The Family Museum in Bettendorf has launched a new Web site at FamilyMuseum.org. The site needed to appeal to three audiences: children, caregivers, and museum staff. On the new site, kids can paint, color, and participate in an online scavenger hunt. Their parents can find upcoming events, pay for admission, and chat with other parents online. And staffers make updates to the site from any computer with Internet access.
Donations to Volunteers for Symphony's 26th Annual Second Fiddle Sale will be accepted through June 15 on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Mondays from 1 to 8 p.m. Donations can be made at the former Seasonal Concepts building (3568 North Brady Street in Davenport, between Big Lots and Kmart). The sale accepts gently used clothing, furniture, household items, linens, small appliances, books, children's clothing, sporting goods, toys, jewelry, antiques, collectibles, and more. All donations are tax-deductible and receipted at time of drop off.
The Channel Cat river taxi, now in its 13th season, hit the water this past weekend. For schedules, routes, and landings, visit QCChannelCat.com.
A week of day-camp is being offered for girls in kindergarten through fifth grade this summer in Muscatine. The Summer Fun program offered by Girls Scouts of Eastern Iowa & Western Illinois will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 15 through 19. The cost is $10 per girl, and grant assistance is available; Girl Scouts may use cookie-program credit to help pay costs. Girls must register by June 8 by contacting Kathleen McCormick at (309)788-0833, (800)798-0833, or KathleenM@gseiwi.org. Information about Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa & Western Illinois can be found at GSEIWI.org.
Federal Communications Commission staff will be in the Quad Cities on May 27 and 28 to assist consumers in obtaining DTV-converter-box coupons prior to the switch to all-digital television on June 12. Consumers should request coupons by May 28 to receive them by the switch date. On Wednesday, May 27, representatives will be at the Moline Public Library (3210 41st Street) and near Younkers in NorthPark Mall (320 West Kimberly Road in Davenport) from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. On Thursday, May 28, representatives will be at the Davenport Public Library (321 Main Street) and near the food court in SouthPark Mall (4500 16th Street in Moline) from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. FCC staff will also be prepared to answer consumers' questions on the transition to digital television and demonstrate how to hook up and operate converter boxes. Consumers having trouble setting up their converter boxes are welcome to bring their boxes. People can also request coupons at DTV2009.gov or by calling (888)388-2009.
Two former competitors from the Rock Island Grand Prix kart races were in the field for Sunday's Indianapolis 500. Graham Rahal (31st on Sunday) finished seventh here in the rain in the 2002 King of the Streets race. Nelson Philippe (25th) from France became the second foreign-born winner when he won the 125 gearbox semi-pro class in 2003. The Rock Island Grand Prix, the world's largest karting street race, has featured many drivers who have moved up the ranks in motorsports, both as drivers and crew members. It is held each year on Labor Day Weekend in The District of Rock Island. For more information, visit RockIslandGrandPrix.com.
The Isabel Bloom Art Education Fund recently awarded more than $7,500 to local visual-arts programs. The fund provides financial support to programs in primary and secondary schools in Scott and Rock Island counties. For more information, visit CFGRB.org.
Keep Rock Island Beautiful is organizing volunteers for the annual Bike Path Cleanup, from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, May 30, covering a five-mile stretch in Rock Island. Volunteers should meet at the parking lot at 20th Street and First Avenue. To volunteer, contact Carolyn Fuller at (309)786-1334 or cfuller@keepribeautiful.org.
Waste Commission of Scott County is extending hours on Mondays in June, July, and August at the Scott Area Landfill. The landfill will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Mondays, and from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays and 8 a.m. to noon on Saturdays. The landfill is located west of Davenport on County Road Y-48, three miles south of Highway 61. For more information, call (563)381-1300 or visit WasteCom.com.
Mississippi Valley Paranormal is sponsoring the "Quad Cities Most Haunted Contest." The organization requests that nominated locations be public property or that permission is easily obtained; private residences may only be submitted by someone currently living there. Entries must be received by June 30. For contest rules, visit MVParanormal.org.
