What a difference a year makes… On June 11, 2019, I was lucky enough to be among the 11,000 or so packed into Moline’s TaxSlayer Center (11th row center on the floor) to witness the first (and possibly last) performance of Sir Paul McCartney and his band in the Quad-Cities. It was an electrifying, unforgettable night – not least of which was due to the jaw-dropping lighting and multimedia displays, including a breathtaking pyrotechnic extravaganza during “Live and Let Die.” Part of what made it so thrilling was simply being in “the room where it happened,” celebrating a musical legend... Read More

Spike O’Dell, former WGN and Quad City native and radio personality, will be the guest on the hour-long podcast Weekly Wilson on Thursday, June 11th, from 7 to 8 p.m. The hour-long podcast hosted by author Connie (Corcoran) Wilson, is carried by the Bold Brave Media Global Network and Tune-In Radio, Channel 100. [While the site says it is on at 8 p.m., that is Eastern Time and the “live” call-in format airs from 7 to 8 p.m., our time]. The hour-long show is a “live” call-in format, with listeners able to call in with questions at 866-451-1451. The taped shows are later posted on WeeklyWilson.com... Read More

Six public sculptures in Bettendorf and four in Rock Island will be moving out and replaced with new ones over the next two weeks, starting tomorrow. Each city has elected to keep a sculpture from last years’ selection for another year. Quad City Arts has facilitated the leasing and installation of public sculpture in the Quad Cities since 2002. The City of Rock Island has participated in the program, yearly, since 2007 and Bettendorf, since 2008. Five sculptures have become part of Rock Island’s permanent collection, while Bettendorf has added 7. Davenport purchased nine sculptures while involved... Read More

They say every dog has its day. Well, starting last July, Harley – a beloved 10-year-old Golden Retriever owned by Kim Findlay and her husband, Rick Brackey — had quite a year. Findlay, 60, retired last June 30 as president/CEO of the Putnam Museum & Science Center, which she led for 12 years. She also was formerly president of United Way of the Quad-Cities, for nine years. With Harley, Findlay and her husband set out July 7, 2019 in their new RV for a cross-country adventure, all west of the Mississippi. They put 12,000 miles on the motor home, gave Harley the time of his life, mourned... Read More

After raising more than $500,000 through grants, corporate donors, private donors, and public sources; the Family Museum is ready to open the Luckey Climber presented by Genesis Birth Center to the public. On Thursday, June 11, at 5:30 pm, prior to the public opening, the Museum will hold a ribbon cutting ceremony with invited local granting organizations, Bettendorf’s Mayor Robert Gallagher, members of the City of Bettendorf City Council, and Family Museum staff. In order to practice social distancing, this ribbon cutting is not open to the public, but it will be live-streamed on Facebook. The... Read More

Rhythm City Casino Resort is bringing the funny — and some big names in the laugh game — to their new Comedy Series inside the Rhythm Room. The series includes performances by Josh Arnold, Michael Winslow, Mary Mack, Tim Meadows, Ryan Niemiller and Todd McCommas. The monthly performances begin in August. For ticket information and more, please visit rhythmcitycasino.com/rhythmroom.html. Tickets for all performances go on sale this Friday at 10 AM CST. These performances are open to those 21 years or older with a valid photo ID and those that are legally able to game in the state of... Read More

Join the Celebration Belle for their Captain’s Dinner Cruise! Celebration Belle is excited to start their cruising season on Thursday! Experience the best view on the river of the newly completed arch on one of the 2 observations decks! It’s an amazing close up view and just imagine what it will be like during sunset! You will enjoy a fabulous dinner including their famous prime rib and baked chicken also. Help welcome the new entertainers… Bloom, onboard!  They will perform your favorite tunes during this 2 1/2 hour cruise set every Thursday. There is plenty of room for social... Read More

A group of local teenagers have spent the past year identifying promising opportunities and pressing needs in the Quad Cities area as part of the Quad Cities Community Foundation’s Teens for Tomorrow Program. The students immersed themselves in the grant process by learning about community needs, developing a grant opportunity, evaluating applications, visiting with nonprofits, and now, awarding grants. In recent months, with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in the region, the teens also adapted to virtual meetings due to stay-at-home and social distancing requirements, giving them experience... Read More

Joining the cavalcade of Quad-Cities cultural offerings impacted by Covid-19, the 49th-annual Bix Beiderbecke Memorial Jazz Festival in Davenport also is moving online this year, July 31 and Aug. 1. It had been scheduled for the Rhythm City Casino Event Center in Davenport, but bands this time will record videos that can be seen for free, said Steve Trainor, Bix Society board president. “I think the majority of the board of directors of the Bix Jazz Society had felt, almost from the beginning that this was not going to be your typical year,” he said Monday. “And like everyone else, the more... Read More

Well, fingers crossed, this past weekend began the grand re-opening of society after the covid quarantine. In some states, like Illinois, we’re not entirely 100 percent back to normal, but it’s certainly stepping in that direction. On the Iowa side, it’s full boar, all in, back to the way it was, and, again, fingers crossed that we stay that way. People are squirrelly and jacked up like spider monkeys on Mountain Dew after months of being in lockdown on social distancing protocols, and as such, it’s probably going to be a wild couple of weeks. But, as always, it’s... Read More