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.

Auditions planned for Christmas musical

Auditions will be held for principal soloists in the upcoming Christmas musical “Child of the Promise” on Sept. 4 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. and Sept. 7 from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at Sand Lake Wesleyan Church.

Written by Michael and Stormie Omartian, “Child of the Promise” has circled the globe in a touring off-Broadway production. The original cast recording includes such well-known contemporary singers as Russ Taff, Donna Summers, Richard Marx, Michael Crawford, Steven Curtis Chapman, Wayne Watson, Bob Carlisle, Michael W. Smith, Gary Chapman and others.

Fifteen male and three female soloists are needed for the retelling of the Christmas story. The leading roles include angel Gabriel, Mary, Joseph, Zacharias and Elizabeth.

Interested singers should come prepared to sing a song of their choice, a pianist is provided.

The production sponsored by the Coulee Region Gospel Choir will be directed by Dean Gunnarson and assisted by Jim Baxley, with pianist Cindy Purdue.

The musical is 80 minutes long. It is accompanied by an orchestra of 20 members. Orchestra members are also being sought.

For more information, call Ruth Ann Granum at 526-2218 or e-mail crgc@centurytel.net.

Neighbors Around the World event to benefit Causeway Caregivers

A Neighbors Around the World Dinner planned for Sept. 13 will benefit the Causeway Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers, a nonprofit outreach program for the elderly and adults with disabilities.

Dave Solie of WXOW-TV 19 will host the dinner, which will feature courses representing countries of the world, a travelogue of volunteering in each of those countries, a silent auction and entertainment.

Social hour starts at 6 p.m. at the Cleary and Friends Alumni Center on the UW-La Crosse campus, with dinner to start at 7 p.m.

Cost is $30. For tickets or more information, call Causeway at 775-9999.

Outdoor gospel concert set for Aug. 31

A Praise in the Valley outdoor country gospel concert will be held starting at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 31, on Highway J, five miles south of Rockland.

Performers will include Art Hanson of Sparta; Dana Tock, another Spartan who last year released her first solo CD, “Leap of Faith”; and Sarah Simmons of Nashville, Tenn., who has performed with country music greats Merle Haggard, Dolly Parton, Tanya Tucker and George Jones.

Admission is free, although donations are appreciated. Refreshments will be available. People are encouraged to bring lawn chairs.

Job fair for area

college students set

A part-time and seasonal job fair for area college students is planned at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.

Students looking for part-time employment can meet with employers who have part-time jobs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, Sept. 5, in Valhalla, Cartwright Center-Gunning Addition. Employment opportunities will include a mix of both on- and off-campus jobs.

Admission is free. The fair is sponsored by the UW-L Career Services and Financial Aid offices. Employers can still register to attend the event at www.uwlax.edu/careerservices. Refer questions to the UW-La Career Services Office at 785-8362.

LYSO orchestras seek musicians

The La Crosse Area Youth Sympony Orchestras are looking for young musicians to fill spots in the two orchestras. Placement auditions will be held Sept. 6-7 at English Lutheran Church in La Crosse.

The Youth Symphony Orchestra, a full orchestra for advanced student musicians, is directed by Randall Mastin, orchestra director for the Viroqua schools. Instruments needed include violin, viola, cello, bass, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn, trumpet, trombone, tuba and percussion.

The Philharmonic Orchestra, a string orchestra for intermediate student musicians, is directed by Linda Lebakken, orchestra director for the Onalaska schools. Intruments needed include violin, viola, cello and bass.

To register and find out what to play for placement in one of the orchestras, log onto www.lyso.org.

Sustainability study circles planned

Two Natural Step study circles are planned,with an introductory meeting for both circles to be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 11, at First Supply, 106 Cameron Ave. in downtown La Crosse.

The Natural Step is an approach initially established in Sweden that promotes environmental sustainability. Natural Step study circles are being coordinated by Coulee Partners for Sustainability, a grassroots organization that will work with individuals, educational institutions, businesses and governmental bodies to promote sustainable practices in the Coulee Region.

An eight-week circle will be led by Lynn Paddy on Tuesdays from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the People’s First Co-op (Community Room) starting Sept. 16. The second circle, led by Barbara Strohm, will meet Thursdays from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the People’s First Co-op (Community Room) starting Sept. 18.

To join a circle, e-mail Vicki Miller at vicki@vsm5.com.

Sustainable group plans garden party

Get Sustainable Trempealeau County will host a garden party from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 4, at the Shirley M. Wright Memorial Library, 11455 Fremont St. in Trempealeau.

The garden party will highlight the library’s new drought-tolerant sustainable garden, and will feature talks by Wisconsin master gardener Jane Barko and Perrot State Park naturalist Andrea Benco.

Beginning at 6 p.m., Barko will give a short presentation about the garden, which she designed. Bunco will follow with a short talk about butterflies and how gardening practices can affect their life cycles.

GSTC collaborated with Trempealeau Librarian Judy Grant and Barko to replace the library’s previous ground.

Onalaska pool to host second Dog Dip

The second annual Diggity Dog Dip will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, August 30, at the Onalaska Aquatic Center (across from the Omni Center).

The fundraising event will help support a new dog exercise area on the south end of Van Riper Park and benefit the Coulee Region Humane Society. There will also be an opportunity to make item donations for the Humane Society, with a donation container on-site to accept items.

With the Diggity Dog Dip, the pool is all about the dogs for an open swim day. Family dogs are welcome at the pool to swim and play with other social dogs.

Cost is $10 per for one dog and $5 each for additional dogs from the same family. People are welcome at no charge but donations will be accepted.

Refreshments will be available for both dogs and people

Registration in advance is highly recommended. For more information or to register, call Patrick Kucera at Diggity Dog Daycare (779-9997) or log onto www.diggitydogdaycare.com.

Figure skating club sets Sept. 8 meeting

The Tri-State Toe Picks Figure Skating Club will hold a membership meeting and group lesson signup at 7 p.m. Monday Sept. 8, at the Onalaska OmniCenter conference room. For more information, log onto www.thetoepicks.org.

Retired teachers group to meet Sept. 8

The La Crosse Area Retired Educators will meet for breakfast at 9 a.m. Monday, Sept. 8, at River Jack’s Restaurant in La crosse. Everyone who has retired from Wisconsin public schools is invited.

Breakfast will be followed by a short meetng and an update by a WREA executive. Cost is $7.50. Call Karen Broadhead at 788-2485 for reservations.

Sons of Norway set meeting for Sept. 4

The Sons of Norway, Wergeland Lodge, will meet at

7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 4, at the La Crosse American Legion,

711 Sixth St. S.

Comedian to perform Sept. 4 at UW-La Crosse

A comedian who has performed on Comedy Central and has toured with the Comedians of Comedy Tour will take the stage at UW-La Crosse.

Sheng Wang, who has appeared on the cable channel’s “Live at Gotham,” performs at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 4, in the Cellar in Cartwright Center. Admission is free as part of the Cellar Thursday Series sponsored by the Campus Activities Board.

Taiwan-born and Houston-raised, the San Francisco-based Wang performs comedy focused on personal experiences and observations of the mundane. He is known for his affable stage presence combined with absurdity and self deprecation. Wang is the recipient of last year’s Dan Crawford Scholarship Award from the SF Punchline. His is currently on a national college tour sponsored by American Eagle Outfitters.

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.

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.

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.

WAFER plans food drive for Aug. 29

The WAFER 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.