Tag: Quad cities

Winter Sports at Andalusia, Illinois

Skiing, tubing, skating are all some of the popular activities at the Ski Snow Star Park in Andalusia in Illinois. Winter vacation and snow everywhere leave little opportunity for outdoor activities. However, you can plan a weekend at Andalusia, which is half-an-hour from the Quad cities for exciting winter sports and some fun.

Andalusia

Andalusia is a small village which is located at around twenty five miles from the Quad cities. The small town environment with many volunteer driven services is a good place for weekend visits. The major attraction in the town is its winter sports park. The location and facilities make it a popular destination for short visits and winter sports.

Ski Snow Star Winter Park

Located at 9500 126th Street West at Andalusia, Ski Snow Star Winter Park has ample facilities apart from the professional trainers. Serious skaters and skiers as well as beginners can reach out to the Ski Snow Star park for their activities. The park has good snow slopes for all the related sports. Here are some tips for a successful visit.

  1. Food and beverages are not allowed in the dining area, though you can purchase them at the cafeteria
  2. Three layers of clothes must be worn to stay warm apart from hats and gloves
  3. You can purchase your snow gear or other goods at the gift shop
  4. Advance reservations may be required for tubing
  5. Check out the weather before proceeding

Operating since 1982 by the same group of people, the professional team obviously know how to generate and maintain snow during the winter season. The hours of operation vary depending on the season. Special classes for young children are also available on Thursday evenings. Serious skiers can purchase season or group tickets and you can also subscribe online for free information and coupons. You can reach them on 800-383-4002 or 309-798-2666.

Have a happy visit and let me know how you enjoyed there. 🙂

Lighting on the Commons

Do not miss the Lighting on the Commons at the John Deere Pavilion this Saturday. The annual event is free and a lot of fun with fireworks and goodies!

Lighting on the Commons is the annual event that kicks off the holiday season in the Quad Cities. Local community people gather at the John Deere Pavilion to celebrate together. People get free horse cart rides around the John Deere Pavilion. Further, free hot chocolate, cookies, and coffee is served for the visitors. Santa’s family greet the visitors and everybody gets an opportunity to take a family picture with them.


Fireworks will be started after the lighting followed by choir by Moline school’s children. The event is free this Saturday from 3.30 pm to 6 pm.  Last year, Anthony Peoples, the meteorologist on WQAD hosted the event and led the countdown for the fireworks. Children will enjoy for sure, adults will have a good time. Be prepared for the cold weather and do not forget to wear your winter gear. 🙂

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. 🙂

Moline Public Library Programs

October Events


 

Monday, October 25 – 7:00 PM.  Spanish language edition of Fahrenheit 451 book discussion facilitated by Luz Upegui and Adult Services librarian, Bob Conklin. Register for this event.

Monday, October 25 – 7:00 PM.  Pajama Story Time.  Wear your p.j.’s and bring your favorite stuffed animal to hear new stories. Bring the family and enjoy the fun! This free program does not require registration.

Tuesday, October 26 – 6:30 PM.  Ghosts and Goblins.  You and your ghoul friends are invited to listen to fun and scary stories and activities. Come in costume for a night of thrills and chills at the library. This free program is for children ages 4 and up. Registration is required by calling 309-524-2480 or register online.   

Tuesday, October 26 – 7:00 PM.  Fahrenheit 451 Book Discussion facilitated by Adult Services librarian, Jennifer Christiansen.  Register for this event.

Wednesday, October 27 – 6:30 PM.  Big Read Dystopian Film series facilitated by Erskine Carter, Black Hawk College. Fahrenheit 451 will be shown. Register for this event.

Thursday, October 28 – 10:00 AM.  Preschool Story Time.  Stories, finger plays and hands-on activities for children ages 3-5 not yet in kindergarten. Registration is required for this free program by calling 309-524-2480. Register for this event.  
 

 
November Events  
       
 
Tuesday, November 2 – 6:30 PM.  Book Bunch Club.  Book club with activities for children ages 7-9. Children receive book on the first night. Registration is required. Program made possible with a grant by the Bi-State Literacy Council. Register for this event.Tuesday, November 2 – 7:00 PM.  Pageturners Book Discussion Group. Moline Public Library’s Pageturners Book Discussion Group will meet on Tuesday, November 2nd to discuss Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout. Discussion begins at 7:00 p.m. in the Gold Meeting Room. Copies of the book will be available to borrow for those who register. To sign up, visit the Moline Public Library or call 524-2470.

