Hello!

The gentle summer breeze may feel more like a blow-dryer pointed at your face right now, but fear not, we have plenty of ways for you to stay cool downtown this week. Ice skating is FREE during public skate times at River's Edge on Friday and Saturday, and skate rental is even free while supplies last!  The City has also declared the Figge, RiverCenter, and library as official "cooling centers."  That means admission to the Figge is FREE all day today and free until 5 p.m. on Friday! Werner Zarnikow will host a presentation titled Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin and His Airships at the German American Heritage Center Sunday, and the first Trivia Night at Brady Street Pub will kick-off this evening.  Mark your calendar now for next Friday's Bucktown Bash too so you don't miss a glimpse of "The Kraken!"  River Music Experience has a very busy week ahead beginning with a fun show featuring a reggae/dub band hailing all the way from Jamaica, Dubtonic Kru! Earlier in the evening, Friday Live at 5 will feature Doublas & Tucker.   Blackberry Smoke, one of the premiere southern rock bands in America, will be making an appearance at RME, too!  Having shared the stage with Zac Brown Band, ZZ Top, and Kid Rock, Blackberry Smoke is already making big waves in the music scene.  Watch their video! A tasty show by the Quad-Cities' own Bacon is slated for a gig at RME, as well.    A discussion titled "What Makes an Icon?" will take place during Thursdays at the Figge, and be sure to take the museum's newest tour, too.  Check outFridays at the Figge to create a masterpiece of your own!  New docents are also being recruited this week. Bix 7 and RAGBRAI weekend is almost here, and Street Fest presented by Wells Fargo will serve as the party binding the two huge events together!  Visit the Street Fest homepage for event details, and please considervolunteering for a beverage tent.  Volunteers must be 21 or older, and we're especially in need of volunteers for the 9PM - Midnight shift still.  The new mural at Iowa & 3rd Streets is now complete, and we couldn't be happier!  This beautiful piece of artwork was created by local teens in theQuad-City Arts Metro Youth Program.  We'd like to thank these amazing teens for completing their third mural project downtown! A wide range of construction projects are underway downtown from an expansion at Mac's and renovations at the Bayer Building, to upgrades at the LeClaire Park Bandshell and City Hall.  We've even got a new restaurant/pub opening soon on 2nd Street called Barrel House 211!  Downtown just keep growing!  Stay tune for more details. See you downtown!

