13 May 2013

Library Lines: Biking, History & More

By Rock Island Library
Explore the World of Bike Touring & Book Writing Monday

bicylists blurred Discussion:

Bike Touring and Book Writing,

Monday, May 13,

6:30 to 7:30 pm,

Rock Island Main Library

 

Rock Island author Chuck Oestreich will informally discuss his novel, "Bicycle Moon," and lead a discussion about practical tips for touring on a bike. Chuck has toured cross-country on bike in the United States and 10 countries.

Writing a novel has been one of his lifelong dreams, and he'll talk a little bit about the story and share some practical tips he's learned over the years about bicycle touring. Come share your own tips and stories about touring on two wheels!

 

No books will be for sale, but if you have one, bring it along! Event is free and open to the public.
Learn about the Rock Island Civil War prison

Heritage Documentaries logo Film & Discussion:

The Rock Island Civil War Prison:

Andersonville of the North?

6:30 to 7:30 pm, Thursday, May 23

Rock Island Main Library, 401 19th Street.

The event is free and open to the public.

 

The 30-minute documentary tells the story of the Rock Island Confederate prison camp using dramatic photos and other high-definition images. It documents the life of prisoners using their own words from diaries and letters and demonstrates that the death rate at Rock Island was much lower than the astonishing death rate at Andersonville Prison in Georgia. The title, "Andersonville of the North," is derived from a passage in Margaret Mitchell's literary classic, Gone with the Wind.

 

Writers/directors Ed Isenberg and Ezra Sidran will be present to discuss the production and answer questions. The documentary is also available on DVD.
New Service for Music Lovers!

Now you can download music from the Rock Island Library - and what's more, you can keep it.

 

Freegal Music service Rock Island Public Library has joined Library Ideas™' network of public library websites that offer access to over 3 million songs, including Sony Music's catalog of legendary artists. The Freegal™ Music Service will allow the Rock Island Public Library to increase the size and diversity of its music collection by offering access to over 10,000 music labels from 65 different countries.

 

Registered cardholders of the Rock Island Public Library with accounts in good standing can download three Freegal Music tracks in the MP3 format each month at no direct cost via the library website. The library underwrites the purchase of the music. Downloaded tunes become part of the patron's personal music library - they do not disappear or need to be returned after a set period.

 

Freegall is compatible with a number of devices, and Freegal Music apps are available in the Apple® App Store and Google Play®.

  • Users must have a Rock Island Public Library card in good standing. As a subscription service, Freegal is not available to patrons of other libraries. (Unless your library also subscribes. Contact your home library.)
  • Patrons will need their Rock Island Library card number and PIN to access the website.
  • Up to three (3) songs may be downloaded per patron per week. Downloads can't be withdrawn once finalized. Each song does have a sample clip so you can listen before you download.
  • Users must download from home. This service is not available from library computers.

Full instructions are available on the Rock Island Library website under "Download This." A free class will also be offered at 6:30 pm on June 19 at the Main Library.

 
PrairieState Legal Services at Main Once a Week

Hours have changed for a new awareness service from Prairie State Legal Services at the Main Library, 401 19th Street.

 

Trained volunteers from Prairie State Legal Services will be available from 2:00 pm to 4:30 pm on Mondays only, on the 2nd floor.  Prairie State will offer information and assistance with navigating public benefits for food, cash, medical assistance, disability and township assistance.
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10 May 2013

Rock Island Library Hosts Civil War Documentary Screening

By Lisa Lockheart

Rock Island, IL: The Rock Island Public Library will host a screening and discussion by Heritage Documentaries on Thursday, May 23 of "The Rock Island Civil War Prison: Andersonville of the North?" The screening starts at 6:30 pm in the Community Room of the Rock Island Main Library, 401 19th Street. The event is free and open to the public.

The 30-minute documentary tells the story of the Rock Island Confederate prison camp using dramatic photos and other high-definition images.  It documents the life of prisoners using their own words from diaries and letters and demonstrates that the death rate at Rock Island was much lower than the astonishing death rate at Andersonville Prison in Georgia. The title, "Andersonville of the North," is derived from a passage in Margaret Mitchell's literary classic, Gone with the Wind.

Writers/directors Ed Isenberg and Ezra Sidran will be present to discuss the production and answer questions. The documentary is also available on DVD.

For more news about Rock Island Public Library events, visit www.rockislandlibrary.org, call 309-732-7323 (READ) or follow the Rock Island Library on Facebook and Twitter. A monthly calendar of library events is available online and at Rock Island Library locations.

