Ran on Friday, July 27, 2007
No dog and pony show
Fair's animal competitions becoming exotic
By Keighla Schmidt
Leader-telegram Staff
Similar to the fairy tale "The Tortoise and the Hare," a slow-moving reptile finished first Thursday at the Eau Claire County Fair.
Cats, rats, birds, fish and guinea pigs all came together as competitors brought their pets to the Eau Claire County Exposition Center in an attempt to win the purple ribbon, which signifies the grand champion.
Taking home the purple ribbon in the small animal category for the second year in a row was Rome Rauter, a 10-year-old from Foster.
Last year his sun conure, Sunny, an exotic bird, took home the ribbon, but this year Speedy, a turtle, shined above the rest of the children's pets. Both Sunny and Speedy were in the finals.
County fairs no longer are restricted to farm animals. They now include exotic animals and small pets.
"It's getting more and more commonplace to have an exotic animal," small animal Judge Jill Helming said.
Helming judges the owner's basic knowledge as well as the care and health of the animal.
"It's really important you know about your animal and how to take care of it," Helming said.
In the guinea pig competition, Joey Lantz, 12, Eau Claire won a blue ribbon with 2-year-old Spike.
"I got the blue because I was hard to stump," Lantz said. "It's something I like to do."
As an animal lover and 20-year judge, Helming travels around the state to county fairs to determine which owner and pet pair is the best.
"I believe in county fairs," she said. "I don't think anything teaches kids responsibility better than to have an animal."
The wide range of animals at the fair sometimes can be a challenge for Helming. When an eight-foot python visited the fair, she wasn't eager to touch it.
"Sometimes the kids know more about the animal than I do," she said of reptiles and "critters."
Friday, July 27, 2007
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Teenage driver cell ban proposed
Ran on Thursday, July 26, 2007
Teenage driver cell ban proposed
Lawmakers: Eyes should be on road
By Leader-Telegram staff and The Associated Press
Many parents admonish their teenage children not to talk on their cell phones while driving.
The state of Wisconsin may order them not to if a bill introduced Wednesday in the Legislature passes.
"I'll use it once in a while," Eau Claire 18-year-old Liz Cattau said. "I use it to text."
"Texting" is sending short messages composed of words to another phone, which requires typing the letters into the message area.
"I know it's not safe," Cattau said, but she does it anyway.
However, if the law were to pass, she said she would most likely stop using her phone while driving.
Cattau said she keeps her cell phone in her cup holder so she doesn't have to rummage around the car to find it when she needs it.
Kira Hefty, also 18 and of Eau Claire, said she knows it's risky, but she uses her phone to make calls.
"I'll use it when my friends call or to call my friends," Hefty said.
Talking while driving diverts attention from the road to the phone, something some lawmakers want inexperienced drivers to avoid.
Cindy Beaupre of Menomonie has two teenage drivers. Both, Jessica, 18, and Michael, 17, have cell phones and use them when they drive.
"It's probably a good idea to make it illegal," Cindy Beaupre said. "They're not experienced drivers, and there are already other distractions."
Those distractions include arguments over the phone, music and friends in the car, she said.
Michael Beaupre said he uses the phone to call friends and also to let his family know where he is and where he's going. Unlike Cattau who said she would stop, he does not think he would.
"I know driving is dangerous, and some people can not pay attention," he said. "I think I'd keep calling; I'd be fine."
Nick Schroeder of Durand, who has a 16-year-old daughter behind the wheel, thinks phones should be put down while driving because talking and driving is not safe.
"I really don't think (teenagers) should be using phones (while driving)," Schroeder said. "Or anyone, for that matter."
State Rep. Jerry Petrowski, R-Marathon, agrees.
Petrowski has proposed many unsuccessful attempts to limit drivers' cell phone use in Wisconsin.
Legislation to ban all drivers from using cell phones did not even get a hearing in 1997 and 1999. The teen driving restriction has been introduced every session since 2001 but has failed to pass despite no opposition from cell phone companies.
