NATION LOOKS TO WISCONSIN FOR ARTS EDUCATION MODEL
    The task force to reform Creativity and Arts in Wisconsin Education and its resulting action plan were highlighted recently at a conference in New Orleans as national models for changing the way we treat the arts in our schools. Lieutenant Governor Barbara Lawton, who coordinated the task force with State Superintendent Elizabeth Burmaster, addressed more than 200 national leaders at the Forum for the Arts Education Partnership on Feb. 12. The task force and action plan lay the groundwork to help give Wisconsin the competitive edge in the global economy by nurturing innovative and creative individuals through the arts.

OFFICIALS AIM FOR A GREENER WISCONSIN ECONOMY
    Government, labor, and environmental organization leaders teamed up in Madison recently to create a “Blueprint for Wisconsin’s Green Economy,” focusing on new visions for distributing the federal economic recovery package. Over $2 billion for immediate economic crisis management plans, as well as long-term plans aimed at creating 30,000 new “green” jobs are top priorities. The proposals focus on increasing Wisconsin’s energy independence, bettering public transportation systems, improving the quality of clean water, and rebuilding a deteriorating urban infrastructure. According to the coalition behind the Blueprint proposals, attitudes are optimistic for opportunities to create a high wage, environmentally sustainable Wisconsin economy.

INDUSTRIAL CONSTRUCTION PUTS UP HUGE NUMBERS IN 2008
    Statistics released concerning building valuation for 2008 are confirming what most already know: the economy is in rough shape. So it’s not surprising that residential and commercial construction valuations have suffered. Residential construction was the slowest since 2002, at $27.2 million (down 14 percent from $31.8 million in 2007). Commercial construction sang the same tune at $42 million (down 37 percent from $66.8 million in 2007). The good news? The data shows industrial construction recorded its strongest year since 2005 — $17.1 million compared to $4 million during 2007 (up 327 percent), making overall building valuations 1.25 percent higher than 2007 (a $1.3 million difference).

DOCUMENTARIANS VISIT EC
    Filmmakers shot footage in Eau Claire a few weeks back as part of a documentary about the historic Winter Dance Party tour that ended with the deaths of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and The Big Bopper. The film is preliminarily titled Gotta Travel On: The Story of the Winter Dance Party, and will either be a feature-length or made-for-TV documentary. The concert stopped in Fournier’s Ballroom 50 years ago, and three of its headliners died in a plane crash a week later. The filmmakers show about 90 minutes of footage here, as they interviewed locals that attended the show. The crew has since moved on to the other concert sites (including Milwaukee), aiming to wrap up filming on Feb. 22.