• The State of Iowa has announced that the Bettendorf Public Library Information Center has met the conditions for state accreditation. The library will receive an official certificate of accreditation that is valid until June 2006. The areas of library administration and services that qualified the library for this distinction include : governance; administration and funding; staffing; collection services; and access to facilities. The Bettendorf Public Library is one of 252 libraries in Iowa that currently meet the conditions stipulated by the State Library of Iowa's Public Library Measures of Quality.
• The Rotary Club of Davenport Loan Program began in 1922 thanks to the members of Rotary and two major contributors, Walter & Alice Ackerman and James & Marguerite Dunn. This educational-assistance program has been supporting Quad Cities youth for more than 80 years by awarding loans to deserving students. At this time almost 60 students are being assisted by Rotary loans. The Rotary Club of Davenport Loan Program is now accepting applications. For more information on how you or your family can benefit from a Rotary Club of Davenport loan, go to the Community Foundation Web site at (http://www.cfgrb.org). Go to the "scholarship directory" link and see Rotary Club of Davenport Loan Program for an application.
• River Action, Incorporated, and the City of Rock Island are working on development plans for the restoration of five acres surrounding the entrance to Sylvan Island. The land lies between the Quad City Industrial Center and the Sylvan Slough, adjacent to the Moline border. The plan includes an amphitheater where classes can be held, lighting, bioswales for drainage, aquatic gardens, scenic overlooks, a fish pier, and parking. The entire plan, if built, would cost $267,000. The City of Moline is also working on complementary landscape improvements at the Sylvan Island entrance.
• In the name of homeland security, the President's Commission on the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) recently released a report suggesting that the agency work with the Department of Homeland Security to develop sender-identification technology for all U.S. mail. According to the report, advances such as "personalized stamps" that embed digital identification information would not only improve mail-tracking and -delivery operations but would also enhance the security of the entire mail system. Civil-liberties and privacy groups are up in arms about the proposal. The USPS says that although the development of "intelligent" mail is a big issue for the agency, the commission report is still under review, and it is premature to discuss future plans.
• A "befriender" is a hospital volunteer who listens and provides spiritual ministry to people in times of illness or grief. Genesis Medical Center's Spiritual Care Department is looking for people for its Befriender program, a lay ministry that has been training volunteers for more than 30 years. Volunteers will go through a training period that emphasizes listening with particular sensitivity to the stories of grief, crisis, and life review. The Befrienders program will hold an informational meeting on Monday, August 25, from 3 to 4 p.m. in the Lombard Room on Genesis Medical Center's west campus at 1401 West Central Park in Davenport. For more information about becoming a befriender, call Chaplain Jeanne Olsen at (563)421-1756.
• The Butterworth Center and Deere-Wiman House have launched a new Web site: (http://www.butterworthcenter.com). The Web address is the same as the older, more static site, but the new interface will provide weekly "featured artifacts," recent publications, and up-to-date information about programs, events, scholarships, and volunteer opportunities. On the Web site, visitors can learn about the history of the homes and residents, and view pictures of Butterworth Center and Deere-Wiman House. Teacher resources and current press releases are also available on the site. By the end of the year, a virtual tour of both historic mansions will also be posted.
• Anti-tax and anti-government Web sites are buzzing with the story of a Memphis, Tennessee, federal jury finding FedEx pilot Vernice Kuglin not guilty of evading taxes on $920,000 in income. Kuglin, 58, was charged with six counts of tax evasion that could have meant up to 30 years in prison and $1.5 million in fines. The government accused Kuglin of filing false W4 forms for the period from 1996 to 2001. Kuglin, a pilot for FedEx since 1985, said she had paid taxes like anyone else for most of her life. But about 10 or 11 years ago, she began to question the federal tax system and stopped paying. She began to read court documents, legal opinions, and the federal tax code. She said she found what she felt were contradictions. She wanted to know where in the federal tax code it said she was liable for taxes. Kuglin wrote the Internal Revenue Service twice in 1995 with questions but said she didn't get a response. The best way to find out more about this story is to type "Vernice Kuglin" into the Internet search engine of your choice and follow the links.
• The Channel Cat water taxi has moved its Bettendorf dock from Leach Park to the new marina at the Isle of Capri casino. Davenport is now working on a dock extension at its Lindsay Park location. The new dock, which will be open later this fall, will make entering and exiting the boats easier and more pleasant. For more information about the service, visit (http://www.qcmetrolink.com/services/channelcat.php).
• With funding by the Scott County Empowerment Community, the Friendly House Childcare Scholarship Program is designed to help families with a portion of their child-care expenses. Parents can choose their own licensed or registered provider. Children from birth to five years old who have not attended kindergarten are eligible for the program. To qualify, you must be a Scott county resident working or attending school for an undergraduate degree at least 28 hours per week and meet certain income guidelines. For further information on the program and eligibility requirements, contact Kathy McCoy at (563)323-1821.
