Small Street Journal: August 16, 2019

​Royal Credit Union Launches New Advocacy Program: Names YP CU Activist 

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. – Royal Credit Union (Royal) is launching a new program designed to strengthen the credit union movement and amplify the voice of young professionals. The Royal Credit Union Young Professional Credit Union Activist (YP CU Activist) will talk about the credit union difference with policymakers at key advocacy events. One young professional employed by the credit union will represent Royal in this role each year.

Amanda Farnham, an organizational development advisor, will serve as Royal's YP CU Activist from August 2019 through July 2020. Farnham will attend the Wisconsin Credit Union League's (WCUL) Hike the Hill event in September and Government Affairs Conference in January 2020. She will also participate in the Credit Union National Association's Government Affairs Conference in February 2020 and the WCUL Annual Convention in May 2020.

"I want to help educate lawmakers about the purpose of credit unions and talk with them about the financial issues that are facing young professionals," Farnham said. "It's important to have meaningful discussions about how public policy can help young adults accomplish their financial goals and live their best lives. I'm also looking forward to sharing what I learn with my fellow YPs and mobilizing them to take action to make a difference in the credit union movement."

Royal's President/CEO, Brandon Riechers, is a champion for YPs and the creator of the program. "Amanda will do an excellent job sharing the credit union difference and highlighting the important role young professionals' play in our movement," Riechers said. "Lawmakers want to hear from constituents with varied experience and different perspectives. Royal Credit Union is making this investment in its young professionals to ensure they have a seat at the table during these important discussions. We are very excited to launch this new program."

Farnham will spend approximately two hours a month expanding her credit union advocacy knowledge and preparing to attend the events by completing a curriculum developed by Royal's director of public affairs. She will also participate in meetings during lawmaker visits to Royal and will attend key political events in the community. Royal is covering all registration and travel costs for the YP CU Activist. Candidates interested in the position completed an application that was reviewed and scored by an internal committee of Royal leaders. Applicants were required to be employed by Royal for a minimum of six months, eligible to participate in the Royal Young Professionals program and have approval from their supervisor.

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HSHS Sacred Heart and St. Joseph's Hospitals

Donate blood at HSHS Sacred Heart and St. Joseph’s hospitals
CHIPPEWA FALLS – There’s always a great need for whole blood from healthy donors. It’s a valuable resource that’s in short supply. To help bridge that gap, HSHS Sacred Heart and St. Joseph’s hospitals are hosting American Red Cross blood drives. 

On Tuesday, August 27, HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital is hosting a blood drive from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in McDonald Hall, 2661 County Hwy I, Chippewa Falls. To schedule an appointment, call 715-717-7439 or visit www.RedCrossBlood.org and enter “St. Josephs” (no apostrophe).

On Thursday, September 26, HSHS Sacred Heart Hospital is hosting a blood drive from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Rotunda, 900 West Clairemont Ave. Eau Claire. To schedule an appointment, call 715-717-4074 or visitwww.RedCrossBlood.org and enter “Sacred Heart Hospital.”

“RapidPass” is also available. Visit www.redcrossblood.org/RapidPass on the same day as the drive and complete your health history before you come in to donate. This option can help speed up the process.

Eligible donors must be at least 16 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good health and feeling well.
 
Join HSHS Volunteer Partners for concert to support area students
EAU CLAIRE – Join the Volunteer Partners of HSHS Sacred Heart and St. Joseph’s hospitals for a fun concert Tuesday, September 10, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Regis High School Auditorium, 2100 Fenwick Ave., Eau Claire.

Featuring local singer/songwriter Jerry Way – a retired music teacher in the Chippewa Valley – the concert is free, however donations are encouraged and will help support the two hospitals’ tuition assistance and scholarship programs for area students who wish to further their education in health care-related fields.

“Our Volunteer organizations at both Sacred Heart and St. Joseph’s hospitals are commemorating special milestones this year,” said Mary Pengra, director of volunteer services at HSHS Sacred Heart and St. Joseph’s hospitals. “Our volunteers have been serving Sacred Heart Hospital for 80 years and St. Joseph’s Hospital for 50 years. This concert is a way for us to celebrate these milestones with our community.”

To register for the concert, visit www.SacredHeartEauClaire.org/JerryWayConcert by September 5, or call 715-717-4074.
 
