Tag: Illinois

Quad Cities Summer Events 2015

Summer events are plenty in Quad Cities which let us enjoy the best outdoors. With the mighty Mississippi by our side, we get to explore the nature and create beautiful memories. With thousands of people attending, these events make living in the Quad Cities interesting.

Summer Events in Quad Cities

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Here are some quad cities events which are my favorites:

Rock Island County Fair: The 146th annual Rock Island County Fair is from July 11th to July 19th at 4200, Archer Drive
in East Moline. Most of the grandstand acts are from July 15th to July 18th that is, Thursday through Saturday. Admission fee is $2 for adults, unlimited wristband for $20 which covers all the rides. If you want to get tipsy you can either get on the rides or the beer tent nearby. The fair food is mouth watering such as the curly fries, funnel cakes, french fries, hot dogs, nachos cheese, cotton candy, and of course the Lemonades!!

The grandstand acts include popular artists such as Charlie Worsham on Saturday and Clayton Anderson and Keith Anderson on Friday. This year the Demolition Derby is on Thursday 7pm unlike last year when they had it scheduled for Saturday evening. Get your spirits high for the racing and dashing. Further, check their schedule for more information and do not forget there is free pizza by Dominoes on Wednesday and Thursday from 10.30 am to 1pm.

 

Mississippi Valley Fair: The 96th annual Mississippi Valley Fair is from August 4th to August 9th at 2815, West Locust St in Davenport. The fair is one of the largest fair in Iowa which costs $10 for the general admission and $45 for fun cards. The fun card lets you in for all the five days including the grand stand acts. Kids 12 and under have free admission on Wednesday Aug 5th. This year the grand stand line up includes Kip Moore, Reba, The Marshall Tucker Band, Styx, The Band Perry, and Big & Rich.

You can visit the Mississippi Valley Fair for the fair food especially the corn and baked potatoes. The rides are $20 from 11 am to 5pm and they have a zip line too. There is also the beer tent and free music. There are some free acts throughout the day which include the alligator show, Dallas the Fire Guy, and Team Rock Karate Show among others.

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Citation: http://n.b5z.net/i/u/10002415/i/2015_TugFest_Logo_black.png

Tug Fest: The 29th annual Tug Fest is from August 13th to August 15th in Port Byron, Illinois or Le Claire, Iowa. Illinois has the most wins 17 over Iowa. You can choose the side depending on which side of the river you are. Thursday night is the family night and is free admission to all. Friday and Saturday admission is $3 per person. Don’t miss Friday night Rumble on the River fireworks over the river at 9pm. The kids tug is at 11 am on Saturday. The actual tug is from 12 to 3pm at the tug site.

Tug fest is a tug of war competition over the Mississippi river between two states Iowa and Illinois. The 2400 feet rope is pulled by tug teams across the river and the state with most points win. Local businesses form teams to compete in the tug. Tug fest is possible with the help of local sponsors and hard working volunteers. Also, the bands are amazing at the Gazebo. I like the music, fireworks,the river, and of course the actual tug. Combine your tug fest visit with the annual Floatzilla  on August 15th to make it even more fun.

River Roots Live: The 11th annual River Roots Live is on August 28th and August 29th at 400 W Biederbecke Dr, Davenport in the LeClaire Park. I like their new website though developed by Nerdwerx! The admission is free before 3pm on both days. Gate admission is $15. River Roots Liveis clubbed with the rib fest. The ribs are open at 11 am on both days. Music starts at 5pm on Friday and runs all day on Saturday.

This year’s line up includes artists such as Kacey Musgraves at Saturday 8.45 pm and Hello Goodbye at Friday 10.15 pm. Visit the River Roots Live for lots of ear popping and heart throbbing music. The Junior Jam for children is sponsored by West Music and RME. There are bouncy house for kids and also a video game tent sponsored by Video Game Etc. Check out all the free stuff given away by local businesses apart from the fair food.

You can also hop on the channel cat taxi and Celebration Belle cruises or checkout the Backwater Gamblers in Rock Island. Attend these events and let me know which one you like the most and share if you find any  more interesting.:)

The Museum of Science and Industry – Chicago

The rarest gem in the heart of Chicago is the Museum of Science and Industry (MSI). Located at 5700 S. Lake Shore Drive, the MSI stands as a bridge between the science of the past and future. I like it the way they focused more on future rather than just a display of past scientific artifacts.

