17 Mar 2015

WQPT looking for music video submissions

By Lora Adams

WQPT SEEKING MUSIC VIDEOS FROM LOCAL PERFORMERS

 

MOLINE, ILLINOIS - WQPT, Quad Cities PBS is looking for music video submissions from area musicians for use in the music segment of "The Cities" with Jim Mertens.

 

"We have been highlighting local musicians since the show began five years ago," said Lora Adams producer of the public affairs program. "We know that many of our areas local musicians have created music videos, and we would like offer then a wider audience and share them on our air."

 

Videos should be shot in high definition (HD) and use an independent audio mix. WQPT reserves the right to reject songs that contain inappropriate language or images. Music videos may be dropped off at the WQPT offices at 3300 River Drive, Moline, IL 61265, or contact us for information on how to upload your materials at 309-764-2400 and ask for Chris Ryder.

 

WQPT is a media service of Western Illinois University.

 

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09 Mar 2015

WQPT/FOURTH WALL FILMS TO SCREEN "LETTERS HOME TO HERO STREET" MARCH 22

By Lora Adams

MOLINE, IL -- WQPT, QUAD CITIES PBS and Fourth Wall Films will screen their documentary, "Letters Home to Hero Street," at 5 p.m. Sunday, March 22 at Hampton Grace United Methodist Church in Hampton, Illinois. The film screening is open free to the public.

 

The 30-minute film draws on the letters home from one of eight soldiers, who were lost to war, who lived on 2nd Street in Silvis, IL, which is now known as "Hero Street USA." Through the soldier's letters home to his family, the documentary provides a glimpse into the experiences of one of the heroes.

 

After the film, there will be an informal question-and-answer period.

 

The project was funded in part by the Illinois Arts Council.

 

WQPT is a media service of Western Illinois University.

 

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09 Mar 2015

WQPT BROADCAST SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION NOW AVAILABLE

By Lora Adams

MOLINE, ILLINOIS - WQPT- Quad Cities PBS is pleased to offer a $500 Broadcast Scholarship to students pursuing a career in broadcasting. The annual award can be applied to tuition, books and fees.

 

Criteria to apply for the scholarship opportunity follow. You must:

 

•   be an accepted, or a currently enrolled, student at Western Illinois University in the broadcasting program;

•   reside in WQPT's viewing area or have recently graduated from a high school in the WQPT viewing area;

•   have earned an overall 2.5 GPA (grade point average); and

•   have a 3.0 or higher GPA in broadcasting courses taken at other institutions (not applicable to incoming college freshmen).

 

In addition, preference will be given to full-time students, although part-time students may apply.

 

For complete information and to download the application form online, visit wqpt.org/scholarship or call (309) 764-2400 or toll-free at (800 or 877) 413-2424. Applications will be accepted through April 18, 2014.

 

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

 

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17 Feb 2015

WQPT'S "READY TO LEARN" CONFERENCE SET FOR APRIL 18

By Lora Adams

MOLINE, ILLINOIS - WQPT, Quad Cities PBS is offering a "Ready to Learn" Conference Saturday, April 18. The event?which is offered in partnership with the Community Child Care Resource & Referral, Quad Cities Association for Education of Young Children, Mississippi Bend Area Education Agency, Rock Island County Regional Office of Education, Child Abuse Council and Western Illinois University - Quad Cities?is designed to provide up-to-date information on a variety of topics related to early childhood.

The "Ready to Learn" Conference will feature 18 different breakout sessions including: "Art in the Garden," "Dealing with Multilingual Children," "Importance of Early Eye Care," "Self-Calming Techniques" and others.

The conference registration fee is $25.00 and includes three workshops, a light breakfast and a free book. All participants will receive training certificates for three hours of credit. Professional development credits (CEU/CPDU/CDA) will be available for an additional fee.

For more information and/or to download a registration form, visit www.wqpt.org or call (309) 764-2400.  

WQPT is a media service of Western Illinois University.

 

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14 Jan 2015

YOUNG WRITERS AND ARTISTS NEEDED FOR WQPT WRITING CONTEST

By Lora Adams

MOLINE, IL - WQPT-Quad Cities PBS invites young authors and illustrators in kindergarten-third grade to submit their original stories to the PBS Kids Writing Contest.

