MOLINE, IL  -- PBS, CPB and WQPT recently announced the launch of a new veterans' initiative, which will roll out over the next several years, that features national content, along with local community engagement efforts to increase dialogue and solutions as our nation's veterans transition to civilian life. The initiative includes national, multi-platform content on PBS under the banner of "Stories of Service," and the community engagement campaign funded by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), "Veterans Coming Home."

"The programs featured as part of 'Stories of Service' tell the compelling stories of those who have served and provide a deeper understanding of our nation's military history," said Paula Kerger, PBS president and CEO. "As America's storyteller, we hope to spark conversations in communities and give the public an opportunity to share their personal or family story of service through local events and programs. Across the public television community, stations will be creating their own content and providing resources to returning veterans and their families."

"Americans will connect to these powerful stories of courage, commitment and sacrifice. They will see the veterans as people who have so much to contribute as they return to civilian life. And once they hear and see these stories, they will be compelled to respond through their local public media stations to work with local business and veterans organizations, faith based and community groups," said Pat Harrison, CPB president and CEO. "We know CPB's partnership with PBS, America's public media stations, local veterans and business organizations, working with the men and women who are sharing their personal stories, will create opportunities for our troops and their families in the communities in which they live and continue to serve."

"WQPT is very happy to be working once again with WVIK to create our own 'Stories of Service,'" said WQPT General Manager Mary Pruess.  "Our two year Embracing Our Military initiative has already featured national programming, local programming and community events to better inform our Quad Cities and surrounding communities about the role the military and their families play in our area."

PBS and WQPT's 'Stories of Service' programming kicks off with the May 21 premiere of "Coming Back with Wes Moore," which is funded by CPB. The series explores Moore's search for answers to important questions about veterans returning from war. Longer range, the programming line-up includes the highly anticipated 2016 documentary on the Vietnam War from Ken Burns and Lynn Novick.

Currently, the PBS and WQPT programing under "Stories of Service' includes our veterans interstitials created in partnership with WVIK, "Moments in History" interstitials created in partnership with the Rock Island Arsenal, "Inside the Gates," produced by CBS4 and  upcoming  programming like: "Death and the Civil War," American Experience (7 p.m., June 24); "Day of Days - June 6, 1944 ( 7 p.m. June 10); "Unsung Heroes - The Story of America's Female Patriots (7 p.m. and 8 p.m. June 17); and Nova's "Escape from Nazi Alcatraz" (8 p.m. June 12). More about information about WQPT's programming can be found at wqpt.org.

Upcoming programming includes:

"Coming Back with Wes Moore"

7-9 p.m., May 21, 28 and June 4

A three-episode series, executive produced by best-selling author and veteran Wes Moore and Joel Olicker of Powderhouse Productions, tells the story of Moore's search for answers to some of the most difficult questions facing vets returning from war. Each episode focuses on a different stage of coming home: "Coming Back," "Fitting In" and "Moving Forward." (Produced by Powderhouse Productions; funded by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting [CPB] Diversity and Innovation and Bank of America.)

"Death and the Civil War" (encore)

7-9 p.m., May 24

Based on Drew Gilpin Faust's "This Republic of Suffering," this acclaimed program by Ric Burns explores a critical aspect of the Civil War experience: the implications of the war's staggering and unprecedented death toll. "Death and the Civil War" is written and directed by Ric Burns, edited by Li-Shin Yu, and produced by Robin Espinola, Bonnie LaFave, and Ric Burns. Oliver Platt is the narrator. The original concept was developed by Paul Taylor, and the cinematography is by Buddy Squires, Stephen McCarthy and Allen Moore. Music is by Brian Keane. Executive producer is Mark Samels; exclusive corporate funding for American Experience provided by Liberty Mutual Insurance. Major funding provided by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. Major funding for "Death and the Civil War" provided by the National Endowment for the Humanities: Exploring the Human Endeavor. Additional funding provided by the Arthur Vining Davis Foundations, Dedicated to Strengthening America's Future Through Education; the Nordblom Family Foundation and the Gretchen Stone Cook Charitable Foundation, members of the Documentary Investment Group; and by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting [CPB] and PBS and public television viewers.) 

NOVA's "D-Day's Sunken Secrets"

7-9 p.m., May 15

NOVA joins an exclusive team as they carry out the most extensive survey ever done of the seabed bordering the legendary D-Day beachheads of Normandy, revealing the ingenious technology that helped the Allies overcome the German defenses and ultimately liberate Europe from the Nazis. (Produced by WGBH Science Unit; major funding for NOVA provided by Boeing, The David H. Koch Fund for Science, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting [CPB], and PBS and public television viewers. Additional funding for "D-Day's Sunken Secrets" provided by The Arthur Vining Davis Foundations.)

About WQPT-Quad Cities PBS

WQPT-Quad Cities PBS is a media service of Western Illinois University. Founded in November 1983 the station has received local and national awards for their production work and educational outreach.

About PBS
PBS, with its over 350 member stations, offers all Americans the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television and online content. Each month, PBS reaches nearly 109 million people through television and over 28 million people online, inviting them to experience the worlds of science, history, nature and public affairs; to hear diverse viewpoints; and to take front row seats to world-class drama and performances. PBS' broad array of programs has been consistently honored by the industry's most coveted award competitions. Teachers of children from pre-K through 12^th grade turn to PBS for digital content and services that help bring classroom lessons to life. PBS' premier children's TV programming and its website, pbskids.org, are parents' and teachers' most trusted partners in inspiring and nurturing curiosity and love of learning in children. More information about PBS is available at www.pbs.org, one of the leading dot-org websites on the Internet, or by following PBS on Twitter, Facebook or through our apps for mobile devices. Specific program information and updates for press are available at pbs.org/pressroom or by following PBS PressRoom on Twitter.

