The Davenport Police Department held a ribbon-cutting for its new headquarters last week. Among the environmental aspects of the 97,200-square-foot, $20.3-million facility are geothermal heating and cooling, low-consumption plumbing, rain gardens, a roof with soil-less plants, and high-efficiency windows. A skywalk connected to the courthouse will be completed soon, and a parking ramp will be finished in April.
Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich announced last week that 10 fire departments have been selected to receive a total of nearly $1.9 million in no-interest loans to purchase fire trucks through the state's Fire Truck Revolving Loan Program. This is the second phase of a loan program that has already helped 63 fire departments. The Fire Truck Revolving Loan Program provides no-interest, 20-year loans up to $250,000. Locally, Port Byron Fire Department was a recipient of $250,000.
On September 21, more than 200 wine enthusiasts will gather at the Davenport Country Club to sample fine wines and food from around the world and raise money to benefit the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. A Taste of Generosity features a silent and live auction of wines, gift packages, and vacations. Reservations are $65 for an individual seat or $520 for a table of eight. Reservations may be made online at (http://tasteofgenerosity.org) or by calling (800) 344-4867.
The Quad City Animal Welfare Center has received a grant from the American Humane Association's Meacham Foundation Memorial. The organization received $2,222 to purchase a Valueklave steam autoclave for spay and neuter surgical procedures.
The Rock Island Preservation Commission and Broadway Historic District Association are featuring 50 noteworthy buildings in the Broadway neighborhood. An audio option is available through the purchase of a $10 CD and brochure at Rock Island City Hall (1528 Third Avenue) or through free downloads of individual mp3 files from the city's Web site at (http://www.rigov.org). Copies of the free brochure are available at Rock Island City Hall, the Preservation Commission kiosk at the Rock Island Public Library at 401 19th Street, and various tourism outlets.
Residents of the Iowa Quad Cities and surrounding communities are invited to participate in a local Health Care Reform Listening Post. The public is asked to bring suggestions on improving our health-care system to the Genesis Medical Center's West Campus, at 1401 West Central Park Avenue, on Saturday, September 8. The event will be held in the Annunciata and Borromeo rooms at 10 a.m. A statewide commission is currently reviewing Iowa's health-care system, and virtually every presidential candidate has offered a health-care-reform proposal.
Nearly 1,500 volunteers worked during the fourth-annual Xstream Cleanup on Saturday, August 18, and removed 49,000 pounds of debris from area waterways and illegal dump sites. Cleanups were held at 34 locations in Davenport, Bettendorf, LeClaire, Princeton, East Moline, Moline, Milan, and Rock Island. Volunteers collectively gathered 2,099 bags of trash, 2,745 tires, 20 appliances, 22 bicycles, and 27 pieces of furniture. During Xstream Cleanup, volunteers worked a total of 3,121 hours to clean up and green up our community. Photos of volunteer efforts at various sites can be viewed online at (http://www.xstreamcleanup.org).
The Friends of the Rock Island Public Library are seeking volunteers for the Book Sale Room at the 30/31 Branch Library, 3059 30th Street. The Friends run an ongoing sale of used paperbacks, hardcover books, magazines and other items in the room during library hours. Volunteers who can help lift and shelve books are particularly needed. To get involved, leave your name and phone number with a Friends volunteer at the 30/31 Book Sale Room.
The Midcoast Fine Arts 20th Annual Riverssance Festival of Fine Arts is sponsoring an effort for a world record for the Quad Cities. The community will attempt to form the world's largest kazoo ensemble at noon on Saturday, September 15, at the ball fields in the Village of East Davenport. The current record is roughly 2,600. The event includes a free kazoo and lesson, and no experience is necessary. Participants will receive a coupon good for $1 off admission to Riverssance. For more information, call (563) 386-7013.
Ballet Quad Cities has announced receipt of a $2,500 grant for "Dance for Life:Developing Healthy Lifestyles Through Dance." This grant is made possible by the Rock Island Community Foundation. Dance for Life provides early intervention to establish patterns of good nutrition and noncompetitive physical activity that builds positive self-esteem.
The Trinity Enrichment Center will offer its second-annual Quad Cities Conference on Complementary Alternative Medicine, "Science & Spirituality: Enhancing the Power of Healing," on September 15 and 16 at Augustana College. The two-day conference will bring together physicians and professionals from organizations such as Mayo Clinic, Loyola University, University of Iowa Hospitals, and Maharishi University of Management. In addition, the conference will feature pioneers in integrative medicine and health care from around the country. To register, call (309) 779-2000; the registration deadline is Monday, September 10. For a complete brochure, visit (http://www.trinityqc.com/enrichment).
