Flags, Porch Lights, and Neighborliness

Last night David J. Boehlke, a neighborhood revitalization, spoke at City Hall. From the Leader-Telegram:

Fixing crime and repairing houses and streets won't treat neighborhoods' long-term problems, David J. Boehlke, a revitalization expert, told a dozen residents Wednesday night.
...
But Boehlke said people spend too much energy fighting. Instead, they should work on putting up neighborhood flags, installing porch lights and getting to know their neighbors. The flags help identify where one neighborhood ends and another begins. Porch lights make a street look more welcoming. These kinds of changes will help make the community look more appealing to outsiders, including home buyers.

What do you think? Are flags and porch lights the answer? If not, then what? And never mind answers, what's the question – what exactly needs improving in Eau Claire's neighborhoods?

Posted by Karline

You pull the July 17 issue from your back pocket to wipe the sweat from your brow as you mutter, "Sure is hot out today," receiving grunts and sighs in response

Hey you. All you people who WOULDN'T STOP EMAILING me to find out who won the fiction contest, who I brushed off by saying "the winners will be published later this summer" ... it's here! In the van that just pulled up as I'm writing this are 15,000 copies of the new issue, each with a copy of the winning story in this year's fiction contest. Enjoy! And if you're so inspired, start working on your masterpiece for next year ...

Also in this issue: The Wellness Shack's use of arts and creativity to aid mental health recovery; the new Blues on the Chippewa festival in Durand; local poet and activist Norma Desprez; Menomonie photographer Steven Braker, whose credits include leading U.S. retailers and pretty much the entire sixties; fun local day-trips for kids; The Living Room Coffee House; Kemper's Woods, a natural area made public through the Chippewa County Land Conservancy; your favorite always-hilarious columnists; and a whole bunch of upcoming local music and events.

Posted by Karline

Thursday: Daredevil Christopher Wright + Laarks Storm the Phark

Thursday evening brings you a duo of local indie rock favorites down at the Phark. The Daredevil Christopher Wright  are a singer-songwriter based alternative indie folk trio with amazing three part harmonies and creative songcraft. Laarks are a keyboard driven art-pop four-piece. A trio plus a four-piece can mean one of two things: a) way too much chicken to eat in once sitting, or b) a rocking good time. Let's hope for the latter.

NOTE: We're on. It's a go. Come on down. The radar (this one) is not showing any storms behind what came through today. So yee-haw!

Sounds Like Summer: Daredevil Christopher Wright + Laarks • Thursday, July 17 • Phoenix Park amphitheater in Downtown Eau Claire • 6:30pm • all ages • FREE • 552-0457

Check out the sponsors: Eau Claire Transit, RCU, Downtown Eau Claire Inc., Hillside Dental, the Wisconsin Arts Board, Chilson Subaru, the Chippewa Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Clear Channel.

Posted by Mike

Show Us Your V1: MEGA POST!

Here's a batch of the latest "Show Us Your Volume One" pictures sent in by amazing and attractive readers such as yourself. Click "continue reading" to see them all!

Miyajima Island, Japan | Volume One Reader/Distribution Guy Nate Dimit recently visited Japan as a part of Memorial High School's Japanese program and snapped this pagoda-laden picture on Miyajima island, near Hiroshima.

Posted by Mike

Continue reading "Show Us Your V1: MEGA POST!"

New Quick Web Poll!

We direct your attention to the riveting and topical reader poll in the left sidebar.

Posted by Mike

Eau Claire Transit Survey

The surveys just keep comin'. Here's one from Eau Claire Transit on why you do or don't take the city bus, and what might incite you to do so. (Free wi-fi?)

Linky

Posted by Karline

Back-Alley Cinema Series (Really) Returns with The King of Kong

Tonight in the alley, it's The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters. There’s more drama in this small documentary than in most serious Oscar contenders. A marriage is on the line, integrity is tested, and friendships falter – all in the name of a video game called Donkey Kong. The King of Kong may inspire both tears and frustrated sighs, but it’s most remarkable for its humor. In the same vein as Wordplay and Spellbound, this is a hilarious documentary that enlightens as it entertains. Billy Mitchell’s high score in Donkey Kong has been unbeaten for decades. But newcomer nice guy Steve Wiebe finds purpose in the game after losing his job, and discovers his natural aptitude at the game, and this film casts him as a classic hero that viewers love to root for. Even though some might argue that the Super Bowl is more important, the competition in The King of Kong rivals the most exciting in sports. Watch the trailer!

The King of Kong (PG/79min/2007) • Monday, July 14 • the alley that would be 205 Graham Ave., downtown Eau Claire •  9:30pm • all ages • FREE • concessions available • 552-0457 

Posted by Mike

Finally, the Gas Prices Question

It occurred to me recently while making my morning rounds of the local news that a good portion of the stories were related to high gas prices. Utah state employees will be working four 10-hour days instead of the usual 5x8 workweek in order to save on the state's energy costs and workers' commuting expenses. People are vacationing closer to home. They're driving smaller vehicles. The L-T and garbage trucks are cutting rural routes. Meals on Wheels is feeling the pinch in its wheels. The local sheriff's department is considering making officers pay for mileage if they want to drive their squad car from home to work and back. Farmers market prices are going up because it costs the farmers more to get there. Schools are changing sports schedules and cutting bus routes. We've gotten to the point where anybody on a bike is attributed to high gas prices (even when it might be a bit of a stretch).

Clearly, we're all feeling it. What are you doing differently now that gas is around $4 a gallon?

Posted by Karline

Unfortunately Ambiguous Headline of the Day

I did a double take when I read the following on the Chippewa Herald's site:

Chippewa Falls Girl Born to Show Cows at Fair

This girl's parents ought to complain to the Herald. Or moo or something.

Posted by Karline

Thursday: The Klenz/Walk Sextet

Tonight's concert in the phark features the six-man jazz attack of The Klenz/Walk Sextet – a group featuring a healthy mix of UWEC Jazz I-level musicians and a dose of local jazz scene veterans. So get on down there tonight and get your jazz on.

NOTE: Despite some afternoon rain, the concert is still on!

Sounds Like Summer: Klenz/Walk Sextet  • Thursday, July 10 • Phoenix Park amphitheater in Downtown Eau Claire • 6:30pm • all ages • FREE • 552-0457

Check out the sponsors: Eau Claire Transit, Culvers, RCU, Downtown Eau Claire Inc., Hillside Dental, the Wisconsin Arts Board, Chilson Subaru, the Chippewa Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Clear Channel.

Posted by Mike

New Quick Web Poll!

Now that the smoking ban is in effect, how’s it been out there in bar land? Vote on the poll in the left sidebar and leave comments right on this post.

Posted by Mike

Eau Claire County Budget Survey

A little monkey told us about this online budget survey for Eau Claire County. Here's the sitch:

Local governments in Wisconsin are facing annual fiscal challenges, and Eau Claire County has a significant budget challenge for 2009 and into the future. Continuation of all current programs and services at the same level as past years creates an estimated $1 million budget shortfall. The combination of continued state imposed property tax levy limits, cost increases outside of the control of the county board and reduction or freezing of state and federal aids means continued funding for programs and services at current levels is not guaranteed.

What are your priorities? Tell the county here.

Posted by Karline