FAYETTE, IA (08/30/2013)(readMedia)-- Upper Iowa University is pleased to announce the names of its June 2013 graduates, followed by the degree earned and respective honors.

• Hollie Bedford from Davenport, IA, graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Human Resources Mgmt

• Warren Ewoldt from Long Grove, IA, graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Human Resources Mgmt

• Gregory Gillespie from Muscatine, IA, graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Business Admin

• Austin Kean from Davenport, IA, graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice

Summa cum laude is awarded to those with a 3.8 to 4.0 GPA; magna cum laude (3.6-3.79 GPA), and cum laude (3.3-3.59 GPA).

Upper Iowa University has 19 U.S. off-campus education centers, a traditional residential campus in Fayette, international centers in Hong Kong and Malaysia, as well as an extensive online program and a self-paced degree program.

About Upper Iowa University

Founded in 1857, Upper Iowa University is a private, not-for-profit university providing undergraduate and graduate degree programs and leadership development opportunities to some 6,200 students-nationally and internationally-at its Fayette campus and learning centers worldwide. Upper Iowa University is a recognized innovator in offering accredited, quality programs through flexible, multiple delivery systems, including online and self-paced degree program. For more information, visit www.uiu.edu.

Updated Chamber 2013 Networking Events - Everyone welcome to attend!

September 10 - Great River Financial Services - After hours - 5:30-7:30 p.m.

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

August 30^th - Live Music at Wide River Winery 5-8pm featuring Mississippi River Distilling Company's "Ryan Burchett and the Moonshiners"! 106 N. Cody Road  www.wideriverwinery.com

September 1^st - Live Music at Wide River Winery 2-5pm featuring Tim Stop - 106 N. Cody Road  www.wideriverwinery.com

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

Razzleberries - Booze cake while it lasts!

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

Restaurants and many other shops open late!

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 10^th - Chamber After Hours Networking Event Great River Financial - 5:30-7:30 p.m. 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 RSVP 563-275-3659.

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

September 14^th - 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 19^th - LeClaire Information Center Celebrates One Year of Operation! Join us for our Open House & Volunteer Recognition! Since our Grand Opening on August 3^rd 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 19^th 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 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, Aunt Hattie's, Vern Spring, or Dayle Hall - 563-340-0862. Purchase tickets by September 12!

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

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

Save the Date

October 13^{th -} 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 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 and River Pilot's Pier - Fundraiser Dinner Crane and Pelican Café, 127 S. 2^nd 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!

October 29^th - Friends of the Library to Host LeClaire City Office Candidates Forum. All City Council and Mayoral candidates for election in the November 2013 municipal elections for the City of LeClaire are invited to participate in a public forum hosted by the Friends of the LeClaire Community Library on Tuesday, October 29th beginning at 7:00 P.M. sharp. Due to space constraints, the forum will be at the LeClaire Fire Station located at 201 N. 15th Street (corner of Jones and 15th). This is an educational service to which the public and press are invited. As in past years, questions may be submitted by any resident of the city of LeClaire (including candidates) by placing the written questions in a secured box at circulation desk of the LeClaire Community Library. There is no limit on the number of questions an individual may submit and questions may be submitted anonymously. One week prior to the Forum, all questions submitted will be delivered to the moderators, who will group duplicates and select the questions to be asked during the forum. Questions will be asked of candidates in rotating order, with response times for each question determined by the moderators. This year's moderators are Ann Hutchinson, former mayor of Bettendorf, and Linda Miller, Iowa House of Representatives, also of Bettendorf. Candidates who have not already done so are asked to respond indicating

whether they will participate to Jillian Flahaven, Interim Director of the LeClaire Community Library, by October 27, 2013 by calling 563-289-4242 x 4 or via email at: jflahaven@leclaireiowa.gov Attendees are encouraged to arrive at the fire station by 6:45 as the program will begin promptly at 7:00. Refreshments, courtesy of the Friends of the LeClaire Community Library, will be served.

FYI

A woman called from Minnesota to buy $200 worth of Chamber Bucks to give her new daughter -in-law for a wedding present. The daughter-in-law loves The Pickers and is coming to LeClaire to see them. The mother-in-law wanted her to have something to spend in LeClaire, so she thought of Chamber Bucks.  What a great idea!

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!

Third baseman has 12 hits and 12 RBIs in first six games of Quad Cities' last regular season road trip

GRAND CHUTE, Wis. (AUG. 29, 2013) - Quad Cities River Bandits third baseman Rio Ruiz continued an impressive road trip with three hits and three RBIs, and right-hander Jamaine Cotton worked four scoreless relief innings for the win in a 6-3 final over the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers at Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium Wednesday night.

