It turns out dogs are not only good for our health; finding missing people; and helping disabled people live independent lives - they're good for kids' report cards, too!

Canines have been found to improve the immune system and reduce blood pressure, among other health benefits. They help rescuers and law officers, blind people and those with limited use of their hands and arms. Now we have another reason to celebrate man's best friend.

"Dogs not only help children learn to read, they help children learn to love reading," says Michael Amiri, coauthor with his wife, Linda, of the children's book, Shellie, the Magical dog (www.shelliethemagicaldog.com). "And that's true of for children with and without learning disabilities."

A Minnesota pilot project called PAWSitive Readers finds that trained therapy dogs helped 10 of 14 grade-school participants improve their reading skills by one grade level. Additionally, a University of California study showed that children who read to the family dog improved their ability by an average of 12 percent.

Amiri discusses five reasons why dogs help kids learn to love reading:

• No embarrassment: "Most of us have memories of reading out loud in class," he says. "Though we may have been proficient readers, the fear of stumbling on a word in front of everyone was a constant source of anxiety." Dogs are excellent for unconditional, nonjudgmental love; they won't laugh if and when mistakes happen.

• Confidence boosters: "I never had a dog while growing up, which is too bad because I think I would have had an easier time gaining self-confidence," says Amiri. As an adult, he discovered the many benefits of dogs through he and his wife's very special Maltese, Shellie. She's often the center of attention in their community at pet-friendly restaurants, where she laps her water out of a martini glass. And she has a full-time job as the greeter at Linda's hair and nail salon. "If a little dog can give me, a grown man, more confidence, imagine what it can do for kids," he says.

• Polite listeners: Like humans, dogs are social creatures and most enjoy the sound of a calm voice speaking to them. Many - except perhaps the most energetic breeds - seem to enjoy curling up on a rug and listening to a story being read aloud. They don't interrupt (except for the occasional ear scratch or to sniff a body part) and they often show appreciation for the attention.

• A fun approach to schoolwork: Too often, when children think of studying, they think of time spent hunched over a desk struggling alone to work out problems and memorize lists. Interacting with a lovable, fuzzy friend for an hour of homework is an appealing alternative.

• Win-win: A canine-student reading program is a great way to help service dogs-in-training learn patience and discipline. Dogs are trained to help veterans suffering post-traumatic stress disorder, the blind, and people who use wheelchairs, among others. These dogs in training help children, while children improve a dog's service abilities.

About Michael and Linda Amiri

Michael Amiri grew up in New York City and became an actor in local theater productions and television commercials. Linda Amiri is an entrepreneur, the owner of a successful hair and nail salon. Their personality-plus Maltese, Shellie, is a popular community character, who puts in a full day of work every day as a greeter at her "mom's" salon. She's the inspiration for the first in a series of children's books that will address topics and issues of concern to children.

The Quad City Air Show is moving to new dates in 2012 to accommodate the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds. All of the action flies on Labor Day Weekend on Sept. 1-2, from the Davenport Municipal Airport in Davenport, Iowa. The Quad City Air Show was just named the Best Civilian Air Show! Other demonstration teams include the Aeroshell Aerobatic Team, Hopper Flight Jet Demonstration Team, Iron Eagle Aerobatic Team, Red Bull Air Force Team, and the Red Bull Flying Winged Parachutists.

Experience the thrill of watching go-karts roar through the streets of downtown Rock Island, Illinois, at speeds up to 80 mph on Sept. 1-2. The Rock Island Grand Prix is the largest and safest go-kart street race in the world and is the only race in the U.S. that is sanctioned for International drivers. This is a free event and racing goes from 11:00 am-6:00 pm each day.

The new East West Riverfest is a new ten-day celebration of the arts, culture and heritage offerings that thrive in the Quad Cities along the Mississippi River. From September 7 to 16, 2012, over 300 events will take place at over 60 various theaters, music venues, galleries, historic sites, parks, libraries, and attractions on both sides of the river in the Quad Cities.

