01 Aug 2006

Putting the "Folklore" in Folk

By Administrator

When most people hear the phrase "folk festival," they think of idealistic and liberal white people with acoustic guitars. The Midwest Folk Festival at Bishop Hill this weekend will have a few of those, but it's more of a folklore festival, highlighting ethnic and traditional arts.

So in addition to those acoustic guitars, the Midwest Folk Festival will feature Latin American music, the santur (the Iranian hammered dulcimer), the pipa (a Chinese stringed instrument), and the Irish fiddle. And its conception of "American" music is broad as well, with Delta blues, Cajun, and Creole styles.

01 Aug 2006

"Taste" Should Have Been More Accessible

By Administrator

My name is Jim Maloney. I am a resident of Rock Island and use a wheelchair.

My favorite Quad Cities event is the Taste of the Quad Cities, which I've attended for the past five years. In previous years, I had no problems with wheelchair accessibility at the Taste. However, this year my visit to the Taste of the Quad Cities was ruined due to changes made that totally ignored the needs of persons who use wheelchairs.

01 Aug 2006

Poll Shows: It Ain't Easy Being GOP

By Administrator

Democratic state treasurer candidate Alexi Giannoulias has a new poll that shows he has an 11-point lead over his Republican opponent, state Senator Christine Radogno.

Giannoulias has struggled since shortly before the spring primary. Reporters started looking into his family's bank business, and came up with ties to some seriously shady mobsters. Things went downhill fast.

But all the bad publicity hasn't helped Radogno, a moderate, well-liked Republican legislator from the suburbs who had been considered by some to be the Republican with the best chance of winning a statewide race this November.

01 Aug 2006

Noteworthy Events for the Week of August 2 - 8

By Administrator

The Great Mississippi Valley Fair

Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds

Wednesday, August 2, through Sunday, August 6

 

01 Aug 2006

Mississippi River Cleanup to the Xstream

By Administrator

Xstream volunteers - 2005Xstream Cleanup, presented by Riverboat Development Authority, is seeking hundreds of volunteers to clean up 32 waterways in the Quad Cities on Saturday, August 19 from 8:30 a.m. until noon. This annual event is presented in collaboration with nationally-known, Quad City native Chad Pregracke and his Living Lands & Waters team. Cleanups will take place in Bettendorf, Davenport, and LeClaire, Iowa, and East Moline, Milan, Moline, Rock Island, and Taylor Ridge, Illinois. The main focus of Xstream Cleanup 2006 is an illegal dumping site in Bettendorf where Crow Creek drains into the Mississippi River; that site, discovered during last year's Xstream Cleanup, has an estimated 3,000 tires scattered along the creek and will be the primary work site for Pregracke and his crew. Those interested in volunteering should register online at (http://www.xstreamcleanup.org) or call (563) 468-4218. Volunteers receive a free T-shirt and a light breakfast; no previous experience is necessary and supplies will be provided.

 

25 Jul 2006

QC SoundBoard Finding Its Feet

By Administrator

Quad City SoundBoard logo Skepticism is often confused for cynicism, but the resistance that Quad City SoundBoard is running into seems to genuinely fall into the latter category.

SoundBoard, which was born roughly two years ago but has only solidified its organization over the past six or seven months, is a grassroots attempt to promote the local music scene. The group aims, said Vice President Tim Hobert, "to create a resource for the Quad Cities music community."

25 Jul 2006

Welcome to the 2006 River Cities' Reader Music Guide

By Administrator

River Cities' Reader Music GuideIn conjunction with this year's Music Guide, the River Cities' Reader has added new music-related features to its Web site.

You might notice that our print Music Guide no longer lists local bands, bars, and performance venues. That's because we've shifted that content to our Web site. As a result, it's searchable, and registered users can claim and edit their listings or create listings for their new bands or venues. In other words, the people who have the most to gain from accurate listings - whether they're bands, bars, or restaurants - will ensure that our database is as comprehensive and up-to-date as possible.

25 Jul 2006

Nowhere to November

By Administrator

In an election year, it is no surprise that the dial is turned up on the political rhetoric. But this year it is different, more exaggerated perhaps, because the stakes are so high.

I would characterize the difference in terms of party hostility. Both parties' participation in name-calling, derision, and personal attacks on opponents seems at an all-time vicious high. More important, however, is the lack of even the simplest debates on issues. The underlying cause is that both parties are in indefensible positions.

25 Jul 2006

Noteworthy Events for the Week of July 26 - August 1

By Administrator

The Wizard of Oz

Timber Lake Playhouse beginning Thursday, July 27,

and Prospect Park Auditorium beginning August 4

 

25 Jul 2006

Grant for QC Ferry Service Passes Legislative Hurdle

By Administrator

Davenport could receive $1 million to help establish ferry service below Lock & Dam 15 between Davenport and Rock Island, as a component of the city’s River Vision plan. The Scott County Affordable Housing Grant Pool & Revolving Loan Fund is also poised to receive a $300,000 grant to provide support to modest-income families to buy their own homes and to support multifamily housing. Both of these projects are part of a $5.1-million grant to support eastern Iowa transportation, economic revitalization, and housing initiatives that was included in the Fiscal Year 2007 Transportation, Treasury, Judiciary, Housing, & Urban Development appropriations measure recently passed by a Senate committee. Both the House and full Senate must approve the measure before it becomes law.

 

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