Eau Claire

Eau Claire Transit Survey

bschmock — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 20:27:19 -0500

I found this survey by following Volume One online. If applicable, please take the time to fill it out. :)

Also, if you have not yet had a chance to, remember to fill out the Eau Claire County Budget Survey.

Eau Clairer wants to be a "LEED-er" when it comes to the environment . . .

bschmock — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 21:36:14 -0500

This is encouraging to see. At the Plan Commission meeting on Monday "the plan commission voted to begin looking for ways to make the comprehensive plan more environmentally conscious. A big part of that discussion could involve a push for more LEED certified buildings." LEED stands for leadership in energy and environmental design, and companies--like Market & Johnson--are at the forefront of promoting sustainable solutions to combat our environmental problems.

I look forward to seeing policies unfold in the future.

The Stanley Cup will be in the Chippewa Valley on July 6th!

bschmock — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 22:10:10 -0500

See Original Post

WEAU lets us know some exciting news:

"It's the ultimate goal for hockey players-- the Stanley Cup. Now, that cup is headed to Eau Claire!

"The Detroit Red Wings celebrated their win earlier this year, but Team Scout David Kolb wants to share the victory with his home town of Eau Claire. Kolb is a Memorial High School graduate.

"He'll show off the cup Sunday July 6 at Hobbs Ice Center, but that's all we know for now.

"The Parks and Recreation Department will let everyone know as soon as a time is set to check out the cup."

Sounds like fun, eh?

2nd Annual Taste of Eau Claire Festival Lacks Any Asian Flavor

bschmock — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 21:45:28 -0500

See Original Post

This years's Taste of Eau Claire Festival at Phoenix Park was, by all measures, a success. The Leader-Telegram, WQOW, and WEAU all pointed out that attendance was up, the food was good, and the weather was beautiful.

The charity that benefits from this annual event--United Way of Greater Eau Claire--was surely happy with the outcome. So too, I'm sure, were the other event sponsors, which included Volume One and WHYS 96.3 FM--Eau Claire Community Radio.

However, I walked away from the 2nd annual Taste of Eau Claire not COMPLETELY satisfied. Take a quick look at the 30 Vendors that had booths this year and tell me what is missing:

Burrachos Obsession Chocolates Mike's Smokehouse The Coffee Grounds Haymarket Grill Simply Chocolate Houligan's Steak & Seafood Pub Bear Creek Grille Franzwa's Cafe & Custom Catering Dessert First Bakery Cafe Famous Dave's Westgate Sportsman's Club All Star Catering Norske Nook Porter's Blakelee's Chocolates & Sweet Things Boston's Fischers' on the Green Outback Steakhouse TGI Friday's Texas Roadhouse Nolechek's Meat and Cheese Shop Hahn's Market Sweetwaters Restaurant & Bar Main Street Cafe The Stones Throw Fazoli's Jr. Volunteers Concessions Green Mill Restaurant & Bar Becki's Mediterranean Olive Salsa

The title of this post must give you some idea of what I thought was lacking--there was not a single local Asian restaurant on the list. Yet, event organizers thought it was necessary to invite large chain restaurants like Fazoli's, Outback Steakhouse, and TGI Friday's! Granted, Asian Americans do not make up a huge portion of the Chippewa Valley community--but, 3.66% of the population should account for something. And when it comes to food, Asian restaurants certainly have a prominent share of local owned community restaurants. If you have ever attended the Eau Claire Downtown Farmers' Market you would see Asian Americans vendors occupying 1/2 the booths.

When we put on an event titled "The Taste of Eau Claire", is it that we do not consider our Asian American neighbors to really be a part of our Eau Claire community? Next year, I hope the planners of this wonderful event will consider extending an invitation to any of the great Asian food places in town: Pad Thai, Noodle Wrap, Asian Cafe, etc.

That is all I have to complain about, because I really did enjoy myself at the 2nd annual Taste of Eau Claire. A great music line-up featured four bands with local roots:

Eau Claire Blues All-Stars Ultimate Frisbee Orchestrea Yam Cannon All Live Funk

Here are some photos from the day--blue skys!

~mmmmmmmmmm...Cheese Curds~ ~Phoenix Park~ ~a crowd gathers to enjoy the music~ ~a kid fishing down by the Chippewa River~ ~a shot of the festival from the walking bridge~ ~VolumeOne rocks!~ ~fun for all ages~

I'm sure I'll be attending the 3rd annual Taste of Eau Claire Festival--hopefully I can get some egg rolls.

Find the Best--and Most Authentic--Thai Food in the Chippewa Valley at Pad Thai Restaurant

bschmock — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 13:51:11 -0500

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Since I have been back in America, I have eaten at Pad Thai Restaurant 3 times. Pad Thai is located at 203 North Barstow Street in downtown Eau Claire--across from Phoenix Park. I have also been sampling a variety of other Asian food places since I have been back. However, I can say--without any doubts-- that Pad Thai has the best and most authentic Thai food in the area. Dishes are very reasonably priced and the portions are hearty. If you are ever in downtown Eau Claire and have a hankering for some Asian food, be sure to check out Pad Thai--you might run into me. :P

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Also, see this 2006 Leader-Telegram restaurant review.