The 15th annual Mayors' Hunger Luncheon, "In from the Cold," will be held at noon on Thursday, November 8 at Bettendorf's Isle of Capri Convention Center. The mayors of the Quad Cities will serve a simple lunch of bread and hearty soup, reflecting the theme of "We eat simply so that others may simply eat." With the assistance of the United Way of the Quad Cities Area, "In from the Cold" has, since 1992, distributed more than $250,000 to fund services for the homeless, and at this year's luncheon, an additional fundraising raffle will give attendees the chance to win one of three Ralph Iaccarino prints. Tickets are $20 per person, with tables of 10 at $175, and more information is available at the "In from the Cold" Web site (http://www.infromthecoldqc.org) or by calling (563) 421-4343.
The medical industry's focus on improving hospital care has continued to reduce mortality rates, according to the 10th annual HealthGrades Hospital Quality in America Study, issued on October 15, 2007. According to the report, Trinity Medical Center ranks among the top 5 percent in the nation for heart-surgery care, and is five-star rated in coronary-bypass and coronary-intervention procedures; only the top 15 percent of hospitals nationwide receive five-star rankings. The study, the largest of its kind, analyzed patient outcomes at virtually all of the nation's 5,000 hospitals over the years 2004, 2005, and 2006.
More than 100 students, parents, and volunteers participated in October 22's Reading Is Fundamental book distribution at East Moline's Project NOW Head Start location. The theme of the event was safety, and the distribution found students listening to stories read by two East Moline firefighters, perusing hundreds of books, and ultimately choosing one to keep at no cost.
On Tuesday, November 6, the Mississippi Valley Blues Society presents a 6 p.m. Rich DelGrosso concert at the Family Museum, as part of the organization's Blues in the Schools Artist-in-Residency series. DelGrosso will play music, discuss the blues, and educate visitors on the art of the mandolin. The concert is free with admission to the Family Museum - $5 per person, with seniors 60 and over $2, and children one and under free.
Project NOW will begin scheduling application appointments for its Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) on Thursday, November 1. LIHEAP is designed to assist eligible low-income households in paying for winter-energy service through a one-time benefit, the amount determined by income, household size, fuel type, and geographic location. Those interested in applying can call or stop by one of the Project NOW outreach offices at 418 19th Street in Rock Island (309-793-6391), 711 Fourth Avenue in Moline (309-764-8092), 405 Tenney Street in Kewanee (309-852-4565), or 605½ SW Third Street in Aledo (309-582-2644).
The 4th annual Quad Cities Volunteer Expo will be held at the Figge Art Museum from 4 to 6 p.m. on Thursday, November 8. Organized by Recreation, Park, & Tourism Administration students of Western Illinois University Quad Cities, the expo is designed to match residents with volunteer opportunities at more than 30 area not-for-profit organizations, and is co-sponsored by Directors of Volunteers in Agencies and the Figge. For more information, contact Western Illinois University Quad Cities at (309) 762-9481, extension 322 or 306.
On October 27, Habitat for Humanity Quad Cities dedicated its 49th home, at 430 Sixth Street in Moline, the seventh Habitat house to be built in the city. It will become home to Betty Hoff and her two sons, and a large portion of the sponsorship funding for the dwelling was provided by Wells Fargo, with additional funding from the Amy Helpenstell Foundation, the Moline Foundation, and the Duncan J. Cameron Family Foundation.
For the second year in a row, Bettendorf's Rivermont Collegiate ranks first in the state on the Iowa Advanced Placement Index. The University of Iowa Belin-Blank Center's third annual "Iowa AP Index for the Top 50 Schools" rated Rivermont so highly based on 2006 exam data. Additionally, fifth graders Madeline Bowman and Michal Porubcin and eighth grader Pavane Gorrepati were given special recognition for test scores which placed them in the top 1 percent of their peer groups.
Help out by going all in! The City of Bettendorf and Scott County have united to raise money for the Quad Cities United Way with a Texas Hold 'Em Tournament, being held on Friday, November 9, at the Bettendorf Holiday Inn. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., and the tournament starts at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door, and can be purchased at either Bettendorf City Hall (1609 State Street) or the Scott County Administrative Center (600 West Fourth Street, Davenport). Cash payment is preferred; checks written out to United Way will be accepted only with proof of identification. Participants must be at least 21 years old to play.
WQPT has received a $10,000 grant from the Alcoa Foundation for springtime educational workshops incorporating PBS programs Seemore's Playhouse and Danger Rangers. Additionally, the Amy Helpenstell Foundation has granted the station $20,000 in support of programs in the Ready to Lead in Literacy Initiative, among them "Family-Literacy Workshops," for adults seeking English as a second language; the "First Book Program" for at-risk children; and the "Ready to Learn Conference," which provides annual workshops for 250 child-care providers.
