If you're in a band, you might know that things are getting serious when business overtakes music as your primary concern. "Lately, it's been all business," said Tom Swanson, singer and guitarist for Jim the Mule.

Living History

He helped create Southern rock music. He was instrumental in paving the way for today's jam bands. He is indisputably one of the greatest guitarists to ever live. His group was one of the inspirations for Cameron Crowe's Almost Famous.
"Some people think that art should shock, provoke strong emotion, but I don't do that," said Rock Island artist Akiko Koiso. "In art, I want something that I enjoy, that I find relaxing, and that brings me peace.
On June 6, Davenport Mayor Charlie Brooke vetoed a resolution that used the city's power of eminent domain to grant an easement for a sanitary sewer. The city council had decided by a 6-4 vote to condemn the property in question to assist a condominium project developed by longtime city-government critic Niky Bowles.
A.J. Wacaser is fond of a slogan by activist Jeremy Rifkin: "Eating is the ultimate political act." There's certainly a political component to the new Buy Fresh Buy Local campaign, which Wacaser is helping to coordinate.

BRAC Attack

In 1995, community backers of a military base in a very arid part of the country offered to take drastic measures to satisfy the U.S. military, which had difficulty getting the water it needed and as a result wanted to shift some functions to different military bases.

Blueprint 2010

When the Illinois Quad City Chamber of Commerce unveiled the findings of its Blueprint 2010 study last week, they had a familiar ring. The Quad Cities area doesn't have enough young professionals, the study found, there's a pervasive pessimism among residents, and the community doesn't market itself effectively to the outside world, particularly to businesses looking to re-locate.

Doctor Dash

The Genesis Illini Medical Center in Silvis has lost 25 physicians in the past 24 months. That's roughly 10 percent of the hospital's doctors. These aren't the losses that one would expect, such as planned retirements.

The Enigma

Lyle Lovett put the bottle of water to his lips. He drank, and he drank, and he drank. The audience started to titter, although I'm sure some people wondered when he would come up for air. He continued sucking down the water.
After being suspended and kicked out of Rock Island High School for not attending class almost 90 percent of the time a year and a half ago, Adam Anderson decided it was time to do something with his life. Soon after, he joined Rock Island Youthbuild and began attending classes at the Black Hawk Learning Center.

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