For Western Illinois University Dance Instructor Donald Laney, investing in the professional lives and summer performances his students are involved in this year is a trait he learned as a young child. Laney has spent much of his time this summer putting many miles on his car, traveling to watch the shows WIU students are performing in across the Midwest. The journey started after Laney spent six weeks this summer teaching at the West Virginia Governor’s School for the Arts. At about the same time, he began seeing photographs on social media of the shows his students were part of. “I... Read More

Even though vaccines for the COVID-19 virus are being distributed, the health crisis is still active and many families continue to struggle with their finances. As our community works to recover from the pandemic, it is important for students to receive nourishing meals. The Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) program of the United States Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service provides food assistance benefits to children, pre-kindergarten through 12th grade, who have temporarily lost access to free or reduced-price school meals, due to changes in instruction schedules and... Read More

Genesis Health System will help area students and families get back to normal when schools reopen, and donations begin at various locations on Monday. So if you want to help out local students in need, please stop by! “Pack the Bus’’ debuted two years ago as part of the Genesis anniversary celebration of 150 years of health services. The needs are even greater as families continue to recover from COVID-19 disruptions. “The Genesis ‘Pack the Bus’ campaign will assist families and the schools again this year by providing the tools they need for learning,” said Shirley Gusta, director... Read More

What to do this weekend… what to do this weekend… Need some help? Need some tips? Want to know what’s going on? Check out our Weekend in 2 Minutes podcast! It runs every week on your fun, free, local QuadCities.com! This week, the River Bandits are in town offering baseball on some beautiful days, lots of outdoor music is in store, find out what Smurchella is at TaxSlayer Center, and the Mississippi Valley Fair is lurking on the horizon. Get the details on these and tons of other events in this week’s Weekend! Click HERE to listen in to your Weekend in 2 Minutes!  Read More

In a really, really cool move and some great positive news, kids won’t have to worry about getting rides to and from school and activities this fall! Metro is offering free bus rides to K-12 students on their bus routes. Students need to show their ID for the ride, and as per existing rules, all passengers need to wear a mask on the buses. For more info, see www.MetroQC.com.    Read More

Thousands of runners who braved the scorching heat early Saturday, July 24 for the Bix 7 race got a glimpse of the heart of the Hilltop Campus Village (HCV) in Davenport. Though they likely did not stop then for a stirring jolt of coffee or admire some of the area’s striking architecture, Scott Tunnicliff and Molly Otting Carlson certainly hope they’ll be back soon to take in all the area has to offer. Tunnicliff – an avuncular, dedicated 66-year-old economic development leader – recently retired as the first HCV director in its 12-year history. Carlson, a 52-year-old Davenport native,... Read More

EXCLUSIVE: Rock Island Mayoral candidate and community organizer Thurgood Brooks lost in a surprisingly close election to incumbent Mike Thoms earlier this year. Since then, Brooks has been working to put together a commission to increase communication between law enforcement and citizens, working on various community initiatives, and contemplating his political future after an impressive debut. In an exclusive and candid conversation, Brooks spoke with me for the first time since being narrowly defeated for the top political spot in the city in my latest episode of my podcast, QCUncut. We talk... Read More

In 1888 Vincent Van Gogh painted quite possibly my favorite work of art. Cafe De Terrace. It was part one in a series of three. Fast forward to 2021, and Chef Keys from Cooks and Cuffs has cooked for me her Cafe De Keys. This New York born and raised Chef found her way here, to our bustling little metropolitan area, looking to start a new life with her husband. What’s she brought with her is a style of cooking all her own. To call what Chef Keys does in the kitchen is cook, is an insult. If Pavarotti hummed a diddy next to you, would you call it humming or listening to a musical master?... Read More

QuadCities.com is proud and happy to announce we’re partnering with the Quad City Animal Welfare Center! Starting TODAY we’ll be featuring their Pet of the Week, helping for find new homes for great dogs and cats! If you’re looking for a new pet, we encourage you to adopt, and please check out the Pet of the Week from Quad City Animal Welfare Center, today and every Tuesday on QuadCities.com! And here’s the first Pet of the Week… Princess is making her magical debut and is wondering if she can discover a whole new world with her furrever family! Princess is a shepherd... Read More

It’s Sunday, and QuadCities.com proudly presents Fun10, a list of the top 10 things to do in the Quad Cities this week, and every week! Every Sunday, we drop a new Fun10, to give you a head start on your week and a heads up on what’s going on over the coming seven days. Check out Fun10 every Sunday for the details on ten awesome events happening around town. It’s a cool read, and a great way to get started planning your entertainment for the week. FUN10 — ten ways for you to have fun in the Quad-Cities, this week and every week, running every Sunday, only on your site for fun, free, local... Read More