Starting TODAY, Monday, June 03, 2013, the Center For Active Seniors, Inc. (CASI) starts their first Farmers Market day. June through September, CASI will be holding inside Farmers Market twice a month: 1^st Mondays 9:00-11:00 a.m. and 3^rd Mondays 2:30-4:30 p.m. CASI encourages everyone in the community to come and participate in the new activity.

There's still space available for vendors to sign up! All you have to do is stop by the desk to fill out an application. The whole month of June is FREE for all vendors! July-September, vendor cost will be $5 for CASI Members & $10 for Non-Members.

Come shop, sell and socialize at CASI's Farmers Market!

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ASPCA urges support for the Safeguard American Food Exports (SAFE) Act to ban horse slaughter

NEW YORK–The ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) today announced in a new poll conducted by Lake Research Partners that 71 percent of Iowa voters are opposed to the slaughter of U.S. horses for human consumption, and that 76 percent do not want a horse slaughter plant in their community. The statewide survey reveals that Iowans overwhelmingly oppose horse slaughter regardless of their political affiliation, gender, geographic location or whether they live in a city, a suburb, a small town or a rural area.

In 2007, the few remaining slaughter plants in the U.S. closed their doors when Congress chose to suspend funding for any further meat inspections. However, in the 2012 budget, the language preventing horse slaughter inspections was not included, opening the door for a return of horse slaughter on American soil, despite broad opposition to the practice. Several applications have been filed with the U.S. Department of Agriculture by companies that want to slaughter horses on American soil - including one in Sigourney, Iowa. If the application is approved, it would be the first facility in the U.S. to slaughter horses for human consumption since 2007.

"Iowa voters affirm what we learned in New Mexico and Missouri and what we discovered through national polls as well - an overwhelming majority of Americans believe that our horses deserve more than to be shuttled off to a gruesome death and served abroad as a toxic delicacy," said Nancy Perry, senior vice president of ASPCA Government Relations. "With 71 percent of all registered voters in the state opposed to the slaughtering of American horses, opening a slaughterhouse in Iowa would be a tragic mistake, as voters have clearly stated that they would not support such a facility. Using precious tax dollars to enable the inhumane practice of horse slaughter on U.S. soil is irresponsible, and we urge legislators to take note and enact a permanent ban on horse slaughter."

According to the new research, more than 7 in 10 Iowa registered voters are opposed to allowing American horses to be slaughtered for human consumption, with 54 percent in strong opposition to the practice, and only 15 percent approving of the practice. In addition, more than 3 in 4 Iowa voters do not want a horse slaughter plant in their community, with just 12 percent of voters supporting such a facility. Furthermore, opposition to a horse slaughtering facility extends across age, political affiliation, and geographic divides, including at least 69 percent opposed in every congressional district in the state, 84 percent of urban voters, 80 percent of suburban voters, 77 percent of small town, and 73 percent of rural voters disapproving of such a facility.

The surprising move toward a resumption of domestic horse slaughter comes in the wake of the recent scandal in the European Union, where consumers were alarmed by the discovery of horse meat mislabeled as beef in prepared food products ranging from lasagna to meatballs. Horses are routinely given medications and other substances that are toxic to humans and are expressly forbidden by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use in animals intended for human consumption. In March, U.S. Sens. Mary Landrieu, D-La., and Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and Reps. Patrick Meehan, R-Pa., and Jan Schakowsky, D-Ill., introduced the Safeguard American Food Exports (SAFE) Act (S. 541/H.R. 1094) to prevent the introduction of horse slaughter operations in the U.S., end the current export of American horses for slaughter abroad, and protect the public from consuming toxic horse meat.

Horse slaughter is inherently cruel and often erroneously compared to humane euthanasia. The methods used to slaughter horses rarely result in quick, painless deaths, as horses are difficult to stun and often remain conscious during their butchering and dismemberment. Whether slaughter occurs in the U.S. or abroad, these equines suffer incredible abuse even before they arrive at the slaughterhouse, often transported for more than 24 hours at a time without food, water or rest, and in dangerously overcrowded trailers where the animals are often seriously injured or even killed in transit. The majority of horses killed for human consumption are young, healthy animals who could go on to lead productive lives with loving owners. Last year, more than 160,000 American horses were sent to a cruel death by a grisly foreign industry that produces unsafe food for consumers.

For more information on the ASPCA's poll, please contact Maureen Linehan at Maureen.Linehan@aspca.org or 646-706-4602. To learn more about the ASPCA's efforts to ban horse slaughter or support the SAFE Act, please visit www.aspca.org.

About the ASPCA^®
Founded in 1866, the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) is the first animal welfare organization in North America and serves as the nation's leading voice for animals. More than two million supporters strong, the ASPCA's mission is to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States. As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation, the ASPCA is a national leader in the areas of anti-cruelty, community outreach and animal health services. For more information, please visit www.ASPCA.org, and be sure to follow the ASPCA on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.

