DAVENPORT, Iowa (SEPT. 19, 2013) - The 2013 Midwest League Champion Quad Cities River Bandits will open defense of their title on the same field where they won it all, as Modern Woodmen Park will host the 2014 home opener Thursday, April 3, against the Kane County Cougars. The team announced on Thursday its 140-game schedule, including 70 home dates and times, for the 2014 season.

The Class-A affiliate of the Houston Astros will play a four-game Opening Weekend series April 3-6 at Modern Woodmen Park, voted the Best Minor League Ballpark in a nationwide vote at 10Best.com and USA TODAY. The very next weekend, the ballpark will host the second annual Bandits Race to Home 5K and Kids Fun Run presented by Palmer Chiropractic Clinics to benefit the Bandit Scholars Program at 8 a.m. Saturday, April 12. The River Bandits will go on to play a home game on 13 weekends throughout the season.

"After two championships in three years, our fans can look forward to another season of first-rate baseball and affordable, family-friendly entertainment," said team co-owner Dave Heller. "With the Ferris Wheel opening in May and new improvements throughout the ballpark, exciting new promotions, great entertainment and must-see attractions, we are determined to make 2014 the best year ever at the Best Minor League Ballpark in the country!"

The River Bandits will play weekday home games at 7:00 p.m., with the exception of 11:00 a.m. start times on three Tuesdays - April 29, May 6 and May 20. This season, all Saturday home games will start at 6:00 p.m. instead of the usual 7:00 p.m. start so younger fans can enjoy every minute of the action. Sunday home games will start at 1:15 p.m. the first half of the season (April 6, June 8 and June 15), and at the end of the season (Aug. 17 and Aug. 24). Sunday games will start at 5:00 p.m. June 22, July 6, July 20 and Aug. 10.

The River Bandits will play a home game on 13 weekends throughout the season, including the Fourth of July weekend, Friday, July 4, through Sunday, July 6, as well as Memorial Day weekend games Friday, May 23, and Saturday, May 24. The team is home for Mother's Day weekend games Friday, May 9, and Saturday, May 10, and a three-day Father's Day weekend series Friday, June 13, through Sunday, June 15. The River Bandits play their regular season home finale Friday, Aug. 29, of Labor Day weekend.

The River Bandits have eight different homestands of six games or more, including two season-long seven-game homestands; one comes Aug. 4-10 and the other June 13-22, sandwiched around the three-day break for the Midwest League All-Star Game, set for Tuesday, June 17, in Comstock Park, Mich. A season-long 10-game road stretch takes place June 24-July 3.

Quad Cities will have a rematch of the 2013 Midwest League Championship Series against the South Bend Silver Hawks April 17-19 at Modern Woodmen Park. Other Eastern Division teams making visits to Modern Woodmen Park include the West Michigan Whitecaps (April 14-16), the Fort Wayne TinCaps (July 16-18) and the Lake County Captains (July 19-21). Every Western Division team will play at least six games at Modern Woodmen Park in 2014.

A full schedule of home and road games for 2014 is available at www.riverbandits.com. Ticket plans for the 2014 season are now on sale.

UP NEXT: Now is the time to lock in your season ticket plan for the 2014 season! Call the River Bandits box office at 563-324-3000 or visit www.riverbandits.com to download the season ticket order form. Season ticket and mini-plan packages start at just seven games and begin at less than $40. Call a River Bandits account representative today to choose your seats and get the details of our various mini-plan packages.

ABOUT THE BANDITS: The River Bandits ownership is making one of the biggest improvements to Modern Woodmen Park since the ballpark was first built back in 1931! A new Ferris wheel, standing 112 feet over the playing field, is planned for next spring, along with a carousel and other new games and attractions. This season, the team unveiled a new 300-foot long dual zip line, a rock climbing wall, and a number of new bounce houses. The team's major league affiliate, the Houston Astros, just saw all six of its affiliates reach the playoffs - the first time in a decade any MLB team can claim such success. The River Bandits were one of three affiliates to reach the championship round and one of two to win their league championships.

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Chamber 2013 Networking Events - Everyone welcome to attend!

October 10 - Steventon's - 5:30-7:30 p.m. - Join us on the deck!

