DES MOINES, IA (04/26/2013)(readMedia)-- State Treasurer Michael L. Fitzgerald reminds students the deadline to apply for a Robert D. Blue Scholarship is drawing near. Applications must be submitted online at www.rdblue.org by May 10 in order to be eligible for this year's award.

"Over the years we've helped hundreds of Iowa students meet their college costs with this scholarship," Fitzgerald stated. "Awards are based on financial need, academic achievements, written recommendations and an original essay." In 2012, six Iowa students received a $1,000 Robert D. Blue Scholarship.

The Robert D. Blue Scholarship is awarded by the Iowa Centennial Memorial Foundation to honor Iowa students attending college in Iowa. The Foundation was created in 1949 to commemorate the one hundredth anniversary of Iowa's acceptance into the union. Governor Blue wished to encourage the youth of the state to continue their education at one of Iowa's fine institutions of higher learning. In 1990, the Foundation officially named the scholarship to honor the late Governor Blue.

Robert D. Blue Scholarship applications are only accepted online at www.rdblue.org, and the winners will be announced during the summer. Those who would like more information on the Robert D. Blue Scholarship should visit the website, or call the treasurer's office at (515) 242-5270.

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WASHINGTON, DC - In an effort to protect the investing public, improve the oversight of corporate auditing, and ensure that the financial reports of publicly traded companies are accurate and reliable, U.S. Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) reintroduced the PCAOB Enforcement Transparency Act of 2013.  The Reed-Grassley bill will make Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) disciplinary proceedings public to bring auditing deficiencies at the firms or the companies they audit to light in a timely manner and help deter violations.

The PCAOB was created in the wake of a series of corporate accounting scandals, such as Enron and WorldCom, that cost investors billions of dollars and hurt the U.S. economy.  Congress established the PCAOB to audit the auditors.  But the 2002 Sarbanes-Oxley law creating the Board also required PCAOB's disciplinary proceedings to be kept confidential through charging, hearings, initial decision, and appeal.  Unfortunately, the secretive nature of the process enables firms that engage in misconduct to drag out the proceedings for years while the investing public is kept in the dark.

The Reed-Grassley bill will make PCAOB hearings and all related notices, orders, and motions, open and available to the public unless otherwise ordered by the Board.  The PCAOB procedure would then be similar to SEC Rules of Practice for similar matters, where hearings and related notices, orders, and motions are open and available to the public.

"The PCAOB is responsible for ensuring that auditors of public companies meet the highest standards of quality, independence, and ethics.  Reliable financial reporting is vital to the health of our economy and we must take the legislative steps necessary to enhance transparency in the PCAOB's enforcement process.  Currently, Congress, investors, and others are being denied critical information about an auditor's disciplinary process.  Investors and companies alike should be aware when the auditors and accountants they rely on have been charged or sanctioned for violating professional auditing standards," said Reed.

"Transparency brings accountability," Grassley said. "This legislation levels the playing field between auditors reviewed by the SEC and auditors reviewed by the PCAOB.  Currently, PCAOB proceedings are secret while SEC proceedings are not.  The secrecy provides incentives to bad actors to extend the proceedings as long as possible so they can continue to do business without notice to businesses about potential problems with a particular auditor.  This bill ends the secrecy and brings the kind of transparency that adds accountability to agency proceedings."

The PCAOB sets auditing standards for auditors of public companies, examines the quality of audits performed by public company auditors, and where necessary, imposes disciplinary sanctions on registered auditors and auditing firms.  The PCAOB oversees more than 2,400 auditing firms registered with the Board, as well as the thousands of audit partners and staff who contribute to a firm's work on each audit.

The lack of transparency surrounding disciplinary proceedings under current law can provide unscrupulous firms with an incentive to litigate cases in order to continue to shield conduct from the public.

For example, an accounting firm that was subject to a disciplinary proceeding issued no fewer than 29 additional audit reports on public companies during the course of the proceedings.  Those public companies and their investors were completely unaware there was a potential auditing problem with this accounting firm.   Before the firm was expelled from public company auditing, it issued those audit reports, knowing all the while that it was subject to disciplinary proceedings.  But investors were denied this information.

PCAOB's closed proceedings run counter to the public enforcement proceedings of other regulators, including the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the U.S. Department of Labor, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), and others.  Nearly all administrative proceedings brought by the SEC against public companies, brokers, dealers, investment advisers, and others are open, public proceedings.

