11 Mar 2014

Loebsack Announces 2014 Congressional High School Art Competition

By Vonnie Hampel

Original works by local high school students due April 11th

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack announced today that high school students in the Second Congressional District may now submit their original artwork to be considered for the 2014 Congressional Art Competition. The annual competition is hosted by the United States House of Representatives to recognize talented young artists from across the nation. The winning student from each district is invited to Washington, D.C. to attend a reception held in their honor and will have his or her artwork displayed in the U.S. Capitol for one year. The deadline for artwork to be received is April 11th.

"Each year I am amazed by the talent of Iowa's students. The creativity of our talented young artists demonstrates that the arts are thriving in Iowa," said Loebsack. "For a young artist, having your artwork displayed in the U.S. Capitol is quite a remarkable accomplishment. I look forward to seeing this year's entries and meeting with the winning student."

This year, to make submission of art work easier and to open the contest to as many students as possible, the winner of the contest will be chosen by the public through online voting. The submission process has also been streamlined. Details on how to submit art work are available by clicking here to visit Loebsack's website. All entries must be submitted no later than Friday, April, 11th at 11:59pm. For additional details about the competition, students should contact Dave Leshtz at 319-351-0789 or by email at david.leshtz@mail.house.gov.

###
11 Mar 2014

Loebsack Leads Bi-State, Bipartisan Call for Q-C to be Designated an Advanced Manufacturing Community

By Joe Hand

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack today led the bi-state, bipartisan, bicameral delegation representing the Quad Cities in calling for the Economic Development Administration (EDA) to designate the region as an Advanced Manufacturing Community. The Quad Cities region of Iowa and Illinois has long been a hub of manufacturing innovation and this designation would reinforce the regions efforts to be recognized as a world class manufacturer. Loebsack was joined by Senators Grassley and Harkin and Representative Braley from Iowa and Senators Durbin and Kirk and Representative Bustos from Illinois in sending a letter to Matt Erskine, EDA Deputy Assistant Administrator.

"We must continue to focus on growing the economy and putting folks back to work, especially in the manufacturing field," said Congressman Dave Loebsack. "This designation will help the Quad Cities region grow their efforts to attract and maintain manufacturing companies of all sizes. Along with the recently announced Digital Manufacturing and Design Innovation (DMDI) Institute, being designated a Advanced Manufacturing Community will greatly benefit the Quad Cities region."

"Growing our economy, creating jobs and bolstering manufacturing has been my focus since taking office, and that is why I'm pleased to join with Congressman Loebsack in calling for our bi-state region to receive an Advanced Manufacturing Community designation," said Congresswoman Cheri Bustos. "Our region's workforce is the best in the world and with this designation would be even better positioned to be home to more of the good-paying manufacturing jobs of the future."

A copy of the letter can be found here.

###
11 Mar 2014

Spring Break Camp with Davenport Parks and Recreation

By Kenneth Asta
Adventure Camp at Roosevelt Community Center (1220 Minnie Ave, Davenport,52802) for all school out days! Get ready for games, fun and trips as we use this Spring Break to "Explore. Learn. Create!" Care is provided from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm for children K - 5th grade. Each child will need to bring a sack lunch and water bottle. Closed toed shoes must be worn by each child. It is recommended that the child wear old clothes or clothes that are able to get dirty as we will be outside, weather permitting.

School Out Days

Grades K - 5 / Monday - Friday / March 13 - 21 / 7:30am - 5:30pm

Per Day Cost = $28.80 Res / $36.00 Non Res / SDORCC15 - 22

* Days out Starts Thursday, March 13

Spring Break Camp : 5-Day Deal

Grades K-5 / Monday-Friday / March 17-21 / 7:30am - 5:30pm

$150 Non Res / $120 Res / SDORCC23

Valid all five days of camp week, Monday thru Friday

11 Mar 2014

Harkin Meets with Quad Cities Community Leaders

By Sen. Tom Harkin

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) recently met with representatives from the Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce in the U.S. Capitol. Harkin and local leaders discussed a wide variety of issues, including the Rock Island Arsenal and efforts to expand the local manufacturing industry. The group also discussed progress for several infrastructure projects in the community, as well as the growing popularity of the Quad City health centers.

