30th Kornfest car show set for Aug. 16

The Holmen Lions Club 30th annual Kornfest Car Show is set for Sunday, Aug. 16, at Holmen Middle School (502 Main St.), with the spotlight this year on cars and trucks from the 1959 model year.

The event, which includes a car corral and swap meet, runs from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., with judging beginning at noon and trophy presentation at 3:30 p.m.

Last year’s show attracted more than 400 vehicles with categories including classic, muscle cars, trucks, rods, vans, antiques, Corvettes, imports, customs, sport compacts, pony cars and convertibles. Food and music will be served up all day.

More information is available online at www.holmenlions.org or by calling (evenings and weekends only) Duane Ziegler (for car show) at 526-4017 or Bob Morris (for car corral) at 526-4943 or Steve Fuchsteiner (vendor or swap area) at 783-1336.

Fall youth football sign-ups scheduled

The Onalaska Parks and Recreation Department is accepting registrations for its fifth- and sixth-grade tackle football league.

The deadline for registration is Monday, Aug. 17, which is the same date as the parent/player orientation meeting and equipment fitting and pick up. The fee is $100 per participant, and a $50 equipment deposit is required at registration. Helmets, jerseys, shoulder pads, football pants and mouth guards will be provided.

Registration is also open for first- through fourth-grade flag football leagues. The registration deadline for these two groups is Sept. 3, but early registration is encouraged due to high participation in the past.

The fee for third- and fourth-grade flag football is $18 for residents, $40 for nonresidents. The fee for first- and second-grade flag football is $14 for residents and $30 for non-residents.

Volunteer coaches are needed for all programs.

Register at the recreation office at Onalaska City Hall or online at https://active10.active.com/onalaskaparkrec.

Onalaska offers adult kickball league

The Onalaska Recreation Department will offer an adult co-rec kickball league on Wednesdays this fall from Sept. 2 to Oct. 14.

Team entry fee is $90. Teams wishing to enter must turn in the entry form and fee by Aug. 24 to the recreation department in Onalaska City Hall, 415 Main Street.

Team managers must have all players fill in the information and sign the liability waiver. Teams must have a minimum of 10 players on the roster when it is turned in. Players added to the roster after Sept. 2 will need to stop by the office to sign the agreement before they can play.

Sixteen teams will be accepted in the league. Teams from 2008 will have the first opportunity to enter and must do so by Aug. 24. Possible new teams must also register any time up to Aug. 24 but will be placed on a waiting list until it is determined how many spots are available.

The league games will be played at the Jimmy Olson Fields, next to the OmniCenter. For more information contact the Recreation Office at 781-9560 or stop in the office at City Hall, 415 Main St.

Girl Scout signup event is Aug. 8

Girl Scout Registration Day will take place from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8, at the Dairy Queen/Orange Julius in the Valley View Mall and from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Onalaska Dairy Queen at 810 Second Ave. S.

Troop membership is growing, but adult volunteers are needed to lead troops or share their talents through programming opportunities. People interested in joining Girl Scouts or being an adult volunteer are encouraged to log onto www.gsbadgerland.org or call 1-800-236-2710.

Fort McCoy Retiree Day is Sept. 11

FORT McCOY — Retirees from all branches of the armed forces and their family members are invited to attend a Retiree Appreciation Day at Fort McCoy on Friday, Sept. 11.

Sign in starts at 7 a.m. in building 905. The event will run from 7:45 a.m. to 3 p.m. Lunch is available for a reasonable price on the installation.

Retiree Appreciation Day is an opportunity for all armed forces retirees, spouses, widows and/or guests to receive updated information about retiree entitlement programs.

Mail registration no later than Sept. 1 to: Retirement Service Office, 2187 S. J St., Fort McCoy, WI 54656. For more information, call the Fort McCoy Retirement Services Office at (608) 388-3716 or (800) 452-0923 or visit the Honors Newsletter at www.mccoy.army.mil/Retirees/documents/Midwest_2009.pdf.

Military academy applications sought

People interested in attending one of the nation’s service academies can send their applications to U.S. Rep. Ron Kind or U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold, but they must submit applications by Friday, Oct. 16.

A congressional nomination is required for students wishing to enter U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York; U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Md.; U.S. Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, Colo.; or Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, New York.

The application process is open to any United States citizen who will be a high school graduate and between the ages of 17 and 22 by July 1, 2010, and is unmarried with no dependents. Generally, high school students entering their senior year apply for admittance the following year.

Interested applicants can obtain the necessary forms and information by contacting Mark Aumann at (715) 831-9214 or Michelle Murray at (608) 828-1200. Applications are available online at www.house.gov/kind or www.feingold.senate.gov.

CRHS to hold eighth annual Bark in the Park

The Coulee Region Humane Society will hold its eighth annual Bark in the Park on Saturday, Aug. 8, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Riverside Park in downtown La Crosse.

