Children leaving their homes due to domestic abuse or financial instability are being given the chance to turn to a brighter chapter in their lives by the Muscatine Center of Social Action, and local author and artist Christopher Anderson is helping them to turn the pages on their lives in a more friendly and colorful way. Muscatine’s Anderson, 35, is the creative force behind the new book “Boots,” which will be given to children entering the shelter. The tome offers kids a virtual tour of the establishment through the eyes of a colorful cartoon cat. “It helps to make the transition a little... Read More

The coronavirus funk draping the planet has canceled the Planet Funk. Planet Funk Con 2020 is canceled, with the event postponed until next year. An announcement was made today on the event’s Facebook: With a heavy heart we have to announce we are holding off until 2021. Due to the growing difficulties during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown and our desire to bring our attendees the best show possible, the Planet Funk Con Crew has made the hard decision to postpone this year’s convention until 2021. With the COVID-19 situation still in flux we do not feel we can safely, or in good conscience,... Read More

Join Jenny Lynn Stacy-Vieira and the Dirty Roosters tonight for some Musical Mischievous Mayhem! Jenny and her co-host (husband), are presenting a fun filled evening of music (originals and covers), trivia-gift giveaways, stories, belly laughs, drinking games, and all kinds of silly mischief abound on the group’s band page on Facebook. As Jenny says in describing the event, “To add to the excitement, and because I love spooky things all year round, for this show we’ll be in full haunt makeup (surrounded by a set of all things Halloween!) So prepare for scary trivia, and feeI free... Read More

A third round of grants have been awarded to Quad Cities-area nonprofits supporting the community’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The grants are made possible because Quad Citizens continue to donate to the Quad Cities Disaster Recovery Fund at the Quad Cities Community Foundation. The fund recently surpassed $1 million in contributions, and provides critical support for basic needs during the pandemic. Nonprofits in the Quad Cities region have requested more than $3 million in support since the fund was activated nearly two months ago. With this round, a total of $695,772 from the Disaster... Read More

Dial 976-EVIL! Midwest Monster Fest 2020 is proud to announce actor J.J. Cohen will be appearing at the festival Sept. 5-6 at the Rust Belt in East Moline! J.J. Cohen hit Hollywood in 1984 landing a leading role in the films PARADISE MOTEL and SECRET ADMIRER. He quickly gained the attention of Hollywood Casting directors and appeared in numerous TV shows, including the Sci-Fi Series “V”, “BAYWATCH”, “3RD ROCK FROM THE SUN” and two very different episodes of “AMAZING STORIES” (one in the exceptional pilot “THE MISSION” starring alongside Kevin... Read More

Rock Island Public Library Buildings are still closed for the Governor’s Executive Order but the Library Services Go On in a Virtual Way. Late last week, the Illinois Governor revised and extended his Executive Stay-At-Home executive order to May 30. For details, see this page from the Illinois Department of Public Health As a result, all Rock Island Public Library buildings remain closed until further notice. The library is working on a phased plan for re-introducing library services to our community, which includes a gradual reopening. This gradual reopening will most likely include... Read More

Rock Island’s Circa ’21 Dinner Theater has been hit hard by the covid-19 closures, but is looking forward to opening and is working diligently to make sure that when they do open, they’ll be providing the best and safest environment for their customers. To that direction, owner Denny Hitchcock released a letter to patrons of the venerable entertainment spot today. The missive addressed a number of questions and concerns of patrons. The letter read as follows: Dear Circa ’21 Valued Guests, I hope this email continues to find you safe & healthy. Although we still do not have... Read More

Are you ready for some live theater… online? Rock Island’s Circa ’21 Dinner Theater will be hosting a virtual cabaret on their Facebook page this Sunday night at 7 p.m. The cabaret will feature performances from a variety of Circa favorites, the bootleggers, cast members of “Saturday Night Fever,” and more! Check it out here, and mark your calendars!  Read More

Along with the usual characters like Thomas the Train Engine, Elmo and Blue, you might see some familiar faces on PBS Kids this week. Local PBS station WQPT has debuted a new commercial playing between shows (technically called an interstitial) featuring a number of Quad-Cities kids doing a variety of activities during the past few weeks of coronavirus quarantine. “The idea for the spot came watching my neighbors’ sons riding their bikes on our frontage road,” said Lora Adams of WQPT. “They’re the only kids around and I saw them making their own fun as they played on their own.” With... Read More

The Quad-Cities Disaster Recovery Fund has now surpassed $1 million in contributions to support the community’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The fund was activated by the Quad Cities Community Foundation six weeks ago with lead contributions from the Community Foundation, United Way of the Quad Cities, and Regional Development Authority. In the first week of the fund’s activation, United Way of the Quad-Cities Board Chairperson Linda Bowers stepped up with a $50,000 challenge gift to spur local, individual, and business giving to the fund. Now, she is gifting another $50,000 challenge... Read More