Volume One's City Guide 2015/16

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EAU CLAIRE CITY GUIDE

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2015-2016

EAU CLAIRE CITY GUIDE by OFFICE

205 N. Dewey St. Eau Claire, WI 54701

CONTACT

Phone: (715) 552-0457 Inter-web: www.volumeone.org Email: mail@volumeone.org

PUBLISHER / EDITOR / ETC Nick Meyer MANAGING EDITORS Eric Christenson • Tom Giffey CONTENT Mike Paulus • Thom Fountain + James Johonnott DESIGN Serena Wagner • Janae Breunig ILLUSTRATIONS Luke Benson PHOTOS Andrea Paulseth + Luong Huynh + Zach Oliphant + Lee Butterworth + Mariah Hamm + Kelsey Smith ADVERTISING Brian Maki + Chase Kunkel + Neil Hodorowski BASIC INFO The Eau Claire City Guide is published by Volume One – a locally owned, locally operated, and locally focused magazine. © 2015 VOLUME ONE The writing, artwork, and photography in The Eau Caire City Guide remain the property of the authors, artists, & photographers. The opinions expressed here are not necessarily those of the publication or its advertisers.

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E F I L T N E D U T S LOCAL TABLE OF CONTENTS

history and facts 12 FAMOUS

GEtting around 22 TAXIS

RESIDENTS

14 LOCAL

32 WHERE DO I

AND OTHER TRANSPORTATION

24 LOCAL

POLITICS

BUS ROUTES

16 BY THE

26 NEIGHBORHOODS

NUMBERS

shopping and spending

18 WHAT’S HOT

GET...

• FOOD • MUSIC • GAMING

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• WORKOUTS • & MORE

NOW

ALSO IN THIS GUIDE EAU CLAIRE CITY GUIDE

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OPENING LETTER

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PLUS! it’s all available online

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food and drink 40 DATE NIGHT 42 CHEAP EATS 44 OPEN LATE 46 COFFEE

arts and media 52 LOCAL

recreation and outdoors 62 EAU CLAIRE’S

MUSIC

PARKS

58 VISUAL ARTS

64 KUBB

59 STAGE +

67 CYCLING

SCREEN

CULTURE

SHOPS

68 WINTER FUN 69 SUMMER FUN

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ABOUT VOLUME ONE

GREAT DEALS EAU CLAIRE CITY GUIDE

Find more stories, resources and deals at VolumeOne.org/CityGuide and sign up there for our monthly student email list!

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! bie w e n , HEY WE MEAN THAT ENDEARINGLY. SERIOUSLY! You’re new to Eau Claire and that’s amazing because this town has a lot to offer. And it’s a good thing you’re reading this, because we’re gonna help you find out for yourself.

SOME PEOPLE AROUND EAU CLAIRE like to complain that college students never get off campus. They never really see the city. They never fully appreciate what’s going on here. They’re basically self-absorbed toddlers, and they just don’t care about the hard-working, creative people who build this town into something great.

But we know that’s not true.

OK, it’s kinda true. I mean, there’s always a few weird globs of unfinished Gummi Bear stuck to the bottom of every bag, right?

Nobody’s perfect. I’ve definitely come across a certain kind of person who just doesn’t know how to live in a city. You know the type – they stick to their routines.

They keep their heads down.

They rarely explore.

On the surface, these people might even seem to be outgoing and engaged, but at the end of the day, between the couch, classes, and bed, there’s only a handful of places they actually go. They might hit a certain restaurant a few times a month, a certain bar every week, a certain bike trail, but that’s about it.

But thankfully, these kinds of people are fewer and fewer.

I graduated from UW-Eau Claire and I’ve been living and working in this town ever since. In that time, some of the most passionate people I’ve ever met have been students – students willing to get out of the dorm room and out of their rental unit to try

something new and see something different.

Maybe “willing to get out” isn’t the right bunch of words. These are people who need to get out and really see what’s going on. And when seeing what’s happening around here just doesn’t cut it anymore, they starting making things happen.

Eau Claire is a sweet spot. Over the years, I’ve come to understand that it’s filled with the right kind of stuff to create almost anything you want. It’s big enough to offer you a variety of resources and a real audience, yet it’s small enough that you won’t get lost in the noise. People live here for their entire lives without ever really getting that concept.

