• The November election looks to be contentious, and voters need to arm themselves with as much information as they can. Project Vote Smart has recently issued a report card on elected officials, featuring more than 100 groups with competing interests that turned in grades for the Iowa and Illinois congressional delegations. These groups run the ideological gamut on every issue of concern to voters, including pro-choice and pro-life groups, labor and consumer organizations, the League of Conservation Voters and the League of Private Property Voters, the Christian Coalition and Vote Hemp. The most recent ratings are now available at (http://www.vote-smart.org) or by calling the Voter's Research Hotline at (888)868-3762. Project Vote Smart is currently compiling the most recent ratings for members of state legislatures as well.
• A support group for melanoma patients is held the second Thursday of each month from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Gilda's Club, 1234 East River Drive in Davenport. Contact Gilda's Club at (563)326-7504 for more information.
• The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) is offering a $2,500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for killing six hogs in a barn on Grantview Farms in Scott County near Lake Canyada on May 13. The Scott County sheriff's office is investigating this case. Contact Captain Mike Brown at (563)326-8661 with any information. Also, HUSUS is offering a $2,500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for slashing the throat of a horse in Moscow, Iowa, on April 12. The Muscatine County sheriff's office is investigating this case. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Tim McFadon at (563)263-6055. Visit (http://www.hsus.org/firststrike) for more information on the Humane Society of the United States.
• The Davenport Parks & Recreation Department is sponsoring a bus trip on Wednesday, July 28, to the Art Institute of Chicago to see "Seurat & The Making of A Sunday on La Grand Jatte." One of the most beloved, famous, and frequently reproduced paintings in the world, Sunday is the basis for the whimsical art characters on display at Credit Island. More than 130 of Seurat's works will be on display at the Art Institute of Chicago. The bus leaves at 8 a.m. from John O'Donnell Stadium and will return at approximately 7:30 p.m. The cost is $45 and includes transportation and admission. To register, call (563)326-7812.
• The first effort by My Verona Productions, a Quad Cities-based production company, will be the world premiere of Sean Leary's Your Favorite Band. The new-wave multimedia comedy, in the vein of Old School, Clerks, and High Fidelity, features the colorful life of a punk/pop group as it struggles through bad gigs and dysfunctional romances while attempting to achieve success. Starting August 5, Your Favorite Band will play at Comedy Sportz in The District of Rock Island. The show will hit the stage Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays at 9:30 p.m., and Sundays at 4 p.m. through August 15. Tickets are available at the Circa '21 Box Office, Comedy Sportz, or by phone at (309)786-7733 extension 2. A paperback book of Your Favorite Band, including the full multimedia production script, will be released August 1 at bookstores and on Amazon.com. For further information, visit (http://www.seanleary.com).
• Carnie Wilson, a member of the band Wilson Phillips and the daughter of legendary Beach Boy Brian Wilson, will share at a July 18 event at Davenport's RiverCenter how she has shed more than 155 pounds. Prior to her weight-loss surgery in 1999, Wilson weighed more than 300 pounds and was at risk for developing several serious health conditions because of her obesity. During this event presented locally by Genesis Medical Center, Wilson will candidly discuss not only her life-long struggle with her weight and body image, but also her decision to have weight-loss surgery. In addition, guests will have the opportunity to learn about their own weight-loss-service options. Doors and exhibits open at 1 p.m., and the presentation begins at 2 p.m. This event is free, but registration (800-383-2575) is required. For more information, look at (http://www.spotlighthealth.com).
• Chilton's Auto Repair Reference Center online database has been added to the reference resources available at the Moline Southeast Library. This service covers select makes and models of U.S. and imported cars and trucks from 1954 to 2003, including wiring and air-conditioning diagrams. For more information, contact the library's reference department at (309)736-5737, or you can see it for yourself at 3130 41st Street in Moline.
