'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.

###

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!

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.

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.

###

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

Rock Island, IL: A vanishing slice of the environment will be on display at the Rock Island Library in August, with an exhibit of Midwest Prairie Paintings by Davenport artist Pamela Bradner Ohnemus.

The show will be available for viewing 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, "The natural landscape has always been a powerful focus of my work.  Currently I am conducting on-site research at local prairies, depicting the landscape in paint.  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.

Ohnemus taught art for the Davenport School District from 1980 to 2013. Born in Ashcroft, British Columbia, she became a naturalized US citizen in 1999. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Northern Iowa in Art Education in 1980 and a Master of Arts degree from Western Illinois University in 1999. Her website is www.pamohnemus.com.

(End)

Their words put into Perspective and 40 Categories

Harry Truman said, "There is nothing new in the world except the history you do not know." His words first appeared in a biographical work by William Hillman, sixty years ago.   They now appear in Wisdom from the Oval Office, a new book by Pierce Word who has assembled 40 categories of quotations of all the presidents of the United States. It is considered the largest assemblage of U.S. presidential quotations in publishing history. Its pub date is July 26, 2013

Along with Mr. Truman, the words of Washington, Obama and the others, are presented about a broad range of subjects such as love, religion, God, and friendship, subjects not the usual presidential subjects, but war, peace, honor, leadership, freedom and liberty receive an abundance of attention. The flow of quotations and the manner in which they are categorized shows, interestingly, 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. Of particular interest is the diversity of interest on the subject of politics of which they all have commonality.

The idea for The Wisdom from the Oval Office was compiled by author Pierce Word while a student at the University of Chicago. Frustrated at the difficulty he had finding the "right" quotations for his various academic projects, he knew there had to be a better way and made one with his new book after culling through library stacks and  Internet portals for two years.

The results of his two year search was hailed by reviewer Gordon Osmond of "Bookpleasures.com" who wrote "...as for anyone interested in savoring the full range of presidential statements as a means of acquiring a fuller understanding of this country's past glories and contemporary challenges, this book is surely required reading. The aptly named Mr. Word should be sincerely thanked for it."

Author Pierce Word is a resident of Chicago, Illinois and received his undergraduate degree at the University of Chicago. He did graduate work at the University of Cairo in his pursuit of Mid-Eastern studies

Wisdom from the Oval Office, 9781933909448 was published by History Publishing Company on July.23, 2013. It is available at Barnes and Noble booksellers and in fine bookstores nationally and on BN.com and Amazon.com and other internet sites globally.

Film Producer Explains the Forces Driving Contemporary
Trends

Take a look at what's offered in media today - did you ever think you'd spend so much time with ice truckers and over-pampered, middle-aged housewives? What about your childhood comic heroes? Did you expect the sense of humor in so many commercials would be so intentionally obtuse?

What accounts for the seemingly drastic differences between what people watch today and what audiences gravitated toward 10, 20 and 30 years ago?

"There are important differences between today's media and that of 1983 - and there will be noticeable differences between what we experience today and 2043 - but underneath the apparent differences are important commonalities and overriding themes," says Vlad Yudin, (vladar.com) a Russian-born media entrepreneur and successful filmmaker, currently juggling multiple projects.

Yudin, a writer, director and producer, reviews five characteristics that feed an audience's media sensibilities at any given time:

• It's messy and organic. The zeitgeist, or the spirit of a time period, is never fully accounted for by any one thing; there are always many influences, including politics, economy, technology and a host of similar factors. For example, Yudin is working with "Game of Thrones" producer Mark Huffam on adapting into a film C.C. Humphrey's historical fiction novel "The French Executioner," which takes place in 1536. Why does there seem to be an appetite for stories set in the distant past? "One reason is that audiences want relief from today's technology and rapidly changing world," Yudin says. "The distant past was a far more dangerous but, on the surface at least, a much simpler time."

• Visceral and emotional content works. Whether a storyteller appeals to the heartstrings of a mostly female audience in a romantic genre or the masculine appetite for violence and action, audiences pay attention to visceral content. One of Yudin's recent projects, a graphic novel titled "Head Smash," has quickly garnered traction among comic fans, and he already plans to turn into a film. In recent years, comics have proven to be part of a winning formula for a film project's success. "Today's audiences have nostalgia for the comics they read as kids, but they gravitate toward darker, flawed heroes," Yudin says. "They're not kids anymore."

• People aspire to ideals. Human beings have always interpreted gods as ideal human specimens, from the grace and beauty of Venus to the power of Hercules. People who look perfect pique attention, which is why Yudin decided to revisit the fascination behind the 1977 hit "Pumping Iron" with his docudrama "Generation Iron," which updates viewers to today's body builders. "Arnold Schwarzenegger didn't become a household name through his acting talent," Yudin says.

• Gravitation toward an inspirational narrative. The ethos of the United States - the American Dream - appeals to contemporary ambitious immigrants, including Yudin. People want to improve themselves, and they like experiencing movies where characters start off low, but end on a high. That's the idea behind Yudin's 2010 film release "Last Day of Summer," about a low-ranking fast-food protagonist who finds his confidence. "Most of us want to root for the underdog, even if his actions for improving his lot are less-than-noble," he says.

• We fancy the fanciful. Ghosts, monsters, fairies, trolls, witches, wizards - our stories are filled with magic. Aliens are a comparatively more recent manifestation that even highly educated scientists believe are a possibility somewhere in the universe. We like to think that what may be impossible is possible, which is why Yudin created "Catskill Park," a film to be released this year. It follows three friends who document an extraterrestrial presence during their camping trip to upstate New York.

