News

Thursday, Jul. 29th, 2010

Best Of The Chippewa Valley 2010

    Thousands of you voted, we’ve carefully assembled the results, and you may wonder why it all matters ...

   Every decent-sized city has a publication that does a “Best Of” issue – from Portland, San Francisco, and Seattle to Minneapolis, Madison, and Timbuktu. (Seriously. Don’t laugh. Timbuktu is famous for such highly contested categories as Best Ancient Greek Text and Best Rock-Salt Miner.) And when we were checking out other lists over the past year, we realized that the Best of the Chippewa Valley has something unique.

    The purpose of many “Best Of” issues is to highlight an area’s businesses, people, events, groups, et al. This adds to an area’s sense of pride, gives credit where credit’s due, and allows visitors a quick summary of what the area has to offer. But the Best of the Chippewa Valley isn’t just the best of what we have, but also the best of what we want.

    A quick perusal of this issue will show you categories like “Biggest Thing We Should Make Happen Soon,” “Kind of Eatery/Bar We Most Need,” and “Structure We’d Like to See Erected.” Most other Best Ofs don’t have these kinds of categories.

    Are we pointing out this disparity to toot our own horn? A little bit. It just goes to show our desire to see the Valley continue to grow and progress. But these kinds of categories mean more than that. They give the general populace a way to weigh in, and we all hope that someone (a developer, an entrepreneur, a city official, etc.) is paying attention to the results.

    Last year you voted for Indian as the most needed style of restaurant, and voila! We got one. Now it’s time for French, last year’s second place finisher and this year’s winner. In 2007 people wanted more arts and entertainment venues, and voila! Now we have Tangled Up in Hue, Infinitea, Bottle & Barrel, Grand Little Theatre, The Oxford, Gallery 111, blues shows in Owen Park, and the list goes on. Interesting, but related? Perhaps not, but who knows?

    Another trend to point out is that, in the first year of the poll (2007), downtown revitalization showed up all over the place and creamed the competition (best idea that can’t get off the ground, biggest thing we should make happen soon). This year it was nominated (by readers) in only one category, and it barely edged out “Get a grocery store downtown” for a second place finish. Could that mean we’re making progress?

    Now, it’s true that we haven’t seen an all-purpose arena built, or a Home Depot to compete with Menards, but there’s reason to believe other top finishers over the past few years (develop the riverfront, high-speed rail) have a shot at happening in the not-too-distant future.

    So, we’re not so much alleging a causal relationship where things appear in Volume One’s “Best Of” and they suddenly appear on the streets of our community the following year. Man, we wish it was that easy. We’re saying it’s important for everyone to talk about their ideas and plant the seeds in our collective consciousness whenever possible (but that doesn’t mean they have to show up in print somewhere). We simply hope Volume One, and our “Best Of,” can serve to elevate the community’s own ideas and move us all a little closer to what we want this place to be. So thanks to everyone who participated in the conversation. The pages listed on your left lay out what you had to say.

Add a Comment »

Shopping & Business

Jump right to ...

 

BEST THRIFT STORE

1st Place: Savers
2nd Place: Hope Gospel Mission
3rd Place: My Best Friend’s Closet

When you’re in the market to save a few bucks on everyday things, the Chippewa Valley offers a variety of thrift stores to meet your penny-pinching needs. The number one place to score some stuff is Savers. Known primarily for their extensive Halloween section, Savers also offers everyday clothing, books, music, and house wares. If you’re looking for larger items to fill your apartment, the number two spot, Hope Gospel, will have you covered. In its extensive showroom of used furniture, you’re sure to find some treasures ranging from couches to candle holders. Maybe you’re just a smart shopper who likes to stay in style. In that case, the number three pick, My Best Friend’s Closet, will indeed be your best friend. MBFC takes in gently used name brand clothing that’s in style and sells it at a fraction of the price of the local mall. Go forth and save. – CP

BEST PLACE TO BUY ALCOHOL

1st Place: Gordy’s County Market
2nd Place: The Coffee Grounds
3rd Place: Stave & Hoop

Anyone who’s ever entered the cavernous barn that is Gordy’s liquor section has felt the magic of overwhelming selection: aisles upon aisles of pretty wines, malt liquor beverages, hard liquors, and obscure beers. It’s so large that it doesn’t so much feel like part of a modest grocery store as a rare cave of treasures. Coming in second is the smaller, but decidedly worldly, Coffee Grounds. Imported beers and fine wines are stacked high on the racks and in the refrigerators, and the staff will thoroughly impress you with their knowledge. Stave & Hoop on Water Street is straightforward and simple, being that the only thing they sell is … liquor. Plus, the wooden barrel on their storefront sign is pretty cute. – KJ

BEST ARTS & CRAFTS STORE

1st Place: Michaels
2nd Place: Benny HaHa Art Supply
3rd Place: Scrapalicious (tied)
3rd Place: Jo-Ann Fabrics and Crafts (tied)

With the Valley full of artists, there’s quite a need for a supplier of goods. Well goody, there are a number of places to go for your every need. Michaels, topping out, offers nearly anything and everything a creative craftsman could want from home-décor and professional art to kidsy supplies, as well as periodic activities and classes. Benny HaHa, a locally owned supplier of art materials, custom frames, gallery space, and skill-imparting classes settles nicely into Eau Claire’s old downtown. Tying for third, Scrapalicious of Menomonie and Jo-Ann’s are centers of more focused hobbyists. Scrapalicious is for memory-recording, scrapbooking enthusiasts looking to make fantastilicious mementos of time gone by, while Jo-Ann’s (although a provider of a wide array of crafts) is particularly well-known for their fabrics and sewing materials for hand-created clothing. – KS

BEST GROCERY STORE

1st Place: Gordy’s County Market
2nd Place: Festival Foods
3rd Place: Menomonie Market Food Co-Op

Now in two locations in Eau Claire (Hamilton and Birch), Gordy’s ruled the grocery scene this year. They’re known for an extensive seafood selection with competitive pricing, friendly service, and a great liquor selection. Festival Foods gobbled up second place with the help of voters who believe they truly get great stuff for not a lotta money. Their smorgasbord of melon samples earlier this year was also pretty noteworthy. Rounding out the category is organic, local, and natural-focused food co-op Menomonie Market, who declares their job is “to carry the products that our members want.” Though not a health food store, they do strive to offer foods that are free of artificial colorings, preservatives, and additives. – KJ

BEST WOMEN’S CLOTHING STORE

1st Place: Isabelle & Co.
2nd Place: Kohl’s
3rd Place: TJ Maxx

When ladies of the Chippewa Valley are looking for that perfect outfit to wear for Girl’s Night Out/Date Night/to impress the cute guy at work, they may just want to head over to Isabelle & Co, the number one place for women’s clothing. Isabelle & Co. offers stylish, age-appropriate and one-of-a-kind clothing for the fashionable girl on the go. If your pockets are a little less deep, Kohl’s, the number two spot, will do the trick. Kohl’s offers stylish lines by Simply Vera Wang, LC Lauren Conrad, and Chaps at reasonable prices. When you’re in the mood to dig a little and save a lot, then the number three store, TJ Maxx, is the place for you. TJ Maxx has name brand clothing at a significantly better value than you’ll find in any department store. – CP

