The forum "Democracy's Challenge: Reclaiming the Public's Role" will be held on Thursday, January 22, at 6 p.m. at the new County Extension Office, 321 West Second Avenue in Milan. It will address the issues of public engagement, why civic duty is important, and our role as citizens in the democratic process. The cost is $5 per person and includes an issue book produced by the Kettering Foundation. Programs are open to adults and high-school students. Register online at Extension.UIUC.edu/rockisland. For more information, call (309) 756-9978.
The Davenport Public Library's Off-Beat Independent film for January is Choking Man, which will be shown on Wednesday, January 21, at 6 p.m., at the Fairmount Street Library (3000 North Fairmount Street). The social anxiety of a morbidly shy Ecuadorian dishwasher working in a Queens diner provides the psychological engine that powers this intense blend of drama and magical realism from music-video director Steve Barron. The Off-Beat Independent film is shown on the third Wednesday of each month. Attendees of this program will receive free popcorn, refreshments, and discussion. Registration is not required. For more information, including upcoming movies, visit DavenportLibrary.com or call (563) 328-6833.
The Rock Island Library's new e-mail service will notify patrons when their reserved library materials are ready for pick up, and when any checked-out materials are due back for return. To sign up, go to the library Web site at RIPL.lib.il.us and click "Prairie Cat catalog," then "My Account," and "Change My Address." Enter an e-mail address, current phone number, and your library bar-code number for verification.
The Rock Island Parks & Recreation Department is accepting program-assistance requests from area organizations that require Park Board sponsorship for programs, facilities, ball fields, parks, maintenance, or park equipment. Request forms are due February 13. To obtain a form, call (309) 732-7275 or stop by the Rock Island Park & Recreation Office at 1320 24th Street in Rock Island. An informational meeting will be held on January 26 at 6 p.m. at the Hauberg Civic Center, 1300 24th Street in Rock Island. To make a reservation, call the Parks & Recreation Department.
The "Beginning the Conversation" program is designed to address the challenges confronting families of those newly diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Crucial information is presented, from disease progression to programs and services that can support caregiving and maintain quality of life. (The program is for caregivers only; respite funds may be available for those suffering from the disease.) Programs for Scott and Rock Island counties will be held the fourth Tuesday of the month from 3 to 4:30 p.m. at the Alzheimer's Association office, 736 Federal Street Suite 2318 in Davenport. Persons interested in signing up for the class may call (563) 324-1022 or (800) 272-3900, or e-mail Jerry Schroeder at Jerry.Schroeder@alz.org.
The Muscatine Art Center will present Kosovo Revisited, which tells the story of a journey through photos and artwork created by Muscatine and Kosovar participants, through March 8. The exhibit was drawn from two visits to Kosovo, in 2005 and 2008, by residents of Muscatine, who taught art, music, and English classes and organized a health clinic and an eye clinic. The Muscatine Art Center is located at 1314 Mulberry Avenue. For more information, call (563) 263-8282 or visit MuscatineArtCenter.org.
The Rock Island Beautification Commission has selected winners for the 2008 Commercial Beautification Awards program. Winners included KJWW, 623 26th Avenue; Hy-Vee, 2930 18th Avenue; Greater Antioch Baptist Church, 929 14th Street; and Virdi Eye Clinic, 4600 30th Street. For more information, visit RIGov.org/citydepartments/ced/beautificationcommission.html.
Application forms for summer and fall internships in U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley's office may be obtained by visiting Grassley.Senate.gov. Click on "Internships" under the "Info for Iowans" tab. For more information on internship opportunities, contact Cory Crowley at (202) 224-3744.
Four registered nurses have completed a 36-hour basic-preparation orientation class for Trinity Regional Health System's parish-nurse program. In recognition of their new positions as parish nurses, an anointing service is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Sunday, January 25, at Faith Lutheran Church, 1611 41st Street in Moline. In celebration of the 20th anniversary of Trinity's parish-nurse program, all parish nurses are invited to attend the service and re-dedicate their healing ministries. The public is invited.
