MOLINE, ILLINOIS - WQPT, the area's regional public television broadcaster welcomes Jamie Lange as the new Chief Development Officer for the station. Ms. Lange comes to WQPT from the American Red Cross of Quad Cities Area where she served as the Financial Development Coordinator. A graduate of Pleasant Valley High School and Iowa State University, Ms. Lange began her career in the Quad Cities as the Fund Development Manager for the Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois.  She was honored as one of the Leaders Under 40 in 2005 and she serves on the Leadership Council of The Network: Young Professionals of the Quad Cities. Additionally, she is President for Association of Fundraising Professionals Quad Cities chapter.

"As WQPT prepares to transfer its license from Black Hawk College to Western Illinois University, the station wanted to implement a part of the strategic plan, which was to bring on a full-time development professional, whose duties were focused entirely on fundraising," said WQPT General Manager, Rick Best.  "We are very excited to have Jamie Lange join WQPT as we head into a new chapter in the history of the station." Mr. Best added that Lora Adams, who served as Chief Development Officer, will become the Director of Marketing and Local Content, retaining her duties regarding marketing and as producer of WQPT pledge drives. Her new duties will also include the creation and production of new local programming.

WQPT is located in Moline, Illinois on the campus of Black Hawk College.

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ANNAPOLIS, Md.–Applications are being accepted Feb. 1 through April 1 for the United States Naval Academy (USNA) Summer STEM Program 2010.  STEM is held in three sessions: June 7-12, June 14-19 and June 21-26.  The academy's Summer STEM Program is an overnight academic camp designed for rising 8th-11th grade students in good academic standing who have an interest in math and science.

The STEM Program gives students the opportunity to experience real-life applications of math and science principles through hands-on practical learning.  Students will learn from distinguished Naval Academy professors in world-class lab facilities that provide a unique learning environment outside the traditional classroom.  The academy's current students, known as midshipmen, help run the Summer STEM Program and act as camp counselors and tutors to students.

Students and parents with questions about the Summer STEM Program and the application process should call (410)293-1858 or visit www.usna.edu/admissions. The deadline for applications is April 1. Applicants will be notified of their application status in the month of May.

TUESDAY: Air and Space Museum/DC Tour

WEDNESDAY: So What Really Happened to the Titanic? the Challenger? the Ford Pinto?  The tragedy of the Titanic, as well as other engineering disasters have served to foster many technological discoveries and innovations. As you learn more, you will break steel and investigate crash mechanics. You'll examine Material Fingerprints to characterize technical crimes. You will visit the USNA Hydromechanics and Fluids Laboratories to study hull designs and structures and in the Aero Laboratories, you will investigate the forces of nature.

THURSDAY: Cryptography, Computers and Code, Forensics and Fingerprints.  Can you break the code? Learn how mathematics, computer science, and engineering have been used throughout history to keep messages hidden and cryptic. Create and program your own video game to solve a crime in 3-D. Use chemical analysis to solve crime and investigate fingerprinting of physical phenomenon.

FRIDAY: Biometrics, Electronics, Robotics. Learn how technological advances in engineering assist in catching criminals, spies and other bad guys. Build and program your robot to master the maze. Wire and solder your own electronic device for voice modulation. A tour of the USNA Biometrics Laboratory will find you performing iris scans and facial recognition techniques.

SATURDAY: Open House and Demonstrations.  Share your new skills with your parents and friends. End the week by putting your projects on display.

Approximately 200 total students from around the U.S. will be invited to STEM.  All students selected to participate will receive a full scholarship to attend this academic summer program.  For more information about the Naval Academy STEM program, visit www.usna.edu/admissions.  For more information about the Naval Academy, visit www.usn.edu.

ANNAPOLIS, Md.–Applications are being accepted Feb. 1 through March 31 for the United States Naval Academy Summer Seminar (NASS) 2010.  NASS is designed for students who will have just completed their junior year of high school in the summer of 2010.  This program is a fast-paced, six-day experience for high-achievers who may be interested in pursuing an appointment to one of the nation's service academies and serving as a military officer after graduation.  NASS is held in three sessions: June 5-10, June 12-17 and June 19-24.

