There are plenty of fun reasons (in addition to the great shops, restaurants and attractions) to come to LeClaire, Iowa in August. Between events such as First Friday, a car show, craft show, the Tug Fest and live music every Friday, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

On Friday, August 2nd, "First Friday" kicks off the month with food and drink samples at Wide River Winery and the Mississippi River Distilling Co. Enjoy live music outdoors at Wide River Winery by Patchy Fog from 5-8pm, at Grasshoppers by Acoustic Friends from 6-8pm and at the Faithful Pilot Café by The Matriarchs from 7-9pm. Many shops stay open late, and LeClaire Antiques and Appraisals offers free appraisals until 7pm. Aunt Hattie's Fanciful Emporium and Razzleberries Fine Gifts offer a sweet treat while supplies last. Dine at one of the many restaurants that LeClaire has to offer then join in the fun with Karaoke at Sneaky Pete's at 9pm and you will have a wonderful evening! For more information: www.visitleclaire.com

On Saturday, August 3rd, come on out to LeClaire to see British cars at the Heartland British Autofest from 9am - 3pm on the Levee. This event was previously held in the Village of East Davenport. For more information: www.qcbac.home.mchsi.com/

Also on Saturday, take in a craft show at the LeClaire Civic Center from 9am-3pm.

Sunday, August 4th, treat yourself to brunch or lunch in LeClaire and then take in the live music at Wide River Winery featuring Jordan Danielson from 2-5pm while enjoying your favorite bottle of wine.

Be sure and join us for Tug Fest 2013 in LeClaire, Thursday-Saturday, August 8-10. Just some of the fun includes a carnival, food vendors, live music, parade and the greatest fireworks over the Mississippi River on Friday evening, 5k run on Saturday morning, and the feature of the fest - a tug-of-war across the Mississippi River from 12:30-2:30pm on Saturday. Even the kids can get in on the action at 11am on Saturday with a Children's tug-of-war. Admission is free on Thursday; $5 on Friday and Saturday; children under 12 are free. Find all the details at www.tugfest.com

There will be live outdoor music the remaining Fridays of the month at Wide River Winery from 5-8pm. The schedule is as follows: August 9th The Whoozdads; August 16th Pieces of Candy, August 23rd Dan Peart; and August 30th our own Mississippi River Distilling Co. co-owner, Ryan Burchett and the Moonshiners. For more information: www.wideriverwinery.com

The Faithful Pilot Café's monthly brunch offering is on August 18 with seatings at 10am and 12:30pm. Pick your favorite "first", "garden" and main entreé from their special brunch menu. For reservations call 563-289-4156. For more information: www.faithfulpilot.com.

LeClaire, Iowa is located at a point where the Mississippi River makes a sharp bend to the southwest. LeClaire's historic bond with the river and the bold men who tamed the Upper Rapids is still visible in the homes and buildings they left behind. On May 7, 1979, their homes were recognized as part of the nine-block Cody Road Historic District listed on the National Register of Historic Places. LeClaire's other attractions include the Buffalo Bill Museum/Lone Star Stern Wheeler, Mississippi River Distilling Co., and Antique Archaeology, home of the American Pickers.

For more information on LeClaire visit www.visitleclaire.com.

Quad Cities wins consecutive games for first time in more than two weeks

BURLINGTON, Iowa (JULY 24, 2013) - Quad Cities River Bandits right-hander Lance McCullers struck out six batters in five innings to earn his first win since June 23, and center fielder Teoscar Hernandez hit his team-leading eighth home run to help the visitors to an 8-5 victory over the Burlington Bees at Community Field Wednesday night.

Seven players combined for nine hits to help Quad Cities (17-13 second half, 55-44 overall) win back-to-back games for the first time since July 6-7 in Kane County and score at least seven runs in consecutive games for the first time since July 2-3 at home against Clinton.

In the opener of a three-game series, Burlington (12-19, 38-58) took the lead in the first inning against McCullers (5-5). Bees third baseman Sherman Johnson drew a leadoff walk, and first baseman Wade Hinkle hit his 10th home run to give his team a 2-0 lead. McCullers has allowed a home run in each of his last three starts, while Quad Cities' opponents have homered in seven straight games.

The River Bandits answered quickly against right-hander Pat Lowery (3-6) in the second inning. Designated hitter Bobby Borchering and first baseman Jesse Wierzbicki drew consecutive walks and advanced one base each on a wild pitch - the first of five thrown by Bees pitchers in the game. Third baseman Rio Ruiz then drove both runs home with his first triple of the season to right-center field. Another wild pitch brought in Ruiz for the go-ahead run. Catcher Roberto Pena then singled, and right fielder Dan Gulbransen grounded into a fielder's choice. Two batters later, Hernandez hammered a Lowery offering over the left-field fence for a 5-2 Quad Cities lead. The five-run frame was the River Bandits' largest since a five-run ninth inning against Cedar Rapids on June 13.

