Be a Poll Worker

Wisconsin needs people like you to serve as paid poll workers for the 2024 elections. If you're looking for a way to make an impact in 2024, becoming a poll worker is one of the most vital roles you can play. Being a poll worker means helping people vote safely and ensuring as many people as possible can cast their ballot.  Poll workers are important because they: Create an accessible and inclusive environment where voters feel empowered and safe throughout the voting process.  Serve their community. More poll workers mean more polling places. This keeps lines short and efficient for their neighbors.  Play a vital role in upholding our democratic processes. And, they get hands-on insight into our safe, fair and free elections. How do I sign up? Visit powerthepolls.org/lwvwi and enter your information so your local clerk knows that you are interested in becoming a poll worker.

SIGN UP

What will I do? Poll workers check in voters, help people register to vote, check photo IDs, and process absentee ballots. Your local clerk will provide you with training before Election Day.  You can help make our elections safer for all and ensure everyone has fair access to the ballot!

Rice Pantry Volunteers

Cia Siab, Inc. is pleased to announce that our Rice Pantry event Rice Pantry will be held on Friday, September 8th, at the Hmoob Cultural and Community Agency at 1815 Ward Ave, La Crosse. We are looking for individuals who are interested in volunteering for this event Need Volunteers.

We thank you for considering this event to contribute to our cause. We sincerely appreciate your support. 

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact me at julia@ciasiabinc.org or (608) 615-7117.

Warm regards,

Julia Yang

She/her/hers

Office Assistant & Volunteer Coordinator

julia@ciasiabinc.org

608-616-9356

Cia Siab, Inc.

Building a Culturally Vibrant Hmoob Community.

1825 Sunset Ln., La Crosse, WI 54601

Office: (608) 615 -7117, M-F 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

24/7 WI Hmong Family Strengthening Helpline 1-877-740-4292

Website: https://www.ciasiabinc.org/

Show your support for public transit

 

One of the city's climate action goals is moving more people from cars to public transit. How can we get there?

Are you "climate aware," understanding it's not something to put off to the future, but rather, something to concentrate on right now? Use this opportunity to show your support for our current public transit system and to tell MTU staff what would encourage you to ride the bus more. 

Are you currently a transit rider? Take this opportunity to show appreciation and tell MTU staff what you like best about transit. 

Don't just think, "Oh, yeah, I support transit," and stay home. Come on down for a few minutes to demonstrate your support to MTU staff and to our elected leaders whose actions could beef up our transit system so more people could use it.

Citizen Climate Lobby meeting

August La Crosse CCL Meeting

PLEASE NOTE: We are once again meeting both in person and via Zoom.

 

Wednesday, August 23rd, 6:30pm

VIA ZOOM

Get the Zoom link here.

Phone call: +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)

Meeting ID: 885 0557 2189

Passcode: 638575

MEET IN PERSON AT:

Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of La Crosse, 401 West Ave S, La Crosse, WI 54601

NOTE: Please enter through the door near the bike rack behind the building.

Email info@lacrossccl.org with any questions.

TO DO BEFORE THE MEETING

Please watch the recording of the August International CCL Meeting on YouTube (44 minutes) or listen to the podcast on Apple Podcasts. Get links here.

 

CCL's August Speaker

Ramona Liberoff, Executive Director

Platform for Accelerating the Circular Economy (PACE) Ramona Liberoff is the Executive Director of Platform for Accelerating the Circular Economy (PACE), which was launched by the World Economic Forum and is a delivery platform of the World Resources Institute. The circular economy offers solutions to the joint crises of climate change and biodiversity loss by regenerating natural systems, keeping products and materials in circulation, and preventing waste and pollution. After a career of leading innovation for multinationals such as Unilever and Pepsico, Ramona has worked at the intersection of global climate, innovation, and finance, at Roots of Impact, as the CEO of SPRING Accelerator and as COO of the Innogy Innovation Hub.

