.
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.
Speedway offers discount for pink
On Saturday, Aug. 23, spectators can enjoy the races at the La Crosse Fairgrounds Speedway and support Steppin’ Out in Pink, a fundraiser to fight breast cancer.
Everyone wearing pink at the Aug. 23 races will get $2 off grandstand admission (kids 11 and younger are free). There will also be pink and white checkered bandanas on sale, with will all proceeds benefitting Steppin’ Out in Pink.
It’s Five Star Telecom night at the races, with action in the Late Models, Sportsmen, Thunderstox and Hornets, plus the Stop-N-Go Race and 10,000 Penny Gold Rush.
Time trials start at 6 p.m. and racing begins at 7:30 p.m. Two Late Model cars will sport pink ribbons: 10-time track champion Kevin Nuttleman and his teammate Emily Sue Steck, last year’s Late Model Rookie of the Year at the speedway.
This year’s Steppin’ Out in Pink event will be held Saturday, Sept. 6. For Steppin’ Out in Pink information call Debbie at 775-5662 or log onto gundluth.org/steppinout.
Program covers living with osteoporosis
Franciscan Skemp physical therapist Barbara Helgeson will give a presentation about how people can manage osteoporosis and improve their bone and back health.
“Stand Tall and Strengthen for Osteoporosis” is set to start at 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 18, in the lower level of Franciscan Skemp’s Onalaska clinic, 191 Theater Road.
Strength training, Helgeson said, strengthens site-specific muscles in a body’s “core” to assist with correct body alignment. Strength training also can work on the bones to slow mineral loss.
The presentation is free of charge and open to the public. Refreshments will be served.
To register, call 608-392-4172.
“Stand Tall and Strengthen for Osteoporosis” is part of the “Now Showing on Theater Road” community education series. Presentations are held at 6 p.m. on the third Thursday of the month at the Onalaska clinic.
Seminar to focus on leg pain treatment
Franciscan Skemp Healthcare invites the community to attend a free seminar, “Doc, My Legs Hurt: Understanding Options in Hip and Knee Arthritis.” The seminar will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 16, 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the Marycrest Auditorium, second floor of the St. Francis Building, 700 West Ave. S., La Crosse.
For more information or to register, call (608) 392-4172.
Fundraising veteran joins MVC team
A veteran local fundraiser has joined Mississippi Valley Conservancy as advancement director.
Kathy Frise, who served for 12 years as adult program director for the La Crosse Area Family YMCA, began her new job with MVC on Aug. 11, according to Tim Jacobson, MVC executive director.
Frise worked in program and membership development, marketing and fundraising at the YMCA.
For the past six years, Frise has been a stay-at-home mom and volunteer for Hixon Forest and the Human Powered Trails. She served on the Hixon Forest board where she assisted in promoting and implementing special events.
She also has worked with St. Clare’s Health Mission, the American Cancer Society as a committee member and on the Mount La Crosse Ski Patrol.
Jacobson said Frise loves the outdoors and has great enthusiasm for MVC. “We’re pleased that she is joining the MVC team,” Jacobson said.
Red Cross plans three-day blood drive
The American Red Cross is sponsoring a three-day blood drive Aug. 26-28 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 612 Division St. in La Crosse.
The collection will go from 7 a.m. to noon the first day (Aug. 26) and 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. the other two days.
All donors will be entered into a daily drawing for a $100 gas card.
A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Eligible donors must be at least 17 years old, or 16 years old with a signed Red Cross parental/guardian consent form where state permits, must weigh at least 110 pounds and be in general good health.
For more information or to make an appointment, call 788-1000 or log onto givebloodgivelife.org.
Taxes are hot topic at economics talk
Are property taxes in the 7 Rivers Region too high? How do tax rates affect economic growth in the tri-state region and beyond? Answers might be found at an economic development discussion concerning taxes on Sept. 10, moderated by Jim Wood from The Wisconsin Way.
Wood and a panel of respondents from The Wisconsin Way’s partner organizations will devote the majority of the next breakfast forum, “Economic Indicators: An Update for the 7 Rivers Region,” to answering audience questions and offering an update on their research.
