• At a dedication ceremony last Thursday, the Rock Island County Metropolitan Mass Transit District (MetroLINK) and the City of Moline unveiled a new compressed-natural-gas (CNG) fueling station. MetroLINK's 12 30-foot ElDorado CNG buses, which were put into use in late July, will now use the new fueling station, located at the Moline Public Works Facility. MetroLINK Chairperson Lawrence Lorensen explained that MetroLINK is only the second public-transit system in Illinois to use a CNG fleet and fueling system. The buses, which were the first to be powered by John Deere CNG engines manufactured in Waterloo, Iowa, emit 70 to 85 percent fewer toxins into the air (90 percent less particulate matter and 50 percent less nitrogen oxide). While diesel buses operate at a cost per gallon of 90 cents, CNG-fueled buses are at 46 cents per gallon. In addition, the buses run quieter both outside and inside, have bigger windows and lower floor levels, and can seat 26 passengers, including two wheelchairs. The innovative approach to new environmentally friendly transit vehicles was lauded by city, state, and federal officials on-hand. Mayor Pro Tem and Alderman Bill Adams stated the CNG initiative had three primary benefits: "Cleaner air and less noise, we become less reliant on fuel from foreign nations, and we're helping create jobs in our region via the John Deere engines." Darwin Burkhart, from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, was on-hand to present a check for $44,000 to MetroLINK as part of its Illinois Green Fleets rebate program, designed to give incentives for alternatively fueled fleet vehicles in the state. Burkhart stated that MetroLINK was the first such designation in northwest Illinois. Jeff Nelson, MetroLINK's general manager, stated that over the next year, an additional 12 CNG buses are slated to join the fleet, bringing the total fleet mix to one-third CNGs.
• The John Lewis Coffee Shop has raised more than $1 million for a new emergency shelter to be built at 1006 West Fifth Street in Davenport but needs at least $335,000 more to ensure that the shelter can be open before winter. It's hoped that there will be a September 21 groundbreaking, but additional gifts and pledges need to be secured before the deadline or the shelter won't be able to open on time. Contributions can be sent to John Lewis Coffee; P.O. Box 3245; Davenport, Iowa 52802. For more information, call (563)322-3751 or visit the organization on the Web at (http://www.jlcs.org).
• Grant Applications are now available for the fall 2002 Riverboat Development Authority (RDA) grant awards. The deadline for applications for the fall awards is October 1. Applications can be downloaded from the RDA Web page at (http://www.riverboatauthority.com), and hard copies are available in the following locations: Davenport Public Library; Davenport City Hall, front lobby; Scott County administrator's office, sixth floor, Bi-Centennial Building; Quad Cities Visitor's Center, Union Station; Center for Active Seniors, 1035 West Kimberly Road; Blackhawk Hotel, reception desk or RDA office; Bettendorf City Hall; and Bettendorf Library. In its 11-year history, the RDA has awarded nearly $28 million.
• The local chapter of the American Cancer Society is looking for interested volunteers to help drive patients to and from treatment about once a month. For more information on how you can help, call the American Cancer Society at (800)322-4337. For cancer information 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, call (800)227-2345 or visit the Web site (http://www.cancer.org).
• Thanks to a grant for the Scott County Regional Authority, the Bettendorf Public Library has a newly re-designed computer area. The tall cubicles were removed and have been replaced with lower booths, allowing for better sight lines for staff when patrons need assistance and more efficient use of floor space. As part of the re-design, two additional Internet Express computers and two one-hour Internet terminals have been added for patron convenience.
• Dennis Starling, a Democrat from Calamus, Iowa, has announced he will run for the Iowa State Senate in District 42, which covers rural Scott County and southern Clinton County. John Gumpert, a Davenport resident, has announced he will be the Republican candidate for Iowa State Senate in District 43, which includes most of central Davenport. Gumpert will face State Representative Joe Seng in the newly created district.
