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Staff reports | Tuesday, January 23, 2007 2:53 AM CST | () comments

East Moline

Economic development series to be offered

University of Illinois Extension, Rock Island County, will offer a series of free educational programs for local government officials to participate in statewide tele-institutes.

The four-part government education series addresses economic development tools and policies that support local endeavors.

The classes will take place at the extension office, 4550 Kennedy Drive, East Moline. Topics, dates and times are:

* Economic Development in Illinois, 3-5 p.m. Jan. 25

* Entrepreneurial Communities, 3-5 p.m. Feb. 22

* Business Retention and Expansion, 3-5 p.m. March 29

* Tax Increment Finance Districts, 3-5 p.m. April 26

Participants can attend one or all of the programs. Each tele-institute qualifies for two hours of Certified County Officials credit. To register, call the extension office at (309) 796-0512 or visit www.extension.uiuc.

edu/rockisland.

Bettendorf

Cake auction fundraiser scheduled for Jan. 26

The 2007 Bettendorf High School Booster Club cake auction will be Jan. 26 during a doubleheader basketball game between Bettendorf and North Scott.

The girls will play at 6 p.m., followed by the boys at 7:30 p.m.

There will be a live auction with two specialty cakes and two specialty baskets donated by Schnucks. The baskets are valued at more than $200 and $300 each. There also will be many other cakes, including team cakes and other items, up for auction.

Davenport

Library to offer author’s presentation, signing

In honor of Black History Month, the Davenport Public Library will present author Eric Smith’s presentation and book signing of “Oak Hill: A Portrait of Black Life in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, 1920-1950” from 6-8 p.m. Feb. 13 at the Davenport Public Library-Fairmount Street branch, 3000 N. Fairmount St.

The book is about the life and times of the first African-American community in Cedar Rapids. The book can be purchased at the event for $15, with 20 percent going to the Friends of the Davenport Public Library.

Smith is a lecturer, teacher, historian, author and television talk show host.

Davenport

Technology courses get certification

Project Lead the Way, an engineering and technology career pathway for students in Davenport Community Schools, has received full certification.

A multidisciplinary team visited the district’s high schools this year before deciding to certify the nationally recognized program.

More than 300 students across the district are enrolled in the program’s coursework. The certification allows the district to offer college credit for some of the courses, which include Introduction to Engineering Design, Principles of Engineering, Digital Electronics and the upcoming Computer Integrated Manufacturing and Engineering Design and Development.

Betty Griffin, coordinator of the district’s Technology Education and School to Work program, said the project is designed to prepare students for two- or four-year college degrees in engineering and technology-related careers. Using technology equipment and industry-standard software, students produce projects in a laboratory setting.

Representatives from several local companies serve on an advisory board for the district’s program, helping to oversee curriculum development and providing a “real world” perspective.

Although the program is open to all students, there is an effort to see more young women take part. With more than half of the country’s engineers and scientists nearing retirement, this can be a significant opportunity for young men and women to get a jump start on entering the field.

Courses are listed in the 2007-08 course guides at

www.davenportschools.org.