On August 31, four outdoor locations in downtown Davenport will collectively house the traveling exhibit Coexistence, a series of 45 nine-by-15-foot panels - created by 43 international artists - exploring themes of compassion and empathy on a global level. Portions of the exhibit will be displayed in front of the Figge Art Museum, RiverCenter, and sky bridge, with the remainder displayed in LeClaire Park, and the exhibit is expected to attract 25,000 visitors - including more than 10,000 students - between August 31 and its close on September 27, 2007. Initiated by Jerusalem's Museum on the Seam in 2001 and sponsored by the Riverboat Development Authority, the artworks will be shown in conjunction with the Quad Cities' community-wide project "Coexistence: The Art of Living Together," and more information on the exhibit is available at (http://www.coexistence.art.museum). - Mike Schulz
River Action will sell rain barrels on April 14 from 9 a.m. to noon at 308 East River Drive in Davenport. These recycled, 60-gallon, food-grade-plastic barrels are equipped with a downspout diverter, a spigot, and an overflow tube. Rain barrels effectively capture and store runoff from roofs during small to moderate storms. The stored water can be use to irrigate lawns and landscaped areas in between storm events. To place an order, send a check for $68 per barrel to River Action; 822 E. River Dr.; Davenport IA 52803; or visit (http://www.riveraction.org) and click on "Retain the Rain." Orders are being taken on a first-come, first-served basis. For further information or questions, call (563) 322-2969.
The Robert Young Center for Community Mental Health and the Center for Alcohol & Drug Services will host a public forum regarding prevention of underage drinking; treatment issues; and alcohol marketing to youth from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, April 10, at Trinity West Campus (2701 17th Street in Rock Island). The event is one of several being held around the state aimed at creating and discussing strategies to address the issue of underage drinking. There is no cost to attend the community forum. For more information, call the Robert Young Center at (309) 779-3071.
Help Keep Rock Island Beautiful at the Bike Path Cleanup is a volunteer-based cleanup along the Rock Island bike path next to the Mississippi River. The event will be hosted by Keep Rock Island Beautiful on Saturday, April 7, from 8 a.m. to noon. Volunteers will pick up litter along the scenic riverfront bike path. Volunteers should meet at the parking lot at 20th Street and First Avenue. To register in advance, contact Carolyn Fuller at (309) 786-1334 or (cfuller@keepribeautiful.org). Volunteers under the age of 16 need to be accompanied by an adult.
The Davenport Sister Cities Committee is seeking volunteers to serve on four of its subcommittees. Each subcommittee focuses on one sister-city relationship (Kaiserslautern, Germany; Ilheus, Brazil; or County Carlow, Ireland) or the annual "Christkindlmarkt" holiday market in December. There will be an information meeting about these volunteer opportunities on Thursday, April 12, at 5 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, City Hall, 226 West Fourth Street in Davenport. For more information, contact Ann Geiger at (563) 326-7766.
On May 3 from 5:30 to 9 p.m., the inaugural Young Women of Achievement Award dinner will take place at the Mark of the Quad Cities. Girl Scouts will recognize five young women, ages 17 to 25, in the Quad Cities community who have shown outstanding community service. Individual tickets are $25, or a table of 10 can be reserved for $300. Corporate sponsorship is also available. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Shannon at (309) 788-0833 extension 314 or (shannonh@gsmv.org).
The Mary Iva Gittens Knouse Charitable Trust has donated $1,000 in support of Habitat for Humanity Quad Cities' mission to eliminate poverty housing in the area. Churches United has also announced a $2,500 grant award from Mary Iva Gittens Knouse Charitable Trust in support of its Hunger Ministry. Churches United operates 23 food pantries in the Quad Cities that responded to more than 76,000 visits in 2006 and three meal sites that served 30,856 meals in 2006. Churches United is also the coordinator of the local Souper Bowl of Caring and CROP Walk. Funds from the Mary Iva Gittens Knouse Charitable Trust are distributed in the community and used for educational, scientific, or charitable purposes within eastern Iowa.
Genesis Health System's award-winning Web site has new enhancements to provide additional convenience for Genesis patients and their families. You can now pay Genesis bills, order home medical supplies, and register for Genesis Health Services Foundation events by logging onto (http://www.genesishealth.com). Visa and MasterCard are accepted. All information is kept secure and confidential. When paying online, it's helpful to have your billing statement nearby for reference, as it contains necessary information such as the account number and the amount owed. You can also register for Foundation events and pay with a credit card.
The City of Bettendorf will conduct a strict enforcement on motorcycles that have altered exhaust systems that make the motorcycle extremely loud. It is against Bettendorf Municipal Ordinance 17-436 and 321.436 of the Iowa State Code to operate a motorcycle that creates excessive noise or has an altered exhaust system. The enforcement action is the result of numerous complaints regarding excessive noise. The fine for each offense is $63.20.
The Figge Art Museum will be presenting "The Passion of Christ" tours in the coming days. Docent Linda Lewis developed a special Easter-weekend tour that she will present at 1:30 p.m. Thursday through Sunday, April 5 through 8. Tours are free with Figge membership or paid admission. The Figge is located at 225 West Second Street in Davenport. For more information, or to arrange private tours for groups of 10 or more, call (563) 326-7804.
