If you've ever wondered if you can be charitable with only a few extra dollars in your wallet or a little bit of free time, the answer is yes. You just have to get a little creative.

In the Chronicle of Philanthropy's latest analysis of charitable giving, it appears people who earned less were giving more. Based on state-by-state tax data, the nonprofit industry trade publication reported that between 2006 to 2012, Americans earning more than $200,000 gave a smaller percentage of their income to charity while those earning less than $100,000 actually gave more during the same period.

Wherever you stand on the income scale, stretching charitable dollars or time should begin with a little planning. Here are five steps to consider.

1. Check your finances first. Helping others is a worthwhile lifetime habit. However, before you start writing checks or handing out cash to various individuals or groups, check your budget to determine whether you actually have extra money to spare for charitable donations in any form. If you itemize, check the IRS rules (www.irs.gov) on charitable giving or consult with a qualified tax professional to see if there are charitable giving options that fit your circumstances.
2. Screen charities you're considering. It's never been easier to evaluate a potential charity or nonprofit organization. Leading online databases like CharityNavigator.org, CharityWatch.org and Guidestar.org provide extensive data on thousands of national, state and local charities and nonprofit organizations. The Better Business Bureau also operates Give.org, a national charity database that accredits and notes complaints. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission's Charity Scams website offers breaking news on illegal fundraising activities and best practices for evaluating charities and nonprofits year-round. What else can you do? Play reporter. Even if an organization checks out through these reputable sources, do an online search of news media just to make sure no unsavory developments have occurred that might discourage your donation.
3. Research what's needed. If the charity in question accepts physical items or volunteer work, see if you're interested in providing help that way. Check with the charity either online or by phone to determine what they will and will not accept - donating the wrong items simply wastes staff and volunteer time. If you would like to volunteer, ask about opportunities and make sure that volunteer assignment fits you before you commit. Remember, charities really count on their volunteers and your enthusiasm for an assignment can help them keep their turnover to a minimum. Some organizations may also have travel-based service missions that can provide charitable travel opportunities that allow you to help while seeing the world.
4. Ask if your employer will match your donation. Even if your cash donation is modest, some employers can make your contribution go farther if they have a matching gifts program. Check with your human resources department or benefits manager. Also, many nonprofits, universities and charitable organizations keep their own online databases of employer matching gift programs.
5. Go micro. If you can only find a few dollars to give, don't let that discourage you. Organize like-minded friends and family members to pool funds, attend events or volunteer time for a cause, or consider a particular nonprofit's organized crowdfunding (https://www.councilofnonprofits.org/tools-resources/crowdfunding-nonprofits) efforts that will allow you to make an impact with only a few dollars. Still short on cash and want to help? Pick up the phone or email the charity and ask if they accept small items or in-kind services. Some ideas might include gift cards (including ones with unused balances), office supplies, stamps, catering for events or board meetings or help with writing, fundraising or technology.

Bottom line: Making a difference in the world doesn't always require big bucks, but big know-how helps. Check your finances first, research charities you're interested in and investigate how small donations of time, money and physical items can make an impact.

Hello, and Happy Holidays from the LeClaire Chamber of Commerce! Announcements are being sent a day early, so hopefully this is not an inconvenience for any of you!  If you receive these Announcements and the font is scrambled, or the formatting is not in order, please let us know. It was pointed out to us last week that the font was coming through in different sizes, and we appreciated that input. Hopefully that issue is resolved. Thank you!

ANNOUNCEMENTS - 12/24/2015

ANNUAL AWARDS

All Current LeClaire Chamber of Commerce Members are invited to vote for the 2015 Annual Awards recipients and for the 2016 LeClaire Chamber Board of Directors.

Please visit the Chamber website, www.LeClaireChamber.com to cast your vote or to write in your favorite! Click on 2015 Awards Ballot on the Homepage. The direct link to the ballot is:

http://visit.leclairechamber.com/2015-annual-awards-ballot.html Deadline to vote, December 28, 2015, 11:59 p.m. Only one vote allowed per membership.  Award Winners will be announced at the Annual Dinner, Saturday, January 30, 2016, Davenport Country Club. Invitations will soon be sent to Chamber Members, but anyone is invited to attend.

Reservations are $35 per person, paid in advance. Please RSVP by January 22, 2016 to First Central State Bank 563-289-2265 or email dmulvania@firstcentralsb.com Thank you for your participation!

