Getting set to be a Red Cross volunteer
Q: How can I help volunteer for flood-related cleanup? My understanding is that the Red Cross will only take “registered” volunteers.
— Kelly, LeClaire, Iowa
A: You can register to work as a volunteer by calling United Way’s InfoLINK line at (563) 355-9900, or just dial 211 in Iowa. Lisa DeBates, InfoLINK manager, said most volunteers will be needed after the floodwaters recede. The Red Cross does ask volunteers to go through a short orientation. To be a Red Cross volunteer, call Eileen Ryan at (309) 743-2166, Ext. 125, for adults or call Kim Crosby at Ext. 124 for children (through high school age).
Q: In Davenport, if the Mississippi River were to be 11 feet above flood stage, as was the case in Cedar Rapids, where would the water rise to?
— Lisa, Davenport
A: If the Mississippi River rose to 11 feet above flood stage, it would be at 26 feet in the Quad-Cities. Davenport’s flood plan does not indicate what would happen at that level, but at 23 feet, dikes would have to be constructed to the entrance and exit of the Ground Transportation Center in anticipation of flooding at 25 feet. A levee also would have to be built east of the Lindsay Harbor Yacht Club to protect the intersection of Mound Street and River Drive.
Elsewhere in the Quad-Cities, at 26 feet the river would be to the top of the lowest section of the floodwall at Leach Park in Bettendorf. It would reach the top of the lowest section of Rock Island’s floodwall in The District at 25 feet. At 27 feet, water would reach the bottom of the Arsenal Bridge deck.
Q: With all the storm watches and warnings, I’ve noticed different sounding sirens in Davenport. One sounds similar to a fog horn and the other is the regular siren that we’re all used to hearing. What is the siren that sounds like a fog horn?
— Pauline, Davenport
A: The fog horn siren warns of a severe thunderstorm, said Ross Bergen, Scott County emergency management coordinator. The regular siren warns of a tornado.
Q: It’s getting warmer, and I’m thinking about getting a fake tan — but I want one that’s safer than using a tanning bed. I’ve heard of airbrush or spray-on tanning, but I don’t know what it is. Can you help me? Where can I go to get this done? And how much does it cost?
— Kay, Andalusia, Ill.
A: We know of at least one area salon that offers spray-on tans, and perhaps readers will know of some others. Total Image salon, 2456 53rd St., Moline, has several packages available for the service, according to its Web site. An individual session costs $35, but the price per session is lower for multiple visits.
The chemical used to create the tan is called dihydroxyacetone, or DHA, which has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for cosmetic applications, according to the Web site. For more information, call the salon at (309) 797-5008.
Q: When did the post office stop delivering to mailboxes that are attached to homes? Now, you have to walk to the street, risking your neck in bad weather.
— Bill, Davenport
A: A clerk at the Davenport Post Office said detached mailboxes are being used in only new developments except when safety issues are present. By having the mailboxes detached, letter carriers can avoid dogs, for examples. It also helps prevent identity theft if the mailboxes are locked.