26 Jan 2013

Acclaimed Business Leader Nina Vaca to Speak at Hispanic Chamber's Gala Event

By Rick Martin

IA/IL QUAD-CITIES - Acclaimed business leader Nina Vaca has been selected as the Keynote Speaker and Special Guest of the 2013 Annual Gala of the Greater Quad Cities Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (GQCHCC). Vaca serves as Chairman and CEO of Pinnacle; Director at both Kohl's Corporation and Comerica, Inc.; Founding Member of the Startup America Partnership; and Chairman of the Board of the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

"Nina Vaca serves as a shining example of how a talented, determined minority individual can play a vital role in the international business community," said Lee Vasquez, Executive Director of the Greater Quad Cities Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. "She is an inspiration to the Hispanic community, and to everyone who believes in the power of diversity. We are truly proud to have Nina as the keynote speaker at our Annual Gala."

The GQCHCC board of directors and staff invites the community to the 2013 Annual Gala, to be held 5:30 pm., Sat., January 26, 2013, at the Quad-Cities Waterfront Convention Center,Bettendorf, IA.

The evening is a celebration of the organization's accomplishments, members, and supporters, and will feature entertainment, dinner, an award presentation, a silent auction, and networking opportunities for attendees. Admittance for the event is $60 for non-members, $50 for members, and $35 for students.

An Illustrious Career

Nina Vaca founded Pinnacle in 1996 as an information technology services provider to the Fortune 500. Pinnacle provides IT-enabled solutions in the growing area of vendor management via IT Staff Augmentation Services, Professional Staffing and Payrolling services. Under her leadership, Pinnacle has become the fifth fastest growing firm in a $20 billion dollar industry.

In 2005, Nina was featured in Fast Company magazine as one of the Top 25 Women Business Builders in the country. In addition, she has been featured in many other high-profile publications, including Vanidades, Ali, Entrepreneur, Kiplinger, Forbes, Hispanic, KERA CEO Review, and Latino Leaders.

Nina is a recipient of the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award for Technology and Communications for the Southwest Region. In 2010, she was named one of the 100 most influential Hispanics in America by Latino Leaders. As an international leader, Nina has represented America in numerous transatlantic leadership forums.

26 Jan 2013

LECLAIRE CHAMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS - Friday 01/25/2013

By LeClaire Chamber

LeClaire is Among the Top 15 "America's Coolest Small Towns 2013"following the first round of voting last fall in the Budget Travel on-line contest, and we can be chosen as the COOLEST!!!!

To Vote Daily, go to: http://www.budgettravel.com/contest/americas-coolest-small-towns-2013,14/ or to the website for Budget Travel. LeClaire IS the Coolest, and We Can Win!! Tell everyone you know everywhere to vote for LeClaire!!!

WELCOMING NEW MEMBERS!

Arndt Chiropractic Center, Inc. - Dr. Lisa Arndt, 3359 Middle Road - Ste. 1, Bettendorf, IA 52722. www.arndtchiropractic.com Dr. Arndt is a National Board Certified Chiropractor and Registered Nurse, proud of providing "Gentle" chiropractic care for the QC community. Accepting new patients!563-332-2211

Operation American Made - Darrin Lampman, CEO, PO Box 28, LeClaire, IA 52753. 563-729-1022. www.operation-american-made.com Online auction of American made products, benefiting local vendors.

Conceptual Designs - Michelle Blunk, Owner, 2117 State Street - Ste. 110, Bettendorf, IA 52722. 563-823-6123 www.conceptualdesignsinc.com Conceptual Designs is a full service design firm that specializes in commercial interior design and interior architecture, professionally licensed in Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin. We excel in providing unique design solutions for not only commercial interiors, but offices, retail spaces and healthcare facilities as well.

It is time again to join or to renew your membership with the LeClaire Chamber of Commerce! Please see the attached form to complete and return with your payment by January 31, 2013. Thank you for your current and past membership, and certainly let us know if you have any questions in regard to your membership or about the Chamber in general. Let's have a Great 2013! After all - "It is all there....In LeClaire!"

CALENDAR

January 26^th - Le Claire Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner -Steventon's -1399 Eagle Ridge Road, LeClaire.

Hope you made your reservations! See you there!

6:00-6:30 pm - Cocktails (Cash Bar)/Silent Auction

6:30 pm - Awards

7:00 pm - Dinner

8:00 pm - Live Auction

6:00-10:00 pm - Music by Keep Off the Grass

January 27^th - Beer Tasting! The Faithful Pilot 3:00-5:00p.m. $15 per person. 15 hand crafted beer selections paired with chef's small bites. Book your glass now! 563.289.4156

January 28^th - Economic Development Meeting (Rescheduled due to holiday January 21^st) Great River Financial - 8:00 a.m.