BEST MEN’S CLOTHING STORE

1st Place: Kohl’s
2nd Place: TJ Maxx
3rd Place: Muldoon’s

Although the poll for best women’s clothing store received more votes, that doesn’t mean guys don’t care about how they look. Otherwise, prom dates would show up at doorsteps just wearing football jerseys. Our very own Wisconsin-headquartered store, Kohl’s, ran away with the lead. They have a little something for everyone, from shoes to shirts, for toddlers to the Hoveround generation – all for pretty cheap. TJ Maxx and Muldoon’s Men’s Wear almost tied, with TJ Maxx’s outlet mall prices on name brands just barely edging out local historical landmark Mr. Muldoon. – RT

BEST LOCAL BIKE SHOP

1st Place: Simple Sports
2nd Place: Eau Claire Bike & Sport
3rd Place: Anybody’s Bike Shop

No one’s opinion has changed since last year’s poll, as the results are exactly the same. Menomonie’s Simple Sports rolled into first place. The family-owned business has been around since 1999 and has equipment for all you bikers, snowboarders, and general recreationists (yes, that’s a real word). A couple of Water Street businesses took second and third place again. Want to embarrass yourself trying to ride a unicycle? Eau Claire Bike & Sport has you covered! Or are you just looking for a bike shop with a nice atmosphere? Anybody’s Bike Shop will help you with that. What an altruistic bike shop that must be. – RT

BEST PLACE FOR GIFTS

1st Place: Cadeaux
2nd Place: Truckers Union
3rd Place: Eclectica on Grand

Weather you want to spoil yourself or a friend, first place winner Cadeaux is the place to go. With lavish gift baskets, wine, and home décor, this is the perfect place to give a little luxury to someone important to you. If you want something a bit more down-to-earth, then second place winner Truckers Union is your spot. Funky cards, books, posters, glass pipes, and much more will  give you lots of options for the perfect gift. For the person in your life that has everything, head over to third place winner Eclectica on Grand. Among the jewelry – antique, new, or local – glasswork, candles and boxes, you’ll have no problem finding a unique, one-of-a kind gift. – AD

BEST ANTIQUES/OLD STUFF SHOP

1st Place: Eclectica on Grand
2nd Place: Antique Emporium
3rd Place: Dell’s Architectural Antiques

Everyone loves a great treasure hunt. And at first place, Eclectica on Grand, you’ll find that X always marks the spot. From amazing jewelry and glassware to records and antique clothing, this store will keep you mesmerized while you’re there and still thinking about it when you’re not. The second place winner, Antique Emporium, has plenty to draw you in as well, with three floors stacked top to bottom with everything you could ever want, give or take a few dozen taxidermy animals. Wind through the stacks of books and gaze into the display cases full of glass and sparkle to find your own personal gem! And third place winner, Dell’s Architectural Antiques, has amazing pieces that will help you create a unique, environmentally friendly atmosphere for whatever space you choose to exploit. Everyone can use a touch of old whimsy. – AD

BEST NEW BUSINESS

1st Place: Punkerdoops Diapers
2nd Place: Down to Earth
3rd Place: Whippersnappers

Aside from having an amazing name, Punkerdoops Diapers was voted the best new business in the Valley. Punkerdoops specializes in producing cloth diapers, which, according to their website, reduce cost, diaper rash, and danger to the environment. (Besides, they’ll make your baby look even more adorable!) Second on the list was Down to Earth, an outdoor garden center with a knack for designing unique landscapes and providing excellent lawn care. Whippersnappers, a local children’s boutique, was third on the list. Chock-full of all the baby products you can imagine, they offer toddler clothes and toys, as well as maternity merchandise. – EL

BEST PET-RELATED BUSINESS

1st Place: emBARK
2nd Place: Pet Food Plus
3rd Place: Tropic Waters

Pet owners can be extremely picky about where they shop for their “fluffy-little-flufferkins,” so this year’s favorite, emBARK, should be extra proud. Plus, they finished third last year, so the doggie day care has done something to win over our readers and will certainly attract many more after this impressive showing. Three-time placer Pet Food Plus has certainly established a territory amongst you readers for pet supplies, and not just for dogs and cats, but for horses, birds, hobby farm animals, you name it. Started in 1974 as a place for all your fishy needs, Tropic Waters has since expanded into a full-scale pet shop with grooming, supplies, and loads of pets for purchase. – RT

BEST PLACE FOR YARD SALES

1st Place: Eastside Hill in EC
2nd Place: Third Ward in EC
3rd Place: Halmstad area of Chippewa

In May of this year, the Eastside Hill Neighborhood Association in Eau Claire organized a day of simultaneous thrift sales, and the proportions were epic. More than 80 households officially participated in the event, bringing droves upon droves of bargain shoppers cruising for deals, and earning first place in our poll. The Third Ward snagged second place with their classic annual one-day sale that allowed people to peruse the antique and modern loot of dozens of historic homes. The Halmstad Area in Chippewa Falls raked in the third most votes this year, because the classifieds were brimming with their sales, many of them multi-family. – KJ

BEST MECHANIC’S SHOP

1st Place: Joel’s Water Street Auto
2nd Place: ATS (tied)
2nd Place: Happy Days Auto Body (tied)
3rd Place: Affordable Auto Repair (tied)
3rd Place: Anderson Automotive (tied)

On the corner of Water Street and 7th Avenue lives a happy, donut-bearing giant that many people consider a local landmark as well as a beacon of area auto repair. For the third straight year, Joel’s Water Street Auto tops the poll for best mechanic. There is a tie for second place and a tie for third place, making five finishers this year rather than the usual three. ATS and Happy Days Auto Body share the second place trophy (Fonzie’s alma mater placed third in two previous polls), while Affordable Auto Repair on Truax and Anderson Automotive butt heads for third. – RT

BEST GARDEN CENTER

1st Place: Klinger Farm Market
2nd Place: Down to Earth
3rd Place: The Potting Shed (tied)
3rd Place: Gordy’s Garden Center (tied)

Folks who bleed green voted for the Klinger Farm Market as their favorite area garden center. Head north of Chippewa Falls past the Collision Center that sits at the Hwy 124 turn-about (my wife and I still chuckle every time we pass there) and watch for the sign (now partially hidden by the corn that’s higher than an elephant’s eye). Their website brags that they have 17 greenhouses and the various buildings and staging areas, complete with hay bales, are a treat to stroll through. Down to Earth can be found south of Eau Claire on Hwy 93 and once you twist and turn to get into the back entrance, you’ll find a wonderful little Eden. Gordy’s Greenhouse near Lake Wissota and the Potting Shed on Altoona’s south side are also agronomical (it pays to have a thesaurus nearby) delights. – RR

