05 May 2015

How Extreme Self-Confidence Can End Up Working Against Entrepreneurs

By Ginny Grimsley
More Introspection Is Needed For Long-Term Business Success, Says Former Naval Officer And Business Leader

The entrepreneurial spirit may be taking a hit these days.

Studies show members of the Millennial generation appear less interested than previous generations in starting their own businesses, preferring instead to find work with established companies. In 1989, 11.6 percent of households headed by someone younger than 30 held a stake in or owned a private enterprise; today that percentage is 3.6 percent, according to a recent Wall Street Journal report.

Randy H. Nelson finds that troubling, but perhaps understandable.

"The statistics show the odds of success for a new business are pretty dismal," says Nelson, author of the Amazon best-selling book "The Second Decision: The Qualified Entrepreneur." (www.randyhnelson.com/book)

"Half of new U.S. small businesses fail in their first five years, and 70 percent have gone under by year 10. That's not exactly a new trend, but what is a new is that each year in the United States more businesses now are shutting down than are being started."

But Nelson, who developed leadership skills as a Navy submarine officer and has a track record of starting and building successful businesses, says there is a reason for those sobering statistics.

Anyone can become an entrepreneur. No qualifications are required. If more entrepreneurs understood the ramifications of that - and took steps to compensate for their weaknesses - the odds of success could improve, Nelson says.

One problem is entrepreneurs tend to be extraordinarily confident, which can blind them to their weaknesses.

Nelson remembers that early in his business career his wife asked if he knew what he was doing. He assured her he did. Since then, experience taught him he was wrong.

"The truth was, I didn't know what I didn't know," Nelson says.

Over time, Nelson became what he calls a "qualified entrepreneur." He says when he looks back over his 25-year entrepreneurial career that he could clearly identify four components of the qualified entrepreneur, and recently he added the fifth component, self-awareness, which is an important piece of each of the other four.

·  Entrepreneurship. People who become entrepreneurs are usually brimming with self-confidence, Nelson says. That helps them when it comes to making that "first decision" of starting a new company, all but ignoring those sobering odds for failure that would dissuade many others. The entrepreneur optimistically thinks: "I know I can do this."

·  Career-Long learning. Entrepreneurs think growth all the time for their businesses. They preach their vision to employees and hire the best talent to help them reach their goals. But are entrepreneurs growing their skillsets as fast as their companies grow? If not, they risk becoming the wrong person in the wrong seat, with the very employees they hired to take them to the promised land asking: "What value do you bring to the company?"

·  Leadership. The importance of good leadership is paramount to business success, but not all leaders are created equal. Nelson breaks down leaders into four types. The "urgent/reactive" leader thrives on an almost crazed atmosphere where he or she can ride to the rescue, put out the fire and move on to the next problem. There isn't much time for introspection and no real vision. An "ever optimistic" leader starts from the belief there is nothing he or she can't do. "Yes, we can do that!" is the typical answer from this type of leader...leaving it up to their staff to figure out how, even if accepting the new business takes them away from their core focus.

The "reflexively pessimistic" leader plays to survive, not to win. This leader has been toughened by hard times, and always worries about the economy's effect on the business, Nelson says. In some industries easily battered by a downturn, this style can be effective. But if maintained too long, the pessimism becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. The final leadership style, the "steady/proactive" leader, is the one every CEO should strive to become, Nelson says. This type of leader values productivity and profitable growth above all things, knows how to achieve both and can course-correct no matter the difficulty. "They understand both offense and defense, and can shift between them as cycles dictate," Nelson says.

·  Life cycle. A business has different needs at different stages of the corporate life cycle. The qualified entrepreneur must recognize that. The startup stage is where many entrepreneurs thrive. Creating something from scratch is what they are about. Needs and challenges change, though, as companies enter growth or expansion stages. The entrepreneur's needs change, too, because entrepreneurs have their own life cycle, Nelson says.

First, there's getting the business started, and then there's the second-decision stage when the entrepreneur needs to choose what role he or she plays in the business, and whether others might be better equipped. There's also a third decision when entrepreneurs realize work infringes too much on family and personal time, Nelson says. "To avoid regrets later, you have to consider whether you need to make a stronger commitment to a more balanced life." Finally, there's the end stage when the entrepreneur is finished with the current business and must decide what is next. Having experienced the "exit" twice in his career, Nelson has come to realize that after the sale only a few lives really change. Everybody else goes on with their normal day while the entrepreneur, much like a retired athlete, must figure out how to function without leading their entrepreneurial venture every day.

