We are a vibrant city with exceptional quality of life and services including parks, trails, education, and art Want to know more? Check out the short videos at the links below for more reasons to work and live in Eau Claire. www.eauclairewi.gov/hr www.eauclairewi.gov/our-city/think-eau-claire
Serve your community in a meaningful way! We believe in making Eau Claire a great city We believe in sustainability We believe in having fun while serving the community We believe that local government is a stewardship
Whether you're looking for a part-time, full-time, seasonal, or internship opportunity - we've got you covered! Go to www.eauclairewi.gov/jobs to see our current openings or to fill out a job interest card
Employer
REALiving has played a pivotal role in local communities’ Student and Family Assistance Programs (SFAP) since 2018. This program, which offers 4 counseling sessions and 4 parent/youth coaching sessions to district students and their families, has served as an effective resource in helping students be their BEST.
In an effort to eliminate financial barriers that may exist for families to acquire these supports on their own, each participating school district purchases REALiving’s SFAP partnership plan, so there is no cost to the district’s families. Through this partnership plan, REALiving works to coordinate and connect the individuals with either counseling or professional coaching services. This includes everything from intake calls and authorizations to billing cycle completion. Not only does this service coordination offer peace of mind to students and their families, but also to districts, whose resources are already stretched thin. Your district administration and families don’t have to handle everything on their own— REALiving can help!
Counseling/coaching services, which are confidential, are designed to be short-term, solutionfocused, and are provided by an affiliate network of mental health agencies in your community. Some common challenges that students and families utilize these services for are:
• Academic struggles
• Household stressors
• Drugs and alcohol
• Grief
• Divorce
• Bullying
• Stress, depression, and anxiety
• Discipline issues
• Anger management
• Marital issues
• Unplanned pregnancy
• Relationship troubles
• Eating disorders
If you would like more information about our SFAP partnership plan, please call 855.233.1048 to schedule an educator consultation with a REALiving Advisor.
Chippewa County Parks System:
Morris-Erickson Campground & Day Park on pristine Long Lake. Otter Lake Campground & Day Park 7.5 miles north of Stanley. Pine Point Campground & Day Park on the Holcombe Flowage. Round Lake Day Park around the corner from Morris-Erickson.
All campsites have electrical service of 20-30-50 amps. Campgrounds and Day Parks are all on lakes. Many campsites have private docks or direct lake access.
All parks have bathrooms, playgrounds, picnic areas, boat launches, and a beach.
For future reservations, or to see holiday weekend openings, please go to: www.CCcamping.us All campgrounds have interactive maps! Just click on the campsites to see information.
Facilities & Parks Division
711 N. Bridge Street, Lower Level, Room 012, Chippewa Falls, WI 54729 Ph: (715) 726-7882 www.co.chippewa.wi.us
Serving approximately 1,800 students in grades Pre-K-12. We focus on individualized learning throughout our system. A comprehensive Literacy Collaborative framework in grades K-8, and a focus on 21st Century skills at all levels. We offer extensive virtual learning opportunities with many blended options to bolster student success. Our diverse extra and co-curricular activities are sure to engage students of all interests! 301 North Fourth St, BRF – Phone 715-284-4357 –www.brf.org
Barron County
Wisconsin
A great place to visit. A better place to live.
Tired of changing jobs? Do you want to make a difference in your community? The perfect career is waiting for you! Join the Barron County team to enjoy stable employment, supportive environment, work/life balance, competitive benefits and job satisfaction in serving the community! Check out Employment Opportunities today at: barroncountywi.gov
Traveling the world is a dream for many, but the perceived costs often deter people from turning that dream into reality. However, with careful planning and some creativity, going on budget-friendly adventures is entirely doable. Whether you're seeking unique destinations, craving cultural experiences, or simply aiming to explore on a budget, there's a world of possibilities waiting to be discovered.
MAKING EVERY PENNY COUNT
CULTURAL EXPERIENCES
The foundation of budget travel lies in strategic planning and smart decision-making. Here are some tips to stretch your dollars while exploring the globe:
• Flexible Travel Dates: Remain flexible with your travel dates to take advantage of off-peak seasons and discounted fares.
