26
Nov
2002
• A report by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and the GuideOne Foundation gave Iowa a C grade for its efforts to prevent drunk driving and underage drinking. Illinois received a slightly better grade, a C-plus. The survey was unveiled just prior to the heavily traveled Thanksgiving holiday. Iowa's grade was lower than in the 2000 report, in which the state received a B-minus. No state received an A grade this year because of increases in alcohol-related traffic fatalities across the nation. The United States earned an overall grade of C, compared to its previous grade of C+. Sixty percent of each state's overall grade was based on its alcohol-related fatality trend and priority drunk-driving laws. While Iowa received credit for the 18.5-percent decrease in alcohol-positive drivers involved in fatal crashes, for its lower grade MADD cited the need for passing .08-percent-blood-alcohol-content legislation as well as tougher and more comprehensive sanctions geared toward repeat offenders. Last year 155 people were killed in crashes involving alcohol in Iowa. Nationally, 17,448 people were killed, and more than half a million others were injured. During the 2001 Thanksgiving holiday period, 283 people died because of drinking and driving. Visit the MADD Web site at (http://www.madd.org) to download a full "Rating the States" report.
• The Quad City Health Initiative, a community partnership dedicated to improving the overall health and quality of life in our area, has sponsored an extensive survey to gauge the health of people in the Quad Cities. Sponsored by Trinity Regional Health System and Genesis Health System, the group released the Community Health Assessment study detailing the current health status and needs of residents in Scott and Rock Island counties. The complete and summary reports are available at the at the Quad City Health Initiative's Web site at (http://www.qchealthinitiative.org/).
• The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will increase recreation-day-use fees effective January 1. Fees for the issuance of special-event permits will also increase for the 2003 recreation season. Recreation-use fees are collected to help offset operating and maintenance costs at Corps facilities. Additional information about the Corps' recreation program can be found at (http://www.usace.army.mil/recreation/). For more information about fees and recreation areas within the Rock Island District, contact Sue Clevenstine at (309)794-5839 or by e-mail at (Susan.J.Clevenstine@usace.army.mil).
• For more than 50 years, Friendly House has been showing thanks to the neighborhood community by hosting a Thanksgiving meal. This year was no exception. On Tuesday, November 26, Friendly House served two meals: a noon meal for seniors and their friends, and an evening meal at 5:30 p.m. for other Friendly House participants, their families, and agency neighbors. In addition to dinner, there were plenty of family activities. The event was sponsored by the Davenport Noon Optimists, Kraft Foods, and Oscar Mayer. Friendly House is located at 1221 Myrtle Street in Davenport. The group's phone number is (563)323-1821 and its Web site is at (http://www.friendlyhouseiowa.org/).
• The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is considering ways it can revise its telemarketing rules to protect consumers' privacy. The FCC has asked for comments on whether it should change the rules that restrict telemarketing calls and, if so, how. One possible change being investigated is establishing a national do-not-call list in addition to the lists maintained by some states. The FCC wants to hear your comments on and suggested changes to the current rules. Comments should be submitted electronically or in writing on or before December 9. To file electronically, you must access the FCC's Electronic Comment Filing System through the agency's Web site (http://www.fcc.gov/e-file/ecfs.html). To file by paper, you can send your comment to the Office of the Secretary; Federal Communications Commission; 445 12th Street SW; Washington D.C. 20554. Your comment must include the docket number (CG Docket No. 02-278) for proper filing.
• Generations Area on Aging, a not-for-profit organization serving seniors and their caregivers, has opened the "Time Out" Respite Program in Clinton County for people needing a break from caring for seniors. The program will be open every Thursday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Chancy Lutheran Church in Clinton. The program will be staffed by a registered nurse and trained volunteers. Lunch will be served in the Generations GenAge Café located at Chancy, and there will be planned activities for the seniors. Generations has served Clinton, Scott, and Muscatine counties for more than 29 years. For more information, contact the Generations Clinton office at (563)243-6595.
• The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) was kind enough to put out a bulletin noting that federal tax refunds belonging to 455 Iowa taxpayers were returned to the agency as "undeliverable." Most refunds are from tax returns filed for the 2001 tax year, although some taxpayers are due refunds for several years. The checks range from as little as a dollar to $11,500, with an average amount of $572. Nationwide, 96,792 refunds totaling $80 million were returned to the IRS. If you have access to the Internet, you can see if you are due money by starting at the IRS Web site at (http://www.irs.gov) and clicking on the "Where's My Refund" section. Better hurry though, as the feature won't be available in December while it's being upgraded for the 2003 filing season. Taxpayers without access to the Internet who think they might be missing a refund check should first check their records or contact their tax preparer, and then call the IRS toll-free assistance line at (800)829-1040 to update their address.
