22 Sep 2014

Braley for Iowa Launches the Braley Truth Team

By Sam Lau
Truth Team will fight the smears and set the record straight on Bruce's record standing up for Iowa

Des Moines, IA - With just 46 days to go until Election Day and given Bruce Braley's building momentum, Iowans can expect the misleading and false attacks from state Sen. Joni Ernst and her Koch brother allies to ratchet up in the coming weeks. To fight the smears, today Braley for Iowa launched the Braley Truth Team to set the record straight on Bruce's record standing up for Iowa.

Iowans can learn the truth about Bruce Braley's record and find out more about how to join the Truth Team by visiting the following website: http://www.brucebraley.com/truth-team/

The Truth Team will engage Iowans who want to help push back against the distortions of Braley's record and let Iowans know the truth. Through the use of videos, graphics, blogs, and plain and simple facts, the Truth Team will fight against the false attacks coming from Ernst and her allies and ensure Iowans have the facts on Braley's record of delivering results for Iowa.

"While state Sen. Joni Ernst and her Koch brother allies will continue to spend millions of dollars on false and misleading attacks against Bruce Braley, they can't change the truth of Bruce's record standing up for Iowa," said Braley for Iowa campaign manager Sarah Benzing. "The Braley Truth Team will fight these baseless smears and ensure Iowans have the facts on where Bruce stands and what he's accomplished for Iowa."

More than $14 million in outside money has already been spent this cycle to defeat Bruce Braley, including over $8.5 million from the oil billionaire Koch brothers network who want to buy Iowa's U.S. Senate seat to fulfill their anti-Iowa agenda. Time after time, these attacks against Bruce have been rated false by independent fact checkers, and the Truth Team will aggressively make sure the facts on Bruce's record are shared with Iowans.

Yesterday, Braley for Iowa released a new television advertisement that responded to the latest false attacks from Ernst and the Koch brothers on Bruce's voting record. The truth is Bruce Braley has a 95% voting record in Congress, and he has consistently delivered results for Iowa's veterans, like when he stood up to the Pentagon to ensure members of the Iowa National Guard received the benefits they had earned, and worked to get the Department of Defense to change the way they dealt with domestic violence and sexual assault in their ranks. However, excluding the time that she was serving in the National Guard, Ernst missed 36 percent of her votes this year in the Iowa Senate while she was being paid to show up to work.

# # #
22 Sep 2014

Loebsack, Blumenauer Introduce Bill to Bring Stability, Certainty to Clean Energy Industry

By Joe Hand

Washington, D.C. - Today, Representatives Dave Loebsack (IA-02) and Earl Blumenauer (OR-03), along with 16 other members of Congress, introduced H.R. 5559, the Bridge to a Clean Energy Future Act of 2014. The bill would extend critical incentives to provide market certainty and to strengthen investment in clean energy such as extending Production Tax Credit for wind energy through 2016, offering parity with the Investment Tax Credit enjoyed by solar energy investments, and granting the solar industry the same access to credits at the start of a project's construction that the wind industry has. For additional information, click here.

Wind and solar energy are clean, renewable, and American.  Creating a tax landscape for renewables that allows them to compete fairly in the market with other energy sources benefits the country by creating a healthier environment and thousands of jobs. It also puts renewable energy on an equal footing with traditional fossil fuels, giving consumers real choice about how they want to power their homes and their lives.

"The Production Tax Credit has helped the still-growing U.S. wind energy industry employ 80,000 Americans, including thousands of Iowans," said Loebsack. "Like all businesses, the wind energy sector needs stability and predictability so long term investments and business decisions can be made. The continued expiration of the PTC causes slow-downs at manufacturing facilities and could lead to additional lay-offs. For our nation to move towards energy independence and continued job growth, we need to prioritize clean energy like wind and act immediately to pass this extension of the PTC."

"I'm eager to push this across the finish line this Congress," said Blumenauer. "My state of Oregon is a leader in renewable energy technologies, and Dave's state of Iowa is the second largest wind energy producer in the nation, so we understand the importance of stability and security in the clean energy sector. His help will be important in advancing this legislation. Making sure these energy sources are on an even playing field with the fossil fuel industry is essential to lowering carbon emissions, creating a cleaner environment, and creating good, non-exportable American jobs."

In addition to developing domestic sources of clean energy, strengthening the finance environment for the construction and development of renewable energy installations strengthens the US economy by employing American workers, and supporting American manufacturers. From a strong base at home, American clean energy firms are also able to export this technology around the world, creating new markets for American expertise.

###
22 Sep 2014

BHC celebrates 45 years of providing Adult Ed classes

By Holly Smith

Black Hawk College is celebrating National Adult Education Week Sept. 22-28.

Each year, approximately 1,600 students enroll in GED completion and non-credit English as a Second Language (ESL) classes at Black Hawk College.

Approximately 30 million Americans age 25 and older have not earned a high school diploma or equivalent, and 93 million function below the high school level.

