30 Oct 2015

Packers fan writes great new family-friendly children's book

By Rick Martin

Robert Bruce O'Connor's 'Cruncher And The Ghost' follows adventures of young boy as he tries to fulfill ghost's wish

"What would you do when you are tailed by an annoying ghost who will stop at nothing to fulfill its last wish?" Author Robert Bruce O'Connor poses this question as he reveals the story of a young boy whose difficult childhood is made extra challenging by the presence of some persistent otherworldly friends.

In "Cruncher And The Ghost" (published by Book Country), O'Connor follows poor Clarence Roscoe Uncer as he stumbles his way through many hilarious mishaps during the 1960s. Part of?the problem for the story's hero?is?the name Clarence brings him no respect, so he?prefers to?be called Cruncher. Another problem is Cruncher is plagued?with an unwelcome ability to see ghosts. At first, Cruncher wants nothing at all to do with this power, but, after he hears?a sad story?during his first ghostly encounter, his interest is sparked. Now, he desperately feels a need to help. All he must do is find some stolen gold and make sure it gets returned to the family of the rightful owner. How hard could it be?? Ah, but what Cruncher does not know is his noble?endeavor will bring him into contact with many foes, both living and dead, and even a few unpleasant members of the animal kingdom will join forces to thwart his every move. Worse, none of these foes has as much interest in destroying his?quest as they do in destroying him physically. From the moment Cruncher decides to help, he is thrust into a life filled with non-stop terror.

 

Excerpt from "Cruncher And The Ghost:"

"After school Monday I went down to the city courthouse and headed straight to the licensing department. However, things there didn't go as easily as I had hoped. The dame behind the counter gave me a bunch of lip. Said I was too young to be any kind of a detective, and then she told me I'd better stop calling her "doll" or she'd issue me a dog license.

Thankfully, the day suddenly got better. Andrea walked up just as I was finishing, and, yes, my heart immediately started thumping. Man, she was something to see. She was wearing blue jeans with no holes in them and a Green Bay Packers shirt. See, I told you she had class."

Filled with humor and suspense as Cruncher hops from one disaster to the next, "Cruncher And The Ghost" offers genuine entertainment and refuge from the strangling force of the daily grind. O'Connor dedicates this literary treat to adventurous readers who are looking?for laughs during?some spine-tingling adventures and hair-raising ghost hunts.

 

"Cruncher And The Ghost"

By Robert Bruce O'Connor

E-book ISBN 9781468917901

Available at Book Country, Booktango, Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Book 2, "Cruncher Gets A Boo! Boo" also available. ISBN 9781468934069

Links can be found?at: ?http://www.joecruncher.com/

 

About the Author

Robert Bruce O'Connor is a retired Master Sergeant from the US Air Force. His career was spent?primarily in the "Rotorhead" world of Jolly Green Rescue and Special Ops. The idea for this story was developed shortly after the author experienced a possible ghostly encounter himself.

30 Oct 2015

New monograph illuminates the civilization jihadists' laware against America - and how it can be foughtVIDEO: David Yerushalmi Esq. introduces basic concepts of pro- and anti-shariah lawfare In Offensive and Defensive Lawfare: Fighting Civilization Jih

