After being in Davenport for 42 years, the International Woodcarvers Congress is moving its annual show to Bettendorf's new Quad-Cities Waterfront Convention Center. The event runs Thursday, June 25, through Sunday, June 28, and is the longest-running and most-prestigious competitively judged woodcarving art show in existence. Featuring exhibits from all over the United States, Canada, and some countries overseas, the show is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at 2021 State Street. Admission is $4, but children under 12 are admitted free when accompanied by an adult. For more information, visit AWCLtd.org.
Quad Cities-area AARP members, families, and interested advocates are invited to attend an informational meeting on the organization's health-reform priorities on Thursday, June 25, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Figge Art Museum Cafe, 225 West Second Street in Davenport. The program is free, but advance registration is requested by calling (877)926-8300 or e-mailing your name and contact information to ia@AARP.org.
Junior Theatre is returning for another summer of performances at Davenport Public Library locations. From June 29 through July 22, the Junior Theatre troupe will perform at 10 a.m. every Monday at the Fairmount Street Library (3000 North Fairmount Street) and every Wednesday at the Main Street Library (321 Main Street). No registration is required. For more information, contact the Youth Services Department at (563)326-7900 or visit DavenportLibrary.com.
Beginning July 6, former KWQC meteorologist Terry Swails will join WQAD's Storm Team 8. Swails will anchor the weather for News 8 at 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, working under the direction of Chief Meteorologist James Zahara. Zahara was recently appointed to the role after the retirement of Neil Kastor. Swails' forecasts and analysis can also be found at TerrySwails.com.
The German American Heritage Center (712 West Second Street in Davenport) has launched a new Web site at GAHC.org, with features including photo galleries, videos, and RSS feeds. Visitors can also become a fan on the center's new Facebook page, subscribe to its new YouTube page, or sign up to receive free e-mail newsletters. The center continues to offer programs and events, including the upcoming Brewery Ephemera Exhibit (opening July 6) and Volksmarch (on July 18). By October 1, renovations will have made the interior exhibit space roughly six times larger to accommodate a new, permanent interactive audiovisual exhibit.
The Rock Island Community Foundation is now accepting grant applications. Grants are awarded annually to not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organizations. Applications must be postmarked by June 30. Last year, the Rock Island Community Foundation awarded $95,000 to 46 community organizations. For a grant application, visit RICF.org or call (309)269-4412.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency has awarded funds totaling more than $7 million to Iowa through the fiscal-year 2009 Homeland Security Grant Program. Iowa will receive $6.5 million through the State Homeland Security program, $321,221 through the Metropolitan Medical Response System, and $194,673 through the Citizen Corps Program.
The Quad City Health Initiative is a community partnership that works to create a healthy community. The Initiative raises awareness of health issues, encourages or creates projects to address gaps in health services, and fosters community collaboration in all aspects of health. For more information or to join the efforts of the Quad City Health Initiative, call (563)421-2826 or visit QCHealthInitiative.org.
The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration has awarded seven grants totaling $2.7 million to the Iowa Department of Transportation. Of local interest, Clinton will receive more than $444,000 to help reconstruct a portion of existing 19th Avenue in need of improvement and construct an extension of 19th Avenue to connect to the Mill Creek Parkway. This project should improve the efficiency of traffic in the area, reduce transportation impacts on the environment, and increase efficiency of access to jobs, services, and centers of trade by providing a more direct access to the Mississippi River bridge and northern downtown.
