Volume One

Finally, the Gas Prices Question

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

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

Posted by Karline

Unfortunately Ambiguous Headline of the Day

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

Chippewa Falls Girl Born to Show Cows at Fair

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

Posted by Karline

Thursday: The Klenz/Walk Sextet

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

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

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

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

Posted by Mike

New Quick Web Poll!

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

Posted by Mike

Eau Claire County Budget Survey

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

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

What are your priorities? Tell the county here.

Posted by Karline

CANCELED Back-Alley Cinema Series Returns with Waitress

Nevermind, it's raining. Sorry! Next week!

The Back-Alley Cinema Series is back for a limited engagement! Starting with tonight’s feature, there’ll be six Monday night showings (weather permitting). And hey, if you like pie, you’ll love tonight’s movie. Which is to say, you’ll love tonight’s movie. Waitress:

Jenna, a waitress living in the American South, is trapped in an unhappy marriage to jealous, controlling, and abusive Earl. She works in Joe's Pie Diner, where her job includes creating the unique pies of her life, such as the "I Don't Want Earl's Baby" pie (aka Bad Baby pie) she invents after her unwanted pregnancy is confirmed. Jenna longs to run away from her dismal situation, and is hiding money to do so. Her only friends are Becky and Dawn, her fellow waitresses, and Joe, the curmudgeonly diner owner who encourages her to escape from her bad marriage and begin a new life elsewhere.

Also, there is a hunky doctor. And Andy Griffith.

Bonus: In addition to the regular concessions, in the spirit of the film, WHYS radio will be serving pie. Yep, pie. This year’s Back-Alley Summer Cinema Series is brought to you by Kadinger Event Production, WHYS community radio, Benny HaHa Art Supply and Gallery, and of course, the fine folks typing these words, Volume One Magazine.

Waitress (PG-13/108min/2007) • Monday, July 7 • the alley that would be 205 Graham Ave., downtown Eau Claire •  9:30pm • all ages • FREE • concessions available • 552-0457 

Posted by Mike

Symptoms Map

Dunn County is feeling more muscle strain than Eau Claire right now. That's one of the many fascinating things you'll learn on WebMD Nation, which keeps track of the most common ailments reported to the Symptom Checker, by location.

Waste a few minutes right here.

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Posted by Karline