The A-Sides On its new album, Silver Storms, the Philadelphia-based quintet The A-Sides has crafted a striking mix of ephemeral, elusive pop in the vein of The Shins; meaty, arena-ready guitar parts; half-speed songs with patient crescendos; upbeat power pop; and surprising accelerations.

Governor Rob Blagojevich The newspaper headlines were just what Governor Rod Blagojevich wanted last week.

"Illinois to offer free cancer tests for women."

"More women get free cancer screenings; uninsured now have access to program."

"Governor expands cancer screenings."

And the story leads were pretty good, as well.

I find it is disgusting when insecure people regurgitate the ancient fables of the Bible as a justification for their bigotry. I would like to address the Rock Island man who, in a letter to the Quad-City Times, was criticizing the print media for not mentioning "Christians" in their coverage of the court rulings regarding gay marriage in Iowa. I would remind him that our Constitution guarantees our freedom from a theocracy (in spite of the Bush administration).

Operation Medicine Cabinet, a three-day event giving people the opportunity to safely dispose of medications, sharp items, mercury thermometers, and sensitive documents, collected 11,780 pounds of material. This included approximately 1,245 pounds of pharmaceuticals, 660 pounds of sharps, 39 pounds of mercury thermometers, and 9,836 pounds of documents for shredding. The event was held September 20 through 22 in Eldridge, Bettendorf, and Davenport, respectively. Residents who were unable to drop items off at the event can make an appointment at the Waste Commission of Scott County's Household Hazardous Material facility in Buffalo or Davenport. These facilities provide free services to both Scott and Rock Island county residents. Call (563) 381-1300 for more information.

 

Reader issue #652 Since its inception last year, Daytrotter.com has brought dozens of up-and-coming (and sometimes established) indie bands to the Quad Cities for quick-and-dirty recording sessions that are then shared with the world through the Web.

Peter & the Wolf Red Hunter thinks he's pretty good at the music business, which is why he's doing it all wrong.

Paleo Among the 365 songs written, recorded, and released by Paleo over 365 consecutive days, "This Is the Life" is David Strackany's favorite. "It resonates with me on a personal level more than the other songs," he said. "That song seems to speak to me as if it was written for me."

 

(Last in a series. Part one can be read here, and part two can be read here.)

 

A Closer Look at Hospital CompetitionWhen Trinity Regional Health System's west campus in Rock Island was named a "Top 100" hospital earlier this year, that distinction quickly became a staple of the hospital's marketing.

But as a health-care consumer, the honor should lead to questions: Who makes the decision? What are the criteria? Does any money change hands to get the award?

Even when a judge asks Governor Rod Blagojevich to sit down and negotiate in good faith, he can't bring himself to do it.

Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich has announced $1.6 million in federal grants to allow municipal, county, and state law-enforcement agencies in northern Illinois to acquire in-car computer equipment to help improve access to criminal records during traffic stops and enhance public and police safety. Recipients from Henry County include the Geneseo Police Department ($17,400) and the Kewanee Police Department ($11,092). Rock Island County recipients include East Moline ($8,503), Milan ($11,792), Moline ($8,022), and Rock Island County ($10,646). In addition to data access, law-enforcement officers can use the terminals for note-taking and report-writing, as well as wirelessly entering incident, accident, and arrest information.

 

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