Here are a selection of brief news items from this week’s paper edition, and possibly a few news briefs that didn’t make it in the paper.

Holiday news, ad deadlines are earlier

News and ad deadlines for the Coulee News will be moved up the week of Christmas and New Year’s Day.

News and display advertising deadline will be 4 p.m. Fridays, Dec. 19 and Dec. 26. Classified deadline will be 2:30 p.m. Mondays, Dec. 22 and Dec. 29.

The Coulee News office will close at noon on Wednesdays, Dec. 24 and 31, and will be closed Thursday and Friday, Dec. 25-26 and Jan. 1-2.

Bangor group offers sunshine pins

The Bangor Area Cancer Support Group that put on the recent Sunshine on the Trail event is selling lapel pins as another fundraiser.

The pins depict an elegant gold-plated sun and sell for $5 each. These pins can be worn on a coat, jacket lapel, baseball hat, as a tie tack or for many other uses. The group hopes area residents will support neighbors and friends who are fighting cancer by purchasing a pin, which will serve as a daily reminder of those who are facing a difficult time in their life.

The pins will be available at various Bangor businesses. They also are available by contacting : Deb Gerke (486-4347), Joanne Mashak (486-2635), Julie Linhart (486-4429), Cheri Horstman (486-2147) or Rosemary Hansen (486-2022).

Clinic to offer free pre-diabetes talk

A free presentation on pre-diabetes will be presented by Franciscan Skemp certified diabetes educator Ann Skemp, RD. The presentation will be offered Tuesday, Dec. 30, from 9 to 10 a.m. at Franciscan Skemp’s La Crosse Campus St. Francis Building, Marycrest Auditorium (second floor), 700 West Ave. S.

There is no charge for this presentation, but seating is limited. Register at least a week prior to presentation by calling (608) 392-7824 or logging on to www.franciscanskemp.org and clicking on classes and events.

Approximately 20 million Americans have diabetes, but nearly one-third are unaware that they have the disease. An additional 41 million Americans have pre-diabetes, a condition that occurs when a person’s blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough for the diagnosis of type 2 diabetes.

Having pre-diabetes means a person is at risk for developing type 2 diabetes. Individuals may delay or prevent this through healthy lifestyle changes.

Vets award nominees sought

The Wisconsin Board of Veterans Affairs is seeking nominations for its Veteran Lifetime Achievement Award to be presented at its meeting on Feb. 20 in Madison.

The award recognizes Wisconsin veterans who have compiled a record of exemplary service as a military service member, a veteran and a citizen. The February 2009 award recipient will be selected from among nominations received for veterans residing in counties in southwest Wisconsin, including La Crosse County.

There are up to six annual awards, four regional and two statewide ones. Nominations may be submitted at any time during the year, but no later than the 15th of the month prior to each proposed award.

Completed nominations should be mailed to: Wisconsin Board of Veterans Affairs Lifetime Achievement Award, Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs, 30 W. Mifflin St., P.O. Box 7843, Madison, WI 53707-7843. They also can be faxed to (608) 264-7616.

For nomination forms or more information on the award, log onto at www.wisvets.com/boardaward, or call WDVA at (608) 266-1315.

4-H offers youth archery program

La Crosse County 4-H is offering an archery program for youths in grades 3 and older. Certified 4-H leaders serve as instructors in this popular program.

The program, which starts Jan. 10, is offered for six sessions every other Saturday morning at La Crosse Archery, 1231 Oak Forest Drive in Onalaska. Cost is $10 and youths do not need to be 4-H members to participate in this program.

The six sessions, including a safety session, insurance, use of all archery equipment and the facility, is available at a total cost of $10. 4-H members qualify for a special rate.

Three one-hour time slots — 8, 9 and 10 a.m. — are available.

Participants will also be eligible for additional archery tournaments in the spring and summer.

