Families of all artistic abilities are invited to “Paint the Lot” at the Family Museum on Saturday, October 3. The event will run 7:30 am – 3:30 pm. Cost is $50 per parking spot and participants must be registered prior to event. All proceeds will go to the Family Museum Foundation. The Museum held its first Paint the Lot event in 2017 as a fundraiser for its 20th anniversary. Families painted original designs that have withstood many Iowa winters and summers. The Museum staff decided to bring back the event since it lends itself well to social distancing – the event is outside and the... Read More

Looking for some morning fun with the littles this week? Join the Family Museum (2900 Learning Campus Dr. Bettendorf) for Music in Motion this Wednesday Sep 9 from 9:15 – 10 a.m. Music and plenty of action will take place as little ones clap, hop, tiptoe, run and scoot through a variety of movements! This fun program always ends with some social playtime with soft gym equipment so little ones can learn to follow directions and take turns. Music in Motion is included with paid admission. Participants should sign up at the Welcome Desk. For more information, please visit https://familymuseum.org/calendar/event/music-in-motion/1441.   For... Read More

Kick off the week with some live outdoor music! Join the Plus 60 Club this Monday Aug 31 from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. for some live music at Veterans Memorial Park (1645 23rd Street Bettendorf). Pack your favorite beverages, lunch and/or snack and head on over to the Bill Bowe Bandshell – where Dave Ellis will be gracing the stage with his classic rock and feel-good tunes. Attendees can choose to use a picnic table under the nearby shelter, reserved by the Plus 60 Club. Or you can bring a blanket and/or lawn chairs to take advantage of the open lawn. For more about this event, please visit https://qctplus60.com/event/live-music-at-veterans-memorial-park/. The... Read More

Looking for some live music and great company this weekend? Western Illinois based roots rock/jam band, The Dawn, brings their Rock the Wood 2020 tour to The Tangled Wood (3636 Tanglewood Road Bettendorf) this Saturday Aug 22 from 7 – 10 p.m. The Dawn’s live show experience has proven contagious and is tightly gripped in spacious jams, roaring guitar and soulful harmonies. Now a six-piece, The Dawn pushes the envelope at every performance and audiences are rewarded with an experience that can only be described as “The Dawn Effect.” Coupled with an equally adventurous light show,... Read More

Support the arts and our community, while having a great time, this weekend! The Ruby Slipper (2507 53rd Avenue Bettendorf) presents The Artist Series this Friday Aug 14 and Friday Aug 21 from 4 – 7 p.m. This socially responsible, partly outdoors, event will feature works (also for sale) from the artists below: Aug 14 – Honsey Art, Wilson Creek Pottery, Hartley Studio Aug 21 – Molly Koenig Photography, Wilson Creek Pottery, Kimberly Pierce Jewelry   Meatheads food truck and local beers will also be available, as well as music by Maureen Carter from 5 – 6 p.m. Inside the... Read More

In recognition of the centennial anniversary of the 19th Amendment, the Bettendorf Public Library will be hosting a historical performance on August 26th at 7:00 PM. Historian Laura F. Keyes will perform as suffragist Elizabeth Cady Stanton in a live virtual presentation. The performance is free thanks to the generosity of the Friends of the Bettendorf Public Library. Registration is required and can be made by calling the 563-344-4179 or by visiting http://events.bettendorflibrary.com/event/4454379. Elizabeth Cady Stanton fought for equal rights for women for over fifty years. Upon her death in... Read More

Bold colors and dramatic imagery swim from the paintings of Bettendorf native and marine life artist Brian Buckles. The sea life captured on canvas by Buckles reflects his fascination with these creatures – mostly sharks, but sea turtles, dolphins and sea otters as well — and his passion for raising awareness and funding for the “proper management of marine life for generations to come,” according to a statement on his website. Buckles’ paintings are featured in a new show, “Art for the Sea” at Beréskin Gallery and Art Academy, 2967 State St., Bettendorf. The opening reception... Read More

Due to a decrease in attendance and revenue since reopening in late May, the Family Museum will be closed and all staff will be furloughed August 9-23, 2020. This decision was made with guidance from the City of Bettendorf Administration and the City Finance Department. It is necessary to help ensure the future of the Museum’s programs and activities. In addition to the two week closure, vacated job positions will not be rehired. These 8 positions result in a 24% decrease in staff. Also, beginning August 9th, the Family Museum will no longer be open on Sundays. The Family Museum closed from March... Read More

The Family Museum, 2900 Learning Campus Drive, Bettendorf, will save about $300,000 by closing two weeks in August, furloughing its staff, and leaving nine open jobs unfilled, among other budget cuts. The city-owned museum – which reopened May 22 after closing nine weeks due to Covid-19 — will be closed Aug. 9-23, due to a decrease in attendance and revenue since reopening. The decision by director Kim Kidwell was made with guidance from the city of Bettendorf administration and city finance department, to help ensure the future of museum programs and activities. “Just looking at our... Read More

Join the German American Heritage Center on Sunday, July 26th at 2pm for Midwifery In Early Scott County, a virtual program presented by Kathryn Kuntz, Richardson-Sloane Special Collections Supervisor. Mid to late 19th century brought many families to eastern Iowa and Scott County. Growing families required expertise and skill of safely bringing infants into the world. In this presentation, we will explore how midwifery, one of many occupations, was brought with German immigrants to their new homeland. Midwifery was a commonplace occupation predominantly performed by women. We will learn about... Read More