BEST FLORIST

1st Place: Brent Douglas
2nd Place: Avalon Floral
3rd Place: Eau Claire Floral

Snatching first place from Avalon this year is Brent Douglas. BD is located in a beautiful downtown Eau Claire location (with equally unique interior design), and offers recognizable and innovative arrangements that will grace your weddings and funerals and mark the changing seasons. A persistent placer on our list every year is Avalon Floral, whose convenient Water Street location teaming with phenomenal staff and service culminated in last summer’s Floral Arrangements & Fine Art, a public reception featuring local paintings, jewelry, and other media alongside aesthetically harmonious flower arrangements. Genny Hay’s Eau Claire Floral up on Brackett Avenue deposed the 2009 third placer, Four Seasons. – TG

BEST JEWELER

1st Place: Tangled Up in Hue
2nd Place: Lasker
3rd Place: Token (Sarah Jensen)

Moving up to first this year (from second) is Tangled Up in Hue, the downtown co-op that houses local art and jewelry. Find tooled leather cuffs, ceramic, porcelain, and wooden beaded bracelets, spoon pendant necklaces, sterling silver rings, and a smorgasbord of beaded earrings. Grabbing second place this year is Lasker Jewelers, an Eau Claire-founded institution of diamonds, particularly known for their selection of engagement rings. Sarah Jensen’s Token jewelry (available at Isabelle & Co., among others) lets the faceted stones and briolettes speak for themselves, pairing them with cool silver and warm gold in her handcrafted, upscale beaded items. – KJ

BEST BARBERSHOP OR SALON

1st Place: The Garage Salon
2nd Place: Starr’s Sister
3rd Place: Calista Salon & Massage

“So what are we getting done today?” The Garage Salon in Chippewa Falls knows how to address your answer, scoring first this year – a big comeback after not having placed at all in the 2009 poll. Starr’s Sister was bumped from first in 2009 to second this year. The salon’s unique décor, friendly staff, and convenient Water Street location make it a consistently competitive choice for your cranial follicles’ needs. Also on Water is third place winner Calista Salon and Massage, who bumped Sport Clips from its bronze perch last year. – TG

BEST CHIROPRACTOR

1st Place: Schleppenbach Chiropractic
2nd Place: ClearWater Chiropractic
3rd Place: Stucky Chiropractic Center

Oddly enough, this was one of the closer contests we had in the Best Of poll. Sneaking to the top of the list by a single vote, Schleppenbach Chiropractic was voted Eau Claire’s favorite chiropractic practice. Located in the heart of the North Barstow redevelopment, Schleppenbach’s bright office and friendly atmosphere go a long way toward making a patient feel comfortable. And if you’re anything like me, you’re convinced that your back is on fire whenever someone works on it, so comfort is a big thing. Coming in second for this particular photo finish was ClearWater Chiropractic, so near to Famous Dave’s that you can get rehabilitated and think about lunch all at the same time. Offering easy access with locations in Eau Claire and Hallie, Stucky Chiropractic Center filed out this hard-fought category. – AW

BEST PLACE FOR A MASSAGE

1st Place: Body Focus
2nd Place: Calista Salon & Massage (tied)
2nd Place: Advanced Massage Therapies (tied)
3rd Place: Lotus Spa

When Chippewa Vallians want to leave life’s stresses and tensions behind and indulge in a luxurious massage, they know where to go. Topping the charts is Body Focus, which offers hot stone, shaitsu, Thai, and prenatal massages, plus free chair massages for all new clients. Tied for second are Calista (formerly known as Twisted Trends), and Advanced Massage Therapies, both which offer Swedish, deep tissue, hot stone, and prenatal massages, although Calista offers a student discount on 60-minute massages. And rounding out the chart is Lotus Spa, which offers sports massages, aroma, scalp, neck, and face massages. – BB

Add a Comment »

Arts & Entertainment

Jump right to ...

 

BEST MOVIE THEATER

1st Place: Cameo Budget Twin
2nd Place: Micon Cinemas
3rd Place: Gemini Drive-In

Not to be budged, downtown Eau Claire’s Cameo Budget Twin remains the local favorite with a historically worn and slightly spooky building that offers an old-time movie experience without the bad technology. Older films – we’re talking by months – but who cares? This wallet friendly second-run theater keeps the prices low and the watchers happy. The massive Micon Cinemas takes a different approach, advertising recent blockbusters with cardboard frenzy and comfy seating. Still a summer love, the Gemini Drive-In provides double-screening, late-night fun for food-sneaking and noisy-snickering moviegoers. They’re even so nice as to provide battery jumps at the end of the night – talk about customer service. ­– KS

BEST MUSIC PERFORMANCE IN THE PAST YEAR

1st Place: Steve Martin & Steep Canyon Rangers @ The State
2nd Place: Mojo Lemon @ Owen Park
3rd Place: Meridene + Jim Pullman Band @ Back Stage

Steve Martin wins awards. He’s got an Emmy, four Grammys, a Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, a Disney Legend Award, a Kennedy Center Honors award (whatever that is), and now a Volume One Best Of award. That one’s definitely going right to the front of his mantel. Martin came to Eau Claire in July and played at the State Theatre with the Steep Canyon Rangers, a bluegrass band. The show was said to have been in promotion of his new album, The Crow: New Songs for the 5-String Banjo, which got a lot of attention and won a Grammy, but I asked someone who has no connection to Martin and hadn’t heard his music and she said it was to keep residuals from The Jerk flowing. Mojo Lemon came in second, but when you’re second to Steve Martin, you’re doing pretty well. Just ask Dan Aykroyd. The Mojo won Best Blues Band in 2008 and 2009, and in 2010 they played the second most memorable show in Eau Claire under the bandshell at Owen Park. Meridene and the Jim Pullman Band come in third place with a pair of performances at the Back Stage Concert Series, which presented mostly brand spanking new material. – AP

BEST PLACE FOR LIVE MUSIC

1st Place: Phoenix Park
2nd Place: House of Rock
3rd Place: Mabel Tainter

Let’s not bore ourselves with descriptions of the top three vote getters in this category. You probably know of Phoenix Park, the House of Rock, and the Mabel Tainter Center for the Arts. What’s more interesting about this poll is the fact that Phoenix Park, the site of V1’s Sounds Like Summer Concert Series, got more than double the amount of votes of any actual music venue in town. Don’t get me wrong, I love spreading a blankie out and watching local bands in the cool breeze as much as the next guy, but the Phark can only have concerts for half the year. And if it rains, no show! The fact that a non-venue so easily dominated this category says something not only about how fantastic Phoenix Park’s events are, but also something about how our music venues might not be giving the general public what they want. – AP

