22 Nov 2010

The Cities, a local public affairs program, debuts on WQPT

By Lora Adams
MOLINE, ILLINOIS - WQPT premieres a brand new public affairs program on November 25th at 6:30 pm. "The Cities" will be a weekly look at issues, events and newsmakers in and around the Quad Cities. The program will be hosted by Jim Mertens. Guests for the first show includes newly elected Illinois State Representative Bobby Shilling and his wife, and 'Mr. Thanksgiving', Bob Vogelbaugh.

"This show has been the pipeline for some time, but first we had to get through the license transfer and move our offices before we could get it on the air," said WQPT General Manager, Rick Best.  "Now that everything is in place, we are very excited to begin production on "The Cities."  The program is being supported in part by a grant from the Victor and Doris Day Foundation.

"The Cities" joins other new local programs on WQPT including "WIU Presents," an hour long performance program provided by Western Illinois University; the second season of "Get Movin'," a children's exercise and healthy living program hosted by Jennifer Neal and "Out and About"  a weekly look at events coming up in the Quad Cities and surrounding areas.

Host Jim Mertens is known in the Quad Cities as the morning anchor for WQAD.   "I think this type of longer format public affairs programming is missing in the Quad Cities.  We hope the audience will help us form the show so we can showcase the important issues... and great community programs... that we either don't realize exist or simply take for granted," said Mertens. "Not to be Pollyanna about it, but each week we hope to discover not only what is happening in the Quad Cities, but what could happen to make it a better place."

"The Cities" will be taped at Fusion Communications in Davenport, Iowa and will air on WQPT Thursdays at 6:30 pm. Starting in mid December WQPT will also repeat the program on Sundays at 5:30 pm.

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

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25 Oct 2010

WQPT TO AIR 17TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT DEBATE ON OCTOBER 27TH

By Lora Adams

MOLINE, ILLINOIS - WQPT, Quad Cities PBS will tape a debate between the candidates for the 17th Congressional District to air on Wednesday, October 27th at 7:00 p.m. and will repeat at midnight.

 

Representatives for each of the candidates met at the WQPT offices on October 21st to finalize plans for the taping.  The debate will be taped on Tuesday afternoon at Fusion Communications and the debate will air the following day in order to not interrupt "God in America" a multi-series program airing Tuesday evening on WQPT.

 

The hour-long debate will be moderated by Jim Mertens, news anchor for WQAD.  Mr. Mertens will be the host of a new public affairs program on WQPT titled "The Cities," that will begin airing on November 25th at 6:30 p.m.

 

WQPT has been receiving questions from the public through their website.

 

 

 

WQPT is a media service of Western Illinois University.

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21 Oct 2010

WQPT asks public for debate questions

By Lora Adams

DO YOU HAVE A QUESTION FOR THE CANDIDATES?

WQPT WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM THE PUBLIC ON THE ISSUES THEY WOULD LIKE TO HEAR THE CANDIDATES ADDRESS.

MOLINE, ILLINOIS - WQPT, the media service of Western Illinois University, will be hosting a debate between the candidates for the 17th Congressional District in Illinois. Roger Davis, Phil Hare and Bobby Schilling will tape the debate in the afternoon of either October 25 or 26 and it will air that evening or on Wednesday, October 27.  The candidates or their representatives will meet with WQPT to finalize dates and plans.

WQPT is asking the public to send in their questions to wqpt@wiu.edu by Friday, October 22nd. "We hope the public will provide questions to be asked of the candidates" said Rick Best, WQPT General Manager.  The debate will be moderated by Jim Mertens. Mr. Mertens will be the host of WQPT's new public affairs program "The Cities", which will begin airing in November.

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27 Sep 2010

WQPT NAMES WINNERS OF BEST BREWS AT BREW HA HA

By Lora Adams

MOLINE, ILLNIOIS -  For the first time in 10 years holding Brew Ha Ha at LeClaire Park, raindrops fell, but that didn't stop just under 1800 people from sampling beers and cheeses on Saturday, September 18, 2010 at the 11th Annual WQPT Brew Ha Ha.

At the end of the event all of the votes were tallied and the top three brews were named.  All of the winners were decided on by the attendees. "We had more people voting for their favorite brews this year than in years past," said Bea Brasel, Special Projects Coordinator. The First Place trophy went to Bent River Brewing Co. for their brew, Uncommon Stout. Second Place was picked up by first time vendor Irish Dog Bloody Mary Mix for their brew of the same name and Third Place went to Great River Brewery for Roller Dam Red Ale. The top ten brews were:

Bent River Brewing Co.

Uncommon Stout

Irish Dog Bloody Mary Mix

Bloody Mary Mix

Great River Brewery

Roller Dam Red Ale

Anheuser-Busch, Inc., Budweiser

Wild Blue

Bent River Brewing Co.

