06 Sep 2013

Grassley, Harkin Question USDA Announcement on Emergency Haying and Grazing

By Grassley Press
WASHINGTON – Senators Chuck Grassley and Tom Harkin today pressed the U.S. Department of Agriculture to extend the time for farmers to take advantage of emergency haying.

In a letter to Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, the senators wrote, "While we are thankful the emergency release of CRP acres was approved, farmers were left with essentially only two days to cut, dry, and bale hay to meet the deadline for the program.  That unreasonably short timeframe prevented many farmers from baling any hay under the emergency CRP release.  Therefore, these producers did not get the benefit from CRP access that should have helped mitigate the short supply of hay for the upcoming winter."

Grassley and Harkin added their support for the Conservation Reserve Program, and said it helps to safeguard some of the most environmentally sensitive land, but the unusually dry weather led them to request the extension, especially in light of the short timeframe provided by the Agriculture Department.

Here is a copy of the text of the letter to Vilsack.

 

September 5, 2013

The Honorable Tom Vilsack

Secretary
U.S. Department of Agriculture
1400 Independence Ave., SW
Washington, D.C. 20250

Dear Secretary Vilsack:

Over the past few days a good number of Iowa farmers have contacted us concerning the hot dry weather Iowa has been experiencing, how those conditions have been tough on Iowa livestock and forage crops, and their need for access to Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) for haying and grazing.  As the former governor of Iowa, you certainly understand the importance of livestock production to our state and share our concern for Iowa livestock producers as they deal with a second year of drought conditions that have severely strained forage supplies.

The most recent U.S. Drought Monitor indicates that large portions of Iowa are classified as either D2, Severe drought, or D1, Moderate drought.  Cattle producers tell us they are having difficulty finding an adequate supply of hay, and many of their pastures are too dry to support their herds at this time.

We commend the Farm Service Agency (FSA) for opening up CRP acres in parts of Iowa for emergency haying and grazing in the late afternoon of August 29, but that was only two days before the haying deadline of August 31.  While we are thankful the emergency release of CRP acres was approved, farmers were left with essentially only two days to cut, dry, and bale hay to meet the deadline for the program.  That unreasonably short timeframe prevented many farmers from baling any hay under the emergency CRP release.  Therefore, these producers did not get the benefit from CRP access that should have helped mitigate the short supply of hay for the upcoming winter.  CRP is a crucial program that helps safeguard some of our most environmentally sensitive land.  It's also key nesting habitat for a variety of bird species.  So it's not without careful consideration of many factors that we request you consider extending emergency haying on CRP acres in Iowa.

We appreciate your consideration of our request.  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us or our staff.

Sincerely,

Charles E. Grassley

Tom Harkin

06 Sep 2013

BETTENDORF FIRE & POLICE DEPT. JOIN LOCAL STUDENTS FOR 9/11 COMMEMORATION CEREMONY

By Rick Martin

What: Rivermont Collegiate 9/11 Commemoration - "Importance of Service in Our Community"

Speakers:

Captain Steve Knorrek, Bettendorf Fire Dept.

Chief Phil Redington, Bettendorf Police Dept.

When: Wed. 9/11/13

8:35 a.m. - Welcome from Todd Zachary, Rivermont Headmaster

8:45 a.m. - Moment of Silence, Pledge of Allegiance, Students Sing "America"

8:50 a.m. - Todd Zachary, Rivermont Headmaster, speaks

9:00 a.m. - Captain Steve Knorrek, Bettendorf Fire Dept., and Chief Phil Redington, Bettendorf Police Dept., speak

Where: Rivermont Collegiate Campus - 1821 Sunset Drive, Bettendorf, IA 52722

(to be held outdoors near the flagpole in the courtyard of the historic Carriage House, part of the original Bettendorf Mansion estate)

Contact: Brittany Marietta - (563) 359-1366 ext. 308 - marietta@rvmt.org
06 Sep 2013

Sept. 12th. 2013 " Investigating the Creative forces within Sustainable Living and Building"