"Ideally, entrepreneurs and CEOs would be more knowledgeable than everyone we manage," Nelson says. "That's rare, though. The rest of us would benefit from a better understanding of the vast reaches of what we don't know, and a dose of the humility that goes with it, and this is where the self-awareness component comes in."

·  Self-Awareness. Entrepreneurs need to know their strengths and weaknesses, and how they affect the business, Nelson says. Unfortunately, that's a trait they often fail to develop. His suggestion: Surround yourself with people who know more than you (entrepreneurs, leaders, and coaches/advisors who have been through all the life-cycle stages the entrepreneur is navigating through) and learn from them. Once you have a clear understanding of what you do and don't know, you can decide your next steps. Will you continue to lead the business directly; take a supporting role and let someone else lead; or move on to create another business?

About Randy H. Nelson

Randy H. Nelson is a speaker, a coach, a Qualified Entrepreneur, a former nuclear submarine officer in the U.S. Navy and author of "The Second Decision - The Qualified Entrepreneur" (www.randyhnelson.com/book/). He co-founded and later sold two market-leading, multi-million dollar companies ? Orion International and NSTAR Global Services. His proudest professional achievement was at the Fast 50 awards ceremony in the Raleigh, N.C., area when NSTAR, a 10-year-old company, and Orion, a 22-year-old company, were awarded the rankings No. 8 and No. 9, respectively. Nelson now runs Gold Dolphins, LLC, a coaching and consulting firm to help entrepreneurial leaders and CEOs become Qualified Entrepreneurs and achieve their maximum potential. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Miami University, Ohio, and was awarded the Admiral Sidney W. Souers Distinguished Alumni Award there in 2011.

04 May 2015

The Old Creamery First Summer Courtyard Concert is on May 8 featuring Craig Erickson

By Lily Allen-Duenas

The Old Creamery Theatre will host Courtyard Concerts this summer, one Friday per month, May through September featuring local bands and food, excluding the month of August. The concerts are free and open to the public.

The shows will all take place from 5:15pm to 7:15 pm in the Old Creamery's Courtyard on the following evenings:

May 8, June 5, July 24 , and September 11. The Courtyard Concert on May 8 features Craig Erickson, a singer, guitarist, multi-instrumentalist, writer, and producer.

Raised in the heart of Midwest, his stylistic brew includes blues, fusion, rock, jazz, funk, reggae, acoustic, and more.

Island Vybz will be at our Courtyard Concert on May 8 selling their delicious food.

Billy Heller hits our courtyard stage on June 5, Milk & Eggs come out to Amana on July 24, and Two Bit Maniac takes the stage on September 11.

Call the box office at 319-622-6262 or go online to www.oldcreamery.com for more details.  To read more about Craig Erickson visit craig-erickson.com/bio/

The Old Creamery Theatre is a not-for-profit professional theatre founded in 1971 in Garrison, Iowa. In 2015, the company is celebrating 44 years of bringing live, professional theatre to the people of Iowa and the Midwest.
04 May 2015

Gov. Branstad signs 14 bills into law

By Office of the Governor of Iowa
(DES MOINES) - Iowa Gov. Terry E. Branstad today signed the following bills into law:

House File347: An act relating to the licensure of child care programs operated or contracted for by a school district or accredited nonpublic school and including effective date provisions.

House File 447: An act requiring wireless communications service providers to provide call locations in circumstances of emergency, making penalties applicable, and including effective date provisions.

House File 507: An act relating to certain delinquent accounts for wastewater, sewer system, storm water drainage, and sewage treatment services.

House File 548: An act requiring the Iowa Utilities Board to adopt administrative rules relating to the safety of distributed electric generation facilities.

House File 583: An act relating to the control of effluent from animal truck wash facilities, by requiring certain permits, regulating storage and application of effluent, and making penalties applicable.

House File 599: An act relating to the division of assets and liabilities of school districts involved in a reorganization or dissolution and including applicability provisions.

House File 621: An act relating to the administration of the streamlined sales and use tax agreement by the department of revenue.

Senate File 75: An act relating to the use of blue and white lighting devices and reflectors during snow and ice treatment and removal, making penalties applicable, and including sunset date provisions.

Senate File 199: An act making changes to the campaign finance laws relating to independent expenditures and making penalties applicable.

Senate File 385: An act relating to the expungement of not-guilty verdicts and dismissed criminal-charge records, and including effective date and applicability provisions.

Senate File 404: An act relating to the certification and regulation of shorthand reporters.

