ensure U.S. soybean farmers and their customers have the freedom and infrastructure to operate, and to meet the needs of U.S. soy's customers. As stipulated in the federal Soybean Promotion, Research and Consumer Information Act, the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service has oversight responsibilities for USB and the soy checkoff.


For more information on the United Soybean Board, visit www.unitedsoybean.org
Visit us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/UnitedSoybeanBoard
Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/unitedsoy
View our YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/user/UnitedSoybeanBoard

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28 Aug 2012

Davenport Parks & Rec Fall Session Begins

By Davenport Parks & Recreation
Thrive this fall with the City of Davenport Parks and Recreation!
Fall Session begins September 10 - Sign up now!
Nothing kills a program quicker than everyone waiting until the last minute to register for it.  Please register well in advance of the registration deadline to make sure your favorite courses run!
Register at the River's Edge, 700 W River Dr. or
28 Aug 2012

Ballet Quad Cities DRACULA Tickets NOW ON SALE

By Ballet QC

You don't want to miss the return of

Domingo Rubio as Dracula!

 

Ballet Quad Cities' 16th season begins with the return of Dracula on September 28th at 7:30pm and September 29th at 1:00pm & 7:30pm.  The production will be held at Moline's Scottish Rite Cathedral, the perfect setting for "Dracula's Castle".

 

The original choreography and music collage is by the company's resident choreographer Deanna Carter; the ballet loosely follows the Bram Stoker's piece of literature "Dracula".

 

 

Join us for Dancing With Dracula at The Landing,

1601 River Dr., Moline after the Saturday night (9/29)

performance (approximately 9:30pm)

 

Dracula performance tickets are on sale NOW

at The Landing!

Stop in ~ Cash, Check & Credit Cards are accepted.

With your ticket purchase, you will receive a

$5 gift card from The Landing.

 

To purchase Dracula perfomance tickets from

Ballet Quad Cities, or for more information,

call (309) 786-3779 or go to

our website: www.balletquadcities.com

Partners in Performance

Time is running out to be included in our annual giving opportunity.  Do you want to help support bringing live music to Ballet Quad Cities through our partnership with Orchestra Iowa?  Its easy!  All the information is included here:

DOWNLOAD APPEAL LETTER

You can become a Charter Member of the

Partners in Performance by pledging a minimum

of $100 by August 27, 2012.

DOWNLOAD PLEDGE CARD

Thank you for your consideration!
East West Riverfest
September 7 - 16, 2012
Ballet Quad Cities Performance:

American Dance to American Music: Bare Bones Ballet

 

Open Rehearsal with resident choreographer Deanna Carter and guest dancer in Dracula, Domingo Rubio on Saturday, September 15, 2012 from 2 - 5pm (open house)

 

Location:  Ballet Quad Cities studios

613 17th St.

Rock Island, IL

 

$10 per person at the door to sit in and observe a professional ballet rehearsal.  Questions? Call (309) 786-3779

 

For more information about East West Riverfest, visit the website at: http://www.visitquadcities.com/ewrf/
28 Aug 2012

ISU Extension Calendar beginning Sept 7, 2012

By Joy Venhorst
28 Aug 2012

Riverside Theatre Opens 32nd Season With True West by Sam Shepard

By Sarah Burnett

Iowa City, IA - Riverside Theatre, Iowa City's resident professional theatre, opens its 2012-2013 Season on Friday, September 7th with the explosive and acidly comical True West by Sam Shepard, directed by Ron Clark.

True West is about two brothers with a score to settle. Austin, an ambitious Hollywood screenwriter working on a potential million-dollar movie project and Lee, a desert drifter and a thief with a compulsion for six-packs and toasters, are reunited at their mother's home while she is away and a struggle for dominance ensues.

"True West is sibling rivalry on steroids," said Director Ron Clark. "The two brothers could not be more different. They both despise and envy each other, which I think is always the foundation of sibling rivalry."

True West is considered to be a modern American classic and Shepard is revered as one of the greatest living playwrights of our time.

True West features Iowa City actors Tim Budd as Austin and Sean Christopher Lewis as Lee.  Scot West of Chicago returns to Riverside as Saul Kimmer and Riverside Theatre Artistic Director Jody Hovland rounds out the cast as Mom.

