Small Street Journal: August 23, 2019

​Woodstock’s 50th Anniversary on “Spectrum West” August 22, 2019
 
A perspective on the 50th anniversary of Woodstock from two western Wisconsin men who were there will be featured on “Spectrum West,” which airs at 10 a.m. on Thursday, August 22 on The Ideas Network stations 88.3 WHWC-FM/ Menomonie-Eau Claire and 88.7 WRFW-FM/ River Falls. The show also highlights a Hudson herding dog competition and a play co-written and produced by an Eau Claire native.
 
Host Al Ross sits down with poet Thomas R. Smith of River Falls to reflect on the 50th anniversary of Woodstock. The comments of the late John Stedman of Eau Claire will also be reprised from a previous “Spectrum West” discussion 10 years ago on Woodstock’s 40th anniversary.
 
Dr. Patricia McConnell, author of 11 pet behavior books and participant in the Wisconsin Working Stock Dog competition, will speak about the Midwest Championship Sheepdog Trial hosted in Hudson over Labor Day weekend.
 
Correspondent Jim Oliver welcomes Daniel Floren, an Eau Claire native, and Bradley Gosnells, writers and producers of the play “Gun and a Holy Bible,” appearing at the Grand Theatre in Eau Claire at 7:30 p.m. on August 23 and 24.
 
“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.
 
WNB Financial Employees Donate $600 from Jeans Day Funds

WNB Financial Employees Donate $600 from Jeans Day Funds For Immediate Release: August 20, 2019 For More Information: Jenny Baertsch, Marketing Manager 507-454-9248 JennyB@WNBFinancial.com WNB Financial is pleased to announce two donations: $300 to the Winona Area Humane Society, as well as $300 to the Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Winona. These donations were made possible from “Jeans Day” collections, where employees choose to pay $2 each Friday to wear casual jeans during the work day, with the proceeds benefiting non-profit organizations. The goal of the Winona Area Humane Society is to provide humane care and treatment for animals needing protection. It is a no-kill shelter, therefore there is no set limit on the amount of time an animal can remain onsite. WAHS actively works to return lost animals and to find homes for animals without owners. The newly renovated Habitat ReStore works as a fundraiser for the Winona-area Habitat for Humanity. All store proceeds help to finance home building and repair projects. The ReStore sells gently used and new building materials from manufacturers, stores, contractors, and individual donations. WNB Financial employees understand the importance of giving back to the community they serve. In 2018, 36 employees donated 2,211 hours of service to 91 organizations. WNB gifted over $377,900 to the community in the areas of education and youth programs, fine arts and culture, health and wellness, economic development, and community service.
 
L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library Story Builder Campaign Leadership Announcement 

What: Local media are invited to meet the co-chairs of the Story Builder Campaign, which aims to raise $7M to expand the L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library. Co-chairs Heidi Atkins, Bob Eierman, and Carol Gabler will share briefly their excitement for the campaign along with key elements of the expansion and answer questions about the next steps.
During the event, media representatives will:

• Receive a media packet with details on the need, urgency, and plans for expansion.
• See renderings of design concepts
• Hear from library administrators and campaign leadership
• Have the opportunity to speak with other campaign committee members

Who: Campaign co-chairs Heidi Atkins, Bob Eierman, and Carol Gabler; Communications Committee co-chairs Beth Blackburn and Jennifer McHugh; Library Director, Pamela Westby; and Library Assistant Director, Kimberly Hennings.  Several other committee members will also be in attendance.
When: Thursday, September 12 | 11 a.m.
Where: L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library
Why: The needs of the building are urgent. A 2017 building evaluation by Zimmerman Architectural Studios, Inc. found a leaky roof system, poorly functioning and inefficient HVAC system, challenges with electrical and data, outdated plumbing, unaddressed accessibility concerns, outmoded alarm system, uneven pavement, and obstructed sight lines. Maintenance expenses will currently cost the City more than $1M per year if the aging systems are not replaced.

The library is also facing a critical space shortage. Navigating the library is difficult for those with accessibility issues. Customers have been turned away from popular programs that are filled to capacity. And there is limited space for adding new materials, even with hard-to-reach shelves in use. 

The renovation portion of the transformative plan will be fueled with $11.5M from the City of Eau Claire’s 2018, 2019, and 2020 capital improvement plans. The remaining $7M needed for the privately funded expansion will be sought through a capital campaign.

The Story Builder campaign $7M goal was determined based on the results from an extensive Campaign Readiness Study undertaken in 2018 by Crescendo Fundraising Professionals, LLC. Study results determined the private financial support from individuals, corporations, businesses, and foundations is available to help reach the $7M goal.

Library Closed on Labor Day
​
The L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library in Eau Claire will be closed Monday, September 2 for Labor Day. The library will resume its normal hours on Tuesday, September 3.
 
The library will also be open on Sundays beginning Sunday, September 8. Winter hours at the library are:

• Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Sunday, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
  
  

For information, stop at Information & Reference on your next visit to the library, call 715-839-5004, email librarian@eauclaire.lib.wi.us, or visit the library online at www.ecpubliclibrary.info. For a recording of library hours, please call 715-839-5005.