Senate File 415: An act related to elections administration.

Senate File 479: An act concerning the apportionment of certain gross receipts of a broadcaster for purposes of Iowa income tax, and including retroactive applicability provisions.

Senate File 487:  An act regulating the sale of portable electronics insurance, including requiring licensure, providing for fees and penalties, and including effective date provisions.

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04 May 2015

Event Announcments - MRA Iowa/Western Illinois

By Kathy Riley

 

Event:            ISO 9001: 2008 Internal

Dates:                   Monday, July 20, 2015 and Tuesday, July 21, 2015

Time:                    8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Where:                MRA- the Management Association

3800 Avenue of the Cities, Suite 100

Moline, IL  61265

 

Cost:                      $550 MRA members / $750 nonmembers

 

This two-day class will have a strong emphasis on best practice techniques used to audit the American National Standard ISO 9001-2008 version. The class incorporates planning audits, performing audits, and analysis/reporting of audit observations. The materials and subsequent test is based upon the accredited certified quality auditor's examination.

To register, or for more information on other MRA training, go to our new website at www.mranet.org/Training-Events, or contact Kathy Riley at 309.277.4186 or Kathy.riley@mranet.org

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Event:            Supervision: The Essentials

Dates:                   Tuesday, August 18, 2015, Tuesday, August 25, 2015 Tuesday September 1, 2015

Time:                    8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Where:                MRA- the Management Association

3800 Avenue of the Cities, Suite 100

Moline, IL  61265

 

Cost:                      $750 MRA members / $950 nonmembers

First line/front line supervisors and managers on your team are often people who have proven they are very good at doing and now they are being asked to take on a leadership role.  At the same time, you realize leading is not the same as doing and you'd like to help them obtain ideas, concepts, and skills necessary for success in their new position. Newly acquired skills will help them become an asset and a more valuable resource for your organization. When time is tight, you can get caught up in the dilemma of how to achieve greater results with limited resources in a time-controlled, economical, and hard hitting way. MRA is pleased to offer a solution to such a dilemma - Supervision: The Essentials.

This three-day program provides your new, less experienced leaders with ideas and practices they can put to use immediately. Think of it as basic training?compact, concise, focused, and all about applicable skills - nothing but the essentials!

To register, or for more information on other MRA training, go to our new website at www.mranet.org/Training-Events, or contact Kathy Riley at 309.277.4186 or Kathy.riley@mranet.org

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Event:            Advanced Communication Series - The Art and Science of Excellence

Dates:                   Friday, July 10, 2015, Friday, July 17, 2015 and Friday, August 7, 2015

Time:                    8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Where:                MRA- the Management Association

3800 Avenue of the Cities, Suite 100

Moline, IL  61265

 

Cost:                      $885 MRA members / $1,170 nonmembers

Push your communication skills to higher levels. In this advanced series, participants will learn how humans take in and process language and information and the ways language and information drive our thinking and behavior. This series will explore current cutting-edge science of the mind and its impact on language, behavior, understanding, and actions. This highly interactive series seeks to move information to awareness and then to action.

To register, or for more information on other MRA training, go to our new website at www.mranet.org/Training-Events, or contact Kathy Riley at 309.277.4186 or Kathy.riley@mranet.org

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Event:            Principles of Leadership Excellence Certificate Series

Dates:                   Thursday, July 9, 2015 through Thursday, December 3, 2015

Time:                    8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Where:                MRA- the Management Association

3800 Avenue of the Cities, Suite 100

Moline, IL  61265

 

Cost:                      $3,080 MRA members / $4,050 nonmembers

Success in today's business environment calls for a deep and broad leadership perspective.  Managing a workforce with diverse ages, values, and thinking styles is a daily challenge.  Increasing productivity with fewer resources calls for leaders with the know-how to help employees adapt to change.  Give your leaders the skills to foster innovation with increased employee engagement, and reduce silos of knowledge that result in turf protection.

Principles of Leadership Excellence (PLX) is a comprehensive, practical program that teaches what to do and how to do it, including

·         Highly interactive training methods, proven effective for adult learners

·         Inspiring instructors with real-world experience in the office, on the plant floor, and in the field

·         Continuous skill reinforcement through online resources and support between sessions

·         Sharp focus on skills that managers can put into practice the next day

Managers who participate in the PLX program experience a refreshing approach to management training. It's not a broad-brush, lecture-type series that's quickly forgotten in the reality of day-to-day work.  Designed by MRA, your trusted expert in adult learning, PLX delves frankly and deeply into challenging issues.

