If nothing else, the past handful of years has proven that the Chippewa Valley is more than capable of making big things happen. But our civic to-do list still has plenty of items that remain unchecked. First is a national issue that has crept into the Valley: affordable housing. Lots of new housing is under construction, but little of it is available to community members of more modest financial means. Second is attracting Trader Joe’s, a national chain of organic grocery stores that has grown to legendary status in the eyes of local shoppers. Third is passenger rail service to other Midwest urban centers, an issue that we’ve discussed for decades. Maybe it’s time we all grab some sledgehammers and railroad ties and get to work on that track ourselves. –Eric Rasmussen