• The cities of Davenport, Moline, and Rock Island are in the process of developing a joint Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice, a requirement of the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development for all Community Development Block Grant entitlement communities. The document analyzes demographic, social, institutional, and cultural issues that block equal access to housing in the community. It also provides a detailed demographic profile of the community, analyzes laws and ordinances that affect housing choice, analyzes lending activities for home mortgages, reports public observations and opinions, identifies possible impediments, and offers actions to address any impediments. In order to assess community opinion concerning fair-housing issues, J-Quad & Associates will hold a series of focus-group sessions. These sessions are designed to gather input from citizens, not-for-profit organizations, and industry professionals about housing issues and experiences in the housing market. The public is invited to attend one of the following sessions: Wednesday, June 15, 6-7:30 p.m., Moline City Hall, 619 16th Street; or Thursday, June 16, 6-7:30 p.m., Union Station, 102 South Harrison Street, Davenport. For more information, call (309)797-0710, (309)732-2900, or (563)326-6137.
• The Iowa Better Baby Care Campaign is shining light on what good child care looks like. Babies and toddlers need consistent, nurturing relationships for them to grow and develop to their full potential. Infants come into the world ready to learn. It is up to the important adults in their lives (parents, grandparents, and child-care providers) to create settings that are not only healthy and safe, but also offer stimulating ways to explore and learn. The Iowa Better Baby Care Campaign has many community, statewide, and national partners working toward common goals on behalf of our youngest citizens. For information on those goals, a Web site has been created at (http://www.IABabies.org). In addition, public-service announcements will be aired on television and radio stations across the state beginning this month.
• Nonstop air service on American Eagle to and from Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas, started June 9 at the Quad City International Airport. The flight, operated by the regional affiliate of American Airlines, began with a 100-percent load factor on its first day; the flight was full upon its arrival in Moline (12:37 p.m.) and was full on its departure to Dallas/Fort Worth (1:18 p.m.). The next three days of flights were reported as sold-out as well. Airport Authority board and air-service committee members, along with dozens of community leaders, were on-hand Wednesday to welcome officials from American Airlines with a reception, news conference, and water-cannon salute for the 50-seat, $20-million Embraer regional jet before take-off. Airport Director Bruce Carter stated that this Dallas nonstop service has "been in the works for over six years," and that he has already been in early discussions with American Airlines to add a second daily flight. Brian Coutts, American Airlines' director of sales, stated that he has never seen a launch with as much success in all the markets American has added new services. Carter emphasized the importance of adding air service to western cities in the United States and how this new flight opens up easier access for the Quad Cities region to Mexico and South America.
• Congress' Senate Appropriations Committee has secured $800,000 for the Davenport sewer separation project. The funds have been approved by the Senate Interior Appropriations Subcommittee. Both the House and Senate conference committee must approve the measure before it becomes law. Both sanitary wastewater and storm water use the same sewer system. This system does not meet current environmental standards because during heavy rain events, water discharges into the river without being treated.
• Bettendorf businessman Mike Whalen last week announced his intentions to seek the U.S. House of Representatives seat being vacated by Congressman Jim Nussle. Whalen owns Heart of America Restaurants & Inns and has restaurants and hotels in six states. He opened his first restaurant in 1978, shortly after graduating from Harvard Law School. He called it the Iowa Machine Shed and dedicated it honoring the American farmer. Whalen also served with former Delaware Governor Pete du Pont as policy chair for the National Center for Policy Analysis, which promotes free-market solutions to public-policy issues. Whalen was also named one of Inc. magazine's Entrepreneurs of the Year. Learn more about Mike Whalen and his campaign at (http://www.MikeWhalen.com).
• River Action presents its annual Ride the River event on Father's Day, Sunday, June 19. Bicyclists can choose between the basic 18-mile route or a longer 60-mile course on both sides of the Mississippi River. All riders start at the Union Station in Davenport. A $10 Ride the River ticket includes admission to four local attractions: the River Music Experience, the Bettendorf Family Museum, the Quad City Sports Center, and an area YMCA. For more information or to register, call (563)322-2969 or (563)322-7433, or visit (http://www.riveraction.org).
• The Iowa Department of Justice is receiving a $3.95-million victim-assistance grant from the U.S. Department of Justice's Victim of Crime Act (VOCA) program. The funds will be used to enhance crime-victim services in Iowa. VOCA assistance funds are competitively awarded by the state to community-based organizations that provide direct services to crime victims, such as criminal-justice agencies, social-service agencies, private not-for-profit agencies, and American Indian tribes. The program aims to support victims of child abuse, domestic violence, sexual assault, drunk driving, elder abuse, and robbery; family members of homicide victims; and victims of other violent crimes. Services provided include crisis counseling, therapy, shelter information, help in filing compensation claims, and advocacy support. The Victims of Crime Act of 1984 set up the VOCA Victim Compensation Program and the VOCA Victim Assistance Program.
