WASHINGTON, May 23, 2014 - On Tuesday, May 27, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow will host a media call to announce substantial investments in conservation projects across the country. The program was authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill and will be up and running beginning Tuesday. The program will mark a new era in conservation in America, going beyond traditional government projects and providing businesses, non-profits, universities, and federal, state and local governments' opportunities to partner with agricultural and conservation groups to invest in innovative conservation projects.

The 2014 Farm Bill is our country's biggest investment in land and water conservation and has been called the most significant conservation legislation in generations. Voluntary partnerships between agricultural and conservation groups help farmers conserve soil health, protect water quality, and restore wildlife habitat.

When a House Becomes a Home contest held in conjunction with national homeownership month

 

DES MOINES - The Iowa Finance Authority and the Iowa Association of Realtors® announced today that they are challenging Iowans to share their homeownership success stories for a chance to win a $5,000 gift card.  The challenge comes as a part of a new contest called "When a House becomes a Home". Entries will be accepted throughout the month of June in conjunction with national homeownership month.

To participate, Iowans need to submit a story of how their lives have been positively impacted by homeownership in 140 words or less.  An accompanying photo or 30 second video to support the entry is encouraged. Fun, touching or entertaining homeownership stories can be submitted at: IowaFinanceAuthority.gov/Contest through June 30.

Submissions will be scored by a panel of judges and the top 10 submissions will be posted to Facebook for voting by the public from July 7-11 at Facebook.com/IowaFinance. The entry with the most votes will receive a $5,000 Lowe's gift card.

A "surprise squad" will also be traveling the state and providing random prize awards to entrants throughout the month of June, while spreading awareness of homeownership opportunities in Iowa.

Entries may include such things as the story of a young couple who is about to purchase their first home,  how a military family made a house a permanent home after deployment or detailing how homeownership has opened the door to new opportunities. Iowans are encouraged to share their unique homeownership stories!

"Recognizing Iowa homeowners and celebrating their success stories is a fitting way to mark national homeownership month while promoting the far-reaching benefits of homeownership. It also gives us a chance to highlight resources available through IFA to help make the homeownership dream a reality," said Iowa Finance Authority Executive Director Dave Jamison. "We encourage Iowa home buyers and homeowners alike to share their stories for a chance to win!"

"The Iowa Association of Realtors® nearly 6,400 Realtor® members across the state are professionals who follow a strict code of ethical guidelines and help Iowans realize their home owning dreams every day," said Dave Bert, CEO of the Iowa Association of Realtors®. "We are pleased to offer this new, exciting contest to Iowans and look forward to seeing the creative entries."

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WELCOME NEW MEMBERS!

Beauti Control - Carissa Evans, Director - 1051 Emily Dr., Clinton, IA.  Providing in-home and in-office pampering and relaxation experiences with clinical strength and spa quality products. We come to your location or you can visit our Relaxation Room in Clinton, IA. Our products are results driven, blind tested (never on animals), and do what we say they will do, or we will want them back. Spa Facial is papaben free, gluten free, sulfate free, artificial dye and artificial fragrance free. Spa Party Themes include : Relaxation, Instant Face Lift, Tone Your Tummy, Pedi, Giam, Couples, Oxygen, Detox, Bridal, Baby and more. We put the Ahhhh in Spa! www.beautipage.com/carissaevans

Dennis and Trina Gendron are now the owners of McDonald's in LeClaire!  Congratulations, and welcome!

Nathan and Elyce Billany are new to LeClaire and have joined as individuals!  Welcome!

 

CALENDAR

May 23^rd - Wide River Winery LeClaire - Music on the Mississippi Olivia Dvorak, 5-8 p.m.

May 23^rd - Bierstube - Live Music The Old 57's 9pm-1am

May 24^th - Bierstube Karaoke 9pm-1am

May 26th - Faithful Pilot Closed for Memorial Day

 

May 27^th - The Riverboat Twilight will begin the 2014 Cruise Season. Cruises will depart every Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday through the end of October.

May 30^th - Wide River Winery LeClaire - Music on the Mississippi Pieces of Candy, 5-8 p.m.

