It's time to celebrate the Main Street Library at "A Ruby Renaissance," the 40th-anniversary party for the Edward Durell Stone Building. Taking place on Sunday, October 5, from 1 to 3:30 p.m., the party will offer something for everyone: numerous children's performers, including magician Rick Eugene; music by Ellis Kell; historic displays, including a photo montage and ephemera; special guests and speakers; and free refreshments. For more information about the anniversary party, contact Angela at (563) 888-3371, or visit DavenportLibrary.com. For more information about library history, visit QCMemory.org, or call (563) 326-7902.
After almost 30 years of operation in the Quad Cities, Davenport's NAMI Scott County has opened its first office, located at 1706 Brady Street, Suite 200. Since 1979, NAMI Scott County has been nurtured by devoted volunteers within the community, dedicated to providing support, education, and advocacy in areas of mental health. NAMI Scott County continues to be the community voice on mental illness, empowering people toward recovery. For more information, call (563) 322-8870 or visit NAMIScottCounty.org.
An additional $1.78 million has been secured in the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) for Iowans. Iowa has already received $36 million in LIHEAP funds this year. The additional funds are part of $100 million in contingency funding recently released by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Last year, nearly 90,000 Iowans received LIHEAP assistance.
The Quad Cities Safe Kids Coalition will team up with other area agencies to promote and teach the proper use of child-safety seats during the nationwide Child Passenger Safety Week, through September 27. Car-safety seats will be checked from 9 a.m. to noon on September 27 at Davenport Fire Station 6, 1735 West Pleasant, Davenport, and at Ericksen Chevrolet-Buick, 325 East First Avenue, Milan. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, correctly used car seats and booster seats reduce the risk of death by as much as 71 percent, but nearly 73 percent of child restraints are not installed or used correctly.
The Community Foundation of the Great River Bend has announced a $100,000 commitment to Humility of Mary Housing, to support the operation of its newly acquired homeless shelter. The foundation will make grants to Humility of Mary as funds are needed. Anyone wishing to support the homeless shelter may make contributions to The Fund for the Homeless, c/o Community Foundation of the Great River Bend, 852 Middle Rd. Suite 100, Bettendorf IA 52722, or visit CFGRB.org and click on "Donate Now."
The U.S. House of Representatives has passed Representative Bruce Braley's (D-Iowa) Justice for Victims of Torture & Terrorism Act, which would restore the rights of American citizens who were tortured by Sadaam Hussein's government to be compensated for their injuries. Braley's bill will restore a provision in the 2008 Defense Authorization Act to ensure that the Iraqi government satisfies outstanding judgments and claims by American victims of Iraqi torture and terrorism.
Residents of northwest Illinois with multiple sclerosis (MS) are being asked to participate in a state-funded study at the University of Illinois College of Medicine in Rockford, to determine the number of area persons with the disease. Previous studies by Health Systems Research have indicated that some portions of northwest Illinois may have elevated rates of MS. To take part in the study or to obtain further information, enroll at the study's Web site at http://www.rockford.medicine.uic.edu; for a participant form, call Health Systems Research at (800) 854-4461 or (815) 395-5639.
Grants to 70 not-for-profit organizations of the Quad Cities have been announced by the Doris & Victor Day Foundation. Major grants include $175,000 for the expansion of the Martin Luther King Center, $75,000 for the Supplemental Emergency Assistance Program, and $75,000 for the Rock Island/Milan school district. Since its inception, the foundation has distributed more than $14 million in grants.
Quad Citians are invited to join the Humane Society of Scott County's new mascot, Little Orphan Andy, for the Doggie Dash Fun Run on October 4, a fundraiser designed to help provide care for the shelter's homeless animals. This year's event, themed "Howlin' in the Park," will take place in Davenport's Garfield Park, and features a two-mile run starting at 9 a.m. and a one-mile fun walk starting at 10 a.m. If you would like to participate or volunteer, contact the Humane Society of Scott County by e-mailing adoptapet@hotmail.com, visiting HSSC.us, or calling (563) 388-6655.
On Saturday, September 27, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., visitors to the Family Museum can "go green" and learn about recycling in the celebration titled Crush a Can Day. Guests will learn the science of can crushing and make cool art from recycled objects. The event is included with paid admission or Family Museum membership.
