The State Library of Iowa has announced that the Davenport Public Library has met the conditions for state accreditation. Of Iowa's 543 public libraries, 331 - including the Davenport Public Library - are accredited. The Davenport library has been recognized for its efforts in all areas of library administration, including governance and funding; staffing; library collection; services; public relations; and access and facilities. The accreditation is valid through June 30, 2011. Accredited libraries receive a higher rate of compensation through the State Library of Iowa's Enrich Iowa/Direct State Aid program.
To help residents with cleanup from Monday's storm, the City of Davenport will provide a special collection of tree limbs where bundling is not required from through August 1 for city solid-waste customers. Pickup will be on the regular collection day. Because of the extensive amount of tree damage in some areas, larger piles of tree debris may be picked up at a later time. If you have a large pile of tree debris, call (563) 326-7732 to put your address on a list for pickup.
The Illinois State Treasurer's Office is offering low-interest loans to residents, business owners, and farmers in federal- or state-declared disaster areas that suffered damages from flooding, but they must apply by September 11. Residents can receive a loan up to their damage amount from any of the 14 financial institutions participating, including American Bank & Trust in Rock Island. Some loans require interest-only monthly payments, while others include principal and interest. Interest rates for all loans are below market value, with a maximum of 4.5 percent. More information can be found at (http://www.treasurer.il.gov). - Marguerite Day
Subhajeet "Seve" Ghose has accepted an offer of employment to be Davenport's Parks & Recreation director. Ghose is presently employed by the City of Portland, Oregon, where he oversees parks and recreation services for the north and northeast quadrants of the city encompassing 55 square miles and serving 175,000 residents. Ghose will be paid a starting salary of $98,223 and plans to begin work on September 17.
The Quad City Symphony has announced auditions to fill openings for the 2008-9 season. Auditions will be held on August 30 and 31 and September 27 for violin, cello, trombone, flute, and viola positions. Anyone interested in auditioning can contact Rich Stodd at (rstodd@qcsymphony.com) or (563) 322-0931. For more information, visit (http://qcsymphony.com/press_release_detail.cfm?id=34).
On Friday, August 8, the Quad Cities Convention & Visitors Bureau is hosting a benefit performance of Are We There Yet? at the Circa '21 Dinner Playhouse in Rock Island. The public is invited to attend, and a portion of each ticket sold goes directly back to the Quad Cities Convention & Visitors Bureau. Tickets are $50 per person for the August 8 benefit and include a five-entrée buffet, coffee or tea, and the show. For reservations, call (309) 786-7733 extension 2.
The Quad Cities chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals will celebrate National Philanthropy Day with an awards ceremony and luncheon on November 19. The organization is currently accepting nominations for the following awards: Outstanding Youth/Youth Group, Outstanding Philanthropist, Outstanding Volunteer Fund Raiser, and Distinguished Service to Philanthropy. Nomination forms are available at (http://www.afpquadcities.com), and nominations are due by July 25. For more information, contact Carol Foster at (cmf@hdcmail.org) or (563) 391-4834.
The Scott County Family Y will host the SilverSneakers Senior Olympics/Fitness Celebration on Friday, August 1. The event will feature a variety of fun and fitness activities followed by an awards presentation and SilverSneakers potluck. The SilverSneakers Senior Olympics/Fitness Celebration begins at 8:45 a.m. at the West Family YMCA, 3503 West Locust Street in Davenport. For more information, contact Jay or Kerry at (563) 386-4414 or Marli at (563) 359- 9622.
The next School of Worship sponsored by the Quad Cities Prayer Center begins Tuesday, September 9. The School of Worship is a 10-month program designed to teach men and women to be lead worshippers in local churches. For more information, call (309) 269-6237 or visit (http://www.qcschoolofworship.org).
The Augustana College Office of Admission will provide free instruction on the college search process through College Search 101, a program offered free to the public on Thursday, July 31. High-school students and their families, guidance counselors, and teachers are invited to participate in the half-day workshop detailing key aspects of the college search process. To register, call (309) 794 -7341 or visit (http://www.augustana.edu/collegesearch101).
The entire Iowa congressional delegation has sent President George W. Bush a letter urging him to grant a partial or complete waiver of the 25-percent cost share the state must provide to receive federal assistance to repair and rebuild infrastructure and utilities. Reduction of the cost-share amount for states was enacted for victims of Hurricane Katrina in Louisiana and Mississippi. Iowa's cost share was reduced to 10 percent after the 1993 flood.