November - Faithful Pilot - date and time tbd

December 10 - Hungry Hobo - lunch - noon

CALENDAR

September 6^th-22^nd - The 2nd Annual East West Riverfest A 17-day celebration of the arts, culture and heritage offerings that thrive in the Quad Cities and along the Mississippi River. Over 380 events will take place at various theaters, music venues, galleries, historic sites, parks, libraries, and attractions on both sides of the river in the Quad Cities. Enjoy visual, literary and performing arts.  Celebrate with world-class festivals and events. Visit exhibits, take a tour, ride on a riverboat, attend lectures, and participate in workshops. The entire East West Riverfest Event Guide can be viewed online at eastwestriverfest.com, or a printed guide is available at the LeClaire Information Center, 122. N. Cody Road, or can be requested through the website to be sent by mail or by calling the Quad Cities Convention & Visitors Bureau at 800-747-7800.

September 20th - Live Music at Wide River Winery 5-8pm featuring 'Pieces of Candy' - 106 N. Cody Road  www.wideriverwinery.com

Olathea Golf Course - 9 am. $60 dollars per person, 4 person best ball.  Food, prizes, and supporting a great Cause. Please Call Olathea to sign up @ 563-289-(golf) 4653

September 21^st - Twilight Riverboat Dinner Cruise Sponsored by LeClaire Chamber of Commerce - Grandma Swain's Roast Beef Dinner - $40 per person - Cash Bar - Board at 4:30pm - Cruise from 5-8pm - Tickets available at First Central State Bank, Vern Spring, or Dayle Hall - 563-340-0862.  A few tickets might be available through September 20!

September 22^nd - Reusable Usables Family Yoga - 3:30-4:30 PM Taught by Yoga master Jennifer Vondracek and Executive Director of YogaG.   Family yoga will be held once a month for families with children ages 2 & up. No experience necessary.  Bring a water bottle and a towel or yoga mat. PLEASE RSVP 1 day prior via email or sign up at parents sign in station. Family Yoga teaches simple routines, games and partner poses the whole family will love. Fee: $5 donation per family of 4

September 25^th - Workshop - Reassessing Risk in Your Portfolio 12:00pm. Eric Johannes, Charles Schwab, 5345 Elmore Ave #300, Davenport, IA 52807. Please R.S.V.P 563-275-3659.

September 27^th - Live Music at Wide River Winery 5-8pm featuring 'Patchy Fog' - 106 N. Cody Road  www.wideriverwinery.com

September 27^th - Divine Goddesses! Reusable Usables This is a class to let your inner Goddess soar as you learn how to paint and apply found objects, ephemera, laces, fabric, almost anything to a 16x20  canvas with your own goddess picture as the subject.  Emphasis is on letting yourself create without judgment as there is no right or wrong when we open ourselves up to create.  All materials provided.  Just bring your Divine Goddess!  6:30-8:30 pm. Cost: $25 (all materials and appetizers provided) BYOB

Save the Date

October 10^th - The LeClaire Fire Department Annual Fire Prevention Open House at the Fire Station (corner of Jones and 15th) 6pm to 8pm. Please stop up and see the fire prevention posters designed by the students (K-4) from Bridgeview and Cody Schools. We will also have other interesting and informative displays, fire truck rides and they very popular LCFD popcorn!

October 13^{th -} LeClaire Lions Club presents "Apple Fest on the River" 11:00am-4:00pm.

Apples, Childrens Activities, Jump House, Variety of Vendors, Homemade Pies, Cupcakes, Cake Pops, Kettle Korn, Pumpkins, Specialty popcorn, Crepes, Copper Jewelry, Hand made Canoes, QC Antique Car Club, Garden Art and MUCH  MORE!!!!!!!!

October 15^th - Asbury United Methodist Church is hosting a "Partnering to EmPOWER" fundraising event for Winnie's Place. ALL booth fees will go to Winnie's Place. Vendors will also agree to donate 9% of their sales to Winnies Place, which corresponds to the statistic that every 9 seconds, a woman is abused. Interested vendors are asked to contact Heidi Lubben at hjlubben@aol.com for more details.

October 16^th -Buffalo Bill Museum Fundraiser Dinner at Crane & Pelican Cafe Storytellers will be entertaining guests with ghost stories, period dress is encouraged, and the menu is incredible!  A three-course dinner ($40 per person) is choice of salmon, roast beef or pasta w/meat balls and sauce.  Send your reservation and payment to: Buffalo Bil Museum, PO Box 284, LeClaire IA 52753. Don't delay!  Don't miss it!!

