Eau Claire Hometown Media

The NFC North's intriguing race is the main event on this week's episode

For the last two decades, JONAH Justice has been in theChippewa Valley working with a number of agencies to help make our region safer and healthier for everyone. Lynn Buske is the local community coordinator and she shares the story of the organization’s mission, the power of community organizing and how people of all backgrounds can come together to create change. From addressing housing issuesto hunger insecurity to many other social issues impacting residents of the Chippewa Valley.

One of the longest tenured coaches in Altoona, tennis coach Greg Emerson, gives us insight into the girl’s Fall season. We learn why he runs a “no cut” program with a strong belief in not turning any student away. What he is trying to teach that can be taken beyond the court and the changes he has witness in over 30 years of coaching.

October is Domestic Abuse Awareness month and Emilie brings on Bridge to Hope’s Executive Director Molly Mooridian to recognize this. Molly shares insight into the vital work their organization does to support survivors, raise awareness and promote prevention in the community. We also learn why their inclusion of PETS at the shelter iseven more significant than you would think. In addition, Bridge to Hope is the recipient of a donationfrom the Let’s Paint the Town summer celebration and committee member Sylvia Gegenbach is here to highlight that.

An open house, sad anniversary and UW-Eau Claire makes a major move

In October, the Pablo Center hosted a performance by BLACKVIOLIN, a pair of classically changed black musicians playing hip hop on the string instrument. It afforded an opportunityto showcase the possibilities that exist for African-American and biracial youths. Dennis Beale, the founder of Power of Perception, a local organization that serves these demographics joins Kathy to talk about how shows (and other experiences) like this benefit these kids and the minority community of the Chippewa Valley.

Health care costs continue to rise, and new studies show people aren't always planning for this. Pat and Jesse delve into the importance of making sure this area is accounted for in a solid retirement plan.

This January the MACS Theatre Department will bepresenting the musical Le Miserable (School Edition) to the community. Musical Director Kelsey Jimenz along withsenior student and stage manager Lillian McDonald discuss the play and how the school courses and co-curriculars associated with fine arts impact the schoolcommunity. Why was this particular show selected and what should theaudience expect? Lillian gives us a first hand account as to the camaraderiethat exists behind the curtains and the way these productions help create bridges between various schools in the area. The role faith in interwoven with activities like thisand how that connection is strengthened by participating.

The Northern Wisconsin State Fair is a time of music, food, expos, camaraderie and again food. Yet, at its core it remains an agricultural showcase for the region. On this episode, Executive Director Brian Maki talks to Tyler Maier to highlight this. They shine a light on the agriculture program the fair has and how deep it runs that goes far beyond just having animals in the barns for a week each July. The science behind everything from soil to animal feed, the sharing of ideas, sustainability and more. Tyler is soaked with the agriculture industry to his bones. Hisfamily runs Maier’s Family Dairy, his heavily involved with the Chippewa 4-H, a program representative with the NWSF Animal Program and volunteers with the Fairest of the Fair program. His “day job” is Assistant VP of AgricultureUnderwriting at CCF Bank.

Thoughts continue on the proposed 100% increase in the Eau Claire Wheel Tax along with an opinion on a major change coming for Eau Claire Area School District students and families

Hosted by the Phoenix Taproom and Kitchen in downtown Eau Claire, this month's edition features representatives from Visit Eau Claire, the Pablo Center and the Altoona School District. Find out who comes out on top as they answer trivia questions while enjoying a tasty beverage.

Not all is lost with Eau Claire Area High School football...and what a cryptic tweet from the UW-Eau Claire Athletic Director may say about the football program

Official Podcast of the Chippewa Falls Area Unified School District The funding of schools is a constant top of mind topic andin this episode, Superintendent Jeff Holmes and Director of Business Service and Finance Chad Trowbridge discuss the current status of the district’s financing. How current referendum monies have been used, enrollment trends and the state funding landscape. They also bring up the realities of predicted funding gaps and options the district is looking at. With Jeff retiring at the end of the school year, they alsotouch on the superintendent search process, what the district is looking for and the plan for the transition. What are the important things the next superintendent needs to recognize?

Dan has strong thoughts on the protests against ICE agentsand law enforcement in general. Opines on the national guard being deployed in major cities. And he shares a personal experience from being a part of a protest and proper decorum during one.

We embarked on a summer fun savings challenge in episode 55, and now it’s time for the results! Tune in as the Money Donuts hosts revisit their vlogged adventures that challenged them to get creative and think outside the box for low-cost summer fun. Plus, one host wins it all as the Super Summer Fun Saver!

Recap of the MLB Division Playoffs and a look at the NFL as we reach mid October

The MoonRidge crew welcome contemporaries on this episode, talking with Kevon Staaz and Nate Pelz with Half Fast Brewing in Spring Valley. Kevin is the brewer and Nate oversees the operations. They tell us the path towards bringing their passion to reality with the opening their own location. The role MoonRidge played in their story. Buildingconnection with both the local community and the other brewers regionally. What are things they are currently working on and goals forthe future.

This episode was recorded at the Roadmap MarketingConference in Eau Claire. Jerry talks with three local marketing professionals on the landscape of “getting the word out” and branding for companies in 2005-2006. What long standing principles still apply, the changes and trends and the new tools people use but maybe don’t capitalize properly. What marketing strategies are key to be successful specificto the Chippewa Valley? How does when decipher whether their marketing is working or not?

The plight of a local fast food restaurant...celebrating the Heyde Center and more on this edition

Presented by Fries Financial Group We shine a spotlight on the Hope Village - Tiny Homes Housing Alternative project that has been going on in Chippewa Falls since 2016. Mike Cohoon updates us on the growth of the project, who it serves and how many have benefited from the project. He shares anecdotes from some of the people they have helped and what new and continued challenges the project faces. He also explains the pathway the program is trying to establish to assist individuals to permanent stable housing solutions, with the construction of affordable housing and the recent renovation of the Indianhead Motel.