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.

###

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.

Saturday February 9th - 6:00pm

Where: Cool Beanz Coffeehouse, 1325 30th St. Rock Island, IL 61201

Many items will be up for silent auction(bidding from 6-9pm) and donations accepted to help this beautiful family with medical and other expenses!

Danielle and Matt are high school sweethearts who are deeply connected and always loving and supportive of one another. Matt is the kind of person who uplifts everyone he comes in contact with by making them laugh. Danielle overflows with compassion for others, which has led her down the path to becoming a nurse.

On January 30th, Danielle suffered a cerebral arteriovenous malformation (AVM) rupture. She was immediately taken to the University of Iowa Hospital for neurosurgery to relieve pressure to her brain and stop blood flow to the AVM. Danielle has started responding to requests to move her toes, fingers and even gave a "thumbs up". She has a lengthy recovery process ahead and any support by way of donations, thoughts, and prayers are greatly appreciated!

The "Leadership Squad" is back at Edison Junior High and its teaching other Rock Island middle school students how to be leaders...

(Rock Island, IL)  It began last fall when Diane Baker, with the University of Illinois Extension Service, taught a core group of students leadership and problem solving skills.  Now the group is back and they are going teach 25  new students what it takes to be a leaders?students teaching students.  Edison's "Leadership Squad" is part of the 21st Century Lights ON For Learning federal grant.

The students will become teachers for the next four Mondays from 2:45 - 4:30 pm.  Baker works with the "teen teachers" to plan a sequential leadership development curriculum.  Participants learn more about their own leadership styles, develop their communication skills, and are challenged to a variety of teambuilding experiences.  The program taps into each individual's leadership potential. "The Leadership Squad helps students realize that they can be leaders through group interaction and gives them the confidence to express themselves in a positive manner to their peers."

***The media is invited to see the Leadership Squad in action on Monday, February 4th between 3:00 pm and 4:00 p.m. in room 103 at Edison Junior High in Rock Island (4141 9th Street).   The students, teachers and site coordinator will be available for interviews.