CHAMBER MEMBERSHIP

It is time to renew membership with the LeClaire Chamber of Commerce for 2016! Membership letters and forms have been mailed. If you did receive one, please contact the Chamber, LeClaireChamber@gmail.com or 563-289-9970 and one will be sent to you. Or, you can go to www.LeClaireChamber.com and renew online using PayPal. Thank you for your membership, and we wish everyone a great 2016!

CHAMBER NEWSLETTER

The December Issue of the Chamber Newsletter has been mailed out to over 2500 recipients in the 52753 zipcode area!  Go to www.leclairechamber.com to view it online.

CITY COUNCIL VACANCY

Due to the results of the recent City elections a vacancy will occur on the City Council effective as of January 1, 2016. At this time the LeClaire City Council intends to fill this vacancy by appointment. All persons interested in being appointed to this vacancy and to be considered for such must submit a standard City committee membership application form (available at City Hall or on the City' website, "Board & Committee Membership Application", along with a general letter of interest (resume) to the City Clerk at 325 Wisconsin Street, LeClaire, Iowa 52753 by the close of business (5:00 p.m. local time) on Thursday, December 31, 2015. Notice is further given that this appointment shall be for the period until the next pending election (November 8, 2016). Prospective candidate/applicants review and interviews have been tentatively set by the City Council for their Committee-of-the-Whole meeting to be held on Monday, January 4, 2016 at 7:00 p.m.  This appointment is expected to be formally considered at the Council meeting to be held at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, January 18, 2016. The electors of the City of LeClaire have the right to file a petition requiring that the vacancy be filled by a special election. A valid petition requesting a special election to fill the vacancy must be filed with the LeClaire City Clerk within fourteen days after the publication of the official "Notice of Vacancy" or within fourteen days after the appointment is made, whichever is later. If you have any questions, please contact the LeClaire City Clerk's office at 563-289-4242.

CALENDAR

Now Through January 3rd - Enright's Le Claire Super Wash Annual Holiday Promotion Has Started! Automatic carwash tokens on sale 5 for $20, each token a $6.50 value. Tokens may can be purchased with cash, check, or credit card and make Great Holiday Gifts!  Sign up to win car washes and the "Blue Super Wash Wagon".   Weekly winners posted on our reader board.  Attendants on duty 8:30-10:00, Monday thru Friday and 8:30 to 3:00, on weekends. All attendant hours are subject to weather.

Through December 24th - Green Tree Brewery would like to say Thank You and Merry Christmas! Get $3 off 64oz Growler fills (new or refills) and $1.50 off 32oz Grumbler fills (new or refills). We want you to enjoy your holidays! Our holiday hours are noon until 10:00 pm Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Thursday, Christmas Eve, we will be open from 11:00 am until 4:00 pm. We appreciate your business!

December 24th - Asbury United Methodist Church - Christmas Eve Candlelight Services - 5pm Family Style, 7:30pm Cantata, and 10pm Communion. 1809 Mississippi Blvd, Bettendorf, 563-355-5218, asbury@asbury-bett.org

December 24th - Candlelight Christmas Eve Worship - Zion Lutheran Church, Princeton. 5 p.m. This traditional Christmas service is for all who enjoy singing Christmas carols and hearing the good news of Christ's birth.

December 31st - New Year's Eve at The Crane and Pelican Café Check out the menu for our special New Year's Eve dinner on our website. 6pm & 8pm seatings will fill up fast so make your reservation today! (563)289-8774 http://www.craneandpelican.com/menu/newyearseve2016.pdf

December 31st - New Year's Eve at The Faithful Pilot Café & Spirits 2 Seatings - 6pm and 8:30pm. 5 Courses | $75 per person. Menu available at faithfulpilot.com Call 563-289-4156 for reservations!

December 31st - New Year's Eve Celebration at Steventon's 10pm to 1:30am. Live music by North of 40, a variety of hors d'oeuvres and champagne toast at midnight. (Complimentary local transportation home.) Please call ahead to reserve your tickets. ($75) 563.289.3600

January 1st - First Friday in LeClaire will be January 8th - Happy New Year!

January 2nd - Steventon's Prime Rib Saturday Steventon's serves prime rib on the first Saturday of each month.

January 8th - First Friday in LeClaire - 5-8

Blue Iguana will be Featuring Great River Brewery West Coast Style IPA for $3

Mississippi River Distilling Company - Free cocktail and food samples, 5:30-8pm.

Wide River Winery - Wine samples.

January 9th - Riverside Church 6pm.  We will be turning Frozen into an interactive movie which will include : actions, tasks, and snacks.   All are welcome but kids under the age of 7 should have an adult stay with them.   Any questions please call April at 920-287-8851

January 9th - Steventons will be closed for a private event. Our normal business hours will resume on Sunday January 10th.

