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Here are a selection of brief news items from this week’s paper edition, and possibly a few news briefs that didn’t make it in the paper.
Schaefers win Yard of the Week award
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PET OF THE WEEK: Tippy is a cute-as-a button 6-month-old terrier/sheltie mix. Setting aside his adorable puppy appeal, Tippy is in a critical period of his life where he is developing his skills and character. He is in search of someone who is willing to commit time and patience to helping him learn and socialize with both dogs and people. Tippy’s fun, spunky, social personality allows him to interact in a variety of settings — dog parks, doggy day care, walks through his neighborhood — and continued socialization skill development should be relatively easy. Tippy should do well sharing his home with dogs and possibly cats. Tippy should be a great match for most households as long as time is available to spend with Tippy not only with training, but daily walks and/or play time. For more information on any of the animals at the Coulee Region Humane Society, call 781-4014 or stop by 1 to 5 p.m. Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday or 1 to 7 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday. |
The winners of the Onalaska Lions Club Yard of the Week are Barbara and John Schaefer of 2316 Evenson Drive. To view a picture of this week’s winning yard and other winners, check out the online photo gallery
Sunny Open to benefit Legion baseball
The Sunny Open Golf Tournament to benefit the Onalaska Legion baseball team will be held Sunday, June 14, at Onalaska’s Coulee Golf Bowl beginning at 9 a.m. and lasting until 2 p.m.
The four-person scramble has openings for up to 30 foursomes. The event will include a silent auction, raffle, games and prizes. Golfers are asked to register as a foursome, at a cost of $80 per team. To participate, sign up at the Coulee Golf Bowl, or call 781-1111.
Social event planned for newcomers
Newcomers to La Crosse, Onalaska, West Salem, Holmen and La Crescent are invited to an area newcomers social hosted by Welcome Celebrations Newcomer Greeting Service on Tuesday, June 30, at Ciatti’s Restaurant in Onalaska.
The event begins at 6:30 p.m. and provides a unique opportunity for residents new to the area within the past year to meet and socialize with other area newcomers. The goal is for newcomers to make new friends, share experiences and resources.
For more information or to RSVP, call Corinna Todd at (608) 519-1893.
Legion posts to host blood drives
Two American Red Cross blood drives are planned in the area in the next couple weeks.
One will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. Wednesday, June 10, at the Holmen American Legion, 419 First Ave. W.
One also will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, June 19, at the Onalaska American Legion, 731 Sand Lake Road.
For more information or to make an appointment, call 1-800-GIVELIFE.
OUMC plans community dinner June 9
Onalaska United Methodist Church will host a free community dinner on Tuesday, June 9, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the church, 212 Fourth Ave. N. All are welcome.
Northern Hills PTO selling brats June 6
The Northern Hills Elementary PTO will host the Festival Foods brat barn on Saturday, June 6, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Crossing Meadows location in Onalaska. Brats, hot dogs, chips, soda and water will be available for purchase. All proceeds will go to support Northern Hills PTO-supported programs and activities such as field trips, the Born To Read book program and classroom items.
OHS Class of 1999 sets reunion cruise
Onalaska High School students graduating in the Class of 1999 and their 21-and-older guests are invited to a 10-year reunion celebration aboard the Island Girl on Saturday, Aug. 22, from 7 to 9:30 p.m.
Tickets for the reunion are being sold in advance and include one boarding pass for the private chartered cruise, one coupon for a complimentary tap beer/soda, a cash bar, light hors d’oeuvres and a raffle ticket for a chance to win cool prizes.
Deadline for registration is Aug. 20, and there are cash incentives for early bird registration. Tickets are available online at http://hilltoppers1999.eventbrite.com, with earlybird ticket discounts in effect through June 22.
Nominees sought for alumni award
Nominees are being sought for the 2009 Holmen High School Viking Alumni Award.
The award recognizes Holmen High School graduates who have distinguished themselves in their careers and communities.
Nominations will be judged based on community service activities, leadership, personal achievements, contributions to the school district, professional achievement and honorary awards and citations.
Nominees must have graduated at least five years ago and may be living or deceased. Nominees do not have to live in the Holmen School District.
The nomination application deadline is July 10, and the award will be presented at next fall’s Holmen High School homecoming.
Nomination forms may be obtained by calling 526-3372 or from the Holmen School District’s Web site at www.holmen.k12.wi.us.
Class reunions sought for Legion event
Organizers of the Onalaska American Legion’s Legion Community Days celebration in August are encouraging Onalaska High School and Luther High School graduates to plan their reunions in conjunction with the fourth annual event.
