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Free Baby Expo planned for Sept. 20

Gundersen Lutheran's New Life Family Center will host a Baby Expo on Saturday, Sept. 20, to help people facing parenthood make wise and healthy choices for themselves and their new baby.

The Baby Expo, a free event making its debut, will take place in the Gundersen Lutheran Rasmus Center from 9 a.m. to noon. The expo will include:

Annual needlework show seeks entries

The Coulee Country Chapter of the Embroiderers Guild of America seeks entries for its annual needlework show held during Oktoberfest.

Needleworkers are invited to participate with entries in cross stitch, surface embroidery, canvas, counted thread, hardanger and small quilting. New this year is a youth category for ages 18 and younger in any of the needlework categories.

Entries will be received Wednesday, Oct. 1, from noon to 6 p.m. at the La Crosse Public Library auditorium.

The free show then opens on Thursday, Oct. 2, and goes through Saturday, Oct. 4, during library hours.

The public is invited to vote for their favorite in each category. People's Choice awards as well as Mrs. Oktoberfest and Festmaster ribbons will be presented to the winners.

A boutique with needlework ornaments and more will be available for people looking for unique gifts.

During September, the library showcases display vintage needlework with a theme of "Following in Our Mothers’ Footsteps."

Career workshop designed for women

A workshop titled “Your Career, Your Life” will be offered by the UW-La Crosse Small Business Development Center Tuesday, Sept. 16.

The full-day workshop will consider the big picture of the working lives of women while providing practical strategies for aligning long-term goals with day-to-day life.

The workshop consists of two morning sessions and three sessions in the afternoon. The morning sessions will focus on women’s strengths and challenges in today’s workplace, and expanding effectiveness and influence.

The group will then break for a catered networking lunch. The afternoon sessions will focus on work-life balance, mentoring and finding mentoring and stages of effectiveness and career development.

The workshop will be facilitated by Jodi Vandenberg-Daves, a professor of women’s studies at UW-L who has more than 15 years of experience in the topic. She has worked with employers in the region to identify opportunities in work-life balance for employees and the creation of best practices.

The workshop will be at the UW-L Cleary Alumni & Friends Center. Registration is $149 and includes materials, lunch and parking permit. Pre-registration is required; seating is limited.

To register or for more information, contact the center at 785-8783 or www.uwlax.edu/sbdc.

Seminar aimed at professional women

Western Technical College’s Business and Industry Services Division is offering the seminar “Thriving as a Professional Woman” on Wednesday, Sept. 17, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the La Crosse campus.

The goal of the session is to help women in the work place use emotions to their advantage, learn how to build supportive relationships with other professional women, professionally respond to conflict, skillfully use body language and voice control, and learn that they don’t have to “become a man” to succeed.

For details on this and other seminars, visit westerntc.edu/bis. To register, contact the Business and Industry Services Division at 785-9232 or e-mail bis@westerntc.edu.

Activist to detail hip-hop/violence link

An activist who created a documentary on the impact of hip-hop music on the roles of men and women will speak at UW-La Crosse.

Byron Hurt, whose documentary “Hip-Hop: Beyond Beats and Rhymes” critically examines the music, speaks at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 16, in Valhalla, Cartwright Center-Gunning Addition.

In the documentary, the former Northeastern University football quarterback looks at the role hip-hop plays in society to perpetuate stereotypes about masculinity, race, gender roles and violence against women. Hurt uses his analysis of racist and sexist views in society in an effort to reduce violence against women throughout the world.

Hurt has facilitated workshops in sexual and gender violence prevention and education by using film. His new documentary, “The Masculinity Project,” will debut later this fall.

Tickets are $3 for UW-L faculty and staff and $5 for others. Admission for UW-L, Viterbo University and Western Technical College students is free.

For tickets or more information, contact the Cartwright Center Information Counter at 758-8898 or visit www.uwlax.edu/cab.