"We believe this bill is a good idea," said Mike McDermott, Verizon Wireless's executive director for state public policy. "Certainly we believe it makes sense for beginning drivers to devote their full attention to driving."
Teenage driver cell ban proposed
Lawmakers: Eyes should be on road
By Leader-Telegram staff and The Associated Press
Many parents admonish their teenage children not to talk on their cell phones while driving.
The state of Wisconsin may order them not to if a bill introduced Wednesday in the Legislature passes.
"I'll use it once in a while," Eau Claire 18-year-old Liz Cattau said. "I use it to text."
"Texting" is sending short messages composed of words to another phone, which requires typing the letters into the message area.
"I know it's not safe," Cattau said, but she does it anyway.
However, if the law were to pass, she said she would most likely stop using her phone while driving.
Cattau said she keeps her cell phone in her cup holder so she doesn't have to rummage around the car to find it when she needs it.
Kira Hefty, also 18 and of Eau Claire, said she knows it's risky, but she uses her phone to make calls.
"I'll use it when my friends call or to call my friends," Hefty said.
Talking while driving diverts attention from the road to the phone, something some lawmakers want inexperienced drivers to avoid.
Cindy Beaupre of Menomonie has two teenage drivers. Both, Jessica, 18, and Michael, 17, have cell phones and use them when they drive.
"It's probably a good idea to make it illegal," Cindy Beaupre said. "They're not experienced drivers, and there are already other distractions."
Those distractions include arguments over the phone, music and friends in the car, she said.
Michael Beaupre said he uses the phone to call friends and also to let his family know where he is and where he's going. Unlike Cattau who said she would stop, he does not think he would.
"I know driving is dangerous, and some people can not pay attention," he said. "I think I'd keep calling; I'd be fine."
Nick Schroeder of Durand, who has a 16-year-old daughter behind the wheel, thinks phones should be put down while driving because talking and driving is not safe.
"I really don't think (teenagers) should be using phones (while driving)," Schroeder said. "Or anyone, for that matter."
State Rep. Jerry Petrowski, R-Marathon, agrees.
Petrowski has proposed many unsuccessful attempts to limit drivers' cell phone use in Wisconsin.
Legislation to ban all drivers from using cell phones did not even get a hearing in 1997 and 1999. The teen driving restriction has been introduced every session since 2001 but has failed to pass despite no opposition from cell phone companies.
"We believe this bill is a good idea," said Mike McDermott, Verizon Wireless's executive director for state public policy. "Certainly we believe it makes sense for beginning drivers to devote their full attention to driving."
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Doyle pushes plan
Ran on Tuesday, July 24, 2006
Doyle pushes plan
Covenant guarantees spot in college
By Keighla Schmidt
Leader-Telegram staff
For many kids, starting eighth grade can mean getting new school clothes, a graphing calculator and fresh backpack. For Emily Kelly of Chippewa Falls, it means planning for college.
Kelly and more than 6,000 others her age have signed Gov. Jim Doyle's Wisconsin Covenant.
The covenant signers promise to graduate from high school with a B average while being good community citizens; in return they will get financial aid as needed and promised a spot at a college in Wisconsin. The University of Wisconsin System, the Wisconsin Technical College System or the Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities are all fair game.
"I want every single young person in Wisconsin to know that if you're ready to really work hard and to apply yourself that there is a way for you to get to college," Doyle said. "And there are a lot of people along the way who are supporting you and want to help you get there. And that's what the Wisconsin Covenant is all about."
Kelly, who will be an eighth-grader at Chippewa Falls middle school, signed the covenant Monday with three others in Eau Claire at a meeting Doyle had at the Western Dairyland Community Action Agency, 418 Wisconsin St.
"I think it's really important to go to college, and I want to get a good education so I can do something to support myself," the architect or interior design-hopeful said.
Kelly said she would like to go to either UW-Milwaukee or UW-Madison; an aunt is the only family member to graduate from college.
Doyle said he wants this program to work to ensure the future of the state.
"It is very, very clear the states that are going to be doing well and the countries that are doing well in the coming years are those that have invested in education and those that have significantly increased the number of college graduates," he said.