About Vlad Yudin

Russian-born writer, director, producer Vlad Yudin is the principal of The Vladar Co., a media and entertainment production company. New projects include the ARCANA Comics graphic novel and film "Head Smash," and the bodybuilding docudrama "Generation Iron," a remake of the 1977 hit "Pumping Iron." Additionally, he is currently working with "Game of Thrones" producer Mark Huffam in adapting into film the historical fiction novel "The French Executioner," the story of the greatest executioner in all of Europe, Jean Rombeaud. Yudin is developing the graphic novel "Head Smash," which is led by Sean O'Reilly, publisher of "Cowboys and Aliens." The sci-fi thriller centers on an orphan named Smash who finds a safe haven with a brutal syndicate, The Horde. Yudin is best known for directing and producing the docufilm "Big Pun: The Legacy" (2008), a critically acclaimed biopic about legendary rapper Christopher Lee Rios, and "Last Day of Summer," which he wrote, directed and produced. Yudin grew up in Russia and New York and is a graduate of Pace University and the New York University Filmmaking Program.

In Charlesea Nelson's 'Life is a Series of Choices' a woman is forced to make tough decisions

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. - In her new novel "Life is a Series of Choices" (published by AuthorHouse), author Charlesea Nelson explores the dangerous and pain-ridden life of a woman who suffers abuse at seemingly every turn.

Alyson knows from childhood she is different and feels at times no one loves her at all. She finds what she thinks is love with George Kingsley and his family; Alyson thinks they have it all. But she soon learns that no matter how hard she tries to fix, heal or change someone, if they are not willing to change for themselves it will never work.

Nelson knows firsthand that her stories are accurate and poignant, and hopes that they will give strength to other women who may be suffering in similar circumstances. "Many men and even women find themselves in the same situation," she says. "I hope that a few of the stories make them laugh and let them know to not fear the unknown and in doing so you stay in a relationship that you should end."

 

"Life is a Series of Choices"

By Charlesea Nelson

Hardcover | 6 x 9 in | 298 pages | ISBN 9781477260302

Softcover | 6 x 9 in | 298 pages | ISBN 9781477260296

E-Book | 298 pages | ISBN 9781477260319

Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

 

About the Author

Charlesea Nelson grew up in an abusive home. Her mother died when Nelson was young and after that she never felt she belonged. Being brought up around abuse and being married to a cheating spouse and a spouse that subjected her to a lifestyle of drug and alcohol addiction made it difficult for Nelson to build confidence or self esteem. She put up so many walls to protect herself that she still finds herself doubting she is loved. Nelson has a wonderful family now, and a loving husband.

. For the latest, follow @authorhouse on Twitter.

###

Building a Following is a Marathon, Not a Sprint,
Says Corporate Exec-Turned-Novelist

If you want people to read your book, you have to be more than a talented storyteller or researcher - you will need plenty of persistence, says Darlene Quinn, a 75-year-old award-winning novelist whose passion for the written word trumped her lucrative position as a top executive at the legendary Bullocks Wilshire department stores.

"Sometimes an author has it easy; either they're already a celebrity, or their name has been widely reported in a major public scandal - or both - but not even those criteria guarantee readership," says Quinn, author of "Unpredictable Webs", (www.darlenequinn.net), the newest in her stand-alone series of suspense-filled dramatic novels.

"Many authors will tell you just don't get into the book-writing business, because writing something that people will want to read is challenge enough. Then you face the daunting process of getting people to buy it!"

She offers these tips for getting your book in front of the masses - and enticing them to buy it.

• Draw on the strengths that helped you meet previous challenges: Quinn found professional footing decades ago, in a time when it was rare for women to rise to executive positions. After earning a bachelor's at San Jose State University, she became a schoolteacher. She later climbed her way up to working as a department store executive during a time of tremendous upheaval in the retail fashion industry. The tenacity and perseverance required to achieve that dream served her well when she fixed on another dream - writing - late in life. She sharpened her writing chops by penning articles for trade journals, magazines and newspapers.

• Book awards: Simply entering your book in a contest gives it some exposure. Should it be selected for an award, you've got a great marketing tool that can open doors otherwise closed to you. Awards sticker or seals, which can be added to the book cover, can help persuade book stores to carry it. The press release announcing winners of local, national or international book awards also trigger Google Alerts, positively increasing exposure. Announcements of winners prior to publication alert avid readers to upcoming releases.

• Book awards II: Do your research; make sure that the contest is well-established and legit. Read the rules, and if at all possible, research the judges who will be reviewing the books. Try to avoid contests that have high entry fees and those that appear to be non-discriminating. National and international contests such as the Indie Book Awards, Writers Digest Book Awards, USA Best Book Awards Reader's Favorites, and International Best Book Award (sponsored by USA Book News) are just a few respectable contests that meet these criteria. There are also many legitimate regional and local book contests to consider.

• Quality in every respect: With power comes responsibility. In the past, the only real hope an author had of being read by anyone beyond his or her immediate family was going through a major publisher. Today, authors can take production matters into their own hands with self- or independent publishing, which may lead to a contract with a major book company. Either way, a writer should ensure quality in every aspect -- from the plot and characters, to the cover art, design and paper. Make sure the book is edited by an objective professional.

About Darlene Quinn

Darlene Quinn is an author and journalist from Long Beach, Calif., whose novels about deceit, intrigue and glamour in the retail fashion industry were inspired by her years with Bullocks Wilshire specialty department stores. Her newest, Unpredictable Webs, is the winner of the Beverly Hills Book Awards for Excellence in Fiction and was selected as the number-one President's choice before publication. The novel continues her series, including Webs of Fate, which won the 2011 Reader's Favorites Award before it hit bookshelves; Webs of Power, winner of a 2009 National Indie Excellence Award, and Twisted Webs, winner of the 2011 International Book Award for General Fiction and the 2011 National Indie Excellence Awards for General Fiction.

Pages