(This is the first in a series of articles looking at the components of River Renaissance five years after Scott County voters agreed to contribute $5 million to the effort. While that amount was relatively small in the projects' financing, it secured $20 million in Vision Iowa funding from the State of Iowa.)

Evaluating the Figge Art Museum five years after the River Renaissance vote is an exercise in perspective. The choice of how to measure its success determines the outcome.

Some of the last radio ads aired by Governor Rod Blagojevich's campaign were just about a perfect microcosm of the entire governor's race.

And if, as expected, Blagojevich won Tuesday's election - the Reader goes to press before the polls close - the ads show how to effectively twist an opponent's words.

"Listen as Judy Baar Topinka runs down those who honor our veterans," began one ad.

"I'm a veteran. Served in Vietnam. Proud of my service. I was shocked by what Judy Baar Topinka said. Running down people who honor our soldiers," started the other.

The Amy Helpenstell Foundation has awarded grants to three local organizations: WQPT, Churches United, and Habitat for Humanity - Quad Cities. WQPT, the Quad Cities' PBS station, received a charitable donation for its "Ready to Learn Literacy Initiative." The $15,000 donation will support activities for the project, including the WQPT First Book Program, which has distributed approximately 85,000 books to children in the region since 1984; Family Literacy Workshops and the Ready to Learn Conference, which provide the latest information on early-childhood practices to area teachers and caregivers; and the Healthy Habits for Life Initiative focusing on healthy foods, exercise, hygiene, and rest. WQPT and its partners will work with child-care centers serving low- to middle-income families. The foundation also awarded $10,000 to support the construction next year of a Moline home by Habitat for Humanity - Quad Cities. The house will be located at 430 and 434 Sixth Street, on lots donated by the City of Moline. And Churches United's Winnie's Place received $15,000 from the Amy Helpenstell Foundation. Winnie's Place is an emergency shelter for homeless women with or without children.

With Representative Jim Nussle not seeking re-election and running for Iowa governor, Iowa's First Disrict seat in Congress became one of the country's most-watched races.

But with so much attention and money lavished on the race for its national political importance - control of the House of the Representatives could be decided here - there's been much less focus on the candidates and their views.

The Reader recently interviewed Democrat Bruce Braley (an attorney from Waterloo) and Republican Mike Whalen (founder, president, and CEO of Moline-based Heart of America Restaurants & Inns) in five subject areas. The audio from those interviews is available at (http://www.qcspan.com), along with an interview with Pirate candidate James Hill. Independent candidate Albert W. Schoeman of Waterloo is also running.