Each year, Harkin meets with leaders from throughout Iowa to discuss topics ranging from health care to transportation to appropriations funding. This actuality is available on the web at: https://s3.amazonaws.com/sdmc-media.senate.gov/Harkin/030714_HARKIN_1_RADIO.mp3

A fact sheet highlighting Senator Harkin's work with community leaders from the Quad Cities can be found here.

A photo from the meeting can be found here.

###
11 Mar 2014

Emma Nelson of Moline Studies Abroad in Limerick, Ireland

By Marie Lang

ROCHESTER, NY (03/07/2014)(readMedia)-- Emma Nelson of Moline, Ill., is studying abroad in Limerick, Ireland, during Spring Semester 2014. Nelson is a fifth-year-year software engineering major in Rochester Institute of Technology's B. Thomas Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences.

Founded in 2008, the Study Abroad & Fellowships Office works with students, faculty members, affiliate universities and international institutions to provide RIT students with the opportunity to participate in over 250 programs in 50+ countries. Students have the option of studying abroad any time of the year whether it is through a program at one of RIT's global campuses, an affiliate semester program through one of our unique faculty led programs, or one of the short term summer programs.

These study abroad programs give students the opportunity to pursue their social, academic and professional interests in a global environment. By studying abroad, students have the chance to travel, experience new adventures, learn a foreign language, gain a different perspective on their major, immerse themselves in a different culture and develop lifelong friends, among many other things.

Rochester Institute of Technology is internationally recognized for academic leadership in business, computing, engineering, imaging science, liberal arts, sustainability, and fine and applied arts. In addition, the university offers unparalleled support services for deaf and hard-of-hearing students. RIT enrolls 18,000 full- and part-time students in more than 200 career-oriented and professional programs, and its cooperative education program is one of the oldest and largest in the nation.

For three decades, U.S. News & World Report has ranked RIT among the nation's leading comprehensive universities. RIT is featured in The Princeton Review's 2014 edition of The Best 378 Colleges, its Guide to 322 Green Colleges and The Fiske Guide to Colleges 2014.

To see more of RIT's rankings and recognition, go to www.rit.edu/overview/rankings-and-recognition.

11 Mar 2014

Reed, Grassley Statement on FINRA Withholding Critical "Red Flag" Information In BrokerCheck System

By Jill Gerber, Grassley Press

WASHINGTON, DC - In response to a new study from the Public Investors Arbitration Bar Association (PIABA), which found that the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority's (FINRA) BrokerCheck background check system routinely omits "red flag" background information such as tax liens and sales practice abuse investigations, U.S. Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) today issued the following joint statement:

"While FINRA has been responsive to our concerns regarding expungement of broker records, we remain concerned that crucial red flags and potential warning signs are not readily available to investors.  FINRA made a commitment to us to improve its expungement system and to provide greater transparency.  Clearly, there is some more work that FINRA needs to do.  We expect FINRA to honor this commitment and ensure that the plain and simple facts are available to investors."

-end-
11 Mar 2014

Eastside Bakery opens in the Hilltop Campus Village

By Scott Tunnicliff

Eastside Bakery, for years a well-regarded provider of baked goods, has just opened on the corner of 15th and Harrison Street, in the heart of the Hilltop Campus Village.

"We are just so excited to be here; it just feels right." said owner and baker Nikki La Tray. "We remain close to our valued customers, and now have the visibility to attract more business. This gets us close to lots of churches, schools and residential neighborhoods, all of whom we look forward to serving."

The new space is across the street from the new Harrison Lofts residential/commercial complex, and just north of the Hilltop Plaza.

"This project involved many people, each putting the extra effort in to make it work.", said Hilltop Campus Village director Scott Tunnicliff. "Nicky came looking for space at the behest of one of the churches in our area. We ran a few location options by her, and she fell in love with this older, really cool building. From there it was a matter of her dealing directly with the owner and the city to make it happen."

The Hilltop Campus Village has conducted multiple surveys of students, residents and employees in the area asking what type of service business were most desired. According to Tunnicliff, a bakery and a place to serve fresh pizza were at or near the top of the list.

