The Moline Public Library welcomes Dr. Nancy Huse, as she presents Ida B. Wells: Our Fearless American Foremother on Wednesday, April 23rd at 7:00 p.m.  This event is presented as part of the six-week series Created Equal and Changing America, which explores our nation's civil rights history through film, exhibition, and presentations.  The program is free and no registration is required.  More information can be found online at molinelibrary.com/createdequal, by visiting the library at 3210 - 41st Street, or by calling 309-524-2470.

This first-person, Chautauqua-style program enacts the words of Ida B. Wells-Barnett.  Her effective writing in pamphlets and articles - work that helped to end the practice of lynching - will be demonstrated, and a brief, diary-based reflection on youth and old age will be offered.  A discussion of Wells as an American foremother will link the present with Wells' work and with ideas central to our history as Americans, such as freedom of speech and freedom of the press.

Nancy Huse holds a PhD in English from the University of Chicago.  She has published numerous articles and delivered many presentations on American and children's literature.  She was the Children's Literature Association President, as well as a member of the Illinois Council of Teachers of English.  Her interests include children's and young adult's literature, African American literature, and women and gender studies.

Created Equal: America's Civil Rights Struggle is made possible through a major grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities, as part of its Bridging Cultures initiative, in partnership with the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History.

Changing America is presented by the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture and the National Museum of American History in collaboration with the American Library Association Public Programs Office. The traveling exhibition is made possible by the National Endowment for the Humanities: Exploring the human endeavor.

Local support for Created Equal and Changing America has been provided by Friends of the Moline Public Library, WQPT, and The Moline Dispatch/Rock Island Argus/QCOnline.

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CALENDAR

Beginning April 1st - Interiors by the Sewing Room "Celebration of Light Savings Event" offering a Rebate promotion on select Hunter Douglas shades. Give your windows a fresh look and save some money along the way. Call 309-755-0045, or stop in for details!

April 1^st - 12^th - Expressions In Threads Celebrates Expansion and 10th Anniversary Grand Reopening! Special Sales all days!

April 5th-12^th LeClaire Community Library - Money Smart Week - "Dash for the Stash" The DASH for the Stash will be Scavenger hunt played at nearly 100 libraries and other locations across the state. The statewide winner will be awarded $1,000 to open or add to a retirement investment account. Stop by or call the Library for more information!

April 12^th - Dahl Ford's 2nd Annual Easter Egg Hunt! 11am-2pm. Easter Bunny, Bounce House, Face Painting and more. Three different hunts for (1-2 yrs old, inside) (3-5 years old) and (6-12 years old). Rain or shine, no rain date. Admission is non perishable food item to be donated to the Riverbend Food Bank. Please bring no more than two (2) adults per child.

April 15th - LeClaire Community Library Children's Local Author Jill Esbaum will be visiting the library as part of our celebration for National Library Week! Jill will read one of her own books at 6:30pm and will talk about the importance of reading and writing. She will stay after to answer any questions and sign books.

April 19^th - Trivia Night in LeClaire - Benefits Buffalo Bill Museum. LeClaire Civic Club. Doors open 6:30pm; game starts 7pm. $10 per person.  Bring your own, or purchase refreshments.  Brisket dinner also available for purchase. See www.LeClaireCivicClub.org for details and to register!

April 20th - Easter Sunday - First Presbyterian Church, LeClaire Two worship times, 8 and 10a.m. Free Easter Breakfast at 9a.m.

April 20^th - Bier Stube - Easter Sunday Breakfast - 8-11a.m. Great menu, bottomless Bloody Mary's and Mimosas available. Make reservations today!

April 20th - Faithful Pilot - Easter Brunch 2 seatings, 10:00 & 12:30 - 3 course brunch for $30.00.  No coupons, or gift certificates valid.

April 21^st - Economic Development Meeting LeClaire City Hall - 8-9:30 a.m.

