The June 2014 Chamber Newsletter will soon be in production to be delivered to Every Business and Home within the 52753 zipcode area!! Advertising rates remain: 1/8 page: $75; ¼ page: $100; ½ page: $125; full page: $250. Just send your ad information to LeClaireChamber@gmail.com, and we will forward it on to House of Print for you. Many of you signed up for each 2014 1/4ly issue and will get your 10% discount and may update your ad for June! No cost assistance in developing an advertisement is available through House of Print. If you would rather work with House of Print directly, send your ad to HouseofPrint@mchsi.com, and please copy LeClaireChamber@gmail.com Deadline May 9th, 5:00 p.m. Chamber Members - Get the word out about your business or events and be ready for SUMMER!

CALENDAR

April 25^th - Masonic Center LeClaire - Taco Bar 6:30-7:30 proceeds to BSA Venture Crew 212

April 26^th - "Country Breakfast" Masonic Center LeClaire - 8 a.m. - noon. Biscuits and Gravy, eggs and sausage, pancakes & coffee. Donation of $7.00 for adults, $3.50 for kids under 12. Sponsored by Silver Creek Order of the Eastern Star of LeClaire. Everyone is welcome!

Save the Date

May 2^nd - First Friday in LeClaire

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

Wide River Winery - Wine and Music on the Mississippi - Live, Danika Holmes, 5-8 p.m. 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!

May 2^nd-3^rd - French Market Days - LeClaire

Friday, May 2nd

Book Sale at LeClaire Community Library

*2-3pm: Piano Roll Banner Class includes supplies and refreshments.

*5:30pm: Book Page Wreath Class includes supplies and refreshments.

5:30-8pm: First Friday including Mississippi River Distilling Co.'s tour, food and drink sampling and live music in the courtyard at Wide River Winery, and much more!

10% discount at LeClaire hotels with breakfast included. Rest and refresh for Saturday's shopping and special classes.

Saturday, May 3rd

Mother's Day Shopping Specials

*9am-noon: Cookie decorating class. Learn to do professional cookie decorating and take some home! $35 at Medic EMS Community Room

10am-noon: Children's FREE "Tour de LeClaire" Big Wheel races on the Levee.

10am-4pm: French Flea Market on the Levee. Parking spaces full of treasures will be sold on the spot from the participants just like they do in Europe.

10am-4pm: Special art projects at Reusable Usables. Donations accepted.

3-6pm: LeClaire's Riverfront Farmer's Market includes fresh produce, artisan foods, and specialty snacks.

Book Sale at LeClaire Community Library - $1 bag day.

*Reservation and pre-payment required at www.visitleclaire.com For more information: www.visitleclaire.com

May 2^nd - Bierstube Karaoke 9pm-1am

May 3^rd - Our Lady of the River Catholic Church 3^rd Annual Trivia Night 2800 216th Street Place, LeClaire, IA. Doors open at 6, trivia starts at 6:30. $10 per person. Drinks and Cinco de Mayo themed Food for sale. Participants may bring food and soda, beer or wine.  Ages 12 or older may play.  Door prizes, pay out to top 2 teams.  Proceeds will go to the Parish Hall Remodel Project.  Contact Janice at tjvrom@gmail.com or (563)289-3232 for table reservations and more information.

May 3^rd, 4^th, 5^th - Bierstube Cinco De Mayo Specials $3 Margaritas, $4 Chips and Queso and $8 Beef or German Nachos

May 5^th - Cinco de Mayo - watch for events and specials at local businesses!

May 9^th - Wide River Winery LeClaire - Music on the Mississippi The Old 57's - 5-8 p.m.

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

May 10^th - Bierstube - Live Music The Fry Daddys 8pm- 12am

May 11th Bierstube - Mothers' Day Brunch - $10- 8am -1pm. Breakfast menu available 7am-10:30am and lunch menu available at 10:30am.

May 13^th - Chamber Networking Lunch - Blue Iguana LeClaire, noon. Everyone welcome!

