DAVENPORT, IA–Waste Commission of Scott County facilities will close at noon Wednesday, Dec. 24 and will remain closed Thursday, Dec. 25. Facilities will reopen Friday, Dec. 26. However, no appointments will be available for drop-off of household hazardous materials on Saturday, Dec. 27.

 

Facilities also will be closed Thursday, Jan. 1 and reopen Friday, Jan. 2.

 

Facilities include the following:

• Scott Area Recycling Center, 5640 Carey Ave., Davenport
• Scott Area Landfill, 11555 110th Ave., Davenport
• Scott Area Household Hazardous Material Facilities, Davenport and Buffalo
• Electronic Demanufacturing Facility, 1048 East 59th St., Davenport

Waste Commission of Scott County is an intergovernmental agency whose mission is to provide environmentally sound and economically feasible solid waste management for Scott County. For more information about the Commission, please call (563) 381-1300 or visit www.wastecom.com.

# # #

New manager Josh Bonifay joins returning pitching coach Dave Borkowski, hitting coach Joel Chimelis

DAVENPORT, Iowa (December 19, 2014) - The Quad Cities River Bandits will have a new field manager in 2015, the Midwest League club announced in conjunction with the Houston Astros on Friday. Josh Bonifay will lead the field staff that also includes returning pitching coach Dave Borkowski and hitting coach Joel Chimelis, who were both on the 2013 Midwest League Championship staff and have been on the coaching staff each season of the River Bandits' current affiliation with the Astros.

Bonifay will be a manager in the Astros organization for a third straight season and become the 35th manager for the Quad Cities franchise since it joined the Midwest League in 1960. In his first two seasons as a manager, Bonifay led the Greeneville Astros in the rookie-level Appalachian League. He was the Appalachian League Manager of the Year in 2013, when he led the club to its second-best record in franchise history and the Appalachian League Championship Series. Bonifay's teams are a combined 70-64 in the regular season and 2-3 in the playoffs. A native of Asheville, N.C., Bonifay joined the Astros organization in 2011 as Greeneville's hitting coach and was the hitting coach for Class-A Lexington in 2012, when he was named to the South Atlantic League Postseason All-Star Team as a coach. Bonifay, 36, began his coaching career as a player/coach in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization from 2007 to 2009, following his eight seasons as a professional player. The son of former Pittsburgh Pirates general manager and current Reds special assistant to the general manager Cam Bonifay, Josh was selected by the Pirates out of the University of North Carolina-Wilmington in the 24th round of the June 1999 draft. He played in the Pirates organization from 1999 to 2005 and played his final season with Double-A Corpus Christi in the Astros organization in 2006. In 812 professional games - at every position except shortstop and catcher - Bonifay posted a .284 batting average with 133 home runs and 516 RBI in his career.

Former major league pitcher Dave Borkowski will return for his third season as the River Bandits pitching coach and sixth as a coach in the Astros organization. Borkowski, 37, was the pitching coach of Lexington in 2011 and 2012, and the pitching coach of Greeneville in 2010. He also served as a pitching coach for Peoria in the Arizona Fall League during the fall of 2013, following a year in which the Quad Cities pitching staff issued the fewest walks (394) in the league and posted a 3.62 team ERA that was fourth-best among 16 teams to help lead the club to a Midwest League Championship. In 15 seasons (1995-2009) as a professional pitcher, Borkowski appeared in 181 Major League games (21 starts) and was 13-20 with one save and a 5.87 ERA in seven seasons with Detroit (1999-2001), Baltimore (2004), and Houston (2006-08). He had a career-high five wins with Houston in 2007. A native of Sterling Heights, Mich., Borkowski was selected in the 11th round of the June 1995 draft by Detroit, and he pitched in the Midwest League for the 1997 West Michigan Whitecaps.