"They're the A-Team that brings the play to life," Clark said. "It demands virtroso acting that can plumb the mysteries of the relationships. The turnabouts come fast and furious; the action is explosive."

True West also features scenic design by Shawn Ketchum Johnson, lighting design by Courtney Schmitz Watson, costume design by Osean Perez, and sound design by Drew Bielinski. Jason Tipsword choreographs the fight work.

Since the scenic design includes numerous toasters, Riverside Theatre is seeking donations of two-slot, old-school toasters (working and non-working) for the production. Donated toasters will not be returned. Toasters may be dropped off at the Box Office at 213 N. Gilbert St, Noon - 4 p.m., Monday - Friday.

Tickets for True West, September 7 - September 30, are $15-$28 with discounts available for those over 60, those under 30, and youth. $15 students rush tickets are available on a first come first served basis 20 minutes before curtain. Tickets are available by phone at (319) 338-7672, online at www.riversidetheatre.org or in person at the Riverside Theatre Box Office, located at 213 N. Gilbert St., Iowa City, IA.

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Photo information:

From left: Sean Christopher Lewis and Tim Budd in True West at Riverside Theatre, September 7 - September 30. Photo by Bob Goodfellow.

Performance Schedule

Friday, September 7 at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, September 8 at 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, September 9 at 2 p.m.*

Thursday, September 13 at 7:30 p.m.

Friday, September 14 at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, September 15 at 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, September 16 at 2 p.m.

Thursday, September 20 at 7:30 p.m.

Friday, September 21 at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, September 22 at 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, September at 23 at 2 p.m.

Thursday, September 27 at 7:30 p.m.

Friday, September 28 at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, September 29 at 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, September 30 at 2 p.m.

*Talkback Sunday, September 9 - Stay after this performance to chat with company members and gain behind-the-scenes info about the play. Free and open to the public.

Upcoming Events

Season-Opening Open House - Sunday, August 26, 2 - 4 p.m.

See behind the scenes before the season starts at the Riverside Theatre Open House. Start out in the Scene Shop, where sets for all the productions are built, and take a tour that includes the backstage area, the dressing room, and more. Refreshments will be provided. Enter the Scene Shop directly via the alley that runs behind the building/parking lot or go to the lobby. For more info, call 319-338-7672.

True West Thursday Theatre Talk - August 30, 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.

In Sam Shepard's True West, dualities abound; there are two brothers, one a city guy, the other coming out of the desert; one is an upwardly mobile screenwriter in Hollywood, the other a drifter and a thief. But gradually they switch roles, and, indeed, in a number of well-known productions the leading actors have alternated as Austin and Lee. Join Miriam Gilbert and Harry Stecopoulos, University of Iowa Department of English, as they discuss Shepard's play and its vision of America.

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24 Aug 2012

The Fox on the Fairway opens at The Old Creamery Theatre Sept. 6

By Shelley Klimes

Fox 1..JPG

Amana - It's time once again for the annual golf tournament between rival country clubs. A large bet is wagered on the outcome with the winner seeming to be the one who can cheat the best. The rulebook goes out the window, while the laughs roll in during The Fox on the Fairway, a brand new comedy by Ken Ludwig, author of Lend Me a Tenor and Moon Over Buffalo.

The Fox on the Fairway opens Thursday, Sept. 6 at 3 p.m. on the Main Stage in Amana and runs through Oct. 7. The cast consists of Ryan Gaffney of Manchester, Amber Snyder of East Amana, Alan Knoll of St. Louis, Deborah Kennedy and Tom Milligan, both of West Amana and Marquetta Senters of South Amana.

Tickets for The Fox on the Fairway are $27 for adults and $17.50 for students. Show times are Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays at 3 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.

Walk-ins are welcome if seats are still available. Reservations are recommended. Call the box office at 800-35-AMANA (352-6262) or visit us online at oldcreamery.com Student rush tickets are $12. No reservations accepted for rush tickets. Come to the box office no earlier than 30 minutes before a performance for this special rate. Rated Theatre PG-13, The Fox on the Fairway will keep you howling until the last putt gets sunk!

