Events

Botna Bend Park Little Tike Hike

Families with young learners are invited to hit the trails for a self-guided hike full of fun nature learning at Botna Bend Park available during regular park hours of 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. November 6th through 30th. As you enjoy the sights and sounds at this river-side park you will spot trail activities posted along your route that are designed to help learners age 3 to 5 experience nature in a new way. Activities are posted along a .25 mile stretch of trail for your enjoyment. This is an "out and back" hike, once you reach the end of the trail you turn around and head back to the trailhead, making a .5 mile round-trip hike. Of course, if you are having fun you can choose to continue on and enjoy more of the beautiful trails at Botna Bend Park without posted activities.

StoryWalk at Sunset Park

The Council Bluffs Noon Rotary Club is partnering with Raise Me To Read in hosting a story walk hunt at Sunset Park! The hunt is free to participate in, designed for kids under the age of 9, and takes place from Saturday, November 14 to Monday, November 30. The scavenger hunt engages participants to read the story walk in its entirety. Each page may contain answers to the questions asked. Participants answer the questions to enter the prize drawing.

Prizes include gift cards to Dairy Queen, Eileen's Cookie, Five Below, Sugar Makery, and others. On Tuesday, December 1, Council Bluffs Noon Rotary will contact the winners and announce on Facebook @CBnoonclub.

How to Play: 1. Download and print the questions from our Facebook Page 2. Visit Sunset Park and read the story. 3. Write your answers to the questions. 4. Turn in your completed answers by noon on Monday, November 30, CB Noon Rotary Club, P.O.Box 673 Council Bluffs, IA 50012, or email the answers to cbrotaryclub@gmail.com

Holiday Baking Class

Learn Wenday's secrets of baking to use for your very own holiday baking season. We will create three amazing baked items for you to serve on your special days. Enjoy a coffee on us or bring your own succulent sips! Perfect for your group of friends or come solo to make some new friends and priceless memories!

#GivingTuesday712!

Harness the power of all by participating in this year’s #GivingTuesday712! Powered by SHARE Omaha, join in giving back to Southwest Iowa on Tuesday, December 1st. When we all give together, do together and share together, we can overcome the challenges of 2020.

#GivingTuesday712 is presented by TS Bank. Learn more: givingtuesday712.org.

Merry and Bright Signs - Adult Class

Create your very own "Merry and Bright" holiday sign to hang in your home for the holidays, or gift it to a loved one! The sign is 17" x 11" and the cost is $25 per sign. You can either make them individually or with a partner.  We need at least 6 participants to sign up for this class or it will need to be rescheduled. Please check our Facebook before attending the event. Masks are required for this event. Please email kelly.towne@impacthill.org to register. 

REV: Virtual Business Pitch Competition

TS Bank is hosting REV, a virtual business pitch competition, in partnership with Advance Southwest Iowa and several other local companies. Entrepreneurs and business owners have the opportunity to pitch to a panel of judges to win up to $10,000 to grow their business. From the pool of applicants, the hosts will select up to five businesses for the virtual pitches where applicants will be judged on many aspects of their business. TS Bank contributed $5,000 and Advance Southwest Iowa contributed $1,250 to the prize money. Apply today! Applications are due November 5, 2020.

Gold sponsors include Nebraska Enterprise Fund, Revela, Pozzie Family Foundation, Chapman & Company, and POWERTECH along with silver sponsors Council Bluffs Chamber of Commerce, Rachel Dorr Accounting, Centro Latino of Iowa and Mills County, IA Economic Development Corporation. TS Bank, Member FDIC.

Winter Bird Feeding & the Science of Snow

Join us for the final session of a new 2020 programming series, "A Land Ethic Workshop". Join instructor Ron Cisar as we celebrate the life and legacy of the famous naturalist and philosopher Aldo Leopold. Our December 5th session will focus on Leopold's essay "Home Range". Participants in this session will compare various types of birdseed and feeders, learn to make simple bird feeder ornaments to decorate and bring birds to your yard, and plan the perfect winter backyard feeding station. We will also explore the legacy and contributions of notable naturalists and discuss the secret language of snow and important animal adaptations for winter.

This program is intended for participants age 14 and over with an interest in the natural world, no experience or prior knowledge is required to participate. Online pre-registration is required as space is limited. The cost for this program is $15.00 per person per individual session.

Wartime Railroad Advertising: Steam into Saturday Virtual Happy Hour

How did the railroad advertise its support for wartime mobilization? Join us for an exploration of Union Pacific's wartime posters. This event will take place on Zoom. It is totally free, but please register ahead of time by clicking the ticket link in the event. You will receive a confirmation email immediately, and we will send out the Zoom meeting link the day before the event. If you have any questions or concerns, please send us a Facebook message.

Wheels of War Virtual Presentation

Railroads have played a part in every U.S. war since 1860. During the Civil War, World Wars I and II, the Gulf War, and even today, railroads transported soldiers and everything they need, from tanks to uniforms. Learn more about this exciting history through this webinar. This event is will take place on Zoom. It is totally free, but please register ahead of time by clicking the ticket link in the event. You will receive a confirmation email immediately, and we will send out the Zoom meeting link the day before the event. If you have any questions or concerns, please send us a Facebook message.

Christmas by Candlelight Tours

Experience Christmas as it was in the last quarter of the 19th century. Enjoy the General Dodge House and the Beresheim House with all the lights off illuminated only by flickering (artificial) candlelight and over a dozen beautifully decorated and lighted trees. Each tree features its own distinct theme. Tickets are $15.00 each, non-cancelable, non-refundable. Tours are available in 20-minute intervals beginning at 6 p.m. with the last tour ending at 10 p.m. More tours will be available on December 19th. Guests will receive a goodie bag upon completion of their tour.

Full Moon Night Hike

Join us at Hitchcock Nature Center for a naturalist-led night hike through the Loess Hills. The full moon shines down from her place in the sky and if the weather cooperates, will illuminate your path through the trees. This is a leisurely hike but please note this event will take place outdoors and involves pedestrian travel on uneven surfaces in low light and darkness. Flashlights will be permitted for portions of the hike but will not be in use the entire time. Strollers are not permitted. Please dress for the weather. Cost is $5.00 per person, age 3 and under are free and don't need a reservation. Your admission fee includes admission to the park. This event is open to participants of all ages. Online pre-registration is required as space is limited.

Christmas by Candlelight Tours

Experience Christmas as it was in the last quarter of the 19th century. Enjoy the General Dodge House and the Beresheim House with all the lights off illuminated only by flickering (artificial) candlelight and over a dozen beautifully decorated and lighted trees. Each tree features its own distinct theme. Tickets are $15.00 each, non-cancelable, non-refundable. Tours are available in 20-minute intervals beginning at 6 p.m. with the last tour ending at 10 p.m. Guests will receive a goodie bag upon completion of their tour.