20 Aug 2013

Experience C-SPAN during a Davenport PUBLIC VISIT at CASI

By Sarah Arp
Public Invited to Tour Unique C-SPAN Bus, Meet C-SPAN Representatives

Davenport area residents are invited to step aboard the C-SPAN Bus and take a FREE TOUR of a unique, interactive multi-media center.  

Thursday, August 22

11:00 am to 1:00 pm

Parked outside CASI  -- 1035 West Kimberly Road  --  Davenport

With a fresh new look, the C-SPAN Bus is kicking off a new tour season - bringing its digital Video Library and public affairs resources to Davenport.  Teachers, students and the public will enjoy this tour of a 45-foot bus that is unlike anything else - state-of-the-art digital media technology on wheels.  Learn about the First Ladies series or how to follow Washington Your Way - encourage students to participate in StudentCam (Iowa students earned national recognition in recent contests). Door prizes and great information for all visitors.   FREE & open to the public.

Mediacom is proud to sponsor C-SPAN's Iowa tour, with visits in Davenport, Cedar Rapids, Waterloo and Mason City.  C-SPAN is a non-partisan, non-profit cable network founded and funded by the cable industry.  Mediacom customers will find all THREE C-SPAN channels on local channel lineups.  Special thanks to the Center for Active Seniors, Inc. (CASI).

For more information, visit: www.c-span.org/community or contact Mediacom's community relations office at 515-707-7148.
16 Aug 2013

New Book "Darn Good" Opens Door to Little Prairie Schoolhouses

By Rick Martin

There were few settlers in the west until after the Civil War. When they arrived one of the first things they did was build a schoolhouse made out of logs. Soon rural education districts were developed and the need for teachers grew dramatically. The struggle to provide those teachers grew as rapidly. The story of education in Minnesota  followed along that line and Steve Grineski captures it in his new book We Were Pretty Darn Good.

Teddy Roosevelt said that the farmer was the back bone of America and the need for education was absolutely necessary. His words and subsequent Country Life Commission in 1909 spurred an impetus. Soon chalk and blackboard became common place in schoolhouses in countryside America and progressive education was underway. .The story is in Steve Grineski's new book We Were Pretty Darn Good recently published by History Publishing Company.

Paul Theobold, Dean of Education at Buena Vista University, knows a great deal about history and education and said of Steve Grineski's new book that "Utilizing sources ignored by the vast majority of historians who rush to document America's urban experience, he demonsrates that there was a time in America when the countryside mattered, when genuine efforts were made to tailor rural education to the circumstances of life."

Author Steve Grineski has documented those efforts and  uncovered a virtual  mother lode of information and fact that brings alive a remarkable time in America  adding to the legacy of the world of education and the nostalgic world of countryside America that added immeasurably to the  growth of the United States.

Steve Grineski started his teaching career in 1975 as an elementary teacher. In 1984 he joined the Minnesota State University Moorhead (MSUM) faculty and in 1989 earned his doctorate from the University of North Dakota. We Were Pretty Darn Good 9781933909523 was published by History Published Company in May, 2013. It is also available in e-book 1-933909295.It is available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble Booksellers, and fine bookstores everywhere.

16 Aug 2013

Poet Jesús Papoleto Meléndez Publishes Kindle Edition of "Hey Yo! Yo Soy!"

By Rick Martin

2Leaf Press publishes Kindle Edition of Historical Bilingual Poetry Collection by Nuyorican poet Jesús Papoleto Meléndez

New York, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 08/14/2013 -- 2Leaf Press is pleased to announce its first Kindle publication, "Hey Yo! Yo Soy! 40 Years of Nuyorican Street Poetry, A Bilingual Edition" by Nuyorican poet Jesús Papoleto Meléndez. Besides being the first major contemporary poet to publish his works bilingually in the U.S., he is also the first to publish his collected works as an eBook on Amazon Kindle.

The 386-page bilingual print edition published in October 2012, is currently available for sale on Amazon.com and other online outlets. The collection, comprised of three previously published books, "Casting Long Shadows" (1970), "Have You Seen Liberation" (1971), and "Street Poetry & Other Poems" (1972), consist of 60 poems about growing up Puerto Rican in New York City's El Barrio.

Born and raised in New York City from parents who migrated from Puerto Rico, Meléndez notes, "Back then, it was a different experience being a Puerto Rican in New York City. The sense of not belonging to Puerto Rico and not belonging in the United States is something everyone was going through. Writing gave me a chance to prove that I was a human being and in doing so, I became part of a movement that connected me to my heritage." Meléndez has long been considered one of the founders of the Nuyorican Movement.

