Those of us who toil at the Illinois Statehouse often feel alone and isolated.

The 15th annual Mayors' Hunger Luncheon, "In from the Cold," will be held at noon on Thursday, November 8 at Bettendorf's Isle of Capri Convention Center. The mayors of the Quad Cities will serve a simple lunch of bread and hearty soup, reflecting the theme of "We eat simply so that others may simply eat." With the assistance of the United Way of the Quad Cities Area, "In from the Cold" has, since 1992, distributed more than $250,000 to fund services for the homeless, and at this year's luncheon, an additional fundraising raffle will give attendees the chance to win one of three Ralph Iaccarino prints. Tickets are $20 per person, with tables of 10 at $175, and more information is available at the "In from the Cold" Web site (http://www.infromthecoldqc.org) or by calling (563) 421-4343.

 

Reader issue #656 October is domestic-violence awareness month, but the Minneapolis-based organization 100 Men Take a Stand for Domestic Peace takes a larger view.

Pike For a band that's had its current lineup for five years, the Cincinnati, Ohio-based Pike is maddeningly difficult to get a handle on.

Your article "Building a Better Promise" was informative and timely. (See River Cities' Reader Issue 654, October 10-16, 2007.) I had a general sense that the idea has potential as an economic-development tool, but didn't know any of the specifics. Your article helped fill in the specifics (as they are known) and pointed out the serious questions about funding, timing, and applicability.

St. Ambrose University, the Davenport Civil Rights Commission, and the Putnam Museum are joining together to chronicle the civil-rights movement in the Quad Cities between 1940 and 1984, and its impact on the community. To create an archive of materials for future generations, the Civil Rights History Committee is conducting interviews and gathering archival materials such as photos, film, letters, audiotapes, diaries, other documents, and memorabilia. Additionally, the committee will create an exhibit at the Putnam. Anyone who played a role in the history of the Quad Cities civil-rights movement, or who is in possession of artifacts related to the movement, is encouraged to contact Arthur Pitz at (309) 736-0840 or (artpitz@hotmail.com) or Judith Morrell at (563) 326-7888.

 

Reader issue #655 If Ben & Jerry's were to debut a flavor to commemorate the current campaign of its founders, it wouldn't be called Guns Or Butter - that classic economics decision between defense spending and domestic programs.

But it might be called Guns & Butter, in honor of their claim that there doesn't need to be a choice between the two. Strong defense doesn't need to come at the expense of things such as health care, schools, deficit-reduction, or the development of alternative energy, they claim. You can have your guns (weapon-shaped chocolate bits?) in your base of butter (-pecan ice cream).

Voter Beware

The slate of candidates for Davenport's 2008-9 city council has been decided.

Davenport residents were fairly deceived, during the last campaign, by several of the elected officials currently serving, so this time it is "voter beware."

It is important to know the professional backgrounds of those running, as well as the inspiration, incentive, or both, to vie for a council seat.

There is no shortage of goofiness at the Illinois Statehouse these days. Some players are goofier than others, but Governor Rod Blagojevich usually gets most of the coverage.

The Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA) last week named Davenport one of Iowa's "Great Places." The announcement came after the Iowa Great Places Citizen Advisory Board concluded a four-day tour of seven finalist locations and made its recommendations to DCA Director Cyndi Pederson, who approved the advisory board's recommendations. The program asks communities to develop proposals that address seven dimensions that make places special: engaging experiences; rich, diverse populations and cultures; a vital, creative economy; clean and accessible natural and built environments; well-designed infrastructure; a shared attitude of optimism that welcomes new ideas; and a diverse and inclusive cultural mosaic. For more information, look at (http://www.culturalaffairs.org).

 

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