May 30^th - Bierstube Karaoke 9pm-1am

Save the Date

 

June 1st - Asbury Methodist Church "WORSHIP IN THE PARK" and Potluck Service 10:30 a.m.   The service will be held at Veterans Memorial Park Bandshell, 1645 23rd St., Bettendorf, followed by a potluck picnic with sliced ham provided. Please bring a dish to share and your own table service, drink & lawn chair.

 

June 5^th - LeClaire Community Library - Children's Musician Steve Couch - "Amazing You and Your Body Show" 11am. Interactive TV sing all about the human body in this fun, educational show!

 

June 6^th - First Friday in LeClaire 5-8 p.m.

Mississippi River Distilling Company - Food and Spirit Tastings and Strawberry Vodka is back!  www.mrdistilling.com

Wide River Winery - Wine and Music on the Mississippi - Live Music, Whoozdads? - 5-8 p.m. - www.wideriverwinery.com

Aunt Hattie's - Come in for a treat!

Razzleberries - Booze Cake while it lasts!

Bierstube - Karaoke - 9pm-1am

Restaurants and several shops will be open late!

June 6^th-7^th - LeClaire City Wide Garage Sales - email info@visitleclaire.com or go to http://www.visitleclaire.com/garage_sale_signup.htm by May 23 to sign up.

June 6^th-7^th - Princeton City Wide Garage Sales The Princeton Community Center will rent tables for $5 as a fundraiser, and the Center will be open from 7:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. on Saturday.  For reservations and set-up information, contact Pam O'Polka at 563-289-4612.

June 7^th - See "FROZEN" at Zion Lutheran Church, Princeton 7:30pm on the back lot. Bring chairs and/or blankets. Dress in costume! Hotdogs, popcorn and of course "Frozen" ice cream from Big Dave & Holly's!

 

June 15^th - Bier Stube - Fathers' Day Brunch - 10am-1pm

June 10^th - LeClaire Community Library - Grout Museum Presents Largest Chemistry See this Guinness World-Record breaking program with the largest chemistry demonstration. The fun starts at 2 pm

June 10th - Chamber Networking Event - Go Fish, Princeton 5:30-7pm - Everyone Welcome!

 

June 12^th - LeClaire Community Library - Snakes Alive! Tom Kessenich stops by with this fun, open-house style program showcasing all sorts of creepy crawlies and one very large alligator. Starts at 2 p.m.

June 13^th - Wide River Winery LeClaire - Music on the Mississippi Lindgren and Lewis - 5-8 p.m.

June 16^th - Economic Development Meeting - LeClaire City Hall - 8:00 a.m.

 

June 18^th - LeClaire Community Library - Illustrator Tim Read Tim Read is an established cartoonist, illustrator, and children's author. His program is highly engaging, funny, and appeals to a wide range audience - Starts at 2 p.m.

 

June 20^th - Wide River Winery LeClaire - Music on the Mississippi The Ripplers - 5-8 p.m.

June 21^st - Buffalo Bill Museum - Annual John Boesch Memorial Golf Outing 8 a.m. Clinic with Golf Pro Matt Boesch. Shotgun Start 9 a.m. Olathea Golf Course, LeClaire IA.  $65/person, includes cart and lunch. Hole prizes, Silent Auction. Don't golf? Join us for lunch $7! Call the museum today to reserve your place in this annual fundraiser! 563-289-5580.

June 21^st - 129 - Live Music Adam Schmidt - 8-11 p.m.

June 27th - Wide River Winery LeClaire - Music on the Mississippi Broken Strings - 5-8 p.m.

June 27^th - 129 - Live Music Jason Karl - 8-11 p.m.

June 28^th - Go Fish will hand out awards for a Golf Outing/Princeton Days fundraiser held 9a.m.-4p.m. that day. Contact Deb at 563-289-9030 for more information.

June 30^th - Happy Birthday, LeClaire Community Library! What better way to celebrate LeClaire Library's 10th Birthday with a magic show, balloon animals, and cake? Join us at 2pm for all the fun!

FYI

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!

