Berating Skating

(I don’t care how quintessential it is)

Fri. Feb. 21st, 2020  |  Mike Paulus, illustrated by Shannon Sorenson

No, dammit – I can’t skate. Not on wheels and not on ice. And besides a brief stint as a hardcore thrasher back in the fourth grade, I can’t even ride a ...

An Illiminating Upgrade

Eau Claire Ski Striders fund new trail lights at Tower Ridge

Fri. Feb. 21st, 2020  |  Olivia Kroner

This winter, members of the Eau Claire community are seeing cross-country skiing in a whole new light – literally. Thanks to $32,000 raised in donations by the Eau Claire Ski Striders, and a matching grant from ...

The Cold Can’t Hold Us Back

Altoona’s Frosty Fun Series draws community outside

Fri. Feb. 21st, 2020  |  Lauren Fisher

Altoona’s Frosty Fun series of winter events is underway, inviting locals to don their warmest coats and make the most of the opportunities winter offers. In partnership with the ...

A Family Affair

new cheesecake-based dessert biz in Chippewa Falls

Fri. Feb. 21st, 2020  |  Briana Novacek, photos by Andrea Paulseth

Cheesecake is amazing, agreed? And who doesn’t like cupcakes? Imagine those two wonderful things entering your mouth as one amazing culinary creation. That’s right, cheesecake cupcakes. Chippewa Falls has a ...

Priory Writers’ Retreat Offers Focus on Craft

Fri. Feb. 21st, 2020  |  V1 Staff

The Chippewa Valley Writers Guild is inviting writers to its second-annual Priory Writers’ Retreat, which will be June 25-28 at The Priory, a former monastery just outside Eau Claire. The retreat gives writers the opportunity to learn from each other and from seasoned instructors while enjoying ...

The Stage Is Set

Evan Middlesworth talks vision as he starts programming the Pablo

Fri. Feb. 21st, 2020  |  Eric Christenson, photos by Lee Butterworth

After a national search with over 45 applicants, the Pablo Center at the Confluence found its new director of artistic programming right here at home. Evan Middlesworth now takes on ...

Freaky Fast: Student, gym teacher bond over love for racing

Thu. Feb. 20th, 2020  |  Tom Giffey, photos by Andrea Paulseth

Dylan Snyder is freaky fast. The Eau Claire second-grader demonstrated that during a recent ...

Time for a Hullabaloo!

the Valley’s coolest kids event is back for another day of family-centric fun

Thu. Feb. 20th, 2020  |  V1 Staff, photos by Andrea Paulseth

The Great Big Hullabaloo will return with another dynamic day of kid-centric and family-focused fun on Saturday, May 30, at the Pablo Center at the Confluence in Eau Claire. Expect an ...

City Joins Sonnentag Project

hurdles remain for plan to expand arena’s size

Thu. Feb. 20th, 2020  |  Tom Giffey

The Eau Claire City Council has voted unanimously to take part in a university-led project to build a major event center on Menomonie Street, but numerous steps are ...

On and Off the Wall: New gallery at Racy’s features casual art talks

Thu. Feb. 20th, 2020  |  Eric Christenson

Since its conception in 2017, Artfly has had one tangible and lucid goal: to bring art to the people. With pop-up galleries all around the Valley in ...

Rockin’ Reunion: Decadent Cabaret keeps 41st annual music festival alive despite Metro fire

Thu. Feb. 20th, 2020  |  Andrew Patrie

It has been three years since Decadent Cabaret, about to celebrate its 41st incarnation, shifted locales from the House of Rock to The Metro. And while the event was always ...

Historic and Homey

Durand Brewing Co. offers classic taps, relaxed setting

Thu. Feb. 20th, 2020  |  Danielle Zinsli

Walking into Durand Brewing Company feels a lot like walking into your neighbor’s garage. Except this joint has more than just Busch Light. When people inevitably seek it out, they have plenty of ...

Neighbors Can Speak Out on New Boyd Park Plan

Thu. Feb. 20th, 2020  |  Tom Giffey

Want to offer your thoughts about the proposed redesign of Boyd Park? A public input session will be held at 6:30pm Thursday, March 5, at Spirit Lutheran Church, 1310 Main St. The gathering will be hosted by ...

Folksy Fun: Festival invites hands-on appreciation of local craft

Thu. Feb. 20th, 2020  |  Diana Peterson, photos by Andrea Paulseth

Folk arts are rooted in and reflective of the cultural life of a community. These artistic traditions are passed from generation to generation through demonstration, dialogue, and ...

Survival Story

Minneapolis-based Eau Claire grad explores Hmong experience on film

Thu. Feb. 20th, 2020  |  Lauren Fisher

From a cinematic perspective, Minneapolis-based filmmaker Bryan Vue found that Gran Torino, the 2008 Clint Eastwood and Bee Vang film in which ...

What Will I Do?

Wed. Feb. 12th, 2020  |  David Mell

What will I do when you leave me, // when the candle I read by’s put out?

Pablo Center Show Features All Women Artists, Speakers

Fri. Feb. 7th, 2020  |  Eric Christenson

Songwriter Jerrika Mighelle has been makin’ tunes in the Valley for many, many years now – first with her sisters in the folk group QuinnElizabeth, and now solo with ...

A McCurdy Good Time

touring cabaret singer returns for Valentine’s show

Fri. Feb. 7th, 2020  |  V1 Staff

Pat McCurdy is a touring cabaret singer/songwriter from Milwaukee. His shows usually consist of just him and his guitar and include improvised interaction with ...

Green Thumbs & Better Homes

Home & Garden Show will stoke your fix-it-up dreams

Fri. Feb. 7th, 2020  |  V1 Staff

If it’s time to spruce up your yard, plant the seeds, and start a home project, then the Chippewa Valley Home Builders Association is here to help. Back for its 42nd year, the annual Home & Garden Show features more than ...

The Dark Side of Winter

how loving winter means accepting the gritty parts

Fri. Feb. 7th, 2020  |  Mike Paulus, illustrated by Shannon Sorenson

Let’s get one thing straight, Chuck. I like winter. I like winter a lot. And I think all you Wisconsinites out there who complain about the snow and the cold and the ...

Here & There

Thu. Feb. 6th, 2020  |  V1 Staff