‘Music junkie’ to play at UW-La Crosse

Minneapolis musician Ari Herstand, a self-declared “Minneapolis music junkie,” will perform at UW-La Crosse at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 11, at the Cellar in the UW-L’s Cartwright Center.

Admission is free as part of the Cellar Thursday Series sponsored by the Campus Activities Board.

Herstand’s recently released album, “Whispering Endearments,” is his third. It features many artists from the Minneapolis music scene. His music is a blend of acoustic, rock, pop, folk, jazz and funk tied together by his distinctive songwriting and vocals.

Herstand recently returned from an East Coast tour and a two-week stint at Milwaukee’s Summerfest. He has opened for national artists including Ben Folds, Cake, Sister Hazel, Soul Asylum, the Bodeans, Joshua Radin and Matt Nathanson.

For more information, visit www.uwlax.edu/cab or call the Cartwright Center information counter at 785-8898.

Farm Bureau annual meeting is Sept. 15

Members of the La Crosse County Farm Bureau will hold their annual meeting on Sept. 15 at 7:30 p.m. at the Fox Hollow Supper Club in Barre Mills.

Meeting business includes creating policy resolutions and voting for county board directors. Also being selected will be La Crosse County’s delegates for the state Farm Bureau annual meeting.

As a grassroots organization, it is Farm Bureau’s members on the county level who set the policy goals of the state’s leading farm organization. The Wisconsin Farm Bureau is often asked to get involved in issues affecting production agriculture and rural Wisconsin both in Madison and Washington, D.C.

This fall, Farm Bureau members across the state will be forwarding resolutions on a variety of issues regarding agriculture, land use, natural resources, labor, health care, property rights and energy. Background information on some of these issues can be found at www.wfbf.com.

Dues to become a member of the La Crosse County Farm Bureau are $45.

For more information, call Paul Peterson at (608) 637-6479.

Fort McCoy’s disabled hunt deadline extended

Disabled hunters are encouraged to apply for a special deer hunt at Fort McCoy Oct. 4-5. The application deadline for the special hunt has been extended to Sept. 22.

Individuals participating in this hunt must possess a Class A or Class C permit issued by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and a valid Wisconsin deer gun license. Hunters cannot participate in more than one disabled gun-deer hunt within Wisconsin in the same calendar year.

Hunters will receive a Fort McCoy bonus tag allowing them to harvest an antlerless deer. Participants must use their regular Wisconsin deer gun carcass tag to harvest an antlered deer.

With the bonus tag, hunters can take up to two deer. Wisconsin bonus tags are not valid on Fort McCoy.

To receive a 2008 Fort McCoy Disabled Hunt Application, e-mail requests to mcco.dpw.permitsales@conus.army.mil, or send a self-addressed stamped envelope to the Directorate of Public Works, IMNE MCY PWEN (Permit Sales), 2171 S. Eighth Ave., Fort McCoy, WI 54656-5136.

Questions can be directed to the Fort McCoy permit sales office at (608) 388-3337.

Applications will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis.

Trempealeau refuge to offer deer permits

Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge will once again offer special refuge deer hunting permits for the 2008 nine-day state gun season and the 2008-09 late archery season.

Permit applications are available at the refuge office or may be downloaded online at www.fws.gov/midwest/trempealeau. Applications for the gun season must be returned no later than Oct. 10.

A random drawing will be held on Oct. 14 to select 35 hunters for the special refuge gun deer hunt. Permits for the late archery season may be purchased from now until Dec. 19.

Cost for a refuge deer permit (gun or archery) is $10. All applicants must possess a valid Wisconsin hunting license and a refuge hunting permit.

Wisconsin hunting regulations will be in effect while hunting on the refuge.

Interested hunters may contact Trempealeau refuge for more information or to request an application by calling (608) 539-2311, ext. 16. TTY users may call via the state relay service at 1-800-947-3529.

