ANNOUNCEMENTS - Friday 08/29/2014

RIBBON CUTTING TODAY!

August 29^th - Isabel Bloom LeClaire Showroom Ribbon Cutting 103 S. Cody Rd. 12:30 p.m. Everyone Welcome! Donna Young will be signing any sculptures purchased Friday from 12-4pm! Finishers demonstrating from 12-4pm on Friday and Saturday. Receive free tote bag with every purchase while supplies last! Refreshments, drawings throughout the day.

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!  The tickets are available at First Central State Bank, LeClaire. Sponsored by The LeClaire Chamber of Commerce.

CALENDAR

August 29^th-30^th- Isabel Bloom LeClaire Showroom Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting 103 S. Cody Rd. Grand Opening, 10am-5pm. LeClaire Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cutting Friday at 12:30 p.m. Donna Young will be signing any sculptures purchased Friday from 12-4pm! Finishers demonstrating from 12-4pm on Friday and Saturday. Receive free tote bag with every purchase while supplies last! Refreshments, drawings throughout the day.

August 29th - Wide River Winery - Live Music The Whoosdads? - 5-8 p.m.

August 29^th - Steventon's - Live Music Lewis Knudsen from 6-9pm.

August 29th - Game Night with Essential Oils! Co-hosted in Bettendorf by Dr. Crystal's Chiropractic Care Call 480-567-4356 for more information.

August 29^th - 30^th - "Big Rock Candy Mountain" by the Princeton Players - Princeton Community Center 428 South River Dr. Two live productions of the original musical. 8:00 p.m. both nights. $12.00 for adults, $10.00 for students. The show features bluegrass and folk music with humor! Doors open 7 p.m.

August 30^th - LeClaire Firefighters Association Annual Water Fights LeClaire Levee. Registration at 1pm; fights start at 2pm. Requirements: Full turn out gear and 1-3/4 inch nozzles. Double elimination trophies awarded to the top four places for men's and women's competition. For more information, contact LeClaire Fire Rescue Department 563-289-6044 or Greg Chapman at 563-210-8528.

August 30th - LeClaire Riverfront Farmers' Market 3-6 p.m. Riverside Church parking lot.  Variety of vendors, and the Silver Creek O.E.S. will be having a Bake Sale and also bottles of water and cans of pop for sale during the farmers market.

August 30^th - Wide River Winery - Live Music by M3, 3-6pm

August 30th- Bierstube Live Music The Old 57's 9pm-1am

August 31st - Faithful Pilot Wine Tasting - $20.00 for 15 wines.  3:00-5:00 p.m. - includes wine and chef's small bites - $5.00 of each glass sold goes to a local women's charity

September 1^st - Faithful Pilot Closed for Labor Day

September 2^nd - "Coffee and Conversation" at Princeton Community Center The Princeton Community Center Board members will welcome all residents of Princeton and surrounding communities to join them for free coffee and good conversation 7:00-10:00 A.M. Pam Opolka, Board President, states, "We have a wonderful historic building overlooking the Mississippi and we thought this would be a good way to welcome in the fall season and enjoy lots of good company and conversation." The Princeton Community Center, located at 428 South River Drive, was built in 1908 and is on the National Register of Historic Places. It is also known as the Boll's Building. It was owned by the Henry Boll's Family and housed a grocery store for approximately seventy years. This historic building also houses a theater where the Princeton Players and others perform. The Community Center Board Members are eager to encourage the public use of this wonderful historic building which may be rented daily or by the hour. Contact the City of Princeton, 563-289-5315, or e-mail cityofprinceton@iowatelecom.net for more information.

September 5^th - First Friday - LeClaire 5-8p.m.

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

Wide River Winery Live Music, The Old 57's. Award winning locally made wines. www.wideriverwinery.com

Aunt Hattie's - Come in for a red velvet cupcake!

Razzleberries - Booze cake while it lasts!

Restaurants and several shops will be open late.

September 6^th - LeClaire Riverfront Farmers' Market 3-6 p.m. Riverside Church parking lot.

September 12^th - Wide River Winery - Live Music Spencer Bohren - 5-8 p.m.

September 14th - Faithful Pilot - PINOT PIG - A CHARITY HOG ROAST on the LeClaire Levee 12-4p.m. Why? Cuz it feels good to give back - NO KID HUNGRY Cost:$50.00 includes admittance, All U CAN Eat HOG ROAST with an organic hog coming from Rustik Rooster with farmer Karl Blake (From TV's Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern) and sides, live music from The Matriarchs, and $10.00 of your ticket sales goes to charity!  Goal is to raise 2K *You do NOT need to be 21 to enter but will be wrist banded at the front gate. Tickets will be available at faithfulpilot.com and in the restaurant, or call 563-289-4156.

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

September 20^th - 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 20^{th -} 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 are available at First Central State Bank, LeClaire.

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 21^st - 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 is welcome!

September 24th- Bierstube Live Music from The Parrot Head Club & The Fry Daddies 7pm-11pm

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

SAVE THE DATE

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 - details and more information 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.

FYI

Essential Oils Classes - Dr. Crystal's Chiropractic Care Every Tuesday at 5 p.m. 419 N. Cody Road, LeClaire. For more information, call 480-567-4356.

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).

Faithful Pilot Wednesdays - Still 1/2 priced bottles wine night with Chef's special tapas menu *Coming Soon - Brunch & Lunch so look to our website and Facebook!

Go Fish Marina Bar and Grill, Princeton - Live Music Cody Road Unplugged. Wednesdays 6-9pm

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.