Fundraiser extended!

This important fundraiser has been extended for an additional five days. Have you donated yet" Please share with others to help support needed resources in our community!

DONATE HERE!

Xcel, Gas, Beans

A vague media release invites people to a press event at City Hall Friday at 11 a.m. where the Mayor will, "sign an agreement with Xcel Energy-Wisconsin President Karl Hoesly to further support shared clean energy goals through customer programs, economic development and technology."

What does this mean?

On the plus side, Xcel has made a commitment to reduce net carbon emissions to zero by 2050 (those these utility pledges have been called into question). They offer a Renewable-Connect program which let's people pay more for (cheaper) renewable energy.

But, Xcel is also planning to build ten new fossil gas-powered generating plants at Wheaton near Eau Claire.

We know that in 2022, Xcel's net profit was $1.74 billion. In Minnesota recently, Public Utility Commissioners decided that their ratepayers should not have to pay for excessive executive compensation. 

As climate conscious communities ban new natural gas for home heating, in Colorado, Xcel is rolling out a "clean heat" program that will mix hydrogen with gas to reduce emissions from burning (but not from producing where much of the damage, from methane release, occurs) and slow the shift to heat pumps which can be run on renewably-generated electricity.

Then, there's Xcel's trash burning plant which generates electricity by burning garbage, including lots of fossil fuel-derived plastic, which produces air pollution. 

If you want to atted, do, but be aware of the background.

Today! Tammy Baldwin in La Crosse

Meet and talk with U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin TODAY (Wednesday) from 4 to 5 p.m. at the Riverside Park fountain.
RSVP (suggested, not required)

Cap Times Idea Fest 9/17-23

 

In person and online. A week of journalism, ideas, and conversation. Bernie on Sept. 22. Other guests include Judy Woodruff, Al Hunt, Paul Soglin, David Mara Miss, Carl Bernstein, and  Rep. Jamie Rankin.

Program still in process.

More info at The Cap Times and tickets at https://captimesideafest.com/

Cycling Without Age

CYCLING WITHOUT AGE

Wisconsin Bike Fed staff are visiting the La Crosse area this Thursday, August 10 for two events:

• Pilot Training from 8:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. (for current or new pilots)
• Community Introduction (basic information meeting) from 4 to 5 p.m. at the Lakeview Health Center and Assisted Living, 962 Garland St. E. in West Salem

If you have any questions, please contact Michelle Bachaus, Community Engagement & Cycling Without Age Program Manager: michelleb@wisconsinbikefed.org

For more information about Cycling Without Age, please visit the Bike Fed page: https://wisconsinbikefed.org/what-we-do/programs/cycling-without-age/

 

Climate Action NOW

"If the United States, China, and the rest of the world do not act extremely aggressively in cutting carbon emissions, our planet will face enormous and irreversible damage. Let me be clear about that last part. If the entire planet, led by the largest economies of the world--the United States and China--does not get its act together, the world we will be leaving to our children and future generations, will be increasingly unhealthy and uninhabitable."
 

"Unfortunately, its worse than 'the new normal,'  because 'the new normal' sort of sounds like we've got a new situation; we just have to figure out how to deal with it. But this gets worse and worse as long as we continue to burn fossil fuels and generate carbon pollution, and the planet continues to heat up, we're going to see more of these unprecedented, extreme weather events."

Black Student Leaders Sing Along

Do you love to sing? Do you love to support a great cause? Stop in at J's Cafe Thursday, August 17 at 6 p.m. for Black Student Leaders Sing Along!! 

There will be popular songs playing that you could either sing or pay to pass the mic to a friend! Come have a great time and support an amazing cause! 

Each year Black Student Leaders sends 100 students back to school with $100 worth of gift cards (plus providing rides to the stores) as well backpacks, school supplies, snacks, and everything else needed to prepare teens to go back to school on a positive note! 

Come show your support to this amazing fundraiser and of course food by Chef Mia.