Wednesday, November 3 – 6:30 PM.  Music, Books and Movement.  Music, Books and Movement is a fun program with instruments for children ages 5 and older. registration is required. Register for this event.

Thursday, November 4 – 10:00 AM.  Preschool Story Time.  Stories, finger plays and hands-on activities for children ages 3-5 not yet in kindergarten. Registration is required for this free program by calling 309-524-2480. Register for this event.

Thursday, November 4 – 3:30 PM.  Teen Advisory Group. Teens in grades 6 through 12 are invited to join the Teen Advisory Group of the Moline Public Library. Join us on the first Thursday of each month at 3:30 in the Platinum Room to help plan teen events, recommend books, and have fun! For more information call 309-524-2440.

Saturday, November 6 – 2:30 PM.  Concert by Quad City Arts Visiting Artist Series.  Multi-instrumentalist, Todd Green will perform in the library’s meeting rooms.  Visit Todd Green’s website for his biography, music samples, and details on the instruments he plays – http://www.toddgreen.com/.

Monday, November 8 – 7:00 PM.  Teen Writers Group.  If you are a teen who loves to write, this is the group for you. Join us on the second Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in the Platinum Room of the Moline Public Library. This is a great opportunity to learn new skills, get feedback, and share your writing. This event is free. For more information call 309-524-2440.

Tuesday, November 9 – 6:30 PM.  Book Bunch Club.  Book club with activities for children ages 7-9. Children receive book on the first night. Registration is required. Program made possible with a grant by the Bi-State Literacy Council. Register for this event.

Tuesday, November 16 – 6:30 PM.  Book Bunch Club.  Book club with activities for children ages 7-9. Children receive book on the first night. Registration is required. Program made possible with a grant by the Bi-State Literacy Council. Register for this event.

Wednesday, November 17 – 6:30 PM.  Harry Costume Potter Party. The Moline Public Library is celebrating the release of the seventh Harry Potter movie with a Harry Potter Costume Party. Join us in your favorite Harry Potter costume or just dress like a muggle. Well have food, games, activities, and prizes. This event is free and open to all ages, but registration is required. Call 309-524-2470 or 309-524-2480 to register. For more information call 309-524-2440.  Register for this event.

Thursday, November 18 – 10:00 AM.  Preschool Story Time.  Stories, finger plays and hands-on activities for children ages 3-5 not yet in kindergarten. Registration is required for this free program by calling 309-524-2480. Register for this event.

Thursday, November 18 – 6:30 PM.  Building with Books Lego Club.  Buildwith Lego blocks while listening to stories. Blocks are supplied. Ages 6-12. Registration is required. Register for this event.

Saturday, November 20 – 3:00 PM.  Zombie Survival Club.  The Zombie Survival Club of the Moline Public Library will meet and watch the first zombie movie ever filmed, enjoy snacks, and prepare for the apocalypse. For more information call 309-524-2440.

Monday, November 22 – 7:00 PM.  Pajama Story Time.  wear your p.j.’s and bring your favorite stuffed animal to hear new stories. The whole family is welcome to come and enjoy the fun!

 Tuesday, November 23 – 6:30 PM.  Book Bunch Club.  Book club with activities for children ages 7-9. Children receive book on the first night. Registration is required. Program made possible with a grant by the Bi-State Literacy Council. Register for this event.

Saturday, November 27  – Take and Make Craft. Looking for something to do? Drop in at the library any time during open hours to make a craft! No registration is required. All ages.

Monday, November 29 – 9:30 or 10:45 AM.  Wee Wiggler Toddler Time.  Stories, songs, finger plays and hands-on activities. Registration is required. Program for children 18-36 months with an adult. Register for this event.

 

Be sure to visit our calendar of events for program information for upcoming months.Adult Library Tours Contact:               Children’s Department Tours:

Lisa Powell Williams                            Christina Conklin
309-524-2473                                   309-524-2485
lwilliams@molinelibrary.org                   cconklin@molinelibrary.org

 

Disney Magic Show – iWireless Center

The Disney’s magic show at the iwireless center was a hit among the children but the adults did not like it much though. May be the show is good for toddlers as even the seven year olds can guess what is happening behind the magic. The show was not as good as the other ones of the Disney’s such as last year’s Disney on Ice. 🙂

Disney’s Magic Show at the iWireless center last friday started at 6.30 pm. The commentators participated in the magic show and were good. The characters Mickey, Minnie, Donald duck, Goofy, Aladdin, Snow white, Jasmine, Cindrella and other team members worked very hard to make the show a success. The commitment of the staff in entertaining the audience was commendable. The team coordinated well and performed the tricks.