One reunion already has been lined up in conjunction with the event, to be held Aug. 21-23. Call Cindy at 792-3163 for more details.
Car wash to benefit area food pantries
Gerrard-Hoeschler will hold a charity car wash from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, June 6, in the parking lot of the company’s Main Street offices in Onalaska. Money raised will be donated to the Onalaska-Holmen Emergency Food Basket, the WAFER food pantry in La Crosse and the La Crescent food pantry.
Aging talk to focus on dementia
Linda Butterworth will give a talk about her experiences dealing with her mother through the different stages of dementia for the June installment of the Successful Aging series at Franciscan Skemp.
In her June 23 talk, Butterworth will focus on the decision-making process and answering questions regarding personal experiences and concerns about how to make the journey through dementia easier by implementing strategies to plan ahead.
The talk will be in Marycrest Auditorium on the second floor of the La Crosse campus St. Francis Building, 700 West Ave. S. Free refreshments are provided from 2 to 2:30 p.m. The hour-long program will begin at 2:30 p.m.
The program is free and open to all.
Western to hold session on academy
SPARTA n This fall, Western Technical College will begin offering a part-time criminal justice/law enforcement academy for people interested in pursuing a career in law enforcement. Information sessions on the new program will be held Tuesday, June 9, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., and Saturday, June 20, from 9 to 11 a.m. at Western’s Sparta Public Safety Training Center, 11177 Hwy. A.
At the sessions, Western representatives will discuss the program schedule, content and expectations. The 520-hour academy, which is certified by the Wisconsin Department of Justice, begins in September 2009 and will be completed in one year.
To register for one of the free sessions, call Donna Dean at (608) 269-1611.
Annual Biggest Baby Shower planned
Franciscan Skemp’s eighth annual Biggest Baby Shower will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, June 14, in the employee parking ramp located on 10th Street between Market and Ferry streets. The shower is co-sponsored by Magic 105.
Informational displays will offer a chance to learn more about the pregnancy and birth programs at Franciscan Skemp such as Birth by Design and the New Mom and Baby Group.
Franciscan Skemp staff and providers will be available, in addition to special guest Phillip Nielsen, a social worker who will give a half hour talk starting at 1:30 p.m. titled “It’s Not Scary ... It’s Fatherhood!”
Local vendors will be on hand, and refreshments and children’s activities will be offered. Infant car seat checks will be available on a limited basis. Prize drawings are planned.
For more information, call 392-9717.
Big Giggle raffle tickets on sale
The Children’s Museum of La Crosse’s annual Big Giggle raffle has some special prizes for the museum’s 10th anniversary this year.
For a $5 per raffle ticket (or seven tickets for $25), people have a chance to win one of 10 prizes, including:
His & Hers Honda Scooters with help from Two Brothers Motorsports;
Hot tub from Paradise Pool & Spa;
$1,000 savings bond from Coulee Bank;
Trek bike & helmet from Smith’s Cycling & Fitness;
Getaway spa package from Metropolitan Salon & Day Spa
And five $100 cash prizes.
Tickets can be bought at the Children’s Museum through July 3 or at the Big Giggle tent at the entrance to Riverside Park during Riverfest on July 3-4. The winning tickets will be drawn in La Crosse’s Riverside Park at about 6 p.m. on July 4. Winners need not be present.
The Children’s Museum of La Crosse, at 207 Fifth Ave. S. in historic downtown La Crosse, offers three floors of hands-on exhibits and programming for children ages 1-12 and their adult companions. The museum opened Feb. 28, 1999 , and since opening day more than 480,000 people have visited the museum.
Program offers free flights to youths
Young people ages 8-17 will have a chance to take to the skies as Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 307 hosts a Young Eagles flight rally from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, June 13, near the Civil Air Patrol hangar on the East side of the La Crosse Airport.
Participants will need a parent or guardian in attendance. Log onto www.youngeagles.org for more information or e-mail questions to cccml@adlmail.com.
Walk to aid wish-granting program
The La Crosse Jaycees and Franciscan Skemp Healthcare will hold the second annual Walkin’ for Wishes event on Saturday, June 13. The 5K walk will begin at Weigent Park at 16th and Cass streets.
Walkin’ for Wishes is a walk created as a way to raise funds to grant “wishes” to metastatic breast cancer patients. The funds allow them to spend time with their families in a way that might not be possible otherwise. Wishes that may be granted include things such a trip to the Mall of America or a stay at Wisconsin Dells.