The Spanish translations, which appear alongside the English, have been superbly rendered by Adam Wier, Carolina Fung Feng, and Marjorie González. The collection includes a forward by Samuel Diaz and Carmen M. Pietri-Diaz, a commentary about the translation process by Wier, an introduction by Sandy Maria Esteves, and an afterword by Jaime "Shaggy" Flores, as well as historical photos of Meléndez and an exclusive interview, edited by Gabrielle David and Kevin E. Tobar Pesántez. All of this material has been retained and is available on the Kindle edition as well.

Very few literary publishers have committed to publishing poetry in an eBook format," says Gabrielle David, publisher of 2Leaf Press. "The first problem is the budget, being able to afford qualified people to convert the books properly into a stable digital format that's readable across numerous devices. The biggest problem is figuring out the best way to format the work without losing the spacing or formatting of the poems. We've been looking at this closely for the past two years and feel confident that by using HTML formatting techniques with clean code, and paying special attention to line breaks and spacing, for the most part, we can maintain the aesthetics of the author's poetry."

The press has decided to break out its eBook titles with Amazon's Kindle before expanding its market to Nook and Kobo. "For the benefit of anyone reading this," explains David, "you don't have to own a Kindle to read our books. You can download one of the free Kindle Apps on Amazon.com for your Android phone or tablet, iPad, iPhone, Mac, Windows 8 PC or tablet, BlackBerry, or Windows Phone." 2Leaf Press plans to upload titles directly to Barnes & Noble and KoboBooks in the immediate future.

Whether it's in print or eBook format, 2Leaf Press encourages readers to pick up a copy of "Hey Yo! Yo Soy! 40 Years of Nuyorican Street Poetry, A Bilingual Edition." It is a collection to be devoured as a single sustained narrative, from the first page to the last; a worthy addition in anyone's library.

AMAZON PRINT EDITION || AMAZON KINDLE

2Leaf Press || NUYORICAN WORLD SERIES || ISBN: 978-0988476301 || LCCN: 2012951817

About 2Leaf Press
2Leaf Press is an imprint of the Intercultural Alliance of Artists & Scholars, Inc. (IAAS), a New York-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that promotes multicultural literature and literacy. http://www.2leafpress.org

16 Aug 2013

Nominations for TV Series Reveal Scores of 'Human Angels'

By Rick Martin

Nominations of "human angels" are pouring in for a national TV series that will tell the stories of everyday Americans who give of themselves to help others.

"We're finding there are so many people from every walk of life - young children and teenagers, the very elderly, rich people and poor - quietly extending their hands to others," said Jim Lindsey, chairman of  Angel Wings Entertainment, LLC, a company on a mission to find and inspire "human angels" across the country.

"So many of their stories have brought tears to our eyes. These are people who see a need and say, 'I can do something about this. I can help,' And with their gifts of time and service, they transform lives."

The company is still accepting nominations at www.AngelWingsEntertainment.com. Those selected as Angels will be featured in mini-documentaries and stand to win money for their charities. It's part of a multi-media effort to "shine a light on the best of human behavior" and inspire a national movement of giving and caring.

The effort is funded in part by an endowment from philanthropist John Shimer, who teamed with a like-minded group of veteran media and marketing professionals.

Shimer's work with a "human angel," a woman who established a vocational school in impoverished Uganda, inspired him to launch the Angels Among Us Project. That effort to recognize and reward service to others led to the creation of the media company, Angel Wings Entertainment. Shimer is a director of the charitable corporation Fortune Family Foundation.

"We need to see more stories about the good things people do, rather than all the bad," Shimer said. "If we want to see the best in human behavior, we need to be showing people what that looks like."

The Angel Wings Entertainment board includes Lindsey, a renowned brand builder and former vice-chairman of the top advertising agency Saatchi & Saatchi Worldwide, as well as a leader of ad agencies McCaffrey & McCall and Hill Holiday/Wakeman & DeForrest.

It also includes CEO Tom Keegan, an entertainment industry veteran who has worked on more than 500 productions for ABC, CBS, NBC, PBS and national syndication, including the Emmy Award-winning Yes Virginia, There is a Santa Claus (ABC), Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (motion picture for NBC), The Hollywood Reporter, Front Runners and Celebrity Sweepstakes.

Follow Angel Wings Entertainment on Twitter: @AngelWingsTV.