To register, call the La Crosse County Extension office at 785-9593. Registrations are due Jan. 2 and will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis.

CRHS pushing adoptions of unusual pets

The Coulee Region Humane Society is best known for cats and dogs, but during its 12 Days of Christmas promotion, the humane society is offering reduced adoption fees and other possible perks for adopting less common pets.

Going into the promotion, which runs Dec. 11-22, the humane society has six rabbits, six guinea pigs, a family of mice and a domestic rat — sorry, no partridges, turtle doves, French hens or geese. More information on the pets can be found on the humane society Web site at www.couleehumane.com or people can stop by the humane society at 911 Critter Court in Onalaska.

The humane society also has an assortment of gift items on sale, including calendars, ornaments, not cards, shirts, winter hats, tote bags, can coolers and bracelets.

Mall collects items for humane society

During December, Valley View Mall is holding a wish list drive to benefit animals at the Coulee Region Humane Society. For each item donated from the list of items below, Valley View Mall will match the donation up to $500 total.

A collection box will be located near the area where photos are taken with Santa Claus. The box is clearly marked for the Coulee Region Humane Society and was crafted by area students to aid in this effort. Donations may also be dropped off at the Mall Management office during normal business hours.

Items needed include bleach, cat litter, canned loaf-style dog and cat food, dry dog and cat food (Purina, Science Diet, Eukanuba, etc.), paper towels, new or gently used dog and cat toys and dog and cat treats/bones.

For more information, call Valley View Mall at 781-4700 or Coulee Region Humane Society at 781-4014.

Honda dealer sets monthly seminars

International Motor-werks at Fourth and Cameron streets in La Crosse will hold a seminar the first Saturday of each month at 1 p.m. on alternative fuel and other fuel efficient vehicles.

Topics include compressed natural gas vehicles and the refueling system available for installation in your home, hybrid vehicles and how they work, neighborhood electric vehicles that run completely on electricity, fuel cell vehicles that use zero gasoline and clean diesel vehicles that are efficient and environmentally friendly.

Mall seeks books, pajamas for kids

Valley View Mall is taking part in Operation PJ Pile Up to collect new pajamas and/or new books for children in need this holiday season. Collection bins are located in the mall’s Customer Service Center through Dec. 31.

The Barnes & Noble store at the mall also has pledged to collect a minimum of 1,000 books to donate to the Pajama Program and their local beneficiaries in the effort to encourage children’s literacy.

State offers guide for food marketers

The Wisconsin Local Food Marketing Guide, a new publication for local producers, is now available online and in hard copy.

The guide explains step-by-step how to move products from field to consumer. It covers selling directly to consumers via farmers markets, community supported agriculture, agritourism, on-farm stores, pick-your-own operations and roadside stands and selling through intermediate channels such as restaurants, grocery stores, institutions, and distributors.

The guide also provides information on pricing products, licensing, labeling, regulations, food safety, liability and insurance, and it lists resources to find additional information at the end of each chapter.

Up to five hard copies can be requested from Teresa Cuperus at teresa.cuperus@wi.gov or DATCP-DAD, PO Box 8911, Madison, WI 53708-8911.

The guide is available online also at www.datcp.state.wi.us — search “buy local."

Additional copies may be requested for workshops, classes and conferences for producers in the local foods movement.

Gundersen Lutheran Love Lights on sale

The Partners of Gundersen Lutheran Love Lights Tree is back offering people a chance make a donation to commemorate, honor or thank someone special.

The Love Lights that will adorn the tree in the Gundersen Lutheran Clinic Lobby in La Crosse can be purchased throughout November and December. The names of those honored, thanked and remembered will be displayed in a book next to the tree.

Donations of $3 are suggested for individual commemorations, and $25 for nine or more commemorations.

This year’s Love Lights Celebration will be on Monday, Dec. 1, at 2 p.m. in the Gundersen Lutheran Clinic Lobby in La Crosse. All donors and their guests are invited to attend this special ceremony.

