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 and at Blackhawk Bank and Trust, LeClaire. Sponsored by The LeClaire Chamber of Commerce.

CHAMBER NETWORKING EVENT

September 9^th - Steventon's 5:30 -7pm - Everyone Welcome!

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

Mississippi River Distilling Company Food and Spirit Tastings and releasing Iowish Cream!! 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 treat!

Faithful Pilot - Live Music - The Matriarchs - 7:30 p.m.

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 15^th-19^th - LeClaire Community Library - Vote for Banned Books Teen Afternoon Movie Help us kick off Banned Book Week with a movie based on a banned book. Teens are invited to stop by the library and vote for the movie they'd like to watch. Then join us on Saturday, September 20^th, 11a.m. to watch the winning pick!

September 16^th - Pete the Cat - LeClaire Community Library 6:30 p.m. A very special Family Storytime. Pete the Cat will help Miss Emily read stories, sing songs, and play games. Brought to us by the non-profit group, From Cover to Cover, promoting literacy for at-risk children. If attending this event, please consider donating a new or gently used book to the organization.

September 18^th - OKTOBERFEST - Leclaire Bierstube 6 to 8 pm Live music from Aspenreiser- band from Austria

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

SAVE THE DATE

October 2^nd - 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 5th- 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 9^th - 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 9^th - 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 8^th at the Library or call 563-289-4242, ext. 4, or email library@leclaire.gov or contact the Chamber, leclairechamber@gmail.com

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

FYI

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!

Dwellings is excited to announce being awarded the distinction of "Best Home Furnishing Store" in the Quad-City Times 2014 Readers' Choice Awards! They are also celebrating 10 years in business. Stop in to see all the fresh fall merchandise at their new location at 414 N. Cody Road.

Wide River Winery is now offering a tasting plate menu on Fridays and Saturdays. They can also host after hours private parties for those who are interested, and they now have a guest room for rent. Contact Ceil O'Brien at 563-289-2509 or 954-242-6878.

Urban Classic Home has a "Bridal Registry"! It is a great way for couples to receive unique gifts! They are located at 124 N. Cody Road; call 563-289-1221 for more information.

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

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

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).

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.

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

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 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

Greetings to friends and family of Churches United. Our board of directors just completed a strategic planning process setting goals and objectives through 2017. We are very excited about the outcomes of this process and will be sharing those with all of you in the near future.

As summer slowly comes to a close, I wanted to share with you some information as it relates to our hunger ministries. Churches United operates 25 food pantries with the devotion, passion and commitment of over 400 volunteers. Our three meal sites provide hot meals prepared by over 92 faith groups. All of you, with your support, truly are making an impact into the lives of many and for that we thank you.

One group of folks who are utilizing our pantries more frequently are those that are caring for their grandchildren. In a recent survey conducted by Churches United, we found that nearly 33% of those needing to use a food pantry are individuals caring for their grandchildren in some way. Also, due to the increase of families utilizing other resources to meet their food needs, our numbers of also increased.

Our Summer appeal this year is specifically for hunger. We have the opportunity to receive $10,000 from 2 foundations in the area. $5,000 for Scott County and $5,000 for Rock Island County providing we can raise $5,000 as well from donors on each side of the river.

Due to the increase of our populations beings served we are providing a different way of giving and supporting our hunger ministries for our summer appeal Think about a special adult, teacher, pastor - someone who was your mentor or your "grandparent" so to speak that made an impact in your life. You have the opportunity to honor them with a donation to Churches United's hunger ministry. In return we will send that individual or their family member a certificate that they can put up on their refrigerator like so many grandparents do, in appreciation for their influence in your life.

Thanks again for all community support. We strive to provide our services with dignity, respect and faith. If you choose to participate in this summer appeal which runs through September 30th you will find enclosed a return envelope. If you choose to participate in honoring a "grandparent" simply complete the form below and place with your donation in the envelope or email Churches United with the appropriate information to: rjohnson@cuqca.org.

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Name__________________________________________________

Grandparent or significant adult____________________________________________

Address___________________________________________________________________

City________________________________State_______________________________

If you're like jazz trombonist and music producer Delfeayo Marsalis, a member of the acclaimed Marsalis family from New Orleans, you appreciate the "old-school" ways of doing things.

For Marsalis, that means doing without automated music created and played at the push of a button, cooking without a microwave and not being too quick to replace a lost cell phone.

"Some people ask, 'How could you go weeks without replacing your phone?' But for me, I look at it as a much needed vacation," he says.

"At the same time, I'm like most other people: when I have a smart phone on me, I find myself checking it frequently."

While Marsalis isn't anti-technology, he fondly recalls a time when more people interacted with others who are right in front of them, rather than staring at a gadget in their hand - especially when it comes to family. The father of a young teenager, he offers the following tips for improving quality time by doing without the ubiquity of cell phones.

•  Consider a "No Cell Phone Day." In fact, that's the name of his new children's book, (www.KidsTownPress.com), about a tech-entrenched father who spends a happy birthday exploring New Orleans with his daughter - without his cell phone. A monthly "no cell phone day" allows you to fully engage with the people around you, whether they're your kids, your parents, or your friends. Without the distractions of work and spam email, you'll can have meaningful conversations and simply spend time laughing with the people you love. You'll have those memories to cherish for a long time to come. If you really want to connect with yourself and loved ones, plan on a regular No Cell Phone Day.

•  Play dates that don't require cell phones. When Marsalis takes his 13-year-old daughter and her cousins out for a fun day out at the mall, followed by a movie and dinner, he makes a deal with them to leave their phones at home.

"We're all together on these occasions, so there's no concern for safety, and it would be sad to go through all the trouble of spending the day together while, half of the time, they're preoccupied with their phones," he says. "In addition to the occasional outing, we set aside time at home when we can't use cell phones."

•  Make dinner time a cell phone-free zone. While food is especially important to any self-respecting son or daughter of New Orleans, sitting down to eat together is a sacred time for every family. Children and adults alike face significant stress and pressures every day in the world outside the home. Closing the doors on that world and coming together for an hour each evening to relax and refresh in the comparative safety of those who most love us is essential to our well-being.

•  Play "What Do I Know without My Cell Phone?" Research suggests cell phones are compromising the short-term memory of children. More and more of us - children and adults alike - rely on our smart phones, rather than our memories, to retrieve information. Exercising our brains with trivia, math and other cognitive games can help all of us stay mentally sharp.

•  Most importantly - don't be afraid to be bored! Life doesn't have to be a sci-fi movie all of the time. Ask your child to reflect on their greatest memories to date; chances are 0 percent that the content of those memories will involve cell phones.

About Delfeayo Marsalis