Special Christmas Events

On Christmas Eve head to Elk Mound, Cornerstone Apostolic Church, and see a Live Nativity from 4:30PM-7:30PM. There will also be crafts for the kids and singing of Christmas carols. Admission is free and all are welcome.

If you're looking for lunch Christmas Day, Culvers will once again be having free lunch December 25th from 11:30PM-1:30PM with chicken, fries, soda and custard.  Donations will be accepted for the Hope Gospel Mission and the Salvation Army.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from all of us at BuyWisconsinLand.com

Seasonal Music

Nothing helps ring in the holidays like music. And across the Eau Claire are there will lots of beautiful music to hear.  Here are some of the melodic events:

Friday December 7th  enjoy a free Lobby Holiday Concert by UW-Eau Claire students from Noon to 1PM in the Hass Fine Arts Lobby. There will be performances by cappella groups, brass and woodwind chamber ensembles, and a jazz ensemble.

Also on Friday December 7th and again Saturday December 8th you can see the Eau Claire Male Chorus perform traditional and new holiday songs at the First Lutheran Church in Eau Claire 7:30PM-9:30PM. Tickets are $12 ($10 in advance), $5 for kids grades K-12. First Lutheran Church

Sunday December 9th is the Annual Holiday Concert at the UW-Eau Claire Zorn Arena.  Two shows - 2PM and 5PM - will include performances by The Singing Statesmen, Symphonic Choir, University Symphony Orchestra, Women's Concert Chorale, Women's Chorus, Concert Choir, and Wind Symphony. Tickets are $5 for floor seats and $3 for bleachers.

Wednesday December 12th relax at the Acoustic Cafe and enjoy Christmas songs by the Colfax High School Choir from 7PM-9PM. This concert is free. The Acoustic Cafe

Thursday December 13th you don't want to miss the Chippewa Valley Jazz Orchestra Big Bold Holiday Concert from 7:30PM-9:30PM at the Eau Claire Regional Arts Center.  Tickets are available at the ECRAC office or on their website Eau Claire Regional Arts Center
 
Friday December 14th 7:30PM-9:30PM The Master Singers will perform "Lessons & Carols: the Shepherds Sing" at the First Congregational UCC in Eau Claire. Tickets are $16/adults $5/students. Please bring a non-perishable food item to the concert for the Feed My People Food Bank. The Master Singers

And on Saturday December 15th hear holiday favorites performed by the Chippewa Valley Symphony Orchestra accompanied by the Chippewa Falls and Altoona High School Choirs from 7:30PM-9:30PM at Chippewa Falls High School. Tickets are $25/$28 - adults, $22/$25 - seniors, and $5/$8 - students, and are available at the Chippewa Valley Symphony Orchestra Office in Eau Claire or online cvsymphony.org.

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Cut Your Own Christmas Tree

Once the turkey and trimmings are eaten and the games are watched this Thursday, thoughts will be turning to Christmas.

Just a few miles east of Eau Claire you can spend a few hours choosing the perfect evergreen with your family and then chopping it down yourself.  Head over to Pleasant Valley Tree Farm in Elk Mound for hot chocolate or cider, a chat with Santa and Mrs Claus and picking out your tree.  The gift shop has great items too.  The Farm is open 7AM-9PM everyday through December 23th - except Thanksgiving.

Get all the details and directions here Pleasant Valley Tree Farm

Happy Thanksgiving from BuyWisconsinLand.com

Deer Hunter Widow Events

Next Saturday, November 17th, is the opening day for Deer Gun Season in Wisconsin.  For those not heading off to the woods, here are some fun indoors events.

November 16th 10AM-10PM and 17th 10AM-5PM The Twisted Pantry in Eau Claire will be hosting a Deer Hunters Widow Weekend with food and prizes. There will be a Wine Tasting Friday 4PM-7PM with hors d'oeuvres. Saturday there will be coffee and donuts for breakfast and Hunters Widow Chili for lunch.  Proceeds go to support the Pink Ribbon Riders. Visit Twisted Pantry Events for more info.

Saturday morning get a head start on Christmas shopping at the 16th Annual Northwoods Craft and Bake Sale, held from 9AM  to 4PM at Northwoods Elementary School in Eau Claire. Besides yummy baked goodies and homemade crafts there will be food and a silent auction.

