American Pain Society To Honor UI Physicians

A pair of UI physicians will receive national awards for their contributions to the field of treating pain from the American Pain Society (APS) during the group’s annual meeting May 6-8 in Baltimore, Md.

Timothy Brennan, M.D., Ph.D., the Samir Gergis Professor of Anesthesia and vice chair for research, will receive the Frederick W. L. Kerr Basic Science Research Award. The award recognizes individual excellence and achievement in pain scholarship. Brennan is the first anesthesiologist to receive the award.

Richard Rosenquist, M.D., professor and director of the Center for Pain Medicine and Regional Anesthesia, will receive the Distinguished Service Award. The award recognizes outstanding and dedicated service to the APS. Rosenquist has made significant contributions to developing practice guidelines for pain management.

ONE NIGHT ONLY!

Friday, May 7th at 8:00 PM, Englert Theatre, 221 East Washington Street

This one-night-only show is in support of Joe Bonamassa’s upcoming album Black Rock, to be released on Bonamassa’s J&R Adventures label in early 2010. The tenth full-length solo release and eighth studio album of his career, the disc will mark Bonamassa’s sixth collaboration with Kevin Shirley (Led Zeppelin, Black Crowes, Aerosmith) as producer.

2009 marked a year of milestones for Bonamassa. He kicked it off in February with the release of his ninth solo album, The Ballad of John Henry, which debuted at #1 on the Billboard Blues Charts. Nicky Horne from the UK’s Planet Rock Radio called it “a quantum leap from his previous albums, and they were damn good – if he keeps this up, he is destined to walk alongside the truly greats.”

In May 2009, he played a sold out show at London’s Royal Albert Hall, arguably the most prestigious concert venue in the world and had the added honor of being joined on stage by the legendary Eric Clapton. The Times of London cited Joe’s “searing excellence and showmanship,” and Planet Rock said, “The sight of two of the world’s best guitarists trading solos was more than a little thrilling.” Released Oct. 6, 2009 and debuting at #6 on Billboard’s DVD Chart was Joe Bonamassa – Live From The Royal Albert Hall, a 2-disc live DVD capturing the intensity and excitement of that show which Bonamassa calls “a day 20 years in the making.”

This past year also saw Bonamassa’s twentieth year as a professional musician, an extraordinary timeline for a young artist just into his ‘30s. He was named “Best Blues Guitarist” in Guitar Player’s readers’ choice poll for the third consecutive year and graced their April 2009 cover. The magazine said, “He’s an old soul, and that comes through in his bends, vibrato, singing voice, and note choices, which – with each passing year – gets more restrained and refined.”

In November ‘09, he headlined Guitar Center’s annual King of the Blues contest in Los Angeles and was awarded the Breakthrough Artist of the Year Award at the U.K.’s prestigious Classic Rock Roll of Honour Awards.

Bonamassa averages 200 shows every year, almost always playing to sold-out and ever-larger houses, and with each gig, he comes more into his own as a virtuoso and a vocalist. The Washington Post’s Mike Joyce cites his, “wicked guitar thrills” and British journalist Pete Feenstra wrote of a BBC Live performance, that, “he is both as eloquent and learned about the music he plays as he is technically brilliant.” Guitar icon Ted Nugent has said, “This kid deserves to be in the same class with Stevie Ray F*&cking Vaughan and Jimi Hendrix and Jeff Beck.”

A child prodigy, Bonamassa opened shows at age 12 for blues legend B.B. King, who said after first seeing him play, “This kid’s potential is unbelievable…He’s one of a kind.” Bonamassa’s recording career began in the early ’90s with Bloodlines, a rock-blues group also featuring Robby Krieger’s son Waylon and Miles Davis’ son Erin. His solo debut was in 2000 with the Tom Dowd-produced A New Day Yesterday, named for the Jethro Tull hit that Bonamassa delivers with what allmusic.com calls, “a jaw-dropping performance.”

As he heads back to the road in support of his new album, Bonamassa remains infinitely passionate about playing live and connecting with his audiences, something evident in comments like Paul Roy’s for the recurring Blues Bash feature on blogcritics.org: “Joe is not only one of the world’s best guitar players, but he is also one of the most charismatic and down to earth performers in the business…I would get out and see this guy the first chance you get.”

