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Hey Quad Cities, hope your week’s off to a good start! Bigger tax refunds, 9 to 5 The Musical, an environmental film about a cigarette surfboard, and more. Let’s get to it!
— Cait Baker
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📰 In the news
Community STEM achievements spotlighted: Quad Cities’ 64th QCESC STEM Celebration will honor local engineers, scientists, teachers, and volunteers on February 26, 5 to 8 PM at The Bend Event Center in East Moline — get all the event details.
Rebranded fitness concept debuts: Triple E Health and Performance, formerly RATH Fitness, has opened in East Moline, focusing on athlete development and small group training at 551 12th Ave, led by Nick Trout — read the full story.
What the new law means: Tax filing season is underway, with some Iowans seeing bigger refunds after federal changes including deductions for tips, overtime and new car loans, while a Moline firm reported first-day filings — see what’s changing for filers.
Sharing kindness with elders: Illinois State Senator Mike Halpin is collecting handmade or store-bought Valentines for long-term care residents across the Quad Cities, hoping to lift seniors’ spirits ahead of Valentine’s Day — see how to get involved.
Gold and silver are (still) on fire: Gold’s strong run continues, and silver is outperforming nearly every major asset class in the last year. With demand rising and supply tight, precious metals offer the right combination of market hedge and growth. Augusta Precious Metals is a great way to invest in gold because you can just roll over part of your retirement account into their gold and silver IRAs. Curious to learn more about it? Grab their free guide here.
Compare rates for free: Insurance prices drop all the time, but you’ll only know if you check. I assumed my rate was fine until I compared options and realized I was leaving real money on the table. It took a minute to check and instantly showed better offers for where I live. If it’s been more than a few months, you should probably run this comparison tool here.
One pet emergency can easily cost $7,000+ but pet insurance helps ease the financial and emotional burden. It’s something I wish I’d had after spending $10k on last-minute surgery for my cat (her name is Miss Stache). I learned my lesson and signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.
*We do our best to avoid paywalled articles. If any slip through, let me know which ones and I’ll permanently remove them from our source list!
Highlights this week:
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🫶 We got your back
Community health initiative launches: UnityPoint Health is offering free heart health screenings throughout February at multiple Quad Cities locations. Expect blood pressure and cholesterol checks, plus on-site education and help connecting to follow-up care. It is a timely way to watch key risk factors for heart disease. Get details on free screenings.
Your voice in local priorities: Scott County Treasurer holds a public hearing today at 1100 East 46th Street in Davenport on its proposed budget. Residents may raise objections or offer comments on the plan for the coming fiscal year. Expect discussion of spending for county services that affect everyday life. Get all the details.
Creamy comfort incoming: Cheesy Cow serves gourmet mac in Bettendorf with silky housemade cheese sauces, cavatappi curls, and playful builds like Pulled Pork Mac or Margherita Pesto Chicken. When the week drags, a hot bowl from Cheesy Cow lifts the mood fast.
For your next QC party: ImPress Photo Booth brings an open-air booth or 360 setup with custom-branded overlays, backdrops, props, and a pro attendant, plus instant text sharing so everyone gets the shots on their phone. Ideal for weddings, grad parties, and office events that deserve a little extra sparkle…and a lot of keepsake moments.
A smart way to save on big purchases: When costs hit the tens of thousands, credit card and personal loan interest racks up fast. A HELOC lets you tap into your home’s equity as a flexible line of credit at a lower rate… all without refinancing your mortgage. I’ve been looking into this myself, and Figure’s HELOC stood out for its 100% online application, no in-person appraisal, and quick access to cash.
Your neighbors are Googling you:It’s an uncomfortable thought, but people search names all the time — employers, new friends, other parents at school pickup. If something negative, outdated, or misleading shows up on the first page, it can shape how people see you before you ever meet. BetterReputation helps push down unwanted search results so the first impression you make actually reflects who you are today. And if it’s not your name, you can help a friend or family member with that too.