Admission

The Museum of Science and Industry is a must visit attraction in Chicago. It pretty much takes up the whole day to explore all the shows and exhibits or it may take couple of visits to explore thoroughly. 🙂 Museum of Science and Industry is open 9.30 am to 5.30 pm most of the days with some exceptions. Basic admission to the MSI is $18, but they have other membership options and different packages such as the Explorer and Citypass. Parking is $22 at the museum or you can explore off the street parking in the Lake Shore Drive. Museum of Science and Industry offers free days for Illinois visitors on certain days year round.

Exhibits

MSI
Courtesy: The Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago

 

The Museum of Science and Industry began operating in 1933 and is house of more than 35,000 artifacts in its 400,000 square feet facility. MSI has many youth camps and field trips for children of all ages.

Here are some of the captivating exhibits of the MSI:

  1. Science Storms: Features the science behind seven natural phenomena such as tornadoes, tsunami, lightning, avalanches, fire, sunlight, and atoms in  motion. For example, at the tornado exhibit, you can control the speed and direction of the tornado with the controls at the site. At the tsunami exhibit, you can control the type of the waves and speed of the waves and see how it affects the shore. They have an original NOAA tsunami DART II buoy that washed to the shores in 2006. You can experience the winds at high speeds and reaction to your body in the wind tunnel booth.Science storms exhibit is free with museum entry and is a must see.
  2. You! The Experience: This interactive exhibit highlights the human body and the choices and we make everyday. You can see a huge display of human bones. You can see is if your body parts are really at your age.  Explore the possibilities of personalized medicine based on your DNA. You! The Experience is a permanent exhibit and is free with museum admission. Do visit this exhibit to know a different side of you.
  3. U-505 Submarine: The German submarine captured by the US soldiers during World War II and is now a national memorial landed in the Museum of Science and Industry. The Submarine features a variety if artifacts such as the original uniforms, photographs, letters, can of food from the war. There are a variety of interactive games such as the bunkers and operations of a submarine. The optional on-board tour will take you through a narrated tour of the U-505 submarine. This is a permanent exhibit that needs an extra ticket apart from the general admission.
  4. Transportation Gallery: The Transportation Gallery features all kinds of vehicles humans have used to move from one place to another. It includes original steam engine,United 727 airplane, race cars, and so on. Do not miss the flight simulators for an extra $6 for shared ride and $8 for fly. The simulators put you through the flight situations that is a fun way to learn! You can buy the tickets for the simulators at the exhibit itself. The gallery is free with museum admission.
  5. Art of Bicycle:  The Art of Bicycle exhibit features bicycles from 1800s and also cutting edge bicycles. You can see the bicycles evolution through ages and how humans designed bicycles through the past years. My favorite one is the elliptical bicycle. See the bikes that are made up of the same material of defense grade and see how science is incorporated in to the design of the bicycles. This exhibit is free with museum admission.
  6. Future Energy Chicago: The 90 minute interactive show explains the importance of energy conservation in Chicago. The audience is divided in to groups. Each group is assigned a challenge activity to design energy-efficient cars, neighborhood, house,  power supply grid, and transportation system to make Chicago energy-efficient. You will be engaged throughout the guided activity. Each team is graded on points for each activity and team with most points win. We scored second which was not bad after all! The exhibit has an extra admission fee and I think is a modern way of incorporating energy conservation in to our minds.
  7. Robot Revolution: My favorite of all the exhibits is the Robot Revolution. It features modern robots and how they are doing day-to-day activities such as surgeries, vacuuming, drones, information collection, and handling tasks. The robots are interactive and there is even a pet robot for hospital patients which moves when you pat it! There are soccer games and mimicking robots which you can enjoy. The drone show at the end of the hall demonstrates how technology is useful in times of emergencies and natural disasters. You can play tic-tac-toe with a robot and play a game of blackjack with another! Build your own robot at the end with the robot cubes and see robot engineers in work. The Robot Revolution is sponsored by Google and costs extra apart from the MSI admission.

Omnimax Theater

The omnimax theater is the largest theater in theater that is five-stories, wraparound and dome-shaped in the Museum of Science and Industry. The shows cost extra apart from the museum admission. The shows last about two hours and it is better to plan your museum trip based on the time of the show. Currently, the omnimax is featuring Journey to Space and Humpback Whales. It is a must visit if you are a first time visitor. In addition, the theater offers a cool place to rest when you are tired from all the walking, driving, and excitement. 🙂

The Cafe

The Museum of Science and Industry has a cafe which has burgers, french fries, salads, smoothies, juices, cool drinks, noodles,  and hot dogs. The cafe is pretty much crowded. They let you pick the food you want and pay at the end so you can enjoy your food in one of their dining areas. Water is free and remember that no food is allowed back into the museum. The restrooms are nearby the cafe and there is also a Starbucks inside the MSI!!!