Little something for everyone at RiverFest

Whether you’re anticipating the end of the school year, celebrating the beginning of spring or have nothing to do this weekend, there’s something for you down by the river.

The 31st annual RiverFest runs today through Sunday at Hubbard Park on the University of Iowa campus, its traditional location. Because of the 2008 flood, last year’s RiverFest was held for only two days in downtown Iowa City. This year, RiverFest Executive Director Molly Golemo said, it’s a longer event with more activities, thanks to the expanded space.

“I’m looking forward to bringing it back to campus,” Golemo said. “It’s kind of nice bringing back the tradition.”

There will be three stages at the festival, so “there will always be music happening at one time,” she said. One stage features student groups, including dance troupes, a juggling team and karate kids from a local tae kwon do studio. After 7 p.m., the stage turns into DJ territory, where up-and-coming disc jockeys will perform.

RiverFest also is bringing back carnival rides and bumper cars, along with an obstacle course and a station for bungee jumping.

“It’s all-age friendly,” she said. “College kids will like it and so will 3-year-olds.”

According to the RiverFest website, however, this year’s festival efforts are focused on bringing back “quality music,” including The Tanks, Avian Sunrise, History on Repeat and this year’s headliner, Matt Nathanson.

Nathanson’s show, sponsored by UI’s SCOPE Productions, is an acoustic finish to RiverFest. Nathanson performs at 7:30 p.m. Sunday in the Main Ballroom of the Iowa Memorial Union.

“We’re very excited about this show in particular. Matt’s a great performer,” SCOPE marketing director Carly Susral said. “He’s very interactive … and makes sure everyone has a great time.”

Nathanson will perform songs from his newest album, “Some Mad Hope,” which was released in 2007.

Along with the music, visitors can get a taste of Iowa City at RiverFeast from 4 to 8 p.m. today on the pedestrian mall downtown. Nearly two dozen local restaurants will feature taste portions of their menu in exchange for food tickets, which cost $1 each.
Stephanie Wise • Iowa City Press-Citizen • April 22, 2010

4th Annual Dance Fest is supported by Summer Of The Arts

What better way to celebrate the start of spring than with dance!

Summer of the Arts is proud to help support the 4th annual Dance Fest!  They continue to gather performers from all over the State of Iowa to share their passion for dance with the Iowa City community.  Everyone is working pro-bono for the love of dance!

Help us spread the voice! April 16-24: Art Installation at the Deadwood (6 S Dubuque Street, upper level).

Bring your favorite performance art articles to exhibit: costumes, videos, music, old dancing shoes, pictures, photos, pictures, lights, props, masks.  April 5th is the deadline for entry.  Please contact Deanne at electricjumpinghorse@hotmail.com to apply.

April 16: Set-up, 5-10pm

April 17: Set-up, 12-4pm

April 18: Opening Reception at 7pm, $5 donation at the door (BYOW)

April 19-22: Installation will be open 7-10; space is available for workshops, performance, readings, etc.

Reserve your evening NOW!

First come-first serve.  Remember: Black walls, carpeted room, small stage, funky space, and Free.

April 23: Concert at Robert A. Lee Rec Center IC., 7pm, $5 at the door.  Dance groups from Ames, Des Moines, Cedar Falls, Fairfield, Davenport, West Branch, Cedar Rapids, and Iowa City-Coralville have already saved the date! For more information, please contact Nora Garda at (319) 400.4695 or email at iowadancefest@gmail.com

The Iowa City metro area has made the grade again

Forbes Magazine ranks the Iowa City area No. 2 in its annual listing of “Best Small Places for Business and Careers.” Iowa City was edged out from the number one spot by Sioux Falls, SD.

Iowa City Area Development Group President Joe Raso said the ranking is a validation of recent national studies recognizing the Iowa City area’s economy, workforce and other factors important to businesses and professionals.

“It’s always great news when we’re recognized,” Raso said. “It just validates a lot of things we talk to people about when we talk to people about the Iowa City area.”

Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Nancy Quellhorst said Iowa City has a history of being recognized as a place to start a business, so the ranking came as no surprise. She said new businesses are a key component of economic recovery.

“This recognition is well-timed and relevant,” Quellhorst said.

