Community Corner
🌱 Which Bettendorf student just beat hundreds of filmmakers nationwide?
And check out Kids Yoga and Mindfulness S1 - 6-12yrs on the Bettendorf Patch calendar
Hello Bettendorf! Here's our latest buzz. Let's get into it. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- Which Bettendorf student just beat hundreds of filmmakers nationwide?
- Why this Bettendorf menorah shines brighter after tragedy abroad
- Why a beloved Bettendorf scuba shop is shutting its doors soon
Today's riddle: My brother swallowed a box of firecrackers. - Is he all right now? 🤔 (Answer below!)
Find out what's happening in Bettendorffor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Thursday: Morning rain; cloudy, windy, with a high of 47 and low of 10 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
- Friday: Colder with periods of sun, temps: high: 29, low: 25.
- Saturday: Clouds and sun, with a high of 42 and low of 18 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Bettendorf middle schooler earns national documentary award (kcrg.com) — A Bettendorf middle school student, Adrian Gillette, just earned third place nationwide in the 2025 Next Generation Angels Awards for a 10‑minute history documentary. Their film on a landmark school‑library Supreme Court case was chosen from hundreds of junior‑division entries, and the honor comes with mentorship opportunities modeled on Ken Burns’ acclaimed documentary work. 
Find out what's happening in Bettendorffor free with the latest updates from Patch.
2. Quad Cities Jewish community celebrates Hanukkah in wake of Bondi Beach shooting (wqad.com) — A public menorah on 53rd Avenue and 18th Street in Bettendorf is being lit nightly by the Chabad Jewish Center, offering a visible Hanukkah celebration for Quad Cities residents. This year’s gathering carries extra weight as worshippers honor 15 people killed at a Hanukkah event in Sydney, while vowing to respond to violence and antisemitism with more light and community.
3. Longtime Quad Cities scuba shop set to close after more than 60 years (wqad.com) — A Bettendorf-based scuba shop, Scuba Adventures QCA, will close at the end of the year after more than 60 years serving Quad Cities divers. Owner Scott Jones, nearing 70, is retiring after a lifetime of teaching scuba and building a tight-knit diving community. Longtime helpers and students say they’ll deeply miss both the shop and Jones’ hands-on guidance.
4. Bettendorf Special Olympian inducted into Iowa's Hall of Fame (kwqc.com) — Bettendorf’s own Special Olympian Laura Lee Smith has been inducted into the Special Olympics Iowa Hall of Fame, the first athlete from Scott County to receive the honor. The 58-year-old powerlifter trains at Quad City Strongman in Bettendorf and has spent 50 years competing, now mentoring younger athletes as a global messenger for Special Olympics Iowa.
📸 Around Bettendorf
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Bettendorf
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- Kids Yoga and Mindfulness S1 - 6-12yrs
Bettendorf Community Center, 2204 Grant St, Bettendorf
5:30 pm
Thursday January 8
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Child's Play | Create : Explore : Experience
Bettendorf Public Library - Junior League Program Room
10:00 am
Saturday December 20
📣 Bettendorf Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- Preschool Storytime
Bettendorf Public Library - Junior League Program Room
10:00 am - Tween Role Playing Group
Bettendorf Public Library - Bettendorf Single Room
4:00 pm - Yoga and Stories
Bettendorf Public Library - Junior League Program Room
6:30 pm - Board of Adjustment Meeting
LeClaire, IA Calendar
7:00 pm - Davenport North Girls Varsity Basketball @ North Scott
North Scott High School , 200 S 1st St , Eldridge
6:00 pm - Child's Play | Create : Explore : Experience
Bettendorf Public Library - Junior League Program Room
10:00 am - Holiday Spectacular For Make-A-Wish Foundation
North Scott Softball Field , 200 S 1st St , Eldridge
7:00 pm - District Meeting
The Lucky Frog Bar and Grill , 313 N Salina St , McCausland
12:30 pm
Thursday December 18
Friday December 19
Saturday December 20
Sunday December 21
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- City Hall will be closed on Thursday, December 25.
There will be no Garbage/Recycling/Bulky Waste pick-up on Thursday. Thursday and Friday services will move one day later in the week to include… (Nextdoor )
- Home Depot posted a job opening for Lot Associate in Bettendorf. Apply here.
- McDonald's posted a job opening for Crew Team Member in Bettendorf. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Bettendorf here.
Ok Bettendorf! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don’t know. I haven’t heard the last report.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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