St. Ambrose University, the Davenport Civil Rights Commission, and the Putnam Museum are joining together to chronicle the civil-rights movement in the Quad Cities between 1940 and 1984, and its impact on the community. To create an archive of materials for future generations, the Civil Rights History Committee is conducting interviews and gathering archival materials such as photos, film, letters, audiotapes, diaries, other documents, and memorabilia. Additionally, the committee will create an exhibit at the Putnam. Anyone who played a role in the history of the Quad Cities civil-rights movement, or who is in possession of artifacts related to the movement, is encouraged to contact Arthur Pitz at (309) 736-0840 or (artpitz@hotmail.com) or Judith Morrell at (563) 326-7888.
Rock Island County Animal Care & Control, along with QC PAWS, is hosting a "Paws in the Parking Lot" event on Saturday, October 27, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the shelter (4001 78th Avenue in Moline). The event will include food, prizes, a costume contest at 1 p.m., vendors selling animal goodies and gifts, a Jumpin' House for the kids, and face-painting. Dog and cat adoptions will be available throughout the day, and microchips will be offered at a reduced rate of $10.
The Rock Island Housing Authority, the Rock Island Police Department, Martin Luther King Community Center, and the Rock Island-Milan School District have collaborated to deliver the federally funded GREAT Grant Program to elementary- and middle-school kids in Rock Island. The Gang Resistance Education & Training (GREAT) program is a school-based, law-enforcement-officer-instructed classroom gang-prevention curriculum. Instruction will be delivered to participating fourth- through eighth-grade students during the regular school day by two GREAT Program-certified police officers. The one-year program began September 1 and will run through August 31 and was funded with a $17,238 grant.
Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa & Western Illinois CEO Diane Nelson received the 50% Solution Award from the Iowa Women's Foundation on October 8 at the University of Iowa Athletic Club. The award is given annually to individuals, businesses, and organizations that ensure that women in Iowa have the life and career support they need to be successful personally and professionally. For more information on Girl Scouts, visit (http://www.gseiwi.org) or call (800) 798-0833. Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa & Western Illinois serves more than 20,000 girls in 38 counties. Offices are located in West Burlington, Cedar Rapids, Decorah, Dubuque, and Waterloo in Iowa and Rock Island in Illinois.
The Quad City Youth Symphony Orchestra (QCYSO) launches its 50th season with new music and old friends. On the marquee for this anniversary performance will be the world premiere of Quadrangle, a piece commissioned by the QCYSO from nationally recognized composer Dana Wilson. Also featured at this concert will be former members of the youth orchestra and current members of the Quad City Symphony Orchestra. The fall concert is scheduled for Sunday, November 11, at 3 p.m. The performance will take place at Augustana College's Centennial Hall and will also feature music by Shostakovich, Copland, and Dvorak.
Churches United has announced the receipt of a $10,000 grant from the Community Resources Corporation in support of Winnie's Place. Winnie's Place is an emergency shelter for homeless women (with or without children). The purpose for Winnie's Place is to provide a safe environment for women and their children.
The Family Museum will celebrate the diverse world we live in with a series of cultural events titled "A World of Culture." This cultural series, with events held one day each month, features a different area each month. On Sunday, November 4, the museum will spotlight Africa from 1 to 3 p.m. This event will have African dances, music, clothing, storytelling, food, art, and activities. Admission to the event is covered by regular museum admission, or by a Family Museum membership. For more information, visit (http://www.familymuseum.org) or call (563) 344-4106.
The City of Davenport will provide its semi-annual no-sticker yard-waste collection through Friday, November 30. The purpose of this special collection is to help defray the cost of yard-waste disposal for city refuse customers during fall leaf-cleanup time.
The Quad City Sports Center received a $5,000 grant from the National Hockey League's Calgary Flames to support its OneGoal learn-to-play-hockey program. The current OneGoal program began October 15 and meets Mondays through November 19. The next OneGoal session is scheduled to begin in January 2008. For more information, call (563) 322-5220.
"Living Our Faith: Integrating Values & Politics in the Heartland - A Spiritual Progressives Conference," will be held on Saturday, November 3, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at First Congregational Church United Church of Christ (2201 Seventh Avenue in Moline). Registration is $15, or $10 for seniors and students. Scholarships available on a case-by-case basis. To register, call (563) 676-7580 or visit (http://www.qcprogressiveaction.org).
