Thursday, September 27, 2018

Community Market study

From City Planning:

Thanks to the City of La Crosse Common Council, Gundersen Health System, and Mayo Clinic Health System, the City has hired a consultant to begin a feasibility and site location study for a Public Market.  The selected consultant, Aaron Zaretsky, will be in town on October 3 and 4 and is interested in meeting with community members to educate on a public market and get input for his research on the feasibility and potential location.   

Mr. Zaretsky will be holding an informational session and will also be conducting one-on-one meetings as well as visiting important sites throughout the city.  Please let me know if you are interested in participating in any of the meetings by responding to this email.

This invitation is by no means exclusive.  Please pass this invitation along.

Andrea D. Schnick
Economic Development Planner
City of La Crosse
400 La Crosse Street
Office: 608.789.8321

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These are really great community spaces. Check out these examples:

Jean Talon Market in Montreal
Leeds Kirkgate Market (largest covered market in Europe)
Reading Terminal Market in Philadelphia
Pike Place Market in Seattle

Saturday, September 22, 2018

Another world is possible


I am quite sure every woman on earth has had at least several of experiences similar to those described by Dr. Christine Blasey Ford. If we let it be, this is how this world is - the moral hierarchy of authoritarians  (as described by Prof. George Lakoff in Moral Politics: "The hierarchy is: God above Man, Man above Nature, The Disciplined (Strong) above the Undisciplined (Weak), The Rich above the Poor, Employers above Employees, Adults above Children, Western culture above other cultures, America above other countries. The hierarchy extends to: Men above women, Whites above Nonwhites, Christians above nonChristians, Straights above Gays.").

Working Families Party is calling for a solidarity walkout on Monday. "On Monday, September 24 at 1 pm ET/ 10 am PT people from all over the country will take part in a national walkout to stand in solidarity with Dr. Christine Blasey Ford. Please wear black and walk out from wherever you are — home, work, school — and then capture it in a selfie to post to social media with the hashtag #BelieveSurvivors. Click here for more information and to invite your friends"

It's a very small gesture but it's a step . Another world is possible if we don't get lulled into the media fueled lala land where Trump/NoTrump is the one and only subject of the day, if we don't accept minority rule, if we want a livable future, we will act. Every day. I hope you can participate.

I was going to write a short post to encourage everyone to see Michael Moore's new film, Fahrenheit 11/9. This is the perfect segue.

At the front, he asks, "How the fuck did we get here?" And then he masterfully, in my opinion, and logically crams some of the most important clues to that mystery into an hilarious, heartbreaking, maddening, saddening, frightening, stomach-twisting, tear-jerking Michael Moore movie.

Some say it's too disjointed, but to me it's like a multi-voiced fugue with all the seemingly disconnected stories woven together to describe exactly how the fuck we got here. And, more importantly, how we can make a different future.

Moore, an activist, believes activists, including those people whose activism is only, so far, the urge to throw up, have to get out there and say hell no. Hell no to raising a generation of traumatized by mass shootings teens, to crappy pay and conditions and inhumane treatment of public servants, ignoring mass murder by elected rich white guys whose only concern is turning a profit for cronies, compromises that keep the same well- connected, well-funded centrists in control, and so much more. (It's the duopoly, as Nader might say.)

It's a call to join and take over the party, run for office, stand up to corporate elitists whether they're the heads of corporations, the heads of parties, the heads of unions, or our own (supposed to be) public servants.

Go see it. It's at the Marcus on Ward Avenue at least through Wednesday. Take your young friends and then urge them to get active, too.


Wednesday, September 19, 2018

September 22: 156th Anniversary of preliminary Emancipation Proclamation


AAMAN’s
4th Annual Juneteenth Citywide Celebration
Saturday, September 22, 2018
12:00 Noon to 5:00 p.m.
South Side Neighborhood Center and Poage Park
FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States.

From its Galveston, Texas origin in 1865, the observance of June 19th as the African American Emancipation Day has spread across the United States and beyond.

This year there were two dates of Celebrations in La Crosse. The First Celebration was on Saturday, June 23, 2018 featuring the Enduring Families Project’s African-American Living Historical Tour.

