Active citizenship

Get involved:

THURSDAY, JULY 25: Climate and Clean Energy Leaders for our FUTURE. Kamala Harris Fundraiser + volunteer call THURSDAY at 7 p.m. Central. Bill McKibben, Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, Leah Stokes, Jade Begay, Saad Amer, Donnel Baird, and more... Stay tuned! Sign up here to participate: https://tinyurl.com/2bwjy5st

 

WEDNESDAY, JULY 31: 96th Wisconsin Assembly District Candidate Forum hosted by the League of Women Voters of the La Crosse Area ONLINE from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. 

On Wednesday, July 31, the League of Women Voters of the La Crosse Area will sponsor a candidate forum between the Democratic candidates for the 96th WI Assembly District race in the 2024 Primary Election.  The forum will be live streamed at 6:30 p.m. on our LWVLA YouTube channel here 96th Assembly Primary Forum.  A recording of the forum will continue to be available for viewing on this channel and on our website lwvlacrosse.org .

On August 13, two candidates—Steve Campbell and Tara Johnson—compete in the 2024 Primary Election to be the Democratic Party's candidate in the November 5 General Election, running against the incumbent, Rep. Loren Oldenburg. Go to the League's online voter guide, VOTE411, to read both candidates' biographies and positions on selected issues.  

Members of the public are welcome to submit questions for the candidates at lwvlawi@gmail.com until July 30.

Earlier this year, Gov. Tony Evers signed legislation to establish new legislative maps for the state of Wisconsin. Those maps go into effect for the 2024 elections on August 13 and November 5.  The 96th Assembly District map will have new boundaries.

The new 96th includes southern La Crosse, Shelby, Viroqua, La Farge, Greenwood and more, with the district losing rural areas including Crawford and Monroe counties.

Be sure to go to https://myvote.wi.gov/en-us/Find-My-Polling-Place to see if your polling place has been moved for this year's elections.

 

THURSDAY, AUGUST 1: Wisconsin Conservation Voters Party in the Park at Eckhart Park in Viroqua from 6 to 8 p.m.

We are inviting Wisconsin Conservation Voters members and all others interested in conservation, clean energy, clean water, and democracy to a Party in the Park. Join us at Eckhart Park in the heart of beautiful Viroqua for an evening of refreshments, reconnecting with old friends, and making new ones.   We'll also learn about new clean energy benefits, and get updates on conservation policy in your region and the "Wisconsin Votes No" campaign for the August 13th election.    Viroqua Party in the Park Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024 6 - 8 p.m.  Large Pavilion - Eckhart Park 124 W Decker St Viroqua, WI 54665   Thank you to our hosts: Board Members Karen Voss and Mary Stirling, and WCV member and local resident Jessica Voss. Jessica and her partner, James Yohn are excited to share their story of renovating an historic Viroqua home, while prioritizing energy efficiency.

Please RSVP by 7/29!

All about biking - July 19-22

 

UPDATE: Unfortunately, due to factors out of our control, the Teaching Safe Bicycling course on July 19, 2024 has been canceled. Other Wisconsin Bike Fed events will still be happening throughout the weekend including E-bike 101, Smart Cycling 101, and attendance at Disability Pride.

If you would still interested in the Teaching Safe Bicycling course or being involved in bike rodeos, please reach out to Jenna Dinkel (dinkelj@cityoflacrosse.org) for future information and to get involved. Thanks for your understanding. Please let me know if you have any questions.

The Wisconsin Bike Fed is taking to the road for lively and fun multi-day cycling education in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Anyone, whether they are new to cycling, a tenured commuter, or an educator looking for more teaching tools, is encouraged to attend. We are working with some amazing community partners so that these programs can be free and open to the public. Everyone is invited to brush up on their bicycling knowledge, have some fun, and meet fellow cyclists in the La Crosse community.

Find more info at the links below and make sure to register ahead of time so we can stay in communication with you and plan accordingly.

July 19th: Teaching Safe Bicycling @ Black River Beach Neighborhood Ctr, 1433 Rose St.  9a-3p

• This course sets out to train-the-trainer by offering participants the skills and on-course practice they need to teach safe cycling techniques to children.

July 20th: Disability Pride @ Central High School, 1801 Losey Blvd S. 11a-4p

• Cycling without Age will join the Disability Action Network (DAN) for Disability Pride to promote inclusion and highlight the value of people with disabilities in the La crosse community and beyond.

