Halloween Dreams

if you’re gonna scare, you might as well scare big

Thu. Oct. 18th, 2018  |  Mike Paulus, illustrated by Michelle Roberts

Let’s hear it for the good people of the Chippewa Valley going all out on Halloween decorations. I raise my cauldron of foggy potion to you, good sirs and madams, for you are out there frighting the good fright ...

Childhood Halloween

Thu. Oct. 18th, 2018  |  Thomas Smith

The sexy, the transgressive, the political // costumes are well and good, but nothing // can bring back our childhood Halloweens, // no matter how many plastic gravestones ...

I Dream of Japanese Toilets

For some, hitting midlife means buying a sports car. One writer seeks a more private luxury.

Thu. Oct. 18th, 2018  |  Caroline Akervik

For my 50th birthday, I want a Japanese toilet. Having researched the options, the toilet of my dreams is of the “washlet” variety. According to Wikipedia, a washlet toilets “include many advanced features ...

Making Menomonie Laugh

Last Comic finalist Erin Jackson headlines the Mabel

Thu. Oct. 18th, 2018  |  Abby Norton

Once known for performances at local universities and comedy clubs on the East Coast, Erin Jackson has quite a made a name for herself at comedy clubs and theaters all over the U.S. ...

Opening the Center

The Center marks fifth anniversary with open house

Thu. Oct. 18th, 2018  |  Abby Norton

As construction season ends and winter approaches, you may find yourself stuck in something of a personal rut. Maybe your back-to-college excitement has worn off or the seemingly endless stream of overcast ...

The First Rule of Fright Club ...

wrestling + comedy = Halloweekend madness

Thu. Oct. 18th, 2018  |  Broc Seigneurie

At first glance, the worlds of stand-up comedy and professional wrestling may not appear to have much in common. Comedy gives the audience sharp wit and observation, while wrestling is built on theatrics and physical skill. But what both art forms do offer is unfettered entertainment ...

New River Prairie Eatery Offers Latitude

44 North aims to offer a complete dining experience

Thu. Oct. 18th, 2018  |  Emilee Wentland, photos by Andrea Paulseth

44 North, a recently opened gastropub in River Prairie, is looking to change up how people dine. The 12,000-square-foot building in Altoona has a gaming and sports bar area on the lower level called Vs. (pronounced “versus”), whereas the upper level ...

Around the World in a Single Theater

Eau Claire World Film Festival returns for second year

Thu. Oct. 18th, 2018  |  Abby Norton

The Eau Claire World Film Festival is back for its second year and is once again vowing to take viewers “Around the World in a Weekend.” Taking place on Oct. 19 and 20 at Micon Downtown Cinema, 315 S. Barstow St., this year’s festival will feature shorts such as Ice Dwellers, where ...

Return to Laramie

UWEC stages documentary-style play about Matthew Shephard’s murder

Thu. Oct. 18th, 2018  |  Tom Giffey, photos by Andrea Paulseth

Matthew Shephard has been a martyr for almost as long as he was a living person. Shephard, a 21-year-old college student, was viciously beaten, robbed, and left to die tied to a fence outside Laramie ...

Board & Brush Whips up Wood-Painted Signs

Thu. Oct. 18th, 2018  |  by Rayna DeJongh

new creative studio has opened in Eau Claire. Board & Brush, 1402 S. Hastings Way, offers a variety of arts and crafts activities for anyone seeking a creative outlet or great gift. Board & Brush hosts wood sign-making ...

Fifteen and Change

young adult novel in verse tackles fair wages

Thu. Oct. 18th, 2018  |  Cassandra Kyser, photos by Andrea Paulseth

Writing under the pen name Max Howard, Emily Anderson of Eau Claire released a novel in verse, Fifteen and Change, on Oct. 1. Published by West 44 Books, the novel is part of a “hi-lo” book series: high ...

Book Fest Q&A: Nickolas Butler

noted local author to give taste of his latest at UW-Stout

Wed. Oct. 17th, 2018  |  V1 Staff, photos by Luong Huynh

While it draws authors from all over the United States, one of the strengths of the Chippewa Valley Book Festival is it’s ability to spotlight some of the talented scribes who live in our own backyard ...

