Nothing says “Happy Birthday, U.S.A.” like a good-ol’ patriotic baseball game. The Eau Claire Express Game on the Fourth of July brought exactly that to the field. The Silver Mine Invitational invites ski jumpers from around the globe to support the ski tradition within the Chippewa Valley. A fond event in Eau Claire hearts: the U.S. National Kubb Championship welcomed another new sport to the area. –Kelly Carlson