Stories, which must be the original work of the child, may be non-fiction, fiction, prose or poetry. Entries, postmarked by Thursday, April 9, can be dropped off at WQPT's office at Western Illinois University's riverfront campus, or mailed to WQPT, 3300 River Drive, Moline, Illinois 61265.

Sixteen local winners (four from each grade) will be honored with prizes at a ceremony held at the Butterworth Center in May and will appear on-air in a promotion for PBS Kids programs on WQPT. First place winners will compete for national prizes and their stories will appear on the WQPT website. Finalists and participating classrooms will also receive free books. Each participant will receive a Certificate of Achievement. Finalists and participating classrooms will receive free books.

For more information, along with guidelines and entry forms, visit wqpt.org/storycontest or contact Esther Smith at (309) 764-2400 or EB-Smith@wiu.edu.

Funding and support for the writing contest has been provided in part by the Butterworth Center and Deere-Wiman House, Family Museum, Figge Art Museum, Midwest Writing Center and WQPT.

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

 

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19 Dec 2014

WQPT/FOURTH WALL FILMS PREMIERE NEW DOCUMENTRY 'LETTERS HOME TO HERO STREET'

By Lora Adams

MOLINE, IL -- WQPT, QUAD CITIES PBS and Fourth Wall Films have teamed up to produce a new documentary "Letters Home to Hero Street." The project is funded by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council.

 

The 30-minute film draws on the letters home from one of eight soldiers lost to war who lived on 2nd Street in Silvis, IL, now known as Hero Street USA. "Letters Home" gives a glimpse into one of the heroes through his letters home to his family.

 

The large amount of documentation and supporting materials is what made the decision for us to focus on him," said Director Kelly Rundle. "Our soldier was not chosen because he is more important than the other seven heroes, nor more important than others who have served and made the ultimate sacrifice. In 'Letters Home to Hero Street,' he stands in for the seven and for all who have served."

 

A premiere of the film is being held Jan. 15 at 6 p.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe, 800 17th Street, Silvis, IL. The event is open free to the public. The filmmakers, actors and others associated with the film will be available to answer questions.

 

The following day (Jan. 16) the film will air on WQPT at 7 p.m. For more information, visit wqpt.org or fourthwallfilms.com.

 

WQPT is a media service of Western Illinois University.

 

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11 Nov 2014

WIU-QC/WQPT AMERICORPS EARLY CHILDHOOD LITERACY PROJECT ANNOUNCES SUCCESS

By Lora Adams

MOLINE, IL - Western Illinois University-Quad Cities and WQPT's AmeriCorps program has completed its first year of service.

The original class of 12 AmeriCorps members served the Illinois Quad City area and set out to improve literacy skills in the classrooms they serve by 15 percent. After completing a pre-test and post-test based on Illinois Early Learning Standards, the results show improvement in literacy skills of the students served by 49 percent.

The AmeriCorps program has also undergone changes for the 2014-2015 class. The program is now able to serve both Illinois and Iowa and has been expanded to 24 members. Currently there are 20 members enrolled.

Fifteen of the members are new to the program, and five are returning for a second year of service. Members are serving at all three Skip-a-Long locations (Moline, Rock Island and Davenport, IA), Casa de los Ninos in Moline, Grant Wood Elementary and Thomas Jefferson Elementary School, both in Bettendorf, IA, Blackhawk Family Literacy Program in Moline, Hillcrest Elementary School in East Moline and the WIU Infant and Preschool Center in Macomb.

This is also the 20th anniversary of AmeriCorps and the Western/WQPT members celebrated in Springfield, IL, marching through the city and taking the oath of service on the steps of the Old State Capital.

Other projects included making 250 blank books for children to write and illustrate their own stories at the newly opened Newcome Early Learning Center in Davenport, IA, and helping at the National Bullying Prevention Month CommUNITY Party in Bettendorf, IA, promoting kindness and helping the children make Elmo puppets.

Anyone interested in applying to AmeriCorps can email Scott at s-brouette@wiu.edu.

WQPT is a media service of WIU.

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05 Nov 2014

WQPT PRESENTS A MILITARY WORKFORCE SYMPOSIUM AS A PART OF EMBRACING OUR MILITARY.

By Lora Adams

MOLINE, ILLINOIS - WQPT, Quad Cities PBS is just completing its first year of "Embracing Our Military," a two-year initiative designed to draw attention and resources to military families in the community.