Partners of HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital to collect, sell books for scholarship fund
CHIPPEWA FALLS – The Partners of HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital will collect new and used books and sell them to raise money for the group’s scholarship fund. 

To donate, drop off new and used books September 1 through September 30 at the front desk of the hospital, 2661 County Highway I. Please do not donate text books, dictionaries or encyclopedias.

To purchase, visit McDonald Hall at the hospital from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday, October 3 and 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, October 4. Book prices will start at 25 cents with $2 bag sale all day Friday.

For more information, call 715-717-7439.

September sessions with The Healing Place
EAU CLAIRE – The Healing Place, a free service of HSHS Sacred Heart Hospital that helps anyone who has experienced a loss and is in need of spiritual and emotional support, is offering the following programs and sessions in September. All sessions will take place at The Healing Place, 2125 Heights Drive, Eau Claire, unless otherwise noted. For more information, call 715-717-6028.

• September 3, 10, 17 and 24, 5 p.m., Tuesday evening meditation group. Free. No registration needed.
• September 4, 11, 18 and 25, 10 a.m., Wednesday morning meditation group. Free. No registration needed.
• September 5, 10:30 a.m., gratefulness gathering, a monthly program designed to cultivate grateful living. Free. No registration needed.
• September 5 and 19, 6:30 p.m., suicide survivor group. Free. No registration needed.
• September 9, 16, 23, 30, October 7, 14, 21, 28, November 4, 11, 18 and 25. 11 a.m. or 5 p.m. 12-week Living Mindfully meditation education series. Free. Register by September 3.
• September 10, 6 p.m., six-week spouse loss support group. Free. Call to register by September 5.
• September 11, 10 a.m., sound meditation/Tibetan singing bowls with Mary Jackelen. Free. No registration needed.
• September 12, 10:30 a.m., TED and grief with Jason Rosenthal. A new program using TED Talks to discuss grief, loss and life transition. Free. No registration needed.
• September 16, 6:30 p.m., parent grief support group. Free. No registration needed.
• September 26, 10:30 a.m., Stepping Stones through Grief. Ongoing grief support group for anyone who has experienced the loss of a loved one. Free. No registration needed.

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University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
 
International research helps criminal justice majors prepare for future success
This summer, three Blugolds immersed themselves in all aspects of the criminal justice system in Taiwan, an experience that is helping them better understand the similarities and differences that exist within criminal justice in other parts of the world. Full story.
 
The following is sent on behalf of the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Police:
For more information, contact Sgt. Joel Field, UW-Eau Claire Police, 715-836-2222
UW-Eau Claire Police to participate in ‘Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over’ campaign Aug. 16-Sept. 2
To help save lives and prevent needless tragedies, the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Police will join law enforcement agencies across Wisconsin during the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign from Aug. 16 through Labor Day, Sept. 2.
“These high-visibility law enforcement efforts are intended to discourage motorists from engaging in dangerous driving behaviors that endanger everyone,” Sgt. Joel Field said.

Last year in Wisconsin, alcohol-related crashes resulted in 159 deaths and nearly 3,300 injuries. While alcohol-impaired drivers remain a concern, a growing problem involves drug-impaired drivers — people whose ability to safely operate a motor vehicle is compromised by legal or illegal drugs, including prescription and over-the-counter medications.
To help combat impaired driving, Wisconsin has:

• Nearly 5,000 police officers trained in Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE) to help detect and remove impaired drivers from the roadways.
  
• 301 highly trained drug recognition experts — among the most in the nation.
  
• 23 multi-jurisdictional high-visibility enforcement task forces operating throughout the year, across the state.

 
There are several ways citizens can help:

• Never allow someone to get behind the wheel impaired. Find a safe alternative to get them home. If you plan to celebrate, identify a sober designated driver.
  
• Report impaired drivers to law enforcement by calling 911. Provide as much detail as possible on the driver, vehicle and location.
  
• Download the free “Drive Sober” mobile app from the WisDOT website. The app includes a “find a ride” feature to help locate mass transit and taxi services.
  
• Some taverns and restaurants have programs to provide patrons with a safe ride home. Visit www.tlw.org and click on Safe Ride.
  
• Make sure that everyone in your vehicle is buckled up — every trip. Watch your speed and eliminate distractions.

 
“We do all we can to keep our roads and communities as safe as possible, but we need cooperation from motorists and citizens,” Field said.

