![]() The Community Table First Annual: Dessert Extravaganza Fundraiser Join us for a night of sweet extravagance on Thursday, November 7th, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at The Community Table (320 Putnam Street). Hosted by Miss Wisconsin. The purpose is to raise funds for The Community Table’s meal service for individuals in need (45,000 meals per year). Fundraiser will entail: Scrumptious samples. Bid on extravagant desserts created by local restauranteurs & artisanal bakers. Raffle. Cash Bar. Taste unique dessert offerings. Cash bar for beer, wine & heavy hors d’oeuvres.
Per Mar Receives “Resideo Circle of Excellence” Award DAVENPORT, Iowa- Per Mar Security Services, a leading provider of total security solutions for residential and commercial clients based in Davenport, IA, received the “Resideo Circle of Excellence” award in 2019. The award is given to the dealers who show a true commitment to Resideo Intrusion, Video, Access and Fire, plus the authorized dealer program, and have also achieved total year-over-year growth and are active participants in the program. The dealers recognized constantly go above-and-beyond. Brian Duffy, COO of Per Mar, said, “It is an honor to be recognized with the Resideo Circle of Excellence award. All the credit goes to our people at Per Mar for providing exceptional service to our customers.” LE Phillips Library See for Yourself Why Your Library Is the Library of the Year L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library in Eau Claire is hosting an open house celebration Tuesday, November 26 from 3 to 7 p.m. in the library’s main lobby to celebrate winning the Wisconsin Library Association (WLA) 2019 “Library of the Year” Award. The award was given in recognition of the library’s many recent achievements, all of which were undertaken in response to the community’s needs and suggestions. Staff will be on hand to answer questions and talk about all your library has to offer. Not coincidentally, November 26 is National Cake Day, and cupcakes and other treats will be served. The library will also debut a fun new collection of novelty cake pans to check out. Much of the library’s recent success can be attributed to the structure and accountability provided by its 2016–2021 Strategic Plan. As a practical tool, the library’s Board of Trustees and management team with help from WiLS (formerly Wisconsin Library Service), designed a comprehensive strategic plan. WiLS is a non-profit organization that facilitates collaborative projects and services to advance library service. With the needs and suggestions the community made to the library in mind, the team identified the library’s core values and determined a list of service goals founded on those values. Next, they developed a checklist of specific initiatives to support each goal. “By the end of 2018, all of the original initiatives had been explored and addressed except for those which require the additional facilities and space that will be provided as a result of a successful Story Builder Campaign for the L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library expansion,” says Library Director Pamela K. Westby. “The library has also continued to add initiatives based on community feedback over the years. The Strategic Plan is a living document, and several of our successful projects like Books on Buses with Eau Claire Transit and our Braille printing service were sparked by suggestions from community members.” Bruce Smith, the Community Liaison/Service Specialist at WiLS who assisted in the creation of the Strategic Plan, has great things to say about the library’s achievements. In a congratulatory message to Westby after the 2019 “Library of the Year” award presentation on Saturday, October 5, he wrote, “I told John Thompson [Inspiring and Facilitation Library Success (IFLS) Director] when I started on the planning process and saw the potential for the library, that it was the sleeping giant of the north and had a great opportunity to provide leadership through innovation, not only for the northern part of the state, but all of Wisconsin. Well, you've awoken that giant and the library got the award it deserved last night.” For more information on the library’s award-winning services and programs, see the 2018 Annual Report and the Strategic Plan at www.ecpubliclibrary.info/mission. What’s in Your Water? Now more than ever Wisconsinites are interested in the quality of the groundwater supplying their household and drinking water needs. The L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library in Eau Claire, together with the Chippewa Valley Group of the Sierra Club, will host “What’s in Your Water? Cows, People, and Groundwater Quality” on Wednesday, December 4 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the Eau