Service animals to be honored, pet-related organizations will participate

What:  Oakdale Memorial Gardens is hosting Pet Memorial Day (www.oakdalememorialgardens.org/special-presentations/pet-memorial-day) on Sunday, September 8, 2013, at the Petland area of the cemetery, 2501 Eastern Avenue, Davenport.

Pet Memorial Day honors all service animals and allows the public the opportunity to talk to representatives of various service animal and pet rescue organizations. Everyone is welcome to attend the event. The event will open with a service animal memorial ceremony at 2:00 p.m.

Who:  The memorial ceremony will include an invocation / pet blessing by Rev. Richard Miller of First Presbyterian Church (Davenport) and the playing of Taps by bugler and Clinton County Sheriff's Reserve member Bill Hall.

Organizations that will be on hand with information and/or service animal demonstrations include the Bettendorf Police Department, Humane Society of Scott County, Quad Cities Greyhound Adoption, Trinity Caring Canines, Bettendorf Community School District, Emergency K-9 Operations and Clinton County Sheriff's Reserve.

Where:   Oakdale Memorial Gardens - Petland (turn left just inside the main entrance gates)

2501 Eastern Avenue

Davenport, IA 52803

When:  Sunday, September 8, 2013

2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

RSVP:  Members of the media please contact office manager Deb Williams with any questions or requests.

Phone: 563-324-5121                  

Email: oakdaleomg@aol.com

About Petland

The late Sandy Weerts had a vision to bring a feeling of peace to those who have lost a family pet and companion in death. Oakdale Memorial Gardens has honored her with a lovely garden to commemorate the lives of these dear family friends. It is called "Love of Animals" Petland. Among the flowers, oak trees and rare dwarf conifers, pets and service animals alike are buried with honor and dignity.

About Oakdale Memorial Gardens

Oakdale Memorial Gardens (www.oakdalememorialgardens.org) was established in 1857 and is an independent, non-profit cemetery located on 78+ acres along Eastern Avenue in the heart of Davenport, Iowa. It is one of the Quad Cities oldest and most beautiful cemeteries, boasting century-old Oaks, gently rolling hills and knolls, and a beautiful reflecting pond near the cemetery entrance.

From September 6 to 22, 2013, the Quad Cities hosts East West Riverfest, a community-wide, two-week celebration of the arts, culture and heritage thriving on this bend of the Mississippi River. Over 300 events will take place at almost 100 various theaters, music venues, galleries, historic sites, museums, parks, and attractions on both sides of the river in the Quad Cities. For more information, visit www.eastwestriverfest.com or the official Facebook page.

Quad Cities advances to Western Division final and will host Beloit for Game 1 on Saturday

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (SEPT. 5, 2013) - For a second straight night, the Quad Cities River Bandits held the potent Cedar Rapids Kernels offense in check on Thursday night, and third baseman Rio Ruiz hit a go-ahead home run in a three-run fourth inning leading to a 4-2 win and two-game sweep of the Midwest League Western Division semifinal at Perfect Game Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium.

Quad Cities won its ninth straight postseason game, dating back to the 2011 Midwest League Championship run, and ended the season for the Kernels, who had a league-high 88 regular-season wins. The River Bandits will host the Beloit Snappers for Game 1 of the Midwest League Western Division Final on Saturday. Beloit swept its division semifinal against the Clinton LumberKings Thursday. Saturday's game time will be announced on Friday, and second-round tickets will be available beginning at noon Friday.

The Kernels took the first lead for a second straight game, as center fielder Jonathan Murphy led off the bottom of the first inning with a home run to left field off left-hander Joe Bircher (1-0). But Bircher bounced back to retire six straight hitters and work around single baserunners in the third and fourth innings. In the fifth he allowed a two-out double by third baseman Joel Licon and Murphy to reach on an error by shortstop Carlos Correa, but Bircher fanned shortstop Niko Goodrum to strike out the side. He completed five innings and gave up one earned run on three hits while striking out four batters.

The River Bandits tied the game against right-hander Tim Shibuya (0-1) in the second inning, as third baseman Rio Ruiz worked a two-out walk, and catcher Roberto Pena drove him in with a double down the left-field line. In a 1-1 tie, the visitors loaded the bases in the third inning, but Shibuya got a strikeout and groundout to escape the jam.

Ruiz broke the tie by launching the first pitch of the fourth inning to the base of the scoreboard in right-center field for the first River Bandits playoff home run since Game 3 of the 2011 Championship. Pena then reached on an infield single, and right fielder Jordan Scott placed a bunt single to first base. A sacrifice moved both runners into scoring position, and with two outs, center fielder Teoscar Hernandez grounded a two-run single through the left side of the infield for a 4-1 lead.

The Kernels managed to rally in the sixth inning against left-hander J.D. Osborne, as second baseman Jorge Polanco hit a leadoff double and right fielder Adam Brett Walker drew a walk. Polanco scored on a groundout, but right-hander Patrick Christensen came in to strike out designated hitter Travis Harrison. Christensen worked perfect seventh and eighth innings to retire all seven batters in 2 1/3 innings. For a second straight night, right-hander Andrew Walter pitched a perfect ninth inning, completing a game-ending string of 11 consecutive batters retired by the bullpen, which allowed only one run on two hits in the series. After leading the league in runs scored in the regular season, the Kernels had three combined runs on eight total hits in two postseason games.