Adult Education programs serve individuals age 16 and older who need to improve their basic skills with an emphasis on literacy, mathematics and English language proficiency.

Black Hawk College provides Adult Education classes at no cost to students who qualify.

Instructors work with each student to design an individual learning plan that aligns to his/her goals, such as to:

  • Get, retain or advance in a job.
  • Get off public assistance and earn a family-sustaining income.
  • Complete high school or obtain a GED certificate.
  • Transfer to a community college or training program.
  • Help their children succeed in school.
  • Manage their family's health care.
  • Learn English, understand U.S. culture and be an informed citizen.

Black Hawk College began serving adult learners on July 1, 1969. Today, the Black Hawk College Adult Education program provides instruction in Adult Basic Education (ABE), Adult Secondary Education (ASE), high school credit and English as a Second Language (ESL).

For more information, call 309-796-8216.

Chicago man moves to QC, pursues GED at BHC

Vernon Owens is a man who decided to change his life.

He grew up in a family where education was not a high priority. For many years, the lack of a high school diploma was no big deal for him. He had street smarts, and in Chicago they served him well to keep him alive. He held various short-term jobs, but never really thought about the future or a career.

Eventually he realized that his lack of formal education and his bad habits would never get him ahead in life. He decided to leave his family and friends in Chicago and move to the Quad Cities.

In February, at the age of 56, Vernon Owens earned his GED. He was asked to be the guest speaker at the June 12 Black Hawk College GED and High School Graduation Celebration.

Owens talked about how he was "thrown out of high school for reasons such as fighting and playing hooky. I started running with the wrong crowds, picked up some bad habits and lost my way."

"Education just didn't seem important at the time," he said.

"But I now know what it feels like to be a graduate. Not just any graduate, but a GED graduate. One of endurance, one of persistence, one who now knows that with an education comes many opportunities," Owens said.
22 Sep 2014

Obama Administration Announces Competition to Designate Next Round of Promise Zones

By USDA Office of Communications

WASHINGTON, Sept. 19, 2014 - U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, joined U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Julian Castro, U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx, and Education Secretary Arne Duncan to announce a competition to designate a new round of Promise Zones. These Promise Zones are part of the President's plan to create a new pathway to the middle class by partnering with local communities and businesses to create jobs, increase economic security, improve educational opportunities, and reduce violent crime.

Urban, rural, and tribal communities nationwide will be invited to put forward a plan to partner with local business and community leaders to make evidence-based investments that reward hard work and expand opportunity. In exchange, these designees will receive priority access to federal investments that further their strategic plans, federal staff on the ground to help them implement their goals, and five full-time AmeriCorps VISTA members to recruit and manage volunteers and strengthen the capacity of the Promise Zone initiatives.

"The Promise Zones initiative allows us to work directly with local leaders and organizations to meet a community's specific needs," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. "In the current Promise Zones, especially in rural and tribal areas, we are seeing how effective it can be when we work in a coordinated way to address economic and social challenges. We've seen economic recovery strategies like this create jobs and opportunity through USDA's community-based StrikeForce Initiative and Promise Zones build on this success."

"As a former mayor of an urban Promise Zone community, I have a unique appreciation for the talent, passion and the vision that local leaders offer when working to turn their communities around," said HUD Secretary Julian Castro. "Promise Zones are about giving folks who have been underserved for far too long the opportunity to build stronger neighborhoods and more prosperous lives. At HUD, we're honored to give other communities the opportunity to transform their futures so this work can continue across the country."

"As a former mayor, I know the difference that can be made when federal agencies work together to cut through red tape and deliver strategic solutions that address a community's needs," said Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. "The Department of Transportation is proud to work alongside other agencies to make sure communities not only offer good homes, thriving businesses and a clean environment, but an efficient transportation system so its people can enjoy them all, too."

Education Secretary Arne Duncan added, "At the heart of every strong community is a great school, but schools can't do it alone - it takes the whole community to help improve outcomes for students in school and in life. Promise Zones create real pathways to success for families in our most impoverished communities across the country by attracting private investment, increasing affordable housing, improving educational opportunities and assisting local leaders in cutting through red tape. I am excited to join our interagency partners in announcing this new opportunity for communities to become a Promise Zone."

Each Promise Zone selected will have demonstrated that local leaders, business leaders, state, tribal and local officials; faith-based and non-profit organizations; children and parents are collaborating effectively to ensure that hard work leads to a decent living for every American, in every community.

In 2009, after a generation of sometimes counterproductive and often contradictory federal engagement that was creating obstacles to greater shared prosperity, local communities across the country demanded a more effective and responsive federal government partner to create new pathways to the middle class. To meet this demand, the Obama Administration adopted a variety of unprecedented place-based efforts to promote economic opportunity and accelerate economic growth by explicitly connecting key federal programs that support such growth, such as education, housing, economic development, and infrastructure, with locally-devised strategies for broadly shared regional growth.

