Small Street Journal: February 21, 2020

2/21/2020

Chippewa Valley Technical College

CVTC Event Showcases Advanced Manufacturing
Public has chance to explore careers, catch the latest
Eau Claire, WI – When Jan and Sharon Gunderson came to the Manufacturing Show at Chippewa Valley Technical College last year, they headed right to the lab in what is today the Machine Tooling Technics program, where Jan got a look at the modern computer numerical controlled (CNC) machines. Jan found that much had changed since his time in the program, just as it has in all areas of manufacturing.

Area residents can check out the latest in modern manufacturing at the 2020 Manufacturing Show from 3-7 p.m. March 12 at the CVTC Manufacturing Education Center at 2320 Alpine Road, Eau Claire.

“This was just awesome. We enjoyed this so much,” Jan said. He proudly showed a card identifying him as a 1960 graduate of what was then called the Eau Claire Technical Institute in the Machine Shop program.

This year’s show will feature hands-on activities for visitors to experience the world of modern manufacturing. Back this year is the scavenger hunt for younger visitors. Exposure to careers in advanced manufacturing is imperative to a future workforce and this activity will help them engage in a more meaningful and age-appropriate way. Participants will be entered for a chance to win a VEX robot and Coding robot.

New this year is a Prototyping Lab used by multiple programs and among the equipment on display will be a new type of 3D printer that can print objects in metal.

At the Manufacturing Show, people will be able to talk with faculty and students from CVTC’s manufacturing and engineering programs: Automation Engineering Technology, Industrial Mechanic, Industrial Mechanical Technician, Machine Tooling Technics, Manufacturing Engineering Technologist, Mechanical Design, Welding and Welding Fabrication.

Through tours of the program areas and visits to over 50 manufacturing employer booths, visitors will experience the world of modern manufacturing, which utilizes advanced technology and automation.

“We have a great diversity of manufacturing companies in the Chippewa Valley, many of them using cutting-edge technology,” said CVTC President Bruce Barker. “Attendees can learn more about these companies and how CVTC prepares workers for lucrative careers in manufacturing.”

Manufacturing Show attendees will be able to see student-built robotic machines, such as an entirely automated rock band; watch a 5-axis unit that can cut a metal part at various angles without having to reset the part; or see an object designed on a computer become reality through a 3D printer.

Also on display will be a simulated manufacturing center with robotic equipment. CVTC’s Mobile Manufacturing Lab, which brings advanced equipment and curriculum directly to area high schools, will be open for tours. Visitors will be able to try their hand at welding in the welding lab, and see equipment like a water jet that uses streams of water to cut metal in precise detail.

For more information, go to cvtc.edu/mfgshow.

With over 155 programs offered both online and on-campus, Chippewa Valley Technical College delivers superior, progressive technical education which improves the lives of students, meets the workforce needs of the region, and strengthens the community. CVTC programs are designed with input of business and industry to prepare graduates for today’s jobs, with 95 percent employed within six months of graduation and associate degree graduates earning an average annual salary of $46,816.

IF YOU GO
What: CVTC Manufacturing Show
When: Thursday, March 12, 3-7 p.m.
Where: CVTC Manufacturing Education Center, 2320 Alpine Road, Eau Claire
Cost: FREE and open to the public
Web: cvtc.edu/mfgshow

Cutline:
CVTC Automation Engineering Technology student Jordan Brocks of River Falls watches as some youngsters attending the 2019 Manufacturing Show try their hands at an air cannon game.

Dental pros, students, work to ‘Give Kids a Smile’
CVTC hosts free dental care event
Eau Claire, WI – Sue Walders was on a mission. Sitting in the waiting room of the Chippewa Valley Technical College Dental Clinic with a number of dental problems of her own, she didn’t want to her great-grandson, Oliver Hubener, to be in pain later in his life. Walders, of Chippewa Falls, thought it best to start early with his dental care.

So Walders brought the 15-month-old Oliver to the CVTC Dental Clinic’s annual Give Kids a Smile Day Friday, Feb. 7 for his first dental visit.

Give Kids a Smile Day is sponsored nationally by the American Dental Association and statewide by the Wisconsin Dental Association, which provided supplies for the event at CVTC. Local dentists, hygienists and dental assistants volunteer their time to provide free care are joined by CVTC Dental Hygienist and Dental Assistant students as well as CVTC and Dental Clinic faculty.

“For many of these kids, this is the only time they get any dental treatment. That’s why this event is so important,” said Pam Entorf, director of CVTC’s Dental Hygienist and Dental Assistant programs. “And all these people who are donating their time and talents realize it’s important. That’s why they come back to help us out year after year.”

