30
Mar
2004
• A proposed state constitutional amendment specifying that marriage is between a man and a woman was narrowly defeated in the Iowa Senate. Lawmakers debated whether the resolution, which defines marriage as a union between only one man and one woman, was needed and rejected the amendment, 25-24, after a two-hour debate. Republican Senator Maggie Tinsman of Bettendorf voted against the measure, while 24 GOP senators supported it. Democrat Joe Seng of Davenport joined the 21 Democrats voting against the legislation. Iowa and federal laws already say marriage is between a man and a woman. But those advocating constitutional definitions of marriage complain that such laws are being undermined by the court system. Senate Joint Resolution 2002 would have had a long way to go before it became part of the Iowa Constitution. It would have needed approval by both the Senate and House this session, then support from the General Assembly in 2005 or 2006 before going on a statewide ballot issue. Voters in 2006 would have had the final say. A voter referendum on the amendment would have cost the state about $1.4 million. Similar bills House Joint Resolution 2002 and companion bill Senate Joint Resolution 2005 are still pending.
• Students and employees of St. Ambrose University will be participating in The Summit Challenge, a program created to encourage healthy lifestyles through healthy habits. Participants of the 25-day program will utilize a structured grid to keep track of their new, healthier habits. The Fourth Annual Summit Challenge, which began on March 28 and runs through April 21, uses a point system to reward healthy living. Drinking eight glasses of water and doing aerobic exercise, for example, are just a few of the many ways to gain points. Those points are then translated into a chance to win prizes, including a mountain bike, exercise equipment, and other items donated by the community.
• Dancers from Ballet Quad Cities will give children an opportunity to explore the power of literature combined with the beauty of ballet as they bring the fairy tales of Hans Christian Andersen to area schools. Children will experience how a story can be transformed into a performance using movement, expression, music, and costumes. Students will also attend the ballet The Fairytales of Hans Christian Andersen on April 23 at a special matinee at the Adler Theatre.
• You can help celebrate National Library Week with the Davenport Public Library by letting it know about a book that might have changed your life. Throughout the month of April, the library will be collecting a list of books that have had an impact on people as children or adults. In 250 words or less, tell the library about your favorite book. The best entries will be posted on the Davenport Public Library Web site at (http://www.davenportlibrary.com) and in the library. All ages are welcome to contribute. Bring your entries to the Main Library reference desk or to the Anne Whittenmyer Branch, or e-mail them to (dplpr@rbls.lib.il.us).
• Generations Area Agency on Aging is participating in a grant funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the American Society on Aging to help make older drivers aware of age-related changes and choices they might face about driving. According to a study done by Iowa State University, nearly 80 percent of Iowa's seniors are licensed to drive. The number of drivers over age 75 has also increased significantly since the 1970s. And as the number of older drivers increases, studies show that fatalities increase as well. By making safe choices, the number of fatalities can be reduced and seniors can continue to drive safely for many years. For more information about Generations Area Agency on Aging and the services it provides, call (563)324-9085.
• With the tax deadline rapidly approaching, it's interesting to note the story of Dave Gross. When the war on Iraq started, as a form of protest, Gross stopped paying the federal income tax. He quit his job and deliberately reduced his income to the point where he no longer owed federal income tax. Since then he's encountered a few problems and discovered some surprising blessings. He wrote about his own experiences and the state of the world in his journal at (http://www.sniggle.net/Experiment/index.php?entry=19Mar04&showyear=2004).
• Dihydrogen monoxide (DHMO) is a colorless and odorless chemical compound, also referred to by some as dihydrogen oxide, hydrogen hydroxide, hydronium hydroxide, or simply hydric acid. Its basis is the unstable radical hydroxide, the components of which are found in a number of caustic, explosive, and poisonous compounds such as sulfuric acid, nitroglycerine, and ethyl alcohol. The global call for a ban on it continues, and more information can be found at (http://www.dhmo.org).
• Students and employees of St. Ambrose University will be participating in The Summit Challenge, a program created to encourage healthy lifestyles through healthy habits. Participants of the 25-day program will utilize a structured grid to keep track of their new, healthier habits. The Fourth Annual Summit Challenge, which began on March 28 and runs through April 21, uses a point system to reward healthy living. Drinking eight glasses of water and doing aerobic exercise, for example, are just a few of the many ways to gain points. Those points are then translated into a chance to win prizes, including a mountain bike, exercise equipment, and other items donated by the community.
• Dancers from Ballet Quad Cities will give children an opportunity to explore the power of literature combined with the beauty of ballet as they bring the fairy tales of Hans Christian Andersen to area schools. Children will experience how a story can be transformed into a performance using movement, expression, music, and costumes. Students will also attend the ballet The Fairytales of Hans Christian Andersen on April 23 at a special matinee at the Adler Theatre.
• You can help celebrate National Library Week with the Davenport Public Library by letting it know about a book that might have changed your life. Throughout the month of April, the library will be collecting a list of books that have had an impact on people as children or adults. In 250 words or less, tell the library about your favorite book. The best entries will be posted on the Davenport Public Library Web site at (http://www.davenportlibrary.com) and in the library. All ages are welcome to contribute. Bring your entries to the Main Library reference desk or to the Anne Whittenmyer Branch, or e-mail them to (dplpr@rbls.lib.il.us).
• Generations Area Agency on Aging is participating in a grant funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the American Society on Aging to help make older drivers aware of age-related changes and choices they might face about driving. According to a study done by Iowa State University, nearly 80 percent of Iowa's seniors are licensed to drive. The number of drivers over age 75 has also increased significantly since the 1970s. And as the number of older drivers increases, studies show that fatalities increase as well. By making safe choices, the number of fatalities can be reduced and seniors can continue to drive safely for many years. For more information about Generations Area Agency on Aging and the services it provides, call (563)324-9085.
• With the tax deadline rapidly approaching, it's interesting to note the story of Dave Gross. When the war on Iraq started, as a form of protest, Gross stopped paying the federal income tax. He quit his job and deliberately reduced his income to the point where he no longer owed federal income tax. Since then he's encountered a few problems and discovered some surprising blessings. He wrote about his own experiences and the state of the world in his journal at (http://www.sniggle.net/Experiment/index.php?entry=19Mar04&showyear=2004).
• Dihydrogen monoxide (DHMO) is a colorless and odorless chemical compound, also referred to by some as dihydrogen oxide, hydrogen hydroxide, hydronium hydroxide, or simply hydric acid. Its basis is the unstable radical hydroxide, the components of which are found in a number of caustic, explosive, and poisonous compounds such as sulfuric acid, nitroglycerine, and ethyl alcohol. The global call for a ban on it continues, and more information can be found at (http://www.dhmo.org).
