Small Street Journal: February 7, 2020

Agreement Allows CVTC Students to Transfer to UW
Program applies to Liberal Arts-Associate of Science students

​Eau Claire, WI – A new agreement will allow qualified Chippewa Valley Technical College students to enroll in Wisconsin’s leading university as transfer students. The University of Wisconsin – Madison and CVTC recently finalized the Liberal Arts-Associate of Science Transfer Program agreement.
 
“This is a tremendous opportunity for area students who would like to earn a degree from Wisconsin’s most prestigious public university to begin their journey at CVTC,” said Dr. Julie Furst-Bowe, vice president of instruction at CVTC. “The program will allow them to earn credits toward that degree at much lower cost and while living close to home.”
 
Under the agreement, UW – Madison will offer a transfer contract to students who begin as college freshmen in CVTC’s Liberal Arts – Associate of Science program and declare an intent to use the contract to gain admission to UW-Madison. Students must still meet requirements for admission to UW-Madison and meet specified levels of academic achievement at CVTC in order to transfer. Students must also meet any additional requirements for admission to specific UW-Madison programs.
 
The program requires students to earn a minimum of 54 transferrable credits before transferring and may use UW-Madison credits for completion of their associate degree.
 
"We are pleased to partner with CVTC to provide an enrollment pathway to UW-Madison" said Andre Phillips, director of admissions and recruitment. "The academic foundation CVTC students will obtain in the Liberal Arts-Associate of Science program aligns nicely with many bachelor’s degree offerings on our campus for a seamless transfer process.”

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Pablo Center for the Arts

Search Opens for Eau Claire Writer in Residence
The Literary Arts Committee of Pablo Center at the Confluence is looking for the next Eau Claire Writer in Residence, to be recommended for appointment by the City Council in April.  To apply or to submit a nomination, visit www.ecpubliclibrary.info/writerinresidence. Deadline for submitting a nomination is March 1.

The Writer in Residence shall seek to raise our consciousness to a greater appreciation and enjoyment of the value and importance of the reading, performance, publication and writing of literature to the life of Eau Claire and its people. Candidates will be considered based on the following criteria adopted by the City Council on May 26, 2015:

Recommended for an appointment by the City Council, for a two year term, by a sub-committee of the ECRAC Literary Arts Committee, in April of each even numbered year.

Expected to live and/or work in the community.
Expected to have knowledge of, and be involved in, the life of the community.
Expected to contribute to the growth of literature in the community.
Expected to promote literature through a variety of social media, written publications, and educational opportunities and speaking engagements.
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The current Eau Claire Writer in Residence, Karen Loeb, will be finishing her two-year appointment in May.

Local Recording Studio Owner Evan Middlesworth Chosen As Director Of Artistic Programming From National Search
​​EAU CLAIRE, WIS. (January 30, 2020) – After a national search with over 45 applicants, Pablo Center at the Confluence is pleased to announce the appointment of Evan Middlesworth to the position of Director of Artistic Programming, effective immediately.  During his interim term as the Artistic Programming Manager, Middlesworth brought an exciting new direction to Pablo Center’s lineup by booking artists such as Charlie Berens, The Secret Sisters, Arch Allies, and local musicians S. Carey, Shane Leonard, James Ignacio, and Humbird for the second half of Season Two. Middlesworth’s focus for Season Three is to establish new creative relationships with national and international agencies, promoters, and artists while continuing to champion the Chippewa Valley arts communities.  
 
Executive Director Jason Jon Anderson looks forward to bringing Middlesworth’s talents and connections to Pablo Center at the Confluence. 
 
“It is reflective of the Pablo Center’s values and story to find a candidate with passion, talent, and a diverse collection of skills right here in Eau Claire,” says Anderson.  “I firmly believe that Evan's international live music connections, passion for education, local affiliations, recording studio ownership, his passion for Eau Claire, and his ever-present calm make him a perfect choice for this important role.  I am excited for our audience to experience Pablo Center’s offerings: programming that highlights the best local artists, along with the incredible national additions.  The artistic team has curated an incredible spring lineup as well as made great progress on Season Three.”
 
