The Importance of Self-Defense
Posted: Sunday, July 3rd, 2016
It doesn't take much time with a newspaper or television or the internet today to understand that conditions in America are changing and changing quickly. It's a wise idea to not only change our awareness level, but also to be healthy, knowledgeable, and strong to defend ourselves.
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Making Country Wine
Posted: Tuesday, May 24th, 2016
With winemaking the variations are endless! You can use just about anything from flowers to fruits. Even vegetables, as disgusting as that sounds, have been successfully used to make enjoyable wine.
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Local Giving Is Still Best
Posted: Thursday, April 28th, 2016
The need for help is all around our local area. But start helping locally, and you will find many times the need is not money, but help. Help that includes personal relationships as well as honesty and tough love.
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Posted: Tuesday, March 22nd, 2016
Healthy boundaries enable us to live, love, and learn without feeling burned out, resentful, sick, and tired. Boundaries help shield us and help us grow and contribute
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Posted: Tuesday, March 22nd, 2016
For a young person with a dream to own their own business, a few thousand dollars (along with hundreds of dollars of annual licensing fees) can be your path to success. I commend any councilman who votes to allow this industry a larger footprint in the City
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Posted: Saturday, February 27th, 2016
Eau Claire County is holding elections for the 29 Board of Supervisor seats on Tuesday, April 5th. Only five seats are being contended. The Eau Claire Journal sent the ten candidates three questions in an effort to give our readers a summary of their views.
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Posted: Saturday, February 27th, 2016
Thomas Sowell has a way with words. Recently, he wrote on the nature of entitlements, including Social Security. In doing so, he made very plain that we are not entitled to anything, including Social Security. Below sums up in his introduction the essence of his point:
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EC School District Discusses Transgender Student Policies
Posted: Saturday, February 27th, 2016
According to Eau Claire Area School District [ECASD] board member Joe Luginbill, students who identify as transgender or gender non-conforming should become a protected class. Luginbill described in an interview on the WAYY 790 Today morning talk show what being protected could look like.
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Escaping Is a Team Effort!
Posted: Saturday, February 27th, 2016
Are you up for a challenge? Family fun? Team building? Frenzied laughs with your friends? Then you need to contact Justin and Jennifer Fonfara of Tactical Escape 101. It will test you, cause energetic collaboration, and create giggly excitement when you find a clue!
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Posted: Saturday, January 30th, 2016
Why Former Treasurer Lokken Should Be Released from Prison and Forced to Make Restitution
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Going Once... Twice…? SOLD!
Posted: Saturday, January 30th, 2016
Growing up, firstborn of six and raised on a farm, auctions were part of my family's social excursions. As a kid, I remember going to auctions experiencing everything from sipping Kool-Aid on a hot sticky summer day, to rainy days, and ankle-deep mud in a farmyard, to shivering in someone's garage drinking a styrofoam cup full of hot steaming chocolate. And every auction required eating a hotdog! "Auctioneers are a dying breed," Jerry Andrews of Andrews Auction said as he began our interview. With my love of auctions, that was NOT what I wanted to hear.
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Aim for Marc-On!
Posted: Saturday, January 30th, 2016
When I told my husband about a new exciting business, he insisted we visit. It is the area's first indoor shooting range. We entered the double doors of a brand new building to view a large retail area including displays of various guns, ammunition, and accessories. Just ahead of us through bullet proof glass were the shooting ranges where instructors were working with two women and their pistols.
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New Year's Resolutions
Posted: Wednesday, December 23rd, 2015
"A year from now you will wish you had started today." - Karen Lamb
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Family Survey Findings in the Chippewa Valley
Posted: Wednesday, December 23rd, 2015
Brook Berg is the Family Living Educator for UW-Extension in Eau Claire County. Brook had developed and compiled a survey from 600 local families during April-June of this year, seeking what their biggest challenges were. I contacted Brook, and we sat down to discuss the results.
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Can the Police Take Property without Due Process?
Posted: Wednesday, December 23rd, 2015
Twenty-four present members of the twenty-nine Eau Claire County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a resolution opposing State legislation that would severely limit law enforcement officers' practice of confiscating property where a crime was committed or involved. The resolution originated from the Sheriff's office and the Judicial and Law Enforcement Committee.
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A Most Unusual Christmas Gift - Your Written Legacy
Posted: Thursday, December 3rd, 2015
This Christmas try writing a legacy letter to your loved ones, letting them know what you value in life, what lessons you have learned and what wisdom you would like to pass down and be remembered for. If you're not sure where to start, reminisce about Christmas's past, your family traditions and lessons learned. Here's some ideas to help you get started.
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Do We Want a Progressive City Manager?
Posted: Thursday, December 3rd, 2015
The City of Eau Claire is looking for a new City Manager to operate the City government. The City Council has offered residents a survey on the City website that gives them a chance to comment on what the Council should look for in a Manager. What the survey also gives is some insight into the erroneous views that the City Council has of the role of government.
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Does Hardship Actually Helps?
Posted: Thursday, December 3rd, 2015
On January 1st of this year, my family, who had been conventional farmers for over 20 years, shipped the cows and stopped selling milk.
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Eau Claire County's Smear Campaign against the Amish
Posted: Friday, October 30th, 2015
In August, Eau Claire County officials refused to approve John Yoder's application for a Religious Waiver. This waiver was recently created and passed through Wisconsin legislation to allow Old Order Amish to comply with modern building codes without violating their long-held religious beliefs.
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Sex Education in Public Schools Is Not Required
Posted: Friday, October 30th, 2015
The following is an excerpt from a well established organization that keeps people abreast of the laws and how they relate especially to families:
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Posted: Tuesday, September 22nd, 2015
Oooey, goooey, soft, and chewy…especially when I dump half a bag of those fab cheese curds in a bowl and microwave them! The Gingerbread Jersey business, owned by Virgil and Cari Schunk, is a local favorite based in Augusta, Wisconsin. Everything is sold as natural, wholesome, chemical free, and the cheese is made on site!
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Posted: Tuesday, September 22nd, 2015
Three Eau Claire County employees, Lance Gurney (Directory of the Department of Planning and Development), Rod Eslinger (Land Use Supervisor), and Dan Peterson (Environmental Health Specialist with the City/County Health Department), have made it their business to involve themselves in what the local Amish people are building on their own private property. They have denied the Yoder's desire to build a house. In doing this, they have crossed several lines regarding ownership and liberty.
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Posted: Tuesday, September 22nd, 2015
Early September brought a torrent of rain to areas of Midwestern Wisconsin. With reports of over 8 inches of rain in less than 24 hours, it was no wonder the places where water naturally congregates had overflowed. In my home town, I went to see the flood damage and was in awe as Lake Martha was spilling onto the streets of Osseo.
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Posted: Friday, August 28th, 2015
On August 7th, WQOW reported that Eau Claire County Highway Committee Chair, Ray Henning said, "Our roads are the second worst of all the counties in the state." The WQOW report went on to say that in July, the Highway Committee had passed a resolution asking the state for more money, to which the state responded with $3 million more, and the federal government added another $2 million.
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Posted: Friday, August 28th, 2015
Time is running out to sign up for the "Every Life Matters" conference coming to The Florian Gardens in Eau Claire, Wisconsin! The pro-life conference is now only one month away, and tickets are expected to sell out quickly.
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Posted: Thursday, July 30th, 2015
Menomonie Street Businesses Threatened with Redevelopment Plans
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Amish Family Employs Traditional Methods in Log Cabin Business
Posted: Thursday, July 30th, 2015
Family-run businesses, passed on from one generation to the next, have been a commendable and truly all-American pursuit throughout our nation's history. The essence of capitalism, these small and wholesome businesses have kept the American economy alive. To Eli Gingerich, however, his family milling business has simply been a way of life.
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Is Eau Claire a Fascist City?
Posted: Thursday, July 30th, 2015
A recent article compelled me to be honest with the readers about the importance of understanding and applying political history. I have heard officials from Eau Claire's City governments say in one way or another that they do not want to take absolute control of our lives and properties. They are merely passing laws for our safety and for the general good of the community.
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Why Movement Matters
Posted: Thursday, June 25th, 2015
In a recent conversation with my aunt, the vice president at a health clinic, she expressed her concern regarding her lack of exercise and inactivity. She often puts in 70 hours of work per week, most of which is done on a computer or sitting in meetings. I was reminded of a Mayo Clinic ad that encouraged listeners to move for at least 15 minutes a day. Not lacking for activity, my first thought was, "I wish I could rest for at least 15 minutes a day!"
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Lake Hallie Forces Municipal Water on Property Owners; Makes Them Pay for It
Posted: Thursday, June 25th, 2015
Much of this newspaper's complaints come from the government forcing someone not to do something. People want to start a business or build an addition or some other pursuit of happiness, but some regulation stops them. Thankfully, it is rare that the government forces someone to do something - or worse, makes them pay for it afterward.
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The Tyranny of Zoning
Posted: Thursday, June 25th, 2015
What's behind City Council members' lament over Hope Gospel Mission zoning change failure
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As Confluence Crumbles, City Eyes More Properties to Take
Posted: Tuesday, May 26th, 2015
The Haymarket Plaza's crumbling retaining wall along the Eau Claire River illustratively pictures the status of the Confluence Project at this moment. With little chance of receiving State money, the city-acquired properties at the north end of Graham Avenue will lay barren until the City can come up with or approve some other plan. The Plaza may be the only lasting result of the City's quest for a new performing arts center.
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Posted: Friday, April 24th, 2015
In my real estate experience, the most misunderstood aspect of the process is the Buyer Agency agreement. The assumption among buyers (and to my amazement, most real estate agents) is that the Buyer Agency agreement was created to benefit real estate agents. It wasn't. I suppose it stands to reason agents are under this impression.
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Posted: Friday, April 24th, 2015
On April 15th, "Tax Day," a large group of people stood along Madison Street holding up signs, not to protest taxes, but rather to celebrate the goodness of taxes. One sign holder noted "the greater good" as the reason why taxes and government spending are good. She was glad for the government programs. She was against lowering property taxes at the expense of these programs.
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Posted: Monday, March 30th, 2015
The lives, liberties, and properties of Americans have been under threat throughout the country and even in the Eau Claire area. Former Arizona Sheriff Richard Mack has given an answer that dates back to time immemorial - the county sheriff.
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Posted: Monday, March 30th, 2015
Rain or shine, the pullers drive in with their dually pickups and horse trailers. Horses whinny, greeting each other, while the familiar guffaws and greetings echo between the teamsters and pull helpers. Although the history is a bit vague about how this family fun event got started, it is always well attended by those of us that love the sport.
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Posted: Monday, March 30th, 2015
Some things bear repeating over and over without reserve nor letting up until something gives way. Like Cato, the Roman Senator, who cried for twenty years, "Carthage is coming," so we must keep reminding our readers of the answer to our country's demise.
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Fairfax Pool and Other City-Led Business Failures
Posted: Thursday, February 26th, 2015
The City of Eau Claire runs two types of activities - governmental and business-type. The first covers necessities - the reason we have a government; the second consists of projects like the proposed Confluence theaters and the North Barstow parking ramp. For those activities, the City charges a fee with the thought that it will break even or at worst sustain a small loss and deliver a service economically to the community. Typically, with the best of intentions the fees start small. The losses then mount, and the fees are raised to the point that only the well to do can afford to pay them. Losses nonetheless continue.
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What Happened to Good Ol' Visiting?
Posted: Thursday, February 26th, 2015
One of the heart issues on my mind of late has been the absence of visiting between family, friends, and neighbors. It was not always that way. My childhood memories are filled with wonderful memories of this visiting as a way of life. Being loaded up in the car and going somewhere was always so much fun.
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Posted: Friday, January 30th, 2015
All over America we are reading of true reports about businesses having to go to court due to their religious beliefs, in particular Christians. Often, the circumstances have to do with a business refusing to prepare meals or take photos of homosexuals in a way that directly supports their lifestyle. Some are winning and some are losing. The verdict in general is not in yet.
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Posted: Friday, January 30th, 2015
It is the lot of almost everyone to serve on a jury at least once in their life. Most know the basics of this process. In order to gather a jury, letters are sent to random citizens making them aware that they must respond and show up at the courthouse at an appointed time. If selected by the court, one will have to attend as a juror at the trial until the case is decided. There is financial reciprocation, and by law, the juror's employment cannot be affected by his or her service.
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Posted: Friday, January 30th, 2015
Coffee is a delicious, caffeinated beverage essential to the lives of millions of people, including myself, all across the world, this nation, and particularly Eau Claire. According to the International Coffee Organization, coffee trees originated in the Ethiopian province of Kaffa, and from there the tradition of eating chocolate-covered coffee beans and brewing coffee beverages traveled to Sudan and then on to Yemen during the 15th century.
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Confluence Proceeds Amidst Funding Doubts
Posted: Saturday, December 27th, 2014
Groundbreaking and construction has begun at the site of the future Haymarket Landing, a business and residential development that is a part of the Confluence Project. The Project is an effort of government and private developers to build an arts center that will not only sustain itself, but will bring economic benefits to the Eau Claire area.
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Adopting Children Locally May Be an Answer
Posted: Friday, November 28th, 2014
It has been my lot as a pastor to have been asked by several people over the years concerning where they could adopt a child. These are sound married couples who could provide a good home for an adopted child. Generally, I refer them to organizations around the country who deal in this matter.
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Chippewa County Sheriff Has a Drone
Posted: Friday, November 28th, 2014
Should you be concerned?
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Homeschoolers to Perform 14th Christmas Choir Concert
Posted: Friday, November 28th, 2014
The aim and final end of all music should be none other than the glory of God and the refreshment of the soul. - Johann Sebastian Bach
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Eau Claire Homeschool Dad Publishes First Adventure Novel
Posted: Tuesday, October 21st, 2014
Full time self-employment as a lawyer, coupled with being a father of seven homeschooled children, is enough to fill any man's plate, but Attorney at Law Israel Cooley has added the title of author to his repertoire. Publishing 'The Flame of Ram,' the first book in an adventure series named 'Three Red Lions,' Cooley gives all credit to God.
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Gun Safety for the Hunting Season
Posted: Tuesday, October 21st, 2014
The leaves are changing colors, October is slipping away while November is rushing in, opening the door for the perfect hunting season. Wisconsin is full of both inexperienced and seasoned hunters who are more than excited to knock out their first running hunk of venison for the season, but excitement and impatience can lead to some serious hunting accidents.
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Eau Claire Should Eliminate City Debt
Posted: Saturday, September 27th, 2014
Opponents to government funding of downtown Eau Claire's revitalization have correctly argued that the several million dollar debt needed for this funding is unaffordable. Ten million or more may be borrowed for the Confluence Project, and another $10 million is needed for a parking ramp. More will be needed for street and utility projects concurring with the above. This is besides the yearly increase of Eau Claire's overall general debt obligations.
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Judge Issues Decision in Amish Building Permit Case
Posted: Thursday, August 28th, 2014
Defendants face eviction and possible fines up to more than $300,000.
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Very Little Voter Fraud Locally
Posted: Thursday, August 28th, 2014
Election workers in Wisconsin have been kept on their toes as the controversial voter ID law gets tossed in and out of courts. So far, no statewide elections have implemented the law requiring all voters to show approved photo identification.
