March 8, 2013 (Davenport, IA) - The Rotary Club of Davenport will host Dr. Jason Glass, director of the Iowa Department of Education, on Monday, March 11, 2013 at noon at The Outing Club in Davenport.  Dr. Glass has been the director of the Iowa Department of Education since his appoint by Governor Terry Branstad and confirmation by the Iowa Senate in December 2010.

Under Director Glass's leadership, the Department has focused on the values of demonstrating courageous leadership, promoting innovation in education, and acting as a servant to schools and communities in Iowa.

As director, he works with the Governor, legislators, the State Board of Education, and Iowans in supporting efforts and initiatives to restore the state's tradition as a national leader in education and to lead transformative change.

Background

The Iowa Department of Education director is appointed by the Governor to serve a four-year term, subject to confirmation by the Iowa Senate. The director's role is to provide leadership for the department as it carries out the policies and programs prescribed by state law and the State Board of Education; and to ensure department personnel are providing the necessary oversight and support for all schools, educators and students to meet their academic goals. The department director also serves as the executive officer of the State Board of Education, a nonvoting role.

For more information or to attend the meeting on Monday, contact Johanna Smith at 563-322-3567 or via email at davrotary@netexpress.net.

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What: New workshop for creatives, 'Creative Co-Working: Finding Your Focus'

When: Wednesdays March 13, 20 , 27, and April 3rd from 6-7p

Where: The Artful Office, 1700 2nd Avenue, Suite 1, Rock Island, IL 61201

Who: Nikki Jones, Owner of The Artful Office, graduated from Columbia College Chicago with a B.A. in Marketing Communications, specialization in arts, entrepreneurship, and small business. Her young professional resume includes such work as Paralegal and Office Manager for a law office, Traffic Coordinator and General Manager of a graphic design and production house, and Director of Marketing, Merchandising, and Distribution for a popular brewery. Her desire to succeed as an entrepreneur is matched only by her passion for sharing what she learns with other like-minded individuals.

Description: A relaxed, 4-week series of 'coffee talks' at The Artful Office, located in the District of Rock Island. You have creative ideas and goals flying all over the place, and feel a little helpless to nail them down. This series will both motivate you to purse those goals now and help you figure out which ideas go where on your path to success. In addition to inspriring conversation, we'll use worksheets and excersies that transform thoughts into actions. You'll finish the series with a clearer idea of what success looks like for you and how small steps can carry you down that path. Snacks and beverages provided.

Week 1: Defining Success & Why We Simply MUST Do What We Love

Week 2: Using Our Past, Present, and Future to Prioritize Ideas and Goals

Week 3: Uncovering Our Personal Brand (without getting put in a box)

Week 4: Taking Action to Draw Opportunities to Ourselves

Registration: $40 - register online at jonesfordesign.com or on facebook at TheArtfulOffice

 

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The Iowa Beef Center and Iowa Cattlemen's Association will be sponsoring two programs this month for small and medium beef and dairy operations. Any cattle operations with less than 1000 animals in outside yards are invited to attend to learn more about how  environmental regulations and inspections may impact their operation.

Both programs start at 10 AM and will conclude about 3 PM. The keynote speakers are Stephen Pollard from EPA, and Gene Tinker or Bill Ehm from IDNR. They have been asked to address fly-overs, inspections and environmental compliance- all topics of high priority for Iowa livestock operators regardless of size and scope of operation. Justine Stevenson, ICA Director of Government Relations and Public Policy, will provide an update on policy, administrative and other hot topics the Iowa Cattlemen's Association is working on in 2013.

With high feed costs producers need to evaluate and seek out feedstock options to manage through high feed input costs. Dr. Dan Loy will discuss current use of alkali treatment to increase the digestibility and value of corn stalks in cattle rations. With the current challenge on producers' minds being the availability of water for summer 2013, there's no doubt that it's important to have a plan in place to insure cattle are managed appropriately to avoid heat stress and other issues this summer. Greg Brenneman & Byron Leu, or Dan Huyser & Denise Schwab, ISU Extension engineer and beef specialists, will focus on considerations producers can use to navigate through a hot dry summer if this is a reality.

The programs will be held March 21, at the Mahaska County Extension Office in Oskaloosa, and March 22, at the Jones County Extension Office in Monticello. Please RSVP your intent to participate by calling the ICA office at 515-296-2266 by Friday, March 15. Lunch will be provided free of charge thanks to local business sponsors.

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Have You Renewed Your Chamber Membership for 2013?!

Deadline to remain in good standing is March 15!

WELCOMING NEW MEMBERS!

Kernel Cody's Popcorn Shoppe - new owners, Diane Frascello and Joel Johnson, 125 North Cody Road, Le Claire, IA 52753

kernelcodys@iowatelecom.net All different flavors of popcorn, Lagomarcino's fine chocolates and over 85 types of candy!

The Black Watch Room - Kelly Schone - 3851 Forest Grove Drive, LeClaire, IA 52753. phone: 563-332-5072. Website: theblackwatchroom.com Planning a Wedding?  Hosting a Retirement or Graduation Party?  Coordinating a Bridal or Baby Shower? Book your Special Events with us!

