Get Your Garden On

Wondering what’s going on at the Forest Street Community Gardens? Head down to the river bank north of Phoenix Park and the Downtown Farmers Market for ...

Study: UWEC has Boffo Economic Boost

Conversations about money and college usually revolve around costs: ballooning tuition bill for students, for instance, or the millions of dollars in state aid provided by taxpayers. Rarely do we hear about...

Questioning the Locals | Amber Dernbach

If Eau Claire’s growing improv comedy scene has a heart and soul, it’s Amber Dernbach. The Eau Claire native had her first improv performance experience at age 17. “It’s been in my blood since,” she ...

Will City Go to the Birds?

local birder hopes EC gets feather-friendly designation

Work on New JAMF Software office to start in June

South Barstow Street won’t be the only part of Eau Claire’s downtown getting attention this summer: Work will begin in June to prepare the site of JAMF Software’s new office next to Phoenix Park. On May 14, the Eau Claire City Council voted ...

City Gives Final OK to Get Diggin' on South Barstow

All systems are finally a go for the reconstruction of South Barstow Street. On May 14, the Eau Claire City Council voted unanimously to approve a $1.65 million contract with Haas Sons of Thorp to rebuild a five-block stretch of downtown ...

Thanks for Asking | May 23, 2013

our local Jack-of-all-Facts tells you how it is

Visit Eau Claire, UWEC Join Forces to Boost Tourism

UW-Eau Claire and Visit Eau Claire, the local tourism promotion agency, inked a deal May 17 they say could bring millions of new visitor dollars to the region. The agreement gives Visit Eau Claire “preferred scheduling” for ...

UWEC Small Business Center Grabs Statewide Honor

UW-Eau Claire’s Small Business Development Center apparently has developed a reputation for taking care of business … and of businesses. Now, the center is the winner of the 2013 Small Business Development Center Service Excellence Award for ...

Will This Venue Work?

consultant’s study says yes, Confluence Project will boost economy by $4.5M

Working Together on Hastings

Hastings businesses band together for awareness

Chippewa Valley Air Show Down and Out for 2013

Opinions on the Street

design concerns delay South Barstow project vote

JAMF Office Plan Moves Ahead

JAMF Software has cleared the first hurdle on the path to building a new office building next to Phoenix Park in downtown Eau Claire. On April 9, the Eau...

Deal (mostly) Sealed For City

The civic symbol-bedecked image you see here is now (kinda, sorta) the official coat of arms and seal of the city of Eau Claire. On April 9, the Eau Claire City Council adopted...

Thanks for Asking | April 25, 2013

our local Jack-of-all-Facts tells you how it is

To Work on Wheels

Bike to Work Week geared to promote local pedaling

Council Says 'Write On' to Poet Laureate Taylor

he second verse will be the same as the first, at least when Eau Claire’s poet laureate is concerned. On March 26, the Eau Claire City Council voted unanimously to appoint Bruce Taylor to a second term as the city’s preeminent poet.

Eau Claire Street Chief Amundson Soon Will Retire

The man who ultimately oversees Eau Claire’s streets, water and wastewater utilities, buses, and other public necessities is stepping down at the end of May. Public works director and city engineer Brian Amundson, who has been with the city since 1986, submitted a 60-day

Avoiding an Emerald City

Eau Claire prepares for the ash borer apocalypse

Shared Work Means Shared Veggies at Community Garden

It may still feel a bit like winter, but the calendar says it’s spring, and that means gardening season is just around the corner. If you don’t have a spot to garden on your own property, or you’d just rather garden collaboratively, you can become part of the Forest Street Community Garden. Organizers are now accepting applications for membership in the Shared Volunteer...

Eau Claire Want Cookie Dough Factory! Om Nom Nom Nom!

Calling all Cookie Monsters! Clubs Choice Fundraising ­– whose goodies and gifts are sold by schools and other nonprofit groups as fundraisers – is opening a cookie dough factory in a 13,000 square-foot building leased from Huntsinger Farms south of Eau Claire on Highway 37.

Thanks for Asking | Mar. 28, 2013

our local Jack-of-all-Facts tells you how it is

Forgotten Forefather

new downtown park may get name of Eau Claire pioneer

Meet the Candidates

Ten candidates are competing for seats on the Eau Claire City Council. Here’s who they are and what they think.

JAMF Software Pledges $500k to Confluence Project

JAMF Software is donating half a million dollars to help fund some new hardware in downtown Eau Claire. The firm has pledged $500,000 to the Confluence Project, a proposed public-private development that would include a performing arts center ...

Menard Rises in Billionare Rankings

Eau Claire’s own John Menard has climbed higher on Forbes magazine’s annual list of the world’s billionaires. According to the rankings, which were published in early March, Menard is worth an estimated $7 billion, making him the 53rd richest...

EC High Schoolers Aid in Japan Clean-Up

Students enrolled in Japanese language classes at Eau Claire Memorial and Eau Claire North high schools were granted the chance to travel to Japan for two weeks to help clean up after the 2011 tsunami. The 23 students left March 3 on the 14-hour...