Chippewa Valley Concert Band Celebrates 25th Season

Wed. Oct. 17th, 2018  |  Abby Norton

As holiday season nears, you may find yourself with Thanksgiving or even Christmas on the brain. If you’re looking for something to daydream about other than Mom’s cooking or tacky (endearing?) decorations, perhaps music is what you’re missing. Members of the Chippewa Valley Concert Band ...

The Unseen Faces of 'Forward'

Eau Claire native hopes to draw national attention to the Wisconsin music scene

Wed. Oct. 17th, 2018  |  by Rayna DeJongh

If Spencer Wells is passionate about anything, it’s printed media and Wisconsin-based musicians. Growing up in Eau Claire, Wells found himself admiring the diverse sound of local musicians ...

Wayward’s Friends 2 Bops With the Best

Wed. Oct. 17th, 2018  |  by Rayna DeJongh

Local hip-hop group WayWard has released its long-awaited second album, Friends 2. Consisting of two longtime pillars of the Chippewa Valley hip-hop scene – Fathom and Mr. Pizzy – along with DJ BluePauly2 ...

Heavenly Endeavor

Wealthy Relative’s new record, visuals come in their own video game

Wed. Oct. 17th, 2018  |  Eric Christenson

The list of Dan Forke’s artistic endeavors is, to put it simply … big. For one facet, the Eau Claire native has been steadily making thoughtful, trippy, and forward-thinking hip hop music as Wealthy Relative for the better part of a decade ...

Music Quick Hits |October 2018

Wed. Oct. 17th, 2018  |  Eric Christenson

S. Carey recently dropped a cool mini-documentary shot over the days leading up to his latest tour for his album Hundred Acres. The film, which was shot and edited by filmmaker Peter Eaton, shows the band rehearsing and hanging ...

Werthmann Seeks Top City Council Post

Wed. Oct. 17th, 2018  |  Tom Giffey

Andrew Werthmann would like to drop the word “acting” from his title: He wants to be elected president of the Eau Claire City Council in his own right next April. Werthmann, vice president of the Eau Claire City Council ...

Welcome Thoughts

new organization encourages residents to connect with newcomers

Wed. Oct. 17th, 2018  |  Tori Johnson

Moving happens. Whether prompted by a career, spontaneity, or the desire for a fresh start, you may someday find yourself living in a strange new place. Many people are moving into our community ...

Big Ideas for Downtown

three developers include new children’s museum in their plans for Block 7

Wed. Oct. 17th, 2018  |  Tom Giffey, photos by Andrea Paulseth

Developers have stepped forward with proposals for a pair of downtown Eau Claire lots that have remained undeveloped as new apartments, office buildings, and a parking ramp have risen ...

The Weather Outside Is Frightful

in the Chippewa Valley, Halloween can sometimes look a lot like Christmas

Wed. Oct. 17th, 2018  |  Jim Jeffries

Last Oct. 31 marked the day that I had spent more of my life in Wisconsin than in Indiana. The date seems appropriate since my interview in the summer was a total treat. I went from the soupy, boiling ...

Opening Shot | Oct.17, 2018

Wed. Oct. 17th, 2018  |  photos by Luong Huynh

HOO THINKS WE SHOULD JUST WING IT? Northern Saw-whet Owl migration is underway and the Beaver Creek Bird Banders are once again opening the banding station at Beaver Creek Reserve, allowing you to see the charismatic night flyers ...

On the Cover | Oct. 17, 2018

learn more about this week's cover art from Jeremy Borchert

Wed. Oct. 17th, 2018

My mission as an artist is to create work that inspires a need for adventure. For me, the best thing about creating is drawing characters, vehicles, armors, and weapons that bring new worlds to life ..."

Don’t Be Afraid of Being ‘Old’

research finds that people who have a positive perception of aging live longer

Tue. Oct. 16th, 2018  |  Leslie Fijalkiewicz

A few weeks ago my friend Chuck was bemoaning the fact that he was having his 60th birthday. He talked about “being old” and “feeling old” as though he had no control over what was happening to him ...

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