As we approach Phase 3 – Recovery in the State plan to Restore Illinois, the Rock Island Parks and Recreation Department is making plans in accordance with the Governor’s guidelines. Phase 3 is tentatively scheduled to begin May 29th. If Phase 3 is put in place, the Department will begin modified programming for groups up to 10. The following sports activities will be offered: mini youth sports skills outdoor camps including basketball, baseball, softball, soccer, xc/running, pickle ball, tennis and golf. All programs will be limited to small groups and have safety guidelines in place. Registration... Read More

Vander Veer Botanical Park’s Fantastic Plants exhibit is really something! Add a visit to this iconic Davenport spot to your weekend plans! Davenport Parks and Recreation have put together something rather fantastic!  Read More

MACOMB, IL – Two Western Illinois University Department of Broadcasting and Journalism students are finishing the school year strong after a semester no one will soon forget. The Illinois News Broadcasters Association (INBA) conference, set for late April, was cancelled due to COVID-19. The convention was supposed to be held in Champaign-Urbana, but organizers moved the competition for student awards and scholarships online. WREX in Rockford broadcasted the awards live on Facebook April 25. WIU students won seven different awards for outstanding television newscast, soft television program, radio... Read More

Since March, the Quad-Cities has been singing the quarantine blues. And due to the dissonant chords of Covid-19, that beloved music will be silenced later this year, as the 35th-anniversary of the Mississippi Valley Blues Festival is canceled. Though it initially pushed back the fest from the July 4th weekend, to Sept. 18-19, the Mississippi Valley Blues Society board decided “that it is in the best interest of our fans, artists and vendors to cancel a live Festival until the ongoing pandemic is far behind us,” president Bob Clevenstine posted on mvbs.org. The potential for a second coronavirus... Read More

Following Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds’ lifting of restrictions for public openings this week, the Figge Art Museum (225 W. 2nd S., Davenport) will reopen to the public on Tuesday, June 9 and to members-only on Saturday and Sunday, June 6 and 7. Admission will be free in an effort to create a no-touch visitor experience and visitors will be required to reserve a time slot prior to their visit. New policies and procedures designed to keep the museum staff and visitors safe upon reopening will be shared soon, according to Figge marketing director Natalie Dunlop, The Figge Cafe will remain closed in... Read More

MACOMB, IL — The Gwendolyn Brooks Cultural Center (GBCC) at Western Illinois University is accepting applications for its annual Black Alumni Scholarship. The scholarship is open to full-time, currently enrolled, students with a GPA of 2.5 or better, and a record of community service. New, incoming, first-year and transfer students are also eligible to apply. The application deadline is Aug. 1. “Scholarships provide an opportunity for many students to earn an education,” said Brandon Smith, a graduate student with the GBCC. “Without assistance from an outside source, most... 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.  Our 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

MACOMB, IL – When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, and St. Paul School Principal Laura Cody was looking for ways to reach students, she came up with a unique idea that includes assistance from two Western Illinois University students. Before the pandemic began, Laura had been trying to find a way to get her son Drew, a junior Spanish education major, into St. Paul’s classrooms to teach her elementary school students Spanish. Drew had been tutoring at Spoon River College as part of his WIU Spanish class and enjoyed the opportunity. “I wanted to try and get him more experience in the classroom,... Read More

EAST MOLINE, Illinois (May 2020) — Earlier this month, the Rock Island County Fair Board voted to cancel the 2020 Rock Island County Fair, originally scheduled for July 14-18. “This decision was made for the health and safety of our fairgoers, exhibitors, participants, volunteers, staff and animals. It was not made lightly,” said Gin Wray, fair manager. “We are devastated to cancel a family-fun event that has taken place in our community for 150 years but look forward to using this as an opportunity to strengthen our offerings for the 2021 RICO Fair.” Last year marked the official 150th... Read More

Beginning Friday, May 22, 2020, the Family Museum will once again open its doors to the public. New guidelines have been implemented to help ensure the health and safety of Museum staff and guests. Family Museum Reopening Guidelines: ·       Up to 75 guests will be permitted in the Museum at any given time. ·       The Museum will be open Monday through Saturday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm and Sunday Noon – 5:00 pm. ·       Guests are welcome to wear masks, but it is not required. ·       Guests are asked to practice social distancing throughout their visit. ·      ... Read More