Thursday's River Bandits victory also means The Captain's Table at 4801 River Drive in Moline will offer The Captain's Table Victory Discount Friday, Sept. 6. Anyone who mentions the River Bandits victory can receive a free appetizer or dessert with the purchase of two lunches or dinners with beverages on Friday, Sept. 6.

UP NEXT:Saturday's playoff game will again feature all regular individual seats for $5 each, and 12-ounce beer and soda, as well as hot dogs, peanuts, popcorn and nachos will each be $1. Tickets will go on sale Friday at noon at the River Bandits box office at Modern Woodmen Park, by phone at  563-324-3000 and online at www.riverbandits.com. Season ticket and mini-plan packages start at just seven games and begin at less than $50. Call a River Bandits account representative today to choose your seats and get the details of our various mini-plan packages.

ABOUT THE BANDITS: The River Bandits ownership is making one of the biggest improvements to Modern Woodmen Park since the ballpark was first built back in 1931! A new Ferris wheel, standing 112 feet over the playing field, is planned for next spring, along with a carousel and other new games and attractions. This season, the team just unveiled a new 300-foot long dual zip line, a rock climbing wall, a Mediacom Frog Hopper, and a number of new bounce houses. The team also boasts a new major league affiliate, the Houston Astros, and fans can see 2012 No. 1 overall pick Carlos Correa and the River Bandits in the playoffs. With new rides, new attractions, new improvements, a new affiliate and future major league stars, the second half of this season is one every fan will not want to miss!

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Quad Cities Ballet Folkloric Performing Saturday.

You know we have great fruits and vegetables, but did you know, we have wonderful bakers in the market also? Take a look at these fresh and delicious loaves of bread.  You can find them from several vendors both inside and out.

The Market has some of the most discriminating shoppers in the Quad Cities.  Here is Executive Chef Jeremy Charles from Duck City Bistro selecting produce for his dinner service.  Chef Jeremy says he likes to attend the Market and select his produce personally to get the best quality for his customers.  Chef Jeremy takes great pride in his high quality culinary art and starting with high quality produce enhances his skill.

Eat healthy! Eat buffalo meat! How? Come to the market and talk to the producers.  We have all kinds of fresh meats, eggs, cheese, oils and of course produce.  You can try fresh grilled bratwurst and know what you are eating.

Shoppers get to chose from some  of the best products that the QCA has to offer and the money they spend stays right here in the community.  As a not for profit corporation, the Freight House Farmers Market, gives back to the community through educational programs, free entertainment, healthy living choices and by operating a clean, safe and fun Market.  Come and enjoy!

International Visitors to Illinois Rose 11.8 Percent to a Record in 2012; Tourism Generated $33.5 Billion for State's Economy Last Year

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today announced that Illinois has set an all-time record for tourism, breaking the 100 million visitor mark in 2012. International visitors rose 11.8 percent last year to set another new record and push the total to 101 million. Tourism in Illinois generated an estimated $33.5 billion and 298,700 jobs for the state's economy, also new high marks for the state.

The record tourism numbers reflect Governor Quinn's targeted efforts to showcase Illinois as a travel destination. In the past two years, Illinois has launched a new tourism marketing campaign; promoted Illinois tourism on trade missions to Canada, China, Mexico and Brazil; and worked closely with local convention and visitors bureaus across Illinois to trumpet the unique attributes of their regions.

"Our world-class destinations continue to attract more domestic and international visitors to Illinois each year, and this means jobs and economic growth for our state," Governor Quinn said. "These record-breaking numbers show that the economic engine of tourism in Illinois is firing on all cylinders."

Total international arrivals in Illinois hit 2,082,200 in 2012, a new record and an 11.8 percent increase over 2011. The news follows this summer's announcement that Illinois hosted more than 99 million domestic visitors in 2012, a 6.1 percent increase over the record 93.3 million U.S. residents who visited Illinois in 2011.

This also marks the second year in a row that Illinois' visitor numbers broke records and outpaced the national average of 5.4 percent, highlighting the industry's vital contributions to Illinois' economic growth, job creation and tax revenue.

Overseas arrivals reached 1,399,000 last year, up 11.4 percent, and visitors from Canada increased 9.9 percent in 2012. Domestic and international travelers directly spent $33.5 billion in Illinois in 2012, up 5.7 percent from 2011. U.S. travelers' expenditures grew 5 percent while international travelers' expenditures increased 14.4 percent. These travel related expenditures generated 298,700 jobs, including full-time and seasonal part-time positions in the state. This reflects a 2.3 percent increase and 6,700 new jobs.

Increasing tourism and its resulting economic impact are part of Governor Quinn's agenda to create jobs and drive Illinois' economy forward.

"These impressive numbers demonstrate the vital role the tourism industry plays in the state's economy," Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Director Adam Pollet said. "The double-digit increase of international visitors to Illinois has directly benefited our state by generating tax revenue and creating additional high-quality jobs for people across Illinois."

"The visitor increases in 2012 illustrate Illinois' appeal as a premier travel destination for both leisure and business travelers," Deputy Director of the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity's Office of Tourism Jen Heolzle said. "We're driving additional growth in international markets by continuing to develop innovative ways to share unique stories and opportunities for visitors and potential visitors to discover all that the state offers."

The Illinois Office of Tourism (IOT) directly supports the travel industry by promoting visitor travel both domestically and internationally, to help grow the tourism industry throughout the state. IOT is funded by a percentage of the state's hotel and motel tax revenue.

Destination information, trip inspiration ideas, the 2013 Illinois Travel Guide and more can be found at enjoyillinois.com or by calling 1-800-2CONNECT.

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