The Wisconsin Way seeks to achieve permanent reductions in the amount of property taxes paid while protecting public services that make the region an ideal place to live and own a business.
The UW-La Crosse Small Business Development Center regional business forum will be held at the UW-La Crosse Cleary Alumni & Friends Center. Breakfast will be served at 7 a.m.; the program will begin at 7:20 and will end at 9.
The event costs $20 and pre-registration is required. Seating is limited. To register or for additional information, call 785-8783 or visit uwlax.edu/sbdc.
Fort McCoy to host military retirees
Fort McCoy will honor military retirees Sept. 5 with a daylong event that will offer former service members and their families a chance to learn more about available benefits. Service members from all branches as well as spouses, widows and guests are invited to the installment to learn about entitlement programs.
The event is free, but registration is required by Aug. 29. To learn more or to register, call (608) 388-3716.
Talk to address personal security, ID theft
Officer Bob Berndt of the La Crosse Police Department will discuss personal security and identity theft as part of the Successful Aging Program at Franciscan Skemp.
The program will be held Tuesday, Aug. 26, in Marycrest Auditorium on the second floor of the La Crosse Campus St. Francis Building, 700 West Ave. S. Refreshments are provided at no cost from 2 to 2:30 p.m. “Personal Security and Identity Theft” will begin at 2:30 p.m. and last until 3:30 p.m., with 30 minutes to follow for questions.
The program is free and open to all. For more information, call elder services at 392-9505.
Low-income applicants sought for home energy program
Focus on Energy, Wisconsin’s energy efficiency and renewable energy program, is seeking applications for its Targeted Home Performance with Energy Star Program, which offers limited-income homeowners low-cost efficiency improvements to improve the comfort, safety and affordability of their homes.
Targeted Home Performance with Energy Star offers qualifying homeowners a no-cost energy evaluation performed by a qualified program provider.
Depending on the results of the evaluation, the home might receive one or more energy efficiency improvements, such as adding insulation, finding and eliminating drafts, replacing an inefficient heating system, installing compact fluorescent light bulbs and more. The program will pay 90 percent of the costs of the energy efficiency improvements the homeowner pays just 10 percent.
The program is available to homeowners with limited incomes ($30,975 to $41,300 for a family of four) who are customers of participating natural gas and electricity providers. To be eligible, homeowners must provide proof of all household income for the last three full months, as well as proof of ownership of the residence.
Homeowners wishing to apply for the program can call Focus on Energy at (800) 762-7077 or log onto focusonenergy.com to download an application.
Brice Prairie First Responders event to mark 25 years
The Brice Prairie First Responders will celebrate 25 years of serving the community with a Rockin’ the Prairie event on Saturday Aug. 23, at the BPFR building at W7886 Hwy. ZN.
The event starts at 5:30 p.m. and will feature classic rock music by Flashback starting at 8 p.m. In addition, the event will include food and beverages, tip boards, raffles for a 32-inch flat screen TV, a Garmin GPS system and cash and a silent auction that includes a 2007 Green Bay Packers team football, gift certificates and other items donated by area businesses.
Tickets are $5 in advance or $7 at the door. Advance tickets are available at the Kwik Trip stores in Holmen, on Highway OT and on the north side of Onalaska on Highway 35 as well as at Midway BP, Your Prairie Store and the La Crosse Radio Group office.
All proceeds will go toward the purchase of a water rescue “banana boat” for the Brice Prairie First Responders. For more information, log onto www.bpfr.org.
Knights plan annual football skills contest
The Onalaska Knights of Columbus in conjunction with the Wisconsin Knights of Columbus invite all boys and girls ages 8-12 to participate in the annual Punt, Pass & Kick contest.
The contest will be held Saturday, Sept. 20, at the Onalaska High School football field starting at 1 p.m. for ages 8-10, and 1:45 p.m. for ages 11-12. The rain date is Sunday, Sept. 21.
The winners will move on to the diocesan competition.
Information and entry forms will be available at area schools during the first week of school.
