James R. Thompson Center Exhibit Honors "The Father of the Americas"

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn was joined by several Consuls General and leaders of Illinois' Mexican-American community today to celebrate the 208th anniversary of Benito Juárez's birth. The Governor also proclaimed today as "Benito Juárez Day" across Illinois, calling him one of "humanity's giants."

"Benito Juárez transformed Mexico with his passion for freedom, his vision of democracy and his commitment to constitutional law," Governor Quinn said. "He was one of humanity's giants?as well as a strong ally of Abraham Lincoln?so today we celebrate his life."

The birthday party for the man known as "The Father of the Americas" took place at an exhibit in the James R. Thompson Center in Chicago which offers colorful insights into the Mexican leader's life. Viewed by thousands of visitors to the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield, the exhibit examines Juárez's life from his humble youth to his trailblazing Presidency. For more information on the life of Benito Juárez, visit www.Illinois.gov/benitojuarez.

The exhibit reveals how Juárez earned the title of "Father of the Americas." In May 1865 Colombia was the first Latin American government to formally salute Juárez, citing his "perseverance in defending the freedom and independence of Mexico." Two years later, the Dominican Republic President coined the phrase "Father of the Americas," saying Juárez set an example by winning "a splendid victory by giving a death blow to the empire."

Governor Quinn was joined by Dominican Republic Consul General Giselle Castillo Veremis, Colombia Consul General Bladimiro Cuello and Mexico Consul General Carlos Martín Jiménez Macías.

"Juárez's vision, heart and skill earned the respect of freedom-loving people everywhere, from Colombia and the Dominican Republic to New Orleans and Springfield, Illinois," Governor Quinn said. "And this year we're celebrating 150 years of friendship between the People of Illinois and People of Mexico, a relationship that grew from Juárez's friendship with Abraham Lincoln."

Lincoln and Juárez are often compared. Both came from humble origins, were self-taught lawyers, served in Congress and led their countries through war. In 1861, Juárez sent a young emissary named Matías Romero to Springfield to meet President-elect Lincoln, who, as a first-term Congressman, had endeared himself to many in Mexico for opposing President James K. Polk's invasion of Mexico in 1846.

That historic meeting between Romero and Lincoln?the first official congratulations to Lincoln by a foreign leader?was reenacted on stage recently at the Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. Governor Quinn was joined at that performance by Mexico Consul General Jiménez and State of Mexico Governor Eruviel Ávila. The three men also laid a wreath at the bronze statue of Juárez in the Plaza of the Americas on Chicago's busy Magnificent Mile and attended a concert by the Mexico City Symphony at Chicago's Benito Juárez Community Academy.

Today is the last day of the free exhibit in the James R. Thompson Center, 100 W. Randolph, Chicago.

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS!

Urban Classic Home - Becky Curtis, owner. Unique home décor, artwork, lamps, furniture and accessories. Interior design services. 124 N. Cody Rd., LeClaire. 563-289-1221.

Interiors by the Sewing Room - Window treatments, bedding, pillows for designers and residential clients in the QC for over 30 years. Residential interior design services. Style, quality and value. 818 15^th Ave, Moline, IL. 309-755-0045

El Rio Wellness Retreat -Featuring yoga and pilates studio, spa café, spa treatment rooms, Riverflow exercise pool, meditation garden and retail yoga supplies.  www.elriowellnessretreat.com 1000 Stagecoach Rd., LeClaire. 563-289-1334.

CALENDAR

March 22^nd - First Presbyterian Church, LeClaire - Active Christians - Bingo Fun and fellowship for all ages. 6:30p.m. Welcome to bring wrapped $1-2 item or white elephant item for Bingo prizes. Bring friends and snack to share!

March 24^th - 29^th - Bier Stube Week-long Anniversary Celebration! Daily food, drink specials, raffles! Friday March 28^th - Old 57's band, 9pm-1am. Saturday March 29th- Karaoke, 9pm-1am. We want to thank Leclaire for 5 amazing years! Please join us for this celebration! We will continue to have karaoke every Friday 9 p.m. - 1 a.m. Docks ready to go by mid-April!