Hitting coach Joel Chimelis will return for his third season with Quad Cities and 10th season as a hitting coach in the Astros organization. Last season, the River Bandits led the Midwest League in doubles (261), walks (510), on-base percentage (.340), slugging percentage (.408) and on-base plus slugging (.749). Chimelis, 47, will serve his 12th season overall as a minor league coach following a 14-season professional career. He has also coached in the Astros organization with short-season Class-A Tri-City (2006-10), Class-A Lexington (2011) and Double-A Corpus Christi (2012). Chimelis also won a championship with the Tri-City staff in 2010. He spent 2004 and 2005 with the Savannah Sand Gnats of the Washington Nationals (Montreal Expos in 2004) organization. A native of Brooklyn, N.Y., Chimelis played for Howard (Texas) Junior College and the University of Texas before being drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the 11th round of the 1988 Major League draft out of the University of Texas. He was a minor league infielder in the Athletics (1988-1991), San Francisco Giants (1991-1995) and New York Mets (1996) organizations and also played in Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Taiwan and Korea.

The River Bandits' new development specialist will be Tim Garland, who will focus on the development of the River Bandits outfielders, as well as the baserunning for all players on the club. He enters his third season in the Astros organization. He was the hitting coach for the Double-A Corpus Christi Hooks the past two seasons. Garland spent the first seven seasons as a minor league coach in the Oakland Athletics organization, debuting with the Midwest League's Kane County Cougars in 2006, before moving on to the Class-A Advanced Stockton Ports (2007-2010) and Double-A Midland RockHounds (2011-2012). Born in Baltimore, Md., Garland was selected by the New York Yankees in the 48th round of the 1989 Major League draft out of Pensacola (Fla.) Junior College. Garland went on to play 1,356 minor league games - primarily as an outfielder - across 15 seasons in the Yankees (1989-1992), San Francisco Giants (1996-1998), Baltimore Orioles (1998), and Oakland Athletics (1999) organizations, as well as independent teams in the Texas-Louisiana League, Atlantic League, Mexican League, Northern League and Central League.

Corey O'Brien enters his first season as the River Bandits' athletic trainer and fourth season with the Astros organization. He was the athletic trainer for Tri-City in 2014 and Greeneville in 2012 and 2013. Prior to joining the Astros, O'Brien was the athletic trainer for the Joliet (Ill.) Slammers, an Independent Professional Baseball team that won the Frontier League cup in the team's inaugural season of 2011. O'Brien earned his bachelor of science degree in athletic training at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and worked as an intern athletic trainer for the Rochester Honkers of the Northwoods League in 2008 and at the Minnesota Twins' Spring Training in 2009. He went on to earn his master's degree in education in health, physical education and recreation at Delta State (Miss.) University, where he was also a graduate assistant athletic trainer.

Dwayne Peterson enters his first season as the River Bandits' strength and conditioning coach after his first season in the Astros organization in 2014 with Greeneville. Prior to joining the Astros, Peterson completed strength and conditioning internships with Northern Kentucky University and the College of Mount St. Joseph (Ohio). He graduated with a bachelor of science degree in exercise science from Northern Kentucky University in 2013, and he is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) as well as a USA Weightlifting (USAW) Level 1 Sports Performance Coach.

The River Bandits open the 2015 Midwest League season Thursday, April 9, at 7 p.m. in Peoria and begin their home schedule with a 1:15 p.m. game against Clinton on Sunday, April 12, at Modern Woodmen Park. Eight of the Houston Astros' top 10 prospects, according to Baseball America, played for the River Bandits during the last two seasons.

UP NEXT: Save money and enjoy exclusive benefits as a ticket plan holder for the 2015 River Bandits season at Modern Woodmen Park. With a ticket plan of 12 to 70 games, receive free parking, merchandise discounts, guaranteed giveaways and more. Call 563-324-3000 to speak with a River Bandits account representative and lock in seats for the upcoming season.

ABOUT THE BANDITS: The River Bandits ownership in 2014 made one of the biggest improvements to Modern Woodmen Park since the ballpark was first built back in 1931! A new Ferris wheel, standing 105 feet over the playing field, opened May 24, Space Camp opened June 20; the new Drop'N Twist debuted in July; and the newly expanded 300-foot long zip line also reopened.

***

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS!