Activities that dogs and their owners can participate in at the Bark in the Park include: Arfy Art Studio; agility equipment for fun and demonstrations; pet Boutique; Mutt Merchants featuring dog care goods and services, organizations of interest to pet owners, booths with innovative products and places to pick up free goodies; a silent auction and raffle; doggie games and contests, including a costume contest; and a wide variety of food.

To cap it all off, the Big Bark at 1 p.m., which will bring all the dogs at the event together to combine their collective barking in an effort to set a new Guinness World Record for the loudest combined dog bark.

For more information or to register, log onto www.couleehumane.com or call 781-4014.

YES AmeriCorps seeks volunteers

YES AmeriCorps seeks full-time and half-time members for its 15th year in the La Crosse area.

One of the oldest AmeriCorps programs in the state, the La Crosse chapter started in 1995 with a focus on children. Volunteers work in local schools and organizations to reduce hunger and promote literacy, health, safety and volunteerism.

The 2009-10 program runs from September through July 2010. For more information, call Linda Zimmerman at (608) 785-7003 or e-mail zimmermanl@workforce connections.org.

Volunteers sought for house project

Volunteer workers age 16 and older are needed for a Holmen Habitat for Humanity home-building project on Aug. 1 and 15 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 910 Hope Court, just off Sand Lake Road.

No building skills or experience are needed. To volunteer, contact Jason or Cori at jason@habitatlacrosse.org or 785-2373.

Old bowling balls sought for program

Got a spare bowling ball? The Neshonoc Center work therapy program at Lakeview Health Center in West Salem wants it.

Participants in the work therapy program have been recycling discarded bowling balls, painting them to create ladybug and bumblebee garden ornaments, which are sold for $10.

Balls can be dropped off at Lakeview Health Center, or pickup can be arranged by calling Rebecca or Carol at 786-1400. Orders for the bowling ball ornaments also can be placed by calling Lakeview.

Business collecting school supplies

Check Advance is seeking donations of school supplies at its office at 9360 Hwy. 16, with items collected to be given to the Onalaska School District for distribution. Drop-off hours through Aug. 30 are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays (closed 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.) and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays.

Area agents seek donations for overseas troops

Two Onalaska State Farm agents are offering their offices as drop-off sites for donations to troops through Operation Homefront. The agents, Kerri Bandell at 1288 Rudy St. and Mike Noelke at 1434 Main St. will collect items through Sept. 4.

Snacks, baby wipes (non-greasy), ChapStick (SPF-15), sunscreen, resealable bags, cards and letters of encouragement and support are some of the items being sought to send to troops deployed overseas.

People also can contribute funds to help offset the cost of shipping the collected items to the troops. Checks should be made payable to Operation Homefront-Wisconsin.

Roller derby team seeks members

The La Crosse Skating Sirens, the area’s newest roller derby team, are seeking adult women to join the team or serve as referees.

No experience is required and all skating levels are welcome.

The Sirens are looking to expand their roster and are having open practices on Mondays and Wednesdays from 8 to 10 p.m. in the old rubber mill building on St. Andrew Street.

The Sirens, a nonprofit organization, are an all-woman, skater-owned, flat-track roller derby league founded in April 2009 by Melissa Larivee and Leslie Malekovic. The Sirens follow the guidelines and standards set forth by Women’s Flat Track Derby Association.

For more information, log onto www.SkatingSirens.com.

County offers free vaccines

La Crosse County Health Department will offer a number of free vaccines to school-aged children through September or while supplies last.

Free vaccines available include Tdap, varicella (chicken pox), Gardasil (HPV), and meningococcal.

Other routinely offered vaccines for children will include a $10 administration fee. Adult vaccinations include a $10 administration fee plus price of vaccine.

The above vaccines, in addition to all routinely offered vaccines, are available by appointment, which are available weekdays at the La Crosse County Health Department’s Public Health Nursing Division. Call 785-9723 to schedule an appointment.

There are also two scheduled community clinics running from 3 to 7 p.m., for which no appointments are necessary:

Registration open for Memory Walk

Registration is now open for the Greater Wisconsin Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association’s 2009 Memory Walk. More than 31 walks will be held in the chapter area during September and October to raise funds for care, services and programs of the Alzheimer’s Association.

Registrations for team captains, walkers and walk sponsors are available online at www.alz.org/gwwi (click on Memory Walk). Materials are free and easily downloaded from the Web site. Interested walkers may also call their local Alzheimer’s office or the Greater Wisconsin Chapter office at 920-469-2110.

Local food guide now available

Get Sustainable of Trempealeau County has released the 2009 edition of its local food brochure for Trempealeau County and outlying regions.

Get Sustainable, which was founded in 2007, is a diverse group of concerned western Wisconsin citizens who meet to discuss what to do in their communities to highlight the need for sustainable living. This food guide is one project which came out of this collaboration.

Eating local means seeking out food grown and raised as close as possible to where one lives. Buying local food also means eating foods that are seasonally available and unique to the region.

The Get Sustainable booklet contains tips on eating wisely, Web sites to explore, and includes Wisconsin and Minnesota community-supported agriculture sites, area farms, orchards and farmers’ markets.