The magic tricks included locked rings, vanishing things, flying objects, changing objects among others. The best one I thought was when the performers put two girls in separate boxes. Then, swapped them in the boxes, cut them in to half and then even the dresses of the girls swapped too!

They let two children from the audience participate in the magic show and it was engaging.  Occasionally, the audience had to shout  ‘Abracadabra’  to let the magic work. The Disney characters were fun to watch. 🙂

The iWireless center offers group discounts for a group of 20 or more. This time due to security concerns none of the food items from outside were allowed inside including water! The store had a collection of Disney’s characters and accessories. Some of the children took pictures with the Disney’s characters after the show. Overall, the show was money consuming along with a bit of entertainment. 🙂

Unity Fest International – 2010

One of my friend told that she was contributing to the dance festival. So, I went to the Unity Fest International at the Putnam IMAX. I was thrilled to see the perfromances along with some free goodies and a chance to see Davenport Mayor, Mr. Bill Gluba!!

Unity Fest International

Unity Fest International is a partnership between QC United and Putnam Museum. It  is a cultural festival that celebrates diverse cultures and people residing in the quad cities. This year, the event was held in the Putnam IMAX, Davenport. The performances included dances by Indians, African Americans, Phillipines, Scottish, Latin Americans, Vietnamese, Hispanics, and other international and local singers. It was amazing to see the performances that reflect international cultures and dances.


The entry was free but the organizers encouraged to bring food packets to donate to the local churches. Davenport Mayor, Mr. Bill Gluba spoke at the festival. He said that, America is of diverse origin and it appreciates the diversity and unity among the international workforce residing in the Quad Cities. He added that it is intersting to find that the local schools enrolled students in about 57 dialects.

Putnam Museum

Putnam museum contributed for this great event which included many arts and crafts for children. The children got to understand which craft originated in which country and were assissted by the volunteers to make the crafts on their own. Some of the arts and crafts included were face painting, rangoli, bead threading, paper flowers, mask painting, rock painting, and others. The children also could visit some of the local animals such as rabbits, goose, turtle, turkey and dogs. Cockroach races entertained the children as well as the adults.

Apart from the event, visitors got free entrance to some of the exhibits in the museum. Organizers say that the event is to celebrate the differences in the community and to appreciate and learn from each other.

Tanners Orchard, Speer, IL

Tunners Orchard at 740 State Route 40, Speer, IL 61479 (309.493.5442) is one hour drive from Quad cities and offers a unique farm experience for visitors. The farm, the picking and the activities make it worth visiting every September.

Apple Picking

Apple picking is a different experience in the Fall. The fat and cholesterol free fruit is the favorite for many of us. Children can easily pick the fruit as the trees are short and the fruits are easy to reach. After picking them, handle them gently and store in a cold place. Apple picking tips must be followed for enjoying the fruit.

Tanners Orchard

Tanners orchard, since 1947, are in the apple business. The drive to the farm in the country side is pleasant. You get to see many barns and windmills in the route along with wide and open fields. I wonder how much energy the windmills produce and after how many rotations.

The farm has ample parking and restrooms. They do not charge the entry fees, but you need to buy a bag for $10 before entering the truck. The covered truck takes you to the apple farm, pumpkin farm and corn farm. You can get down at different places to pick. The apple farm has the apple trees lined up and full of apples. You can find green, red and yellow apples. The farm is full of bees and mosquitos. Depending on the weather you may have to choose the appropriate dress and shoes.

Once you are done with the apple picking, you can wait for the truck to come and take you to the pumpkin farm. After the pumpkin farm, the truck drops you back at the start point where you find the corn farm. The orchard staff have organized a corn maze game. To enter the corn maze, you have to pay an entry fee of $7 for adults and $5 for children.

Children’s Play Area

The entrance fee for the children’s play area is $7 for children and $5 for adults. 50% of the fee directly goes to the local emergency fund. Children can play a wide variety of games inclluding the T-Ball, Mini golf, Slides, Swings, School bus games, mini rides, pony ride, barrel train ride and so on. Adults can ride a pedaling bike with large tyres on it. I was exhausted after 6 rounds. 🙂

Different goats and other farm animals are on the show in the orchard. You can feed the animals by collecting their food from the nearby machine. The pony ride and tree house are good to watch.