To request an application by mail, write to: Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge, W28488 Refuge Road, Trempealeau, WI 54661. E-mail goes to trempealeau@fws.gov.

Seminar to examine Book of Ezekiel

A Madison professor will present a talk — “Visions From the End of the World: Ezekiel in Exile” — on Wednesday, Sept. 10, at First Congregational United Church of Christ, 2503 Main St., La Crosse.

William Tooman, who earend a Ph.D. in Hebrew and Semitic studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, is assistant professor of religious studies at Edgewood College, Madison, and specializes in the literature and thought of the Hebrew Bible.

He works in particular on the Book of Ezekiel, history of interpretation, intertextuality, composition history and the ancient Greek and Aramaic translations of the Hebrew Bible. He also teaches in the fields of church history, early Christian literature and world religions.

The Book of Ezekiel was crafted to involve its readers in questions of identity — national identity, religious identity, present identity and future identity. Ezekiel accomplished this by raising issues of heritage, loyalty and affiliation. He pushed his readers to embrace a radical vision for the future.

Check-in for the seminar begins at 8:30 a.m. and sessions begin at 9 a.m. and run through 3:15 p.m. Register online at www.wichurches.org or call (608) 837-3108.

AAUW speaker to discuss herons

The La Crosse branch of the American Association of University Women will meet on Sept. 13 at the Ward Room, UW-L Campus Cartwright Center, with Steve Bina presenting the program, “What’s With All Those Herons?”

Registration starts at 9:30 a.m., with brunch at 10 and the program starting at 10:30. Brunch includes crustless quiche, bacon, fruit, bakery, juice and coffee for $9.25.

Late reservations and cancellations will be accepted until noon on Sept. 10 by calling Jane Wernecke at (608) 534-6330.

AAUW is open to any person with an associate or equivalent degree; bachelor’s or higher degree from a regionally accredited college or university. Undergraduates in two or four year educational institutions may join as students.

For membership information, call Pat Staupe at 788-7439 or attend the meeting.

Auditions planned for ‘See Jane Vote’

Open auditions for the musical comedy “See Jane Vote” will be held at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 7, at the Pump House Regional Arts Center in la Crosse.

“See Jane Vote,” directed by Anne Drecktrah, follows Jane Duncan in her quest for life, liberty and the pursuit of the ballot box. When Jane’s husband, Richard, runs for mayor of Liberty Grove, Jane illegally casts a ballot in the election, leaving Richard (the town constable) no choice but to arrest her.

Humiliated, Richard flees the small town, returning in disguise in a desperate and hilarious attempt to regain control over his wife and the town.

Roles are available for two men playing age 35-55, one man playing a character in his 20s, two women playing age 35-55, and one women playing late teens or early 20s.

Interested applicants should come prepared to sing 32 measures of a song of their choice. Perusal copies of the play can be picked up at the Pump House.

Holmen author to sign new book

Dan Marcou, a retired police lieutenant who took up writing after he left the La Crosse Police Department, will hold a book signing session at Barnes & Noble in the Valley View Mall on Friday, Sept. 5, starting at 5 p.m.

Marcou recently published his second book, “S.W.A.T.: Blue Knights in Black Armor,” a true-to-life novel about life on the police force in the fictional town of La Claire, Wis. The book continues the adventures of officer Dan McCarthy begun in Marcou’s first book, “The Calling: The Making of a Veteran Cop.”

See next week’s edition of this paper for a story on Marcou and his new book.

Knights plan annual football skills contest

The Onalaska Knights of Columbus in conjunction with the Wisconsin Knights of Columbus invite all boys and girls ages 8-12 to participate in the annual Punt, Pass & Kick contest.

The contest will be held Saturday, Sept. 20, at the Onalaska High School football field starting at 1 p.m. for ages 8-10, and 1:45 p.m. for ages 11-12. The rain date is Sunday, Sept. 21.

The winners will move on to the diocesan competition.

Information and entry forms will be available at area schools during the first week of school.