Saturday you can also visit Green Oasis Gardens in Chippewa Falls for Ladies' Day.  A day of pampering with vendors, virtual makeovers, food samples, beverages, and store specials.  See Green Oasis Gardens Events

Down to Earth Garden Center in Eau Claire is hosting a Hunters' Widows' Weekend of special savings and pre Christmas deals on Saturday 10AM-6PM and Sunday 10AM-5PM. Enjoy hors d'oeuvres and get a Christmas Open House coupon. Down to Earth

Remember November 11th is Veterans Day.  The team at BuyWisconsinLand.com thanks all our veterans for their heroic service to our Country.

A Spooky Weekend

It's nearly Halloween, and all the ghost and goblins will be out this weekend at many fright filled events.  Please visit the event's website for dates, times, directions and fees.

Schultz's Country Barn Corn Maze schultzscountrybarn.com/Pages/CornMaze.aspx
Halloween Hollow  halloweenholloweauclaire.com
Kid's Club Spook Night  ecsportscenter.com
Halloween Spooktacular Open House  goldsgym.com/gyms/wisconsin/eau-claire/600
Big Band Monster Bash  ECCT.org.
Spooky Hayride and Fun  heartwoodconferencecenter.com
Playin' with Pumpkins  dwntoearth.com
Halloween Party & Costume Contest at Pizza Plus  pizzaplusec.com 
Whiskey's Halloween Spooktacular featuring the Jagerettes  whiskeysgrill.com

And on October 31st  don't miss these events:
10:15AM - 11:15AM Halloween Storytime at the Library
3PM - 5PM Trick or Treating Downtown Eau Claire
5PM - 7:30PM Residential Eau Claire Trick or Treating

Happy Halloween from BuyWisconsinLand.com

See the Stars

Get out and see the stars at Beaver Creek Reserve.  The Chippewa Valley Astronomical Society will be hosting Public Night Sky Observing every clear Saturday night through the end of October, starting one hour after sunset.

Want to learn more about the night sky?  The CVAS also hosts a program for the public at the Hobbs Observatory every third Saturday at 8PM.  This month's Allan Moose will present "Search For Habitable Planets" on October 20th.

Get more information on events and membership here Chippewa Valley Astronomical Society.

Imagine checking out the stars from your own wooded property. BuyWisconsinLand.com

Katharine's Wish

A local 13 year old has won the Jefferson Award for Public Service. Congratulations Katie Rhoten!

Eau Claire (WQOW)- At 13-years-old Katie Rhoten has faced more challenges than most people twice her age.

 

Diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at the age of 9, and then Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis three years later -- Katie made the decision early on, that disease would not define her.

 

"It started immediately from her hospital bed, which was something to see, it kind of gives me chills," recalls Katie's mother, Kristin Everett. "Thinking about it right now, that she had that insight and that perspective at 9-years-old to say 'Hey, I'm hurting right now and this is really scary but we're going to move forward, we're going to get past this. We can turn it around and do something positive for others.'"

 

Full Story and Video Jefferson Award: Katie Rhoten

If you'd like to help see Katharine's Wish on Facebook or website katharineswish.org

Oktoberfest in Chippewa Falls

With autumn in such a hurry this year, why wait to celebrate in October?  Okoberfest is coming to Chippewa Falls September 21st-23rd at the Northern Wisconsin Fairgrounds!

Celebrate our German Heritage with Sauerbraten, Bratwursts, Spanferkel, Spatzle, Currywurst, Strudels and of course beer!  There will also be dancing, pumpkin carving, kids games and much more. Check out the schedule of events and a photo gallery here Oktoberfest

Watch the fall leave turn beautiful colors on your own wooded property.  Find listings in over 45 Wisconsin Counties here BuyWisconsinLand.com

Chippewa Valley Farm City Day

Check out life on a dairy farm!  Saturday September 8th is the 5th Annual Chippewa Valley Farm-City Day from 10AM-3PM at the Sandy Acres Dairy Farm in Elk Mound.

Join the fun in this FREE event and see how a modern dairy farm works.  Enjoy guided wagon tours, a petting zoo, educational displays, kids activities, demonstrations and more. 

Get all the details and directions here farmcityday.com

Looking for your own land? Property listings in over 45 Wisconsin Counties - BuyWisconsinLand.com

Check out the Stars

Spend your weekend stargazing - the Chippewa Valley Astronomical Society is hosting Northwoods Starfest 2012 August 17th to 19th at the Beaver Creek Reserve in Fall Creek.