July 21st: E-Bike 101 @ Wrench and Roll Collective 1200 Caledonia St. 4:30p

• Celebrating cycling in all forms, this course goes over the basics of electric biking, including how to choose an e-bike, safety and maintenance, and on road and path etiquette. 

July 22nd: Smart Cycling 101 @ UW La Crosse Recreational Eagle Ctr, 1600 Farwell St. 2-7p

• This course is a great way to brush up on the skills and information needed for city and country riding alike. We discuss the basics of bike maintenance, rules of the road, on-bike skills, and crash avoidance techniques. Then we hit the road for a bicycle ride to put it all into practice.

Find more information on cycling related events across the state all year round at https://wisconsinbikefed.org/events/

When Rubber Hits the Road

 

WHEN RUBBER HITS THE ROAD

FRIDAY, JULY 19 * 7:30 p.m. * RIVOLI

In January 1991, Eau Claire, Wisconsin's Uniroyal tire plant employees received devastating news: after 75 years of manufacturing tires, the plant was scheduled to close.  As the city struggled to overcome the loss of its largest employer, the former employees struggled to find their footing in a quickly changing world.  What would happen next was anyone’s guess.  But if the city hoped to survive, it was up to its citizens to figure out how.

When Rubber Hits the Road is more than a story about tires.  It’s the story of a Midwestern city’s attempt to reinvent itself in the wake of America’s manufacturing decline.  It’s a blueprint, too, for how a community can bounce back—when people commit themselves to embracing change.

Following the film, join filmmakers B.J. Hollars and Steve Dayton for a conversation and Q&A about the making of the documentary.

View trailer and get tickets HERE: https://tickets.rivoli.net/websales/pages/info.aspx?evtinfo=869717~e3c66030-62d8-4282-9886-16d09f1887f2&epguid=860d7874-6e0b-4967-89c5-bd2947a38ea3&

More public input this week

Wednesday, July 10: WisDOT and at-grade railroad crossings

WisDOT officials will hold a public meeting in La Crosse regarding changes to two railroad crossings on the city's north side.

The meeting is set for 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 10 at Logan High School.
The project focuses of crossings at Hagar Street/Avon Street and at St. Cloud Street/Liberty Street. These are both "at-grade" intersections, or junctions where two or more roads meet or cross at the same level.

Questions about the project can be directed to project manager Kris Sommers at (608) 266-3341 or Kristen.Sommers@dot.wi.gov. A comment form is available if members of the public are not able to attend.

More information on the project is available here.

In previous presentation documents, the DOT says they aim to minimize crashes and discourage unsafe driving at both locations.

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Thursday, July 11: La Crosse Common Council - Mayoral appeal of historic designation for South Branch Library

From Holy Trinity-Longfellow Neighborhood:

I am again asking you to send another letter to the Common Council and the City Clerk before Thursday, July 11. (zzcouncilmembers@cityoflacrosse.org and clerk@Cityoflacrosse.org)

Mayor Reynolds has announced he will appeal the South Branch Library's Historic Landmark designation. A petition with 540 signatures supported repurposing the building (rather than demolishing it). The Heritage Preservation Commission agreed that the building should be a Historic Landmark. And the Economic and Community Development Commission voted to sell the library and grounds for apartments and townhouses.

If you believe the Historic Landmark designation should be upheld, act soon. The appeal is being put to a vote at the Common Council meeting this Thursday, July 11 at 6:00 p.m.

Email the Common Council and urge them to reject the Mayor’s appeal of the designation. If you can, go to the meeting at City Hall this Thursday at 6:00 pm. 

Coulee Region Immigration Summit

 

Monday, July 15 from 2 to 4 p.m.

La Crosse Public Library

Speaking the language of shared values, opportunity and possibility.

PLEASE NOTE: This FREE, in-person only event takes place at the La Crosse Public Library Main Auditorium (lower level), 800 Main St., La Crosse.

The Coulee Region Immigration Summit will spotlight the ways that people who migrate enrich our community. We’ll engage in an immersive learning session that focuses on the power of language that is filled with dignity and hope. A storytelling panel will bring the perspectives of people in migration, local employers and the Humanitarian Parole program. We’ll leave the summit with skills for constructive conversations and inspired to accompany and advocate for people who migrate. 

The Immigration Summit is sponsored by the Coulee Region Immigration Task Force, Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration Affiliation Office, Franciscan Spirituality Center and Kino Border Initiative (KBI).

Learn more at https://fsc.retreatportal.com/events/f?p=EVENTS:2:::::P0_EMBED,PROGRAM_ID:0,8709