The Mississippi Valley Blues Society has announced the lineup for the 2007 IH Mississippi Valley Blues Festival. The organization will celebrate its 23rd annual festival with a lineup of blues legends and up-and-coming stars. More than 17,000 people are expected for the festival, which runs from Friday, June 29, through Sunday, July 1, in Davenport's LeClaire Park. The event is one of the longest-running blues festivals in the country. The complete schedule is available at (http://www.mvbs.org) . Headliners include Robert Randolph & the Family Band; blues-harp artists Mark Hummel, James Harman, and Paul Oscher; and Little Charlie & the Nightcats.
Applications are available for the spring grants that the Riverboat Development Authority (RDA) will award in May. Eligible applicants will be tax-exempt organizations located in Scott or Rock Island counties. Applicants must have a current letter of tax exemption from the IRS and a current Certificate of Existence from the Iowa Secretary of State. Illinois applicants must have a "service area" that includes Scott County. Applications may be downloaded from the RDA Web site (http://www.riverboatauthority.com) and are due in the RDA office (112 West Second Street in Davenport) by 5 p.m. on March 30. Late applications or applications that do not contain the appropriate documentation of not-for-profit status will not be accepted. Questions may be directed to the RDA office at (563) 328-8078.
Tickets are now available for the Ballet Quad Cities production of Blue River and The Nightingale, two original one-act ballets to be performed at the Adler Theatre on April 21 at 7:30 p.m. and April 22 at 2 p.m. Hans Christian Andersen's classic tale The Nightingale is the story of a mighty emperor humbled by the mystical powers of a songbird. Blue River is the story of Bix Beiderbecke's childhood as he grew up in the bustling river town of Davenport during the Bucktown era and the roaring 1920s. Tickets available at the Adler, by phone at (563) 326-8555, or on the Web at (http://www.ticketmaster.com).
More than 70 Augustana College and St. Ambrose University students and advisors will don work clothes and swing hammers during their spring breaks - and even pay part of their own way - to participate in Habitat for Humanity's "Collegiate Challenge." The program offers high-school and college students the opportunity to use their vacations to build simple, decent, and affordable homes with the families that need them. Augustana students are heading to New Orleans during spring break (February 23 to March 4), while St. Ambrose students will travel to Arkansas and Colorado during their spring break (March 5 through 11).
The Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence is seeking nominations of Iowans who have shown a commitment to ending domestic violence by using their time to volunteer, to lead, or to educate. Nominations must be received by March 2. The coalition will honor three outstanding Iowans at the first-ever "It's About Time" awards event and auction on April 14 at the Scottish Rite Consistory in Des Moines. The auction will consist of "time"-themed packages. Nomination forms are available at the coalition's Web site (http://www.icadv.org) and can be sent in by e-mail, fax, or mail.
The HeartReach Mobile Lab, a customized Winnebago RV, provides a variety of tests that identify heart and circulatory problems before they become life-threatening. It will make a return visit to Trinity at Terrace Park on Thursday, March 15, in the main parking lot. Discount coupons for $25 off a complete package are available at the Terrace Park greeter desk. Appointments are required and can be made by calling (866) 935-5432.
Quad City Arts Dollar$ Community Access to the Arts is a program that for 30 years has provided funding for local artists and not-for-profit organizations to carry out high-quality community-based art projects. Quad City Arts recently announced that $36,320 has been granted to 20 arts projects. You can find out more at (http://www.quadcityarts.com/artsdollars.html).
The John Lewis Coffee Shop received $867,000 for Service Coordination Through Collaboration SSO, Service Coordination Through Collaboration for Permanent Supportive Housing, and Service Coordination Through Collaboration for Transitional Housing as part of $7.2 million in homeless-assistance funds for programs across Iowa. The U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development Continuum of Care Homeless Assistance competitive-grant program provides funding for a range of assistance to homeless persons, including transitional housing, permanent housing, and a variety of supportive services.
An environmentally friendly "green roof" is moving forward for the McKesson building in downtown Rock Island, with an expected completion date of September. With a $316,000 EPA public-sector grant and $65,000 in funding from River Action, the intensive system calls for eight to 10 inches of soil and vegetation.
Hamilton Lodge Number 664, located at 2412 Grant Street in Bettendorf, is actively seeking new members for the Masonic Fraternity. Masons (also known as Freemasons) belong to the oldest and largest fraternal organization in the world. Applicants must be men of good character. Masons represent virtually every occupation and profession. For more information on becoming a Mason, contact Bob Durrett at (563) 508-9593.
"Enhance Your Public Speaking Skills to Improve Your Life" is an interactive workshop to be held from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 7, in the Film Room of the Davenport Public Library, 321 Main Street. The host of the workshop, author Mark McLaughlin, has won awards for both his writing and his Toastmasters speeches, and he will share how his public-speaking skills have helped him to reach personal and professional goals. He will also lead attendees in exercises to help them feel more comfortable speaking in front of others. Registration is encouraged for this free event. Go to (http://www.davenportlibrary.com) or call (563) 328-6833 to register.
