Other Arts
	Visit an Art Gallery - Local galleries include - The Foster Art Gallery in the UWEC Fine Arts Building on Water Street, Eau Claire (10-4:30 weekdays, 1-4:30 weekends), and - The State: Regional Arts Center Gallery ( Tue, Wed, Fri 10-5, Thu 10-6, Sat 9-noon; info 715-832-2787)	UWEC Calendar
	Read a Poem (or Write One) - 256 Shades of Gray - EC literary / arts magazine, NOTA - UWEC arts Magazine, The Poetry CreatOR II - write poetry the easy way at this fun web site.
	Write - An informal writer's group meets every other Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at the Borders Bookstore in Eau Claire.  715-832-2852.	Alternate Tuesdays

Physical Phun - It's more than just fun!  Moderate exercise four times a week has been shown to improve health, sleep, & attitude. Moderate means that you increase your heart rate for about 30 minutes.   (- Warm Seasons, - Cold Seasons, - All Seasons.)
	Bike - There are several very nice biking trails in the area. Bike rentals are available at UWEC among other places; child trailers and tandems can also be rented. Chippewa Valley Cycling Club (for racers)
	Camp - "Rough it" a little ... enjoy Wisconsin's outdoors by living in it. See WI State Parks & Campgrounds
	Canoe - Rental canoes & kayaks are available.  Typical pricing is $20 for 24 hours.   Shuttle services are also available for about $25 to take you and your canoe to a starting point and pick you up down river.  These shuttle canoe trips typically last 2-5 hours.
	Dance - The Eau Claire International Folk Dancers - recreational dancing every Friday at 7:30 downtown Eau Claire. No experience required and no partner required (most dances are line or circle dances)!	Calendar Fridays
	Farmers Market - (okay, buying groceries is not exactly a form of exercise, but their fresh vegetables will contribute to your overall health and energy.)  1997 Schedule: June 8 - October 25, Wed & Sat 7:30a - 1p, Thurs 3p-6p. Located in Eau Claire, across from the Post Office on N. Barstow.	Wednesdays   & Saturdays
	Ice Skate - There are 17 free outdoor city ice rinks in Eau Claire alone! Indoor rinks include Eau Claire's Hobbs municipal ice skating rink ($3 adult, $2 youth), Altoona's Hobbs Sport Center ($1 each, $2 family), and the Ice Arena of Chippewa Falls (free). Rental skates are available. For info on warming house hours, contact your local parks & recreation department.
	Rollerblade - Rental skates are available by the hour or the day.  Typical pricing is $3/hr or $9 for 24 hrs.
	Ski Cross-Country - Local Ski Trails & Ski Clubs, Other Wisconsin Ski Trails, Trail Chart- from the WI Dept of Tourism.
	Tennis - List of free courts - free
	Snowshoe - Use an existing trail or forge your own! Rental snowshoes are available at Beaver Creek Reserve ($2/day) and UWEC Recreation (for univ. student / staff). Beaver Creek has trails just for snowshoers. You can also snowshoe at most county forests and parks, such as Big Falls and Coon Fork, but stay off the ski and snowmobile trails. For more info, including snowshoe building & repairs, contact Beaver Creek Reserve naturalist Tom Thompson at 877-2212 (BCR), or 835-2191 (home).
	Swim - There are several free beaches in the area. Outdoor pools include the Eau Claire Fairfax Pool (June-August, $1.75 - $2.75) and the Chippewa Falls outdoor pool. In the winter, several high school indoor pools are open to the public evenings and weekends at a modest fee (EC fees - adult $1.50, youth $0.75, family $3.00).
	Volleyball - the Eau Claire Parks & Rec. department organizes indoor & outdoor leagues.
	Walk - Walking outdoors in thesun and fresh air is the best, but for bad weather days, both the London Square and the Oakwood Hills shopping malls welcome walkers from about 7 am to 10 am, before the stores open.

 