Season’s last Brice Prairie art fair set
The La Crosse Society of Arts & Crafts’ monthly Season of Art series will wind up on Saturday, Sept. 5.
The outdoor art fair will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will be at 7203 North Shore Drive (look for the white barn).
Seventeen artists offering a wide range of works will be on hand for the event, including Sharon Aalseth (semiprecious stone jewelry), Loyd Mieden (weaving), Pamela Clafton Lee (watercolors) and Carol Witt-Smith (stained glass) of Onalaska and Arthur Anderson (river landscapes, original oils and prints) of Holmen.
WAFER plans food drive for Aug. 29
The West Avenue Food Emergency Resource food pantry will hold a food drive from noon to 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 29, at the Village Quillin’s grocery store in La Crosse and the Onalaska Festival Foods. Items particularly needed are peanut butter, soups, spaghetti sauce and pasta.
County to offer free immunization clinics
La Crosse County public health nurses will offer free immunizations for children through age 18 to help bring students up to date with new state of Wisconsin requirements for the 2008-09 school year.
The clinics will be held:
Tuesday, Aug. 19, from 5:30 to 6:45 p.m. at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 515 Main St. N., Holmen
Wednesday, Aug. 20, from 4:30 to 6 p.m. in the Health and Human Services Building, 300 Fourth St. N., La Crosse (conference room just off the first floor lobby).
Appointments may be made for the Holmen clinic, but walk-ins also will be accepted. The La Crosse clinic will be walk-in only. Immunization records are required in order for the nurses to determine which immunizations the student needs.
Entries sought for annual chili cook-off
Participants are sought for State Bank Financial’s 17th annual Chili Cook-off, which is set to take place Saturday, Oct. 11, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Southside Oktoberfest Grounds.
All proceeds from the event directly benefit area Drug Abuse Resistance Education and Gang Resistance Education and Training programs, as well as Habitat for Humanity of the La Crosse Area.
Individuals and/or teams have the option to sign up to compete in one of six different divisions; media, professional, nonprofit, business, individual or government. As in the past, teams will compete for the best chili as selected by popular vote and prizes will be awarded in each category.
Area businesses looking to support the cook-off but unable to cook are welcome to donate raffle items.
The cook-off raised almost $14,000 last year, and over the past 16 years businesses and residents of the greater La Crosse area have contributed more than $170,000 to the local DARE and GREAT programs through the Chili Cook-off.
For more information, contact event co-chairs Brittany Bybee at 791-4533 or Sarah Ellingson at 791-4540 or log onto www.statebankfinancial.com.
Acoustic duo set to perform at Western
Ryanhood, an acoustic rock duo, will perform in the courtyard at Western Technical College in La Crosse on Wednesday, Aug. 27, from 12:15 to 1:15 p.m. Western’s Campus Events Committee is sponsoring this event, which is free and open to the public.
From Tucson, Ariz., Ryanhood features Ryan Green and Cameron Hood on acoustic guitar. The Western performance is part of a tour of college campuses around the country.
Web site offers chance to thank troops
A new Web site gives the public a nonpartisan opportunity to join entertainers, professional athletes and politicians in expressing gratitude to those in the military.
“What we wanted to do and, I think, something that we were equipped to do, was to provide a forum that is really meant to be uplifting (to servicemembers),” said Stacey Artandi, founder of Moment of Thanks. “It’s meant to say (to Americans), Shed your politics. Put them aside, and take a moment to be grateful for some of the things that we really cherish.’”
The site allows for the upload of videos, photos or text containing a positive message for the troops at no cost. Registration is required to upload material, however.
The site can be accessed at http://www.momentofthanks.com.
FEMA disaster aid deadline is Sept. 15
Wisconsin residents in 30 counties including La Crosse County have until Monday, Sept. 15, to register for disaster help from the Federal Emergency Management Agency related to the June flooding.
FEMA and state recovery aid to residents includes grants for emergency disaster housing and essential repairs; grants for necessities not covered by insurance or other sources; low-interest loans from the Small Business Administration; and unemployment benefits, disaster legal services and crisis counseling.