To register, or for more information on other MRA training, go to our new website at www.mranet.org/Training-Events, or contact Kathy Riley at 309.277.4186 or Kathy.riley@mranet.org

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Event:            Human Resource Professional Certificate Series

 

Dates & Times: Begins August 3, 2015 and runs weekly through August 24, 2015

Where:                MRA-The Management Association

3800 Avenue of the Cities - Suite 100

Moline, IL  61265

 

Cost:                       $1,100 MRA members / $1,490 nonmembers

 

Get your HRCI credits by attending.  This certificate series is designed specifically for those with at least 3 years of professional level HR experience and for experienced HR professionals looking to improve their overall technical and management knowledge. Prior completion of the Foundations for Human Resource Administration Certificate Series (or comparable coursework or experience) is strongly recommended.

Courses in this series:

To register, or for more information on other MRA training, go to our new website at www.mranet.org/Training-Events, or contact Kathy Riley at 309.277.4186 or Kathy.riley@mranet.org

About MRA-The Management Association
Founded in 1901, MRA-The Management is a not-for-profit employer association that serves more than 4,000 employers throughout the Midwest, covering 800,000+ employees. As one of the largest employer associations in the nation, MRA helps its member organizations thrive by creating powerful teams and safe, successful workplaces. MRA conducts more than 2,000 learning events each year. Members of MRA also receive access to expert guidance, best practices, professionally facilitated roundtables, essential tools, and dozens of business services in the areas of human resources and training. MRA is headquartered in Waukesha, Wis., and has regional offices in Palatine, Ill.; Moline, Ill.; and Plymouth, Minn. To learn more and to become a member of MRA, visit www.mranet.org.

 

 

04 May 2015

Smiddy to Host Community Education Forum

By Paul Ferrero
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - State Rep. Mike Smiddy, D-Hillsdale, will hold a Community Education Forum to discuss a variety of issues regarding public schools on Monday, May 4, at Moline High School located at 3600 Avenue of the Cities in Moline from 6:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m.
"I take the perspectives of my constituents very seriously when voting at the Capitol, and this event will give me a chance to better understand the local situation regarding education," Smiddy said. "As a father of two, I share all parents' passion for an education system that gives children a great start, and I'm looking forward to working with educators, parents and administrators to continue the fight for the resources our students and schools deserve."
Smiddy, the Regional Office of Education and several local superintendents will provide updates about the education climate in Springfield and the local area. The program will welcome questions from attendees and an open dialogue about how to strengthen Illinois schools.
The event is free and open to the public. For question, please call 309-848-9098 to speak with someone at Smiddy's full time constituent service office
04 May 2015

Loebsack Announces Winner of 2015 Congressional Art Contest People's Choice Award

By Rick Martin

"Navy Pier" by Kelsey Stamper to be displayed in U.S. Capitol

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack announced today that a pencil drawing by Kelsey Stamper, a senior at Keokuk High School, was selected to represent Iowa's Second Congressional District in the 2015 Congressional Art Contest. The People's Choice Award winner was selected in an online competition in which nearly 700 votes were cast. Stamper's winning drawing, "Navy Pier," was one of 50 entries from 12 different high schools in 10 counties. It will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol for one year and Stamper will receive a free trip to Washington, D.C. to attend the unveiling as well as a reception held to honor all of this year's winners.

"Each year I am more and more impressed by the creativity, ingenuity, and talent of our local high school students. I send my congratulations to all of the young artists whose wonderful submissions made it a very close contest this year. I especially want to congratulate Kelsey and look forward to welcoming her and her family to Washington and seeing her artwork hang in the U.S. Capitol," said Loebsack.

The artwork of the first and second runners-up will be displayed in Loebsack's district offices in Davenport and Iowa City. The first runner-up was a drawing by Rachel Warrick from Van Buren Community School entitled "Dad." The second runner-up was a painting by Crystal Wen from Iowa City West entitled "Willow Creek."

 

Winner:

Kelsey Stamper, Keokuk High School

"Navy Pier"

 

First Runner-up:

Rachel Warrick, Van Buren Community School

"Dad"

 

Second Runner-up:

Crystal Wen, Iowa City West

"Willow Creek"

 

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04 May 2015

Joel Lincoln to receive master's degree from ECU

By Brian Johnson

ADA, OK (05/01/2015)(readMedia)-- Joel Lincoln, of Stockton, IA, will be one of 155 East Central University students to receive their master's degrees at ECU's 2015 Spring Commencement Ceremony at 2 p.m., May 9.