From 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Nov. 7, WQPT will hold a free Military Workforce Symposium at Western Illinois University - Quad Cities in Moline, IL, to provide workshops, a job fair, resource booths and educational opportunities for National Guard, reserve, active duty, retired military and military spouses.

Businesses in attendance will be actively hiring with openings occurring in the next three-six months and who share a commitment to hiring veterans.

Workshop topics include "Reinventing Michael Banks," an interactive video that addresses the needs of both transitioning service members and employers by allowing participants to take an active role in the decisions and lives of a veteran, a corporate recruiter, a human resources professional and a supervisor. Other topics include "Dressing for Success," "Build Your Network: Build Your Future," "Volunteerism," and "Successfully Navigating USA Jobs."

To find out more about the Military Workshop Symposium or other aspects of "Embracing Our Military," visit wqpt.org/embracing.

The symposium is supported by presenting sponsors R.I.A Federal Credit Union, UnityPoint Health- Trinity and WQPT, Quad Cities PBS.

WQPT is a public media service of Western Illinois University.

 

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15 Oct 2014

Auditions for Letters Home to Hero Street

By Lora Adams

FOURTH WALL FILMS AND WQPT HOLD AUDITIONS FOR "LETTERS HOME TO HERO STREET"

MOLINE, ILLINOIS - Fourth Wall Films and WQPT Quad Cities PBS have partnered to create a new docudrama, "Letters Home to Hero Street." Auditions for the film will be held on Saturday, October 18 from 9 am to noon at WQPT's studio on the Western Illinois University-Quad Cities campus in Riverfront Hall.

To be scheduled for an audition and receive other details, please email your name, phone/email, address, experience, and photo before 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 17, 2014 to LJ-Adams@wiu.edu.

KEY DATES

Re-enactment Auditions: October 18, 2014 9:00 AM-12:00 PM
(Please note all auditions will be given a specific time within this window)
Call Backs: October 21, 2014 6:00 PM-8:00 PM
Filming Dates: November 2, 15, 16, 17, 2014
Project Ends: The documentary will be completed in December 2014 and will premiere on WQPT-PBS in early 2015. Special screenings of the documentary will also take place, as well as a DVD release.

 

Synopsis:
A young Mexican-American veteran's personal view of World War II is told through the letters he sent home to his family in Silvis, Illinois.  He becomes one of eight veterans of WWII and the Korean War killed in combat from the same block-and-a half long neighborhood now called Hero Street, USA.

Character Descriptions:

SOLDIER, male, early 20s. Away from home for the first time, he writes letters to keep family members informed of his movements and responds to news from home. He is Mexican-American, slender, physically fit.

SISTER, female, age 11-13. The soldier's sister translates his letters from English to Spanish and reads them to her mother and father. She is Mexican-American, slender, long dark hair, speaks English and Spanish.

MOTHER, female, late 40s. The soldier's mother is a Mexican immigrant. Speaks Spanish.

TELEGRAM DELIVERY BOY, age 17-21. Young Caucasian male delivers "killed in action" telegrams. Will ride a period bike.

WQPT is a media service of Western Illinois University.

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14 Oct 2014

WQPT PRESENTS A MILITARY WORKFORCE SYMPOSIUM AS A PART OF EMBRACING OUR MILITARY

By Lora Adams

MOLINE, ILLINOIS - WQPT, Quad Cities PBS is just completing its first year of "Embracing Our Military," a two-year initiative designed to draw attention and resources to military families in the community.

From 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Nov. 7, WQPT will hold a free Military Workforce Symposium at Western Illinois University - Quad Cities in Moline, IL, to provide workshops, a job fair, resource booths and educational opportunities for National Guard, reserve, active duty, retired military and military spouses.

Businesses in attendance have noted they are hiring with openings occurring in the next three-six months and who share a commitment to hiring veterans.

Workshop topics include "Reinventing Michael Banks," an interactive video that addresses the needs of both transitioning service members and employers by allowing participants to take an active role in the decisions and lives of a veteran, a corporate recruiter, a human resources professional and a supervisor. Other topics include "Dressing for Success," "Build Your Network: Build Your Future," "Volunteerism," and "Successfully Navigating USA Jobs."

To find out more about the Military Workshop Symposium or other aspects of "Embracing Our Military," visit wqpt.org/embracing.

The symposium is supported by presenting sponsors R.I.A Federal Credit Union, UnityPoint Health- Trinity and WQPT, Quad Cities PBS.

WQPT is a public media service of Western Illinois University.

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