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Happy Pooch Doggie Daycare
Posted: Thursday, August 28th, 2014
Owning a pet is a privilege enjoyed by many people in Eau Claire. Dogs seem to have captured the hearts of quite a few pet owners, and, although dogs require lots of time and attention, they are usually worth every second and every dollar spent on their well-being. Because canines are just slightly-more-tame members of the wolf family, it's no surprise that they enjoy every chance they have to run, jump, bark, and play roughly with other canines.
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Decentralizing Your City and County
Posted: Wednesday, July 30th, 2014
Read Gary North's article, "Why There Will Be No Revolution," on the front page of the US Journal (or on EauClaireJournal.com). It is one of the best historical overviews concerning the issue of revolution I have ever read. He shows the way for revolution to not take place and does so by examples in history.
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The Plight of the Amish Is Still in Limbo
Posted: Wednesday, July 30th, 2014
As of the writing of this article, the Eau Claire County judge has not yet ruled on the case involving the Amish objection to the requirement for battery operated smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in their homes. The judge is expected to release the ruling any day now. The ruling may come down before this article goes to print.
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Confluence Closed Meetings: A Big Deal?
Posted: Wednesday, July 30th, 2014
Last April, a majority of voters spoke and agreed to take a portion of everyone's money and donate it to the building of a mostly private theater and apartment complex. The building and operations of the Confluence Project, as it is called, will be implemented by Haymarket Concepts, a coalition made up of local companies, a UWEC real estate subsidiary, and community organizations.
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The People Are NOT the Government
Posted: Wednesday, July 30th, 2014
It is a common notion among many to think that government and the people are the same. They seek justification for many government programs that they call "public" such as: public transportation, public schools, public television and radio, and other "public" services.
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How to Change Eau Claire
Posted: Friday, June 27th, 2014
By changing Eau Claire, I am referring to changes that come in how our city is run, if you like. This can have anything to do with keeping the streets clean to what you can or cannot do on your property.
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A Monthly Political Review of a Local Leader
Posted: Friday, June 27th, 2014
One of the purposes of our "Official Review" series is to familiarize our readers with how our local government operates. If change is to be effected, one must understand and even get to know personally who locally determines, rules, and administers the laws.
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Local Media Biased Towards Government Programs
Posted: Friday, May 30th, 2014
I am a news editor for many reasons. One of them is because I like the news. I have an added interest in reading the news because I learn how others present it. One area I keep note of is how they report happy news.
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Conservative Everywhere Except Locally
Posted: Friday, May 2nd, 2014
It has been the observation of those who put this paper together that conservatism at times is state and national in scope, but locally it is missing. What is demanded by the federal government is not the same as by the local.
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City and County Programs Hurt the Homeless and the Poor
Posted: Friday, May 2nd, 2014
Why are the homeless homeless? Why are the poor poor? By saying "the poor," I am referring to people who do not pay their way, regardless of the reasons. These are, of course, questions that will bring varied and, at times, contentious answers. My attempts at answering these questions will, no doubt, bring some raised eyebrows and opposing sentiments.
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Official Review: A Monthly Political Review of a Local Leader
Posted: Friday, May 2nd, 2014
The new Eau Claire County Board of Supervisors member representing District 5 is Corey Bauch. He has been active for several years in government in the city of Augusta where he lives and operates a business. He said he is looking forward to working on the county board, and he hopes to make a positive difference in Eau Claire County.
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Sheriff's Department "Excessively" Militarized
Posted: Wednesday, March 26th, 2014
This newspaper has published articles on the nationwide trend of the Federal Government dispensing and issuing grants for military equipment to local law enforcement departments at little to no cost. The result of such activities has been a growing rise in what many call a "militarization" of local police forces.
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Most Offenders Should Not Be in County Jails
Posted: Wednesday, March 26th, 2014
Most county jails could be reduced by half or more if we had a sensible jail system. If you want a list of statistics, I cannot give them. What I can give you is almost forty years of personal dealings with hundreds of men (and women) who have been in county jails.
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How Social Security Makes Us Poorer
Posted: Wednesday, March 26th, 2014
When you read that Social Security lifts 50 percent of seniors out of poverty, keep in mind that it was largely the cost of Social Security that put them there. It's the perfect example of government incompetence creating higher costs and misguided incentives-and delivering exactly the opposite of what it promised.
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How Local Leaders Weakened Downtown Eau Claire
Posted: Wednesday, March 26th, 2014
Regardless of the results of the April 1st referendum vote concerning the Confluence Project, one issue will continue: what should be done about downtown Eau Claire? It is not a question pulled out of thin air. For the last one hundred years, downtowns all across America have deteriorated.
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Heart Surgeon Declares Real Causes of Heart Illness
Posted: Wednesday, March 26th, 2014
We physicians with all our training, knowledge and authority often acquire a rather large ego that tends to make it difficult to admit we are wrong. So, here it is. I freely admit to being wrong.. As a heart surgeon with 25 years experience, having performed over 5,000 open-heart surgeries,today is my day to right the wrong with medical and scientific fact.
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Local Elections: Questions to Ask Your Candidate
Posted: Thursday, February 27th, 2014
April First is Election Day for Eau Claire County. Along with the two referendums concerning the Confluence Project, there are many local offices that will be decided on by voters.
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Back To the Basics: Dr. Weston A. Price and the Traditional Foodways of Our Ancestors
Posted: Thursday, February 27th, 2014
As the title implies, Nutrition and Physical Degeneration: A Comparison of Primitive and Modern Diets and Their Effects is not the easiest book to read. It isn't glamorous or seductive or funny or even particularly well-written, but it is-for those of you who enjoy history and science and food-one of the most significant works ever published.
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Local Tea Party to Hold Debate for 3rd Congressional Candidates
Posted: Thursday, February 27th, 2014
A broad area of the Third Congressional District will be represented in a debate between three candidates for the Republican nomination. Karen Mueller of Eau Claire, Ken Van Doren of Mauston, and Tony Kurtz of Prairie du Chien have accepted an invitation to the debate being held by the Chippewa Valley TEA Party.
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E-cigarettes Light Up Conversation
Posted: Wednesday, January 29th, 2014
E-Cig53, located on Hastings Way across from McDonalds, has made a mark in the minds of customers and the public with their unflinching focus on product quality.
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Confluence of Referenda on the April Ballot
Posted: Wednesday, January 29th, 2014
Call it "Referenda-palooza." This April, up to three referenda concerning the Confluence Project may appear on the City of Eau Claire ballots.
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Cronyism, Corruption, and the Confluence Project
Posted: Friday, January 3rd, 2014
In the midst of the conflicts centering on the Confluence Project are rumors, pretensions, and accusations concerning many of those with power and influence. For me to make illustrations of these in this public forum, even without naming names, would make matters worse.
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Amish Evictions
Posted: Friday, January 3rd, 2014
Over the past year, one Amish family was evicted from their home near Augusta, Wisconsin, and four or five more families face similar evictions if they do not abandon their religious convictions, and install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in their homes.
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A Journey to Healthy Weight and a Happier Life
Posted: Wednesday, December 4th, 2013
According to the Centers for Disease Control, more than one third of U.S. adults are obese which puts them at risk for heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, etc. Ginger Gluem was once in this condition, but a few years ago she ventured into a life-changing journey of weight loss and healthy living at the age of 65.
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Should Eau Claire County Buy More Forest Land?
Posted: Wednesday, December 4th, 2013
In November, the Leader Telegram reported that Eau Claire County is seeking to take money from taxpayers across Wisconsin and use it to help purchase privately owned forest land. This will add 160 acres to the 50,000 acres of existing county forest land in the eastern end of the County. According to the November 19th article by Julian Emerson,
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Locally Educating People a Good Answer
Posted: Wednesday, December 4th, 2013
Recently, eleven counties in Colorado voted to form North Colorado, a new state, making it the 51st state in America. It failed, but slightly so.
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Lack of Confluence in Confluence Project
Posted: Friday, November 1st, 2013
It seems that Eau Claire cannot come together regarding the proposed Confluence Project. Earlier this year, developers from Market and Johnson, Commonweal, and the University developed a plan to demolish the buildings on the south shore of where the Eau Claire and Chippewa Rivers meet.
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Cooking Corner - Cashew Dream Bar
Posted: Friday, November 1st, 2013
Eating and traveling don't always mix well. It is especially difficult if you have allergies or are following a specific diet for health purposes.
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High Costs for Medical Care Unjustifiable
Posted: Wednesday, September 18th, 2013
Nobody likes opening up a medical bill - it's too similar to dissecting a time bomb. It's intricate, confusing, and potentially hazardous to either your health or your wallet... or both. Imagine if you went to your local hospital for a four day treatment of cellulitis, came home and received a bill a few days later for $7,180, and then came to find out that the same treatment would have only cost you $600 at an IV Center?
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Fearing the Worst
Posted: Wednesday, September 18th, 2013
Why local business owners are afraid to expose bad local regulations.
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Direct Pay Medicine Comes to Eau Claire
Posted: Wednesday, August 21st, 2013
Two years ago Dr. David Usher re-pioneered a direct pay family practice in Menomonie. It is the way medicine used to be practiced years ago. You paid the doctor at the time of service, like you did your mechanic or appliance repair man.
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How to Buy Organic on a Budget
Posted: Wednesday, August 21st, 2013
Real. Natural. Organic. USDA organic. Certified organic. Organically grown. Beyond organic. Grass fed. Nutrient dense. Locally produced. The labeling competition and is fierce and difficult to wade through.
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Cooking Corner- Eat More Greens
Posted: Wednesday, August 21st, 2013
You need to eat more greens. Don't we all? Dark leafy greens-excluding lettuces and spinach-were one of the most neglected pieces of produce in my kitchen until recently. I've known they are chock full of vitamins and minerals and are easily grown and processed, but I never really knew what to do with them besides boiling and then dousing them with vinegar per my dad's southern palate. I picked up a couple of large bags full of swiss chard and got busy browsing recipes.
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Cooking Corner- cooking with fresh herbs
Posted: Friday, July 26th, 2013
Fresh herbs are one of the happiest delights of summer. They look and smell wonderful, and can lend amazing flavor to almost any dish. I would love to see everyone strive to use more fresh herbs in their cooking. They are inexpensive and simple to grow, add incredible flavor to many dishes, and are good for your health, so there is little reason to not use them.
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Rescue the Perishing
Posted: Friday, July 26th, 2013
Reading the statistics on abortion can be daunting. I often feel, "how can one person's efforts matter with millions of children being slaughtered every year?" I vote pro-life and stay informed on pro-life bills and the politicians who support them. I encourage those who picket abortion clinics.
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Pre-Planned Funeral Fund Defaults
Posted: Friday, July 26th, 2013
As death approaches, many find it wise to pay for their funeral expenses in advance. This relieves grieving loved ones the burden of figuring out how to pay for the high costs of such an event.
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Why I Love Suburban Sprawl
Posted: Friday, July 26th, 2013
Few people like "suburban sprawl". By suburban sprawl, I mean groups of five or ten acre plots of land with large houses along the roadways leading away from an urban area. The reasons for not liking it vary. Here are some of them:
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Skateboarders, Hunters Request Government Funding
Posted: Friday, June 21st, 2013
Two recent local news stories caught my eye this month concerning government funding programs that they should not support. Each of them arose during the same week and they presented voices from two seemingly different walks of life - yet both quite similar in what they desired from the government.
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Cooking Corner - Gyros
Posted: Friday, June 21st, 2013
Summer is here again, which means cook outs and cool refreshing meals that don't heat up the kitchen. This month's featured recipe is the Greek sandwich called a Gyro (pronounced "Euro" like the nearly obsolete currency across the pond).
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Area Judge Offers Advice for City Council Members
Posted: Friday, June 21st, 2013
It was my privilege to have a conversation with a judge who resides in our state. He was not only gracious to visit, but upon my request, offered some keen insight for those who were members of a city council. His advice holds true for a city council member in any city.
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Safety by Force Is Unnatural
Posted: Wednesday, June 5th, 2013
We are all for being safe. I personally am thankful over the years for various ones, especially my parents, who warned me about things and people who were dangerous. And I am thankful for inventions that have made many things much safer. When we were children, now and then someone slipped and their foot got snipped by the blade on the mower.
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Eau Claire to Create "Obesity Map"
Posted: Wednesday, June 5th, 2013
"Did you see this story, Travis? I can't believe what I'm reading", wrote one faithful reader of this paper after he heard of this story. In an effort to solve just one more problem, the City Council of Eau Claire has commissioned a council to look at the health of its citizens.
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An Authentic Drive-In Experience
Posted: Wednesday, June 5th, 2013
Before Interstate 94 gave tourists speedy trips to the northwoods of Wisconsin, motorists would stop at the intersection of 12 and 27 for a rest, some gasoline, and a bite to eat at the drive-in root beer stand just west of Augusta's downtown. But while traveler's habits have changed, access to quality food and family-friendly service with the convenience of never leaving your car continues to this day at Tep's Old-Fashioned Drive-In located right off of Highway 12 in Augusta.
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Cooking Corner - Hearty Herbed Frittata with Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Posted: Thursday, April 25th, 2013
Homemade gourmet-type meals do not have to be complicated. They also don't have to take hours to plan and prepare. Turning your ordinary fare into something extraordinary takes little more than typical ingredients paired with an imagination and basic cooking skills.
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Large Number of Trumpeter Swans Visit Fall Creek
Posted: Thursday, April 25th, 2013
Each spring an empty farm field between Augusta and Fall Creek becomes home to migrating waterfowl as they make their way from winter retreats to summer breeding grounds. This extra large "mud puddle" swells to the size of a pond as the snow melts and the April showers pour.
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Amish Opposition to Building Codes
Posted: Thursday, April 25th, 2013
Eau Claire County Corporation Counsel, state representatives, and other county officials, will be meeting with several Amish community leaders and members to work out, or convince the Amish to conform to the State building permit process.
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Why Your Child Should Be out of Government Schools
Posted: Wednesday, March 27th, 2013
A year ago a recently retired Wisconsin school administrator warned a group about a US history textbook by Howard Zinn. Dr. Thomas Sowell recently wrote: "As someone who used to read translations of official communist newspapers in the days of the Soviet Union, I know that those papers' attempts to degrade the US did not sink quite as low as Howard Zinn's books."
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Cooking Corner - Guac and Taco Salad
Posted: Wednesday, March 27th, 2013
One of my favorite go-to "quick" meals has long been variations on taco salad. I often watched, helped and enjoyed eating my own mother's taco salad growing up. I suppose that's where my love for it all began. Adaptations are endless, it can be tweaked to fit almost any eating style or special diet, and it's hard to not love a good taco salad.
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Amish Families Being Evicted
Posted: Wednesday, March 27th, 2013
Several Amish families in the Augusta Wisconsin area have been, or are going to be, evicted from their homes. According to Eau Claire County Building Inspector, Steve Maley, five or six Amish families have refused or neglected to get building permits for the dwellings they have built since Janruary 1, 2005 when the Home Safety Act began requiring building permits and inspections of all single and two family dwellings being built in all jurisdictions.Prior to that, dwellings built in towns such as Bridge Creek, did not require new home construction permits or inspections.
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Sand Mine Rejected by Bridge Creek Town Board
Posted: Monday, March 11th, 2013
Last month the Town Board of Bridge Creek in far eastern Eau Claire County voted to deny Five-Star Properties the right to mine sand. Their property is along Highway 27 south of the Eau Claire River bridge. Residents of the Township and nearby Augusta voiced concern and opposition to the proposition during a public hearing just days before the decision.
