WEST DES MOINES, IOWA - May 17, 2013 - The Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF), the state's largest grassroots farm organization, applauds the passage of HF 649, a measure to protect farmers and landowners who allow visitors onto their farm for recreational purposes. The measure unanimously passed the Iowa House and Senate and is now before Gov. Terry Branstad.

The measure resulted from an Iowa Supreme Court ruling in February which opened farmers and private landowners up to liability if someone was injured while on their land for recreational purposes such as fishing, hunting, and field trips.

"This is a big win for Iowa farmers and all Iowans who want to experience and learn more about life on the farm," said IFBF President Craig Hill. "By restoring this liability protection that farmers have had for four decades, the Legislature took a common sense approach that will be good for all Iowans."

The Iowa Supreme Court ruling stemmed from a field trip an Iowa kindergarten class took to a northeast Iowa dairy farm. A chaperone fell in a barn, claimed the landowner was negligent and sued.

The Iowa Supreme Court imposed a far more narrow interpretation of 'recreational' and liability protection than those that Iowa farmers have had since the 1970's. It said landowners could be protected only if they opened up their land to the general public and if the recreational activity occurred outdoors, not in a barn or shed. It also ruled that landowners lost liability protection if they acted as tour guides on the farm. That had prompted many legal experts to recommend that Iowa farmers severely limit the visitors onto their land or close their farm gates completely.

Hill added, "Not only does HF 649 restore liability protection for previous activities, it also includes educational activities, directs broad interpretation, eliminates public access concerns and removes the peril from the 'tour guide' role of landowners. The unanimous vote is a clear indication that the legislation is a common sense measure that will serve the needs of farmers, landowners and the general public."

-30-

About Iowa Farm Bureau

The Iowa Farm Bureau Federation is a grassroots, statewide organization dedicated to enhancing the People, Progress and Pride of Iowa.  More than 153,000 families in Iowa are Farm Bureau members, working together to achieve farm and rural prosperity.  For more information about Farm Bureau and agriculture, visit the online Newsroom page at www.iowafarmbureau.com.

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS!

Pebble Creek Golf Course - 3851 Forest Grove Drive, LeClaire, IA 52753, phone - 563-332-5072 LeClaire, IA. http://www.pebblecreekgolf.org Pebble Creek is a challenging course located near LeClaire, IA. The superb design and excellent condition of the golf course guarantees an enjoyable round of play for golfers of all abilities. Open to the public, our social atmosphere is casual and welcoming for everyday play, social functions, and tournaments. Our customer service is friendly and personalized. We look forward to seeing you!  

CALENDAR

May 17th-18^th - French Market Days 10:00am - 4:00pm LeClaire Passport Collecting - Pick up a LeClaire Passport from participating stores and the LeClaire Information Center, 122 North Cody Road.  Each store will offer a different French stamp. A completed passport will qualify for one entry for a  drawing for a special LeClaire Bascket! Shoppers can collect stamps May 17th and 18th only. Other activities include a Jewelry Making Class, Wine Garden Event, Terrarium Class, Afternoon Tea, Glass Garden Crafts, Fashion Plate Pet Contest, Rue de Marche - Vendors on the Alley - furniture, crafters, antiques, Tour de LeClaire - Big Wheel races, Special Exhibit about Antoine LeClaire at the Buffalo Bill Museum, Parasol Art Contest, Plant Exchange, Library Book Sale, Build the Eiffel Tower and Market Bag Classes at Reusable Usables Creative Arts Center, and much more! Go to www.visitleclaire.com for more info on French Market Days!

May 17^th - Wide River Winery - Live Music! To celebrate the opening of our courtyard wine garden in Le Claire, we will be hosting an evening of live music on Friday May 17th.  Come check out Pieces of Candy (featuring Al Sweet, Brett Dale, & Nick Vasquez) members of the Candymakers - winners of the 2011 Iowa Blues Societies Blues Challenge. It's also French Market Days in Le Claire - great weekend to come & check out our beautiful new tasting room & courtyard wine garden!

May 18th - Reusable Usables - Up-cycled Market Bag Workshop - 2-4 p.m.Turn pet food bags and seed sacks into a reusable farmers market tote!  $8 per bag.  Class maximum 20. RSVP 563-289-3946 or angie@reusableusables.org.  Eifel Tower Building - 10-4 p.m. (no rsvp needed) Re-create the Eifel tower using scraps from Reusable Usables.  Great fun for the entire family.  Donations appreciated!

May 20^th - Economic Development Meeting - Great River Financial - 8:00 a.m.