A Coat of Arms for Eau Claire?

City Council to consider official crest

Fixing it For Free

church-sponsored Repair Café brings broken stuff back to life

Thanks for Asking | Feb. 28, 2013

our local Jack-of-all-Facts tells you how it is

Eau Claire-Menomonie Bus Link Pondered

Could a daily bus linking Menomonie and Eau Claire be coming down the road? The possibility of such a commuter service was discussed Feb. 21 by the Dunn County Board. Ann Schell of the West Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission and Dunn...

UWEC Chancellor Search Trimmed to Four

Council, School Board Candidate Forum Slated

Eau Claire voters can look forward to a civic enlightenment double-header on Thursday, March 7, when back-to-back candidate forums are planned at Chippewa Valley Technical College. At 6pm, the five hopefuls for three open...

Survey Finds Much Love For Two-Way Traffic

The Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce surveyed its members about two-way traffic on downtown streets and found most opinions ran in one direction: favorable. In September, traffic switched to two-way on stretches of South Barstow Street and...

UPDATE: Show Some River City Spirit

the Spirit Fund will pay for increased water access

Building Up

JAMF Software plans for large Phoenix Park office

Putting a Stamp on Downtown

pending post office move will open location for development

Shortcuts | Feb. 14, 2013

condensed local news about civic and cultural goings-on

City Keeps the Fire Burning

A collaboration between a group of fire spinners and the Eau Claire Fire Department has ensured that fancy flying flame performances will be safe and legal in the city.

Taste of the Valley Partners with the Community Table

Those who chow down at next summer’s Taste of the Valley will be satisfying their own appetites while also meeting the needs of the truly hungry. The Community Table is the new charitable beneficiary of the annual one-day festival, which features ...

Thanks for Asking | Jan. 31, 2013

our local Jack-of-all-Facts tells you how it is

The Barstow Street Bust Up

plans coalesce for summer street reconstruction

Council Candidate Roundup

A host of hopefuls has completed the first leg of the quest to join the Eau Claire City Council.

Grocery Money

closing of Charly’s prompts questions about economic development incentives

DECI Grant Encourages Downtown Building Makeovers

Attention downtown businesses: If you’re considering rehabilitating an existing building or hope to pursue another brick-and-mortar project, DECI may be able to hook you up with some cash. They recently announced a new program that will ...

Bike & Pedestrian Plan Wins Major Planning Award

Eau Claire’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan has received recognition from a regional planning group. The American Planning Association - Wisconsin Chapter Northwest District, which includes planners across 26 counties, honored the blueprint in ...

Welcome to Wisconsin

Menomonie rest stops get a makeover, become official

$100k Added to Business and Entrepreneur fund

It looks like businesses and eager entrepreneurs in the Chippewa Valley could be getting a boost soon thanks to a recent grant of $100,000 from Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation. The money was awarded to Innovation Foundation of Western ...

Nice Threads

Good & Sturdy Vintage opens doors on Water St.

RCU Officially Abandons Plans for Second Building

Plans had been in the works for more than a decade to build a second downtown office for RCU, but they have now been slashed. The decision was made earlier this year because it was determined that the current downtown building will be ample for ...

Moving Up?

JAMF Software looking to build on N. Barstow lot

New Upscale Eatery Moving Forward

We told you in early November about the local group of entrepreneurs looking to open a small, chef-driven, farm-to-table, community-supported restaurant in Eau Claire. After their first meeting for potential backers was held in the ...

Shortcuts | Nov. 29, 2012

condensed local news about civic and cultural goings-on

Thanks for Asking | Nov. 29, 2012

our local Jack-of-all-Facts tells you how it is

Time Has Come Today

Chippewa Valley Timebank opens shop

Parading Around in the Snow

Eau Claire joins Chippewa Falls and Menomonie with a new winter parade

City Conservation Effort May Result in Changes to Your Water Billings

Eau Claire is exploring “conservation” rates for water use. City water utility users will see a regular rate increase next year, but the city could make significant changes to its billing in the future to encourage conservation of the natural ...

Eau Claire School District Eyes Up Lutheran School

Eau Claire school district officials are showing interest in the former Eau Claire Lutheran School as a location to house the district’s early learning programs. The Eau Claire school board has yet to determine whether to move ahead with the ...

An A+ Educator

local art teacher wins award from statewide organization

Shortcuts | Nov. 1, 2012

condensed local news about civic and cultural goings-on

Sculpture Tour People's Choice Award Announced

Remember those awesome sculptures that cropped up all over Eau Claire this year? Well, after a summer of voting, we have a winner. The victor of the second-annual Sculpture Tour Eau Claire People’s Choice Award is…“The Blind Spot,” a whimsical ...

Area Schools Make the Grade in State Testing

Wondering how your alma mater is doing, or the school your kids attend? The Preliminary School Report Cards from the Department of Public Instruction have been released. The reports focus on priority areas such as reading achievement, math and ...