Hope Church - 709 Wisconsin Street, founded in LeClaire in 1931.  Pastor Matthew Darnell and Children's Pastor, Bridget Darnell, invite you to Wednesday Service 6pm and Sunday Service 10am. 563-289-4650 www.hope-church-le-claire.org

Everfield - Stephanie Hasakis.110 N. Cody Road, LeClaire. Everfield is a clean beauty and personal care boutique specializing in high quality cruelty free, organic, vegan, and natural products. View Our Product Lines at shopeverfield.com. Email info@shopeverfield.com - phone 563-289-2523. Be kind, be beautiful.

ANNUAL AWARDS BALLOT

All LeClaire Chamber of Commerce Members are invited to vote for the 2014 Annual Awards Recipients and for the 2015 Chamber Board of Directors. Please go to www.leclairechamber.com and click on 2014 Annual Awards Ballot. Only one vote allowed per membership, please. Deadline to vote, December 22, 2014, 11:59 p.m. Award Winners for 2014 will be announced and the 2015 Chamber Board will be introduced at the Annual Awards Dinner, Saturday, January 31, 2015, Steventon's, LeClaire. Thank you for your participation!

CHAMBER MEMBERSHIP

It is time to renew your membership for 2015! Membership forms have been mailed out, or you can renew your membership by going to www.leclairechamber.com and pay via Pay Pal. If you did not receive a letter and form by mail, please contact the Chamber at LeClaireChamber@gmail.com and they will be immediately sent to you!

CALENDAR

Now - January 4^th - Enright's Super Wash Annual Holiday Promotion Automatic carwash tokens are now on sale - 5 for $20!  Each token a $6.50 value. Cash, check or credit cards accepted.  Stop in and see Henry or Dennis 8:30-10:00 Mon-Fri and 8:30-3:00 weekends, subject to weather. Sign up to win carwashes and more! Weekly winners will be posted on our reader board.  Our carwash tokens make Great Holiday Gifts!

 

December 1st -20th LeClaire Community Library - Handmade Ornament Contest Bring your hand-made ornament to the library's circulation counter. All ornaments must be handmade (no store bought items, please!) and turned in before the end of the day, December 20th. Winner will be selected December 22nd. All participants are welcome to pick-up their ornament after the contest is over, or they may donate their item to the library so they can be displayed in the years to come.

 

As of December 13^th - Bierstube - Twelve Days of Christmas! Join us for 12 days of specials starting December 13th! New specialty items everyday leading up to Christmas!

 

December 21^st - Zion Lutheran Church Sunday School Christmas Program - Princeton 4:00 p.m.  All are invited to attend and hear the children present the story of Christ's birth in a way rarely seen.  Cookies and punch will be served afterwards.

 

December 21^st - First Presbyterian Church, LeClaire Children's Christmas Program and worship, 10 a.m.

December 21st -Faithful Pilot - Holiday Wine Tasting 3:00-5:00 15 wines for $15.00 only 40 glasses available, and of course Chef bites as well. 563-289-4156

 

December 24^th - First Presbyterian Church, LeClaire - Christmas Eve Worship 11a.m. with communion and potluck lunch afterward. Christmas Eve Candlelight Service with communion at 7 p.m.

 

December 24^th - Zion Lutheran Church, Princeton - Christmas Eve Service 5:00 p.m.  All are invited to attend.

 

December 24th - Asbury Methodist Church - Christmas Eve and Candlelight Services - 5:00, 7:30 and 10:00 p.m. 1809 Mississippi Blvd, Bettendorf.

 

December 24^th-25^th - Faithful Pilot closed

 

December 26^th - Wide River Winery - Annual Customer Appreciation Party! We are grateful to you for your continued support of the winery. Thank you for visiting the tasting rooms in Clinton & Le Claire and the Wide River Inn in Le Claire and all of the stores that carry our wine throughout IA and IL.  You are invited to join the party on Friday, December 26! Bring family and friends to our annual customer appreciation party in Clinton and enjoy complimentary wine tastings, savory pairings with samples of appetizers and desserts and live music with The Old 57's from 2-5pm. Take advantage of the secret sales and special giveaways. Enjoy a safe and happy holiday season! For more details call 563-519-9463 www.WideRiverWinery.com

 

December 28^th - First Presbyterian Church, LeClaire We return to our study of The Story, chapter 13.

