OTTUMWA – The Babe Ruth World Series got underway in Ottumwa, Iowa Wednesday afternoon, with a little light-hearted fun. Players from all ten teams took the field for the skills competition. Spokane Washington had the best showing, winning two events. The Pacific Northwest Champs won the Turn Two competition as the fastest team to turn three sets of double plays. Spokane’s David Dawson won the Home Run Derby, hitting two dingers. Waterford Connecticut’s Connor Podeszwa won the Bean Babe competition, awarded to the player that scored the most points throwing at a home plate target. Eau... Read More

LeClaire’s Alan and Kristin Campbell are taking local artists, fathers and daughters, “Down the Rabbit Hole.” That Alice in Wonderland theme runs through the father/daughter art show the pair have assembled to run through August at LeClaire’s Mississippi River Distilling Company, 303 N. Cody Road, featuring both paintings and mixed media. While much of the work does slant toward Alice in Wonderland, there are also Matrix-related and more abstract pieces. This is the first time the pair have had the opportunity to show their work together. Their pieces will be on display throughout the month... Read More

It’s three times the fun for parents and toddlers, now that Rock Island Library has expanded Play and Grow early learning time from one to three events per month. The play group for ages three and under and their parents or caregivers will be offered once per month at each of the library’s three locations. Upcoming dates for the 10:30 am Play and Grow events are: Tuesday, Aug. 9 at the 30/31 Branch, 3059 30th Street; Wednesday, Aug. 10 at the Southwest Branch, 9010 Ridgewood Road, and Friday. Aug. 12 at the library’s Main Location, 401 19th Street. Sept. 6 at 30/31 Branch and... Read More

The sky’s the limit on the new Family Museum play area. Literally. The Sky’s the Limit is the Museum’s brand-new, aviation-themed, outdoor play structure open now for visitors to the museum, 2900 Learning Campus Drive, Bettendorf. The Sky’s the Limit was designed by Cunningham Recreation of Ankeny, Iowa. Ground broke for the renovation on May 31, 2016. The exhibit resembles an airplane and invites children to fly or ride to wherever their imaginations take them. This one-of-a-kind installation includes steps resembling luggage, seats for pilot and co-pilot, and a wheelchair accessible glider. The... Read More

They may have only gone to the crossroads to catch the school bus, and the darkest indigo lyrics they’ve sung are likely about not getting what they wanted for Christmas, but that won’t stop a number of local kids from learning about playing and singing the blues Saturday during the Blues Skool Program at the Mississippi Valley Blues Fest. “BlueSKool is one of the best things we ever came up with,” said Stan Furlong, a member of the Mississippi Valley Blues Society and an organizer of the event. “It’s important because we don’t want people in the future to be ignorant of the source... Read More

One of America’s most popular children’s-book characters is ready to jump-start the summer in the Circa ’21 Dinner Playhouse presentation “Lyle The Crocodile,” opening this week and running through July 23 at the Rock Island dinner theatre. A delightful musical adapted from Bernard Waber’s kids’-lit series, this magical family entertainment is filled with laughter, songs, and happiness, and boasts a first-rate cast of professional talents. Circa ’21 will present “Lyle” on scheduled Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday mornings and afternoons through July 23.... Read More

Billy Bad Bass isn’t going to stand a chance. It’s time, once again, for the annual fishing rodeo at Riverside Pond in Moline. The Moline Conservation Club, Crime Stoppers of the Quad Cities, and the Moline Police Benevolent Association are holding the event will be held Saturday, June 4 from 8 a.m. to noon. Registration begins at 7 a.m. sharp and is limited to the first 150 fishermen between the ages of 5 and 15. All rodeo contestants must register, have their fishing pole tagged, and receive a bib that must be worn during the rodeo. A special prize fish, Billy Bad Bass and his henchmen, all... Read More

Kids around the Quad-Cities are celebrating the end of the school year, and that means that parents around the Quad-Cities are asking themselves what they’re going to do with their kids now that school is out. Junior Theater offers some solutions that are entertaining, artistic and educational for kids this summer. Founded in 1951, DJT is the second-oldest children’s theatre in America that produces theatre “For Kids, By Kids”. Programming is available for kids ages 3-18. With a goal of teaching kids to present themselves clearly, confidently, and creatively.  Summer classes start the... Read More

As the weather becomes brighter and the days become longer, the blooms break through the ground, a familiar sound of school bells grows silent as children across the area get revved up for spring break — and parents are suddenly hit with the thought of what they’re going to do with those kiddies during that time off. However, parents need not get too worried, as the Bettendorf Family Museum is ready with a full slate of activities to keep the kiddies happy, thinking and burning off some of that excess energy. All events and performances are included with admission or membership! Sponsored... Read More

On Saturday, March 5, from 6:30 to 10 p.m., the Family Museum will host “The Kids’ Table: A Grown-Up Helping,” an exclusive, one-night fundraising event for grown-ups featuring gourmet twists on classic kid food composed and prepared by local chefs and businesses. This event will offer guests a chance to take a trip down memory lane through food, games, and entertainment. The purpose of the event is to raise money for the Family Museum Foundation and to remind guests of a time when play was a priority and that sitting at The Kids’ Table wasn’t so bad after all. Tickets are $50 each and... Read More