January 12th - Chamber Networking - Happy Joe's, LeClaire Lunch, noon. Everyone welcome!

January 16th - Trivia Night in LeClaire - LeClaire Civic Center 127 South Cody Rd. Evening benefits the Glendale Cemetery which experienced damage as a result of EF-1 tornado which struck the community in November, 2015. Doors open at 6 PM; play starts at 7 PM.   Tables of 8; $10 per person.  Mulligans available ($10 for 10); double down ($10). Door prizes, Silent Auction.    Pizza, soft drinks, and ice cream available for purchase. Participants may bring food, wine, beer and soft drinks.  Reservations by calling Debbie, 563-349-4403 or email: smith5grand@gmail.com.

January 20th - Blue Iguana Celebrates National Cheese Lovers Day Stop in for 1/2 off a queso appetizer with the purchase of an entrée.

January 24th - Blue Iguana Celebrates National Beer Can Appreciation Day $1 off canned beer.

January 25th - Economic Development Meeting City Hall. 8a.m.

January 30th - Steventon's will be out at the Jaycees Bridal Expo at the River Center in Davenport. If you're a bride to be make sure you stop by and see us!

January 30th, 2016 - LeClaire Chamber Annual Awards Dinner - Davenport Country Club. Invitations will soon be sent to Chamber Members, but anyone is invited to attend. Reservations are $35 per person, paid in advance. Please RSVP by January 22, 2016 to First Central State Bank 563-289-2265 or email dmulvania@firstcentralsb.com If you would like to donate items for the Silent or Live Auctions, please contact Debbie Mulvania (First Central State Bank), Kristen Underwood (Black Hawk Bank & Trust), or Dayle Hall.

FYI

Isabel Bloom Wishing everyone a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! We will be closed on Christmas Day as well as New Year's Day, but be sure to stop in and check out our NEW 2016 releases on January 2nd, 2016! If you haven't been in to see us in a while, you'll be surprised at what you're missing!

Big Dave & Holly's has Christmas decorations for sale! Wreaths, centerpieces, small trees, etc! Holiday and Winter Hours - Will close at 5:00 pm on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve. Will be closed Christmas Day and New Year's Day. Starting Sunday, December 27th will be closed on Sundays till early spring.

Jones St Java House Stop in for one of our delicious wraps made fresh while you wait! We have amazing soups available as well. Our Barista's have been busy making new festive coffee flavored too- come in and try a Mistletoe latte or a Salty Snowman- you won't be sorry! Jones St Java is now open extended holiday hours! M-F 6-5 Sat 7-5 and Sunday 8-5 through Dec 24th.

Bierstube will be open until 4pm Christmas Eve.

Bar opens at 4pm Christmas Day.

Normal business hours NYE and Day

Steventon's Holiday Hours:

Christmas Eve - Closed

Christmas Day - Closed

New Year's Eve - Open

New Year's Day - Closed

Blue Iguana

Holiday Hours:

Christmas Eve- Closed

Christmas - Closed

New Year's Eve- Close at 5pm

New Year's- Closed

Winter hours begin January 1st.

Closed on Mondays.

Happy Hour begins in January!

Tuesday - Friday from 3-6pm

2 for 1 Pints, $3 Wells

1/2 off Queso

1/2 off Ceviche

$5 Nachos

Daily Meal Deals are now Tuesday - Friday all day long!

Tuesday: $6 Taco Baskets (chicken or steak)

Wednesday: $5 Diablo Chicken Salads

Thursday: $7 Poblano Burgers

Friday: $5 Half Order of Nachos

Sundays get a Free Kids meal with the purchase of an adult entrée!

New Daily Drink Specials!

Tuesday:  Titos and Tonic $4

Wednesday: Whiskey Wednesday $5

Thursday:  Margaritas ($3 small / $5 grande)

Friday:  Vida Loca $4

Saturday:  Sangria Saturday $4 pints / $14 pitchers

Sunday: Pepino Mary $5

Reusable Usables Creative Arts Center - Coming in January - All Ages PLAY Cafe where you can "Play.Gather.Create" with friends, neighbors and family.  Play Cafe will be open two Saturdays or more each month starting in January.  Details on our website.

Reusable Usables will be offering some amazing new classes and events in our new studio space, facilitated by talented local artist.  Looking for people like you to share your passion and teach a class/workshop in our new studio. visit www.reusableusables.org

Visit the LeClaire Chamber of Commerce website www.leclairechamber.com and see us on Facebook!