BEST OUTDOOR VENUE

1st Place: Phoenix Park
2nd Place: Owen Park
3rd Place: Memorial Park

As the mercury starts to drop in our thermometers, we’re losing some great places to see music, at least until spring. Phoenix Park once again came out on top, boasting one of the most popular summer events in the city: the Sounds Like Summer concert series. Owen Park plays host to a wide variety of music in its historic bandshell, including the Municipal Band, Blues In The Park, and other events and concerts, which explains their second place status. Music In The Park, Blues on the Chippewa, and Grass on the Chippewa, which all take place in Durand’s Memorial Park, featured phenomenal performers all summer long, solidifying its spot in the top three. – TF

BEST JAZZ BAND

1st Place: UWEC Jazz I
2nd Place: Klenz/Walk Sextet
3rd Place: Memorial Jazz I

The music scene is a huge part of the Chippewa Valley’s identity, and jazz is an even huge-r part of that scene, so the competition for the number one jazz band spot in this poll is fierce. UW-Eau Claire’s Jazz I climbed to number one this year, and rightfully so. In June the ensemble was named “Best College Big Band” for 2010 by Down Beat magazine, making Jazz I a six-time Down Beat award winner. 2009-10 band members were both excited and honored to leave their legacy as “one of the Down Beat bands.” Finishing second is the Walk/Klenz Sextet, led by Jeff Walk on trumpet and Adrian Klenz on vocals. Their funky, unique takes on classic jazz standards keep them playing regular gigs all over town. Bringing up the rear is those talented teens, Memorial High School Jazz I. With an impressive history of national awards and a few famous alumni, these kids put in the sweat hours to raise the bar for school music programs everywhere. – LB

BEST ALL-AGES VENUE

1st Place: Acoustic Café
2nd Place: Phoenix Park
3rd Place: Infinitea Teahouse

Well, kiddos, here’s where you should be spending your weekends. If you’re in the mood for some food with the show, Acoustic Café offers a wide selection of hoagies, pita pockets, and soups in addition to its great coffees. Phoenix Park probably wins the age range award, with the Sounds Like Summer crowd containing every generation from the newborns to senior citizens. Infinitea rounds out the top three, offering a wide variety of music from folk to jazz to rock in a cozy, intimate setting. Any way you cut it these great venues do a lot to encourage growth in Eau Claire’s already impressive music scene. – TF

BEST FOLK PERFORMER(S)

1st Place: QuinnElizabeth
2nd Place: Brian Bethke
3rd Place: Feathe

Ladies rule in this year’s Best Folk catalog, nabbing two of the top three spots. The three sisters of QuinnElizabeth have been frontrunners on the folk scene in Eau Claire for sometime with their percussive folk songs and bright harmonies. Brian Bethke takes the second spot with his personal songs filled with stunning melodies simply performed on an acoustic guitar. The youngest of the three, Feathe, rounds out the category with their brand of folk-pop that has taken Eau Claire by storm in the last couple years, including two releases and a Midwestern tour. Too bad they won’t be sticking together. – TF

BEST ART GALLERY

1st Place: EC Regional Arts Center Gallery
2nd Place: Tangled Up in Hue
3rd Place: L.E. Phillips Memorial Pub.Library

Whether or not you consider yourself an artist, there are plenty of ways we all can enjoy a good work of art. These days, with so many different forms, it’s no wonder that the Valley seems to have an endless supply of galleries where people can see what local and national folks are up to. The Eau Claire Regional Arts Center once again rises to the occasion, continuing to serve as a center for live theater, comedy, music, and, of course, art. (Let’s just cross our fingers that their gallery expansion will happen soon.) Still home to a motley mixture of local talent, Tangled Up in Hue is a place where artists can have their own show and sell their works. The newly renovated L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library is also a place to look for art in a friendly setting. In this valley, there’s no reason to miss out on art, no matter what kind you are looking for. – KS

BEST PUBLIC ART INSTALLATION

1st Place: Garbage Goose, Banbury Place
2nd Place: Hands Across EC
3rd Place: Permanent collection at L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library

Back again after a year off, the category for Best Public Art Installation recognizes this year that waste can be, well, artistic. Whether you call it the Garbage Goose or the Garbage Swan, this guardian at Banbury tops ‘em all as it defiantly eyes any passerby. Reaching across the community, the Hands Across Eau Claire remain a favorite, adding spots of color and life to neighborhoods and buildings. Holding firm, the permanent collection at L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library still retains the love of the local folks with a rotating kaleidoscope of art for all. – KS

BEST ROCK BAND

1st Place: South Farwell
2nd Place: Sue Orfield Band
3rd Place: Daredevil Christopher Wright

This one’s a biggie, folks. Being the best band in Eau Claire means you’re the best in a surprisingly rich and diverse community of musicians. Over the past few years, Eau Claire has become known for its musicians as much as anything else it has to offer. That said, South Farwell, a fairly new bluesy-rock and country band, is your Best Original Rock Band of 2010. Composed of former members of the once enormously popular local group EasyChair, among others, the band named after a street is currently working on a follow-up to their debut album Tear Everything Down. Second place goes to the Sue Orfield Band, a project showcasing the award-winning saxophone talents of Sue Orfield. Most notably, she’s shared the stage with the Indigo Girls and Bo Diddley, and according to her MySpace page, she’s influenced by “everyone I ever heard, everything I ever saw, and everyone that ever touched my life,” so that’s a lot. The Daredevil Christopher Wright takes third place after a somewhat relaxing year for the band, in which they shacked themselves up in their parents’ house to write new material. Oh yeah, and they’re touring Europe for three weeks, too. Yawn. – AP

FAVORITE LOCAL VISUAL ARTIST

1st Place: Molly Marie
2nd Place: Jeremy Dwayne
3rd Place: Laurie Bieze

Visual artists are not to be missed, especially here in the Chippewa Valley. Sensual, creative, and heart-warming, Molly Marie Photography records (and revels in) the beautiful life. Popular for weddings and engagements, she also offers a look into the ultra-feminine with a boudoir line. Jeremy Dwayne Photography is a master of getting into the personal life, providing a diversity of services from senior pictures and portraits to weddings. Laurie Bieze, still her own gem of shining glass, retains her status as a master stained glass artist featured across the Valley in both public and private locations. – KS

BEST LOCAL THEATRICAL PRODUCTION OF THE PAST YEAR

1st Place: The Wizard of Oz
2nd Place: Noises Off
3rd Place: Evening of Shel Silverstein