Claire Room on the library’s lower level. Dr. Mark Borchardt will present recent research on livestock and human sources of fecal contamination in private wells with a question and answer period to follow. Dr. Mark Borchardt is a Research Microbiologist for the USDA–Agricultural Research Service, and Program Leader for the Laboratory for Infectious Disease and the Environment, U.S. Geological Survey, Upper Midwest Water Science Center. Dr. Borchardt’s is an expert on the measurement, fate, transport and health effects of human and agricultural zoonotic pathogens in the environment. Recently, he received the Dr. John L. Leal award from the American Water Works Association for his work on improving water quality and protecting public health in the United States. The Chippewa Valley Sierra Club Group is the local voice for our country’s most enduring and influential environmental grassroots organization. A wide range of local programs and outings are open to the public to foster the enjoyment and protection of the places we live and the lands we love in west-central Wisconsin. 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. University of Wisconsin Eau Claire Talkin' trash: Professor to discuss sustainable practices during 'Thursdays at the U' Dr. Lauren Wentz will describe the path of trash, from curb to incinerator to landfill, and share sustainable practices that anyone can follow, during UW-Eau Claire – Barron County's lecture and performance series Nov. 7 in Rice Lake. Full story. UW-Eau Claire celebrates Native American Heritage Month in November UW-Eau Claire's Native American History Month kicks off Nov. 4 with a focus on education and the arts. Events aim to create awareness about the current issues facing native peoples and their rich cultures. Full story. Simulation to help nursing students gain public health emergency experience UW-Eau Claire nursing students in Eau Claire and Marshfield will get a sense this month of what it’s like to work with multiple health care organizations during a public health emergency. The simulation will begin at 12:10 p.m. Friday, Nov. 8, at both the Eau Claire and Marshfield sites. Full story. UW-Eau Claire celebrates Veterans Day and 'Best for Vets' ranking Just in time for the upcoming week of recognition and honoring of veterans, UW-Eau Claire has once again been named to the "Best for Vets" list by the Military Times. Full story. HSHS Sacred Heart Hospital offers traumatic brain injury support group EAU CLAIRE – A traumatic brain injury is caused by a bump, blow or jolt to the head or penetrating head injury that disrupts the normal function of the brain. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, each year, traumatic brain injuries contribute to a substantial number of deaths and cases of permanent disability. To bring together individuals and families affected by this injury, HSHS Sacred Heart Hospital has been hosting a free monthly support group for community members and their families affected by traumatic brain injuries. The group meets from 6:30 to 8 p.m. the first Thursday of every month in the Lobby Conference Room (formerly called “MECR-1”) at HSHS Sacred Heart Hospital, 900 West Clairemont Ave. The next meetings are scheduled for November 7, December 5 and January 2. Registration is not needed and new members are always welcome. For more information, contact Jamie Wright at (715) 717-4505. HSHS Sacred Heart Hospital to hold Love-Light Christmas Tree ceremony December 1 EAU CLAIRE – For the 34th year, the Volunteer Partners of HSHS Sacred Heart Hospital will sponsor the Love-Light Christmas Tree outdoor lighting ceremony at the hospital. This is a unique way for individuals to memorialize a loved one or to honor a relative or friend by making a donation to reserve a light in a loved one’s name. The lighting ceremony will take place Sunday, December 1, at 5:30 p.m. in the Sacred Heart Hospital Chapel (900 West Clairemont Ave., Eau Claire), with the outdoor tree lighting to follow. Refreshments will be served in the lobby starting at 4:45 p.m. Thousands of loved ones will be represented as lights on the trees in front of the hospital. Each night throughout this Christmas season, the lights will glow in their honor. All proceeds from this event will support the ministry of The Healing Place, a free grief support center for area residents. For a donation of $10 per name, you can reserve a light of remembrance or a light in recognition of a loved one: · WHITE LIGHT — Deceased Adult · BLUE LIGHT — Deceased Child · RED/GREEN — Living Relative/Friend · GOLD LIGHT — Living/Deceased Veterans/Active Military Lighted tree topper sponsorships are available for donations of $100. Nativity sponsorships are available for donations of $250. Donations must be received by Noon on November 20 to Volunteer