While studying for his bachelor of science in sound design at Purdue University, Middlesworth started building a diversified career around various avenues of the entertainment industry, both on stage and behind the scenes by being open to and accepting any opportunity based around music, audio, or theatre.  His positive approach and drive led to him working for LOUD Technologies; founding Driftless Artist Management and Pine Hollow Audio; touring with The National, EL VY, and Big Thief as an audio engineer; stage managing the Eaux Claires and Boston Calling music festivals; performing with countless bands across many genres; and composing music for theatres nationally.  He also funnels his desire to help others by volunteering to speak with students about life in the entertainment and music industries.  Outside of entertainment, Middlesworth is passionate about aviation and received his pilots license in August 2018.  Exploring from the air and taking his wife Laura on fly-dates acts as a form of relaxation and continued learning. 
 
“We have the team, the knowledge, and the tools to dream up and bring to life any idea across all artistic platforms right here, and that’s a very exciting realization to have!  We’ll face challenges along the way, however, our team and our community will adapt, learn, and grow together as we move along - if we keep our minds and our hearts in the right place, a positive outcome will be easier than we thought.  All things are simple, once you know how,” says Middlesworth.

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Eau Claire Chamber Educational Foundation

​On behalf of the Eau Claire Chamber Educational Foundation, we are proud to announce the transition of the “Real Life Academy” program to Royal Credit Union’s “Test Drive…Next Stop Reality.” The transition will be complete by the end of 2020.  Over the last several years, Royal has been the major supporter of Real Life Academy and operates its own reality fair, Test Drive, for high school students in other communities like Rice Lake and Eden Prairie, MN.  Both programs share the same mission and objective, to provide high school students a real-life simulation of money and finances.  By partnering on this initiative moving forward, the two organizations hope to expand the use of technology and the ability to positively impact even more local high school students.
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The Eau Claire Chamber Educational Foundation will conduct the event formally through the 2020 calendar year with the major change being implementation of the curriculum for “Test Drive… Next Stop Reality” immediately. This will be in place for the Spring 2020 event and Fall 2020 event, with a full transition taking place in 2021. Through this partnership, we will continue to ask the business community to support this program by volunteering and interacting with the students, as that is a critical piece to its success.

If you have any further questions regarding this transition, please reach out to myself or Jen McHugh, Director of Public Affairs & Financial Education with Royal Credit Union (jennifer.mchugh@rcu.org). 

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University of Wisconsin Eau Claire

​'Midwest Queeritivities' to encourage constructive dialogue
"Midwest Queeritivities" is a UW-Eau Claire Foster Gallery exhibit consisting of multimedia art and literary works that illuminate queer identities and their relationships to other cultures in the Midwest. The exhibit will run from Feb. 14-March 11, with an opening reception on Feb. 27. Full story.

Retiring professor helped build nationally recognized business programs at UW-Eau Claire Dr. Robert Erffmeyer, who will retire in February, helped UW-Eau Claire build MBA and sales programs that are considered among the top programs of their kind in the country. Full story.
 
Viennese Ball ticket sales begin Feb. 3
Ticket sales begin Monday, Feb. 3, for the 46th annual Viennese Ball at UW-Eau Claire, to be held April 3 and 4 in the W.R. Davies Student Center. Full story.
 
Blugold leads St. Croix Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin's legal team
Ashley Duffy, who graduated from UW-Eau Claire in 2014 with a major in American Indian studies and a minor in anthropology, is the general counsel for the St. Croix Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin. Full story.
 
'Ask a Scientist' kicks off spring series with infectious disease expert
Dr. Larry Lutwick, an infectious disease specialist at Mayo Clinic Health System-Eau Claire, will present "Epidemics in a Connected World" at 7 p.m. Feb. 13 to open the spring "Ask a Scientist" series at the Acoustic Café in downtown Eau Claire. Full story.
 
