Shortcuts | July 9, 2009

V1 Staff |

COUNTY HAS TOUGH ROAD AHEAD AFTER CITY TURNS DOWN JAIL
     Opponents of the downtown jail site celebrated a narrow success on June 23, as the Eau Claire City Council voted down the county’s proposal 6-5. Leading the rejoicing were the Citizens for Accountable Jail Expansion, who have worked toward defeating the proposal for more than a year. City council members cited the lack of different proposals and the reluctance of the county officials to share information as major deterrents in voting against the expansion. With the defeat of the present plan, both city and county officials now face another one to two years of analyzing various potential jail sites and the proposal of moving both the jail and courthouse to a different location. Shortly after the decision, WEAU reported that the county is now accountable for $2 million dollars of real estate it foolishly purchased without a contingency plan based on the city actually allowing the rezoning.

WHIPMASTER CRACKS YET ANOTHER WORLD RECORD
     You may remember our story about master whipcracker Adam Winrich from a few issues back, or you’ve seen the awesome video on our website (and if you haven’t, you should). Well, anyway, he has broken yet another whipcrack record. During The Stones Throw’s Carnivalé of Deviance and Debauchery on June 20, Winrich reclaimed the record for most bullwhip cracks in a minute. He previously held the title for 253 cracks, but nearby rival Robert Dante (of Minneapolis) notched 254. Not to be outdone, Winrich filmed the affair and snapped off 257 cracks for his seventh world record. He awaits verification from Guinness.

LOCAL PIANIST JIM RADLOFF HONORED WITH RAGTIME AWARD
     Eau Claire’s Jim Radloff was recently the recipient of the Outstanding Achievement Award from the Scott Joplin International Ragtime Foundation. Created in 1989, the award recognizes a school, performer, or enthusiast each year, and Radloff is more than deserving of it. Radloff began playing piano as a toddler, and is the founder of both Eau Claire’s Ragtime Festival and the Chippewa Valley Ragtime Society. In the nine years since the festival’s inception, it has raised $81,700 for local charities. In addition to the prolific touring, two albums, and masterful musicianship Radloff has claim to, he is always sure to show his support and attend local events. You’ve likely seen him in his signature vest, bow tie, and straw hat playing the State Theatre lobby before shows.