Ms. LaTray has been in business for several years and has a loyal following. "People love our bakery items, as well as our pizza. They didn't want to see us move, but I they understood our situation. I opened this morning, and was nearly sold out by 11:00am. That's a good sign."

11 Mar 2014

Governor Quinn Announces $487,000 for Road Projects in Quad Cities Area

By Dave Blanchette

ROCK ISLAND - Governor Pat Quinn today announced capital investments of more than $487,000 for road projects in Rock Island and Whiteside Counties, part of his Illinois Jobs Now! capital construction program. The projects are part of Governor Quinn's agenda to create jobs and drive Illinois' economy forward.

"Our investments will make it safer and more convenient for motorists traveling through the Quad Cities area," Governor Quinn said. "The projects will also employ a number of construction workers, which will drive the local economy forward."

The projects will be managed by the Illinois Department of Transportation.

The bridge carrying Albany Road over Interstate 88 in Whiteside County will be cleaned and painted for $297,000 by Venus Painting Co. of Valparaiso, Indiana, the lowest of six bidders.

The bridge that carries County Highway 4 and 265th Street North over Interstate 88 in Rock Island County will have substructure repairs and expansion joint replacement done by Civil Constructors, Inc. of Freeport, the lowest of five bidders at $138,526.

A side road entrance culvert will be replaced on Illinois Route 92 at 115 Avenue West in Rock Island County for $52,188 by Phoenix Corporation of the Quad Cities, Port Byron, the lowest of three bidders.

"These just-announced projects further our efforts to build and maintain state-of-the-art infrastructure to ensure the Quad Cities' role as an economic hub of the Midwest," State Representative Mike Smiddy (D-Hillsdale) said.

The projects are part of Governor Quinn's $31 billion Illinois Jobs Now! program, which will support more than 439,000 jobs over six years. Illinois Jobs Now! is the largest capital construction program in Illinois history, and is one of the largest capital construction programs in the nation.

###
11 Mar 2014

In Iowa's Interest: A Plan to Shore Up Retirement Security for Iowans

By Rick Martin

If you work hard and play by the rules, you deserve the opportunity to enjoy your golden years with dignity and financial independence. That is the American Dream.  But after countless conversations with Iowans worried about their future, I can tell you the dream of a secure retirement is slipping out of reach.

Half of Americans have less than $10,000 in savings. The retirement savings deficit - that is, the difference between what people have saved for retirement and what they should have saved at this point - has grown to a staggering $6.6 trillion. In Iowa, this trend is especially alarming. Only 32 percent of Iowans estimate that they will have enough money to live on when they stop working.

There is strong public support for retirement system reform and numerous studies and polls demonstrate that Americans are concerned about retirement security and want access to better options. A recent poll found that 85 percent of Americans are worried about their retirement prospects, and 84 percent say that all Americans should have access to a pension to be self-sufficient in retirement.

That is why I recently introduced the USA Retirement Funds Act, a bill to give millions of Americans without a workplace retirement plan the opportunity to earn a safe, secure pension benefit. The concept is simple. Employers who do not offer a pension or a well-designed 401(k) would automatically enroll their employees in a USA Retirement Fund.  Participation would be voluntary and workers who want to opt out would be free to do so. USA Retirement Funds would give middle class families the opportunity to earn a secure retirement benefit that they take with them as they change jobs and that they cannot outlive.

USA Retirement Funds would be good for business, especially small businesses. Small business owners think of their employees like family, and they want their employees to be able to retire.  But for most, setting up a pension is just too complicated and time-consuming. With USA Retirement Funds, employers would simply help their employees enroll in a fund and send along the contributions. They could also contribute to their employees' retirement savings if they want.

USA Retirement Funds would not be a new government program.  It would be a new type of 21st-century retirement plan that would be run entirely by the private sector, just like pensions and 401(k)s. USA Retirements Funds are not intended to replace 401(k)s or existing employer-provided plans. Rather, they are aimed at helping the 70 million Americans who lack access to a retirement plan at the workplace.

We are facing a retirement crisis, and we cannot continue to ignore it. My USA Retirement Funds Act would help millions of people earn a safe and secure pension and would restore the dream of a secure retirement for middle class families in Iowa and around the country.

