“100 Things to Do in the Quad Cities Before You Die" at the Robert R. Jones Public Library -- April 6.
Saturday, April 6, 1 p.m.
Robert R. Jones Public Library, 900 First Street, Coal Valley IL
A gifted composer and pianist, longtime area-theatre reviewer, and staunch advocate of the local art scene will be the featured guest at Coal Valley's Robert R. Jones Public Library on April 6, when Jonathan Turner will serve as a knowledgeable, friendly guide while discussing experiences worth sharing in his 2023 book 100 Things to Do in the Quad Cities Before You Die.
As residents of our community know, the Quad Cities is a unique metropolitan area along the mighty Mississippi River, one that is constantly growing in both size and nationwide reputation. This region is 400,000-plus has all of the friendliness, affordability, and short, headache-free commutes of many small towns. Yet it also boasts staggering a variety and quality of things to do. In 100 Things to Do in the Quad Cities Before You Die, author Turner invites readers to take a tour of the creative, intoxicating QC Ale Trail including the Bent River and Front Street breweries. He leads them through terrifically varied restaurants such as Me & Billy, Tantra, and Food Affair Bistro. He showcases the live entertainment hosted by venues including Quad City Music Guild and Davenport's Adler Theatre. And he makes diligent note of the abounding museums and art galleries that include the Figge Art Museum and the Putnam Museum & Science Center. All of these sites and dozens of other combine to make the Quad Cities a genuinely special, entertaining place to be, and Turner's April 6 presentation will ensure that you'll want to check all 100 Things off your list and them come back around the River Bend for more.
A digital reporter at WHBF-TV in Rock Island, Turner has been a journalist since 1988 and has written for daily newspapers in Wisconsin, Indiana, Connecticut, and, since 1993, the Quad Cities. Also a longtime piano player, he earned his bachelor's degree in music from Oberlin College and a master's in music education from Indiana University. Previously, Turner wrote a history book about downtown Davenport titled A Brief History of Bucktown, and contributed an essay to the anthology These Interesting Times: Surviving 2020 in the Quad Cities. More of Turner's writing are available by visiting Facebook.com/jonathan.turner.7140497.
Jonathan Turner's 100 Things to Do in the Quad Cities Before You Die discussion will take place at the Coal Valley library on April 6, participation in the 1 p.m. program is free, and more information on the event is available by calling (309)799-3047 and visiting RobertJonesLibrary.org.