Season’s last Brice Prairie art fair set

The La Crosse Society of Arts & Crafts’ monthly Season of Art series will wind up on Saturday, Sept. 5.

The outdoor art fair will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will be at 7203 North Shore Drive (look for the white barn).

Seventeen artists offering a wide range of works will be on hand for the event, including Sharon Aalseth (semiprecious stone jewelry), Loyd Mieden (weaving), Pamela Clafton Lee (watercolors) and Carol Witt-Smith (stained glass) of Onalaska and Arthur Anderson (river landscapes, original oils and prints) of Holmen.

Auditions planned for Christmas musical

Auditions will be held for principal soloists in the upcoming Christmas musical “Child of the Promise” on Sept. 4 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. and Sept. 7 from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at Sand Lake Wesleyan Church.

Written by Michael and Stormie Omartian, “Child of the Promise” has circled the globe in a touring off-Broadway production. The original cast recording includes such well-known contemporary singers as Russ Taff, Donna Summers, Richard Marx, Michael Crawford, Steven Curtis Chapman, Wayne Watson, Bob Carlisle, Michael W. Smith, Gary Chapman and others.

Fifteen male and three female soloists are needed for the retelling of the Christmas story. The leading roles include angel Gabriel, Mary, Joseph, Zacharias and Elizabeth.

Interested singers should come prepared to sing a song of their choice, a pianist is provided.

The production sponsored by the Coulee Region Gospel Choir will be directed by Dean Gunnarson and assisted by Jim Baxley, with pianist Cindy Purdue.

The musical is 80 minutes long. It is accompanied by an orchestra of 20 members. Orchestra members are also being sought.

For more information, call Ruth Ann Granum at 526-2218 or e-mail crgc@centurytel.net.

Neighbors Around the World event to benefit Causeway Caregivers

A Neighbors Around the World Dinner planned for Sept. 13 will benefit the Causeway Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers, a nonprofit outreach program for the elderly and adults with disabilities.

Dave Solie of WXOW-TV 19 will host the dinner, which will feature courses representing countries of the world, a travelogue of volunteering in each of those countries, a silent auction and entertainment.

Social hour starts at 6 p.m. at the Cleary and Friends Alumni Center on the UW-La Crosse campus, with dinner to start at 7 p.m.

Cost is $30. For tickets or more information, call Causeway at 775-9999.

Job fair for area college students set

A part-time and seasonal job fair for area college students is planned at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.

Students looking for part-time employment can meet with employers who have part-time jobs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, Sept. 5, in Valhalla, Cartwright Center-Gunning Addition. Employment opportunities will include a mix of both on- and off-campus jobs.

Admission is free. The fair is sponsored by the UW-L Career Services and Financial Aid offices. Employers can still register to attend the event at www.uwlax.edu/careerservices. Refer questions to the UW-La Career Services Office at 785-8362.

LYSO orchestras seek musicians

The La Crosse Area Youth Sympony Orchestras are looking for young musicians to fill spots in the two orchestras. Placement auditions will be held Sept. 6-7 at English Lutheran Church in La Crosse.

The Youth Symphony Orchestra, a full orchestra for advanced student musicians, is directed by Randall Mastin, orchestra director for the Viroqua schools. Instruments needed include violin, viola, cello, bass, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn, trumpet, trombone, tuba and percussion.

The Philharmonic Orchestra, a string orchestra for intermediate student musicians, is directed by Linda Lebakken, orchestra director for the Onalaska schools. Intruments needed include violin, viola, cello and bass.

To register and find out what to play for placement in one of the orchestras, log onto www.lyso.org.

Sustainability study circles planned

Two Natural Step study circles are planned,with an introductory meeting for both circles to be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 11, at First Supply, 106 Cameron Ave. in downtown La Crosse.

The Natural Step is an approach initially established in Sweden that promotes environmental sustainability. Natural Step study circles are being coordinated by Coulee Partners for Sustainability, a grassroots organization that will work with individuals, educational institutions, businesses and governmental bodies to promote sustainable practices in the Coulee Region.