In January of this year, President Obama announced the first five Promise Zones: San Antonio, TX, Los Angeles, CA, Philadelphia, PA, Southeastern Kentucky Highlands and the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. The work being done in these communities is already helping to move the needle in key areas. For example, graduation rates have reached 90 percent in the San Antonio Promise Zone; 2,000 kids in Los Angeles were able to find a summer job through a youth employment initiative; 900 unemployed people in Southeastern Kentucky have been connected to a job; and over 700 households and 50 businesses in remote southeast Oklahoma will soon have access to clean, safe drinking water for the first time. Today's announcement of a new Promise Zone competition will help bring similar success to high-poverty communities across the country.

Any community meeting the qualifying criteria can apply for a designation, regardless of whether it has a previous federal grant. HUD and USDA will designate at least 8 Promise Zones across urban, rural and tribal communities. The deadline for submitting Promise Zone applications is November 21, 2014.

HUD in close collaboration with USDA will convene three distinct webcasts for urban, rural, and tribal to discuss the second round of the Promise Zone Initiative with interested communities.

Dates and times are as follows:

  • Tribal Webcast, September 29th, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
  • Rural Webcast, September 29th, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
  • Urban Webcast, October 1, 2014, 3:00pm - 4:00pm

More information about the Promise Zone initiative and how to apply is available at: www.hud.gov/promisezones.

#

22 Sep 2014

From Framebuilder to Joybox Express Builder

By Lynn Bartenhagen

How Mr. B's Piano Bike Dream was Built into Reality

Ann Arbor, MI - Nationally known bicycle frame builder Mark Nobilette is the man responsible for building the custom piano-bike that is currently traveling on Mr. B's Joybox Express Mississippi River Road Ride, an epic 2,000 mile journey from Lake Itasca, MN to New Orleans, LA.  As a custom frame builder he has built it all from professional racing bikes to pedicabs.  But jazz and blues musician and amateur athlete Mark Braun put him up to a challenge he had never been given before - to build a bike that could pull a full-upright piano.

Mark "Mr. B" Braun, an internationally recognized jazz and blues pianist, dreamt up a whimsical concept of a piano-on-wheels which results from a personal lifetime passion for arts and athletics.  "I am convinced that I am a better musician because I have always been active in sports.  A lot of people find art and athletics to be mutually exclusive, but I see clearly how both played a pivotal role as I learned valuable life lessons about endurance, ambition, passion, failure and achievement.  I started the Mr. B's Joybox Express as a vehicle to spread the joy of music and movement and help communities raise support for youth arts and athletics programs." said Braun.  When he decided to make this dream into a reality he knew just who he needed for the job; his local custom bicycle frame builder Mark Nobilette.

Nobilette was a part of the reemergence of bicycle frame building in the United States in the 1970s.  He studied with and learned his craft from the esteemed frame builder Albert Eisentraut who was referred to as the dean of modern USA (post Korean War) custom frame builders.  In the early 1990s Nobilette was building frames at Cycle Cellar in Ann Arbor, MI.  It was here that he first met Mr. B. "[H]e brought up this subject of a piano on a bike.  I kind of thought he was nuts," Nobilette said.

Eventually, Nobilette moved to Longmont, CO to start his own frame building business: Nobilette Cycle.  Several years later he and Mr. B reconnected and the idea of the piano bike resurfaced.  By this point, Nobilette had done some work for Main Street Pedicabs in Denver, CO building the rickshaw-like structures used as taxis.  He realized that an extended version of a pedicab could be a great design for Mr. B's piano bike.  This time Nobilette's response to Mr. B was different, "Yeah, let's do it!  No reason we can't."

So began the creation of Mr. B's Joybox Express, a custom-made tricycle capable of hauling a 387 lb. piano.  Nobilette's major concern in the construction was how to make it safely carry 500-600 lbs. (the weight of the piano plus the platform).  Also, the platform needed to be stable so the piano would not be bounced out of tune while traveling.  To solve these two obstacles, Nobilette equipped the bike with shock absorbers as well as places in the back for two more riders to attach their bike frames (minus the front wheel) to assist in pushing.  After lots of thought and energy the construction was a success.  In fact, Nobilette's original model of Mr. B's Joybox Express is traveling down the Blues Highway right now!

The collaboration of the talents of musician Mr. B and bicycle frame builder Mark Nobilette made the dream of a piano bike come to life.  Mr. B's Joybox Express is currently traveling along the Blues Highway to parade, educate and share the sounds of blues, jazz and boogie-woogie tunes performed by the Mr. B's Joybox Express Band.