By The Center for Security Policy

In Offensive and Defensive Lawfare: Fighting Civilization Jihad in America's Courts, David Yerushalmi, Esq., Director of the American Freedom Law Center (AFLC) and General Counsel for the Center for Security Policy, and AFLC co-founder Robert J. Muise, Esq. describe the use by our Islamic supremacist enemies of U.S. jurisprudence to compel submission to the doctrine they call shariah. As with so many other facets of the Muslim Brotherhood's stealthy, pre-violent jihad against this country, most of us are unaware that such lawfare is taking place, let alone with such deleterious effects.
Even more importantly, Messrs. Yerushalmi and Muise lay out their recommendations for an offensive strategy to defend the U.S. Constitution and the rights it guarantees our countrymen and women from any further encroachment by Islamic law. In stark contrast to the longstanding use of such techniques to intimidate or suppress freedom-loving peoples, offensive lawfare against the Brotherhood and its ilk is a relatively nascent area of the law, in which the authors are true pioneers and formidable innovators.
Center for Security Policy President Frank J. Gaffney, Jr. said on the occasion of the publication of the latest monograph in the Center's Civilization Jihad Reader Series:
"In Offensive and Defensive Lawfare, David Yerushalmi and Robert Muise, have added to the great service they perform for the nation every day through their public interest law firm's pro bono representation of exponents of religious and other freedoms. We hope that this treatment of their battlespace - with its clear depiction of the Islamic supremacists' lawfare and insights into how this front of the civilization jihad can best be countered - will inspire many other accomplished litigators to join the authors in this fight."
The Center for Security Policy/Secure Freedom is proud to present this monograph as a superb addition to its Civilization Jihad Reader Series .  Offensive and Defensive Lawfare: Fighting Civilization Jihad in America's Courts is available for purchase in kindle and paperback format on Amazon.com.
Click here for a full PDF of the newly released monograph.
30 Oct 2015

KWQC-TV6 Launches ION Television Network

By Eric VanWinkle

DAVENPORT, IA, October 28, 2015- KWQC-TV6, The Station That Serves Illinois and Iowa Every Day, is launching the ION Television Network.

On November 1st KWQC-TV6 will replace the 24/7 Weather Channel on 6.2 with the ION Television Network.

ION Television features a "Positively Entertaining" array of hit television series, theatrical and made-for-television movies, and specials.  The general entertainment network is populated with hit shows from the award-winning, critically acclaimed libraries of CBS Television, NBC Universal, Sony Pictures Television, Twentieth Television, and Warner Bros., among others.

"More people than ever are receiving weather information right when they needed it on their mobile devices with apps like QCWeather, as well as on kwqc.com," said TV6 Creative Services and Programming Director Eric VanWinkle.  "Knowing that viewers have many online options for getting TV6 First Alert Weather we decided it was time to give the Q.C.A. another entertainment option with our 6.2 sub-channel."

ION currently features popular shows like Criminal Minds, Law & Order: SVU, Blue Bloods, Flashpoint, and other hit procedural dramas.  Upcoming movies include Hitman, Point Break, and Man on Fire.

ION Television can be viewed with an over-the-air antenna on channel 6.2 as well as Mediacom channel 247.

A programming schedule for ION Television can be found at http://www.iontelevision.com/schedule.
22 Oct 2015

Retired minister offers glimpse into the libraries of 13 U.S. presidents

By Randy Stalsberg

Author Leonard V. Kalkwarf shares his experience visiting the official libraries of former presidents

SPRINGFIELD, Va. - Author Leonard V. Kalkwarf shares the joy and passion he experienced visiting the 13 official presidential libraries in "Exploring the Libraries of the U.S. Presidents" (published by WestBow Press).

Kalkwarf states, "There are 13 official libraries of our US presidents and each one has a museum attached to it.  These, through posters, newspaper clippings, displays, relate the story of that particular presidency." These museums also include interesting information about their lives, for example, the museum and library of Abraham Lincoln in Illinois contains a replica of his boyhood cabin, which is smaller than most modern efficiency apartments.

Kalkwarf shares that people can learn a lot about U.S. history by visiting these libraries and museums. People can also learn a lot about the former presidents themselves by visiting the libraries and museums. He hopes to share his passion and enjoyment with readers. Lovers of U.S. history and the history of the presidents can take an in depth look into the libraries of presidents with this book.

"Exploring the Libraries of the U.S. Presidents"

By Leonard V. Kalkwarf

Hardcover | 6 x 9in | 126 pages | ISBN 9781512711226

Softcover | 6 x 9in | 126 pages | ISBN 9781512711219

E-Book | 126 pages | ISBN 9781512711202

Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

About the Author

Leonard V. Kalkwarf began his hobby of studying presidential history seriously when he retired. Since 2006, he and his wife, Beverly, have visited all 13 presidential libraries and have also visited historical sites associated with each of the former 43 U.S. presidents. Since January 2010, he has been a White House volunteer in the Presidential Correspondence Department. This is the sixth book that he has written.

