So much of the national conversation regarding downtown revitalization topics these days is centered around making places for people. It seems like a simple enough thought on the surface, however, somehow we have gotten so far away from that approach...
By: Melanie Hansen This post was originally featured on The Ugly Iowan and is published with the permission of the author. “It’s the most unique fest going on in the QCA with a very left of center, diverse line-up… not aimed to...
Blue Cat Brew Pub still has the energy and excitement of a new restaurant after 24 strong years in downtown Rock Island. This is no more apparent than with yet another first-prize award during the Culinary Classic at the Riverside Casino...
Peer pressure can be positive, too, so a number of Rock Island community partners are banding together to encourage everyone to read over summer by launching the Rock Town Reads "Show Us Your Book" social media campaign. Summer is an...
One full year into his service as Alderman of the Fifth Ward, we caught up with the busy 29-year old who represents downtown and its historic near neighborhood areas. Now one year into your term as alderman, is it everything you...
Need a drink to beat the heat and chill out with this summer? The Daiquiri Factory's array of frozen adult beverages has just the right mix of ice and inspiration for your weekend in downtown Rock Island. Snag a seat out...
Contrary to popular belief or the movie "Saw," escape room games have little to nothing to do with being locked in a room or a life or death scenario. In fact, they are actually quite family-friendly and make for a...
Wandering the streets and alleys of downtown Rock Island can be an amateur camera photographer's dream come true. Downtown is a cultural hub of arts and entertainment activity. You are bound to run into something Instagrammable with so much creativity spilling...
Not a week goes by where I don't hear that someone is surprised by a hidden gem in downtown Rock Island that they seemingly rediscovered, even though what they found had been lying right in front of them all along. As...
Heather Kanzaki has always made art, although she didn't realize she was truly an artist until college. Even then, it took a professor writing her a little note and sticking it her cubby that said, “You are an artist, did...