College administrators agree.
"We need more college educated citizens in order to be more competitive economically," UW-Eau Claire Chancellor Brian Levin-Stankevich said.
"I think anything we can do to help these young people get higher educations is critical," Chippewa Valley Technical College President Bill Ihlenfeldt said.
Doyle said Assembly Republicans did not provide enough money in its version of the budget to give the UW System the additional money it needs to hire more faculty and increase financial aid. The Assembly also dropped the Wisconsin Covenant from its version of the budget.
"The Republicans in the Assembly recently have just cut the guts out of the university budget, cut it by 162 million dollars," Doyle said. "Not a single penny was added to the education budget."
Rep. Scott Suder, R-Abbotsford, challenged the governor's math.
"I think the Wisconsin Covenant is more about politics that it is about helping eighth-graders," Suder said. "It's bumper sticker politics on the backs of eighth-graders."
Suder said the Assembly version of the budget would give the UW System an additional $62 million over the two-year biennium, a 3 percent increase.
Doyle's budget would give the UW System $2.23 billion in general fund aid over the next two years. The budget approved by the Democratic-controlled Senate provides slightly more at $2.24 billion, while the Assembly budget provides $2.11 billion.
A conference committee of four Democrats and four Republicans now must try to reach consensus on this and many other budget issues. The budget then will go back to the Legislature and eventually to Doyle, who has one of the strongest line-item veto powers of any governor.
Doyle pushes plan
Covenant guarantees spot in college
By Keighla Schmidt
Leader-Telegram staff
For many kids, starting eighth grade can mean getting new school clothes, a graphing calculator and fresh backpack. For Emily Kelly of Chippewa Falls, it means planning for college.
Kelly and more than 6,000 others her age have signed Gov. Jim Doyle's Wisconsin Covenant.
The covenant signers promise to graduate from high school with a B average while being good community citizens; in return they will get financial aid as needed and promised a spot at a college in Wisconsin. The University of Wisconsin System, the Wisconsin Technical College System or the Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities are all fair game.
"I want every single young person in Wisconsin to know that if you're ready to really work hard and to apply yourself that there is a way for you to get to college," Doyle said. "And there are a lot of people along the way who are supporting you and want to help you get there. And that's what the Wisconsin Covenant is all about."
Kelly, who will be an eighth-grader at Chippewa Falls middle school, signed the covenant Monday with three others in Eau Claire at a meeting Doyle had at the Western Dairyland Community Action Agency, 418 Wisconsin St.
"I think it's really important to go to college, and I want to get a good education so I can do something to support myself," the architect or interior design-hopeful said.
Kelly said she would like to go to either UW-Milwaukee or UW-Madison; an aunt is the only family member to graduate from college.
Doyle said he wants this program to work to ensure the future of the state.
"It is very, very clear the states that are going to be doing well and the countries that are doing well in the coming years are those that have invested in education and those that have significantly increased the number of college graduates," he said.
College administrators agree.
"We need more college educated citizens in order to be more competitive economically," UW-Eau Claire Chancellor Brian Levin-Stankevich said.
"I think anything we can do to help these young people get higher educations is critical," Chippewa Valley Technical College President Bill Ihlenfeldt said.
Doyle said Assembly Republicans did not provide enough money in its version of the budget to give the UW System the additional money it needs to hire more faculty and increase financial aid. The Assembly also dropped the Wisconsin Covenant from its version of the budget.
"The Republicans in the Assembly recently have just cut the guts out of the university budget, cut it by 162 million dollars," Doyle said. "Not a single penny was added to the education budget."
Rep. Scott Suder, R-Abbotsford, challenged the governor's math.
"I think the Wisconsin Covenant is more about politics that it is about helping eighth-graders," Suder said. "It's bumper sticker politics on the backs of eighth-graders."
Suder said the Assembly version of the budget would give the UW System an additional $62 million over the two-year biennium, a 3 percent increase.
Doyle's budget would give the UW System $2.23 billion in general fund aid over the next two years. The budget approved by the Democratic-controlled Senate provides slightly more at $2.24 billion, while the Assembly budget provides $2.11 billion.
