25
Sep
2001
• You might have already noticed some new billboards throughout the Iowa Quad Cities focusing on secondhand smoke instead of controversial depictions of the physical ravages attributed to smoking and chewing tobacco. Just Eliminate Lies, an anti-tobacco network of teens behind the controversial ads described above, recently unveiled the new campaign, which is expected to cost slightly more than $1 million. The ads were paid for using money from the State of Iowa Tobacco Settlement fund through the Iowa Department of Public Health. If you can't find the billboards, you can see them on the Just Eliminate Lies Web site at (http://www.JELIowa.org). Even if you aren't interested in the effects of secondhand smoke, the Web site is worth a look with its flashy, eye-catching graphics and links.
• New York Blood Center (NYBC) officials recently contacted the Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center (MVBRC) requesting support for blood products as a result of the September 11 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center. MVRBC sent 15 pheresis products and followed up with 70 units of leuko-reduced blood products. In addition, MVBRC sent 80 units of blood products to the Richmond, Virginia, community blood center. The Richmond blood center has been supplying blood to Washington, D.C., in the wake of the terrorist attack on the Pentagon The MVBRC is encouraging people interested in giving blood to call to schedule an appointment for the next two to eight weeks. Donors should continue to keep their regular appointments. Appointments can be made by calling (563)359-5401 or (800)747-5401.
• The Iowa State University Extension's Iowa Concern line is available for all Iowans wanting to talk about the recent national tragedy at (800)447-1985. The service is available 24 hours a day and is staffed by real people, not recordings. Iowa Concern Hotline provides confidential assistance and referral for stress and other concerns for Iowa families in times of crisis and change.
• Absentee ballots for the October 9 city primary are available at the Scott County auditor's office at 416 West 4th Street in Davenport, and by request at the auditor's page at (http://www.scottcountyiowa.com). People requesting ballots in person must complete them at the time of the request, with a deadline of 4:30 p.m. on Monday, October 8th. An early-voting office for city-primary voting only will be open from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. Friday, September 21, through Saturday, October 6, at the Lujack Auto Kiosk at NorthPark Mall. One-day early voting for the city primary will be held from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. October 3 at Missionary Baptist Church, 222 West 14th Street in Davenport. For more information, look on the Web at (http://www.scottcountyiowa.com) or call (563)326-8631 or (563)326-8683.
• You can help with financial donations for The American Red Cross National Disaster Relief Fund. Contributions can be made by calling (800)435-7669 or via the Internet at (http://www.redcross.org). Due to the amount of time, money, and people required, the Red Cross cannot accept canned goods, used clothing, or furniture.
• Budget cuts in state government are forcing Iowa State Patrol to do such mundane tasks as dusting and mopping. Investigators and inspectors from other divisions of the Iowa Department of Public Safety are helping. Almost all part-time workers, including those who did janitorial and lawn work, have been eliminated, and each State Patrol district has to make its own decisions about how to get the work done.
• Volunteers are needed for the Domestic Violence Advocacy & Rape/Sexual Assault Counseling Program. There are a number of ways you can help, from crisis-line advocacy to legal advocacy to interpreting to clerical tasks, and much more. You can all the volunteer coordinator at (563)323-1852 for specific information about victim-services volunteer guidelines and opportunities. Tax-deductible cash gifts are also appreciated and can be sent to Family Resources, Inc.; 115 W. 6th St.; Davenport, IA 52803. Mark your contribution "DVAP," "Shelter," or "R/SACP."
• Civil libertarians are worried about two bills currently before Congress in the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks. They warn that the legislation could tip the United States system of checks and balances, giving the government unprecedented authority to surveil American citizens with little judicial or other oversight. Attorney General John Ashcroft has proposed the Mobilization Against Terrorism Act, and among other measures, it asks Congress to expand the ability of law-enforcement officers to perform wiretaps. Ashcroft's legislation comes in the wake of the Senate's hasty passage of the Combating Terrorism Act on the evening of September 13, with less than 30 minutes of consideration on the Senate floor.