Learn Something New - Exercise your brain! Pick up a new skill, hobby, or profession ... learn about your community & environment ... learn to swim or dance ... learn about yourself ...
	Beaver Creek Reserve / Wise Nature Center - Web Page. Learn about the environment at this excellent interpretive nature center. Also offers hiking/nature trails, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, workshops and a gift shop. Four miles north of Fall Creek, 715-877-2212,  open Mon-Fri 8-4:30, Sat 10-4, Sun 12-4. Events hotline: 715-879-5300, category 6252.	Calendar Map
	Chippewa Valley Museum - Web Page.  An excellent regional history museum.  Open Tue-Sun 1-5pm ($3 adults, $1 children, Free for infants under 3). Carson Park, Eau Claire, 715-834-7871.	Calendar
	Hobbs Observatory - Web Page - View heavenly bodies with their computer-operated telescopes.  Open every Saturday at dusk from May thru October (weather permitting), with special programs year round on the third Saturday of each month at 8pm. Four miles north of Fall Creek on "K", across the street from the Wise Nature Center.	Calendar Map
	James Newman Clark Bird Museum - A unique circular museum containing over 500 bird specimens collected around the turn of the century. Housed in the UWEC Phillips Science Hall. Free.  Open Mon-Fri 8a-5p, Sat 8a-Noon. (only open by appointment?) Contact Walter Schaffer at 715-836-3523 or 715-836-4166.
	L.E. Phillips Planetarium - Web Page. Located in the UWEC Phillips Science Hall.  For schedule, call George Stecher, 715-836-5731 or visit the	UWEC Calendar
	Paul Bunyan Logging Camp - Web Page. Map. An authentic replica of an 1890's logging camp. Carson Park, Eau Claire, 715-835-6200
	Schlegelmilch House  - An historic house built in 1871.  Open for tours from 1-4 p.m. Sundays from June through Labor Day. Corner of Lake & Farwell, Eau Claire, 715-834-7871.
	Wilson Place Museum, Menomonie - Web Page - A preeminent local source of education and enjoyment, for people of all ages, backgrounds, and levels of interest.
	Visit a Library or Used Book Store - List of Area Libraries. Altoona Library, 1303 Lynn Ave, 715-839-5029. Eau Claire Library, 400 Eau Claire St., 715-839-5005, Community Information Reference 839-5004, Book Peddler Used Book Store, 315 Graham Ave, 715-832-8289. Chippewa Falls Library, 105 W. Central St., 715-723-1146. Menomonie Library, 600 Wolske Bay Rd, 715-232-2164.  You can access the UW-EC & UW-Stout library card catalogs through the Internet. You can also access the Eau Claire & Chippewa Falls public library card catalogs through your computer; call the libraries for details.
	Night Classes - pick up a new skill, hobby or profession - Chippewa Valley Technical College , Eau Claire Parks & Recreation
	Clearwater Men's Council - learn something about yourself and enjoy the community and camaraderie of this men's group.  Meetings every Monday 6p - 8p in the basement of the Unitarian Fellowship Hall, 421 S. Farwell St., E.C.
	UWEC Greenhouse - On the roof of the UWEC Phillips Science Hall.  Open Mon-Fri 9a-3p by appointment. Free. Contact Walter Schaffer at 715-836-3523 or 715-836-4166.

Volunteer I - Helping people in need is a great way to help your community and boost your own spirits.
	4-H - become a leader - National 4-H Council, UW 4-H Development Programs
	Amnesty International - Eau Claire Group - work to abolish cruel and inhumane punishment, promote fair and prompt trials, and preserve human worth and dignity.
	Big Brother / Big Sister - National Info, WI Agencies - make a positive difference in the life of a child or youth in your community
	Boy Scouts - become a leader - Boy Scouts of America - an educational program for boys and young adults to build character, to train in the responsibilities of participating citizenship, and to develop personal fitness.
	Chippewa Valley Habitat for Humanity - help families in need to build and own their own affordable homes. Habitat for Humanity International , Local group: 2233 Golf Road, Eau Claire, WI 54701, 715-833-8993.
	Chippewa Valley Health Clinic - help provide no or low cost primary health care to needy citizens of the Chippewa Valley. 431 Graham Ave., P.O. Box 231, E.C., 715-839-5180 ext. 149.
	Eau Claire Community Table - help prepare and serve nutritious lunches to the hungry.
	Family Support Center - 715-723-1138
	Girl Scouts - become a leader - Girl Scouts U.S.A. - inspire girls with the highest ideals of character, conduct, patriotism, and service that they may become happy and resourceful citizens.
	Hospital Volunteer - details unknown.  Can you provide any info about this?  If so, email me!
	Kinship - be a friend to a young person in your community. Chippewa Co.: 28 E. Columbia St., C.F., 723-0881; Dunn Co.: 331 E. Main St., Menomonie, 235-4674
	Lions Clubs International - Eau Claire Noon Lions Club, Eau Claire-Seymour Lions Club
	Literacy Volunteers of America - Literacy Volunteers of America - tutor adults one-on-one or in small groups in reading, writing and English-speaking skills. LVA needs committed volunteers.  You will need to take an 18 hour tutor training course, and you will be asked to spend 1-1/2 hours per week with your student for 6 to 9 months.  Local Group: 400 Eau Claire St., E.C., 715-834-0222.
	Mobile Meals/Meals on Wheels - help deliver meals to homebound elderly. 1-888-MEAL HELP or contact the Eldercare Hotline at 1-800-677-1116 or the E.C. Co. Dept. on Aging volunteer coordinator at 715-839-4769.
	NOWAP - Northern Wisconsin AIDS Project - Web Site - help plan events, educate community groups, provide office support, and provide emotional & practical support to AIDs patients. Eau Claire 715-836-7710.
	Planned Parenthood / National Right to Life - it shouldn't matter which one you join, as long as your primary goal is to eliminate unwanted pregnancies, not to eliminate the other organization. PP Info, NRL Info
	Red Cross -provide relief to victims of disasters and help people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies. National Web Page, Eau Claire Ofc: American Red Cross, 515 South Barstow St., Suite 117 Eau Claire , WI 54701-3600, 715-834-4182, Dunn Co. Ofc. 147 Main St., Menomonie, 715-235-3700.
	Retired Senior Volunteer Program - 1300 First Ave, Eau Claire, 715-832-0519
	Sharing our Resources - Info - introduce or re-introduce the disabled community to outdoor recreation
	Salvation Army - Eau Claire: 102 W. Grand, E.C., 715-834-1224. Chippewa: 501 High, C.F., 715-726-9506.
	St. Francis Food Pantry - help stock shelves and distribute food to needy folks. 1221 Truax Blvd., E.C., 839-7706.
	Triniteam Caregivers - 1300 1st Ave, E.C., 715-836-3100
	Wisconsin Head Start Association - help kids get a head start toward a brighter future. This program is estimated to save taxpayers $4 for every $1 spent! Strangely enough, Congress has never fully funded it, and even cut funding in 1996. Chippewa Falls 723-1211, Menomonie 235-9122, Cadott 289-3785
	Wisconsin Special Olympics - Local Indianhead Office - sports training and competition for individuals with mental retardation
	Other Wisconsin Non-Profits - other organizations in need of volunteers or funds