Summer Seminar introduces students to the opportunities at the Naval Academy where academics, athletics, and professional training play equally important roles in developing our nation's leaders.  Students will live in the dormitory, Bancroft Hall, eat in the dining facility, King Hall; participate in academic and leadership workshops; and experience a variety of other activities at the academy.  Students will have an opportunity to see first-hand what the academy has to offer through its exceptional academic, athletic, extracurricular activities and leadership training programs.

The academy's current students, known as midshipmen, run the Summer Seminar training with oversight by active duty Navy and Marine Corps officers.  Over 2,250 students from around the U.S. attend this rigorous program each year.

According to Naval Academy Summer Seminar officer-in-charge, Lt. John Meise, "If you are a student who wants a summer challenge with the opportunity to sample university-level academics at a first-rate engineering school, the Summer Seminar program will let you discover how the Naval Academy can help you achieve your goals, and give you a jump start on the admissions process."

By applying to the 2010 Summer Seminar, students are also applying for admission to the Naval Academy class of 2015.  There is no need to submit a preliminary application when it becomes available on April 1 for students desiring to apply for admission to USNA.

Students with questions about NASS and the application process should call 410-293-1549 or visit www.usna.edu/admissions. The deadline for applications is March 31, 2010.

For more information about Naval Academy athletics, extracurricular activities and other general information, visit www.usna.edu.
USNA

Quad City residents are invited to join the local celebration of Chinese New Year  on February 20, at the LULAC Club, 4224 Ricker Hill, Davenport, Iowa.

Chinese New Year or Spring Festival is the most important of the traditional Chinese holidays, which begins in February 14, Valentine's Day, this year. The new year is celebrated for 15 days in China and many other southeastern countries in the world.

The event is co-sponsored by the U.S.-China People's Friendship Association, The Quad City Chinese Christian Church, and The Quad City Chinese Association.

The evening festivities will include dinner and a program. Prior to the dinner at 5 p.m., authentic chefs will demonstrate preparing the traditional "jiaozi" or dumplings, vegetable sculptures, and "Shaomai", starting at 3:30 p.m. There will be a craft activity for children, and demonstrations and audience participation in calligraphy.

Ticket prices are $5 for children twelve and under, and $10 for adult with reservation before February 18th, or $15 for adult and $8 for children at the door, Children under 3 are free.  Reservations can be sent to Susan @ s.leuthauser@mchsi.com or leave a voice message at 563-332-1576.

The New Year, "Chuxi," begins on the first day of the new moon in the first lunar month and ends on the fifteenth day of the full moon. "Chu" means change, and "xi" means eve.  In China, each year is associated with one of twelve animals in the zodiac. This is the year of the Tiger.

Although the Chinese calendar traditionally does not use continuously numbered years, outside China its years are often numbered from the reign of Huangdi. But at least three different years numbered 1 are now used by various scholars, making the year 2010 "Chinese Year" 4707 or 4646.

Traditional beliefs advise that to be born under the sign of a particular animal makes a person prone to certain humors and personality traits. New Year's is celebrated as a family affair, a time for reunion and thanksgiving. The communal feast called "surrounding the stove" or weilu, symbolizes family unity and honors the past and present generations.

According to tales and legends, the beginning of Chinese New Year started with the fight against a mythical beast called the Nien (pinyin: nián). Nien would come on the first day of New Year to devour livestock, crops, and even villagers, especially children. To protect themselves, the villagers would put food in front of their doors at the beginning of every year. It was believed that after the Nien ate the food they prepared, it wouldn't attack any more people.

One time, people saw that the Nien was scared away by a little child wearing red. The villagers then understood that the Nien was afraid of the color red. Hence, every time when the New Year was about to come, the villagers would hang red lanterns and red spring scrolls on windows and doors. People also used firecrackers to frighten away the Nien.

From then on, Nien never came to the village again. The Nien was eventually captured by hong jun lao zu, an ancient Taoist monk. The Nien became hong jun lao zu's mount.

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