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.
It might sound like a small thing, but when the National Community Reinvestment Coalition (NCRC) was putting together its regional conference - scheduled for Thursday and Friday at the RiverCenter in downtown Davenport - organizers put their money where their mouth was.
• 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.
In the coverage that follows you will find as close to comprehensive coverage of the four-day MidCoast Film & Arts Festival as possible. As one of the event founders and co-chairs, it has been my job to assist with publicity, programming, and logistics.
When you ask Brandon Jones about the MidCoast Film & Arts Festival, he often sounds like the shoestring-budget seat-of-the-pants filmmakers whose work he's bringing to the Quad Cities next week. "Our biggest downfall is that we don't have any staff," Jones said.
Master of the Game is great high-concept cinema. During World War II, four German soldiers and four Jewish prisoners are stranded in a farmhouse. The Nazis begin executing the prisoners, but one proposes a game: The soldiers can keep their weapons, but they must answer all his questions.
Stu Pollard will be an exception at next week's MidCoast Film & Arts Festival. While most films at the event are still negotiating the winding road of distribution - trying to be seen by people who don't get to film festivals - Pollard's Nice Guys Sleep Alone has achieved success.
Erik Moe is obsessed with high-school hockey. He lives in the Los Angeles area, the creative director for an advertising company, but he's brought his Wisconsin-bred insanity with him; his agency even has a Wisconsin-high-school-hockey office pool.
• MED-FORCE began a new era in air-ambulance service with the recent unveiling of a new helicopter. Quad City Helicopter EMS has purchased a new, lighter helicopter that combines advanced design and avionics with outstanding maneuverability and a unique rotor system that makes the Eurocopter EC135/T2 the quietest helicopter in its class.

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