WVIK 90.3 FM will present the program Quad City Oral Histories throughout July, giving audiences an opportunity to hear Quad Citians relate their experiences (both at home and abroad) during World War II. The program will air at 7 p.m. on Mondays. The project was a collaboration between WVIK and the Davenport Public Library's Richardson-Sloane Special Collections Center. According to a press release: "Now in their 70s and 80s, these local citizens were chemists on the Manhattan Project, brides from England, farm boys on ‘scrap drives,' MedEvac nurses, and ‘Rosie-the-Riveters.' They were at Pearl Harbor and survived ‘D-Day.' One man shot the padlock on the gates of Dachau, and several liberated labor camps across Europe."
The month of July is Elder Abuse Awareness Month. During this special month, the Western Illinois Area Agency on Aging (in collaboration with Alternatives for the Older Adult and the Illinois Department on Aging) seeks to bring the problem of elder abuse to the attention of residents of its 10-county service area. In 2006 in Illinois, 7,000 older adults experienced abuse, including physical, sexual, or emotional abuse; confinement; neglect; willful deprivation; and financial exploitation. Victims of elder abuse are from all income levels, races, and ethnic backgrounds. Alternatives for the Older Adult is the provider of elder-abuse services in the 10 county area. Its case managers are responsible for investigating complaints of elder abuse. To make a report of suspected abuse, call (800) 798-0988 or (309) 277-0167. Reports can also be made to the Illinois Department on Aging's elder-abuse toll-free 24-hour hotline: (866) 800-1409. All calls are confidential.
Held on Saturday, July 15, from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m., the annual Young Entrepreneur's Market is an opportunity for youth to bring artwork, jewelry, toys, clothing, costumes, CDs, sports equipment, and other gently used items to sell. The Family Museum of Arts & Science will host and do all the advertising for the event, and the youth keep all their profits. Market spaces are $10 to reserve, and registration is required. Interested persons should contact Julie at (563) 344-4170. There is no admission charge to attend the Young Entrepreneur's Market, and everyone is invited.
Davenport residents can begin using their new garbage carts this week, as the city's automated garbage trucks hit the streets. For more information on the automated-garbage-pickup program, call the Public Works Center at (563) 326-7732 or visit (http://www.pitch-in.org).
The City of Davenport will hold a special election on July 25 to determine whether aldermen and the mayor should serve four-year staggered terms instead of the current two-year terms. On June 5, Citizens for Smart Governance submitted a petition with more than 1,800 signatures to the City of Davenport. State law requires that an election be held within 60 days of petitions being turned in.
Christine Griffin, a first-grade teacher at Walcott Elementary, has been named an Outstanding American Teacher by the National Honor Roll's Outstanding American Teacher program. The mission of the program is to recognize teachers for their contribution to the positive development of America's youth. The National Honor Roll focuses on issues of academic achievement related to students and to teaching.
Trinity Cancer Center is now enrolling women in a national clinical trial studying how best to prevent the recurrence of breast cancer. The trial specifically studies whether women need to undergo both hormonal therapy and chemotherapy treatment, or if hormonal therapy alone will best prevent the recurrence of their cancer. Through the new clinical trial, women who already have undergone surgery to remove their breast cancer will have a test done to more precisely determine their probability of recurrence. Based on their results, doctors can individualize future treatment. Trinity Cancer Center is a member of a research group located at Mayo Clinic, which further allows Trinity's patients up-to-date treatments. For more information about this or other cancer research trials at the Trinity Cancer Center, contact Mary Lundeen at (309) 779-5979.
The Rock Island Public Library won the honorable mention in the Fundraising Materials category for its budget range in the LAMA (Library Administration & Management Association) Best of Show competition. The library entered the "Food for Thought" mailing produced for the Rock Island Public Library Foundation's annual dining event and silent auction in November. The Rock Island Library competed against 360 entries submitted from across the U.S. and Canada. The award was presented at the 2006 LAMA Public Relations Swap & Shop event on Sunday, June 25, at the ALA Annual Conference in New Orleans.
Students ranging in age from 5 to 13 are exploring learning through the arts in a special summer academy program being sponsored by Davenport Community Schools' Lincoln Academy of Integrated Arts. Held in cooperation with the Bucktown Center for the Arts, the half-day sessions feature both math and reading skills, as well as the opportunity to learn about the heritage of our community through the arts. Partners in addition to Bucktown include MidCoast Fine Arts, the Figge Art Museum, and the River Music Experience. For more information, contact Lincoln at (563) 324-0497.
