Plan a trip to see these majestic birds roosting in trees along the Mississippi River. Bald Eagle Days is January 8-10, 2016, at the QCCA Expo Center, 2621 4th Ave., Rock Island, Ill. Hours: Fri. 4-8 pm, Sat. 10 am-8 pm, and Sun. 10 am-5 pm. It is the largest event in the Midwest dedicated to the United States' national symbol of freedom. Thousands turn out for the annual event which includes: live eagle programs, Pella Wildlife Company Wolves, rock-climbing wall, exhibits, and activities.

Bob Motz has been hosting bald eagle safaris for more than 20 years, and has welcomed people from across the globe. During the Eagle Safaris, high-powered spotting scopes, connected to the car window, provide excellent viewing. The spotting scopes are powerful enough to see the gold of the eagle's eye, the nostrils in its beak, and the black talons extending from its toes.

The tours are 2 to 3 hours in length and run a flat rate of $20.00 per hour whether its 1 or 4 people. You can reserve a safari for family, friends with a maximum of four people. Larger groups come each winter in buses, for which the charge is $40.00 per hour. And, yes, he does guarantee eagle sightings or your money back! To make a reservation for an Eagle Safari, contact Bob Motz at (309) 269-3922 or eaglemotz@aol.com.

In 2007 the bald eagle, America's national symbol, flew off the Endangered Species Act's "threatened" list. In the winter, the bald eagles flock to the Quad Cities from mid-December through mid-February. Why do eagles like the Quad Cities? The bald eagles migrate south along the Mississippi River each winter as waters freeze in the northern U.S. and Canada. Eagles feed mainly on fish and need open waters to feed. Waters below Locks and Dams do not completely freeze over in the winter and allow eagles prime feeding opportunities. Plus the Quad Cities has many wooded river bluffs that allow eagles a prime habitat for perching & evening roosts. Click here for eagle watching tips and etiquette.

(ROCK ISLAND, IL - April 22, 2015) - The District, MidCoast Fine Arts, & Quad City Arts present Gallery Hop! on Friday, May 1, 2015 from 6 to 10 p.m. Gallery Hop! is a fun, festive and free open house unique to downtown Rock Island. Over 100 artists will be showcased in over 20 locations throughout downtown Rock Island during the event. These locations are not limited to art galleries; artists will exhibit in coffee shops, restaurants, retail shops, and entertainment venues.  Jewelry, photography, woodwork, glass, paintings, drawings, book signings, sculpture, live music, and more will be featured. Gallery Hop! does not lack in variety, there is something for everyone! Gallery Hop will be a wonderful opportunity to find a perfect gift for Mother's Day, or an unforgettable item for you.

An exciting feature of this Gallery Hop is the 38th Annual High School Exhibition at Quad City Arts. The High School Exhibition will showcase works from 196 art educators and students, coming from 15 schools. This will be a great opportunity for the public to see the level of artistic talent that the Quad Cities has at the high school level. Also, the unoccupied suites at The Shoppes on 2nd will serve to feature seven artists during Gallery Hop.

All of the fun does not stop at 2nd Avenue. We have several Hop Stops that are located along 3rd Avenue including; Aja Styles, Teranga House of Africa, Vivian's Vintage Varieties, Rozz-Tox, Roosters Sports Bar & Grill, Navarro Canoe, and DeSoto Arts Center. Skeleton Key Arts & Antiques will be a Hop Stop that might take a longer walk, but a walk well worth it! Skeleton Key encompasses almost 5,000 sq/ft of space, and is located in the former Wheelan-Pressly funeral home at 520 18th Street. Multiple vendors inside Skeleton Key sell a blend of original art, antiques, vintage, crafts, up cycled, and the irresistible. Skeleton Key Art and Antiques is a locally owned, one-of-a-kind shop, in a one-of-a-kind venue.

There will be game cards at each "Hop Stop" that include BINGO. To play Gallery Hop! BINGO just visit at least five locations, have the artist sign off, and make a straight line on your card. Completed cards can be turned in at MidCoast Fine Arts/The ARTery or Quad City Arts. Winner gets a prize basket full of fun gifts, and art! The winner will be randomly drawn and notified the week of 5/4/2015.

Visual arts, galleries & studios:

• Quad City Arts:  38th Annual High School Exhibition

• Rozz-Tox:  Joel Connel (ink/marker/mixed), and musical performances starting at 8 p.m. featuring Seth Knappen, Garrin Jost, and Undlin & Wolfe (cover).

• MidCoast Gallery West: Anne Morris ( 2-D mixed media) , and Karen Bloome (silkscreen and drawing)

• The ARTery: Marty "Heat" Jones, and Connie (Corcoran) Wilson (adult horror and mystery books)

• DeSoto Arts Center: Quad Cities Wood Turners Club

Performing arts, theaters, film studio, & live music venues:

• Circa '21 Dinner Playhouse: "The Church Basement Ladies in The Last Potluck Supper" Reservations required.

• The Establishment: ComedySportz- Live comedy improv show starting at 7 p.m. Rated "E" for everyone.

• Rock Island Brewing Co:  Shadow Stone with guests Aterratale & Motorbiscuit, doors at 9 p.m. $5 cover at door.

• The Speakeasy: Viva La Divas, Doors at 7:30 p.m., $10 cover at door

• The District Theatre: "High Fidelity" Reservations may be required.