About CPB

The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), a private, nonprofit corporation created by Congress in 1967, is the steward of the federal government's investment in public broadcasting. It helps support the operations of more than 1,400 locally-owned and -operated public television and radio stations nationwide, and is the largest single source of funding for research, technology, and program development for public radio, television and related online services.

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Salvatore Marici, Port Byron, Illinois, first full-length collection of poetry is entitled, Swish Swirl & Sniff (Ice Cube Press). The collection is a reflection of not only his life here in the Quad Cities, but his varied and fascinating life abroad. In this full flavored, wise, and wildly alive collection Salvatore Marici travels through the Amazon, Guatemala, Sicily, doctor's offices, arenas, kitchens, and his Quad Cities home. From one poem to the next, there is a connected cord.

An enchanting array of rhythmic encounters, sensual visions, as well as perceptive reflections on life's mysteries. Many of the Quad Cities prominent poets and art promoters are strong supporters of this new book:

"Whether he is writing about the heart of the Inca Empire in Peru or Wrigley Field in Chicago, Sal brings his subjects alive with an earthy swirl of all five senses." ?Roald Tweet, WVIK Rock Island Lines

"Sal Marici is a gifted poet, who sees that the world can pull you down. There is death, and cruelty, and ignorance, yet what saves us is our ability to feel deeply and enjoy the richness of life." ?Bruce de Gouveia Carter, Host of Art Talks on WVIK

"These poems are rich, loamy, fragrant with life. Unafraid to be playful, unafraid to be understood, they embrace the world as if they want to eat it whole. Read this book if you want to feel a little more alive." ?Thomas Lux, author, Child Made of Sand

"There's an expansive world conveyed by Sal Marici's poems, examined up-close and with care, even when the mood is frisky. The physicality of the collection's vivid and momentary encounters urge us inward and out into new landscapes." ?Rebecca Wee, Quad Cities Poet Laureate (2003-2005), author, Uncertain Grace

Marici has lived in the Quad Cities since 1979. He is a retired Agronomist from the Rock Island Arsenal.
He was also a Peace Corps Volunteer in Guatemala. He is an active member of the Midwest Writing
Center in Davenport, where, in 2002, he attended an Out Loud event and read his poetry for the first time.

His poetry readings often include muscial accompaniment. His upcoming events include : May 16th during
the Bucktown Revue; June 6th, at River Valley Library in Port Byron IL; The Book Rack in Moline, June
11th; and The Book Rack in Davenport June 14th. For more information contact Mr. Marici: vinoyajo@
frontiernet.net, or visit the Ice Cube Press website at www.icecubepress.com, steve@icecubepress.com

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April 24, 2014 - New Straitsville, OH - The 100th episode of Comics for Fun and Profit was released this week and marked the occasion by discussing Amazon's purchase of Comixology. The twice weekly podcast, Comics for Fun and Profit celebrates the comics industry with reviews, interviews and comic book news but also a unique twist, an emphasis on comic book buying and selling sometimes referred to as speculation.

"We provide in-depth reviews, news and previews for comic book readers and collectors but with a focus on speculation: buying comics to read, enjoy, collect and ultimately sell to someone else," Says Drew Ellinger, site owner and co-founder of the podcast. Adding, "We often discuss our strategies for success in the comics selling market."

The podcast also interviews comic creators and discusses water-cooler comic debate topics surrounding 'best of' comics episodes, comics grading, and the state of the industry. They couple this with a steady dose of weekly new comic reviews.

"I enjoy our comic review podcasts the most," Said Bob Seifert, one of the founding members of CFP, "we really love talking comics and I think it shows."

The trio realizes there are many podcasts focusing on comic books but theirs has something the others do not.

"The speculation angle really sets us apart from some of the other podcasts out there," Kyle Ellinger, one of the founding members of CFP, said, "It's really great when our picks skyrocket in value and our listeners benefit from that."

Comics For Fun And Profit can be found on iTunes and Stitcher as well the website: www.comicsfunprofit.com

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Rock Island, IL: Effective today, April 1, you can keep your dollar when checking out a feature-length seven-day DVD or Blu-ray movie from the Rock Island Public Library. The same is true when you're trying to catch up on past seasons of True Blood, Mad Men or Game of Thrones.

The Rock Island Public Library has eliminated the $1 checkout charge on its entertainment collection, which includes both feature-length movies and collected seasons of television series on DVD and Blu-ray. The library's educational (non-fiction) collection of DVDs and Blu-rays never had a checkout fee.

Cardholders may check out up to five DVDs/Blu-rays from the entertainment collection, in any combination of movies and television series. Movies check out for seven days; television series for 21. The change applies only to DVDs and Blu-rays owned by Rock Island Public Library, including collections at the library's Main, 30/31 and Southwest Branches.

Late fees do still apply, so cardholders will want to return those DVDs on time. To help you remember that due date, sign up for free phone, email or text courtesy reminders from the library. Cardholders can change their notification preferences by visiting the library, or by using the "My Account" feature in the online catalog.

For more information about services and programs for children, teens and adults, visit the library's online branch at www.rockislandlibrary.org, call 309-732-READ (7323) or follow the library on Facebook or Twitter.

Founded in 1872, the Rock Island Public Library serves the area through three locations, which include the Main, 30/31 and Southwest Branches, community outreach efforts, and online opportunities that provide resources to enhance personal achievement and stimulate the imagination.

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