Gambling for Another Good Book

if reading is addictive, then the public library is a pusher

Last summer I had this conversation with my daughter ...

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Can You Believe It's Magic?

summertime in Wisconsin is a season of many wonders

I know it’s summer – and not because some dumb calendar told me so. I know it’s summer because Wisconsin has passed through the rain of spring, softly enduring its time of blooming, emerging on the other side all lush and green. We’ve got lush for days up in here.

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On the Cover | June 28, 2017

learn more about V1's cover art from Marcella Edmund

“When I work with collaged images I have to allow them to influence the outcome. I arrange for hours, but only when I let go and walk away, and return later, do I see what to do. The hardest part is actually taking scissors to the antique images and cutting ..."

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Opening Shot | June 28, 2017

THE TRAILS ARE A LITTLE WET TODAY. Menomonie’s Wakanda Park Beach hosted the Lake Menomin WaterX June 24 and 25. The event saw drag races and oval races where competitors flew across the water on snowmobiles. Racers must go at least 30mph to stay afloat, but often reach 70 to 80mph.

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Music Quick Hits 2 | June 2017

We first met Sage Leary when he was a young 14-year-old songwriter doing his thing and pumping out blues-infused rock tunes with skill that well-surpassed his age ...

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Big Business' Big Summer

rap collective pops off a bunch of songs and a new artist showcase

It’s already been a big summer for local rapper Raymond Clayton a.k.a. Mistah, and he’s not slowing down one bit. In May, he dropped a powerful 7-track solo album called ...

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Take the Keys

Kurt Fischer takes his piano on a sonic journey

Kurt Fischer’s first album, Soundscapes, is the result of a 40-year relationship with the piano. Recorded entirely in Kurt’s home studio, the instrumental album features solo piano, synthesizers ...

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EGGciting Reading

egg book is perfect for readers with a surplus of eggs and a sense of humor

Egg lovers: rejoice, and egg layers: FLEE! Local yolkel Uncle Eggbert (alias: retired UW-Stout lecturer David Tank) has written a must-read cookbook for backyard chicken owners and protein enthusiasts in general. Uncle Eggbert’s Egg Book is a lighthearted collection of egg recipes ...

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Art in the Summertime

fabulous Stockholm Art Fair returns for year 44

The picturesque community of Stockholm will be celebrating its 44th annual Art Fair on July 15. More than 100 juried artists will be showing their work right on the banks of the Mississippi River ...

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Animating Public Art

new nonprofit aims to bring more art to public places

A new nonprofit organization has been created to enhance public art in Eau Claire by connecting local artists with public places to showcase their work. The Eau Claire Public Arts Council launched in mid-June ...

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You Are Still Alive: La Crosse artist’s messages of solidarity are painted on whatever he can find

A typical Landon Sheely piece can sometimes have several layers of his work underneath. The La Crosse-based artist is keen on using found items instead of canvas or sketch paper ...

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Dairyland Designers Pull Together to Foster the Area's Design Community

A new network of Eau Claire designers is making moves toward creating a more inspired and supported design community. The Dairyland Designers Association aims to help out designers in myriad ways, most importantly ...

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Ain't No Party Like a Bowl Painting Party

Mixing paint and wine (figuratively, at least, but not literally) has become a popular leisure activity lately. But the Eau Claire Regional Arts Council is giving the pastime a virtuous vibe ...

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Eaux Art Finds New Home

Eau Claire to snag more art from Eaux Claires fest

The Eaux Claires Music & Arts Festival will live on in the Eau Claire community through a couple of its art installations, which will soon be on display as public art ...

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Micon: The Return

Micon Cinemas 7 remodel upgrades the movie magic

A whole new VIP movie-going experience is bubbling in Eau Claire thanks to the remodel and revamp of the Micon Cinemas 7 theater on London Road, including the addition of a bar and restaurant ...

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The Real Story of Leo's Cock

The old rooster pecked / among husks and corn spires / for years and years.

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Exploring a New Space

unique home furnishing store relocates downtown

Whether you’re looking for that modern piece of furniture that fits right in with your already styled home or are searching to collect some vintage décor to bring a little more personality to a room, you’re going to want to take a trip to Spaced Out Furnishings ...

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Firefighter's Compass Idea Wins Statewide Biz Contest

An Eau Claire firefighter’s idea for a device to help rescue personnel navigate smoke-filled environments won the grand prize in the Wisconsin Governor’s Business Plan Contest. Capt. Jeff Dykes is founder of Northern Star Fire ...

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Classic Fun, New Direction

long-running Doll and Pet Parade has new sponsor, route

The Doll and Pet Parade, an Eau Claire tradition for the last 69 years, is now under the leadership of the Clear Water Kiwanis Club of Eau Claire (a service organization whose mission is to promote the welfare ...