Partners at Sacred Heart Hospital, 900 West Clairemont Ave., Eau Claire, WI 54701. The names of loves ones submitted by the deadline will be listed in a special tribute in the Eau Claire Leader-Telegram on November 30. Submission forms are available in the hospital’s main lobby information desk, cafeteria, family waiting center, cancer center, The Healing Place and volunteer services department. Donations can also be made online at www.sacredhearteauclaire.org/Volunteer/Love-Lights. For more information, please call (715) 717-4255. Partners of HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital to host Love Lights Christmas Celebration December 5 CHIPPEWA FALLS – The annual Partners of HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital Love Lights Christmas Celebration will be at 4 p.m. on December 5 in the chapel of HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital, 2661 Highway I. Beautiful trees located throughout the hospital’s healing garden will shine brightly during the holiday season as a reminder of a special loved one. The cost is $5 per light but larger donations are welcome. Participants can choose a white light in memory of a deceased loved one, a red or green light in honor of the living, or a blue light to honor military personnel. The names of those honored and remembered will be published in a special ad in the Chippewa Herald in December. Purchase a light and have your friend or loved one included in the published list. All names submitted by November 25 will be published unless indicated otherwise. However, lights can still be purchased until Christmas. To purchase a light, send a $5 minimum donation per light to Partners of HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital, 2661 Highway I, Chippewa Falls, WI 54729, by November 25 to be included in the publication, or pick up a form at the hospital’s information desk, in the gift shop or at the volunteer services office. Donations can also be made online at www.stjoeschipfalls.org/LoveLights. For more information, contact HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital Volunteer Services at (715) 717-7439. Chippewa Valley Technical College CVTC Now Eligible for 2021 Aspen Prize Washington, D.C. – The Aspen Institute College Excellence Program has named Chippewa Valley Technical College as one of 150 community colleges eligible to compete for the $1 million Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, the nation’s signature recognition of high achievement and performance among America's community colleges. Based on strong and improving student outcomes—including learning, completion rates, employment rates and earnings, and equity—15 percent of community colleges nationwide have been invited to apply for the Aspen Prize. “We are honored to be recognized as one of the nation’s best by the prestigious Aspen Institute,” said CVTC President Bruce Barker. “Our achievements are a testament to the dedication of the faculty and staff at CVTC. They are united in their desire to see our students reach their goals, not only while they are students here, but in their future careers.” The 150 community colleges named as eligible to compete for the 2021 Aspen Prize were selected from a pool of nearly 1,000 public two-year colleges nationwide using publicly available data on student outcomes. Located in 39 states in urban, rural, and suburban areas, serving as few as 500 students and as many as 75,000 students, these colleges represent the diversity and depth of the community college sector. Data show that over the last two years, student retention, graduation rates, and degree completion have improved at the top tier of 150 Aspen Prize-eligible colleges. “Community colleges play a vital role in developing talent and enabling social mobility across the country, and it’s critical for them to get better at what they do,” said Josh Wyner, executive director of the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program. “We’re pleased to see evidence that these institutions are improving, that more are delivering on their promise. We’re also pleased to play a role in honoring outstanding community colleges and sharing what works to ensure great outcomes for students—through graduation and beyond.” The top ten finalists for the 2021 Aspen Prize will be named in May 2020. The Aspen Institute will then conduct site visits to each of the finalists and collect additional quantitative data, including employment and earnings data. A distinguished jury will make award decisions in spring 2021. For a full list of the top 150 eligible institutions and to read more on the selection process, visit www.highered.aspeninstitute.org/aspen-prize. The Aspen Prize is funded by ECMC Foundation, Joyce Foundation, The Kresge Foundation, and Siemens Foundation. Vets