April 23^rd - LeClaire Community Library - Estate Planning with Community Foundation of the Great River Bend 6pm. This event is free and open to anyone in the community.

April 25^th - Masonic Center LeClaire - Taco Bar 6:30-7:30 proceeds to BSA Venture Crew 212

April 26^th - "Country Breakfast" Masonic Center LeClaire - 8 a.m. - noon. Biscuits and Gravy, eggs and sausage, pancakes & coffee. Donation of $7.00 for adults, $3.50 for kids under 12. Sponsored by Silver Creek Order of the Eastern Star of LeClaire. Everyone is welcome!

Save the Date

May 2^nd - First Friday in LeClaire

May 2^nd-3^rd - French Market Days

Friday, May 2nd

Book Sale at LeClaire Community Library

*2-3pm: Piano Roll Banner Class includes supplies and refreshments.

*5:30pm: Book Page Wreath Class includes supplies and refreshments.

5:30-8pm: First Friday including Mississippi River Distilling Co.'s tour, food and drink sampling and live music in the courtyard at Wide River Winery, and much more!

10% discount at LeClaire hotels with breakfast included. Rest and refresh for Saturday's shopping and special classes.

Saturday, May 3rd

Mother's Day Shopping Specials

*9am-noon: Cookie decorating class. Learn to do professional cookie decorating and take some home! $35 at Medic EMS Community Room

10am-noon: Children's FREE "Tour de LeClaire" Big Wheel races on the Levee.

10am-4pm: French Flea Market on the Levee. Parking spaces full of treasures will be sold on the spot from the participants just like they do in Europe.

10am-4pm: Special art projects at Reusable Usables. Donations accepted.

3-6pm: LeClaire's Riverfront Farmer's Market includes fresh produce, artisan foods, and specialty snacks.

Book Sale at LeClaire Community Library - $1 bag day.

*Reservation and pre-payment required at www.visitleclaire.com For more information: www.visitleclaire.com

May 3^rd - Our Lady of the River Catholic Church 3^rd Annual Trivia Night 2800 216th Street Place, LeClaire, IA. Doors open at 6, trivia starts at 6:30. $10 per person. Drinks and Cinco de Mayo themed Food for sale. Participants may bring food and soda, beer or wine.  Ages 12 or older may play.  Door prizes, pay out to top 2 teams.  Proceeds will go to the Parish Hall Remodel Project.  Contact Janice at tjvrom@gmail.com or (563)289-3232 for table reservations and more information.

May 14^th - Spring Concert at the LeClaire Community Library with 'Spiked Lobelia'. 6pm. Spiked Lobelia says they are both a prairie flower and a band, "Old time country/Irish/Bluegrass/eclectic goodness through & through". Bring a snack and friends for this fun family-friendly event in the brick courtyard outside the library, weather permitting. (Rain location is inside the library).

FYI

Dr. Lisa Arndt, Arndt Chiropractic Center, Inc., Bettendorf, has been appointed to the Board of Directors of the Iowa Chiropractic Society for a second term. In addition, Dr. Arndt received the Director of the Year award for her service during the 2013-2014 term.

LeClaire Bierstube - Karaoke - Every Friday Night from 9pm - 1am!

Riverbend Signworks just released the latest "Updater", all about wrapping!

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/it-s-a-Wrap----and-these-wraps-will-change-your-organization-.html?soid=1111968629442&aid=JeI1JCJsb9o

The LeClaire Tourism Board is now seeking applications for individuals interested in filling an upcoming vacancy on the Tourism Board representing retail. Board applications are available at City Hall during regular business hours or may be downloaded from the City's website (home page, left-hand side). For this upcoming vacancy consideration, completed applications and any accompanying information must be received at City Hall no later than 5:00 p.m. on Friday, May 23, 2014. Any and all applications timely received will be reviewed by the Board and a decision will be made on June 2, 2014. Board position to begin on July 1, 2014. If anyone has any questions or if you need further information, please feel free to contact Cindy Bruhn at info@visitleclaire.com.