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09 May 2013

Negotiation and Peacebuilding Series Coming to Moline Public Library

By Jennifer Christiansen

The Moline Public Library and the Jewish Federation of the Quad Cities welcome historian Dr. Arthur Pitz as he leads the series Building Peace in the Middle East, beginning in June.  The program will be held four consecutive Tuesdays, June 11, June 18, June 25th and July 2nd, beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the Moline Library, 3210 41st Street.

Participants will learn the art of conflict resolution and international relations through the methods of the Harvard Negotiation Project.  These principles will be applied to current issues facing the Middle East through active group discussion and consensus building.

This grant-funded program is provided by the generosity of the United States Institute of Peace, the independent, nonpartisan conflict management center created by Congress to prevent and mitigate international conflict without resorting to violence. USIP works to save lives, increase the government's ability to deal with conflicts before they escalate, reduce government costs, and enhance national security. USIP is headquartered in Washington, DC with offices in Baghdad, Iraq, and Kabul, Afghanistan.

As part of its congressional mandate, USIP devotes a portion of its budget to support organizations that will advance the field of conflict management by developing new techniques, establishing best practices, and professionalizing the field through education and training. The Public Education for Peacebuilding Support is a program of USIP administered by the Institute of International Education.

Space is limited for this event, so registration is required.  Participants may sign up by visiting the Moline Public Library or calling 309-524-2470.

Illinois teachers may choose to attend this series for 8 CPDUs, with a $25 fee through the Rock Island County Regional Office of Education or one hour of graduate credit from Aurora University for a $100 fee.  Contact RIROE at 309-736-1111 for more information.

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09 May 2013

A former volunteer firefighter has his book published...The Volunteer.

By Rick Martin

This is the first novel of its kind because its storyline centers on volunteer firefighters and emergency medical service personnel and not on the paid departments.

Scotrun, PA-- Tom Ward has a new book out, The Volunteer, just released by Cambridge Books whose advanced copies are available on Amazon.com.

In 1983, in war-torn Lebanon, Robert J. Doyle ordered the complete destruction of an unsuspecting village. As he walked through the carnage later, he vowed one day he would somehow pay off the loss of innocent lives.

Later, Doyle decides to become a volunteer firefighting paramedic. He feels that with each life and property he helps to save; he makes a payment on his debt. For years, as Doyle responds to his community's calls for help he ignores his own needs. To counteract flashbacks brought on by burnout, Doyle uses alcohol to keep going. Still, the memories of the destruction and dead villagers compel him to respond.

The Volunteer centers on one man's struggle with to find inner peace. And examines the question of what compels volunteers to respond no matter what time of day or night, to sacrifice their time, financial resources, their talents, and even their lives in the service of their communities.

"I am ecstatic at this time to finally have 'The Volunteer' published after all these years," said Tom Ward. "For the past 20 years this story has always been important to me because it shows one man's reason why he volunteers to serve his community. But his is only one reason out of 800,000 other reasons of those who serve their respective communities.

Hollywood always makes movies and TV series about the Paid Departments and not once ventured to portray the volunteer firefighter or emergency medical service personnel. These men and women willingly place themselves and everything they hold dear into harm's way for their communities and don't expect anything in return not even a thank you.

Hollywood's neglect and that of other authors was and always has been my motivation to get my novel published for it tells of one volunteer's reason why he is willing to risk it all for his community."

Cambridge Books is a small press located in Cambridge, MD.

"We are very proud to have published The Volunteer by Tom Ward," said Arline Chase, publisher. "We are a small company and choose our books carefully. We only publish work from writers we feel are talented and have a lot to offer."

Tom has a trilogy, The Volunteer, Volunteers: A Breed Apart which he is editing and Station 1260-1270 which he hopes to finish.

Tom Ward enjoys meeting fellow volunteers both firefighters and emergency medical service personnel, and may be contacted by e-mail at tmwardjr@gmail.com.

07 May 2013

2013 WQPT WRITERS CONTEST WINNERS ANNOUNCED

By Lora Adams

MOLINE, IL -- WQPT received more than 400 stories from students in kindergarten through third grade for the annual PBS Kids Go Writers Contest. Sixteen winners (four from each grade) were selected by educators and contest sponsors. The winners and their families will be honored and awarded prizes at Deere-Wiman House at 3 p.m. Sunday, May 19.

