The two artists whose work is currently on display at the MidCoast Fine Arts Gallery seem to be moving toward an expression that will be fully realized soon. Tom Lytle has three paintings and 15 three-dimensional works in this show, while Kristi DeMarr has contributed 17 paintings.
• Joe Jackson is getting the royal treatment on A&M Records' re-issue of his first two albums this Tuesday. Both albums from 1979 are seminal pop songwriting, combining Jackson's touching melodies and heartbroken sneer in hits such as "Is She Really Going Out with Him," "It's Different for Girls," and "Fools in Love.
• Construction of the Putnam Museum's IMAX Theatre has been moving steadily forward since breaking ground in January. Over the past several months, work has focused on earthwork and concrete foundations. Drilled caissons, concrete footings, and walls that establish the initial "footprint" for the entire building have been completed.
In its first year, the ArtStroll street-fair event in downtown Davenport drew an estimated 2,000 people. "That's pretty good for a first-year event," said Dean Schroeder, executive director of MidCoast Fine Arts.
• This Tuesday brings the long-awaited release of Colonel Les Claypool's Fearless Flying Frog Brigade and its new Live Frogs: Set Two. The CD is hot on the tails of the April release of Live Frogs: Set One, and this one dives straight into the heart of the sun.
Where oh where is our new Davenport city administrator? It has been over three weeks since Mayor Phil Yerington announced his choice of Craig Malin for the position, amidst some dissention from players at DavenportOne and several of the aldermen, namely Aldermen Sherwood and McGivern.
• The number of candidates for Davenport Mayor has increased to five with announcements last week from Denise Hollonbeck and Charlie Brooke. Hollonbeck, who made her announcement in front of Davenport City Hall, served seven years on the Davenport School Board, including time as president.
I've known Mike Dassie for well over 20 years. Mike passed away last Thursday, June 28, after 57 years of a truly great presence on this earth. Mike was manager of the Davenport Country Club for thirteen years, owned O'Meara's Pub in downtown Bettendorf for five years, and then went on to operate his own successful catering business.
Gaye Adegbalola doesn't want it getting out that if it hadn't been for the departure of her high-school music teacher, "I probably would have gone into classical music." But fortunately for us, Adegbalola withdrew from music when her mentor left, taking science classes instead of playing her flute.
Q: I hear Congress still can't agree on that patient bill of rights. What's the problem? A: Nothing's more complicated than health care in America. The latest stumbling block was when several Senators realized that checking into a hospital and hiring a prostitute both started with the same question - "How much money do you have?" - and ended with, "All right, lie down and give me your underwear.

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