Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich has announced $1.6 million in federal grants to allow municipal, county, and state law-enforcement agencies in northern Illinois to acquire in-car computer equipment to help improve access to criminal records during traffic stops and enhance public and police safety. Recipients from Henry County include the Geneseo Police Department ($17,400) and the Kewanee Police Department ($11,092). Rock Island County recipients include East Moline ($8,503), Milan ($11,792), Moline ($8,022), and Rock Island County ($10,646). In addition to data access, law-enforcement officers can use the terminals for note-taking and report-writing, as well as wirelessly entering incident, accident, and arrest information.
Churches United has announced a $10,000 grant from the Alcoa Foundation in support of Winnie's Place. Winnie's Place is an emergency shelter for homeless women (with or without children). Winnie's Place will provide temporary shelter while women in need gain the skills and emotional growth necessary for successful independence.
The Donahue volunteer fire department in Scott County has received $83,125 for vehicle acquisition as part of the eighth round of the Assistance to Firefighters Grants distributed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency.
The Voter's Self-Defense System allows citizens to check the often-misleading claims of candidates as they bargain for votes. It is made up of Project Vote Smart's database of information on candidates and elected officials at every level of government, including biographical data, voting records, issue positions, campaign-finance information, interest-group ratings, and public statements. Voters can access this information at (http://www.votesmart.org) or over the toll-free Voter's Research Hotline at (888) VOTE-SMART. The system has been built over 16 years, with the help of more than 6,000 volunteers, staff members, and interns, and paid for by more than 300,000 contributions averaging $35 apiece.
Circa '21 is hosting a benefit for WQPT public television on October 4 at a special performance of Almost Heaven: Songs of John Denver. Tickets are $50 each and include dinner, the pre-show featuring the Circa '21 Bootleggers, and the new musical featuring almost 30 songs, all performed against a backdrop of visual images of America in the late 1960s and early '70s. Tickets can be purchased by calling (309) 786-7733 extension 2.
On Saturday, September 22, Habitat for Humanity Quad Cities broke ground on the fifth house to be built in the newly developed subdivision named Habitat Park in Rock Island. The house is being built at 804 Ninth Avenue and will become home for Angela Brewer and her daughter. A large portion of the funding will come from Our Lady of Victory Youth Group and Wells Fargo. Additional funding will come from the Alcoa Foundation, Rock Island Community Foundation, and the Augustana College Habitat Chapter. The lot for this property was acquired through the assistance of the City of Rock Island. This will be the 53rd house to be built in the Quad Cities.
The Davenport Public Library's 321 Main Street location will kick off a "Grand Reopening Celebration Week" on Monday, October 1, at 11:45 a.m., with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The festivities will continue throughout the week. The renovations begin a yearlong celebration leading up the 40th-anniversary re-dedication of the Main Street Library's Edward Durell Stone building. The official date of the 40th anniversary is October 6, 2008.
Retirees from all branches of the armed forces and their family members are invited to attend a Retiree Appreciation Day to be held at the Rock Island Arsenal on Saturday, October 27. The event will be held from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Post Restaurant, building 60. Retiree Appreciation Day is an opportunity for all armed-forces retirees, spouses, widows, and guests to receive updated information about retiree entitlement programs. Attendance at the Retiree Appreciation Day is free, but reservations are requested. Mail registrations to CW4 Jim McAttee, USA Ret., 916 Belmont, Davenport IA 52804. Reservations must be received prior to October 17. Additional information is available by calling (563) 322-4823.
The Symphony in Bloom Garden Club celebrates the harvest with its annual Victorian Tea on Saturday, October 6, at 12:30 p.m. at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, 121 West 12th Street in Davenport. The cost is $25 per person. Reservations are required and can be made by calling the Quad City Symphony Orchestra office at (563) 322-0931. The guest presenter will be Nancy Southerland of Cedar Rapids, who will give a demonstration on harvesting and drying flowers.
The Quad Cities Cruisers celebrated their 26th season by donating $10,000 to five local charities. Black Hawk Education District, Viet Nam Veterans of the Quad Cities Area, Women's Choice Center, Community Health Care, and Faith in Action will each receive $2,000.