Distinguished alumnus Todd Graham, the head football coach at Arizona State University, will be the keynote speaker.

04 May 2015

50th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Scott County Sheriff's Posse

By Pamela Bennett

Beginning May 1, 2015 until April 30, 2016, reserve deputies, and deputy sheriffs who used to be posse/reserve members, will be wearing a new badge that commemorates the 50 years since Sheriff Blackie Strout founded the Sheriff's Posse.


These badges will display a banner commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Sheriff's Posse.


The badges were purchased by the individual officers and will be kept by them as a memento of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Sheriff's Posse in Scott County.
04 May 2015

Growth of Ad Agencies

By Ginny Grimsley

Death of the Small- to Mid-Tier Agency Has Been Greatly Exaggerated

Since the 1980's, the anticipated shrinkage in numbers of the small- to mid-tier ad agencies (less than 100 people or so) has not happened. If anything, there are more of them! While worldwide mega-agency groups (starting with Saatchi & Saatchi back then) have continued to grow, merge, morph, and control more media dollars, the small, independent shops stubbornly remain. There are several reasons why even worldwide brands, as well as local or regional brands, prefer working with small- to mid-tier shops.

•  Relationships matter - Most businesses are small themselves, and those large enough to seek the help of an ad agency, PR firm or web shop prefer to do so, in most cases, with similarly-sized companies. In RFPs, a common question is about the agency's client roster and where the prospect's account would fit in the pecking order. Mattering to an agency's business translates to a certain amount of leverage, regardless of the added services or bench strength the larger agency promises it would give access to. All that added firepower that's promised sounds good, but in reality, how much will actually be used on your business?

•  The age of specialization - Almost as common as in the field of medicine, many small shops have become known for their areas of expertise, whether based on creative, or digital media, by client, or channel experience and reputation. Very often advertisers want the particular ingredient for which the small shop excels. It's not uncommon for marketing departments of larger advertisers to manage several "boutique" agencies to keep ideas fresh and flowing.

•  The digital age - The advent of personal computers and the Internet have been the great equalizer between large and small agencies. As long as a small shop stays current with technology, they can compete with agencies twice their size; provided the brain-power and desire is equal to the task. The search ability of the Internet, affordable survey programs, and niche market research available off the shelf, has also leveled the playing field of category knowledge and competitive intel.

•  An appreciation for experience - Make no mistake; the ad business is a young business. Always has been and always will be. That's because historically, many consumer brands (which constitute the bulk of advertising dollars) are aimed at a young adult demographic. But as the population has aged, the number of active, senior-level ad execs has also increased. Many of these are found as the hands-on ownership or leadership in small agencies that they themselves have started. Clients, in turn, benefit enormously from direct access to their tried and true wisdom and insight.

•  The end of the three-martini lunch - The move toward a more accountable approach to client service began in the 90's, as accounting systems and MBA's began to take hold. The recent Great Recession cemented this new, more austere reality. Clients, on the whole, are simply more overhead sensitive nowadays. They know intuitively they will ultimately be paying for all of those assistant's assistants, lavish offices, and entertainment. Small- to mid-tier agencies, on the other hand, run leaner operations out of necessity. And smart clients appreciate the obvious stewardship of money - their money.

•  Demand for better service - As the ad business has matured, the associated mystery and mystique has diminished to a certain extent. Clients are less inclined to suffer aloof, prima donna creative directors, disorganized media buyers or absent-minded account executives. They want and expect more service for their marketing dollar. They have seen "the man behind the curtain." It's been our experience that small- to mid-tier shops, even with smaller "bench depth," deliver as good if not better service for most clients than shops that are much larger.

About the Authors:

Over the last 35 years, Jim Lindsey has served as vice-chairman at several of the world's most powerful advertising agencies, including Saatchi & Saatchi Worldwide, McCaffrey & McCall, and Hill Holiday/Wakeman & DeForrest. He has been honored with more than 50 ADDY Awards, Clio Awards, and Golden Quill Awards and is a recipient of advertising's highest honor, The Silver Medal Award. He has managed hundreds of millions of dollars of advertising contracts on behalf of advertisers around the world.

Paul Friederichsen specializes in marketing strategy and award-winning creative direction and television campaigns for developing and launching brands. He has done so for The Home Depot, Dixie Crystals Sugar, ITT Technical Institutes, RCA and GE consumer electronics, among other category-leading clients. Paul has held executive creative positions at several top advertising firms, including Saatchi & Saatchi.

