The Rock Island-Milan Education Foundation (RIMEF) Board of Directors has awarded $40,277.66 to fund internet access for Digital Equity in the Rock Island-Milan School District (RIMSD) over a period of 3 years. The vote was made at the RIMEF’s board meeting last Thursday after a presentation from RIMSD IT Director, Troy Bevans. Mr. Bevans stated the goal for the District’s technology is a sustainable approach reaching beyond the current COVID-19 crisis. The RIMEF’s funds will provide 26 indoor/outdoor antennas and 3 years of internet service for 28 Cradlepoint cellular routers currently placed... Read More

Monday, Sept. 28, was a beautiful and a full day for Moline’s Sarah Stevens, who was awarded a $10,000 Nation of Neighbors grant by Royal Neighbors of America (RNA). Founder of The Beautifull Project (TBP) in 2018, Stevens works as an online curator and author of content that encourages women of all body types, ages, and ethnicities to embrace their bodies and to live more confidently, freely, and fully in them. “Too often, as women and young girls, we hear messages that we’re not good enough,” Linda Wastyn, an RNA chapter leader who nominated Stevens, said Monday in a virtual award presentation.... Read More

MACOMB, IL — The Western Illinois University Food Pantry is moving to a new location on the WIU-Macomb campus. The new location will be in Horrabin Hall, room 10, across from Stipes Hall. The Food Pantry organization is grateful to those who have helped with the operation, including students past and present, faculty and staff, as well as WIU administration. The Food Pantry will be able to offer a wider variety of items the campus community with the new, larger location. The Food Pantry will open to the WIU community in the new location from noon-5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 1. There will be health... Read More

Megan Hasselroth wouldn’t be where she is today – the executive director of a Quad-Cities women’s business organization – without influential mentors. Since January 2020, the 30-year-old Sherrard High School alum has led Lead(h)er, just the second director (and only paid staffer) of the nonprofit since it was started by Melissa Pepper in August 2016. In a virtual 4th birthday celebration, at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 29, Lead(h)er will share stories from across 300-plus matches of female mentors and mentees, highlight successes, and announce the 2020 Girl on Fire Award winners. The awards honor... Read More

The Quad City Botanical Center is hosting a pop-up plant sale this Saturday, September 26 from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. There is no RSVP or entry fee required to shop the sale. Members and guests paying general admission are welcome to explore the grounds during their visit. A variety of houseplants, plants from the Center’s green house, a small selection of bulbs, pots and items from featured plant consignors will be available for sale. All guests are REQUIRED to wear a mask inside the building and highly ENCOURAGED to wear a mask outdoors. Online ticket purchases to explore the gardens are ENCOURAGED... Read More

Haley DeGreve just graduated from Augustana College in May, but the Alleman High alum and Moline native already has become a national advocate in the fight for suicide prevention. On average, there are 132 suicides per day in the U.S., totaling 48,344 in 2018 (the most recent data available). The rates have been rising steadily since 2000 — by 35 percent overall, across most age groups. DeGreve is worried about future generations and what effect this catastrophic pandemic will have. In July, DeGreve was on the podcast of Kevin Hines, a leading suicide prevention activist, and she’ll be a keynote... Read More

The Rock Island Public Library recently introduced a Homebound Resources service to deliver library materials to Rock Island and Milan residents who are temporarily or permanently homebound. “Though we’ve always allowed patrons to designate an official representative to pick up and return materials for them, that’s sometimes not convenient or even possible,” said Victoria Schoess, Director of Circulation Services for the Rock Island Public Library. “We created the Homebound Resources service to deliver materials to those who don’t have a representative and can’t get out.”  Homebound... Read More

The official “spokesperson” of National Library Card Sign-up Month is Wonder Woman, who reminds everyone that libraries are wonderful. The Rock Island Public Library is also providing wonderful reasons to celebrate with special prize drawings, yard signs, and new events that help you maximize use of your library card. All new and renewed Rock Island Library card applications received during September will be automatically entered into prize drawings for library gifts, book bags, and prizes. Patrons who already have a Rock Island Public Library card can enter with a Library Card Sign-up Month... Read More

Saturday in the Arts is a comprehensive, in-depth look at a personality, issue, or trend in the Quad-Cities arts and entertainment scene, running every Saturday morning on your site for fun, free, local entertainment and features, QuadCities.com. For many high schools and colleges throughout the Quad-Cities, the show must go on – even during a crippling global pandemic that’s turned education upside down. With schools taking differing approaches to in-person and online instruction, each also is taking individual, thoughtfully considered approaches to continuing with their music and theater... Read More

Davenport Parks and Recreation Department will host another Fejervary Family Fun Day this Saturday Sep 19 from 12 – 5 p.m. at Fejervary Park (1800 W 12th Street Davenport). This week’s theme is ‘Healthy Family Day’. Fejervary Family Fun Days will be Hands-Free. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, there will be a few modifications: No petting zoo. No bounce house. No face painting. Safety Information: Surfaces will be sanitized regularly as allowed. Public health officials remind you to : Stay home if you’re sick. Practice social distancing. Avoid touching surfaces. Wash your hands with... Read More