Mississippi Blonde

Bent River Brewing Co.

Dry Hopped Ale

Bent River Brewing Co.

Raspberry Wheat

Granite City

Oktoberfest

Blue Cat Brew Pub

Tuck's Tenacious Trippel

Blue Cat Brew Pub

Abbey...Something

 

WQPT's Brew Ha Ha was supported by Old Chicago Bettendorf, Rock 104-9 and Cumulus Broadcasting, Rhythm City Casino, and the Riverboat Development Authority, along with the River Cities' Reader, KWQC, Mediacom, Dimitri Wine & Spirits, Inc., Glazer's Distributors of Iowa, Miller Lite, Budweiser, Cabot Cheese Cooperative of Vermont, City of Davenport, Iowa QC Chamber Downtown Partnership, ComedySportz, Hawkeye Ice, Iowa American Water, Millennium Waste, Quad City Golf Cars, and Sunbelt Rentals.

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

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27 Sep 2010

WQPT NAMES 2010 VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR

By Lora Adams

MOLINE, ILLINOIS - WQPT is pleased to announce that Donna Allman has been named the 2010 WQPT Volunteer of the Year. The award ceremony was held at Ryan's Family Steak House on August 24, 2010 during a special luncheon held for WQPT volunteers. 

Donna, who greets everyone with a hearty "Glad to have you," has been a loyal volunteer at WQPT for the last 16 years. She has helped with monthly mailings, pledge drives and special events. "We are very fortunate to have someone like Donna volunteer for the station and it was a special pleasure to honor her in this way," said Special Projects Coordinator, Bea Brasel.

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30 Aug 2010

Souvenir: A Fantasia on the Life of Florence Foster Jenkins at New Ground Theatre

By Lora Adams

Fall in love with this fresh and original comedy, Souvenir: A Fantasia on the life of Florence Foster Jenkins.  Florence Foster Jenkins (Susan Perrin-Sallak) was a New York socialite and tone-deaf diva who believed she was a great coloratura. The improbably named Cosme McMoon (Bryan Tank) was her accompanist. He chronicles Florence's musical journey from drawing room concerts to recordings to Carnegie Hall. Souvenir is a touching and comic tribute to Ms. Jenkins' sincerity, ambition, and deep love of music coupled with a complete lack of talent. Souvenir is for anyone who has ever dreamed a dream.

 

Performance Dates and Times:

Friday, September 17 at 7:30 pm

Saturday, September 18 at 7:30 pm

Sunday, September 19 at 2:30 pm

Tuesday, September 21 at 7:30 pm

Thursday, September 23 at 7:30 pm

Friday, September 24 at 7:30 pm

Saturday, September 25 at 7:30 pm

Sunday, September 26 at 2:30 pm

 

Performance location:

The Village Theatre home of New Ground Theatre, 2113 East 11th St. in the East Village of Davenport.

Ticket Prices: $15 adults, $13 seniors (65+) and children (12 and under)

Tickets are sold at the door or make a reservation by calling the reservation line at (563) 326-7529.

"They may say I can't sing, but they can't say I didn't" - Florence Foster Jenkins

03 Jun 2010

Auditions at WQPT

By Lora Adams

MOLINE, ILLINOIS - WQPT will be holding auditions for a special taped project on June 14 at the WQPT offices at 3400 Avenue of the Cities, Suite 101, Moline, Illinois. The auditions will take place on June 14th. WQPT is looking for a Hispanic girl between the ages of 11 and 14. This project will tape during the week of June 21st.  To schedule your audition appointment, please call WQPT at 309-764-2400.  This is a paid role.

WQPT is a media service of Western Illinois University.

27 May 2010

WQPT's Super Why is coming to the Quad Cities

By Lora Adams

MOLINE, ILLINOIS - WQPT welcomes Super WHY to the Quad Cities for a week of educational and entertaining activities beginning June 15, 2010. Super WHY is based on the hit PBS series that helps kids learn to read.  Whyatt, the super-powered star of Super WHY, is flying in from Storybook Village to meet his local fans.

You and your kids can join in the fun and learning:

On Tuesday, June 15, Super WHY will hold a meet and greet for families at the Moline Library at 2 p.m. WQPT will host a short workshop and several literacy activities based on the Super Readers --Alpha Pig, Princess Presto, Wonder Red and Super WHY-- and their amazing adventures.

On Wednesday, June 16, Super WHY will be visiting the River Bandits at Modern Woodman Park in Davenport, IA to throw out the first pitch of the evening. Kids can meet Super WHY, receive a tattoo and activity sheet and get a photo.

On Saturday, June 19 from 8 a.m. to 12 noon, our Super WHY star will be welcoming the crowds at the Healthy Living Fair at the downtown Farmer's Market in Davenport, IA. Bring your kids for activities focused on health and fitness.