Mar 28^th - Masonic Center LeClaire - Dinner 6:30 - 7p.m. Menu tbd

Save the Date

Beginning April 1st - Interiors by the Sewing Room "Celebration of Light Savings Event" offering a Rebate promotion on select Hunter Douglas shades. Give your windows a fresh look and save some money along the way. Call 309-755-0045, or stop in for details!

April 1^st - 12^th - Expressions In Threads Celebrates Expansion and 10th Anniversary Grand Reopening! Special Sales all days. Saturday April 5^th - Janome Sewing Machine educator will demonstrate the Janome 15000 embroidery machine.

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

April 4th - Frist Friday 5-8p.m.

April 4th-5th - Girls Getaway Weekend 2014! Dinner and Fashion Show at Steventon's. The mid-west's funniest standup comic, Bobby Ray Bunch. Top Chef Winner, Robert Day cooking class. Carissa Evens hosts a Beauty Boot Camp by BC Mobile Spas. Prize Drawing every hour 11am to 4pm.  Wine tastings at the Wide River Winery and Grasshoppers. Free tour at the Mississippi Distilling Company. Wine & Murder Mystery Game. Goodie bag and more! $45 per person. Sign up: www.Leclairegirlsgetaway2014.com

April 12th - LeClaire Civic Club Annual Swiss Steak Dinner LeClaire Civic Center 4:30-7pm.  Adults $8.00/Child $5.00 (under 10).  Tickets available from members, or at the door!

April 19^th - Trivia Night in LeClaire benefits Buffalo Bill Museum. Doors open 6:30pm; game starts 7pm. $10 per person.  Bring your own, or purchase refreshments.  Brisket dinner also available for purchase. See www.LeClaireCivicClub.org for details and to register!

April 20th - Easter Sunday - First Presbyterian Church, LeClaire Two worship times, 8 and 10a.m. Free Easter Breakfast at 9a.m.

April 20th - Faithful Pilot - Easter Brunch 2 seatings, 10:00 & 12:30 - 3 course brunch for $30.00.  No coupons, or gift certificates valid.

FYI

From Riverbend Signworks: There isn't a lot of new stuff at the cinema, so we're going to "fill the gap"!  The "bloopers" reel from our recent video is now on-line.  It's not "viral", but it might make you feel funny.  http://riverbendsignworks.com/2014/03/18/riverbend-signworks-of-the-quad-cities-bloopers-video/

Ascentra Credit Union was recently honored with six Diamond Awards for marketing and business development achievements in the credit union industry. Awards were presented by the Credit Union National Association (CUNA) Marketing and Business Development Council at the annual conference, March 12-15, Orlando, Fla. Ascentra received top honors in the following categories: Brand Awareness, Community/Public Relations One-Time Event, Television advertising, Community/PR-Ongoing Event: Steppin' Up Program and Pay it Forward partnership with WQAD News 8, Point of Sale Display and Retail Merchandising: ZIP - My Online Services campaign, and Complete Campaign:10 & Done! Mortgage Freedom Loan campaign.

Dwellings Now open at New Location 414 N. Cody Rd.

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!

PROPERTY LISTINGS

Commercial Space Available for Rent - 118 N. Cody Rd. Call 563-289-2525.

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 Rent - 204 Jones St. - Call 563-370-2386 for more information. Will show by appointment. Commercially zoned only. Lease with option to purchase.

Home for Rent - Single family home on the River - two bed, two bath (could be three bed, two bath). Newly remodeled throughout, new appliances. 2 car attached garage. 1405 Canal Shore Dr. $1300 month - Dock access is negotiable. Call 563-529-1346.

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.

60" Flatscreen TV at Civic Club is available with hall rentals! Enjoy football parties, family videos, and network television during your event! Perfect for graduation parties! Visit www.leclairecivicclub.org to book!

LeClaire Events Coming Up!