Below are the locations and tentative dates for the remainder of the tour:


Galena, IL, 9/27/14

Muscatine, IA, 09/28-29/14

Burlington, IA, 10/7/14

St. Louis, MO, 10/15/14

Hickman, KY, 10/22/14

Osceola, AR, 10/25/14

Memphis, TN, 10/30/14

Clarksdale, MS, 11/2/14

Yazoo City, MS, 11/5/14

Baton Rouge, LA, 11/12/14

New Orleans, LA, 11/15/14

 

Communities interested in hosting Mr. B's Joybox Express should contact Artrain at 734.747.8300 or JoyboxExpress@ArtrainUSA.org.  Artrain, Inc. is producing Mr. B's Joybox Express Mississippi River Road Ride.  For more than 40 years Artrain, headquartered in Ann Arbor, MI, has delivered world class arts and cultural exhibitions and education programs to under-resourced communities throughout the United States.  Winner of the National Medal for Museum Service, Artrain's mission is to deliver discovery and - through the galvanizing power of arts and culture - transform lives, organizations and communities.  Originally Artrain was a museum-on-a-train that used America's rail system to deliver art exhibitions.  Today Artrain produces and delivers cultural outreach programs of all types - art, cultural, history, science, environment, etc. - to people in villages, towns and cities through a variety of methods including mobile touring exhibitions and cultural education and engagement programs.  Artrain's current projects include : Mr. B's Joybox Express; CriticCar Detroit, Infinite Mirror: Images of American Identity; and Paths to Peace: A War of 1812 Arts Legacy Project.

Artrain and Mr. B's Joybox Express are supported by hundreds of individuals, businesses and, in part, by the National Endowment for the Arts, the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs and Wells Fargo Foundation.

For more information contact Artrain at 734.747.8300, JoyboxExpress@ArtrainUSA.org, www.ArtrainUSA.org or www.JoyboxExpress.com.

 

###

22 Sep 2014

KWQC-TV6 sponsors and moderates three live debates in prime time

By Garry Lee Wright

KWQC-TV6, the top-rated NBC affiliate in Eastern Iowa & Western Illinois, is producing three "Decision 2014" debates for critical races in Iowa.  Each debate will air during network prime time.

·         Saturday, September 20th, from 7-8pm: Iowa Gubernatorial candidates Gov. Terry Branstad (R) and State Sen. Jack Hatch (D) debate live from Edward Stone Middle School in Burlington, IA.  Topics of discussion include economic prosperity and job creation.  The debate is presented in partnership with the Burlington Hawk Eye newspaper and Greater Burlington Partnership.  In addition to broadcasting on KWQC-TV 6.1, the debate will be simulcast on kwqc.com, thehawkeye.com and C-Span.

·         Saturday, October 11th, from 7-8pm:  U.S Senate candidates Rep. Bruce Braley (D) and State Sen. Joni Ernst (R).  Live from The Galvin Fine Arts Center in Davenport, hosted by St. Ambrose University and in partnership with The Quad-City Times, this debate has taken on national importance as the outcome may very well decide control of the U.S. Senate.  The debates will stream on kwqc.com and qctimes.com.  KWQC-TV6 is also providing a live feed to Waterloo station KWWL, which will also carry the live broadcast.

·         Saturday, October 11th, from 4-5pm (airing from 8-9pm): The 2nd Congressional District debate between Rep. Dave Loebsack (D) and Dr. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R) will be recorded live at 4pm from the Galvin Fine Arts Center in Davenport and air at 8 p.m. on KWQC-TV6, following that evening's Senate debate.  The Congressional debate, produced by KWQC-TV6, is also hosted by St. Ambrose University, in partnership with The Quad-City Times.

KWQC-TV6 anchor Gary Metivier will moderate each debate and lead a panel of political experts in asking questions on key issues impacting Eastern Iowa, the state, and the country.

"KWQC is proud and honored to present the candidates in a live forum so close to Election Day," said KWQC-TV6 VP/General Manager Ken Freedman.  "Giving our communities the chance to hear directly from the candidates, addressing issues affecting them in a format other than thirty-second political ads will help create a more informed electorate," Freedman said.

KWQC-TV6 News Director Rich Kurz said, "KWQC covers the issues that affect our region better that anyone and we're pleased the candidates accepted our offer of a prime time forum to speak directly to each other and address the critical issues of our time."

About Media General
Media General, Inc. is a leading local television broadcasting and digital media company, providing top-rated news, information and entertainment in strong markets across the U.S. The company owns or operates 31 network-affiliated broadcast television stations and their associated digital media and mobile platforms, in 28 markets. These stations reach 16.5 million, or 14%, of U.S. TV households. Their network affiliations include CBS (12), NBC (9), ABC (7), Fox (1), MyNetwork TV (1) and CW (1). Sixteen of the 31 stations are located in the top 75 designated market areas. Media General first entered the local television business in 1955 when it launched WFLA in Tampa, Florida as an NBC affiliate. The company subsequently expanded its station portfolio through acquisition. In November of 2013, Media General and Young Broadcasting merged, combining Media General's 18 stations and Young's 13 stations into the 31-member group that exists today. Five of the stations have been on the air since 1949: WCMH in Columbus, Ohio; WVTM in Birmingham, Alabama; WJAR in Providence, Rhode, Island; KWQC in Davenport, Iowa; and KRON in San Francisco.
22 Sep 2014

LeClaire Chamber of Commerce Announcements - 09/19/2014

By LeClaire Chamber of Commerce

WELCOME NEW MEMBER!