A bill snapshot, two-page summary and a list of frequently asked questions are available online. Visit Senator Harkin's website at www.harkin.senate.gov, or follow him on Facebook www.facebook.com/tomharkin and Twitter www.twitter.com/SenatorHarkin.

A PDF version of this article can be found here.

 

###
11 Mar 2014

LeClaire Chamber of Commerce Announcements - 03/07/2014

By LeClaire Chamber of Commerce

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS!

 

Urban Classic Home - Becky Curtis, owner. Unique home décor, artwork, lamps, furniture and accessories. Interior design services. 124 N. Cody Rd., LeClaire. 563-289-1221. Ribbon Cutting - March 7 - 4:30p.m.

Interiors by the Sewing Room - Window treatments, bedding, pillows for designers and residential clients in the QC for over 30 years. Residential interior design services. Style, quality and value. 818 15th Ave, Moline, IL. 309-755-0045

El Rio Wellness Retreat -Featuring yoga and pilates studio, spa café, spa treatment rooms, Riverflow exercise pool, meditation garden and retail yoga supplies.  www.elriowellnessretreat.com 1000 Stagecoach Rd., LeClaire. 563-289-1334.

 

CALENDAR

March 7th - Urban Classic Home - Ribbon Cutting 124 N. Cody Rd. - 4:30p.m.

March 7th - Buffalo BIll Museum Grand Opening & Ribbon-Cutting 5 p.m. Celebrate museum's expansion. Open House (4-7pm) LeClaire Chamber of Commerce's Ribbon-Cutting 5pm.

March 7th - Crane and Pelican featuring ALASKAN KING CRAB LEGS! Call ahead and reserve your order - limited amount on hand! 563-289-8774

March 7th - First Friday in LeClaire - 5-8pm

Mississippi River Distilling Company Food and Spirit Tastings www.mrdistilling.com

Wide River Winery Wine Samples. www.wideriverwinery.com

Faithful Pilot - Live Music - The Matriarchs - 7:30

Aunt Hattie's - Come in for a red velvet cupcake!

Razzleberries - Booze cake while it lasts!

Restaurants and several shops will be open late!

 

March 8th - Style with PM Interiors - Hunter Douglas Honeycomb Cellular Shade Repair Class Style with PM Interiors, 1293 Eagle Ridge Road, LeClaire, Iowa, 2:30-4:00pm.  Fee - $15.00. Class size is limited. Reservations - 563-289-2330.

March 8th - LeClaire Recreation Family Night 4:00-6:30pm, $2 per person, 3 and under free. Concessions available. Open gym. Movie "ET" starts 5 p.m. www.leclairereccenter.com

March 11th - Chamber Networking Lunch - Crane and Pelican noon.  Member, Brad Morrison of Riverbend Signworks, will speak about Branding.  Everyone Welcome!

 

March 13th - 16th - Bier Stube - Big Ten Tournament Specials.

March 13th - Faithful Pilot - Calling all Foodies, first 10 tickets sold for $10.00 per person to a culinary chef competition at The Faithful Pilot beginning at 8:00 p.m, call Emily at 563.289.4156

March 14th - 17th - Bier Stube Corned beef and cabbage feature.

March 15th - Monthly Trivia Night in LeClaire at the Civic Center. Doors open 6:30pm, $10 per person. Corned Beef Dinner $7, including "to go". Benefits LeClaire Civic Club. Win a Civic Center rental, other prizes! Reservations: Vicky 563-639-4621, or email kettlepopper@gmail.com

March 19th - Faithful Pilot - Vino Vaso - $40.00 includes glass of wine, wine glass to paint, cheese & crackers, artsy fun!  Reservations made at Vino Vaso's Facebook page!

March 22nd - First Presbyterian Church, LeClaire - Active Christians - Bingo Fun and fellowship for all ages. 6:30p.m. Welcome to bring wrapped $1-2 item or white elephant item for Bingo prizes. Bring friends and snack to share!

March 23rd - Faithful Pilot - Wine Tasting $15.00 for 15 wines and Chef small bites. Blind Tasting, so come test your wine palette!