Store

The store is my favorite place where you get yummy donuts, cider, frittles (egg-less), pies, jams, pickles, sauces and so on. They have a bakery where you can buy coffee or icecream. Different decorative items are on display. Also seen are large pumpkins and mums on sale. Overall, the trip leaves a good memory for all especially for children. 🙂

Scouting – Developing future citizens

Scouting is popular worldwide for nurturing and developing children. The names of the organizations may differ in different pars of the world, but the basic motto of supporting young children in their physical, mental and spiritual development remains same. Girl scouts and boy scouts are active in Quad cities local schools.

What do Scouts do?

Boy scouts or Girl scouts are trained in a wide range of outdoor activities and educational programs. Their leaders teach about multiple skills and topics including the country, God, society, personal safety, sports, aquatics, nature, outdoor adventures, camping, hiking among others. Character development along with life skills is a part of scouting.

Scouts abide by common oath and common principles. They meet weekly once or according to their preset schedules. The scouts are grouped based on the age or grades. So, the kids can relate and learn from each other while learning and having fun.

How much does Scouting cost?

Young children ages five and above can become a member of the scouts for a minimal annual fee of $12 to $15. Additional charges apply for the uniform and camping. If you want to send your child for a camp, you may have to purchase additional camping gear.

Most scouts are self-supporting and raise funds through popcorn sales or the yummy cookie sales.

What can parents do?

Parents can be part of the activities and fun during their children’s meetings. Offer additional information if the child has any queries about their scouting experiences. Parents can help their kids by offering extra support through the scouting.

Back to School Carnival at Rock Island County Fair Ground

This weekend get ready for the rides and games at the Back to School Carnival at Rock Island County Fair Ground.

The fair opens Thursday and Friday at 5 pm. On Saturday and Sunday the fair opens at 1 pm and the rides are 15$ unlimited until 4pm.

You can reach the Rock Island County Fairgrounds, Avenue of the Cities & Archer Drive, East Moline, IL 61244 and can call 309-796-1620 for more information.

With school reopened and kids and parents stressed out, it is the perfect time for a jolly ride. 🙂

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.

The Annual Quad City Air Show – Davenport, Iowa

The annual Quad City Air Show is a must watch for the locals. It features top class air planes and amazing feats by the pilots.

The jets and super sonics make a colorful patterns and arrangements in the air. The bomber aircrafts fire the bombs and demonstrate their capabilities. The multiple jet synchronization and the feats are superb.

The aeroplanes twist and drop at a ninety degree angle from top to bottom and bottom to top. the expertise and skill of the pilots is commendable. I wonder how the pilots risk their lives just for the entertainment of the people.

The air show team recreate the Pearl Harbor attack which took place in 1941. In addition, the show features the American Navy Blues Angles. The dedicated top performers entertain and honor the veterans and engage the audience.

Good music and commentary along with food and drinks make a perfect afternoon for kids as well as adults. It costs $15 per head or you can just sit by the green grass by the road side and watch the aero-show.

The air show is conducted annually at the Davenport Municipal airport on the last Sunday in June. It is located at 9010 Harrison Street, Davenport, IA 52806. You can call 563-285-7469 for more information.

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. 🙂

Weekend Getaways in Quad cities: Le Claire, IA



Summer weekend can be utilized to maximum potential by exploring surrounding cities of Quad cities. If you have no appointments or parties you can get away to nearby cities and enjoy the road trips. Here is what I observed when I visited Le CLaire last weekend.

Le Claire is a small town by the Mississippi river which has abundant greenery. Mississippi river is the largest river flowing across the US. The people living around the river are lucky to enjoy the beauty of the river. The river takes a sharp turn at Le Claire to the west at the head of the rapids making the town an important place for river commerce.

Yesterday owing to the weather it was sultry, warm with cold breezes. If you are visiting Le Claire in the business hours, you can visit the museum and the shops there. My Sister’s Coffee shop offers variety of coffee flavors. If you visit Le Claire after business hours, you can just enjoy the riverside beauty and come back.

The walk along the river side and the boating decks are good time pass. It is fun to watch the birds and listen to the flowing water. Being summer you can see many boats racing in the river. I think a boat is a must for people living around the Mississippi river! 🙂

The Tug Fest and Cruises are some of the popular events of the town. The Riverboat Twilight offers a two-day cruise from Le Claire to Dubuque and back. The serenity by the river and the greenery make a Le Claire worth visiting at least a year, in fall as well as in summer.