I pretty much enjoyed the visit but wish I had more time to see exhibits such as  Numbers in Nature – A Mirror Maze, Coal Mine, and Materials Science. Let me know how you liked the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago. It is a must visit for all ages and is certainly geared towards the future science revolutions. The  museum will certainly light up the creative minds and leaves us wondering whats next? Do visit the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago and let me know your favorite exhibits. 🙂

All About Driving License

If you are new to the USA or to the Quad cities, one thing you certainly need is the Illinois driving license. Due to the limited public transportation and the extreme weathers, the driving license has become indispensable. It also serves as a state ID apart from letting you go places. However, there are certain requirements with respect to documents, vehicle, tests, and of course certain fees for a test. Here is an overview of the requirements for obtaining a driving license.

Intersection

Documents

The DMV certainly needs to verify your documents in order to take up the written test or road test. They need to see a valid unexpired original document from four groups. They must be most recent or within 90 days from the date applying. For example:

  1. Group A: Written Signature – Cancelled check, Major credit cards, Passport, EAD Card, I-94, Green card, Social Security Card, Current Driver’s License, State ID, and so on.
  2. Group B: Date of Birth – Passport, US Visa, Green card, EAD Card, Birth Certificate (US), Social Security Award Letter, Military ID, Naturalization Certificate, and so on.
  3. Group C: Social Security Number – Social Security Award Letter, Social Security Card, Driver’s License Record, Military ID, and so on. TVDL applicants no more required to submit a No SSN Letter. They will sign a declaration at the DMV.
  4. Group D: Residency – Bank Statement, Cancelled Check (within 90 days), Utility bill, Official mail from US Federal agency, Rental or lease agreement, Credit report, Pay stub, Electronic deposit, and so  on.

One document may satisfy more than one group. Illinois DMV does not accept photocopies. They need originals. New drivers must submit one document from Groups A, B, C, and two documents for Group D.

Vehicle

Your vehicle must be running with a valid insurance card. The vehicle must be running with all indicators working and with no problems. The vehicle:

  1. Must comply according to the Illinois Secretary of State standards
  2. Must have a valid insurance which is required before the road test
  3. Must display front and rear licence plates with unexpired license sticker
  4. Must be driven to the DMV by a driver with valid license and insurance

Tests

You are required to take a written test and a road test. At the DMV, first you have to take a token for a written test. The written test is a computer based test and covers the road signs, basic rules, seat belt requirements, and so on. You can skip a question if you think it is confusing. As soon as you answer thirty-five questions the computer will inform you that you have passed the test.

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Then, you can take a token for road test. A tester from the DMV will accompany you on a short road course with real traffic. The tester will test if you are able to follow directions and instructions properly. They will grade you on certain key aspects such as uphill, downhill, backing from a driveway on to a road, yielding, lane changes, parking, and so on.

Fees

You are required to pay a fee for the computer test, written permit, and road test. The fee varies from $25 to $40 depending upon your age and type of test.

Make sure you have all original documents and take extra photocopies. Check the weather and road conditions before you go. Also, check the national holidays and working hours of the local DMV. It is better to go in the early hours so you can finish off early. You can expect two to three hours before the entire process is completed.

Training

If you are new to the USA or to the Quad cities, it is suggested to go through a trainer who will guide you through the entire process. The trainer with a valid vehicle and insurance card can guide you through the rules and regulations of the road. It is better to take four to five classes before you go for the road test.

All the best for your tests and experience at the Illinois DMV. They are here to help us if we have everything what they need. Let me know your experience through the comments section. Have fun driving and enjoy the new-found freedom. 🙂

Temporary Visitor Drivers Licence (TVDL) New Updates

Continuing my articles about Temporary Visitor Drivers License (TVDL), here are some updates based on the new government regulations. You may not need some documents any more but still have to visit the nearest DMV office which processes your TVDL.

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Non visa Undocumented TVDL

TVDL is issued to temporary visitors to the United States in order for them to carry out their day to day chores. It may not be the same license issued to the Social Security Number (SSN) holders. Illinois started issuing TVDL for non visa undocumented drivers since January 2013. The documents required will  be address proof, consular card, twelve months of residency in Illinois and any current driving license from the same state or other state.