Kathleen Anderson - Individual Membership. Welcome, Kathleen!

 

COME CRUISE WITH US!

September 20th - Twilight Riverboat Dinner Cruise! 5 - 8 p.m. Tickets $45 per person - includes dinner and the cruise!  The Twilight holds 140 people, so get tickets to reserve your spots soon!  Tickets might still be available at First Central State Bank and at Blackhawk Bank and Trust, LeClaire. Sponsored by The LeClaire Chamber of Commerce.

BUSINESS FAIR

October 9th - LeClaire Community Library/LeClaire Chamber of Commerce Business Fair LeClaire Community Library, 5:30p.m. An informational program to help drive new interest in opening a business in LeClaire. Programs include How to Obtain Small Business Loans, SCORE Business Mentoring Program, Tax Increment Financing (TIF) 101, and Local Businesses & Local Libraries Working Together. Individuals from the Chamber and a small panel of business owners will speak. Free event, open to the public. Please register in advance beginning September 8th at the Library or call 563-289-4242, ext. 4, or email library@leclaire.gov or contact the Chamber, leclairechamber@gmail.com

 

CALENDAR

 

September 19th - Expressions in Threads Hosting Sit & Sew Call (563) 289-1447 to reserve your spot. www.expressionsinthreads.com

September 19th - Wide River Winery - Live Music Lewis Knudsen - 5-8 p.m.

September 20th - Star Gifts for Kids 6th Annual Golf Outing Hole prizes, door prizes, and food at The Riverview Roadhouse after outing. 18 holes with cart 60.00 dollars per person - 4 person best ball begins at 9:30 a.m. Olathea Golf Course. All money raised stays in the LeClaire and Princeton Area. Call Barry, 563-949-6969, for more information.

September 20th - LeClaire Farmers Market on the Levee 3-6p.m. Many great vendors will be in attendance with fresh, organic produce, sweet corn, baked goods, kettle corn, wood fire pizza, and much more!

September 20th - Twilight Riverboat Cruise 5 - 8 p.m. Tickets $45 per person - includes dinner and the cruise!  The Twilight holds 140 people, so get tickets soon to reserve your spots.  The tickets may still be available at First Central State Bank and Blackhawk Bank and Trust, LeClaire.

September 20th - OKTOBERFEST - LeClaire Bierstube 12-2pm and 5-8pm Live music from Aspenreiser- band from Austria, Mug Holding competition and more! We have the NFL TICKET!!!

September 20th - Trivia Night at the LeClaire Civic Center for the LeClaire Community Library. Doors open at 6:30pm, trivia begins at 7:00pm. Cost is $10 per person, 8 people per table maximum. You don't have to be a genius to come and have fun! To reserve a table or for more information, call Vicky at 563-639-4621 or email kettlepopper@gmail.com.

September 21st - 50th ANNUAL FALL HARVEST DINNER - Silver Creek Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star, LeClaire Masonic Center, 113 S. Cody Rd., LeClaire. Swiss Steak, Mashed Potatoes, Corn & Green Beans, Salads, Rolls & Butter, Deserts & Beverage. Donation of $8.00 for adults and $4.00 for children under 10. Serving from 11 a.m. till 2 p.m. Everyone welcome!

September 21st through October 26th - Dahl Ford - "Underwear Because We Care!" Every year hundreds of people in the Quad Cities go without the basic necessity of undergarments. This is a campaign to collect & distribute the necessity to those who are in need. We will be collecting these donated items for men, women & kids: New Underwear, New Socks, New Bras, New Undershirts & Camisoles, Lightly Used Prosthetic Bras. Please drop items off at Dahl Ford, 1310 E. Kimberly Road, Davenport.

September 21st - Quad City Mustang Club & Dahl Ford's Fall Cruise In 11am-3pm, Dahl Ford, 1310 E. Kimberly Road, Davenport. Event open to all Ford Powered Vehicles. Awesome vehicles on display, door prizes. Raffle off a 40th anniversary Mustang jacket and a Goodyear jacket, with proceeds going to Honor Flight of the Quad Cities. This is a free event, any/all donations will be received by Honor Flight of the Quad Cities.

September 22nd - Economic Development Meeting LeClaire City Hall - 8:00 a.m.

September 23rd - FREE Essential Oils Class with a Prize Drawing - Dr. Crystal's Chiropractic Care 6 p.m. Learn the Essentials of Essential Oils!  Tips to give your medicine cabinet a healthy makeover, and how to naturally treat ailments like: Cold & Flu; Asthma & Allergies; Fibromyalgia, Diabetes, Depression, Heart Issues, Pain Management, Weight Issues, and more! Prize Drawing at the end of the night!  Earn 1 ticket by arriving early, 5 by bringing a friend, 5 by it being your first Oils class, and 1 by RSVP by phone or text to Sara at (480)567-4356.  419 N. Cody Road, LeClaire.