A conference committee of four Democrats and four Republicans now must try to reach consensus on this and many other budget issues. The budget then will go back to the Legislature and eventually to Doyle, who has one of the strongest line-item veto powers of any governor.
Monday, July 23, 2007
Leinie's fans flock to enjoy immense chair
Ran on Saturday, July 21, 2007
Leinie's fans flock to enjoy immense chair
By Keighla Schmidt
Leader-Telegram staff
It started as a really big idea and appears to be a giant hit with Leinie's beer fans.
The 10-foot tall, 6-foot deep and 4-foot wide chair, nicknamed the Leinie Lounger and built to entertain Leinenkugel's beer lovers, is making its second appearance at Rock Fest near Cadott.
"It's not a place to sell (normal-sized) Adirondack chairs," said Dick Leinenkugel, Leinenkugel's vice president of sales and marketing director. "But to engage our consumers, beer lovers and beer fans."
The notion seems to be working.
"It's great, unique and huge, it's what this whole thing is all about," said fest patron Jim Lane, who came with a bunch of friends.
Lane and part of his group hopped up on the large chair eager to visit it again after they saw it at the fest last year.
Paula Brewer, who also was in the group, admired the chair as she sat in it. The Leinenkugel's fan hadn't previously attended Rock Fest or seen the chair but was wowed by the massive seat.
"It's awesome," she said. "It's the best chair I've ever sat in."
Leinenkugel said the chair was designed to promote the brew's brand of relaxing with friends and family.
"I needed a really big idea, so we made a really big chair," Leinenkugel said.
The company previously sold Adirondack chairs, but the Goliath-sized furniture marks a step up, literally, from that venture.
Leinenkugel said the chairs have made appearances across the Midwest, including Summerfest in Milwaukee, the Minnesota State Fair, Wisconsin State Fair and Navy Pier in Chicago. Currently chairs are at 10 sites throughout the U.S. as part of promotion efforts.
"It's a showcase piece," Leinenkugel said. "It's a place where people can take photos and have fun."
Mike Leddell has been managing the Leinies Lodge for five years and said he has seen many people sitting on it.
"Everyone who sees it and has a camera take a picture with it," he said.
Leinie's fans flock to enjoy immense chair
By Keighla Schmidt
Leader-Telegram staff
It started as a really big idea and appears to be a giant hit with Leinie's beer fans.
The 10-foot tall, 6-foot deep and 4-foot wide chair, nicknamed the Leinie Lounger and built to entertain Leinenkugel's beer lovers, is making its second appearance at Rock Fest near Cadott.
"It's not a place to sell (normal-sized) Adirondack chairs," said Dick Leinenkugel, Leinenkugel's vice president of sales and marketing director. "But to engage our consumers, beer lovers and beer fans."
The notion seems to be working.
"It's great, unique and huge, it's what this whole thing is all about," said fest patron Jim Lane, who came with a bunch of friends.
Lane and part of his group hopped up on the large chair eager to visit it again after they saw it at the fest last year.
Paula Brewer, who also was in the group, admired the chair as she sat in it. The Leinenkugel's fan hadn't previously attended Rock Fest or seen the chair but was wowed by the massive seat.
"It's awesome," she said. "It's the best chair I've ever sat in."
Leinenkugel said the chair was designed to promote the brew's brand of relaxing with friends and family.
"I needed a really big idea, so we made a really big chair," Leinenkugel said.
The company previously sold Adirondack chairs, but the Goliath-sized furniture marks a step up, literally, from that venture.
Leinenkugel said the chairs have made appearances across the Midwest, including Summerfest in Milwaukee, the Minnesota State Fair, Wisconsin State Fair and Navy Pier in Chicago. Currently chairs are at 10 sites throughout the U.S. as part of promotion efforts.
"It's a showcase piece," Leinenkugel said. "It's a place where people can take photos and have fun."
Mike Leddell has been managing the Leinies Lodge for five years and said he has seen many people sitting on it.