The fun begins on Friday. Registration begins at 5PM, and hot dogs and brats will be available (not included in registration). At 8PM Michael Bakich, Senior Editor of Astronomy Magazine will speak about "Star Death", followed by star gazing at 9:30PM until Midnight.

Saturday there will be a Brunch from 10AM to Noon and also a tour at 10:30AM of the Rock Elm Meteorite Impact Crater for those interested.  A Swap Fest begins at 4PM, dinner at 5:30PM followed by door prizes. Phil Cigan, PhD Candidate New Mexico Tech will speak on Dwarf Galaxies at 8PM, then star gazing from 9:30PM-Midnight.

Sunday there will be Breakfast at 8AM.

For more details, costs and event times check out the CVAS website Northwood Starfest 2012

Star gaze from your own rural property BuyWisconsinLand.com

Summerfest in Eau Claire

This Saturday is Summerfest 2012; a day of great family fun.

Featured at this year's event are: the Mayo Clinic Health System Kids’ Zone 10AM-6PM, the Festival Foods Strongman Competition 10AM-3PM, Eau Claire Ford Main Stage Entertainment 10AM-10PM, the Burger King Classic Car Show 10AM-4PM, Volume One’s Chalkfest 11AM-7PM, and wrap up the day with Family Night in the Park 6PM-9PM, see a movie and popcorn, then send a lighted lantern down the river.

All the details here Eau Claire's Summerfest

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Native American Flute Convention

July 18th - 22nd The International Native American and World Flute Association is holding their 2012 International Native American Flute Convention at UW-Eau Claire.

There will be classes and workshops Thursday through Saturday with an afternoon performanace each day.  You will need to register at Noon July 18th at the Haas Fine Arts Center; convention fee is $90.  Registration form here

Evening concerts will be at 7:30PM each evening at Gantner Concert Hall, tickets are $15.  These events are open to the public.

Find out more at the INAFA website Convention 2012

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Summertime Music

You can fill your summer with music in Eau Claire. 

On Thursdays you have two choices.  There is the Sounds Like Summer concert series sponsored by Volume One.  Local bands will preform from 6:30PM to 8:30PM every Thursday night during June, July and August in Pioneer Park.  Check Volume One's website for lists of bands and more Sounds Like Summer  This event is free.

Also on Thursday evenings you can head over to the Sarge Boyd Bandshell at Owen Park and hear the Eau Claire Municipal Band perform show tunes, TV/movie themes, light classical, contemporary, and more. The concerts are every Thursday through August 2nd at 7:30PM, and are free for the whole family.  Learn more about the Eau Claire Municipal Band here

For music on the weekend be at the Haas Fine Arts Center at UW-Eau Claire for their Summer Sounds series.  Enjoy performances by faculty, students and guest on Sundays, June 24th - July 29th, at 2PM.  These events are free and open to the public.  Click here for the concert schedule Summer Sounds

Looking for a summer getaway property?  BuyWisconsinLand.com

FATFAR

Celebrate Father's Day with fun on the water! FATFAR - Frenchtown's Annual Tube Float And Regalia - the world's largest one day tubing event, is June 17th Noon to 11PM at Loopy's in Chippewa Falls.

Bring your inner tube, float, canoe, kayak and enjoy a leisurely float down the Chippewa River and end at Loopy's for music, live entertainment and delicious food.  Loopy's has a limited amount of tubes available, so get there early if you need to use one.

Get more details at Loopy's website 723loop.com

We at BuyWisconsinLand.com wish our dads and yours a very Happy Father's Day.

Eat Great Food to Support the United Way

Music and Food will fill the air this weekend!  It's Taste of the Valley to benefit the United Way of the Greater Chippewa Valley at Phoenix Park in Eau Claire.

Saturday June 2nd is a free concert by LoCash Cowboys. Gates open at 4:30PM. You must have a ticket to attend the concert - you can pick up tickets at County Jam, the Leader-Telegram and the Livery.  See the event flyer here 

Then Sunday June 3rd is the Taste of Valley from 11AM to 5:30PM. Over 50 foods from local restaurants and vendors for you to try.  Lots of great music all day, and a kids entertainment area too.  Shuttle buses will be running from downtown for this event. See the United Way website for details Taste of the Valley

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Beaver Creek Reserve

The Beaver Creek Reserve, located in Fall Creek, has more than 400 acres of "upland woods, river bottom forests, wetlands, and savannah areas". This beautiful natural area also has a nature center, citizen science center, butterfly house, observatory, youth camp, obstacle course, maple sugar shack, nature store, field research station, and charter science school. With events and activties going year round: bird watching, hiking, archery, skiing, star gazing, butterfly counting, camping and many more, the Beaver Creek Reserve is truly a wildlife treasure worth visiting.