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Cooking Corner - Curried Chicken Salad
Posted: Wednesday, February 27th, 2013
The GAPS* style diet that my family and I are following can be monotonous without creativity. I have found a number of websites that have been invaluable for lending me the inspiration I need that has been essential in continuing.
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The Story of a Funeral Home
Posted: Wednesday, February 27th, 2013
During the nineteenth century, European immigrants filtered their way into American society, bringing their astounding work ethic and thirst for freedom and success. They worked diligently,
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Well, I Know It Has Four Tires and a Steering Wheel
Posted: Wednesday, February 27th, 2013
What kind of information do you know about your vehicle? How much do you think you should know? Why should you even care to know anything about your vehicle?
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Some Question Voter Turn-Out in Eau Claire
Posted: Thursday, January 31st, 2013
Cindy Anderson from the City of Eau Claire Elections Office recently in a letter thanking poll workers for a job well done, wrote that the unofficial turn-out of voters city wide in the City of Eau Claire was 96.8% or 36,501 voters. Ward 6 is reporting 129.4% voter turn-out. In 2008 there were 754 ballots cast in Ward 6.
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Cooking Corner - Tallow
Posted: Thursday, January 31st, 2013
One of the more recent do-it-yourself techniques I have learned in the kitchen is how to render tallow and lard (it would work on other animal fats as well). I want to share this with you because it is good for you, easy on the budget, sometimes a good substitute for shortening or margarine, and is so very simple to do.
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Cooking Corner- Truffles
Posted: Tuesday, January 1st, 2013
The holidays are always such a whirl of delightful preparation and enjoyment. I love this time of the year, from the busyness it brings as we prepare for parties and gift giving, to the reveling in the afterglow it casts. My time is spent largely in the kitchen, creating something from my imagination (and hoping the realization is equally appetizing!) or reinventing old favorites to enjoy.
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Children and the Proper Use of Firearms
Posted: Tuesday, January 1st, 2013
Laying aside the arguments concerning gun control, let me address children and firearms. The tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut moved me to reexamine how I as a father should introduce and involve my children with the use of firearms.
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How ObamaCare Affected Me (So Far)
Posted: Wednesday, December 5th, 2012
What do you want to be when you grow up? This question is posed to children at the youngest of ages by parents, grandparents, friends and relatives. It is entertaining to hear the answers, because so often, little kids' visions of their future is influenced by their toys, TV shows, commercials, games they've played, or perhaps what their parents do for a living.
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Sheriff Bridles WI Dept. of Ag.
Posted: Tuesday, December 4th, 2012
Could other sheriffs in their respective counties put a stop to these over-zealous bureaucrats? Apparently they can. Sheriff Herrick exercised and proved his authority over DATCP.
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Child Discipline Challenged in Court: A Local Example
Posted: Friday, November 2nd, 2012
A young mother in Eau Claire, WI was recently charged with "child abuse" in regard to spanking her seven year-old daughter. The issue centers on a mother's right and responsibility to discipline her child as she sees fit. While there are certainly cases of reckless child "beatings" creating bodily and emotional trauma, this should not be compared to the firm and loving action of a mother's corporal discipline.
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Helping Others In Need
Posted: Friday, November 2nd, 2012
Have you ever been in need of work or met someone in that position? In this economy there are so many reasons a person could be unemployed. Think of these possibilities: a professional who has been laid off, a stay at home parent, a homeless person, a student paying their own tuition, a recovered (or recovering) addict, a business person whose business went under, an elderly person whose social security check doesn't pay the bills, an ex-jail or prison inmate, someone recovering from illness or surgery, a retired person needing or wanting something to do, or the soldier whose job wasn't there when they returned home.
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Paying For Health Care- Out of Pocket
Posted: Friday, November 2nd, 2012
A local small business owner describes his quest to find affordable medical care It's almost a truism in today's society to say that the healthcare system is broken. The blame falls alternately on insurance companies, malpractice lawsuits, government regulation, or inefficient data systems.
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City Planning - A Bad Idea and Practice
Posted: Wednesday, September 26th, 2012
Tom Weese, in writing concerning the APA (the American Planning Association), finally connected, at least with this reader. He addresses a report that the APA put out that supports this international movement that is going in right now in part in the city of Eau Claire and cities all across the nation:
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Eau Claire County Board of Supervisors Update
Posted: Wednesday, September 26th, 2012
As the Editor of the Eau Claire Journal, I think that it is good to occasionally update the readers on what is going on during the Eau Claire County Board of Supervisors meetings and comment on some things that happen regularly there.
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Dinty Moore Beef Stew
Posted: Wednesday, September 26th, 2012
Once again, Ellen has taken this month off to recover from giving birth to her son, Benjamin Thomas. My time machine broke so I couldn't find a substitute author for this month's Cooking Corner. I guess I will have to quickly do it. I married at age 19 so I haven't done much cooking in a long time. Hopefully my memory will serve me well. So on short notice, here it goes.
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Lasting Change For Haiti
Posted: Wednesday, August 29th, 2012
Why do people travel? For some it is a necessary evil of business life. For others, it is for pleasure and new experiences. For a few, it is to give themselves for the benefit of those who have no means to repay them. This is what Doctor Severson and several others in Wisconsin have done as they volunteered their time and skill in the island of Haiti, the poorest country in the western hemisphere.
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E.C. Schools and Nationwide Standards
Posted: Tuesday, August 7th, 2012
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Local Bonds Highly Questionable
Posted: Friday, July 27th, 2012
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How Special Assessments Work
Posted: Friday, July 27th, 2012
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Should Eau Claire Enhance its Waterways?
Posted: Friday, July 27th, 2012
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Doing Good Work
Posted: Wednesday, July 11th, 2012
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Cooking Corner - Pasta Salad
Posted: Thursday, June 28th, 2012
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Authentic Mexican Food at Magaly's Bamba
Posted: Thursday, June 14th, 2012
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City Licensing and the Garbage Cartel
Posted: Wednesday, May 30th, 2012
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Eau Claire Municipal Band Starts Summer Concert Series
Posted: Wednesday, May 30th, 2012
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Cooking Corner - Summery Fruit Salad
Posted: Wednesday, May 30th, 2012
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Arts Center, Government, and Private Property
Posted: Tuesday, May 15th, 2012
Clear Vision Eau Claire wants to build a community arts center in order to fulfill Eau Claire's "common goal and purpose" Do you agree?
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What Can Eau Claire Do About our Nation?
Posted: Saturday, May 5th, 2012
You can be sure that if only a dozen or so likeminded people began to get to know their elected officials face-to-face, have an interest in them (pray for them), inform them, persuade them logically and promote sound thinking and actions, it would have an effect.
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Local Example of a Successful Charter School
Posted: Thursday, May 3rd, 2012
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Becoming a Stay-At-Home Mom (even if you're not Ann Romney)
Posted: Friday, April 27th, 2012
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Cooking Corner - Farm Fresh Eggs
Posted: Wednesday, April 25th, 2012
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City Zoning Unnecessary
Posted: Wednesday, April 25th, 2012
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Support Your Local Tea Party
Posted: Wednesday, March 28th, 2012
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A Day at the Chain Saw Races
Posted: Wednesday, March 28th, 2012
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Why Eau Claire Needs to Stop Supporting the Unwed
Posted: Wednesday, March 28th, 2012
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State Law Limits Local Independence
Posted: Thursday, March 1st, 2012
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Eau Claire Schools: A Downward Trend
Posted: Tuesday, February 21st, 2012
"Instead of school business being about the allocation amongst adults, we can return the emphasis to the education of children which is what we should be doing. If I can do this, I will consider it years well spent."
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Chippewa Falls Hides Reckless Spending?
Posted: Friday, February 3rd, 2012
Where is the money the State gave the City to repair and maintain this street? According to Mayor Hoffman, those funds from the State were not mandated to be spent on maintenance or resurfacing River Street. So to avoid the bond process and debt several years ago, the City used that money for other projects.
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Wolves No Longer Federally Protected
Posted: Monday, January 16th, 2012
"Starting in January, the Gray Wolf, which has been Federally protected in Wisconsin since 1978, will no longer be listed as endangered or threatened on the Endangered Species Act. This will allow states in the Great Lakes region to manage the population as long as they don't become threatened or endangered again."
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Hope for the Desolate
Posted: Monday, January 9th, 2012
"To most Americans, orphanages are a thing of the distant past, the stage of Dickens's novels and Victorian stories. However, to the children of Jamaica, orphanages are an everyday reality. Although the total population of Jamaica is only 2.7 million, there are 880 orphanages. In early December, Amanda Rodriguez of Eau Claire wanted to reach out to some of these orphanages. "I went because it was an orphanage and we can't really experience something like that [in the US] and I love children," said Amanda. She chose to serve in a Jamaican children's home called the Robin's Nest."
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USPS Distribution Center Closing To Delay Service
Posted: Friday, January 6th, 2012
"While official plans are for the processing plants to be closed in April, our congress has attempted to come to the rescue, asking the USPS to delay the closings until May so they can figure out a solution. The agency has agreed to the delay."
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County Employees to Lose Special Privileges
Posted: Saturday, December 17th, 2011
On a November 16th meeting, the County Board members were presented with the changes. The changes include the ability to lay off employees regardless of seniority, changes in grievance procedures and performance evaluations, additional employee holidays, an increase in accrual of sick leave hours, a reduction of unpaid leave time allowance to 6 months...
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Cooking Corner - Peach Cranberry Pie
Posted: Saturday, December 10th, 2011
Pies generally have two defining characteristics: crust and filling. These characteristics are fleshed out in many ingredients, styles, and even degrees of difficulty. I'm going to keep it pretty simple here and talk about pie crust. Having a decent knowledge of what pie crusts are and what they're good for will save you from that misleading recipe you might find online.
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Pushing the Electric Car Craze
Posted: Monday, December 5th, 2011
On November 7th, local Congressional Representative Ron Kind announced that almost a million dollars will be given to the City of Eau Claire in order to help them buy gas-electric hybrid buses to replace three aging buses of the government run Eau Claire Transit.
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Eau Claire's Hastings Way and Social Engineering
Posted: Thursday, December 1st, 2011
The big push behind Smart Growth (which is not any "smarter" than the old zoning ordinances) is integration of property uses. Now they want to encourage everyone to live in residential clusters where all our activities are within walking or bicycling distance. So, though I've never seen anyone walking along Hastings Way to go shopping, millions of dollars have been borrowed to build sidewalks and a pedestrian underpass that will seldom be used. Why?
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Conflict Over Property Rights Lead to Firing
Posted: Saturday, November 19th, 2011
"Kvapil believes he was fired over exercising his right to free speech and to petition for redress of grievances. "Basically I lost my job over my rights. I didn't do anything wrong in my job. I didn't have one reprimand on my record."
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Gold and Treasure Expo Comes to Western Wisconsin
Posted: Monday, November 14th, 2011
"There were seminars running all day on both days about a variety of topics ranging from where to look for gold in Wisconsin, how to process material, advantages of joining local groups of prospectors, metal detecting, and many other topics related to gold and treasure hunting."
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Health Benefits of Homemade Soap
Posted: Friday, November 11th, 2011
"The proponents of lye soap claim that it can cure acne and eczema, and eases the symptoms of rosacea and psoriasis. I have personally heard of people using it to cure poison ivy. Soaps can be scented with essential oils for added health benefits as well. Left plain, they are used to block human scent for hunters."
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Meeting Held on Running for Local Office
Posted: Monday, November 7th, 2011
"On Tuesday October 11th the Chippewa Valley Campaign for Liberty had their monthly meeting. This month's meeting was focused on running for local office. We had a great meeting with over 25 people in attendance! We had reports on the garbage that the local city, county, and school board have been doing in the area including banning weapons from public buildings and raising taxes as well as a tea party report to find out what was happening with the local tea party."
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Alternative to Chemo-Therapy
Posted: Friday, November 4th, 2011
"Even as long ago as the 1940's, there has existed another method of treating cancers, and on December 6th and 7th, two nutritionists will hold evening seminars explaining the effective and healthy nutritional treatment methods of Dr. Max Gerson."
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Eau Claire County Board of Supervisors Voting Records - October 4th and 18th
Posted: Wednesday, October 26th, 2011
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Local Housing Update
Posted: Monday, October 10th, 2011
"It is a buyer's market without question. For those buying, especially if they have the financial ability, the ability to negotiate is fully to their advantage. They can buy now at a good price which at times will be as low as houses were five or more years ago."
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Eau Claire County Board of Supervisor's Voting Records
Posted: Saturday, October 1st, 2011
"Acceptance of $213,800 of Wisconsin taxpayer money to install an automatic Vehicle Location-Global Positioning System on winter roadway maintenance trucks in order to conserve supplies, fuel, and vehicle wear and tear, Passed."
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Cooking Corner - Potato Tomato Casserole
Posted: Saturday, October 1st, 2011
"The vegetables available at this time of year are some of the most comforting ones around. This is chiefly true of the humble potato. I suppose the vegetable in and of itself isn't particularly comforting, but when it takes on the form of succulent stews, well-paired roasts, seasoned mashes, and a wide variety of sides, potatoes bring great satisfaction."
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"You Will Use It Someday"
Posted: Monday, September 26th, 2011
"I must admit that I am not a strong believer in this age old adage. Yet my teachers told me this whenever asked "Why do I have to learn this? I will never use it." (Now my children do the same thing). Time has passed, enough so as to test the wisdom of this well worn answer. And grudgingly I must admit there is some truth to it. Notice I said "some" truth to it."
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Modern Day Jamaica: Life After Dudus - Part Two -
Posted: Tuesday, September 20th, 2011
"I started to remember all the different worlds I saw in Jamaica. I remembered the local painter I met at the villa in Ocho Rios. Who, from age seven, gave tours to the influx of tourists living in the villas. He was also a soccer player and dancer and dreamt of traveling abroad someday. I remembered when on a road trip with my dad we picked up two hitchhikers who were coffee bean pickers for the world famous Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee company."
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In the Garden - Sweet Corn
Posted: Tuesday, September 13th, 2011
Today there are hundreds of varieties and more are being developed every year. If you look in your Gurney's or other seed catalogue, familiar names like Double Delicious, Kandy Korn, or Honey 'n' Pearl describe the pictures. Those pictures cause our mouths to water with anticipation while we wait for winter to be over!
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Eau Claire County Board of Supervisors Voting Records
Posted: Tuesday, August 30th, 2011
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Eau Claire City Council Voting Records
Posted: Tuesday, August 30th, 2011
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Another Concert Season Ends
Posted: Saturday, August 20th, 2011
"On Thursday August 4th, the last concert by the Eau Claire Municipal Band was performed in the band shell at Owen Park. As in all the concerts, the band impressed the large audience with a wide variety of music from various cultures and suiting various interests, beginning with the "Star Spangled Banner" and ending with 'America the Beautiful.'"
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Walker Exposes Misuse of Education Funds
Posted: Wednesday, August 17th, 2011
"Protests at the capitol seem to have been self-serving acts to prevent the public and school districts from discovering an abuse of tax dollars and other unscrupulous actions. The public needs to know that when the WEA Trust offers the low bid, some school districts will continue to purchase health insurance from the WEA Trust although it historically ignores fiduciary obligations to taxpayers."