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The June 2013 Chamber Newsletter will soon be in production to be delivered to Every Business and Home within the 52753 zipcode area!! Advertising rates remain: 1/8 page: $75; ¼ page: $100; ½ page: $125; full page: $250. Just send your ad information to LeClaireChamber@gmail.com and we will forward it on to House of Print for you. No cost assistance in developing an advertisement is available through House of Print. If you would rather work with House of Print directly, call 563-388-7701. You can send your ad to  HouseofPrint@mchsi.com, or fax 563-388-7934 and please copy LeClaireChamber@gmail.com Deadline May 15!

CALENDAR

April 26th - The Crane & Pelican Cafe presents Dinner and Music featuring "Quartrio". View menu and details at www.craneandpelican.com

May 1st - All Ages Spelling Bee at the LeClaire Community Library. Registration and details at the front desk. www.leclairelibrary.org

May 3rd - First Friday, 5:00 - 8:00pm, Downtown LeClaire.

Food and Beverage Samples at Mississippi River Distilling Company www.mrdistilling.com 5:30-8:00 p.m.

Wide River Winery www.wideriverwinery.com Kentucky Derby theme-hat parade, samples of wine mint juleps paired with appetizers from Crane & Pelican

Aunt Hatties will have red velvet cupcakes!

Free appraisals at LeClaire Antiques and Appraisals until 7 p.m.

Restaurants and several other shops will be open late, too!

May 3rd - Expressions in Threads - "Civil War Quilts Lecture and Luncheon with Becki Wright". Becky Wright of Mount Pleasant, IA, quilter, designer, owner of Orphans of War patterns.  Her love of the Civil War Era has led her to reseach and share her knowledge of this time in our country's history. She will give 2 lectures, the first starting at 11 am on Friday May 3rd at the Holiday Inn, Leclaire, Ia. Her first lecture is "The Importance of Civil War Quilts and Textiles". Starting with the facts of the history of textiles and sewing in the 1800's, she leads the audience to the beginning of the Civil War, how the textile industry was affected and the role it played in the war. At noon, lunch will be served by Big Dave and Holly's of Leclaire. After lunch, we will resume with the second lecture, "Christain Staffinger: A Soldier and His Quilts." This lecture tells the story of a young soldier who went to war and the quilts in his life. Lecture and Lunch- $45; www.expressionsinthreads.com Seating is limited, so don't delay. Call the shop or send a a check to insure your spot. www.expressionsinthreads.com Phone: 563-289-1447Phone: 563-289-1447

May 4th - Expressions in Threads Workshop - "Hardtack & Coffee" Becky Wright, quilter, designer, and owner of Orphans of War patterns, will present a workshop titled "Hardtack and Coffee" using her pattern by the same name. The workshop will be held at the Holiday Inn in Leclaire, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The $50 cost includes the pattern. Kits will also be available from Expressions in Threads. Seating is limited, so don't delay. Call the shop or send a a check to insure your spot. www.expressionsinthreads.com Phone: 563-289-1447

May 4th - Trivia Night at the LeClaire Civic Center benefiting the LeClaire Lions 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!

May 5th - Cinco de Mayo in LeClaire Samples of "Wine-A-Ritas" at Wide River Winery's Tasting Room, 106 N. Cody Road www.wideriverwinery.com

May 11th - Silver Creek O.E.S. Annual Spring Country Breakfast Masonic Center -113 S. Cody Rd., LeClaire. Serving from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Breakfast includes, eggs, biscuits & gravy, sausage, pancakes, juice, coffee, milk. Donation of $7.00 for adults - $3.00 for children 3-10 yrs. of age. Under 3 free. Sponsored by the Order of the Eastern Star.

May 12th - Mothers Day Brunch at the Bier Stube. 1001 Canal Shore Dr., LeClaire. Seating's begin on the hour. Price $13.99 for buffet or $19.99 per person with unlimited Bloody Mary's and Mimosas. 563-289-2121

May 12th - The Blackwatch Room Mother's Day Brunch 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Chef Beau will be offering a huge Holiday Brunch including his famous creme brulee french toast and personalized omelettes. Pork Tenderloin with cornbread stuffing, chopped salad and our homemade desserts and danishes plus much more.  Brunch is $21.00 for adults and $10.00 for children under ten.  First seating is at 9:00 a.m.  Please make your reservations early as seating is very limited and fills up quickly.  Please call Kelle at 563-332-5072 or email kelle@theblackwatchroom.com

May 14th - Chamber Networking Event - Great River Financial - after hours gathering - 5-7 p.m.

