Possibly the greatest GIF in the history of the young digital artform has been brought into existence and gained sentience. A short captured clip of a ravenous and behatted Khalil Hacker devouring donuts with violent bravado, has been captured for the enjoyment and enlightenment of humanity and the sharing of online residents by one Douglas Kutzli, Esq. Gaze upon its wonder, and marvel at its existence, humanity. In these troubling times, we need a light, a beacon of hope, and this GIF, of young Rock Island man Khalil, eating donuts, could very well be that hope. At least that’s what Morpheus... 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

The Putnam Museum & Science Center’s virtual Mad Scientist Ball, on Saturday, Oct. 17, raised $26,735, with donations still coming in. “I am THRILLED with the success of the event,” Nisha Ladlee, the Putnam’s vice president of development, said Monday by e-mail. “Everyone really seemed to enjoy themselves. Eric Sorenson was a phenomenal emcee and Emily Calandrelli was wonderful as our celebrity guest. This was the Putnam’s first time holding a virtual fundraiser and we are grateful for the support from our community locally, but also to those who tuned in and supported from different... Read More

2020 has certainly been a life-altering, challenging year, but Freddy Allen is getting by with a little help from his friends. The 50-year-old Davenport jazz pianist and singer has been a professional musician for 37 years, performing all over the globe. Spending most of his career in Chicago, Allen moved to Davenport three years ago to be close to family and become a part of the vibrant music scene in the Quad-Cities. He hopes to travel and tour with his music again as soon as the pandemic is over. On Saturday at 7 p.m., Allen is launching a series of online concerts, “Freddy and Friends,”... Read More

This weekend, YouTube and the National Independent Venue Association are doing an awesome thing for local music venues nationwide, and I’m sure many of you have heard about the star-studded Save Our Stages Fest. It’s the kind of huge, publicity-grabbing event that gets a ton of attention with people in markets across the country. Which is a good thing, because it’s for a good cause, and it needs to get in front of a large group of people to make that positive impact. I do not begrudge that at all, and I wholeheartedly encourage people to check it out, and any other event of that... Read More

The legacy of an influential early Quad City Arts leader lives on in countless local artists, art supporters, and a huge sculpture in one of the area’s most beautiful parks. The regional nonprofit (based in Rock Island and serving six counties) is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Lloyd Schoeneman began working for Quad City Arts in 1978 as a resident artist, teaching art to many groups including children, the elderly, the disabled and the incarcerated. He worked for Quad City Arts for 22 years, including as executive director of the Quad City Arts Council when the organization, along... Read More

The Iowa Women’s Foundation (IWF) has announced 2021 Core Grant awards to United Way of the Quad Cities and Lead(h)er, for programs that help young girls and women. The grants are among $100,000 to 13 organizations across the state – raising the total granted to over $1.1 million since the program began in 1997. IWF works to improve the lives of Iowa’s women and girls. Grants are awarded to projects that focus primarily on serving the needs and aspirations of women and girls. Six specific areas have been identified as the most critical barriers for Iowa women and girls: employment, child... Read More

Royal Neighbors of America boasts a long, impressive legacy of doing good. And as it celebrates its 125th anniversary this year, the Rock Island-based, women-led life insurer and fraternal organization is continuing that history in a special way. To celebrate all the ways we can continue to make a difference in our own neighborhoods, Royal Neighbors has launched a 125 Random Acts of Kindness campaign. During October, November, and December, the company is encouraging its 215,000-plus members (and the general public) to do one purposeful, kind thing for someone else. “It won’t cost you much,... Read More