Coal Valley, IL - December 5, 2014- Niabi Zoo announced today that it passed its inspection by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) with a perfect report.

Niabi Zoo was inspected on December 2, 2014, by a member of the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. A USDA inspection consists of a thorough review of the wellbeing of Niabi Zoo's animal collection, its animalrelated facilities such as habitats and holding areas, its animal records, veterinary program, diet preparation areas, storage facilities, and more. Inspections by USDA occur on a regular basis as part of the licensing requirement for Niabi Zoo to be open to the public as an animal exhibitor.

Niabi Zoo Director Marc Heinzman said this successful inspection is another in the zoo's long history of positive USDA reports. "This successful inspection is one of many consecutive perfect reports for Niabi Zoo," said Heinzman, "and is just further confirmation of what I already know: that Niabi Zoo provides top-notch welfare and care for our animals." Heinzman went on to add that Niabi Zoo has received perfect inspections from USDA for many years, including the entire time (nearly seven years) that he has been at the zoo.

Niabi Zoo is currently closed to the general public for the winter, but is scheduled to reopen in March of 2015.

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Davenport, Iowa (December 3, 2014) -The Figge Art Museum is offering holiday tours at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, December 7, 14 and 21.

The themed tours include selections of works from the museum's permanent collection and are designed to get visitors in touch with the spirit of the season.

December 7 with Barb Hansen

The Figge has an outstanding collection of religious art from the Mexican Colonial period. This Advent-inspired tour will prepare hearts and minds for the joyous season to come. View and discuss several paintings depicting events in the life of Christ. The lovely works, most of them painted in the 15th and 16^th centuries, were meant to be easily understood and to promote emotion and piety.

December 14 with Sue Staley

"Wishing and hoping and thinking and praying, planning and dreaming..." is more than the lyrics to a pop song. This tour will focus on the Advent journey in visual art, past and present.

December 21 with Sue Staley

Advent is a time for preparation and reflection. Share and reflect on some favorite Christmas Story traditions saved through song and verse, and depicted through visual art.

In addition to holiday tours, the museum will also offer tours of Self-Taught Genius: Treasures from the American Folk Art Museum on Saturday, December 6 and 13 at 1:30 p.m. This exhibition is making its first stop on a National tour right here at the Figge. It's a must-see show and the tour delves a little deeper into the works on display.

Figge tours are free with paid admission or membership.

About the Figge Art Museum

The Figge Art Museum is located on the riverfront in downtown Davenport at 225 West Second Street. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday and Sundays 12-5 p.m. Thursdays the museum is open until 9 p.m. Admission to the museum and tour is $7. Admission is free to Figge members and institutional members and free to all on Thursday evenings from 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. To contact the museum, please call 563.326.7804, or visit www.figgeartmuseum.org.

Bettendorf – The Family Museum will continue its tradition of WinterFest on Sunday, December 7, from noon - 5:00 pm. There will be a host of joyful family activities for everyone including dance performances from the Family Museum Dance Company, holiday music performed by the Pleasant Valley High School Tuba and Euphonium Ensemble, refreshments, fun activities such as snowpeople sculptures and handmade ornaments, and a visit from Santa. Each family will receive one free photo with Santa curtesy of Walgreen's on Devil's Glen in Bettendorf. Admission to this event and the Family Museum's hands-on gallery is free with the donation of a non-perishable food item or monetary donation to a local food pantry. This event is sponsored by the DHCU Community Credit Union.

A huge, 300 square foot train set will be set up again this year, and the Great Hall will be decorated with lights, stars, trees, and animal displays.

The centerpiece window dressing is the last set of animated figurines from the Petersen Harden Von Maur store in Davenport.  Created by the (George) Silvestri Art Manufacturing Company, this Santa's House scene includes a Living Room with a decorated tree and fireplace, a Kitchen with a very busy stove, a Workshop where elves are busy making toy trains, and a snowball battle in the woods among the elves who are gathering firewood.  The display was built in Chicago during October of 1966, and was donated to the Family Museum in 1990 when the store was sold.

The Family Museum is located at 2900 Learning Campus Drive. For more information, please call (563) 344-4106 or visit www.familymuseum.org.

You can do your holiday shopping right here and find unique Niabi Zoo gifts for every child and adult on your list. Shop local and support your community zoo. Receive a complimentary reusable Niabi Zoo bag with any purchase.

Niabi Zoo gifts can be purchased online or by calling (309) 799-3482 ext. 222.