• The National Writing Project, a development program dedicated to improving writing and learning in our nation's schools, is accepting applications from area K-12 teachers for this summer's session. A special informational meeting will be held in the first-floor seminar room in St. Ambrose University's Cosgrove Hall from 4 to 6 p.m. on two Thursdays: January 16 and 23. The institute runs from June 30 to July 25 and carries five hours of graduate credit at a cost of $700. (The remainder of the St. Ambrose tuition will be paid by a grant from the National Writing Project.) Twenty to 25 participants will be selected. Now in its 25th year, the National Writing Project focuses on examining teachers' exemplary classroom practices, supporting their work with research studies, and encouraging them to develop their own writing. The institute takes place each summer at 161 sites across the country. Anyone interested in participating can contact Richard Hanzelka for application information at (563)332-8356 or by e-mail at (rhanzelka@mchsi.com). Completed applications are due no later than March 1.
• The Quad City Health Initiative, a community partnership dedicated to improving the overall health and quality of life in our area, has sponsored an extensive survey to gauge the health of people in the Quad Cities. Sponsored by Trinity Regional Health System and Genesis Health System, the group released the Community Health Assessment study detailing the current health status and needs of residents in Scott and Rock Island counties. The complete and summary reports are available at the at the Quad City Health Initiative's Web site at (http://www.qchealthinitiative.org/).
• The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will increase recreation-day-use fees effective January 1. Fees for the issuance of special-event permits will also increase for the 2003 recreation season. Recreation-use fees are collected to help offset operating and maintenance costs at Corps facilities. Additional information about the Corps' recreation program can be found at (http://www.usace.army.mil/recreation/). For more information about fees and recreation areas within the Rock Island District, contact Sue Clevenstine at (309)794-5839 or by e-mail at (Susan.J.Clevenstine@usace.army.mil).
• For more than 50 years, Friendly House has been showing thanks to the neighborhood community by hosting a Thanksgiving meal. This year was no exception. On Tuesday, November 26, Friendly House served two meals: a noon meal for seniors and their friends, and an evening meal at 5:30 p.m. for other Friendly House participants, their families, and agency neighbors. In addition to dinner, there were plenty of family activities. The event was sponsored by the Davenport Noon Optimists, Kraft Foods, and Oscar Mayer. Friendly House is located at 1221 Myrtle Street in Davenport. The group's phone number is (563)323-1821 and its Web site is at (http://www.friendlyhouseiowa.org/).
• The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is considering ways it can revise its telemarketing rules to protect consumers' privacy. The FCC has asked for comments on whether it should change the rules that restrict telemarketing calls and, if so, how. One possible change being investigated is establishing a national do-not-call list in addition to the lists maintained by some states. The FCC wants to hear your comments on and suggested changes to the current rules. Comments should be submitted electronically or in writing on or before December 9. To file electronically, you must access the FCC's Electronic Comment Filing System through the agency's Web site (http://www.fcc.gov/e-file/ecfs.html). To file by paper, you can send your comment to the Office of the Secretary; Federal Communications Commission; 445 12th Street SW; Washington D.C. 20554. Your comment must include the docket number (CG Docket No. 02-278) for proper filing.
• Generations Area on Aging, a not-for-profit organization serving seniors and their caregivers, has opened the "Time Out" Respite Program in Clinton County for people needing a break from caring for seniors. The program will be open every Thursday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Chancy Lutheran Church in Clinton. The program will be staffed by a registered nurse and trained volunteers. Lunch will be served in the Generations GenAge Café located at Chancy, and there will be planned activities for the seniors. Generations has served Clinton, Scott, and Muscatine counties for more than 29 years. For more information, contact the Generations Clinton office at (563)243-6595.
• The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) was kind enough to put out a bulletin noting that federal tax refunds belonging to 455 Iowa taxpayers were returned to the agency as "undeliverable." Most refunds are from tax returns filed for the 2001 tax year, although some taxpayers are due refunds for several years. The checks range from as little as a dollar to $11,500, with an average amount of $572. Nationwide, 96,792 refunds totaling $80 million were returned to the IRS. If you have access to the Internet, you can see if you are due money by starting at the IRS Web site at (http://www.irs.gov) and clicking on the "Where's My Refund" section. Better hurry though, as the feature won't be available in December while it's being upgraded for the 2003 filing season. Taxpayers without access to the Internet who think they might be missing a refund check should first check their records or contact their tax preparer, and then call the IRS toll-free assistance line at (800)829-1040 to update their address.
• The National Writing Project, a development program dedicated to improving writing and learning in our nation's schools, is accepting applications from area K-12 teachers for this summer's session. A special informational meeting will be held in the first-floor seminar room in St. Ambrose University's Cosgrove Hall from 4 to 6 p.m. on two Thursdays: January 16 and 23. The institute runs from June 30 to July 25 and carries five hours of graduate credit at a cost of $700. (The remainder of the St. Ambrose tuition will be paid by a grant from the National Writing Project.) Twenty to 25 participants will be selected. Now in its 25th year, the National Writing Project focuses on examining teachers' exemplary classroom practices, supporting their work with research studies, and encouraging them to develop their own writing. The institute takes place each summer at 161 sites across the country. Anyone interested in participating can contact Richard Hanzelka for application information at (563)332-8356 or by e-mail at (rhanzelka@mchsi.com). Completed applications are due no later than March 1.
