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;
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  • 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?

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A close place for vinyl: eGreen Man Music

A Madison place for vinyl: Strictly Discs

Interesting faraway place for vinyl..

nylvi

Hills and Valleys

Fly Ash Storage in TN failed during flooding


By borges, Section Hills and Valleys
Posted on Sun Dec 28, 2008 at 08:54:01 AM CST

Since Dairyland Power has decided against siting an ash landfill in Vernon County, this might seem like yesterday's news, but maybe not.  As UppityWis reported, there has been a major failure of a Tennessee ash storage facility that has polluted downstream areas with an polluting sludge.  Activists here had concerns about possible failures during flood events, and Tennessee is a case making the unfortunate point.

[And more from Macastat]

Comments >>

Visits to Organic Farms--the new way to connect


By borges, Section Hills and Valleys
Posted on Wed Dec 24, 2008 at 01:14:49 PM CST

Eco tourism can be a helpful supplement to marginal incomes in rural areas, and there is an umbrella group trying to connect those who want to spend time on an organic farm, and those who are willing to offer the opportunity.  What has been available by word of mouth, or through small organizations, has now been taken on as a world-wide project by an organization known as WWOOF--reported by this Scientific American article.  To get access to the opportunities available they require a membership, which at the moment is handled by snail mail?  It sounds like they are trying to fix this situation, but for those wanting to be a farm on offer, or someone who seeks an extended visit, it might be worth the effort and old-fashioned wait.

Another website OrganicVolunteers.com has a directory that seems to be part of the WWOOF effort.  These sites will provide a start for anyone interested.

h/t to snowdeal for the tweet.

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Public Comments Needed on National Organic Program (NOP) - Access to Pasture (Livestock)


By borges, Section Hills and Valleys
Posted on Sun Dec 21, 2008 at 01:23:01 PM CST

  CORNUCOPIA, WI:  Some organic policy experts are asking the USDA to separate new regulations addressing the management of organic beef cattle and organic dairy cows when their final rule comes out updating the organic livestock standards.

After many years of wrangling in Washington, in response to an ongoing controversy over giant factory farms, each milking thousands of cows each and labeling their suspect milk as "organic," the USDA published a proposed draft rule attempting to constrain factory farming scofflaws.  The proposed rule is open for public comment through this coming Tuesday.

Public comments on the current USDA draft rules can be submitted, through December 23rd, by visiting: Regulations.gov.  Citizens who have already communicated their comments should know that they can also submit updates or additional points as long as they do so before the end of the public comment period.

Much more of the press release in the full story...and more on this at the Cornucopia website

(1744 words in story) Full Story

Kathleen Vinehout Stepping Up On Manure and Energy


By borges, Section Hills and Valleys
Posted on Wed Dec 10, 2008 at 04:05:51 PM CST

Kathleen Vinehout, State Senate Democrat, is taking a positive stand on the use of manure for energy production.  She makes the case over on UppityWis.org and in a nutshell she says, we have a lot of cows (and more coming to a town near you,) and the technology is to the point we can make it happen in Wisconsin--even for smaller producers.

She ends with an invitation:

If you like the idea or would like more
information, let me know!

State Senator Kathleen Vinehout
serves the 31st Senate District. She can be
contacted at Senator Kathleen Vinehout State Capitol P.O. Box 7882
Madison, Wisconsin 53707-7882 or 877-763-6636 (toll free) or email at
Sen.Vinehout@legis.wisconsin.gov

Maybe let Dan Kapanke, Senate Republican from our district, know that Vinehout has it right.  

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Forestry Hike December 13


By borges, Section Hills and Valleys
Posted on Tue Dec 09, 2008 at 11:05:46 AM CST

Forest Management will be explored on a hike in the woods south of Hillsboro on Saturday, December 13 at 10:00 am.  The event is sponsored by the Kickapoo Woods Cooperative, a landowner group offering forestry and education services to woodland owners.  It will take place at the property of Kathy and Hans Morsbach, who purchased the land in 1972 and have planted new stands as both saplings and seed.

Morsbach planted his first walnut plantation in 1978, using nursery stock.  He later decided to try it nature's way, and planted walnuts and acorns, one stand about 20 years ago and another more recently.  The group will visit these plantings to observe their progress.

More in the full story...

(436 words in story) Full Story

Coal Plant Proposal Rejected for First Time in Wisconsin History


By Tom Wilson, Section Hills and Valleys
Posted on Tue Nov 11, 2008 at 02:21:05 PM CST

Madison, Wis -  Wisconsin regulators rejected a proposal to build a conventional coal plant for the first time in state history today when the Public Service Commission voted unanimously to reject Alliant Energy's highly controversial $1.26 billion coal plant on the shores of the Mississippi River in Cassville, Wisconsin.

(344 words in story) Full Story

Session on Livestock Siting--Nov. 13th


By borges, Section Hills and Valleys
Posted on Sun Nov 09, 2008 at 01:47:53 PM CST

Thurs. November 13th: Learn all about it! Michael Murray from the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) will serve on a lively panel discussion with Jamie Saul from Midwest Environmental Advocates (MEA) to discuss the controversial LIVESTOCK SITING LAW. This meeting is for anyone interested in learning about the new siting standards and its relevance to our community and local governments. This event will be especially useful for Land Use Planning and Zoning Committees. The public presentation is scheduled for 7:00PM at the Seneca Town Hall, 21041 Town Hall Rd. and is cosponsored by Crawford Stewardship Project and Valley Stewardship Network.

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Kickapoo Green Builders Meeting with Tom Wilson


By borges, Section Hills and Valleys
Posted on Fri Nov 07, 2008 at 10:00:34 AM CST

Kickapoo Green Builders Quarterly Meeting is set for Wednesday, November 12th at 6:00pm.

WHERE:  Firehouse Restaurant
WHEN:  Wednesday, Nov. 12th, starting at 6:00pm
WHAT:  Tom Wilson: Building Science & Sustainability

For those who don't know him, Tom Wilson is a Building Performance Specialist with Residential Energy Services and Home Remedies.  He's been inspecting homes and providing sustainable solutions since 1974. His practice emphasizes upgrading existing homes for improved thermal performance, health, safety, comfort, durability, affordability and energy efficiency.  In addition he has co-authored several books and numerous magazine articles, trained hundreds of contractors and made conference presentations all across the nation.

This event is open to the public and admission is free.

If you haven't done so, please bookmark the website  for more information, member pages, as well as ongoing announcements of upcoming events.

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Hills and Valleys

Thursday November 6th
+ Valley Stewardship Annual Meeting (0 comments)

Monday November 3rd
+ Dairyland Power Opts for Recycling over the Landfill Solution (0 comments)

Thursday October 30th
+ Green Charter School Conference and Tia Nelson Comments (0 comments)

Monday October 27th
+ Mike McCabe in Viroqua 10/30 (0 comments)

Wednesday October 22nd
+ Home, Farm, & Field Fall Tour -- 10/25 (0 comments)
+ Incorporating Ecological and Cultural Priorities into Forest Management Planning (0 comments)

Saturday October 18th
+ Protecting Our Water: Issues & Challenges--10/20 (0 comments)

Thursday October 16th
+ Chainsaw Safety Workshops November 14 and 15 (0 comments)

Tuesday October 14th
+ Families Against Rural Messes (FARM) presentation 10/16 (0 comments)

Tuesday October 7th
+ CAFO Trouble in Vernon County (0 comments)

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