BREAKING NEWS: More younger people are being hospitalized for more severe covid-19 symptoms, however, fewer older patients required hospitalization for COVID-19 illness in February and March as vaccines became available, according to Genesis Health System statistics. While numbers are reducing for Quad-Citians over 50, Genesis Medical Centers experienced a rise in hospitalizations for patients ages 0-to-49. “We are seeing more admissions in younger age groups and some of these patients are sicker,’’ said Kurt Andersen, M.D., senior vice president of physician operations and chief medical... Read More

Sing us a song, Charlie, you’re the piano man! Charlie from Windy City Dueling Pianos is back at the Rock Island Speakeasy at 7 p.m. Saturday, April 10, with his one man show “The Piano Man!” This will be a fun night of singing and dancing to your favorite hits. Charlie will take your requests and keep the party going all night. A fun night out with friends in safe environment socially distant is what we all need! Doors open at 7 and show is at 8 and tickets are $10. Don’t wait to reserve as seating is limited due to COVID. Parties must be either 4 or 6 people.  Read More

BREAKING NEWS: Illinois’ Region 2 could be headed backwards towards another, at least partial, shutdown, if covid-19 numbers continue to break in the wrong direction. The Illinois Quad-Cities is a part of Illinois Region 2, which includes Peoria and its surrounding areas, and those spots have been a hotbed for rising covid cases in the last two weeks, according to reports. Peoria County is the eighth worst county in the United States over the last week, relative to their population, according to a report by the New York Times based upon numbers from throughout the United States. That has... Read More

If you visit the Quad City Botanical Center by the end of May – and you certainly should – you’ll see a portrait of an artist as a young man. A very young, talented man indeed. Eight-year-old Levi Folker of Davenport is the youngest artist ever to have his own exhibit in the 23-year-history of the QCBC, with 28 of his deeply colorful, imaginative paintings on the walls in the main hallway. They’re on display for all of April and May. “I like painting because it makes me happy,” Levi, a second-grader at Adams Elementary, who’s been homeschooled this past year, said recently. “I like... Read More

THE MANNY LOPEZ BIG BAND IS BACK! We are thrilled to announce that, after a year, the big band is back at the Rock Island Speakeasy! We will resume shows on the second Friday of every month beginning April 9. These shows will be with a reduced seating capacity. Tables will be spread out and everyone is required to wear masks in the theater when you’re moving around. Tickets are $15 in advance and $18 the day of the show. We have changed the schedule of the show. Doors now will open at 6 and the concert will be from 7 to 9 p.m. We will have our normal food items available for the concert. The... Read More

Nearly six years after launching the Q2030 regional action planning process, leaders of Q2030 are creating a new stand-alone nonprofit organization. They’re seeking its first executive director, to start this summer, and raising $400,000 to implement the long-range plan. The new organization – announced Thursday — includes a diverse board representing the business, government, nonprofit and education sectors within the Quad-Cities. The first four champion organizations – Quad Cities Chamber, Quad Cities Community Foundation, United Way Quad Cities and Visit Quad Cities – have strengthened... Read More

The Quad-Cities theater company Genesius Guild was wearing masks in performance for decades before it was fashionable or medically recommended. After it had to cancel its 2020 summer season at Rock Island’s Lincoln Park Classic Theatre due to Covid, Genesius will be back this summer, with three scaled-back productions in June and July, including an ancient Greek tragedy in mask to close the abbreviated season – ensuring it will all be safe for cast, crew and audiences. The 2021 season will consist of: June 19, 20, 26 and 27: William Shakespeare’s “Measure for Measure,” adapted and abridged... Read More

If you get your Covid vaccine at the Rock Island County mass vaccination clinic in Milan between April 14 and May 20, there will be something special that’s literally music to your ears. Taking inspiration from famous cellist Yo-Yo Ma’s recent impromptu performance during his Covid vaccine observation period, the Rock Island County Health Department and the Quad City Symphony Orchestra (QCSO) are partnering to bring live music to the mass vaccination site at Camden Centre in Milan. “Vaccine Variations” is an initiative that arranges for one-hour performances by QCSO musicians starting April... Read More

April 4 through 10th is National Library Week, when the nation celebrates libraries, library workers, and the use and support of libraries. The 2021 theme is “Welcome to Your Library.” The Rock Island Public Library kicked off their Grow a Reader giving campaign this week to welcome young users back to the library. Grow a Reader donation “trees” are on display at the Rock Island Downtown and Southwest Libraries. Each display contains tags with an account balance of over $5 or more for an anonymous young person between 6 and 18 years of age with an active library card. Donors can choose... Read More

For the first time ever, the American Cornhole League (ACL) will hold an event in the Quad Cities with the ACL Open #7 on April 9-11, 2021. The ACL promotes and develops cornhole as a sport for any age and any skill level.  Their tournaments are regularly seen on ESPN.  There are 15 conferences across the U.S. and the Midwest Conference is home to one of the largest player bases in the country. “We are thrilled that the American Cornhole League (ACL) will help the Quad Cities make history by hosting their first event in the QC and at the Bend XPO,” said Dave Herrell, President and CEO, Visit... Read More