Menomonie Theatre Guild has officially caught our eye. Despite fewer resources than other area groups, MTG pulls their shows off with creative flair in show choice and staging. In the case of the L. Frank Baum classic The Wizard of Oz, the costume and acting ingenuity equally impressed. Noises Off, meanwhile, blew us away with their gigantic spinning set and unique marketing ploys, not to mention the slapstick comedy – an interesting self-reflexive show choice. Another group that has our attention is BareBones Ensemble Theatre, whose hilarious segmented show An Adult Evening of Shel Silverstein was a perfect balance of comedy, music, and pushing the envelope of our local theater landscape (sex, profanity) in order to advance it. I’d be remiss not to mention Rent and Chicago, two other excellent performances from the past year (from Eau Claire Children’s Theatre and Chippewa Valley Theatre Guild, respectively). – TK

BEST DJ/HIP-HOP ACT

1st Place: Fathom
2nd Place: Breakneck the Mage
3rd Place: Frozen Tundra

It’s one thing to be at home, jammin’ out to some beats while holding a hairbrush as a microphone and watching yourself in the mirror, but it’s a whole other thing to actually be on stage performing in front of a group of people. You’ve got to have the swagger and the hip-hop state-of-mind; you have to be hip-hop. Plenty of us can be badass when we’re spittin’ some rhymes in the comfort of our own homes, but it’s 10 times more hardcore to have the audience rappin’ along to lyrics that you wrote. There’s no stopping Fathom, who has made his way into the number one spot this year with his sick beats and clever lyrics. Listen to the ebb and flow of Breakneck the Mage’s rhythms and you’ll find yourself tapping your foot and moving your head to the beat. The unique sound of Frozen Tundra can get anyone out of their seats and shakin’ on the dance floor. – LdF

YOUR FAVORITE LOCAL AUTHOR

1st Place: Mike Perry
2nd Place: Jerry Poling
3rd Place: Andy Patrie

Michael Perry has owned this category ever since the sensational Population 485: Meeting Your Neighbors One Siren at a Time was published. Coop: A Year of Poultry, Pigs, and Parenting came out this past year. For those of us “jonesing” for that next Perry book, we get our fix reading his blog on sneezingcow.com. Jerry Poling, a former columnist with the Leader-Telegram, still delights readers who come across his sports books A Summer Up North: Hank Aaron and the Legend of Eau Claire Baseball and Downfield: Untold Stories of the Green Bay Packers. High school English teacher and occasional V1 contributor Andy Patrie scares me. Really. He is an expert on horror films and when he writes about them, he makes me want to watch them, and I get scared. – RR

BEST MUSIC FESTIVAL

1st Place: Rock Fest
2nd Place: Blues on the Chippewa
3rd Place: Country Fest

Of all the great music festivals in the area, Cadott’s Rock Fest was voted the very best. A lineup featuring Alice in Chains, Limp Bizkit, 3 Doors Down, and John Mellencamp, not to mention multiple beer pavilions and four-day camping is almost like cheating. The 3rd annual Blues on the Chippewa festival in Durand takes a close second place. As if 15 local blues bands over two days wasn’t enough, the free event also included a craft show, classic car show, and a motorcycle show! Behind the boot stompin’ strength of Reba McEntire, Toby Keith, Tim McGraw, Blake Shelton, and Darius Rucker (aka Hootie), Country Fest came in third place. The 2011 lineup is already being created and includes Carrie Underwood and Trace Atkins, so get your cowboy hats and coolers ready for another four nights of drunken shenanigans. – AP

BEST OPEN MIC

1st Place: The Mousetrap
2nd Place: Bottle & Barrel
3rd Place: Shari’s Chippewa Club

Hosted by the EverGreen Grass Band, The Mousetrap’s 10pm Sunday night open mic nights scored first place this year, not surprisingly since the bluegrassers make the event welcoming and a ton of fun for musicians as well as audience members. Second is The Bottle & Barrel’s open mics, taking place Wednesdays starting at 7pm and hosted by local cowboy/folk songwriter Jeff White. The B&B’s open mic nights also seek to be a musician hangout night (performers get a free drink), which may have earned the venue its high vote count. Shari’s Chippewa Club in Durand, which took third, features a variety of jam session nights (blues on first Sundays, bluegrass/old time jams on second Sundays, classic country on third Sundays), a live webcam stream from their website, and the option for a DVD of their performance. – TG

BEST BLUES BAND

1st Place: Mojo Lemon
2nd Place: Left Wing Bourbon
3rd Place: Howard “Guitar” Luedtke

Blues is an incredibly tricky genre to work with, but if done correctly can be mesmerizing. With that said, Mojo Lemon is certainly one act worth seeing. The band has been playing for over a decade and basically covers it all, from Hendrix to Muddy Waters, and has now won for the third year in a row. River’s Edge bar in Durand is where the members of Left Wing Bourbon honed their skills, consequently making it to second place in this year’s poll. They play Chicago-style blues with a twinge of classic rock; they basically just like to blow up the stage. And then there’s Howard Luedtke. The guy’s unofficial middle name is “Guitar,” so that should be telling in and of itself. He’s opened for acts such as George Thorogood and the Destroyers, and Joe Louis Walker, just to name a few. – RT

BEST HARD ROCK/METAL BAND

1st Place: No Loving Place
2nd Place: Truth Before Treason
3rd Place: Drunk Drivers

Heavy, brooding melodic rockers No Loving Place firmly maintained their spot at the top, eking out another year of dominance as the area’s best hard rockers. Despite the grinding, hair-swinging mayhem they command, No Loving Place took to the Phoenix Park labyrinth this summer and played an acoustic set, providing new textures that compliment their music’s original devil horn-wielding purposes. Durand metal band Truth Before Treason came in just shy of first place, and the band that really ought to go down in local history as the best bar band of all time – Drunk Drivers – swerved into third this year, down from second last year (probably because the number of their live shows wanes every year). – TG

BEST COVER BAND

1st Place: Brass Monkey
2nd Place: The Pheromones
3rd Place: Cats Ass

Boasting themselves as “the world’s greatest Top 40 R&B/Rock cover band,” this year’s winner certainly has something made of brass. Starting out by winning this year’s competition is a very good start, however. Put on your Ryan Seacrest hairdos and go find out why our voters are currently idolizing Brass Monkey. The Pheromones place second in the poll for the second year in a row. Their blend of classic and modern rock is sure to attract anyone looking to party. They specialize in recreating memorable riffs and reasons to bodysurf. In third is the always- classy Cats Ass. This four-piece band plays mainly classic and modern rock (with some newer stuff) and will have you clawing for more. – RT

BEST BLUEGRASS BAND

1st Place: Evergreen Grass Band
2nd Place: East Hill Bluegrass Band
3rd Place: Seeger Boys (tied)
3rd Place: New North String Band (tied)