By Narveen Aryaputri
Independent Scholars' Evenings.
By Sarah Haas and Krystal Hamilton Case.
About the presenters:
Sarah Haas is a movement artist who lives, travels, creates work and performs in a mobile house/stage built from mostly reclaimed materials. She is the artistic Director of Raw Art, formed October 2010 to house her artwork, and co-founder of EcoDance, a grassroots organization that researches, designs, and builds mobile live/work spaces. She has been engaged in a traveling collaborative tour since August 2011, utilizing her stage as a gathering site for lectures, workshops, brainstorming sessions, rehearsals, performances and potlucks. During Independent Scholars Haas will share her experiences with both EcoDance and Raw Art Tour.
Mission statement: Within my artwork/life process is a desire to merge work and play, to navigate and record the body as a cultural landscape, and to become a self-sustained, eco-conscious, yet collaborative entity, while garnering a sense of freedom within a rapidly corporatized world.
Krystal Hamilton Case presented over a year ago at Independent Scholars to share her experiences as an intern at Earthships and her vision for a sustainable home.  She is coming back to present with Sarah Haas on their shared passion for intentional community, sustainability, movement therapy and building artistically with recycled materials.  Krystal is co-founder of moonCatlife suStainability with her husband Jerome Case.   Krystal and her family host interns through the WWOOF program to teach about sustainable building, permaculture, and natural health.  Krystal is a massage therapist, yoga instructor, nurse, and Touch for Health Kinesiology Instructor exploring what sustainability means in every facet of life.
At moonCatlife we believe that living intentionally, challenging accepted beliefs, and working toward integrating sustainable advancements can offer a simpler way of life. By focusing on providing for basic necessities (food, shelter, heat etc.) in a sustainable manner we believe that society can change for the better.
Independent Scholars Evenings. 7.00 pm at The Moline Commercial  Club.
Doors open at 6.30 pm.
1530 Fifth Avenue. Moline. Illinois. 61265.
wine, beverages and light hors devours are provided.
Dress code: business casual.
The event is free and open to all.
The Independent Scholars Evenings are sponsored by The Institute For Cultural and Healing Tradition, Ltd. a 501(c)3 at State and Federal levels since 1996
06 Sep 2013

Lombardi opens Sept. 19 on The Old Creamery's Studio Stage

By Rick Martin

Amana - 1958 begins a whole new era for the Green Bay Packers when Vince Lombardi is named head coach for a team that has not had a winning season for more than a decade.

Who could have known that Lombardi's reign would take the Packers to new heights and their coach would become a legend? A look into the real life of famed coach Vince Lombardi and how he inspired all those he met. You don't have to like football to love this play!

Written by Eric Simonson, Lombardi is based on the book "When Pride Still Mattered - A Life of Vince Lombardi," by David Maraniss. Directed by Angie Toomsen of Cedar Rapids, the cast of Lombardi consists of, Tyler Brown of Nashville, Tenn., William Groth of New York City, Kevin Moore of Coralville, Justin Reid of Coral Springs, Florida, Marquetta Senters of South Amana and Alexander Volpi of Maysville, North Carolina.

Tickets are $27.50 for adults and $18 for students. Show times are Thursdays and Sundays at 3 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. Group rates for 15 people or more are available. Lombardi is rated Theatre R and runs through Oct. 6.

Lombardi is sponsored by The Gethmann Foundation with media sponsor WMT-AM.

Call the box office 319-622-6262 or visit the website at www.oldcreamery.com for tickets or more information. Walk-ins are always welcome if seats are available.

Reservations are highly recommended.

The Old Creamery Theatre Company is a not-for-profit professional theatre founded in 1971 in Garrison, Iowa. The company is celebrating 42 years of bringing live, professional theatre to the people of Iowa and the Midwest.

06 Sep 2013

Loebsack, Jordan and Walz Call on IOC to Maintain Wrestling as Olympic Tradition

By Joe Hand

IOC decision on wrestling expected this Sunday

Washington, D.C. - Congressmen Dave Loebsack (IA-02), Jim Jordan (OH-04), and Tim Walz (MN-01) today wrote the President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Dr. Jacques Rogge, calling on him to reinstate wrestling as an Olympic Sport in the 2020 Olympic Games. On Sunday, the IOC will meet in Buenos Aires to vote on which sport to include. Loebsack, Jordan and Walz have led the fight in the House of Representatives to reinstate wrestling since the decision was made to drop it as a core sport earlier this year.

"Wrestling's inclusion in the Olympics dates back to 708 BC and the history of wrestling is the history of the Olympics itself," the Congressmen wrote. "The Olympic Games are the embodiment of tradition, the culmination of childhood dreams and the hard work and dedication of athletes to reach the pinnacle of their sport. We believe strongly that wrestling exemplifies the best of these qualities in athletics. We strongly urge you to maintain wrestling as an Olympic tradition."

A copy of the letter can be found here.

The resolution that Congressmen Loebsack, Jordan and Walz introduced earlier this year can be found here.