During the American Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln issued the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation on September 22, 1862, with an effective date of January 1, 1863. This issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation on September 22nd is what inspired our second Juneteenth Celebration on Saturday, September 22, 2018.

Opening: 12:00 p.m. to 12:20 Shaundel Spivey, Cultural Liaison with the School District of La Crosse will have students present “What Juneteenth Means to Me.”

There will be two Reenactments Performed by the Enduring Families Project of the African American Living History Bus Tour that took place at AAMAN's Saturday, June 23, 2018, Juneteenth Celebration. If you missed those Tours, you will be well informed and educated about the history of African-Americans in La Crosse, Wisconsin.

1:35-1:50 p.m. Mandela Barnes, Democratic Lieutenant Governor candidate: Inspiring young people to register and vote in November.

The 1st 150 Participants EAT FREE. Meal provided by Piggy's Restaurant: Beginning at 1:50 p.m.
• Pulled Pork with Honey Dijon BBQ Sauce on Brioche Rolls
• Pickle spears
• Penne Pasta Salad

2:00-3:00 p.m. Participants visit Vendors, Organizations, City, and County Booths, Northgate Hair and Wigs-Rochester-MN Salon, Democratic Party, League of Women Voters, La Crosse Human
Services, Sheriff’s Department printing ID’s for kids and their parents, Rich Sims from UWL with
Student group sharing Basketball Handling to Kids and More!

Thanks to our Sponsors:
Enduring Families Project, Gundersen Lutheran Health System, Sheriff’s Department, La Crosse County Democratic Party, Viterbo University, La Crosse Historical Society, City of La Crosse, Explore La Crosse, La Crosse Parks &
Recreation, and La Crosse County.

For complete details or addition information contact Cecil Adams at aamancfmlp@gmail.com and visit https://www.aaman.online/juneteenth2

Sunday, September 16, 2018

Mayor's Home Energy Challenge


New Program Offers Incentives to Property Owners Who Make Energy Efficiency Improvements
La Crosse homeowners who want to save on energy bills this winter and increase the comfort of their homes now have up to $4,100 in incentives available to them, depending on the variables explained in the fact sheet attached. Mayor Tim Kabat is launching the Home Energy Challenge, which gives the first 100 households who sign up the ability to receive incentives to cover a portion of the costs of making their homes more energy-efficient through insulation and air sealing.
The launch event is taking place at the home of Casey and Sonja Meehan, who chose to make home energy improvements themselves and are encouraging other homeowners to do the same. Casey and Sonja moved to La Crosse in the summer of 2014. They loved the idea of being able to walk, bike, or bus to work, the proximity to all the amenities downtown and on local college campuses, and the potential to be part of a close-knit neighborhood. One detractor was the poor energy efficiency of the older 1920s home that they purchased, but quickly realized that was something they could fix.
“Our home still had the original insulation in the attic, so it was really cold in the winter. After we had the work done, we noticed right away that the temperature in the house was way more comfortable. In addition to making our house more livable, we knew that the improvements were going to save us money in the long run as we wouldn’t be using as much heat.  We also felt it was simply the right thing to do from an environmental standpoint,” said Casey.
For the Mayor, launching this initiative is also about La Crosse residents coming together to make the City one of the most sustainable communities in Wisconsin. “If we accomplish our goal of 100 homes, the City would reduce its carbon dioxide emissions by 290 metrics tons per year, the equivalent of 317,676 pounds of coal burned or taking 62 vehicles off the road. That’s a really great investment in our community and our planet,” said Mayor Tim Kabat.
At the launch event, the Mayor will be joined by the City’s partners in the Home Energy Challenge- Xcel Energy and Focus on Energy. In addition, several local employers will be present who will be encouraging their employees to participate in the challenge.
For more information on the incentives being offered and more details about the program, go to http://www.cityoflacrosse.org/energychallenge

Monday, September 10, 2018

Fighting Bob Fest - La Crosse Saturday, Sept. 15



Saturday 9/15 from 3 pm - 7 pm
 - Our Wisconsin Revolution La Crosse is hosting a day of training, music, games and food. Participants will also get to hear from some local elected officials and progressive Wisconsin voices. The keynoter will be John Nichols. 