September 25th - LeClaire Community Library - New! Preschool Explorers A science-based program with a short storytime followed by free-play at several hands-on exploratory stations. This program is once a month. Two sessions: 10:30am or 6:30pm. The first sessions are Sept. 25th. No registration required.

September 25th - Faithful Pilot Café and Spirits - Clown Shoes Beer Dinner 6pm-8:30pm. $40 per person gets you 3 courses from Chef Robert & Chef Chris with beer pairing. Dinner will be in the RiverView Room and only 20 tickets are available. Make reservations today! 563-289-4156 www.faithfulpilot.com

September 26th - Wide River Winery - Live Music The Whoosdads? 5-8 p.m.

September 27th - LeClaire Riverfront Farmer's Market 3-6pm on the Levee along the river. Many great vendors will be in attendance with fresh, organic produce, sweet corn, baked goods, kettle corn, wood fire pizza, and much more!

September 28th - Wine Tasting at The Faithful Pilot Café and Spirits 3-5pm. $15.00 per person includes 15 wines and small bites from Chef Robert! Call for reservations today! 563-289-4156 www.faithfulpilot.com

September 29th - Vino Vaso - The Faithful Pilot Café and Spirits starting at 6p.m. sharp. Message them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vinovaso for tickets. $40 includes wine to drink, wine glass to paint, cheese to eat, and a great time!

SAVE THE DATE

 

October 2nd - The Popular Astronomy Club will be stopping by the LeClaire Community Library with their mobile observatory and telescopes 7-8:30pm to talk about stars, constellations, planets and more! This program will take place outside, so dress accordingly!

 

October 3rd - First Friday in LeClaire

*Mississippi River Distilling Company Food and Spirit Tastings www.mrdistilling.com

*Wine samples and live music at Wide River Winery from 5-8pm by Mason Greve. We are open until 8:00pm and serving our award winning locally made wines. Dip samples and recipes available. www.wideriverwinery.com

*The Faithful Pilot Café and Spirits will also have the Matriarchs performing at 7:30pm www.faithfulpilot.com

*Win a FREE ukulele from Razzleberries! Stop in and sign up for a chance to win before October 3rd. Drawing is at 6pm during First Friday.

Restaurants and several shops will be open late!

October 4th - Go Fish Marina Bar and Grill Golf Tournament 1 p.m. Shotgun Start - Olathea Golf Course. 4 Person Preferred Ball. $35/person includes 9 holes, cart, prizes, food and fun! Sign up no later than September 27th at Go Fish, Princeton, or call 563-289-3908.

 

October 5th- LeClaire Bierstube - DOGTOBERFEST 2-5:30 p.m. Free doggy bags to the first 150 dogs! Raffle items! Auction! Food and beverages will be available for purchase!

 

October 9th - Expressions in Threads Lunch & Lecture Nationally known quilt designer and author, Judy Martin, will speak and present a trunk show of her quilts to be followed by lunch catered by Big Dave and Holly's. Cost $40. Call 563-289-1447 for reservations and information.

October 9th - LeClaire Community Library/LeClaire Chamber of Commerce Business Fair LeClaire Community Library, 5:30p.m. An informational program to help drive new interest in opening a business in LeClaire. Programs include How to Obtain Small Business Loans, SCORE Business Mentoring Program, Tax Increment Financing (TIF) 101, and Local Businesses & Local Libraries Working Together. Individuals from the Chamber and a small panel of business owners will speak. Free event, open to the public. Please register in advance beginning September 8th at the Library or call 563-289-4242, ext. 4, or email library@leclaire.gov or contact the Chamber, leclairechamber@gmail.com

October 10th - Wide River Winery - Live Music 5-8p.m. Pieces of Candy

October 12th - Apple Fest on the River 11a.m.-4p.m. More details to come

October 17th - Wide River Winery - Live Music 5-8p.m. Tony Hoeppner

October 18th - Safety Day with Medic EMS - More details to come

October 18th - Trivia Night at the LeClaire Civic Center for a beneficiary TBA. Doors open at 6:30pm, trivia begins at 7:00pm. Cost is $10 per person, 8 people per table maximum. You don't have to be a genius to come and have fun! To reserve a table or for more information, call Vicky at 563-639-4621 or email kettlepopper@gmail.com.

October 21st - The Faithful Pilot Café and Spirits - Chamber Networking Event 5:30-7p.m.  Come check out the new bar! Everyone Welcome!

October 24th-25th - LeClaire Community Library - The Friends of the Library Book Sale More information to come soon.

October 24th - Wide River Winery - Live Music 5-8p.m.  Buddy Olson

October 25th - LeClaire Witches Walk!

October 31st - Wide River Winery - Live Music 5-8p.m. Travis Hosette

FYI

 

Caramel apples made with Stones Honey Crisp Apples available NOW at The Shameless Chocoholic!

