The cornucopia of closures due to coronavirus keeps growing, as what was planned to be the 50th PGA Tour event in the Quad-Cities, the John Deere Classic, is canceled this July. Because of the continuing Covid-19 restrictions around events and public gatherings in the surrounding area, the 2020 JDC at TPC Deere Run in Silvis was canceled, tournament officials announced Thursday. The tournament will, however, continue its commitment to the 2020 Birdies for Charity campaign, including a promise to deliver at least a 5-percent bonus to all participating organizations. Last year, the tournament raised... Read More

Bettendorf’s Family Museum and Davenport’s Figge Art Museum have taken different approaches to re-opening after shutdowns caused by the Covid-19 crisis. Since Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds allowed museums to re-open (among other places) on May 22, the Family Museum opened that day, while the Figge will open June 9, following members-only opening June 6 and 7. Kim Kidwell, director of the Family Museum, used the two-month closure to completely clean the facility, do needed renovations and train staff in disinfecting and safety guidelines. “We have been getting ready to reopen, pretty much over the... Read More

There’s plenty of activity coming up over the next week in regard to spots opening up on both sides of the river in the Quad-Cities. According to the Chamber of Commerce: Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds on Tuesday announced the state will allow more businesses to reopen and mass gatherings over the next week, limiting capacity to 50%, maintaining six feet of separation between individuals and groups and adhering to hygiene and other public health measures in place. The following businesses may reopen Thursday, May 28: Bars Wineries Breweries Distilleries Social and fraternal clubs Guidelines for... Read More

MACOMB/MOLINE, IL – As Western Illinois University continues to prepare for a traditional campus experience for Fall 2020, scholarship incentives and more are available for incoming new freshmen and transfer students. WIU operates on a “rolling deadline,” which means prospective students can apply any time at wiu.edu/apply. Prospective students can apply to WIU for free through June 30. To support current high school seniors who are unable to take or retake a Spring 2020 SAT/ACT, and current high school juniors who may be unable to take an ACT/SAT test at this time due to the pandemic,... Read More

To celebrate the Class of 2020, Quad Cities area Dunkin’ restaurants are offering a sweet treat for all high school and college seniors. On Friday, May 29, participating Dunkin’ restaurants across the Quad Cities are offering a FREE Medium Hot or Iced Coffee and a FREE Classic Donut to high school and college graduates who visit their local Dunkin’ store sporting their cap and gown or Class of 2020 gear.* *No purchase necessary. Excludes Cold Brew and Nitro Cold Brew. Limit 1 per guest. Not valid on mobile orders. To learn more about Dunkin’, visit http://www.dunkindonuts.com/ or follow... Read More

MACOMB/MOLINE, IL –Western Illinois University’s virtual summer orientation experience is set to kick off Wednesday, May 27, and will continue throughout June. Incoming new first-year students on the Macomb campus can sign up for their virtual summer orientation day by logging into their STARS account. Several dates remain available in June. During virtual summer orientation, students will meet their orientation leaders and begin to learn how to be a successful student at WIU. New students will continue to have opportunities to engage with staff and have opportunities through the summer... Read More

Everybody loves a good Instagram wall — a great spot to use as a backdrop for your selfies and pictures — and there are some right here in the Quad-Cities. Here are six top spots to make your Instagram pop. Rust Belt – East Moline, Illinois – This spot provides an industrial and bright look with its rock star brick and sheet metal window treatment. Faithful Pilot – LeClaire, Iowa – This multicolored wall screams for a ’70s/’80s retro shoot. The muted colors are choice. Fred & Ethel’s – Rock Island, Illinois – This pocket park’s... Read More

Despite its title, there’s not a ton of burlesque in “Burlesque River,” a new romance novel set in the Quad-Cities, penned by veteran burlesque performer Kitty Bardot. There are key club scenes — at the start and near the end of this beautifully written book (part of a planned series) — that reflect the raunch, playfulness, camaraderie, the yearning to be someone different and glamorous, and the ecstatic high you get on stage with an appreciative audience. But the bulk of the 173-page debut novel, released in April by Boroughs Publishing (which specializes in romance fiction),... Read More

On this Memorial Day, it’s important to not only remember those who’ve paid the ultimate price while serving our country, but it’s vital to recall other crucial parts of our lives, also gone. Remember in the “before times,” when going out to hear live music – packed in with hundreds or thousands of other boisterous fans – was a thing we could do? Seeing a favorite artist perform live is a thrill like no other (for me, Paul McCartney last June in Moline is but one example). Hearing that performer’s live album is a special, satisfying memento that attempts to capture that uniquely... Read More

MACOMB, IL – The College of Arts and Sciences at Western Illinois University has announced is 2019-2020 Outstanding Faculty Awards. Because of COVID-19, no faculty gathering was held to celebrate. This year’s winners are: Excellence in Teaching Professor Laura Barden-Gabbei – Department of Biological Sciences Excellence in Research/Scholarship Professor Peter Cole – Department of History Excellence in Service Professor Rich Filipink – Department of History Excellence in Teaching with Technology Professor Gordon Pettit – Department of Mathematics and Philosophy Excellence in Multicultural... Read More