• If you have questions about how to keep your kids off drugs or how to strengthen family relationships, consider calling the Center for Alcohol & Drug Services (CADS). The CADS clearinghouse is now offering resources to help residents find out more about such issues as drug abuse and violence, and learn how to raise happier and healthier children. Interested persons can check out materials from the clearinghouse for a two-week period. All the resources have been donated, and the organization hopes to expand the lending library as more gifts are received. The clearinghouse is located at the CADS facility at 1601 Harrison Street in Davenport. For more information, call Paul Rust at (563)326-4116.
• Phase two of the Centennial Garden construction in Bettendorf is nearly completed thanks to grant from the Scott County Regional Authority, city funds, and the purchase of engraved stones by citizens. The garden continues to grow with more than 990 perennials planted in addition to 700 daffodils that were planted last fall. More than 100 plants will be added in the next few weeks.
• The John Lewis Coffee Shop has raised more than $1 million for a new emergency shelter to be built at 1006 West Fifth Street in Davenport but needs at least $335,000 more to ensure that the shelter can be open before winter. It's hoped that there will be a September 21 groundbreaking, but additional gifts and pledges need to be secured before the deadline or the shelter won't be able to open on time. Contributions can be sent to John Lewis Coffee; P.O. Box 3245; Davenport, Iowa 52802. For more information, call (563)322-3751 or visit the organization on the Web at (http://www.jlcs.org).
• Grant Applications are now available for the fall 2002 Riverboat Development Authority (RDA) grant awards. The deadline for applications for the fall awards is October 1. Applications can be downloaded from the RDA Web page at (http://www.riverboatauthority.com), and hard copies are available in the following locations: Davenport Public Library; Davenport City Hall, front lobby; Scott County administrator's office, sixth floor, Bi-Centennial Building; Quad Cities Visitor's Center, Union Station; Center for Active Seniors, 1035 West Kimberly Road; Blackhawk Hotel, reception desk or RDA office; Bettendorf City Hall; and Bettendorf Library. In its 11-year history, the RDA has awarded nearly $28 million.
• The local chapter of the American Cancer Society is looking for interested volunteers to help drive patients to and from treatment about once a month. For more information on how you can help, call the American Cancer Society at (800)322-4337. For cancer information 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, call (800)227-2345 or visit the Web site (http://www.cancer.org).
• Thanks to a grant for the Scott County Regional Authority, the Bettendorf Public Library has a newly re-designed computer area. The tall cubicles were removed and have been replaced with lower booths, allowing for better sight lines for staff when patrons need assistance and more efficient use of floor space. As part of the re-design, two additional Internet Express computers and two one-hour Internet terminals have been added for patron convenience.
• Dennis Starling, a Democrat from Calamus, Iowa, has announced he will run for the Iowa State Senate in District 42, which covers rural Scott County and southern Clinton County. John Gumpert, a Davenport resident, has announced he will be the Republican candidate for Iowa State Senate in District 43, which includes most of central Davenport. Gumpert will face State Representative Joe Seng in the newly created district.
• If you have questions about how to keep your kids off drugs or how to strengthen family relationships, consider calling the Center for Alcohol & Drug Services (CADS). The CADS clearinghouse is now offering resources to help residents find out more about such issues as drug abuse and violence, and learn how to raise happier and healthier children. Interested persons can check out materials from the clearinghouse for a two-week period. All the resources have been donated, and the organization hopes to expand the lending library as more gifts are received. The clearinghouse is located at the CADS facility at 1601 Harrison Street in Davenport. For more information, call Paul Rust at (563)326-4116.
• Phase two of the Centennial Garden construction in Bettendorf is nearly completed thanks to grant from the Scott County Regional Authority, city funds, and the purchase of engraved stones by citizens. The garden continues to grow with more than 990 perennials planted in addition to 700 daffodils that were planted last fall. More than 100 plants will be added in the next few weeks.