This Week's Events: July 7 - July 13

Thursday, July 21 $2,800 Bank It Blackjack Tournament Where: Rhythm City Casino Time: Registration 5 p.m.    Tournament 6 p.m. Price: $20 entry fee Website Follow on Facebook and Twitter Art Talk - What Makes an Icon? Where: Figge Art Museum Time: 7:00 p.m. Price: Museum Admission, or FREE for Members Website Brady Street Pub Lunch Specials & Happy Hour Where: Brady Street Pub Time: Lunch specials every weekday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Time: Happy Hour specials every weekday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Time: Sunday, drink specials all day Prices: See website Website Drop-In Public Hockey Where: River's Edge Time: 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Price: $10 Website   Enjoy 2 Casinos for One Great Price Where: Rhythm City Casino Time: June 1 - July 31 Price: See Website Website Follow on Facebook and Twitter Happy Hour Tapping Where: Great River Brewery Time: 5:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. Price: N/A Website Kilkenny's Live Music Where: Kilkenny's Irish Pub Time: 9 p.m. Price: FREE Live Lunch with Keith Solo Where: River Music Experience, Mojo's Time: 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. Price: FREE Website Live Music - Speaks like Silence Where: River Music Experience, Mojo's Time: 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. Price: FREE Website PEZ Dispenser Exhibit Where: German American Heritage Center Time: Museum hours Price: $5 or less Website River's Edge Monthly Turf & Ice Schedule Discover dozens of sporting events at River's Edge!  Follow the links below to see the complete ice and turf schedule for the month. Ice Schedule Turf Schedule Website   Single Table Texas Hold 'em Tournament Where: Rhythm City Casino Time: 4 p.m. Price: $40 entry fee Website Follow on Facebook and Twitter   Summer Reece Morgan Basketball League Where: Centennial Park Courts Time: 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Price: N/A Website   Thursdays at the Figge Where: Figge Art Museum Time: 5 p.m. - 8 p.m. Price: Museum admission, or FREE for members Website   Trivia Challenge Where: Brady Street Pub Time: 8:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. Price: FREE Website Weekday Wonder Happy Hour Where: Rhythm City Casino Time: 4 p.m. - 7 p.m. Price: FREE Website Follow on Facebook and Twitter   Friday, July 22 Blues Plate Special Live Lunch with Ren Estrand Where: River Music Experience, Mojo's Time: Noon - 1:00 p.m. Price: FREE Website   Dubtonic Kru with special guest Firesale Where: River Music Experience, Redstone Room TIme: 9:00 p.m. Price: $8 in advance, $10 day of show Website   Friday Live at 5 featuring Douglas & Tucker sponsored by Panduit & Van Metter Where: River Music Experience, Courtyard Time: 5:00 p.m. Price: FREE Website   Fridays at the Figge Where: Figge Art Museum Time: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Price: Members: $45, Non-Members: $55 Website   High Cotton Blues Band Where: Rhythm City Casino Time: 7:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. Price: FREE Website Follow on Facebook and Twitter Kilkenny's Live Music Where: Kilkenny's Irish Pub Time: 9 p.m. Price: FREE Outdoor BBQ Where: Rhythm City Casino Time: 4 p.m. - 6 p.m. Price: $2 Website Follow on Facebook and Twitter Public Skate Where: River's Edge Time: 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Price: $3 and up Website Red Eye Breakfast Where: Rhythm City Casino Time: 11 p.m. - 2 a.m. Price: $4.99 Website Follow on Facebook and Twitter Single Table Texas Hold 'em Tournament Where: Rhythm City Casino Time: 8 p.m. Price: $40 entry fee Website Follow on  Facebook and  Twitter   Saturday, July 23 Adult Dodge-Ball Tournament Where: River's Edge Time: 3:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Price: N/A Website Bacon with special guest Tasty Trigger Where: River Music Experience, Redstone Room TIme: 9:00 p.m. Price: $6 Website   Exhibition: The Art of Seating: 200 Years of American Chair Design Where: Figge Art Museum Time: Museum hours Price: Museum admission, or FREE with membership Website   Exhibition: Water Views Where: Figge Art Museum Time: Museum hours Price: Free with membership or museum admission Website Freight House Farmers Market Where: Freight House Building and Parking Lot Time: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. Price: FREE Website High Cotton Blues Band Where: Rhythm City Casino Time: 7:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. Price: FREE Website Follow on Facebook and Twitter Make and Take Glass Blowing Class Where: Lizzard Glass Time: 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Price: $30 Website Public Skate Where: River's Edge Time: 11:45 a.m. - 1:45 p.m. Price: $3 and up Website Red Eye Breakfast Where: Rhythm City Casino Time: 11 p.m. - 2 a.m. Price: $4.99 Website Follow on  Facebook and  Twitter Single Table Texas Hold 'em Tournament Where: Rhythm City Casino Time: 8 p.m. Price: $40 entry fee Website Follow on  Facebook and  Twitter Zither Ensemble Where: German American Heritage Center Time: 10:00 a.m. Price: Museum Admission, or FREE with membership Website   Sunday, July 24 $2,000 Super Sunday Slot Tournament Where: Rhythm City Casino Time: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Price: FREE Website Follow on  Facebook and  Twitter   Brady Street Pub Sunday Special Where: Brady Street Pub Time: All Day Price: $2 domestic drafts Website   Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin and His Airship Where: German American Heritage Center Time: 2:00 p.m. Price: $5 or less Website Exhibition: Corn Zone Where: Figge Art Museum Time: Museum hours Price: Free with membership or museum admission Website Music on the Levee featuring River City Six - Big Band Where: LeClaire Park Bandshell Time: 7:00 p.m. Price: FREE Website   Single Table Texas Hold 'em Tournament Where: Rhythm City Casino Time: 8 p.m. Price: $40 entry fee Website Follow on Facebook and  Twitter Tour: Please Be Seated! Where: Figge Art Museum Time: 1:30 p.m. Price: FREE with membership or museum admission Website Weekday Wonder Happy Hour Where: Rhythm City Casino Time: 4 p.m. - 7 p.m. Price: FREE Website Follow on Facebook and Twitter Monday, July 25 Bean Bag Toss Where: Rhythm City Casino Time: 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. Price: FREE Website Follow on Facebook and Twitter Blackberry Smoke with special guest Derek Frank Where: River Music Experience, Redstone Room TIme: 7:30 p.m. Price: $10 Website Double Dippin' Days Where: Rhythm City Casino Time: 4 p.m. - 11 p.m. Price: FREE Website Follow on  Facebook and Twitter Live Lunch with Randy Arcenas Where: River Music Experience, Mojo's Time: Noon - 1:00 p.m. Price: FREE Website   Monday Matinee Where: Library Time: 1:00 p.m. Price: FREE Website Summer Kids Pass on sale now! Where: Downtown, West, or North YMCAs, Modern Woodmen Park, or The River's Edge Time: n/a Price: $50