Save the Date

February 1^st - First Friday - Downtown LeClaire - 5-8 p.m. Food and Beverage Samples at Mississippi River Distilling Company www.mrdistilling.com Wine samples at Wide River Winery Serving dips paired with our award winning locally made wines. Recipes available andFREE samples. www.wideriverwinery.com Many restaurants and several shops will be open late!

February 3^rd - Family Yoga - Reusable Usables Family Yoga - 3:30-4:30 p.m. $5 per person or $15 for up to four people. Taught by yoga Jennifer Vondracek, Executive Director of Yoga. Family Yoga will be held once a month for families with children ages 2 & up. No experience necessary! For schedule for Women's Full Moon Yoga Circle 2013, or with questions, please contact jenniferv@yogag.org or 563-289-3946Reservations are appreciated but not required, via facebook or email. Cost: $8 Donation.Class held at Reusable Usables Creative Arts Center Studio 122, 328 N Cody/LeClaire, IA 52753 www.reusableusables.org

February 8^th - Reusable Usables NEW Freezer Meal Workshop 6:30 PM. Let's get together and make enough meals to fill our freezers! Bring your bags filled with designated "protein" and other groceries. Go home with 10 meals, each feeding a family of 4-6, ready to freeze - just thaw, cook and enjoy! $73 (includes all Wildtree products, recipes and shipping). Contact Kate Ramsdell ramsdellgirls@yahoo.com•www.mywildtree.com/katewildtree/ (This is an "Adults Only" event.)

February 9th - Trivia Night - LeClaire Civic Center benefiting the Coe Noack Memorial Scholarship. 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!

February 14^th - Valentine's Day at Crane and Pelican - 3 Course Dinner - $45 per person ($90 per couple) Details and Menu atwww.craneandpelican.com

February 14^th - Valentine's Day at The Faithful Pilot - 2 seatings - 5:30 and 8:00p.m. $75 per person, 5 courses. 563.289.4156www.faithfulpilot.com

February 24^th - The Buffalo Bill Museum will Celebrate Buffalo Bill's Birthday! 12 noon to 4 p.m. (closing). Refreshments, free admission, and a "Buffalo Bill & Annie Oakley Look-Alike Contest" for children (Judging at 2pm). Hope to see everyone there! www.buffalobillmuseumleclaire.com

FYI

Please note - the Chamber has a new email address -leclairechamber@gmail.com

The LeClaire Information Center is seeking volunteers to serve as "Ambassadors" introducing visitors to the attractions, shops, neighborhoods, and business opportunities in LeClaire. Training is provided; schedules are flexible. If you want to share the excitement of LeClaire, please consider this opportunity to serve your community. Call 563-289-4242 (ext 1135) or email Cindy Bruhn, Tourism Manager, at Info@VisitLeClaire.com If you would like to share information about events, promotions, news, etc., with Tourism, please send an email to info@visitleclaire.com. Your information will be shared with Shopkeepers, the Chamber and the Tourism Board and will be promoted on Facebook and in monthly emails.

Billie Davids' Yellow House Studio is now in the upstairs at the Crane &Pelican! Stop by and meet the artist in person and see her amazing work, and buy a piece of art that will warm your heart & your home.

Reusable Usables Women's Full Moon Yoga Circle 2013 For schedule or with questions, please contact jenniferv@yogag.org or call 563-289-3946. Reservations are appreciated but not required via facebook or email. Cost: $8 Donation. Classes held at Reusable Usables Creative Arts Center Studio 122, 328 N Cody/LeClaire, IA 52753 www.reusableusables.org

Reusable Usables Planet Green After School Classes Planet Green After School Program for ages 5-12. 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. Thanks to grant funding from Iowa DNR. Ask about our sibling discounts. Pre-register in advance by calling 563-289-3936 or at www.reusableusables.org Planet Green class options and fees: Option #1: Class two times per week - TUESDAYS AND THURSDAYS 4:00-5:30 PM $36 per student per month Option #2: Class one time per week - TUESDAYS OR THURSDAYS 4:00-5:30 PM $25 per student per month

SERVING THE COMMUNITY AND BEYOND

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:

February 9th - Coe Noack Memorial Scholarship

March 9^th - Hosted by First Presbyterian Church - Hurricane Sandy Victims

April 6th - LeClaire Little League

May 4^th - LeClaire Lions

June 8th - Buffalo Bill Museum

LeClaire Trivia Nights have raised over $95,000 for local non-profit organizations! Thank you for your continued support!