On the heels of the release of their first CD, the EverGreen Grass Band takes first choice for Best Bluegrass Band. This comes as no surprise to their fans who always appear at their shows in great numbers and are seen singing along to the original tunes that the band has made their trademark. A well deserved second choice is the East Hill Bluegrass Band, who, since making their debut at that Minneapolis bluegrass institution Dulono’s earlier this summer, are now firmly on the “picker’s radar.” Tied for third are the New North String Band, featuring the amazing Trent Cuthbert, and the charming family band The Seeger Boys. Now all Eau Claire needs is a festival featuring all four of these bands. How about it, WHYS? – MG

BEST ANNUAL EVENT

1st Place: Chalkfest
2nd Place: International Fall Fest
3rd Place: Taste of Eau Claire

Rearranged since last year’s favorites, the best annual events in the Chippewa Valley remain steady salutes to art, culture, and food. Scrumptious all around. This year, Chalkfest managed to avoid the plague of storms that have been our bane all summer while the artists packed a punch of creativity and color on the sidewalks of Wilson Park. The International Fall Festival remains a center of cultural and worldly excitement, providing performances, goods, and food for eager carnival lovers. Third place finisher Taste of Eau Claire keeps it local, providing entertainment with samplings of delicious edibles that make you remember that really, no one cares about a summer diet. – KS

BEST JAM BAND

1st Place: The Excellent Adventure
2nd Place: Downers Grove
3rd Place: Big Deeks

The phrase “jam band” has a generalized stigma that brings to mind month-long concerts with drum circles in a campground, lots of drugs, and Phish. The moniker and stereotype hardly do justice to our local versions. The Excellent Adventure is a jam supergroup defined by rockin’ solos and damn good fun, which is why we simultaneously celebrate them and mourn them as they’re put on hold with the export of frontman and coolest-dude-everyone-knows Bill Hamilton. Their twinge of funk rock is taken a step further with Downers Grove, whose new original material at the Sounds Like Summer Concert Series this summer were a huge hit. Big Deeks don’t fit the traditional sense of the genre at all, but you’ll find them playing classic rock covers regularly at O’Leary’s and The Pioneer (Menomonie). – TK

BEST NEW FESTIVAL OR EVENT

1st Place: Back Stage Concert Series
2nd Place: Rock-n-Roll Kickball Classic
3rd Place: Haunts of Eau Claire Bus Tour

The consensus is in: everyone loves a backstage pass, or at least the illusion of one. The Back Stage Concert Series takes place on the stage of the State Theatre, cozied up behind the towering red stage curtain. It’s this allure, coupled with extremely likable local bands (and the restlessness of a Thursday night) that carried this new Volume One/State Theatre partnership to success. The second-best event according to y’all is the Chippewa Valley Rock-n-Roll Kickball Classic, which brought out droves of kickers to Cinder City Park in Altoona on Memorial Day Weekend, all clad in colorful team T-shirts. The rockin’ local bands brought out another wave of spectators. Third-most popular is the Haunts of Eau Claire Bus Tour, which gathered up some brave souls for a 1.5 hour bus ride, in which UWEC Players (in character as famous killers) pointed out and elaborated on the ghostliest spots in Eau Claire. – KJ

BEST NEW BAND

1st Place: The Finesse
2nd Place: The Michael Rambo Project
3rd Place: Dead Dogs (tied)
3rd Place: The Heart Pills (tied)

Eau Claire’s music scene saw a whole lot of action in 2010, and a few of its biggest stories were from new bands. After reuniting in ’09, The Finesse, formerly Wes and the Finesse, released its debut EP at the House of Rock at the end of July. Songs in the Key of G is a funk-infused rock tribute to Douglas Greenhalgh, the Chippewa Falls High School band director who died in a bus accident in 2005. The newly formed Michael Rambo Project has been hard at work hitting just about every venue in town with its epic Coldplay-esque rock/jazz combo. A four song self-titled EP is available at themichaelramboproject.com, as are a few unique videos from a series called “The Michael Rambo Project Does Things,” where The Michael Rambo Project does some things. As most great ideas in Wisconsin are, The Dead Dogs was born from a love of booze and rock n’ roll. Its sound – raw and rambunctious, comparable to Tom Waits, if anyone – is well fit for the Valley. Making a big splash in the indie scene this year, The Heart Pills created a grungy bar-band sound that could only be possible with cheap instruments and by joining a bit of talent with a whole lot of creativity. Also, they hit things with pans. – AP

BEST BAND NAME

1st Place: Sassy Magoo
2nd Place: Daredevil Christopher Wright
3rd Place: Duncan Ninja

In all honesty, and by my own fault, I’ve never heard Sassy Magoo’s music. If it’s anything like their name, I’m bound to be impressed. I do know the inspired sounds of indie-folkers Daredevil Christopher Wright and the dynamite funky-town dance songs played by Duncan Ninja. Normally I’d do a little bit of research to find out what Sassy Magoo sounds like, but for this poll I simply don’t have to. For this poll, all I need to know is that every band in town, even the Daredevil and the Ninja, fell short of Sassy Magoo in 2010. No other band in the Chippewa Valley can say they accomplished what Sassy Magoo accomplished. Sassy Magoo did something that multiple local touring bands and professional recording artists couldn’t. Sassy Magoo got a whopping 278 of your votes, because Sassy Magoo had, without a doubt, the Best Band Name of 2010, and it was Sassy Magoo. – AP

BEST TOURING STAGE PRODUCTION

1st Place: Whad’Ya Know?
2nd Place: Ron White
3rd Place: Reduced Shakespeare Company

The State Theatre produced the what’s-what of stage performances this year; it’s telling that they hosted the area’s top three theatrical gigs. Wisconsin Public Radio’s comedy, interview and quiz show Whad’Ya Know? with Michael Feldman proved to be the number one hit. Second came the cigar smokin,’ whiskey drinkin’ Blue Collar Comedy alumnus Ron White. Well done, ECRAC. Well done. The touring physical comedy troupe for the quick of mind and short of time, The Reduced Shakespeare Company, scored third place for tickling our sensibilities with razor-sharp renditions of Shakespearean plays. – TG

Comments 16

Local Media

Jump right to ...

