Meanwhile, outside the Chippewa Valley – this crap.

True Story: Danny Bonaduce Dons Local Pregnancy Suit

What started as a contest on Danny Bonaduce’s talk show ended up as a way for Eau Claire company RealityWorks to get their name out there. Bonaduce challenged Heidi Hamels, the wife of Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Cole Hamels, to a pitching contest. When he found out she was six months pregnant, Bonaduce said he wanted to use the Pregnancy Profile, a suit created by RealityWorks. The suit is meant to simulate weight gain, fetal movement, increased body temperature, shallowness of breath, and fetal limb pressure. This is not the first time a big-time show has shown interest RealityWorks’ products. Shows like The Doctors, Medium, and 90210 have used them, too. But this might be the most ridiculous one. Bonaduce ended up losing the competition and donated $1,000 to the Hamels Foundation. 

Pedestrian/Bicycle Bridge May Cross The Red Cedar

After a unanimous decision by the city council, Menomonie may be building a pedestrian and bicycle bridge over the Red Cedar River. According to the Leader-Telegram, the new bridge construction is part of the Interstate 94 bridge replacement projects set in 2013 and 2014. The ped and bike bridge would lie between the current vehicle bridges and rest about 10 feet above the river. As for the cost, the plan would require anywhere from $800,000 to $1 million. The high cost is tied to also connecting and renovating city trails that lead to the pedestrian bridge. Trails could possibly link from Wakanda park, or even from Dunn County’s Lake Menomin Park. Either way, it’s exciting. 

Video Game Aims To Make County Government Cool

A new online video game created by the National Association of Counties, in partnership with iCivics Inc., will teach students across the country about the basics of county government. The game, aptly named Counties Work, puts students in the role of a county official and forces them to make tough county decisions while working within a budget, answering citizen requests, and setting and raising revenues. The game’s goal is to promote student interest in the programs the counties provide, as well as to inspire students to be active participants in our democracy. 

School District To Close Eau Claire Lutheran School

Eau Claire Lutheran School will temporarily close its doors this upcoming school year. Epiphany Lutheran Church, the church that the school is attached to, is struggling to pay its mortgage and wants to sell the property to the Eau Claire School District, the Leader-Telegram recently reported. School officials are hopeful to get the school running again for the 2012-2013 school year and have been negotiating since July to get the Little Red School that closed in 2008. Principal Jane Jaenke said that school officials had hoped to get that building for the upcoming year, but lease negotiations didn’t move fast enough.  About 90 students attended Eau Claire Lutheran School this past year, but because of problems the school was facing, less than 40 students intended to go this coming year. 

Planet Walk Is Coming, Really

Eau Claire residents will soon be able to “walk among the planets,” in Phoenix Park. The Eau Claire Planet Walk may soon become a reality. Dr. Paul Thomas, a UW-Eau Claire professor, has been working to create a scale model of the solar system – a stellar walk that begins in Phoenix Park, makes its way along the Chip, then eventually concludes with “Pluto” on the UW-Eau Claire campus. What the creators of this venture are hoping to convey is the important link between the residents of Eau Claire and its college population. Thus far, various donors have contributed $19,000, but the project needs $5,000 more. It’s estimated that visitors will be able to “walk” the solar system by fall 2012. 

Menomonie 3M Will Expand

Governor Scott Walker announced on August 25 that 3M Company is eligible for up to $770,000 economic development tax credits allocated by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation. These tax credits would be used for an expansion project on its facility in Menomonie. The $28.4 million project involves purchasing new equipment, engineering and training, and expanding the existing building. It will create 25 full-time jobs. “The expansion of 3M will bring new high-quality job opportunities in the Menomonie area,” Governor Walker said. Operating in 65 countries, 3M are a diversified technology company with a presence in multiple business sectors.