Cost Of Living Still High

The ranking included sub-rankings in categories such as colleges, cost of doing business, cost of living, crime rate and other factors. The Iowa City area was ranked third out of 184 communities in the percent of the population over 25 with a bachelor’s degree or higher, eighth in income growth and 18th in crime rate. Colleges, cost of doing business and job growth ranked in the 30s, as well.

According to the rankings, 95.6 percent of the metro area’s population has a high school diploma, 46.9 percent have a college degree. The median household income is $50,934 and income growth was projected to be 4 percent.

“The subcategories help to define what we tend to hear,” Raso said. “This is kind of a gem within the Midwest…the biggest challenge we have is not enough people know about it. We have the challenge to overcome the mindset of what the Midwest or Iowa is like.”

Iowa City fell short in the cost of living and projected economic growth categories, ranking 103 and 126, respectively. Raso said many employers or professional who come from the coasts or large cities do not notice a dramatic change in the cost of living. However, it’s still an issue that can improve, he said.

“We want to do everything we can to address workforce housing and transportation costs…so that we don’t become a Chicago or other major market where they’re having issues with infrastructure and costs along those lines,” Raso said.

As for economic growth, Raso said the ranking’s projected 1.8 percent job growth for the area is a strength, rather than a weakness. Rather than job growth rates sharply rising and falling, job growth has generally crept steadily higher over the years, Raso said.

“It’s a very steady growth over time,” he said. “What might be tabbed as a concern, I don’t see that.”

via Press Citizen 4/14/10

Model Your Town Competition: Cast your vote!

The first-ever Google Model Your Town Competition has entered the public voting phase. It’s now up to you to help decide which of the five finalist towns should be the overall winner. Cast your vote before May 1.

* Barranco (Lima, Peru)
* Braunschweig (Niedersachsen, Germany)
* Donostia – San Sebastián (Gipuzkoa, Spain)
* Dursley (Gloucestershire, United Kingdom)
* West Palm Beach (Florida, United States)

These five teams used Google SketchUp and Google Building Maker to create beautifully detailed 3D models of their communities — and now they’re viewable in Google Earth by everyone in the world. To see all of the towns who entered the competition, check out the Google 3D Warehouse collection.

The winning town will receive an event hosted by Google in their honor, US $10,000 for their local schools and more. Don’t forget to vote by May 1, and we’ll announce the winning town by May 15.

And if you’re interested in learning how you can model your town, check out our Your World in 3D website for examples and other tools to help you get started.

Posted by Allyson McDuffie, SketchUp for Education Program Manager

via Google Blog

The Unauthorized TechCrunch iPad Review

For some strange reason we weren’t invited to test drive the iPad early. But easy-to-get stories are never fun anyway. And there has always been another way to spend time with the iPad other than a freebie loaner from apple – the third party developers.

Scores of developers have had iPad’s for weeks now. They’ve had to sign non-disclosure agreements, and have the iPad locked in a separate room that random employees couldn’t access. And even that wasn’t enough. The iPads are literally chained to the desk with steel cable and a lock. Apple comes by the office with a suitcase, installs the iPad in a bolted case, chains it to the desk and locks it there. And they they do occasional surprise visits just to make sure it’s still there.

What’s more, Apple has told developers that they are monitoring the location of the device as well. We tried (oh how we tried) to find a way to break into a company that had one and just steal the whole desk that it was chained to to bring it back here and wait for Apple or the police or whoever to show up. It would have made an excellent April Fools joke. But CEO Heather vetoed the idea.

But one thing I have had the chance to do is test iPads at developers who’ve been willing to bend the rules a little. Well, actually, a lot. This is exactly what Apple didn’t want – bloggers and other outsiders to get access to and play with the devices.

But play I did. I’ve surfed the net on the iPad. I’ve played games on the iPad. And I’ve done email on the iPad. Yes, those iPads were chained to desks and in a bolted on steel case. And even so, the experience was stunning. It’s a nearly flawless device.

And the iPad beats even my most optimistic expectations. This is a new category of device. But it also will replace laptops for many people. It does basic computer stuff, like email and web surfing, very well. Applications load quickly and are very responsive – think iPhone 3GS with a 50% speed boost.