 

December 31st - New Year's Eve at Faithful Pilot Seating at 6:00 & 8:30 $75.00 per person to include 4 courses.  Option for $25.00 Wine Pairing or $25.00 Beer Pairing. *Please note a credit card is required to make reservation and will be charged $25.00 for a no show.  *Not valid with any other promotion, coupon, or discount. 563-289-4156

 

December 31^st - New Year's Eve at Steventon's in LeClaire. It's never too early to start planning your New Year's Eve! Join us at Steventon's for our Annual New Year's Eve Event. Enjoy live music provided by Hap Hazard, drinks appetizers, and our Champagne toast at Midnight! Tickets are limited for this exclusive event. Order yours before they're all gone! 563-289-3600

 

December 31^st - First Presbyterian Church, LeClaire - New Year's Eve Party! For all ages. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Bring snack and game to share. 8p.m.-12:15a.m.

 

SAVE THE DATE

January 1^st - Faithful Pilot closed

 

January 7^th - First Presbyterian Church, LeClaire - Halftime! Our Wednesday night program for children from Kindergarten thru 5th grade begins again at 5:30 pm. All are welcome to our time of dinner, games, lesson, song and snack. This program will meet nearly every Wednesday from 5:30-7pm. Children are invited to come occasionally or every week.

January 16^th-19^th - Be a Tourist in Your Own Backyard!

January 17^th - Trivia Night at the LeClaire Civic Center. 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. Call Debbie at 563-349-4403 or email Smith73075@aol.com to reserve a table.

January 31^st, 2015 - LeClaire Chamber of Commerce Annual Awards Dinner - Steventon's. Information available soon.

 

FYI

First Central State Bank is pleased to announce they will be part of Ohnward Bancshares' college leadership internship program for the summer of 2015.  There will be a total of five positions available for college students entering their sophomore, junior or senior years.   Actual positions will be available in each of Ohnwards' member organizations including First Central State Bank with offices in DeWitt, Long Grove, LeClaire and Eldridge. These unique opportunities will combine having hands on experience with assignments in our banks as well as 1.5 days a week focused on leadership development.  Positions will be available for application beginning January 1 at www.ohnward.com, under employment opportunities.  If you have any questions, please contact First Central State Bank, or or call Ohnward Bancshares Human Resource department at 563-652-7822.

It is time again for the River Valley Optimist Club to offer their FREE basketball clinic to children grades 3-6 in the LeClaire/Bettendorf area. The clinic will be held Saturdays beginning January 31, 2015 and ending on March 7, 2015. The sessions are one hour in length and will teach basketball fundamentals while having FUN! Registration is limited so sign-up soon! Please contact Josselyn Smith at josselyn.e.smith@gmail.com or call 563-723-1877, or check out the RVOC Facebook page under River Valley Optimist Club for more information. We hope to see you there!

Ascentra Honored as 500th Branch in Regional Network of Branches. With access to over 5,000 locations, Ascentra Credit Union has joined forces with other credit unions in several states offering members more convenience by sharing locations. Shared branching is a national network of credit unions that have opened their branches to members of other credit unions.  Members can walk in and do their banking just like they would at their own credit union.  "To be the 500th shared branch of CUSN is an important milestone for Ascentra which speaks to the cooperative spirit of the credit union movement," President and CEO Dale Owen said.  "Together all shared branching credit unions now have a footprint as prominent as the largest banks in the country."

In honor of the holidays, Riverbend Signworks "updater" is a little different this time!http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Merry-Christmas----and-a-look-back-in-time-.html?soid=1111968629442&aid=1_k3cR3TZYw

Tired of dealing with messy entryways? Perhaps NOW is the time to put in a tiled floor that is both beautiful and easier to take care of. Call LeClaire Home Improvement and Construction at 563-381-7778 today to schedule a meeting to discuss ideas and solutions. We have an artisan tile layer on staff who will transform your entryway or any other room into a thing of beauty.

 

Faithful Pilot is open Sundays 12-5 - Wednesdays Half Priced Wine Night!

