I’m sick of the politics. I’m sick of the politicians. With more people struggling than ever, with more businesses closing, with the covid numbers increasing yet again, just like the scientists predicted (amazing how you can listen to intelligent, learned people and get accurate predictions on what’s likely to happen, isn’t it?), IT’S TIME TO PASS ANOTHER STIMULUS BILL TO HELP PEOPLE STRUGGLING FROM COVID. I wrote another story today, one of probably over 100 this year, about a business closing down due to covid. This time it was Big Swing, in downtown Rock Island,... Read More

Are you or someone you know planning a wedding in the near to far future? Then you cannot pass up the QC Fall Bridal Fair this weekend! The annual QC Fall Bridal Fair is happening on Sunday Sep 27 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Quad Cities Waterfront Convention Center (2021 State Street Bettendorf). Admission is only $5 per person, and tickets are only available at the door. The QC Fall Bridal Fair allows Brides, Grooms and their families and friends to come together and meet with over 60 local and national vendors in the Bridal Industry. Florists, DJ’s, Reception Hall Venues, Party Busses and... Read More

Downtown Davenport businesses have reason to celebrate so they are throwing a street party Friday, September 25, 4-9 PM. East Second Street between Perry and Iowa will be closed for a FREE party open to the public. Theo & Co. is celebrating their first anniversary while Cookies & Dreams and The Drawing Room are celebrating their Grand Openings. Other businesses including The Half Nelson, Bootleg Hill Honey Meads, Front Street Brewery, Stompbox, Crafted QC, Barrel House, Salon Static, The Gentlemen’s Barber Shop & Shave Parlor, Major Art & Hobby, Backwater Crossfit and Chocolate... Read More

Normally, the third weekend in September means you can find Skeleton Key Art and Antiques selling John VandeWalle’s sculptures at one of their favorite Quad Cities events, Riverssance. Unfortunately, Riverssance has been cancelled for the year, so they’ve decided to make their very own small event for the weekend, and they’re affectionately calling it Wallessance! Join John, and maybe a bonus artist friend or two, in the parking lot of Skeleton Key Art and Antiques, 520 18th Street, Rock Island from 10 am to 5 pm on Saturday, September 19, and noon to 4 pm on Sunday, September 20. For more... Read More

Downtown Davenport has designated the second Saturday of each month to Shop Small/Shop Local collaborative events across the downtown area. Make plans to Scroll, Stroll & Shop Local in Downtown Davenport this Saturday Sep 12 from 1 – 4 p.m. Spend some time scrolling online to shop in advance and drive-thru to pick up your goodies. Step out to stroll the downtown streets and check out the sales or stop for a cold beverage and great meal! Downtown is full of small and locally owned businesses that could use your support. For a full list of participating businesses, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/1160892174307015. Come... Read More

Denny and Brett Hitchcock are the most tenacious of entrepreneurs. For over 40 years, their business, Circa ’21 Dinner Playhouse, has endured a handful of recessions, booming and barren economic conditions, and, now, a pandemic. It certainly hasn’t been easy. Especially not in 2020. Both father and son have said, without hyperbole, that their business was very much in danger of going under if pandemic and economic conditions continued. However, this week, they re-opened, after several months of stress and uncertainty. They debuted a new show, “Savannah Sipping Society,” a homey comedy that’s... Read More

Celebrate the changing of the seasons with Iron and Grain Home’s Fall Fest Artisan Pop-Up Market at The Rust Belt (533 12th Avenue East Moline) this Saturday Sep 12 from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Shop local from 80+ local artisan vendors. Live music will be provided by Ariel + Jacob from 8:45 – 10:45 a.m. and JD Aguilera from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Lewis Knudsen will be also be playing in The Rust Belt Courtyard from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Grab some produce and fall mums from Friday’s Fresh Market, as well! Food will be available from Jennie’s Boxcar. Grab a drink at Midwest Ale Works, while you’re... Read More

Ragged Records (311 ½ 21st Street Rock Island) presents: A Socially Distant Record Store Day in the Courtyard this Saturday Aug 29 from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Things will be done a little bit different this year by moving the sale outdoors in an attempt to keep everyone as safe as possible but as always we will be trying to get as many titles and as many copies as we can. For more information go to https://recordstoreday.com/ Starting at 9 a.m., Ragged Records will be serving a line of customers one by one in their record purchasing process to help them try to score their desired Record Store Day titles... Read More

Peaceful River Creations is hosting the 3rd Annual Body, Mind & Spirit Expo this Saturday Aug 29 at the Riverfront Event Center (516 S 1st St. Clinton). Pre-registration is not required. Tickets are $10.00 in advance on Eventbrite, or at Peaceful River Creations (246 5th Avenue S. Clinton). Tickets are $15.00 at the door. For more information, please visit https://bodymindandspirit.info/. Vendors This will be a place for like-minded individuals to come together in the spirit of fun, self-exploration, self-empowerment, and self-improvement. Learn from experts in the field and have some new experiences.... Read More

The Third Annual Shops with Hops is returning to historic downtown LeClaire, on Saturday Aug 22. Starting at 3pm, the shops will be hosting the Midwest’s best breweries so you can sip, sample and shop your way through town. Enjoy delicious craft beer samples from your very own 5 oz. souvenir tasting glass. Join the fun at Green Tree Brewery for the after party where Shops with Hops will be raising money for Getting Heroes Home! Must be 21+. This is a rain or shine event. Sample beer from Front Street Brewery, Adventurous Brewing LLC, Five Cities Brewing, Contrary Brewing, Crawford Brew Works,... Read More