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How do you love? Count the ways at Rozz-Tox
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By Jonathan Turner, jturner@qconline.com
By Jonathan Turner, jturner@qconline.com
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Love, poetry and music will be in the air at Rock Island's Rozz-Tox next Wednesday at 8 p.m. for a special Valentine's-themed night in the Spectra Reading Series. Spectra held its first three free poetry readings by acclaimed authors last fall at Rozz-Tox (2108 3rd Ave.), and will pick up again with the first of three again on March 14, but event organizer and Midwest Writing Center director Ryan Collins wanted to do something funky before that to mark this day of love. "I'm trying to grow the audience for poetry, not just for the series," he said this week. "This might be a good way to bring people under the tent." Mr. Collins invites anyone in or around the greater Quad-City area who has an original "poem, song, story, soliloquy, bit, rant, performance art piece, etc. they are willing to share with the one they love and a loving audience," he said. Have something poetic you want to share with your special lady? Want to sing a song about your love for your line-walking man? Have a hilarious and terrible Valentine's Day story about love gone wrong? There is a stage and microphone and a welcoming audience ready to love anyone with the courage to get up and testify, Mr. Collins -- a poet himself who will host the free show -- said. There will be food and drink specials, and also local poets on hand to write priceless love poems or fragments on the spot for only $5, "in case you want or need assistance expressing your love for that special someone or secretly admired, or if you just want to give the everlasting gift of original poetry," Mr. Collins said. If you would like to submit a poem/song/story/etc. in advance, email your submissions/proposals to mwc@midwestwritingcenter.org with the phrase "Local Lovers" in the subject line. If you're more spontaneous, there will be a sign-up sheet at the event, and performers will be summoned on a first come, first serve basis. Note that all performers will be limited to one poem/song/story, etc., and no more than 5 minutes of stage time per performance, Mr. Collins said. For more information about Spectra or otherMidwest Writing Center programs, contact him at (563) 324-1410 or mwc@midwestwritingcenter.org. The next Spectra reading will be Thursday, March 14th, 8 p.m. at Rozz-Tox, featuring poets Chris Martin, Mary Austin Speaker and Ted Mathys — details and bios are at midwestwritingcenter.org. The other spring dates are April 5 and April 27. 
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Today is Monday, May 20, the 140th day of 2013. There are 225 days left in the year.
1863 -- 150 years ago: A petition is being circulated asking the city council to order awell bored in Market Square. It would be a great accommodation to the public.
1888 -- 125 years ago: At 1 p.m. on May 18 the Mississippi River flooded its banks atRock Island and destroyed the warehouse of the Rock Island Lumber Co. and damagedRock Island Arsenal power plant. Total loss is estimated at $100,000.
1913 -- 100 years ago: Residents of Sough Rock Island Township are circulating apetition favoring the annexation of that area to the City of Rock Island.
1938 -- 75 years ago: A group of state members of the National Grandmothers Clubmeeting in Rock Island are making plans to petition for the observance of a NationalGrandmothers Day.
1963 -- 50 years ago: Deere and Co. reported today that its U.S. and Canadian sales forthe first half of the 1963 fiscal year set an all time record of $323,716.628.
1988 -- 25 years ago: William G. Lawrence, first administrative director, has retired fromPECO Enterprises, Inc. Prior to his service at PECO, Mr. Lawrence was the civilianpersonnel officer at the Rock Island Arsenal.
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