If you're anxious to meet Super Why and avoid the large crowds, sign up for a WQPT Kid's Club Membership ($75). Families will be invited to a more intimate gathering on Thursday evening, June 17 with special activities just for them.

Super WHY is the only preschool program created to help kids learn the fundamentals of reading through interactive storybook adventures. The standout, imagination-stimulating series focuses on the adventures of four fairytale friends who transform into reading-powered superheroes: Alpha Pig with Alphabet Power, Wonder Red with Word Power, Princess Presto with Spelling Power, Super Why with the Power to Read and Super YOU with the Power to Help. Together, they are the "Super Readers"! In every fantastical episode of Super WHY! young viewers dive directly into a pop-up story to experience a brightly-illustrated children's tale brought to magical life.

Super WHY airs on WQPT Monday through Friday at 9:00 a.m. For more information contact Amanda or Karen at 309-796-2424, 800-747-2430 or wqpt@wiu.edu.

WQPT is a broadcast service of Western Illinois University - Quad Cities.

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17 May 2010

WQPT ANNOUNCES 2009 BROADCAST SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT

By Lora Adams

MOLINE, ILLINOIS - WQPT, Quad Cities PBS is proud to announce that Hilary Osborn, a broadcast student at the University of Illinois is the recipient of the WQPT 2010 Broadcast Scholarship. The $500 award can be applied to tuition, books and fees.

Miss Osborn said "I am truly honored to be a recipient of the WQPT scholarship. From the time I was in middle school, I have known that I wanted to be in the field of broadcast journalism."   She also shared a story about WQPT, "When I was a young child, I remember watching the children's programs on this very station. Those programs were a great supplement to my early childhood education. For that, I am so grateful. It is reassuring to know that these programs are still available for young minds. Long Live WQPT and PBS!"

"We are delighted to be able to award this scholarship to Hilary and to know that WQPT helped play a role in her early childhood education," said WQPT General Manager, Rick Best.

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

 

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03 May 2010

WQPT ANNOUNCES 2010 PBS KIDS GO WRITING CONTEST WINNERS

By Lora Adams

MOLINE, ILLINOIS - WQPT is excited to announce the winners of the 16th Annual PBS Kids Go Young Writers and Illustrators Contest, formerly known as the Reading Rainbow Young Writers and Illustrators Contest. 357 local children entered the contest and WQPT and judges from our sponsoring organizations chose the sixteen local winners (first, second, third and honorable mention) from kindergarten through third grade. The winners will be honored and awarded prizes at Deere-Wiman House on Sunday, May 16 at 3:00 pm.  First place winners will compete for prizes in the national PBS Kids Go competition. The winners will be announced in July. Last year Jayda Brunkan from Eldridge was a national first place winner for First Grade.

"The contest was particularly competitive this year. There were many, many stories that we creative, poetic or funny. It was difficult for the judges to pick their favorites," said WQPT Education Outreach Director, Ana Kehoe. Children could write fact or fiction and had to provide at least five illustrations to go along with their story.

Sponsors for the contest were Butterworth Center & Deere-Wiman House, Family Museum, Figge Art Museum and WQPT, Quad Cities PBS. Winning stories will be on display May 16 - 28 at the Butterworth Center in Moline, Illinois, June 2 to 15 at the Figge Art Museum in Davenport, Iowa and June 17 to 30 at the Family Museum in Bettendorf, Iowa.

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

PBS KIDS GO YOUNG WRITERS AND ILLUSTRATORS WINNERS 2010

KINDERGARTEN

First Place

Annabella Wooten, Winola Elementary, Viola, IL

Second Place

Logan Thurman, Winola Elementary, Viola, IL

Third Place

Riley Packer, Erie Elementary, Erie, IL

Honorable Mention

Olivia Switzer, Winola Elementary, Viola, IL

 

FIRST GRADE

First Place

Kyle Skinner, Alan Shepard Elementary, Long Grove, IA

Second Place

Alexander Xiao, Rivermont Collegiate, Bettendorf, IA

Third Place

Victoria DeClercq, Home-schooled, Moline, IL

Honorable Mention

Baylor Verbrugge, Edward White Elementary, Eldridge, IA.

 

SECOND GRADE

First Place

Jayda Brunkan, Ed White Elementary, Eldridge, IA.

Second Place

Kadin Kruse, Morningstar Academy, Bettendorf, IA

Third Place

Ever Jens, McKinley Elementary, Davenport, IA.

Honorable Mention

Blake Hasson, Alwood Elementary, Alpha, IL.

 

THIRD GRADE

First Place

Eunice Yoon, Prophetstown Elementary, Prophetstown, IL.

Second Place

Courtney DeClercq, Home-schooled, Moline, IL

Third Place

Alannah Skinner, Alan Shepard Elementary, Long Grove, IA

Honorable Mention

Micah Poole, Paul Norton School, Bettendorf, IA.

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