Readers who are looking forward to hearing award-winning author Jason Reynolds speak in the Quad Cities can learn more about his work in advance on March 19. Readers who are looking forward to hearing award-winning author Jason Reynolds speak in the Quad Cities can learn more about his work in advance on March 19. “Whether you want to know where to start reading, or you want to discuss one of his books you’ve already read, we can help,” says Emily Tobin, a Young Adult Librarian at Rock Island Public Library. Tobin will host an informal talk about Jason Reynolds’ books at... Read More

The Rock Island Public Library will introduce the works of award-winning writer Jason Reynolds to readers via two book talk discussions before the writer visits the Quad Cities in person in late March.  Library staff will host informal discussions on Tuesday, February 19, starting at 5:30 pm at Rozz-Tox Coffeehouse, 2108 3rd Avenue, Rock Island, and again on Tuesday, March 19, also starting at 5:30 pm, at Cool Beanz Coffeehouse, 1325 30th Street, Rock Island. Guests can purchase a coffee or beverage and learn a little about Reynolds’ books or share thoughts about ones they’ve... Read More

Wine and chocolate? On a Saturday night? Sounds magnificently scrumptious! Cool Beanz Coffeehouse (1325 30th Street Rock Island) is hosting a Wine and Chocolate Tasting night on Saturday July 29 from 6-9 p.m. All participants must be 21 and over to attend. The cost of admission is only $5 and each attendee will get to add a stemless Cool Beanz wine glass to their home collection! Patrons will receive five tasting tickets for four wines; Riff Pinot Grigio, the Adelante Malbec, the Vini Cabernet and the Biagio Moscato D’asti. That means you can choose the wine you like most and try it for a... Read More

The next stop on our Java Journey is a very cool little coffee shop called  Cool Beanz. “Many changes have been made since our opening in August of 2009,” says owner operator Annette of her shop located in the hilltop area of Rock Island on the corner of 14th Avenue and 30th Street. She goes on to tell me Cool Beanz actually got its name from her father. “Back in the seventies the word cool beans was a very popular slang expression not unlike far out groovy,” she said. “That’s a perfect name for a coffee shop. It represents the laid-back atmosphere I wanted to create.” When... Read More

It’s been a surprising week for the Quad Cities comic community. The explosions at the Vintage Rose antique shop, which blew out the windows of the store and knocked brickwork from the exterior, though luckily there weren’t any serious injuries, have dominated the local news cycle. At on Monday afternoon I received a call from my father, he said “Tim’s Corner blew up.” I was understandably confused by this information. “What”, I questioned. “Tim’s Corner blew up,” he repeated. I was still having a hard time processing the information, but I asked if anyone was hurt. He said... Read More

This week, you can pour yourself up some heady conversation with some hoppy beverages with Pub Theology. Grab a coffee or a beer and head to Cool Beanz Coffeehouse on Thursday, Dec. 22 at 8:00 p.m. for their monthly Pub Theology gathering. This month, the Pub Theology will discuss what is great and what is awful about Christmas. Pub Theology is a group that has been established since 2014. The purpose of this group is to meet and discuss in a respectful and open manner about God, faith, wonder, and doubt. These topics are chosen by Robb McCoy. You can contact Cool Beanz at (309) 558-0909. Cool... Read More

Pumpkin spice latte. It’s become a harbinger of fall and a punch line for coffee aficionados, but the fact is, it never would’ve become either if not for one simple fact: Damn, it’s really good. Anyone who knows me well knows I’m pretty much addicted to caffeine. And I have two regular haunts I hit here in my Rock Island hometown to get that fix – Theo’s in downtown and Cool Beanz in College Hill (1328 30th St., Rock Island.) And so it was, on a sunny Thursday afternoon that I was pitched my first PSL of the season at Cool Beanz and decided to check it out. Now, to start, let me say... Read More

Fans of the Retro Rally and Street Fair are ready to twist again like they did last summer, with a whirl of ‘50s-themed nostalgia and cool events for the whole family at the fourth annual shindig hitting Rock Island’s college hill Saturday from noon to 5. Memories of rallies past continue to drive the success and crowd numbers of the annual Retro Rally and Street Fair in Rock Island’s college hill, and have driven up expectations for this year’s event. “This year’s event is going to be much bigger, much better!” said organizer Jennifer Horvath, who also owns one of the participating... Read More

Is it Shop Small Business Week? I never pay attention. Because for me, and thousands of other Quad-Citians, every week is shop small business week. And honestly, that should always be the case. Local businesses aren’t just the economic and entrepreneurial life blood of an area, they offer you a world of new adventures you’re never going to find anywhere else. And if variety is the spice of life, the Quad-Cities offers you a pretty ample spice rack that’s full of delicious flavors for you to enjoy. Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know. I see your eyes rolling, “ANOTHER damn patronizing editorial about... Read More