Venture back Into the Woods as City Circle Acting Company of Coralville presents the Tony Award-winning musical classic by Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine, April 24-May 3 at the Coralville Center for the Performing Arts.

Follow a baker and his wife as they struggle to meet the demands of a vengeful witch so that they may have their hearts' desire?a child of their own. On their journey in and out of the woods, they meet a woman fleeing a ball, a girl with extraordinary hair, a cow-sick boy, a sweet-loving granddaughter, a couple of princes, and at least one giant.

"I remember listening to the cassette tape of the original cast in 1987 before ever seeing the show on stage.  I imagined what the show would look like--how the stories would be told in the theater.  I'm thrilled to be able to work with this all-star cast to bring this vision finally to life," says director Chris Okiishi. "Even though these are Fairy Tale characters and the stories are firmly based in the Brothers Grimm, I think our audiences will relate in a very real way to the characters' triumphs and struggles.  And who hasn't wondered what happens after 'Happily Ever After'?"

Tickets are $12-$27 and can be purchased online at http://www.coralvillearts.org/ or by calling 319.248.9370 or in person at the CCPA box office at 1301 5th Street and at the Coralville Recreation Center at 1506 8th Street. Into the Woods is sponsored by University of Iowa Community Credit Union.

Event:            ISO 9001: 2008 Internal Auditing

Dates:                   Monday, July 20, 2015 and Tuesday, July 21, 2015

Time:                    8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Where:                MRA- the Management Association

3800 Avenue of the Cities, Suite 100

Moline, IL  61265

 

Cost:                      $550 MRA members / $750 nonmembers

 

This two-day class will have a strong emphasis on best practice techniques used to audit the American National Standard ISO 9001-2008 version. The class incorporates planning audits, performing audits, and analysis/reporting of audit observations. The materials and subsequent test is based upon the accredited certified quality auditor's examination.

To register, or for more information, go to our new website at www.mranet.org/Training-Events, or contact MRA at 309.277.4183 or heather.roberts@mranet.org.

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Event:            Supervision: The Essentials

Dates:                   Tuesday, August 18, 2015, Tuesday, August 25, 2015 Tuesday September 1, 2015

Time:                    8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Where:                MRA- the Management Association

3800 Avenue of the Cities, Suite 100

Moline, IL  61265

 

Cost:  $750 MRA members / $950 nonmembers

First line/front line supervisors and managers on your team are often people who have proven they are very good at doing and now they are being asked to take on a leadership role.  At the same time, you realize leading is not the same as doing and you'd like to help them obtain ideas, concepts, and skills necessary for success in their new position. Newly acquired skills will help them become an asset and a more valuable resource for your organization. When time is tight, you can get caught up in the dilemma of how to achieve greater results with limited resources in a time-controlled, economical, and hard hitting way. MRA is pleased to offer a solution to such a dilemma - Supervision: The Essentials.

This three-day program provides your new, less experienced leaders with ideas and practices they can put to use immediately. Think of it as basic training?compact, concise, focused, and all about applicable skills - nothing but the essentials!

To register, or for more information, go to our new website at www.mranet.org/Training-Events, or contact MRA at 309.277.4183 or heather.roberts@mranet.org.

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Event:            Advanced Communication Series - The Art and Science of Excellence

Dates:                   Friday, July 10, 2015, Friday, July 17, 2015 and Friday, August 7, 2015

Time:                    8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Where:                MRA- the Management Association

3800 Avenue of the Cities, Suite 100

Moline, IL  61265

 

Cost:                      $885 MRA members / $1,170 nonmembers

Push your communication skills to higher levels. In this advanced series, participants will learn how humans take in and process language and information and the ways language and information drive our thinking and behavior. This series will explore current cutting-edge science of the mind and its impact on language, behavior, understanding, and actions. This highly interactive series seeks to move information to awareness and then to action.

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Event:            Principles of Leadership Excellence Certificate Series

Dates:                   Thursday, July 9, 2015 through Thursday, December 3, 2015

Time:                    8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Where:                MRA- the Management Association

3800 Avenue of the Cities, Suite 100

Moline, IL  61265

 

Cost:                      $3,080 MRA members / $4,050 nonmembers

Success in today's business environment calls for a deep and broad leadership perspective.  Managing a workforce with diverse ages, values, and thinking styles is a daily challenge.  Increasing productivity with fewer resources calls for leaders with the know-how to help employees adapt to change.  Give your leaders the skills to foster innovation with increased employee engagement, and reduce silos of knowledge that result in turf protection.

Principles of Leadership Excellence (PLX) is a comprehensive, practical program that teaches what to do and how to do it, including

·         Highly interactive training methods, proven effective for adult learners

·         Inspiring instructors with real-world experience in the office, on the plant floor, and in the field

·         Continuous skill reinforcement through online resources and support between sessions

·         Sharp focus on skills that managers can put into practice the next day

Managers who participate in the PLX program experience a refreshing approach to management training. It's not a broad-brush, lecture-type series that's quickly forgotten in the reality of day-to-day work.  Designed by MRA, your trusted expert in adult learning, PLX delves frankly and deeply into challenging issues.