May 14^th - Spring Concert at the LeClaire Community Library with 'Spiked Lobelia'. 6pm. Spiked Lobelia says they are both a prairie flower and a band, "Old time country/Irish/Bluegrass/eclectic goodness through & through". Bring a snack and friends for this fun family-friendly event in the brick courtyard outside the library, weather permitting. (Rain location is inside the library).

May 16^th - Wide River Winery LeClaire - Music on the Mississippi Jordan Danielsen, 5-8 p.m.

May 16^th - Bierstube Karaoke 9pm-1am

May 17^th - Go Fish "Kick off to Summer" Party! Live music by Keep off the Grass on the outdoor patio from 7-11pm. Princeton.

May 17^th - Trivia Night Benefiting the LeClaire Lions Club LeClaire Civic Club. Doors open 6:30pm; game starts 7pm. $10 per person.  Bring your own, or purchase refreshments.

May 19^th - Economic Development Meeting - City Hall - 8:00 a.m.

May 20^th - First Presbyterian Church of LeClaire - Women's Mini-Retreat 9:30 am to 12 noon, cost $6.Call Pastor Melody, 563-381-7777.

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

FYI

Dr. Lisa Arndt, Arndt Chiropractic Center, Inc., Bettendorf, has been appointed to the Board of Directors of the Iowa Chiropractic Society for a second term. In addition, Dr. Arndt received the Director of the Year award for her service during the 2013-2014 term.

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.

Celebration Belle 2014 Cruising Season April 2nd - October 31st.  Make reservations online at www.celebrationbelle.com or call 1-800-297-0034

Buffalo Bill Museum archives are now open to the public for research on local and regional history, genealogies and more!

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

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

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.

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!

June 6-7 - City Wide Garage Sales

August - Tug Fest

October 12- Apple Fest

October - Witch's Walk

December - Christmas in LeClaire

WAVERLY - Valerie Aguilera and Shelley Skuster, both adoptive moms from Waverly, have launched a statewide adoption support and advocacy organization, the Modern Moses Foundation.

"We realized there isn't a go-to organization for adoptive families to head to for support, resources and encouragement," said Skuster.

"That's why we wanted to start a statewide organization to really reach out to these families," she added.

Skuster and her husband adopted a newborn daughter from Texas in August.

"We also realize that while every family is unique, there is a common thread between all of us who have chosen to grow our families through adoption," said Aguilera who has two biological children with her husband. The family recently finalized the adoption of their daughter from foster care in April.

Aguilera and Skuster attribute their faith and strong passion for adoption in making the Modern Moses Foundation a reality.

The organization's website, www.ModernMosesFoundation.org, showcases a variety of supporters, including area businesses and organizations, that have a heart for adoptive families in Iowa.

"We have a handful of really talented photographers across the state who are offering customized packages for adoptive families. A lot of them are waiving the fees for adoption milestones like court hearings or homecomings," said Skuster.

"We've received such great support from churches and businesses, too. We know this type of organization is needed for adoptive families in Iowa, and we're excited to offer fun events where adoptive families can get to know one another," said Aguilera.

The Modern Moses Foundation is planning its first event, a statewide picnic for adoptive families, in August. The "Picnic in the Park" is scheduled for Saturday, August 9th in Waverly.

"We're still working out the details, but we're confident we'll have some great sponsors for our first big event," said Aguilera.

Additionally, the organization plans to host monthly coffee meetings for adoptive moms, and volunteers will send homemade food baskets to new adoptive families in the state.

"Our goal is really just to embrace and support all families blessed with adoption," said Aguilera.

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MARION - Governor Pat Quinn today issued the following statement on a new proposal - sponsored by Leader Durkin and Leader Radogno - to enact term limits for constitutional officers in Illinois:

"I support this proposed constitutional amendment and have supported term limits since 1994.

"Constitutional amendments have long allowed the power of the people to translate into positive reform for Illinois government. I led the charge to establish term limits for legislators through constitutional amendment in 1994; I successfully established recall for the office of Governor through constitutional amendment in 2010; and I spearheaded the successful effort to reduce the size of the House by constitutional amendment in 1980.

"I hope voters have the chance to consider this constitutional amendment on the ballot."