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Eau Claire City Council Voting Records August 9th
Posted: Wednesday, August 17th, 2011
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Valley Construction- Experience, Quality, and Reliability
Posted: Thursday, August 11th, 2011
"Besides windows, Valley Construction does remodeling, siding and sun rooms. Keeping in line with their emphasis on quality, all of the siding has a lifetime guarantee. The sun rooms are not your typical 3-season porches, but a strong stick-built, well insulated room with premium quality glass that will make a beautiful addition to your home."
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What to Do With the Fairfax Pool
Posted: Thursday, August 4th, 2011
"The conclusions of the report were that the pool should stay open. The filter system needs replacement they said, and the mechanical room is leaking, which could damage the pool's equipment."
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Accomplishments of the Eau Claire City-County Health Department
Posted: Wednesday, August 3rd, 2011
"Over half of their accomplishments (7 out of 13) had to do with in-house activities. They addressed space issues, they made efforts to strategically plan for loss of space due to the new courthouse addition, they entered into an agreement with an architectural studio to write out a report on long term spacing needs, they figured out how the loss of state funding would affect their department, they hired a service to complete a study concerning compensation packages for the department..."
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Eau Claire County Board of Supervisors Voting Record for July 19th
Posted: Wednesday, August 3rd, 2011
"Approval of changing the overall plan as to how everyone in the county can develop their own properties to include the Town of Union's ideas as to how property owners in that township can develop their own properties, Passed."
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Larson's Garden
Posted: Monday, August 1st, 2011
"In the Larson garden this week, we have harvested some leaf lettuce planted by our 2 ½ year old granddaughter. The corn looks great after the recent rains and next week the green beans will be ready to pick. Bob's melons are setting on blossoms and so are the tomatoes. My Perennial flowerbed is also in need of some TLC. Those weeds you know!!!"
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Whose Problem Are the Homeless?
Posted: Thursday, July 28th, 2011
"You do something about it. "Love your neighbor as yourself," Jesus said. Notice "as yourself." There. That is what is needed and all that is needed. Not the city, but a fresh application of the Golden Rule. And until then, Mr. Grande, live with it. Welcome to a fallen world."
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Cooking Corner - Blueberry Lemonade
Posted: Saturday, July 23rd, 2011
"In the heat of summer, a cool drink is hard to beat. From the simplest glass of ice water to the most exotic smoothie, a refreshing beverage is always enjoyable. A special lunch, dinner, or even a group gathering provides an excuse to get creative with drinks."
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Eau Claire City Council Voting Record July 12th
Posted: Friday, July 22nd, 2011
"Eau Claire City Council Voting Record July 12th"
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Eau Can Enjoy a Taste of Chicago
Posted: Monday, July 18th, 2011
"Samboney's Hot Dogs is not a franchise, just a local family trying to build their own business and give Eau Claire a little taste of Chicago. "It brings my boyhood to Eau Claire," according to Sam. "There's nothing like this."
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Support Your Local Gun Range
Posted: Friday, July 15th, 2011
"As I have become more politically minded, I have begun to appreciate the American tradition of gun ownership and its importance to the well-being of this country. But though one may be able to delineate the motives behind the Second Amendment, that doesn't mean that they know how to shoot a gun, or know how to properly and safely handle, use, and become accurate with this deadly weapon. This is where a shooting range comes in. "
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Eau Claire City Council Voting Record June 28th, 2011
Posted: Wednesday, July 6th, 2011
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Cooking Corner - Strawberry Picking
Posted: Monday, July 4th, 2011
"Strawberry picking, a summer activity I especially enjoy, is about to begin. Although the berries had a late start with the cold spring, I am told that the plants are very healthy and are bearing plenty of blossoms and green fruits. I called my favorite berry picking farm, Appledore Woods Farm, in Eau Claire and Phil said that the berries look like they'll be ripe by sometime next week, which should be just about the same time you pick this paper up."
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Should Eau Claire Subsidize Skateboarding?
Posted: Monday, June 27th, 2011
"Perhaps the skateboarding industry may make money off of a free skate park, which may be why Scheels and the Tony Hawk Foundation donated $10,000 towards the project. But you and I shouldn't be forced to contribute."
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Letter to the Editor - College Education is Useful for Many
Posted: Thursday, June 23rd, 2011
"While college is truly not for everyone, a blanket statement that college is not worth it is not true. I went to college for my education degree, UW-Stout, and the courses I took helped guide me into knowing how to write curriculum for my courses as well as writing textbooks. Because of this knowledge I have written 5 books and have my own publishing company. I am sure there would be many more testimonials from graduates in colleges."
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Eau Claire Bike Cabs: an Asset to Downtown Culture
Posted: Wednesday, June 22nd, 2011
"Germany, New York City, Bangladesh, India, San Diego and Eau Claire all have one thing in common: bike cabs. Bike cabs or pedicabs are human powered tricycles that carry passengers from one destination to another. Normally seen in large cities, bike cabs offer a scenic and intimate way of exploring the innards of a city."
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Counter-Terrorism Training Comes to Eau Claire
Posted: Saturday, June 18th, 2011
"There is the question as to whether a city should be accepting federal funds to support local law enforcement, especially when the federal government has no money. If the citizens of Eau Claire want their police force to be trained in terrorism and to be given military style weapons, ammunition, and equipment they should provide the funds."
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Eau Claire Relies on Washington for Welfare
Posted: Monday, June 13th, 2011
"Very few people question whether the city should accept this money. In fact, many would consider it foolish not to accept this since it's free and will benefit the community. But lately there has been an increase of those reconsidering taking Federal money."
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Eau Claire City Council Voting Record May 24th, 2011
Posted: Tuesday, June 7th, 2011
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County Supervisor Replaces God's Help with Government's Help
Posted: Friday, May 27th, 2011
"Hopefully Christians on the county board will use their opportunity for reflection to proclaim that God is our only help."
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Cooking Corner - Morel Mushrooms
Posted: Tuesday, May 24th, 2011
"Many people fear mushroom hunting because of the danger of misidentifying and possible poisoning (this is a very healthy fear, and one we should all possess to some degree). Karla has very little fear, as she was trained by an expert and never strays from what she knows."
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Should the Federal Government Help Pay for Our Airport?
Posted: Tuesday, May 24th, 2011
"Consider the Chippewa Valley Regional Airport. United Express currently provides air service to Western Wisconsin. But Republicans in the House of Representatives have voted to eventually eliminate the Essential Air Service Program that gives the regional airline assistance in providing flights to airports like ours."
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Fresh, Locally Baked Goods!
Posted: Monday, May 16th, 2011
Augusta bakery is a full-line bakery that offers breads, buns, cakes, wedding cakes, doughnuts and cookies for both retail and wholesale. Much of the bakery's business comes from wholesales to local caterers but many people are drawn to their shop by the superior quality and freshness of their baked goods. John claims, "the taste is the number one difference between something you buy here and something you buy at a grocery store."
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Eau Claire County Board of Supervisors Voting Record for May 3rd, 2011
Posted: Saturday, May 14th, 2011
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Eau Claire Starts Selling Excess Land
Posted: Saturday, May 14th, 2011
"The first plots of land to be sold, as approved by the City Council late last month, are located in between Gooder Street and Statz Avenue in between La Salle Street and the North Crossing."
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How To Stimulate Eau Claire's Economy
Posted: Tuesday, May 10th, 2011
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Eau Claire County Board Considers Banning Prayer
Posted: Friday, April 29th, 2011
"No, we ought not to remove God nor His influence (if we are theists, but especially if we are Christians) from our lives in any place of life, including government. This letter is merely an attempt to intimidate the county board to be as godless as the atheist or anti-Christian already is (and claims to be). Be ungodly if you want, but don't try to push your ungodliness on us. Stand or sit and don't pray. We care not."
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Cooking Corner - Mother's Day Breakfast
Posted: Thursday, April 28th, 2011
"Featured as the recipe of the fortnight is Eggs Blackstone, which was derived from the classic Eggs Benedict. The difference lies in the type of meat used-Eggs Benedict uses Canadian bacon (smoked eye of a pork loin) while Eggs Blackstone uses regular slab bacon along with a thick slice of tomato."
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Letter to the Editor - Counter-Protester Bullies Not Worthy of Respect
Posted: Tuesday, April 26th, 2011
"I was taught to respect people, especially those in authority. But I'm sorry, anyone who sides with these disgusting tactics is not worthy of respect. They claim to be defending a right to collective bargaining, but that right does not exist in the constitution."
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Eau Claire City Council Voting Record April 12th 2011
Posted: Tuesday, April 26th, 2011
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Separation of Church and State? How About Separation of School and State?
Posted: Tuesday, April 26th, 2011
"Every year, I am forced to give hundreds of dollars through local, state, and federal taxes to fund the teaching of this lie to the children of this state who until recent decades, were forced to attend the schools that taught these delusions. It is time to acknowledge that it is 'We the People.' Just because the majority of Americans believe in the falsehood of evolution and the old earth theory, does not mean we should let them force this on our children - and that I should pay for it."
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Cooking Corner - Ham
Posted: Friday, April 15th, 2011
"Today's typical ham would have been unrecognizable as such even 50 years ago. The process for mass-producing meat is an interesting one. Pigs are now bred per manufacturer's specifications. Most are extremely lean with small ears and no tail due to amputation (in order to avoid damage in the cramped quarters they live in.) After its short life of about 5 months, it is butchered and the ham portion or rear leg is separated from the rest of the hog, the ham is then injected with water and phosphates to achieve a moist, juicy product."
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The Importance of Physical Therapy
Posted: Thursday, April 14th, 2011
"There are many misconceptions concerning physical therapy. One is that a therapist is going to cause more pain to the body than is worth enduring in order to recover. 'That's the last thing we are going to do,' says Dr. Hickok. 'Instead, we're showing them ways to protect the joint or change the way they do something or make things more comfortable so they can continue their activities of daily living. A lot of different diagnoses don't require painful therapy to recover from.'"
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Eau Claire Votes to Spend over $51,000,000 to Upgrade School Buildings
Posted: Thursday, April 14th, 2011
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UWEC Guest Speaker Beyond Questionable
Posted: Tuesday, April 12th, 2011
"It was my lot in life to meet up with Barker's book - 'Losing Faith in Faith' - and material about five years ago. It was shortly after he had come to the University at that time as a guest speaker also. As a result, we prepared and did a public rebuttal of his claims and teachings. He was ask to participate, but didn't. In fairness, he had a short notice and truly may have been booked. The result of the preparation and presentation that I did personally that evening in the Schofield Auditorium in UWEC was to conclude and reveal Dan Barker is not what he appears to be. How so?"
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Cooking Corner - Sourdough Bread
Posted: Thursday, April 7th, 2011
"In my quest to learn all I can about sourdoughs, I found that the basic structure of commercialized loaves and old-fashioned sourdoughs are fundamentally different, terminology and uses for a sourdough's starter is debated and gets confusing, and it's actually much easier to make and more versatile than most people imagine."
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The Spirit of Entrepreneurship
Posted: Monday, April 4th, 2011
"Julia's husband saw the business as an asset to the family. "It was a way that she can still be at home. When I'm gone at work she can spend a few hours a day working and still make pretty good money without having to be out of the home," said Matt. The family continued with Julia doing sporadic work for the next couple years when the economy declined causing Matt's hours at a lumberyard company to be cut. It was then that Matt started to take an interest in furthering the business."
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Local Announcements
Posted: Tuesday, March 29th, 2011
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Local Unions Rush Contract Approval
Posted: Friday, March 18th, 2011
Eau Claire City council passes union contracts in emergency meeting
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Just Local Foods- Reconnecting the Community
Posted: Tuesday, March 15th, 2011
A reason to buy local is because you can know exactly where your food comes from and how it's raised. If you want plants and animals raised well for optimal nutrition, if you want small farms to continue, vote for them with your purchasing power.
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Can Our Union be Saved?
Posted: Tuesday, February 22nd, 2011
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Local Marine Talks of Life in Afghanistan
Posted: Wednesday, January 19th, 2011
We've all seen the movies and read the articles about the war in Iraq and Afghanistan. It's safe to say that a soldier's life in war is anything but easy.
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Where to Find Your Guns and Gold
Posted: Wednesday, December 22nd, 2010
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Eau Claire County Board of Supervisors Voting Results
Posted: Wednesday, November 10th, 2010
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Eau Claire County Board of Supervisors Voting Record
Posted: Wednesday, October 27th, 2010
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Cooking Corner - Gawin Favorite Autumn Chowder
Posted: Wednesday, October 27th, 2010
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Eau Claire City Council Voting Results
Posted: Wednesday, October 27th, 2010
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Dennis Clinard for the 92nd State Assembly District
Posted: Monday, September 27th, 2010
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Where Families Eat and Friends Meet
Posted: Monday, September 27th, 2010
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Constitution Party Message for our "TEA Party" Friends:"We are With You...in So Many Ways!"
Posted: Monday, September 13th, 2010
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Deb VanWyke: Granddaughter of a Master Painter
Posted: Monday, September 13th, 2010
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Rob Taylor for U.S. Senate
Posted: Monday, September 13th, 2010
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Cooking Corner - Oatmeal Wheat Bread
Posted: Tuesday, August 31st, 2010
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Tom Woods Speaks in Eau Claire on Nullification
Posted: Tuesday, August 31st, 2010
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Eau Claire City Voting Results
Posted: Tuesday, August 31st, 2010
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An Old Time Neighborhood Barber Shop
Posted: Tuesday, August 17th, 2010
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Eau Claire City Council Voting Record for August 10th meeting
Posted: Tuesday, August 17th, 2010
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Eau Claire City Voting Results
Posted: Tuesday, August 3rd, 2010
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An Open Letter for Representative Ron Kind
Posted: Tuesday, August 3rd, 2010
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Unemployment Numbers Reflect Damage of Kreitlow's Job-Killing Actions
Posted: Tuesday, August 3rd, 2010
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In the Garden August 1, 2010
Posted: Tuesday, August 3rd, 2010
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In the Garden - Composting
Posted: Tuesday, July 20th, 2010
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District Attorney Won't Prosecute All Gun Laws
Posted: Tuesday, July 20th, 2010
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In the Garden - Herbs
Posted: Tuesday, July 6th, 2010
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Why Ma and Pa Stores are Better
Posted: Tuesday, July 6th, 2010
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Cooking Corner - Freshe Berry Tiramisu
Posted: Tuesday, June 22nd, 2010
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Why Terry Moulton is Running for the 23rd Senate District
Posted: Tuesday, June 22nd, 2010
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Cooking Corner
Posted: Tuesday, June 8th, 2010
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In the Garden
Posted: Tuesday, June 8th, 2010
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Quote of the Week
Posted: Tuesday, June 8th, 2010
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Kathy Bernier Runs for Assembly
Posted: Tuesday, May 25th, 2010
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Cooking Corner
Posted: Tuesday, May 25th, 2010
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The Effects of TV on Families and the Nation
Posted: Tuesday, May 11th, 2010
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Amish Freedoms Come at a Price
Posted: Tuesday, May 11th, 2010
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Cooking Corner - Lime Chicken with Avocado Salsa
Posted: Tuesday, April 27th, 2010
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County Of Eau Claire Voting Results
Posted: Tuesday, April 27th, 2010
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April 6th Election Results
Posted: Tuesday, April 13th, 2010
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Picture Your Life in the Wild
Posted: Tuesday, April 13th, 2010
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Duty is Everything
Posted: Tuesday, March 16th, 2010
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A Tribute to Our County Board
Posted: Tuesday, March 16th, 2010
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Dan Kapanke Runs for Congress
Posted: Tuesday, March 16th, 2010
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Cooking Corner - Cottage Cheese Pancakes
Posted: Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010
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Why Parents Are the Most Qualified to Direct Their Children's Education
Posted: Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010
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A Way To Help The Poor
Posted: Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010
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The County Jail Dilemma
Posted: Tuesday, February 16th, 2010
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Who is Responsible for Teaching My Child?
