Detroit Students Can 'Read, Watch & Ride' This Summer

Detroit Students Can 'Read, Watch & Ride' This Summer

Sponsored reading program brings the literary to life for city youth

DETROIT, July 9 /PRNewswire/ -- In this era of heavily marketing movies for greater box-office success, an adapted film version -- the one taken from books -- can sometimes shortcut remarkable works on paper for an entirely new audience.

This summer, youth ages 8-11 will have the chance to connect with the words from a classic tale through the "Read, Watch & Ride (RWR)" program. Read, Watch & Ride was developed by the Detroit People Mover (DPM) in partnership with the Detroit Public Library (DPL) and Comcast to increase summer reading among Detroit students in a fun and entertaining way, while encouraging them to see the creative relationship between the literal and the visual.

The Read, Watch & Ride book is Charlotte's Web by E.B. White. The 2006, live-action feature film version will be shown during the free Comcast Film Series at Campus Martius Park on Saturday, July 28. As part of Comcast's ongoing commitment to literacy, the Comcast's Michigan Region donated 200 copies of the book to the Detroit Public Library.

Students can check out the book from selected DPL branches (see list) during the promotional period, June 29-July 20. Upon returning the book and submitting a completed entry form which includes a list of brief questions, each child receives a special gift and four People Mover tokens which can be used by their families at any time, or to attend the Comcast Film Series. Entries which have all correct answers will qualify for a special Grand Prize drawing prior to the film screening and the winners will be announced to the Film Series audience.

"For 20 years, the Detroit People Mover has remained popular with children of all ages, and we are pleased to be the vehicle for families to re-discover downtown Detroit's sights, sounds and resources, such as our wonderful Skillman Branch Public Library," said Barbara Hansen, General Manager of the Detroit Transportation Corporation, which operates the DPM. "We hope that 'Read, Watch & Ride' offers the opportunity to spark young minds by creating a connection which links the spoken, visual and written word."

"We're committed to enriching education -- in the classroom, in community centers, and in the home. Comcast will continue to partner with organizations which help us best support literacy and reading programs," said Shannon Dulin, Senior Public Affairs Coordinator, Comcast, Michigan Region. "We're always looking to find ways to collaborate -- and to make a meaningful and measurable difference."

"A core objective of the Detroit Public Library is to provide our communities with educational and entertaining programs that genuinely resonate with our customers," said Atiim J. Funchess, Assistant Director for Marketing, Detroit Public Library. "The Read, Watch, & Ride program exemplifies that core objective, while simultaneously building bridges with like-minded corporate partners, such as the DPM and Comcast."

In print for 55 years, Publishers Weekly lists Charlotte's Web as the best-selling children's paperback of all time.

Participating DPL Branch Libraries:

CHANDLER PARK 12800 Harper/Dickerson
FRANKLIN 13651 E. McNichols/Gratiot
HUBBARD 12929 W. McNichols/J. Couzens
RICHARD 9876 Grand River/Stoepel
SHERWOOD FOREST 7117 W. Seven Mile/Livernois
SKILLMAN 121 Gratiot / Library
WILDER 7140 E. Seven Mile/Van Dyke

Trains arrive at People Mover stations every three minutes. Cadillac Center Station is the closest People Mover station for the Comcast Film Series. The fare for the People Mover is 50 cents per ride. A token or any combination of U.S. nickels, dimes and quarters may be used for entry. Tokens are available in all DPM stations. The People Mover is accessible to elderly and disabled persons. Children ages 5 and under ride free.

The Comcast Film Series is part of the 2007 Campus Martius Park's "Summer in the Park" series. For a schedule of screenings and other events, visit www.comcastfilmseries.com or www.campusmartiuspark.org.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: Detroit Transportation Corporation

CONTACT: Ericka Alexander of Detroit People Mover, +1-313-224-2160,
Cell, +1-313-475-3614, ealexander@thepeoplemover.com

Web site:

http://www.thepeoplemover.com/
http://www.comcastfilmseries.com/
http://www.campusmartiuspark.org/

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