Registration on the day of the walk begins at 9 a.m. and the walk will begin at 10 a.m. A registration fee of $25 is asked of each walker, along with any donations raised. These can be turned in the day of to the registration table. Each participant will also receive a Walkin’ for Wishes T-shirt.
For more information or to donate, log onto www.lacrossejaycees.org.
Entrepreneurs set regional meeting
Inventors, entrepreneurs and business owners in western Wisconsin can talk business during “Catch the Culture: An Inventor & Entrepreneur Rendezvous” at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, June 25, at the UW-La Crosse Cleary Alumni & Friends Center, 615 East Ave. N., La Crosse. The event is free and open to the public.
The rendezvous provides a regional forum for new and existing business owners to share ideas, connect with like-minded people and learn new skills from successful business owners.
Jason Weaver, founder and CEO of Sway Inc. is the keynote speaker for the event. Weaver has more than 15 years of experience as an innovator and entrepreneur. He was recently voted Entrepreneur of the Year in Madison.
Weaver will discuss using the latest technology to understand target markets and promote your products or services in a fast-changing world.
Exhibitor tables for nonprofit support organizations are available at no charge. Exhibitor tables are available for sponsorship at $50 per table. Exhibitor table reservations must be made in advance by calling Stephen Woessner at 785-8783.
To register, contact a local Inventors & Entrepreneurs Club or the UW-L SBDC at 785-8783.
Boaters advised of algae study
This summer, boaters and anglers might notice a few foreign objects in some of the backwaters and near-shore areas of Navigation Pool 8 of the Upper Mississippi River.
Scientists will deploy small orange buoys supporting plastic containers of river water at several sites at various times this summer.
These containers are part of a research project by Fordham University and the U.S. Geological Survey in La Crosse, to better understand what promotes algal growth in the Upper Mississippi River.
Algae are an important food for many aquatic insects and fish, and plant nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus are needed for algae to grow. But excessive nutrient concentrations can lead to an over-abundance of algae, sometimes called an “algal bloom,” that can reduce oxygen levels in water as the algae die and decompose.
The clear plastic containers will hold river water at different nutrient concentrations. The containers might not be visible, so boaters might only see the orange buoys and flags.
For the experiments to work properly and provide the best results, containers must remain at the depth at which they are deployed. Boaters are asked not to disturb or handle any of the containers.
Needle felting class set at UW-L
A UW-La Crosse class will help youths learn the art of needle felting. “Needle Felting: The Process of Taking Raw Dyed Wool and Creating Paintings or sculptures” runs from 2 to 4 p.m. Mondays, June 15 and 22, in Morris Hall.
Needle felting is the process of taking raw, dyed wool and creating paintings or sculptures using a barbed needle. Felting has been around for 2,500 years, but it was not until the 1980s that it was used as an art form.
This class designed for students in middle and high school will teach the art of needle felting. Even those with no art or craft experience can create pieces with needle felting. For those with sculpting experience, the craft can be used to make soft sculpture similar to clay technique.
To introduce participants to the craft, they will make and decorate a felt ball before going on to make either a doll or animal with a wire armature inside. Once the basic techniques of needle felting are learned, students can go on to make dolls, animals and more.
The instructor for the course is Jennifer Collins Ash, who holds a bachelor’s of fine arts from the School of Visual Art in New York. She is known for her mural contributions to the La Crosse Children’s Museum and Oktoberfest. Ash has exhibited portraits and needle felt sculptures at the Pump House Regional Art Center and area galleries.
Registration for the non-credit program is $35. There is an additional $15 supply fee for students needing wool and needles.
Pre-registration is required; space is limited. To register or for more information, contact Continuing Education at 785-6500 or www.uwlax.edu/conted.
WSU offers summer Dixieland workshop
The Winona State University Department of Music, in cooperation with the Upper Mississippi Jazz Society, will offer an all-day Dixieland jazz workshop for middle school and high school students July 10-11 at the WSU Performing Arts Center.
The workshop includes instruction in jazz improvisation and traditional jazz style along with a performance at the 22nd annual Lake Winona Jazz Festival on July 11.
All instrumentalists are welcome.
Students are housed in WSU residence halls (double occupancy) and receive three meals.
The cost is $75 per student. Students not needing housing may attend for $65. Scholarships are available.
A $35 non-refundable deposit is due by June 26. The remaining balance is due at check-in on July 10.
The program is directed by WSU music professor Rich MacDonald.
Instructors for the workshop include: Chip Schreader, clarinet and saxophone; Gary Urness, trumpet; George Von Arx, trombone; Tim Gleason, tuba; Eric Heukeshoven, piano; and Rich MacDonald, drums.
