On November 13, the Community Vitality Task Force released the second-annual Community Vitality Snapshot Report. The snapshot is an annual quality-of-life report used to highlight the Quad Cities' strengths and weaknesses, and it focuses on seven areas: economy and employment; health and society; environment and resources; education and learning; arts, culture, and recreation; neighborhoods, housing, and safety; and belonging and leadership. The report provides statistics for issues that are considered critical to the growth and success of the Quad Cities, such as the annual average unemployment rate, the percentage of people without health insurance, and the crime rate. The snapshot can be downloaded at GenesisHealth.com/pdf/qchi_2008_snapshot.pdf. - Ashley Allen

Included here are the responses we received to our economic-growth questionnaire, which was sent to 20 representatives of local governments and economic-development organizations.

The City of Davenport is hosting three public forums for the community to learn more about the work of the Promise Task Force and its recommendations to the city. The Davenport Promise program would provide college tuition, vocational training, or a post-military-service homestead grant to Davenport residents after high school. The forums are scheduled for 6 p.m. on Wednesday, November 5, in the Genesis East Adler Educational Center (inside the Heart Institute Building); 6 p.m. on Thursday, November 6, at the Davenport downtown library; and 10 a.m. on Saturday, November 8, at Central High School in Davenport. For more information, visit DavenportSchools.org and click on "Davenport Promise."

Rock Island Mayor Mark Schwiebert has incorporated a new feature into city-council meetings. Called Update Rock Island, the mayor will spend five minutes at the beginning of council meetings to publicize community news. Items could include new programs and initiatives in the city, awards, new businesses and expansions, and community events. A video will be available Tuesdays following council meetings on the city's Web site (RIGov.org) and public-access cable channel 9. A written summary will be available on the Web site and sent to local media. To receive the information via e-mail, sign up at RIGov.org/enews.html.