Posted: Tuesday, February 16th, 2010
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Eau Claire's Drinking Crisis
Posted: Tuesday, May 24th, 2016
Drunkenness is not funny, nor is it something to be turned over to the preferences of men and women. Rather it is wrong. It is a sin.
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Balts Construction: Your Best Bet
Posted: Tuesday, May 24th, 2016
"My dad's advice to me always was to do work 'above reproach', and that is how I do business."
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Posted: Tuesday, March 22nd, 2016
The Mike's Star Market philosophy is good old-fashioned business with high attention to quality
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Posted: Tuesday, March 22nd, 2016
The Final Five, Vouchers, and Supreme Court Lessons from Lincoln
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Posted: Saturday, February 27th, 2016
Last month, a sting operation was conducted in Eau Claire, WI in which 8 men were arrested for soliciting children for sex via online avenues. Stories like this make the news for one day and dissipate as quickly as they come to our attention.
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Posted: Saturday, February 27th, 2016
On April 5th, 2016, the voters of Eau Claire County will be voting for a Circuit Court Judge. The two candidates are Judge Brian Wright and Attorney John Manydeeds.
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Rock Solid - Organically
Posted: Saturday, February 27th, 2016
After an easy drive east of Foster, you will find Castle Rock Organic Farms at S13240 Young Road. Rolling acreage of 700 total acres includes personal homes, farm buildings, the dairy processing plant, grain bins, and machinery storage sheds. I met with Jake Kostka, one of the sons.f
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Confluence Cronyism: Another Example
Posted: Saturday, February 27th, 2016
With most hurdles now in the past, the developers of downtown Eau Claire's Confluence Arts Center, and the nearby Haymarket commercial and residential center, have used their green light to give themselves what many consider a crony payback at taxpayer and donors' expenses.
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Trust Your Gut: Eat Real Food
Posted: Saturday, January 30th, 2016
For decades now, we have heard proclaimed by government reports and medical experts all of the things we should eat or not eat: fat is bad, fruits and vegetables are good, gluten is out, cholesterol causes heart attacks, and red meat will lead to colorectal cancer.
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Letters to the Editor
Posted: Saturday, January 30th, 2016
Eisenhower attempted to stop illegals at border crossings from Mexico. He started by cutting off the illegal traffic quickly and decisively. That stopped many and returned them home. However, they kept coming back. With only 1,075 United States patrol agents, he intercepted as many as 3 million illegal migrants that had walked across our borders.
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Solutions to Chippewa Valley School Funding Issues
Posted: Saturday, January 30th, 2016
Governor Walker's tightening of school funding and property tax freezes have given local school districts limited budget choices. They can live within their means or ask voters to increase their property taxes through referendums.
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Forum Addresses Government's Effects on Families
Posted: Saturday, January 30th, 2016
On Friday evening, January 15, 2016, the Eau Claire Journal sponsored an event to discuss the roll of government in the deterioration of Wisconsin's families. Julaine Appling, President of Wisconsin Family Council, was present to highlight the government policies that negatively affect Wisconsin families and particularly the children.
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Does Local Government Involvement in the Family Help or Hurt?
Posted: Wednesday, December 23rd, 2015
In January, the Eau Claire Journal Forum will feature guest speaker Julaine Appling, President of the Wisconsin Family Council. To be addressed is a problem we presently have in Eau Claire. This problem is not limited to us locally; it is true all across America. Here, though, in our city and county, is where it impacts us the most.
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Paradise for Lawns
Posted: Wednesday, December 23rd, 2015
Nathan Dietsche and his wife Beth owned and managed a group home in Altoona, WI, for seven years. Caring for individuals with traumatic brain injuries and their specific issues and challenges is very involved and can be exhausting. They decided they wanted to venture into another purpose and seek a calm, simpler life.
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Barn Ruined in Fire
Posted: Wednesday, December 23rd, 2015
It was nearing noon on December 11th when my family rushed to the windows of our house to see a huge plume of black smoke billowing into the sky.
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Used But Not Forgotten
Posted: Thursday, December 3rd, 2015
What a fun surprise to greet the people getting out of the car at Goss Used Appliance and Repair to see that one was a familiar face. Jeremy Goss is also a member of my church and so our conversation began with "I know you!" He and his sister Chris opened the business doors and we were off!
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Letters to the Editor
Posted: Thursday, December 3rd, 2015
Property Rights vs. Zoning Code, America's Islamic President, and more...
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Mislead By Downtown Revitalization
Posted: Thursday, December 3rd, 2015
In reading the Chippewa Valley Business Report for the fall of this year, a quote by Darrin Wasniewski, the downtown development program manager for the State taxpayer funded Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC), is useful to bring to light the maybe good intentions, but bad thinking and activity we have going on downtown in Eau Claire.
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Keeping Mice out of Your Home
Posted: Friday, October 30th, 2015
This is the time of year mice are urgently and persistently seeking shelter for the winter. The warm air coming out of a crack or hole will draw mice like a magnet into your home. It only takes a ¼ inch crack or a hole the size of a dime for a mouse to squeeze in.
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A Stitch in Time….
Posted: Friday, October 30th, 2015
When two people meet, it is beautiful how their lives merge and a future business blossoms. Lee and Jamie Mossige met at a Christmas party when they both worked for the same insurance company. In the early years of their marriage, Jamie was a stay-at-home mom and Lee, a truck driver … until one day he said to Jamie, "What would it take to open our own sewing machine dealership?"
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Posted: Tuesday, September 22nd, 2015
Recently, I visited my favorite stylist, and, as our usual appointments go, we share news, stories, and laughter during the service. We were talking about families and relationships when she began to share a recent afternoon with her baby daughter at Phoenix Park in downtown Eau Claire.
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Posted: Tuesday, September 22nd, 2015
County Keeps Denying Amish Freedom
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Posted: Friday, August 28th, 2015
We hear a lot about small businesses being good for us and our communities. That is true, to say the least. In fact, if it were a contest between small businesses and large businesses, small businesses far outweigh large businesses over all as being an advantage to everyone.
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Posted: Friday, August 28th, 2015
Reynolds Tomter, age 98, cooks, cleans, golfs, loves to putz, and, up until last year, he was driving people to and from the Minneapolis/St. Paul airport! As we sat for the interview, there were purposeful words that came to my mind.
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Posted: Friday, August 28th, 2015
Throughout history, judges have stood in the way of those who would violate our lives, liberties, and properties. It has always been a virtue of a judicious councilor to not regard the state of either party and to rule blindly in favor of justice.
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One Way Local Authority Can Take a Stand
Posted: Thursday, July 30th, 2015
We are constantly lamenting the lack of real action by those in local authority. By real action, we are referring to action that shows they would take a stand on issues that matter. This can include everything from property rights and gun rights to child discipline and protecting businesses who refuse customers due to what they believe.
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Wisconsin Recognizes More Amish Freedoms
Posted: Thursday, July 30th, 2015
New Law Ends Eau Claire County's Fines, Court-Ordered Evictions, and Risks of Arrest
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Perk up with Pilates
Posted: Thursday, July 30th, 2015
The door opened and a gracious, smiling dynamo greeted me. Penny Crochiere is a picture of health and vitality. We sat and chatted, getting to know each other, and then I asked how it all began. She first educated me on the man who created the Pilates concept: Joseph Pilates (1883-1967). It was his belief system of how certain strength training can positively affect one's overall well-being and body performance that intrigued Penny.
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How Should Hotel Room Taxes Be Spent?
Posted: Thursday, June 25th, 2015
The State of Wisconsin allows municipalities to collect a tax from lodging owners. It is based on a percentage of what they charge their customers. The use of these tax dollars has come under debate in Madison.
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Pro-Life Conference Coming Soon to Eau Claire
Posted: Thursday, June 25th, 2015
You may recall the tragic case of Terri Shiavo, a disabled woman dehydrated to death in Florida in 2005. After years of appeals by her family to save her life, the tube used to feed her, and thus keep her alive, was removed according to the wishes of her husband.
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Stealing of County Funds: Lessons to Learn
Posted: Tuesday, May 26th, 2015
Newly appointed Eau Claire County Administrator Kathryn Schauf will start her employment with a lot on her plate. More details are coming out about former County Treasurer Larry Lokken and his deputy treasurer Kay Onarheim's thievery of over half a million dollars of taxpayer's monies.
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Posted: Friday, April 24th, 2015
I fully intended to arrive at the Toy & Antique Museum near Chippewa Falls to do a story on a 25+ year treasured combination of amazing toys and artifacts. Because of health issues and "it's just time" as Al and Irene Przybylski put it, they are selling their collectible toys and antique artifacts. I thought a museum article would help them advertise that they were downsizing and selling out, but we enjoyed a completely different interview.
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Posted: Friday, April 24th, 2015
On March 23, Eau Claire County Circuit Court Judge Kristina Bourget held Amish defendants Amos and Vera Borntreger in contempt of court for failing to comply with Uniform Dwelling Code (UDC) building permits. Sheriff Ron Cramer, who was in the courtroom, was ordered to placard-evict this Amish family with four very young children and padlock their doors.
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Posted: Friday, April 24th, 2015
Deviate, according to my 1974 Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary, is defined: "Characterized by or given to significant departure from the behavioral norms of a particular society."
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Posted: Monday, March 30th, 2015
On behalf of Voters With Facts and numerous Eau Claire taxpayers, the Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty today filed suit against the City of Eau Claire and the City Joint Review Board in Eau Claire County Circuit Court. The lawsuit seeks to invalidate the City's actions in creating and amending two tax incremental financing ("TIF") districts to fund certain projects and to pay the expenses of a real estate developer in connection with the controversial Eau Claire Confluence Project.
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Posted: Monday, March 30th, 2015
The other day I was looking over some of my family's ancestral and genealogical records. On my mother's side, I can trace my bloodline back to William Bradford, one of the pilgrims who sailed to the new world on the Mayflower. He's my 13th Great-Grandfather.
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Posted: Monday, March 30th, 2015
Unless the order is delayed by Circuit Court Judge Kristina Bourget, Eau Claire County will placard-evict an Amish family with young children. The rural Fairchild home is occupied by Amos and Vera Borntreger and their four children under the age of six. Their youngest is six months old.
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Amish Differ on Building Permits
Posted: Thursday, February 26th, 2015
In discussing the building permit issue with the Amish, one finds that some Amish are willing to cooperate with the County while others are still very troubled about the intrusion and infringement upon their religious convictions by the County Planning and Development officials' insistence that they get building permits requiring the installation of carbon monoxide and smoke detectors.
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Can a $10 Million Parking Ramp Stimulate Eau Claire's Economy?
Posted: Thursday, February 26th, 2015
Site plans for a parking ramp on North Barstow Street were approved by Eau Claire's Plan Commission in February. The costs range from $9.6 to $14.6 million depending on whether and when a fourth deck is built. The City plans to borrow the money.
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Posted: Friday, January 30th, 2015
With neither a public hearing nor advance publicity, the City Council will be deciding during Tuesday's (January, 27, 2015) City Council Meeting whether to support the Green Tree Inn's request to the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation for a taxpayer-funded grant of $500,000. To support the grant, the City is proposing to enter into a development agreement with the owners of the Green Tree and provide a $250,000 interest free loan. The loan may be interest free to the Green Tree owners, but it won't be to the City, which will borrow the funds and pay interest on them. The cost to service such a loan can be and no doubt will be used as the basis to further increase City taxes.
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Posted: Friday, January 30th, 2015
Few, if any, Eau Claire County residents would classify the Eau Claire River as "dirty," but according to Eau Claire County's Kelly Jacobs, it is. Is this an example of the government making up a problem to solve? Is this another excuse for the County, State, and Federal Governments to control our properties?
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Should the County Let You have an Ice Rink?
Posted: Saturday, December 27th, 2014
Did you know that it is illegal for you to build an ice rink in your backyard in Eau Claire County? This was news to me as I have often traveled the rural roads around Augusta and found what appeared to be innocent children figure skating, playing hockey, or just having a good time on a patch of ice beside their house. I didn't suspect that they, or rather the landowners, were lawbreakers, but it is right there in Section 18.30.070.
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Eau Claire County Hides the Real Impact of Soil Erosion Ordinance
Posted: Saturday, December 27th, 2014
As one man put it, "If the Eau Claire County residents knew what was in these revised ordinances, there would be a revolt.
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EC Public Schools, Veterans Day, and the 21 Gun Salute
Posted: Friday, November 28th, 2014
The decision by the Eau Claire School District to not allow a 21 gun salute during its Veterans Day ceremonies caused quite a stirring - even receiving mention in some national news sites. It was also an issue that caused some confusion, in my observation. Some people thought it was district wide.
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Should Eau Claire County Own More Land?
Posted: Friday, November 28th, 2014
There seems to be a statewide (and national) push for government to purchase more and more land. The recent acquisition by Eau Claire County of the 160 acre Coon Gut Creek-Pinter Pines land near Augusta is another example. According to the November 14, 2014 article in the Leader Telegram, The Coon Gut Creek-Pinter Club, sold the property to the county for less than the appraised value. If I calculated correctly, the county paid around $318,000, about$112,000 below the appraised value of $430,000.
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Legal Action Threatened Over Eau Claire's "Blighted" Declarations
Posted: Tuesday, October 21st, 2014
Tax Incremental Financing ("TIF") Districts cost the government revenue and grant special treatment to a favored class of taxpayers, all in the hope of spurring development that might not otherwise happen. Because the line between crony capitalism and the public welfare is thin, TIF Districts can be lawfully created only based on certain facts and under limited circumstances. It is unclear that these facts and circumstances exist with respect to certain existing and proposed TIF districts in Eau Claire.
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Posted: Tuesday, October 21st, 2014
This life here on earth is a difficult journey for all of us, and we, as intricate humans with deep souls, cope with our pain and troubles in various ways. Some of us drink alcohol to numb the pain, some of us clutter our lives with work and non-stop activity so we don't have time to think about our lives and troubles, some of us find other ways to deal with life's pain and frustration, yet, no matter what we do to numb the pain or to find happiness, we can create only temporary happiness and relief.
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Nigerian Music Minister Performs at UWEC
Posted: Tuesday, October 21st, 2014
Michael Osuji is a folk instrumentalist from the West African country of Nigeria. He is a master flutist and storyteller. This past spring, he performed at Brown University in Rhode Island. His performance there caught the attention of a University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire professor who encouraged the UWEC to invite him to accompany a play at Schofield auditorium, performed in honor of renowned Nigerian playwright, and UWEC professor, Dr. Tess Onwueme.
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Local Leader Needed
Posted: Friday, September 26th, 2014
It has taken over half of a century to get to where we are as a city and county, so turning it around will not happen overnight. Tha emphasisnkfully, there are some who want to turn it around, although what that means varies in degree,, and particulars. We do think that most people who want to turn it around would agree with the following:
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Hurting Yourself Versus Hurting Others
Posted: Thursday, August 28th, 2014
A profound reason to remove many of those in our county jail.
