A couple of years ago, the people who are continually stretching the edge of the Internet envelope began talking about Web 2.0. Wikipedia, the user-created encyclopedia, defines Web 2.0 as "a term often applied to a perceived ongoing transition of the World Wide Web from a collection of Web sites to a full-fledged computing platform serving Web applications to end users. Ultimately Web 2.0 services are expected to replace desktop computing applications for many purposes."

That's happening.

Issue 585 Cover Editor's note: Last year, after a European vacation, longtime Renaissance Rock Island leader Dan Carmody submitted a draft of a "Vacation Manifesto" - a series of anecdotes and ideas for the Quad Cities.

In the year since, Carmody left our area for Fort Wayne, Indiana, where he serves as president of the Downtown Improvement District. We recently asked him to revisit his manifesto. Here it is.

We welcome your ideas in the comments section of the article.

 

585_andyp3 Steven Andrew Ontiveros, also known as Steven Andrews, passed away Sunday, June 11. He was 52 years old. Steven Andrews, a longtime fan of the arts and music, had friends in all corners of the Quad Cities, as he was well known for his hair-styling salon Steven Andrews Hair Design located in Moline. Steven loved all things outdoors, especially kayaking. He could be found at many an estate sale and was a consummate forager for unique materials and collectibles, many of which he would share with his artist friends for inspiration to create works of art. Steven is survived by many friends and family. A memorial celebration, called "A Beautiful Day," will be held this Saturday, June 17, at 2 p.m. (until the cops are called) at the River Music Experience in Davenport, Iowa. Donations made will go toward one of Steven's favorite causes, Living Lands & Waters. Live auction items will include Steven's plants, so friends can keep a little love in their hearts and homes.

The cities of Moline and Rock Island will receive a $514,000 grant for the construction of the north connector of the West Rock River Bridge Trail, and Moline will receive $701,845 for the Western Illinois University River Tech Streetscape. The Moline and Rock Island grants are part of the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program, the latest round of which includes more than 100 projects totaling $60 million. The grants are to improve the quality of life in Illinois by promoting alternative transportation, such as bike/hike trails and preserving transportation-related resources.

 

The College Board recognized Davenport's West High School as the number-one school in Iowa for its commitment to excellence and equity in education, and its access to and success in AP programs. West High was the only school recognized in the state of Iowa, and the honor was given at the Midwest Regional Forum in Chicago on February 28.

 

Issue 583 Cover We've tortured you with tiny word limits before, but this year we were in a really foul mood. So we decided to have some fun at your expense and see how many suckers would try to put "llama" and "ramekin" in a 200-word story dealing with an odoriferous canine abode and lumpy breakfast food.

Next month, Bethany for Children & Families will team up with Moline Centre Partners (MCP) to host a Clean-A-Thon in downtown Moline. Volunteers will walk the streets of downtown Moline sweeping the sidewalks, pulling weeds, and picking up trash. Since May 1, volunteers from Bethany for Children & Families and MCP have been collecting sponsor pledges per pound of trash they collect. The event will be held on Thursday, June 15, from 5 to 7 p.m. For more information, or to make a pledge, call (309)762-7804. The cleanup-effort proceeds will be divided between Bethany, which will offer a special recreational-outing opportunity for children that volunteer, and MCP to support growth, change, and beauty in the downtown area.

 

River/Gulf Energy has announced that it plans to build an ethanol plant in Buffalo, Iowa, near the Quad Cities. Plans call for a 100-million-gallon-per-year (MGPY) facility to be built on a 100-acre industrial site. 
Iowa Senator Maggie Tinsman (R-Bettendorf) has been appointed to serve on the state’s Legislative Council. The Legislative Council is made up of 24 members from the Senate and House who serve as the steering committee of the General Assembly between legislative sessions. 
Rock Island’s public library was the first in the state of Illinois to open to the public – on November 25, 1872. Now a national publisher has recognized it as well. The Rock Island Public Library has won a spot in Heart of the Community: The Libraries We Love, the first book to sing the praises and show the beauty of America’s beloved public libraries.

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