Stop by Steventon's every Sunday to experience our breathtaking view of the Mississippi River while enjoying our brunch menu. Our brunch menu offers a variety of options to satisfy the whole family. Only $12.95 adults / $6.00 children 10 & under.

The Crane & Pelican will be featuring a special Sliders & Suds menu on Thursday nights from 5pm-9pm. Every Thursday night you can come get 3 gourmet sliders and hand-cut chips for $10 and 3 8oz sample pours of our delicious beers for $5.The menu will change monthly and will be posted at www.craneandpelican.com

 

Starting December 1^st, Bierstube will only be open for breakfast on Saturdays and Sundays, 7am-11am (we will reopen daily for breakfast in the Spring)

Big Dave and Holly's hours and specials: Open 11am-8pm Monday-Saturday; closed on Sunday for the Winter. Weekday specials are: Monday - Meatloaf, Tuesday - Tacos, Wednesday - Sweet Apple Pork, Thursday - Jambalaya, and Friday - Open Faced Hot Roast Beef Sandwich. They also have fresh "Holly-Made" pies and soup daily and are available to cater your party. Holiday Hours: will close at 4pm on Christmas Eve & New Year's Eve and will be closed Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

Blue Iguana's Winter hours: closed on Mondays; open Tuesday - Thursday 11am-8pm; Friday and Saturday 11am-9pm and Sunday 11am-8pm. They will be closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

The Buffalo Bill Museum will be open winter hours, every day from 9am-4pm and Sunday from noon-4pm. Closed on Christmas Day. Visit their gift shop for great gift ideas!

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 4^th Tuesday of each month, 8a.m. at LeClaire City Hall.

 

There will be no Economic Development meeting in December.

 

SERVING THE COMMUNITY AND BEYOND

From the First Presbyterian Church, LeClaire to you and your family: May you and your family receive God's deep blessing, Love, this year and throughout 2015! Please join us at the First Presbyterian Church in LeClaire, 200 S. 12th Street; across from Bridgeview Elementary School. We dress casually and welcome children of all ages. Noisy babies and children are welcome in worship (we consider their noise to be a joyful song to the Lord) or, if parents prefer, in our nursery, which is staffed by 2 loving adults.

First Presbyterian Church, LeClaire - Halftime! Our Wednesday night program for children from Kindergarten thru 5th grade begins again at 5:30 pm. All are welcome to our time of dinner, games, lesson, song and snack. This program will meet nearly every Wednesday from 5:30-7pm. Children are invited to come occasionally or every week.

First Presbyterian Church, LeClaire Men's group Saturday at 7:30 am at church; there are donuts, coffee, discussion and Bible Study, plus really great guys! What more could you ask?

 

LeClaire Information Center Volunteers Needed! Contact Cindy Bruhn at info@visitleclaire.com or 563-650-7963 to volunteer.

 

PROPERTY LISTINGS

Commercial Property for Sale 510 N. Cody Road. Contact William Robertson (563) 940-1517 billrobertson@ruhl-ruhl.com

For Rent 118 N. Cody Road, includes employee parking and trash service.  Contact Terri Applegate at 563 271-6800 or 563-289-2525.

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

Park Run Apartments/Newbury Living complex - 1, 2, & 3 Bedrooms Available - 1701 Iowa Drive, LeClaire, Iowa 52753. 1 BR, 2 BR or 3 BR unit. Call (563) 289-5159 more information today!

LeClaire Events Coming Up!

January 31 - LeClaire Chamber Annual Awards Dinner - Steventon's

 

Chamber Networking Events - Everyone Welcome!

Dates and Places to be Announced for 2015

Early registration for the 2015 Bandits Race to Home 5K and Fun Run presented by Palmer Chiropractic Clinics is available through Dec. 31. For just $20, each participant who registers early will receive a T-shirt, a ticket to a 2015 River Bandits game, and be entered into a drawing for a free suite rental for 16 people at an April or May 2015 Monday through Thursday home game. Race proceeds benefit the Bandit Scholars Program, which annually awards two Bandit Scholarships to cover the entire first year of college tuition for Quad Cities-area students. More »