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Here are a selection of brief news items from this week's paper edition, and possibly a few news briefs that didn't make it in the paper.

Rotary Club to host pancake breakfast

The Onalaska Rotary Club’s 42nd annual pancake breakfast will be held Saturday, Oct. 4, from 6 to 11 a.m. at the OmniCenter.

Rotary Club members will serve pancakes, sausage, coffee and orange juice or milk. Tickets are $5 in advance or $6 at the door. Children age 5 and younger eat free.

Advance tickets are available at the Onalaska Tourism Center, Degen Berglund in Onalaska and at Festival Foods stores in Onalaska and Holmen.

HHS to host Pork Feed for Education

The seventh annual Pork Feed for Education will be held Friday, Sept. 26, at Holmen High School’s Empire Stadium prior to the Holmen Homecoming football game against La Crosse Logan.

The event will take place under the tents from 4:30 p.m. through halftime. Cost is $4 for a roast pork sandwich or hot dog along with chips, beverage and a cookie.

All proceeds from the event, coordinated by the district’s Leadership Team, will be used to support HHS activities and the Holmen Area Foundation.

OHS show choirs plan fundraiser Sept. 20

The Onalaska High School show choirs will hold a fundraising event from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20, at Festival Foods in Onalaska.

The event will include a bake sale and sales of brats, soda and Hilltopper sweatshirts and T-shirts. The Hilltoppers show choir will perform at 1 p.m. in the parking lot.

The show choirs also will put on a car wash fundraiser on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Valley Dental parking lot at 1637 Main St. in Onalaska.

HHS to host Viking Basketball Camp

Registration is open for the fall Viking Basketball Camp to be held at Holmen High School for athletes in grades 4-8.

The camp sessions will be held on Sundays Sept. 28, Oct. 5, 12 and 19, with players in grades 4-6 meeting from 3 to 4:30 p.m. and grades 7-8 meeting from 4:30 to 6 p.m. in the HHS fieldhouse.

The cost for the camp is $30. Checks should be made payable to Viking Basketball Camp. Registration and a signed liability waiver is required.

To register call Steve Blank at 526-3026. Checks and registrations can be mailed to Steve Blank at 409 State St., Holmen, WI 54636 or dropped off at Holmen Middle School.

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, which will be held at the Elroy Fairgrounds on Sunday, Oct. 12.

Information and entry forms are available at area schools during.

UW-L to offer eBay sales training class

The Success on eBay series offered by the UW-La Crosse Small Business Development Center will be held this fall.

The first of two workshops, “Basics of Selling on eBay,” will be offered Wednesday, Oct. 8. The session is a full-day program in which participants receive an introduction to selling on eBay.

Participants will find out about online safety, creating accounts, pricing, shipping, returns, product photography, PayPal, collecting payments, selling strategies, following up after the sale and general eBay navigation. The series also includes “Advanced Selling on eBay” which will be Nov. 5.

Individual workshops are $99 each. Or participants can receive a 15 percent discount if they register for the series and pay $169. Basic computer knowledge is necessary.

Both workshops are in the UW-L Wing Technology Center. Pre-registration is required; seating is limited.

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

Reed Music Studios plans honors recital

The Reed Music Studios will hold its 18th annual honors recital on Sunday, Oct. 5, in Annett Recital Hall, UW-La Crosse Center for the Arts, 16th and Vine streets in LaCrosse. The recital, which is free and open to the public, will begin at 3 p.m.

About 150 students of Reed Studios will audition on Saturday, Sept. 20, in piano and strings for a performance spot in the recital. The winners of the competition will be featured in the honors recital. The recital will conclude with a reception in the lobby of the Center for the Arts.

The recital will feature special performances by pianists Spring Spaeth and Madeline Davidson, 2008 first place winners in the Wisconsin Music Teacher’s Association State Piano Competition.

Viterbo to present ‘Our Town’ Oct. 10-12

Grover’s Corners is coming to La Crosse when Viterbo University presents “Our Town” Oct. 10-12 in the Fine Arts Center Main Theatre.

“Our Town” is an American classic, a meditation on love, marriage, life and death written by three-time Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright and Madison native Thorton Wilder.

First produced on Broadway in 1938, “Our Town” has been performed in every part of the world and in more than 50 languages. Part of its immense appeal is the play sets the simplicity and significance of each single human life against the scale of eternity and the life of the stars. According to Albert Einstein, “Our Town touches the soul like a miracle.”

This Viterbo production is co-sponsored by the La Crosse Tribune and Hoppens Realty.

Performance times are 7:30 p.m. Oct 10-11 and 2 p.m. Oct. 12. Tickets are $17 for main floor, $16 for lower balcony, and $13 for upper balcony seating.