That’s what surprised me the most. The iPad isn’t just for couch computing when you want to look something up on Wikipedia or send a quick email. It’s a perfectly usable business device. And the form factor just happens to work far better for cramped places like airplanes than a normal laptop. I doubt I’ll ever open a laptop on a plane again after tomorrow.

I am easily able to type 50 words per minute on the large virtual keyboard. A physical keyboard is a nice add on when I’m in my office or hotel room, but it works just fine without it, too.

The iPad will put significant pressure on laptop sales, particularly second device laptops. And it will also have a devastating effect on single-use devices like the Kindle, unless the price of those devices drops substantially. I will quite happily read books on the iPad, and the battery really does last for up to ten hours.

And then there are the apps. Some of the iPads best uses are yet to be imagined. This is certainly an amazing game device and productivity tool. And I’ll happily consume massive amounts of music and video content on the iPad. Third party apps, and there are a ton of them coming, will make this even more useful.

I suspect I’ll rarely be away from this device. In fact it will make my phone far less important for non-calling uses. I may not have the iPad in my pocket with my phone, but it will certainly be in my bag over my shoulder. With a 3G data plan I’ll use it to read the news, look up movie times and reviews, send instant messages and emails, and lots of other things that I do with my phone. I’m not so sure I need to have the latest and greatest phone device any more, knowing that there’s an iPad within reach.

I’d pay $1,000 for a chained to the desk iPad. The fact that tomorrow I’ll get the one I pre-ordered for just $500, chain free, makes me very happy indeed.

by Michael Arrington on Apr 2, 2010

via Techcrunch.com

Chamber Orchestra Bursting With Brio

When Interpreti Veneziani made its U.S. debut at the University of Florida in January 2007, the chamber orchestra was rewarded with a resounding standing ovation—before intermission. Positively bursting with brio, Interpreti Veneziani specializes in baroque music and performs on period instruments for rapturous audiences at Venice’s San Vidal Church and around the world. The ensemble kicks off a new tour of the United States with a performance in Iowa City that will feature the exuberant virtuosity for which the group is known. Seating is limited so order your tickets now. At the concert, expect thunderous applause early and often.

PROGRAM

Arcangelo Corelli
Concert Grosso for 2 violins, cello, string, and harpsichord, op. 6, no. 1

Antonio Vivaldi
Concert for violin, strings, and harpsichord (“Il Favorito”)

Antonio Vivaldi
Concert for 2 violins, strings, and harpsichord, op. 3, no. 5 (“Estro Armonico”)

Gaetano Pugnani / Fritz Kreisler
Preludio e Allegro for violin and strings

Intermission

Pablo de Sarasate

Zingaresca for violin and strings

Antonio Vivaldi
Concert for 4 violins, cello, strings, and harpsichord, op. 3, no. 10 (“Estro Armonico”)

Niccolò Paganini
La Campanella for violin and strings

Where & When

Interpreti Veneziani
Saturday, April 10, 7:30 pm
St. Mary’s Catholic Church

For Tickets

Hancher OnLine, click here

ClickStop, Successful Small Internet Retail Company

A sales representative by trade, Tim Guenther, 32, of Urbana started a small Internet retail company four years ago to help give him a competitive edge selling building products. Little did he know that his company, which had $14,000 in sales in the first year, would explode.

The once one-man company, ClickStop, now has 20 employees and continues to add more despite the recession. It made about $5 million in sales last year and expects to hit $10 million in sales this year.

“We’re going to need an economic tail wind to do it. We’ve had so much head wind. If we’re growing 50 to 60 percent while we’re being pushed down, imagine what we could do if the economy improves,” said Shaun Linderbaum, vice president and chief technology officer for ClickStop and Guenther’s right hand man.

Guenther, president and CEO of ClickStop, lured Linderbaum, 32, who had helped him start his Web site to the company from Deere Co. when business picked up.

“It’s a lot more exciting,” Linderbaum said of his new job. “Every day is an interesting challenge. I’m excited to get up and go to work every day.”

Expert Help From The Entrepreneurial Development Center

While they were able to take the company far, the two knew they needed some skilled help last spring. So they turned to The Entrepreneurial Development Center in Cedar Rapids.

“They’ve really pushed us to think about things we’re not thinking about,” Linderbaum said.

ClickStop’s “ability to build Internet sales engines is really good,” said Curt Nelson, president and CEO of The EDC. “They’ve really got their business scaling at a really fast rate.”

