09
Nov
2004
• The number of ballots cast in Scott County in the November 2 election was 82,838, or more than 75 percent of the county's 110,168 registered voters, a not -unexpected number considering the nature of the campaigns. This information was pulled directly from the Scott County Web site at (http://www.scottcountyiowa.com). In June 2001, an average of 302 users per day visited the site. Last month, the site averaged 1,916 users per day. And on Monday, November 1, the site broke its previous record for single-day users, with 3,862 visits. The record-breaking didn't stop Monday. On Tuesday, 4,826 users visited the Web site, roughly two and a half times the daily average.
• The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, is conducting its annual emergency readiness and response exercise in preparation for potential springtime flooding. The district uses its levee-inspection program to train, activate, and deploy emergency-response teams as a simulation of a flood event. The purpose of the inspection is to make sure that the structures are working properly, and to talk with local emergency-management officials about the status of the projects and any potential problems. Inspectors look for animal burrows and trees in the levee, ensure that gates seal properly, and check pumps and the condition of emergency-closure structures.
• Volunteers from the Central Iowa Blues Society on October 29 delivered 1,800 compact discs to be shipped to members of the Iowa National Guard and reservists serving in the Middle East. The CD, entitled Blues for Baghdad, was recorded live in April at Blues on Grand in Des Moines. The goal of the project is only partially complete. While all of the Iowa National Guard and reservists will be receiving a CD, help is needed getting the names and addresses of Iowa enlisted personnel serving in the Middle East. Go to (http://www.bluesongrand.com) for more information. You can also pick up a personal copy for $12 from the Web site. All of the proceeds will go to purchase additional CDs, if needed, or to fund other projects supporting out troops.
• The City of Rock Island has begun the process of soliciting developer interest in redevelopment of the Rock Island Armory, located at 1801 First Avenue. The search for a developer results from a recommendation from the recently completed River Vision plan, a joint study by Rock Island and Davenport intended to create a concept for future development along the cities' waterfronts. A 12-page Request for Statements of Interest was released by the city and includes information about the property and the process for reviewing developer responses. Interested parties have until November 30 to submit information. Developers can pick up a copy of the guidelines at City Hall, in the Community & Economic Development Department. Questions should be directed to (309)732-2920.
• First United Methodist Church of Rock Island, at 1820 5th Avenue, has announced a coat giveaway on Saturday, November 13, from 9 to 11 a.m. in the Church Fellowship Hall. Several area churches cooperate in this ministry. The church is accepting donations of clean and serviceable winter outerwear, including coats, hats, scarves, mittens, gloves, snowsuits, snow pants, and boots. Especially needed are children's, infants, and large men's and women's sizes. Blankets are also welcome. Donations may be taken to the west entrance of First United Methodist Church, or call 788-9384 to arrange for pick-up. To volunteer, contact Claudia Applegate at 787-5097.
• The Figge Art Museum announced on November 1 that it has received a $1-million grant from the Muscatine-based Carver Trust to support the construction of the 70,000-square-foot museum in downtown Davenport. The museum will include 15,000 square feet of education space, two traveling-exhibition spaces totaling 7,000 square feet, expanded space for storage and display of the museum's permanent collection, and climate control to preserve the art. Public funding for the Figge represents $19.9 million of its $50-million cost. Other funding includes $10 million from the Figge Foundation. Groundbreaking for the new Figge Museum was held in September 2002, with the expected opening in July 2005. - John B. Perreault
• Trace levels of THC and other cannabinoids are present in United States paper currency, according to the findings of a study published in the September issue of the Journal of Analytical Toxicology. Researchers from the Cuyahoga County coroner's office in Cleveland analyzed 165 randomly collected paper-currency notes from 12 U.S. cities and four foreign countries (Colombia, Qatar, India, and New Zealand) for various cannabinoids, including THC, cannabinol (CBN), and cannabidiol (CBD). "THC was present in 1.6 percent (two notes), CBN in 10.31 percent (13 notes), [and] CBD in 1.6 percent (two notes)" of U.S. currency, the authors found. "For the foreign currency, THC and CBN were present in 22.5 percent (nine notes)," all of which came from New Zealand.
• The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, is conducting its annual emergency readiness and response exercise in preparation for potential springtime flooding. The district uses its levee-inspection program to train, activate, and deploy emergency-response teams as a simulation of a flood event. The purpose of the inspection is to make sure that the structures are working properly, and to talk with local emergency-management officials about the status of the projects and any potential problems. Inspectors look for animal burrows and trees in the levee, ensure that gates seal properly, and check pumps and the condition of emergency-closure structures.
• Volunteers from the Central Iowa Blues Society on October 29 delivered 1,800 compact discs to be shipped to members of the Iowa National Guard and reservists serving in the Middle East. The CD, entitled Blues for Baghdad, was recorded live in April at Blues on Grand in Des Moines. The goal of the project is only partially complete. While all of the Iowa National Guard and reservists will be receiving a CD, help is needed getting the names and addresses of Iowa enlisted personnel serving in the Middle East. Go to (http://www.bluesongrand.com) for more information. You can also pick up a personal copy for $12 from the Web site. All of the proceeds will go to purchase additional CDs, if needed, or to fund other projects supporting out troops.
• The City of Rock Island has begun the process of soliciting developer interest in redevelopment of the Rock Island Armory, located at 1801 First Avenue. The search for a developer results from a recommendation from the recently completed River Vision plan, a joint study by Rock Island and Davenport intended to create a concept for future development along the cities' waterfronts. A 12-page Request for Statements of Interest was released by the city and includes information about the property and the process for reviewing developer responses. Interested parties have until November 30 to submit information. Developers can pick up a copy of the guidelines at City Hall, in the Community & Economic Development Department. Questions should be directed to (309)732-2920.
• First United Methodist Church of Rock Island, at 1820 5th Avenue, has announced a coat giveaway on Saturday, November 13, from 9 to 11 a.m. in the Church Fellowship Hall. Several area churches cooperate in this ministry. The church is accepting donations of clean and serviceable winter outerwear, including coats, hats, scarves, mittens, gloves, snowsuits, snow pants, and boots. Especially needed are children's, infants, and large men's and women's sizes. Blankets are also welcome. Donations may be taken to the west entrance of First United Methodist Church, or call 788-9384 to arrange for pick-up. To volunteer, contact Claudia Applegate at 787-5097.
• The Figge Art Museum announced on November 1 that it has received a $1-million grant from the Muscatine-based Carver Trust to support the construction of the 70,000-square-foot museum in downtown Davenport. The museum will include 15,000 square feet of education space, two traveling-exhibition spaces totaling 7,000 square feet, expanded space for storage and display of the museum's permanent collection, and climate control to preserve the art. Public funding for the Figge represents $19.9 million of its $50-million cost. Other funding includes $10 million from the Figge Foundation. Groundbreaking for the new Figge Museum was held in September 2002, with the expected opening in July 2005. - John B. Perreault
• Trace levels of THC and other cannabinoids are present in United States paper currency, according to the findings of a study published in the September issue of the Journal of Analytical Toxicology. Researchers from the Cuyahoga County coroner's office in Cleveland analyzed 165 randomly collected paper-currency notes from 12 U.S. cities and four foreign countries (Colombia, Qatar, India, and New Zealand) for various cannabinoids, including THC, cannabinol (CBN), and cannabidiol (CBD). "THC was present in 1.6 percent (two notes), CBN in 10.31 percent (13 notes), [and] CBD in 1.6 percent (two notes)" of U.S. currency, the authors found. "For the foreign currency, THC and CBN were present in 22.5 percent (nine notes)," all of which came from New Zealand.