For more information, call 796-3100 or log onto www.viterbo.edu/finearts1.aspx.

Workplace etiquette topic of seminar

Western Technical College’s Business and Industry Services Division is offering the seminar “Workplace Etiquette” on Wednesday, Oct. 1, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the La Crosse campus.

The focus will be on basic principles of workplace etiquette and tips to develop a productive and appreciative work environment.

To register, call 785-9232 or e-mail bis@westerntc.edu. For details on this and other seminars, log onto westerntc.edu/bis.

Nobel winner to speak at Viterbo

Edward Prescott, winner of the 2004 Nobel Prize in economics and the senior monetary adviser at the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, will present “Global Outlook: An Optimistic View” at Viterbo University on Monday, Sept. 29, at 7:30 p.m. in the Fine Arts Center Lobby.

The event is free and open to the public.

“This is an excellent opportunity for students and guests to gain an unique perspective on global economic issues that have an impact on our national and local economy,” said Viterbo Dahl School of Business faculty member James Murray.

Prescott earned a Ph.D. from Carnegie Mellon University and holds the W.P. Carey Chair in Economics in the W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University. Prior to his career at Arizona State, he held faculty positions at the University of Minnesota, the University of Chicago, Carnegie Mellon University, and the University of Pennsylvania.

Prescott was awarded his 2004 Nobel Prize jointly with Finn Kydland “for their contributions to dynamic macroeconomics: the time consistency of economic policy and the driving forces behind business cycles.”

Prescott has received a number of other prestigious honors, including the 2002 Erwin Plein Nemmers Prize in Economics. He has also been elected to the National Academy of Sciences and elected a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

In addition to his expertise in macroeconomics, he is noted for his contributions in general equilibrium theory, financial economics, and banking. He has also co-authored a book, “Barrier to Riches,” and has co-edited four others.

Alzheimer’s event set for Saturday

The annual Alzheimer’s Association’s Memory Walk for the La Crosse area will be held Saturday, Sept. 20, at the Southside Oktoberfest grounds in La Crosse.

The event raises public awareness and funds for the fight against Alzheimer’s disease. In 2007, Memory Walks raised over $30 million nationwide for care and support of those affected by the disease and research for the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of Alzheimer’s disease.

Registration starts at 10 a.m. and the walk begins at 10 a.m. To start a team, walk as an individual or make a donation, call (920) 469-2110 or log onto www.alz.org/gwwi.

Feingold aide plans office hours Sept. 23

Matt Nikolay, western Wisconsin regional coordinator for U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wis., will hold office hours from 9 to 10 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 23, at the Hazel Brown Leicht Memorial Library, 201 Neshonoc Road, West Salem.

No appointment is necessary to meet with Nikolay to discuss a problem anyone might be having with a federal program or to express opinions on matters before Congress.

Feingold holds his own separate listening session in all 72 counties of the state at least once a year. Feingold himself does not attend office hours.

People who can’t attend the office hours can write to Feingold’s staff at 425 State St., Room 225, La Crosse, WI 54601 or call 782-5585.

Sierra Club speaker canoed the Nahanni

The Sierra Club will hold its monthly meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 30, at 7 p.m. in the basement of the Ho-Chunk Three Rivers House, Eighth and Main streets in La Crosse.

Pat Wilson will present, “Adventure on the Nahanni,” a program detailing his group’s three-week paddling adventure on this river in the Northwest Territories, which is also a World Heritage Site.

Nahanni National Park contains deep canyons, huge waterfalls, a unique limestone cave system and is home to animals of the boreal forest, such as wolves, grizzly bears and caribou. Dall sheep and mountain goats are found in the park’s alpine environment.

All are welcome to attend the meeting.

Bangor alpaca farm to hold open house

A Bangor alpaca breeder will open up her farm to visitors who want to meet her alpacas and learn more about these inquisitive, unique animals. Nadine Beezley of Hickory Wind Farm in Bangor will host the local version of National Alpaca Farm Days on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 27-28.

Hickory Wind Farm will welcome visitors from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.

Hickory Wind Farm is at N7080 Garves Coulee Road, approximately 10 miles north of the I-90 Bangor exit.

For details, log onto www.hickorywindfarm.com or call 486-4868.

Scrapbooking event scheduled for Oct. 4

Creative Memories consultants Vicki Arndt, Resa Hawes, and Terry O’Neill will conduct a hands-on Croptoberfest event to help guests organize and commemorate their photographs and stories from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 4, at Presbyterian Church of West Salem Fellowship Hall, 625 W Franklin St. in West Salem.

