QUAD CITIES, Iowa / Illinois—Grants of up to $10,000 for projects dedicated to improving quality of life for residents of the Village of Milan, Illinois, are now available through the Grant W. Brissman and Virginia M. Brissman Foundation, a private foundation administered through the Quad Cities Community Foundation. Grants will fund work focused on youth development, community development, and cultural activities, as well as relief for underprivileged people. While nonprofits located outside of Milan may apply, their applications must demonstrate specific benefits to the village and its residents.... Read More

The first Gather for the Cure Event on Saturday, Oct. 2 will help lower the financial barrier leading to essential breast imaging. The first-ever Gather for the Cure event at the Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds on Oct. 2 will celebrate survivorship, provide education and resources and support the Genesis Voucher Program. “Cost should not be a barrier to accessing what may be life-saving breast imaging,’’ said Diane Koster, Genesis Women’s Health Grant Program Specialist. “Our goal with this event is to bring the Quad-Cities communities back together, to celebrate those who have survived... Read More

PUMPKIN IS BACK!!! Pumpkin Ice Cream is now available at all Whitey’s locations – this means scoops, shakes, yogurt and 1.5 qt. containers. Don’t worry, Harvest Chippers will be back soon! In the meantime, enjoy that sweet, sweet pumpkiney goodness…  Read More

The new 52,000-square-foot Peter J. Lindberg, M.D., Center for Health and Human Performance at Augustana College not only stands at Rock Island’s intersection of 7th Avenue and 35th Street, but stands at a key intersection of academics and athletics. The gleaming $18-million building was celebrated and opened Monday morning, on the first day of classes for the 2021-22 year at the private school. The Lindberg Center’s primary objective will be to prepare graduates for health-related careers requiring a major in kinesiology or public health. Kinesiology, derived from the Greek word for movement,... Read More

Aurora Beard was named for the Disney princess Aurora in the Sleeping Beauty story. It fits. She is a beauty. There is another meaning for the name Aurora, which also fits. Aurora Beard is a natural light display, in spite of her physical challenges. Aurora is an active 5-year-old who wheels herself around, plays Challenger League baseball and is gaining independence with the therapies available from Genesis Outpatient Pediatric Therapy (GOPEDS). Aurora was born at 7 pounds, a healthy weight, but soon it became apparent she was not developing on schedule and was not growing as expected. “From... Read More

When Jeff and Renae Hoskins of Rock Island adopted their adorable little girl from China in early 2008, they had no idea that eight years later, Ava and her family would be plunged into an unimaginable bout with a rare, advanced childhood cancer. Now 14 and starting her freshman year at Jeff’s alma mater, Alleman High School in Rock Island, Ava is in remission and wrote an introduction to Hoskins’ memoir of their extraordinary experiences – “From Cancer to Kinnick: Love Finds a Wave,” to be released Sept. 3 by Ice Cube Press of North Liberty, Iowa. “I hope that you will be inspired,”... Read More

By unanimous vote, Monday night the Rock Island City Council passed “The Resolution,” an initiative to improve police and community relations in Rock Island. Thurgood Brooks (former Mayoral candidate and one of the authors of “The Resolution”) presented his revised initiative to the Rock Island City Council during the public comments section of the meeting. The presentation highlighted the progress of this initiative to the Rock Island City Council and residents. After several rounds of discussion with city officials since June 2020, “The Resolution” was adapted and revised... Read More

BREAKING NEWS: Illinois Governor JB Pritzker signed into law today sweeping new programs to overhaul the state’s mental health care system, including groundbreaking new laws regarding sending mental health professionals to 9-1-1 and 9-8-8 calls. Under the new law, the Community Emergency Services And Support Act, Illinois is just the third state in the nation to now require insurance to cover mental health disorders and substance abuse issues. It also requires officials receiving 9-1-1 and 9-8-8 calls involving mental health issues to include not just a police response but response from a... Read More

Kelly Rundle of Moline has long been a director of documentary films. Now he and his wife Tammy – partners in Fourth Wall Films – are co-executive directors of the Quad-Cities’ newest non-profit — Truth First Film Alliance, Inc. (TFFA). The organization will focus on bringing films and filmmakers to local screens in special free programs that feature curated documentary films and narrative films based on true stories. Screenings will be followed by a moderated Q&A with directors, producers, and writers with an emphasis on the craft of filmmaking. The formation of the new non-profit... Read More

The Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce has hired three key new staff in recent months to help tell the story of the area and strengthen the local economy. Lindsay O’Brien is the new Coordinator, Marketing & Social Media. She supports the sales, marketing, communications and events of the Chamber through marketing, promotions, social media and multi-media creation. A native Quad Citizen, O’Brien earned a Graphic Design degree at St. Ambrose University. As a freelancer, she created content, campaigns and graphics for the entertainment industry, including musicians and shows such as “The Tonight... Read More