For years, a lot of great individuals have worked very hard to build this place. We’ve got music and art and food and a huge pile of things to do outside. It’s always changing, and it’s not perfect, but how boring is “perfect?” A city’s imperfections usually provide a foundation for the really good stuff. This is where exciting new scenes flourish and thrive. And this is where you come in.

This town is a gift – it’s yours now. But like all gifts, it’s not much fun until you get up off your butt and use it.

So welcome to Eau Claire. We can’t wait to see what you make of it.

–Mike Paulus, Volume One

“Eau Claire is filled with the right kind of stuff to create almost anything you want.

It’s big enough to offer you a variety of resources and a real audience, yet it’s small enough that you won’t get lost in the noise.”

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So, WHO ARE WE? I MEAN, THAT’S KIND OF A PERSONAL QUESTION, but sure. We’re Volume One (makers of this handy guide) and we’re here to help make your time in Eau Claire as awesome as possible. Here’s some of what we do:

Volume one magazine Every two weeks we make a magazine that’s full of news, arts, culture, and plenty of events in the coming weeks.

You can pick up the new issue every other Thursday around campus and at coffee shops, restaurants, stores, and bars around the area.

VOLUMEONE.orG On top of all that stuff in the mag, you can check us out your favorite digital device for more event listings, more photos, and just generally more awesomeness. We also have plenty of local guides and resources (like for restaurants and bars) that’ll help you quickly learn more about the area.

Volume one EVENTS We’re constantly putting on our own events including our Sounds Like Summer Concert series, which brings 1,500+ people to Phoenix Park every Thursday in the summer for live local music, or Chalkfest, our annual chalk art festival taking place every August – now on UWEC’s campus mall!

THE LOCAL STORE Our retail wing of Volume One is The Local Store – 205 N. Dewey St., or online at VolumeOne.org/store. We have tons of gifts, T-shirts, postcards, and the like all about Eau Claire, the Chippewa Valley, and Wisconsin. It’s also the place to find local albums and CDs and local books.

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HISTORY

FACTS AND

EAU CLAIRE IS PRETTY RICH ON THE HISTORY FRONT. From Native Americans to loggers to baseball, this community has a lot behind it. This context will help you enjoy your time here even more.

FAMOUS LOCAL RESIDENTS POLITICS 12 EAU CLAIRE CITY14 GUIDE 11

BY THE NUMBERS

WHAT’S HOT NOW 18

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familiar faces EAU CLAIRE HAS BEEN HOME TO PLENTY OF HOUSEHOLD NAMES AND ACCOMPLISHED INDIVIDUALS. Here’s just a sampling.

MICHAEL PERRY

HANK AARON

JOHN MENARD

The renowned author has written a shelfful of books and essay collections on life in rural Wisconsin. One of his latest – Visiting Tom – ended up on the New York Times’ Bestsellers List in 2013. Perry is a UWEC grad and a regular performer around the area, reading from his writings or playing with his band The Long Beds.

One of the greatest men to ever play baseball got his start right here in town. Henry Aaron’s first pro gig playing baseball was for the Eau Claire Bears in 1952 – then part of the Boston (soon to be Milwaukee, then Atlanta) Braves’ farm program. He quickly moved up and after one season was promoted to another team.

Recently, the founder of Menards was listed on Forbes Magazine’s list of billionaires as one of the top 55 richest people in the US, with an estimated fortune of $9 billion dollars. Yeah, with a “B.” Menard was already building real estate while at UWEC before founding his home improvement chain in 1972.

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DEAR ABBY AND ANN LANDERS Pauline Phillips – or Abigail Van Buren as most the nation knew her – and her twin sister Esther Lederer – i.e., Ann Landers – lived in Eau Claire in the 1950s.

The pair of pioneering advice columnists were born in Iowa, but both moved to Wisconsin in their adulthood. Pauline Phillips married into the family of L.E. Phillips, a great philanthropist who’s name graces many buildings in the city.

A FEW MORE...

EAU CLAIRE CITY GUIDE

Joe Torre and Bob Uecker both played for the Eau Claire Bears early in their careers, before going off to bigger things.

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FA Da in

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1 THE NUCLEUS Site of the first Bon Iver show, Vernon often played in the back room of Racy’s and The Nucleus in the early days of the band.

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Vernon has often cited the Joynt as “the best bar in the world” and tells a story of how his parents met there.