The three will provide coaching, access to supplies and workshop space. The fee is $30 per person to attend the event, which includes lunch.

For more information about this event, contact Arndt at 786-1994 or arndtv@charter.net, Hawes at 526-2568 or daveresahawes@yahoo.com or O’Neill at 582-4862 or oneillx4@centurytel.net.

Scrapbooking event to benefit CMN

The 24-hour Crop ‘til You Drop Scrapbooking Marathon, a benefit for the Children’s Miracle Netwwork, will be held starting at 6 p.m. Friday, Nov 7, at the Days Inn Hotel on French Island.

Cost is $50 per person, which includes 24 hours of scrapbooking, a table, three meals, beverages and scrapbooking classes by American Scrapbook Co., Creative Memories and Stampin’ Up. A 15 percent VIP stock-up discount from American Scrapbook is also being offered to all participants.

In addition, a block of rooms is available at the Days Inn at a rate of $69 per room. Call the Days Inn at 783-1000 for reservations.

For more information on this event, contact Jill Sweetman at 775-3438.

Children’s museum offers special art

The Children’s Museum of La Crosse will offer a demonstration of Camp Can-Do activities on Saturday, Oct. 18, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. These activities will be available, included with the regular cost of admission, to museum attendees of all abilities.

Camp Can-Do is a new outreach program of the museum designed to make artistic expression available to people with limited mobility and other special needs.

Participants create unique works of art with adaptive equipment and techniques. The art activities, to be customized for the participants’ special needs, interests and abilities, can include: mural painting, chalk drawing, tabletop printing and other activities.

Camp Can-Do is made possible with funding from Ronald McDonald House Children’s Charities, special equipment from Zotz Arts for All, and the commitment and expertise of local artist and educator Sandy Musolf.

For more information or to inquire about arranging a Camp Can-Do visit for a group of children with limited mobility, contact Sandy Musolf at 783-4849 or srmusolf@ charter.net.

Senior advocate volunteers needed

The Wisconsin Board on Agin is seeking volunteers to train as advocates for older adults living in La Crosse County nursing homes. For more information, call Karen Price at 789-6366.

Kind aide sets office hours in Holmen

Danice Stanton, an aide to U.S. Rep. Ron Kind, D-La Crosse, will hold office hours from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 23, at Holmen Village Hall.

Office hours are open to the public, and are intended to provide residents with an opportunity to meet directly with Kind’s staff to ask questions, receive assistance with an issue they may be having with a federal agency, or simply to pass on a message to Kind on federal legislation.

Youth center open; Packers raffle set

The Holmen outreach branch of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater La Crosse reopened for the school year this week in the basement of Holmen Lutheran Church, 228 Morris St.

This fall the club has expanded hours, which are 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. Wednesdays and 2:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays. The club is open to all middle and high school students.

There is a $10 annual fee, and scholarships are available for those who can’t afford it.

The Holmen Area Partnership for Youth, a partner in the club, has launched a Packers ticket raffle to help raise money for a permanent youth center site.

HAPY is selling chances for a pair of tickets to the Nov. 30 game between the Green Bay Packers and the Carolina Panthers at Lambeau Field. Tickets are $5 or five for $20 and can be purchased by calling Joanne Stephens at 738-5248.

Holmen alumni golf tourney set for Oct. 18

Holmen High School will host an alumni golf tournament Oct. 18 at Drugan’s Castle Mound Country Club.

The tournament will be a four-person scramble with a 10 a.m. shotgun start. Each team in the scramble must include at least two Holmen alumni, or have children that graduated from HHS, or be current of former HHS faculty members.

One of the purposes of the event is to promote the Holmen Viking Alumni Award. The Holmen Athletic Booster Club and Viking Alumni Award Committee will share proceeds.

Entry fee is $40 per person, which includes 18 holes of golf, cart, hole prizes and post-round refreshments at Features Sports Bar and Grill. For tee times, call Drugan’s at 526-3225, or e-mail Paul Laxton at laxpau@mail.holmen.k12.wi.us.

For further information, contact Paul Laxton at 781-4851 or Andy Anderson at 526-3131. or visit the school district website at www.holmen.k12.wi.us, and visit the Alumni section under partners.

Holmen youth hoops sign-up set for Sept. 22

The Holmen Youth Boys Basketball Association will conduct a registration for its inaugural season Sept. 22 at 6:30 p.m. at Holmen High School.

Among those involved in the organization’s leadership are HHS varsity assistant Nick Weber, longtime summer coach Leif Nelson and former longtime HHS girls varsity reserve coach Doug Burge. Community members involved in the project include longtime community member Dan Anderson, who was vital in the formation of a tackle football league for third- through sixth-graders in the last two years, and Mike Malone.