"We received a record number of stories this year. We are thrilled that so many teachers and parents encouraged their young authors and illustrators to participate," said Ana Kehoe, WQPT's educational outreach director.

Kindergarten

First Place: Rylan Edwards, Ekstrand Elementary, DeWitt, IA

Second Place: Ellie Curnyn, Jane Addams Elementary, Moline, IL

Third Place: Sophia Foad, Cody Elementary School, LeClaire, IA

Honorable Mention: Oliver Borders, Longfellow Liberal Arts, Rock Island, IL

 

First grade

First Place: Georgia Brunkan, Ed White Elementary, Eldridge, IA

Second Place: Xion Owens-Holst, McKinley Elementary, Davenport, IA

Third Place: Gianna Schwartz, Paul Norton School, Bettendorf, IA

Honorable Mention: Nate Stanger, Garfield School, Davenport, IA

 

Second grade

First Place: Paul Schwartz, Paul Norton School, Bettendorf, IA

Second Place: Isabella Jones, Rivermont Collegiate, Bettendorf, IA

Third Place: Nikhil Ramaraju, Riverdale Heights Elementary, Bettendorf, IA

Honorable Mention: Jena Edwards, Ekstrand Elementary, DeWitt, IA

 

Third grade

First Place: Dalton Morrow, Harrison Elementary, Davenport, IA

Second Place: Alana Kruse, Morning Star Academy, Bettendorf, IA

Third Place: Eden Swails, Riverdale Elementary, Port Byron, IL

Honorable Mention: Calla Brunkan, Ed White Elementary, Eldridge, IA

 

All the entries will be returned, along with a certificate from PBS. Stories will be displayed at the Butterworth Center from May 19-30; the Family Museum from June 3-16; and Figge Art Museum from June 18-30.

The contest is supported by WQPT-Quad Cities PBS, the Butterworth Center, Deere-Wiman House, Family Museum in Bettendorf, Figge Art Museum and the Midwest Writing Center.

WQPT is a media service of Western Illinois University - Quad Cities located in Moline, Illinois.

###

06 May 2013

QC sneak preview of abUSed:The Postville Raid May 10 at RozzTox

By Adam Burke

Join director Luis Argueta for a special sneak preview of his moving documentary, "abUSed: The Postville Raid" at Rozz Tox on May 10 at 8pm.

Iowa Public TV will air the film on the fifth anniversary of the raid, May 12 (check your local listings), but join us Friday, May 10 at 8pm, for a special screening and chance to meet the award-winning director and immigration activist Luis Argueta.

Mr. Argueta will be present at this screening to introduce the film and take questions about current immigration issues, the lingering effects of the 2008 raid, and his new film, "The U-Turn," a follow-up to "abUSed."
Also in attendance will be Guatemala producer Bea Gallardo Shaul and Iowa producer (and former Quad Citian) Adam Burke.
Voluntary donations will be accepted to assist the victims of the raid and their families and to help produce the upcoming "U-Turn" film.

abUSed: The Postville Raid has received both critical acclaim and broad praise from communities across the country.  The film has been screened at over 200 venues, including colleges, law schools, immigration and workers' conferences, faith-based communities and at the OIM/CMS Conference on Irregular Migration for the UN Permanent Delegates in NYC. It has been an official entry in 16 international film festivals, receiving the Best Documentary Audience Award at CINEMASSÍ Film Festival in Finland (2012).

For additional information please contact Luis Argueta at luisarguetaa@gmail.com or 646.418.3599 or Adam Burke at atomburke@gmail.com or 319.331.6638.

06 May 2013

Iowa broadcast premiere of abUSed: The Postville Raid May 12, 2013

By Adam Burke
NEW YORK, N.Y. May 6, 2013 abUSed: The Postville Raid, the documentary by award-winning director, Luis Argueta, will have its Iowa broadcast premiere on IPTV World on May 12, 2013.  This broadcast will commemorate the 5th anniversary of the devastating immigration raid on a meatpacking plant in the Heartland of America.

The program will air on May 12 at 5:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. on IPTV World as part of the WGBH-produced documentary series called "America Reframed."

abUSed: The Postville Raid weaves together the personal stories of those directly affected by the largest, most brutal and expensive Immigration raid in the history of the United States putting a face on the national debate about immigration.  However, the story of the Postville raid is not just about immigration, but how the rule of law was neglected, how the Constitution was trampled, how due process was overlooked and how the rights of immigrant workers were cast aside.

To see a 2-minute-trailer visit https://vimeo.com/22102237.

