10 Mar 2009

LTC Michael Clarke to Be Public Works Director

By Administrator

(from City of Davenport Media Release)

March 6, 2009

Lieutenant Colonel Michael Clarke has accepted an offer of employment to be
Davenport Public Works Director at a starting salary of $117,000, City Administrator
Malin announced.  Mr. Clarke is expected to start work in July, following retirement
from twenty eight years of service to the nation in the Army.  

LTC Clarke is currently serving as Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff of the U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District. He has served in Iraq and
Afghanistan, serving as Chief of Construction for Afghanistan and the surrounding
region.  LTC Clarke has a degree in Civil Engineering from Old Dominion, a Masters
Degree in Engineering Management from California State University and has
completed the program at the Army Command and General Staff College.   LTC
Clarke has experience as a Director of Public Works in Taegu, South Korea and Fort
Stewart, Savannah, Georgia.  He has significant, hands-on experience in preparing
for and responding to emergencies, including a wide variety of natural disasters. 

In February, a thirteen member interview panel interviewed five semi-finalists
including LTC Clarke from a field of 32 applicants in a highly competitive national
search.  

LTC Clarke spoke highly of the Davenport Public Works Department, noting
"Davenport is a nationally accredited department through the American Public Works
Association and is a recognized regional leader at the forefront of best practices."  He
added, "I have been all around the world I'm happy that I'll have the ability to stay
in the Quad Cities after I retire from the Army.  I'm looking forward to moving to
Davenport and starting a new chapter in my career in public service".   

City Administrator Malin thanked the members of the interview panel and all the
members of the Public Works Department, for exceptional work through the past few
months.  He specifically thanked Dennis Ryan for his outstanding continuing service
as Interim Public Works Director.     

Questions may be directed to City Administrator Malin at (563) 326-6139 or LTC
Clarke at (309) 794-5253.

04 Mar 2009

City of Davenport Launches "Campus to Campus Plan"

By Todd McGreevy
Following up on the soon-to-be completed Older Commercial Corridor
Revitalization Plan, the City of Davenport is launching an effort to continue
the revitalization of the corridor between St. Ambrose University and Palmer
College of Chiropractic.

Representatives from various businesses and institutions within the area
have been invited to begin the process by first defining the project area and
sharing initial thoughts about how stronger connections can be created. 
Invited participants include the anchoring institutions of St. Ambrose
University and Palmer College of Chiropractic, Davenport Schools, businesses
and organizations of the Hilltop area.

The meeting will be held:

Thursday, March 5, 2009 
4:00-5:30 p.m. 
JB Young Junior High School Cafeteria, 
1702 Main Street

Wider public participation will be sought once the project's parameters are
further defined through the input gathered at this initial meeting.

If you have questions, please contact Matt Flynn; Senior Manager-Planning
Division; Community Planning and Economic Development Department;
(563) 326-7743.

Jennifer A. Nahra
Communications Director
326-6151

26 Feb 2009

Harkin Announces Nearly $19M for Housing Assistance Across Iowa

By Senator Harkin
Funding from Economic Recovery Package Already Coming to the State.

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) announced today that the Iowa Finance Authority has been awarded $18,978,542 from the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) Projects through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). These funds were contained in the Economic Stimulus Package that was recently signed into law and were allocated by annual HUD formulas. Harkin is a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee that funds housing initiatives.

"I cannot think of a more important need than housing - particularly for low-income Iowans. And for the money to be coming to our state one week after the President signed this bill last proves this recovery package is indeed timely and targeted," said Harkin. "These funds will allow low and moderate income households obtain affordable housing which will spur additional economic opportunities."

These funds will be distributed competitively and according to its allocation plan.

###
12 Jan 2009

American Cancer Society Welcomes Iowa Legislators Back.

By Richard Martin
Following the Annual Legislative Breakfast, the American Cancer Society will launch the 2009 Legislative Session by welcoming legislators back and detailing top policy priorities, including the latest on last year's landmark Iowa Smokefree Air Act.
09 Jan 2009

Moline Foundation announces deadline for Grant Applications.

By The Moline Foundation

A grants submission deadline has been announced by the Moline Community Foundation. Non-profit organizations are encouraged to apply if they serve the citizens of Moline and the surrounding region, including the Quad Cities.

All materials necessary to receive funds are due in The Moline Foundation offices by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, January 30, 2009 or must be postmarked by or on Friday, January 30, 2009.

Any non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization, including those who have never received Moline Foundation funding in the past, is welcome to apply.

For more information and recent grants history, please refer to The Moline Foundation's web site at www. molinefoundation.org.

An application should consist of a written request stating the name and address of the organization, its mission, names and addresses of Board members, financial statement, balance sheet, and the specific purpose for which any money received would be used including a project budget. The name, telephone number, and email of a contact person must also be included. The requested materials should be mailed according to the above deadline. Other important information about grant submission is available at The Moline Foundation's web site.

The Moline Community Foundation offices are located at the Deere-Wiman House, 817 11th Avenue, Moline.

The Moline Foundation, founded in 1953, is a community foundation which provides grants to health, human services, education, community development, the arts and other charitable organizations which benefit the citizens of Moline and the surrounding area, including the Quad Cities region in both Iowa and Illinois.  The Moline Foundation receives and administers charitable gifts and has a current endowment of approximately $13 million

###

22 Oct 2008

Left Bank Art League Memebers Meeting October 22, 2008.