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The Case of the Confluence Spin
Posted: Thursday, August 28th, 2014
I left my bedroom to find Holmes in quiet amusement as he lit his pipe. A pile of newspapers showed an unusual mark.
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Blighted By Decree
Posted: Thursday, August 28th, 2014
How using TIF's to pay for the Confluence harms property owners.
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Official Review: A Monthly Political Review of a Local Leader
Posted: Wednesday, July 30th, 2014
Representative Bernier said she has had a very productive term. She authored, or co-authored, some seventeen sensible bills, fourteen of which were passed into law. Her one regret is not getting the bill passed that would have exempted the Amish from having to have battery operated smoke detectors in their homes.
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Eau Claire City Assessors Violate Wisc. Statutes
Posted: Wednesday, July 30th, 2014
Elderly couple almost lost their home.
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Offbeats Music Studio Coming to Downtown
Posted: Wednesday, July 30th, 2014
In 2009, Rose Johnson dubbed her little repair shop and lesson studio "Offbeats" where she not only taught violin, fiddle, viola, cello, and vocal lessons, but also repaired and restored bowed and fretted string instruments. By the time 2011 rolled around, Rose had met and married John Vincent, a fellow musician, teacher, and luthier.
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The Unnecessary Use of Our Police and Fire Department
Posted: Wednesday, July 30th, 2014
Recently, an incident in our city revealed an example of how we spend money and involve our police and fire departments in ways that are simply unnecessary and not the purpose of having law enforcement and a fire department. A man was stung by a bee and must have called 911.
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Augusta Meats and Catering: Your Source for Meats, Catering, and a Good Hot Lunch
Posted: Friday, June 27th, 2014
The Augusta Meats and Catering store lies neatly tucked in at the end of Industrial Drive in Augusta. Ralph Knuth, who has been a butcher for 27 years, took over as the new owner of the store and reopened it in November of 2013. He never thought he would spend his life cutting meat, but everyone needs to eat so it's a business with guaranteed customers.
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Local Power Is Powerful
Posted: Friday, June 27th, 2014
When millions and millions of dollars are involved, power is there. When people can decide who can build where, live where, and make a living according to their dictates, power is involved. When those in authority can decide who qualifies to run a business or not, power is there. When those in authority decide whether to tear down or build up parts of our city or town, power is there.
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A Love of Pottery - A Love of Life
Posted: Friday, May 30th, 2014
Take the time out of your hectic schedule to stop in at Caradori Pottery and browse through all of the wonderful art, and meet the potter. You will be amazed by the unique pieces, the original art, and the refreshing atmosphere. You may even leave with a new piece of art to enhance your life and teach you about enjoying life just as it is.
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Should the Amish Be Forced to Have Smoke Detectors?
Posted: Friday, May 2nd, 2014
This is the question and the issue at stake for four Amish homeowners in the Augusta area. They appeared, along with many supporters and their attorney, in Eau Claire court on April 21st to make their arguments. As a result, the judge will make a decision to either dismiss the plaintiff's (the county's) case or allow it to go to court.
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Three Ways to Fund City Projects
Posted: Friday, May 2nd, 2014
When a city proposes the building of special projects, there is usually much debate over how it will be funded. Two recent City of Eau Claire projects illustrate two ways to fund such projects and ignore a third and better way to fund them.
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Model Train Classics in Downtown Eau Claire
Posted: Wednesday, March 26th, 2014
Trains have been a staple part of American culture since 1830, chugging across the states carrying food, coal, supplies, soldiers, civilians, travelers, immigrants, and families. Many life-changing greetings and goodbyes have been hailed at each of the big and little train stations scattered all over the United States.
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"Innocent until Proven Guilty" is Dead in Eau Claire County
Posted: Wednesday, March 26th, 2014
Several recent incidents in Eau Claire County Circuit Court have confirmed that the maxim of law, "Innocent until proven guilty," also referred to as the "Presumption of Innocence," has ceased to be the guiding principal of our circuit court judges. This presumption of innocence, though not specifically called such, is enshrined in the Constitution of the United States in the Bill of Rights.
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Local Enablers - Civic Leadership
Posted: Wednesday, March 26th, 2014
However someone wants to phrase it, we as a city and county enable many bad habits, in particular irresponsibility. This is especially true of those who are in charge of running things in our city and county - the city council members as well as the county board members. All over our city are people receiving benefits due to what is classified as disabilities, family problems, food and clothing needs, heat, and a host of other things. What most people do not understand (I work with such people almost daily) is the root of this, in general, is laziness and irresponsibility.
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Local versus National: The Best Answer
Posted: Wednesday, March 26th, 2014
Recently, I was asked questions by someone in leadership in the local Tea Party regarding my opinion on some things. The essence of the larger question was how could the Tea Party, in this case, do more good in the Eau Claire area. My answer to him is the same I would give to any political party.
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How I Used Electronic Cigarettes to Quit Smoking
Posted: Wednesday, March 26th, 2014
The first week I had my electronic cigarettes (e-cigs), I made a conscious effort to swap it for tobacco cigarettes at least half the time. I guess I would have to say I worked on my habit - breaking the cycle of addiction. Pretty soon, I realized that I was reaching for my e-cigs more often because I actually preferred "vaping" to smoking cigarettes.
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Local Police and "Radical-Right Domestic Extremists"
Posted: Thursday, February 27th, 2014
On March 16th, the Chippewa Valley Technical College (CVTC) will hold a class for local law enforcement officers entitled "A National Overview of Domestic Extremists." The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) will present the class and will provide officers with a "national overview of radical-right extremist movement and the radical anti-government movement/sovereign citizens."
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Reasons to Oppose the Confluence Project
Posted: Thursday, February 27th, 2014
Like it or not, the voters of Eau Claire will inevitably decide, on April first, whether to publically support the arts center, plaza, and mixed-use residential building - known altogether as the Confluence Project - which will be built at the corner of Graham and Eau Claire Streets.
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Why Can't We Bring Our Food to a Restaurant?
Posted: Thursday, February 27th, 2014
I must admit I get a little tired of writing on this vein, but it is so prevalent. My hope is that in time it does some good. Constantly, we are forced to face the fact that private property is simply a misnomer and being able to run your own business as you want is not possible. The reason is due to state and city health laws. I experienced this recdently, so here I am again at the typewriter (keyboard).
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Tech College to Train Police on "Extremists" from the Right
Posted: Wednesday, January 29th, 2014
Eau Claire's Chippewa Valley Technical College (CVTC) is hosting a course this spring for law enforcement officers entitled "A National Overview of Domestic Extremists." Presented by the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), the course will include, according to information provided by CVTC:
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Official Review
Posted: Wednesday, January 29th, 2014
A Monthly Political Review of a Local Leader
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Cooking Corner - Farewell (with a Warming Winter Tonic)
Posted: Friday, January 3rd, 2014
As a New Year dawns, an old routine sets, for me. No, this isn't some habit I've long been trying to kick, resolving to never (fill in the blank) again. And I don't even know if four years is quite long enough to be considered "old."
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Confluence Project to Face Referendum
Posted: Friday, January 3rd, 2014
4,935 residents of Eau Claire have spoken and, pending the City Council's formal approval, a referendum will appear on this spring's ballot. The issue to be voted on is whether city voters will have the power to approve or disapprove the building of projects similar to the Confluence Project.
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The Religious Condition of Eau Claire
Posted: Friday, January 3rd, 2014
Granted, not that many of our readers may be interested in knowing the answer to the religious condition of Eau Claire, but I hope it can be of use for those who are interested. I wish everyone was interested.
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Cooking Corner - Basic Chicken Salad Three Ways
Posted: Wednesday, December 4th, 2013
The feast of last week is past, but the leftovers may linger.
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Local Leadership Needed
Posted: Wednesday, December 4th, 2013
It is hard to write about the need for local leadership without sounding like there is a big problem. But there is, if you believe in a limited government that does not inhibit freedom and responsibility.
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Petition Circulating to Force Confluence Project Referendum
Posted: Wednesday, December 4th, 2013
Voices for and against the development of the Confluence Project have now risen to a higher and more powerful level. A petition is now circulating across the City of Eau Claire, which, if successful, will force a referendum on the April ballot concerning this and other similar future projects.
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Changing Local Leadership for the Good
Posted: Friday, November 1st, 2013
I am a Christian father of 11 children. My wife and I have homeschooled them all. I am a former community banker (and part owner) and a former bank stock acquisition consultant. After having come to recognize the gross immoralities of our modern money system, I left the industry over 20 years ago.
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Getting Answers Takes Too Long
Posted: Friday, November 1st, 2013
Anyone who has tried to find answers to questions at the local city hall or county court house know how frustrating it can be. I am not talking about where to pay a property tax bill. That will be no problem. Right around the corner, sir, and I will help you get there.
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Cooking Corner - Do you ever like to indulge in a good candy bar?
Posted: Wednesday, September 18th, 2013
Do you ever wish those same candy bars were made without artificial flavor, corn syrup, partially hydrogenated oil, sugar, TBHQ, PGPR, modified dairy, and (if you're allergic) peanuts?
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Eau Claire Uses "Green Tier" to Threaten Property Rights
Posted: Wednesday, August 21st, 2013
Recently in Eau Claire, Chippewa Valley Campaign for Liberty invited Kirsten Lombard of the Wisconsin 9/12 Project to speak on a little known threat to the property rights of Eau Claire residents.
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Corporeal Punishment: Local Woman Vindicated
Posted: Wednesday, August 21st, 2013
Recently, on May 29th, 2013, Amanda Parramoure, an Eau Claire mother of two children, was cleared of all charges regarding her alleged abuse of her child due to administering physical correction on the child's backside.
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County Requests Opinions on Budget
Posted: Wednesday, August 21st, 2013
This month I visited with my County Board Supervisor about the amount of money spent each year by Eau Claire County as a whole. I expressed to him my views on the budget and what should be eliminated from it.
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Homelessness in Eau Claire
Posted: Wednesday, August 21st, 2013
No doubt most who live in Eau Claire will not be attracted to reading about the homeless in our city. The reasons for this vary and my words are not meant to put any on the defense. There are some, though, who hear about the homeless and have an interest.
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Eau Claire County Continues Evicting Amish
Posted: Friday, July 26th, 2013
Seven Amish families in the towns of Bridge Creek and Fairchild could be added to the number of Amish evictions enforced by Eau Claire County. Now Judge William Gabler has in essence ordered the eviction of one Amish family's chickens from their chicken coop by September 27th.
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Local Housing Prices Manipulated
Posted: Friday, July 26th, 2013
Recent drops in house sales and an increase in interest rates have made many home buyers and investors wary about what the housing market will do. While the Eau Claire area has not fluctuated as greatly as other areas of the country, many have definitely observed a large difference in the market today compared to how it was prior to 2008.
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Social Workers Per Se
Posted: Friday, July 26th, 2013
There is no question, for clarity's sake, that I am convinced the Human Services Department in our county and every other county in America is best dissolved. My reasons are many, but not the purpose of writing at this time.
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Big Government Solutions from GOP Assemblymen
Posted: Friday, June 21st, 2013
The definition of "conservative" is very subjective. This has resulted in many accusations against elected officials who claim to be conservative yet in the accuser's eyes, they are far from it. Despite these controversies, it is possible to define words and concepts and judge officials accordingly. It is our duty to do so, for our lives and our freedoms are impacted by those whom we vote into office.
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Local, Local, Local...
Posted: Friday, June 21st, 2013
Recently I read Jonathan Emord describe what he called the Political Distortion of Science. Having read him many times, and having checked him out, he is usually spot on. His thesis was revealing the political influence on agricultural science, which results in showing that what is grown, can be, and is at times, influenced and steered by politics. He used Russia as an example, and then showed how it has been increasingly true in America.
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City Fathers Commend City Residents
Posted: Friday, June 21st, 2013
From time to time those in leadership hit the nail on the head. Recent recognitions and commendations from the city leaders did just that. We were surprised, but extremely happy to finally hear them say something positive regarding many who have been overlooked in our city and surrounding area.
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On Their Musical Journey
Posted: Friday, June 21st, 2013
Off Beats Studio, located at 1708 Westgate Road in Eau Claire, offers many services for those who are musically inclined. If you walk into the studio, you just might hear a violinist playing a new piece, a guitarist learning a new chord, a pianist attempting to play a new scale. Step past the cushioned chairs in the lobby and you can glance into the work shop where you will find Aaron Tacke, Marie Stier or John and Rose Vincent pulling apart a damaged violin, ready to piece it back together.
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Chippewa Falls Gives Welfare to Corporation
Posted: Wednesday, June 5th, 2013
The abuse of welfare by people who do not need it is not limited to the lazy person who could earn his own keep rather than milking money from the hardworking taxpayers. Large national corporations also abuse the welfare state. A recent example of this is occurring right now in Chippewa Falls.
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Simple Chicken Vegetable Soup with Thai flavors
Posted: Wednesday, June 5th, 2013
"Come to me, all of you whose stomachs are in distress, and I will restore you." This was supposed to have been the phrase found above Boulanger's Parisian soup shop in the mid 1700's. He is credited with creating the beginnings of professional restaurants since, before his time, food for the public was only available at inns.
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The Long Term Effects of Starting Something
Posted: Wednesday, June 5th, 2013
All of us are a product of the past. This is not necessarily bad, but knowing it is true can be powerful. Shall I say it in an even stronger way? Our lives are dictated by the past, and in a way far more than we know it.
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Con Man Sentenced To Three Years in Prison
Posted: Thursday, April 25th, 2013
John W. Vaudreuil, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Bernard C. Seidling, 62, Eau Claire, Wisconsin, was sentenced today to three years in federal prison without parole, and fined $10,000, by Judge Barbara B. Crabb in United States District Court in Madison. Seidling was ordered to report to federal prison on May 21, 2013.
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La Crosse County Republican Shatters the Stereotypes
Posted: Thursday, April 25th, 2013
A young man neared the entrance to the Republican Party office during the 2008 presidential election. The man at the door politely, but ignorantly, pointed him to the Democratic Party office which was located across the street.
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Eau Claire County Passes Resolution Calling for Gun Ban
Posted: Thursday, April 25th, 2013
In the April Eau Claire County Board of Supervisors meeting, a resolution calling for a ban on "military-style" assault weapons and "high-capacity" magazines, among other calls, was passed by the board by a 17 to 10 vote. The resolution was sent to all elected officials representing the area in Madison and representing Wisconsin in Washington, D.C.
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City Council Member's Partiality Against Kwik Trip
Posted: Wednesday, March 27th, 2013
Five Council members showed no fear late in February when they openly voted not to allow the annexation of a parcel of land due to it being owned by Kwik Trip Stores. Kwik Trip, which wanted the convenience of being under the City of Eau Claire's jurisdiction rather than the Town of Washington's, is planning on building a gas station near Hwy 93 and the corner of Brian Street.
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Confluence Project Plans Slowing Over Lack of Funds
Posted: Wednesday, March 27th, 2013
Although the Eau Claire and the Chippewa Rivers meet and flow together at the location of the proposed $88 million Confluence Project, those who support the project and those who oppose it do not.
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Plastic Bags, Eau Claire, And Resolutions
Posted: Wednesday, March 27th, 2013
The City of Eau Claire recently passed a resolution and set up an investigatory committee regarding plastic grocery bags (and other bags). According to the resolution, "the City of Eau Claire commits to explore ways to reduce, reuse or recycle plastic and paper bags and take a proactive approach to accomplishing this goal by looking to public education, city and county ordinances, recycling programs, and mandatory and voluntary initiatives."
