13 Jan 2011

DISCOVER THE EDUCATIONAL ADVANTAGE - EXPLORE RIVERMONT!

By Rick Martin

Extraordinary things happen at Rivermont Collegiate!  Join us at two special events to explore our approach to learning!  Observe Rivermont students and faculty in action at the Family Math Night and Open House on Thursday, January 20th from 6:00-7:00 p.m. Family Math Night, a tradition at Rivermont, engages students from Junior Kindergarten through Fifth Grade and their families in a variety of math activities and competitions.  This special night will be accompanied by a casual open house, giving local families the opportunity to tour campus and explore our philosophy and programs!  In addition, local families are invited to join us for a cup of coffee and a tour at an Open House Coffee on Saturday, January 22nd from 8:30-11:00 a.m. Rivermont will be hosting the BESTS Test (Belin-Blank Exceptional Student Talent Search), accompanied by an open house to allow parents of students taking the test, as well as local families, to drop in and explore Rivermont!  Cindy Murray, Director of Admissions, will be on hand to provide tours and answer questions.

Rivermont Collegiate is the Quad Cities' only private, independent, nonsectarian college prep school for preschool through twelfth grade.  Featuring a 9:1 student-to-teacher ratio, our small class sizes ensure individualized attention and a supportive, family-like environment.  Rivermont turns traditional education inside out, encouraging students to explore unique opportunities and programs - to design their own Rivermont Experience!  At the heart of the Rivermont Experience is an unwavering dedication to academic excellence, with 100% of graduates accepted to 4-year colleges and universities and 90% earning renewable college merit scholarships.  What are you waiting for?  Discover Rivermont!  Join us for Thursday's Family Math Night or Saturday's Open House Coffee - or both!

Rivermont is located at 1821 Sunset Drive, directly off 18th Street behind K&K Hardware in Bettendorf.  Visit us online at www.rvmt.org!

For additional information on Rivermont Collegiate, contact Cindy Murray at  (563) 359-1366 ext. 302 or murray@rvmt.org.

 

For additional information on the BESTS Test, visit www.education.uiowa.edu/belinblank

13 Jan 2011

Iowa Fire Departments to Receive More Than $800,000

By Sen Chuck Grassley

January 12, 2011

WASHINGTON - Senator Chuck Grassley today said that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security will award nine grants totaling $860,292 to Iowa fire departments.

The Department of Homeland Security will distribute the money as shown below.

  • Chickasaw Township Fire District will receive $35,150 to purchase a complete air-fill system and thermal imaging devices.
  • Davenport Fire Department will receive $131,184 to purchase a mechanical chest compression device and fund training.
  • Elkhart Fire Department will receive $39,140 to purchase monitoring and sampling devices and other supplies.
  • Jackson Township-Ollie Fire Department will receive $169,575 to purchase a fire truck.
  • Janesville Fire Rescue will receive $196,427 to purchase a fire truck.
  • Latimer-Rural Fire Department will receive $8,550 to purchase medical and rescue supplies.
  • Pomeroy Fire Department will receive $30,416 to purchase communication devices and a complete air-fill system.
  • Pulaski Volunteer Fire Department will receive $64,600 to purchase a brush truck - a fire truck capable of fighting fires in rough terrain.
  • Stockport Volunteer Fire Department will receive $185,250 to purchase a fire truck.

"Iowa's firefighters must have access to training and equipment in order to do their job to the best of their ability.  Their lives - and ours - depend on it," Grassley said.

Each year, thousands of local Iowa organizations, colleges and universities, individuals and state agencies apply for competitive grants from the federal government.  The funding is then awarded based on each local organization or individual's ability to meet criteria set by the federal entity administering the funds.

-30-

11 Jan 2011

Longtime Quad-Cities classic rock band NINE-1-1 packs their gear for the last time.

