Piano Celebration, hosted by Piano for a Richer Life, raised more than $31,000 for the Ronald McDonald House. This year, more than 400 local celebrities, student pianists, and piano enthusiasts performed at NorthPark Mall in Davenport on three Yamaha Conservatory grand pianos with a dual purpose: to raise funds to support the local Ronald McDonald House and to emphasize that piano study enhances brain development. Iowa City Ronald McDonald House serves the families of thousands of children suffering from critical conditions. The event took place on Saturday, April 19, and Sunday, April 20.
The Good Samaritan Free Clinic has relocated to 602 35th Avenue in Moline. The clinic previously was located at Faith Lutheran Church, 1611 41st Street in Moline. The Good Samaritan Free Clinic offers free primary medical care, including limited lab and X-ray, to patients age 16 to 64 who are working but have no medical insurance. Patients are seen by volunteer physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. Office hours are Monday evenings from 5 to 9 p.m. and Thursday mornings from 8 a.m. to noon. Patients are seen by appointment only. The clinic's telephone number is (309) 797-4688.
Experienced administrative professionals looking for a new challenge can become their own bosses by investing two semesters in the new Black Hawk College online Virtual Assistant certificate program. An administrative virtual assistant, or virtual office assistant, is an independent contractor who specializes in providing administrative-support services or technical assistance to clients. All courses in the new Black Hawk College program can be completed online, so current administrative assistants do not have to take time off work to attend classes. For more information, contact Amy Smith at (309) 796-5329. To sign up to attend an information session, contact Angela Heckman at (800) 233-5671 extension 1724 or (heckmana@bhc.edu).
David Osborn has been the energy program manager for the Rock Island Arsenal since 1989 and has continually worked to reduce the energy levels and water use on the Arsenal. He has been named an "Energy Catalyst" by the Department of Energy's Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP). Through his efforts, the Arsenal's annual energy use was reduced by 36 percent, water use by 68 percent, and energy costs by more than $5 million per year, while generating more than 30 percent of the Arsenal's electricity from hydro-electric power. Over the past 19 years, Osborn has earned a total of four FEMP awards and five Secretary of the Army Energy & Water Management Program Awards.
Two public radio stations in Iowa will receive a combined $160,000 from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting to convert from analog to digital technology. Of the money earmarked, $75,000 will go to KWNJ-FM in Bettendorf.
The local Alzheimer's Association is recruiting volunteer ambassadors to help meet the growing demand for help as the number of people affected by the disease steadily rises. Ambassadors are especially needed to serve the rural parts of Rock Island, Mercer, and Henry counties in Illinois. Ambassadors' primary duties include helping those affected get connected to appropriate services; providing telephone support, educational materials, and occasional face-to-face visits with families affected; and presenting information about the disease to civic and church groups. All ambassadors will receive a thorough orientation and training. For more information, contact Jerry Schroeder at (563) 324-1022.
MAKEitYOURS is a program that allows businesses, schools, churches, and other community groups to adopt and care for an area that means something to them. Participating organizations provide volunteers to clean, beautify, and maintain an area throughout the year, and the iLivehere program supplies bags, gloves, litter tongs, and safety vests. To get your group or business involved in the MAKEitYOURS program, visit (http://www.ilivehereqc.org) or call (563) 468-4218.
Iowa Ducks Unlimited needs 500 applicants to initiate a license-plate program dedicated to the ducks and other wildlife in Iowa. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources and Ducks Unlimited have agreed to share the proceeds from the sale of Ducks Unlimited license plates for habitat conservation in the state. The new plate design features the organization's logo to the left of the identification numbers. The cost of the Ducks Unlimited plate is $35 ($60 for personalized plates) with an annual renewal fee of $10, in addition to standard vehicle-registration fees for Iowa. Those interested in purchasing an Iowa Ducks Unlimited license plate can download an application from (http://www.ducks.org/IowaPlates).
The Davenport Public Library Teen Volunteer Council is a monthly program for teens interested in making a difference in their community. The council offers community-service hours for inclusion on job applications, college applications, and scholarships. All teens who participate in the group are invited to play games such as Guitar Hero and Dance Dance Revolution after the meeting. The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 13, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Fairmount Street Library (3000 North Fairmount Street). For more information, contact Christie at (563) 326-7893.
