A pair of global health crises – one past, one present – will be the focus of this year's October 20 and 27 presentations in the annual Frieze Lecture Series, with the Rock Island Public Library hosting informative, insightful, and illuminating virtual programs delivered by lauded professors at Augustana College.

Delivered as part of the Davenport Public Library's virtual 3rd Thursday at Hoover's Presidential Library and Museum programming, noted historian and author Jeffrey B. Miller will present the October 15 Zoom webinar Heroism and Humanity Behind German Lines, sharing insights on the World War I Commission for Relief in Belgium (CRB), Herbert Hoover's humanitarian efforts, and the young idealists who interrupted their lives to serve the CRB for no pay.

Held in conjunction with the September 27 through October 3 Banned Books Week – a celebration of our collective freedom to read – the Midwest Writing Center's and Rock Island Public Library's annual Banned Books Reading goes virtual on September 29, with more than a dozen participants gathering online to read from frequently challenged works and unite in the fight against censorship.

Internationally beloved for his memorable appearances in the seven Police Academy comedies, and a veteran of such other cult classics as Spaceballs and Cheech & Chong's Next Movie, standup comedian, actor, and beatboxer Michael Winslow takes the stage at the Rhythm City Casino Resort Rhythm Room for two performances on September 24, initiating the Davenport venue's 2020-21 comedy series and demonstrating why he's commonly referred to as “The Man of 10,000 Sound Effects.”