Celebration Belle 2014 Cruising Season April 2nd - October 31st.  Make reservations online at www.celebrationbelle.com or call 1-800-297-0034

Buffalo Bill Museum archives are now open to the public for research on local and regional history, genealogies and more!

Mississippi River Distilling Company of LeClaire was recently recognized with 8 different awards at international tasting competitions including the San Francisco World Spirits Competition where Distillers and Importers submitted 1,474 spirits from 63 countries. River Rose Gin earned a gold medal, Cody Road Bourbon received a silver medal while Cody Road Rye Whiskey and River Pilot Vodka received bronze medals. The Beverage Tasting Institute in Chicago honored Cody Road Bourbon and Cody Road Rye with silver medals and River Rose Gin a bronze medal. At the February annual conference of the American Craft Distillers Association in Denver, MRDC's peers selected River Rose Gin as a bronze medal winner. Country Living Magazine selected Cody Road Bourbon as one of the magazine's favorite bourbons made outside of Kentucky.  Whisky Advocate Magazine featured the Cody Road Whiskies in their tasting notes and buying guide along with a feature on the distillery on the magazine's blog.

August 10^th - LeClaire Community Night, Modern Woodman Ball Park. Game time 5:00pm, River Bandits/Beloit Snappers. Mayor Bob Scannell will throw first pitch! A night to celebrate businesses and folks of Leclaire. Awards or special on-field recognition can be done followed by short video on mega-tron highlighting special places and faces in LeClaire filmed the week before. Businesses or groups interested in participating may contact Amanda Henzen, Account Executive and Director of Merchandise 563.333.2729 amandah@riverbandits.com

LeClaire Information Center Volunteers Needed! Contact Cindy Bruhn at info@visitleclaire.com or 563-650-7963 to volunteer.

Visit the LeClaire Chamber of Commerce website www.leclairechamber.com and see us on Facebook!

If you would like to attend a Chamber Board Meeting in order to present a topic, please contact the Board in advance at LeClaireChamber@gmail.com in order to be included an upcoming agenda. Board Meetings are held the 4^th Tuesday of each month.

PROPERTY LISTINGS

Commercial Property Available - 1295 and 1297 Eagle Ridge Road, LeClaire, Iowa. Please call: Mike Burke - Mel Foster Co. mburke@melforsterco.com, Mobile: 563-349-2705, Direct: 563-823-5272

Commercial Space for Sale or Lease/Purchase - 204 Jones St. - Call 563-370-2386 for more information. Will show by appointment. Commercially zoned only.

Park Run Apartments/Newbury Living complex - 1, 2, & 3 Bedrooms Available - 1701 Iowa Drive, LeClaire, Iowa 52753. 1 BR, 2 BR or 3 BR unit. Call (563) 289-5159 more information today!

Do you have Residential or Commercial property available? Please contact the LeClaire Chamber of Commerce, leclairechamber@gmail.com, with a property description, complete contact information including phone numbers and rental or purchase pricing.

First Presbyterian Church of LeClaire Sunday School each week for all ages at 9 am and worship at 10 am. Palm Sunday, April 13, 10 am worship. Maundy Thursday Worship with Communion on April 17, 7p.m. Tuesday, May 20 Women's Mini-retreat, 9:30 am to 12 noon, cost $6.Call Pastor Melody, 563-381-7777.

LeClaire Events Coming Up!

June 6-7 - City Wide Garage Sales

August - Tug Fest

October 12- Apple Fest

October - Witch's Walk

December - Christmas in LeClaire

Celebrate the coming of spring at the Adler Theatre this weekend when Ballet Quad Cities presents Spring is in the Air (Rite of Spring). Be one of the few to see the ballet's first performance of their interpretation of Igor Stravinsky's Right of Spring on Saturday. Then, find out how truly compelling music makes the personal universal when Big Daddy Weave shares their gift of music and passion for faith on stage at the Adler on Sunday.