04 May 2015

LeClaire Chamber of Commerce Friday Announcements - 05/01/15

By LeClaire Chamber of Commerce

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS!

A Simpler Time - Old and New - Furniture and More Owner, Tammy Allen (formerly Primitive Cottage) 510 N. Cody Road, LeClaire.  Hrs: Monday -Closed, Tues & Thur -10-2, Wed.-Fri -Sat -10-5, Sunday 12-4. 563-289-1223

Kitzman Chiropractic and Acupuncture - Dr. Jay Kitzman - 1101 Canal Shore Dr., LeClaire. Dedicated to helping people regain and maintain control of their health through a holistic approach. 563-289-2166 http://www.kitzmanwellnesscenter.com/

Foxtail Hair Lounge - Owner, Holly Kitzman -1101 Canal Shore Dr., LeClaire. We believe in giving our customers the utmost care all the way down to smallest details. Services for men, women and children including haircare, facials and more. 563-289-2441 http://www.foxtailhairlounge.com/

CHAMBER NEWSLETTER

The June 2015 Chamber Newsletter will soon be in production to be delivered to Every Business and Home within the 52753 zipcode area!! Advertising rates remain: 1/8 page: $75; ¼ page: $100; ½ page: $125; full page: $250. If you commit to all 4 quarterly issues, receive a 10% discount off each ad! Ads can be modified per issue. Just send your ad information to LeClaireChamber@gmail.com and we will forward it on to House of Print for you. No cost assistance in developing an advertisement is available through House of Print. If you would rather work with House of Print directly, send your ad to HouseofPrint@mchsi.com, and please copy LeClaireChamber@gmail.com Deadline Wednesday, May 13th, 5:00 p.m. Chamber Members - Get the word out about your business or events and be ready for SUMMER!

 

CHAMBER NETWORKING EVENT

May 12th - Go Fish Marina Bar & Grill 5:30-7p.m. Everyone Welcome!

 

CALENDAR

May 1st - First Friday in LeClaire - 5-8p.m.

Antique Archaeology open until 6pm

Artswork open until 7pm

Aunt Hattie's is open late

Blue Iguana starts their Cinco de Mayo celebration early

Faithful Pilot Café & Spirits - Live music by Brad Brenny starting at 7:30pm

Grasshoppers will be open late

Isabel Bloom open until 7pm

Jones St Java House open until 7pm

Kernel Cody's Popcorn Shoppe open until 8pm

LeClaire Olive Oil Co. open until 8pm with oil/vinegar/dip sampling and more

Mississippi River Distilling Co. - Fun food and cocktail sampling and the second release of "Boetje's Bourbon Barrel Aged Mustard" and FREE pint glass with spirit purchase.

Razzleberries open late debuting recycled outdoor furniture made from old oil cans from Australia, new artwork by LeClaire artist, and ukuleles upcycled and handcrafted from cookie tins by local music lover.

Unique Recycled Creations open until 7pm with goodies

Urban Classic Home open until 7pm

Wide River Winery Tasting Room open until 7pm featuring samples of Buffalo chicken bites with Ms. D'Meanor White and Spring Fever

Restaurant specials, and many shops open late!

May 1st-5th - Blue Iguana - Cinco De Mayo Celebration Drink specials, live music!

Friday, May 1 - Salsa night with DJ Flacko and a new Drink Feature!

Saturday, May 2 - We bring back DJ Flacko to spin for Sangria Saturday!

Sunday, May 3rd - Kids Day! Bring the whole family out to enjoy Balloon Artists, Face Painting, a Piñata and more!

Monday, May 4 - Sit outside on our patio and enjoy the musical stylings of Jordan Danielson!

Tuesday, May 5 -(CINCO DE MAYO) enjoy the mariachi music of Trio de Colores!

May 1st-2nd - LeClaire Community Library's Annual Book Sale in the Community Room.

Now through May 21st - The LeClaire Community Library was selected as one of the locations around the Quad Cities to host one of the cellos for the Quad Cities Symphony Orchestra's 100 Years - 100 Cellos to celebrate the Symphony's 100th anniversary and world-renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma performing with the QCSO on May 14. Each cello is uniquely decorated by artists or organizations and will be displayed throughout the Quad Cities mid-April to mid-May. The Library Community Library is the only public place that will be hosting one of these cellos in the City of LeClaire.

May 2nd - Bierstube will be at the Leclaire's Farmers Market- Check out our booth & enjoy our sausage samples. Take home a LB of our sausages for only $5.50!

