Quad Cities arts, cultural, heritage, and festival groups are invited to a community arts marketing discussion from 8:30 a.m. to noon on Wednesday, August 26, at the Quad City Botanical Center, 2525 Fourth Avenue in Rock Island. The meeting is sponsored by the Quad Cities Convention & Visitors Bureau and Quad City Arts to explore ways the arts and cultural community can collaborate to develop larger audiences. In 2004, a study by CH Johnson suggested the Quad Cities could build a stronger arts community by working together. For more information or to RSVP, contact Joe Taylor at (309)277-0937 extension 116 or jtaylor@visitquadcities.com.

Davenport resident Gary Sloat is a prizewinner in the 2009 Backyard Genius Awards in Popular Mechanics magazine. He built his own hydrofoil, which he originally saw on the cover of Popular Mechanics nearly 40 years ago. Sloat's "Dragonfly" is an eight-foot-long foam and plywood boat with pine foils that hold riders two feet off the water. The pine foils are joined with biscuits and reinforced with epoxy and fiberglass cloth. Sloat re-invented and improved the original model to be more controllable, with a 9.5-horsepower motor.

Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 776 is requesting donations for the first annual Vietnam Veterans online auction. Bidding begins September 20 and ends November 1. Donations may be sent to Bill Pinault, c/o VVA 776, 2730 Westwood Place, Davenport IA 52804; items can also be picked up if required. For more information, contact Pinault at (563)324-2758, (563)650-4650, or mrbillp2@yahoo.com.

The Jewish Federation of the Quad Cities and the Moline Public Library are presenting a lecture by Daphna Poremba, as she discusses "The Rich & Poor of the Middle East" on Wednesday, September 2, at 7 p.m. at the Moline Public Library. Poremba is a visiting professor from Sapir College in Israel who is currently an instructor at St. Ambrose University. To register, call (309)736-5737.

"Hug-a-Book," the Rock Island Library's annual reading program and book giveaway for two- to five-year-olds, has moved to Thursday, August 27, with programs at 10:30 a.m,. and 6 p.m. This year's program features songs by Paul Cioe. Each child receives a free book. To sign up, call the Children's Room at (309)732-7360.

After a community-wide naming contest, the Putnam Museum & IMAX Theatre's former Egyptian Gallery will officially be known as "Unearthing Ancient Egypt." The contest winner, Michele Stoos of Davenport, will receive a lifetime membership to the Putnam. The space has been redesigned to be more immersive and tomb-like, with a focus on the culture and daily life of ancient Egyptians. To celebrate the revamped exhibition, the Putnam is kicking off "Mummy Madness" on Saturday, August 22, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the museum's Grand Lobby. For more information, call (563)324-1054 extension 219, e-mail arguello@putnam.org, or visit Putnam.org.

An "Indian Summer Day" of games, food, raffles, and fun will be held on Sunday, August 23, from noon to 5 p.m at Fejervary Park, 1800 West 12th Street in Davenport. The fundraising event is sponsored by the Native American Coalition of the Quad Cities. A drum circle will be held at 3 p.m., and the public is invited to join. Activities for children include Native American cultural crafts, the bean-bag toss, and face-painting. Adult entertainment includes bingo, the potato dance, and a cake walk.

"Marketing Your Business During the Recession" will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, October 7, at the Fairmount Street Library, 3000 North Fairmount Street in Davenport. The event is co-sponsored by the Davenport Public Library and the Quad-Cities Advertising Federation, and admission is free.

Michael and Penni Steen have moved their Halloween event to downtown Rock Island. Located in the former Masonic Temple at 420 18th Street, "Terror in the Woods" will now be known as "Terror at Skellington Manor." Open acting auditions will be held on Wednesday, August 19, and Thursday, August 20, from 6 to 9 p.m.,and on Saturday, August 22, from 1 to 4 pm. Applicants must be 16 or older to apply, and those under 18 will need parental consent to participate. For more information, e-mail terror@skellingtonmanor.com or call (563)344-9187.

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