1. Many LeClaire businesses are open on Memorial Day and we have some special ceremonies, too. Of special note is the final dedication of the Scott County Freedom Rock with completed lighting. There will be program and official lighting of the Rock at 8:30pm on May 25th. Details are below. Photos are available upon request.
2. Monday, May 25: Memorial Day Services. 10:30am, Glendale Cemetery, 598 S 14th Street, LeClaire, IA. Veterans will place a wreath at the cemetery's flag memorial. 11am, Bridgeview Elementary School, 316 S. 12th St. A service will be conducted with LeClaire Councilman and Army Sgt First Class, Justin Graff, speaking and the Pleasant Valley 9^th Grade Concert Band performing.
3. Monday, May 25, 8:30pm: Lighting Dedication to celebrate the completion of the Scott County Freedom Rock. 8:30pm, south end of LeClaire Levee. A service will be conducted with LeClaire Councilman and Army Sgt First Class, Justin Graff and LeClaire Mayor, Bob Scannell speaking. The colors will be presented and there will be a prayer service and bagpipe performance. The completed Scott County Freedom Rock with landscaping will be lit for the first time.
5. Monday, May 25: Many LeClaire Businesses are Open on Memorial Day!
6. Shops - Antique Archaeology 10am-6pm, Artswork 10am-5pm, Aunt Hattie's 10:30am-5pm, Grace Home Furnishings 10am-5pm, Grasshoppers Noon-4pm, Isabel Bloom Noon-4pm, LeClaire Olive Oil Co. 10am-5pm, Mississippi Cottage Antiques 10am-4pm, Unique Recycled Creations & Gifts 10am-4pm.
7. Food / Restaurants - Bierstube 10:30am-10pm/bar until midnight, Big Dave & Holly's 11am-9pm, Blue Iguana 11am-9pm, Crane & Pelican 11am-9pm, Happy Joe's 11am-9pm, Jones St Java House 8am-4pm, Riverview Roadhouse, 11am-?, The Shameless Chocoholic Noon-4pm.
8. Attractions - Buffalo Bill Museum 9am-5pm, Mississippi River Distilling Co. 10am-5pm, Wide River Winery 11am-6pm.
9. If you don't see your favorite listed here, please call them to check on their hours that day:
10. http://www.visitleclaire.com/index2.html

Coal Valley, IL - May 20, 2015 - Niabi Zoo announced today that it will be holding Princess and Pirate Day on Saturday, May 23. The event will feature games as well as treasure and scavenger hunts. Niabi Zoo is encouraging kids to come to the Zoo dressed as either a princess or pirate as they join in on the fun.
Princess and Pirate Day will feature a variety of fun princess- and pirate-themed games such as "pin the kiss on the frog" and "walk the plank" for children of all ages to enjoy. New for 2015 will be an appearance from Princess Elsa and Princess Anna from the movie Frozen. "We introduced this event last year, and it was a huge hit," said Zoo director Marc Heinzman. "We're excited to expand it even more this year with some exciting additions, including a chance for kids to meet their favorite Frozen characters."
Niabi Zoo will also be offering a free gift to all children ages 12 and under who come to the Zoo dressed as a princess or pirate. All festivities will take place from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
Niabi Zoo will be open from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with the last admission at 4:00 PM. Regular admission rates will apply.
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Moline - World Relief, located in Moline, will host a mile long "Walk for Freedom" through Black Hawk Forest to raise funds for the organization. Directly following the walk will be a Cultural Festival celebrating cultural diversity with free carnival games, food and fellowship among refugees and locals. This event occurs on World Refugee Day and will honor refugees in the Quad Cities and all over the world.

The walk will take place on Saturday, June 20 at 11:00 am at the Singing Bird Center in Black Hawk Park. Any donations would be appreciated and for every $50 raised, walkers will receive a raffle ticket to enter into a drawing for prizes such as gift cards, authentic dinners for four from a local Iraqi and a Burmese family, and more! The Cultural Festival will occur from noon to 2:00 pm directly after the "Walk for Freedom". There will be free food and fun activities such as bounce houses, a dunk tank, piñata, water festival and tug of war!

World Relief Moline is a not-for-profit agency providing services to refugees and immigrants in Western Illinois and Eastern Iowa. World Relief's mission is to serve vulnerable populations in and through partnership with local churches, agencies, and the community-at-large. This event aims to celebrate hope, freedom, and survival while introducing refugees to locals from the community.

Please contact Kelly Stewart at kstewart@wr.org or (309) 764-2279 for more information on this event.  Visit our website events page for more information on this particular event at http://worldreliefmoline.org/walkforfreedom

Coal Valley, IL - May 15, 2015 - Niabi Zoo announced today that its male giraffe calf, Genesis, will make his public debut on Tuesday, May 19.

The baby giraffe, which was born on February 10, has been kept off display by Niabi Zoo staff to allow him time to adjust to the new sights and sounds that came along with the Zoo opening to the public on March 23. The giraffe's name was announced in March as Genesis, named after Genesis Health Systems, which is a longtime partner of Niabi Zoo. "Once the Zoo opens, it's like an entirely different world for animals that have never been exposed to crowds, train whistles, and even just the outdoors," said Zoo Director Marc Heinzman. "Niabi Zoo in February, when Genesis was born, is a very different environment than Niabi Zoo in the spring and summer but he really seems to be adjusting well to everything that is new."

Shortly after being born, Genesis sustained a soft tissue injury to one of his legs after being accidentally stepped on by his mother, Mimi. Since that time, Niabi Zoo's veterinarian and the giraffe care staff have been monitoring his recovery, which is ongoing. "We're hopeful that Genesis makes a full recovery from his injury," said Heinzman. "An injury of this sort has the potential to affect his quality of life if it does not heal properly, but Genesis has been receiving the best possible care from Niabi Zoo's veterinarian and our expert staff." Niabi Zoo's veterinary staff have outfitted Genesis with a custom ankle brace to support his injured tendon, and he will be monitored closely as he increases his activity level while on public display.

Niabi Zoo is currently open from 10:00am to 5:00pm Monday - Saturday, and 11:00am to 5:00pm on Sunday. Last admission each day is at 4:00pm.

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