CHAMBER NEWSLife With a River View

Volume 30

Join us for a candidate forum in Camanche on Wednesday, October 18th, at 7:00 p.m., at the Camanche Middle School. This event is free and open to the public. Join us for a candidate forum in Clinton on Thursday, October 19th, at 7:00 p.m., at City Hall Council Chambers. This event is free and open to the public and will be broadcast on MediaCom channel 19. Join us for a candidate coffee on Saturday, October 21st, at 9:00 a.m., at the Clinton Area Chamber of Commerce. Have a cup of coffee and meet the candidates in this free event that is open to the public.

Local Candidate Events

721 So. 2nd Street chamber@clintonia.com www.clintonia.com 563-242-5702

Brought to you by the Local & Government Affairs Committee of the

Clinton Area Chamber of Commerce

October 2017 Number 10

A Message from your President

CHAMBER STAFF

Maureen MillerPresident & CEO

Karen FriisAdministrative ServicesCoordinator

Mary SeelyCVB Director

Ari LewerenzCVB Marketing Coordinator

Timiri DethmannAccountant & BusinessManager

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Maureen MillerPresident & CEO

I recently returned from the 2-day fall conference of the Iowa Chamber of Commerce Executives. About 50 people representing chambers throughout the state of Iowa gathered to learn from each other and speakers on topics pertinent to our organizations.

It’s always invigorating to get away from it for a while and to take the time to network with people who are experiencing the same challenges and accomplishments, and this conference was no different.

One of the speakers talked about the success he has had in rebuilding the Chamber of Commerce in his community in Oklahoma to over 700 members. Keeping the board and the member-investors engaged is the key to his success. Educating ourselves, as chamber leaders, and continually educating our investors about the significance of an active,

vibrant Chamber of Commerce is one of the biggest – and most important – challenges we face.

We are a society driven by the demands of our jobs, our families, and our extra-curricular activities. We’re fueled by ever-changing technology that encourages us to spend time with our friends on Facebook instead of in person. Quantity is replacing quality when it comes to conversation and human-to-human contact no longer includes the occasional get-together for dinner, a picnic, or other chances to catch up with friends.

None of us has any more or less time in the day than any of the rest of us. How we choose to use the time we are given is important to the Chamber and to every other volunteer-driven organization in our country! As technology has changed, so has volunteerism.

We all have obligations to meet. Fulltime jobs, two working parents or single parents who may be working two jobs, active families involved in sports and music and drama and advanced placement classes, perhaps a parent in a nursing home in another community – all of these limit our involvement in the institutions that rely on volunteers to make our community better. Add in the 24-7 work schedule that mobile devices and cell phones have brought to many of our jobs and we have a recipe for stress.

Many conversations center on the generational differences that are having an effect on our volunteer-driven organizations. I remember conversations around our dinner table when I was a kid where my folks were wondering what was going to happen when the hippies took over the world.

Well, now we know what happens. The hippie generation is sitting at the dinner table wondering what is going to happen when the millennials take over the world!

Engagement is critical to success. We need to work together to find each other’s strengths and put them to work in creating the organization/community/world we want. Individually, we need to identify, prioritize, and choose what makes us happy and what makes ourselves and our world better. We all have to learn to create a balance in our lives that includes our family lives, our jobs, our social lives, and time for personal involvement in something greater than ourselves.

You’ll hear more from us over the next few weeks about a Generational Differences in the Workplace presentation that we’re planning. Reserve a couple of hours the evening of November 8th to join your colleagues in learning more about the different professional styles at play in the workplace. Education is the first step in understanding, and understanding how and why we do something is the first step in taking action to blend our styles and make our organizations more efficient and effective.

In the meantime, think about what you love and how you can prioritize your life to include some fun volun-teer activities. Get engaged in your community! Connect with new people at a networking event. Spend just a few hours a month working for a cause that makes a difference in people’s lives. It will make a difference in yours!

Keep the positive momentum and take some time this month to Celebrate Clinton!

MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS -

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50+ years Eastman House Furniture 55Snell-Zornig Funeral Homes and Crematory 52Wagner Pharmacy 51

40+ years Nestle Purina PetCare Company 48

30+ years Clinton Printing Co. 38Alverno Health Care Facility 35

20 + years D&D Auto Service LLC 28David Rose 21Kwik Trip/Kwik Star, Inc. (all locations) 21

10+ years Wal-Mart SuperCenter 17Charles L. Duax Insurance & Financial Services 13

1+ years City of Camanche 9Genesis Health Group, DeWitt 9Genesis Medical Center, DeWitt 9Hoff Resumes and Career Counseling Services 8Eagle River Liquor 7Planet Auto 7Hampton Inn 5Independent Investment Services 4Kendrick General Pest Control 4Midwest Dent Repair 2TYCOGA Vineyard & Winery 2JEG Enterprise LLC, dba Imperial Lanes 1

The Chamber would like to thank the following members for renewing their Chamber memberships in September 2017.

SEPTEMBER

Thank you for renewing your membership!

Welcome New Members

Chamber WebsiteInformation

Did you know that your membership includes

the following:

Job PostingsHot Deals

News Releases

Call for more information onhow to put this on our website.

Like us on facebook look for Clinton Area Chamber

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Park Vista Senior Housing Management

We manage and own senior housing facilities in Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin. We provide services in property management, consulting and development. We provide full service senior housing facilities that include independent, assisted living and memory care. A new facility is being built in Camanche, IA that will have 50 units. Contact Julie Lo-nergan at 563-503-6001. Check out www.parkvistaliving.org

Sunflower Lips

I am an independent distributor with SeneGence International, the makers of the long lasting lip color LipSense. LipSense has a patent-ed formula that is unlike any other product out there. It is Kiss Proof, Budge Proof, and Water Proof for 4-18 hours. It is Wax Free, Lead Free, Gluten Free, GMO Free, Vegan, made in the USA and is NOT tested on animals. SeneGence is more than just amazing Lip Color, we have a whole range of high quality cosmetics, and a truly amazing skincare line, both of which are held to the same high standards as LipSense. Call Kelli Samson at 563-613-2197 or check out the website at www.senegence.com/sunflowerlips

Meetings are subject to change. Watch your mail for details or check with Karen at (563) 242-5702 before attending any regularly scheduled Chamber event.

Reservations are required for most noon meetings held at the Chamber office.

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3 Ribbon Cutting, 1:30 p.m., for LaLeche League of Clinton, at the Chamber of Commerce.

4 Ribbon Cutting, 12:00 Noon, Great River Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, 511 So. 4th Street. 5 Ribbon Cutting, 10:30 a.m.: Dependable Drain & Plumbing, 1414 13th Avenue South. Leadership Committee, 12:00 Noon, Chamber of Commerce. ABC’s of Essential Oils, 6:00 p.m., Chamber of Commerce.

6 Getting to Yes First Friday Fixes, 7:30 a.m., The Canticle. DCA Marketing Committee, 8:30 a.m., Chamber of Commerce.

9 Miss Clinton County Scholarship Program Board, 6:00 p.m., Chamber of Commerce. 10 LEAD, 11:45 a.m., Chamber of Commerce.

11 CVB Marketing Committee, 12:00 Noon, Clinton National Bank Celebrate Clinton Committee, 2:00 p.m., Chamber of Commerce. 12 Business Park Corporation, 10:00 a.m., Chamber of Commerce. Local & Government Affairs Committee, 12:00 Noon, Rastrelli’s Baldacci Room. Events Committee, 12:00 Noon, Chamber of Commerce. Vision 8 Committee, 7:00 p.m., Chamber of Commerce.

14 Young Living Essential Oils, 8:00 a.m., Chamber of Commerce.

16 Mary Kaster of Mary Kay, 5:00 p.m., Chamber of Commerce.

17 Tri-City Building & Construction Trades Council, 9:30 a.m., Chamber of Commerce. Young Living Essential Oils, 6:30 p.m., Chamber of Commerce.