Weber said the non-profit association will work directly with the high school program and be similar to the tackle football association. The association will sponsor teams for third- and fourth-grade boys starting this fall, which expansion to teams through eighth-grade boys in the next few years.

“We want to make sure more kids get opportunities to play at that age,” Weber said. “We want to see fewer traveling teams at the younger ages and more of a focus on the fundamentals, and keeping the game fun. When they get to high school basketball, we’d like to see hungrier kids that are fresher and looking forward to playing.”

A brief parent-player meeting will follow the registration period at 7 p.m. on the 22nd in the HHS Fine Arts Center. The program will run in two sessions, from Oct. 21 to Dec. 20, and in February-March. Weber expects the organization will feature practices on either Tuesday or Thursday’s of each week, along with a game each Saturday morning.

Weber said the organization will be looking for volunteer coaches this fall. For further information, contact Weber at 526-3372, ext. 6150, or 385-5638.

Legion Auxiliary sets fashion review/lunch

The Holmen American Legion Auxiliary will presents a fall fashion review and luncheon starting at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 20, at the Holmen American Legion, 419 First Ave. W.

The event will feature fashions by Christopher & Banks/C.J. Banks. as well as door prizes and entertainment. Cost is $6.

Shriners seek kids needing medical help

Shriners in Wisconsin are asking for the public’s help in searching out children with orthopaedic or burn-related problems who can be helped by the Shriners Hospitals for Children.

Members of Zor Shriners in Sparta will hold a free evaluation clinic from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20, at the Franciscan Skemp Healthcare clinic at 310 W. Main St. in Sparta.

A medical team from the Twin Cities Shriners Hospitals for Children will provide medical evaluations for each prospective patient. Applications for orthopaedic conditions will be sent to the Twin Cities Shriners Hospital; cleft palate and spinal cord injury applications will be sent to the Chicago Shriners Hospital; applications for burn related injuries and port wine birthmark concerns will be sent to the Cincinnati Shriners Burn Hospital.

Anyone who knows of children in need of examination should register them by calling 1-888-833-1245. They will be assigned a time between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Sept. 20, so that no child or family will have to wait more than a few minutes for assistance. Walk-ins also will be accepted at the clinic.

There is no cost to attend the evaluation clinic, and there is no obligation to accept treatment at a Shriners Hospitals for Children by attending the evaluation clinic in Sparta.

Crafters sought for Lakeview bazaar

Crafters are needed for a holiday craft show and bazaar planned for Nov. 15 at Lakeview Health Center in West Salem.

The show will be open to the public with free admission. Booths are still available at $10 each.

The Lakeview Auxiliary also will be having a bake and lunch sale.

For more information, call Rebecca at 786-1400, ext. 133.

Halloween costume swap back again

Family Resources in La Crosse is planning its second annual Halloween costume swap.

People who bring a clean, gently used child’s costume with all props and accessories packaged, to Family Resources the week of Oct. 6 will get a voucher to choose another costume on the day of the swap, Oct. 11.

Advance registration is required and can be arranged by calling Fran Swift at 784-8125, ext. 229.

Red Cross blood drives scheduled

Area Red Cross blood drives are planned in the coming weeks in La Crosse and West Salem.

A blood drive will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 23, at the Western Technical College Academic Resource Center, 400 N. Seventh St. in La Crosse.

A drive also is planned for 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 29, at West Salem Presbyterian Church, 625 Franklin St.

To make an appointment for the La Crosse drive, call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE or visit www.givebloodgivelife.org. To make an appointment for the West Salem drive, call Connie at 786-0684.

Aging program focuses on arthritis

Timothy Buckley, an internal medicine physician at Franciscan Skemp Healthcare, will give a general overview on arthritis, with a special emphasis on osteoarthritis, its causes, prevention and treatment on Tuesday, Sept. 23.

The program will be held in Marycrest Auditorium on the second floor of the La Crosse campus St. Francis Building, 700 West Ave. S. Free refreshments will be provided from 2 to 2:30 p.m. “Arthritis” will go from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m., with 30 minutes to follow for questions.

County offers fall walking challenge

The La Crosse County Health Department’s Nutrition Division is throwing down the fitness gauntlet again this year with the Fall 30 Walking Challenge. This challenge is designed to help people stay active as the weather gets less conducive to outdoor activity.

The Fall 30 Walking Challenge is a 30-day non-competitive challenge designed to help participants increase their daily steps and make walking a priority through the month of October and beyond. It begins Oct. 2 and runs through Oct. 31.