May 17th-18th - French Market Days, 10:00am - 4:00pm LeClaire Passport Collecting - Pick up a LeClaire Passport from participating stores and the LeClaire Information Center. Each store will offer a different French stamp. A completed passport will qualify for one entry for a free drawing at the LeClaire Information Center (122 North Cody Road). 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! *Activities subject to Change.

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

Save the Date

June 16th - Asbury Methodist Church "WORSHIP IN THE PARK" and  Potluck Service 10:30 a.m. It will be held at Veterans Memorial Park, 1645 23rd Street, Bettendorf. More details will be available soon.

June 21st - 22nd - 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 1st - Friends of the LeClaire Community Library is planning an Open House to celebrate our 9th anniversary! Details are forthcoming!

FYI

Wide River Winery now open in their new location! On March 27, we opened the new tasting room in LeClaire, IA. After months of construction and renovation, the new room is transformed. We are located at 106 N. Cody Rd. (Hwy 67), a few blocks from Antique Archaeology, home of the American Pickers. Thank you to all of our neighbors and friends in LeClaire and to all of our loyal customers for the warm reception and continued support. Coming soon, the new wine garden. Whatever the occasion Wide River Winery is the perfect place to enjoy your special day. Bridal showers, birthday parties, graduation, Mother's Day and Father's Day - everybody has fun at the winery! Contact Martha O'Brien for details widerivermartha@gmail.com

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! The Buffalo Bill Museum offers admission discounts for group tours!   School groups, 4-H, fraternal and civic clubs, family reunions, etc. Call 563-289-4603 for more information and schedule a guided tour! Reservations are required and can be made months in advance!

"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!

May 14 - Great River Financial - after hours - 5-7 p.m.                                 

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 - Faithful Pilot - after hours -5-8pm

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:

May 4 - LeClaire Lions

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 5th - Cinco de Mayo

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!

Enjoy the Ride at Missouri's Theme Parks

Jefferson City, Mo. ? Missouri's collection of theme and amusement parks supplies countless thrills and chills. Without exception, these parks are anchored by the most exciting rides of all ? roller coasters. In Missouri, our world-class roller coasters literally reach new heights.

Kathleen Olsen's first memory of a roller coaster is from a family trip to Six Flags Over Mid-America (now Six Flags St. Louis) in 1976. Back then, passengers were loosely secured on the car's bench seat by a belt across their laps. At the time, the brand new Screamin' Eagle was billed as the world's tallest, longest, and fastest roller coaster. The train of cars traveled on rails utilizing steel strips mounted onto a wood superstructure.

"There were no loops or corkscrews, but the drops from high in the sky were exhilarating," Kathleen recalls.

As she tells it: "Mom wore her hair in what we now call an updo, with a wiglet attached to enhance her elaborate hairstyle. Quite the high fashion in those days." Yes, you guessed it - the wiglet came loose during the ride.

"Not all the way off," Kathleen chuckles. "It was still attached in the front, so it flapped wildly in the wind as we zoomed along. Imagine Mom's embarrassment."

It's been some 37 years since the 'updo incident,' and Kathleen Olsen has evolved into Katie Steele Danner, director of the Missouri Division of Tourism, and her perspective of and respect for theme parks and roller coasters has evolved as well.

"The Screamin' Eagle is still operating," she pointed out, "but coasters as a whole have come a long way, to put it mildly."

Most modern roller coasters run on a tubular-steel framework, easily bent to allows the cars to rocket through loops, corkscrews, and huge drops; however, wooden coasters are still being built. Missouri's three, world-class parks boast both types of construction.

In 2013, two new roller coasters begin thrilling, even challenging, brave riders in Missouri. One sets two new world records.

"I am eager, and admittedly a bit anxious, to give both a try," said Danner. "Six Flags, the hair-raising location of my youth (no pun intended; well, maybe a little), has added its ninth coaster."