Your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will be able to process your DMV for non visa TVDL. Drivers are requested to schedule an appointment online through the website of Secretary of State. You can also call the toll free number and schedule an appointment. 855-236-1155. However, there are limits on the number of attempts you can make an appointment. After the documents are verified, you may require to take a vision test, computer test, and road test. If you are renewing your license, you will require only vision test. Your TVDL will be issued at a later date after completing a facial recognition background check.

Visa TVDL

TVDL is also issued for drivers with valid visa who do not have a social security number. Earlier, they were required to submit a SSN denial letter along with the documents. This document is not required anymore. You will still need two proofs of address, unexpired passport, I94, valid visa document. If you do not have two address proofs, a certificate of residency from a person with a valid SSN is also accepted. Visa TVDL will also be issued two weeks later after facial recognition check. You will be given a temporary driving permit which will let you drive until your TVDL arrives in mail.

While some may be totally unaware of this process, it is a good opportunity for drivers. It is also a cumbersome process to get a TVDL. After all the effort, a TVDL can be used only for driving purposes. It is not a valid identification for boarding airplanes or entering a federal facility. Uninsured drivers or drivers with DUI may face severe punishments or suspension of TVDL. Also, check in other states if your TVDL is valid there.

Let me know how your experience with the DMV went and share your license routines. 🙂

 

 

TVDL Illinois

Temporary Visitor Drivers Licence (TVDL) is issued to legal residents in the United States who are not eligible for a Social Security Number. Until lately, there was no such provision but in 2005 Illinois started issuing TVDL to enable the residents drive.

International students and spouses of temporary international workers may apply for a TVDL as they are not eligible to work in the United States. They are legal residents but are ineligible for a Social Security number. In order to facilitate driving for these residents, a TVDL is issued.

Documents

Bloomington, Rockford, Springfield, Carbondale, and Chicago are the offices that issue a TVDL. They process TVDL only on certain days of the week. Take the following original documents to your nearest DMV office.

  1. No SSN letter from the Social Security Office issued within the last 90 days
  2. Passport with original I94
  3. Any mail with name and address within last 30 days
The documents will be verified using the online verification system. If there is any additional verification, a second visit maybe required.

Validity

An applicant must be having at least six months visa and one year valid stay while requesting a TVDL.  A TVDL is valid until three years or the visa expiry date whichever is sooner.

A TVDL can be extended after receiving the extension notice from the USCIS. The application may be sent for additional processing. The DMV will issue an invitation letter to revisit the DMV office to get the renewal.

Tests

First time applicants have to go through vision test, computer test, and driving test. Applicants renewing TVDL may have to go through vision test and other tests if required.

Once all the tests have been passed, a photograph is taken and the TVDL will be issued. It may be a shocking and tiring process but the pain is worth. The stringent rules by the Illinois DMV may seem ridiculous but at the end ensure the safety of the drivers.

 

Adding Spouse to Auto Insurance

It is often a confusing question whether to add a newly driving spouse to an auto insurance. If you have a valid driving licence and auto insurance, it is mandatory to add your spouse to your insurance if you are sharing and driving the same car. In most cases, it may not increase your premium but will increase the safety of your family.

Auto Insurance

We consider a health insurance mandatory for all the family members. But, considering auto insurance, we often hesitate whether to add a spouse or not. We may fear that it may increase the premium or other apprehensions. But the law mandates that every driver must have an auto insurance not only for the safety of the driver but also for the safety of other drivers.

Every driver must have auto insurance. If you and your spouse drive the same car, you may have to add your spouse to your auto insurance. Some insurance companies such as the AAA, do not increase the premium in such cases. If your spouse drives another car, you may have to take a new insurance to secure the driver.

Steps to Add

Adding your spouse to your auto insurance is as simple as a simple phone call to your insurance company. You will need your spouse’s:

  1. Social Security number or  ITIN number
  2. Date of Birth
  3. Driving licence or TVDL number
  4. Date of getting the licence
  5. Address

Once you call the insurance company, you may have to give your insurance number and request for adding your spouse to your auto insurance. Just mention the required details and any other queries. Make sure to ask how your premium is going to change for the addition. Check how you can reduce the premium in case any increase.

