It was a surreal Thanksgiving. My ex-wife and I alternate years on holidays, and it’s always strange and depressing for me when I don’t get to see my son on those days, especially when I’m reminded of the fun times we had the year before in the memories section of social media. This year was even more downcast, given the dark cloud of covid. Whereas in previous years when I was without my son, I would go to visit family or friends, or have people over to my house, this year there was none of that. I wasn’t going to be visiting my family, nor would there be my usual open door to people to... Read More

Pokemon Go players will find new hunting territory with a special after-library hours event at the Rock Island Southwest Branch library on Thursday, March 30. The special event wraps up the Rock Island/Milan school intersession break with Pokemon Go gaming, a scavenger hunt, Pokemon trivia and crafts for all ages. The free event takes place from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm in the Community Room of the Southwest Branch, 9010 Ridgewood Road. Snacks and prizes will be available. See what you can catch with our Pokemon lure! For more information about Rock Island Library hours, services and programs, visit... Read More

Looking for something for the kids to do over fall break? The Rock Island Public Library will host a variety of programs to keep children and teens occupied and learning during the Rock Island/Milan District school break, Oct. 11 to Oct. 21. The week kicks off with a special all-ages Pokemon Go Night on Tuesday, Oct. 11,at the Rock Island 30/31 Branch. The event takes place from 5:30 to 7:00 pm in the branch at 3059 30th Street, and includes Pokemon Go gaming, trivia, crafts, snacks and prizes. The library will activate a Pokemon lure, and include a map of Poke Stops, so stop by and see what you... Read More

It’s a warm, slightly overcast day at 3 p.m. in July. As I’m walking circles around Vanderveer Park, I pause every moments to swipe my phone and pick up the items as they appear in bubbles on my screen. Those items? Three pokeballs, a potion, and a raspberry. And on I go with my afternoon walk. I’m far from alone this day, as the park is filled with hundreds of people, all of them staring at their phones, befriending each other, comparing rosters, fighting over gyms, and coming up with creative strings of swear words to express their disdain for the fickle servers. There’s a few teens,... Read More

Playing Pokémon Go? Want to try it? You can catch many of the elusive Pokémon creatures at the Rock Island Library’s Pokémon Go Night on Thursday, Aug. 11, from 5:30 to 7:30 pm at the Main Library location, 401 19th Street. The Main Library, which is already home to a Pokémon Gym and a PokéStop, will offer a night of Pokemon gaming, trivia, and fun for all ages. The library will activate a Pokémon lure and offer a map of PokéStops that are close to the library. Additional activities include Pokémon trivia, snacks and crafts. The event is open to all ages, and is free. No registration... Read More

Gotta catch ‘em all, gotta drink . . . some of ‘em, or you’re going to be chucking up your Pikachu. Pokemon Go has brought out people by the thousands trying to catch wild Pokemon, to the point where some people (who shall remain unnamed) have turned it into a drinking game, and now, some other people (who are about to be named) are going to turn it into a pub crawl. The first annual Q-C Pokemon Go pub crawl, sponsored by Scum City Clothing Co., is taking place from 9 p.m. to midnight Saturday beginning at LeClaire Park in Davenport and rolling through the local taverns downtown. According... Read More