Mental Health Scholarship

Please consider promoting and making a tax-deductible donation to this endowed fund, which will provide scholarships to persons of color seeking graduate degrees in mental health counseling.

This fund is created by Peace of Mind Counseling with the aim to help diversify providers in the mental health field, ensuring there are mental health providers who have similar shared experiences as the clients they serve.

La Crosse’s Black Leaders Acquiring Collective Knowledge (B.L.A.C.K.) is a partner in the effort and will be making the scholarship decisions.

An anonymous donor has offered a $15,000 match to help get the fund built to a level where it can begin disbursing scholarships. The La Crosse Community Foundation kicked off the $15K in 15 Days initiative on Tuesday, August 1st.

Volunteer with Planned Parenthood

Planned Parenthood's Healthy Neighborhood Canvassing program marches on through promising recent developments in the movement to Restore Roe!

There are several upcoming opportunities to join the Healthy Neighborhood Canvassing program in La Crosse. You'll join Planned Parenthood Advocates of Wisconsin organizers and volunteers talking to  neighbors about the services Planned Parenthood provides and steps we can all  take to restore abortion access in Wisconsin.

No prior canvassing experience is necessary! Each canvass begins with a thorough training. All necessary materials (and some fun goodies) are provided and no one is asked to canvass alone. The PPWI canvassing program is perfect for new canvassers, or those who have had less than ideal past canvassing experiences, to jump (back) in with plenty of support!

Check out this testimony from Tisha, a recent new canvasser:

I was a bit nervous to go door to door to ask people about their feelings about abortion. It can bring up such strong and complicated emotions for people. I didn't want to make someone upset, but I wanted to talk to my neighbors about how they feel and if they were interested in doing more to fight for body autonomy. I felt very supported by Joella/PP. I got to work with someone who had done this before, and was pleasantly surprised by the comfortable conversations I had with neighbors. I highly recommend trying it - even if you just tag a long.

Join the Planned Parenthood -Western Wisconsin Supporters FB page. Reach out to Joella with any questions or concerns you may have. Click this link for more details and to sign up for upcoming canvasses on:

• Saturday, August 5 from 10 to 1
• Monday, August 14 from 5 to 8 p.m.

One down, many to go

 Cross-posted from SPACE-La Crosse:

THE Crowley Park/Emerson shredded tire playground surface is being removed!

Let's CELEBRATE!!

Join SPACE-La Crosse on Wednesday, August 16 at noon at Crowley Park/Emerson playground where we'll celebrate the removal of the rubber chips and spring and summer accomplishments, and learn what's next for SPACE-La Crosse!

News coverage of our summer "citizen science" experiment, recording temperatures of different play surfaces around the city, has helped more people become aware of the potential hazards recycled tires pose for children, adults, and our environment. Check out the reporting here:

• News8000 - WKBT
• News19 - WXOW
• La Crosse Tribune

We are still inviting you to join us is collecting data about the temperatures of different playspace surfaces. Check out an infrared digital thermometer from the La Crosse Public Library's Library of Things (or bring your own) and use this online form to report your results. Test as many spaces and surfaces as you wish!

In the meantime, we'll see you at Crowley Park/Emerson School on Campbell Road at noon on August 16 to celebrate this change for safer playspaces and community environments in La Crosse!

Support Hmoob Youth

 

Looking for a delicious way to make a meaningful impact? Tomorrow, we're hosting a HMoob Camp Brat Stand Fundraiser at the Onalaska Festivals from 10am - 6pm. Don't miss this opportunity to support HMoob Language and Culture Camp. 

Thank you for your continued support. We look forward to seeing you at our Brat Stand Fundraiser!

Contact us: 608-615-7117 info@ciasiabinc.org

It's JANET Day!

 

Our long gerrymandered-Republican-minjority-hell rule will soon be over. 

"Now this is not the end.  It is not even the beginning of the end.  
But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning."

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