SERVING THE COMMUNITY AND BEYOND

FREE MUSEUM ADMISSION FOR FAMILIES OF ACTIVE MILITARY THROUGH LABOR DAY 2014 The Buffalo Bill Museum is participating in the nation-wide "Blue Star Museum" project, "a collaboration among the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, the Department of Defense, and more than 2,000 museums across America to offer free admission to the nation's active-duty military personnel and their families, including National Guard and Reserves, from Memorial Day, May 26, 2014 through Labor Day, September 1, 2014.

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?

First Presbyterian Church, LeClaire Look for us at TugFest! We have a new menu!  And, check out our website:  fpcleclaire.org

The LeClaire Community Library has a LOT going on! Contact LeClaire Community Library, 323 Wisconsin Street, LeClaire, IA 52753, (563)289-6002 or visit http://www.leclaire.lib.ia.us for more information!

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

PROPERTY LISTINGS

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!

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

September 5 - First Friday in LeClaire

September 6 - Vettes on the River - LeClaire Levee - In support of Vietnam Veterans

September 20 - Cars and Coffee - LeClaire Levee

September 20 - Twilight Riverboat Cruise and Dinner

October 3 - First Friday in LeClaire

October 5th - Bierstube - Dogtoberfest

October 12- Apple Fest

October 25 - Witches Walk

November 7 - First Friday in LeClaire

December 5-7 - Christmas in LeClaire

Chamber Networking Events - Everyone Welcome!

September 9th - Steventon's - evening 5:30 -7pm

October 14th - Faithful Pilot - lunch- noon

November 11th - Bier Stube - lunch - noon

December 9th - Subway - lunch - noon

With such a cool summer this year, August feels like an early kick off to fall. In a few short weeks, the first of the early season apples will arrive at Iowa farmers markets and orchards.

I like to visit local orchards almost every weekend in the fall so I can stock up on apples. Once I bring those beauties home, I whip up batches of applesauce, apple butter, dried apples (using a food dehydrator) and, of course, apple pies. There's something blissful about slowly stirring a pot of applesauce over the stove, while watching my favorite football team score a touchdown on TV.

Speaking of football, I saw a group of high school athletes walking to an early morning football practice while I was driving to the office today, which definitely means that back-to-school time is here.

In this issue of the Iowa Dish, we offer tips for packing a safe and healthy school lunch that even picky eaters will enjoy. And even though summer temperatures have been mild, we'll take a closer look at how Iowa farmers keep their livestock cool and comfortable in hot and humid weather.

In addition, we will show how several Iowa farmers are extending their growing seasons past the first fall frost by growing tomatoes indoors. Plus, we will share the results from the latest Iowa Farm Bureau Food and Farm Index ™, which covers what influences Iowa grocery shoppers.

So take advantage of these mild fall days and plan a trip to an Iowa apple orchard or farmers market. To find an orchard near you, visit the Iowa Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association's website.

Stay Cool: How To Pack a Safe School Lunch for your Kids

Now that summer is winding down, Iowa students are returning to class, but they might not always like what's on the school cafeteria menu.  If you regularly pack lunches for your kids at school, or if you pack a lunch for yourself at work, remember to follow safe food-handling practices to prevent the potential for food-borne illness.  Read more.

Extending the Tomato Season

Iowans crave the taste of fresh-picked tomatoes all year long, not just in the summer. But while tomatoes thrive in Iowa's hot summer weather, they can't survive past the first frost of fall.  So farmers are adopting new technology to extend the growing season in Iowa for tomatoes and other fresh produce, such as lettuce, cucumbers and herbs. Read more.

GMO Benefits Win Over Iowa Grocery Shoppers

Nearly nine out of 10 Iowa grocery shoppers say their purchasing decisions would be influenced by knowing that crops developed with genetically modified organisms (GMOs) can produce foods with improved nutritional content, according to the recently released Iowa Farm Bureau Food and Farm Index™.  The scientific survey, which was conducted online by Harris Poll, also showed that a large majority, 84 percent, of Iowa grocery shoppers would be influenced to buy foods made with GMO crops when they learn that the technology allows farmers to reduce pesticide use. Read more.

Branstad, Reynolds have held a combined 2,454 public events since taking office

(DES MOINES) - Gov. Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds announced they will complete their visit to all of Iowa's 99 counties for the fourth consecutive year today following a stop in Louisa County. Branstad and Reynolds committed to visiting every county, every year. Since taking office in 2011, the pair has held a combined 2,454 public events.

"Lieutenant Governor Reynolds and I take great pride in visiting every county in Iowa each and every year," said Branstad. "We thoroughly enjoy meeting with Iowans, hearing their ideas and sharing our vision in cafes, diners, coffee shops and community centers. I believe being accessible to all Iowans, not just those at the Capitol, is a critically important."

Branstad's and Reynolds' final county to hit in 2014 is Louisa County. They'll visit a family-owned business, Simply Soothing, which makes natural bug repellant, today at 3:45 p.m.

"Though we've visited every county in 2014, Governor Branstad and I will continue traveling the state this year to listen and share our ideas to continue moving Iowa forward," said Reynolds. "We remain committed to visiting every Iowa county, every year. Iowans shouldn't have to travel to Des Moines to talk with their elected officials. Visiting every county, every year, provides citizens the opportunity to engage in the process and share their views."

Through the first three years in office, Branstad and Reynolds have averaged a combined 669 public events per year. Through today, Aug. 28, 2014, they have held a combined 447 events in 2014.