"Everyone who sees it and has a camera take a picture with it," he said.
Crew member smells smoke; flight diverted here
Ran Saturday, July 21, 2007
Crew member smells smoke; flight diverted here
No problem found, but passengers bused to MSP
By Keighla Schmidt
Leader- Telegram staff
The baby book entry for "Daddy and Caitlin's first flight" will have a little extra drama, as Northwest Airlines Flight 687 made an emergency landing Friday afternoon at Chippewa Valley Regional Airport.
Philadelphia native Keith Forman and his 11-month-old daughter, Caitlyn, both air-travel rookies, were aboard the jet along with Forman's wife, Jennifer.
"I'll fly again," Keith Forman said.
The airplane landed after a flight attendant reported smelling smoke. The flight was traveling from Philadelphia to Minneapolis. Eau Claire firefighters who responded didn't find smoke in the plane's cabin, Battalion Chief Rick Merryfield said.
Rather than risk further problems in the air, the flight crew sent about 140 passengers by bus to the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.
Jennifer Forman, who had flown previously, described passengers as calm as they waited to exit the plane while it idled on the tarmac.
But those riding the airplane were happy to be back on the ground after their temporary scare. Dennis Gonsior and his family from Oakdale, Minn., were returning from Philadelphia after a weeklong vacation.
"Better safe than sorry," Gonsior said of the interrupted flight.
Not all passengers took the delay in stride. Peg Bachmann of Philadelphia was trying to get to Fairbanks, Alaska, to go on a cruise with Merritt Rhode, also from Philadelphia. Bachmann expressed frustration at the incident.
"Don't fly Northwest, ever," she said.
The incident caused extra hassle for passengers. Cell phones rang frequently, as passengers called friends and family, asking about luggage and arranging connecting flights.
Franz Harary, a magician from Hollywood, was traveling to Minneapolis to catch a transcontinental flight to Tokyo for the release of the "Transformers" movie in Japan. Harary is in charge of arranging the magic at the release party.
"Fortunately, the machine will go on without me," he said.
The buses left about 2 p.m. to get to Minneapolis after about an hour of waiting.
Crew member smells smoke; flight diverted here
No problem found, but passengers bused to MSP
By Keighla Schmidt
Leader- Telegram staff
The baby book entry for "Daddy and Caitlin's first flight" will have a little extra drama, as Northwest Airlines Flight 687 made an emergency landing Friday afternoon at Chippewa Valley Regional Airport.
Philadelphia native Keith Forman and his 11-month-old daughter, Caitlyn, both air-travel rookies, were aboard the jet along with Forman's wife, Jennifer.
"I'll fly again," Keith Forman said.
The airplane landed after a flight attendant reported smelling smoke. The flight was traveling from Philadelphia to Minneapolis. Eau Claire firefighters who responded didn't find smoke in the plane's cabin, Battalion Chief Rick Merryfield said.
Rather than risk further problems in the air, the flight crew sent about 140 passengers by bus to the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.
Jennifer Forman, who had flown previously, described passengers as calm as they waited to exit the plane while it idled on the tarmac.
But those riding the airplane were happy to be back on the ground after their temporary scare. Dennis Gonsior and his family from Oakdale, Minn., were returning from Philadelphia after a weeklong vacation.
"Better safe than sorry," Gonsior said of the interrupted flight.
Not all passengers took the delay in stride. Peg Bachmann of Philadelphia was trying to get to Fairbanks, Alaska, to go on a cruise with Merritt Rhode, also from Philadelphia. Bachmann expressed frustration at the incident.
"Don't fly Northwest, ever," she said.
The incident caused extra hassle for passengers. Cell phones rang frequently, as passengers called friends and family, asking about luggage and arranging connecting flights.
Franz Harary, a magician from Hollywood, was traveling to Minneapolis to catch a transcontinental flight to Tokyo for the release of the "Transformers" movie in Japan. Harary is in charge of arranging the magic at the release party.
"Fortunately, the machine will go on without me," he said.
The buses left about 2 p.m. to get to Minneapolis after about an hour of waiting.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)