After several requests, we've published our version of the "look behind the curtain" on the Riverbend Signworks video page.  We're definitely interested in any feedback.http://riverbendsignworks.com/showroom/videos/

LeClaire is once again the "Best Place to Take Out of Town Guests!" according to the Quad-City Times 2014 Readers' Choice Awards!  Third year in a row!

Arndt Chiropractic Center has won the 2014 Quad-City Times Reader's Choice Award for "Best Chiropractor"! Congratulations!

Due to growth and demand for their products, and now with distribution in 22 states and 3 foreign countries, Mississippi River Distilling Company has broken ground on a new 1,400 square foot barrel storage warehouse and new patio/city public area at street level above the 57 by 25 foot barrel room. Construction should be complete in about 6 weeks.

The LeClaire Riverfront Farmers Market would like to "spotlight" a different downtown business each week during its market on Saturdays from 3 - 6 p.m. No cost opportunity. Tent provided by LRFM.  Electrical power can be arranged. Set-up is between 2 - 2:45 p.m., sales start at 3 p.m. and conclude at 6 p.m., rain or shine!  Use the opportunity to showcase your business. No restrictions on "hand crafted," "American-made" or otherwise. It's your shop - feature and sell what you choose. Contact LeClaireRiverfrontFarmersMkt@gmail.com with preferred dates, and space needs (10x10 tent size limitation).

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.

SERVING THE COMMUNITY AND BEYOND

LeClaire Community Library SHIIP Medicare Enrollment Assistance. A representative from SHIIP will be here on Oct. 14th, Oct. 28th, November 4th, and November 18th from 12-3pm to answer any questions community-area seniors may have regarding Open Enrollment for Medicare. SHIIP is a service of the State of Iowa. All services are free, confidential and objective.

LeClaire Community Library A new Toddle Time story hour has been added. Starting in September, Caregivers can now bring babies and tiny tots to Toddle Time on Wednesday OR Friday mornings at 10:30am. Family Storytime will continue on its usual Tuesday nights at 6:30pm.

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 613-617 N Cody Road, LeClaire IA 52753. Description: 0.64 acres of development land available on Cody Road.  This "ready to build" property is located on a high ground lot with an exceptional view of the river.  Possibility for a dock installation with city inceptives possible.  Land could be developed for multi-family, condo, possible office or mixed use.  For more information, please contact Jeff R. Heuer, NAI Ruhl Commercial Company, jheuer@ruhlcommercial.com, Office: 563-355-4000, Direct: 563-823-5107. Website Link for More Information:  http://www.ruhlcommercial.com/Page/Property.aspx?mls=7030973

Commercial Property for Sale 0 Cody Road, LeClaire IA 52753. Description: Price recently reduced on this great Riverfront Development opportunity located on the main shopping corridor in downtown LeClaire.  Strong market for retail and apartments or condominiums.  Lot totals 0.28 acres (180' X 70').  For more information, please contact John G. Ruhl, NAI Ruhl Commercial Company, jruhl@ruhlcommercial.com, Office: 563-355-4000, Direct: 563-823-5126. Website Link for More Information: http://www.ruhlcommercial.com/Page/Property.aspx?mls=7031174

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!

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-Oct - LeClaire Riverfront Farmers' Market - Every Saturday, 3-6 p.m. on the LeClaire Levee

September 20 - Cars and Coffee - LeClaire Levee - 9-11a.m.

September 20 - Twilight Riverboat Cruise and Dinner

October 3 - First Friday in LeClaire

October 5 - Bierstube - Dogtoberfest

October 12- Apple Fest

October 18 - Cars and Coffee - Bierstube - 9-11a.m.

October 25 - Witches Walk

November 7 - First Friday in LeClaire

December 5-7 - Christmas in LeClaire

Chamber Networking Events - Everyone Welcome!

October 21st - The Faithful Pilot - 5:30-7p.m.

November 11th - Bier Stube - lunch - noon

December 9th - Subway - lunch - noon

22 Sep 2014

What A Year! Thank You River Bandit Fans!

By River Bandits

Dear Friends,

What a year!

When we first bought this team, we set out to change the culture around the ballpark and return this team back to its rightful owners - you, the greatest fans in the country.

Since then, we have steadily increased both attendance and corporate participation, and moved significantly closer toward our goal of making Modern Woodmen Park the central gathering place for this wonderful and diverse bi-state community - a one-of-a-kind place to gather with friends, family, and coworkers across the region for affordable, family-friendly entertainment and lots of good, clean fun.

But this year, despite leading the league in rainouts, bitter cold weather in April and terrible flooding in late June and early July which left our parking lots and portions of our ballpark underwater, you helped us set the all-time per-game attendance record for Quad Cities! This year's average of 3,885 people per-game is the highest ever for the Quad Cities franchise - and our ballpark dates back to 1931!

Your tremendous, unwavering support is at once both humbling and energizing - humbling because we are so grateful to you for choosing to spend your summer evenings with us over and over again. And energizing because your support inspires us to aim still higher, achieve new heights, and do even more to keep Modern Woodmen Park what USA Today rightly called the "best minor league ballpark in America."

