Professor and historian Dr. Art Pitz will discuss the tumultuous history of the Middle East in his presentation, The Arab-Israeli Conflict: A History in Four Parts. The first two lectures (Aug. 2 and 9) will be held at the Rock Island Main Library. The August 16 and 23 presentations are at the Moline Public Library, 3210 41^st Street, Moline IL.

Moline Library: 309-524-2440

Professor and historian Dr. Art Pitz will discuss the tumultuous history of the Middle East in his presentation, The Arab-Israeli Conflict: A History in Four Parts. The first two lectures (Aug. 2 and 9) will be held at the Rock Island Main Library.The August 16 and 23 presentations are at the Moline Public Library, 3210 41^st Street, Moline IL.

Part 1: Late 19^th Century to WWI - Monday, August 2, Rock Island Main Library, 6 p.m.

The Rock Island Library's 2010 Black History and Civil Rights series concludes August 25, with a 6 p.m. showing and discussion of the American Experience program, "The Murder of Emmett Till." The brutal murder of the 14-year-old-boy in Money, Mississippi sparked civil rights action across the country. Three months after his body was pulled from the Tallahatchie River, the Montgomery bus boycott began. August 28 marks the 55th anniversary of Till's death.

This event in the Main Library Community Room, 401 19th Street, is held in conjunction with the Afro-American Heritage Center as part of a continuing look at family stories and civil rights.

Please note that some scenes in the documentary may disturb younger or more sensitive viewers.

Hannah Maynard, prosecutor at the International Criminal Tribunal in The Hague, is leading a trial against a former commander of the Yugoslavian National Army who is accused of the deportation and later killing of dozens of Bosnian-Muslim civilians. When a key witness commits suicide, it looks like the case will unravel, however Hannah refuses to give in.

Hoping to uncover new findings, she travels to the witness' burial in Sarajevo and meets his sister Mira who she senses has much more to say than she is willing to admit.  Despite threats of violence, Mira reluctantly agrees to testify at The Hague. However, she and Hannah must both risk life and limb to make it to the court, only to discover that there are traitors among their own ranks.

Bilal, a 17-year-old Kurdish refugee, has struggled his way through Europe for the last three months, trying to reunite with his girlfriend, who recently emigrated to England. But his journey comes to an abrupt halt when he is stopped by authorities in Calais, on the French side of the Channel. Left with no other alternatives, he decides to swim across. Bilal goes to the local swimming pool to train, where he meets Simon, a middle-aged swimming instructor in turmoil over his imminent divorce. Simon agrees to help Bilal, hoping to win back the affection of his wife, who does volunteer work helping immigrants. But what begins as a relationship based on self interest, develops into something much bigger than Simon could ever have imagined, as he too will ultimately risk everything to reach happiness.

Jan, recently released from prison after serving time for the murder of a child, has always maintained his innocence and is ready to put the past behind him. A gifted organist, he takes a job at an Oslo church under his middle name, Thomas. His talent and gentle manner quickly earn him the respect of his superiors, as well as the love of the pastor, Anna. Thomas even overcomes his initial panic to return the affection of Anna's young son, Jens. But his past catches up with him when Agnes, a local teacher, comes to the church on a school visit and recognizes the organist as Jan, the young man who was convicted for the murder of her son.

For most of his life, Ignacio Carrillo travelled the villages of northern Colombia, playing traditional songs on his accordion, a legendary instrument said to have once belonged to the devil. He eventually married and settled in a small town, leaving the nomadic life behind. But after the traumatic death of his wife, he vows to never play the accursed accordion again, and embarks on one last journey to return the instrument to its rightful owner. On the way, Ignacio is followed by Fermín, a spirited teenager determined to become his apprentice. Tired of loneliness, Ignacio accepts the young man as his pupil and together they traverse the vast Colombian terrain, discovering the musical diversity of Caribbean culture. Hardened by a life of solitude, Ignacio tries to discourage Fermín from following in his footsteps, but destiny has different plans for them.

Be With Me is a tapestry of three stories woven around the themes of love, hope, and destiny. Although the main characters come from different backgrounds and lead different lives, they all long to be with their loved one.

"Meant To Be" is about an aging provision shopkeeper grappling with loneliness. Just when he is about to give up hope, he chances upon an autobiography which changes his life. The autobiography in this story is real – it is the story of Theresa Chan, who plays herself and shares her remarkable life experience in the film.

"So In Love" is the bitter-sweet chronicles of two teenage girls in a love less ordinary. A chain of events spark off a flurry of SMS messages that will drastically rewrite the blueprints of their lives.

"Finding Love" follows the mundane life of a middle aged security guard who has two loves in life -- food and a high flying professional who works in the same building he does. The first he indulges in with great passion; the second, alas, he can only admire from afar. He decides to bridge the divide with a letter.

Unbeknownst to them, these different souls will share the same stage in a play written by Fate, one which involves the themes of love, tragedy, and redemption. The characters in the movie are fictitious except for Theresa Chan. Deaf and blind since she was 14, Theresa – who is now 61 – is a remarkable woman who has triumphed over her disabilities to live an amazing life. She is the film's beacon, a symbol of strength and hope.
 

Learn how to use Microsoft Word templates to create a resume. 11 a.m. Wednesdays, Main Library Computer Lab