By Mike Schulz
Created in 1997, this band quickly grew in popularity, playing a mix of classic rock, country rock, alternative,  heavy metal and ballads. Over the years the band also has opened and performed with national bands such as Kansas, Foreigner, Blue Oyster Cult, The Guess Who, The Drifters, Steppenwolf, The Grassroots, Head East and Tommy Roe. After 14 years, the band has decided to play their farewell shows at the Rusty Nail in Davenport. "It's been a great run! Larry's moving out of town later this year and after much thought and discussion we decided we would put NINE-1-1 to bed and go out with a bang!" says Dale Attwood, bass.
Fronting NINE-1-1 is lead singer Steve (Reno) Ebens. Having been in bands since 1976 in the Kewanee and Peoria area as a drummer in the band Quest, Steve moved to lead vocals in Main-Line and Triax. After a six-year break, Steve took his position with NINE-1-1.

Larry Heitzler, on the Hammond B-3 organ, Roland and Univox keys, studied 14 years of classical piano, over 35 years of classic and current rock 'n' roll with some blues, country and ragtime added to the mix.

Roger Canny has been playing drums for over 40 years. While playing for the U.S.O. tour overseas, he was awarded the Certificate of Esteem from the Department of Defense for Patriotic Service, Outstanding Showmanship and High Caliber of Entertainment.

On bass, Dale Attwood has played everything from classic rock to alternative, country to club dance, to concert events. He handles the rhythm, the bottom end, backup vocals, and even some lead.

Kurt Rocker grew up on guitar thanks to early influences from local greats like The Baker Bros., Jim DePoorter and Tim Compton, and later by Eddie Van Halen and David Gilmore.

NINE-1-1 FAREWELL SHOWS:
Friday & Saturday, February 4 & 5
@ The Rusty Nail
2606 W Locust St, Davenport, IA
9:00pm - 1:30am
Cover charge applies
03 Jan 2011

Local Theater Auditions Scheduled

By Rick Martin

The Center for Living Arts will hold auditions for its school version of "Rent" from 7pm until 9pm on January 21st  and from 11am until 1:30pm on January 22nd at 2008 - 4th Avenue in Rock Island. For more information, call (309) 788-5433 or send an e-mail to Dino@center4living.com.

Countryside Community Theatre will hold auditions for this year's summer shows, "Gypsy" in June and "The Wizard of Oz" in July, from Noon until 5pm on January 8th and from Noon until 4pm January 9th at North Scott High School in Eldridge. For more information, e-mail cctonstage@hotmail.com.

Harrison Hilltop Theatre auditions for "Frost/Nixon," "Sweeney Todd," "Same Time, Next Year," and "Jesus Christ Superstar"  will be held at 10am on January 15th at the theater, 1601 Harrison St., Davenport. More information is available by e-mailing casting@harrisonhilltop.com.

Playcrafters Barn Theatre will hold auditions for their two-man comedy/drama "Visiting Mr. Green," at 7pm on January 16th thru the 20th at their theater, 4950 35th Ave., Moline.

Prenzie Players will audition for "Romeo and Juliet" on January 12th from 6:30pm until 9:30pm and on January 15th from 1pm until 4pm at the Establishment Theatre, 220 19th St., Rock Island. Callbacks are scheduled for January 16th from  6pm until 9pm.

Those auditioning will be asked to read from the script. For more information, call (309) 787-1931 or e-mail director@ prenzieplayers.com.

20 Dec 2010

Grassley-authored Tax Relief for Families, Biofuels Extended

By Nicholas Depew
Friday, December 17, 2010

President Obama today signed into law an extension of tax relief.  The bipartisan package extends a series of provisions Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa sponsored and shepherded into law as chairman of the Finance Committee in 2001 and 2003 and as a leading supporter of biofuels such as ethanol and biodiesel.  The Finance Committee has exclusive Senate jurisdiction over taxes.  Grassley made the following comment on the President's signing of the bill into law.

"This will be good for taxpayers and the economy.  Raising taxes would have been the worst thing we could do with unemployment at nearly 10 percent. Continued tax relief gives people the ability to keep more of their money to use as they see fit, whether it's buying groceries or investing in their small business.  Sending more money to Washington would just result in more spending, which is the last thing the country needs.  The restoration of the biodiesel tax credit and continuation of the ethanol tax credit, along with 49 other tax incentives for different sectors of the economy, are part and parcel of job retention and creation.  Biodiesel has lost nearly 23,000 jobs because the credit lapsed.  Ethanol has 112,000 jobs at stake.  These industries offer the most effective alternative to expensive foreign oil from unfriendly countries."