###

06 Sep 2013

2013 Northwest Illinois Volunteerism Conference

By MVDOVIA

Registration is now open for the Fourth Annual Northwest Illinois/MVDOVIA Volunteerism Conference on October 18, 2013.  Join us for a day of professional development and networking.

This conference is co-sponsored by the Serve Illinois Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service.

Conference Date: Friday, October 18, 2013

Time: 8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Location: Western Illinois University - QC Riverfront Campus, 3300 River Road, Moline, IL  61265

Registration: $35 or Students/AmeriCorps Members $20

Register on Line at http://www.nwivc.net

The mission of DOVIA is to enhance the development and growth of volunteer program administrators through communication, education, networking, and to promote volunteerism in the Quad Cities.  DOVIA (Directors of Volunteers in Agencies) is recognized around the world as a professional volunteer management organization, with the local Mississippi Valley DOVIA  (MVDOVIA) chapter covering Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois.

06 Sep 2013

"How I Learned To Drive" Opens Tonight

By QC Theatre Workshop
Season 2 begins tonight with "How I Learned to Drive"!

Don't miss this powerful, funny, devastating, Pulitzer Prize-winning play, which features an incredible cast of local actors!

The reservations are rolling in...
have you made yours?


Save Your Seat!
06 Sep 2013

nd 22 Annual East Central Iowa - North Western Illinois AFL-CIO Hall of Fame Banquet

By Rick Martin

Rock Island, IL– The Quad City Federation of Labor will be hosting the 22nd Annual East Central Iowa - North Western Illinois AFL-CIO Hall of Fame Banquet at the Radisson Quad City Plaza Hotel in Downtown Davenport on Friday, October 11th. The event begins at 6pm with a cocktail hour, and the program begins at 7pm. The purpose of this event is to honor long-time labor leaders for their life-long service to their local unions, and the Labor Movement, by inducting them into the coveted AFL-CIO Hall of Fame. This year, in addition to the Hall of Fame induction, we will be honoring Dan Larson, a retiree from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 145, with the prestigious Robert E. Gibson Community Service Award that will be presented to him by Illinois AFL-CIO President Michael Carrigan.

This year`s Inductees into the Hall of Fame will be:

Sister Wanda Sweat - United Auto Workers Local 865

Sister Vera Kelly - United Steelworkers Local 105

Brother Thomas Esparza - American Federation of Government Employees Local 15

Brother John Honeycutt - United Food and Commercial Workers Local 431

Each year, our Congressional delegates from the bi-state region are invited to speak to the over five hundred attendees, including: Union Presidents, Business Managers, Union members, community dignitaries and local elected officials. We anticipate the attendance this year will be higher than any year prior. Invited members of Congress include : Senator Tom Harkin, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos, Congressman Dave Loebsack, and Congressman Bruce Braley.

This AFL-CIO Hall of Fame Banquet is open to the public. To make reservations, please contact Joshua Schipp, AFL-CIO Community Services Liaison at 309-738-6536 or at quadcityfed@netexpress.net. The cost per seat is $40, and tables of 12 can be reserved at $480.

For more information call:

Dino Leone, President Quad City Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, 309-788-1303

06 Sep 2013

Bring in 2 Canned Goods and Get a Free Appetizer!

By Texas Roadhouse

Please join us for dinner at Texas Roadhouse in Davenport on Monday, September 9th. Bring in two canned goods and you'll receive a FREE Appetizer* with the purchase of an entree! All canned goods collected will be donated to the River Bend Food Bank!

Thank you for your support!

06 Sep 2013

LeClaire Chamber of Commerce Announcements - 09/06/13

By LeClaire Chamber of Commerce

Chamber 2013 Networking Events - Everyone welcome to attend!

September 10 - Great River Financial Services - After hours - 5:30-7:30 p.m. Please RSVP - ssuiter@greatriverfinancial.net or 563-370-2386

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

 

HAVE YOU SEEN THE QC TIMES READER'S CHOICE AWARDS FOR 2013?!

Once again, LeClaire and our businesses are Winners!

Best Place to take out of town Guests - LeClaire!

