Welcome to KickTime - News of the Kickapoo Valley, WI

A Driftless Regional web space for Kickapoo Valley news, events and local commerce (like recycling, ride sharing, eating from local sources, buying and supporting local entrepreneurs.)

Visit our Kickapedia site for links to local businesses, farms and services. This is a community wiki (like Wikipedia only smaller) that can be updated by anyone who logs in. The more you join in the better the information and quicker the updates. Don't be shy--if you make a mistake an old version can be restored.

Also try the link to the KickTime_Calendar. We try to keep it as complete, up-to-date and accurate as possible. Please forgive any errors and use the contact information provided for events to double check times and dates.

KickTime is a community project--you are encouraged to submit material. The first step is to create a login account. After logging in, submit your story and it will be reviewed and pushed to the front page within a day or two. See the FAQ for more details about posting material here. If you are totally flummoxed, email the story to admins[at]kicktime[dot]org.

So what do we look for? Events notices are common submissions, but a local view on issues would be a nice change of pace.

Please don't submit a reprint of a news story. Instead provide a new perspective or added insight;
Bring several views together to create a new way to imagine an issue;
Be clever, funny, original;
We encourage attitude and self-confidence, but base your writing on facts;
If you wish to pass literary or artistic judgment, or discuss the merits or demerits of someone or something, do it with subtlety and intelligence;
The more voices here the better!

Too much to ask? Well would you want to spend your precious time reading anything less?

Latest News

VSN "Friendraising" Celebration 8/9

By borges, Section Hills and Valleys
Posted on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 06:05:16 AM CST

The VSN "Friendraiser" Celebration will take place at the Kickapoo Valley Reserve Visitor Center at 6:30pm and will wrap-up around 9:30pm.

* Chef Macon Luhning will provide a wonderful assortment of local, seasonal fare for your tastebud's delight.
* Music will be provided by Harpist Ruth Kittleson.
* Theatrical entertainment will provided by the Two Busy to Play Players

Invite your neighbors and your friends and join us for a fun-filled evening of great food & drink, laughs and conversation!

Please RSVP by August 1st to Michelle at the VSN Office: michellevsn@frontiernet.net or 637-3615. The cost is $10.00 per adult.

I look forward to seeing you Saturday, August 9th!

Cheers,
Jessica Luhning
Projects Coordinator
Valley Stewardship Network

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Saturday Night Music--Tom Neilson, Kiss Your Ashes Goodbye

By borges, Section Saturday Night Music
Posted on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 10:47:39 PM CST

Dairyland Power utility has proposed a landfill in Vernon County to store fly ash from the new scrubbers being installed. We thought it might be gone, but found out it was not. One week in July 2008 Tom Neilson visited, did a benefit concert for the activists and in an evening composed this song with local folk. The People of HOPE/DontDumpOnUs are most grateful for his help and spirit during that visit. ARCH (Asbury Ridge Community for HOPE) who put on the show (set up made the brats and cleaned up after) would also like to thank Tom. ARCH's website (link above) is also full of up to date info and links--highly recommended reading on the subject.

Here is a link to the song.

If you enjoy his music you can catch an hour interview/music here.

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Friday Night Web Picks--Vandals and Elites

By borges, Section Friday Web Picks
Posted on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 09:31:46 PM CST

Seems a trend these days that some folks with spray paint cans can't get enough of putting their two cents out there in that unpleasant way. From cemeteries/parks (1, 2, 3) to the Democratic_Party_HQ (video and pictures from Channel_8) in this area we see a need to vent writ large (literally.)

The pattern here is a bit difficult to read with any certainty. But the comments after the above linked-to stories show a distinct pattern. A familiar culture war that plays out in this rural part of Wisconsin as it does across the nation.

Gays Mills Museum to host improv tonight

By borges, Section Area Cultural Events
Posted on Thu Jul 17, 2008 at 10:45:08 PM CST

The Kickapoo River Museum in Gays Mills will be host to InToIt Improv group as they perform "Here and Then There Again" along with The Cardboard Radio Show this Friday, July 18, starting at 8 p.m.

There will be live music, great entertainment and a lots of fun, all benefiting the restoration of this lovely building. Free will donation. Hope to see you then! Please call for more information. 608 area 606~4808 from Anne O'C

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TU Hands-on Workshop at Trout Run

By borges, Section Hills and Valleys
Posted on Thu Jul 17, 2008 at 10:38:17 AM CST

Hands-on workshop for conservationist, volunteers, anyone wanting to do stream restoration, July 19-20--questions - call Jeff Hastings 608 area code 606-4158 or jhastings[At}tu[dot]org

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Jib Jab's newest on the campaign

By borges, Section Friday Web Picks
Posted on Thu Jul 17, 2008 at 06:40:43 AM CST

Jib Jab has done it again...

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TED talk--classical music and the leadership of Benjamin Zander

By borges, Section Philosopher's Corner
Posted on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 10:01:14 PM CST

Before everyone blows away for the weekend, as is so common in summer, here is a TED video worth the time. From the TED_site:

Benjamin Zander has two infectious passions: classical music, and helping us all realize our untapped love for it -- and by extension, our untapped love for all new possibilities, new experiences, new connections.

This one is great for the spirit, and don't forget to let the kids in on it. "One buttock music playing?"--trust me kids will love this.

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Dairyland Ash Landfill going forward

By borges, Section Hills and Valleys
Posted on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 05:41:09 AM CST

The news of a Federal Court decision to limit the authority of EPA to control industrial air pollution was thought to be the end of the Dairyland Power stack scrubber and landfill project, but it seems this is not accurate. A La_Crosse_Trib_article quotes a Dairyland spokesperson who indicated their plans are not changing. I think as the story unfolds we may find that State law requires air emission clean up, and so Dairyland will continue to pursue their plans to develop the landfill.

So a protest song is still relevant for all those depressed activists out there. Look for it this Saturday on the KickTime Saturday Night Music, courtesy of Tom Neilson who visited earlier in the month and worked with locals on this original composition--Kiss Your Ashes Goodbye.

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