About MRA-The Management Association
Founded in 1901, MRA-The Management is a not-for-profit employer association that serves more than 4,000 employers throughout the Midwest, covering 800,000+ employees. As one of the largest employer associations in the nation, MRA helps its member organizations thrive by creating powerful teams and safe, successful workplaces. MRA conducts more than 2,000 learning events each year. Members of MRA also receive access to expert guidance, best practices, professionally facilitated roundtables, essential tools, and dozens of business services in the areas of human resources and training. MRA is headquartered in Waukesha, Wis., and has regional offices in Palatine, Ill.; Moline, Ill.; and Plymouth, Minn. To learn more and to become a member of MRA, visit www.mranet.org.

Clinton, IA (April 1, 2015) - Distinguished community members, business leaders and generous citizens will drop everything that they are doing on Tuesday, April 7 to read one of their favorite children's books to area school children.  The activity is part of the United Way of Clinton County, Iowa's Drop Everything and Read (D.E.A.R.) week.

Firefighters, public safety officers, mentors, business leaders and others will read a book to elementary students at Eagle Heights, Jefferson and Whittier Elementary schools in an effort to raise awareness of the importance of reading in everyone's lives.  Reading out loud at least 20 minutes a day cultivates listening skills, improves spelling, expands vocabulary, improves diction and expression, improves visual memory and is the best exercise you can do to improve your mind.

"Reading out loud is a great way to sharpen your focus and theirs," says Big Brothers Big Sisters of Clinton's Executive Director Kellie Hillis.  "We've got a handful of excited and eager readers lined-up and could always use more."  If you would like to volunteer a few minutes or an hour to read to children on April 7, please email director@bbbsclinton.org.

This activity is just one of the many activities planned through United Way of Clinton County, Iowa and its partner agencies during Drop Everything And Read Week April 6-12.  For more information on all the activities, please visit the United Way of Clinton County, Iowa's Facebook page.

MOUNT CARROLL, IL -- Timber Lake Playhouse, the professional summer theatre in Mount Carroll, has appointed Dan Danielowski of Byron, Illinois as Executive Director. Mr. Danielowski began in December, joining Artistic Director James Beaudry in leading the company into its 54th season.

Danielowski received his bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin at River Falls, majoring in Communications with a theatre emphasis and a Masters in Educational Administration from Northern Illinois University.  He has an extensive theatre background and over twenty years of administrative and nonprofit experience.

"After a thorough international search, we feel fortunate to welcome such an outstanding leader to our organization," said Robin Wilhelms Saar, Timber Lake Playhouse Board President.  "Dan's commitment and enthusiasm is matched only by his experience developing impactful organizations. His expertise comes at a key moment for Timber Lake Playhouse as we move our organization forward and continue our recent strong growth and artistic excellence. We could not be more pleased to have Dan as our new Executive Director."

Beaudry said of the appointment, "I'm very excited that Dan has joined the company, bringing his experience in both non-profit management and theatre operations to TLP. As we continue to grow and find new ways to make the experience of TLP better for our audience, I know Dan will help drive us forward. I couldn't be happier."

Danielowski and Beaudry are working on several initiatives already. These include plans to improve facilities for the 50 artists who live and work on the theatre's campus each year, broader opportunities for volunteers to be involved with the playhouse, and specific attention to improvements in audience services. A new paid apprentice program for teens who plan to pursue the theatre arts is in also in the works.

"I'm excited to join the management team at TLP," remarks Dan. "I am dedicated to the arts and Timber Lake Playhouse because we provide a key role in supporting and developing opportunities for beginning artists and cultural enrichment that enhances our region's quality of life."

Timber Lake Playhouse's 2015 season will feature both familiar talent and new faces. Beaudry will direct and choreograph a new musical, Big Fish, based on the novel and acclaimed Tim Burton film. Longtime TLP favorites Karl Hamilton and Elizabeth Haley star in that show. Legendary Chicago director, Chuck Smith, returns for his 14th consecutive year to direct The Big Meal, a bold new play about family by Dan Le Franc.

Joining the company for the first time is Stephen Schellhardt, who will direct the acclaimed hit comedy, Greater Tuna. A performer, director and three-time Joseph Jefferson Award nominee from Chicago, Stephen has performed and directed around the world, and currently works at Writers Theatre in Glencoe.

Peter Pan will be directed and choreographed by Zachary L. Gray, who was a resident performer at TLP in 2008. Gray has spent the last six years performing, choreographing and directing around Chicago. He was most recently seen in La Cage Aux Folles at the Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire.

Gray will also choreograph the season opener, Hairspray, which is directed by Lili-Anne Brown. Brown has staged numerous hits at TLP including Sweet Charity, Cabaret andThe 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. She is the artistic director of Bailiwick Chicago, and won the 2014 Joseph Jefferson Award for Best Direction of a Musical forDessa Rose.

The 2015 season concludes with Roger Miller's musical celebration of Mark Twain's Huckleberry Finn, Big River. Courtney Crouse returns to stage this hit show. Beaudry will provide choreography.

For advance group sales or to purchase subscriptions, visit www.timberlakeplayhouse.org, call the box office at 815-244-2035, or visit the company at 8216 Black Oak Rd. in Mount Carroll. Individual tickets go on sale in May.

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