Shortcuts | April 19, 2012

condensed local news about civic and cultural goings-on

V1 Staff |

SACRED HEART IS TAKING ON A NEWER LOOK

Sacred Heart Hospital is getting a major upgrade to its exterior to the tune of $20 million. The three-year undertaking includes replacing the windows, framing, and colored panels that have been there since 1964. It also includes heating and cooling adjustments that place more control in the hands of patients and temperatures in their individual rooms. Construction recently began for the project, and you’ll begin to see it slowly shift to be light gray and blue in color. It’s planned for completion in 2015, and is not expected to alter the services the hospital offers its patients.

ALTOONA TEENS GOING TO MADISON WITH HOLOCAUST DOC

Over the last couple months, eight Altoona middle schoolers have been working on art displays, exhibits, and in one case a documentary! – all about the Holocaust. The students, who were part of an Altoona Middle School Independent Study Club, broke off into pairs to create four separate projects, which aired at UW-Eau Claire as part of a regional competition for National History Day. The documentary, by Isaac Nichols and Brendan Grey, won first prize. So now their film, A Good Example of a Bad Example: Josef Mengele, will air in Madison at the statewide competition in Madison on May 5.

IDEA CHALLENGE EXTENDED: GOOD IDEAS MEAN MONEY

Do you have an idea for a new business, but need financial help to get started? The Idea Challenge, a project started in 2007 by the Eau Claire Area Economic Development Corporation, is now accepting applications for its 2012 contest. The challenge was created to promote entrepreneurial spirit and innovation in the Chippewa Valley. Winners of the Idea Challenge are awarded cash prizes and are offered extra support to get their business venture off the ground. Five winners are chosen out of all the applicants and those five will each receive $500. As the contest advances, these five entrepreneurs will have a chance to win up to $6,000 in additional cash prizes to use for their business idea. The application deadline is October 12, but applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.