FYI

"Something NEW" at the LeClaire Civic Club - BUNCO! Every third Tuesday from10:00 AM through 12:30PM!  Call Debbie for details - 563-289-4458.

The LeClaire Chamber Website and our Facebook page are currently being updated and revised. Watch for the new website to be up and running soon, visit us again soon on Facebook, and in the meantime, thank you for your patience! 

Buffalo Bill Museum is open until 5pm daily. Hours are 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!

"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!

SERVING THE COMMUNITY AND BEYOND

Primitive Cottage is collecting food for the Princeton Presbyterian Church's Food Pantry which is in great need of food donations. They have helped alot of people, and now they need our help.  Donations can be dropped off at Primitive Cottage in LeClaire. Please check the expiration date on items because anything that has expired can't be given away.

First Presbyterian Church of LeClaire 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.

LeClaire 2013 Events Calendar:

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

October 6th - Dogtoberfest at Bier Stube

October 13th - AppleFest - see info above!

October 24th - HalloWine

October 26th - Witches Walk Costume Contest and Parade

December 6-8 - Christmas in LeClaire

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

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

Rock Island, IL, September 24th - Chick-fil-A is hosting a spirit night that will benefit Christian Care on September 24, from 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.. Bring in your spirit night invitation and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to Christian Care to support the services that they offer to so many in the Quad Cities community.  Chick-fil-A is located at 2945 East 53 Davenport.  To get your invitation stop by Christian Care or call Lindsey at 309-786-5734.

Christian Care's services are available in the Quad Cities to a growing number of homeless men and abused women and children 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Through their two facilities?a domestic violence shelter for abused women and children and a rescue mission for homeless men?they provide safe shelter, nutritious meals, clothing, counseling, referrals and guidance to anyone in need. They serve homeless individuals, victims of domestic violence, veterans, men and women coming out of prison, and the mentally ill. Their vision is to transform the lives of those they serve by providing their residents with an opportunity to start a new, more
productive life.

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WASHINGTON, Sept. 19, 2013 - Agriculture Secretary Vilsack today announced loans to help finance the construction of broadband networks in rural Iowa, Minnesota, Oregon and South Dakota. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) remains focused on carrying out its mission, despite a time of significant budget uncertainty. Today's announcement is one part of the Department's efforts to strengthen the rural economy.

"Rural Americans need full access high-speed telecommunications services," Vilsack said. "Broadband allows rural communities to tap into critical health care and social services systems. It also helps even the playing field in education, and gives small-town businesses a chance to compete globally. As part of the Obama Administration's goal to improve infrastructure, we will continue to fund projects that expand broadband service in rural areas."

Today's funding announcement will provide almost $40 million from USDA's Rural Utilities Service (RUS) to install fiber networks to improve telecommunications capability in the three recipients' service areas. USDA's Telecommunications Loan Program finances infrastructure that enables access to a seamless, nationwide telecommunications network.

The following recipients have been selected to receive telecommunications loan financing. The funding is contingent upon the recipients meeting the terms of the loan agreements.

Iowa

• Keystone-Farmers Cooperative Telephone Company will receive a $7.6 million loan to upgrade its plant and complete a Fiber-to-the-Premises (FTTP) network to help meet the current and future data needs of its customers in Benton and Tama counties.

Oregon

• Colton Telephone Company will receive a $7.3 million loan to complete an FTTP network to provide enhanced broadband services for its customers.

South Dakota and Minnesota

• Interstate Telecommunications Company, Inc. will receive a $24.9 million loan to upgrade its plant and complete an FTTP network to provide enhanced broadband services for its customers.

Since the start of the Obama Administration, USDA has funded 557 projects in 48 states through $6.1 billion in telecommunications loan financing. Secretary Vilsack noted that today's funding announcement is another reminder of the importance of USDA programs for rural America. A comprehensive new Food, Farm and Jobs Bill would further expand the rural economy - and he said that's just one reason why Congress must get a comprehensive Food, Farm and Jobs Bill done as soon as possible.

President Obama's plan for rural America has brought about historic investment and resulted in stronger rural communities. Under the President's leadership, these investments in housing, community facilities, businesses and infrastructure have empowered rural America to continue leading the way - strengthening America's economy, small towns and rural communities. USDA's investments in rural communities support the rural way of life that stands as the backbone of our American values.

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USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users)