The Old Creamery Theatre Company is a not-for-profit professional theatre founded in 1971 in Garrison, Iowa. The company is celebrating 41 years of bringing live, professional theatre to the people of Iowa and the Midwest.

24 Aug 2012

Local students participate in summer program at Purdue University

By Purdue News Service

WEST LAFAYETTE, IN (08/20/2012)(readMedia)-- Local students took the first step in becoming Boilermakers by participating in the annual STAR program at Purdue University's West Lafayette campus.

The participants included:

Lauren Zust of Bettendorf, IA

Madison Schmid of Bettendorf, IA

Summer Transition, Advising and Registration (STAR) is Purdue's program for new undergraduate students to receive academic advice and create their initial course schedule. Incoming students select their one-day STAR session and come to Purdue's West Lafayette campus to conduct this and other important business.

Purdue University is a vast laboratory for discovery. The university is known not only for science, technology, engineering and math programs, but also for our imagination, ingenuity and innovation. It's a place for those who seek a first-class education balanced by the drive to make their ideas real.

Founded in 1869 in West Lafayette, Indiana, the university proudly serves its state as well as the nation and the world. Academically, Purdue's role as a major research institution is supported by top-ranking disciplines in pharmacy, business, engineering and agriculture. More than 39,000 students are enrolled here. All 50 states and 130 countries are represented. Add about 850 student organizations and Big Ten Boilermaker athletics, and you get a college atmosphere that's without rival.

24 Aug 2012

Riverside Theatre to Host Behind the Scenes Open House Sunday, Aug. 26

By Sarah Burnett

Iowa City, IA - Riverside Theatre, Iowa City's resident professional theatre, is celebrating the opening of its 32nd Season with an Open House on Sunday, August 26, 2-4 p.m.

Peek behind the stage curtain before the 2012-2013 season starts with True West. Riverside Theatre will open the doors to areas of the theatre you don't typically see when you come for a show.

Start out in the Scene Shop, where sets for all of the productions are built, and take a tour that includes the backstage area, the green room, and much more.

There will also be a rehearsal of Sam Shepard's True West in progress during the Open House, from 2-4 p.m. Get a glimpse of a Gilbert Street show in the making as director Ron Clark works with the actors on this acidly comic masterpiece.

For the Open House enter the Scene Shop directly via the alley that runs behind the building/parking lot, or go to the Riverside Theatre lobby.

Refreshments will be provided at the event.

For more information call the Riverside Theatre Box Office at 319-338-7672.

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20 Aug 2012

Employee of 34 years receives national award

By Julie Coppock
August 20, 2012 - Cedar Rapids, Iowa -

Joan Sammons, 80, from Cedar Rapids was awarded the Spotlight Award from the American Association of Community Theatres.  She was presented with this award by Rod McCullough, past president of the AACT at the Theatre Cedar Rapids Ovations Ceremony, an annual event to recognize TCR volunteers.    "Joan represents the highest level of commitment to the theatre she has served and, thus, the community she lives in.  AACT is pleased to be able to recognize Joan and Theatre Cedar Rapids," commented McCullough in his remarks to the 250 person audience.

Sammons recently retired from Theatre Cedar Rapids after working over 33 years in various positions throughout the organization.  At the event, Sammons was also named a Fed Hedges Lifetime Achievement Award recipient.  This TCR award is given to an individual who has demonstrated a life-long commitment and passion for theatre and the performing arts. "For years Joan was the theatre's administrative staff in its entirety - accountant, receptionist, box office manager. Though she professes to not be a "theatre person," she was, in truth, more of a community theatre person than most of us.  She was the community theatre's essence.... always so incredibly warm , welcoming and committed to volunteers and patrons alike, that I always felt she embodied what this community theatre is all about," said J David Carey, TCR Finance Director and longtime friend of Sammons.  "Her day to day presence will be missed but her positive influence on this organization and the thousands of people she inspired serves as her legacy."

The American Association of Community Theatre (AACT) is the national voice of community theatre. As part of that responsibility, AACT seeks out and recognizes the efforts of the most important aspect of community theatre:  the people who come together to make it happen. AACT evaluates award nominations from the communities that support over 5,000 theatres in the U.S.