A toll-free helpline is available from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. at 1-800-621-3362. Or log onto www.fema.gov.
Health Web site, hot line launched
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services recently launched a new toll-free information hotline to get information on nursing homes, assisted living facilities and other health or hospice agencies. A new Web site also offers people a new way to submit concerns regarding regulated facilities in the state.
People can call 1-800-642-6552 to get information about health care facilities or to report a complaint. People can go to http://dhs.wisconsin.gov and submit a complaint from the homepage.
County offers back-to-school help program
La Crosse County is again coordinating a back-to-school project, collecting school supplies and backpacks for local low-income children through Aug. 29.
This year’s community drop off locations include the La Crosse County Health Department, Great Rivers United Way, Office Depot, Wal-mart, Kwik Trip and T.J. Maxx.
The program seeks donations of school supplies (new or gently used) including, but not limited to: crayons, paper (wide and college-ruled, spiral notebooks and loose-leaf packs), scissors, glue (liquid and sticks), pens, pencils, calculators, colored pencils, markers, erasers, highlighters, three-ring binders, folders, rulers, school boxes and backpacks.
YES AmeriCorps seeks volunteers
YES AmeriCorps seeks full-time and half-time members for its 14th year in the La Crosse area.
One of the oldest AmeriCorps programs in the state, the La Crosse chapter started in 1995 with a focus on children. Volunteers work in local schools and organizations to reduce hunger and promote literacy, health, safety and volunteerism.
The 2008-09 program runs from September through July 2009. For more information, call Linda Zimmerman at (608) 785-7003 or e-mail zimmermanl@workforce connections.org.
Qigong classes offered at clinic
Franciscan Skemp’s Onalaska Clinic will host a series of monthly sessions on Spring Forest Qigong beginning in September.
Qigong or “energy-work” is an ancient Chinese meditation exercise that combines visualization, breath, posture and sound to restore and maintain one’s natural state of vibrancy and balance.
Spring Forest Qigong is a form of Qigong created by master Chunyi Lin, who operates the Spring Forest Qigong Center in Eden Prairie, Minn.
Instructor Brian Wright, who has been a student of Spring Forest Qigong for more than 10 years, will lead the classes, which will be held at the Center for Health and Healing in the Onalaska clinic.
Classes will be held from 9 a.m. to noon on the following Saturdays: Sept. 6, Oct. 18, Dec. 6, Jan. 17, March 7 and April 18.
Cost is $30. For more information or to register, call 392-4172.
Dave’s Guitar Shop teams up with Guitars for Vets
Guitars for Vets and Dave’s Guitar Shop in La Crosse recently announced they will team up to supply guitars and instruction to veterans.
Dave’s will become a drop off point for donated guitars and funds along with hosting periodic events and possible clinics for the Milwaukee-based Guitars for Vets.
Dave’s Guitar Shop is a nationally recognized retail and Internet outlet for new, used and rare collectable instruments, in business since 1982. The store, with its trademark guitar neck sign, is located at 1227 Third St. S.
“It is truly exciting and speaks volumes when someone of Dave Rogers stature in the industry gets involved in helping America’s heroes to heal wounds both physical and mental.” said John Lindner, executive director of Guitars for Vets. “The power of music and its ability to allow you to emote in a positive manner through the instrument does wonders in the healing process.”
Dave Rogers, owner of Dave’s Guitar Shop, said he believes it is important for businesses to give back. “I can think of no better cause than America’s veterans,” Rogers said. “Having had the blessing to be successful over these years, teaming up with an organization like Guitars for Vets is a great fit for us.”
Guitars for Vets began in late 2007 with musicians performing at the VA every Friday in the spinal cord injury unit. The organization is seeking donations to fund current programs and future expansion.
More details are available online at www.guitarsforvets.org.
No-call list extends to cell phones
Wisconsin’s no-call list at the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection is doubling the number of intake lines from 48 to 96 in anticipation of consumers signing up their cell phones for the first time.
The law allowing cell phones on the list was recently passed by the Legislature and signed by Gov. Jim Doyle.
