Federal Election Commission Chairperson Bradley A. Smith talks big. During a commencement address May 23 at Augustana College, he said, "It is a fact that under the Supreme Court's jurisprudence today, criticism of a congressman close to an election receives less constitutional protection than does Internet pornography, simulated child pornography, tobacco advertising, topless dancing, defamation, flag-burning, or burning a cross outside a black church.
Rock Island Economic Growth Corporation, which has long been a model of progressive development in the Quad Cities, is starting to ruffle a few feathers - with quite a few more likely to follow. That's because the not-for-profit organization has delved into the development of affordable housing, building 71 units for the Rock Island Housing Authority in the coming years, including six scattered-site homes this year in established - although still sensitive - neighborhoods.
Nick Clooney hit upon an interesting idea when he was approached about doing a book about film: that movies sometimes should be looked at outside the realm of entertainment. A persistent literary representative kept asking him to write a book, but he kept deferring because of his schedule as host of American Movie Classics.
A sign in the parking office of the City of Davenport reads, "Parking Should Be a Non-Event." That's certainly the dream in Davenport, but currently it's far from being a reality. Right now the city's parking system is getting pressure from two sides.
The Americans Who Tell the Truth project started with one portrait. Then it became a planned series of 50. Now, even its creator isn't sure where it will stop. The genesis of the project was the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.
Dave Ziedelis, vice president and general manager of the Swing of the Quad Cities baseball team, concedes that there's a "certain level of skepticism" when it comes to the renovated John O'Donnell Stadium. People think the Swing - the new name of the team that was known as the River Bandits last year - might be overselling the stadium and all its amenities.

Green Grocers

The Rock Island Country Market is an anomaly. While new grocery stores tend to be between 60,000 and 70,000 square feet and located in population centers and along major roadways, this 30,000-square-foot store is tucked away on Rock Island's 24th Street, more residential than commercial.

Casino Wars

On Monday, the Rock Island City Council passed a development agreement with Jumer's Casino Rock Island that paves the way for a $90-million project that would shift the casino's gambling operations from the city's riverfront to the intersection of Interstate 280 and Highway 92.
With political discourse defined by (and often limited to) spin and sound bites, it seems a particularly appropriate time to celebrate the presence of C-SPAN, the not-for-profit corporation that provides America (and the world) with coverage of U.
Ask Quad Citians what red brick building sits at the foot of the Arsenal Bridge in downtown Davenport, with the slogan "Welcome to Iowa" crudely painted on its side, and most will tell you, "The Judy's Antiques building.

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