Dr. David Shih receives 2020 MLK Social Justice Leadership Award
Shih, who was honored Feb. 5 during UW-Eau Claire's annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration, was recognized for his leadership in promoting equity, diversity and inclusion on campus and in the greater Chippewa Valley. Full story.

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CURT Group Opens Wellness Clinic for Employees, Families
Services to Include Basic Health Care, Routine Services, Immunization

​Eau Claire, WI – January 31, 2020 – CURT Group, a leading sales, marketing, engineering and distribution company of towing products and truck accessories, is opening a local Associate Wellness Clinic for employees and their families. The new clinic will provide a wide variety of basic medical services and routine care at a fractional price, helping to alleviate the burden of rising healthcare costs.
 
CURT Group has partnered with a third-party workplace health provider, Achieve Wellness, to launch the new Eau Claire-based clinic. The clinic will be staffed with a full-time licensed nurse practitioner and administrative support personnel. Services offered will include basic health care, comprehensive wellness services, occupational health services, immunizations and flu shots.
 
The Associate Wellness Clinic will be located at 1417 Winchester Way, Altoona, WI, 54720, Suite 6. The community is invited to a ribbon cutting ceremony and open house on Thursday, February 18, 2020 from 3pm-6pm to help celebrate the grand-opening of the new facility.

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L.E. Phillips Senior Center

​ONLY TWO WEEKS REMAIN IN MATCH DEADLINE, CHARTER BANK GIVES FIT FOR THE FUTURE CAMPAIGN $50,000 BOOST
The L.E. Phillips Senior Center is honored to receive a donation in the amount of $50,000 from Charter Bank. This wonderful investment in the “Fit for the Future” Campaign will go far in helping it meet the expansion fundraising goals. A big deadline is approaching as the Center has been challenged to raise 1.1 million dollars by February 14, 2020, and when it does, the L.E. Phillips Family Foundation will match it.
L.E. Phillips Senior Center Board President Jim Deignan says, “Charter Bank sees the value in expanding our fitness and community room areas to better serve the massive number of seniors who want to experience successful aging like only our center can deliver.” 
Thank you to the wonderful people at Charter Bank who are investing in the future health of our seniors! 
The latest total had the campaign at $759,535.59!
Fit for the Future Campaign Donations:
The Eau Claire Community Foundation website
Charitable IRA Rollover
Checks to the L.E. Phillips Senior Center
Mary Pica-Anderson
Phone: (715) 839-4909

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WNB Financial

Chili from area restaurants will be available at the 26th Annual Chili Cookoff, sponsored by WNB Financial, on Saturday, February 8, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Winona Middle School. This year’s celebrity judging will be emceed by Visit Winona’s Kate Carlson and take place on the main stage for the first time ever! Attendees will enjoy entertainment from the Just for Kix dancers, the Genbu-Kai Karate Group, as well as 3D printer demonstrations throughout the day from the Winona State University Chemistry Club.

All proceeds from the Chili Cookoff benefit Ready Set School, which will kick-off its annual fundraising campaign with a short program at 11:50 a.m. The Chili Cookoff will feature mild and spicy chili judged by a panel of local celebrities: Christie Ransom (Winona Area Chamber of Commerce), Gabe Glidden (Leighton Broadcasting), Janneke Sobeck (Winona Family YMCA), Sergeant Kevin Kearney (Winona Police Department), Kyle Rupprecht (Midwest Bank in Lewiston), Paul Daly (Leighton Broadcasting), Paul Van Eijl (Little Caesars, Winona), and Dr. Troy Shelton (Winona Health).

​Chili tickets are available in advance for $10 at all three WNB Financial offices in Winona. The chili will also be available for $12 all-you-can-eat at the event, and the public is invited to judge the chili to determine the winner of this year’s coveted Public Tasters’ Choice Award. In addition, there will be a $1 hot dog meal (hot dog, chips, and a drink) and other food and beverages available for purchase. Currently, 15 businesses have entered the chili competition: Bluff Country Co-op, Bub’s Brewing Company, Brewski’s Pub and Grill, Chartwell’s at Winona State University, Culver’s of Winona, Green Mill, Ground Round, Kwik Trip on Homer Road, Riverway Learning Community, Signatures Restaurant, Steak Shop Catering, Sugar Loaf Senior Living, Winona Area Public Schools, Winona Health Catering, and Winona VFW Post 1287. Ready Set School was created to ensure that all Winona County children have the basic and necessary supplies to better succeed in school. For more information, please call Ready Set School Director Mandi Olson at 507-474-2588.