For more information about the food guide or Get Sustainable, contact Mary Graziano at (608) 582-2975 or getsustainablewi @gmail.com.

Water ski shows offered on Wednesdays

The River City Water Ski Club has launched its summer series of Wednesday shows, with performances starting at 7 p.m. at Fisherman’s Beach on Airport Road, French Island.

There’s no charge for admission, but the club is selling raffle tickets for a chance to win a 50-inch plasma TV or $1,000 cash and other prizes. Raffle tickets can be purchased during shows or through the club’s Web site — www.rivercity.waterski.org. Raffle tickets are $5 or three for $10.

The raffle drawing will take place at the club’s final show of the summer on Aug. 12.

Kind seeks health-care testimonials

U.S. Rep. Ron Kind, D-La Crosse, is interested in hearing health-care testimonials from constituents. Residents of western Wisconsin are urged to share personal stories about what has worked and what hasn’t worked for them in the current health-care system.

“I have been traveling the district hearing from constituents their encounters with the current health-care system and would like to hear more,” said Kind. “These personal stories are highly influential and help me better understand the health care needs of the district as I work to shape policy in Washington.”

Testimonials may be submitted by mail to 1406 Longworth HOB, Washington, D.C. 20515, or by e-mail on the “contact” page at www.kind.house.gov.

State officials warn of scam

MADISON — The Wisconsin Department of Justice is urging people to be on guard against a phishing scam that has recently appeared in Wisconsin.

The department has received reports of people calling homes and cell phones in an attempt to gain personal information. Wisconsin residents have been contacted by a man identifying himself as “Officer Smith with the United Law Enforcement and Investigation Department.” The caller provided a phone number (814) 273-1518 and attempted to gain the persons’ Social Security number and other information.

“The Wisconsin Department of Justice wants to take this opportunity to remind folks that identity theft is a serious problem,” said Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen. “Never give your personal identifying information out without fully confirming the source of the call and circumstances.”

Legitimate businesses will not ask for personal information on the phone or through an unsecured e-mail. “If you should receive a call trying to solicit this information or any type of personal identifying data, do not give it out,” Van Hollen said.

Phishing scams are attempts made by individuals to fraudulently gain access to protected or personal information that could compromise a person’s identity. Typically these attempts are made over the Internet or through e-mails and will have the appearance of an “official” correspondence seeking a reply.

Leadership program takes on new look

MADISON n After 25 years, the Wisconsin Rural Leadership Program has launched a new name and look, branding itself as Leadership Wisconsin.

The change is designed to more effectively communicate the program’s goals by reflecting participants who have both urban and rural backgrounds. As the only statewide leadership program, Leadership Wisconsin remains committed to its key mission: developing leaders to strengthen communities.

“The goal of our new look is to increase the understanding, benefits and outreach of our work with all of Wisconsin,” said Sarah Halstead, board president. “Our mission remains the same. Our new brand reveals immediately what we have been and what we remain committed to: strengthening communities through the development of vibrant leaders.”

Halstead noted that as Wisconsin and the nation pass through a period of social and economic transition, quality leadership is even more critical.

“Leadership Wisconsin is a proven method of leadership development that continues to produce top-notch leaders for cities, towns, villages, rural regions, in public, business, and nonprofit endeavors. Our work has been nationally recognized as one of the exemplary leadership development programs in the nation and we are proud to build on that recognition,” said JoAnn Stormer, executive director.

Applications are being accepted for the next group of Leadership Wisconsin fellows. People interested in applying may contact Stormer at (608) 263-0817 or visit www.LeadershipWisconsin.org. Sign up for more information by clicking on the “Request Information” tab or download an application packet at the “How to Apply” tab.

Onalaska DMV construction under way

A construction project is under way at the Onalaska Department of Motor Vehicles customer service center and is expected to continue through Sept. 7. During construction, parking is limited and access to both the parking lot and service center is restricted.

The DMV has posted signs to help direct customers, and customers might wish to consider alternative service options, such as renewing vehicle registrations online at www.wisconsindmv.gov or by mail. Customers may also obtain vehicle registrations and/or titles at one of the many third-party vehicle registration/title agents statewide, which are listed online at www.dot.wisconsin.gov/drivers/vehicles/plates/walkin.htm.

The number of skill test appointments available at this location during this timeframe will be limited. Customers wanting appointments sooner should consider scheduling them at other sites: Tomah, Whitehall, Mauston or Black River Falls.

Area groups hatch plan to fight obesity

The Coulee Region Childhood Obesity Coalition, Gundersen Lutheran’s 500 Club, Viterbo University and Festival Foods launched the Footsteps to Health Program July 2 at all area Festival Food stores.

Fruit and vegetable kiosks will be staffed at each store to offer shoppers the opportunity to taste different fruits and vegetables, learn how to choose them, and sample quick, tasty healthy ways to prepare them. A different fruit and vegetable is featured each month.

For more information, go to www.childhoodobesitycoalition.org.

To submit your information for a public service announcement, e-mail it to wsm.news@lee.net