Reader issue #611 Near Wheatland, Iowa, sits the 200-acre Our Lady of the Prairie Retreat. It's roughly a 40-minute drive from the Quad Cities, and in one approach a car will go from a four-lane highway to a two-lane road to a dirt drive.

It's nearly a journey to the past, from the zipping traffic of modern times to a more primitive period, including an old farmhouse.

"Even the approach is a bit of calming, slowing down," said Sister Catherine Real, a retired member of the Davenport-based Congregation of the Humility of Mary (CHM) who volunteers as co-director of Our Lady of the Prairie. The retreat, she said, offers "a sense of God's presence" just a short drive from the urban grind.

"Borat"No one "banned" Borat in Russia. At least, not according to officials of Russia's Federal Agency for Culture & Cinematography. They just "advised" 20th Century Fox that the movie could offend some viewers and contained material that "might seem disparaging in relation to certain ethnic groups and religions." 20th Century Fox has promised to contest that "recommendation," which was accompanied by a denial of a screening license. (What kind of "advice" comes with a prohibition?)

During this season of giving, please remember the many charitable organizations that assist people who are less fortunate. In addition to or in lieu of gifts to friends and family, consider a donation of money or needed items to one of the organizations listed below, or to any group that's trying to improve the community. Also consider volunteering at one these organizations.

On Tuesday, December 5, the Quad Cities lost its only progressive talk-radio station, WKBF 1270 AM. Considering results from the recent elections, there should be a market for progressive-talk programming in the Quad Cities. Is anyone else upset by this loss? Will another radio station pick up the Air America network programs and other progressive-talk shows?

Patti Franklin

Riverdale, Iowa

 

The consensus among insiders seems to be that the departure of Deputy Governor Bradley Tusk this month will mean a less-confrontational administration in the coming years.

Governor Rod Blagojevich has always been someone who thrives on controversy, and Tusk - a young, brash New Yorker - did his level best to keep that spark alive each and every day. Tusk had no history in politics here and never had any intention of ever working in Illinois after he left the administration, so he wasn't all that particular about whose toes he was stepping on. And it showed.

Iris DeMent

Englert Theatre

Saturday, December 16, 8 p.m.

 

The Waste Commission of Scott County, in cooperation with the City of Bettendorf, the City of Davenport, and Scott County, has produced the 2007 Garbage Guide, which will be delivered to residents' mailboxes over the next few weeks. The guide details solid-waste collection and processing for all 17 communities in Scott County. Solid waste includes garbage, recycling, bulky waste, electronic waste, yard waste, household hazardous materials, and home health waste. The guide also provides resources and information regarding storm-water, reuse, and beautification programs. For additional copies of the Garbage Guide, call the Waste Commission of Scott County at (563) 381-1300, or view it online at (http://www.wastecom.com).

 

Reader issue #610Emily Starr knows how to teach kids. A fourth-grade teacher in DeWitt, Iowa, she had an idea for a Web-based educational tool that would help schools, teachers, and parents reinforce core concepts in math and reading.

But Starr didn't know how to turn that idea into money - a viable business. "I had expertise in the content area," she said. "I didn't really know how you take a concept and develop it into a business."

There's not a lump of coal in this season's stocking of new Christmas music, with five CDs from indie record labels worth finding.

Jim Brickman

Adler Theatre

Wednesday, December 6, 8 p.m.

 

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