09 Aug 2013

E-Galley Now Availabe for Wisdom From the Oval Office

By Don Bracken

New Book on Ultimate Presidential Quotations Now Available - Right Here

For E-book galley-   Click on "Widget" below.

Abraham Lincoln said "I do not think much of a man who is not wiser today that he was yesterday." If you were to read the new book Wisdom from the Oval Office by Pierce Word, you would surely rise in the regard of President Lincoln if he were alive today.  The book gathers together the sage thoughts of the forty-four American presidents in the largest collection of presidential quotations ever assembled. Thoughts on love, life, success, politics, wisdom, and thirty five other categories are brought to light and bring insight into varying perspectives of the nine generations of presidents.

Along with Abraham Lincoln, the words of the presidents from Washington to Obama are presented about a broad range of subjects such as love, religion, God, and friendship. The flow of quotations and the manner in which they are categorized shows the frame of mind of each president such as Lincoln's spirituality, Nixon's binocular view of love and fear, and Obama on parental love.

You are invited to see for yourself. Just click on the "Widget" below (it is just a URL to NetGalley)) and you will be able to read the galley through the month of August. .

Wisdom from the Oval Office, pub date July 26, 2012 is available at Barnes and Noble, BN.com, Amazon and fine book stores nationally.

Contact: Don Bracken, djb@historypublishingco.com, 845-398-8161

Click on Widget here https://www.netgalley.com/widget/open?widget_id=34261_42987_137479472951f1b3e927845_9781933909936_US

05 Aug 2013

New book urges readers to 'think, think, think'

By Rick Martin

'No Room on the Fence' offers a new method of critical thinking and explains why it's important

ARTHUR, Iowa - Author, scientist and former teacher Merle D. Schramm was inspired to write his new book "No Room on the Fence: A Serious Discourse on Controversial Topics" (published by CrossBooks) after witnessing the lack of critical thinking and knowledge his students displayed.

"The students did not know the difference between democratic government and a republic form of government," he says. "Most students didn't know the biblical background of the framers of the U.S. Constitution. Many of the students could not name the early presidents."

When he dug deeper into the issue, he realized the flaw was not a lack of knowledge. Rather, it was as failure of critical thinking. "No Room on the Fence," he says, is intended to help any person research and think in a logical fashion. He believes it will help them learn not just to believe, but to think about what they believe.

"It is imperative," Schramm says, "that people need to return to scientific reasoning to get our nation back to a Christian basis. Our nation can survive only when a true revival takes place. And only God can do that."

"No Room on the Fence"

By Merle D. Schramm

Softcover | 6 x 9 in | 68 pages | ISBN 9781462728190

E-Book | 68 pages | ISBN 9781462728206

Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

About the Author

Merle D. Schramm attended the Universities of Northern Iowa, Colorado State, South Dakota, California's UCLA, Northern Colorado and Montana State. He received his master's degree in science from the University of Colorado in 1977. He taught physics, chemistry, biology and mathematics in high schools, elementary schools and junior colleges. He also worked as a pesticide research chemist with the Colorado Health Department and as a nuclear weapons research chemist and physicist at Dow Chemical Company. He and his wife have taught Sunday school classes for more than 60 years.

CrossBooks, a division of LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention, is a Christian publishing imprint committed to bringing more Christian voices into the publishing industry. Established authors, first-time authors, and authors anywhere in between can meet their goals and fulfill their vision for their books by publishing with CrossBooks. CrossBooks' innovative style of publishing blends the best of traditional and self-publishing. While our authors contribute monetarily to cover the cost of publishing, we maintain a strict moral and quality standard that every manuscript must meet for us to publish. For more information on publishing your Christian book with CrossBooks, log on to crossbooks.com or call 1-866-879-0502.

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05 Aug 2013

Library Lines: Organizing Tips, Computer Class, Hug-A-Book and more!

By Lisa Lockheart
More for Adults in August!
Overdrive Ebook and Audio Book download service Want to learn about eBooks and how to use them to read anywhere, anytime? Begin with a free eBook/eAudiobook Demo, 6:30 pm, Thursday, Aug. 8, at the Rock Island Main Library, 401 19th Street. You'll learn how to use the Library's eBook/audiobook service OverDrive, to download books to your personal devices and computer.
Learn 5 Ways to Becoming More Organized

Do you spend more time looking for things than actually using them? Want some tips for getting better organized when the kids go back to school?

