Go on a Penguin Parade at the Quad City Botanical Center (2525 4th Avenue Rock Island) this Saturday Jan 8 from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Penguin Parade is a family read-in at the Botanical Center in partnership with the Rock Island Public Library. Read with your family, do a penguin scavenger hunt, try the penguin obstacle course, do crafts and receive free giveaway items while supplies last. Admission is free during the event and no RSVP is required. For more information, visit https://www.qcgardens.com/.  Read More

It’s almost the end of the year, and it’s time for everyone to flashback on the past 300-plus days, and we at QuadCities.com are right there with you. We’re taking a glance in the rearview at the past 365 to run down the top 30 stories of the year for our site! Of course, since we cover entertainment, sports, and features, that’s all we’ve got going on here. For stories on the flood, politics, crime and such, please feel free to check out our news media partners at KWQC-TV6. For the criteria on how we picked the stories, check out my column on the countdown. As always, it’s interesting... Read More

Two Rock Island homeless shelters enjoyed a donation of a little extra comfort for the men, women, and children in their care, thanks to an outstanding community response to the Rock Island Public Library’s November Community Comforts drive. The month-long drive collected 723 “wish list” gifts of food, paper goods, toiletries, cleaning supplies, gloves, hats, new underwear, socks and more comforts to help shelters care for people experiencing poverty and housing insecurity this holiday season. Donations were divided between Christian Care, which serves homeless men ages 18 and older, and... Read More

With the doldrums of winter weather upon us, there’s a need now more than ever for some journalistic sunshine in our lives, and you’ve come to the right place! Every month we look at some of the great positive news going on around the Quad-Cities, and, in partnership with KWQC-TV6’s “Paula Sands Live,” we shine the spotlight on the GOOD news in the area! Let’s get started!   Like, OMG Becky, We HAVE To Go To This Fest! Crafted QC will be hosting its sixth indie arts festival, OMG Beckyfest, Friday, December 6, 6-9 PM and Saturday, December 7, 10 AM-4 PM,  in the Great Hall of... Read More

Build a Cat Castle is clawing its way in 5:30 to 7:30 pm, Wednesday, December 4, at Rock Island Downtown Library! Your cat is already king (or queen) of the castle. Time to build him or her a structure worthy for feline royalty. Our Cat Castle event comes just in time for holiday gift giving! Build your furry friend a customized cardboard castle (or boat, food truck or airplane) for play and naps. The library will supply cardboard boxes and embellishments; you supply the creativity. Instructions and guidance available. Fun for all ages, please register online or call the library. www.rockislandlibrary.org or... Read More

As the leaves are turning colors and the temperatures cool, Rock Island Public Library is going to be falling over itself to make autumn a fun season for area families! The library has a full slate of events upcoming. Here’s the lowdown: Back to School! August – December 2019 Events Adults, General Audiences New: Bangtan Book Club. Monthly on Thursdays at 5:30 pm, see date for location. Do you know BTS, the Korean-pop band? Then you know their music is filled with literary influences! Join us monthly as we meet to discuss the books that have inspired certain BTS albums. Starting... Read More

One of the lesser known stories of World War II comes to light with a presentation by author Brooks Carver, of Canton, IL, on the “night witches” of Russia. Carver’s talk “Daughters of the Steppes: The Night Witches of World War II” is at 6:00 pm on Wednesday, November 13, at the Rock Island Downtown Library, 401 19th Street. The “night-witches” were 18-to-23-year-old Russian women who served in the Night Bomber Regiment of the Soviet Air Forces, dubbed The Night Witches by German troops.  Despite derision by their male counterparts, they became the highest decorated regiment... Read More

In a major change to Illinois law, recreational-use cannabis will be legalized in 2020. To help answer questions about impacts and issues of this new law, the Rock Island Public Library and City of Rock Island Community and Economic Development department will host a panel discussion November 12. The Pot Panel: Cannabis Legalization in Illinois, will be held Tuesday, November 12 from 5:30 to 7:30 pm at the Rock Island Downtown Library, 401 19th Street. The moderated discussion features experts in human resources, law and law enforcement, medicine, government, and the cannabis business. Attendees... Read More

The Rock Island Public Library Foundation and the Lorene Evans Watts Fund for Children’s Materials proudly present the “Books for Kids” Trivia Night this Friday. November 1, from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Quad City Botanical Center, 2525 4th Avenue, Rock Island. Donation to play is $10 per person. Participants can increase their chances to win by purchasing mulligan and doubler round stickers or bidding to win answers for a round from the night’s celebrity genius. Snacks are welcome and a cash bar will be available from the Botanical Center. All beverages must be purchased... Read More

The Rock Island Public Library Foundation and the Lorene Evans Watts Fund for Children’s Materials will host the “Books for Kids” Trivia Night on Friday. November 1, from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm at the Quad City Botanical Center, 2525 4th Avenue, Rock Island. Donation to play is $10 per person. Participants can increase their chances to win by purchasing mulligan and doubler round stickers or bidding to win answers for a round from the night’s celebrity genius. Snacks are welcome and a cash bar will be available from the Botanical Center. All beverages must be purchased from the... Read More