18 Clinton County Development Association, 7:30 a.m., Wild Rose Casino & Resort. Gateway Area Foundation, 12:00 Noon, Chamber of Commerce. Camanche City Council Forum, 7:00 p.m., Location TBD. 19 CVB Board, 12:00 Noon, Location TBD. Clinton City Council Candidate Forum, 7:00 p.m., Clinton City Hall Council Chambers. 21 Candidate Coffee – Meet the Candidates, 9:00 a.m., Chamber of Commerce.

24 LEAD, 11:30 a.m., Chamber of Commerce

25 CRDC Board of Directors, 11:30 a.m., Rastrelli’s Avanti Room. 26 Board of Directors, 7:30 a.m., Chamber of Commerce. Ambassadors, 12:00 Noon, Location TBD. Pastor Group, 12:00 Noon, Chamber of Commerce. Ribbon Cutting, 1:30 p.m., Jenny Rice Graphic Design, at Chamber of Commerce. Clinton Landlord’s Association, 6:00 p.m., Chamber of Commerce. 31 Essentials4u, 6:30 p.m., Chamber of Commerce.

CHAMBER CALENDAR - OCTOBER

News from the CVB

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Image: A capture of how information is being showcased on the Clinton Iowa Kiosk and App. The Convention and Visitors Bureau is giving Clinton a digital presence. The first step was to add a digital Kiosk to the Visitors Information Center on Riverfront drive. This Kiosk is the welcome spot where visitors can find information about our local attractions, restaurants, shopping, hotels, things to do, and where to find these places on a map. Second step is to tie the Kiosk to a smartphone app called “Clinton Iowa” this can be downloaded from the Apple Store or Google Play. The app is a way to carry Clinton’s wayfinding system everywhere, it continues to be map based just by clicking on “Go There” your phones GPS will act as a guide to the location selected. From here we are populating the app, adding details about our attractions, businesses, and events. In order to do that, we need your help; we need you as a business owner, employee, or even resident of Clinton Iowa, to help us keep information up to date.

Image: A capture of how information is being showcased on the Clinton Iowa Kiosk and App. The Convention and Visitors Bureau is giving Clinton a digital presence. The first step was to add a digital Kiosk to the Visitors Information Center on Riverfront drive. This Kiosk is the welcome spot where visitors can find information about our local attractions, restaurants, shopping, hotels, things to do, and where to find these places on a map. Second step is to tie the Kiosk to a smartphone app called “Clinton Iowa” this can be downloaded from the Apple Store or Google Play. The app is a way to carry Clinton’s wayfinding system everywhere, it continues to be map based just by clicking on “Go There” your phones GPS will act as a guide to the location selected. From here we are populating the app, adding details about our attractions, businesses, and events. In order to do that, we need your help; we need you as a business owner, employee, or even resident of Clinton Iowa, to help us keep information up to date. For every listing we would like; pictures, hours of operation, and a brief description. Information can be shared to visitclintonia@gmail.com . Updates will happen within a couple of days. We live in a great community, let’s showcase it. Thank you, Mary Seely CVB Director

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RIBBON CUTTINGS

Stout’s Irish Pub & GrillStout’s Irish Pub & Grill opened its doors in December 2011. A year and a half later, we put in a full kitchen and incorpo-

rated a full food menu. Stout’s is a very clean and comfortable establishment that is kid friendly. Stout’s prides itself on our great food, awesome drink selection and fantastic service. Stout’s has dedicated itself to our customers, giving them the

best dining experience and the ability to choose from our 20 tap beer selections.

Out kitchen is open daily from 11am – 10pm. We deliver lunch daily from 11am – 1pm, and we deliver dinner from 5 – 9pm and 5 – 10pm Friday and Saturday. On Fridays and Saturdays we have extended our kitchen hours to 11pm, and have

half price appetizers during that time.