 

BEST LOCAL TV NEWS ANCHOR

1st Place: Judy Clark
2nd Place: Sarah Stokes
3rd Place: Bob Gallaher

Delivering the news has to be a pretty dull job. Think about it – for every exciting or controversial or scary headline story, there are weeks and weeks of road construction updates, small festival reports, and weather-related happenings. Seriously, it must take a ton of talent to deliver yet another “some idiot runs into a building with his car” story with any sort of conviction. But the first and second place winners for Best Local TV Anchor manage to do just that. Judy Clark, the most senior member of local television media, wins first (and by senior, we mean “professional with a youthful aura that does not imply the years she’s been working at WEAU”). Sarah Stokes of WEAU wins second, although she may have extra help when it comes to exuding a news glow – she’s pregnant (baby’s due in January). The third place winner is not a news anchor per se. But sports anchor Bob Gallaher’s job is just as difficult – holding back a big old frown when Memorial or North loses the basketball game must take some special gumption. – ER

FAVORITE LOCAL CELEBRITY

1st Place: Matt, The Gordy’s Guru
2nd Place: Bon Iver (Justin Vernon)
3rd Place: Mike Perry

There are a lot of scales on which one can judge a person’s celebrity status. One popular measure of celebrity includes the scope of your work (like, say, having songs featured on national television shows or creating a bestselling album). Another would be if the company you keep is also made up of celebrities (like, say, Kanye West, Wilco, or other major musicians). A third measure, of course, is your exuberance for bratwurst and cheap gasoline. This year’s winner maxes out the third category, handing him the victory. Truly, nothing gets someone excited for grocery shopping like Matt’s beaming mug. Justin Vernon gets high marks in the first two categories with his continued collaborative projects and critically acclaimed albums, and squeaks out second place. In third, with widely known books, undoubtedly famous friends, and a healthy passion for grilled meat, is local author Mike Perry. – ER

BEST LOCAL METEOROLOGIST

1st Place: Nate Larscheid (WEAU)
2nd Place: LeAnn Lombardo (WQOW)
3rd Place: Doug Michaels (WQOW)

Why are we so fascinated with the weather? It’s not like the vast majority of us have crops to worry about, nor do we need to spend a lot of time planning the best day to hook Bessie up to the wagon to trek into town to barter for new shoes. Still, we all huddle around the television for every newscast, because knowing whether we can open our windows or not is important. Or maybe it’s not about the weather. Maybe it’s about the incredibly talented and sexy newscasters we have to ogle. WEAU’s Nate Larscheid’s manly yet adorable visage makes even the nastiest below zero temperatures seem fun. Who wouldn’t want LeAnn Lombardo, the Mistress of WQOW morning weather, to tuck you back in after her perky snow day announcements? And WQOW’s Doug Michaels is friendly, but tough – you just know he could single-handedly kick the crap out of any Alberta Clipper that tries to mess with the Chippewa Valley. – ER

BEST LOCAL NEWSPAPER WRITER

1st Place: Tom Giffey
2nd Place: Mike Paulus
3rd Place: Julian Emerson

Tom Giffey is a journalist, editorialist, columnist, and blogger for the Leader-Telegram. His blog – Giffs Riffs – can be found in the online version of the newspaper, as well as Facebook and Twitter. One of his recent columns describes his becoming a regular on the WAYY-AM radio show “News Talk 790 Today” and that he has a face “made for radio.” He said it, not me. Second place finisher Mike Paulus has a regular column that concludes each and every issue of Volume One (The Rear End), and while obviously not a “newspaper writer” in the usual sense, he apparently has enough fans to miss first place by only a few votes. Julian Emerson also has a regular column in the Leader Telegram but has mostly gained local notoriety as this area’s Woodward or Bernstein (investigative journalist superheroes, for those of you who are unfamiliar). So watch out, you local no-good-niks. – RR

BEST LOCAL RADIO STATION

1st Place: WWIB (103.7)
2nd Place: WHYS (96.3)
3rd Place: B-95 (95.1)

This year’s winner was a surpise due to the fact they’ve never really shown up in the rankings in previous polls. Inspiring quite the comment thread online and pulling out the win this year is 103.7 FM, better known to many as “that Christian station.” With the tagline “The Heart of Western Wisconsin,” WWIB airs loads of talk radio programming (with a religious message) as well as contemporary Christian music (with a religious message). Three-time first place winner WHYS came in second, and for good reason, what with their totally-local status, involvement in the community through organized events, and programming/music that reflects the interests of their listenership (like regional music and alternative news coverage). And just to show how well-rounded  local radio listeners are, third went to B-95 Hot Country, which spins new country acts (read: pop with a twang) like Carrie Underwood, Toby Keith, Lady Antebellum, and Taylor Swift as well as the ever-popular morning duo McKay & Donuts. – TK

BEST LOCAL RADIO PERSONALITY

1st Place: McKay & Donuts
2nd Place: Mark Halvorsen
3rd Place: Matt Schweirzer & Jonny Jukebox

How about we change this category to “Best of the Valley’s Biggest Mouths?” These faces of radio wake you up, crack you up, and spin the tracks that speak to your very essence. Last year’s first place secured their spot at the top of the airwaves again this year – B-95 Hot Country’s McKay & Donuts, which happens to be our longest-running morning show (14 years) and quite possibly the funniest as well. Coming in second is WWIB Front Page’s Mark Halvorsen, who features Christian music, news, weather, and sports. Matt & Jonny of WWIB’s SNA Show, airing every Saturday night with alternative Christian tunes, placed third. – TG

BEST OVERALL CONTENT

1st Place: Volume One
2nd Place: WEAU
3rd Place: WQOW

You like us! You really like us! This comes as a complete surprise, as our completely unbiased readers poll (through a totally unrelated website) yielded a victory for best news source in the Valley. Maybe it’s due to our newsy articles in the bi-weekly print publication in your hands, our vibrant event calendars, those great events we put on each year, and an awesome website chock full of local blogs, photos, and interactive content. Not to be overshadowed, NBC affiliate WEAU (TV-13) scored second place thanks to your favorite married news anchor team, Sarah Stokes and Chris Herzog, while third-place finisher (known as Your Hometown Team) Channel 18’s ABC affiliate WQOW, shines with cool-headed anchor Jamie Paige. – TG

Comments 7

Local Recreation

Jump right to ...

 

BEST SEASON TO ENJOY THE CHIPPEWA VALLEY

1st Place: Summer
2nd Place: Fall
3rd Place: Um, all of them!

Summer this year has been, well, summer. (As opposed to summer in September and October last year. Mother nature, seriously?) There is no doubt that the Valley has taken advantage, celebrating the toasty school-free months with tubing, bike riding, cliff jumping, picnics, cookouts, swimming, tanning, Frisbee golf, outdoor music, farmers markets, and endless nameable and otherwise unnamable fun. Fall keeps on falling in second, but the riot of swirling colors, continuation of festivals, and the return of college sports keeps smiles bright. And for that third place, well, we’re just too egalitarian. Let’s root for, um, all the seasons. – KS

BEST PLACE TO GET FIT

1st Place: One Tree Martial Arts
2nd Place: The Great Outdoors
3rd Place: YMCA

Dethroning the two-year reigning champion, this year’s Best Place to Get Fit is One Tree Martial Arts. One Tree Martial Arts strives to provide its students with skills to defend themselves through traditional and modern martial arts as well as to internalize good fitness habits. In a devastating blow, the Great Outdoors is knocked down from first to second place. The Chippewa Valley has plenty to offer in terms of outdoor recreation, including the Chippewa River trails, which provide a place for running, walking, biking, and rollerblading. Numerous parks and open sports courts/fields in the area also make getting fit outside convenient. The Eau Claire YMCA takes third place for its wide variety of opportunities for members to get fit, no matter their interests. Fitness classes range from aquatic to yoga to strength resistance and are available for multiple age groups. The YMCA also sponsors programs for children, including daycare and sports teams of all kinds. – EA