This Sunday, May 20th from 1PM-4PM, is the Bluebird Festival held at the Hickory Hills Golf Course. Enjoy a hike on a Bluebird trail and then get your own Bluebird Birdhouse.  Proceeds will help Beaver Creek Preserver continue it's work on the Bluebird Resoration Project.  See the event poster Bluebird Festival at Hickory Hills

Check out the Beaver Creek Reserve for more upcoming events and activities beavercreekreserve.org

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Big Brew

The Chippewa Valley Better Brewers will host the Big Brew Saturday May 5th from 9AM-Noon at Phoenix Park, joining in with the opening of the Downtown Eau Claire Farmer's Market. Learn from local home brewers how to make beers, wine, cider, soda and mead, and have a taste of some homemade ginger ale.

Check out their flyer Big Brew

Find great recreational and hunting land in Eau Claire County BuyWisconsinLand.com - Eau Claire

SpringFest

Family fun Friday April 27th to Sunday April 29th at the 2nd Annual SpringFest will be at the Northern Wisconsin State Fairground in Chippewa Falls.

Friday includes a Fish Fry from 5PM-8PM.  Saturday begins with the SpringFest 3 mile run and 2 mile walk through Irvine Park registration form at 11AM and a Kids Fun Run at 1:30PM.  Sunday come see the Car Show Noon-4PM.  All three days include music from great bands including Little Willie and The Twerps and Madison County, plus lots of great food and vendor booths. For the kids games, pony rides, a petting zoo and inflatables.

See the schedule and get a web coupon to save on tickets here springfest-cf.com This event is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Chippewa Falls, and proceeds will go to help the community.

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Easter in Eau Claire County

We hope you get a visit from the Easter Bunny on Sunday. Here's some things you can do while you wait and places to find a yummy breakfast Easter morning.

April 3rd-8th - Head over to the Children's Museum of Eau Claire and decorate easter eggs or draw bunny. Get more information here Children's Museum of Eau Claire: Easter and Earth Day

April 7th - Free Easter Dinner 5PM-7PM at Hope Gospel Mission Men’s Shelter in Eau Claire. You can find them on Facebook or on their website Here is the Easter Dinner Poster

Easter Morning Breakfasts:
7:30AM to 9AM - Faith Lutheran Church in Chippewa Falls.
7:30AM to 8:45AM - Grace Lutheran Church in Augusta.
7:30AM to 10:30AM - Hope Lutheran Church in Eau Claire.
7:30AM to 11AM - St John's Lutheran Church in Eau Claire.
7:30AM - Lake Street United Methodist Church in Eau Claire.
8AM to 8:45AM - Zion Lutheran Church in Chippewa Falls.
8:40AM at Baptist Evangelical Church in Eau Claire.

Happy Easter from everyone at BuyWisconsinLand.com

Time for Jazz in Eau Claire

The Eau Claire Jazz Festival is just around the corner, March 29th to April 1st.  Special Guest Artists for this 45th annual event include John Patitucci and Andy Martin.

Don't miss these new additions to the Jazz Festival! The Kick Off Party on Thursday 6:30PM-9PM at Stella Blues, a Vocal Jazz Concert Friday 2PM in the Schofield Auditorium at UW Eau Claire, and the "Wake up to Jazz" Brunch Sunday in Porters Restaurant at the Ramada Convention Center.

See the full weekend lineup of events, activities, venues and buy your tickets here Eau Claire Jazz Festival

If you can't wait for next weekend, you can get a head start at the Jazz Festival Art Crawl going on now through April 2nd at the Brent Douglas Artist Gallery, or visit the Acoustic Cafe Saturday March 24th 7PM-10PM and enjoy the Equinox Jazz Group or Wednesday March 28th 7PM-9PM for the Wednesday Night Jazz Session.

For news, sports, weather, jobs, rental, movies and more visit WIEauClaire.com

 

Music, Dance and Comedy

Head out for fun - here are some upcoming performances!

