Award-winning actor John Leguizamo will endorse Andrew Yang for president on Friday, Yang announced Thursday evening during his stop at the LULAC Club in Davenport. The announcement of the award-winning Latino actor endorsing Yang was met with loud applause in the local headquarters of one of the biggest Latino civil rights organizations in the country. Yang didn’t specify when or how the endorsement would be delivered, but said that he was “honored” by it. Leguizamo has been campaigning for Yang and has mentioned his support for him on his social media. Leguizamo has led a long and critically-acclaimed... Read More

It’s your last chance this weekend to check out the pop up! That’s right, the holiday pop up market! Forget Amazon and Walmart this holiday season, let’s rally around our small businesses! Join us for a new take on pop-up markets as we feature 30+ Midwest Makers and the Iron + Grain Boutiques in East Moline this season. Join us through Monday, January 4th for local small business shopping. Per the state of IL, masks are required at Iron + Grain and no more than 25 people will be allowed in at a time. Thank you to our sponsor, MetroNet. MetroNet is a customer-focused company providing... Read More

Midcoast Fine Arts, one of the most impactful grassroots organizations and arts groups in the region over the past three decades, will close up shop in March 2020, a Midcoast official confirmed today. The demise of the group also means that Bucktown, 225 E. 2nd Street, and all its galleries, will be shuttered. Financial reasons were cited as the main impetus for the shutdown. Bucktown was struck incredibly hard by the flooding of early 2019, and was shut down for several weeks, thus negatively impacting its business and causing it thousands in extra expenses due to damages. There’s no word on... Read More

In April 2013 Mary Pruess was named General Manager of WQPT, Quad Cities PBS. During her tenure WQPT moved offices, restructured master control and programming and continued with a focus on the creation of local television programming, to be aired along with PBS programming. As Mary put it “We are creating a new way of being a public broadcasting station.” In December 2018 Mary retired as WQPT’s General Manager, but continued on with the station as Director of Capital Projects and Planning.  With the leadership phase of the signal improvement capital project titled “Aspire Higher” completed,... Read More

Family fun and philanthropy were “in the bag” as Plumbers and Pipefitters Local Union 25 sponsored its third annual Veteran’s Bags Tournament in support of the Honor Flight of the Quad Cities. On Saturday, November 9, the union headquarters in Rock Island opened its doors to the community as people of all ages enjoyed the relaxed fun of the popular backyard picnic game of competing to toss beanbags into remote targets. In addition to the competition, there was food, drinks, games, a silent raffle, an online raffle and tickets for other prizes that spilled across three long tables. But the... Read More

Nahant Marsh, a nature preserve in Southwest Davenport, is seeking nominations to recognize local people who have dedicated their lives (or will dedicate their lives) to protecting our natural world. The honors will be received at the 2nd Annual Oberholtzer Awards on February 29, 2020 at the Bend Event Center in East Moline. The Oberholtzer Award recognizes a nominee’s hard work and leadership in conservation, spreads awareness to the causes they believe in, and inspires others to take action. Recognition categories are threefold—leaders from the past, present, and future, namely, students.   The... Read More

Despite the intense rain, more than 200 golfers and volunteers showed up for the two-day Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 25 annual golf outing on September 20-21 at Indian Bluff Golf Course in Milan. “Even with the rain, we managed to have one of our biggest turnouts yet,” said Brett Swanson, Local 25 business agent. “This event has grown every year, and wouldn’t be possible without the generosity of more than 60 vendors, contractors and sister locals. We’ve already had people ask about next year’s tournament, so I don’t see our success slowing down anytime soon!” The event raised... Read More

Family Museum has earned the Certified Autism Center™ (CAC) designation, which is granted by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) and demonstrates Family Museum’s dedication to providing a supportive environment for guests with autism and other sensory disorders. Staff completed sensory disorder training and a comprehensive exam in order to earn this certification. The Family Museum is a department of the City of Bettendorf, Iowa, and has been a community resource for over 20 years. The museum offers a unique, hands-on, learning experience... Read More

After an extensive nationwide search, The Figge Art Museum is pleased to announce that Michelle Hargrave will become Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the museum effective December 9, 2019. A museum professional with two decades of experience, Hargrave currently serves as the Deputy Director of the New Britain Museum of American Art in New Britain, CT. “Her extensive background growing cultural institutions will serve her well as she continues the growth and success of the Figge,” said Ken Koupal, President of the Figge Board of Trustees.  “Her experience and leadership... Read More

The Quad City Storm has added Jake Toporowski to its hockey staff as an assistant coach.  Toporowski is the first assistant coach in the history of the franchise. A native of Bettendorf, Iowa, Toporowski hails from a hockey family and most recently played with the Spokane Chiefs of the Western Hockey League.   He will continue to work as an area scout for his former team. “Jake will be a huge asset to our program,” said Storm head coach Dave Pszenyczny. “An extra set of eyes with his experience is invaluable and it will be great to have another individual to assist in the responsibilities... Read More