A pesar de la crisis de Covid , Mercado on Fifth está avanzando en su quinto año, cocinando algunas cosas muy especiales. Si bien la organización sin fines de lucro con sede en Moline, que trabaja para exhibir la comida, la cultura y los negocios hispanos, puede posponer el inicio de su quinta temporada anual, también está ocupada creando su primer edificio permanente y ha introducido una nueva programación. A fines de 2019, Mercado, con el grupo de desarrollo inmobiliario West Gateway Partners LLC, compró la antigua Car Shop Inc. en 423 12th St., Moline, al lado de la propiedad exterior... Read More

Rock Island’s Circa ’21 Dinner Theater has been hit hard by the covid-19 closures, but is looking forward to opening and is working diligently to make sure that when they do open, they’ll be providing the best and safest environment for their customers. To that direction, owner Denny Hitchcock released a letter to patrons of the venerable entertainment spot today. The missive addressed a number of questions and concerns of patrons. The letter read as follows: Dear Circa ’21 Valued Guests, I hope this email continues to find you safe & healthy. Although we still do not have... Read More

Are you ready for some live theater… online? Rock Island’s Circa ’21 Dinner Theater will be hosting a virtual cabaret on their Facebook page this Sunday night at 7 p.m. The cabaret will feature performances from a variety of Circa favorites, the bootleggers, cast members of “Saturday Night Fever,” and more! Check it out here, and mark your calendars!  Read More

Along with the usual characters like Thomas the Train Engine, Elmo and Blue, you might see some familiar faces on PBS Kids this week. Local PBS station WQPT has debuted a new commercial playing between shows (technically called an interstitial) featuring a number of Quad-Cities kids doing a variety of activities during the past few weeks of coronavirus quarantine. “The idea for the spot came watching my neighbors’ sons riding their bikes on our frontage road,” said Lora Adams of WQPT. “They’re the only kids around and I saw them making their own fun as they played on their own.” With... Read More

The Quad-Cities Disaster Recovery Fund has now surpassed $1 million in contributions to support the community’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The fund was activated by the Quad Cities Community Foundation six weeks ago with lead contributions from the Community Foundation, United Way of the Quad Cities, and Regional Development Authority. In the first week of the fund’s activation, United Way of the Quad-Cities Board Chairperson Linda Bowers stepped up with a $50,000 challenge gift to spur local, individual, and business giving to the fund. Now, she is gifting another $50,000 challenge... Read More

Boetje’s really knows how to cut the mustard. The world-reknowned Rock Island mustard company once more won the gold medal in the 2020 World Wide Mustard Competition. Boetje’s announced the honor on their blog: “We are very excited to announce that Boetje’s Mustard has once again received a gold medal in the annual World Wide Mustard Competition! This year we entered and won gold in the Deli/Brown category. “The description for this category, according to the official entry form, is: ” This mustard is usually tightly-grained or coarse and is the crowning touch to a corned... Read More

The curtain isn’t closing at Rock Island’s Circa ’21 Dinner  Theater, it’s only temporarily shut due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and, according to Brett Hitchcock, director of audience development, the show WILL go on! “Circa ‘21 will absolutely be reopening!” Hitchcock said in an e-mail. “We have no plans to close for the remainder of the 2020 season.  At this point we have no idea when we will reopen because, like every business in Illinois, we are waiting for the Governor to give us the ok to open. Sometime in the middle of June would be the earliest... Read More

An outdoor summer tradition in the Quad-Cities will go on as planned, as the Freight House Farmers Market will expand Saturday in its operating hours and vendors, but with public-safety restrictions. From 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at 421 W. River Drive, Davenport, the market will have its first May day under the Covid-19 crisis. Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds on April 24 allowed farmers markets to open, despite a ban on large gatherings due to the coronavirus pandemic, with restrictions. Only farm products or food can be sold (including prepared hot food and baked goods) at such markets, and other goods... Read More

As part of their commitment to small businesses, Lillie & Pine  are donating 10 percent of proceeds of sales through May 1 to Rock Island’s Ballet Quad Cities. Lillie & Pine sells naturally handcrafted bath items, which would be a great idea for Mother’s Day. An even better idea would be to purchase them this week to help out the only local professional dance company, but, ya know, just an idea. Ballet Quad Cities CEO Joedy Cook is stoked about being selected. “Be sure to visit their online store for locally made Mother’s Day, Graduation, and Birthday gifts and... Read More

Like most others during this crazy Covid crisis, arts organizations locally and nationally are struggling to find financial help. Though four individual artists recently got some funding, no Quad-Cities arts groups – all reeling from the financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic — were helped in the first round of $191,000 from the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs (IDCA). The first relief grants this month were limited to artists and very small nonprofits, including Q-C artists Courtney Lyon (dance), Lojo Russo (music), Matthew Terry (visual art) and Pat Bereskin (art and art education). In... Read More