With their 10th win in the last 12 games, the River Bandits (40-25 second half, 78-56 overall) pushed the defending Midwest League Champion Timber Rattlers (30-36, 59-72) two games behind Clinton (32-34, 65-70) with four games remaining to determine the final second-half playoff spot in the Western Division. Quad Cities has clinched a playoff spot and will open with Cedar Rapids Wednesday.

Ruiz helped the visitors take a first-inning lead against right-hander Ryan Gibbard (4-7). Second baseman Austin Elkins and shortstop Carlos Correa drew consecutive one-out walks, and after left fielder Danry Vasquez moved both runners with a groundout to first, Ruiz lined a single to center field for a 2-0 lead. Gibbard lasted only three innings and allowed four earned runs on three walks and five hits.

In the bottom of the first, River Bandits left-hander Joe Bircher allowed a leadoff double to second baseman Alfredo Rodriguez and walked two batters to load the bases with one out. First baseman Parker Berberet flied out to center field to bring home Rodriguez. In the second inning, third baseman Mike Garza led off with the first of his three singles, and Rodriguez tied the game with an RBI single.

In a 2-2 tie starting the third inning, Elkins hit a one-out single to left-center field and Correa drew a walk. Vasquez then drove in Elkins with a double to the left-center field gap,a nd Ruiz followed with a single to score Correa for a 4-2 lead. Ruiz later added a single in the sixth inning, and he is 12-for-23 (.522) with 12 RBIs and a hit in each of the first six games of the road trip.

Bircher allowed a single and walk in the fourth inning and bobbled a comeback ground ball to load the bases with two outs. Cotton came in to walk Berberet on four pitches to make it 4-3 but struck out designated hitter Garrett Cooper to end the inning. Cotton allowed two baserunners in the fifth on a single and strikeout wild pitch, but he rallied to retire eight straight Timber Rattlers before an eighth-inning error by Elkins. After Cotton picked off the runner, he issued a walk that ended his night. Right-hander Patrick Christensen got an inning-ending groundout and worked around two ninth-inning hits to strike out the side for his first save. Catcher Roberto Pena had extended the lead to 6-3 with a two-run double in the top of the ninth inning against right-hander Preston Gainey, who tossed 5 1/3 relief innings.

Thursday's victory also means The Captain's Table at 4801 River Drive in Moline will offer The Captain's Table Victory Discount Friday, Aug. 30. Anyone who mentions the River Bandits victory can receive a free appetizer or dessert with the purchase of two lunches or dinners with beverages on Friday, Aug. 30.

Quad Cities finishes its final regular season road series in Wisconsin at 7:05 p.m. Friday. River Bandits right-hander Zach Morton (0-1) is scheduled to face Timber Rattlers right-hander Rodolfo Fernandez (4-3).

UP NEXT: The River Bandits' final homestand of the regular season kicks off Saturday, Aug. 31, with a Dallas Clark Bobblehead Giveaway presented by Barrel House 211 and CBS4 when gates open at 5:30 p.m. for a 7 p.m. game. Fireworks will also follow the game. Single-game tickets are on sale at the River Bandits box office at Modern Woodmen Park, by phone at  563-324-3000 and online at www.riverbandits.com. Season ticket and mini-plan packages start at just seven games and begin at less than $50. 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 just unveiled a new 300-foot long dual zip line, a rock climbing wall, a Mediacom Frog Hopper, and a number of new bounce houses. The team also boasts a new major league affiliate, the Houston Astros, and fans can see the first team in Minor League Baseball history with back-to-back No. 1 overall draft picks - 2012 top pick Carlos Correa and 2013 top pick Mark Appel, as well as 2012 first-round draft choice Lance McCullers. With new rides, new attractions, new improvements, a new affiliate and future major league stars, the second half of this season is one every fan will not want to miss!

*****

Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and co-chairman of the Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control, today made the following comment on what Reuters described as the Obama Administration's "giving U.S. states wide leeway to experiment with pot legalization."

"Time and again we have seen the Obama Administration decline to enforce laws that it finds inconvenient, or that it simply doesn't like.  Today's announcement is the latest example.  The Administration is now effectively instructing law enforcement not to prioritize the prosecution of the large-scale distribution and sale of marijuana in certain states.  This sends the wrong message to both law enforcement and violators of federal law.  Apprehending and prosecuting illegal drug traffickers should always be a priority for the Department of Justice."