May 4th - Kris and John Kay, owners of Go Fish Marina Bar & Grill, will host "Coffee and Conversation" at the Princeton Community Center 8 - 10 A.M.  The Princeton Community Center Board welcomes individuals or businesses to host the monthly free coffee and open house.  Kris and John celebrated their second anniversary of ownership in April.  Everyone is welcome to enjoy a morning of good fellowship.

May 8th - Trivia Night Fundraiser at Snow Lodge 44 113 S. Cody Rd. 6p.m. Venture Crew 212, a youth organization for 14-21 year olds based in LeClaire, is raising money for a mission trip to Lima, Peru to build houses for families who live in poverty surrounding this South American Mecca. Please join them for a General Knowledge but with a Hippie themed costume contest - just for the fun of it! There will be a silent auction, raffles, and door prizes. Snacks will be available for purchase, but you can bring your own, too. Doors open at 6pm; trivia starts at 6:30pm. $10 per person; 8 people per table. Please reserve your table today: Emily@hammersofiowa.com or crousefamily@windstream.net or 563-940-8923.

May 8th - Bierstube - Karaoke 9pm-1am. Special Late Night Menu until 1a.m.!

May 9th - If you pre-ordered plants from The First Presbyterian Church, LeClaire,you can pick them up from 7:30-11:30 am. Plant Sale and Bake Sale, including egg rolls and chicken-fried rice. 7;30-11:30 am. 200 South 12th Street. Join us as we worship on Sunday, at 10 am!

May 10th - For Mother's Day - Isabel Bloom's new Garden Bloom Flowers! Available in pink, purple, green, turquoise and yellow! Or surprise Mom with their Angel with Roses or Bella - new designs that make a perfect addition to any home, patio or garden!

May 10th- Bierstube Mother's Day Brunch 7am- 1pm. Lunch menu at 11am. Adults (13+)- $13.95. 6-12 years old- $7.95. Kids 5 and under FREE. Bottomless mimosas available for $8 during breakfast!

 

May 10th - The Faithful Pilot Café & Spirits Mother's Day Brunch - 10am & 12:30pm seating. Three courses for $35 per person. Call 563-289-4156 for reservations.

 

May 10th - Steventon's - Mother's Day Brunch 10am.m-2p.m Please for reservations; 563-289-3600.

May 11th - 6 Week Outdoor Bootcamp at El Rio! Unlimited sessions throughout the week with a variety of workout formats starting May 11th.  Pre & Post assessments and pictures included. $49 for members and $99 for non-members.  Call or stop in and schedule with Lisa at "El Rio Spa & Wellness". 1000 Stagecoach Trail, 563-289-1344.

May 12th - Chamber Networking Event - Go Fish Marina Bar & Grill 5:30-7p.m. Everyone Welcome!

May 16th - Registration open for the 2015 LIVEFIT WITH LUPUS Race & Festival www.livefitwithlupus.org/ Click on 'Register Now' and select between the 1/2 Marathon, the new 10k race, the 5k or the Kids 1 Mile Fun Run! Sign up now to get the early bird rates.

May 16th - Trivia Night at the LeClaire Civic Center 127 S. Cody Road. Doors open at 6:30pm; Trivia starts at 7pm. 8-person teams; $10 per person. Everyone will be entered into a drawing for door prizes. Mulligans are 10 for $10. Each team may bring its own snacks, beer, wine, and soft drinks. Proceeds to benefit the LeClaire 4H Clovers. Call Debbie at 563-349-4403 or email Smith5Grand@gmail.com to reserve a table.

May 16th - Sketch & Improv Comedy Show - Princeton Community Center - 7:30p.m. Adult humor - ages 18+ only. Pre-Party and Post-Party at Go Fish Marina Bar & Grill. Tickets $20 online www.princtonplayers.org

May 18th - Economic Development Meeting City Hall 8:00a.m.

May 22nd - Bierstube Karaoke 9pm-1am. Special Late Night Menu until 1a.m.!

May 26th - An Afternoon of Euchre at the Princeton Community Center. Meet at 11:30 to order lunch from Go Fish! or just arrive by 12:45 for Euchre. Coffee and dessert provided. We play until 3:00p.m.  Bonnie Sparks-Gray 563-332-5951 for more information. Sponsored by Zion Lutheran Church and others.

SAVE THE DATE

 

June 5th - First Friday in LeClaire - 5-8p.m.

