Families are invited to Brucemore for an afternoon of autumn-themed activities, crafts, and snacks to celebrate the season during Fall Family Day on Sunday, October 13 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Highlights include :

·         Exploring the estate's historic 26 acres during a nature scavenger hunt offered at 1:15 and 2:15 p.m.

·         Creating a scarecrow to be included in Brucemore's Scarecrow Invasion. One scarecrow armature per family, straw filling, and basic supplies to put the scarecrow together will be included with the Fall Family Day registration fee; participants should bring clothing or thematic elements to decorate their unique scarecrow.

Admission is $10 per child and $7 per child of a Brucemore member. One free adult admission is included with each child; additional adults are $5 each. This event is intended for children 6 -10 years old. Space is limited, call (319) 362-7375 or visit www.brucemore.org to purchase tickets. Children should dress appropriately for outdoor activities. Family programming at Brucemore is sponsored by US Bank.

Scarecrows made during Fall Family Day will be included in Brucemore's Scarecrow Invasion?a display of scarecrows made by individuals, classes, businesses, organizations, and families on Brucemore's lawn from October  14 through October 28. Registration for the Fall Family Day is not required for participation in the Scarecrow Invasion. More information can be found at www.brucemore.org.

Experience Brucemore, an unparalleled blend of tradition and culture, located at 2160 Linden Drive SE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. At the heart of the historic 26-acre estate stands a nineteenth-century mansion filled with the stories of three Cedar Rapids families.  Concerts, theater, programs, and tours enliven the site and celebrate the heritage of a community.  For more information, call (319) 362-7375 or visit www.brucemore.org.

###

Black Hawk College has been named a 2014 Military Friendly Schools by Victory Media.

The list honors the top 20 percent of colleges, universities and trade schools in the country that are doing the most to embrace America's military service members, veterans and spouses as students and ensure their success on campus. The 2014 list includes more than 1,800 schools.

Black Hawk College was designated a Military Friendly School in 2011, 2012 and 2013, but serving veterans is not a new mission for Black Hawk College.

When the college conducted its first classes in September 1946, 73 percent of the 239 students were World War II veterans.

"What better way to link what we're doing today with where we started?" Dr. Baynum said. "We're still serving veterans in 2013."

This semester, there are 193 Black Hawk College students receiving veterans' benefits.

"Inclusion on the 2014 list of Military Friendly Schools® shows Black Hawk College's commitment to providing a supportive environment for military students," said Sean Collins, Victory Media vice president and a nine-year Navy veteran.

"The need for education is growing, and our mission is to provide the military community with transparent, world-class resources to assist in their search for schools,." Collins said.

A full story and detailed list of 2014 Military Friendly Schools® will be highlighted in the annual Guide to Military Friendly Schools ®, distributed in print and digital format to hundreds of thousands of active and former military personnel in early October.

Tony Kemp has three hits, and Rio Ruiz hits third postseason homer in 4-2 clincher over South Bend

DAVENPORT, Iowa (SEPT. 14, 2013) - Quad Cities River Bandits left-hander Josh Hader struck out eight South Bend Silver Hawks in seven shutout innings, and his teammates built an early 4-0 lead that held for a 4-2 win and three-game sweep of the 2013 Midwest League Championship Series in front of 3,607 at Modern Woodmen Park Saturday night.

In the first year of a new affiliation with the Houston Astros, the River Bandits won the sixth title in Quad Cities franchise history and second in three seasons. Including the playoffs, Quad Cities won its final eight series, 18 of its final 21 games and 20 of its last 24.

One week after pitching a career-high seven innings and yielding just one run in his playoff debut, Hader (2-0) went the same distance but allowed only one baserunner past first. He erased a second-inning single with a double play, stranded singles in the fourth and sixth innings, and left his only walk on base in the seventh. The eight strikeouts were his most as a pitcher in the Houston Astros system.

For a third straight game against South Bend, the River Bandits scored first. Second baseman Tony Kemp, who had a game-high three hits and league-best 12 in eight postseason games, led off with a single to left field. Center fielder Teoscar Hernandez put down a sacrifice bunt, but right-hander Aaron Blair (2-1) threw past first base, allowing Kemp to score and Hernandez to reach third base. Left fielder Danry Vasquez singled down the first-base line to knock in Hernandez to make it 2-0.

In the second inning, third baseman Rio Ruiz hit Blair's first pitch out to left field for his third postseason home run - one in each series-clinching game against Cedar Rapids, Beloit and South Bend. Right fielder Jordan Scott added a single to right field, and Kemp drove him in with a double to left-center field, extending the lead to 4-0. Blair then set down eight straight, including five on strikeouts, until Kemp hit a one-out single in the fifth. Blair lasted 4 2/3 innings, allowing all four runs - three earned - on six hits with seven strikeouts.

After Hader struck out at least one batter in each of his seven innings except the sixth, left-hander Mitchell Lambson started the eighth inning and struck out the first two batters he faced. Lambson issued a walk before a fielder's choice groundout ended the inning. The Silver Hawks bullpen allowed three walks but pitched 3 1/3 hitless innings.

