During this unprecedented, scary time of Covid-19, it seems apropos that the first indoor live theater in the Quad-Cities since the shutdown will be the spooky ghost story, “The Turn of the Screw,” next month at Moline’s Black Box Theatre. The 60-seat theater (1623 5th Ave.) will open at half capacity on July 16 and close the 19th. “It is a short run,” said director Lora Adams, “but the set was almost completed and the actors’ schedules have changed since March, so we are only able to do the four-day weekend.” Actor Matt Walsh and Kayla Jo Pulliam will bring the creepy tale to life... Read More

Good news: Rock Island Public Library buildings will open for Limited Hours and Building Access starting July 6! This follows news that the State is moving soon to Phase 4 of the Restore Illinois plan.[News Release] The July 6 start date allows us time to implement revised procedures and to ensure safety protocols are in place.  In keeping with state health guidelines, masks and social distancing will be required for library entry. Curbside is still a great way to pick up your library materials. If you need assistance with choosing library materials or placing items on hold, we’re happy... Read More

Davenport is ranked 29 out of 100 small cities in the latest America’s Best Small Cities Report. The top five small cities as ranked by the consulting firm Resonance were Reno, Nev.; Naples, Fla.; Santa Fe, N.M., Savannah, Ga., and Asheville, N.C.. Earlier this month, Resonance completed a master tourism plan for the Quad-Cities, with Visit Quad Cities, which will work to implement its recommendations. Dave Herrell, president and CEO of Visit Quad Cities, is thrilled that Davenport made the list for the first time – in the first year the report measured 100 metro areas between 100,000 and 500,000... Read More

The Big Swing is swinging back into business with a big grand re-opening from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday! The Rock Island restaurant and brew pub, located at 113 18th Street, in The District, dropped the following info on their Facebook page Thursday: Since we are some of the last to open, come show your support in Downtown Rock Island! WE WILL BE AWARDING PRIZES FROM OTHER LOCAL SMALL BUSINESSES TO HELP SUPPORT LOCAL! ALSO, TEE’S, GROWLERS, GIFT CARDS, VIP POINTS, MARTIAL ART CLASSES, BOWLING, AND MORE ALL DAY!! THEN PIERCED PRODUCTIONS KARAOKE & DJ starts Karaoke at 8pm!!! We have added... Read More

MACOMB/MOLINE, IL – Western Illinois University’s virtual summer orientation experiences are underway, 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. 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 to take part in extended online new student orientation sessions.... Read More

The Rock Island Fitness and Activity Center is scheduled to reopen on Friday, June 26th as we move into Phase 4 of the Restore Illinois Plan. All amenities will be open with the exception of the steam rooms, saunas, whirlpool, and indoor playground. Members will need to wear face coverings when not exercising, maintain social distance of at least six feet, and sanitize equipment and exercise areas before and after each use. Temperature screenings will be taken upon entry to verify no symptoms of COVID-19 symptoms. Members will need to sign a waiver upon entry each day. Extra staff will be on hand... Read More

Due to coronavirus concerns, for the first time the 15th-annual David R. Collins Writers’ Conference will be held online, Thursday to Saturday, June 25-27. Paid workshops will be held via Zoom; free public events will be available on Zoom and via livestream to the Midwest Writing Center’s YouTube channel . The conference registration fee is $50 for MWC members, $65 for non-members; and $260 for full conference registration (four workshops + master class); $210 for three workshops; $160 for two workshops, and $85 for one workshop. Book pitches are $15 each. Attendees can hone their craft in... Read More

Transitions Mental Health Services is excited to announce that their 10th Annual Golf Outing, scheduled for July 24th, will continue as planned. As a precaution due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all guidelines put forth by the Governor, as well as the recommendations from the CDC will be followed. Transitions also said this year’s golf outing will place high focus on unity, comradery, positivity and, of course, mental health. The event will take place at Highland Springs Golf Course, 9500 35th Street West, Rock Island, with sign-up beginning at 11:30am and start time scheduled for 1:00pm. Registration... Read More

It’s a beautiful summer night, and it’s feeling like time for some cold drinks and some hot Mexican food! If you’re down for some south-of-the-border eats and wondering which local hot spots are still open for delivery, carry-out or curbside, well, wonder no more, QuadCities.com has got you covered, with our spicy list of local Mexican restaurants open and ready to take your orders for tacos, enchiladas, burritos, margaritas and more! Here, we offer you a list of local Mexican restaurants, bars and cafes that are going above and beyond to offer the community options to still get... Read More

MACOMB, IL – During a time of stretching budget dollars, two Western Illinois University administrators have come up with a creative way to reduce mowing on campus and provide food for livestock at the University Farm at the same time. Facilities Management Executive Director Troy Rhoads and School of Agriculture Director Andy Baker collaborated on the project, which sets aside approximately 32 acres of University property to be baled instead of doing traditional mowing. Rhoads said the idea was born from an informal brainstorming session the two had about the amount of acres Facilities Management... Read More