• DrugSense has announced the launch of its new and improved Web site at (http://www.drugsense.org), the first major facelift in years. The new site makes use of the newest technology on the Web to allow users to exercise more control over content and to personalize DrugSense to meet individual needs. Now, drug-war resources such as the Media Awareness Project (the world's largest archive of drug-related news articles), the DrugSense Weekly Newsletter, and Drug Policy Central's Internet services and tools are together in one convenient location.
• A support group for melanoma patients is held the second Thursday of each month from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Gilda's Club, 1234 East River Drive in Davenport. Contact Gilda's Club at (563)326-7504 for more information.
• The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) is offering a $2,500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for killing six hogs in a barn on Grantview Farms in Scott County near Lake Canyada on May 13. The Scott County sheriff's office is investigating this case. Contact Captain Mike Brown at (563)326-8661 with any information. Also, HUSUS is offering a $2,500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for slashing the throat of a horse in Moscow, Iowa, on April 12. The Muscatine County sheriff's office is investigating this case. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Tim McFadon at (563)263-6055. Visit (http://www.hsus.org/firststrike) for more information on the Humane Society of the United States.
• The Davenport Parks & Recreation Department is sponsoring a bus trip on Wednesday, July 28, to the Art Institute of Chicago to see "Seurat & The Making of A Sunday on La Grand Jatte." One of the most beloved, famous, and frequently reproduced paintings in the world, Sunday is the basis for the whimsical art characters on display at Credit Island. More than 130 of Seurat's works will be on display at the Art Institute of Chicago. The bus leaves at 8 a.m. from John O'Donnell Stadium and will return at approximately 7:30 p.m. The cost is $45 and includes transportation and admission. To register, call (563)326-7812.
• The first effort by My Verona Productions, a Quad Cities-based production company, will be the world premiere of Sean Leary's Your Favorite Band. The new-wave multimedia comedy, in the vein of Old School, Clerks, and High Fidelity, features the colorful life of a punk/pop group as it struggles through bad gigs and dysfunctional romances while attempting to achieve success. Starting August 5, Your Favorite Band will play at Comedy Sportz in The District of Rock Island. The show will hit the stage Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays at 9:30 p.m., and Sundays at 4 p.m. through August 15. Tickets are available at the Circa '21 Box Office, Comedy Sportz, or by phone at (309)786-7733 extension 2. A paperback book of Your Favorite Band, including the full multimedia production script, will be released August 1 at bookstores and on Amazon.com. For further information, visit (http://www.seanleary.com).
• Carnie Wilson, a member of the band Wilson Phillips and the daughter of legendary Beach Boy Brian Wilson, will share at a July 18 event at Davenport's RiverCenter how she has shed more than 155 pounds. Prior to her weight-loss surgery in 1999, Wilson weighed more than 300 pounds and was at risk for developing several serious health conditions because of her obesity. During this event presented locally by Genesis Medical Center, Wilson will candidly discuss not only her life-long struggle with her weight and body image, but also her decision to have weight-loss surgery. In addition, guests will have the opportunity to learn about their own weight-loss-service options. Doors and exhibits open at 1 p.m., and the presentation begins at 2 p.m. This event is free, but registration (800-383-2575) is required. For more information, look at (http://www.spotlighthealth.com).
• Chilton's Auto Repair Reference Center online database has been added to the reference resources available at the Moline Southeast Library. This service covers select makes and models of U.S. and imported cars and trucks from 1954 to 2003, including wiring and air-conditioning diagrams. For more information, contact the library's reference department at (309)736-5737, or you can see it for yourself at 3130 41st Street in Moline.
• DrugSense has announced the launch of its new and improved Web site at (http://www.drugsense.org), the first major facelift in years. The new site makes use of the newest technology on the Web to allow users to exercise more control over content and to personalize DrugSense to meet individual needs. Now, drug-war resources such as the Media Awareness Project (the world's largest archive of drug-related news articles), the DrugSense Weekly Newsletter, and Drug Policy Central's Internet services and tools are together in one convenient location.
