Davenport, IA - Technology continues to improve the safety and entertainment value of vehicles and Iowa Illinois Regional Auto Show attendees will get a first-hand look at these innovations Friday, February 8th through Sunday, February 10th at the River Center in Downtown Davenport. These technological advancements are currently available in select new model vehicles:

Inflatable Rear Seat Belts - When these new air bag seat belts deploy, they provide added protection for both children and adults in the back seat. (Currently available as an option in the Ford Explorer and Lincoln)

Accident Avoidance Sensors - State-of-the-art sensors monitor other vehicles around the car, as well as the driver's reactions to preemptively prepare for collisions, and in some cases, prevent them. In addition, cars are now equipped with radar-guided cruise control to minimize rear-end accidents and chime alerts to wake sleepy drivers. (Currently available in select models from Acura, Audi, BMW, Cadillac, Ford, Hyundai, Infiniti, Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, Toyota and more.)

Pandora Internet Radio - Popular on computers and even mobile devices, this feature plays music similar to the song or artist suggestions entered. Pandora also allows users to create their ideal custom radio station and take it on the road. (Currently available in vehicles from BMW, Buick, Chevrolet, Ford, GMC, Hyundai, MINI, Toyota and Scion.)

Smartphone Applications - With smartphones quickly overtaking the mobile market, auto manufacturers have developed Apps to integrate with their product. Many of the Apps enable owners to lock/unlock doors, check tire pressure and even remotely start the vehicle. Some electric cars, like the Nissan LEAF™, enable drivers to check the car's charge through the app as well. (Available in select vehicles from Buick, BMW, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Ford, GMC, Nissan and more.)

Parking Assist - Ideal for drivers who struggle with parallel parking, sensors maneuver the vehicle into a parking spot with the push of a button. (Currently available in several vehicles from BMW, Ford, Lexus, Toyota and more.)

Built-in WiFi - From inside a car, weather, navigation, show times, email and even gaming are just a click away. Passengers can surf the web from their laptops while the car is moving and drivers can access the web from the navigation screen while the vehicle is parked. (Currently available in several Audi, BMW, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Ford and Mercedes-Benz vehicles.)

Streaming Bluetooth Audio - Music enthusiasts can now listen to MP3 players through Bluetooth. Streaming Bluetooth audio offers the ability to play stored MP3s without wires. This capability is available on the iPhone, Droid and any MP3 player equipped for streaming with an adapter. (Currently available in select models from Lexus, Subaru and Toyota.)

Pause Live Radio - This new technology allows the driver to pause the radio and record up to 20 minutes of live broadcasting, which can be played back later. (Currently available in several new vehicles from Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC.)

My Gig -Transferring CDs and MP3s is now a breeze. Once a CD is loaded, or an MP3 player connected, files can be transferred to the head unit's hard drive and the music will remain available, even when the CD or MP3 player is removed. (Currently available in several Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep vehicles.)

Voice Controlled, Hands-Free Music in Ford and Lincoln SYNC - Allows users to search music collections by song, artist, genre, album or playlist with voice commands. Drivers can simply say "play track" and the name of a favorite song to hear the tune. To create a custom playlist, drivers simply tell the SYNC to "play similar" to hear an entire song playlist of the same genre. (Currently available in several Ford and Lincoln vehicles.)

BMW Connected - Drivers can use their iPhones to connect with their BMW. Connected uses the phone's data connection to display news, Twitter feeds, Google searches and Pandora Internet Radio on the car's screen. It also features an analyzer to help owners drive more efficiently. (Available on models from BMW.)

Engine Start-Stop Systems - To improve fuel economy, automakers are installing start-stop systems in many hybrid models, and they are catching on for non-hybrid models as well. The system automatically shuts down and then restarts the engine to minimize idling, improving fuel economy by anywhere from 5 to 15% and reducing emissions. (Currently available on select models from BMW, Buick, Chevrolet, Ford, Kia, Toyota and Volvo.)

Many of these technology options can be found in vehicles displayed on the auto show floor. For more information on a specific vehicle or technology, please speak with a manufacturer representative at the show or visit a local new car dealer. See the all new 2014 GM C Sierra and the 2014 Chevy Silverado.

Six scholarships will be awarded at the premier event on February 7th. $25,000 will be awarded to college bound and tech school bound students. To date, the Auto Show has given $205,000 in total scholarships.

Show hours are Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $7 for adults, $6 for senior citizens (62 and older), $3 for children 7-12. Children six and younger are admitted free when accompanied by a paying adult.

Save time and money, purchase E-tickets in advance at www.QuadCityAutoShow.com and receive a $1 discount off regular adult admission. Attendees will receive a free one-year subscription to Motor Trend magazine with each admission (a $12 value). 

Additional information, discount coupons and directions are also available at www.QuadAutoShow.com.

Saturday February 9, from 12p-3p the Quad City Animal Welfare Center will have cuddly adoptable pets at the show and Sunday February 10 is Family Day. Bring cameras to pose with SpongeBob SquarePants. The Kadel Petting Zoo with be there and the Niabi Zoo will have exotic animals. Balloon artists will be at the show Saturday and Sunday 12p-3p.

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Saturday, February 16th, 2013 at 2:00PM

Davenport, Iowa - Next month, Oakdale Memorial Gardens will host a ceremony in remembrance
of Congressional Medal of Honor recipient John Vale. This event is endorsed by the Iowa Civil War
Sesquicentennial Committee. John Vale earned his Medal in a skirmish that took place on February 15, 1863.

