CVB News & Events - Bundle Up!

The free open house is all day from 9 am-5 pm on Friday, January 24th. See the new display additions, historical corps artifacts, and interesting interactive displays for people of all ages.  Simple refreshments will be available.  From 1-2:30 p.m.extra staff will be on hand to answer questions about the varying programs highlighted in the new displays. www.missriver.org

Looking for fun, family entertainment AND real horsepower? The 2014 Ram Rodeo Series will ride into town for the Three Hill World's Toughest Rodeo taking place from January 24-25. Saddle up with the cowboys and gals at 7:30pm in the iWireless Center in Moline. Spectators who visit the Ram Truck brand during the rodeo will be entered into the 2014 Ram Rodeo Sweepstakes for a chance to win $45,000 toward any eligible Chrysler Group vehicle. www.iwirelesscenter.com

Ballet Quad Cities presents The Ugly Duckling & Other Dances

during an afternoon of dance, just for fun!  Bring the entire family to see this well known fairy tale with a great message come to life.  Whimsical choreography, costumes and characters will dance into your heart on Saturday, January 25th at 1:30 pm at Bettendorf High School Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $22 - adults; $12 - age 18 and under. For tickets, call the BHS Activity Office at 563-332-4516 Or order online at https://www.totalgatesolutions.com/SelectEventTickets.aspx?eventId=48425

Join Wide River Winery for their first ever Chili Cook-Off at the Clinton location on Saturday, January 25th from 1-5 pm. The contest starts at 1 PM with live music from The Ripplers beginning at 2 PM. Prizes will be awarded for 1st and 2nd place. Come, eat, judge and enjoy an afternoon of music and fun. No entry fee! To register contact widerivermartha@gmail.com or call954.415.9329. www.wideriverwinery.com

Due to popular demand, the "Diana, A Celebration" exhibit will remain on view through January 26, 2014.  The exhibit chronicles the life and humanitarian work of the late Diana, Princess of Wales. One of the 20th century's most remarkable women is showcased through nine galleries containing 150 objects-ranging from her royal wedding gown and 28 of her designer dresses to family heirlooms, personal mementos, paintings and rare home movies and photos. www.putnam.org

Come in out of the cold to enjoy beautiful woodwind music performed by musicians from the Quad City Symphony Orchestra. The Signature Series concert features Mozart's Quintet in E flat Major for Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, Horn, and Piano, a tribute to his 257th birthday, on Sunday, January 26th at 3 p.m. at Centennial Hall in Rock Island. The audience is invited to a free post-concert reception from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. at Black Ram, 1407 30th St. in Rock Island. This is wonderful opportunity to meet the musicians, as well as Music Director Mark Russell Smith. The reception will include hors d'oeuvres, wine, beer, and soft drinks. www.qcsymphony.com

PechaKucha Night is a fun, informal event featuring residents of the Quad Cities, who share their interests, hobbies, passions, and creations on Thursday, January 30th at the Figge Art Museum in Davenport. Each speaker is allowed 20 slides and 20 seconds to speak about each slide. Complimentary light appetizers begin at 5:30. Presentations begin at 6:30.www.figgeartmuseum.org

Friday, January 31 is another $1 Dog/$1 Beer Night presented by 97X. $1 hot dogs and $1 beers are available at iWireless Center in Moline during the 7 p.m. Mallards game against the Tulsa Oilers. www.myqcmallards.com

Check out MidCoast Fine Art's new exhibiting artists, Pat Halverson and David Genac, at Bucktown Center for the Arts in Davenport. The reception will take place in the MidCoast Gallery on the 2nd floor.  Meet the artists, check out their work, enjoy light fare, and beverages at the reception on January 31st from6-9pm.  It's all part of the first 2014 Final Friday celebration.www.bucktownarts.com

Putnam Museum in Davenport will host the 7th annual Battle of the Bridges competition on Friday and Saturday, January 31 & February 1, 2014. The Quad City Engineering and Science Council's Battle of the Bridges is a competition where youth, seniors and families seek to design and construct the most efficient model bridge. Teams of up to 4 people spend 2.5 hours designing and constructing their bridge before it is tested for strength. Each team pays a fee of $25 for entry, which includes all building material. Registration deadline is January 30, 2014. For more information, or to register your team, please visit: http://www.qcesc.org/Bridge_Building/Battle of Bridges.htm

The Mississippi River Visitor Center on Arsenal Island, between Davenport, Iowa, and Rock Island, Illinois, offers free eagle watches and Clock Tower tours every weekend on Saturdays and Sundays on January 25, 26 and February 1, 2, 8, 9 at 9:00-10:30 a.m. and 12:30-2:00 p.m. Reservations are required!  Please call 309-794-5338 to make your reservation. www.missriver.org

The Family Museum in Bettendorf has drop-in programming onSaturday, February 1st with an Over the Ledge session from10:30-12 noon and Super Saturday fun from 1-3 p.m.www.familymuseum.org

Jim the Mule will be taking an indefinite hiatus toward the end of the winter. Come help them celebrate over a decade of bringing the Swamp, Stomp, and Space Freakout on Saturday, February 1st at 8 p.m. at the River Music Experience in Davenport.  This special night of music will feature a final, retrospective performance by Jim the Mule, guest appearances, and additional acts TBA, so don't miss it! www.rivermusicexperience.org

Visiting Buddhist Monk Gen Kelsang Jampa will present a FREE Public Talk titled Mindfulness for Busy People on Sunday, February 2nd from 2:00-3:30 pm at the Quad City Botanical Center, 2525 4th Ave, Rock Island, IL. Living in a busy world does not mean you need to have a busy mind. By learning the simple practice of mindfulness, you can enjoy mental clarity and peace. Talk followed by reception with tea. www.qcgardens.org