If any of those statements describe either you or someone you live with, take advantage of a free program in August from the Rock Island Public Library, "5 Steps to Getting Organized." The free presentation by professional organizer and national speaker Mona Brantley of "Organize That"  is Tuesday, Aug. 20 from 6:30 to 7:30 pm at the Rock Island Main Library, 401 19th Street.

Mona will provide logical and helpful hints, tips, and tricks that will make a difference in your life.  You will discover the one difference between organized and disorganized people, while also understanding why you have trouble getting or staying organized.

The program is free and open to the public.
Share the Joy at Hug-A-Book!

Join us for "Tunes for Tots" at this year's Hug-A-Book event for early learning! 

Musician Chris Dunn, of Rock Island, will provide music for children ages two to five from 6:30 to 7:30 pm on Thursday, August 22 at the Rock Island Main Library, 401 19th Street. Each child attending the event will also receive a free children's book and Hug-A-Book bag to keep, courtesy of the Merrill Harris Hug-A-Book Memorial Fund of the Rock Island Public Library Foundation.

Each Hug-A-Book event includes an educational program aided to support the early learning needs of two-to-five-year-olds. Music helps very young children practice language, recognize sounds and develop reasoning ability - all skills that help your child become more ready to read and learn!

Hug-A-Book is free and open to the public.
Two More Events for Teens
Teen Gaming Night: 6:00 to 7:30 pm, Thursday, Aug. 15, Main Library. Play Xbox 360 and Wii Games on the library's big screen, try out some board games, and enjoy snacks, For ages 12 to 18 only. 

City of Bones Teen Party, Wed., Aug. 21, 6:00 to 7:30 pm, Main Library. Celebrate the release of the film based on the popular teen novel, "City of Bones," by Cassandra Clare. Shadowhunter trivia, snacks for mundanes and downworlders, and a movie. Ages 12 to 18 only.
Midwest Prairie Paintings on Display

See a vanishing slice of the environment, with an exhibit of Midwest Prairie Paintings by Davenport artist Pamela Bradner Ohnemus. You can view the show during library hours from Aug. 2 to 30 on the second floor of the Main Library, 401 19th Street.

Ohnemus works in acrylics and notes that, "Prairies have been reduced to isolated fragments that require conservation and preservation.  Less than one percent of the pre-settlement tall grass prairie remains."

Her highly detailed works involve layers of color over complementary under paintings, bringing delicate flowers and plants to life with subtle texture and natural patterns. Her website is www.pamohnemus.com.
Confused about computers? Let us help!

Getting Started with Computers, Monday, August 26th, 2:0 0 to 3:00 pm, Main Library. If you've never used a computer before or just are not comfortable with one, this is the class for you!  This one-hour class starts with the very basic lessons on computers and how to start using them.

Registration is required - space is limited.  Call the Rock Island Library's Reference Desk, 309-732-7341, to register. No computer skills required.
Psst ... The City Wants to Hear from YOU!

City of Rock Island Logo The City of Rock Island is asking for resident input to help officials create a comprehensive plan of growth, development and policy for the next 20 years. During August, residents are asked to complete an online community survey. Those without computers can use one at Rock Island Public Library branches or the Martin Luther King Center. You can find the survey at this link. Thanks!
02 Aug 2013

Happy Human Book Club

By Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Quad Cities

Our July book detailed the the struggle of freethinking men and women since the founding of our nation to maintain separation of church and state and to promote ideals such as anti-slavery, women's rights, and civil rights.

Our next meeting has been scheduled for Wednesday, August 21st at 7:00 p.m . We will discuss the monograph "Regaining Balance: The Evolution of the UUA" by Michael Werner. See Jack Wiley for copies.

RSVPs not required, but appreciated. Karen Fowler's contact information is in the  directory, or contact Stephanie at qcuu@mchsi.com. Anyone who is on FaceBook is welcome to join the FaceBook group "Happy Human Book Club of the Quad Cities." To join, contact Karen Fowler.
01 Aug 2013

Mark Elsen announces release of 'The Great Awakening'

By Rick Martin

New book helps readers see themselves in new a light

Wayzata, Minn. - In "The Great Awakening" (published by AuthorHouse), author Mark Elsen's new collection of poetry and short stories, readers are treated to lessons the author has learned throughout his life.

"These poems and stories cover things I have struggled with and things that I feel need to be said," states the author. "Life is good and we need to celebrate it."

Each poem and story takes readers on what the author hopes will be a spiritual journey into themselves and their lives. Each piece has been specifically written to talk about God and direction in life. This way, Elsen believes, readers will come away with a positive outlook on life that will help them - inspire them - to develop good habits and leave their old habits behind.

