The grand opening of the Fourth Street Lofts at 320 East Fourth Street in Davenport on Tuesday, January 23, marked the latest addition to central-city housing in the Historic Crescent Warehouse District. Developed by the Alexander Company of Madison, Wisconsin, the Fourth Street Lofts feature amenities - such as polished concrete floors, exposed brick walls, expansive, open floor plans, and large windows - that provide an urban housing experience in downtown Davenport. The first phase of Crescent Lofts Master Development, the Davenport Lofts, was completed in 2005 at a cost of $12.3 million and features 73 apartments. The total cost for the rehabilitation of the Fourth Street Lofts was $10.5 million. For more information, look at (http://www.crescentlofts.com) or call (563) 323-1871.
A poor employment climate and a dearth of new business led Iowa to average grades in a recently released comprehensive assessment of state economies. Illinois also received mixed grades. In the 20th "Development Report Card for the States," released by the not-for-profit Corporation for Enterprise Development. Iowa received a "B" for Performance (the performance of the economy for its citizens), a "D" for Business Vitality (business competitiveness and entrepreneurial energy), and a "C" for Development Capacity (the positioning of the state for future economic growth). Illinois received a "D" for Performance, an "A" for Business Vitality, and a "B" for Development Capacity. The "Development Report Card for the States" uses 67 measures to assess how the economy is performing for citizens and businesses and how well a state is situated for its future. The complete 2007 "Development Report Card for the States" is available online at (http://www.cfed.org/go/drc).
Sex-education supporters will gather at the Iowa Capitol on Tuesday, January 30, to urge legislators to increase Iowa's investment in teen-pregnancy-prevention efforts. Advocates say they want the investment to support sex education that is based on medically accurate information covering abstinence, contraception, and condom use. In 2004, Iowa invested only about $1.3 million in teen-pregnancy prevention through its Community Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention grant program administered through the Iowa Department of Human Services. Fifty-two counties received program funds, leaving 47 counties with no state funding for teen-pregnancy prevention. There is currently no requirement that grantees use science-based strategies in their teen-pregnancy-prevention efforts.
Work by young artists from the Quad Cities will be on view January 27 through May 27 in the Young Artists at the Figge exhibit. Teachers in six Quad Cities school districts will select work by their students that will be featured in the Community Gallery of the Figge Art Museum, 225 West Second Street in Davenport. For more information, contact the Figge Art Museum at (563) 326-7804 or visit (http://www.figgeartmuseum.org).
The Bi-State Literacy Council will host its 11th annual "Dessert for Literacy" fundraiser from 5 to 9 p.m. on Friday, February 9. The event will be held at The Lodge at Spruce Hills Drive and Utica Ridge Road in Bettendorf. Tickets for the event are $18 for members and $20 for nonmembers. They can be purchased at the Bettendorf Public Library, Moline Southeast Library, and Quad-City Area Labor Management Council (in Building 56 at the Rock Island Arsenal). Tickets will be available at the door the night of the event. Proceeds will support the council's fight against illiteracy in Rock Island, Henry, and Mercer counties in Illinois and Scott, Clinton, and Muscatine counties in Iowa.
Individuals and couples with a combined family income of $39,000 or less are invited to take advantage of St. Ambrose University's Voluntary Income Tax Assistance Program. The program is sponsored by the St. Ambrose Accounting Club and offers free income-tax preparation and electronic filing for those who qualify. Tax-preparation sessions will take place from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on three Saturdays - February 10, 17, and 24 - in Room 102 of McMullen Hall, located at the corner of Locust and Gaines streets on the St. Ambrose campus. Appointments are required and may be made by calling (563) 333-6192 or (563) 333-6186.
The Genesis Center for Bariatric Surgery has been designated as a Blue Distinction Center for Bariatric Care, which recognizes a select group of programs across the country that have met stringent standards of quality and patient outcomes. Genesis is the first hospital in the Quad Cities region to receive Blue Distinction Center for Bariatric Care designation. The Genesis Center for Bariatric Surgery is the only Quad Cities bariatric surgery program performing less-invasive, laparoscopic Roux-en-Y procedures. More than 180 patients have had the laparoscopic weight-loss procedure through the Genesis program. For more information on the Genesis Center for Bariatric Surgery, call (563) 421-8361.
Because of lower temperatures and snow, Ski Snowstar Winter Sports Park re-opened January15. For more information about current conditions, event details, or special packages, visit (http://www.skisnowstar.com). The resort is located in Coal Creek Valley above the Mississippi River, only 10 minutes from the Quad Cities off Illinois Route 92 in Andalusia. For more information, call (309) 798-2666.
The Muscatine Symphony Orchestra Guild will hold "A Delicious Combination" fundraiser on Saturday, February 10, at 6 p.m. The evening will begin with a buffet dinner catered by A Guy & a Grill (held in the Jefferson School Gymnasium) and conclude with a performance by the symphony. Combination tickets cost $25 per person, or $15 for season-ticket holders. Tickets are available from the Muscatine Hy-Vee store or by calling (563) 263-3533. For more information, e-mail (iwarsch@hotmail.com).
Family Resources' adoption program will host an international adoption informational meeting on Tuesday, January 30, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Family Resources Administration Building, located at 2800 Eastern Avenue in Davenport. The meeting will focus on the international adoption process and challenges faced by families considering international adoption. The meeting is open to everyone free of charge. Individuals and families must reserve a spot by contacting Hilary Condon at (563) 468-2137 or (hcondon@famres.org). Individual appointments are available as well.