For more information or to register, call (507) 474-3900 or download a registration form at www.winona.edu/music.
‘Three Boomer Broads’ return to stage
In March 2009, storytellers extraordinaire, Sara Slayton, Terry Visger, and Lynn Wing brought the sights, sounds, and stories of the 1950s and ’60s to life on the Pump House stage with their hilarious and memorable show “Three Boomer Broads: Remembering While We Still Can.”
For two nights, the trio entertained packed houses with 90 minutes of humorous, sometimes poignant, always refreshingly honest accounts of what it was like to grow up in a society that was experiencing its own volatile growing pains.
The ‘Three Boomer Broads’ are returning to the Pump House Regional Arts Center in La Crosse with encore performances June 12-13 starting at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets can be purchased through the Pump House box office. Prices are $12 in advance or $15 day of show. All tickets are general admission.
For tickets or more information, call 785-1434 or e-mail arts&entertainment@thepumphouse.org.
Switchback to perform at Pump House
Roots rock duo Switchback will close out the 2008-09 Pump House concert series with a show June 6. Tickets are $15 in advance and $18 at the door. The concert starts at 7:30.
Switchback’s 2005 release, “Bolinree,” was their third traditional Celtic album. Produced by Texas legend Lloyd Maines, it was the first recording to truly reflect the band’s unique interpretation of original and time-honored Irish music, a perspective formed by the lifelong experiences of their ancestral roots from this side of the Atlantic.
For more information contact the Pump House at arts&entertainment@thepumphouse.org or 785-1434.
Healthcare power of attorney resources available now online
Gundersen Lutheran patients are now able to access, through MyCare, their own power of attorney for healthcare documents in their medical record. This new feature of MyCare will allow patients to:
Determine if their power of attorney for healthcare has been scanned into their medical record;
Read any such document to determine if it is still up-to-date;
Download their document as a pdf file so they have an electronic copy for their own files or to share as an attachment with other persons;
Find answers to frequently asked questions about advance care planning;
Read and download the Making Choices information booklet and planning guide;
Download a blank power of attorney form;
See contact information if they need assistance with advance care planning.
MyCare is an online tool for patients to view their own medical records, schedule appointments and communicate with their provider.
For help in creating a power of attorney healthcare document or more information, call 775-1347.
Science/tech/math day camp offered
Students who will be in grades 7-9 in the fall and have an interest in science, technology, engineering or math careers are invited to take part in the 4-H Gateway Academy.
Participants in the day camp, which is sponsored by La Crosse County 4-H and the La Crosse School District, will use leading-edge technologies to learn about robotics, aeronautics and computer design. They will also participate in a field trip to a local manufacturing company, learn about high school courses in engineering and work with other La Crosse County youths on engineering and team building activities.
The Gateway Academy runs from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 22-26 at La Crosse Central High School.
Cost is $15, a small fraction of the more than $300 cost of projects, food and instruction. Space is limited so early registration is encouraged.
For more information or to enroll, contact La Crosse County UW-Extension at 785-9593 or lacrossecounty4h@co.la-crosse.wi.us
There is also a Gateway Academy brochure with signup details online at http://lacrosse.uwex.edu/4h.
Digger’s Hotline season is back
Whether it’s landscaping improvements, installing a fence, building a deck or planting a tree, no project is too big or small to place a call before digging to the Digger’s Hotline, 1-800-242-8511 or 811.
Calls from anywhere in the country are routed to local One Call Centers and to the affected utility companies. Utility companies send a professional locator out within three working days to mark lines free of charge. After knowing approximate locations of utility lines, safe digging can begin.
Utility line depths can vary. Digging without calling has the potential to disrupt service to an entire neighborhood. It could also result in fines and repair costs. One call gets underground utility lines marked for free and prevents undesired consequences.
For details, visit www.diggershotline.com or call 800-242-8511 or 811.
Work starts on Black River trails
Renovation of all-terrain vehicle trails at the Black River State Forest began recently, with small segments of trail to be closed weekdays during the project.
The plan is to upgrade one wetland crossing a week with the affected section of trail ready to ride again by the weekend. The first area to be affected is the 2.2 miles of trail between Highway 54 and Bartos Road. Once these six crossings have been improved, work will begin on the eight crossings to the south between 54 and the state forest border.
ATV trails in the state forest are part of a 230-mile regional trail system in Jackson and Clark counties.
