Gordon Ramsay’s spirit is gracing the Quad Cities with his presence — or should I say, spirit of competition? No, the world-renowned chef and television personality is not coming to our Midwestern town, but the essence of the battles seen on his MasterChef television series will be headed towards Rock Island in late February.
Continue reading “Master Chef-like” Battle Cooking on Feb. 24
The Moline Public Library is offering a new book club program for parents with young children called A Novel Naptime. Parents will engage in a casual discussion about the novel and are encouraged to bring their kids along (preschool and under). Toys and activities will be available and everyone fully expects kids to be kids while parents talk around them. The event is hosted in the 2nd floor program room where they can close the door and allow the natural rustling and interruptions of youth to fill the space.
Becca Bacon from the Library explains, “We were looking for a way to include another demographic in our book groups and realized if we made children welcome, parents would be able to join. The idea was launched and so far the interest has been good! We’re very excited to start this book club as a way for parents to get together.”
Continue reading A Novel Naptime: A Book Club for Parents while Kids Play
What could be better than love, moonlight, music and donuts? Frankly, this sounds absolutely magical and I can’t wait to experience it. Join me and many others for an all-ages Valentine’s Day event at Watch Tower Lodge at Black Hawk Park. It sounds quite lovely.
Smith Studio and Art Gallery understands the importance of a homemade card and the creativity bubbling among our students. The Geneseo art gallery will spark imagination and invention during a children’s Valentine’s Day printmaking and card art class this February.
Continue reading Engineer your own Valentine’s Day cards at Smith Studio & Gallery
Cool Beanz Coffeehouse is located in the College Hill District in Rock Island, Illinois, at 1325 30th Street. It is a locally-owned, independently-run coffee shop but has so much more to offer. The shop serves fresh-brewed coffee, made-to-order espresso drinks, and a nice selection of teas and smoothies, with seasonal items available. You can also purchase coffee and tea by the bag for at-home consumption, as well as a few offered items to help you brew what you buy.
Two creative arts events should be top on your shopping experiences in the Quad Cities this year. Both Rock The Arts and OMG BeckyFEST promises to work their shopping mojo on you!
It’s a beautiful time of year as we watch snow fall softly. The holiday lights twinkle in the dark skies and Christmas songs play in homes across the Quad Cities’ area. However, in an age of electronic devices, fast-paced lifestyles and brisk temperatures, it seems that many aging holiday traditions have become obsolete. This season Geneseo’s Red Barn recreates the dreams equated with Christmases past to create a winter wonderland perfect for all ages.
Continue reading Geneseo creates nostalgia with Christmas at the Red Barn
I love living in the Quad Cities, and in Rock Island specifically. One of the reasons is the murals that are literally almost around every corner. A few months ago, our family drove by the new mural on the corner of 14th Ave. and 30th Street every day to see the progress.
If you haven’t toured the murals of Rock Island lately, let me be the first to invite you to check out the artwork! It’s pretty rockin’. Here are some of my favorites.
Continue reading Rockin’ Rock Island Murals: Tour the City via Wall Art
It’s the holiday shopping season again. If you are like me, you are looking for a different shopping experience. Join in the fun of the 4th annual That Dam Shopping Trip. Named for Lock and Dam 15 , this “shop hop” experience is a 2-day event held on Black Friday, November 23 and on Small Business Saturday, November 24 from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The brain child of local marketing guru, Brandy VandeWalle, this bi-state shopping event joins the downtown areas of Rock Island, Illinois, and Davenport, Iowa.
Dance is the rhythmic and expressive movement of the human body. It is beautifully performed and staged 30 times during the year by the 22-year old Ballet Quad Cities. This month I was excited and honored to attend Ballet Quad Cities, Dracula, a classic tale “of love, lust and horror.” The return of this dramatic piece was staged in a new venue at the Spotlight Theatre and Event Center in downtown Moline, Illinois. Formerly the Scottish Rite Cathedral, the theatre is a worthy venue for professional dance.
Continue reading Ballet Quad Cities: The Art Is In The Details