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Families can enjoy pre-game on-field catch and a buffet on the Sky Deck at River Bandits' June 16 game

DAVENPORT, Iowa (MAY 22, 2013) - Families in the Quad Cities will have a unique way to celebrate Father's Day at Modern Woodmen Park on June 16, when the Quad Cities River Bandits host a pre-game catch in the outfield and their second annual Father's Day Cookout on the Sky Deck for the 5 p.m. Flat Screen Family Sunday game against the Burlington Bees.

The pre-game festivities kick off with catch in the outfield at 4 p.m. with the all-you-can-eat buffet on the Sky Deck to follow from 4:30-6:30 p.m. The fun-filled day will also feature giveaways and enter-to-win prizes for dad to take home. Individuals and families can now purchase ticket packages that include a game ticket and the cookout.

"This fun and affordable package offers families in the Quad Cities a special day to celebrate fathers and give Dad a memorable afternoon featuring a cookout and baseball game," said River Bandits owner Dave Heller. "This event combines so much of what people in the Quad Cities can enjoy at Modern Woodmen Park - a gorgeous venue, great hospitality, terrific food, and affordable family-friendly entertainment as we help make Dad feel like a king this Father's Day."

Reservations must be made by Monday, June 10, for the package, which includes the cookout and admission to the River Bandits' 5 p.m. game. Tickets are $20 for each adult and $10 for each child age 10 and younger. The cookout menu features all-you-can-eat hamburgers, hot dogs, baked beans, chips, cookies, lemonade and water, as well as a cash bar. Participants are welcome to enjoy the game from their seats or from the Sky Deck - a climate-controlled environment with large glass windows that offer spectacular views of the ballpark, downtown Davenport, the Centennial Bridge and the Mississippi River.

"Modern Woodmen Park is a fantastic year-round setting for special events, and the Father's Day Cookout is a terrific part of that lineup," said General Manager Harold Craw. "The River Bandits are delighted to welcome families in the Quad Cities for another memorable Father's Day celebration for the whole community.."

As part of another Flat Screen Family Sunday presented by KWQC and B100, fans can enter a drawing to win one of three free 32-inch flat screen TVs given away during the game. All kids will have the opportunity to run the bases after the game, and fans can bring their dogs for Bark in the Park.

Reservations for the Father's Day Cookout must be made by Monday, June 10, by calling (563) 324-3000 or emailing AshleyS@RiverBandits.com. Reservations can also be made by filling out the Father's Day Cookout order form available at www.riverbandits.com, and returning it to the River Bandits front office or by email to AshleyS@RiverBandits.com.

UP NEXT: The McGivern's Mega Jewelry Giveaway will be Wednesday, May 22, at the 7 p.m. River Bandits game against the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers. Two fans will also have their bills paid on a Pay Your Bill Wednesday presented by U.S. Bank and Mix96. Single game tickets are on sale 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.

Modern Woodmen Park's Ridiculously Oversized Pork Tenderloin Sandwich is in national competition

DAVENPORT, Iowa (MAY 17, 2013) - Fans at Modern Woodmen Park can enjoy a unique dining experiences, and now they can share their pride for the River Bandits' ballpark fare by voting for the team's Ridiculously Oversized Pork Tenderloin Sandwich in the first-ever MiLB.com #foodfight.

The Ridiculously Oversized Pork Tenderloin Sandwich - a Burger Cart highlight with six ounces of tenderized pork is served with lettuce, tomato and onions on a giant bun - is one of the 16 Scrumptious Sandwiches in the 64-item field featuring concession items across Minor League Baseball at www.milb.com/foodfight.

"River Bandits fans can choose from a wide array of unique and affordable tastes at Modern Woodmen Park, including the Ridiculously Oversized Pork Tenderloin Sandwich," said River Bandits owner Dave Heller. "What's even more exciting is that each year fans have more unique options on the ballpark menu, such as the Twinkie Dog, Funnel Dog and foot-long Bacon Corn Dog this season, and we can't wait for fans in the Quad Cities to enjoy more tastes that make up one of the most fantastic ballpark dining experiences in Minor League Baseball."

First-round voting in the contest will continue at www.milb.com/foodfight and on Twitter through Wednesday, May 29. The final round of voting will be Thursday, May 30 through Thursday, June 6. Fans who vote can also enter a sweepstakes in which the winner will travel to the ballpark of the winning concession item. Details are available at www.milb.com/foodfight.

Fans can vote online at www.milb.com/foodfight or on Twitter. To vote, fans can retweet the River Bandits' #foodfight tweets or send their own tweet with #foodfight and either @QCRiverBandits, Quad Cities, River Bandits or Ridiculously Oversized Pork Tenderloin Sandwich. Fans can vote as many times as they choose.

Fans in the Quad Cities can try the Ridiculously Oversized Pork Tenderloin Sandwich during the next River Bandits home stand starting with the 7 p.m. game Friday, May 17, at Modern Woodmen Park.