NEW ORLEANS SHAVED ICE STAND OPENS IN EAU CLAIRE
If you need a break from the warm weather, some Summer Snow might be just the relief you’re looking for. All the way from Louisiana, Summer Snow snowballs are a variation on what Wisconsinites might recognize as snowcones, but far fancier than the typical carnival treats as snowballs infuse syrups and creams into delicately shaved ice (instead of being poured over pellets). This shaved ice concoction comes in 61 flavors with memorable names such as Tiger’s Blood and Batman. Owners Aubrey and Mollie Hogan, recent college graduates from Louisiana who worked at a stand while in school, just relocated to Eau Claire and brought the Southern tradition with them. They held their grand opening on Memorial Day weekend and business has been booming as Chippewa Vallians have been lining up to get a taste. Summer Snow is located in a bright yellow stand in the parking lot near Harbor Freight Tools at 2615 London Road.

NEW CITY BUS ART EXHIBITION TO OFFER A MOBILE GALLERY
In the past five years, riding the city bus has turned from a passive method of transportation to an active way to participate in local art thanks to Paula Gorski. In 2005, Gorski established “Art on the Bus” to feature unique local art in seven city buses. These exhibits have included elementary students’ artwork, local photography, and historic photos from the Chippewa Valley Museum. In February 2011, Gorski will launch her next exhibit titled, “Before the Frost.” This exhibit will feature photographs of gardens in the Chippewa Valley. “I thought it would be very nice to see images of gardens in the dead of winter,” Gorski explains. The photo show will run until September 2011, and to get your images considered see details on page 51.

FIELD TRIP FUNDRAISER: MISSION ACCOMPLISHED
When the Eau Claire school board cut $70,000 in field trip funding due to budget difficulties, the Eau Claire United PTA/PTO set out on a mission to raise that money back. The campaign, “Funding Fieldtrips for Life-Long Learning,” has officially accomplished its goal with donations from area businesses, both big and small, as well as community members who were happy to contribute. Aside from raising the cash, the campaign also served as a message to the school board, which, in response to the fundraiser, voted to consider providing $20,000 to future trips that are closely tied to school curriculum.