The Grassley-sponsored tax-relief bill enacted in 2001 was the biggest in a generation.  It lowered marginal rates and created the 10-percent bracket.  It made tax-free savings plans for college a permanent part of the tax code, created the deduction for tuition, and secured the tax deductibility of interest on student loans.  If this tax relief wasn't extended in 2010, on average, Americans' tax bills would have gone up by 10 percent.  Without action:

--the tax deduction for college tuition would have gone away

--the expanded part of the tax deduction for interest on student loans would have gone away

--the 10-percent tax bracket for low-income workers would have ended

--six million very low-income taxpayers removed from the tax rolls altogether in 2001 would have been taxed again

--the tax-free treatment of employer-provided educational assistance would have gone away.  Across America, one million workers who go to school at night or part-time benefit from this tax relief.

--the tax benefit for certain bonds to improve and build schools would have gone away

--the tax-preferred expanded part of education savings accounts would have gone away

--there would have been a higher tax penalty for marriage

--the child tax credit would have been cut in half (from $1,000 to $500)

--the refundable child tax credit for many people who don't pay taxes would have gone away

--savers, investors and seniors would have paid higher taxes on dividends and capital gains

--the estate tax would have come back in full (to a 55 percent tax rate and $1 million unified credit exemption amount).

For more information on the biodiesel and ethanol tax credits enacted today, click here.

16 Dec 2010

The River Readings at Augustana Presents Susan Glaspell's Trifles

By Rick Martin

(Augustana College, Rock Island, IL) -Take Davenport-born Susan Glaspell, her turn-of-the-century play Trifles, a bunch of talented Augustana College students, and you have a lively River Readings event on January 20.

Departing from its usual fare of contemporary poets, novelists, and nonfiction writers, River Readings focuses this January on a staged reading of a play. Five students in Augustana College's theatre program, under the direction of senior Bart Curtin, will read Susan Glaspell's short play Trifles. Curtin is studying the play as part of his senior research project in the departments of English and theatre. He selected Trifles because it was written in 1916, soon after the birth of modernism. Following the reading, Curtin, the actors, and theatre program director Jeff Coussens will answer questions about the reading and the play.

Born in Davenport in 1876, Susan Glaspell worked as a reporter in Des Moines before moving to the east coast where with George Cook and others, she founded the Provincetown Players. Trifles, presented in 1916, is based on a murder case Glaspell covered while working for the Des Moines Daily News. Going on to write many plays, novels, and short stories, Glaspell won the Pulitzer Prize in 1931 for her play Alison's House.

Trifles tells the story of a murder through the eyes of two ordinary women of the early 1900's who despite their traditional roles as housewives might just be more astutely observant than the male professional investigators.

"What will make the reading worth attending, "Curtin says, "is a communal appreciation for the role literature played about 100 years ago during a time of change for many types of people. Even to this day the themes expressed in this piece are inherent in our nation's politics."

The reading is free and open to the public and takes place Thursday, January 20, at 7:00 p.m. in Wallenberg Hall (3703 7th Ave.) on the Augustana College campus. A reception follows the reading.

The River Readings at Augustana is sponsored by the Institute for Leadership and Service, the Thomas Tredway Library, and the English Department at Augustana College.

The River Readings at Augustana calendar:

March 24, Molly McNett, short fiction

April 14, Dora Malech, poetry

09 Dec 2010

Old Creamery Theatre Company 2011 Auditions

By Shelley Oehler
WHEN: Saturday January 22, 2011, from 2pm - 6pm

Sunday January 23, 2011, from 1pm - 5pm

WHERE: The Old Creamery Theatre

39 - 38th Ave. Amana, IA 52203

 

WHAT: Actors should prepare two short contrasting monologues (max. 1 minute each) one of which should be a comic piece (preferably contemporary)

Singers (in addition to the short monologues) should prepare 16 to 32 bars of one (or two contrasting) song(s) sung a cappella or with recorded accompaniment.