• Travelers to the Quad City International Airport should expect a number of changes, including a ban on knives or sharp objects on persons or in a carry-on bag; hand searches of checked and carry-on baggage; and a mandate that passengers can be dropped off at the terminal, but drivers must stay with their vehicles and move to the airport long-term-parking lot. Short-term parking has been eliminated. Passengers should allow at least 90 minutes for new check-in requirements and should call their airline for updated information about the status of their flight. Also, only ticketed passengers are allowed beyond the security checkpoint, with the exception of unaccompanied minors and those needing special assistance. Procedures for rental cars have not changed. Other requirements by the FAA might apply at any time.
• New York Blood Center (NYBC) officials recently contacted the Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center (MVBRC) requesting support for blood products as a result of the September 11 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center. MVRBC sent 15 pheresis products and followed up with 70 units of leuko-reduced blood products. In addition, MVBRC sent 80 units of blood products to the Richmond, Virginia, community blood center. The Richmond blood center has been supplying blood to Washington, D.C., in the wake of the terrorist attack on the Pentagon The MVBRC is encouraging people interested in giving blood to call to schedule an appointment for the next two to eight weeks. Donors should continue to keep their regular appointments. Appointments can be made by calling (563)359-5401 or (800)747-5401.
• The Iowa State University Extension's Iowa Concern line is available for all Iowans wanting to talk about the recent national tragedy at (800)447-1985. The service is available 24 hours a day and is staffed by real people, not recordings. Iowa Concern Hotline provides confidential assistance and referral for stress and other concerns for Iowa families in times of crisis and change.
• Absentee ballots for the October 9 city primary are available at the Scott County auditor's office at 416 West 4th Street in Davenport, and by request at the auditor's page at (http://www.scottcountyiowa.com). People requesting ballots in person must complete them at the time of the request, with a deadline of 4:30 p.m. on Monday, October 8th. An early-voting office for city-primary voting only will be open from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. Friday, September 21, through Saturday, October 6, at the Lujack Auto Kiosk at NorthPark Mall. One-day early voting for the city primary will be held from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. October 3 at Missionary Baptist Church, 222 West 14th Street in Davenport. For more information, look on the Web at (http://www.scottcountyiowa.com) or call (563)326-8631 or (563)326-8683.
• You can help with financial donations for The American Red Cross National Disaster Relief Fund. Contributions can be made by calling (800)435-7669 or via the Internet at (http://www.redcross.org). Due to the amount of time, money, and people required, the Red Cross cannot accept canned goods, used clothing, or furniture.
• Budget cuts in state government are forcing Iowa State Patrol to do such mundane tasks as dusting and mopping. Investigators and inspectors from other divisions of the Iowa Department of Public Safety are helping. Almost all part-time workers, including those who did janitorial and lawn work, have been eliminated, and each State Patrol district has to make its own decisions about how to get the work done.
• Volunteers are needed for the Domestic Violence Advocacy & Rape/Sexual Assault Counseling Program. There are a number of ways you can help, from crisis-line advocacy to legal advocacy to interpreting to clerical tasks, and much more. You can all the volunteer coordinator at (563)323-1852 for specific information about victim-services volunteer guidelines and opportunities. Tax-deductible cash gifts are also appreciated and can be sent to Family Resources, Inc.; 115 W. 6th St.; Davenport, IA 52803. Mark your contribution "DVAP," "Shelter," or "R/SACP."
• Civil libertarians are worried about two bills currently before Congress in the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks. They warn that the legislation could tip the United States system of checks and balances, giving the government unprecedented authority to surveil American citizens with little judicial or other oversight. Attorney General John Ashcroft has proposed the Mobilization Against Terrorism Act, and among other measures, it asks Congress to expand the ability of law-enforcement officers to perform wiretaps. Ashcroft's legislation comes in the wake of the Senate's hasty passage of the Combating Terrorism Act on the evening of September 13, with less than 30 minutes of consideration on the Senate floor.
• Travelers to the Quad City International Airport should expect a number of changes, including a ban on knives or sharp objects on persons or in a carry-on bag; hand searches of checked and carry-on baggage; and a mandate that passengers can be dropped off at the terminal, but drivers must stay with their vehicles and move to the airport long-term-parking lot. Short-term parking has been eliminated. Passengers should allow at least 90 minutes for new check-in requirements and should call their airline for updated information about the status of their flight. Also, only ticketed passengers are allowed beyond the security checkpoint, with the exception of unaccompanied minors and those needing special assistance. Procedures for rental cars have not changed. Other requirements by the FAA might apply at any time.