Saturday see Eau Claire's shortest parade at 6:15  in front of the Acoustic Cafe at the 6th Annual St Patrick Day Fundraiser, then enjoy a perfomance of the Shillelagh Lads and Eau Claire Irish Dance.  Free will donations accepted to support WHYS. Get more info here whysradio.org/

On Sunday there is will be a concert by the Wind Symphony and Symphony bands at 2PM at UW Eau Claire.  Special guest will include the Eau Claire North High School Wind Ensemble.  More details here  Wind Symphony, Symphony Band concert set for March 11

And next Friday March 16th don't miss Bill Engvall at the Eau Claire Regional Arts Center.  This performance was rescheduled from February 10th.  Get tickets here Bill Engvall

Or find your own place for fun BuyWisconsinLand.com

Polar Plunge This Weekend

Since the weather has been so nice, why not spend Sunday getting really cold for Special Olympics!

The 2012 Polar Plunge "Freezin' for a Reason" will be February 26th at Half Moon Beach in Carson Park.  You can register on Saturday at Wagner's Bowling Lanes from 3PM-7PM or at the site Sunday from 11AM-Noon.  Plunging is from Noon-3PM followed by a Warm-Up Party at Chuck's on Clairemont from 3PM-6PM.

You can wear a costume or sign up to "Toss your Boss"!  Even if you don't want to jump, raise funds and you can earn a "I was Too Chicken to Plunge" t-shirt.

Get all the details of the event at the Special Olmpics website 2012 Eau Claire Polar Plunge  and follow all the latest updates on Facebook Eau Claire Polar Plunge for Special Olympics 

Eau Claire Band Wins Two Grammys

Bon Iver wins Grammys for Best New Artist and Best Alternative Music Album. Story by postcrescent.com

Wisconsin-bred band Bon Iver, the indie folk project founded by singer-songwriter Justin Vernon, was named best new artist at the 54th Grammy Awards, besting crowd favorite Nicki Minaj as well as a diverse set of performers from electronica, rap and country music.
Full Story Eau Claire's Bon Iver wins Grammy for best new artist

Video: Backstage at the Grammys Justin Vernon

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Super Breakfasts

Want to start your Super Bowl Sunday right? How about a delicious breakfast to start your day!

The Beaver Creek Preserve in Fall Creek is having a French Toast Breakfast February 5th 8:30AM-12:30PM in the Main Lodge, $6/adults and $3/kids. FREE use of cross-country skis and snowshoes (weather permitting).  In addition the Wise Nature Center is holding a watercolor exhibit, sale and reception in the lower lobby, and the Chippewa Valley Astronomical Society will have an open house at the Hobbs Observatory.  beavercreekreserve.org/

In Eau Claire February 5th the St James Knights of Columbus Roundtable is hosting a Super Bowl Breakfast from 8:30AM to 11:30AM in the St James the Greater Parish Hall. Enjoy scrambled eggs, ham, hash browns, biscuits & sausage gravy, cinnamon rolls, coffee, milk, and orange juice. $6/adults, $2.50/kids 5-12 and free/under 5.  Not that hungry? Continental breakfast is just $1.50. stjameseauclaire.catholicweb.com

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Music, Music, Music

If the winter chill is getting to you, lift your spirits with some live music! Eau Claire is filled with beautiful sounds year round - check out this upcoming events.

The Acoustic Cafe presents local musicians each weekend - tomorrow Toby Kane will be performing, Friday enjoy the Easthill Bluegrass Band, and Saturday Brian Bethke will be back with his new CD. Next week Thursday Rod Kinny and Friday Eggplant Heroes.

Cabaret XXIV: Careers - by student performers in Concert Choir, The Singing Statesmen, Women's Concert Chorale, UWEC jazz ensembles and the University Symphony Orchestra - is being held Council Fire Room of the Davies Center, UW Eau Claire January 19th-21st and 26th-28th. Enjoy dinner and the concert, or just the music. See their website for times and tickets Cabaret Tickets

This Saturday the Eau Claire Chamber Orchestra will hold a free Family Concert at 2PM in the First Lutheran Church.

Sunday 7PM Grammy-award winning singer/songwriter/guitarist Keb Mo will perform with Andres Osborn at the State Theater.

If you enjoy the sounds of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper, check out John Mueller's Winter Dance Party Thursday January 26th 7:30PM at the State Theatre. Tickets are $24 and $28.

The Chippewa Valley Youth Symphony is having a Concerto Competition Saturday January 28th in the Phillips Recital Hall, UWEC Campus at 1PM. For more information about this group, visit their website cvyouthsymphony.org

"Music produces a kind of pleasure which human nature cannot do without" ~Confucius

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