Volunteer II - these volunteer opportunities are less directly involved with helping the needy, but are still important ways to participate in and enhance your community.
	Beaver Creek Reserve / Wise Nature Center - Web Page - help of all kinds is needed for the smooth operation of this excellent interpretive nature center four miles north of Fall Creek.
	Center for Healing Arts - help make alternative approaches to healing a viable option in our community. 124-1/2 Graham Av, Eau Claire, 715-831-3245.
	Chippewa Valley FreeNet - Web page help make no and low cost computer services available to your community.
	Chippewa Valley Museum, EC - Web Page.  Many volunteer opportunities. Volunteers are always needed and appreciated.
	Host a University Foreign Exchange Student - details unknown.  Can you provide any info about this?  If so, email me!
	Host a High School Foreign Exchange Student - details unknown.  Can you provide any info about this?  If so, email me! Youth for Understanding - 1-800-RU-READY
	Public Access Cable Television - help produce local-content television programs, or create your own show! Eau Claire Studio: 800 Wisconsin St., Mail Box 55, Eau Claire, WI 54703, 715-839-5067.
	Humane Society - help care for homeless animals and find them new homes. Dunn Co.: 715-232-9790, Chippewa Co.: 715-382-4832, Eau Claire Co., 715-839-4747.

Other Activities
	Attend a Local Festival - List of Festivals
	Sierra Club - National Info - Wisconsin Groups - enjoy outdoor activities and promote conservation of the natural environment by influencing public policy decisions--legislative, administrative, legal, and electoral
	Senior Citizens Club -(E.C.) meet friends, dance to live music, enjoy refreshments. Meets 7:00 pm on the 2nd & 4th Mondays of each month at E.C. Parks & Rec Center. 715-832-2315.
	Senior Citizen Center - Eau Claire: corner of Madison & Bellinger, 715-839-4909.   Menomonie: 1412 6th, 715-235-0954
	Par-te-Rec - (E.C.) for physically and mentally disabled people 16 years old or older. Meet friends, play games, dance. Transportation provided for E.C. residents. Call E.C. Parks & Rec for details.
	Go Fishing - some fishing sites - don't let cold weather get in your way - many people enjoy winter ice-fishing!
	Go to a Park - list of parks - Enjoy the outdoors, have a picnic, enjoy the playground, go for a walk ...
	Give Blood - American Red Cross Local Blood Donor Center: 2411 N Hillcrest Pkwy, Altoona, 715-834-4182.  National number: 800-GIVE-LIFE.
	Nurture Your Romantic Life - Gardensong - a celebration of romance.
	Vote - exercise your civic duty by casting informed votes on election days.  Get informed with Project Vote Smart.
	Write a Will, &/or Fill out Medical Power of Attorney Forms & Living Will Forms - don't put your relatives through the agony of making decisions for you without truly knowing what you would want if only you could tell them.
	Give Away Your Organs - fill out the organ donor information on back of your driver's license and tell your family your wishes.  Remember: Don't take your organs to heaven! Heaven knows, they're needed here!
	Other Community Attractions - as listed on the CVFN site.
	Join a Spiritual Community - ICF list of Local Churches, Yellow Pages lists of churches in EC, CF, Men.

Contacts
	Altoona Park Maintenance - 715-839-3828.
	Altoona Parks & Recreation - 715-839-5188
	Chippewa Falls Recreation Department - 715-723-0051.
	Chippewa Falls Outdoor Pool - 715-726-2733.
	Chippewa Parks & Forest Department - 715-726-7880.
	Eau Claire Convention and Visitors Bureau - 715-831-2345 or 1-800-344-FUNN.
	Eau Claire County Parks & Forest Department - 715-839-4738.
	Eau Claire Fairfax Municipal Outdoor Pool - 4200 Fairfax Street, 715-839-1680.
	Eau Claire Hobbs Municipal Ice Skating Rink - 915 Menomonie St., Eau Claire, 715-839-5040.