MACOMB/MOLINE, IL – Western Illinois University’s Virtual Discover Western events are underway. Prospective students and their families can register for the events, which are free, at wiu.edu/discoverwestern. Macomb Campus Discover Western Events: Monday, March 22, 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 21, 6 p.m. Quad Cities Campus Discover Western Events: Thursday, March 25, 3 p.m. According to Drew Donahoo, associate director of Undergraduate Admissions, the Virtual Discover Western events will include admissions information (including WIU scholarship incentives), student and faculty panels, and informational... Read More

Heartland Connections – based in Cambridge, Ill. — has launched a campaign to collect videos of holiday songs, stories, and messages, of which a special program will be created and sent to nursing homes, hospitals, and those most affected by the challenges presented by the Covid-19 pandemic. The deadline for submissions is Dec. 22, and programs will be delivered via email on Dec. 23. All are welcome and encouraged to submit and sign up to receive the program at no cost. To submit videos or sign up to receive a copy of the program, visit www.cheerrr.com.  Read More

Davenport’s Junior Theater is bringing theatrical lessons to a computer near you this week! The local theater will be holding online classes starting June 1. The sessions will last for four weeks. Here’s the lineup and links for more info: Creative Movement Ages 3-6 This fun class helps to build locomotive skills essential to a strong dance foundation. Using imagination play students will learn to become different things and travel to far away places! Creativity and having fun is what this class is all about! More info here. Character Creation Ages 8-10 / 11+ Students will learn... Read More

After 40 years of drawing crowds to Walcott, Iowa, off I-80, the annual Truckers Jamboreee will be virtual this July 9-11, including an online Antique Truck Show; Super Truck Beauty Contest; Trucker’s Best Friend Pet Contest and free meals for drivers. “The good news is we will most definitely continue with our long-standing tradition of Celebrating America’s Truckers,” Heather DeBaillie, Vice President of Marketing for the Iowa 80 Truckstop, said in a recent release. “While we can’t host 45,000 people at Iowa 80 to celebrate, we will take the Jamboree virtual and still celebrate the... Read More

DAVENPORT — Local musician Josh Duffee has long been a scholar of area legends like Louie Bellson and Bix Beiderbecke, and now he’s sharing his encyclopedic knowledge with a new online show, Bix Beiderbecke: A Driving Tour Around Davenport, taking place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday on Josh’s Facebook Live. “When I have the opportunity to travel the country and the world performing the music I love, I am proud to say that my family and I live in Davenport, Iowa, the hometown of Bix Beiderbecke!” Josh said. “The one thing I’ve heard the most from the... Read More

Are your kids ready to rock some reading? With distance learning becoming the norm, and more time at home leading to more time for reading, the Rock Island Library is stepping up to help parents and kids with an all-ages online reading challenge that the whole family can do together! The stay-at-home challenge offers six virtual reading badges and six for completing online activities, such as trying World Book online, checking out a magazine from RB Digital, or learning something new with HelpNow or JobNow from Brainfuse. Complete just six badges (you choose which ones) to complete the... Read More

Circa ’21 is returning! Well, online at least. The Rock Island dinner theater will return at 7 p.m. Sunday with a virtual cabaret on the Circa ’21 Facebook page. Circa posted the following today: Who’s missed us?! We’ve certainly missed you! We know you can’t go anywhere but that doesn’t mean the entertainment has to stop! Tune in on Sunday to see some of the super talented Bootleggers and other performers belting out some show tunes, playing some classic rock and everything in between in our virtual cabaret! It’s all going to be right here on Facebook! See you Sunday night... Read More