20 Oct 2015

Taping veterans stories for Library of Congress

By Lora Adams

WQPT, in partnerships with regional media organizations and businesses, is hosting a community-wide effort to collect veteran experiences for inclusion in the Library of Congress' Veterans History Project.

"Our goal is to capture as many stories as possible to memorialize the experiences of our area's veterans," said Jamie Lange, who has been leading WQPT's Embracing Our Military initiative.
All veterans are invited to share their stories, which will be recorded Friday, Oct. 23 between 9 a.m.- 3 p.m. at the following locations:

Center for Active Seniors (CASI)
1035 W. Kimberly Road, Davenport, IA

Lutheran Social Services of Illinois
4011 Avenue of the Cities, Suite 102, Moline, IL

Moline Public Library
3210 41st St., Moline, IL

St. Ambrose University
518 W. Locust St., Davenport, IA

UnityPoint Health-Trinity
4500 Utica Ridge Rd., Bettendorf, IA

WVIK, Quad Cities NPR
3808 8th Ave., Rock Island, IL

WQPT-Quad Cities PBS at Western Illinois University
3300 River Dr., Moline, IL

Call WQPT at (309) 764-2400 to schedule an appointment at any of the site locations.  WQPT is a media service of Western Illinois University.

###

08 Oct 2015

Drama Dolls Combines Dark Humor and Psychological Thriller

By Jason Tanamor
What would you do if your spouse died unexpectedly?
Rock Island author Jason Tanamor's new novel, "Drama Dolls," answers that question.
The novel is an intimate dark tale about loss and obsession, survival and grief, and the desiring need to take control of one's own life.
Fans of Tanamor's previous novel, "Anonymous," which received a Starred Review from Publishers Weekly, will love this new psychological thriller which revolves around Jeffrey's bizarre, yet disturbing, world.
"I saw a documentary about grown men who dressed up as dolls. They ventured out in public, running their errands, basking in the attention given to them," Tanamor said. "The dolls thought they were beautiful. The perception by the bystanders was the opposite. The dichotomy was amazing to see. I thought, 'How disturbing!'"
The critically acclaimed author then wondered why a person would go to extreme lengths for attention. Was it insecurity? Was it selfishness? Or, was it something else? "Something triggered this. Maybe something traumatic happened. Like a spouse dying. I love my wife dearly and would probably act out in unnatural ways if she died," said Tanamor. "I mean, let's face it, this is me we're talking about."
Thus, a novel was born.
The storyline, which combines both aspects of the documentary and the "what if?" question, resulted in a fast paced suspense thriller that will surprise readers in the end. In the novel, the sudden death of Jeffrey's wife causes him to grieve the five stages in unnatural ways. He trades in his Toyota Corolla for a Corvette, smokes pot with the neighbor kid, and dresses up in cheerleader outfits with his pals William and Lena in order to feel young and beautiful.
William and Lena agree to do whatever it takes to help Jeffrey during his grief, even when it means committing minor crimes such as burglary. All is kosher until William notices a downward change in Jeffrey. Distraught by memories of his wife, and despite William's and Lena's best efforts, Jeffrey begins to slowly derail into a dark place that only he could get out of. An internal battle with his emotions and himself, Jeffrey takes matters into his own hands to pull through.
"I love stories where the protagonist experiences something tragic," Tanamor said. "When the main character feels, or lives, something that is dark and disturbing, the reader knows, from seeing the character living out on the page, that he has survived another day. This gives the reader hope that he will be fine."
"Drama Dolls" is available at Amazon (www.amazon.com/Drama-Dolls-Suspenseful-Fast-paced-Exhilarating-ebook/dp/B0163GVZJY) in paperback for $12.95 and digitally for $2.99. Similar authors are Chuck Palahniuk, Gillian Flynn, and Charles Bukowski.
RIYL Chuck Palahniuk, Gillian Flynn, and Charles Bukowski.
Visit Jason Tanamor on the web at http://www.tanamor.com
30 Sep 2015

THE CITIES WITH JIM MERTENS MOVES TO PRIME TIME ON WQPT

By Garry Lee Wright
MOLINE, IL - WQPT's local public affairs program, "The Cities with Jim Mertens," will move to 8 p.m. on Thursdays, beginning Oct. 1.