• Iowa Habitat for Humanity affiliates have been building decent affordable houses in partnership with communities since 1986. In celebration of 500 homes completed in Iowa, Governor Tom Vilsack declared June 11 through 18 as "Habitat for Humanity Building Iowa Communities Week." Thirty-six statewide Iowa affiliates will be celebrating this accomplishment in a variety of ways, including groundbreakings and house dedications.
• The Iowa Better Baby Care Campaign is shining light on what good child care looks like. Babies and toddlers need consistent, nurturing relationships for them to grow and develop to their full potential. Infants come into the world ready to learn. It is up to the important adults in their lives (parents, grandparents, and child-care providers) to create settings that are not only healthy and safe, but also offer stimulating ways to explore and learn. The Iowa Better Baby Care Campaign has many community, statewide, and national partners working toward common goals on behalf of our youngest citizens. For information on those goals, a Web site has been created at (http://www.IABabies.org). In addition, public-service announcements will be aired on television and radio stations across the state beginning this month.
• Nonstop air service on American Eagle to and from Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas, started June 9 at the Quad City International Airport. The flight, operated by the regional affiliate of American Airlines, began with a 100-percent load factor on its first day; the flight was full upon its arrival in Moline (12:37 p.m.) and was full on its departure to Dallas/Fort Worth (1:18 p.m.). The next three days of flights were reported as sold-out as well. Airport Authority board and air-service committee members, along with dozens of community leaders, were on-hand Wednesday to welcome officials from American Airlines with a reception, news conference, and water-cannon salute for the 50-seat, $20-million Embraer regional jet before take-off. Airport Director Bruce Carter stated that this Dallas nonstop service has "been in the works for over six years," and that he has already been in early discussions with American Airlines to add a second daily flight. Brian Coutts, American Airlines' director of sales, stated that he has never seen a launch with as much success in all the markets American has added new services. Carter emphasized the importance of adding air service to western cities in the United States and how this new flight opens up easier access for the Quad Cities region to Mexico and South America.
• Congress' Senate Appropriations Committee has secured $800,000 for the Davenport sewer separation project. The funds have been approved by the Senate Interior Appropriations Subcommittee. Both the House and Senate conference committee must approve the measure before it becomes law. Both sanitary wastewater and storm water use the same sewer system. This system does not meet current environmental standards because during heavy rain events, water discharges into the river without being treated.
• Bettendorf businessman Mike Whalen last week announced his intentions to seek the U.S. House of Representatives seat being vacated by Congressman Jim Nussle. Whalen owns Heart of America Restaurants & Inns and has restaurants and hotels in six states. He opened his first restaurant in 1978, shortly after graduating from Harvard Law School. He called it the Iowa Machine Shed and dedicated it honoring the American farmer. Whalen also served with former Delaware Governor Pete du Pont as policy chair for the National Center for Policy Analysis, which promotes free-market solutions to public-policy issues. Whalen was also named one of Inc. magazine's Entrepreneurs of the Year. Learn more about Mike Whalen and his campaign at (http://www.MikeWhalen.com).
• River Action presents its annual Ride the River event on Father's Day, Sunday, June 19. Bicyclists can choose between the basic 18-mile route or a longer 60-mile course on both sides of the Mississippi River. All riders start at the Union Station in Davenport. A $10 Ride the River ticket includes admission to four local attractions: the River Music Experience, the Bettendorf Family Museum, the Quad City Sports Center, and an area YMCA. For more information or to register, call (563)322-2969 or (563)322-7433, or visit (http://www.riveraction.org).
• The Iowa Department of Justice is receiving a $3.95-million victim-assistance grant from the U.S. Department of Justice's Victim of Crime Act (VOCA) program. The funds will be used to enhance crime-victim services in Iowa. VOCA assistance funds are competitively awarded by the state to community-based organizations that provide direct services to crime victims, such as criminal-justice agencies, social-service agencies, private not-for-profit agencies, and American Indian tribes. The program aims to support victims of child abuse, domestic violence, sexual assault, drunk driving, elder abuse, and robbery; family members of homicide victims; and victims of other violent crimes. Services provided include crisis counseling, therapy, shelter information, help in filing compensation claims, and advocacy support. The Victims of Crime Act of 1984 set up the VOCA Victim Compensation Program and the VOCA Victim Assistance Program.
• Iowa Habitat for Humanity affiliates have been building decent affordable houses in partnership with communities since 1986. In celebration of 500 homes completed in Iowa, Governor Tom Vilsack declared June 11 through 18 as "Habitat for Humanity Building Iowa Communities Week." Thirty-six statewide Iowa affiliates will be celebrating this accomplishment in a variety of ways, including groundbreakings and house dedications.