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The Benefits of Planning Your Funeral
Posted: Wednesday, February 27th, 2013
Mike Hulke, with his wife Kari, is the owner of Fuller-Speckien-Hulke Funeral Home. His facility offers a full range of funeral services. According to Hulke, "We are a full service funeral home.
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The Problem: Getting People to Read What I Am Going to Write
Posted: Wednesday, February 27th, 2013
It is rare that I personally would use the title given to this line of thought. But it seemed worth a try, and so far it is working. The issue at hand concerns something that most people would pass on at best and yawn about at worst.
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Daughter of a Civil War Veteran- Can it Be Possible?
Posted: Wednesday, February 27th, 2013
Many of you may be veterans from WWII or Korea or Vietnam. Maybe one or both of your parents are veterans. However, Jessie Marten Montag is the daughter of a soldier that fought in the American Civil War! How is this possible?
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Children Taken By State Returned to Mother
Posted: Wednesday, February 13th, 2013
The two children of Amanda Parramoure are now home with her after Eau Claire County returned them five months after taking them from her. According to a statement released by her lawyer, "two children seized and detained by order of Eau Claire County Child Protective Services were returned without conditions or supervision to their mother on December 21."
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Need Help With Your Taxes?
Posted: Thursday, January 31st, 2013
Local tax professional provides some basic tips to prevent a nightmare
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WI Dept. of Ag Continues Attack on Mennonite Butcher
Posted: Tuesday, January 1st, 2013
On January 16, 2013 at 11:00, Clark County Judge Jon Counsell will hear Arlin Bender's request to modify the Temporary Injunction that prohibits him from helping his neighbors and fellow Mennonites butcher their own livestock for their families' consumption. He asks that all liberty-minded citizens attend the hearings to demonstrate their support for this lawful and necessary help he provides to his neighbors.
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Eau Claire's Early Education Program
Posted: Tuesday, January 1st, 2013
The Eau Claire Area School District is planning on borrowing nearly $3 million to purchase the Epiphany Lutheran School building in order to make it an early education center for four and five-year-olds. If a petition with 7,500 signatories is presented within this month, the measure will become a referendum which may stop the decision by the school board. Early education for four-year-olds is mandated by Madison.
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Prosecution Continues Against Mother
Posted: Wednesday, December 5th, 2012
The child abuse case continues against Eau Claire's Amanda Parramoure. As previously reported in The Eau Claire Journal, Parramoure's two children were taken by Eau Claire County Social Services last fall after bruising was found on one of the children's bottom.
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Cooking Corner - Basic Stock (Broth)
Posted: Wednesday, December 5th, 2012
Here I am, writing another article after taking a few months off to bond with my new son and adjust to life as a mother of two. My relationship with food and nutritional viewpoint has changed a fair amount since you last heard from me.
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What's the Big Deal with Fiber Anyway?
Posted: Friday, November 2nd, 2012
In the last few years there has been a lot of hype about fiber consumption. Even the ADA has been recommending Americans consume more of it. They push fiber containing foods such as fruits, vegetables, and oatmeal. Why is fiber important? "Populations that consume more dietary fiber have less chronic disease"-taken from Volume 108, Issue 10 of the ADA health publication. The ADA recommends adult men consume 38g/day and adult women 25g/day.
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E.C. Sheriff Evicts Elderly Amish Couple
Posted: Friday, November 2nd, 2012
An Eau Claire County Sheriff padlocked the front door of an elderly Amish couple's home while a group of Amish men stood by. A young Amish woman cried as she watched the police bar the doors and drive off while the old couple watched helplessly. The battle with the county has gone on for more than five years and now the couple is "turned out into the street" all because their house doesn't meet state building code requirements.
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Corporations, People, and Free Speech
Posted: Friday, November 2nd, 2012
This paper has published a number of articles on the issue of corporate influences over the government. As a conservative paper, we boldly defend the right of an individual to speak freely and to use his property, including his money, however he wants, as long as it doesn't violate the rights or property of others.
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Third Parties Must Start Local
Posted: Friday, November 2nd, 2012
It is abundantly clear that third parties running for President have no chance to win. Everyone knows that. Yet third parties are a way for some to exercise their voting power while preserving their consciences in the matter. You may agree or disagree with this route, but that matters not in light of what all those promoting a third party need to strongly consider.
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Eau Claire City Council and the Green Agenda
Posted: Wednesday, September 26th, 2012
Recent activities by the City Council have shown that efforts to save the planet from the burning of fossil fuels are underway in Eau Claire. During the recent City Council meeting, resolutions and ordinances were introduced that are designed to lower the emissions from vehicles within the city limits.
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Healthy Competition
Posted: Wednesday, September 26th, 2012
A Neillsville Clinic Joins a Growing Number of Affordable Healthcare Providers Dr. David Paustian of Paustian Medical and Surgical Clinic, and Tina Opelt, Nurse Practitioner, of Opelt Primary Care LLC have teamed up to provide the Neillsville area with an affordable and quality healthcare alternative. "There is a growing number of people with either no healthcare insurance or high deductible healthcare insurance," said Dr. Paustian. With the need for a more affordable alternative for these people, he and Tina opened their clinic this summer.
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Eau Claire Is not Getting Better
Posted: Wednesday, August 29th, 2012
Forgive me for the title, but it seemed necessary to get across an important point regarding the very city in which we reside. As much as we have touted the innocence and safety of the city of Eau Claire, things are changing.
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Local Involvement Greatly Needed
Posted: Wednesday, August 29th, 2012
Once again with a national election looming on the horizon, more people than usual have turned their attention to political matters - especially national matters. However, what cannot be accomplished from the national stage is the influential role of an informed citizen involved on the local level and active in the local community. Yes, vote and influence those running for President and Congress as you see fit. But, and I say "but" with an emphasis, realize the best use of time in my opinion is local involvement.
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Cooking Corner - Breakfast Menu
Posted: Friday, July 27th, 2012
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Troubled Waters in Lake Eau Claire
Posted: Friday, July 27th, 2012
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Building Codes and Property Rights
Posted: Friday, July 27th, 2012
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The Life and Legacy of Jim Swanson
Posted: Tuesday, July 24th, 2012
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E. C. County Referendum to ask if Corporations are People
Posted: Thursday, June 28th, 2012
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A Real Tea Party
Posted: Thursday, June 28th, 2012
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State Oppresses Property Owner Over Birds
Posted: Thursday, June 7th, 2012
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Can Chippewa Falls Forcibly Buy Property?
Posted: Wednesday, May 30th, 2012
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Art Center Alternatives
Posted: Wednesday, May 30th, 2012
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Pitting Neighbor Against Neighbor
Posted: Tuesday, May 22nd, 2012
Some of my neighbors are getting biased information from anti-mining, and anti-hydrofracing activist websites.
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City Licensing and the Garbage Cartel
Posted: Saturday, May 5th, 2012
The City only allowing five companies to haul away garbage basically sets up a monopoly or rather, a pentopoly where no other companies can compete unless they can persuade the city council to let them become part of the "big five".
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Can Chippewa Falls Forcibly Buy Property?
Posted: Friday, May 4th, 2012
...for some people, there is nothing uglier than the mighty hand of the government forcing someone off of their property because of some city planner's dream.
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YMCA and Menomonie St. Blight
Posted: Wednesday, May 2nd, 2012
The property should be developed by the person willing to pay the highest price for the property. If you think the new owner's ideas are ugly, then offer the City a higher bid.
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Should Homosexual City Employees Get Marriage Benefits?
Posted: Thursday, April 26th, 2012
"To compel a man to furnish contributions of money for the propagation of opinions which he disbelieves and abhors, is sinful and tyrannical." -- Thomas Jefferson, Statute of Religious Freedom, 1779.
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Executive Order/EPA to Hinder Frac Sand Mining
Posted: Wednesday, April 25th, 2012
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County Orders Garage Torn Down
Posted: Wednesday, April 11th, 2012
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Frac Sand Mining Facts
Posted: Wednesday, March 28th, 2012
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Cooking Corner - Easter Side Dishes
Posted: Wednesday, March 28th, 2012
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What Is the Definition of Success?
Posted: Wednesday, March 28th, 2012
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Cooking Corner- Herbaceous Falafel
Posted: Thursday, March 1st, 2012
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Cooking Corner - Eat Fat, Lose Fat
Posted: Wednesday, February 8th, 2012
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Take the Challenge
Posted: Friday, February 3rd, 2012
At 276 pounds, Brian LeQue was concerned about his future. "I was getting to the point in my life where I was turning 40, I saw that I was going to get diabetes or something because of my diet, my wife was concerned, I knew that I needed something but I also knew in my head that for the last 20 years nothing worked."
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The Right To Work
Posted: Wednesday, January 11th, 2012
"I agree with Mark Mix's subtitle. After stating we have the right to work he wrote "A Fundamental Freedom." Do you? If so, then realize it is gone. We are no longer free to work as we please. That is too bad. What a shame. And shame on those who suppress this God given right."
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Float In Peace
Posted: Friday, January 6th, 2012
"Fears of drowning while boating or floating down the Chippewa River will now be alleviated slightly. Xcel Energy, which owns and manages the dams along the Chippewa, will be installing nine warning sirens along the Chippewa River in Eau Claire and Chippewa Counties. The sirens will alert users and those living near the river of a sudden rush of water due to the breaking of an upstream dam."
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Cooking Corner - Hors d'oeuvres
Posted: Friday, January 6th, 2012
"I have just come from celebrating and remembering the birth of our dear Saviour and I can't help but think about how richly he has blessed so many of us with family, friends, and even material things. Most of us were able to enjoy cozy homes filled with loved family and warm laughter, beautiful gifts, and delicious brunches and dinners. Though these precious memories are fresh, New Year's Eve is just around the corner, which usually means more time to enjoy friends and family. It's a special time for celebration and reflection, and throwing a hors d'oeuvres party is a perfect way to end the year."
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Eau Claire Poverty at a Minimum
Posted: Monday, December 12th, 2011
Eau Claire is blessed to have little poverty. What we do have can be corrected. But when the courts and the state support (indirectly at the minimum) and promote the very break-up of the family by financial assistance and easy divorce, it is not surprising we have the problem with poverty we do have.
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Local Leadership Needed
Posted: Saturday, December 10th, 2011
Granted, there are, no doubt, in my opinion, several in Eau Claire who understand and believe in limited government, but none have succeeded in leading out in it in a noticeable way. Maybe I am wrong. If such a person exists, and they are getting the whole city thinking about restoring it to a practice of constitutional sanity, than please correct me. Have that person write or you write out what they are doing and we will print it!
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Eau Claire City Council Voting Records
Posted: Thursday, December 1st, 2011
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Eau Claire County Board of Supervisors Voting Records
Posted: Thursday, December 1st, 2011
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Are We Truly a Compassionate People?
Posted: Thursday, November 17th, 2011
"True compassion is voluntary and springs from feeling for the person suffering, then, like the Good Samaritan, doing something about it. It causes men, women and children to reach into their pockets and to help those in need, whatever that need may be."
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Cooking Corner - Chow-Chow and Pintos
Posted: Monday, November 14th, 2011
"I recently spent some time with my mother and we put away many, many jars of applesauce after which we worked on canning a family favorite relish, passed down from my grandmother, called 'chow-chow.' This relish serves one main purpose in my family, which is to accompany a simple Southern meal of pinto beans and cornbread."
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Town of Otter Creek Reacts to Proposed Sand Mine
Posted: Thursday, November 10th, 2011
"This past Thursday evening the Town Board of the Town of Otter Creek requested and received from the town's people 'Village Powers.' This move by the town board was prompted by the recent application from Gerald Martinson to allow High Country Sand Co. (formerly Great Northern Sand Co.) of Winona, Minnesota to establish a silica sand mining operation on his farm in the town of Otter Creek, near Augusta, Wisconsin."
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City Funded Economic Development Hindered
Posted: Friday, November 4th, 2011
"Gateway Park is one of a number of government funded economic development programs in Eau Claire. It is also another example among many nationwide that are having troubles accomplishing their goals in government-funded job growth. Nationally, the Obama administration has come under fire for loaning millions of dollars to green-manufacturer Solyandra which is currently facing financial failure instead of creating jobs."
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Conflict Over Property Rights Lead to Firing
Posted: Wednesday, October 26th, 2011
"Blaine Kvapil was fired in June of 2008 over conflicts between himself and the zoning administrator over his activities on his own property."
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What Libertarians Need
Posted: Tuesday, October 18th, 2011
"The attempt to divorce God and a religious or moral people from our documents is historically inaccurate and nationally suicidal. There is always a why behind every thing. Think about it for a minute. If you had a law that condemned and criminalized adultery (which was unlawful in the near past), but eventually put adulterers and other sexually immoral people in charge of that law, what would happen? You know the answer. The law would change."
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Windows to the Soul
Posted: Thursday, October 6th, 2011
"Every artist dips his brush into his own soul, and paints his own nature into his pictures." - Henry Ward Beecher
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Eau Claire City Council Voting Records
Posted: Saturday, October 1st, 2011
"Repealing and recreating of the city codes to forbid the concealed possession of firearms and other weapons, and the forcing of organizers applying for permission to hold any special event that is charging admission or serving alcohol to either post signs stating that concealed firearms and other weapons are not allowed, or prove to the city government that the health, safety, and welfare of those attending is ensured, Referred to Next Meeting."
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Summoned to Jury Duty
Posted: Saturday, October 1st, 2011
"Recently, I had the privilege of being a possible juror in a criminal case in our county. I choose the word "privilege" deliberately because trial by jury is an excellent system, in some ways superior to allowing a single judge (called a bench trial) or even a panel of judges. Though the judges may know the law better than the average citizen, they are not necessarily better equipped to determine a just verdict."
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Cooking Corner - Vegetable Salad
Posted: Wednesday, September 21st, 2011
"While it is true that almost anything can be utilized in a salad, it is best to think of the texture and flavor when combining your ingredients and dressings. For example, the mild taste and bold crunch of iceberg lettuce is complemented well by tomato and cucumber with a creamy ranch dressing."
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Bus Service Now Provided to Duluth
Posted: Thursday, September 15th, 2011
"Jefferson Lines is a "family company" based in Minnesota. Founded by the Zelle family in 1919, the company was named after the Jefferson Highway which ran from Winnipeg, Manitoba to New Orleans. Today they provide service 'to more than 4,000 destinations in the USA, Canada and Mexico.'"
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Government Grant Helps Fund New Downtown Grocery Store
Posted: Friday, September 2nd, 2011
"Like many cities, Eau Claire has seen a loss in the activity of its downtown area. Though lifestyle and business style changes can be given as a reason for this, much of the blame can be laid at the feet of the local, state, and federal government as well."
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A Mayor's Dilemma
Posted: Tuesday, August 30th, 2011
Since becoming mayor, Quinn has worked to turn that around, "We have a cash on hand policy, we carry over at least 22.5% of our annual budget in cash so that way we're never stuck, we're never short, we're never borrowing for things that we usually pay for in cash."
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Modern Day Jamaica: Life After Dudus - Part One -
Posted: Thursday, August 25th, 2011
"In May 2010 a Jamaican drug lord named Dudus, who was wanted by the U.S., forged a stronghold in Jamaica in an attempt to resist arrest. His blockade in downtown Kingston, Jamaica resulted in a state of emergency. Seventy people were killed, and innocent Jamaicans, like my family, had to be barricaded within their homes to be safe from the gun battles outside their homes."