"We are delighted to give the program a prime time slot as we get ready to celebrate the beginning of our sixth season of 'The Cities' in November," said WQPT General Manager Mary Pruess.

Oct. 1 guests include Davenport Mayoral Candidates David Hereid, Frank Klipsch and Dean Weber. Current Davenport Mayor Bill Gluba was a guest on last week's episode.

Rounding out the hour of local programming is "The Whitney Reynolds Show," which features a local segment hosted by Lora Adams.

"The Cities," which debuted Nov. 25, 2010, will continue to be re-aired on WVIK/NPR at 7 p.m. on Fridays and at 5:30 p.m. on Sundays.

WQPT, Quad Cities PBS, is a media service of Western Illinois University.

24 Sep 2015

New book introduces young readers to lesser-known words

By Marketing Services

'A Bale of Turtles' educates on words describing animal groups: nouns of assembly

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - Readers may have heard of a gaggle of geese, but what about a skulk of foxes or a gam of whales? In a playful and informative way, author and former English teacher Lee Clancey introduces readers to nouns of assembly: the words that describe an animal group. Her new book, "A Bale of Turtles" (published by Archway Publishing), illustrated by Mary Rothermel, entertains while educating young readers on some lesser used words.

Imaginative rhymes and fun illustrations give young children new and thought-provoking words with which to describe animal groups. With society and social media geared toward fewer words and characters - such as with the advent of Twitter's 140-character limit ­- Clancey felt compelled to share little-known information she had collected over a number of years.

"A Bale of Turtles" takes readers beneath the sea, across the land and up in the air as Clancey teaches about all types of animals, from exotic to commonplace, from the farm to the city, wild to domestic and large to small.

 

An excerpt from "A Bale of Turtles":

 

"The names of animal groups

Are funny and alive.

Just like a swarm of busy bees

In a bustling, buzzing hive!"

 

"A Bale of Turtles"

By Lee Clancey and Mary Rothermel

Hardcover | 8.5 x 11 in | 38 pages | ISBN 9781480820470

Softcover | 8.5 x 11 in | 38 pages | ISBN 9781480820463

E-Book | 38 pages | ISBN 9781480820456

Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

 

About the Author

Lee Clancey is a former teacher, business owner and politician who is now retired. She and her husband, Jay, have three grown sons, and she wrote "A Bale of Turtles" for her grandchildren.

 

About the Illustrator

Mary Rothermel is a working artist living in Seattle and specializing in oil paintings and landscapes. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Washington, has exhibited her work nationally and has completed numerous commissions. She often collaborates with her husband and fellow artist, Tom Northington.

. For the latest news, follow @ArchwayPub on Twitter and "Like" us at

###

24 Sep 2015

Author to sign book on John Kennedy assassination at Davenport, Iowa Barnes and Noble on October 17.