May 20^th - Ascentra Credit Union - Commemorate the Completion of Our Newest Sate-of-the-At Banch 2339 53rd Ave. Bettendorf. Ascentra will have a ribbon cutting celebration on Monday, May 20 at 4:30 p.m. Media and public invited to enjoy refreshments, tours.

Save the Date

June 2nd - Live Music at the Wide River Winery Tasting Room "The Ripplers" from 2-5pm 106 N. Cody Road www.wideriverwinery.com

June 7th First Friday - Downtown LeClaire - 5-8 p.m.

June 8th - Trivia Night at the LeClaire Civic Center benefiting the Buffalo Bill Museum. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with trivia starting at 7 p.m. Participants may bring beer, wine, snacks and soda. Water and snacks will also be for sale. Up to eight people per table. $10 per person with a $50 table minimum. Everyone will be entered into a drawing for door prizes. Contact Chris at chris@ccx.net or 563-505-6703 for reservations or information. Don't have enough for a full table? Come anyway and we can put you on a table that needs people!

June 16th - Asbury Methodist Church "WORSHIP IN THE PARK" and Potluck Service The Worship Committee of Asbury United Methodist Church, Bettendorf, is planning a Praise Worship Service in the Park on Sunday, June 16 at 10:30 a.m.  The service will be held at Veterans Memorial Park Bandshell, 1645 23^rd St., Bettendorf. Following the service there will be a potluck picnic with sliced ham provided.  Please bring a dish to share and your own table service, drink & lawn chair.

June 17^th-21^st - Kingdom Rock Vacation Bible School - Asbury United Methodist Church 9 a.m. to noon, 1809 Mississippi Blvd., Bettendorf - 563-355-5218 Register on-line www.asbury-bett.org.  VBS is offered for participants ages Kindergarten through 5th grade (completed), and to volunteers 6th grade and up.  If you have any questions, please contact Michelle Swinney at 563-505-0060 or mswinney@mchsi.com.

June 21^st - 22^nd - THE LeCLAIRE GIRLS' GET AWAY WEEKEND! On the evening of Friday, June 21, and all day Saturday, June 22, 2013, TUGFEST hosts the Girls's Getaway Weekend in LeClaire, Iowa! Sign up today for this amazing event featuring give aways, coupons, music, games and delicious food. MEET Anthony Ryan Auld the Winner of this year's "Project Runway All Stars" at the Girls Get Away Fashion Show & Cocktail Party on Saturday evening. No other contestant has had more wins beating the best designers in a single season of the show. Anthony Ryan will be speaking about his journey to becoming a top fashion designer and winning Project Runway All Stars. KWQC's anchor and on-air reporter Bailey Deitz will be the mistress of ceremonies for this special event. The LeClaire Girls' Get Away will start on Friday evening, June 21, at the Wide River Winery, where you will taste award-winning wines and pick up your GIRLS GET AWAY passport to LeClaire with your goody bags.

On Saturday, June 22, LECLAIRE GIRLS GET AWAY events include :

* Grasshoppers will host music and wine tasting on their beautiful lawn.

* Win Prizes every hour on the hour at Aunt Hattie's Fanciful Emporium.

* Dwellings will be hosting Margarita Man.

* Zaruba's will host mini make overs.

* Free Tours at the Mississippi River Distilling Company.

* Expert Tammy Allen will teach a FREE Class in "Punch Needle" at Primitive Cottage.

* The Buffalo Bill Museum will offer a Quilt Making Class.

Cost to participate in the LeClaire Girls Get Away are $65 per person. Go to Leclairegirlgetaway.com

July 1^st - Friends of the LeClaire Community Library is planning an Open House to celebrate our 9th anniversary! Details are forthcoming!

July 15^th-19^th - LeClaire Baptist Church - "Colossal Coaster World" VBX Week For kids age 4 up through kids going INTO 6^th grade! Cost: FREE! Time:  9:00 AM - Noon Location:  1326 Wisconsin Street LeClaire, Iowa  52753 Family program:  SUNDAY, July 21 at 10:30 PM followed by our "Burger Bash" lunch! For more information or registration: phone:  (563) 289-4191 e-mail:  leclairebaptist@leclairebaptist.org or REGISTER ONLINE at www.leclairebaptist.org (under ministries and kids vbx link)

FYI

Grace Marine/Captain's Quarters now has Pontoon Boat and Jet Ski Rentals! 2 hour Rental - $150. 4 hour Rental - $300.  6 hour Rental - $400.  All day Rental - $500. Jet ski Rentals: $80 per hour or all day for $400.  All fuel costs are the responsibility of the customer.  Any damage sustained will be the responsibility of the customer.  A reservation will need to be made at least 1 week in advance, at which time a $250 fee will be charged to hold the rental and will serve as the damage deposit - customer will need a Visa or MasterCard to hold the rental.  Please call 563.359.1635 to make your reservation or email junior@gracemarine.com

