15
Jan
2002
• A law that went into effect on January 1 makes Illinois one of the harshest states in the nation on the club drug Ecstasy. Under the new law, sale of as few as 15 Ecstasy tablets will be treated as a Class X felony, punishable by up to 30 years in prison and with a mandatory-minimum six-year sentence. Under the old law, persons possessing up to 900 Ecstasy tablets were eligible for probation. The new law also contains provisions allowing authorities to charge Ecstasy dealers with "drug-induced homicide" if someone dies after ingesting the drug. Under the old law, dealers had to have sold approximately 200 tablets to be charged with murder in the event of a customer death. The woman after whom the new law was ceremoniously named, 23-year-old Kelly Baker of DuPage County, died of an overdose in New Jersey in 1999.
• Every person in the world would be fingerprinted and registered under a universal identification scheme outlined at a recent United Nations meeting. The intent would be to fight people-smuggling and illegal immigration. The European Union is already considering a Europe-wide system, using either fingerprints or eye-scanning technology, to identify citizens. Proponents argue that universal identification would allow countries to open their borders to genuine travelers and asylum seekers.
• A not-much-talked about candidate for the job of Iowa Senator Tom Harkin is Bill Salier, a Nora Springs, Iowa, farmer and former Marine. While a Republican and conservative, his positions have libertarian overtones and should be considered by those who aren't very happy with the alternatives. You can see a little more about him at (http://www.billsalier.com).
• The Riverboat Development Authority has moved its office to the Rhythm City Casino Blackhawk Hotel at 200 East Third Street in Davenport. The new office is located in the lobby next to the elevators. Despite the new location, the phone and fax numbers remain the same: (563)328-8078 and (563)328-8067, respectively. You can visit the group's new Web site at (http://www.riverboatauthority.com).
• For the first time in nearly a year, the stained-glass window by famed artisan Louis Comfort Tiffany is back on view at the Davenport Museum of Art. The window was removed from its lower-level location in early 2001 as a safety precaution during construction of the IMAX theatre project. The Tiffany window will remain in its current location until the museum relocates to the Figge Arts Center in downtown Davenport in 2004. At that time, the window will be prominently featured as part of a winter garden on the upper level.
• Ten free flowering trees will be given to each person who joins the National Arbor Day Foundation this month. The free trees are part of the not-for-profit foundation's Trees for America campaign. The trees will be shipped postpaid at the right time for planting (between February 1 and May 31) with enclosed planting instructions. The six- to 12-inch trees are guaranteed to grow or they will be replaced free of charge. Members will also receive a subscription to the Foundation's bimonthly publication, Arbor Day, and the Tree Book, with information about tree planting and care. To become a member of the foundation and to receive the free trees, send a $10 contribution before January 31 to 10 Free Flowering Trees; National Arbor Day Foundation; 100 Arbor Ave.; Nebraska City, NE 68140.
• The name of Trinity's new Bettendorf hospital will be Trinity at Terrace Park. The 150-bed hospital will be completed by fall of 2003 at Utica Ridge and Crow Creek roads. The three-story, 198,000-square-foot hospital and 58,000-square-foot medical-office building will replace the system's Davenport campus.
• Occasionally, creditors make mistakes on billing statements, and the Fair Credit Billing Act protects you when there is an error on your bill. The Iowa State University Extension is offering a resource entitled "When There's an Error on Your Credit Card Bill," NCR 606-2. This publication discusses what you can expect from creditors, what the Fair Credit Billing Act covers, and the proper way to handle disputes. You can get your own copy by calling the Scott County Extension at (563)359-7577.
• Students seeking financial assistance to attend an Iowa private college can begin the application process for an Iowa Tuition Grant (ITG). Any Iowa resident enrolled or planning to enroll at a qualified Iowa private college or university is eligible for an ITG. Prospective students can link to the financial-aid form at the Iowa College Student Aid Commission's Web site at (http://www.iowacollegeaid.org). Students can also request a form from their high-school guidance counselors.