One phone call can secure your family and others. 🙂

Go, Cast your Vote : General Elections are Here

We have struggled a lot for right to vote, vote for women, and vote for minorities back in the past. But, it is astonishing that only 47 per cent of Americans vote. This year, the predictions are that the rates may even drop. It is the right time to go out and cast the vote.



Illinois and Iowa residents in the quad cities can find the nearest polling place. For registering your vote you need to send the form ahead. Otherwise, you can register on the election day and cast your vote. You may need the proof of address and identity. You can vote ahead or through mail in case you cannot vote on the election day.

We need not be reminded of the elections as there are a lot of advertisements and rallies going on around. We should not exclude ourselves from the duty. Each vote counts and will bring a difference in the future. In fact, in future you may have to pay fine if you do not vote.

November 2, 2010 is the voting date for quad city residents. Let’s be responsible and vote. 🙂

CRY Walk – Naperville, IL

My husband was keen on the walk so we set off last Sunday morning to the CRY Walk. The 5 KM or 3.1 mile walk was a good experience along with the satisfaction of contributing for a social cause and the fun of family walk and nature study. 🙂

CRY

Child Rights and You (CRY) is a non-profit organization driven by its vision of a just world in which all children have equal opportunities to develop to their full potential and realize their dreams. The following are the achievements of CRY in 2009-10. 

  • Covered over 13089 villages and slums across India
  • 728,799 children were impacted through our programmes
  • 30427 children were mainstreamed into government schools
  • 14433 government schools retained 100% of the children mainstreamed into the schools
  • 17076 of births were registered
  • 1288 ICDS Centres (anganwadis)/ Primary Health Centres (PHCs) were revived/ retained
  • 351 Panchayat Village Education Committees were activated
  • 315 villages were made 100% child labour free
  • 3254 children’s groups were formed and strengthened

    • You can join the CRY as a member or volunteer and donate or contribute toward the cause.

    Springbrook Prairie Forest Preserve

    Springbrook Prairie Forest Preserve in Naperville is a natural area that has reaped the rewards of conservation. The conservation teams take care of the natural vegetation and wildlife. The forest area is a perfect place for sightseeing, nature study, jogging, walking and biking. The trails are long and peaceful with beautiful trees around.

    You will not feel the tiredness of the walking or biking as you will be immersed in the beauty of the surroundings.:) Further, the forest has additional facilities such as golfing, boating, horseback riding, hiking, picknicking, fishing, camping and other activities for your recreation.

    While walking is best for your health, it is also better if your family accompanies you. Overall, the CRY walk was fun and am glad we could make it. Further, my seven year old completed the five kilo meter walk that surprises and makes me even more happier. 🙂

    Sales Tax Holidays in Quad Cities!!

    August 6th and 7th are sales tax holidays in Iowa and August 6th through 15th are sales tax holidays in Illinois. So, shoppers hurry up and rush to the stores to enjoy the benefits. Beware of the exceptions while availing the sales tax holiday benefits. 🙂

    Sales Tax Holidays

    Every year state government declare certain days as sales tax holidays. Businesses that are open on these are required to participate. However, the maximum cost for which the sales tax is free varies from State to State. The items for which the sales tax is exempted also vary. The sales will boost for businesses during this period at the same time, consumers can enjoy the benefit as well. Businesses can claim this exemption while filing the tax returns.

    Illinois

    Illinois has declared August 6th through August 15th as sales tax holidays. Five percent of the sales tax will be exempted on all school supplies, clothing, and footwear up to $100. School supplies are not subject to the $100 threshold however, if the product is not used by the student in the course of study, that item is not exempted. For example, crayons are exempted but not the paint brushes and other art supplies.

    Iowa

    Iowa has declared August 6th and 7th as sales tax holidays. However, the items under this exemption are clothing and footwear only up to $100. Manufacturer coupon do not reduce the sales price of an item. But, store coupon reduce. So, correspondingly tax is adjusted.

    Watch out

    Notice the following rules while purchasing during the sales tax holidays.

    1. The sales tax exemption is valid for goods exchanged at a later date as well. 🙂
    2. The tax exemption is valid for mail orders during that particular dates.
    3. Clothing or footwear for athletic or swimming do not receive the exemption.
    4. Returns after the tax holiday receive the corresponding tax credit, but not the new item purchased after the dates.

    Iowa has complete sales tax off on clothing and footwear while Illinois has 5% sales tax off on clothing, footwear, and school supplies. Happy Shopping everybody. 🙂

    Quad Cities Events – August, 2010

    For Quad city residents, August is packed with full of local events which are not to be  missed. The Mississippi Valley Fair, River Roots Live Music Festival, Tug Fest are the major annual events apart from the movie in the park. These events make summer a little more exciting and worth celebrating!