“No call is the most popular consumer protection program ever in this state,” said DATCP Secretary Rod Nilsestuen. “We are happy to be adding cell phones to the list.”
Consumers have from June 6 until the end of August to get on the next no-call list starting in October.
Consumers can sign up 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year by visiting the Wisconsin no-call list Web site at nocall.wisconsin.gov or calling 1-866-966-2255
Memory Walk event volunteers sought
Volunteers are needed to help organize the Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk 2008, the largest fundraiser to help those affected by Alzheimer’s disease.
Next fall, the Alzheimer’s Association of Greater Wisconsin will join more than 600 communities across the United States in a 2- to 5-mile walk to remember those with Alzheimer’s disease.
The 33 walks are organized by teams of local volunteers who are assisted by staff from the Alzheimer’s Association. The planning committees are forming now. Anyone interested in volunteering for a walk near them is encouraged to call Lori Bagniewski at 784-5011.
Medics to reward kids for bike safety
Tri-State Ambulance, Rudy’s Drive-In in La Crosse, The Frosty Mug in Holmen and the Dairy Queen in Onalaska are teaming up for a new bicycle helmet safety program called “Cool Kids Cool Treats.”
When Tri-State Ambulance personnel observe a child 15 years old or younger wearing a helmet while riding a bicycle in public, the kids will be given a “ticket” entitling them to a free ice cream at The Frosty Mug or Dairy Queen or a root beer float at Rudy’s Drive-In when accompanied by an adult. The program runs through Aug. 31.
“Our hope is to raise helmet safety awareness,” said Matt Zavadsky, director of Tri-State Ambulance. “The goal is simple. Keep children out of the emergency room and provide some cool treats as incentive.”
Free child lead screenings offered
As part of Project LEAD, the EPA grant received by the La Crosse County Health Department in October 2007, free blood lead screening will be available the last Friday of each month from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Parents should call 785-9865 to reserve a time and come to the La Crosse County Health Department, 2nd Floor of the Health and Human Services Building, 300 4th Street La Crosse.
As part of Project LEAD, the Nutrition Services Department which houses the WIC Program, will offer the free blood lead testing. The test also is available at other times through public health nursing by making an appointment at 785-9723.
Children younger than 6 who have never been screened are encouraged to have a blood lead test done, and all children younger than 2 who live in a home or spend time in a home built before 1978, should be tested.
The testing is done with a finger prick sample of blood. Children whose screening results come back greater than 10 ug/dl are recommended to have a confirmatory blood draw done through their doctor’s office. There is no cost for the blood lead screening test.
Project LEAD is working with agencies that serve families with children younger than 6 to increase awareness and screening for lead poisoning, which continues to be a risk to children residing in homes built prior to 1978.
Outreach is being conducted to educate home owners, contractors and landlords of the need to remodel with regard to disturbing lead paint which was very likely to be used on surfaces painted in the 1970s and earlier.
For more information, call the La Crosse County Health Department at 785-9872.
Low-income phone discounts offered
Low-income consumers may qualify for assistance programs that discount initial telephone installation and basic monthly service, according to a recent announcement from CenturyTel.
The assistance programs, known as Link-Up and Lifeline, are available to qualifying consumers in every U.S. state (territory and commonwealth). Link-Up helps these consumers pay the initial costs of getting telephone service. Lifeline provides certain discounts on monthly service for qualified subscribers.
Qualifications for participation vary by state. States with their own programs have their own criteria. In states that rely solely on the federal program, the subscriber must participate in one of the following programs: Medicaid, food stamps, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Federal Public Housing Assistance or the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), Head Start, the National School Lunch Program’s Free Lunch Program, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) or if the household annual gross income is at or below 135 percent of the federal poverty level.
The amount of the discounts also varies by state. This federal Link-Up program offsets one-half of the initial hook-up fee, up to $30, for qualified households.
People living in a CenturyTel service area should call 800-201-4099 or log onto www.centurytel.com/lifeline to inquire about eligibility.
.
Advertisement 
Advertisement 