An eight-week circle will be led by Lynn Paddy on Tuesdays from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the People’s First Co-op (Community Room) starting Sept. 16. The second circle, led by Barbara Strohm, will meet Thursdays from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the People’s First Co-op (Community Room) starting Sept. 18.

To join a circle, e-mail Vicki Miller at vicki@vsm5.com.

Figure skating club sets Sept. 8 meeting

The Tri-State Toe Picks Figure Skating Club will hold a membership meeting and group lesson signup at 7 p.m. Monday Sept. 8, at the Onalaska OmniCenter conference room. For more information, log onto www.thetoepicks.org.

Retired teachers group to meet Sept. 8

The La Crosse Area Retired Educators will meet for breakfast at 9 a.m. Monday, Sept. 8, at River Jack’s Restaurant in La crosse. Everyone who has retired from Wisconsin public schools is invited.

Breakfast will be followed by a short meetng and an update by a WREA executive. Cost is $7.50. Call Karen Broadhead at 788-2485 for reservations.

Program covers living with osteoporosis

Franciscan Skemp physical therapist Barbara Helgeson will give a presentation about how people can manage osteoporosis and improve their bone and back health.

“Stand Tall and Strengthen for Osteoporosis” is set to start at 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 18, in the lower level of Franciscan Skemp’s Onalaska clinic, 191 Theater Road.

Strength training, Helgeson said, strengthens site-specific muscles in a body’s “core” to assist with correct body alignment. Strength training also can work on the bones to slow mineral loss.

The presentation is free of charge and open to the public. Refreshments will be served.

To register, call 608-392-4172.

“Stand Tall and Strengthen for Osteoporosis” is part of the “Now Showing on Theater Road” community education series. Presentations are held at 6 p.m. on the third Thursday of the month at the Onalaska clinic.

Seminar to focus on leg pain treatment

Franciscan Skemp Healthcare invites the community to attend a free seminar, “Doc, My Legs Hurt: Understanding Options in Hip and Knee Arthritis.” The seminar will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 16, 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the Marycrest Auditorium, second floor of the St. Francis Building, 700 West Ave. S., La Crosse.

For more information or to register, call (608) 392-4172.

Taxes are hot topic at economics talk

Are property taxes in the 7 Rivers Region too high? How do tax rates affect economic growth in the tri-state region and beyond? Answers might be found at an economic development discussion concerning taxes on Sept. 10, moderated by Jim Wood from The Wisconsin Way.

Wood and a panel of respondents from The Wisconsin Way’s partner organizations will devote the majority of the next breakfast forum, “Economic Indicators: An Update for the 7 Rivers Region,” to answering audience questions and offering an update on their research.

The Wisconsin Way seeks to achieve permanent reductions in the amount of property taxes paid while protecting public services that make the region an ideal place to live and own a business.

The UW-La Crosse Small Business Development Center regional business forum will be held at the UW-La Crosse Cleary Alumni & Friends Center. Breakfast will be served at 7 a.m.; the program will begin at 7:20 and will end at 9.

The event costs $20 and pre-registration is required. Seating is limited. To register or for additional information, call 785-8783 or visit uwlax.edu/sbdc.

Low-income applicants sought for home energy program

Focus on Energy, Wisconsin’s energy efficiency and renewable energy program, is seeking applications for its Targeted Home Performance with Energy Star Program, which offers limited-income homeowners low-cost efficiency improvements to improve the comfort, safety and affordability of their homes.

Targeted Home Performance with Energy Star offers qualifying homeowners a no-cost energy evaluation performed by a qualified program provider.

Depending on the results of the evaluation, the home might receive one or more energy efficiency improvements, such as adding insulation, finding and eliminating drafts, replacing an inefficient heating system, installing compact fluorescent light bulbs and more. The program will pay 90 percent of the costs of the energy efficiency improvements — the homeowner pays just 10 percent.