Please volunteer or help recruit volunteers for the LeClaire Information Center! We get a lot of great comments about the LIC, and we help promote all of LeClaire:

1. Through telling visitors about our great attractions, shops, restaurants, parks, schools, housing developments, etc.,

2. By mailing out information to individuals, small groups and bus tours who want to come find out what LeClaire is all about, and

3. Through providing nice, convenient public restrooms to shoppers, diners, people checking out our attractions, families, LeClaire residents who are just out for a walk - everyone appreciates the restrooms!

Almost everyone knows at least one person who loves to talk and meet new people - a retired neighbor or stay-at-home mom, a relative, a friend, a person from church, a person from your civic club, a person from exercise class... Please contact Cindy at 563-650-7963 or info@visitleclaire.com Volunteers are trained and there is lots of brochures and information to share with visitors.

Let's make downtown LeClaire and the LeClaire Information Center the best it can possibly be!

Buffalo Bill Museum is now open until 5pm daily. As of April 1st, the museum is open 9am to 5pm Monday through Saturday, and on Sundays 12noon to 5pm. A reminder: group discounts are available for tour groups, clubs/reunions, and school groups. Call the museum at 563-289-5580 for details!

Reusable Usables - Planet Green recycled art after school classes on Tuesday and Thursdays.RSVP 563-289-3946 or angie@reusableusables.org

"LIKE" the LeClaire Chamber of Commerce on FaceBook Visit the chamber's Face Book page and discover a great source of news, business announcements, events, and other information that is updated frequently. It's a useful source of updated information for all members and non-members!

Chamber 2013 Networking Events - Everyone welcome to attend!

June 6 - Black Watch Room - after hours - 5-8pm (1st Thursday)

July 9 - Blue Iguana - Lunch -noon

August 13 - Big Dave and Holly's - lunch -noon

September 10 - Steventon's - after hours - 5-8pm

October 8 - Hungry Hobo - lunch - noon

November 12 - tbd

December 10 - Happy Joes - lunch -noon

SERVING THE COMMUNITY AND BEYOND

Meet and greet Pastor Melody any Wednesday from 1-3 pm at Happy Joe's. Pastor Melody from First Presbyterian Church of LeClaire, will be at Happy Joe's in LeClaire, every Wednesday, from 1-3 pm, sipping on a soda, reading and waiting to visit with you and your friends. Stop by and say hi. Or, if you have a prayer request or a question, just let her know. Meals for Seniors at the church every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 12 noon. Good food and a time to visit with others. Please call 563-289-3646 and make a reservation 2 days in advance.

Trivia Nights in LeClaire at the LeClaire Civic Center -

2013 Trivia Nights:

June 8 - Buffalo Bill Museum

July 13 - Hosted by First Presbyterian Church - Hurricane Sandy Victims

LeClaire Trivia Nights have raised over $95,000 for local non-profit organizations! Thank you for your continued support!

LeClaire 2013 Events Calendar:

First Fridays each month 5:00-8:00 P.M.

May 17th-18th French Market Days

June 7th-8th LeClaire City-Wide Garage Sales

June 21st-22nd - Girls' Getaway Weekend

Summer 2013 - City-Wide Water Explosion (Hollyhock Park)

Summer 2013 - Bike Parade & Decorating

August 8th-10th Tugfest

October 6th - Dogtoberfest at Bier Stube

October 13th - AppleFest

October 24th - HalloWine

October 26th - Witches Walk Costume Contest and Parade

December 6-8, 2013: Christmas in LeClaire

Family Nights at the LeClaire Rec Center: Details at www.leclairereccenter.com

www.LeClaireChamber.com and visit the Chamber on FaceBook!

Seven furlough days to be paired with holidays & weekends to ease impact

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is notifying the public today that it will close its offices nationwide on Friday, May 24^th as a result of government-wide automatic spending cuts that took effect on March 1, 2013.  Absent any action to overcome these required reductions, the Department anticipates the need to close and suspend operations for an additional six days over the remainder of the current fiscal year.

The closures are expected on:

Ø  Friday, May 24^th

Ø  Friday, June 14th

Ø  Friday, July 5th

Ø  Monday, July 22nd

Ø  Friday, August 2nd

Ø  Friday, August 16th

Ø  Friday, August 30th