Get clarity on financial decisions: Managing retirement, taxes, and investments alone can feel overwhelming, especially during big life transitions. Financial advisors provide holistic guidance, help reduce risk, and keep emotions away from costly decisions. I found a tool called Unbiased that matches you with the right financial advisor based on your personal situation so you can get a second opinion… it never hurts.
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📆 Around town this week
Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →
All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.
This week
🍷 Wine Dinner @ Beef + Bourbon Chophouse | Tuesday (2/3) at 6:00 PM – Winter calls for big red armor, and Beef+Bourbon ChopHouse answers with a four-course feast and some serious McLaren Vale muscle. Molly Dooker’s Bennet Livingston pours, chats, and charms, so you can pretend this Dallas-to-Australia detour was always part of your culinary plan.
🏠 Historic House Tour — Deere Family Homes @ Deere-Wiman House | Wednesday (2/4) at 2:30 PM – Historic House Tour is opening the Deere family doors with a guided wander through the Deere-Wiman House, then a stroll across to Butterworth Center. Expect upstairs, downstairs, and gossip from 1900. Reserve on Eventbrite, it is free, donations welcome, parking along 11th Avenue is easy.
⛳ 21st Annual Putt Around @ RiverCenter | Wednesday (2/4) at 3:00 PM – Grab your putter and do some good at the 21st Annual Putt Around from Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Mississippi Valley. Expect mini-golf shenanigans, bragging rights, and community vibes without the fuss. Details to come, so rally your crew, and polish your short game.
This weekend
🚀 Putnam Explorers: Mission to Space @ Putnam Museum and Science Center | Saturday (2/7) at 10:00 AM – Got a fourth to sixth grader with moon questions and weekend energy? Drop them at Putnam for a hands-on mission through astronaut training, celestial wonders, and a friendly alien, all designed to spark real curiosity and creativity. You get coffee, they get bragging rights.
🛍 Sweetheart Shop Hop @ Downtown Rock Island | Saturday (2/7) at 10:00 AM – Looking for a low-stress Valentine outing downtown that involves conversation? Downtown Rock Island’s Sweetheart Shop Hop packs shopping specials, local bites, and a stamp card. Visit five spots like Ragged Records, Blue Collar Bagels, or Wake Brewing, then claim prize entries and smug satisfaction.
🧺 Market Basket Weaving Class @ German American Heritage Center & Museum | Saturday (2/7) at 11:30 AM – Make a market basket worthy of your Saturday haul, woven on an oak D handle with dyed reed, cane, and seagrass, all tools and materials supplied. Beginners welcome. $60 members, $70 non-members; space is limited, register online, or call 563-322-8844 to dodge fees.
🎬 QC Environmental Film Series: The Cigarette Surfboard @ St. Ambrose Galvin Fine Arts Center | Sunday (2/8) at 3:00 PM – Swap doomscrolling for a doc at St. Ambrose’s Galvin Fine Arts Center, where The Cigarette Surfboard turns 10,000 cigarette butts into a high-speed wake-up call. Meet the maker, catch a virtual reflection talk, and leave thinking about fun, risk, and our river.
Live music & entertainment:
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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📻 Quad Cities report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 29°F – Low: 10°F – Precip: 3%
Mostly sunny. High near 29, with temperatures falling to around 25 in the afternoon. North wind around 5 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 10. North wind 0 to 5 mph.
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Tomorrow – High: 29°F – Low: 16°F – Precip: 1%
Mostly sunny, with a high near 29. Later: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 16.
This house is wild
Set in Oakbrook subdivision, this home pairs vaulted ceilings and a semi-open main level with an oversized great room. Three main-floor bedrooms include a primary suite with private bath and walk-in closet. The finished walkout lower level adds a fourth bedroom, full bath, rec room, wet bar, and hobby zone. Mature trees frame a private, peaceful lot.
Take a peek inside →
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🔥 Worth a peek
We’re always on the hunt for useful resources, deals, services, and products we genuinely think you’ll love. Here’s what caught our eye this week:
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