Boomerang is a nerve-racking, steel roller coaster that flings you through a combination of intense and ferocious sensations. First, you and 37 other riders are slowly pulled backward, 125 feet into the sky; after a short pause, you are released to rocket along 1,650 feet of twisting steel track, at speeds reaching 50 mph, through loops and cork-screws, before climbing a second hill where the track ends. At that point, you pause in mid-air before running the full route again ? backwards.

But wait! That's not the end of the story at Six Flags. The eight themed areas of the park expose visitors to a collection of 49 rides and attractions, 18 food options, and numerous gift and souvenir shops. Plus, six theaters present a constant variety of top-name entertainers, concerts and special events throughout the season. And - as if that's not enough to keep you exhausted - Hurricane Harbor waterpark (included with Six Flags admission) is home to water slides, a wave pool, a lazy river, and nearly a dozen waterborne activities.

The Six Flags St. Louis complex is located in Eureka, 30 miles south of downtown St. Louis. Six Flags welcomes adventurers April thru September; Hurricane Harbor is open late May thru early September. Check the website for specific days and times.

World records are not broken very often. That said, a new ride at Silver Dollar City in Branson has broken three, this year. Outlaw Run - billed as the world's most daring wood roller coaster includes the steepest drop for a wood coaster anywhere on earth - 162 feet, almost straight down at 81 degrees (world record No. 1); a double barrel-roll, making it the only wood coaster in the world to get you upside-down (world record No. 2); the first outside-banked turn on a wood coaster (world record No. 3). And reaching a top speed of 68 mph, it is the second-fastest wood roller coaster on the planet.

After you catch your breath, this 1880s-themed park includes 30 fun-filled, family friendly rides and attractions (some dry; some wet) to keep you entertained. Among them is Marvel Cave, a Registered Natural Landmark, with one of the largest subterranean entry-rooms in the United States. Also, Silver Dollar City is home to 60 shops, with 100 resident craftsmen and artisans, demonstrating their talents. And don't miss the dozen delightful restaurants showcasing a unique style of country cooking, rated among the best theme park food in the nation by Amusement Today Magazine.

Tired yet? They put on more than 40 live shows spaced throughout the season, including six world-class festivals which are among the most attended themed-festivals in the country. As a Golden Ticket Awards winner, Silver Dollar City shows have been rated among the best in the entire theme park industry.

Silver Dollar City is open select days in April and May, daily June and July, and select days August thru December. Check the website for specific days and times.

Need more thrills? Travel to Kansas City to experience Missouri's third major theme park, Worlds of Fun, themed around the Jules Verne book, "Around the World in Eighty Days." For a single entry ticket, enjoy both Worlds of Fun and Oceans of Fun waterpark.

At Worlds of Fun, you can scream your head off on Mamba, one of the tallest, longest and fastest roller coasters in the world. Mamba is a state-of-the-art coaster, where riders climb 200 feet before plummeting toward the earth at 75 mph, through nine drops, racing along 5,600 feet of steel track. Add to that nearly 100 rides and adventures; 33 food and snack options; Charlie Brown and the whole Peanuts gang roaming the park; and plenty of amazing performers from across the country. The newest attraction is Dinosaurs Alive! The multi-sensory, interactive dinosaur park features more than 35 life-sized dinosaurs (no, they don't bite), including the world's largest animatronics dinosaur, standing nearly 40 feet tall and 72 feet long (hey, that's another world record).

Oceans of Fun features 60 acres of drenching water attractions, including a twisting raft adventure; the wave pool; water playhouse; 33 water slides; a lazy river; and a monsoon.

Worlds of Fun thrills visitors April through October; Oceans of Fun will cool you off mid-May through mid-September. Check the website for specific days and times.

So get out there and be thrilled; but mind your hair .... and your hat, and anything else that might drop off. Ride on the wind this year, in Missouri. Enjoy the show.

For listings of other things to see and do in Missouri, go to VisitMO.com. Order your free copy of the Official Missouri Travel Guide at 800-519-4800.

About the Missouri Division of Tourism
The Missouri Division of Tourism (MDT) is the official tourism office for the state of Missouri dedicated to marketing Missouri as a premier travel destination. Established in 1967, the Missouri Division of Tourism has worked hard to develop the tourism industry in Missouri to what it is today, an $11 billion industry supporting more than 281,000 jobs. For more information on Missouri tourism, go to http://www.visitmo.com.