Two national ranking publications, The Princeton Review and U.S. News & World Report, have rated St. Ambrose University among the top universities in the region. St. Ambrose is one of the best universities in the Midwest, according to The Princeton Review. The New York City-based education-services company selected the university as one of 158 institutions of higher education it recommends in its "Best in the Midwest" designation. Colleges named "regional bests" represent only about 25 percent of the nation's four-year colleges. This is the fifth year in a row St. Ambrose has been selected. In U.S. News & World Report, St. Ambrose was ranked 36th among "master's universities" in the Midwest. For more information, go to SAU.edu.
The City of Rock Island has announced the start of a new grant program aimed at expanding retail business in the Downtown Rock Island Arts & Entertainment District. The Rock Island District Retail Grant Program is intended to attract new retailers to The District as well as to assist existing District retailers wishing to expand. A total of $40,000 is budgeted for the program from the Downtown TIF, with a maximum grant amount to any one business of $10,000. Applications for grant funds are due by 5 p.m. on Friday, September 18. Application forms can be obtained from the City of Rock Island Community & Economic Development Office, on the second floor of City Hall at 1528 Third Avenue.
Eastern Iowa Community College is conducting a free three-hour information session on biodiesel fuels. The session will be held September 29 at 6 p.m. at Scott Community College's Applied Technology Building, 500 Belmont Road in Bettendorf. The session is open to everyone, but registration is required by calling (563)441-4100, course number 72639. Biodiesel is a clean-burning alternative fuel produced from domestic, renewable resources. For more information about the class, contact Deb Goodall at (563)336-3405.
Two White Buffalo calves were brought to Niabi Zoo this spring. Zoo Director Tom Stalf allowed members of the Native American Coalition of the Quad Cities to submit names for the calves. Go to NativeAmericanCoalitionQC.org to vote for your favorite names through August 31.The winners will be contacted on September 3.
The 2009 Bix Beiderbecke Memorial Jazz Festival can currently be heard around the world on a syndicated radio program. Veteran broadcaster Denny Farrell, who hosted the afternoon concerts at the Clarion Hotel on Saturday, July 25, also taped the performances and is now featuring highlights on his program Denny Farrell's Original Big Band Showcase. To hear the program, go to DennyFarrell.com. The bands performing on the program include the Josh Duffee Orchestra, Bix Beiderbecke Youth Jazz Band, Wally's Warehouse Waifs, and Bill Allred's Classic Jazz Band.
The Moline Public Library's trivia-night fundraiser will be held on Friday, August 28, at Fargo Lounge in Highland Park Bowl, 4204 Avenue of the Cities in Moline. Teams of up to eight people will compete for cash prizes, raffle items, and door prizes. The cost is $10 per person. To register, call (309)736-5737.
The City of Rock Island's Refuse & Yardwaste Drop-Off Center currently located at 1309 Mill Street will move to Millennium Waste at 13606 Knoxville Road in Milan starting September 5. Millennium Waste is partnering with the City of Rock Island to provide a drop-off service to Rock Island residents at the reduced rate of $10 per vehicle (no more than the equivalent of a full-size pickup load per trip). Rock Island residents may take refuse and yardwaste to Millennium Waste on Saturdays between 7 a.m. and noon. No hazardous waste, tires, or white goods will be accepted. The City is closing the current drop-off center as required by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. For more information, visit RIGov.org.
Putnam Explorers is a once-a-month science club for kids entering second through sixth grades. The group meets one Sunday each month September through April from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. The cost is $9 per program or $30 for four programs. Call (563)324-1054 extension 242 to register, or extension 210 for more information. You can also e-mail murray@putnam.org for additional information.
