Light rain and a cool breeze greeted this year's July 4th parade through downtown Bettendorf. Despite the wet weather, children lined the parade route on State and Grant Streets to catch candy from the passing floats and politicians. Below, the Bettendorf High School cheerleaders perform along the parade route. For additional parade photos, click on the "Read More" link below.

Bettendorf-Pleasant Valley girls softball teams square off Thursday evening at Crow Creek Park. Area diamonds are busy places as teams and parents enjoy the summer leagues. Team all-star games in most of the youth leagues are scheduled during the coming July 4th weekend.

The new marina next to the Isle of Capri casino opened for business last year, and boaters have begun to make use of the seasonal slips. The marina dock also is where the Channel Cat Water Taxi now stops in Bettendorf on its regular route between Davenport, Moline and East Moline. In the distance on the Illinois shore is the KONE Elevator Company's testing facility and at right is the Iowa-Illinois Memorial Bridge, more commonly known today as the I-74 Bridge between Bettendorf and Moline.

The Bettendorf Park Board held a regular meeting on May 11, 2005 at City Hall in the Council Chambers at 7:00 pm.

Present: Kamp, Beckman, Gackle, Glenn
Absent: Makoben

Chairman Glenn opened the meeting to anyone present to address the Board regarding any item of interest that does not appear on the Agenda.

On motion by Kamp, seconded by Beckman, that the bills be allowed, and that the Secretary be instructed to have checks drawn in the respective amounts.

Roll call on motion: Ayes: Kamp, Beckman, Gackle and Glenn
Nays: None

A list of the bills is annex #1 to these minutes.

Chairman Glenn opened the public hearing to receive community input on the proposed plans, specifications, and form of contract for the Palmer Hills Golf Course Clubhouse Project. The public hearing notice was published in the Quad City Times on May 7, 2005. The Affidavit of Publication is annex #2 to these minutes.

Tim Downing made a presentation regarding the Palmer Hills Golf Course Clubhouse. The building will remain on the same site as the current clubhouse. Tim showed a diagram of the cart storage area inside and under the deck. The kitchen equipment will be bid separately. The building is 448,000 square feet on each floor with about 2,400 square feet of outside deck area. The budget is projected at $1.5 to $1.7 million. Schedule includes completing the bid do*****ents by June 20, opening bids approximately July 20, tear-down beginning the first week of October, construction of the building beginning mid- to late-October, moving into the Pro Shop by April 2006, and completing construction by the first of May 2006. They are checking on the cost differential for a sprinkler system for the upper level.

Robin Andrews, 2174 Hogan Court, adjacent property owner, an architect and enjoys playing golf at Palmer Hills. He thinks this improvement is long overdue and offers tremendous amenities and thinks the City should be proud of it.There was no written correspondence.

Chairman Glenn closed the public hearing.

On motion Beckman, seconded by Kamp to adopt Resolution #26-05 approving plans, specifications, and form of contract for the Palmer Hills Golf Course Clubhouse Project.

Roll call on motion: Ayes: Kamp, Beckman, Gackle and Glenn
Nays: None

The Bettendorf Park Board held a special meeting on May 10, 2005 at 4:00 pm in the Council Chambers at City Hall.

Present: Kamp, Beckman, Gackle, Glenn
Absent: Makoben

Rita VanWetzinga reviewed the recreation monthly report, which is annex #1 to these minutes. She discussed renting Life Fitness Center pool time to the swim club next year. They would be using it Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 7-8:30, which will allow us to accommodate our heavy-use programs at other times. The pool needs to be utilized more and it this will bring in some revenues. Commissioner Gackle asked about doing something with Bettendorf schools. Rita distributed financial information concerning the Life Fitness Center.

A sailboat rides the wind on Lake Davenport (the portion of the Mississippi River on the Iowa side just upstream of Lock & Dam 15). Strong winds brought welcome relief from the steamy humid weather last weekend.

Two anglers try their luck on the Mississippi River, just north of the Interstate 74 Bridge and off the Bettendorf flood levee.

MEMBERS PRESENT: Regular meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by President Debbie Dayman. Members present: Barsness, Dayman, Kaminski, OíHara, Paulsen and Schurr. Absent: Messman. Also present: Cyndy Behrer, Mike Clingingsmith, Chris Harvey, Ray LaFrentz, Brian, Madison, and Megan Strusz, Paige Carter, Lisa McCraw, Jim Wichman, Don Dehner, Tim Bradley, Lynn Service, Ann Tubbs, Teri Adams, Jodi Buzzell, Peter Heinicke, Chuck Bradley, Steve Sinnott and others.

OATH OF OFFICE: The oath of office was administered to new board member Pamela Paulsen, Director District #6.

Fans watching their childhood. . . young children unaware of time. . . players creating memories of glory. . .

The new riverfront trail section connecting Bettendorf with the Davenport Mississippi Riverfront path has become a popular route for many cyclists and walkers even before its official dedication scheduled during the Father's Day "Ride the River" Sunday, June 19. The new trail between Bettendorf's Leach Park and Davenport's Credit Island Park creates a scenic 3-4 mile route for walkers and cyclists.