 Keep the Spring cheer rolling by venturing out to the 3rd Annual Eiermarkt Spring Craft Fair at the German American Heritage Center on Saturday. Browse various vendors and creative crafts of all kinds! Learn a bit more about traditions in Germany on Sunday during the Easter Fountains presentation at GAHC, too. View a variety of photos featuring images of decorated wells and fountains found on Franconia in celebration of Easter.

 Feel the rhythm and blues this weekend at River Music Experience when Davina and the Vegabonds return to the QC!   Davina has quickly become a favorite returning artist; check out her brand new Daytrotter session before you pick up tickets for Friday's show for a mere $10.  After being recognized for a Blues Music Award for her solo debut Runaway, Samantha Fish performs in the Redstone Room Saturday. Come on out for an evening of catchy blues and good company!

 The Quad Cities River Bandits have teamed up with Palmer Chiropractic Clinics once more to bring you the second annual Bandits Race to Home 5K on Saturday. This one-of-a-kind run, walk, and Fun Run starts at Modern Woodmen Park, crosses the Centennial and  Arsenal bridges, and ends at home plate! Enjoy the beautiful spring weather at the ballpark Monday through Wednesday by cheering on the River Bandits as they take on the West Michigan Whitecaps. Did we mention Tuesday's game is FREE?!

 If you like making decisions, or if you just enjoy refreshing mint juleps, you won't want to miss the Mint Julep Tasting at Me & Billy's on Monday. Help decide between three versions of Mississippi River Distilling Company's mint juleps for Me & Billy to feature on May 3rd at their Kentucky Derby Bash! With four tastings, a full mint julep, great prizes, and more, you won't want to miss out on a chance to cast your vote.

 With Easter right around the corner, start making plans for the holiday brunch! Make reservations now at Hotel Blackhawk for an Easter Brunch featuring an omelet station, pancake station, pancake bar, and much more. Or head to Rhythm City Casino and indulge in a delicious Easter Sunday Brunch buffet.

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We've had so many interesting events come up in April, that we thought it was worth an update! To get library news directly in your email, sign up for Library eNews at http://rockislandlibrary.org/contact/get-notified-e-mail-your-library

Community Shred Day

10:00 am to noon, Saturday, April 12, Rock Island Main Library. Bring personal papers to be safely shredded by Document Destruction and Recycling Services, a division of City Carton. This is a drive-up, drop-off event provided as part of the Rock Island Library's participation in Money Smart Week Quad Cities.

Shredding personal papers helps protect your financial identity! For confidentiality, papers are collected in locked bins by bonded DDRS representatives and shredded under video monitoring at the DDRS plant in Davenport. No shredding onsite. Staples and paper clips do not have to be removed.

For more details, contact Rock Island Library at 309-732-READ (7323).

Know Your iPad/Tablet

2:30 pm, April 14, Main Library. Free program with tips and tricks on using your iPad or other computer tablet. Bring your device! No registration required.

Download eBooks/audiobooks 2:00 pm, April 15, Main Library. Learn how to use the library's services to get free ebooks/audiobooks for your eReader, tablet, smartphone or MP3 player. No registration required. Bring your device and your library card to make this a hands-on event.

Celebrating Shakespeare with Prenzie Players William Shakespeare turns 450 this April! Join us at 6:30 pm on April 15 at the Main Library for an entertaining look at how the Prenzie Players present shows such as King Lear in innovative ways.

Shakespeare's Life in His Works, with Don Wooten

6:00 pm, April 22, Main Library. William Shakespeare turns 450 years old this April, and to celebrate, we're bringing in local expert Don Wooten. A careful look at Shakespeare's plays reveals what we think about his early life in Stratford. Free.

Download This! How to on Downloading Library Content

6:30 pm, April 16, Main Library, Learn how to use free library services to download or stream free music, movies and magazines from library services Freegal Music, Freegal Movies/TV and Zinio for magazines. You can use these services if your library subscribes and you have a current library card.