On Fridays and Saturdays we offer Prime Rib and “all you can eat” cod.

Summit Lake CoffeeSummit Lake Coffee was established in 2011 in Litchfield Park, Arizona by Bill Schemers and his wife, Kelly McE-

leney-Schemers, a Clinton Native. In 2015, they moved their three young boys and their business to Clinton, following a career in law enforcement. “We have built Summit Lake Coffee Co with that intent to take you away from the everyday life and relax, even if it is just for a short moment in time. Our coffee is roasted only when you order it, so we deliver it fresh.”

Summit Lake Coffee offers a wide selection of flavors and regions, which they ship around the country and deliver locally for free. See their Facebook page or visit their website at www.summitlakecoffee.com to check out Clinton’s

only coffee roaster.

RIBBON CUTTINGS

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Dudad’s HallmarkClinton Hallmark store has been in the downtown for 50 years. Originally owned by George Guzzardo. He retired in 2015. Deb & Duane Wiese did not want to lose a longtime downtown business so they purchased the store and reopened it Feb.

10th 2016. Dudad’s Hallmark still has the Hallmark cards, keepsake ornaments & gift you expect. We now carry ladies clothes in our boutique, baby clothes and gifts, Yankee & Woodwick candles. Gifts for every member of the family & we are the only retailer of Isabel Bloom in Clinton. We have a great staff & loyal customers & I hope we are in Clinton for

another 50 years! Find us on Facebook, Twitter, or call our store at (563) 242-6632.

Park Vista SubdivisionPark Vista Subdivision developers and representatives of the city of Camanche held a groundbreaking ceremony

for the new 50-unit senior housing and assisted-living facility, which is anticipated to be completed and open to the community in June.

The new 42,000-square-foot facility will feature 50 units of independent-living, assisted-living and memory-care units. The facility will have several common rooms, including a living room, library, salon, movie theater, various activity

rooms and dining and club areas.

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BUSINESS BITSWild Rose Casino & Resort in Clinton, Iowa announces Cheese Pizza to perform Wild Rose Casino & Resort announces Cheese Pizza will be coming to Clinton to perform in the Oakwood Grand Ballroom on Saturday, October 28, 2017. Performance time is scheduled for 9 p.m. Tickets are $10, tax and conve-nience fees not included.

Come see the most outrageous retro show on the planet as Cheese Pizza performs at the 3rd Annual Halloween Bash! Witness an absolutely bizarre stage show while rocking out to some cheesy cover songs. It’s an experience you won’t want to miss!

Dress up for the $2,000 Costume Contest! Judging will be based upon four categories, best group/couple costume, best male costume, best female costume, and people’s choice. The winner of each category will receive $500 cash! Registration is from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. and winners will be announced after the concert.

Tickets go on sale September 1, 2017 and will be available for purchase through the Iowa Store Gift Shop, by calling toll free 1-800-457-9975 or online at www.clinton.wildros-eresorts.com/entertain. Must be at least 21 years of age to attend.

Tight Inventory Continues to Lead to Increas-es in Home Price Appreciation

Five-year home appreciation in our region was between 8.13% and 14.74% with all of our regional Metropolitan Statistical Areas experiencing a positive gain.

“U.S. house prices rose in nearly every state during the second quarter,” said FHFA senior economist William Doerner. “The tight inventory is a major explanation for why house prices have been increasing every quarter over the last six years.” In the past year, home prices are up: 3.64% in Dubuque; 2.83% in Iowa City; 3.64% in the Quad Cities and 2.78% in Cedar Rapids. This compares to other cities: Des Moines up 5.24% and Chicago, IL up 5.34%. This data is provided by the FHFA for the second quarter of 2017 (see chart and website below). Of course, there is considerable variation based on price range and location of properties, with more affordable properties appreciating more.