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Many Surprises at the Farmers Market
Posted: Thursday, August 18th, 2011
"The market begins in May when they are open only on Saturdays until the garden production really starts up in June. From June first on until October twenty-ninth (this year) they are open on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Wednesday and Saturday's times are 7:30 am to 1:00 pm and Thursday's time runs from 12:00 noon to 5:00 pm."
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Cooking Corner - Garden Salsa
Posted: Wednesday, August 17th, 2011
"With tomatoes, peppers, and onions all coming into season at once, I couldn't refrain from studying salsas and sharing one of my favorite salsa recipes. They are one of my favorite summer foods and a fresh bowl of it seems more like a treat to me than something healthful to eat."
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A New Approach to Healthcare
Posted: Tuesday, August 16th, 2011
"Dr. Usher is a board certified family physician and has practiced medicine in the Chippewa Valley for the past 12 years. Since 1999 He has served patients at Mayo Health System in Eau Claire as a Family Practice Physician. For 5 of his last 6 years he has served as the department chair for Mayo's largest department of physicians--Family Medicine. For about 8 years he also served as the Medical Director for the Weight Management Services department."
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City of Eau Claire to Buy Forest Land
Posted: Saturday, August 6th, 2011
"Instead of selling excess city land for extra revenue, the City of Eau Claire, last month, decided to purchase more land."
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Cooking Corner - Camping Granola
Posted: Wednesday, August 3rd, 2011
"The granola can be made as frugally (using sugar, canola oil, and peanuts) or as extravagantly (using maple sugar, raw, organic coconut oil, and macadamia nuts) as you choose, and the tastes can be adapted to your liking. Dried fruits such as raisins, craisins, date pieces, cherries, blueberries, apples, bananas, and strawberries can be added as you like, making sure to add them after baking."
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Eau Claire City Council Voting Record, July 26th
Posted: Wednesday, August 3rd, 2011
"Authorization of the Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department to ask the DNR to give them other Wisconsinites' money to help buy some woods off of Menomonie Street, Passed."
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Why It's Unwise To Accept Federal Funds
Posted: Wednesday, August 3rd, 2011
"For the City of Eau Claire, 23% of revenue comes from other governments. The same can be said for most of this State's local governments. The percentages have only increased due to the stimulus bill passed in 2009. Much of that extra money has already run out."
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Public Education Has Value
Posted: Saturday, July 30th, 2011
"Let us then not make the mistake of clamoring for a system of education that is second best, at best. Rather let us return to not what will bring some value, but to what will be the most valuable - an education devoid of public support and oversight. The state has its place and purpose. In regards to education, it is to praise them that educate their children. No more and no less."
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Eau Claire City Council Raises its Debt Ceiling
Posted: Tuesday, July 26th, 2011
"Over a century ago, private individuals managed these programs. Perhaps the City's budget problems would be solved if we would return "to the old paths" as the Bible says."
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Eau Claire Reconsiders Permitting Chickens
Posted: Friday, July 22nd, 2011
"If the trial succeeds, perhaps Eau Claire should consider merely removing the word "chicken" from the list of banned animals. The fact that people on both sides of the issue have not even mentioned the idea of property rights shows that very few in this city, especially on the city council, understand the individual's true right to property."
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A Tribute to a Public Servant
Posted: Tuesday, July 19th, 2011
"Roger 'Jody' Hahn has been described as talkative, witty, wise, friendly, an advocate for justice, having a good sense of humor, a family man, and a lover of his pets and animals. All of these statements are true, and certainly more could be said about Jody, but his passion was to serve his constituents."
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Cooking Corner - Bratwurst
Posted: Friday, July 15th, 2011
"The word 'bratwurst' is just a compound German word basically meaning finely chopped meat. There isn't just one traditional recipe or way to make bratwurst, and there are actually many different kinds named after different places or methods of preparation."
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Phobia of Guns Drives Eau Claire County Board to Oppose Conceal Carry
Posted: Monday, July 11th, 2011
"What is it about guns that stirs such irrational fear by the majority of our county board members? There is no statistical evidence to support their fears. Let's examine some statistics."
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Eau Claire County Board of Supervisors Voting Records, June 21st, 2011
Posted: Wednesday, July 6th, 2011
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Eau Claire's Comprehensive Plan Transfers Citizen's Property Rights to Public Control
Posted: Thursday, June 30th, 2011
"The Eau Claire City Planning Commission is in the process of a five-year Comprehensive Plan review. The Comprehensive Plan Review Group will be meeting Thursday, June 23rd at 7 PM at the RCU community room. This isn't much notice, but liberty minded individuals, and those interested in preserving their property rights need to get involved. Even if you live or own land outside the city limits of Eau Claire, the Comprehensive Plan will affect you."
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Homophobic Foolishness: Why We Can't Talk About Certain Things
Posted: Friday, June 24th, 2011
"There is an axiom in journalism that an article's value is judged by its sources or lack thereof. In other words, the more support given by outside sources the better, with the opposite being true. This is certainly in general not a bad observation. But, I dare say, some things are so plain that the writer needs not quote anyone."
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Eau Claire City Council Voting Record June 14th, 2011
Posted: Wednesday, June 22nd, 2011
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Cooking Corner - Daniel's Potatoes
Posted: Tuesday, June 21st, 2011
"It's hard for me to believe that summer and Father's Day are just around the corner! It seems like spring took its sweet time arriving, but now that it has, the warm weather and plant growth has been phenomenal. As this will be my husband's first Father's Day as a father, I decided to write this particularly in honor of him and one of his favorite foods: The potato."
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Life in Kabul, Afghanistan
Posted: Wednesday, June 15th, 2011
"Diane wore a scarf except when she was in the home with just the family. To appear on the street she required a male escort. Never could she give a casual greeting to a male and look him in the eye. Diane rather wearied of looking at male feet."
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Blessings in the Midst of Tragedies
Posted: Wednesday, June 8th, 2011
"Their joy was dampened when their little daughter, Ruby, was diagnosed with Arthrogryposis, rare muscle disorder that causes joint and muscle contracture and muscle weakness. 'The doctors said that she would never walk or be able to function in normal society,' Jim remembered, 'It was very emotionally stressful.'"
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Comments on the Proposed Patent Reform Bill
Posted: Monday, May 30th, 2011
"The proposed patent reform bill rearranges the deck chairs on the Titanic. But, if I had to pick a side, I'd say it might actually provide slight benefits to traditional US small inventors. Here's why:"
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Eau Claire County Board Rejects Attempt to Oppose Concealed Carry Bill
Posted: Wednesday, May 25th, 2011
"Out of the approximately twenty-five citizens observing the board meeting on Tuesday evening, the large majority appeared to oppose the resolution. Only one person spoke in support of the resolution."
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Backyard Beekeeping
Posted: Tuesday, May 24th, 2011
"When Gordon got his bees, he started with just one small hive. Eventually, Gordon would have 250 hives and end up teaching bee entomology at the University of Arizona."
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Cooking Corner - Eating Day Lilies
Posted: Tuesday, May 17th, 2011
"In fact, every part of this original variety of daylily is edible. The shoots are tastiest in the spring, the buds and blossoms are excellent in the summer, and the roots (or tubers) have the best flavor in the fall."
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Six Towns Surrender Property Rights to the City of Eau Claire
Posted: Saturday, May 14th, 2011
"Comprehensive planning is nothing more than a tool of the bureaucrats to manipulate land and home values designed to increase tax revenue, and pad the pockets of attorneys. The minimum 10 acre lot size required in the Urban Sewer Service Area and Extraterritorial Review Area supposedly "... serves to protect the future capacity of the city to expand its tax base and secure economic growth, and also to help preserve working farms and rural development patterns until the time that the land is converted to urban use."
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State Employee Unions Threaten Local Business
Posted: Saturday, May 14th, 2011
Ken Vance Motors of the Eau Claire apparently received numerous threatening phone calls from teachers or other state employee union members, causing Jason and Ken Vance and Representative Warren Petryk, representative of the 93rd Assembly District, to consider canceling Warren's May 2nd listening session originally planned to be held in the Ken Vance Motors conference room.
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Eau Claire City Council Voting Record April 26th 2011
Posted: Saturday, May 14th, 2011
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EC County Board to Open Meeting with Moment of Reflection
Posted: Saturday, May 7th, 2011
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State Employee Unions Threaten Local Business
Posted: Thursday, April 28th, 2011
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Sen. Terry Moulton and Rep. Kathy Bernier Listen to Constituents
Posted: Tuesday, April 26th, 2011
"Several of the constituents, like special ed teacher, Heidi James, expressed their frustration with the lack of response and/or the nature of the response they received from Sen. Moulton and Rep. Bernier during the budget repair bill process. Both Sen. Moulton and Rep. Bernier said they regretted not being able to respond to all of the thousands of e-mails and letters received. As freshmen Representatives they are only allowed one staff person, therefore it simply was not possible for them to respond to everyone."
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Eau Claire County Board of Supervisors Voting Results April 19th, 2011
Posted: Tuesday, April 26th, 2011
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Letter to the Editor - Good Bricks Don't Make Good Schools
Posted: Tuesday, April 26th, 2011
"Union bosses interview school board candidates. Those who promise to go after your money are endorsed. Carol Craig has always been in league with the union. Wendy Johnson said in the Leader Telegram, 'We need to increase educational spending every single year no matter what the economy does."
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Does Eau Claire Need Stoplights?
Posted: Monday, April 18th, 2011
"On Thursday, March 31st, downtown Eau Claire experienced a power outage and an hour of life without stoplights. It was great."
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Blood Brothers
Posted: Friday, April 15th, 2011
"The slain lawmen were widely known and respected around western Wisconsin, and in the hours after the shooting they became martyrs and heroes. Forty year old Charles Coleman, former sheriff of Durand and still sometimes lawman, had served during the Civil War and acquired a reputation as a brave and gallant soldier."
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In the Garden 4-8-2011
Posted: Thursday, April 14th, 2011
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Township Board of Review Rebuffs Taxpayer's Challenge
Posted: Wednesday, April 13th, 2011
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Supreme Court Election: Recount Likely as Votes Carefully Tallied
Posted: Friday, April 8th, 2011
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Local Notices
Posted: Tuesday, April 5th, 2011
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Local Writer Experiences New York
Posted: Tuesday, March 29th, 2011
"I decided that I needed to get over my homesickness through socialization. I admit, I was afraid to talk to people because I was new but also because I was under the illusion that my artsy, chicly dressed, New York peers were, by nature, mean and snobbish. This was an assumption I heard often. I heard variances of it through many moves and travels growing up."
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Cooking Corner - Bread
Posted: Friday, March 18th, 2011
"Before the era of readily available yeast, bread was made from starters, typically known today as "sourdough". These starters used wild yeast from the air to ferment and grow breads. In the pioneer days, a young bride's most valued wedding gift was a piece of starter dough."
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Teacher Grades Unions Low
Posted: Friday, March 18th, 2011
"Because 85% of my dues went to WEAC and the NEA, I decided that I had to declare myself a 'fair share' member of the union. The local union bosses sent me a letter stating that I would still pay the full dues; I just could not vote."
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Eau Claire Gun Show - Something for Everyone
Posted: Tuesday, March 15th, 2011
There were about 400 eight ft. tables loaded down with everything a hunter, or a marksman could possibly want. This included everything from handmade hunting knives to Civil War memorabilia. Guns of every size and brand, new guns and old guns, used guns and antique guns, camping equipment and emergency food supplies, and military and war memorabilia. Truly something for everyone.
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This Maier Knows Wieners
Posted: Wednesday, February 2nd, 2011
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Local Navy Girl Visits Lost Inca City
Posted: Wednesday, January 5th, 2011
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NASA Hinders True Space Exploration
Posted: Tuesday, December 7th, 2010
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Corporate Checks and Balances
Posted: Wednesday, October 27th, 2010
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Carson Park: The People's Playground
Posted: Wednesday, October 27th, 2010
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More Representation - Not Less
Posted: Wednesday, October 27th, 2010
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Eau Claire County Board of Supervisors Voting Results
Posted: Monday, September 27th, 2010
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In the Garden
Posted: Monday, September 27th, 2010
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Eau Claire City Council Voting Results
Posted: Monday, September 27th, 2010
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Whose Job is it to Control Violent Video Games?
Posted: Monday, September 13th, 2010
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Cooking Corner - Cooking School
Posted: Monday, September 13th, 2010
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America's Immigrants: A Christian Perspective - Part One -
Posted: Monday, September 13th, 2010
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What Will Your Child Be Taught this Fall in a Public School?
Posted: Tuesday, August 31st, 2010
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Eau Claire County Board of Supervisors Voting Results
Posted: Tuesday, August 31st, 2010
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In the Garden
Posted: Tuesday, August 17th, 2010
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A Local Marine's Expedition to Peru
Posted: Tuesday, August 17th, 2010
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Cooking Corner - "Slippery Jims"
Posted: Tuesday, August 17th, 2010
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Eau Claire County Voting Results
Posted: Tuesday, August 3rd, 2010
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Cooking Corner - Homemade Mayonnaise with Olive Oil
Posted: Tuesday, August 3rd, 2010
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What Happens on Election Day?
Posted: Tuesday, August 3rd, 2010
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A Tribute to Pastor M.R.Siemens
Posted: Tuesday, July 20th, 2010
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Local Housing Market Update
Posted: Tuesday, July 20th, 2010
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Cooking Corner - Breads
Posted: Tuesday, July 20th, 2010
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Eau Claire City Council Voting Results
Posted: Tuesday, July 6th, 2010
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Shaping Your Life's Dream
Posted: Tuesday, July 6th, 2010
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Eau Claire City Council Voting Results
Posted: Tuesday, June 22nd, 2010
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In the Garden - Flowers
Posted: Tuesday, June 22nd, 2010
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Say NO to a Con Con
Posted: Tuesday, June 8th, 2010
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Mike Conlin Announces Candidacy
Posted: Tuesday, June 8th, 2010
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City of Eau Claire Voting Results
Posted: Tuesday, June 8th, 2010
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In the Garden
Posted: Tuesday, May 25th, 2010
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The Missing Element in Marriage Today
Posted: Tuesday, May 25th, 2010
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Cooking Corner
Posted: Tuesday, May 11th, 2010
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Come Meet the Jaquishs - Married 65 years
Posted: Tuesday, April 27th, 2010
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City of Eau Claire City Council Voting Results
Posted: Tuesday, April 27th, 2010
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Larson's Garden
Posted: Tuesday, April 27th, 2010
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County Board Decisions
Posted: Tuesday, April 13th, 2010
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Cooking Corner - Oogerade
Posted: Tuesday, March 30th, 2010
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Eau Claire Debates Raw Milk Bill
Posted: Tuesday, March 16th, 2010
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Wastewater Treatment Hearing in Augusta
Posted: Tuesday, March 16th, 2010
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Cooking Corner - Raspberry Creamcheese Dessert
Posted: Tuesday, March 16th, 2010
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Public Hearing on Raw Milk Bill
Posted: Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010
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The Blessing of the Elimination of All Property Taxes
Posted: Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010
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The Eau Claire Tea Party Begins Plans For Another Tax Day Rally
Posted: Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010
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Is a Debt-Free Eau Claire Possible?
Posted: Tuesday, February 16th, 2010
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