Register via Rock Island Public Library calendar, then join RIPL at Longview Park at 11 am on Saturday, August 21 for three crafts that help build important learning skills for ages 2-to-5. Free art apron included. Our Library2Go bookmobile will be onsite, providing the perfect time to check out books to enjoy together, or to renew or apply for your RIPL card! Please register for each child attending. Event is dependent on weather, registered participants will be updated. For more information see www.rockislandlibrary.org.  Read More

Bring your pup for a dog-gone good meet-up with other pups on National Dog Day, Thursday, August 26. From 8:30 to about 9:30 am, library staff will be hanging around the Eleanor Wallace dog run to offer a story, craft, and a treat for all very good dogs, Free, no reservation needed. Hasselroth Park is at 28th Street and 78th Avenue West in Rock Island. It’s next to the Alan Campbell Sports Complex.  Read More

The Rock Island-based Midwest Writing Center is proud to announce receiving a $10,000 emergency operations grant from the national Poetry Foundation. These funds will be used to create and maintain accessible programming throughout the Covid pandemic. The Poetry Foundation opened an emergency grant program to support poetry and affiliated art organizations struggling during the pandemic, as an extension of its commitment to community in June 2020. The Foundation committed $1 million in emergency grants over two years at that time, and can now report this has doubled to $2 million in emergency funds... Read More

Looking to dance? Come to one of the coolest spots in the Quad-Cities and one of the most unique environments, Rozz Tox, 2108 3rd Ave., Rock Island, for A Little More Blue w/ 本杰明 [electronic] [ambient] [global] [house]. The Rozz-Tox custodian is taking a break from business BS and jumping on the decks for your saturday night soundtrack next Saturday, Aug. 14. The event is free, 8pm-midnight, outdoors, all ages.  Read More

Ready for some reggae? YaMaka My Weekend is back! The awesome annual reggae fest is returning to the District in downtown Rock Island Saturday 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. Join us for Summers annual Jamaican celebration in Downtown Rock Island!!!! Music, food , zip lining, shopping and of course all our great drinks to take out and enjoy outside. Over 50 different martinis, 80 craft beers and 10 flavors of 32 oz Mojitos!!!!!  Read More

EXCLUSIVE: There’s been a wellspring of controversy over the past few months as the Rock Island Mayor and City Council have contemplated selling the city’s water and sewer systems to a private company, American Water. On July 26, American Water gave a presentation to the city government officials pitching them the potential sale. After that, the council and mayor had their regularly scheduled meeting, at which there was a full house of local residents protesting against the sale, not just to American Water, but to any private company. In addition, the American Federation of State, County... Read More

In order ensure the safety and well-being of all guests and artists, the new Mockingbird On Main theater at 320 Main St., Davenport, will require all guests, artists, volunteers, staff, sponsors, and media to show valid proof of full Covid vaccination in order to enter the downtown arts space, effective Sept. 1. Proof of vaccination may be digital or a physical card for the 40-seat venue. Children under 12 and unvaccinated patrons must provide proof of a negative Covid-19 test no more than 72 hours prior to attending an indoor performance, according to Mockingbird owner Tristan Tapscott. Additionally,... Read More

BREAKING NEWS: Illinois covid-19 numbers in all counties have broken into the “red alert” high level for infections, according to new statistics from the Illinois Department of Health. As of the latest stats released yesterday, in 100 of the 102 Illinois counties, the levels are at “substantial to high transmission.” In addition, ALL of the Illinois border counties in Iowa, Wisconsin, Indiana, Missouri, and Kentucky, are seeing a surge and are in the red. Zones four and five in Illinois are over 10 and 9.5 percent, respectively, with 12 percent being the number to trigger... Read More

Look for your favorite librarians this summer at the Parks Department Summer Movies in the Park. Our last movie night appearance this summer is August 14 at the Campbell sports complex. Join us for fun, or just to chat. The parks department plans to show Raya and the Last Dragon. The event is free! Visit www.rockislandlibrary.org for details.  Read More

The return of the St. Joe’s Open Mic Coffeehouse will be on Friday, August 13, 2021. Because of continued COVID-19 precautions, it will be held outdoors, behind the Parish House, rather than in the parlor per usual. It will start a bit earlier– at 6 p.m. and will go until 8 p.m.. There is a fire pit where we will gather, as well as the back patio area. Some seating will be available, but you are welcome to bring your own seating, blankets, and bug spray. If you bring snacks to share, please individually wrap them. Some parking is available near the First Lutheran Parish House. There is plenty... Read More