For more information, contact:

Theatre Cedar Rapids
Julie Coppock
20 Aug 2012

TLP Presents An Evening of Art & Music

By Melissa Parsons
Mount Carroll, IL--Although the mainstage season for Timber Lake Playhouse (TLP) is coming to a close, the theatre is pleased to announce an upcoming off-season event, An Evening of Art & Music.

An Evening of Art Music.jpg

An Evening of Art & Music will take place at Brick Street Coffee, downtown Mount Carroll, in conjuction with Brick Street Days on Saturday, September 1st from 3pm to 8pm.  The evening will include local TLP performers from 3pm-6pm featuring:

2:30pm: Joe Morrow, Mount Carroll, will be kicking off the event outside of the coffee shop on his acoustic guitar. Joe was a participant in the TLP Arts & Music Festival last season. He has performed locally in several events.

3pm: Susie Rogers, Mount Carroll, played Ren's mom in Footloose this season at Timber Lake Playhouse. She appeared onstage at TLP in West Side Story starring Sandra Santiago in 1980. She is a member of the New Spirit Band and owner of Red Rudy Inn in Mount Carroll.  Juliene McCormick will be accompanying by piano, Bill Foley on guitar and Ron Deyo on harmonica for An Evening of Art & Music.

3:30pm: Levi Skoog, Chadwick, has appeared in TLP productions of Footloose, Oklahoma!, The Wizard of Oz, All Shook Up and many others, including a featured role in Children of Eden in 2011. He is a freshman at Milledgeville High School and performs at the Woodland Arts Academy. He is a member of the Triple Threat Team at WAA and was selected to perform at the Waterfront Stage in Downtown Disney, Orlando, FL. He will be performing with Natailie Old who teaches dance at WAA and was Elle Woods in Legally Blonde this summer at Centennial Auditorium Summer theater Academy.

4:00pm: Carissa Heath, Mount Carroll, is a concession stand worker and usher at TLP. She played Maria in the Sound of Music at WCHS in the spring. She will be attending Knox College in the fall, majoring in psychology and minoring in art. Carissa went to IMEA her Junior year for choir.

4:15pm: Liesl Meador, Mount Carroll,  One of the ensemble of Footloose, Played Elsa in the Sound of Music at WCHS in the spring. She plays the clarinet in band and was named the Most Outstanding choir member as a Freshman. Liesl won the 1st timer in a Play award in 2011.

4:30pm: Ben Rogers, Savanna, was in the ensemble in Footloose at TLP this past summer. He played Georg Von Trapp in The Sound of Music at West Carroll High School last spring. He plays at least 15 different musical instruments and was a National Anthem Finalist for the IMEA Honors Choir. He sang the National Anthem at a semi-finals softball game in June.

4:45pm: Katie Woods, Savanna, was in the ensemble of Footloose this season at TLP. She played Luisa in the Sound of Music at WCHS this past spring. She plays the clarinet in band and was named the Best Concert Choir Student of the Year her Sophomore year. Katie made it to Junior IMEA once and Upstate Illini Festival twice.

5:00pm: Brad Field, Mount Carroll, appeared in Guys and Dolls and Footloose this season at TLP. He performs with Northwest Illinois Theatre Coalition and last appeared as in the Mike Craver musical, Oklahoma Hale and Damnation. Brad is Technical Director of the West Carroll School District.

5:30pm: John Chase, Mount Morris, appeared in TLP productions of Oklahoma!, Sunset Boulevard and Working. This Spring, John returned from a short tour to California and Wisconsin with his wife, Beth, performing their 2-person version of The Cotton Patch Gospel that will be sampled at An Evening of Art & Music. Upcoming dates for their 2013 Spring Tour are at www.chaseact.com. John premiers a new musical in October, One More For the Road- A Johnny Mercer Tribute. His other local theatre credits include Performing Arts Guild of  Mt. Morris,  Byron Theatre, Pecatonica Playhouse, and Rockford's Starlight Theatre and Artist Ensemble.

The evening will end with an open mic from 6pm-7:30pm with a guest appearance from TLP's Magic Owl to close out the event. TLP Board member Andy Shaw will be emceeing the event. Admittance is free and donations for the 2013 season will be accepted.
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