    Mississippi Valley Fair, 2010

    The 91st annual Mississippi Valley Fair is being held at Davenport, Iowa from August 3rd to August 8th. If you have visited the Rock Island County Fair in July, you can expect this fair to be much bigger and with  more events.

    The Mississippi Valley Fair has a  line up of celebrity artists from across the country performing live daily. Apart from the grand stand events, the fair is packed with shows from across the country. The animal show, carnival rides, fire guy show, diamonds show, Stiltwalker Todd Lageisse show, sculptors are some of the amazing shows in the fair.

    The fair is held at 2815 West Locust street Davenport, Iowa 52804.  They can be reached on (563) 326-5338. The entry fee is $10 per head and $40 for all days with admission to the grand stand.

    Tug Fest, 2010

    The 24th annual Tug Fest is held across the Mississippi river between Le Claire, Iowa and Port Byron, Illinois. The tug-of-war across the river is held annually along with the Bike show and fire works. The show and events can be seen both the cities and are a ton of fun. Don’t forget to bring your lawn chairs and water bottles.

    The festival is held on August 12th to 14th and the entry is free. 🙂 Do not miss the annual show with lots of events for children as well as adults. The tug fest for children and the Prince/Princess contests are held for children. For adults, the parade contests, bike contests, Running, Golf tournament are the planned events. The fireworks on  Friday, August 13th are a feast and a must see!

    River Roots Live Music Festival, 2010

    The sixth annual River Roots Live Music Festival has artists from across the country performing for entertaining the visitors. The festival is a feast for all music lovers with a line-up of popular artists and fun.

    The festival will be held in Davenport Downtown on August 20th and August 21st. The timings are from 11am till midnight. Entry is free 🙂 and the shows are held in multiple stages. The music festival is packed with rib fest for you to enjoy mouth-watering ribs. Bring your lawn chairs and water bottles.

    Movie in the Park, Moline

    Every Friday night in August, Moline Parks department shows a free  movie in the park at Riverside Park. Bring your lawn chairs, blankets and water bottles to enjoy the cool summer and a free movie. Concessions are available at the park at an extra charge.

    So, finally there are many events in August before school starts and fall begins. Enjoy to your maximum potential and let me know how it went. 🙂

    St.Louis, Missouri – The Gateway to the West

    Many friends boasted about their visit to St. Louis, Missouri, which I did not understand until I saw it myself. The Arch, the Zoo and other attractions make St. Louis a popular destination for a weekend. Quad city residents can visit St. Louis in Missouri for a educational and historical trip as well as fun destination.

    St. Louis, Missouri

    St. Louis is located around 264 miles from Quad cities and takes five hours to get there. The scenic drive takes you through the green Illinois down south through Springfield, the capital of Illinois. St. Louis located on the border of Missouri and is a great trip for adults and children.

    The city has great history in civil war, world war period and was home to popular travelers. The city has gret historical importance and is considered as the ‘Gateway to the West’.

    The Arch

    The Gateway Arch is a National Historic Landmark and is a part of Jefferson National Expansion Memorial. The Arch is an iconic image of the city and stands 630 feet height and 630 feet wide. It is a master piece of engineering as with the other structures. The triangular plates merged to form a hollow structure and offer a unique visiting experience for visitors.

    Visitors can get to the top of Arch and view  the city and the Mississippi river from the top of the Arch up to 30 miles on a clear day. The trams leave every ten minutes and carry the visitors up and down the Arch. The stairs built to the top offer a safe route for visitors in case of any emergency in the trams. The ride to the top in the tram is the same as sitting in an elevator.

    Other attractions

    St. Louis has many popular attractions apart from the Arch. The Forest Park, Zoo, Botanical garden, museums, Anheuser-Busch Brewery among others are worth visiting. The horse ride in the downtown amidst beautifully lit buildings is a unique experience for visitors.

    St. Louis has all kinds of activities for children and adults throughout the year. Kids can plan arts, fun, wacky, smart activities in St. Louis. The city has boat tours, guided tours, segway trips and other options for getting around. 🙂

    Butterworth Center and Deere Wiman House – Moline, Illinois

    The Butterworth Center and Deere Wiman house at 817, 11th Avenue and 1105-8th Street, Moline is a must visit for Quad city residents to explore the history of the place. They were originally owned by the John Deere family but currently serve the community for architectural and historical education.