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HSHS Sacred Heart and St. Joseph's ​Hospitals

​HSHS Sacred Heart Hospital offers prenatal classes in March 
EAU CLAIRE – If you’re a soon-to-be parent, you likely have a lot of questions about what to expect during pregnancy, labor and delivery, and more. HSHS Sacred Heart Hospital’s Women and Infants Center is offering free prenatal education classes for first-time parents and those who would like a refresher Mondays, March 2, 9, 16 and 23, at 6:30 p.m. in the Monsignor Klimek Auditorium (lower level) at the hospital, 900 West Clairemont Ave.

The hospital is also offering a prenatal class Saturday, March 21, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Monsignor Klimek Auditorium (lower level) at the hospital. This is a one-day class that covers the same information as the several-week series.

In addition, the hospital is offering a prenatal siblings class Tuesday, March 17, at 4:30 p.m. in Bishop Treacy (lower level) at the hospital. This class will help prepare three- to 10-year-olds for the changes that may occur in their families.

These classes are free but registration is required by visiting www.sacredhearteauclaire.org/Events-Classes. For more information, call 715-717-4156.
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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, February 25, 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 1-800-733-2767 or visit www.RedCrossBlood.org and enter “St. Josephs” (no apostrophe).

On Wednesday, March 11, HSHS Sacred Heart Hospital is hosting a blood drive from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Monsignor Klimek Auditorium, 900 West Clairemont Ave. Eau Claire. To schedule an appointment, call 1-800-733-2767 or visit www.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.

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L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library

Winning at Winter
The L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library in Eau Claire presents “Winning at Winter,” a free program on Tuesday, February 18 from 6 to 7 p.m. in the Eau Claire Room on the library’s lower level. Learn how some of our furry friends survive Northern Wisconsin winters, along with tips and tricks to help you be more comfortable and safe outdoors during cold weather.
 
“Winning at Winter” is presented by Ruth Forsgren, a graduate of UW–Stevens Point in Environmental Education and naturalist at Beaver Creek Reserve for the past 28 years. This program is co-sponsored by Beaver Creek Reserve and Wintermission Eau Claire, a grant-based initiative to make it easier for people of all ages and backgrounds to connect with one another, visit public spaces, and be active in winter.
 
Wintermission Eau Claire is also partnering with the L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library and the Altoona Public Library to provide snowshoes, ice fishing, and Kubb kits that can be checked out for free with a library card. Visit www.more.lib.wi.us and search for “Wintermission” to request a kit, or call your home library for assistance. You will also be able to check out sleds, hockey equipment, snowshoes, and other winter recreation items at Pinehurst Park in Eau Claire.
 
For information, stop at Information & Reference on your next visit to the library, call 715-839-5004, or email the library at librarian@eauclaire.lib.wi.us. To learn more about library programs, check the library website at www.ecpubliclibrary.info.
 
Jump-Start Your Imagination
The L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library in Eau Claire presents “Imagination Workshop,” a free program on Thursday, March 26 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the Eau Claire Room on the library’s lower level. Eau Claire’s Writer in Residence Karen Loeb will lead participants in verbal and written exercises to help free their imaginations and further their creative efforts. While this workshop will focus on bringing imagination to writing, people engaged in any artistic pursuit will benefit, and leave with several starts to their project. Space is limited, and registration is required.
Visit www.ecpubliclibrary.info/imagination to register.
 
Karen Loeb’s stories and poems have appeared in Thema, Gyroscope Review, Hanging Loose and other magazines. She has won both fiction and poetry contests in Wisconsin People & Ideas magazine. She is a retired creative writing professor from UW–Eau Claire and current Writer in Residence for the City of Eau Claire.
 