As part of the Fall 30 Challenge participants will set a 30-, 45- or 60-minute daily walking goal and record the minutes they walk each day on the calendar log provided. Weekly walking tips will be sent to all who participate.

Local trail information also will be provided and participants are encouraged to enjoy at least two of their daily walks during the month on one of the many area trails.

All people participating in the challenge who return their logs will be eligible for one of two prize drawings — two $40 gift certificates from Three Rivers Outdoors. In addition, participants walking two or more trails during the month will be eligible for a bonus prize drawing for a one-hour massage.

To register for the Fall 30 Challenge, call 785-9865 or e-mail deback.judy@co.la-crosse.wi.us.

Wildlife ecologist to speak at meeting

Scott Craven, state specialist in wildlife ecology with the University of Wisconsin Extension, will present a program on “Challenges to Wildlife Conservation in Wisconsin” at the Coulee Region Audubon Society meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 17.

The meeting begins at 7 p.m. at the Ho Chunk Nation Building, lower level, 725 Main Street, La Crosse.

Craven is well known around the state for his monthly appearances on Wisconsin Public Radio, where his knowledge of wildlife provides answers to questions people have about their encounters with wildlife, hunting, birdwatching and habitat for wildlife.

He has a Ph.D from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and has done extensive research in wildlife damage control and wildlife management on private lands. Additional duties include teaching and providing support for the network of county agents in Wisconsin. Statewide programs focus on wildlife damage management, urban wildlife management, youth education, and wildlife-based recreation.

The program is free and open to the public.

Talk to focus on ‘Labyrinth Spirituality’

The Rev. Herman Meijburg of the Center for Loss and Healing in Christchurch, New Zealand, will give a presentation, “Stop Running in Circles: A Look at Labyrinth Spirituality,” on Sunday, Sept. 14.

The talk is free and open to all and will run from 3 to 4:30 p.m. at English Lutheran Church, 1509 King St. in La Crosse.

The talk is part of an ongoing Faith Forums series sponsored by the La Crosse Area Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The next forum will be “Green Theology” presented Oct. 19 by Professor David Rhoads of the Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago.

Organizing research is genealogy topic

The La Crosse Area Genealogical Society will meet Tuesday, Sept. 23, at 7 p.m. in the La Crosse Main Library auditorium, Eighth and Main streets, La Crosse.

The program will be “Organizing Your Research.” Partipants should bring examples of their research organization to share with the group.

Visitors are welcome. Call 782-6277 for more information.

Nominations sought for 2009 UW-L alumni awards

It's time to submit nominations for the UW-L Alumni Association Awards Program. Awards honor alumni for outstanding accomplishments. Established in 1977 with one award, the Maurice O. Graff Distinguished Alumni Award, the program has grown to recognize accomplishments of alumni at different stages of their careers.

The Maurice O. Graff Distinguished Alumni Award recognizes alumni who attended at least 20 years ago and have achieved honor and distinction with recognition that extends well beyond the immediate environments in which they live and work.

The Rada Distinguished Alumni Award recognizes alumni who have graduated within the past 20 years from UW-L and have met one or more of the criteria. Professor emeritus Ron Rada and his wife, Jane, created this award to honor recent to mid-career alumni who were making exceptional contributions to their professions and/or communities.

The Multicultural Alumni Award recognizes living multicultural UW-L alumni. Professor Emeritus James Parker, history, initiated the award in 1997.

Visit www.uwlalumni.org/awards.php for more information about the award criteria, or to nominate an alum. Nominees are asked to submit their resume, three letters of reference and any additional documentation they wish to provide. To be considered for the 2009 award, nominations must be received by Oct. 1, 2008.

The UW-L Alumni Awards reception and ceremony will be held Friday, May 15, 2009. For more information, contact Janie Spencer at 785-8495 or spencer.jane@uwlax.edu.

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:

Half-hour informational seminars

Educational displays/resources, vendor booths and free giveaways

Infant car seat safety checks

Chair massages

Refreshments and snacks

Door prizes, including an infant car seat and two electric breast pumps

Gundersen Lutheran staff will make the following presentations:

9:30 a.m.: "Update on Childhood Immunizations" by Kris Litscher-Lee, pediatric nurse practitioner

10:30 a.m.: "Breastfeeding — Benefits, Basics and Beyond" by Stephanie Ryan, RN, certified lactation consultant

11:30 a.m.: "Baby Signing" by Danielle Murphy-Sprain, certified instructor of baby signing

For more information call Gundersen Lutheran's New Life Education office at (608) 775-3079.

Annual needlework show seeks entries

The Coulee Country Chapter of the Embroidery 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."

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.

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.

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