We were thrilled for this great community to win that award. But we will never rest on our laurels. Instead, we became the first team in the country to open a Ferris wheel inside a minor league ballpark. We also unveiled two new rides - "Space Camp" and the Mediacom "Drop'N Twist" - and extended our zip-line to 300 feet! Now, with the ballpark open every weekend all summer long for amusements, more than 65,000 people have enjoyed a ride on one of our fun attractions.

Our success has also given us more opportunities to give back. This year, we gave $50,000 to the Genesis Health Services Foundation to fund neo-natal intensive care services and free flu shots for those in need. And, through our unmatched Bandit Scholars program, our club paid the tuition of three outstanding young students who aspired to attend college in our community. Their first year's tuition ... covered. All told, we gave away nearly $240,000 in cash and merchandise - all within the Quad Cities.

That's what giving back means to us.

Please accept our gratitude for your enthusiastic support all season long. We are already making plans for new additions and improvements to the ballpark, including renovated bathrooms throughout the concourse and two new deck areas, for 2015, so we will not be sitting still. After all, both on and off the field, the River Bandits will never stop improving. Because we belong to you, the people of the Quad Cities, and we're a perfect fit: a championship team playing before the country's greatest fans in the nation's best minor league ballpark!

From us, and on behalf of everyone who's a part of the River Bandits, thank you.

Sincerely,

Dave Heller                Bob Herrfeldt
Owners, Quad Cities River Bandits

22 Sep 2014

CAMP COURAGEOUS PANCAKE BREAKFAST AND OPEN HOUSE IS SET FOR SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2014

By Blue Grass American Legion Post 711
MONTICELLO, IA --The Camp Courageous Annual Pancake Breakfast and Open House is will be held at the Camp Courageous Main Lodge on Sunday, September 28th, 2014 from 7:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M.

Camp Courageous began serving individuals with disabilities during the summer of 1974. That year, 211 campers were served. This year, Camp Courageous is celebrating 40 years & will serve nearly 7,000 campers.

Camp Courageous will be serving a hot breakfast of pancakes, pork sausage, juice, milk & coffee. The cost is $6.00 for adults and $3.00 for children under 12.

Live Reenactment Train Robbery by Red Cedar Regulators will be at the Train Depot at 9:00 AM, 9:45 AM, 10:45 AM, and 11:45 AM. The Super zip and Bounce house will also be available during the duration of the breakfast, weather pending.

The Dixie-Notes-Plus will be playing live At the Sill Barn at 9:30, 10:30, and 11:30 a.m.

A DVD presentation about the camp can be found in the camp's main office playing every half hour. The Camp Store, with new camp merchandise, will be located in the main lodge and the main office.

Open House will feature the new extension of the Camp Courageous Train & the dedication of Camp's new lake, Lake Todd. The Dedication ceremony will take place at 1:00 pm at the Lake.

The camp is located five miles southeast of Monticello off Highway 38 and 151-Exit 65.

## END
22 Sep 2014

Loebsack: "Do Nothing" Republican Congress Continues to Do Nothing

By Rick Martin

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack released the following statement today after Republicans leaders recessed and sent Congress home until after the election while a mountain of critical work remains on the table. Loebsack and his colleagues sent a letter to Speaker Boehner to urge him to keep Congress in session until the issues facing the nation are addressed.

"With the amount of work that remains unaddressed by Republican leaders, it is baffling that they are sending us home. While I will be working, traveling around and meeting with Iowans, I was elected to actually tackle the tough problems that are facing our country, like growing the economy and creating jobs, not play political games. The list of items that remain undone really does go on and on.

"I have called on Congress to remain in session and I remain committed to working with anyone to finish the work that Iowans are demanding. There is too much critical work to get done before sending Congress home."

Among the issues that have not been dealt with include :

  • Comprehensive jobs package,
  • Unemployment insurance,
  • Tax Extenders  (PTC, biodiesel),
  • Elementary and Secondary Education Act (No Child Left Behind),
  • Sustainable Growth Rate,
  • Postal Reform,
  • Higher Education Act Reauthorization,
  • Long-term highway bill,

·         Comprehensive Immigration Reform, to name a few.

###

Pages

more

Subscribe & Listen to Reader Podcasts

On Stands Now

 

Tagged Content

Two Ways to Subscribe

1. Subscribe to free weekly e-mail content updates.

You'll get both the current official narrative challenge and What's Happenin' in the Quad Cities.
(Did you know we publish a new Real Astrology and RCR Crossword every week?) 

Subscribe!

* indicates required

2. Get 12 monthly issues mailed first class for $48

Get 12 issues mailed monthly for $48 per year.

Get the printed Reader edition mailed to you (or anyone you want) first-class for 12 months for $48.
$24 goes to postage and handling, $24 goes to keeping the doors open!

Click this link to Subscribe now.

 
 

Meetings Calendar

Kids Calendar

Eat & Drink Calendar