BEST GOLF COURSE

1st Place: Wild Ridge Golf Club
2nd Place: Action City
3rd Place: Princeton Valley (tied)
3rd Place: Hallie (tied)
3rd Place: Hickory Hills (tied)

Wild Ridge Gold Club once again dominates this category with their challenging course. And despite V1 reporter Eric Rasmussen’s earlier rumor that Wild Ridge hires guys to hide in the bushes and squirt you right in the eye with Super Soakers, that excuse will not hold up in the bar afterwards. The course will beat you up all by itself if you don’t come out with your “A” game. For those wimps – er-golfers – who don’t want to bother with woods and irons, head to Action City’s mini golf course and rent a putter. Both seasoned golfers and beginners will find friendly accommodations, plenty of beauty, and, yes, those darn golfing challenges at all three third place winners – the north side’s Princeton Valley, Lake Hallie Golf Course (tucked in between Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls), and Hickory Hills, south of Eau Claire on Highway 93. You can find the equivalent of my children’s inheritance in the form of golf balls currently residing in the bottom of ponds or in the tall grass of some of the courses listed above. I’m talking to you – Mr. Hickory Hills, 13th hole! – RR

BEST FISHIN’ HOLE

1st Place: I’ll never tell
2nd Place: Bullfrog Fish Farm
3rd Place: Chippewa River

Secrets always win. Especially when you’re a fisherman. So tonight, those avid pole-toters will sneak out to that pond/lake/creek/stream/river and catch the mother lode, reveling in their private success. (If I knew, I’d tell.) Second place goes to Bullfrog Fish Farm, which allows kids and adults to drop a line in their stocked pond – no license required, and no catch limit. They’ll even clean your fish for you and pack it on ice for a take-home dinner, or cook it onsite. The third most popular place to fish in 2010 is the Chippewa River. Off the bridge, off the shore, or from a boat, you’ll likely snag some smallmouth bass. Walleye, muskie, northern pike, and panfish are also probable targets. – KJ

BEST SPORTS/RECREATION EVENT OF THE PAST YEAR

1st Place: Rock-n-Roll Kickball Classic
2nd Place: Express 4th of July Game
3rd Place: Eau Claire Marathon

The red rubber balls kissed the sky last May as Volume One hosted its first ever Rock-N-Roll Kickball Classic, slapping together 16 teams for two days of summer fun and local rock music. The event kicked a home run for first place (we’re real misty-eyed about this one). Second came the Express baseball game this Independence Day against the Waterloo Bucks, which was quickly followed by a phenomenal fireworks show (little did we know they’d wind up winning the whole she-bang!). The Eau Claire Marathon placed third in its sophomore year; the event saw more than 1,800 dedicated runners. – TG

BEST BOWLING ALLEY

1st Place: Wagner’s Lanes
2nd Place: Bowl-Winkles
3rd Place: The Ojibwa Golf Course

So, which is it? Wagner’s Lanes or Bowl-Winkles? The bowling alleys have been swapping first and second place since this poll’s first run. Drum roll, please! This year, Wagner’s has reclaimed the title it first won in 2008. Bowl-Winkles, the reigning champ, sits in second place. Maybe it’s the food or the rental shoe aromas, but something keeps dividing popularity between these alleys. Maybe a cutthroat game of cosmic bowling will settle the matter once and for all. The Obijwa Golf Course, with eight bowling lanes, makes its first appearance on the poll in third place. – RT

BEST PLACE TO CAMP

1st Place: Coon Fork Lake County Park
2nd Place: Brunet Island State Park
3rd Place: Lake Wissota

Everyone should have at least one good camping story in their lifetime, and here are the top three places to make those precious memories. With more than 100 camp sites, Coon Fork Lake County Park takes first place yet again. The park seems to have everything from fishing spots and nature trails to volleyball courts and beaches. Located near Cornell, Brunet Island State Park offers a more “get back to nature” approach with spots for canoeing, more fishing, and wildlife watching. Being on an island is kind of awesome, too. Lake Wissota offers a little of everything amid a more urban landscape, just in case you’re timid about venturing into the deep, scary woods. Overall, all three camp sites are amazing and offer incredible glimpses of the area. – RT

BEST PLACE FOR WATERPLAY

1st Place: Big Falls
2nd Place: Lake Wissota
3rd Place: Chippewa River

Very few attractions cater well to a diverse crowd of toddlers, college students, and people who are just looking to get away from it all – naptime being one exception. Big Falls has proven itself a great diversion for everyone, which is why you have once again voted for this natural phenomenon as the best place for waterplay in the Chippewa Valley. There are beaches, waterfalls, sandbars, and shallow pools – the only real problem being the cloud of mosquitoes one must battle through to find this haven. Lake Wissota places second, as being a popular boater’s destination and excellent place to find something to eat. This year’s heavy rains kept some tubers away from the Chippewa River, as it finishes the poll in third place. – RT

BEST HIKING/BIKING TRAIL

1st Place: Eau Claire River Route
2nd Place: Red Cedar State Trail
3rd Place: Chippewa River State Trail

According to our hiking and biking contingent, the 1.5-mile long Eau Claire River Route is deemed superior. The trail ushers you across to the north side of the river on an old railroad trestle S bridge that offers spectacular views of the quarter-mile long Banbury Place industrial complex and of course, the valley. Our second place finisher, the Red Cedar State Trail, is a packed dirt/gravel trail that connects Menomonie to Dunnville. In one spot, it spans the confluence of the Chippewa and Red Cedar Rivers (scenic overlook junkies, enjoy!). Trailing not far behind (ahem) in third place is the Chippewa River State Trail, a well-maintained route that connects Eau Claire with Caryville and parallels the river for 26 miles. – KJ

BEST BEACH

1st Place: Big Falls
2nd Place: Ray’s Beach
3rd Place: Coon Fork Lake

Between Memorial and Labor Day, Wisconsin sees its sunniest and warmest weather. With temperatures tipping the scale at mid-to-upper 90s, sometimes you just need to head to the beach to cool off. The number one beach frequented by Chippewa Vallians is Big Falls. With its beautiful nature-made landscape and ideal location, it’s the perfect summer spot for those looking to relax. If you’re looking for something a little more kid-friendly (not crawling with college kids), head to the number two spot, Ray’s Beach on man-made Lake Wissota. This beach – complete with sand, picnic tables and a designated swimming area – is the perfect place for families. If you’re not opposed to driving a little further for your fun in the sun, Cook Fork Lake, the number three choice, offers clean water, a sandy beach, volleyball nets, and play areas to keep the whole family entertained. – CP

Add a Comment »

« Prev Next » 1 2
10 total