 

June 5th-6th - City Wide Garage Sales

Go to http://www.visitleclaire.com/garage_sale_signup.html by May 22 to list your garage sale. Garage Sale Guides will be available online at www.visitleclaire.com, at the LeClaire Information Center (122 N. Cody Road), LeClaire Community Library, and LeClaire City Hall by May 31st.

June 13th - Kid Picker's Flea Market More information to come. Rain date is June 14.

 

June 13th-21st - Buffalo Bill Museum is participating in Quad Cities' Museum Week. www.qcmuseumweek.com 199 N. Front Street, LeClaire, www.buffalobillmuseumleclaire.com Phone 563-289-5580.

 

June 12th - Bierstube - Karaoke 9pm-1am. Special Late Night Menu until 1a.m.!

June 20th - All You Need Is Love Music Festival LeClaire Pavilion and several downtown businesses - Live Music and more!

June 21st - Bierstube Father's Day Brunch 7am- 1pm. Lunch menu at 11am

Adults (13+)- $13.95.  6-12 years old- $7.95. Kids 5 and under FREE

Bottomless mimosas available for $8 during breakfast!

June 26th - Bierstube - Karaoke 9pm-1am Special Late Night Menu until 1a.m.!

 

June 27th - French Market Day

 

FYI

 

Jones St. Java House has fresh, tasty wraps for lunch in addition to morning pastries, coffee, tea, and other beverages.

Go Fish Marina Bar & Grill Summer Dinner Specials have started! Monday: Burger Baskets Tuesday: Tacos - Wednesday: 50 cent Wings - Thursday: BBQ Ribs - All day Sunday: Jumbo Peel 'n Eat Shrimp

Princeton Community Center The fourth Wednesday of each month through October we will have An Afternoon of Euchre beginning around 12:30 p.m.  Anyone interested in lunch can meet at 11:30 a.m. and we will order from Go Fish (lunch is on their own) and have it delivered to the Center with Euchre to start after that. Zion Lutheran co-sponsors the event.  There will be coffee and dessert included.  There will be no fee to play, just enjoy a fun afternoon near the Mississippi.

 

Faithful Pilot - April, May, June, July, and August

Mondays - Half Priced Martini's

Tuesdays - Tequila Tuesday $5.00 unique, and interesting tequila cocktails for $5.00

Wednesday - Half Priced Bottle of Wine Night

Thursday - $1.00 Oysters & Buckets of Beer on the patio

Saturday - Saturday Brunch 11-2 - yes Brunch is back at The Pilot on Saturdays!

Sunday - reserved for wine tastings and private events.

Join Crane & Pelican Café every Thursday evening from 5-9pm for Sliders & Suds. For $10, you get three gourmet sliders with their house made chips, and for $5 you get three 8 oz. sample pours of beer!

The Ascentra Credit Union Foundation will host its first fundraising event with the Inaugural Paul Lensmeyer Golf Outing on Sept. 28, 2015 at the Rock Island Arsenal Golf Club. The event will include a four-person scramble, box lunch and awards reception following the golf outing. Register now by visiting following the golf outing link on the foundation website located at www.ascentra.org/foundation.  Following the link, people can register to golf and companies may also partake in special sponsorship opportunities are still available. For more information, please contact Event Coordinator Ally Herr at 563-344-2279 or email mktg@ascentra.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. Board Meetings are held the 4th Tuesday of each month, 8a.m. at LeClaire City Hall.

SERVING THE COMMUNITY AND BEYOND

 

First Presbyterian Church, LeClaire Wednesday evening program: Halftime! For kids, 5-11 years old. It's half way through the week - and it's a time of fun for the kids. We meet from 5:30-7pm, every Wednesday - there is school, through May 6. We serve dinner, play games, have a lesson and a craft. Have your child join us for a week or two to see what we are doing. We are located across from Bridgeview Elementary School, at 200 South 12th street. For more information, call Pastor Melody at 563-381-7777.

Pick up the new 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.

PROPERTY LISTINGS

 

Riverview Apartment for Rent - Downtown LeClaire. One Bedroom. $1250/month. Call 563-940-3742 for more information.

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. Description: 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!

May 16th - Cars & Coffee - LeClaire Levee

June 5th-6th - City Wide Garage Sales

June 13th - Kid Picker's Flea Market (rain date, June 14th)

June 27th - French Market Day

Tug Fest - August 13-15

CHAMBER NETWORKING EVENTS - EVERYONE WELCOME!

May 12th - Go Fish - Evening - 5:30-7p.m.

June 9th - Big Dave and Holly's - Lunch - noon

July 14th - Blue Iguana - Lunch - noon

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