Just add art.

Wis. Arts Board has grants for art galleries in vacant spaces

The deadline is insanely close (Friday, Jan. 28) – but the the Phantom Art Galleries - Wisconsin program will provide recipients with funding and assistance to turn vacant downtown storefronts into temporary art galleries. There’s an example in Kenosha.

Read more (scroll to bottom, find “Phantom”) | www.artsboard.wisconsin.gov

Hey wait. Is Wisconsin making it harder to vote?

Republican lawmakers introduced a bill in the Wis. state legislature that would require all voters to present a state-issued ID at the polls. So, no more student IDs, meaning if a srudent doesn’t have a state ID or a Wis. driver’s license, too bad. This directly affects our 60,000 students from out-of-state, including those already registered.

Read more | www.huffingtonpost.com

 

Wii-tirement.

World Wii Bowling champion is 85-year-old Wisconsinite

85-year-old John Bates of Onalaska has recorded 2,850 perfect games of Wii Sports Bowling from April 2009 through October 2010, making him the Guinness World Record holder for that ... stuff. Also, he’s ambidextrous, so the old codger can destroy you with either hand.

Read more | www.abclocal.go.com/wjrt

Study shows Wis. smoking ban has increased business

Among other things, a study by the UW-Carbone Cancer Center – looking at Madison, Appleton, Eau Claire, Marshfield, and Fond du Lac – shows the number of Class B alcohol licenses actually increased after the ban and employment in the bar industry has “remained strong” during the recession.

Read more | www.wispolitics.com

There used to be a ski jump on Eau Claire’s Eastside Hill

On Saturday, February  21, 1936, the “Hilltoppers Ski Club” hosted Eau Claire’s first major ski jumping  tournament for juniors – the site was the South end of the  Forest Hill Cemetery grounds. “When you stood at the top of the slide and looked behind, you were looking straight into the Third Ward.”

Read more | www.eastsidehill.com