The Rock Island Preservation Commission has spent the past nine months surveying post-World War II subdivisions, researching the homes of some of Rock Island's most prominent historical citizens and comparing the architectural merit of hundreds of buildings, all for the purpose of identifying Rock Island's "100 most significant unprotected structures." These 100 structures represent the best of Rock Island's historic buildings that aren't already designated a Rock Island landmark or located in the Highland Park Historic District. The complete list is organized by address and by name and can be downloaded at RIGov.org/pdf/headlines/2009/091709MoSUS.pdf.

The Robert Young Center for Community Mental Health will on September 23 begin offering a weekly anxiety-disorders support group from 6 to 7 p.m. on Wednesdays in classroom 2 on its west campus, 2701 17th Street in Rock Island. Anxiety disorders include panic disorder, obsessive/compulsive disorder, agoraphobia (fear of leaving the house), or generalized anxiety disorder. For more information, call (309)779-2800.

New data estimates that family health-care premiums in Illinois rose approximately five times faster than wages from 2000 to 2009, according to Families USA. In Iowa, premiums rose more than three times faster than wages. The Families USA report is based on data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the U.S. Department of Labor, and the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. The Illinois report can be found at FamiliesUSA.org/assets/pdfs/costly-coverage/illinois.pdf; the Iowa report can be found at FamiliesUSA.org/assets/pdfs/costly-coverage/iowa.pdf.

The Quad City Symphony Orchestra has hired Melinda Hubbell as its new director of education and community engagement. This appointment is the culmination of a six-month nationwide search. Hubbell comes to the Quad Cities from Atlanta with an extensive background in music education that includes heading a community music school, running a preparatory music academy, private teaching, using diverse curricula, and most recently working as a business-development specialist for a music-production and -education company.

Dr. Lisa Killinger of Palmer Health Clinics will be at the Davenport Public Library's Fairmount Branch (3000 North Fairmount Street) on Wednesday, September 30, at 1 p.m. to present "Staying Fit After 50: Tips for Successful Aging" at the "Specifically for Seniors" event. Participants will get up and move, demonstrating simple action steps that almost anyone can do to improve their balance, strength, and flexibility. For more information, call (563)888-3371 or visit DavenportLibrary.com.

The cooking field has long inspired mystery writers, with at least a dozen authors writing in the "culinary mystery with recipes" category. Add the chance to dine and drink around the mysterious stacks of a library and you have "Food for Thought: Cooking up a Mystery," a fundraising event from 5 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 8, at the Rock Island Main Library (401 19th Street). The donation to attend is $25 per person or $45 for couples. (Youth attending with parents or grandparents are admitted at no charge.) Guests may pay at the door the night of the event with cash or check written to the Rock Island Public Foundation. To reserve a spot in advance, call Amy Penry at (309)732-7302.

The City of Davenport Solid Waste Division has started using new trough-loader recycling trucks for collection. With the implementation of these new trucks comes a reminder to residents that cardboard that is set out for recycling collection must not be larger than 30 by 30 inches. This has been the size requirement since the City of Davenport started its recycling program in 1995; however, recycling crews have been able to be lenient. With the new trough-loader compacting trucks, large pieces of cardboard that are folded or pieces of cardboard larger than 30 by 30 inches will clog the hopper and not allow the truck to compact.

Area residents can safely dispose of old medications, exchange mercury thermometers for a digital one, pick up and drop off sharps containers, and have data-sensitive documents shredded free of charge during Operation Medicine Cabinet, September 24 through 26. Residents can call Waste Commission of Scott County at (563)381-1300 or visit WasteCom.com for additional information. This is the fourth-annual Operation Medicine Cabinet. Last year's event yielded 10,847 pounds of material, which included approximately 1,029 pounds of pharmaceuticals, 537 pounds of sharps, 14 pounds of mercury thermometers, and 9,211 pounds of documents for shredding. The three-day event served 941 households.

The Pleasant Valley High School girls' cross-country team donated $1,100 in honor of their classmate and friend, Jayne Lee Andreesen, who passed away four years ago after a battle with cancer. Every summer the Pleasant Valley cross-country team hosts a summer training camp, and a fee is collected to participate. Jane Wheeler, head girls' cross-country coach, has allowed the senior members of her team to decide where to donate the camp fees for the past two years.

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