• Accommodation Alternatives: Consider alternatives to traditional hotels, such as hostels, guesthouses, campgrounds, or vacation rentals, which often offer more affordable options and opportunities to connect with fellow travelers.
• Local Transportation: Opt for local transportation methods like buses, trains, or shared taxis instead of costly tourist shuttles or private cars.
• Eat Like a Local: Embrace the local cuisine by dining at street markets, hole-in-the-wall eateries, or cooking your meals with fresh ingredients from local markets, which can be both cost-effective and culturally enriching.
• Free Activities and Attractions: Research free walking tours, visit public parks, museums with free admission days, or explore natural wonders that don't require an entrance fee.
• Travel Rewards and Discounts: Utilize travel rewards programs, discount websites, and student or youth cards to score deals on accommodations, transportation, and activities.
BEYOND THE BEATEN PATH
While iconic landmarks and tourist hotspots have their allure, there's something truly special about venturing off the beaten path and discovering hidden gems:
• Lesser-Known Cities: Explore smaller cities and towns that offer authentic experiences and a glimpse into local life, away from the crowds.
• Natural Wonders: Seek out natural wonders such as secluded beaches, pristine forests, or breathtaking hiking trails that offer serenity and awe-inspiring beauty.
• Cultural Festivals and Events: Plan your travels around cultural festivals, religious celebrations, or local events to immerse yourself in the vibrant traditions and customs of different cultures.
• Historical and Archaeological Sites: Delve into history by visiting lesser-known historical sites, ancient ruins, or archaeological sites that offer a glimpse into bygone eras.
• Hidden Cafés and Artistic Districts: Discover hidden cafés, galleries, and artistic enclaves tucked away in quaint neighborhoods, where you can connect with local artists and creatives.
One of the most rewarding aspects of travel is the opportunity to experience diverse cultures and traditions firsthand:
• Homestays and Cultural Immersion: Opt for homestays or cultural exchange programs to live with locals, learn about their customs, and participate in daily life activities.
• Traditional Workshops and Classes: Enroll in cooking classes, language workshops, traditional craft lessons, or music and dance performances to gain insight into local culture and heritage.
• Volunteer and Community Projects: Get involved in volunteer projects or community initiatives that support local causes and allow you to make a positive impact while traveling. Check out programs such as Workaway; the company works with global hosts who accept travelers and provide free room and board in exchange for on site work. It’s an excellent option for budgetminded travelers who also want to give back to the communities and places they visit and who are interested in helping hosts and using the experience to learn and immerse in the local culture.
• Cultural Etiquette and Respect: Respect local customs, traditions, and etiquette, and approach interactions with an open mind and genuine curiosity to foster meaningful connections with the communities you visit.
By embracing the spirit of adventure and adopting a budget-conscious mindset, travelers can unlock a world of unforgettable experiences, from hidden treasures and cultural revelations to heartwarming encounters with people from all walks of life. So, pack your bags, set out on your journey, and let the world be your guide. After all, the best adventures often begin where the beaten path ends.
Our inner voice provides us with a knowing or deep feeling that a specific choice, action, or path is a right or wrong one. It’s an intuition that tunes us into the moment where we get to decide which option will serve our BEST self. Too often, we tune this voice out to focus instead on fulfilling others’ expectations of us. If you’re not sure if you listen to or ignore your inner voice, consider the following questions:
• Do you ever feel like you’re holding back or not expressing yourself fully in conversation with others?
• Do you worry about what people will think of you if you say or do the wrong thing?
• Do you have a hard time setting boundaries with others?
• Do you feel pulled in a million different directions, and end up feeling resentful of all the things you have to do because you didn’t assert your ability to say no?
If yes is the word resounding within you to any of these questions, there’s a likelihood that you have not only been ignoring your inner voice, but you’ve also been living in fear of how others will accept you if you show up in life as your true, authentic self. Here’s the good news: you are most definitely enough, just the way you are! With a meaningful shift in perspective, you can internalize your worthiness and operate from a place of courage rather than fear.
Brené Brown, renowned professor, author, and speaker, has spent decades researching the significance of why humans are predisposed to the belief that we are never enough. This scarcity mindset perpetuates our inability to embrace our imperfections while simultaneously feeling worthy of living life as our true selves.