“Tight inventory in the affordable price ranges continues to be the story of our local markets,” said Caroline Ruhl, Presi-dent of Ruhl&Ruhl Realtors, “Tight inventory means there are fewer homes for sale than we normally see in compar-ison to the number of buyers looking. Although it varies by

price range and neighborhood, we are still seeing a strong seller’s market in many areas of our region. Even if you are considering selling in the next year, now is a good time to start the process and to get a free market analysis from a Ruhl&Ruhl Realtor.”

Ljay Newsome named Mariners award winner

Clinton LumberKings right-handed pitcher Ljay Newsome has been named the Seattle Mariners “60 feet 6 inch” award winner. The award recognizes the best pitcher in the Mariners organization to dominate in 0-0 and 0-1 counts while also showing an ability to get back in counts when behind.

Newsome, 20, was the LumberKings Opening Day starter in 2017 and posted an 8-9 record with a 4.10 ERA over 129.2 innings of work with Clinton this season. The Mary-land native, ranked as the stingiest pitcher in the Midwest League in walks per a nine-inning ratio, 1.11, and fourth in the league in fewest baserunners allowed, 10.34 over nine innings. Newsome won the award in a bracket style contest that faced off Mariners Minor League pitchers in weekly matchups that advanced the pitcher who had controlled the strike zone better. Another 2017 LumberKing pitcher, JP Sears, reached the final four of the contest.

The win of the “60 feet 6 inch Award” comes with an invita-tion to the Mariners Major League camp in spring training for 2018. Newsome will be in Peoria in big league camp when his 2018 season begins in late February.

Joining Newsome in the Mariners post season accolades, is 2017 LumberKing Dimas Ojeda as the Dan Wilson Com-munity Service Award Winner. Newsome and Ojeda make it six of the seven 2017 Mariners Minor League Award winners to have made stops in Clinton.

- Ken Griffey JR. Minor League Hitter of the Year - Outfielder Ian Miller, 2014 LumberKing- Jamie Moyer minor League Pitcher of the Year - Right-handed pitcher Nick Neidert, 2016 LumberKing- Alvin Davis “Mr. Mariner” Award - Infielder Chris Mariscal, 2015 and 2016 LumberKing- Dave Henderson Minor League Staff Member of the Year - Cesar Nichols, 2016 LumberKings Hitting Coach

CCC Hosts Artist Gwen Ballard Patton Exhibit

An exhibit featuring the drawings, illustrations and con-structions of artist Gwen Ballard Patton of Seven Orchids Studio in Davenport is now showing at Clinton Community College.

continued....

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BUSINESS BITS“Gwen Patton; Illustrations and Book Art from Seven Orchards Studio” will be in exhibit September 11 through October 13. The Opening Reception is scheduled for Thursday, September 21, from 4:30 - 6:00 p.m. The show is in the new Art Gallery located in the renovated Library. The CCC Library is located at 1000 Lincoln Blvd., Clinton, Iowa. The community is invited to view the exhibit and to attend the reception for these talented artists.

“Play is serious business. From what I understand it’s how we learn to learn,” states Patton. Her work expresses a deep connection to music, children, and cats. The signif-icance of history, personal narrative and imaginative play are also evident in her work.

The next exhibit, “Fiber and Clay Arts Invitational,” will be exhibited October 16 through November 17 and will include a variety of pieces from various mediums. The Artist Re-ception will be Thursday, October 26 at 4:30 p.m.

The final fall exhibit is titled “Art of the Political” and fea-tures pieces highlighting the elections of years gone by. This exhibit will open November 20 and end December 19, with the Artists Reception Thursday, November 30 at 4:30 p.m.

For more information, contact CCC Art Instructor Robyn Smith at 563-244-7001.

Janice Bell Exhibits at River Arts Center

The River Arts Center of Clinton, Iowa, is pleased to exhibit the watercolors of Janice Bell of Iowa City, a member of the Iowa Watercolor Society. The exhibit is open now through November 12 with a reception for the artist from 1:30-4PM on Sunday, October 8. Located at 229-5th Ave. So.in downtown Clinton, the art center is open Wednesdays through Sundays from 1-4 PM. All exhibits are free and open to the public.