Charles Schwab - Eric M. Johannes, CFP®, Independent Branch Leader and Financial Planner - 5345 Elmore Avenue, Suite 300, Davenport, IA 52807 phone: 563-275-3663. Helping you plan meet your financial goals for years to come.

CALENDAR

March 8th - Slagle's Wine, Spirits and Beer Tasting - 5-7 p.m. Slagle Foods 2, Inc.,1301 Eagle Ridge Road, LeClaire. Stop in and try something new!

March 8^th - Ascentra Branches - Casual for a Cause Day. Employees pay $5 to dress casually. Proceeds collected will go towards St. Bladrick's Foundation, a cause dedicated to curing childhood cancer.  Locally, the "shaving of the heads" will take place at the DeWitt Just Irish Enough Parade & St. Baldrick's Fundraiser on Saturday, March 16th. Ascentra's Casual for a Cause days are held twice a month where each staff member donates $5 to dress casual with all proceeds benefitting a local organization or family in need.  Anyone is welcome to join this effort and donate to this great cause.

March 9th - Trivia Night at the LeClaire Civic Center benefiting the LeClaire Civic Club 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!

March 12^th - Chamber Networking Breakfast - 8:00 a.m. McDonald's, LeClaire

March 14th - Vegan & Vegetarian Night at the Crane & Pelican Café - Details and Menu at www.craneandpelican.com

March 15th - 17th - Bier Stube St. Patricks Day Celebration - $9.99 corned beef and cabbage and red potatoes, served all day long Fri-Sun. 1001 Canal Shore Dr., LeClaire. 563-289-2121

March 16th - LeClaire Rec Center Family Night - www.leclairereccenter.com

March 23^rd - Tug Fest Trivia Night - LeClaire Fire Station. Doors open at 6 PM. Trivia starts at 7 PM. $10 per person. 8 person max per team. Bring your own snacks and drinks. (alcoholic beverages are allowed but limited to beer and wine coolers only please) Contact Kari Long iatugfestfan@gmail.com or Barry Long bal400@aol.com for more details or to reserve your table.

March 26th - Civic Club Annual Corporation Meeting that was originally scheduled for Feb. 26th, is now rescheduled for March 26^th at the LeClaire Civic Center. Pot Luck at 6:30 PM and Annual Meeting at 7:00PM. All Civic Club members and their guests are encouraged to attend. Also, anyone interested in joining the Civic Club may attend as my guests.

March 26th - Reusable Usables - Women's Full Moon Circle Yoga - 7:30-8:45 p.m. Full Moon Circle is our opportunity to explore and learn from each other, and yoga will be led by Jennifer Vondracek.  We look forward to this opportunity to learn from a wonderful group of women, and to celebrate our strength, wisdom & love. $8 or donation. Ongoing event and for more info you can visit our website at www.reusableusables.org or our facebook page or call 563-289-3946

March 30^th - Wide River Winery Easter bonnet Contest! Be creative and have fun! Judging at 3:30p.m. Tasting room is open 11AM-7PM

March 31^st - Bier Stube - Special Easter Sunday Brunch - 9am - 12pm. Seatings begin on the hour.  Price $13.99 for buffet or $19.99 per person with unlimited Bloody Mary's and Mimosas. Also taking reservations for Mothers Day Brunch (May 12th). 1001 Canal Shore Dr., LeClaire. 563-289-2121

Save the Date

FYI

Wide River Winery - New location in LeClaire, IA opening soon! Location: 1 building north of our current location at 106 N Cody Rd.

Paul and his team have been working hard for months. In mid November they uncovered an opening to a tunnel that was part of the Underground Railroad. The building is being transformed and progress is made daily. We are very excited about the opportunities in LeClaire and promise to keep you posted on the opening date. Don't miss the new Wine Garden and live music events this Summer!

Reusable Usables, Planet Green After School Classes 322 N Cody Road, LeClaire, IA  52753 www.reusableusables.org TUESDAYS AND THURSDAYS   4:00-5:30 PM Learn creative and fun ways to respect our planet with hands on eco-friendly art and educational activities based on the Iowa DNR Planet Patrol Series.   $5 per class thanks to GRANT funding from Iowa DNR. visit www.reusableusables.org Ongoing event and for more info you can visit our website at www.reusableusables.org or our facebook page or call 563-289-3946

"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!

(ext 1135) or email Cindy Bruhn, Tourism Manager, at Info@VisitLeClaire.com

Chamber 2013 Networking Events - Everyone welcome to attend!

March 12 - McDonalds - breakfast -8am

April 9 - Wide River Winery - after hours - 5-8pm (tentative)

May 14 - Great River Financial - after hours

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

January 14, 2014 - Sneaky Pete's - 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 First Presbyterian Church, LeClaire 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:

March 9 - LeClaire Civic Center

April 6 - LeClaire Little League

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

Spring - Spring Fling Easter Egg Hunt (Hollyhock Park)

May 5 - Cinco de Mayo

May 17-18 - French Market Days

June 7-8 - LeClaire Garage Sale Days

Summer - Bike Parade & Decorating

August 8-10 - Tug Fest - www.tugfest.com

October 6 - Dogtoberfest (rain date - Oct. 13)

October 13 - Apple Fest

October 24 - Hallowine

October 26 - Witches' Walk

December 6-8 - Christmas in LeClaire

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