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The Next Generation of Space Exploration
 NASA has chosen Davenport Works to produce metal for the next generation of space exploration. Aluminum-lithium alloy plate produced at Alcoa in the Quad Cities will help astronauts return to the Moon and eventually to travel to Mars.
NASA leaders recently visited Davenport Works to see the process to be used to produce the large aluminum plates for the construction of the Ares I Crew Launch Vehicle.
 "This plant has supplied material for the space program since its inception," said Jeff Hanley, who is in charge of NASA's next generation of space flight. "The ties between the Quad Cities and space exploration run here, right through Davenport Works. It's something employees should be proud of."
The initial $16.7 million contract will provide material for building test vehicles and test flights will happen later this decade.
"We need low-cost and high-quality in everything we get because the safety of our astronauts is riding on everything the folks here at Davenport Works produce," said Steve Cook, Director of NASA's Exploration Launch Office. "We're looking to produce the lowest cost, most reliable launch vehicle system the United States has ever built."
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Reading Adventures
 Over 12,000 people attended the 13th annual Reading Adventures presented by Alcoa in September. In all, nearly 5,000 free books were given to kids ages 12 and under. Alcoa has worked with the Quad City Times to stage this event since it began.
Alcoa Plate Mill Manager Mark Gaydos participated as a "celebrity reader" reading a story to a crowd of about 60 kids and parents in one of the fairground buildings.
 The five hour event is free to the public and includes live music, puppet shows, a petting zoo, arts & crafts, Reading Bingo, hayrack rides and inflatable attractions. Every child who attends gets a free book courtesy of Alcoa and other sponsors.
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Day of Caring
 A group of hourly and salaried Alcoans helped out again this year with the annual United Way Day of Caring on September 12th. The Alcoa volunteers helped with two projects. One of the projects was weeding and cleanup of Bechtel Park in downtown Davenport at the foot of the Arsenal Bridge.
The crew also spent a couple of hours weeding and planting flowers and bulbs to improve the look of Denkmann Elementary School in Rock Island. The work there will spruce up the front entry to the school for students, parents and faculty.
 The Also team was part of a group of nearly 1,000 volunteers working on more than 100 projects around the Quad Cities as a kick-off to the 2007 United Way campaign in the community. Day of Caring helps with projects throughout the Quad Cities.
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Blood Drive
 Several dozen Alcoans rolled up their sleeves to donate blood during the second blood drive of the year at Davenport Works. Here, employee Susan Playfair-Ingold prepares to have her blood drawn by one of the technicians from the Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center.
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