(A CD player will be available - NO accompanist will be provided)

Please bring a current picture and resume.

Seeking Equity and non-Equity performers of various ages (including college students and recent college graduates for intern positions) to fill roles in The Old Creamery's 2011 Main Stage, Studio, and Theatre for Young Audience series. ("Art" and "The Guys" on the Studio Stage and "A Don't Hug Me Christmas Carol" on the Main Stage are all fully cast at this time).

Intern opportunities generally require availability throughout the year (though some positions may be available with summer-only commitments). Internships include housing and a $225 per week living stipend. Intern duties involve all aspects of theatre and may include but are not limited to: performing, costuming, stage management, house management, prop design, set construction, lighting, promotions and assistant teaching of workshops.

Membership and applicable weeks in Equity's EMC program are available for main stage productions only.

Please call our business offices at (319) 622-6034 after January 17, 2011 to make an appointment.

If you are unable to attend these auditions, please send a headshot and resume to:

Sean McCall - Artistic Director

The Old Creamery Theatre Company

39 - 38th Ave.

Amana, IA. 52203

Or electronically to smccall@oldcreamery.com

07 Dec 2010

Tax Revenue Doesn't Grow on Christmas Trees

By Sen Chuck Grassley

Tax Revenue Doesn't Grow on Christmas Trees

by U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley

When an Iowa family gathered around the Thanksgiving table in November, the conversation between a retired farmer and a young attorney in the family evolved into a discussion about death and taxes.

A time-sensitive predicament in federal tax policy seems to turn a philosophical observation often attributed to Mark Twain on its head: "the only two certainties in life are death and taxes."

That's because unless Congress extends federal estate tax relief by December 31, the farmer's children and grandchildren gathered around the Thanksgiving table would be liable for up to a whopping 55 percent of his lifetime's worth of assets (less a $1 million exemption) starting New Year's Day. So in addition to the lifetime's worth of income, investment and property taxes the farmer has already paid throughout his career, his family would be liable for what amounts to a confiscatory tax known as the federal estate tax.  Come January 1, farmers and small business owners who have scrimped, sacrificed and saved their entire lives to build up a family business might see that Uncle Sam entitled to more than half of their estates if this Congress doesn't act.

In fact, across-the-board tax hikes set to go into effect on New Year's Day would be the largest tax dollar increase ever imposed on the American people and U.S. businesses, including small businesses where 70 percent of the jobs are created.

Partisanship in Washington is slowing down an agreement that must be reached by New Year's Eve.  Otherwise, the lowest marginal rate will climb from 10 percent to 15 percent and the highest will jump to 39.6 percent from 35 percent.

Big spenders like to gin up the politics of class warfare, pitting high-income taxpayers against those with lower-incomes. While it may score cheap political points, the time-worn tactic comes at the expense of the public good.

Contrary to what the Democratic leaders in Washington portray, raising taxes is not the magical cure that will shrink the deficit. Raising taxes gives big spenders in Congress a license to create new layers of government and put taxpayers on the hook for even more entitlements. Bumping up tax rates siphons money out of the private sector and actually would shrink the Gross Domestic Product. According to the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office, the GDP would grow as much as 1.4 percent higher in 2011 if all the tax relief is made permanent.

Lawmakers need to support pro-growth, job-creating policies that expand the economic pie, not shrink it. Growing the economy will expand the tax base.

Economists widely agree that raising taxes right now is a bad idea, especially considering that unemployment is breathing down the neck of our struggling economy.

Jacking up taxes is a sure-fire way to deep-freeze hiring and hijack the fragile economic recovery.  Businesses storing up capital are reluctant to create jobs and take on new payroll obligations, especially when they don't know what their tax obligations will be starting in January.

Part of the blame is attributable to the uncertainty over the direction of U.S. tax policy. If Congress fails to extend the marginal tax rates, small businesses will take a big hit.  No wonder the unemployment needle inched higher in November according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.  Businesses don't know if they can afford to expand their payroll.

The mid-term elections delivered a clear message. Americans want Washington to stop overspending and overtaxing the people of the United States.

