There’s plenty of activity coming up over the next week in regard to spots opening up on both sides of the river in the Quad-Cities. According to the Chamber of Commerce: Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds on Tuesday announced the state will allow more businesses to reopen and mass gatherings over the next week, limiting capacity to 50%, maintaining six feet of separation between individuals and groups and adhering to hygiene and other public health measures in place. The following businesses may reopen Thursday, May 28: Bars Wineries Breweries Distilleries Social and fraternal clubs Guidelines for... Read More

To celebrate the Class of 2020, Quad Cities area Dunkin’ restaurants are offering a sweet treat for all high school and college seniors. On Friday, May 29, participating Dunkin’ restaurants across the Quad Cities are offering a FREE Medium Hot or Iced Coffee and a FREE Classic Donut to high school and college graduates who visit their local Dunkin’ store sporting their cap and gown or Class of 2020 gear.* *No purchase necessary. Excludes Cold Brew and Nitro Cold Brew. Limit 1 per guest. Not valid on mobile orders. To learn more about Dunkin’, visit http://www.dunkindonuts.com/ or follow... Read More

Everybody loves a good Instagram wall — a great spot to use as a backdrop for your selfies and pictures — and there are some right here in the Quad-Cities. Here are six top spots to make your Instagram pop. Rust Belt – East Moline, Illinois – This spot provides an industrial and bright look with its rock star brick and sheet metal window treatment. Faithful Pilot – LeClaire, Iowa – This multicolored wall screams for a ’70s/’80s retro shoot. The muted colors are choice. Fred & Ethel’s – Rock Island, Illinois – This pocket park’s... Read More

Despite its title, there’s not a ton of burlesque in “Burlesque River,” a new romance novel set in the Quad-Cities, penned by veteran burlesque performer Kitty Bardot. There are key club scenes — at the start and near the end of this beautifully written book (part of a planned series) — that reflect the raunch, playfulness, camaraderie, the yearning to be someone different and glamorous, and the ecstatic high you get on stage with an appreciative audience. But the bulk of the 173-page debut novel, released in April by Boroughs Publishing (which specializes in romance fiction),... Read More

On this Memorial Day, it’s important to not only remember those who’ve paid the ultimate price while serving our country, but it’s vital to recall other crucial parts of our lives, also gone. Remember in the “before times,” when going out to hear live music – packed in with hundreds or thousands of other boisterous fans – was a thing we could do? Seeing a favorite artist perform live is a thrill like no other (for me, Paul McCartney last June in Moline is but one example). Hearing that performer’s live album is a special, satisfying memento that attempts to capture that uniquely... Read More

Many local businesses have had to make adjustments in order to keep their customers safe these past couple of months. And there is no exception for The Ruby Slipper, in Bettendorf. The Ruby Slipper (2507 53rd Avenue Bettendorf) will be continuing with their annual Mata Traders Trunk Show, both in-store and virtually, this Thursday May 28 from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Whimsical day dresses have become a way of life, and this spring/summer will be no different. So make plans to check out the latest styles at The Ruby Slipper! Virtual showings will take place on Facebook at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Shoppers can... Read More

Vander Veer Botanical Park’s Fantastic Plants exhibit is really something! Add a visit to this iconic Davenport spot to your weekend plans! Davenport Parks and Recreation have put together something rather fantastic!  Read More

Since March, the Quad-Cities has been singing the quarantine blues. And due to the dissonant chords of Covid-19, that beloved music will be silenced later this year, as the 35th-anniversary of the Mississippi Valley Blues Festival is canceled. Though it initially pushed back the fest from the July 4th weekend, to Sept. 18-19, the Mississippi Valley Blues Society board decided “that it is in the best interest of our fans, artists and vendors to cancel a live Festival until the ongoing pandemic is far behind us,” president Bob Clevenstine posted on mvbs.org. The potential for a second coronavirus... Read More

Following Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds’ lifting of restrictions for public openings this week, the Figge Art Museum (225 W. 2nd S., Davenport) will reopen to the public on Tuesday, June 9 and to members-only on Saturday and Sunday, June 6 and 7. Admission will be free in an effort to create a no-touch visitor experience and visitors will be required to reserve a time slot prior to their visit. New policies and procedures designed to keep the museum staff and visitors safe upon reopening will be shared soon, according to Figge marketing director Natalie Dunlop, The Figge Cafe will remain closed in... Read More

MACOMB, IL — The Gwendolyn Brooks Cultural Center (GBCC) at Western Illinois University is accepting applications for its annual Black Alumni Scholarship. The scholarship is open to full-time, currently enrolled, students with a GPA of 2.5 or better, and a record of community service. New, incoming, first-year and transfer students are also eligible to apply. The application deadline is Aug. 1. “Scholarships provide an opportunity for many students to earn an education,” said Brandon Smith, a graduate student with the GBCC. “Without assistance from an outside source, most... Read More