Musician and author Michelle Zauner discusses her music career and her beloved bestseller Crying in H Mart on May 18 in Colona, Illinois. Her memoir about growing up Korean American, losing her mother, and forging her own identity was a New York Times notable book of the year. Best known as a singer and guitarist who creates indie pop under the name Japanese Breakfast, Grammy Award-nominated Zauner has won acclaim from major music outlets around the world. In conversation with Jessica Hopper, Chicago-based music critic, producer, and author. Zoom Event Attendee Registration Link: https://bit.ly/May18_MichelleZauner This... Read More

Say the words “video game” and your kids are bound to stop and listen. The local owners of a new Code Ninjas, a learning center that debuts June 14 at 4750 Utica Ridge Rd., Ste. 400, Davenport, know that video games aren’t only fun, but educational. Code Ninjas will serve the local area by teaching children computer coding and problem-solving skills while having fun building video games. The first Quad Cities location is owned and operated by local entrepreneurial couple Kyle Kuehl and Summer Olson. Summer and Kyle enjoy investing into businesses that have a positive impact in their community.... Read More

A Western Illinois University Recreation, Park and Tourism Administration professor and a department graduate student have helped create a virtual field trip program through the Regional Office of Education to give young people some fun activities during COVID-19. Winter Wanderings was created through the McDonough County Youth Task Force, with help from RPTA Instructor Jullie Eggleston and RPTA graduate student Rok Locksley, of Takoma Park, MD. The task force is chaired by RPTA Assistant Professor Megan Owens. The collaborative field trip project is designed to engage children from around the... Read More

Mic Seifert, a veteran physical education teacher in Davenport, has exercised a new muscle this year he never thought he had before – computer literacy. Like all teachers nationwide, Seifert, 47, was forced by the Covid-19 pandemic this past spring to come up with virtual content for his classes at Madison Elementary School. He’s in his 22nd year of teaching and virtual fitness lessons have become an international viral sensation. His YouTube channel, P.E. with Mr. S, can be found at https://www.youtube.com/c/PEwithMrS/videos. Since May, Seifert has made 40 videos, and already the channel’s... Read More

During a period of time when the COVID-19 pandemic is impacting virtually every activity nationwide, faculty and students in Western Illinois University’s Department of Recreation, Park and Tourism Administration (RPTA) are finding a variety of ways to reach the populations they are learning to serve. RPTA Instructor Julie Eggleston is working with students in her classes to create programming for the McDonough County Special Recreation Association (MCSRA) and residents at Macomb’s Bickford Cottage. The MCSRA, housed in the Macomb Park District, provides recreational experiences, including... Read More

MACOMB/MOLINE, IL – Since Fall 2015, Western Illinois University has provided opportunities for area high school students to get a head start on their college career without having to leave their local high school. Western’s Dual Enrollment program offers high school juniors and seniors the opportunity to enroll in college-level courses, including a variety of classes that count toward WIU general education requirements. Courses are available on campus, online and some classes meet on site at partner high schools. Students who take part in WIU’s program, beginning in Spring 2021,... Read More

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II, as Japan unconditionally surrendered to the Allies on Aug. 14, 1945. To commemorate the end of the global conflict (which killed 416,800 U.S. military), the German American Heritage Center in Davenport has a new exhibit – “Valor & Victory Gardens: WWII in the Hawkeye State.” It explores how the war impacted Iowa. With this exhibit, the museum remembers and commemorates the period through local headlines, personal letters, and historic artifacts. World War II cost the lives of 5,633 Iowa soldiers, as well as 18,601 from Illinois.... Read More

Join the Wapsi River Center staff for the 2nd Annual Monarch Festival this Saturday Sep 12 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the Wapsi River Environmental Education Center (31555 52nd Avenue Dixon). This day long festival will include activities for the kids, such as butterfly crafts, seed balls, a photo booth and education stations. Three Box Lunch options will be available for $5 and include a sandwich, pickle spear, chips and a cookie. The sandwich options include Turkey & Cheddar, Roast Beef & Provolone, or Italian. There will be monarch presentations at 10:30 a.m., 12 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. A... Read More

Bullying. I revisit this subject, and this column topic, every year around this time, because every year, a new school session starts and invariably the potential for children abusing other children rises. Even this year, and maybe especially this year, due to covid-19 and the inherent pressures and stresses surrounding it, the potential for kids to lash out and hurt others is heightened. A couple years back, The Keaton bullying video went viral. It brought tears to my eyes and broke my heart. As anyone who went to junior high with me knows, I was bullied mercilessly seventh and eighth grade years.... Read More

MACOMB, IL — The Western Illinois Bachelor of Social Work program is one of 12 programs nationwide selected to participate in the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) Policy Practice in Field Education Initiative. This initiative enables schools of social work to create integrative models that heighten the policy skill set of undergraduate- and graduate-level social work students, regardless of specialization. “These grants make it possible for future social workers to learn the importance of policies, legislation and regulation that advance social justice goals. We thank The New... Read More