"With the new bi-partisan discussions on the issue of immigration reform in Washington the film is even more relevant than ever," said Mr. Argueta.

abUSed: The Postville Raid has received both critical acclaim and broad praise from communities across the country.  The film has been screened at over 200 venues, including colleges, law schools, immigration and workers' conferences, faith-based communities and at the OIM/CMS Conference on Irregular Migration for the UN Permanent Delegates in NYC. It has been an official entry in 16 international film festivals, receiving the Best Documentary Audience Award at CINEMASSÍ Film Festival in Finland (2012).

03 May 2013

Visa Celebrates Free Comic Day, Highlighting Avengers Give Away

By Hugh Norton

Comic Book Brings Unique Approach to Financial Education into Classrooms and Homes Across the Country

Foster City, CA - May 3, 2013 - Free Comic Book Day is the first Saturday in May each year - when comic book shops across around the world give away comic books free to anyone who comes into their stores. Marvel Comics and Visa Inc. have teamed up to create an enormously popular financial literacy comic book called Avengers: Saving The Day.  Combining Marvel's iconic characters, including the Avengers and Spider-Man, with Visa's financial literacy expertise, this comic introduced children to basic money concepts.  Visa distributed over 250,000 copies of the free comic since the release in March, 2012

Avengers: Saving The Day is a 16-page comic book with a fast-moving plot revolving around Spider-Man and the Avengers learning about personal finance, while battling the evil Mole Man during an attempted heist.  The book is accompanied by a teacher's guide that uses Marvel's characters to introduce children to basic financial concepts such as budgeting and saving.

Available at no cost, both in print and online at www.practicalmoneyskills.com/avengers, Avengers: Saving The Day is available around the world and is available in Arabic, Bahasa Indonesia, Chinese, English, French, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish. Hard copies can be ordered at http://www.practicalmoneyskills.com/resources/free_materials/

03 May 2013

Happy Joe Whitty Shares His Inspiring Story

By Kristel Ersan

BETTENDORF, Iowa - Happy Joe Whitty loves people, and it shows. He loves to have a goodtime and to make people laugh, and that's just what his new book, "Not Your Average Joe" does.

You're sure to love this book written by the founder of Happy Joe's Pizza & Ice Cream and theinventor of the Taco pizza! Read about this hard-working, generous, fun-loving entrepreneurwith a natural ability to make people happy. You'll be inspired, laugh, and maybe shed a fewtears. "I'm not only living proof of the American dream, but proof that the American dream canbecome a reality for any one of us," Whitty writes. "This is my story...and yours."

Meet Happy Joe Whitty himself on Saturday, May 4th, 11am - 1pm, at the Barnes & NobleBookstore in North Park Mall in Davenport, or 11am - 1pm the following Saturday, May11th, at Books-A-Million, 4000 E. 53rd Street in Davenport. There will be a meet and greetwhere Joe will visit and answer questions, as well as autograph your book!

Bring your camera and your kids for a photo opportunity with the real Happy Joe and Happy the Dog!

Published by Tate Publishing and Enterprises, the book is available through bookstoresnationwide, from the publisher at www.tatepublishing.com/bookstore, or by visitingwww.barnesandnoble.com, www.booksamillion.com, or www.amazon.com.
If you would like more information, please contact Kristel Whitty-Ersan at 563.332.8811, Ext.203, or via e-mail at kristele@happyjoes.com.

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30 Apr 2013

WINNER OF RIVERVISION VIDEO CONTEST

By Lora Adams

MOLINE, IL - The Moline Foundation awarded Sean Turnipseed of Moline, a senior elementary education student at Western Illinois University-Quad Cities, a $500 educational stipend for his winning entry in the River Vision 2020 video contest. The award was presented at a ceremony    April 22 at the WIU-QC Riverfront campus.

River Vision 2020 consisted of three community conversations attended by 65 residents and business owners from both sides of the river. The River Vision 2020 website had 3,300 views and 2,400 votes were cast online for the video competition. River Vision 2020 is set to move on to the next phase of the riverfront project.

River Vision 2020 has been a partnership between WQPT, The Moline Foundation, Renew Moline and the City of Moline.

For more information on River Vision 2020, visit wqpt.org/rivervision2020.

WQPT is a public media service of Western Illinois University Quad Cities located in Moline, IL.          

DSC_1121.JPG

Photo of Scott Turnipseed and Joy Boruff of the Moline Foundation.  

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