April 4-5 - Girls Getaway Weekend

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

May 2-3 - French Market Days

May 3-4 - LeClaire Community Library Book Sale

May 5 - Cinco de Mayo

June 6-7 - City Wide Garage Sales

August - Tug Fest

October 12- Apple Fest

October - Witch's Walk

December - Christmas in LeClaire

This winter saw many severe snow storms across the country, making flooding more likely as spring thawing occurs. Floods pose a threat in all fifty states, yet one-third of pet owners don't have an emergency plan. In light of Flood Safety Awareness Week, the ASPCA is urging pet owners to prepare for floods in advance, increasing the chance of survival for both them and their pets.

Dr. Dick Green, senior director of ASPCA Disaster Response, has led many disaster response operations, rescuing thousands of animals during various floods across the country. Dr. Green led field rescue operations to search for stranded pets and reunite them with their owners following major disasters including Hurricanes Katrina, Sandy, Isaac, Irene, Gustav and Ike.

Dr. Green offers the following tips and more on flood preparedness:

• Obtain a rescue alert sticker, which will let rescuers know that pets are inside your home.
• Make sure all pets wear collars and ID tags with up-to-date identification. The ASPCA also recommends micro-chipping your pet as a more permanent form of I.D.
• Keep a pet emergency kit and supplies handy with items such as medical records, water, pet food and medications, and pet first aid supplies.
• In the event of evacuation, do not leave your pets behind.
• Know what risks your area faces. Find out if your house is in a floodplain and the fastest way that you and your pets can get to higher ground.

Clinton to Join Seven to Receive the Order of Lincoln on May 3 in Chicago

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today announced that Former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton will join seven distinguished Illinoisans to receive The Order of Lincoln, the State's highest honor for professional achievement and public service.

"Through her decades of service, Hillary Clinton has helped shape and improve the world more than almost any person in our nation's history," Governor Quinn said. "From working on women's and children's issues, to her time as First Lady, U.S. Senator, and Secretary of State, she personifies the best that Illinois and the United States of America can offer. We are grateful to be able to present her with the state's highest award and thank her for the service she continues to provide to this day to the people across the world."

Hillary Rodham Clinton, an Illinois native, was raised in Park Ridge, Illinois. She served as First Lady of Arkansas for more than a dozen years championing causes for women, children and families. She served as First Lady of the United States from 1993 to 2001, and advocated for health care reform and led successful bipartisan efforts to improve the adoption and foster care systems, reduce teen pregnancy, and provide health care to millions of children. She also traveled to more than 80 countries as a representative of our country, winning respect as a champion of human rights, democracy, civil society, and opportunities for women and girls around the world.

In 2000, Clinton made history as the first First Lady elected to the United States Senate. She worked across party lines to expand economic opportunity and access to quality, affordable health care, including for wounded service members, veterans and members of the National Guard and Reserves. After September 11, 2001, she secured resources to rebuild New York and provide health coverage for the needs of first responders who became sick during rescue and recovery efforts at Ground Zero.

In 2007 and 2008, Clinton made her historic campaign for President, winning 18 million votes, and more primaries and delegates than any woman had before.

In her four years as Secretary of State, Clinton played a central role in restoring America's standing in the world and strengthening its global leadership.  Her "smart power" approach to foreign policy elevated American diplomacy and development and repositioned them for the 21st century -- with new tools, technologies, and partners, including the private sector and civil society around the world.  As America's chief diplomat and the President's principal foreign policy adviser, Clinton spearheaded progress on many of our greatest national security challenges, from reasserting the United States as a Pacific power to imposing crippling sanctions on Iran and North Korea to responding to the challenges and opportunities of the Arab Awakening to negotiating a ceasefire in the Middle East.  She pushed the frontiers of human rights and demonstrated that giving women the opportunity to participate fully is vital to security, stability, and prosperity.

Clinton is a graduate of Wellesley College and Yale Law School.

Clinton will receive the award on Saturday evening, May 3, 2014, at the Field Museum in Chicago as part of the 50th Annual Convocation of the Lincoln Academy of Illinois. The Lincoln Academy is a non-partisan, independent organization which administers the award and chooses each year's honorees.

For more information about the Order of Lincoln or to view information about this year's recipients, please visit www.thelincolnacademyofillinois.org.