If you would like to attend a Chamber Board Meeting in order to present a topic, please contact the Board in advance at LeClaireChamber@gmail.com in order to be included an upcoming agenda. You will be contacted with confirmation of being included in the agenda. Board Meetings are held the 4th Tuesday of each month, 8a.m. at LeClaire City Hall.

Pick up the LeClaire information guide at the LeClaire Information Center. It has many photos and great information for everyone including residents, potential residents, visitors, realtors, relocation personnel, schools, and more! Summer hours have started: Monday-Saturday 10am-4pm; Sunday 1-4pm. 122 N. Cody Road. LIC Volunteers Needed! Contact Cindy Bruhn at info@visitleclaire.com or 563-650-7963 to volunteer.

SERVING THE COMMUNITY AND BEYOND

First Central State Bank announces that the Ohnward Bancshares, Inc. summer intern leadership program will start on June 13, 2016 and is open to any college student who is either entering their junior or senior years in college for the fall semester of 2016.   Applications will be available after January 1 on the organization's website at www.ohnward.com Interns have the opportunity over the eight week time period to learn from executive management on the topics of banking and financial management.  The program is a unique eight week mix of financial literacy, business acumen, leader-ship coaching and community engagement.  Ohnward Bancshares Inc. is a billion dollar bank holding company with 23 financial offices in Eastern Iowa. Ohnward employs over 220 full time employees and is locally owned by shareholders.  Bank management's focus continues to be helping clients and communities grow and prosper. The banks have a strong record of community, economic development, educational and cultural support within the markets they serve.

PROPERTY LISTINGS

Commercial Property for Rent - 1405 Eagle Ridge Road, LeClaire. 2,500 SF newly constructed office/retail space. Co-Tenant Snap Fitness. Owner will subdivide space. Private parking lot. ADA compliant. Contact: Meg Halligan, NAI Ruhl Commercial Company, mhalligan@ruhlcommercial.com, Office: 563-355-4000 Website Link: http://www.ruhlcommercial.com/Page/Property.aspx?mls=7032508

Commercial Property for Sale 613-617 N Cody Road, LeClaire IA 52753. Contact Jeff R. Heuer, NAI Ruhl Commercial Company, jheuer@ruhlcommercial.com, Office: 563-355-4000, Direct: 563-823-5107.

Commercial Property for Sale Cody Road, LeClaire IA 52753. Contact John G. Ruhl, NAI Ruhl Commercial Company, jruhl@ruhlcommercial.com, Office: 563-355-4000, Direct: 563-823-5126.

Commercial Property Available Eagle Ridge Road, LeClaire, Iowa. Please call Mike Burke - Mel Foster Co. mburke@melforsterco.com, Mobile: 563-349-2705, Direct: 563-823-5272

Do you have Residential or Commercial property available? Please contact the LeClaire Chamber of Commerce, leclairechamber@gmail.com, with a property description, complete contact information including phone numbers and rental or purchase pricing.

LECLAIRE EVENTS COMING UP!

January 30th - LeClaire Chamber Annual Awards Dinner

In letters to the relevant federal agencies, Sen. Chuck Grassley has pressed for the removal of unnecessary barriers to scientific research into the medical risks and benefits of cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive component of the marijuana plant that may help children with severe epileptic seizures and other conditions.  In June, at the request of Grassley and Sen. Dianne Feinstein, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) agreed to eliminate an extra layer of review for non-government funded cannabidiol research that it previously required its Public Health Service to complete.  Also at that time, at the senators' request, the Justice Department and HHS agreed to evaluate cannabidiol to determine whether it can be classified on a lower schedule than the entire marijuana plant, which may make research on it proceed somewhat more easily.

Today, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) announced that it has agreed to a third request of the senators - to ease some of the regulatory requirements for those who are conducting Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved clinical trials on cannabidiol by permitting waivers that will let research proceed seamlessly if the researcher requires more CBD than was initially approved by the DEA.  According to the DEA, "These modifications will streamline the research process regarding CBD's possible medicinal value and help foster ongoing scientific studies."

Grassley is Chairman of the Judiciary Committee and the Caucus on International Narcotics Control.  Grassley made the following comment on the DEA's announcement.

"This is good news toward the progress on scientific research on cannabidiol.  Removing more barriers will help allow scientists to determine its potential medicinal value.  Right now, parents who are desperate to help their children live in uncertainty over cannabidiol.  Federal agencies should do whatever they responsibly can to help research proceed so these families can get answers."