McCullers held the lead by tossing four straight scoreless innings to finish his outing. He gave up a walk in the second inning but erased it on a double play. The Bees loaded the bases in the third inning on a hit batter and two walks, but McCullers got a strikeout that started a string of seven consecutive outs through the end of the fifth inning. His six strikeouts gave him 101 this season, making he and teammate Vincent Velasquez (102) the only Midwest League pitchers with 100 this season.

The teams traded pairs of runs in the seventh inning. Pena doubled and scored on a single by Gulbransen. Second baseman Austin Elkins later doubled on scored on a play that included a wild pitch and a throwing error by Bees catcher Zach Wright. In the bottom of the inning, right-hander Juri Perez gave up a single and three walks that led to two runs. Right-hander Gera Sanchez pitched two scoreless innings for the Quad Cities bullpen. The River Bandits scored a run with the help of two ninth-inning errors, while the Bees had three hits for a ninth-inning run against right-hander Jordan Jankowski.

Wednesday's victory also means The Captain's Table at 4801 River Drive in Moline will offer The Captain's Table Victory Discount on Thursday, July 25. 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 Thursday, July 25. The River Bandits and Bees continue their series at 6:30 p.m. Thursday. Quad Cities right-hander Mark Appel (0-0) will make his third Midwest League start against Burlington left-hander Tyler DeLoach (4-2).

UP NEXT: Modern Woodmen Park is a nominee for the "Best Minor League Ballpark" in the 2013 10Best Readers' Choice Awards, and fans can vote once per day at 10Best.com until the winner is announced Aug. 14. The River Bandits return to Modern Woodmen Park Tuesday, July 30. 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!

Churches United of the Quad City Area is hosting its Inaugural All Women's Golf Outing in support of Winnie's Place - a shelter for women with or without children who are homeless or victims of domestic violence - on Friday, September 13, 2013.

Winnie's Place has served the Quad Cities since 2006 providing 28,000+ Lodgings (overnight stays), 55,000+ meals to over 1,400 women and children who are victims of domestic violence or are homeless. Winnie's clients are provided with daily needs such as food, clothing and personal care items in addition to domestic violence counseling, budgeting, parenting, and time management training.

Tee Time for Winnie's golf tournament for Women is a Scramble Format with registration starting at 7:00 a.m. Registration includes Green Fees, Cart, and Lunch at Oakwood Country Club in Coal Valley, IL. Additional activities include a silent auction and raffle.

For more information please contact:

Anne Wachal - Executive Director or

Thea Hansen - Golf Outing Co-Chairperson

Churches Untied of the Quad Cities Area

2535 Tech Drive, Suite 205

Bettendorf, IA 52722

563/332-5002

Sheltering women at "Winnie's Place" is a mission of Churches United of the Quad City Area

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Bipartisan amendment introduced by Loebsack added to Defense Appropriations bill

Washington, D.C. - Late last night, Congressman Dave Loebsack's bipartisan amendment to prohibit furloughs of civilian employees like those at the Joint Manufacturing and Technology Center who are funded through Defense Working Capital Funds (WCF) was added to the 2014 Department of Defense Appropriations Act. WCF employees are not directly funded by the Department of Defense.  Instead, they are funded through sales revenue, including revenue from prior years. As a result, furloughing these employees does not create direct savings for the Department of Defense. Loebsack's amendment would address the situation of men and women working at the Joint Manufacturing and Technology Center at Rock Island Arsenal who are WCF employees. Loebsack has long opposed all furloughs and voted against sequestration, which created these pay cuts. He has pushed Congress and the Administration to find a balanced, commonsense way to replace sequestration and responsibly deal with the fiscal situation facing the nation. He also supported an amendment that was included in the legislation to ban all furloughs for Department of Defense employees.

"It is unconscionable that the dedicated men and women who work at Rock Island Arsenal are being forced to take a pay cut because of Washington's dysfunction. I opposed the creation of sequestration and I oppose the decision to furlough any dedicated individuals who work every day on behalf of our troops and national security," said Loebsack. "What's more, furloughing folks like those at the Joint Manufacturing and Technology Center doesn't even create direct savings for the Department of Defense. I am opposed to all furloughs and will continue to fight to eliminate them. I am glad my bipartisan amendment was supported by the House to address the unique situation of folks like those at JMTC and to send a strong signal of support to all Rock Island Arsenal employees."

Video of Loebsack speaking on his amendment can be found here.