Volume One Contributors

writers, photographers, artists

Eric Koeppel

author

Content By This Contributor:

Stream On: Crazy interactive river map

Eric Koeppel

The Department of the Interior recently released Streamer, a nifty online tool for tracing streams and rivers in the U.S. The tool allows users to locate the sources of streams and find out where they go. Pretty cool, huh?

An inside look at Justin Vernon's April Base recording studio

Eric Koeppel

“I think this is my favorite place to be to make music,” says one of the three members of the British folk group The Staves in a video documenting the recording of their new album at April Base Studios. The mini-documentary provides not ...

Wisconsin is still feta than you at cheese

Eric Koeppel

Cue "We Are The Champions" and roll out the cheese wheel because according to a post from the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation, Wisconsin is still the nation's largest cheese producer. The USDA's 2013 Dairy Products Summary shows that Wisconsin ...

We been spendin' most our lives living in a nerdster paradise

Eric Koeppel

The Estately Blog recently put together a ranking of the nation's nerdiest states by analyzing data from Facebook users. In order to find out which states have the most "nerds per capita," they developed a list of nerdy subjects such as ...

"Fartpacks" turn bovine barn burners into energy

Eric Koeppel

What's sometimes silent, somewhat deadly and totally bad for the environment (hint: they're a major component of fresh Wisconsin air)? Yup, you guessed it … cow farts.

Yes, there really is a Wisconsin Grilled Cheese Championship

Eric Koeppel

It's true, and you can read all about it right here. This is third year for the competition in which "amateurs and professionals compete in 4 'heats' to determine the best grilled cheese sandwiches in Wisconsin."

Six Degrees of Justin Vernon

Eric Koeppel

Well, the Confluence Project votes are over, so you know what that means … we can get back to 24/7 Justin Vernon coverage.

Local kubb pro to hold 36-hour “kubbathon” for the Confluence

Eric Koeppel

Anyone who knows Aaron Ellringer knows that he is serious about Kubb. As a 2010 US National Kubb Tournament Champion, he has won multiple trophies in the sport and has even designed his own brand of Kubb sets, which can be purchased here ...

Eau Claire native launches Kickstarter for inspiring documentary

Eric Koeppel

The Indie Machines are a filmmaking duo comprised of former Eau Clairean Justin Johnson and California native Erik Beck. The pair co-created the online DIY filmmaking network Indy Mogul, as well as over 300 short films to date ...

A Wisco-tourism TV spot that surely can't be serious

Eric Koeppel

Three 30-second commercials for the Wisconsin Department of Tourism featuring key figures from the 1980 comedy classic "Airplane!" premiered on March 3 at the Wisconsin Governor's Conference on Tourism.

Stoutonia blows out 99 candles

Eric Koeppel

March 17 marks the beginning of Stoutonia's 100th year in publication. UW-Stout's student-run news source began as a classroom project in 1915, back when the school was called the Stout Institute, and it quickly grew into a public platform for ...

"Ghostbusters" call on UW–Stout professor for new comic

Eric Koeppel

When you need an artist, who can draw real good, who ya gonna call? Erik Evensen! Last fall, UW–Stout art and design professor Erik Evensen received a call from “Ghostbusters,” and being a big fan of the classic 1984 comedy, he couldn’t refuse ...

Be Cool and Fight Obesity ... With Shivering

Eric Koeppel

For some, there’s nothing better than escaping the frigid, sometimes sub-zero temperatures of the Wisconsin winter and cranking the thermostat to a cozy 70 degrees. But have you ever considered the health benefits of keeping ...

Ask a Local Musician: Ian Jacoby

Eric Koeppel, photos by Andrea Paulseth

Here's the next in a series of interviews we did with some of the Chippewa Valley’s longtime musicians regarding the local music scene, what they like about it, and what we fans can do to improve it. This week’s interview features Ian Jacoby ...

Ask a Local Musician: Adrian Klenz

Eric Koeppel

Here's the first in a series of interviews we did with some of the Chippewa Valley’s longtime musicians regarding the local music scene, what they like about it, and what we fans can do to improve it. This week’s interview features Adrian Klenz ...