The program is available to homeowners with limited incomes ($30,975 to $41,300 for a family of four) who are customers of participating natural gas and electricity providers. To be eligible, homeowners must provide proof of all household income for the last three full months, as well as proof of ownership of the residence.

Homeowners wishing to apply for the program can call Focus on Energy at (800) 762-7077 or log onto focusonenergy.com to download an application.

Entries sought for annual chili cook-off

Participants are sought for State Bank Financial’s 17th annual Chili Cook-off, which is set to take place Saturday, Oct. 11, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Southside Oktoberfest Grounds.

All proceeds from the event directly benefit area Drug Abuse Resistance Education and Gang Resistance Education and Training programs, as well as Habitat for Humanity of the La Crosse Area.

Individuals and/or teams have the option to sign up to compete in one of six different divisions; media, professional, nonprofit, business, individual or government. As in the past, teams will compete for the best chili as selected by popular vote and prizes will be awarded in each category.

Area businesses looking to support the cook-off but unable to cook are welcome to donate raffle items.

The cook-off raised almost $14,000 last year, and over the past 16 years businesses and residents of the greater La Crosse area have contributed more than $170,000 to the local DARE and GREAT programs through the Chili Cook-off.

For more information, contact event co-chairs Brittany Bybee at 791-4533 or Sarah Ellingson at 791-4540 or log onto www.statebankfinancial.com.

Web site offers chance to thank troops

A new Web site gives the public a nonpartisan opportunity to join entertainers, professional athletes and politicians in expressing gratitude to those in the military.

“What we wanted to do and, I think, something that we were equipped to do, was to provide a forum that is really meant to be uplifting (to servicemembers),” said Stacey Artandi, founder of Moment of Thanks. “It’s meant to say (to Americans), ‘Shed your politics. Put them aside, and take a moment to be grateful for some of the things that we really cherish.’”

The site allows for the upload of videos, photos or text containing a positive message for the troops at no cost. Registration is required to upload material, however.

The site can be accessed at http://www.momentofthanks.com.

FEMA disaster aid deadline is Sept. 15

Wisconsin residents in 30 counties — including La Crosse County — have until Monday, Sept. 15, to register for disaster help from the Federal Emergency Management Agency related to the June flooding.

FEMA and state recovery aid to residents includes grants for emergency disaster housing and essential repairs; grants for necessities not covered by insurance or other sources; low-interest loans from the Small Business Administration; and unemployment benefits, disaster legal services and crisis counseling.

A toll-free helpline is available from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. at 1-800-621-3362. Or log onto www.fema.gov.

Health Web site, hot line launched

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services recently launched a new toll-free information hotline to get information on nursing homes, assisted living facilities and other health or hospice agencies. A new Web site also offers people a new way to submit concerns regarding regulated facilities in the state.

People can call 1-800-642-6552 to get information about health care facilities or to report a complaint. People can go to http://dhs.wisconsin.gov and submit a complaint from the homepage.

Dave’s Guitar Shop teams up with Guitars for Vets

Guitars for Vets and Dave’s Guitar Shop in La Crosse recently announced they will team up to supply guitars and instruction to veterans.

Dave’s will become a drop off point for donated guitars and funds along with hosting periodic events and possible clinics for the Milwaukee-based Guitars for Vets.

Dave’s Guitar Shop is a nationally recognized retail and Internet outlet for new, used and rare collectable instruments, in business since 1982. The store, with its trademark guitar neck sign, is located at 1227 Third St. S.

“It is truly exciting and speaks volumes when someone of Dave Rogers stature in the industry gets involved in helping America’s heroes to heal wounds both physical and mental.” said John Lindner, executive director of Guitars for Vets. “The power of music and its ability to allow you to emote in a positive manner through the instrument does wonders in the healing process.”