• The Rotary Club of Davenport Loan Program began in 1922 thanks to the members of Rotary and two major contributors, Walter & Alice Ackerman and James & Marguerite Dunn. This educational-assistance program has been supporting Quad Cities youth for more than 80 years by awarding loans to deserving students. At this time almost 60 students are being assisted by Rotary loans. The Rotary Club of Davenport Loan Program is now accepting applications. For more information on how you or your family can benefit from a Rotary Club of Davenport loan, go to the Community Foundation Web site at (http://www.cfgrb.org). Go to the "scholarship directory" link and see Rotary Club of Davenport Loan Program for an application.
• River Action, Incorporated, and the City of Rock Island are working on development plans for the restoration of five acres surrounding the entrance to Sylvan Island. The land lies between the Quad City Industrial Center and the Sylvan Slough, adjacent to the Moline border. The plan includes an amphitheater where classes can be held, lighting, bioswales for drainage, aquatic gardens, scenic overlooks, a fish pier, and parking. The entire plan, if built, would cost $267,000. The City of Moline is also working on complementary landscape improvements at the Sylvan Island entrance.
• In the name of homeland security, the President's Commission on the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) recently released a report suggesting that the agency work with the Department of Homeland Security to develop sender-identification technology for all U.S. mail. According to the report, advances such as "personalized stamps" that embed digital identification information would not only improve mail-tracking and -delivery operations but would also enhance the security of the entire mail system. Civil-liberties and privacy groups are up in arms about the proposal. The USPS says that although the development of "intelligent" mail is a big issue for the agency, the commission report is still under review, and it is premature to discuss future plans.
• A "befriender" is a hospital volunteer who listens and provides spiritual ministry to people in times of illness or grief. Genesis Medical Center's Spiritual Care Department is looking for people for its Befriender program, a lay ministry that has been training volunteers for more than 30 years. Volunteers will go through a training period that emphasizes listening with particular sensitivity to the stories of grief, crisis, and life review. The Befrienders program will hold an informational meeting on Monday, August 25, from 3 to 4 p.m. in the Lombard Room on Genesis Medical Center's west campus at 1401 West Central Park in Davenport. For more information about becoming a befriender, call Chaplain Jeanne Olsen at (563)421-1756.
• The Butterworth Center and Deere-Wiman House have launched a new Web site: (http://www.butterworthcenter.com). The Web address is the same as the older, more static site, but the new interface will provide weekly "featured artifacts," recent publications, and up-to-date information about programs, events, scholarships, and volunteer opportunities. On the Web site, visitors can learn about the history of the homes and residents, and view pictures of Butterworth Center and Deere-Wiman House. Teacher resources and current press releases are also available on the site. By the end of the year, a virtual tour of both historic mansions will also be posted.
• Anti-tax and anti-government Web sites are buzzing with the story of a Memphis, Tennessee, federal jury finding FedEx pilot Vernice Kuglin not guilty of evading taxes on $920,000 in income. Kuglin, 58, was charged with six counts of tax evasion that could have meant up to 30 years in prison and $1.5 million in fines. The government accused Kuglin of filing false W4 forms for the period from 1996 to 2001. Kuglin, a pilot for FedEx since 1985, said she had paid taxes like anyone else for most of her life. But about 10 or 11 years ago, she began to question the federal tax system and stopped paying. She began to read court documents, legal opinions, and the federal tax code. She said she found what she felt were contradictions. She wanted to know where in the federal tax code it said she was liable for taxes. Kuglin wrote the Internal Revenue Service twice in 1995 with questions but said she didn't get a response. The best way to find out more about this story is to type "Vernice Kuglin" into the Internet search engine of your choice and follow the links.
• The Channel Cat water taxi has moved its Bettendorf dock from Leach Park to the new marina at the Isle of Capri casino. Davenport is now working on a dock extension at its Lindsay Park location. The new dock, which will be open later this fall, will make entering and exiting the boats easier and more pleasant. For more information about the service, visit (http://www.qcmetrolink.com/services/channelcat.php).
• With funding by the Scott County Empowerment Community, the Friendly House Childcare Scholarship Program is designed to help families with a portion of their child-care expenses. Parents can choose their own licensed or registered provider. Children from birth to five years old who have not attended kindergarten are eligible for the program. To qualify, you must be a Scott county resident working or attending school for an undergraduate degree at least 28 hours per week and meet certain income guidelines. For further information on the program and eligibility requirements, contact Kathy McCoy at (563)323-1821.