Wisconsin pug 'Wrecking Ball' costume could snag owner $25,000

Eric Koeppel

Look out Willem Dafoe, Gene Wilder and Steve Miller: there’s been a new addition to the list of famous Wisconsinites, and she’s cuter than you’ll ever be! I’m talking of course about Tottie, the Madison-based pug whose costume ...

The leaves. They are a-changin'. Early.

Eric Koeppel, photos by Andrea Paulseth

If a tree gets stressed out from over a year of unusual weather patterns and no one is around to hear it does it make a sound? No, of course not, but its leaves do start to change earlier than normal according to this WPR article.

The Ramada Saga Continues

Eric Koeppel

Don’t worry, you’re not trapped in some sort of Groundhog Day style time loop; the Ramada on S. Barstow St. really is up for sale again already. If you missed our last post about the downtown hotel, allow me to catch you up to speed. The former ...

A heartbreaking local 'Missed Connection'

Eric Koeppel

It’s not every day that you find a touching, heart-felt post on Eau Claire’s Missed Connections Craigslist page, but a post from Wednesday (August 14) about a woman and her canine in Phoenix Park is one worth reading.

Wisconsin legislators propose crowdfunding bill

Eric Koeppel

On Tuesday three state legislators unveiled a proposed crowdfunding bill that will make selling shares to investors online easier and more effective for Wisconsin businesses, according to this article from The Business Journal ...

Pro Tips: Local Study Nooks

By UWEC expert studier Emily Albrent and Stout expert studier Eric Koeppel

Emily Albrent, Eric Koeppel

The Hibbard Hall Penthouse: Usually it’s pretty chill to just plant yourself here for a couple of hours, but who knows, rules change all the time. You might have to get ...

Biesterveld Album Features Ensemble Cast

Eric Koeppel

Over the past few months Eau Claire-based musician Jim Ulwelling has been recording This Old Town, a compilation of his folk-rock tunes from his B Squat Woody and the Bicycle Kids days back in the ’90s. The solo project, which he ...

13 years of Wisconsin fish frys

Eric Koeppel

What’s better than a good old Wisconsin fish fry? Nothing. There is literally nothing better than stuffing grilled whitefish, tartar sauce, fries, and coleslaw into your belly on a Friday night. And in the most recent edition of Wisconsin ...

Could a 'Community Supported Arts' initiative work here?

Eric Koeppel

A recent New York Times article discussed an interesting new spin on community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs and an organic alternative to commercial art galleries. CSAs allow consumers to receive food directly from local farmers through ...

Wistorical facts you probably didn’t know

Eric Koeppel

Scrambling for some end of summer sightseeing destination ideas? Well, scramble no more fellow Wisconsinites. This list of “10 Things We Bet You Didn’t Know About Wisconsin” posted on TravelWisconsin.com provides travel suggestions o’ plenty, not...

Local Pumpkin Seed Oil Barons featured on Huffington Post

Eric Koeppel

Food Informants, a Huffington Post series that follows a week in the life of “fascinating people in the food world” recently featured Northwest Wisconsin’s own Jay Gilbertson and Ken Seguine … take a look!

A Frosty Glass of Victory

Eric Koeppel

Over 2,500 beers were submitted by breweries and home-brewers world wide to this year’s U.S. Open Beer Championship. And after long hours of drinking, discussing, and probably some karaoke, the judges have announced this year’s list of the ...

Blind Boys of ... Wisconsin?

Eric Koeppel

Well, the forth-coming Volcano Choir album (due September third) is not the only thing Justin Vernon fans have to look forward to this fall. Vernon recently took a seat in the producer’s chair at his April Base studio for the recording of the new ...

Wisconsin ranked 47th in arts spending

Eric Koeppel

According to the State Art Agency Legislative Appropriations Preview, Fiscal Year 2014 from the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies (NASAA), Wisconsin is ranked 47th in the nation in per capita support of its state arts agency ...

You know you're from Eau Claire when ...