Davenport, IA / July 20, 2011 - Local residents will have a chance to tour Living Lands and Waters' new floating classroom at LL&W's annual Barge Party Thursday, August 11 from 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m at the Lake Davenp or t Sailing Club at Oneida Street Landing on   River Drive  .  The 150-foot long barge features a handicapped-accessible classroom, which can host up to 60 students at a time, as well as sleeping quarters for an 8 person   Living   Lands   and Waters crew.  LL&W crews will be providing tours of the new classroom during the annual Barge Party, a celebration and appreciate event for of volunteers and supporters of the environmental group.  Chad Pregracke and his Living Lands & Waters' staff and crew will be on hand to celebrate fourteen years of river cleanups, environmental education w or kshops, the Million Trees project and engaging communities in river stewardship.

The menu for this year's Barge Party will feature a catfish fry & shrimp boil.  Guests will also have a chance to taste-test various preparations of Asian Carp, an invasive species in the  Mississippi  that is commonly served in  Asia .  The Barge Party will also feature live music and a silent art auction, featuring the works of nearly a dozen regional artists who donated river-inspired pieces, including salvage material sculpture, mixed media painting, folk art, driftwood pieces, quilts and glass art.  Chad Pregracke will update guests on the progress they've made this year. "We couldn't keep these barges running, making the river a cleaner place, without the support of Quad-Citians who volunteer and support Living Lands & Waters. It all makes a difference and we are so grateful," said Chad Pregracke, Founder & President of Living Lands & Waters. Tickets for the event are $35 per person. Reservations can be made by calling the office at (309) 496-9848 or going to their website www.livinglandsandwaters.org.

Teachers interested in exploring a workshop for their students should contact Tammy Becker at LL&W:  tammy@livinglandsandwaters.com or 309-496-9848. "We have had over 1,600 teachers in our Educational Workshops dating back to 2003.  This will create an opportunity for thousands of students to experience the river first hand" said LL&W founder Chad Pregracke.   Also on display at the barge party, LL&W's new one-thousand horse power tow boat, needed to push the new floating classroom.  The floating classroom was made possible by the generous support of five of LL&W's long-term partners:  Cargill, ADM, Caterpillar, AEP River Operations and Ingram Barge Company.  

The Living Lands & Waters Barge Party is held in appreciation for volunteers, supporters and fans of LL&W's efforts, as a celebration of the power of committed staff, volunteers and sponsors working together to meet an important need.  Among the reasons to celebrate this year:  LL&W founder Chad Pregracke's endowment with a 'Points of Light Award.'  This distinguished honor, established by former U.S. President George H. W. Bush was awarded during a televised ceremony from the   Lincoln   Center   which featured all of the living former presidents.     Chad   ads this honor to many others he's been given to recognize his achievements since founding LL&W.  They include a Jefferson Award, and awards from the American Institute f or  Public Service; Heroes of Conservation Nomination and Field & Stream Magazine. 

Chad Pregracke started Living Lands & Waters in 1998 as a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the beautification and restoration of America's major rivers and to the education of people about environmental issues. From his single boat beginning, LL&W has grown to an internationally known organization with a fleet of barges and workboats.  LL&W engages thousands of volunteers each year in river cleanups, hands-on environmental education workshops, the Great Mississippi River Cleanup, Adopt-a- River-Mile programs and the Million Trees Project. 

