MOLINE – Brandon Nees squinted into the sun Wednesday morning at the dilapidated, vacant Spiegel building, and all he saw was bright, boundless possibility. That’s partly because the 25-year-old Davenport artist, who graduated from Moline High School, painted the word “possibility” in big turquoise block letters across seven plywood panels – among nine colorful 7.6-foot-by-6.75 feet panels he created for a $10,000 public mural on the boarded-up ground floor of the city-owned Spiegel building off River Drive (200 20th St.) in downtown Moline. “It’s amazing,” Nees said of the finished... Read More

The 1953 Samuel Beckett classic “Waiting for Godot” has had a long wait for its premiere Thursday at Moline’s Black Box Theatre. But it’s perfect for a pandemic-plagued 2020. Directed by local theater veteran Mike Schulz (an Augustana College alum), he started rehearsals in May, originally as a partnership between QC Theatre Workshop and Mississippi Bend Players. A plan to do the mainly two-person play outside at a pavilion behind Brunner Theatre Center was later shelved, and it’s now going up independently at the small Black Box with a maximum audience of 26 – masks are required –... Read More

Two Rivers YMCA in Moline is offering courses in swimming, youth sports, and more! The pandemic has certainly changed many aspects of our lives, but one thing has not changed: The Y is for everyone – especially families! At the Y, 2040 53rd Street, Moline, they are committed to providing SAFE programs that keep kids and families active, healthy, and connected. The cold weather is coming and going to parks and other outdoor family activities will be coming to an end. With many precautions in place, the Y is a safe, clean, and reliable place to bring the kids for a fun addition to your day. For... Read More

Looking for a catch of the week that doesn’t involve noodling the flooded Mississippi River? If you’re  jonesing for Japanese you won’t have to fish far for satisfying sushi and sashimi any longer. Osaka restaurants in Moline, Davenport and Muscatine offer fresh dishes from the land of the rising sun roll, and they’re a Godzilla-sized hit. While other local outlets have offered sushi as part of their broader menus, Osaka is unique in its sole dedication to Japanese cuisine, as well as its environment and presentation. Walk inside and you’re immersed in an expansive, warm crimson replete... Read More

Western Illinois University alumna Tyanna J. Buie, of Detroit, MI, is one of five artists chosen to collaborate on a 7,400-square-foot mural in downtown Milwaukee, called “Voting Rights are Human Rights.” Buie received her bachelor’s degree from WIU in art in 2006, and is now an assistant professor and printmaking section chair for the College for Creative Studies in Detroit. The mural, by internationally-acclaimed artist Shepard Fairey and his Obey Giant team, was started on the north side of the Colby Abbott building last week. The central image is of an African American man... Read More

Join The Spotlight Theatre (1800 7th Ave Moline) this Friday Oct 16 and Saturday Oct 17 at 7 p.m. and Sunday Oct 18 at 2 p.m. for a Spooky Spotlight Spectacular: A Halloween Cabaret! Doors open one hour prior to showtime. Featuring performances by local singers, this fun filled night of Spooky Songs will be the perfect night to get you into the mood of Halloween! Come in costume to be entered to win various prizes! Cost is $20 in advance, and tickets can be purchased at https://www.thespotlighttheatreqc.com/cabarets. Tickets are $25 at the door. Seating is limited to 50 people per show, and masks... Read More

MACOMB/MOLINE, IL – Surveillance testing is underway on Western Illinois Unviersity’s Macomb and Quad Cities campuses. Each week, approximately 700 students, faculty and staff will receive an email encouraging them to get a free COVID test provided by Beu Health Center. According to Executive Director of Auxiliary Services and Risk Management Joe Roselieb, the University is now using the self-administered BD Veritor nasal swab tests, which are completed on-site at the test distribution center on the Macomb Campus. The Quad Cities campus will continue to administer a saliva-based test that... Read More

Pack up your pup and join the Moline Parks and Recreation Department for a Howl-O-Ween Costume Contest at Greenvalley Dog Park (6009 50th Avenue Moline) on Wednesday October 7 from 5 – 6 p.m.! Dress up your pup (and possibly yourself) in their best costume to join the costume contest. Let your dog mingle in the dog park, visit with paw-some vendors, Rewarded Rescues and D.O.G & Friends, and take home a dog goodie bag. You must register each dog attending to receive goodie bags and/or participate in the costume contest. *Select your quantity of registrations before adding to cart* Register... Read More

Originally scheduled for Saturday Oct 3, the Cruise Into Fall Event at the Moline Township Activity Center (620 18th Street Moline) has been moved to this Monday Oct 4. Bring your lawn chair and Blue Suede Shoes to this fun-filled Tribute to Elvis! From 4 – 5:30 p.m. Sloppy Joe baskets and desserts will be sold. Enjoy an amazing Elvis Show from 5 – 6:30 p.m., featuring Mike Clardie, formally with Coupe DeVille band. This performance will take place outside in the park. Mike has performed in Vegas and puts on a really good show. Enjoy some vocals by former Coupe Deville, Jim Clark. Take part... Read More

MACOMB, IL – To help Western Illinois University psychology transfer students to make ends meet, Psychology Professor Emeritus Frank Fulkerson has established the Frank Fulkerson Endowed Psychology Transfer Scholarship. Fulkerson joined the WIU psychology faculty as an assistant professor in Fall 1968, and was named department chair in the Fall 1976. “After I received my Ph.D. in Psychology from St. Louis University, I accepted my first academic position in the WIU Psychology Department in the Fall of 1968,” Fulkerson said. “It was a thriving, collegial Department, very welcoming... Read More