Look for the fest, including canvassing training, music, organizing and more, at Cameron Park and The Brick House 228 5th Ave. South La Crosse, WI. 

Thursday, September 06, 2018

Rise for Climate - Sept. 8

from Coulee Region Sierra Club


Please join the Coulee Region Sierra Club and other local and regional organizations and leaders at the Rise for Climate event at 2 p.m. on Saturday, September 8 in La Crosse's Riverside Park near the big fountain. 

Rise for Climate is a global day of action to end the era of fossil fuels. This event is one of thouands being held around the world to demand our local leaders commit to building a fossil free world that puts people and justice before profits. No more stalling, no more delays: it’s time for a fast and fair transition to 100% renewable energy for all. Read more about it at https://riseforclimate.org

The list of speakers below includes 
  • Coulee Region Group Vice Chair Kathy Allen talking about the Sierra Club's Ready for 100 campaign and the Sierra Club's endorsements in the upcoming elections: 
  • Ho-Chunk Nation Member Bill Greendeer to talk about holding leaders in  responsible for the well-being of existing and next generations (Seven Generations principle) and also the ethical idea of the Rights of Nature 
  • Organizer Janette Dean to welcome everyone and explain why environmental policy is the fastest way we can protect our planet 
  • Member of La Crosse's Hmoob/Hmong Community to share Hmoob environmental concepts that apply to climate protection
  • UWL Professor Paul Reyerson to speak on the latest global and national climate science and impacts 
  • Sustainability Institute's Casey Meehan to speak on Midwestern state impacts & some of the many opportunities and benefits of sustainability 
  • Speaker to share the city and county's emissions reductions progress as part of their Sustainability Indicators and related goals 
  • Coulee Region Sierra Club Vice Chair Kathy Allen to share their candidate endorsements and to share CRSC's Ready for 100 effort (100% renewables by 2050 or sooner) 
  • Ken Tschumper, Former Minnesota State Representative to talk about MN's clean energy legislation and MN's 2018 Candidates 
  • La Crosse Democrats spokesperson Avery Van Gaard to read a climate-related statement from WI Gubernatorial candidate Tony Evers & WI Rep. Jill Billings 
  • Charles (Chuck) Davis, Sr. of Tomah - Oglala Lakota, of the Oceti Sakowin

Tuesday, September 04, 2018

Important stuff coming up

First, if you haven't signed up to help make calls and knock doors for Scott Walker & Co.'s desperately needed replacements, ?!why the heck not!? Do you really want another term of environmental, public services, and infrastructure disasters? Do you want mining companies and CAFOs to decide the quality of our air and water? Do you want even more millions of tax dollars doled out to Walker cronies with no strings attached? Call NOW and sign up to help. (608 615-1733)

Second, while we dither, the planet's burning up. Come to the Rise for Climate rally on Saturday and make a commitment to push for real action. Changing a few lightbulbs and riding your bike around when it's nice out isn't going to cut it. We need big and deep changes right away. (And be sure to start out at Pride in the Park, in the north half of Riverside).

There are many events to highlight, but you can check the calendar (and let is know if something is missing!)

One more important and timely event from Viterbo's Ethics Institute:

THE LATEHOMECOMER AUTHOR KAO KALIA YANG TO OPEN THE D.B. REINHART INSTITUTE FOR ETHICS IN LEADERSHIP LECTURE SERIES AT VITERBO UNIVERSITY SEPT. 13

Kao Kalia Yang, educator, filmmaker, and author of the award-winning book The Latehomecomer: A Hmong Family Memoir, will open the D.B. Reinhart Institute for Ethics in Leadership’s fall 2018 lecture series at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 13 in the Viterbo University Fine Arts Center Main Theatre.
The Latehomecomer: A Hmong Family Memoiris the story of her and her family’s move from the Ban Vinai Refugee Camp in Thailand where the author was born in 1980 to Minnesota in 1987. It is the firsthand account of a journey from place to place many Hmong people have had to make to find “home.” The book received a Minnesota Book Award and was a finalist for several other prestigious honors.

Read more at the link.