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What: Bucktown Bash! featuring "The Kraken"
Where: 225 East 2^nd Street
Date/Time: Friday, July 29 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Price: $15

(Davenport, Iowa) - MidCoast Fine Arts (MFA) is proud to announce that Bucktown Center for the Arts will celebrate its 6^thanniversary during Bucktown Bash! Friday, July 29 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. This special event will feature a wide range of original local artwork for sale, live music, food, drinks, and more.

The infamous Muscatine River Monster, fondly known as "The Kraken," will be making its first appearance in the Quad-Cities during Bucktown Bash! This larger than life beast is an inflatable sculpture installation that must be seen to be believed. Its long tentacles will be beckoning the nearby Street Fest patrons to meander a little further down 2^nd Street in downtown Davenport on Friday.

Falling Up, a locally produced science fiction film, will be shown throughout the evening, and live music will be provided by Lock & Dam, Ragaman, and Rock Island Rhythm. A "Mirror,Mirror" fundraiser for MFA featuring works by local artists for sale will be held in conjunction with the "VANITY" show currently on display in the 2^nd floor gallery. MFA's own Dean Schroder will be showing his rarely seen functional art display, as well. Bucktown Bash! will also serve as a closing reception for the "And They Followed the Waters" exhibit on display in the 2^nd floor showcase.  

Food and beverage vendors will be available, and all of Bucktown's many shops and studios will be open. From jewelry and paintings to photography and sculpture, attendees of Bucktown Bash! can expect to discover a wide range of high quality artwork to peruse.

"I'm thrilled that MidCoast Fine Arts is hosting another amazing art event," said Heather Pederson, MFA Board President.   "We do know how to put on a great party, and with Bucktown Bash being bigger and better than ever, we're looking forward to the community showing their support by having a heart for art."

Admission is $15 at the door; however, patrons who visit a shop at Bucktown between July 20^th and July 28^th can pick up FREE tickets in advance! Please visit www.BucktownArts.com or www.Facebook.com/bucktownarts for additional event details. MFA would also like to provide a special thank you to Deere & Company for their support of Bucktown's Bash!

Bucktown Center for the Arts is made up of over a dozen unique shops and studios featuring creative, affordable, unusual and useable works of art for sale. Bucktown is a component of MidCoast Fine Arts, a leading Quad-City non-profit organization focused on stimulating our community's economic vitality through the support of regional visual arts and artists. Founded in July of 2005, Bucktown has played an important role in the continued growth of downtown Davenport's Cultural and Entertainment District.

For more information about MidCoast Fine Arts, please visit www.Midcoast.org. For additional details regarding "The Kraken," please visit www.MuscatineRiverMonster.com.

On August 5th, 2011, Connection Church throws a party. In effort to build neighborhood community and to help kids in need, Connection will host a Block Party featuring free food, fun games, an outdoor movie, and a school supply giveaway.

At 7pm the party begins with free food and exciting games for the whole family. Two inflatable bounce houses, a dunk tank, as well as other games will provide children a fun and safe place to play. Walking tacos, fruit, and snow cones will be available for free to eat.

At 9pm the movie will start. An award-wining DreamWorks Animation film will be shown outside on the lawn. People are encouraged to bring blankets and chairs to sit on while enjoying the movie.

Besides having fun, the Block Party will be an opportunity to give school supplies to children in need. Quad City families in need of supplies can come to the party and pick up a backpack and some classroom essentials. For those who want to donate money towards this effort, stop by Connection's Food Pantry on Tuesdays from 9am-1pm. The Food Pantry is located at 4373 State Street, Bettendorf, which is also the location of the party.

Jason Holtgrewe, a pastor at Connection, believes the Block Party is a great way to help those in need. "Not only is this party a way to bring neighbors together for a little fun, it's also an opportunity to be there for others," says Jason. "There are more families in our city than we realize who need support in meeting the financial demands of another school year."

Connection is throwing a party on August 5th at 7pm. The location of the party is 4374 State Street, Bettendorf. Please call the church at 563.209.6384 or email jason@connectionqc.org for more information, including movie details.