March 24th - 29th - Bier Stube Week-long Anniversary Celebration! Daily food, drink specials, raffles! Friday March 28th - Old 57's band, 9pm-1am. Saturday March 29th- Karaoke, 9pm-1am. We want to thank Leclaire for 5 amazing years! Please join us for this celebration! We will continue to have karaoke every Friday 9 p.m. - 1 a.m. Docks ready to go by mid-April!

 

March 26th - Faithful Pilot $5.00 Beer Tasting Kevin from Abu Nawas Beers will educate and teach about fun new craft beers for only $5.00!  Begins at 5:30. Stay for dinner after!

Mar 28th - Masonic Center LeClaire - Dinner 6:30 - 7p.m. Menu tbd

March 31st - Faithful Pilot - Beer Glass Vino Vaso! All things beer, beer steins, beer boots, beer glassware!  A different take on Vino Vaso! Make reservations Vino Vaso's Facebook Page

Save the Date

April 1st - 12th - Expressions In Threads Celebrates Expansion and 10th Anniversary Grand Reopening! Special Sales all days. Saturday April 5th - Janome Sewing Machine educator will demonstrate the Janome 15000 embroidery machine.

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

April 4th - Frist Friday 5-8p.m.

April 4th and 5th - Girls Getaway Weekend dinner at Steventon's, standup comic, Bobby Ray Bunch. Top Chef Winner Robert Day cooking class, Carissa Evens hosts Beauty Boot Camp by BC Mobile Spas. Prize Drawings, Wine tastings at Wide River Winery and Grasshoppers. Free tour Mississippi Distilling Company. Solve the MURDER while playing the Wine & Murder Mystery Game. Goodie bag and more. $45 per person

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

 

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

FYI

 

Dwellings Now open at New Location 414 N. Cody Rd.

August 10th - 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

The next Riverbend Signworks "Updater" released next week focusing on utilizing fleetgraphics to expand your branding efforts. Sign up:  http://riverbendsignworks.com/contactus/ See brief:  http://riverbendsignworks.com/2014/03/04/custom-fleet-graphics-for-your-quad-cities-business/

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!

PROPERTY LISTINGS

Commercial Space Available for Rent - 118 N. Cody Rd. Call 563-289-2525.

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 Rent - 204 Jones St. - Call 563-370-2386 for more information. Will show by appointment. Commercially zoned only. Lease with option to purchase.

Home for Rent - Single family home on the River - two bed, two bath (could be three bed, two bath). Newly remodeled throughout, new appliances. 2 car attached garage. 1405 Canal Shore Dr. $1300 month - Dock access is negotiable. Call 563-529-1346.

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.

SERVING THE COMMUNITY AND BEYOND

 

Beginning March 2014 - LeClaire Civic Club Morning Coffee Time 8-11am every Mon/Wed/Fri.  Coffee, donut, and chatter! Bring checker board, cribbage board, or a newspaper and meet old and new friends! (No Coffee Time 3/7 due to other function at Center)

First Presbyterian Church of LeClaire Sunday School each week for all ages at 9 am and worship at 10 am Join us every Wednesday from March 12- April 9 for a free soup supper at 6:15 pm and worship at 7 pm. 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!

April 4-5 - Girls Getaway Weekend

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

May 2-3 - French Market Days

May 3-4 - LeClaire Community Library Book Sale

May 5 - Cinco de Mayo

June 6-7 - City Wide Garage Sales

August - Tug Fest

October 12 - Apple Fest

October - Witch's Walk

December - Christmas in LeClaire

Pages

more

Subscribe & Listen to Reader Podcasts

On Stands Now

 

Tagged Content

Two Ways to Subscribe

1. Subscribe to free weekly e-mail content updates.

You'll get both the current official narrative challenge and What's Happenin' in the Quad Cities.
(Did you know we publish a new Amy Alkon Advice Goddess, Real Astrology, Red Meat cartoon and RCR Crossword every week?) 

* indicates required

View previous campaigns.

2. Get 12 monthly issues mailed first class for $48

Get 12 issues mailed monthly for $48 per year.

Get the printed Reader edition mailed to you (or anyone you want) first-class for 12 months for $48.
$24 goes to postage and handling, $24 goes to keeping the doors open!

Click this link to Subscribe now.

 
 

Meetings Calendar

Kids Calendar

Eat & Drink Calendar