For information, stop at Information & Reference on your next visit to the library, call 715-839-5004, or email the library at librarian@eauclaire.lib.wi.us. To learn more about library programs, check the library website at www.ecpubliclibrary.info.

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Eau Claire Public Schools Foundation

ECPSF Announces 2020 Golden Apple Awards
The Eau Claire Public Schools Foundation is thrilled to announce the 2020 Golden Apple Award recipients! The Golden Apple is awarded to one outstanding educator or staff member in each of the twenty Eau Claire Area School District schools and one amongst the district-wide support roles; all recipients are nominated by their peers. The Eau Claire Public Schools Foundation partners with generous area businesses to honor and recognize exceptional service to our students and families.
2020 Golden Apple recipients:

The Eau Claire Area School District honors Homeless Coordinator Dani Claesges
Chippewa Valley Montessori Charter School honors Special Education Assistant Michele Branco
DeLong Middle School honors Math Teacher Ben Albrecht
Flynn Elementary School honors 5th Grade Teacher Cheryl Lawrence
Lakeshore Elementary honors Art Teacher Erin Janke
Locust Lane Elementary honors Reading Teacher Wendy Arneson
Longfellow Elementary School honors Playground Supervisor Denise Hoenisch
Manz Elementary School honors Instructional Coach Debra Erickson
McKinley Charter School honors School Secretary Mary Schlageter
Meadowview Elementary School honors Special Education Teacher Erin Peters
Memorial High School honors Special Education Teacher Tracy Moran
North High School honors Science Teacher Kevin Mesiar
Northstar Middle School honors 6th Grade Teacher Tim Camlek
Northwoods Elementary School honors General School Assistant Karen Holman
Prairie Ridge Early Learning Center honors EC4T Teacher Mariah Halling
Putnam Heights Elementary School honors Literacy Coach Elissa Knight
Robbins Elementary School honors Special Education Teacher Kelly Custer
Roosevelt Elementary School honors 1st Grade Teacher Brittany Ferrell
Sam Davey Elementary School honors School Secretary Jean Derfus
Sherman Elementary School honors Kindergarten Teacher Janessa Derleth
South Middle School honors Spanish Teacher Jacqueline Strayer
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Each year, ECPSF partners with WEAU 13 News’ Bob Gallaher to surprise each of the honorees in their buildings. Tune in to the surprise visits on the 6pm WEAU 13 News with Bob Gallaher, airing one honoree/school per weekday all through February! The Golden Apple festivities culminate with a banquet on Thursday, April 16 at Wild Ridge. To learn more about the Golden Apple Awards, or how you can make a gift in honor of an honoree, please contact ECPSF Executive Director Sarah French at sarahfrench@ecpsfound.org or (715) 852-3015.  

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Wisconsin Public Radio

​Bela Fleck on “Spectrum West” February 7, 2020
Banjoist Bela Fleck will be a guest on “Spectrum West,” which airs at 10 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 7, 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 a psychology professor, the director of a play in Barron and an editor of Eau Claire’s “Volume One.”
 
Host Al Ross will welcome Bela Fleck back to the show along with fellow banjoist and wife Abigail Washburn in anticipation of their upcoming performance on Feb. 7 at The Pablo Center at the Confluence in Eau Claire. The three will be sampling music from their newest album “Echo in the Valley.”
 
Charles Snowdon, psychology Professor Emeritus at University of Wisconsin-Madison will be a guest. He and Ross will discuss his research regarding the effects of music on domestic animals.
 
Correspondent Jim Oliver will talk with Dave Blumer, director of the play “Arsenic and Old Lace” put on by the Barron Spotlighters. The production is running through Sunday, Feb. 9 at the Barron Area Community Center.
 
Mike Paulus, online editor at “Volume One,” will visit the show to give an insider’s look at their “Best of the Chippewa Valley” reader’s poll, which annually names local favorites in many categories from arts and entertainment to services.
 
“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.