    Deere-Wiman House

    The Deere-Wiman house was built by the great John Deere for his youngest son Charles. It was designed by Chicago architect William Le Baron Jenny and the John Deere descendants lived there from 1872 to 1976. The house was renovated and currently offers a unique opportunity to compare the life style of then and now. 🙂

    The house has Blue room, Rose room, Green room with rich upholstery, furniture and architecture. The dining hall has big paintings and tea pots. The paintings throughout the house are extraordinary and may take hours to enjoy. The piano hall, guest rooms, library and music room show case the original and renovated architecture.

    Butterworth Center

    The Butterworth Center, originally called as ‘Hillcrest’, was built in 1892 as a wedding gift for Katherine Deere and William Butterworth from her parents Charles and Mary Deere. Mrs. Butterworth was the grand daughter of John Deere. She was the first president of Deere and Company. She invented the steel plow in 1837.

    The Center features rich architecure and paintings. The roof painting in the library is a master piece. The bi-level living room features a music room with grand piano and pipe organ of 26 ranks. These are the one of the foremost residential installations in the Midwest. The house was dedicated for community after the death of Mrs. Butterworth.

    Community Service

    The Center offer guided tours for school children. Several workshops, tours, summer camps, field trips for teachers and children are conducted every year. The Butterworth trust offers scholarships to outstanding students in the Moline School District. The center conducts different competitions where students can participate and show case their talent.

    I liked the Blossoms on the Butterworth event today and enjoyed the tour apart from some free goodies. 🙂 The tent by the WQPT, the free picture, the 1800s games, and balloons were top attractions. The garden tour was pleasant and good for walking! The shows included juggling, Niabi Zoo show, youth bands among others. The car antique display was amazing to watch including the car that featured in Johnny Depp starred movie, ‘Public Enemies’. 🙂

    You can reach them on (309) 743-2700 to schedule a guided tour or check the event calendar for a visit.

    Niabi Zoo – The Wild Fest

    Niabi zoo in Coal Valley, Illinois is a great outing for children and adults. This Saturday along with the local sponsors Niabi Zoo conducted a ‘Wild Fest’ event. Businesses from Quad cities advertised apart from conducting games and offering cool coupons in the zoo today.

    Animals

    I got a chance to visit all the dear animals including:

    • Asian elephants – Very huge under a small shade
    • Australian kangaroo – Quietly resting
    • African Giraffes – I love the two baby ones with beautiful stripes. The female giraffe is cute and the male one enjoying getting wet in the water fountain. The giraffe bends its neck and legs to reach the grass on the ground, which is amazing to watch.
    • African Lions – Mustafa, the male lion is gorgeous and beautiful
    • American bald eagle – my son’s favorite
    • Reptiles – Anaconda, pythons and Texas snake which are scary to watch
    • American black Bear – With lots of apples and a swimming pool!!
    • Colorful fishes and turtles
    • Bobcat – Really big ones

    There are many other birds and animals which I will see in detail next time when I visit.

    Rides

    We all took the train ride with a ringing bell. The carousel ride with animals seats was good. My son took the pony ride which I think is painful for the animals. The rides are affordable and I think they are under-priced for the benefit of the people.

    The Wild fest today included many inflatable slides and play areas for children. The zoo installed water sprinklers and water fans everywhere to keep the visitors cool. 🙂

    Overall, the zoo is worth visiting in the summer when all the animals are grazing around. It was sad to leave the zoo and I wish they had extended the summer hours.

    The zoo has special events and free days for children and adults. You could host a birthday party or have breakfast with animals or enjoy a casual picnic or get together with friends. I could just sit and watch the lion whole day. 🙂

    Weekend Getaways in Quad Cities – Metropolis, Illinois: The Superman City

    Starting June 10th to June 13th, Metropolis Illinois is be celebrating the 32nd annual Superman celebrations. Metropolis is a small city in Southernmost Illinois on the shore of the great Ohio river. While Metropolis is famous in American history for the civil war, it is also popular as the home of Superman!


    Superman

    Superman is a fictional super hero character of DC Comics. The character was created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster in 1932. The character appeared in comic books, radio and television programs, newspapers, movies and video games. Also known as ‘The Man of Steel’, Superman is popular among public and children.