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Celebrating Dairyland

a unique love of farming is deeply ingrained in wisconsin

‘Do you still milk?” I asked Jim at a recent gathering. “No,” he told me. “My son tells me the most help I can be is to stay out of the way,” he joked. We both agreed that was hard. Dairying gets in your blood ...

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Animating Public Art

new nonprofit aims to bring more art to public places

A new nonprofit organization has been created to enhance public art in Eau Claire by connecting local artists with public places to showcase their work. The Eau Claire Public Arts Council launched in mid-June ...

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Tearing Down, Then Building Up

grant will fund first work at Sonnentag Complex site

Work on the future site of a UW-Eau Claire event and recreation complex will begin by the end of the year with the demolition of 12 buildings on the property between ...

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Menomonie Will Allow Pooches in Parks

Bringing your canine critter to Menomonie’s city parks is now OK – as long as that doggo is on a leash. The Menomonie City Council recently voted ...

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Bringing CVTC to High Schools

A $900,000 federal grant will help Chippewa Valley Technical College bring manufacturing and information technology education to four rural high schools. U.S. Rep. Ron Kind, D-La Crosse ...

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More Fun Than You Can Handle

Northern Wis. State Fair brings big-time fun to Valley

Get ready to enjoy some delicious fair food, entertainment by nationally known performers (including The Beach Boys, Clint Black, Dennis DeYoung with the music of Styx, and Granger Smith) ...

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Big Day for Families

first-ever Family Day in Downtown Eau Claire brings the fun

Pets at the start and Pets at the end – there’s no better way to launch the first-ever Family Day in Downtown on Saturday, July 8. Family Day features free events centered in Phoenix Park and presented by Downtown Eau Claire Inc. ...

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Local Harvest Schedule

Get your food when it was meant to be gotten! Make sure you’re buying your stuff in season! Don’t know when that is? Here’s a handy chart that should last you through the summer.

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Expanding the Flavor: Water Street Deli closes restaurant to focus on wholesale

Ask a local where to get the best gyro or hummus, and they’ll likely respond without hesitation: Water Street Deli. But here’s some downright falawful news … in just a few short days, the Water Street Deli will be closing its restaurant doors. But ...

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A Flair for Flavors: UWEC grad launches organic baking business

She doesn’t know it, but Leah Pronschinske saved my husband from enduring a full-on Jekyll and Hyde moment during our road trip to Washington State. We were 45 minutes outside of Billings, Montana, when we found ourselves camped on the side of I-90 ...

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Foodie Fests

Menomonie celebrates pickles and salsa

If you are one who loves perusing farmers markets, checking out unique artisan work, or doing any of the other satisfying activities that are possible when you wake up before noon on Saturday mornings ...

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Modicum, Valley's Latest Taproom, Ready to Pour

The latest contribution to the Chippewa Valley’s craft brewing boomlet will hold a grand opening on Friday, July 7, at 2pm. Modicum Brewing, a new brewery and taproom, will open at 3732 Spooner Ave., Altoona ...

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EC Bartender Wins Cocktail Competition

Two bartenders from The Informalist and Dive Bar did exceptionally well in the recent Copper & Kings Mixt&pe Cocktail Competition in Minneapolis. Working bartenders participating in the contest created drinks using ...

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Up to 12 'Born Learning Trails' to Be Installed Throughout Chippewa Valley

Ten area communities in Chippewa and Eau Claire counties have approved the installation of Born Learning Trails in their area parks. These are in addition to the Born Learning Trail installed last year at Irvine Park in Chippewa Falls. One more trail is pending approval.

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Within These Cabin Walls

First the family built a northwoods retreat. Then they built generations worth of memories.

My father, my brother, and I built our cabin the summer between my freshman and sophomore college years. And when I say we built the cabin, I mean my father bought the land, designed the structure ...

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5 Classic Resorts in Northern Wisconsin

perfect places to settle into cabin life

Ah, summer in northern Wisconsin: Pine scent hangs in the fresh air, the woods beckon, and diamond light dances across clear, deep lakes where fish are plentiful. These delightful resorts make great northern Wisconsin vacation bases ...

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Get Your Gear, Then Get Camping

your family’s northwoods adventure begins with some simple planning and basic camping gear

Summer is almost upon us and camping season is in full swing. Interested in getting out, but not really sure what to do? No worries. With a little bit of planning and some basic gear, camping is easy and can be lots of fun ...

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Up to 12 'Born Learning Trails' to Be Installed Throughout Chippewa Valley

Ten area communities in Chippewa and Eau Claire counties have approved the installation of Born Learning Trails in their area parks. These are in addition to the Born Learning Trail installed last year at Irvine Park in Chippewa Falls. One more trail is pending approval.

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A Way on the Water

local leaders announce river trail plan, map

For millennia, the Chippewa River has been a conduit for travel, commerce, and recreation. Now, thanks to collaboration among a broad swathe of local groups, the 4.2 miles of the river that flow through the city of Eau Claire are officially a water trail ...

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