There are many ways to keep little minds growing at the Rock Island Library this summer! Events for ages five and under this summer include: Virtual Storytimes, 10:30 am, Tuesdays and Thursdays, Facebook Live Take and Make Petite Picassos, June 15, July 13. Register to pick up supplies, and do the projects on your time! Virtual Big Screen Stories: Register, pick up a craft kit, and watch the animated story, available for at no charge to Rock Island Library cardholders through RIPL’s Kanopy Kids digital video service. June 16: Click, Clack, Moo, Cows that Type, by Doreen Cronin July 16:... Read More

Curious George: Let’s Get Curious!, the Family Museum’s newest traveling exhibit runs through September 13. Introducing young children into the world of Curious George, the exhibit leads visitors on a fun, meaningful interactive math, science and engineering-based adventure while it emphasizes the central role that parents and caregivers play. The exhibit is based on the familiar characters in H.A. and Margret Rey’s classic stories and the television series produced by Imagine Entertainment, WGBH Boston and Universal Studios Family Productions airing on PBS KIDS® (check local listings) and... Read More

Summer 2020 looks a lot different, yet the Rock Island Public Library is still offering readers of all ages plenty of ways to immerse themselves in a story through special summer reading events from June 1 to July 31. The Library has transformed its Imagine Your Story summer reading challenges and events into online, virtual, and take-home offerings. Most programs require registration, for ease in contacting participants about picking up kits via Curbside. Incentive-based reading challenges are available for children, teens, and adults. Participants can read anything they like, track it, and earn... Read More

They say every dog has its day. Well, starting last July, Harley – a beloved 10-year-old Golden Retriever owned by Kim Findlay and her husband, Rick Brackey — had quite a year. Findlay, 60, retired last June 30 as president/CEO of the Putnam Museum & Science Center, which she led for 12 years. She also was formerly president of United Way of the Quad-Cities, for nine years. With Harley, Findlay and her husband set out July 7, 2019 in their new RV for a cross-country adventure, all west of the Mississippi. They put 12,000 miles on the motor home, gave Harley the time of his life, mourned... Read More

Looking for more incentive to read over the summer? With the touch of their magic wand, the Rock Island Library’s Imagine Your Story summer reading program has transformed into online, virtual, and take-home offerings. Most programs require registration, for ease in contacting participants about picking up kits via Curbside. To keep everyone motivated to read, challenges are available for children, teens, and adults. Here’s how it works: Read anything you like, track it, and earn prizes/prize entries for meeting reading goals. Enter and track anytime through July 31 with our Beanstack... Read More

Well, fingers crossed, this past weekend began the grand re-opening of society after the covid quarantine. In some states, like Illinois, we’re not entirely 100 percent back to normal, but it’s certainly stepping in that direction. On the Iowa side, it’s full boar, all in, back to the way it was, and, again, fingers crossed that we stay that way. People are squirrelly and jacked up like spider monkeys on Mountain Dew after months of being in lockdown on social distancing protocols, and as such, it’s probably going to be a wild couple of weeks. But, as always, it’s... Read More

It’s that time of year…time for EMSSC Competitive Soccer tryouts for the Fall 2020/Spring 2021 season! EMSSC’s competitive program is for those athletes with advanced skill and high ambition for the sport.  The program teaches advanced soccer skills, teamwork, patience, and respect on and off the soccer field. For more information about the competitive program or to register for tryouts, head to https://www.emssc.org.  Read More

After 11 weeks being closed due to the coronavirus, the Putnam Museum & Science Center is taking longer to reopen than many other Iowa businesses and organizations, in order to present a new visitor experience. The 153-year-old Davenport institution, at 1717 W. 12th St., has been closed since March 16, and is planning to reopen for small summer camps July 6, for members July 8 to 12, and to the general public July 15, with new safety precautions. Putnam president/CEO Rachael Mullins says the summer camps July 6-8 will be limited to just 10 kids each, to allow for more social distancing. When... Read More

Rock Island Public Library is rockin’ it with activities for families this summer! The library sent out a massive list of events and other cool stuff, and here are all the details: Children’s Events: Registration required for most programs, so we can contact participants with links, videos, and instructions on kit pick-up, if applicable. Each kit will contain supplies and instructions. Register via our online calendar at www.rockislandlibrary.org or call our Children’s Room phone at 309-732-7360. Absolute Science: VIEW on demand. By special arrangement with our friends at Absolute... Read More

The Quad City Botanical Center is in bloom again! The Center has announced announce opening days for members and the public. Members only are invited to visit the gardens starting on Saturday, June 6. Members only may visit June 6-14. Monday – Saturday 10am – 5pm, Sunday 11am – 5pm. Members and the general public are invited to the gardens starting June 17. The gardens will not be open to any guests Monday or Tuesday starting June 15. Hours are Wednesday – Saturday 10am – 5pm, Sunday 11am – 5pm. All guests are highly encouraged to purchase same day tickets online to help the Botanical... Read More