• Iowa State Treasurer Michael L. Fitzgerald has announced that College Savings Iowa, the state's 529 plan, has reached $600 million in assets under management, an increase of nearly 30 percent from one year ago.
• Thanksgiving could use a little help this year. As of this writing, Bob Vogelbaugh, also known as "Mr. Thanksgiving," has less than $1,000 for an event that requires at least $8,000 and needs donations for the 33rd annual community Thanksgiving dinner.

September 29-October 26, 1993 Premiere Issue The River Cities' Reader's premiere issue is 32 pages, with advertisers Evergreen Art Works, Kimberly Chrysler, Eldridge Bike Shop, Davenport Museum of Art, Day Dreams Furniture, Galvin Fine Arts Center, The Faithful Pilot, Rascals, Licata Interior Gallery, The Children's Museum, Hancher Auditorium, Mike (Comic for Hire), Huckleberry's, Cox Cable, Co-op, and Jumer's Casino Rock Island.

• A notice on the Department of Defense Web site invites citizens over the age of 18 to volunteer for local draft boards, raising questions about a possible revival of conscription. The board members will decide who can be exempted if a draft is needed.
The most obvious signs of Davenport's arts renaissance can be seen with the construction of the new Figge Art Museum and the renovation of the Redstone building for the River Music Experience. But two other projects now in the works could have an even greater impact on the Quad Cities' artistic community.
• Bambi might not be safe in Bettendorf anymore. Because of a rapidly growing deer population, city officials are looking at allowing deer hunting on farmland within Bettendorf limits. Some residents have had as many as 25 deer in their backyards at any given time, and property damage in Scott County from deer/vehicle crashes is the third highest in the state.
• The Putnam Museum & IMAX Theatre in Davenport has been honored as the 2003 Iowa Tourism Attraction of the Year at the annual Iowa Tourism Conference in Des Moines. The Putnam Museum was chosen from among several entries in the category for communities with a population more than 10,000 people.
Difficult economic times have forced cities to take a hard look at their budgets, the scope of their services, and how they provide them, particularly in Davenport. For that reason, the River Cities' Reader chose to ask two direct budget-related questions of candidates running for municipal offices in the November 4 general election: 1) Build your own city budget from the following city responsibilities (listed alphabetically) by assigning a percentage.
• The Davenport Public Library will be getting a new look with the idea of creating a more inviting and efficient atmosphere. A new browsing area will be located in the center of the library's first floor - the first thing one sees on entering the building - to allow easier access for the public to find the latest bestsellers and other current-interest materials.
• Habitat for Humanity-Quad Cities has broken ground for its 29th home, at 615 Seventh Street in Rock Island. This will be the organization's eighth home in Rock Island. This home is for partner family Amos Sr. and Natoshia Johnson and their children Amos Jr.

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