All proceeds go to Partners’ charitable contributions.

For more information or to request an order form, call the Partners of Gundersen Lutheran office at 775-3602.

Clinic offers chance to light up season

Franciscan Skemp Auxiliary is celebrating the “Season of Light" with a tree of lights gracing the front of the St. Francis Building on the La Crosse campus. Each light signifies a $5 donation to Franciscan Skemp Auxiliary in the name of an individual or group remembered at this special time of year. Donations fund needy patient accounts at Franciscan Skemp Healthcare.

Gifts can be purchased from now through Dec. 31 and the lights will be illuminated from Dec. 1 through Jan. 1. Names of those honored or remembered will be displayed in the lobby of the St. Francis Building.

To request a donation form, call at 392-9766.

UW to host vegetable business seminar

Aspiring fresh market vegetable growers can learn the fundamentals of the business from veteran growers and other experts at the 2009 Wisconsin School for Beginning Market Growers to be held Jan. 16-18 at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

John Hendrickson, the school’s coordinator, said that demand for fresh, local produce has never been higher. He noted that farmers’ markets are seeking vendors, most community-supported agriculture farms sell as many memberships as they can handle, top chefs are building their menus around fresh, local produce, and grocery stores want to stock these products on their shelves.

The school emphasizes organic production methods and direct marketing, delving into fertility management, use of greenhouses, strategies to extend the season, pest management, equipment, planning and budgeting. There will be ample opportunities to network with others interested in starting a fresh produce business and to peruse a show-and-tell table featuring a variety of small tools and gadgets.

Instructors include veteran organic growers Michael Racette of Spring Hill Community Farm, Tricia Bross of Luna Circle Farm and Jenny Bonde of Shooting Star Farm. They will share their strategies for selling through farmers’ markets and CSAs and directly to restaurants. Other speakers will cover topics ranging from insects to business management.

The fee is $275. Enrollment is limited, so early sign-ups are advised. For more information, contact Hendrickson at jhendric@wisc.edu or (608) 265-3704, or visit the CIAS Web site at www.cias.wisc.edu.

Western partnership earns recognition

Western Technical College’s “Partnering for Success" program was recently awarded with a Promising Practices award from the Wisconsin PK-16 Leadership Council. The award recognizes collaborative efforts that improve student transition in the PK-16 educational system.

Designed to increase understanding of technical college expectations, Partnering for Success provides area high school faculty, counselors, administrators, and students with opportunities to learn about admission requirements, placement and course requirements to encourage more rigorous high school preparation and more seamless transition from high school to postsecondary options.

Western initially partnered with Holmen, Logan, Onalaska and Sparta high schools to provide this program, and has since expanded into Mauston, Necedah and New Lisbon high schools.

Disabled American Veterans need drivers, money for new vans

The Disabled American Veterans is mounting a fundraising drive to replace five aging vans of its statewide fleet used to transport veterans to and from VA medical facilities.

In addition, volunteer drivers are needed for the one van per day transporting veterans back and forth between La Crosse and the Tomah facility for scheduled medical appointments.

Volunteers with a regular driver’s license will need to pass a physical and get tested for tuberculosis. They would also undergo a criminal background check and a driving record check.

The DAV is seeking $100,000 in contributions for their New Van Fund. Checks can be made payable to DAV State Department New Van Fund, and send to DAV Department of Wiscon-sin, 130 Dauphin St., Green Bay, WI 54301.

For more information, to donate or to volunteer as a driver, contact Peggy Anderson at the Tomah VA at (608) 372-3971, ext. 66227.

State urges attention to heating issues

The Department of Administration’s Division of Energy Services and the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin are urging energy customers to contact their local utility if their heat is currently disconnected.

The agencies are also encouraging residents to take advantage of energy-efficiency programs and the state’s low-income bill payment assistance programs to reduce the burden of their utility bills this winter.