Mob Patronage

a new funding model for the arts comes to Eau Claire

Shortcuts | Oct. 18, 2012

condensed local news about civic and cultural goings-on

Check Out the Approved Plans for Owen Park

Owen Park is officially getting a facelift after City Council approved a plan at their Oct. 9 meeting. The changes were prompted by the DNR, which directed Xcel Energy to remove contaminated soil from the park that was left after a gas plant ...

Empowering the People

Clear Vision Eau Claire’s Empowerment Summit aims to boost engagement

Fall Color Coming Early to Wisconsin

Good news, leaf fans. Eau Claire County is currently amongst the most autumn-esque counties in all of Wisconsin – with an estimated Go Look at the Awesome Trees Cuz It Only Gets Browner from Here Time (our phrase, not theirs) around the third week...

Interview with the New Guy

chatting with Eau Claire’s next city manager, Russ Van Gompel

Altoona Wants Your Input on River Prairie Drive

The City of Altoona wants your opinion on a future development. Following in the footsteps of Eau Claire’s Confluence meetings earlier this year, Altoona hopes to gather citizen input on how to develop their newest blank slate, River Prairie’s ...

Thanks for Asking | Sept. 6, 2012

our local Jack-of-all-Facts tells you how it is

Round Two

redevelopers turn eyes to downtown Menomonie’s Leevers Foods site (again)

Shortcuts | August 23, 2012

condensed local news about civic and cultural goings-on

Area Support Group Focuses on Meeting Needs of Latino Community

El Centro de Conexión of the Chippewa Valley is gaining prominence as the area’s Latino resource center, having hosted family nights (for mingling and improving Spanish), parties, and holiday celebrations throughout the past year. El Centro de ...

What to Do about Owen

park's soil contamination may have silver lining

Developments likely for both Chippewa Falls, Menomonie downtowns?

Downtown development in Chippewa Falls could start as soon as spring 2013. After first proposing their project to the city in 2007, engineer firm Short Elliott Hendrickson is finally seeing some action. The City Council voted in favor of working ...

Thanks for Asking | August 9, 2012

our local Jack-of-all-Facts tells you how it is

How's Business?

the shifting roster of Eau Claire's downtown shops

Developments Likely for Chippewa Falls, Menomonie Downtowns

Downtown development in Chippewa Falls could start as soon as spring 2013. After first proposing their project to the city in 2007, engineer firm Short Elliott Hendrickson is finally seeing some action. The City Council voted in favor of ...

Sixty-four Years New

Beatles memorabilia shop opens in downtown EC

Glimpse | Speaker to Address Reducing Prison Population

On August 5, the Unitarian Universalist Congregation, partnering with JONAH (Joining our Neighbors Advancing Hope), will host a special summer service advocating for Wisconsin’s 11x15 campaign. (11x15 describes the dimensions of a jail cell in ...

Shortcuts | July 26, 2012

condensed local news about civic and cultural goings-on

Questioning the Locals | Tina Parker

getting to know your neighbors

Tracking the Tea Party

local a/v company takes a ride with the Tea Party

Thanks for Asking | July 12, 2012

our local Jack-of-all-Facts tells you how it is

Bastille Day Comes to Eau Claire

The Story Behind 'Your Life Matters'

a positive picketer spreads his message on city streets

Shortcuts | June 28, 2012

Lake Hallie chiropractors Kevin Schultz and Drew Kaminski will travel to London this summer for the 2012 Summer Olympics to work with United States contestants participating in Greco-Roman style wrestling. Schultz and Kaminski will give athletes ...

The Power of 10

breaking down city planning to one number

Glimpse | New ECRAC Tradition Honors Artists, Supporters of the Arts

The Eau Claire Regional Arts Center held their annual Jubilee event and started a new tradition, giving three annual awards to recognize those who make art possible, both the artists and those who support their endeavors. They also awarded ...

Thanks for Asking | June 14, 2012

our local Jack-of-all-Facts tells you how it is

Shortcuts | June 14, 2012

condensed local news about civic and cultural goings-on

Questioning the Locals | Maria Van Hoorn

getting to know our neighbors

Growing Hope

program teaches inmates how to grow their own grub

Confluence Project: Bites & Buzz

staying on top of the latest details of EC’s largest development ever

Showing the Glow

local webcast talk show about whimsy and joy

Charly's Market

downtown Eau Claire finally gets its grocery

Downtown Eau Claire Wants to Give You Money

When you’re wandering in downtown, what is your destination? Maybe you’re grocery shopping at Just Local Food, getting a massage at Body Focus or perhaps you’re more likely to be caught chowing down on a sandwich ...

Hammerin' Hank

city soon to celebrate the 60 year anniversary of Aaron’s time in Eau Claire

Glimpse | Downtown Streets Going Both Ways

After a year of discussion and a final approval, the city of Eau Claire will officially switch Barstow Street and Graham Avenue to two-way in August. The construction season for downtown ...