By Nicholas Depew
Writer Dan Helpingstine will appear at the Davenport, Iowa Barnes and Noble at 320 West Kimberly Road on October 17 from 1-3pm to sign his historical book on the John Kennedy assassination. The book is entitled Dallas Forever Changed - The Legacy of November 1963. The book has been released by Pelican Publishing.
Unlike other works on the assassination, Dallas Forever Changed does advance any theories on who assassinated President Kennedy. Instead the book deals with the historical after effects of the crime.
For over 50 years, Dallas endured a tragic legacy that left it labeled as the "City of Hate." Immediately after the assassination, community leaders looked to find a candidate to oppose the local Congressman Bruce Alger because it was thought that Alger contributed to the city having a violent political image. He was defeated in 1964 and never held political office again. The city also did other things in an attempt to distance itself from the assassination.
However, the city could not help but embrace the legacy of the assassination. Visitors were often allowed to visit the Texas Theatre, the place where Lee Oswald was arrested. Tours of key assassination sites are offered by private guides. On one visit to Dallas, the author was shown a red business card by a taxi driver. In the middle of the card had the title, "The Lady in Red." Jean Hill stood within 30 feet of the motorcade when the president was shot. She can be easily identified because she wore a red coat.
The official version has Lee Oswald shooting from the sixth floor of the Texas School Book Depository Building. That sixth floor now houses The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza. Many city leaders decided one way to deal with history is take ownership of it in a way. The Sixth Floor Museum has artifacts and films of November 22, 1963 and also documents political and social events at that time.
The ongoing controversies regarding President Kennedy's assassination will never fully allow Dallas to divorce itself from the event. The struggles of Dallas symbolize how the country as a whole has had a difficult time coping with a tragic occurrence that changed history.
23 Sep 2015

WTTW PBS Chicago -- Kosciuszko: A Man Ahead of His Time

By WTTW
A Documentary Film Narrated by Blair Underwood
Written and Directed by Alex Storozynski
Executive Producer Eve Krzyzanowski
Based on the Book
There are more statutes of Thaddeus Kosciuszko in America than any historical figure except for George Washington. Every day, millions of New York TV and radio listeners hear about traffic jams on the Kosciuszko Bridge. Yet few know about this Revolutionary War hero and champion of human rights.
The Polish hero Kosciuszko gave his salary from the American Revolution to Thomas Jefferson and told him to buy slaves - and free them.  Kosciuszko fought for the rights of serfs, slaves, Jews, Native-Americans and women.
A military strategist, Kosciuszko's plan won the Battle of Saratoga - the turning point of the war.  He also built Fortress West Point, which Benedict Arnold tried to sell to the British in the most infamous act of treason in American history. When Kosciuszko spoke up for Native Americans, Chief Little Turtle gave him a peace pipe/tomahawk.
In 1791, when Poland passed the first democratic Constitution in Europe, Russian, Austrian and Prussian monarchs sent armies to crush this new democracy.  Kosciuszko led an army against the invaders to fight for rights for peasants, burghers and Jews.
His ally Berek Joselewicz, formed the first wholly Jewish military unit since biblical times and called Kosciuszko "a messenger from God."  Muslims, and even a black man named Jean Lapierre traveled to Poland to join Kosciuszko's multicultural revolution.
In his quest for liberty, Kosciuszko worked with George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and the French Revolutionaries while struggling against the tyranny of Russia's Catherine the Great and Napoleon Bonaparte.  Napoleon called Kosciuszko "the hero of the North," and Russian Czarina Catherine offered a reward for anyone who could capture him "dead or alive."
Jefferson called, Kosciuszko "as pure a son of liberty, as I have ever known."
With a moving narration by Blair Underwood, the story is told through reenactments at West Point, Saratoga, Philadelphia, and Poland, along with dramatic readings by screen actors such as Olek Krupa.
It includes interviews with experts such as Former U.S. National Security Advisor Dr. Zbigniew Brzezinski, UCLA Prof. Gary Nash, Purdue Prof. James Pula, and Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Alex Storozynski.
Thaddeus Kosciuszko was a prince of tolerance whose principles still resonate today.
Stay Tuned, more PBS stations to be announced soon.
To learn more about Polish culture:

Pages

Subscribe & Listen to Reader Podcasts

On Stands Now

 

Tagged Content

    

Two Ways to Subscribe

1. Subscribe to free weekly e-mail content updates.

You'll get both the current official narrative challenge and What's Happenin' in the Quad Cities.
(Did you know we publish a new Real Astrology and RCR Crossword every week?) 

Subscribe!

* indicates required

2. Get 12 monthly issues mailed first class for $48

Get 12 issues mailed monthly for $48 per year.

Get the printed Reader edition mailed to you (or anyone you want) first-class for 12 months for $48.
$24 goes to postage and handling, $24 goes to keeping the doors open!

Click this link to Subscribe now.