The Advanced Technology Environmental Education Center (ATEEC) has teamed with several partners to develop a museum exhibit, and four learning modules, on sustainable energy. The "Watts Up with Energy" exhibit and modules were designed as fun and interactive ways to educate elementary school students about the importance of energy, energy conservation, and energy sustainability. An opening ceremony will be held at Bettendorf's Family Museum, 2900 Learning Campus Dr., on Saturday, January 20 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The St. Ambrose University Alumni and Parent Relations Office will host a special Valentine's Day Dinner and Dance on Saturday, Feb. 10, beginning at 5 p.m. The event, which includes Mass with a renewal of vows, followed by a reception, dinner and dancing, is for all SAU-alumni couples, married faculty and staff, and those who married in the Christ the King Chapel. For more information or to make reservations, contact the Alumni Office at (563) 333-6290.
The Alzheimer's Association, in partnership with Isabel Bloom, L.L.C., is offering a limited-edition sculpture, the Forget-Me-Not Heart. Only 1,100 of these 4"-tall sculptures hearts were produced, with proceeds from this design benefiting Alzheimer's Association programs and services. This sculpture, available for $19, will only be available through the Alzheimer's Association's Greater Iowa Chapter. To learn more, visit (http://www.alz.org/greateriowa) or call the Alzheimer's Association at (563) 324-1022.
The 2007 Henry Farnam Dinner will be held at the Mark of the Quad Cities in Moline on Thursday, February 22, 2007. Themed "From Towpaths to Trails," the event will celebrate the 100th anniversaries of the Moline Lock and the Hennepin Canal. The program, and associated displays, will highlight the history of these projects, along with past, present, and future recreational uses of these and other waterways in the Quad Cities area and the Upper Mississippi River Valley. For more information, contact one of the 2007 Henry Farnam Committee co-chairs: Libby Roseman at (309) 764-6122 (libbyonusroute6@qconline.com), or Marcia Wetzel at (309) 764-6471 (mkwetzel@att.net).
Trinity will sponsor "Skate with Sasha: A Birthday to Help Save Babies" from 4-5:45 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 4, at the Quad-City Sports Center, Davenport. During the event, families can ice skate for free as part of the first birthday celebration of Sasha Baker, who was born in February 2006 at 26 weeks gestation, weighing only 1 1/2 pounds and measuring just slightly larger than a dollar bill. Today she is a healthy, happy baby showing no long-term effects from her premature birth. To celebrate Sasha's first healthy birthday, attendees are asked to make a donation to the March of Dimes, which Trinity will match.
Scott County has been chosen to receive $82,561 and Rock Island County has been chosen to receive $79,920, to supplement emergency food and shelter programs in the county. A local board - composed of volunteers and representatives from service agencies and municipalities - will determine how the money is distributed to eligible food and shelter programs in the Quad City area. Qualifying organizations must submit a cover sheet and letter outlining the need for funds, along with a budget listing sources of funding the agency has accessed. To obtain the application cover sheet, or for additional information, contact Karrie Abbott at (563) 355-4310.
The Iowa Department of Transportation will receive over $109,000 for the Job Access and Reverse Commute (JARC) program. JARC funds are used to provide expanded transit routes or service hours to help people get to and from work. Specifically, these funds will help River Bend Transit and the Southeast Iowa Regional Planning Commission continue ongoing JARC projects and initiate new ones. These projects benefit low-income individuals and welfare recipients in Cedar, Clinton, Des Monies, Henry, Louisa, Muscatine, and Scott counties.
Sculptor Marlene Miller, of Washington, Ill., has created a sculptural grouping entitled "Girl Series" consisting of isolated figures on tree stumps or stonework. The complete group which Miller created in the early 1990s, Girl I - Girl VIII, will be exhibited together for the first time January 27 through April 22 in the second-floor orientation gallery in the Figge Art Museum, 225 W. 2nd St., Davenport. For more information, contact the Figge at (563) 326-7804 or visit (http://www.figgeartmuseum.org).
To date, a generous $34,240 has been donated to the Iowa EMS (Emergency Medical Services) Memorial. Thank you to everyone who has already demonstrated their commitment to this cause. Though this is an enthusiastic start, the goal for constructing and dedicating the memorial is at least $55,000, so there's still a long way to go. If you are interested in showing your support, consider a donation, and tell other EMS supporters about this important project. For more information, visit IEMSA's Web site (http://www.iemsa.net).
Even if you don't have time to volunteer at the Scott County Humane Society, you can still make a difference. Here is the Humane Society's "wish list" of supplies: dry dog and puppy food; high-quality, dry cat and kitten food; cat litter (scoopable or clay); rabbit food; Timothy grass; Guinea pig food; dog and cat brushes; shoeboxes (for cats to lounge in); ink pens; dog toys (especially kongs); blankets; towels; throw rugs; laundry detergent; bleach; pooper-scoopers; brooms and dustpans; 35 mm film; antibacterial hand soap; and paper towels. Please drop these items off at the shelter, located at 5001 N. Brady St. For more information, call (563) 388-6655.
The Davenport School District's Talented and Gifted (TAG) Department hosts the Davenport Community Schools Invent Iowa Competition at the Kimberly Center on Thursday, January 18, from 6 to 8 p.m. Winners of this event for grades 3-8 will take part in regional Invent Iowa competitions. As a means of learning creative thinking and problem-solving skills, students are encouraged to identify a real-world problem and develop their own invention that successfully solves this problem. Invent Iowa utilizes a multidisciplinary approach which enables students to use several academic skills in combination: reading, library and field research, science and technology, creative and critical thinking, writing, art, and persuasive speaking.
