The Rock Island Public Library in downtown Rock Island will undergo a makeover this September. The work on the first floor and in the Children's Room includes a fresh coat of paint, new carpeting, new work desks, and a new resource room on the ground floor.
The project is the first significant renovation activity at the Main Library since 1986, when a new addition was built. As a result of the redecoration and construction, the Main Library will be closed from September 2 through 30. Funded by multi-year pledges to the Rock Island Public Library, the interior redecoration is the third stage of the Vision 2000 program. Previous projects in 1999 and 2000 significantly expanded and remodeled the 30/31 and Southwest branches. While the Main Library is closed, patrons can return materials to the outside book drop on the avenue, to the 30/31 or Southwest branch libraries, or to any other library in the Quad-LINC library system, Patrons should return DVDs or videos in person, as these materials should not be left in the book drop. The renovation also requires cancellation of all previously announced activities for September at the Main Library. To contact the Rock Island Library from September 5 to September 30 , call (309) 732-7369 or (309) 732-7338. For other updates, check the library's Web site at (http://www.ripl.lib.il.us).
SIDS of Illinois announced recently that it has received an $18,500 grant from the CJ Foundation for SIDS, the largest SIDS organization in the country. The grant will fund a portion of the statewide education program to teach safe-sleep information to anyone caring for an infant, especially parents, child-care providers, foster parents, and health-care providers. This grant will allow SIDS of Illinois to continue offering free workshops to any group of 20 or more to educate the public about the latest in safe-sleep information to reduce the risk of SIDS and prevent accidental suffocations. Sudden Infant Death Services of Illinois, Incorporated, is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the elimination of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and other infant deaths. The organization was created in 1972. For more information or to schedule a workshop for your group on safe sleep, call (800) 432-7437 or go to (http://www.SIDSIllinois.org).
The Davenport Community Schools recently received a $3,000 award from SECME, a program aligned with the Georgia Institute of Technology designed to promote science and technology among young students. The award is given to districts that demonstrate strong commitment to project-based learning and discovery. In 2004, a team of students from Wood Intermediate won first place in the national finals of the Mousetrap Car program - a signature competition of SECME's Student Engineering & Design Competition. Since then, other Davenport schools students working on a number of projects have continued to do well at national SECME competitions. The overall coordinator of the SECME program at the Davenport schools is Dawn Anderson Rascher, who said the award funds will be used to further support SECME opportunities for students.
Opera Quad Cites has announced auditions for its children and adult chorus for the 2006-7 season. Auditions will be held Friday, August 25, and Saturday, August 26, in the Bergendoff Fine Arts Building on the campus of Augustana College. To schedule an audition time, contact company manager Angela Hand at (563) 359-4364 or (dr.diva2000@earthlink.net). Adults should be prepared to sing an operatic aria, art song, musical-theatre selection, or church hymn. Children should be prepared to sing a church hymn or other short solo from school. Those who auditioned in June need not sing again. Rehearsals for Pied Piper will begin on September 5. For more information on Opera Quad Cities, visit (http://www.operaqc.org).
Grant applications are now being accepted for funds raised by Stylin' Against Breast Cancer 2006, a fashion show and luncheon that benefits breast-cancer awareness and education. Held April 27, the inaugural event raised more than $15,000. All proceeds from this charitable fundraiser benefit local breast-cancer survivors and promote education about breast cancer and breast health. Trinity Health Foundation and the Rock Island County Medical Society Alliance, in partnership with Always a Woman, O'Rourke Sales Company, The American Cancer Society, and Midwest Hope & Healing, presented the event. Grants may be allocated for direct service/support or patient care to breast-cancer survivors, community and/or survivor education about breast cancer, equipment/prosthetics to serve or support breast-cancer patients, or services to support and/or educate the children and/or other loved ones of breast-cancer patients. Applicants must be a tax-exempt organization and located within a 30-mile radius of the Quad Cities. Those interested in applying for funds may do so online at (http://www.trinityhealthfoundation.com). All requests must be submitted by Friday, September 1, to be considered for this funding cycle. Grant awards will be announced in October during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Trinity's cardiac-rehabilitation program has received program certification from the American Association of Cardiovascular & Pulmonary Rehabilitation. The three-year, national certification ensures that Trinity's program meets national quality standards for its services. To receive the certification, the program was judged on its management, personnel, documentation - including outcomes - and patient care.
The Figge Art Museum currently has volunteer opportunities available in the areas of education, tours, visitor services, library, studio classes, and marketing. Information and registration sessions for prospective docents and volunteers will be held Saturday, August 12, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Thursday, August 17, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. All meetings will be held at the Figge Art Museum. To register for any of these sessions, contact Jennifer Brooke at (563) 326-7804 extension 2048 or (j.brooke@figgeartmuseum.org). For more information, visit (http://www.figgeartmuseum.org).