Dental Hygienist Instructor Sandy Schumacher said Walders was doing the right thing by bringing young Oliver early. “We encourage people to bring their children to the dentist as young as one,” she said. “It’s about education.”

“I made the appointment for Oliver,” Walders said, noting that his parents were working and she takes care of him a couple of days a week. “My children all have good teeth, and I want to make sure he will too. I’ve been giving him a little battery-operated toothbrush so he gets used to it.”

“That first experience has to be positive,” said Dr. Nick Miskulin, a native of Stetsonville who is a resident dentist at the CVTC Dental Clinic from the Marquette University School of Dentistry. “It’s very important to start out right. It’s very difficult if we don’t get them in the dental chair until they’re six years old.”

LeAnn Coss of Plum City brought her three boys, ages 8, 15 and 16, to the clinic. She said they hadn’t been to a dentist in one to two years. “We don’t have any dental insurance. “If we’re in pain, we go. Otherwise, we use the money for something else.”

Coss said her oldest son’s teeth are in good shape, as he is good about brushing, but the other two have some problems. The youngest was going to have a tooth extracted.

The event is a valuable learning experience for CVTC students as well.

“This is a good volunteer experience and a chance to give back to the community as well,” said Victoria Anderson, a second-year Dental Hygienist student from Mondovi who has been working as an assistant in an orthodontics practice. “This is a more fast-paced day and we see more patients than a regular day at the Dental Clinic.”

Anderson added that a big part of what they do is education. “We talk to the parents about what the kids should be drinking or not drinking, brushing and other dental habits.”

Alysha Butterfield, a first-year Dental Hygienist student from New Auburn, said the second-year students did the teeth cleaning and other hands-on patient care duties during the event while first-year students helped with X-Rays, charting and general assistance.

“It’s nice to be around kids,” Butterfield said. “We kind of talk them through it if they’re nervous.”

With over 155 programs offered both online and on-campus, Chippewa Valley Technical College delivers superior, progressive technical education which improves the lives of students, meets the workforce needs of the region, and strengthens the community. CVTC programs are designed with input of business and industry to prepare graduates for today’s jobs, with 95 percent employed within six months of graduation and associate degree graduates earning an average annual salary of $46,816.

Cutlines:

MSN:
Dr. Nick Miskulin a resident dentist at the CVTC Dental Clinic from the Marquette University School of Dentistry, works on a patient with the assistance of second-year CVTC Dental Hygienist student Tia Winther of Sparta at the annual CVTC Give Kids a Smile Day Feb. 7. Miskulin’s brother, Dr. Terrence Miskulin, with the Oakwood Hills Family Dentistry in Eau Claire, also helped at the event.

Company Finds Product Development Partners at CVTC
Midwest Meals offering Culinary students chance to be creative
Eau Claire, WI – As Chippewa Valley Technical College was preparing to open its Culinary Management program in the summer of 2018, Daniel Beck, CEO of Midwest Meals in Eau Claire, took notice and considered how the program could help his business.

On Feb. 6, he made his pitch to the CVTC Culinary Management students: Help us develop new menu products, and we’ll repay you with a scholarship. Both instructors and students are excited about the idea.

Midwest Meals provides pre-packaged, ready-to-eat fresh (not frozen) meals for delivery or purchase at its store in Eau Claire’s Eastridge Center. The menu has dozens of options available from signature meals to dairy or gluten-free, as well as custom meals.

The menu, of course, needs to be continuously updated based on what’s selling. That’s where the students come in. They would design a meal to fit into one of the Midwest Meals packages and fitting into its healthy cuisine guidelines. A student who develops a meal that the company decides to offer on its menu earns a scholarship.

“The more ideas the better,” Beck said. “We can tap into multiple mindsets and come up with ideas we may not even think of.”

“This is a great opportunity for you young culinarians to get your name out there,” Kevin Brown, director of the CVTC Culinary Management program, told his students when introducing the plan. “Imagine having your name on their website.”

“There is nothing off the table for menu ideas, but it is quality-driven,” Beck told the group.

Students were excited about the opportunity.

“I think it’s kind of cool to get some of our ideas out there,” said Mitch Clark, a student from Menomonie. “It would be an opportunity for those who want to continue in the career to have their name out there.”

“It’s really exciting,” said Samantha Bauer of Eau Claire. It would be a great opportunity for us to be creative. I know myself I don’t think outside of the box very often.”

Erica Jones, a student from Beloit, was already thinking of what she would like to contribute. “Midwest Meals doesn’t have a lot of vegetarian options, and as I am a vegetarian, I’d like to offer some of my ideas. It’s a diet that’s gaining in popularity.”