An excerpt from "The Warrior" in "The Great Awakening":

"Push me to strive for my goals. As I get old the story is never left untold. Behold the bravest warrior and his sword made of steel guarding his gold protecting himself from the cold. Its well known that the dragon guards the cave where the men try to slay the dragon before he flies away. It causes terror to the strange they try to slay the dragon before he leaves his cave and a pot of gold is portrayed to the warrior that slays the dragon in his cave. For the town will be saved from the terror of the flame of the dragons heart for it will tear apart the town square and everyone that lives there. So beware of the dragon and his heart it takes a mighty warrior to tear apart the mighty dragon and his heart."

 

"The Great Awakening"

By Mark Elsen

Softcover | 6 x 9 in | 148 pages | ISBN 9781477227831

E-Book | 148 pages | ISBN 9781477227848

Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

 

About the Author

Mark Elsen grew up with a supportive family. Over time, he fell into drugs and alcohol as a teenager, dropped out of high school and earned his GED. He went to college at Dunwoody Institute. He continued to drink in his 20s while working several jobs. In March 2011, Elsen was admitted into a hospital and proceeded to sober up. He started taking medication to manage his bipolar disorder and started writing inspirational poems, prose and short stories to inspire him and others to go further in life. Now, he is in transition readiness, moving along with treatment with a better grasp on reality. He has written seven other books.

. For the latest, follow @authorhouse on Twitter.

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29 Jul 2013

Christopher David's New Book Reminds Readers about Stranger Awareness among Children

By Rick Martin

An illustration of one of the many ways strangers will try to abduct children and what should be done to prevent it from happening

KANSAS CITY, Miss. - (July 29, 2013) - Whenever the evening news brings the story of a kidnapped child or teen, the terrifying prospect of abduction fills the minds of parents everywhere. But it's more important to remember that all kids should pass through their childhood safely.

A DAY AT THE ZOO WITH FRIENDS is an illustrative picture book written by author Christopher David about predator awareness (stranger danger) for children who are getting victimized through abductions. It tells the story of Josh, Amelia, Sydney, Sky and their new friends Ally and Michael who all went to the zoo to have some fun and watch the animals play.

However, as they continue walking through the zoo, a stranger approached them and said that he will take them to their mom and dad. What will they do? Will they go with the stranger? Will they scream or call for help? Or will the stranger abduct them?

A DAY AT THE ZOO WITH FRIENDS will teach children that when there is a stranger that approaches them, they should speak loudly and make the correct decision not to go with these predators.  There are many ways strangers will try to get children to go with them and this story teaches one way in which both children and their parents could learn from. Another thing we need to understand is that research shows that children are more likely to be abused by someone they know.

For more information on this book, interested parties may log on to www.Xlibris.com.

About the Author

David Butler is a former teacher of over 16 years who had struggled with drug abuse for 20 plus years. His addiction came to a head when he was arrested for possession of crack-cocaine on March 1, 2005. He was born in Wichita, KS in 1965. The family then moved to Alton, IL in 1967. Upon leaving Alton in 1972, his family settled in Waukon, IA in 1974. Butler graduated from Waukon Senior High in 1983, and attended the University of Northern Iowa from 1983 to 1988. He walked-on and ran varsity track for a little over a year, and graduated with a BA in education in May of 1988. Butler was recruited to teach math for the Ysleta I.S.D. in El Paso, TX in the spring of 1988, moved to El Paso the summer of 1988, and taught math for the district a total of 13 years. Butler relocated to Tempe, AZ the summer of 2001. He taught math and science for the Cartwright District, in Phoenix, for the 2001-2002 school year, and stayed with the district for the first quarter of the 2002-2003 school year before resigning after finding out his father was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Butler, then was hired by the Mesa Public Schools and taught math from 2003-2005. He worked various jobs from the fall of 2005 to the spring of 2010 in the Phoenix area before relocating to Kansas City, MO the summer of 2010. He was married in the fall of 2011 to his lovely wife Jennifer, and has devoted his life to our Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ glorifying God, and to help people understand the evils of drugs and the damage they do to relationships, be it personal or professional.

A Day At The Zoo With Friends * by Christopher David

Publication Date: July 3, 2012

Picture Book; $15.99; 24 pages; 978-1-4771-1139-0

Picture Book Hardcover; $25.99; 24 pages

Ebook; $3.99; 978-1-4771-1140-6

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