• Starting March 1, it will be illegal to smoke in Iowa City restaurants that serve more food than alcohol. The ordinance was passed 4-3 by the Iowa City Council. Restaurants wishing to be exempt can file affidavits stating that their alcohol sales exceed 50 percent of gross revenue. New restaurants or those making a change in their operations will be exempt for one year. Starting March 1, 2004, the ordinance will only exempt restaurants receiving at least 65 percent of their revenues from alcohol sales. Restaurant owners have said the ordinance will drive smoking patrons to other establishments.
• Every person in the world would be fingerprinted and registered under a universal identification scheme outlined at a recent United Nations meeting. The intent would be to fight people-smuggling and illegal immigration. The European Union is already considering a Europe-wide system, using either fingerprints or eye-scanning technology, to identify citizens. Proponents argue that universal identification would allow countries to open their borders to genuine travelers and asylum seekers.
• A not-much-talked about candidate for the job of Iowa Senator Tom Harkin is Bill Salier, a Nora Springs, Iowa, farmer and former Marine. While a Republican and conservative, his positions have libertarian overtones and should be considered by those who aren't very happy with the alternatives. You can see a little more about him at (http://www.billsalier.com).
• The Riverboat Development Authority has moved its office to the Rhythm City Casino Blackhawk Hotel at 200 East Third Street in Davenport. The new office is located in the lobby next to the elevators. Despite the new location, the phone and fax numbers remain the same: (563)328-8078 and (563)328-8067, respectively. You can visit the group's new Web site at (http://www.riverboatauthority.com).
• For the first time in nearly a year, the stained-glass window by famed artisan Louis Comfort Tiffany is back on view at the Davenport Museum of Art. The window was removed from its lower-level location in early 2001 as a safety precaution during construction of the IMAX theatre project. The Tiffany window will remain in its current location until the museum relocates to the Figge Arts Center in downtown Davenport in 2004. At that time, the window will be prominently featured as part of a winter garden on the upper level.
• Ten free flowering trees will be given to each person who joins the National Arbor Day Foundation this month. The free trees are part of the not-for-profit foundation's Trees for America campaign. The trees will be shipped postpaid at the right time for planting (between February 1 and May 31) with enclosed planting instructions. The six- to 12-inch trees are guaranteed to grow or they will be replaced free of charge. Members will also receive a subscription to the Foundation's bimonthly publication, Arbor Day, and the Tree Book, with information about tree planting and care. To become a member of the foundation and to receive the free trees, send a $10 contribution before January 31 to 10 Free Flowering Trees; National Arbor Day Foundation; 100 Arbor Ave.; Nebraska City, NE 68140.
• The name of Trinity's new Bettendorf hospital will be Trinity at Terrace Park. The 150-bed hospital will be completed by fall of 2003 at Utica Ridge and Crow Creek roads. The three-story, 198,000-square-foot hospital and 58,000-square-foot medical-office building will replace the system's Davenport campus.
• Occasionally, creditors make mistakes on billing statements, and the Fair Credit Billing Act protects you when there is an error on your bill. The Iowa State University Extension is offering a resource entitled "When There's an Error on Your Credit Card Bill," NCR 606-2. This publication discusses what you can expect from creditors, what the Fair Credit Billing Act covers, and the proper way to handle disputes. You can get your own copy by calling the Scott County Extension at (563)359-7577.
• Students seeking financial assistance to attend an Iowa private college can begin the application process for an Iowa Tuition Grant (ITG). Any Iowa resident enrolled or planning to enroll at a qualified Iowa private college or university is eligible for an ITG. Prospective students can link to the financial-aid form at the Iowa College Student Aid Commission's Web site at (http://www.iowacollegeaid.org). Students can also request a form from their high-school guidance counselors.
• Starting March 1, it will be illegal to smoke in Iowa City restaurants that serve more food than alcohol. The ordinance was passed 4-3 by the Iowa City Council. Restaurants wishing to be exempt can file affidavits stating that their alcohol sales exceed 50 percent of gross revenue. New restaurants or those making a change in their operations will be exempt for one year. Starting March 1, 2004, the ordinance will only exempt restaurants receiving at least 65 percent of their revenues from alcohol sales. Restaurant owners have said the ordinance will drive smoking patrons to other establishments.