Brown defines this process as shame, which can be an intensely painful feeling, or experience of believing that we are flawed, and therefore unworthy
of love and belonging. To combat this shame experience, we need to access our courage, dare greatly, and embrace our vulnerability to engage fully and openly with the world around us.
By being brave and vulnerable to put ourselves out there, we allow ourselves the opportunity to not only listen to that inner voice, but also honor it. Brown says that this self-compassionate practice of vulnerability is the source of hope and authenticity that enables us to feel emotions and experiences that we crave: love, belonging, and joy. In fact, she says that the emotion of joy is deeply vulnerable.
“We’re afraid to lean into joy because something might rip it away and we’ll get sucker punched by disappointment or pain. But there’s a way to stay in joy. When we feel that quiver of vulnerability, instead of dress rehearsing for tragedy, and waiting for the other shoe to drop, let that shudder be a reminder to practice gratitude,” Brown suggests.
In other words, at the end of the day, no matter what we manage to do or not do, we are enough. Even though we are imperfect and sometimes afraid, we are courageous and worthy of love and belonging. Learning to listen to and trust our inner voice can lead to far more benefits than not.
There are five effective steps to follow to help ensure that you are embracing your vulnerability and fully engaged in living your life authentically.
1. Recognize the uncomfortable feelings you’re having. Ask yourself if you’re feeling embarrassed, humiliated, guilty, or unworthy. Be aware of your inner critic, which often amplifies these shame-based feelings.
2. View your emotions with curiosity instead of judgment. This helps shift to a more caring and understanding perspective, separating yourself from the negative feelings you’re experiencing.
3. Reach out and process your experiences with people who will give you empathy.
4. Talk about how you feel and what you need.
5. Embrace the fact that you’re a work in progress and you are navigating each experience the best that you can. Try to speak to yourself like you would a friend. This is an act of resiliency and is key to feeling worthy.
By practicing these steps to embrace your vulnerability, you will be empowered to choose actions that will help you move forward rather than perpetuating harmful emotions that keep holding you back. This self-compassionate mindfulness will engage your courage to listen to your inner voice and allow you to operate from a place of vulnerability to live each day as your authentic self. This is where your joy lives.
There are no strings attached to this giveaway, BUT we do want to encourage some healthy habits to go along with the prize. Did you know that listening to music while exercising has many benefits? For example:
• Music can help you feel motivated and elevate your mood.
• It can release dopamine in your brain and help prevent stress.
• You can exercise more efficiently and increase your stamina while listening to music.
• Fast-paced, upbeat music can increase your heart rate and give you a burst of energy.
• Music makes a good distraction from negative physical feelings and boredom.
• You can keep better pace by synchronizing your movements to the music.
Good enough reasons to break out this portable Bluetooth speaker, right? It’s waterproof and wireless with colorful flashing lights. It has a 100-foot range from your device and has up to 24 hours of playtime per charge. You can party with the lights off if you want, but otherwise you can enable the colorful LED lights, and they will sync to the beat of your music to create a pulsing light show!
Four winners will get this speaker. Register now for your chance to win!
ATTIC Correctional Services, Inc. is a non-profit agency serving communities throughout Wisconsin and Minnesota in pursuit of our mission:
To conceive and develop effective interventions, which will enable individuals to avoid unnecessary levels of incarceration, enhance community safety and provide a setting that facilitates treatment and the reduction of recidivism.
We are seeking employees with a passion and motivation to make a difference in the lives of others. Please visit our website for employment opportunities: www.correctionalservices.org
A short one hour drive east of the Twin Cities, Menomonie is the perfect spot for outdoor enthusiasts. During your stay enjoy an array of serene trails, waterways, and golf courses. Peruse the retail shops featuring everything from fashion to antiques. Whether you’re looking for a traditional fish fry or an authentic supper club, Menomonie has you covered.
Menomonie, Wisconsin is a growing community with small town charm, and we are certain you’ll love to explore what we have to offer. exploremenomonie.com Looking to make a difference in the community and in the lives of others?
www.aceethanol.com