The entire event guide can be viewed online at East West Riverfest, or a printed guide can be requested through the website to be sent by mail or by calling the Quad Cities Convention & Visitors Bureau at 800-747-7800.

Major event anchors for East West Riverfest on the first weekend (Sep. 7-9) include :

• Beaux Arts Fair with arts and crafts vendors
• Quad City Symphony's Riverfront Pops Concert with an ABBA tribute
• Viva Quad Cities celebrating Hispanic culture with food, music and dancing
• QCA Heritage Tractor Parade and Show featuring all brands/colors 1970 and older
• Wild Wild Wild West Weekend in LeClaire with a wild west show, activities and more

Major festivals the following weekend on Sep. 14-16 include :

• Celtic Festival and Highland Games with athletic events, step dancing, bagpipers, and more
• Riverssance Festival of Fine Art with a juried selection of 100 regional and national artists
• WQPT's Brew Ha Ha with more than 200 samples of domestic and imported brews

The Hot Air Balloon Festival is full of family fun and entertainment on Sept. 28-30 with kid's activities, food vendors, and many balloons to enjoy!  It takes place at Kennedy Square in East Moline, Illinois. The event begins Friday with a balloon launch at 5 pm, followed by a Night Glow when the tethered balloons light up in the night. Saturday includes flights and another Night Glow.

More Events

Ringling Bros. Circle - i wireless Center, Fri, Aug 31 - Mon, Sep 3

Antique Motorcycle Swap Meet - Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds, Thu, Aug 30 - Sat, Sep 1

Barnes Family Bluegrass Festival - Mercer County Fairgrounds, Thu, Aug 30 - Sun, Sep 2

Milan Indian Summer Festival - Milan, Illinois, Fri, Aug 31 - Sun, Sep 2

Walnut Grove Pioneer Village Fall Festival - Walnut Grove Pioneer Village, Sun, Sep 2 - Mon, Sep 3

Labor Day Parade - Rock Island, Illinois, Mon, Sep 3

WWE Smackdown - i wireless Center, Tue, Sep 4

Chicago Tribute Band - Quad-Cities Waterfront Convention Center, Fri, Sep 7

BJ and Mabel Palmer Mansion Tours - BJ and Mabel Palmer Mansion, Fri, Sep 7 - Sun, Sep 16

Warren County Prime Beef Festival - Monmouth, Illinois, Wed, Sep 5 - Sat, Sep 8

Hairball 80s Tribute - Adler Theatre, Fri, Sep 7

Big Time Rush - i wireless Center, Tue, Sep 11

Taming of the Slough Adventure Race - Moline, Illinois, Sat, Sep 15

Buckskinners Rendezvous - Pine Creek Grist Mill, Sat, Sep 15

Tracy Lawrence - Quad-Cities Waterfront Convention Center, Fri, Sep 21

Quad Cities Marathon - Sun, Sep 23

Ballet Quad Cities' Dracula - Scottish Rite Cathedral, Fri, Sep 28 - Sat, Sep 29

Ghost Tales - Colonel Davenport House, Sat, Sep 29

Quad Cities Pumpkin Fest - Adventure Quest, Sat, Sep 29 - Sun, Sep 30

Matthew West - Adler Theatre, Sat, Sep 29

Jordbruksdagarna AG Days - Bishop Hill, Illinois, Sat, Sep 29 - Sun, Sep 30

NASA | Art Exhibit - Figge Art Museum

River Music Experience - Live music

Design Studio Exhibit - Family Museum

Grimm Fairy Tales Exhibit - German American Heritage Center

Niabi Zoo

The Dixie Swim Club - Circa 21 Dinner Playhouse

Dinosaurs Unearthed Exhibit - Putnam Museum

Bike Rentals in the Quad Cities

ComedySportz Quad Cities - The Establishment Theatre

Stock Car Races - Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds

Cordova Dragway Park

Backwater Gamblers Water Ski Show - Rock River

River Bandits Baseball (Farm Team of the St. Louis Cardinals) - Modern Woodmen Park

Get Around With the Loop

Quad Cities Casinos

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