The Rock Island Coalition of African American Stakeholders is insisting that the City of Rock Island return The African American Civil Rights Grant to the federal government. The Rock Island Coalition of African American Stakeholders released a statement today insisting that the City of Rock Island return the African American Civil Rights Grant to the federal government for the following reasons: To the City of Rock Island, this is merely $33, 500 thousand dollars and a means to expand their economic development plan, simply a funded means to an end. However, to us, the Black Community, this is... Read More

Moline Mayor Sangeetha Rayapati, Western Illinois University Vice President of Quad Cities Campus Operations Kristi Mindrup, Lindsay Meeker of the WIU College of Education and Human Services, and Ron Clewer of Gorman & Associates have opened up a new partnership that will expand childcare options in an effort to return more people to the workforce and fill long-vacant commercial space in downtown Moline. WIU-QC will establish the Spanish Bilingual Early Learning and Family Empowerment Lab in the first-floor commercial space of the Enterprise Lofts building. Bolstering childcare options in Moline... Read More

The weather outside is frightful, but the good news is so delightful! We’re back again with What’s The Good News, our team-up every month with KWQC-TV6’s “Paula Sands Live” to highlight some of the great news going on in and around the Quad-Cities! So, what’s the good news for January, Quad-Cities? Glad you asked! Rock Island Math And Science Helps QC Paws Rock Island Center for Math & Science raised $1,000 for QC Paws through its Leader in Me service project “Cause for 4 Paws”! Students and staff raised funds through various fundraisers the school held and presented... Read More

BREAKING NEWS: Thurgood Brooks announced today that he will run for Illinois’ 72nd District state representative seat. Announcing on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Mr. Brooks enters the race with Dr. King’s words in mind – “The time is always right to do what is right.” Thurgood Brooks’ strategic plan for district 72 centers on talent development for existing and green energy economies, creating safe, vibrant, and inclusive cities, and improving access to attractive and affordable housing. Thurgood Brooks is a community builder and organizer who believes deeply in the power of Rock Island... Read More

In honor of the upcoming Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. day Augustana College is hosting a panel discussion and movie, “College Behind Bars” .  It’s a four hour film directed by PBS’ Ken Burns & Lynn Novick and is available on Netflix.  The events on January 17th will highlight and explain how college in prison programs are part of the “dream of the beloved community” through the inspiring voices of formerly incarcerated students. The featured panelists will include men featured in the PBS documentary, members of the Bard Prison Initiative and the Augustana Prison Education... Read More

In honor of the upcoming Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. day Augustana College is hosting a panel discussion and movie, “College Behind Bars” .  It’s a four hour film directed by PBS’ Ken Burns & Lynn Novick and is available on Netflix.  The events on January 17th will highlight and explain how college in prison programs are part of the “dream of the beloved community” through the inspiring voices of formerly incarcerated students. The featured panelists will include men featured in the PBS documentary, members of the Bard Prison Initiative and the Augustana Prison Education... Read More

Un-ironically, I’m spending a Taco Tuesday at Verde, 1507 State St., Bettendorf, a contemporary Mexican restaurant located off the foot of the Iowa side of the New 74 bridge, for my 1st of 52 reviews this year. Verde opened close enough to one year ago. The dream child of Chef Connor Larson, has been growing legs and learning how to not crawl but run in this shaky economy. While other restaurants have been forced to shutter doors, take days off, and change business models. Verde seems right at home, offering a smaller more intimate relationship with its customers; seriously customers? I... Read More

MACOMB/MOLINE, IL – The Western Illinois University Council of Academic Advisors has named College of Arts and Sciences Academic Advisor Kenneth Wheeler as the Advisor of the Month for November. Wheeler was nominated by at least two of the students he advises, including one who said he goes “above and beyond in discussing future classes with me and listened to everything I had to say to make sure we were both on the same page in getting me prepared for my future plans.” The nominee also said Wheeler is very responsive when they have questions or concerns. “He is very positive... Read More

When my wife Betsy and I were married in July 1990, in a Quaker meeting house in Evanston, Ill., we included two Catholic priests in the service (in honor of my upbringing), but we “married” ourselves, under the care of the meeting, not repeating vows from a benevolent clergyman. During plans for our interfaith ceremony, I originally wanted the music to the immortal “One Hand, One Heart” played during our vows, joining our different faith traditions, but for some reason I backed out. The quiet, reverent Leonard Bernstein-Stephen Sondheim song (from 1957’s “West Side Story”) is one... Read More

On Sunday, Dec. 19, the Polyrhythms’ exceptional Third Sunday Jazz Series returns to the Redstone Room at River Music Experience, with Fr. Stan Fortuna (a professional bass player before he became a priest) and his quartet in concert from 5 to 7 p.m. Polyrhythms/Quad Cities Jazz Festival, Ltd., is a longstanding grassroots non-profit group of community and cultural arts advocates that evolved from the Louie Bellson Jazz Festival.    Read More