    Though Superman character was born in Smallville he became popular when he came to fictional city Metropolis. While the exact connection between the fictional Metropolis and the real Metropolis is not yet known, the city celebrates ‘Superman’ every year. 🙂

    Attractions

    Metropolis is fifteen miles away from Paducah, Kentucky. It has a 15 foot statue of Superman at the Masaac county courthouse. The statue is located just five miles of the US 45 highway. Across the street, the Superman Museum, which is a house to the largest collection of Superman memorabilia.

    The other attractions in the area:

    You can visit the city in between a long journey or during the annual Superman celebrations!

    Superman Celebrations


    Superman Celebrations attract hundreds of people from across the United States and the world. Visitors across the country participate in the celebrations to keep up the Superman spirit.

    The celebration organizes multiple events including concerts, car races, carnival, games, contests, shows, celebrity autographs, and costume contest. The largest people dressed up as Superman gather together in the costume contest!

    You can enjoy the trip to Southernmost Illinois as well as participate in the Superman celebrations when you visit Metropolis. 🙂

    Backwater Gamblers – Ski show in Rock Island, IL

    Quad cities is home to many popular attractions. Backwater Gamblers is one more must-seeing show for quad city residents and visitors. While I liked the ski show at Wisconsin dells at the Tommy Bartlett show, I am sure people will like the Backwater Gamblers show within the Quad cities itself.

    What: Non-proft ski show team
    Cost: Absolutely free. Requires your time and presence. That’s it 🙂
    Where: 44th Street, Rock Island, IL (309-786-8987)
    When: Sundays and Wednesdays 6.30 pm

    The Backwater Gamblers are a team of professionals right in the heart of quad cities just for your family entertainment. The team members are volunteers and accept donations. The show lasts for over one hour with ten minutes break in between. I am sure children will like it anyways, but adults will be jumping too. 🙂

    Public Parks – Moline, Illinois

    Moline city in Illinois has around twenty public parks for the community. The Riverside Park, Greenvalley park, Prospect park, Sylvan island and Stephens park are some of the bigger parks. The park board arrange summer concerts and movies for public entertainment and free of cost. 🙂


    Moline public parks organize summer concerts at Stephens Square every Monday at 7pm. Further, starting June 23rd, the parks arranged Jazz concert series at Bass Street landing.

    Summer Programs

    Moline Public parks offer training in different areas such as basketball, softball,tennis, dodgeball, kickball, baseball, soccer, volleyball, gymnastics, mushball and so on. In addition, they have classes for cooking, oil painting, swimming, dog training, yoga, fitness classes, flag football, greenhouse classes and so on. The parks offer summer day camp for children apart from other fun activities.

    You can reach the park office at 3635, 4th Avenue or call them on 524-2424. You can register for swimming at Riverside Aquatic center on 797-0788.  The parks feature free movie in the Riverside park in August every Friday.

    The park shelters can be registered by calling 524-2424. The picnic shelters may be reserved in advance for $35 for small shelters and $95 for large shelters. The shelters are ideal for birthday parties or family get-together. Playgrounds and rest areas are available in all the parks for public convenience.

    For simple play and family fun the public parks are the best option. 🙂

    Hennepin Canal Parkway Carnival, Colona, IL

    The carnival at Hennepin Canal Parkway, Colona, IL is worth visiting once if you have nothing else to do on the memorial day weekend. The small city has annual parade and carnival on the memorial day.

    Hennepin Canal Parkway

    Hennepin canal parkway is a popular site for fishing. There is a boat ramp at the end of the canal which joins the Rock River.  The play area and the park by the canal are a good spot for children and young adults. We saw many young adults and high school kids at the park enjoying their summer evenings.


    Carnival > Rides and Games

    The carnival has many interesting rides. They include the Wipe-out, Super slide, Dashing car, Pumpkin ride among others. The tickets for these rides range from 3 to 5. The tickets can be purchased at the carnival entrance. Thwy cost $20 dollars for 21 tickets or $40 dollars for 41 tickets.

    The other games include catch a fish, gold fish, balloon throw, ball throw, dart throw, gun shoot and others. These games are expensive. The charges are $3 for one chance or $5 for three chances. If the player wins in these games, they get a soft toy as a prize. Some games are compulsory win a prize irrespective if you win or lose.

    Fun for Children

    The carnival is fun f or children in the neighborhood with the rides and games. The children will sure enjoy the time in the carnival as they have games and rides suitable for all ages. Once you are exhausted with the rides and lost enough money, you can spend some time in the park and come back. 🙂