Bell has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Louisiana Tech University and has studied watercolor painting at professional workshops. She considers herself largely self-taught. While living in New Orleans, she became interest-ed in translucent watercolor painting. and finds the mixing of pigments on and off the paper to be exciting and she delights in the challenge of creating a successful work of art. She has won several awards in the IWS juried compe-titions. Her message is to slow down and see the beauty all around you. While loving the beauty of nature, Bell also includes some of her abstract pieces in this show.

On Saturday, October 21, Bell will teach a watercolor class at the River Arts Center from noon to 5PM. The class is open to all, but some experience would be helpful. The cost is $70.00 and a supply list will be available. Call the

art center at 563-243-3300. We are also on Facebook.

The Alverno Health Care Facility First in Iowa to Earn National Award for Excellence in \Quality Care

The Alverno Health Care Facility has earned a 2017 Gold – Excellence in Quality Award by the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) for superior performance in the long term and post-acute care profession. The award is the final of three distinct levels possible through the AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Program, which recognizes organizations nationally that serve as models of excellence in providing high-quality care.

“We are proud to be honored for our accomplishments,” said Libby Good, Administrator of The Alverno. “The Gold award not only serves as recognition for our commitment to delivering quality care, but also as motivation to continue our progress in performance excellence.”

The Alverno was one of three providers nationwide to re-ceive the 2017 Gold – Excellence in Quality Award and the first provider to achieve this level in the State of Iowa. Since the program’s inception in 1996, AHCA/NCAL has recog-nized only 31 organizations with awards at the Gold level, excluding this year’s recipients.

“I commend The Alverno for their hard work and dedication to achieving the Gold award,” said Alana Wolfe, Chair of the AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Board of Overseers. “The Alverno has demonstrated an unwavering passion for improving quality care and deserves to be celebrated.”

Based on the core values and criteria of the nationally recognized Baldrige Performance Excellence Program, the AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Program challeng-es member providers to achieve performance excellence through three progressive levels—Bronze, Silver, and Gold. The Gold – Excellence in Quality Award is the most re-nowned of the program. At this level, recipients have invest-ed years in mastering and applying the rigorous Baldrige Criteria quality improvement standards to achieve superior results in the areas of leadership, strategic planning, cus-tomer and workforce focus, and operations and knowledge management.

The awards will be presented to honorees during AHCA/NCAL’s 68th Annual Convention & Expo in Las Vegas, Ne-vada, October 15-18, 2017. For a full list of recipients, visit AHCA/NCAL’s Quality Award website here.

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2017 - 2018Executive CommitteeDaniel HousengaLyondellBasellChairmanLori SusieSedona Staffing Services1st Vice ChairShane BuerMercy Medical Center2nd Vice ChairJennifer BoysenClinton National BankTreasurerJennifer WeaverWild Rose Casino & ResortCVB Board ChairGerry FreudenbergAdvantage Point Group - 3M CordovaPast Chairman

Board of DirectorsDean BrainerdADM Corn ProcessingJon CapellaSkyline Center, Inc.Ron DlouhyClysar, LLCEddie DunhamCitizens First BankHeather EvansClinton Community CollegeAmy KerrNestlePurina PetCare CompanyCheryl McCullohUnited Way of Clinton County, Iowa Sara MisiewiczClinton National BankDavid PillersPillers and RichmondMike RastrelliRastrelli's RestaurantChad SeelyHy-Vee Food & PharmacyBecky TemperlyHowes & Jefferies Realtors

CHAMBERNews is published by the ClintonArea Chamber of Commerce, a not-for-profit

corporation, serving the business communitiesof Clinton and Camanche, IA and Fulton, IL.

Phone: 563-242-5702Fax: 563-242-5803

E-Mail: chamber@clintonia.com

www.clintonia.comwww.clintoniowatourism.com

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Fall Tailgate Fun

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