Wisconsin law states that consumers cannot be disconnected during the heating moratorium period from Nov. 1 to April 15, if they are connected at the start of the moratorium. Customers who are currently disconnected must make arrangements with their local utility to pay outstanding bills in order to have their service restored.

If a consumer has not made arrangements to pay an outstanding bill, the utility is not required to reconnect the service until payment arrangements have been made.

There is financial assistance available for eligible households who cannot pay their gas or electric bills this winter. The Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program administers low-income and energy assistance programs for the state. WHEAP is part of the state’s comprehensive Home Energy Plus program which also provides assistance with emergency energy needs, emergency furnace repairs, and weatherization and conservation services.

Eligibility is based on income and family size. For example, a family of four that earns $7,743.75 or less in the three months prior to applying for assistance is potentially eligible. For a two-person family the earnings must be $5,133.75 or less. Benefits are based on income levels and energy bills. Consumers do not have to be behind in their energy bill payments to qualify.

For information about WHEAP, including contact information for local energy assistance offices, call 1-866-HEATWIS (1-866-432-8947) or visit www.homeenergyplus.wi.gov.

Tips to conserve energy while staying warm

Worried about winter utility bills? The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin offers the following easy, low-cost steps that can help reduce energy use while staying safe.

Find and repair air drafts from windows and doorways.

Keep heating vents clear of rugs or furniture.

Ensure your furnace has clean air filters.

When doing laundry, use cold water and adjust water levels to fit the load size. Also, clean the lint filter after every dryer load.

Lower water heater temperatures to 115-120 degrees.

Remove window air conditioning units to stop winter drafts from coming through its vents.

Open the drapes or blinds during sunny days to take advantage of solar heat. Close them at night to reduce heat loss.

Turn down the thermostat several degrees when leaving the house for extended periods of time or before going to bed.

Close off rooms of your home that are not used.

Consumers also can help improve energy efficiency in their home by requesting a home energy audit through Wisconsin’s Focus on Energy Program. Focus on Energy consultants visit homes and suggest improvements to significantly lower energy bills, while staying safe and comfortable.

For more information about home energy audits, call Focus on Energy at 1-800-762-7077 or visit www.focusonenergy.org.

For more information about energy conservation, visit the PSC’s website at: http://psc.wi.gov/consumerinfo/conservation/indexConservation.htm.

County homeowners get septic repair grants

The state of Wisconsin has awarded seven La Crosse County homeowners $29,975 this year for replacement of their failing private on-site waste septic system.

The participants came from the towns of Hamilton, Holland, Onalaska and Shelby. Awards granted to county residents since 1983 have totaled $469,690.

The purpose of this program is to help property owners make needed corrections to have their existing system replaced so that it does not cause infusion of sewage into the groundwater or allow sewage to come to the surface and thus, be a health hazard to the individuals and their neighbors.

To be eligible for the program, homeowners must have failing systems and replace that system according to state and local plumbing codes. For more information, contact the La Crosse County Health Department at 785-9872.

Duck identification brochure released

“Waterfowlers Know Your Ducks” is the title of a new brochure printed by the La Crosse County Conservation Alliance in partnership with other local conservation organizations and La Crosse Graphics.

The brochure shows the distinguishing characteristics of canvasback and scaup. The reason is because there is no canvasback hunting season this year and the scaup bag limit has been reduced.

The Alliance also converted a VHS video “King of Ducks,” a 16-minute duck identification video, to DVD format.

Both the DVD and brochure are available online at www.Briceprairieconservation.org

Also available at the website is an online version of “Ducks at a Distance,” a waterfowl identification field guide by Bob Hines USFWS.

Paper copies of the brochure also are available.

Senior advocate volunteers needed

The Wisconsin Board on Aging is seeking volunteers to train as advocates for older adults living in La Crosse County nursing homes. For more information, call Karen Price at 789-6366.

.