By Diane Wall
Are you an artist or know someone that is?  Join us tonight October 22, 2008 for fun and inspiration at Left Bank Art Leagues October meeting.  Held at Christ Episcopal Church, 1717 8th Ave., Moline, Il at 7 pm in the Basement.    Mark you calanders for next months meeting November 19, 2008 when guest artist and bakers will be Karen Woods of Inspired Creations teaching us about Gingerbread Houses.
08 Oct 2008

Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser

By Richard Martin
Saturday, October 11th for the Silvis Fire Department.
07 Aug 2008

New Urbanism expert Jeff Speck to speak in Davenport on Aug 14th:

By Figge Art Museum


 

19 Jun 2008

What you need to Regsiter with FEMA

By FEMA
A MESSAGE FOR PEOPLE WITH FLOOD DAMAGED PROPERTY:
REGISTERING BY TELEPHONE OR ONLINE IS THE ONLY WAY TO ACCESS FEMA AID.
TO REGISTER YOU NEED
• YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER
• A PHONE NUMBER
• ADDRESS AND DESCRIPTION OF THE DAMAGED PROPERTY
• INSURANCE INFORMATION, IF YOU HAVE INSURANCE AND
• YOUR CURRENT MAILING ADDRESS
CALL FEMA ANY TIME, 7 DAYS A WEEK, 24 HOURS A DAY. THE NUMBER IS 1-800-621-FEMA. THAT'S 1-800-621-F-E-M-A.
OR REGISTER ONLINE AT FEMA-DOT-GOV.
18 Jun 2008

2008 BLUES FEST STILL ON !

By MVBS

 

For Immediate Release Contact: Karen McFarland

June 18, 2008 563-508-6596

somanybonnets@hotmail.com

Lori Blackburn

319-268-9151 ext. 40

lblackburn@meandv.com

COME SUN OR HIGH WATER

IH MISSISSIPPI VALLEY BLUES FESTIVAL PLAYS ON



DAVENPORT, Iowa?The IH Mississippi Valley Blues Festival will go on as planned, July 3 - 5, despite flooding in the Quad-City area. The Mississippi Valley Blues Society, producer of the festival, is arranging contingency locations for the festival in case the City of Davenport public works department decides that Le Claire Park's grass areas won't be dry enough in time for the festival.

The city and festival producers will meet next week to assess park conditions. According to the Quad Cities Convention and Visitors Bureau, the festival's economic benefit to the area is $2.5 million.

"The Flood of 2008 has Midwest residents singing the blues, and that's all the more reason to make sure our festival goes on as planned during the Fourth of July holiday weekend," says Karen McFarland, IH Mississippi Valley Blues Festival spokesperson. "By the holiday, people will be needing a break from cleanup efforts, or looking for a festival to attend because of their hometown festival cancellations. We welcome everyone to come to the Quad Cities and enjoy three great days of world-class music, great food and lots of fun with family and friends."

McFarland notes that many Iowa festivals have had to cancel portions of their event or find alternative locations. Burlington cancelled a portion of its Steamboat Days, Cedar Rapids has cancelled some of its opening events for Freedom Festival and Cedar Falls is investigating alternative locations for some of its Sturgis Falls events.

Organizers for the IH Mississippi Valley Blues Festival met yesterday to discuss two contingency locations for the festival including Davenport Municipal Airport (Mount Joy) and the Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds. The airport commission will meet Monday to make a decision, and the fair has placed a tentative hold on its calendar for the festival.

"We appreciate the quick response from both the airport commission and the fairground management to assist us in our contingency planning," says McFarland. "The airport welcomed us and provided great hospitality in 1993 when we needed to move the fest due to flooding."

McFarland says the large lawn area at the airport and the existing infrastructure at the fairgrounds make both locations nice alternatives to LeClaire Park, but adds her "heart and blues soul is hoping and holding out for the LeClaire Park venue.

"For blues enthusiasts, what makes our festival extra special is that LeClaire Park is rooted in the blues, with the Mississippi River and Highway 61, the blues highway, bordering the park, and a railroad track running right along the side," says McFarland. "But no matter where this year's fest is located, festival goers can expect the same great caliber of artists the Blues Society has been attracting for the last 23 festivals?and of course, the same great fun!"

Advance three-day passes are available for $40 and must be purchased before June 30. Advance one-day passes are $15 per day for MVBS and IH Mississippi Valley Credit Union members, the credit union is presenting sponsor. Children ages 14 and under will be admitted free if accompanied by an adult with a ticket. Advance tickets may be purchased at all IH Mississippi Valley Credit Union branches, at the River Center/Adler Theatre box office in Davenport, or through Ticketmaster. One-day tickets will be sold at the gate for $18.

For 24 years, the IH Mississippi Blues Festival has attracted local, regional and national legendary blues acts, making it one of the most highly regarded blues festivals in the nation. Headliners for this year's festival include Koko Taylor, Elvin Bishop, Denise LaSalle, Otis Taylor and the Black Banjo Project, Billy Boy Arnold with Jody Williams and The Homes Brothers, plus another 22 acts on two stages. For more information about the festival, artists and lodging, please visit www.mvbs.org or call 563-32-BLUES.

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