Following Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds’ lifting of restrictions for public openings this week, the Figge Art Museum (225 W. 2nd S., Davenport) will reopen to the public on Tuesday, June 9 and to members-only on Saturday and Sunday, June 6 and 7. Admission will be free in an effort to create a no-touch visitor experience and visitors will be required to reserve a time slot prior to their visit. New policies and procedures designed to keep the museum staff and visitors safe upon reopening will be shared soon, according to Figge marketing director Natalie Dunlop, The Figge Cafe will remain closed in... Read More

Just 13 months after famed aviator Charles Lindbergh visited the Quad-Cities, Charles Lindberg was born Sept. 11, 1928 in Rock Island. He received his bachelor’s degree from Augustana College, where he was debate team captain, in 1950. Charles and his younger brother Peter (a 1961 Augie alum) would profoundly influence the private Rock Island school for years to come, including a new $18-million center for health and human performance that’s now going up — to help prepare students for growing career fields. While site work for the 52,000-square-foot Peter J. Lindberg, M.D., Center for... Read More

MACOMB, IL — The Gwendolyn Brooks Cultural Center (GBCC) at Western Illinois University is accepting applications for its annual Black Alumni Scholarship. The scholarship is open to full-time, currently enrolled, students with a GPA of 2.5 or better, and a record of community service. New, incoming, first-year and transfer students are also eligible to apply. The application deadline is Aug. 1. “Scholarships provide an opportunity for many students to earn an education,” said Brandon Smith, a graduate student with the GBCC. “Without assistance from an outside source, most... Read More

MACOMB, IL – As the COVID-19 pandemic has altered nearly every aspect of higher education delivery, Western Illinois University College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) Dean Sue Martinelli-Fernandez has taken steps to promote work by CAS faculty and students beyond the traditional classroom. Martinelli has been working since late April with several campus offices to develop a college-based podcast series. She collaborated with the Center for Innovation in Teaching and Research, uTech and Tri States Public Radio to set up the series “CAS Chats,” which already has two episodes on file and... Read More

MACOMB, IL – When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, and St. Paul School Principal Laura Cody was looking for ways to reach students, she came up with a unique idea that includes assistance from two Western Illinois University students. Before the pandemic began, Laura had been trying to find a way to get her son Drew, a junior Spanish education major, into St. Paul’s classrooms to teach her elementary school students Spanish. Drew had been tutoring at Spoon River College as part of his WIU Spanish class and enjoyed the opportunity. “I wanted to try and get him more experience in the classroom,... Read More

EAST MOLINE, Illinois (May 2020) — Earlier this month, the Rock Island County Fair Board voted to cancel the 2020 Rock Island County Fair, originally scheduled for July 14-18. “This decision was made for the health and safety of our fairgoers, exhibitors, participants, volunteers, staff and animals. It was not made lightly,” said Gin Wray, fair manager. “We are devastated to cancel a family-fun event that has taken place in our community for 150 years but look forward to using this as an opportunity to strengthen our offerings for the 2021 RICO Fair.” Last year marked the official 150th... Read More

Beginning Friday, May 22, 2020, the Family Museum will once again open its doors to the public. New guidelines have been implemented to help ensure the health and safety of Museum staff and guests. Family Museum Reopening Guidelines: ·       Up to 75 guests will be permitted in the Museum at any given time. ·       The Museum will be open Monday through Saturday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm and Sunday Noon – 5:00 pm. ·       Guests are welcome to wear masks, but it is not required. ·       Guests are asked to practice social distancing throughout their visit. ·      ... Read More

Crafted QC is opening up again! The quirky, fun, downtown Davenport shop at 221 E. 2nd St., will open its doors tomorrow. The shop released the following email today: Two months. We’ve been closed for over two months. There have been tears, there have been times I’ve been ready to throw in the towel, there’s been fear. But there’s also been a lot of love. There have been lots of great notes from customers encouraging us on. There was a great response to our Drive-Thru events which helped to pay the bills. I’ll forever be grateful for that. It feels like a new chapter.... Read More

Davenport’s Junior Theater is holding online classes starting June 1. The sessions will last for four weeks. Here’s the lineup and links for more info: Creative Movement Ages 3-6 This fun class helps to build locomotive skills essential to a strong dance foundation. Using imagination play students will learn to become different things and travel to far away places! Creativity and having fun is what this class is all about! More info here. Character Creation Ages 8-10 / 11+ Students will learn to push their bodies, voices and imaginations to create dynamic characters! Great characters... Read More

DAVENPORT—Grace Bjustrom of Eldridge has been named as the 2020 recipient of the Thomas K. Evans Memorial Scholarship. Bjustrom, a soon-to-be graduate of North Scott High School (Eldridge), will receive $5,000 toward tuition, room and board at Iowa State University (Ames), where she plans to study agricultural engineering and marketing in the fall. “Grace has an impressive academic record, and she wowed us with her involvement in STEM activities. She also has met significant challenges in her life with much determination and the will to succeed. We are so pleased to present her with this year’s... Read More