Alternative venues - restaurants, shops, and entertainment establishments:

• The Shoppes on 2nd:  Andrea Howard (original photography), Elaine Rexdale (acrylic paintings), Dee Schricker & Heidi Brandt (local & fine art photography, mixed media, painting, and raku pottery), Judy Heath & Terri Luke (watercolors), Pat Petersen (handmade jewelry), and Alan Campbell (photography, and upcycled mixed media)

• Skeleton Key Art & Antiques: John VandeWalle (metal sculpture), Bill Marsoun (paintings) & 60+ local artists, craftspeople & antique dealers.

• Blue Cat Brew Pub: Jane Doty (mainly oils, few acrylic, and mixed media)

• Daiquiri Factory:  Kimberly Miller with Celestial by Design (body painting)

• Icons Martini:  Ron Thomas (acrylic watercolor & pencil drawings), and Janelle Kurns with Asyouwish Custom Designs (stained glass)

• M.D. Green's: Anthony Burton (paintings and wire wrapped pendants)

• The Arena: Philip Force (metal sculpture)

• Mama Compton's: Margery Franklin (Photography), Jerri Crabtree (oil and acrylics), and Pam Kaufman (massage therapist)

• Theo's Java Club: Gail Ray (painting, printmaking, and textiles), and Sue Sambdman (Rock River Photography)

• Steve's OId Time Tap: Tony Seabolt (paintings)

• NormaLeah Ovarian Cancer Foundation: Yoyo y Yo (acoustic music) & Jesse Mumm (ceramics)

• Teranga House of Africa: (incense, oils and gifts of diversity), The Place 2 Be (inner city youth art)

• Vivian's Vintage Varieties: Various artists (antiques & jewelry)

• Navarro Canoe Co:  Bruce & Sue Peterson (Rock Island handcrafted works of art canoes), and Bob Tuftee (blacksmith)

• Aja Styles- Women's fashion with featured artist,  Bryan Cotton (ink drawings)

• The Original Huckleberry's Great Pizza & Calzones- Barbara Toner (jewelry)

• The Smoking Dog Pub- Mya Hayes (jewelry), and Roberta Osmers (photo prints)

Public art:

• MidCoast Fine Arts - Art 'N Alley installations, Quad City Arts' sculpture program, and several murals.

Gallery Hop! is presented by The District, MidCoast Fine Arts, Quad City Arts and sponsored by the Dispatch-Argus, WHBF, and River Cities' Reader.

The event is free. For more information and to print a map of participating locations, please visit www.ridistrict.com.

The Downtown Rock Island Arts & Entertainment District (The District) is a 501(c) 6 not-for-profit organization established in 1992 by local downtown merchants. The District's mission is to establish and manage downtown Rock Island as a creative and innovative experience by focusing on the development of the arts and quality special event management. It features retail shops, excellent restaurants, live entertainment, dinner theater, art galleries and several entertainment venues.  Rock Island is located on the Mississippi River, three hours west of Chicago in an area known as the Quad-Cities which straddles the river and the Illinois/Iowa border. It is at the intersection of Interstate highways 74, 88 and 80 and is served by Quad City International Airport in Moline, IL.

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Quad Cities - Lunch, dinner, casual or elegant dining, the choice is yours during the Quad Cities Convention & Visitors Bureau's third annual Quad Cities Restaurant Week on March 2 - 8, 2015.

Visit www.qcrestaurantweek.com, and discover 30 Quad Cities' area eateries and their specially prepared menus for lunch and dinner.  Participating restaurants are offering $15 two-for-one lunches and $15-$25 multi-course dinners.

Local chefs have created their menus to showcase their talent and cuisine.  There are no passes to buy, coupons to carry or cards to punch.  Simply pick from the restaurants and their menus featured on the website and enjoy.  Reservations are recommended for establishments that take them.  Please mention Restaurant Week when making your reservation.

A new addition to this year's Quad Cities Restaurant Week is a drawing for a $50 restaurant gift card.  Use #qcfoodie when you Tweet or Instagram to show your culinary adventure.  One lucky participant will be randomly selected to receive the gift card.

The www.qcrestaurantweek.com website is mobile-friend, easily sortable, and all of the restaurant locations are displayed on a map.  For more information by phone, call the Quad Cities Convention & Visitors Bureau at 309-277-0937.

"Last year participating restaurants reported a 20-50% increase in customers and many first-time guests," says Jessica Waytenick, Quad Cities Convention & Visitors Bureau Public Relations & Marketing Manager.  "Quad Cities Restaurant Week is a great opportunity to rediscover a long-time favorite or experience one of the area's new eateries."

Sponsors of Quad Cities Restaurant Week include : Iowa Pork Producers Association, Quad City-Times, WQAD, Townsquare Media radio stations.

The QCCVB is the official tourism destination marketing and management organization for the Quad Cities region.  The organization serves the tourism interests of Scott County in Iowa and Rock Island, Mercer, Warren and Henderson Counties in Illinois.  www.visitquadcities.com

The Quad Cities is located on the Mississippi River and is made up of the riverfront cities of Davenport and Bettendorf in Iowa, and Moline, East Moline and Rock Island in Illinois.  The area is just a 2-½ hour drive from Des Moines, Iowa, and Chicago, Illinois.  It is easily accessible via I-80, I-74, I-88 and several major state highways.