Nelson said The EDC tries to help ClickStop and other companies manage their growth.

“A business can easily grow right into bankruptcy,” he said.

They’ve really helped hold us accountable during that growth, Guenther said of The EDC.

Guenther attributes ClickStop’s success to simply capitalizing on a change in shopping habits that many companies have been slow to grasp — e-commerce. With Web optimization and Web advertising, ClickStop’s e-commerce sites have become the top search results in the products it sells, Guenther said.

“That’s our way of sneaking up on industries,” he said.

New Building For The Spring

The company is getting used to being in transition as it expands its warehouse and office space, but it hopes to start building a new $2 million, 35,000-square-foot building in Urbana’s new economic development park along Interstate 380 this spring.

The four-year-old company sells six e-commerce brands with products ranging from building materials to vitamins to cat furniture.

“We don’t manufacture it. We do private label it,” Guenther said.

That alone has allowed the company to expand rapidly.

The EDC has also helped ClickStop organize its inventory.

“We were carrying too much,” Linderbaum admits.

That’s a problem for a lot of companies, especially when credit is tight, said The EDC’s Nelson.

Too much inventory ties up too much cash that’s not available to reinvest. Companies need to make sure they have a good manufacturing resource planning system to track that, he said.

Most recently, the EDC has been helping the company with its organizational structure.

“When we were just six people we all just did everything,” Guenther said.

When they needed another employee they’d just post a job and told the person to come see that they did to see if it was what they’d like to do, he said.

“We didn’t want to put people into boxes. We wanted them to be able to contribute where they could,” Linderbaum said.

That’s all changed.

“We’re already seeing a value,” Linderbaum said.

“We know now that roles have to be defined,” Guenther said.

Jane Burroughs, vice president of operations at The EDC, said that clearly defined roles leads to reduced duplication, decreased errors and increased production.

“If you focus people in silos, they do the same work over time. That’s what makes them faster,” Burroughs said.

Right People In Right Position Is Key To Success

ClickStop also needed the right people in the right positions to keep growing and the recession has helped in that respect.

“We’ve been able to get a lot of good, really talented, loyal hardworking people. We’re scooping them up as fast as we can,” Linderbaum said.

Nelson said that convincing small start-ups that want to grow that they might need to get rid of or move a person who has been with the company since the start of the company is often a difficult thing for people to do.

“Sometimes you just don’t have all the right people.” Nelson said.

ClickStop hopes to keep their employees by providing a fun environment and competitive benefits.

“We’ve (Guenther and Linderbaum) both worked in larger companies. We’ve never done this before, but it feels good — satisfying — to make a profit and be able to do something nice for your employees,” Guenther said.

Working with the EDC has also given them even more confidence to grow.

Guenther admitted he was tentative about growing by acquiring companies, but consulting with the EDC showed him it was a good strategy, especially since companies can be purchased at a good value right now because of the economy.

“You can spot opportunities in this economy,” Guenther said.

The business:

ClickStop Inc.

2535 Bing Miller Lane

Urbana, IA 52345

www.clickstop.com

1-(800) 383-0592

The consultant:

Curt Nelson

President, CEO

The Entrepreneurial Development Center

230 Second St. SE, Suite 212

Cedar Rapids, IA 52401

www.edcinc.org

(319) 369-4955

By Janet Rorholm, via EdgeBusiness Magazine, kcrg.com

Thursday, March 25th, Field House

Less than 24 hours after the House gave final approval to a health care reform bill, the White House announced President Barack Obama will visit Iowa City on Thursday to discuss health insurance reform’s effect on small business and American families.

The Democrat-heavy Iowa City area served as a frequent campaign stop from late 2006 to early 2008 during Obama’s march to the presidency. Thursday will mark his first visit as president.

“I am just excited as can be. I want him to give me my marching orders and tell me what to do next,” said Sue Dvorsky, Obama’s former Johnson County campaign co-chairwoman.

Obama is scheduled to speak at 1 p.m. at the Field House on University of Iowa campus. People must register for the opportunity to attend by 4 p.m. Tuesday at www.whitehouse.gov/webform/rsvp/university-iowa-100325.

via Press-Citizen 3/22/10
Picture courtesy of Morgan/Getty Images