In the ninth inning, right-hander Andrew Walter allowed a one-out single by third baseman Brandon Drury, and first baseman Rudy Flores hit a two-run home run down the right-field line - the first runs against Walter in the Midwest League and the first Silver Hawks runs in 23 innings. After second baseman Fidel Pena drew a walk, Walter got designated hitter Roidany Aguila to pop out to catcher Roberto Pena, and right fielder Mike Lang flied to center fielder Teoscar Hernandez for the final out of the Midwest League season.

Saturday's victory means The Captain's Table at 4801 River Drive in Moline will offer The Captain's Table Victory Discount on Sunday, Sept. 15. 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 Sunday, Sept. 15.

UP NEXT: Stay tuned to www.riverbandits.com for the 2014 schedule announcement. For 2014 season tickets, contact 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, and a number of new bounce houses. The team's major league affiliate, the Houston Astros, just saw all six of its affiliates reach the playoffs - the first time in a decade any MLB team can claim such success. The River Bandits were one of three affiliates to reach the championship round and one of two affiliates to win their league championships.

*****

What started out as a bit of joke for some fishing and hunting friends, has blossomed into a cottage industry for author Tim Murphy.

"I wrote 'Flannel John's Hunting & Fishing Camp Cookbook' for my friends. They would show up at deer camp or fishing with beef jerky, cheese and a case of beer. Aside from the olfactory assault, the camp needed something a bit more substantial. The guys needed ishes that were easy to make that wouldn't take long to prepare. Let's be honest, we (men) can lack patience and focus."

Since October 2012, Murphy has written seven "Cookbooks for Guys." The two latest titles are "Flannel John's Tailgating Grub & Couch Potato Cookbook" ($9.95) and "Flannel John's Single Guy Cookbook" ($7.95).

"The Tailgating book is for the football fanatic. It's great food for the parking lot at the stadium or the recliner in the man cave. It's also the biggest I've written in terms of recipes. The Single Guy Cookbook is aimed at recent grads, single dads or guys just kicked out of their parents' basement. Every recipe in that book is six ingredients or less.  It's perfect for the beginning cook," said Murphy.

But is Flannel John the co-author?

"Flannel John is a character based on a few old hunters I knew. I wanted to honor their spirit and what they taught me. He is also part Babe Winkelman, Ted Nugent, Red Green, Grizzly Adams and crusty mountain man. I have written six Flannel John books with another four planned.  The next one, "Flannel John's Hearty Bowl Cookbook - Soup, Stew, Chili & Chowder" will be out the first week of October.

The first book, Flannel John's Hunting & Fishing Camp Cookbook, cracked Amazon.com's "Top 1%" Sales category within a month of release.

Three more Flannel John titles followed the debut including Flannel John's Woods and Water Cookbook - Critters, Fritters, Chili and Beer in February 2013, Flannel John's Pirate Galley Cookbook - Coastal Cuisine and Maritime Meals from Oceans, Lakes and Rivers in April 2013 and for the backwoods, rustic soul there was Flannel John's Mountain Man Cookbook - Frontier Food from the Hills, Country and Backwoods in May 2013.

He also released his first "non-Flannel John title this summer called "The Tube Steak Boogie Cookbook - A Celebration of Hot Dogs, Sausage, Brats & Kielbasa."

"That book paid tribute to the hot dog stand of my youth, and adulthood, that I visited frequented for over 30 years.  It was in the south suburbs of Chicago. The comparable dining spot I've found  is a fish & chips spot in Astoria, Oregon called the Bowpicker," said Murphy.

"Willie's Wee Nee Wagon was always my first stop when I came home from college or returned for the holidays to see family. In 2009, Willie's acquired a new owner, a new name and a different brand of hot dogs. I went there once and it just wasn't the same.  But I have some great memories. Willie's had been around since 1955, first a metal food trailer, then they constructed a building in the late 1970's.  I am a bit of a fanatic about the place. I still have two of the paper bags from old orders. They must be ten to fifteen years old. One is framed and hangs in my kitchen, proudly emblazoned with Willie's motto  - We Relish Your Bun."

Why cookbooks for guys?

"I didn't see anything written for men, especially beginner and novice cooks," said Murphy.

"The first book covered comfort food for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, deserts and drinks. It was aimed at hunters and anglers but it's great for campers and RVers."

Future releases include "Flannel John's Winter Cabin Cookbook" in late October and a rock and roll themed title, his tenth book, called "You Cook Me All Night Long" in November.

Tim Murphy is a graduate of Western Michigan University. This 23-year radio veteran spent 17-years hosting morning radio shows in several Michigan cities including Holland, Muskegon, Traverse City, Saginaw and Houghton plus Fargo, North Dakota, Stevens Point, Wisconsin and Ketchikan, Alaska. Murphy has had a long career as a freelance and comedy writer. His work has appeared in dozens of outlets including Backwoods Home Magazine, The Porcupine Press U.P. Magazine, National Lampoon, The Traverse City Record Eagle and ABC Radio Network. He lives in Seaside, Oregon with his wife LisaMarie Costanzo.  

All seven of his books can be found at Amazon.com and at www.flanneljohn.com. They are $7.95 except for the Tailgating book which is $9.95. For additional information on the books or to inquire about wholesale book pricing, contact Tim Murphy at (701) 238-1775 or at shamrockarrow@gmail.com or like him on facebook.

# # #