ROCK ISLAND, IL. - The Rock Island Grand Prix has announced an exciting new program designed to spur participation in the event's 4-cycle Animal classes and boost participation in 4-cycle sprint racing in the U.S.

Drivers who buy, or have recently bought, a new Briggs & Stratton overhead valve Animal racing engine will have their entry fees in the Animal classes waived at this year's Rock Island Grand Prix, the world's largest karting street race. The race will be held Sept. 4-5. AT&T is the Presenting Sponsor of the Rock Island Grand Prix.

Since the goal is to bring new people into the classes, only drivers who did not participate in 4-cycle classes at the Rock Island Grand Prix in 2008 and 2009 are eligible.

If racers take advantage of the RIGP offer, and put the $200 saved from entry fees toward the purchase of a new Briggs & Stratton Animal engine, the engine's cost is comparable to less-expensive 4-cycle motors.

At Rock Island, the Animal motor can be run in both the Rumble at The Rock (Animal Medium) race and Animal Heavy. The Rumble at the Rock pays $2,000 to win, Animal Heavy $500 to win, and both classes will pay back 9 places for a field of more than 20 karts.

"The Rock Island Grand Prix wanted to make a statement in support of the durable, well-manufactured, American-made Briggs & Stratton Animal racing engine," said Rock Island Grand Prix president Roger Ruthhart. "We hope that other races and series will follow our lead and offer concessions that will encourage the growth of Animal classes in U.S. sprint racing. If we all work together, the racers will have a better product, the events will have fuller fields and Briggs & Stratton will be able to continue its long and historic support of karting."

In order to qualify for waiver of entry fees, racers must have purchased a NEW Briggs & Stratton Animal from a reputable dealer since January 1, 2010. They must provide proof-of-purchase in the form of invoice, receipt, bill-of-sale, or certified statement in writing from the dealer. The waiver applies to the $100 entry fee only. Drivers will still pay practice fee, pit passes, pit spots etc.. If a driver enters only one class, then only $100 is waived.

Race information can be found in the 8-page entry packet which can be downloaded or printed at rockislandgrandprix.com. Drivers can also register online using their credit card. Proof of purchase can be scanned and emailed to grandprix@qconline.com or sent by mail to Rock Island Grand Prix, 1720 Fifth Avenue, Moline, Illinois 61265

In addition, Tyler Schurr and Schurr Power Racing Engines, one of the leading engine-builders in the Midwest, is offering special pricing for blueprinted Animal engines to further support this effort. This could save Animal racers even more money. Other engine builders are also being asked to participate and participants will be listed on the Rock Island Grand Prix web site as they commit.

Schurr Power (www.schurrpower.com) can be reached by email at ty.schurr@schurrpower.com, or by calling (309) 781-9007.

Further information about the Rock Island Grand Prix is available at rockislandgrandprix.com. Questions can be emailed to grandprix@qconline.com or call the Grand Prix Office at (309) 292-8133.

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A Journey of Hope to Enhance the Quality of Life

DAVENPORT, Iowa (July 14, 2010) - On Thursday, July 22, a team of cyclists participating in the Journey of Hope, presented by KRG Capital, will arrive in Davenport as part of a nine-week, 4,000-mile cycling event across the country to raise funds and awareness for people with disabilities.

The team will arrive for a sponsored lunch at Happy Joe's on Welcome Way at noon. The public is invite to come out and meet the cyclists.  That evening, they will have dinner and a Friendship Visit at Seduary Pool at 6:30 p.m.

At stops across the country, the three routes (North, South and TransAmerica) will distribute grants directly to assist organizations in serving people with disabilities along with spending time with the new friends in events called Friendship Visits which are events such as dances or barbeques in which everyone can participate in. The time spent with the people for whom these young men ride is what makes the trip special; an afternoon spent together can make both team members and participants look past any disabilities and focus solely on the person.

Journey of Hope is a program of Push America, the national philanthropy of Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, which raises funds and awareness for people with disabilities. The Journey of Hope team consists of men from Pi Kappa Phi chapters across the country. The team will cycle an average of 75 miles per day, from San Francisco and Seattle to Washington, D.C., where they will arrive on August 14.

Push America was founded in 1977 with the hope of committing its members to enhance the lives of people with disabilities. With the combined efforts of sponsors and individual team members, this year's Journey of Hope has raised more than $500,000 on behalf of people with disabilities. Push America and Pi Kappa Phi have raised more than $13 million to date and continue to be on the cutting edge of the disability movement.

For more information about this event or more on Push America's summer programs, please contact Joey Haynes at (704) 504-2400 ext. 159 or log on to www.pushamerica.org.

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"In the Garden with Eric Carle" - a program inspired by the works of Eric Carle.

This summer's theme for the Conservatory at Vander Veer revolves around children's author, Eric Carle. He is a beloved author of such books as "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" and "The Very Grouchy Ladybug" and many more. This display was inspired by local woodcarver Thom Gleich's donation of a five foot caterpillar and large wooden ladybug to the park last fall. Four of Gleich's delightful carvings are featured.

Through storyboards and display elements the story of "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" is recreated inside the Conservatory. Three additional Eric Carle book story stations are also included in the display; "The Very Grouchy Ladybug", "The Very Busy Spider" and "The Honeybee and the Robber" in various vignettes. This allows repeat visitors an opportunity to enjoy the display in new ways each time. A fun "Eric Carle Eye Spy" worksheet is a hunt and find game for all ages and sure to keep you busy exploring!

A Quad City Arts Access grant provided funding for the display and the opportunity for partnering with local storyteller, Jessica Sheridan to read the Eric Carle books aloud for the preschool summer programming on Wednesdays at 10:00 a.m. outdoors near the playground. Jessica is a Davenport native and actor extraordinaire. She also is featured before each outdoor concerts in the park from 6-6:30 p.m. Our next concerts will be Thursday, August 12 and Thursday, August 26 from 6:30 - 8 p.m.

Come join the fun at Vander Veer Botanical Park Conservatory. "In the Garden with Eric Carle runs through Sept. 26! The Conservatory is open to the public from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Admission is $1 for anyone over 16 years old. Tuesday it is free to the public.

We would love to have ANY Eric Carle books in good condition donated to us for use in our Fall Festival event. Books may be donated by dropping them off to the Park Store at Vander Veer or to the Fairmount Library bookstore or their drop box. Donors will receive a free one time family pass (up to four adults) for admission to the Conservatory. Please only drop them off at The Park during our business hours - Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. and Sunday from noon - 4 p.m. Donations will be accepted through Sept. 10.

Our observational bee hive is back for another season. Come in and read "The Honeybee and the Robber" by Eric Carle right next to our real beehive!

For more information: Call the Park at 563-326-7818 or 563-323-3298

Calling ALL youth in the Quad Cities and surrounding areas to come celebrate with Davenport Parks and Recreation, the RDA, and the Davenport Noon Optimist Club at our 19th annual YOUTHFEST!

There will be all types of health and wellness related activities including obstacle course, bounce houses, basketball, skateboarding, nutrition information and Teen Battle of the Bands winners.

FREE

Wednesday, July 14th, 2010

10:00am - 3:00pm

Centennial Park (315 S. Marquette St.)

For questions regarding event, please contact 563-326-7812 or www.cityofdavenportiowa.com/parks