Eric Koeppel

Hey you, remember eating at Taco Island? Or the way Leinies cans looked back in the 70’s? Or swimming down at the Otter Creek swimming hole?

Blue Moon, exposed

Eric Koeppel

Any Wisconsinite will tell you that Blue Moon ice cream is a staple in the world of frozen dairy treats. But where does it come from? And how is it made? Ice cream scholars have spent decades searching for answers, but this intriguing article on Whoo

Bon Iver tune best song about Wisconsin?

Eric Koeppel

Esquire recently posted a list of “The Best Songs About the 50 States,” a handpicked compilation of anthems for each of the 50 states. And guess what the pick for Wisconsin was? Darn right, it’s “Minnesota, WI” by Eau Claire’s own Bon Iver.

Eau Claire Coalition Assemble!

Eric Koeppel

How does a comic book about four superheroes based on each of the primary downtown Eau Claire districts sound? You’re right; it does sound fantastic! And Gnome City Productions, a new enterprise started by Eli Bremer, is trying to make it happen ...

Eau Claire Transit on a Roll

bus system moving into future with new efforts

Eric Koeppel, photos by Andrea Paulseth

The folks who run the public buses around town are wasting no time in modernizing their services, rolling out several new initiatives and marketing strategies meant to add a little flair to your ride and ease your commute. An ambassador program ...

Eau Claire ranked 92nd smartest city in America?

Eric Koeppel

From “most holiday spirit” to “best cities for cheapskates” it seems like Eau Claire has been in a lot of lists lately, hasn’t it? Well, here’s another one. Using their online brain-performance program, Lumosity, Lumos Labs conducted a study to ...

Eau Claire bashed on podcast

Eric Koeppel

That’s right; check out this Facebook post from The State Theatre, who hosted insult comic Lisa Lampanelli’s show earlier this month … “Lisa Lampanelli hates Eau Claire … but she cashed the check, so at least she likes our money!"

Moooving On Up

Wisconsin Public TV likes local cooking show

Eric Koeppel

Gather the family ’round the tube and break out the cheese curds because Around the Farm Table is coming to Wisconsin Public Television. That’s right, ATFT, which started as a Web series that takes place on a local organic dairy farm ...

Bad news for Hollywisco

Eric Koeppel

That’s right, this week the Legislative Joint Finance Committee voted to eliminate Wisconsin’s Film Production Services and Investment Credit. Got that? Good. The tax credit was originally put in place to benefit the statewide film, commercial ...

Local artist scores Threadless t-shirt design win

Eric Koeppel

Threadless, a community-based apparel website, recently ended a bike-themed design contest to benefit the World Bicycle Relief organization. And after 84,052 votes on the 272 submitted designs, the winner is (dun-da-da-dunnn) the ...

Madison's Thong Cape Scooter Man

Eric Koeppel

Yes, you read the title correctly. And no, unfortunately Thong Cape Scooter Man is not just some rejected Marvel Comics superhero. In fact, TCSM is an actual guy who lives an apparently very comfortable lifestyle scooting around our state capital. 

Islands of Sconnie dialect

Eric Koeppel

Have you ever referred to the night before Halloween as “Devil’s Night,” called drive-through liquor stores “brew thrus,” or ordered a “hoagie” at your local sub shop?  If so, you must not be from Wisconsin. 

Wisco Histo you can't resist, yo!

Eric Koeppel

Ever wonder what hairstyles Wisconsinites were sporting in the 1920s? Or what Colfax looked like after the tornado of ’58? Take a look at this Wisconsin historical blog to peruse old photos, maps ...

A Grand Day to Bike

4th annual Nature Valley Grand Prix zips into Menomonie

Eric Koeppel, photos by Leah Dunbar

The annual Nature Valley Grand Prix will take place in Menomonie for the fourth time on Saturday, June 15, between 9am and 5pm.

No laughing matter?

Eric Koeppel

Look out Simba, rumor has it that the hyenas are in town! The Irvine Park Zoo in Chippewa Falls added two hyenas to its summer line-up last week according to this Chippewa Herald article.