Despite the Covid crisis, the Downtown Davenport Partnership (DDP) — an affiliate of the Quad Cities Chamber – has been very busy for the past eight months. The result of all that work was presented Tuesday afternoon, as DDP executive director Kyle Carter unveiled a new strategic master plan to the Davenport City Council during a public work session. The 110-page plan (led by a New York-based consulting firm) will be added to upcoming city council agendas for further public input, and a vote to accept the final version is expected by December. Carter is most excited about providing hope... Read More

The 2020 presidential election is less than two weeks away. Are you ready to vote? Better question: Do you have a ride to cast your ballot? According to data from the 2016 Survey of the Performance of American Elections, more than 15 million eligible voters didn’t make it to the polls during the last election because they had no way of getting there. But IHMVCU wants to help change that. From October 26 through November 3, IHMVCU will pay the fees for its members to use local buses, cabs, Lyft and Uber services to get to the polls. Just keep your receipt and turn it in to IHMVCU to be reimbursed... Read More

Are you looking to learn how to better use your time and efforts? Google Tools can be an invaluable tool whether you want to build a budget, create a meeting agenda, or organize your priorities, these best practices will boost your productivity. Davenport Public Library will be holding a program on Google Tools from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 26. This program will meet virtually using GoToMeeting. No registration is required. We are offering this program in conjunction with Grow with Google. Information about how to join is listed below. Join from your computer, tablet, or smartphone: https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/147861965 You... Read More

Western Illinois University senior psychology and music double major Paula Ramirez, of Bogota, Colombia, has been named Western Illinois University’s recipient of the 2020-21 Lincoln Academy of Illinois’ Student Laureate Award. The prestigious award, presented annually to an outstanding senior of each of Illinois’ four-year degree-granting institutions, honors a student’s overall academic excellence and participation in extracurricular activities. “Receiving the 2020 WIU Student Laureate for the Lincoln Academy is not only a great honor, but also an opportunity to... Read More

Next time you hop on Amazon to buy something online, consider keeping your money in the Quad-Cities. That’s the thrust of a new campaign from the Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce, which has launched “Keep It QC,” to bring awareness to the power of doing business locally. According to Chamber representatives, buying local has many tangible economic benefits for the region, in addition to helping area businesses rebound faster from the financial impact of Covid-19. “Keep It QC is about educating members of our community about why buying local should be the first choice every time,” Erin... Read More

There’s not going to be any more brew at the ‘bou after this fall. Caribou Coffee, one of my favorite local coffee shops, will be closing their only Quad-Cities location inside the Moline HyVee on John Deere Road next month. The store posted a note this week, stating the following: “Unfortunately, Caribou Coffee will be closing Nov. 15 due to a store remodel.” Patrons of the distinct and delicious coffee and drinks have until Oct. 29 to order any retail items (e.g. bags of coffee, syrups) in order for Caribou to have them before the store closing on Nov. 15. Patrons also... Read More

MACOMB, IL – The #MaskUp campaign by the Western Illinois University Department of Communication Social Media Lab has been honored for outstanding volunteerism by the McDonough County Quality of Life Advisory Committee. The award was presented to WIU Associate Professor of Communication Josh Averbeck on campus Thursday morning. Averbeck worked with students in the Social Media Lab on a campaign to encourage the University communities in Macomb and the Quad Cities to wear protective masks during the pandemic. “I’m proud of the work we did,” said Averbeck. “Our posts were... Read More

MOLINE – Brandon Nees squinted into the sun Wednesday morning at the dilapidated, vacant Spiegel building, and all he saw was bright, boundless possibility. That’s partly because the 25-year-old Davenport artist, who graduated from Moline High School, painted the word “possibility” in big turquoise block letters across seven plywood panels – among nine colorful 7.6-foot-by-6.75 feet panels he created for a $10,000 public mural on the boarded-up ground floor of the city-owned Spiegel building off River Drive (200 20th St.) in downtown Moline. “It’s amazing,” Nees said of the finished... Read More

One last chance to get all your Fair Favorites this weekend! Don’t miss the Last Chance Fall Food Bash this Friday Oct 23 and Saturday Oct 24 from 12 p.m. – 12 a.m. at the Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds (2815 Locust St. Davenport). No tricks at this free admission event, just your fair food favorites! Stick around on Saturday for the Halloween Havoc, beginning at 4 p.m. This Clean-Up Derby for cars close to Viola Boyz Rules and other Demos will provide entertainment for the entire family. The Grandstands will open at 3 p.m. and admission is $15 for Adults and $10 for ages 12 and under. For... Read More

The Western Illinois University Food Pantry is implementing new COVID-19 procedures, as the current health situation continues. The food pantry, now located in Horrabin Hall, room 10, will remain open every Thursday from noon-5 p.m., and Saturday 10 a.m.-noon. One patron will be allowed to enter at a time, and will be accompanied by one volunteer. Social distancing will be required. All other patrons will be required to stand outside the building, using social distancing markers, until they are allowed to enter. All patrons and volunteers will be given hand sanitizer upon entering, their temperature... Read More