New children’s book tells the tale of three giraffes and the excitement they brought in the small town of Tallapoosa
LANDER, Wyo. – It is in loving memory of her husband, Gary D. Bergquist, that Lenore brings to fruition the children’s book, “Giraffes on the Loosa in Tallapoosa” (published by Xlibris). His endless imagination brought to life many creative and whimsical ideas. One of which is the fun tale of three giraffes who caused excitement in the small town of Tallapoosa.
On a dark and rainy night just outside Tallapoosa, Georgia, a large Italian circus truck carrying three giraffes got a flat tire. While the two Italian circus workers changed the flat tire, the three giraffes — Watuzi, Mambusa and Just Fred — got out from the loosened tailgate. Not meaning to cause trouble or alarm, they found their way around and through the town of Tallapoosa and its residents.
An excerpt from the book reads:
“Hey, it’s been a while since we all came together! Let’s have a picnic!”
You never know what might bring people closer… like Giraffes on Da Loosa in Tallapoosa!
Writing and illustrating stories were some of the great joys the couple shared together. The book includes 3D illustrations that will appeal to young readers of ages 9 to 12. With it, Bergquist hopes to convey the moral of the story that when people come together and cooperate, good things can be accomplished.
“Giraffes on the Loosa in Tallapoosa”
By Gary D. Bergquist
Hardcover | 8.5 x 11in | 30 pages | ISBN 9781984539335
Softcover | 8.5 x 11in | 30 pages | ISBN 9781984539328
E-Book | 30 pages | ISBN 9781984539311
Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble
About the Author
Gary D. Bergquist was part of the U.S. Army Military Intelligence Corps. He was also a Russian communications analyst. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in business management. He was a husband for 37 years, a father of six grown children and a grandfather of 19. His collection of children’s fiction includes, “Coral Cove and Rudy's Big Discovery,” “Giraffes on the Loosa in Tallapoosa” and “Brambles.”
Xlibris Publishing, an Author Solutions, LLC imprint, is a self-publishing services provider created in 1997 by authors, for authors. By focusing on the needs of creative writers and artists and adopting the latest print-on-demand publishing technology and strategies, we provide expert publishing services with direct and personal access to quality publication in hardcover, trade paperback, custom leather-bound and full-color formats. To date, Xlibris has helped to publish more than 60,000 titles. For more information, visit xlibris.com or call 1-888-795-4274 to receive a free publishing guide. Follow us @XlibrisPub on Twitter for the latest news.
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Hang onto your hats; it’s about to get all Nitro in here!!
Less than two weeks until superstars Travis Pastrana and Ken Block face off in Nitro Rallycross to settle unfinished business!
It’s been a long, agonizing wait, but we’re just 10 days away from the most amazing event ever to be held at UMC (and that’s saying something)! We’ve been working with Travis and his team to create a Nitro World Games that will challenge athletes, stun spectators and smash records with the world’s most radical action sports competition. FMX Best Trick, FMX Quarterpipe and – all-new and imagination-defying – NRX Rallycross! Trust us: you don’t want to miss this one!
VIP Upper Deck tickets have sold out, but there’s still time to get your VIP Trackside passes.
Click for Nitro World Games Info / Tix
We’re still offering some great discounts at the UMC Kart Center! Family Night on Mondays, Ladies Night on Thursdays and Date Night on Fridays, plus a Military Discount for our awesome service members! It won’t be long before the snow flies – get your laps in while you can!
Our friends at Rodizio Grill are serving up that amazing Brazilian fare every Friday and Saturday night, right here at the track! Great food, attentive service, family-friendly atmosphere…and racing! What more do you want?
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New bipartisan Rep. Love Bill: Protecting Pregnant Women in Custody
Women Members of Congress Join to Introduce Legislation
WASHINGTON D.C. – Rep. Mia Love joins Rep. Karen Bass (D-CA) in introducing bipartisan legislation to provide a national standard of care to address pregnancy-related needs of incarcerated women during pregnancy, labor, delivery and post-partum periods.
Rep. Love said: “As a mother of three children and strong supporter of criminal justice reform, I am proud to reach across the aisle with my friend Rep. Bass to introduce a bill that addresses the unique needs of incarcerated women and their children. Our legislation will help prevent injury, enhance well-being, and establish much-needed standards of care. It reflects a desire to uphold the law while also supporting humanity. I am grateful for the strong bipartisan support we’ve received from so many respected colleagues, and look forward to advancing this important measure.”
The Protecting the Health and Wellness of Babies and Pregnant Women in Custody Act of 2018 will address the care of pregnant women in all federal prisons and require the Department of Justice to collect data on the mental and physical health of pregnant women in custody. Rep. Love joins Representatives Karen Bass, (D) California, and Catherine Clark (D) Massachusetts in introducing the bill, which is cosponsored by a bipartisan majority of women in the House.
“We must be sure that we are mindful and responsible for the health and wellness of pregnant women in prison, Rep. Bass said. “That means an appropriate diet, access to appropriate medical assistance, and it certainly means stopping the shackling of pregnant inmates. I hope that we can move this conversation forward in a bipartisan manner and look forward to participating in the continuing conversation about ways to reform our criminal justice system.”
The number of incarcerated women and girls has grown by more than 800% in the past 30 years, making clear the need for justice systems that respond to the needs of women and girls. As the rate of incarceration for pregnant women grows, there continues to be a disconnect between the larger criminal justice discussion and the importance of safety, adequate services and support to address women’s needs.
Pamela Winn, Founder of RESTORE HER : “When I was sentenced to 78 months in federal prison I was six weeks pregnant at the time of my arrest. When I was released, I came home without my baby. I had miscarried. I tripped while shackled and did not receive medical care. Not a day goes by that I don’t think about the life that could have been. A twist of fate did not take my child. A blatant disregard for my humanity stole the life that was growing inside of me. I am especially pleased to see data collection included in this bill - it is scary and appalling to me that we do not know how many other women experienced what I did or were even exposed to the risk. We must do all that we can to make sure tragedies like mine do not happen again. The Pregnant Women in Custody Act would restrict shackling of pregnant women and go to great lengths to ensure safety and humane care of incarcerated women and protect their babies.”
Heather Rice-Minus, vice president of government affairs for Prison Fellowship, the nation’s largest Christian non-profit serving prisoners, former prisoners, and their families: “Every woman is made in the image of God, including those behind bars. The unborn children of incarcerated women are of no less value than any other child and deserving of the same protection and care. We commend Representatives Mia Love and Karen Bass for introducing the Protecting the Health and Wellness of Babies and Pregnant Women in Custody Act and urge all members of Congress to join them in ensuring human dignity is safeguarded inside the prison walls.”
Kaitlin Owens, Policy Analyst at the American Conservative Union Foundation: “It's unfortunate to think that a bill has to be put in place, saying "treat human beings as human beings", however, this is a great first step in preserving human dignity of both the mother and their newborn behind bars.
Rebecca Hagelin, Prison Reform Advocate & Columnist at The Washington Times: “The Protecting the Health and Wellness of Babies and Pregnant Women Act ensures that as we punish female offenders, we are doing so in a manner that is both effective and humane. America is a land that cherishes the dignity of children, and it’s time that we protect the innocent even as we hold their mothers accountable for breaking the law.