The LeClaire Tourism Board is now seeking applications for individuals interested in filling an upcoming vacancy on the Tourism Board representing retail. Board applications are available at City Hall during regular business hours or may be downloaded from the City's website (home page, left-hand side). For this upcoming vacancy consideration, completed applications and any accompanying information must be received at City Hall no later than 5:00 p.m. on Friday, May 23, 2014. Any and all applications timely received will be reviewed by the Board and a decision will be made on June 2, 2014. Board position to begin on July 1, 2014. If anyone has any questions or if you need further information, please feel free to contact Cindy Bruhn at info@visitleclaire.com.

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

The Riverboat Twilight will begin the 2014 Cruise Season May 27th.  Cruises will depart every Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday through the end of October.  It is with honor and pleasure that the Twilight has called LeClaire her home port for the past 27 years.  Over the years we have had the unique opportunity of introducing 140,000 plus visitors to the many wonderful shops, restaurants and attractions the City of LeClaire has to offer. We look forward to another successful season.

Riverbend Signworks The latest version of The Updater (by the Riverbend Business Strategists) is now published.  This edition is all about FEEDBACK.

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Your-customers-said------WHAT-.html?soid=1111968629442&aid=InpQkNZG6vY

August 10^th - LeClaire Community Night, Modern Woodman Ball Park. Game time 5:00pm, River Bandits/Beloit Snappers. Mayor Bob Scannell will throw first pitch! A night to celebrate businesses and folks of Leclaire. Awards or special on-field recognition can be done followed by short video on mega-tron highlighting special places and faces in LeClaire filmed the week before. Businesses or groups interested in participating may contact Amanda Henzen, Account Executive and Director of Merchandise 563.333.2729 amandah@riverbandits.com

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.

PROPERTY LISTINGS

Commercial Property Available - 1295 and 1297 Eagle Ridge Road, LeClaire, Iowa. Please call: Mike Burke - Mel Foster Co. mburke@melforsterco.com, Mobile: 563-349-2705, Direct: 563-823-5272

Commercial Space for Sale or Lease/Purchase - 204 Jones St. - Call 563-370-2386 for more information. Will show by appointment. Commercially zoned only.

For Rent - Fully furnished 2 bedroom apartment located in beautiful downtown LeClaire, Iowa. This is a 2nd floor apartment in a duplex style building. Apartment is located in a very nice quiet neighborhood with a gorgeous view of the beautiful Mississippi River just steps from the popular downtown shops, dining and nightlife. Perfect for single person or couple, absolutely no pets or smoking. Apartment has all newer appliances including washer and dryer and is fully furnished with all furniture, linens, pots and pans and dishes. Rent also includes all utilities. Perfect for executives, couples in transition or seasonal travelers. Available June 15th. No lease required. Rent is $950.00 per month and that includes all utilities and furnishings. Call Heidi at 563-320-6263.

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 - Farmer's Market - Every Saturday, 3-6 p.m. on the LeClaire Levee

June 6-7 - City Wide Garage Sales

June 14 - Cars & Coffee on the Levee, 8-10 a.m. All makes, models & years welcome!

June 21 - Buffalo Bill Museum Golf Outing - Olathea Golf Course

August 2 - 27^th Annual Heartland British Auto Fest

August 7-9 - Tug Fest

October 5th - Bierstube - Dogtoberfest

October 12- Apple Fest

December - Christmas in LeClaire

Chamber Networking Events

June 10th - Go Fish - evening 5:30-7pm

July 8th - Big Dave and Holly's - lunch - noon

August 12th - McDonald's - breakfast 8:00am

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

(Rock Island, IL) - The Royal Neighbors of America Board of Directors and Executive Team will exchange their business suits for painting clothes and work gloves when they paint the gymnasium and plant flowers at the Rock Island YWCA. These activities will help make the YWCA a more attractive place for women and their families.

Each year, the Royal Neighbors directors from across the country join with local executives to volunteer for a project that will empower women.

"Working side-by-side on a volunteer project brings us together in a different environment," said Cynthia Tidwell, Royal Neighbors President/CEO. "It's not what we're used to doing in our corporate positions, but we enjoy making a difference. It is part of our legacy to empower women to reach their full potential, and the YWCA plays a vital role in providing services to women who are building a better life."