These businesses won their category:

Best Gift Shop - Aunt Hattie's Fanciful Emporium

Best Place for a kid's Birthday Party - Happy Joe's

Runners-up in their category:

Best Pizza - Happy Joe's

Best Rueben - Bier Stube

Best Brewery - Mississippi River Distilling Company

These businesses were all Hononable Mentions in their category;

Best Chocolate - Grasshoppers

Best Fine Dining - Faithful Pilot and Steventon's

Best Locally Owned Restaurant and Best Meal - Crane and Pelican

Best Margaritas - Blue Iguana

Best Take-out - Hungry Hobo

Best live music - Wide River Winery

Best Summer Festival - TugFest

Best Accessories/Shoe Store - Aunt Hattie's Fanciful Emporium

Best Home Furnishing - Dwellings

Best New Car Dealership - Dahl Ford

Congratulations to all, and thank you for making LeClaire a WINNER!!

 

CALENDAR


September 6th - First Friday in LeClaire! 5-8 p.m.

Mississippi River Distilling Company - Signature cocktails and spirited food items! Limited release of the first of the 'Still Crazy' series with Mono Loco banana flavored whiskey!                      
Wide River Winery - Featured wine and Live Music by 'The Old 57's' - 5-8pm
Aunt Hatties - Come in for a red velvet cupcake!

Razzleberries - Booze cake while it lasts!

Faithful Pilot - The Matriarchs, live music - 7:30-9:00pm

LeClaire Antiques and Appraisals - 'First Friday's Free Appraisals' 5-7 p.m.

Restaurants and many other shops open late!

September 6th-22nd - 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 10th - Chamber After Hours Networking Event Great River Financial - 5:30-7:30 p.m.  Please RSVP - ssuiter@greatriverfinancial.net or 563-370-2386 - Everyone Welcome!

September 12th - Workshop - Straight Talk with Liz Ann Sonders 3:00pm. Eric Johannes, Charles Schwab, 5345 Elmore Ave #300, Davenport, IA 52807. Please R.S.V.P 563-275-3659.

 

September 13th - Live Music at Wide River Winery 5-8pm featuring Danika Holmes -106 N. Cody Road  www.wideriverwinery.com

 

September 14th - Silver Creek Order of the Eastern Star Swiss Steak Dinner Serving 4-7 p.m. SWISS STEAK DINNER WITH ALL THE FIXINGS, DESSERT AND BEVERAGE Adults - $7.00   Children 3-12 - $3.50 Serving at the Masonic Center dinning room at 113 S. Cody Rd., LeClaire. Everyone is welcome!

 

September 16th - Economic Development Meeting - Great River Financial Services - 8:00 a.m.

September 19th - LeClaire Information Center Celebrates One Year of Operation! Join us for our Open House & Volunteer Recognition! Since our Grand Opening on August 3rd 2012, the LeClaire Information Center has welcomed over 17,500 guests, including tourists, local residents, potential business owners and has provided information about local attractions, businesses, business opportunities, and other points of interest. Operated by the LeClaire Office of Tourism and located at 122. N. Cody Road, the Center is open Mon-Sat 10-4 and Sun noon-4. On Thursday, September 19th from 4-6pm, the public is invited to an Open House celebrating our "First Anniversary." The event will include light refreshments and the opportunity to discover what the LIC offers residents and tourists.  The festivities will conclude with a short program honoring our volunteers. We are always looking for additional volunteers! Plus, Pleasant Valley High School students (accompanied by a parent) can apply their volunteer hours to the school's "service learning" requirement for graduation.  Training (for students and adults) only takes about an hour and volunteers are able to schedule hours through online scheduling software. Please contact Cindy Bruhn, LeClaire Tourism Manager, at info@visitleclaire.com or 563-650-7963, or the LIC at 563-289-4242, ext. 1135, if you are interested in volunteering or for more information.

 

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 21st - 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. Purchase tickets by September 12!

 

September 25th - 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 27th - Live Music at Wide River Winery 5-8pm featuring 'Patchy Fog' - 106 N. Cody Road  www.wideriverwinery.com

 

Save the Date

 

October 13th - LeClaire Lions Club presents "Apple Fest on the River" 11:00am-4:00pm. For vendor sign up and more information, email:  boehlb@hotmail.com or call Bonnie, 563-340-6332

 

October 15th - 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 16th - Buffalo Bill Museum and River Pilot's Pier - Fundraiser Dinner Crane and Pelican Café, 127 S. 2nd St., LeClaire.  5-6 pm Social Hour, 6:15 pm 3-course dinner. $40 per person. Ghost story told with each course! Reservations must be made by October 11. Call 563-289-5580 for reservations and more information. Feel free to wear Civil War era period attire!

 

FYI

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.

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.

LeClaire 2013 Events Calendar:

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

October 6th - Dogtoberfest at Bier Stube

October 13th - AppleFest - vendors sign up now - 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!

 

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