After Labor Day, phase two will begin with work on remaining crossings just south of Highway 54 followed by the six crossings between East Seventh Street and Cranberry Drive.
ATV trails are open from May 15 through Oct. 15 and from Dec. 15 through March 15. Weekly trail condition reports are available online at www.dnr.state.wi.us/forestry/StateForests/SF-BlackRiver/. During construction updated maps showing the section of trail closed will be on the Web site.
The plan is to upgrade one wetland crossing a week with the affected section of trail ready to ride again by the weekend. The first area to be affected is the 2.2 miles of trail between Highway 54 and Bartos Road. Once these six crossings have been improved, work will begin on the eight crossings to the south between 54 and the state forest border.
ATV trails in the state forest are part of a 230-mile regional trail system in Jackson and Clark counties.
After Labor Day, phase two will begin with work on remaining crossings just south of Highway 54 followed by the six crossings between East Seventh Street and Cranberry Drive.
Weather radio touted as good idea
Gov. Jim Doyle declared May 13 as NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards Awareness Day, part of a campaign to encourage Wisconsin residents to keep ahead of severe weather by tuning in to a 24-hour source of weather forecasts, watches, warnings and non-weather emergency information.
The information is provided by the National Weather Service and its parent agency, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Weather radios are known as “smoke detectors for severe weather and hazardous conditions.” An NOAA weather radio with an alarm and battery back-up is one of the best ways to protect your family, officials say, especially at night when the alarm feature can wake you up during severe weather and give you and your family time to seek appropriate shelter.
If there is no severe weather then your weather radio can be switched to a silent, stand-by mode.
Weather radios come in many sizes, with a variety of functions and costs. They can be purchased at most electronic stores. Most weather radio receivers are either battery-operated portables or AC-powered desktop models with battery backup.
Many receivers have digital technology called Specific Area Message Encoding that allows users to program their radios to alarm only for hazardous conditions that affect their county.The NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards network started in 1972 and is the sole government-operated radio system to provide direct warnings for conditions that pose a threat to lives and property. There are 33 stations that broadcast weather and hazards info to Wisconsin residents, and more than 1,000 stations nationwide.
Weather radios come in many sizes, with a variety of functions and costs. They can be purchased at most electronic stores. Most weather radio receivers are either battery-operated portables or AC-powered desktop models with battery backup.
Many receivers have digital technology called Specific Area Message Encoding that allows users to program their radios to alarm only for hazardous conditions that affect their county.
UW-L plans Twin Cities art trip
UW-La Crosse Continuing Education will sponsor a “Day of Art Fun in Minneapolis,” which will include shopping for art supplies and a trip to the Minneapolis Institute of Art.
Travelers will board the bus at 6:30 a.m. Saturday, June 27, and arrive back in La Crosse later that evening.
The first stop will be “Wet Paint” in St. Paul to shop for art supplies. From there, travelers head to the Minneapolis Institute of Art for the afternoon.
To conclude the trip, a stop at IKEA for shopping and dinner are planned before heading back to La Crosse. Linda Steine, associate outreach specialist for UW-L Continuing Education in the Arts, will host the trip.
Cost of the trip is $45. To register or for more information, call UW-L Continuing Education at 785-6506 or log onto www.uwlax.edu/conted.
Survey about Internet use
U.S. Rep. Ron Kind, D-Wisconsin, urges residents of the 3rd Congressional District to complete a statewide Public Service Commission survey to ensure stimulus funds for broadband Internet access are delivered to western Wisconsin.
The survey can be found at: http://psc.wi.gov/apps35/eSurvey/Broadband/WIbroadband.aspx. Residents can also call Gary Evenson at (608) 266-6744 to give responses via phone.
Many residents of rural areas are limited to slow, dial-up Internet access, prohibiting them from efficiently accessing online resources. Many who telecommute or require the Internet for business purposes are struggling with the restricted connection, especially as more services become available solely online.
Vets scholarships available
Ten $1,000 scholarships are available to Wisconsin veterans attending University of Wisconsin System campuses during the 2009-10 academic year.
The Donald P. Weber Veterans Memorial Scholarship is available to Wisconsin residents enrolled full time as an undergraduate or graduate student at a UW school. Recipients must be a veteran of the U.S. armed forces and in good
academic standing. Potential recipients also will be required to give a short summary about themselves, their career plans and why they should receive the award. Financial need will be considered.
The deadline to submit applications
is May 15. For more information, go to www.foundation.uwlax.edu/
applications/WeberVeteransScholarship.pdf.
To submit your information for a public service announcement, e-mail it to wsm.news@lee.net
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