IMPRESS YOUR FRIENDS WITH THIS BON IVER TOURIST MAP! The Grammy-award winning, world touring, Eaux Claires Festival headlining band Bon Iver originated and is still largely based in Eau Claire, fronted by Justin Vernon. Show your friends around the sites with this trusty map:

3 THIRD AND LAKE The line in his hit single “Holocene” – “Third and Lake, it burned away the hallway” is most likely in reference to Vernon’s college house on the corner, which burned down in 2010.

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You’d think music, but Vernon actually attended UWEC for religious studies and women’s studies.

TO FALL CREEK

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Bon Iver records at Vernon’s studio in Fall Creek, April Base, which has also attracted musicians from all over the world, including The Blind Boys of Alabama, Sufjan Stevens, The Staves, P.O.S., The National, and more.

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NEIL GAIMAN

EXTRA!

The British-born, cultishly followed fantasy author makes his home in rural Menomonie. Gaiman is well known for his graphic novel series The Sandman and for novels such as The Ocean at the End of the Lane, American Gods, and Coraline – the latter of which became an animated film.

FACT CHECK: Leonardo DiCaprio’s character in Titanic, Jack Dawson, says he’s from Chippewa Falls, and remembers swimming in Lake Wissota – which didn’t exist at the time the Titanic sailed.

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LOCAL POLITICS IF THIS IS GOING TO BE YOUR HOME FOR AWHILE you better know how it all works and how you can get involved.

Eau Claire is a small city, which is pretty great if you’re interested in politics. The city is big enough to deal with some unique and exciting issues, but small enough that you can really make your mark on the political system.

The city doesn’t have a mayor, and instead functions with an elected City Council and a hired city manager. Local elections are generally in spring and state and national elections are in fall and, yes, your vote really does matter. So hit the polls!

WHO YOU SHOULD KNOW:

KERRY KINCAID

RUSS VAN GOMPEL

DANA WACHS

KATHLEEN VINEHOUT

City Council President

City Manager

State Assembly

State Senate

GET INVOLVED! GO TO A MEETING: The Eau Claire City Council meets the second and fourth weeks of each month. Meetings are spread over two days: Mondays at 7pm and Tuesdays at 4pm.

Throughout the week there are committee meetings, too. You can find a full meeting schedule atEauClaireWi.gov/Government.

JOIN A COMMITTEE: The city is always looking for people to lend their voices to discussions on specific issues. Committees range from zoning to environmental issues and usually meet monthly. It’s a great way to take an active role in your local politics or in a specific issue you’re passionate about.

DID YOU KNOW? EAU CLAIRE CITY GUIDE

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VOTE! 2016 Elections Feb 16 - Spring Primary Apr 5 - Spring Election Aug 9 - Partisan Primary Nov 8 - General / Presidential Election

Find out where you vote, what you need to bring, and what’s on the ballot at MyVote.wi.gov

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BY THE NUMBERS

67,545

1872 363

POPULATION OF THE CITY OF EAU CLAIRE

32.1 333

715 20

YEAR EAU CLAIRE WAS INCORPORATED

SQUARE MILEAGE OF THE CITY OF EAU CLAIRE

THE CHIPPEWA VALLEY’S AREA CODE

ACRES OF PARKS IN EAU CLAIRE

RESTAURANTS IN THE CHIPPEWA VALLEY

MILES OF RIVER RUNNING THROUGH EAU CLAIRE

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WHAT’s hot now WE’RE SURE YOU’LL KEEP UP ON THE NEWS NOW THAT YOU LIVE HERE, but to get you started here’s a few of the bigger stories from the last year that’ll keep popping up in local headlines.

Multi-use building construction at the meeting of the Eau Claire and Chippewa rivers

THE CONFLUENCE PROJECT

The Confluence Project – a huge joint effort by UW-Eau Claire, local arts groups, and the city – will include a performing arts center and a multiuse building with retail space and student apartments downtown. Work began on the multi-use building in early 2015, and this summer the state Legislature OK’d its $15 million share of the arts center’s cost. Once private fundraising is complete, arts center construction is expected in 2016.

SWANKY HOTELS ON THE WAY

BETTER BRIDGES

Downtown Eau Claire will soon be home to two brand new hotels. After a major makeover, The Lismore (opening late 2015) will have a coffe shop, two bars, and a farm-to-table restaurant. Meanwhile The Oxbow, a boutique hotel (opening in 2016) is co-owned by Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon and promises hip rooms, a unique restaurant/bar, and lots of art, live music, and more.