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Security Financial Bank: Mark Chilson Receives Certification to Sell LGM-Dairy Insurance

Eau Claire – Mark Chilson of Security Financial Bank (SFB) recently became certified to sell Livestock Gross Margin-Dairy (LGM) insurance through NAU Country Insurance Company. In order to receive the certification, Chilson completed a mandatory course and successfully passed an exam.

“LGM-Dairy is a product that allows dairy farmers to protect against the loss of gross margin between milk price and feed cost,” Chilson explained. “This is another opportunity for producers to mitigate risk during these challenging economic times in agriculture.”

Chilson, who was recently appointed to lead SFB’s newly-expanded insurances services, has been a license insurance agent since 1985. Some of the insurance products he sells in addition to LGM include dairy revenue protection (DRP), multiple peril crop and crop-hail. Chilson also is licensed to sell term life, return of premium life, whole life and disability income insurance. He joined SFB in 1991 and has served as a relationship manager focusing on agri-business loans. Chilson has been SFB’s market president in Durand since 2014.
For more information about LGM or other Ag insurance products, contact Mark Chilson at 888-254-0615 or mchilson@sfbank.com.

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Wisconsin Public Radio (WPR)
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Rimshots! on “Spectrum West” August 15, 2019
 Minneapolis-based youth percussion group performing in Amery will be featured on “Spectrum West,” which airs at 10 a.m. on Thursday, August 15 on The Ideas Network stations 88.3 WHWC-FM/ Menomonie-Eau Claire and 88.7 WRFW-FM/ River Falls. The show also highlights the upcoming seasons of the Mable Tainter Center for the Arts in Menomonie and WideSpot Performing Arts Center in Stockholm and an online music streaming platform in Eau Claire.
 
Host Al Ross sits down with Paul Babcock, director of the MacPhail Center for Music, the non-profit music education organization that produces the percussion group Rimshots!, and Aurora Weirens, a student who is a member of the group. They will talk about the group’s upcoming show at 7:30 p.m. on August 17 at the Northern Lakes Center for the Arts in Amery.
 
Jeff McSweeney, executive director of the Mable Tainter Center for the Arts in Menomonie, and Fred Harding, chairman of WideSpot Performing Arts Center in Stockholm, join the program to promote their respective venues’ upcoming entertainment seasons.
 
Isa Small, programming and communication services manager for L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library in Eau Claire, will speak on the update of Sawdust City Sounds, the local online music streaming platform at the library. Musical artists can submit their work up until August 31. Sawdust City Sounds will also present feature performances by Greg Gilbertson and Jerrika Mighelle on August 16 at The Plus in downtown Eau Claire.
 
“Spectrum West” is a weekly program exploring the music, arts and humanities in western Wisconsin. The show includes in-depth behind-the-scenes interviews and stories about area writers, musicians, theater, visual arts and much more. It is heard weekly from 10 a.m. to 11a.m. Thursdays on Ideas 88.3 WHWC-FM/ Menomonie-Eau Claire and 88.7 WRFW-FM/ River Falls, with a live stream at www.wrfw887.com and a repeat broadcast at 7 p.m. Fridays on 89.7 WUEC-FM/ Eau Claire and 90.7 WVSS-FM/ Menomonie. Archives are available at http://www.wpr.org/programs/spectrum-west-al-ross.
 
Challenges Facing Education in Western Wisconsin on “The West Side” August 19
As the back-to-school season approaches, challenges facing students, teachers and administrators in western Wisconsin will be discussed on “The West Side” at 10 a.m. on Monday, August 19 on Wisconsin Public Radio’s The Ideas Network stations 88.3 WHWC-FM/ Menomonie-Eau Claire and 88.7 WRFW-FM/ River Falls.
 
Host Dean Kallenbach and guests will explore challenges and opportunities facing K-12 educators in western Wisconsin ranging from social media and bullying to teacher burnout and testing methods. The guests will also discuss the local impact of the state education budget which includes increases in funding for mental health and special education.
 
“The West Side” is a call-in program focused on issues specific to western Wisconsin. The show airs at 10 a.m. on Mondays on 88.3 WHWC-FM/ Menomonie-Eau Claire and 88.7 WRFW-FM/ River Falls, with a live stream at www.wrfw887.com. Listeners may call in with questions and comments during the program at 1-800-228-5615. Archives are available at www.wpr.org.