(Milan, IL) - Mulligan's Valley Pub, located at 310 West 1st Avenue in Coal Valley, will host a fundraiser for the Quad City Animal Welfare Center (QCAWC) on Tuesday, July 27th, 2010, beginning at 5:00 pm.  Enjoy tacos with a $5.00 donation.  There will also be raffle items and a 50/50 drawing.  Proceeds from this event will benefit the homeless animals at the QCAWC.

The QCAWC is the only full service, no-kill animal shelter located in the Quad Cities.  Our mission is a shelter for homeless animals, to support a spay and neuter program, and to provide humane education.  Please cal 309-787-6830, ext 10, for more information.

The delectable dessert chain kicks off its anniversary this July with

Chocolate Oreo Blast and Strawberry Cheesecake Celebration Sundaes

IRVINE, Calif. - Tastee-Freez, America's favorite establishment for soft-serve treats and high-quality quick service food, kicks off its 60th anniversary in July 2010, which is fittingly also National Ice Cream Month. One of the longest-lived franchise operations in the United States, there are currently 54 Tastee-Freez LLC restaurants located in 18 states across the country. Tastee-Freez will celebrate its anniversary with two delectable Celebration Sundaes - the "Chocolate Oreo Blast Sundae" and the "Strawberry Cheesecake Sundae" - available at all Tastee-Freez LLC locations until August 31, 2010.

"For 60 years, Tastee-Freez has been providing frozen treats that bring back fond memories of cool, creamy soft-serve and an era gone by," said Tim Mulks, general manager of Tastee-Freez. "The Chocolate Oreo Blast and Strawberry Cheesecake Celebration Sundaes are some of the most popular flavors in our delicious dessert lineup, and mark the beginning of another All-American summer at Tastee-Freez."

The "Chocolate Oreo Blast Sundae" is a combination of Oreo chunks, vanilla soft-serve, chocolate syrup and a cherry, and the "Strawberry Cheesecake Sundae" is a mixture of cheesecake chunks, strawberry topping, vanilla soft-serve and a cherry. Each sundae is available at $2.99 each (prices may vary by location).

In 1950, Leo Moranz, an inventor, and Harry Axene, an entrepreneur, came together to create what would later become one of America's favorite establishments for delicious soft-serve treats and high-quality quick service food. The two men formed a partnership to market a revolutionary new soft-serve pump and freezer which far exceeded the technology of any existing equipment, allowing for faster service and a higher quality, great-tasting product.  Within five years after the first freezer was sold, walk-up stands bearing the Tastee-Freez name opened across the country to sell cones and sundaes to an eager public.  Moranz and Axene allowed stands to use the Tastee-Freez name in exchange for rent paid on the ice cream pump needed to operate each freezer.

Since franchising first gained popularity in the early 1950s, the food service industry has seen many chains come and go.  Tastee-Freez has strived to meet the ever-changing needs of its franchisees and their customers, and has increased its menu offerings over the years to include a wide variety of options.  The majority of Tastee-Freez locations have evolved to become full quick service operations, offering a variety of lunch and dinner options in addition to the famous soft-serve treats. The signature restaurants are located in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Ohio, South Carolina, Vermont and Virginia.

Menu offerings in all Tastee-Freez LLC locations include Old Fashioned Sundaes available in hot fudge, chocolate, strawberry and caramel; Shakes and Floats, including chocolate, vanilla and strawberry; Oreo, Butterfinger, Reese's Peanut Butter Cup and M&M Freezees; and the traditional vanilla soft-serve cone, which can be dipped in the signature Tastee-Freez chocolate. Tastee-Freez LLC locations also offer a wide variety of food. Menu options vary, with many locations serving regional favorites, but typical offerings include signature hamburgers and hot dogs, a variety of sandwiches, fries and onion rings.

About Tastee-Freez LLC

With 54 units located throughout the United States, Tastee-Freez LLC is a chain of quick-service restaurants specializing in soft-serve dessert treats. Celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2010, Tastee-Freez LLC was acquired by Galardi Group, Inc., based in Irvine, Calif., in June, 2003. For more information, visit www.tastee-freez.com.

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Healthiest schools, organizations, leaders to be honored

DES MOINES, IA (06/14/2010)(readMedia)-- Nominations are sought for the healthiest schools, organizations and individuals in Iowa. Last year was the inaugural Healthy Iowa Awards event. This year's banquet will be September 23, 5-9 p.m., at the Hy-Vee Conference Center in West Des Moines, Iowa.

"Everyone wants to be the best and this is the true designation for Iowans and their schools and communities for the overall healthiest," explained Jenny Weber, executive director of the Wellness Council of Iowa (WCI).

The Healthy Iowa Awards are presented by the Academy for a Healthy Iowa, a collaboration between the Iowa Department of Public Health, Governor's Council on Physical Fitness and Nutrition and WCI. Award winners are selected based on providing access to wellness, programming, financial commitment, measurability and sustainability. Winners retain the "Healthy Iowa" designation for three years at which point they must reapply.

The healthiest K-12 school, college or university, community and visionary leader will be honored. This year, two new categories are open: the emerging community award will celebrate small, grass-roots groups or communities and the emerging leader award will recognize youth leaders.

Application forms are available at www.wellnessiowa.org (click the top banner) and must be received by June 30.

The annual WCI Well Workplace award will also be presented at the Healthy Iowa event.

This Mother's Day, pamper mom with a delicious breakfast in bed.  Our recipes are simple (she'll think you slaved for hours), healthy (so delicious she'll swear you're ruining a diet) and since you're getting all the ingredients from ALDI...she'll think you spent twice as much.  After saving up to 50 percent on the perfect brunch for mom, you'll have money to spend on a beautiful bouquet (or two!) of flowers, too!

We recommend:

· Apple Raisin Pancakes

· Cantaloupe and Blueberries with Vanilla Sauce

· Vegetarian Frittata

Vegetarian Frittata - 6 servings

Preparation: 10 min.   Cooking: 15 min.   Total: 25 min.

· 2 tbsp. unsalted butter

· 4 scallions, trimmed and minced

· 4 cans green chilies, drained, seeded and chopped (wear rubber gloves)

· 3 tomatoes, seeded and chopped

· 8 Goldhen grade A large eggs, lightly beaten

· 6 oz. Happy Farms mild cheddar cheese, shredded

· 1/3 cup cilantro, or parsley, chopped

· 1/4 tsp. salt to taste (optional)

· 1/2 cup salsa

Turn on broiler. Melt butter in a heavy ovenproof skillet over medium heat. Sauté scallions 4-5 minutes, or until tender. Stir in chilies and tomatoes and simmer about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tomatoes are softened. Stir in beaten eggs, cheese and cilantro. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Cook over medium-low heat 5-6 minutes until eggs are almost set in the center. Place skillet under broiler about 1 minute, or until eggs are just set. Do not overcook. Serve frittata cut into wedges with salsa.  Wake mom up with breakfast and a beautiful floral bouquet.