Vale was born in London, England, and emigrated to Le Claire, Iowa as a young man.
He later moved to Minnesota, where he enlisted in Company H of the 2nd Minnesota
Volunteer Infantry. On the fateful day of February 15, 1863, he was one of a
detachment of sixteen men who defended a Union supply convoy against a Confederate
Calvary unit 125 strong. After the war, he settled in Davenport, where he worked in the
Post Office for many years. In 1897, he was one of eight other men from that group of
sixteen who were awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.

A ceremony to honor Mr. Vale will be held at his gravesite in Oakdale Memorial
Gardens, 2501 Eastern Avenue, Davenport, on Saturday, February 16, 2013 at 2:00 pm.
The ceremony will include a reading of the official Medal of Honor citation as well as
the report of the skirmish by Brigadier General James Steedman, a wreath-laying by
Company "A" 49th Regiment Veteran Volunteer Infantry / SVR Honor Guard for the
Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War and military honors.

Oakdale Memorial Gardens, an independent non-profit cemetery, was established in 1856 with burials
beginning in 1857. Located on Eastern Avenue in the heart of Davenport, Oakdale Memorial Gardens is one of
the Quad Cities' oldest and most beautiful cemeteries, boasting century-old oaks, gentle rolling hills and knolls,
and a beautiful reflecting pond near the cemetery entrance. Known as a rural or Victorian cemetery (though
burials still take place today), it is the final resting place for many historic Quad Cities figures, including Leon
"Bix" Beiderbecke, Mary Putnam (of the Putnam Museum), members of the Palmer family (the founders of
chiropractic and Palmer College of Chiropractic) and over 288 veterans of the Civil War.

When: February 9, 2013 - 9:00 AM
Where: TRINITY Medical Center at Terrace Park - 4500 Utica Ridge Road, Bettendorf
(inside Main Entrance, straight back to the café/atrium)

LIVE UNCOMMON will be releasing 2013 details including announcement of the 2013
LIVE UNCOMMON Race Series - more than ten events receiving the LIVE UNCOMMON
Endorsement - selection based upon the events' Give Back to the community. In 2012,
seven such events were endorsed by LIVE UNCOMMON, resulting in $17,500 in funds
raised by the 2012 LIVE UNCOMMON Race Team and distributed to the seven charities
benefitting from said events. The 2013 LU Race Series will include not only foot/road
race events, but also a charity tennis tournament and charity golf outing, and reach
from Davenport, Iowa to Geneseo, Illinois.

The 2012 LU Race Team will be presenting two "big checks" to charities benefitting from
the Team's 2012 fundraising effort, including Komen Quad Cities Race for the Cure.

Introduction of the 2013 LU Race Team will take place, among which is 12 year old
running phenom, Maddie Case, from Eldridge, who is running in 2013 for her Charity of
Choice, Make-A-Wish, and has raised more than $1,000 in one month. Maddie is the
reigning Iowa State 7th Grade Cross Country Champion. 12 year old LU Race Teamers
from Illinois include swimmer Christy Bishop from Rock Island and basketball girl Lily
Glackin from Moline. Of course, several adults running and raising for charities such as
St. Jude's and Autism Research, will be introduced as well.

To be released is the announcement of the LIVE UNCOMMON Launch Crew Engines -
the big givers who make it all happen.

We are expecting about 100 in attendance, including hopefuls representing potential
2013 LU Race Series Events, LU Launch Crew Engine representatives, LU Charter Teams
(Pleasant Valley Girls Cross Country and Bettendorf Girls Cross Country), and LIVE
UNCOMMONers from as far away as Chicago and Wisconsin.

An LU Informal Run will follow the press conference - an event for all ages, paces,
distances, no worries, no limits, no entry fee.

DES MOINES, IA (02/04/2013)(readMedia)-- The Iowa State Fair, Tractor Supply Co. and WHO News Radio 1040 are searching for six farm families to recognize with the Way We Live Award at the 2013 Fair, August 8-18. These families must exemplify farm values derived from hard work and a love for the occupation of farming.

To enter, submit an entry form along with a 500-1500 word essay describing how living on a farm and choosing the occupation of farming has shaped the family's life. All entries must include a family picture that illustrates the family's commitment to their farming operation. Entry forms can be downloaded from the Iowa State Fair website: http://www.iowastatefair.org/competition/the-way-we-live-award/. All entries must be postmarked or e-mailed to ebrewer@iowastatefair.org by May 1.

Nominated families should show dedication to animal agriculture in their daily lives and in the lives of their family members. Winners will receive a prize package including $250 cash, Fair admission tickets, parking, Fair food coupons, and recognition during the Fair in the Paul R. Knapp Animal Learning Center.

Eligible families must be residents of Iowa whose farming operation is centered on animal agriculture and may nominate themselves or be nominated by others.

Send entries to:

The Way We Live Award

Iowa State Fair

PO Box 57130

Des Moines, Iowa 50317-0003

Or e-mail all materials to ebrewer@iowastatefair.org

For questions about the award, contact Emily Brewer at 515.262.3111 x244 or ebrewer@iowastatefair.org.

Nothing Compares to the 2013 Iowa State Fair August 8-18. For more information, call 800/545-FAIR or check out www.iowastatefair.org.

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