LeClaire Park Board Special Events Calendar

Spring 2013 - Spring Fling Easter Egg Hunt ( Hollyhock Park )

Spring 2013 - Cinco de Mayo

May 18, 2013 -French Market Days - Plant exchange, sale benefiting Parks Dept.

Summer 2013 - City-Wide Water Explosion ( Hollyhock Park )

Summer 2013 - Bike Parade & Decorating

August 9-11, 2013 - Tug Fest

October 13, 2013 - Apple Fest

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

25 Jan 2013

Icestravaganza to Feature Winter Family Activities, Horse drawn carriage rides, ice carving and shopping

By Jason Gilliland

(Quad Cities) - The courtyard on 2^nd Street between Brady and Main in downtown Davenport will be transformed into a winter wonderland on Sunday, January 27 during the first-ever Icestravaganza.

The free event will include horse-drawn carriages, an ice skating rink, live music, a "Diamond in the Ice" competition, children's stories and art stations. Icestravaganza will also feature a new shopping experience with unique items from Handmade City and downtown Davenport vendors, showcased high above the Mississippi River in the sky bridge.

An "ice science" display will demonstrate the experimental unveiling of an ice-powered car; professional ice carvers will create works of art out of 400-pound blocks of ice and adults can register at Necker's Jewelers for a chance to win a $1,000 shopping spree in the "Diamond on the Ice" competition. A limited number of ice skates will be available at no charge.

If you go:

Where: The courtyard on 2^nd Street between Brady and Main Streets Downtown Davenport, in the River Music Experience, and the Skybridge. Free parking available in the Redstone parking ramp.

When: Sunday, January 27 from Noon to 6:00 p.m.

Cost: Free

For more information visit www.DowntownDavenport.com

Icestravaganza is presented by the Downtown Davenport Arts and Culture committee and is made possible through the support of sponsors: Necker's Jewelers, Genesis Health System, Fox18, B100, Master DJ, Iowa American Water, One-Step and the City of Davenport Parks and Recreation Department.

25 Jan 2013

This Week in Downtown Davenport: 1/24 - 1/30

By QC Chamber

Hello!

Embrace the cold weather downtown on Sunday during our new family event, Icestravaganza! Enjoy live ice sculpture carving, an outdoor skating rink, horse drawn carriage rides, shopping on the Skybridge with Handmade City and downtown retailers, live music, storytelling, and more! You could even win a $1,000 shopping spree from Necker's Jewelers. The event will take place on the Skybridge courtyard and on 2nd Street between Main and Brady.

Attention all brides and grooms to-be! Looking for a one stop bridal fair right here in the Quad Cities? Look no further than the RiverCenter, host of this years Davenport Jaycees Bridal Expo. With 135 vendors there to help you, we're sure you can make your dream wedding a reality. The Big Brothers Big Sisters Putt-A-Round kicks off at the RiverCenter on Wednesday, too!

Celebrate the artistic and musical talents of Augustana students at the opening of the sixth annual Augustana Sights and Sounds Exhibition at Bucktown during Final Friday from 6 to 9 p.m. This free event will feature distinctive photography from both Augustana students and QC high school students along with to video narratives by the Augustana Video Bureau.

It's the Moline School District's time to shine starting Saturday at the Figge Art Museum during the Young Artists at the Figge Exhibition. Come see what these creative young-ins have been hard at work on! Then, test your own creativity at the Faux Finish Workshop. Learn tips, tricks, and techniques that will help create the look of wood, marble, fabric, and more on your walls and furniture.

The back-to-back champions of the '08 and '09 Iowa Blues Challenge will perform at the River Music Experience on Saturday. Come hear the Avey Brothers and The Mercury Brothers for a blend of Cajun and blues-rock! On Friday, hear your familiar favorite songs and sounds at this month's Deja vu Rendezvous featuring The Beaker Brothers Band.

Head to the Adler Theater this weekend to check out the Tribute National Talent Competition. From solos to group performances in tap, contemporary, hip hop, and more, this weekend will be a great opportunity to to see some natural dancing talent.

Enjoy exclusive downtown deals and information when you download our downtown Android App or our iPhone App today. You'll love the quick lists of local events, hotels, shops, and more when you're on the go!

See you downtown!

This Week's Events: January 24 - January 30

Thursday, January 24

2013 Quad Cities Youth Conference

Where: The RiverCenter

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