As Iowa's senior U.S. Senator, I've taken this grassroots message to the lame-duck session of Congress. Incredibly, some lawmakers seem to think that letting taxpayers keep more of their own money is like handing out "bonuses."

Something tells me that Iowa families who are worried about less take-home pay in January don't consider extending the current tax rates a bonus, a windfall or a handout.

Some lawmakers just don't get it. Tax revenue comes from their constituents' hard-earned money. It doesn't grow on Christmas trees, no matter how fanciful the rhetoric gets about millionaires versus the unemployed.

Call it a hunch. But I have a feeling the retired farmer and his family will have an even livelier discussion come New Year's Eve if Washington doesn't do the right thing and vote down the biggest dollar tax increase in U.S. history.

Monday, December 6, 2010

06 Dec 2010

ADD SOME HISTORIC SPLENDOR TO YOUR HOLIDAY!

By Brittany Marietta

Celebrate the joy of the season!  Join us for Rivermont Collegiate's Annual Holiday Open House, to be held Saturday, December 11th from 4:00-7:00 p.m.  The Rivermont Collegiate campus is home to the Historic Joseph Bettendorf Mansion, built on a bluff overlooking the Mississippi.  The Mansion is a local landmark, featuring Italian marble, painted ceilings, and hand carved woodwork.  Joseph W. Bettendorf, head of the Bettendorf Company, built his English manor style home in 1915 for his family and to entertain railroad magnates from the east.  The Mansion remained a residence of the Bettendorf family until it was sold to the Marist Society in 1959 and used as a seminary.  In 1973, St. Katharine's-St. Mark's School purchased the Mansion and moved the school from Davenport.  In 2002, the school was renamed Rivermont Collegiate, since it no longer had a religious affiliation.  In 1984, the Bettendorf Mansion was recognized for its historical significance to the people of Iowa and was entered in the National Register of Historic Places.

The Annual Holiday Open House is a chance for the community to view the Bettendorf Mansion in all its splendor, beautifully decorated for the holidays.  Rivermont Collegiate is located at 1821 Sunset Drive, directly off 18th Street behind K&K Hardware in Bettendorf.  Drop in between 4:00 and 7:00 p.m. for light refreshments and tours of this local gem!

This event is open to the public and dress is casual - please RSVP to Brittany Marietta at (563) 359-1366 ext. 301 or marietta@rvmt.org.

Rivermont Collegiate is the Quad Cities' only private, independent, nonsectarian college-prep school for preschool through twelfth grade - visit us online at www.rivermontcollegiate.org.

For additional information on Rivermont Collegiate, contact Cindy Murray at (563) 359-1366 ext. 302 or murray@rvmt.org.

-END-

02 Dec 2010

NEW GROUND THEATRE PRESENTS "THE GIFT OF THE MAGI"

By Rick Martin

DAVENPORT, IOWA - The O'Henry story, "The Gift of the Magi" will be presented by New Ground Theatre beginning December 10th at the Village Theatre in the Village of East Davenport. The classic holiday tale takes a musical look at newlyweds Della and Jim on Christmas Eve, 1903 as they try and buy the other the perfect present, each sacrificing for the one they love.

 

The cast includes the 2010 River Cities Reader Best Actor, Tristan Tapscott. He is joined by Kelly Lohrenz, along with Wendy Czekalski, Patrick Gimm and Zack Finn. Directed by Lora Adams, the musical is written by Peter Ekstrom and was a mainstay of the Christmas season at the Actors Theatre of Louisville.

 

Showtimes are: December 10 and 11 at 7:30 pm, December 12 at 2:30 pm, December 14, 16, 17 and 18 at 7:30 pm and December 19 at 2:30 pm.  Ticket prices are $15 and $13 for students and seniors. Tickets can be reserved by calling 563-326-7529.

 

"Several years ago Tristan and Cari Dowling did the show for me at my church" said Lora Adams. "It is such a sweet, family friendly, holiday story that I wanted to bring it to New Ground Theatre and Chris Jansen, New Ground's Artistic Director was happy to add a holiday show to the season."

 

Hot Apple cider and cookies will be available at the show which runs an hour long. "We want you to get a great big Christmas 'hug' when you enter the theatre," said Adams.

 

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