Find Free Dental Care and More at CVTC College hosts fifth annual Give Vets a Smile Eau Claire, WI – With a dental practice in Tomah, Dr. Jarius Houston sees many veterans and active-duty military patients. While volunteering his services at Give Vets a Smile Day at Chippewa Valley Technical College Saturday, Nov. 2, Houston noted a common problem within that patient group. “Teeth grinding,” Houston said. “They’re not getting much sleep, and they’re working hard. A lot of the young men grind their teeth really hard. They grind their teeth in their sleep. We’re having them fitted for mouth guards to wear at night.” To give back to the people who have given so much while facing high stress, CVTC has hosted Give Vets a Smile Day since 2015. The event offers free dental care to veterans, who do not have dental care as part of the regular veterans’ benefits, unless the problem is service-related. Approximately 75 veterans are served each year by local dentists, hygienists, dental assistants, and CVTC students and faculty volunteering their time. Over the years, a broad range of services have been added for the veterans, including COPD screening from volunteer local respiratory therapists and CVTC Respiratory Therapy program students, heart disease and diabetes education from CVTC Nursing students, assistive device assessments and recommendations from Physical Therapist Assistant students, a haircut from Cosmetology program students and physical therapist evaluations. “In dental care, we’re providing a myriad of services, like cleanings, exams, fillings, extractions, and minor denture repair,” said Dr. Randy Shook, an Eau Claire dentist from Regis Court Dental and himself an Air Force veteran. “It’s more basic care, where they have dental pain or a broken off tooth.” “I have a tooth that’s chipped, and they’re going to fix that,” said 1969-71 U.S. Army veteran Steve Prince, who lives in the Lake Wissota area. “I lost my dental insurance when I retired in 2013. Now this is the only time I see a dentist. I’ve probably been here every year.” Prince, who grew up in Jim Falls, added that he had a chipped tooth fixed last year as well. “I heard about this through the American Legion and I needed some dental work done, but I couldn’t afford it,” said Russell Wozniak of Bloomer, who served in the U.S. Army from 1979-82. “It’s probably been a year to a year-and-a-half since I’ve seen a dentist. I only go when I’ve got some issues that need to be fixed.” Wozniak noted that he called for an appointment as soon as he heard about the opportunity, but had to be put on the waiting list. He was pleased to get a call the night before and was told an appointment time had opened for him. “I’m hoping to get some X-rays and a check-up,” Wozniak said. “I have a couple of pains.” Robert Taylor of Eau Galle, who served in the Air Force from 1963-83, told a story similar to the experience of other veterans who have had no dental insurance. “I once needed some work done, but they wanted $1,500. I couldn’t afford it,” he said. Give Vets a Smile Day has many repeat patients, and for some the once-a-year visit is all the dental care they receive. Taylor came last year. “They pulled a couple of teeth for me,” he said. “One was broken off at the gum line.” “We wanted to provide better services for the veterans and also provide interdisciplinary experiences for our students,” said Donald Raymond, the Respiratory Therapy program director at CVTC, about the extra services available. “We’ve involved students from Heath Information Management Technology (HIMT), Associate Degree Nursing, Dental Assistant, Dental Hygienist, Respiratory Therapy, Barber-Cosmetology, and Physical Therapy Assistant. “Many local dentists, hygienists who are graduates of our program or work with local dentists, plus our Dental Hygienist program students all volunteer their time to serve the veterans who served us,” said Pam Entorf, CVTC Dental Hygienist and Dental Assistant instructor who started the program. 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. Matt Rindahl, a dental hygienist with the Houston Dental Clinic in Tomah, prepares to help Army veteran Steve Prince of Chippewa Falls at the Give Vets a Smile Day event at the CVTC Dental Clinic Nov. 2. Rindahl, a 2016 CVTC Dental Hygienist program graduate is a Navy veteran.
CVTC Dental Hygienist program student Aimee Stauber of Baldwin performs an oral cancer screening on Army veteran Russell Wozniak of Bloomer at the start of his exam at the annual Give Vet a Smile Day event at Chippewa Valley Technical College Saturday, Nov. 2. Comments are closed.
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Eau Claire ChamberThe Eau Claire Chamber of Commerce has more than 1,200 members. Archives
March 2021
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