With over 155 programs offered both online and on-campus, Chippewa Valley Technical College delivers superior, progressive technical education which improves the lives of students, meets the workforce needs of the region, and strengthens the community. CVTC programs are designed with input of business and industry to prepare graduates for today’s jobs, with 95 percent employed within six months of graduation and associate degree graduates earning an average annual salary of $46,816.

Cutlines:
Photo 1
CVTC Culinary Management student Samantha Bauer of Eau Claire stirs a roux that was to become an ingredient in a soup in the CVTC culinary kitchen. Bauer is one of the students excited about a program partnership with Midwest Meals that could earn her a scholarship.

Photo 2
CVTC Culinary Management student Mitch Clark of Menomonie chops vegetables in the CVTC culinary kitchen as his class worked on preparing soups. Clark is one of the students excited about a program partnership with Midwest Meals that could earn her a scholarship.

Wisconsin Public Radio

Women and Girls in Sports on “The West Side” on February 24
The evolution of women’s and girls’ sports in western Wisconsin will be the topic of discussion on “The West Side” at 10 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 24 on The Ideas Network Stations of Wisconsin Public Radio: 88.3 WHWC-FM/ Menomonie-Eau Claire and 88.7 WRFW-FM/ River Falls.

In the nearly 50 years since Title IX required collegiate and scholastic athletics opportunities for females to equal those offered to men, the sports landscape has changed. Host Dean Kallenbach will explore how things have evolved and where they are going for athletes who are female with guests Tonja Englund, the head coach of the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire women’s basketball team, UWEC women’s basketball team member Anna Graaskamp, Elizabeth Bohl, varsity volleyball coach for Bloomer High School and Jessika Rottier, assistant coach for the UW-Stevens Point women’s wrestling team.

“The West Side” is a call-in program focused on issues specific to western Wisconsin. The show is broadcast at 10 a.m. Mondays on The Ideas Network stations 88.3 WHWC-FM Menomonie/Eau Claire and 88.7 WRFW-FM River Falls and via an online live stream on 88.7 WRFW-FM University of Wisconsin River Falls via wrfw887.com/listen-live.html. Listeners may call in with questions and comments during the program at (800) 228-5615. Archives of “The West Side” are available at wpr.org/programs/west-side.

Musician Wayne Bergeron on “Spectrum West” February 20, 2020

Trumpeter Wayne Bergeron will be a guest on “Spectrum West,” which airs at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 20, 2020 on The Ideas Network stations 88.3 WHWC-FM/ Menomonie-Eau Claire and 88.7 WRFW-FM/ River Falls. The program will also include interviews with the director of play in Menomonie and a singer who will be performing in Eau Claire.

Host Al Ross will speak with Wayne Bergeron from his home in Los Angeles in anticipation of his upcoming performance with the Chippewa Valley Jazz Orchestra. The concert, which is a celebration of the 10th anniversary of CVJO, will be at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 22 at The Pablo Center at the Confluence.

Correspondent Jim Oliver will welcome Bob Butterfield, director of the Menomonie Theater Guild production of “The Sunshine Boys.” The play is opening on Friday, Feb. 28 and running through Sunday, March 8 at The Mabel Tainter Center for the Arts in Menomonie.

Correspondent Katharine Thomas will be sharing her conversation with Jerrika Mighelle, a singer/songwriter. Mighelle will be appearing with guests Hemma (aka Hannah Hebl) and The Nunnery (aka Sarah Elstran) on Friday, Feb. 21 at the Pablo Center at the Confluence.

“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. The show is broadcast at 10 a.m. Thursdays on The Ideas Network stations 88.3 WHWC-FM Menomonie/Eau Claire and 88.7 WRFW-FM River Falls and via an online live stream on 88.7 WRFW-FM University of Wisconsin River Falls via wrfw887.com/listen-live.html. A repeat broadcast plays at 7 p.m. Fridays on 89.7 WUEC-FM Eau Claire and 90.7 WVSS-FM/ Menomonie. Archives of “Spectrum West” are available at wpr.org/programs/spectrum-west-al-ross.

MARCO

Marco is proud to share that our workplace culture was nationally recognized making the Best and Brightest Company to Work For list. The honor was given out by the National Association for Business Resources – read more about the recognition here: https://www.marconet.com/press-releases/marco-named-one-of-the-best-and-brightest-companies-to-work-for

“Marco’s positive workplace culture is the foundation our company was built on,” Marco Director of Human Resources Sara Lommel said. “This award shows us we’ve continued this tradition of putting our employees first and are dedicated to keeping our employees happy in the future.”

University of Wisconsin Eau Claire

'Thursdays at the U' to focus on Census 2020
Rachael Manning, a Wisconsin partnership specialist for the U.S. Census Bureau, will present "Census 2020: Why Being Counted Counts" from 12:30-1:30 p.m. Feb. 20 during "Thursdays at the U" at UW-Eau Claire – Barron County in Rice Lake. Full story.