Dave Rogers, owner of Dave’s Guitar Shop, said he believes it is important for businesses to give back. “I can think of no better cause than America’s veterans,” Rogers said. “Having had the blessing to be successful over these years, teaming up with an organization like Guitars for Vets is a great fit for us.”

Guitars for Vets began in late 2007 with musicians performing at the VA every Friday in the spinal cord injury unit. The organization is seeking donations to fund current programs and future expansion.

More details are available online at www.guitarsforvets.org.

No-call list extends to cell phones

Wisconsin’s no-call list at the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection is doubling the number of intake lines from 48 to 96 in anticipation of consumers signing up their cell phones for the first time.

The law allowing cell phones on the list was recently passed by the Legislature and signed by Gov. Jim Doyle.

“No call is the most popular consumer protection program ever in this state,” said DATCP Secretary Rod Nilsestuen. “We are happy to be adding cell phones to the list.”

Consumers have from June 6 until the end of August to get on the next no-call list starting in October.

Consumers can sign up 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year by visiting the Wisconsin no-call list Web site at nocall.wisconsin.gov or calling 1-866-966-2255

Memory Walk event volunteers sought

Volunteers are needed to help organize the Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk 2008, the largest fundraiser to help those affected by Alzheimer’s disease.

Next fall, the Alzheimer’s Association of Greater Wisconsin will join more than 600 communities across the United States in a 2- to 5-mile walk to remember those with Alzheimer’s disease.

The 33 walks are organized by teams of local volunteers who are assisted by staff from the Alzheimer’s Association. The planning committees are forming now. Anyone interested in volunteering for a walk near them is encouraged to call Lori Bagniewski at 784-5011.

Free child lead screenings offered

As part of Project LEAD, the EPA grant received by the La Crosse County Health Department in October 2007, free blood lead screening will be available the last Friday of each month from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Parents should call 785-9865 to reserve a time and come to the La Crosse County Health Department, 2nd Floor of the Health and Human Services Building, 300 4th Street La Crosse.

As part of Project LEAD, the Nutrition Services Department which houses the WIC Program, will offer the free blood lead testing. The test also is available at other times through public health nursing by making an appointment at 785-9723.

Children younger than 6 who have never been screened are encouraged to have a blood lead test done, and all children younger than 2 who live in a home or spend time in a home built before 1978, should be tested.

The testing is done with a finger prick sample of blood. Children whose screening results come back greater than 10 ug/dl are recommended to have a confirmatory blood draw done through their doctor’s office. There is no cost for the blood lead screening test.

Project LEAD is working with agencies that serve families with children younger than 6 to increase awareness and screening for lead poisoning, which continues to be a risk to children residing in homes built prior to 1978.

Outreach is being conducted to educate home owners, contractors and landlords of the need to remodel with regard to disturbing lead paint which was very likely to be used on surfaces painted in the 1970s and earlier.

For more information, call the La Crosse County Health Department at 785-9872.

Low-income phone discounts offered

Low-income consumers may qualify for assistance programs that discount initial telephone installation and basic monthly service, according to a recent announcement from CenturyTel.

The assistance programs, known as Link-Up and Lifeline, are available to qualifying consumers in every U.S. state (territory and commonwealth). Link-Up helps these consumers pay the initial costs of getting telephone service. Lifeline provides certain discounts on monthly service for qualified subscribers.

Qualifications for participation vary by state. States with their own programs have their own criteria. In states that rely solely on the federal program, the subscriber must participate in one of the following programs: Medicaid, food stamps, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Federal Public Housing Assistance or the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), Head Start, the National School Lunch Program’s Free Lunch Program, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) or if the household annual gross income is at or below 135 percent of the federal poverty level.

The amount of the discounts also varies by state. This federal Link-Up program offsets one-half of the initial hook-up fee, up to $30, for qualified households.

People living in a CenturyTel service area should call 800-201-4099 or log onto www.centurytel.com/lifeline to inquire about eligibility.