International Poetry Reading participants sought
Readers are sought for the 14th annual International Poetry Reading at UW-Eau Claire, to be held from 7-9 p.m. April 21 in the Dakota Ballroom (Room 340) of Davies Center. Full story.

Dr. Chandra Talpade Mohanty to be International Women's Day guest speaker
Mohanty, one of the world's leading feminist scholars, will present "Borders and Bridges: Neoliberal Regimes, Anti-Fascist Struggles and Insurgent Feminist Praxis" at 5 p.m. March 9 in Woodland Theater of Davies Center. Full story.

Wisconsin REALTORS Association

Housing Sales Remain Hot in January
Eau Claire, WI - Existing home sales and prices in Wisconsin continued to be on the rise in January, with sales up 8.9% compared to January 2019 and median price rising 8.6% since this time last year.

“Inventory is still low, both statewide and in our area, but we still saw an increase in sales in January across our region,” said RANWW Executive Vice President Brenda Barnhardt.

Statewide, more homes were sold in January 2020 than any other January going back to 2007, when the Wisconsin REALTORS® Association re-benchmarked its data collection methodology.

According to the January numbers from the WRA, Eau Claire County saw median prices on single family homes up 3.1%, with the number of sales increasing 4.2%, and the average days on market dropping by 9.5%. In Chippewa County, prices were up 10.5%, and homes sales increased by 41.0% with average days on market increasing 42.4%.

“With tight inventories, it's even more important to work with an experienced REALTOR® to move quickly when buyers are ready to make an offer,” said Gary Brenizer, RANWW board president.

The REALTORS® Association of Northwestern Wisconsin is the professional trade association that all professional REALTORS® residing within the association jurisdiction belong to. The association provides educational opportunities for its members, is active in local, state and national advocacy efforts, engages in community outreach through charitable giving, operates its own private foundation to help homeowners in need and remains a positive force for the members they serve.

For more information on the REALTORS® Association of Northwestern Wisconsin, log on to www.ranww.org

Beaver Creek Reserve

Instructor Contacts:
Todd Anger, Eau Claire: zweefer@gmail.com
Don Hauser, Chippewa Falls:  don.hauser2@gmail.com
Veronica Knudsen, Elk Mound:  vjkkjv@yahoo.com
William Korb, Chippewa Falls:  korb@qisc.com
Randy Rykal, Cadott:  1rrykal@gmail.com
Publicity: Dean Kallenbach, Eau Claire:  deankallenbach@aol.com, 715-214-8498

Beekeeping 101 Course at Beaver Creek Reserve Now Taking Reservations
Beekeeping 101, an introductory class that explores the hobby of beekeeping, will be offered 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Mar. 7 at Beaver Creek Reserve in rural Fall Creek.

The class, staged by the Chippewa Valley Beekeepers Association, is designed to teach the basics to help new beekeepers get started.  The course is taught by veteran local beekeepers Randy Rykal of Cadott, Don Hauser and William Korb of Chippewa Falls, Veronica Knudsen of Elk Mound and Todd Anger of Eau Claire.

Topics include bee biology, bee behavior, siting a hive, acquiring bees, bee health, plants for your bees and early feeding for your bees.

Cost of the class is $45, with a $5 discount for members of Beaver Creek Reserve.  Students are encouraged to bring a notebook.  Lunch can be ordered from Chicken Chasers for $8.00 at the time of reservation, or students can bring a sack lunch.

Details about the class can be found or reservations can be made at BeaverCreekReserve.org, or by calling Beaver Creek Reserve at 715-877-2212.

Charter Bank Welcomes New Applicants Analyst

Eau Claire, WI – Charter Bank is proud to announce and welcome Ericka Daken as our new Applicants Analyst. She will be working on the Information Technology team. Her role will include identifying, planning, and implementing new technology solutions to improve the accuracy and efficiency within the Bank as well as supporting existing technology solutions and automating repetitive processes.

Erik LeMay, Chief Information Officer for Charter Bank, says “Ericka joins the team with years of financial institution experience in a variety of roles. She is very analytical, learns quickly and is always willing to help wherever she can. She’ll be a great addition to the team and will make a positive impact on both the team and the entire bank. I’m glad that she decided to join the Charter Bank family!”

Daken come to Charter Bank after 14 years with Royal Credit Union. “I am looking forward to implementing solutions that will provide ease and value to both Charter Bank customers and employees,” states Daken.

Daken is originally from Chippewa Falls and currently resides in Lake Hallie with her husband Nick and their three children: two sons Tristan and Drake and daughter Chevee.

Chamber Blog