Stretching across the mighty Chippewa River near downtown, the recently “High revamped Bridge” is a fantastic pedestrian and bike crossing, offering a dramatic view of the city’s largest waterway. Find the best access off of Third Street.

Keep up to date: EAU CLAIRE CITY GUIDE

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Keep up with print publications like Volume One or the Leader-Telegram, on TV with WEAU 13 and WQOW 18, or on air with WPR News.

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GETTING

AROUND EAU CLAIRE HAS A LOT TO OFFER, BUT FIRST YOU HAVE TO GET OUT THERE. Luckily, we’re also pretty good at that. Whether you have a car, a bike, or just your own two feet, check here for the scoop on getting around.

TRANSPORTATION 22

BUS ROUTES 24

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TRANSPORTATION WHILE IT’S PRETTY DANG EASY TO WALK OR BIKE to everything you need, sometimes you want to get out of downtown and explore the rest of the city – or at least move a little more quickly in the dead of winter.

OTHER LOCAL TRANSIT OPTIONS: Chippewa Valley Airport Service

(715) 830-9400 www.ChippewaValleyAirportService.com

The CV Airport Service gets you to and from the Minneapolis airport from their west side service station. You can reserve a spot online or by calling.

DELIVERY FIX + TAXI

HOP ON THE BUS!

(715) 835-5853 • info@deliveryfix.com.

The transit system in Eau Claire can get you just about anywhere you need to go. The buses are free to UWEC students and offer reduced passes for CVTC students. Turn the page to check out a map of bus routes.

Door 2 Door Taxi and Transportation

(715) 514-4550 • info@door2doortaxi.com.

Eau Claire Taxi Inc. Eau Claire Bike Cab (715) 559-7327

Pedicabs are bicycle-drawn carriages. In the warmer months, they cover Water Street, Barstow Street, and points in between, Tuesday through Saturday. Call for a ride, or watch for them at large downtown events and late at night (especially around Water Street). Drivers work for tips, so be generous!

DID YOU KNOW? EAU CLAIRE CITY GUIDE

(715) 831-8294 2600 Mercantile Dr., Eau Claire

Limo Cab

(715) 835-1413 2619 E. Clairemont Ave., Eau Claire

Rightway Shuttle Safe Ride (Blue Bus) (715) 210-6791

The Blue Bus offers a cheap, safe ride to students on weekend nights, running Friday and Saturday, 8pm-2:30am for only $2.

Most Eau Claire Transit buses have free Wi-Fi, so get some work (or Facebook) in as you ride.

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Most bus routes shown here, but find a full interactive map at: EauClaireWi.gov/departments/transit

WELCOME TO THE

NEIGHBORHOOD

EVEN IF YOU LIVE ON CAMPUS, you’ll probably (read: you should) make your way out to the neighborhoods that surround UW-Eau Claire.

Here’s a quick rundown>>

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Most neighborhoods have active neighborhood associations that maintain websites, host events, and are there to help.

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1 RANDALL PARK

You will probably refer to this as the “student ghetto” and you’re wrong. The Historic Randall Park Neighborhood is home to thousands of students, but also some of the oldest homes in Eau Claire and plenty of families. Named after the park that sits in the center (with the statue of ol’ Adin Randall himself), this is a nice neighborhood to call home after the res halls.

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THIRD WARD

The Third Ward – creatively named after its voting district – hosts a perfect mix of family homes, students, and young professionals in gorgeously eclectic houses. The neighborhood is known to many students as just a parking lot, but take a walk through and you’ll see a couple of gorgeous parks, community gardens, and more.

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PUTNAM HEIGHTS

Just off upper campus you’ll find Shopko and Wendy’s, but tucked behind that is Putnam Heights, a large residential area that connects the downtown with Eau Claire’s south side. The neighborhood is dotted with ballparks and other sports facilities shared by the university and city.

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DOWNTOWN

Beyond the shops, restaurants, and bars that line Barstow Street are a number of residences. With a generally young population, Downtown has been bustling with new construction and renovations.

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EASTSIDE HILL

Just up the hill from downtown, this is a young family neighborhood mixed with students and young professionals, with access to the city’s bike trails. Boyd Park is one of the city’s most active, with local events all seasons and a basketball court always crawling with pickup games. Watch for their massive thrift sale day in early May.

Find yours through the City of Eau Claire’s website or on Facebook.

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SHOPPING SPENDING AND

WE KNOW YOU’RE NOT A MONEYBAGS OVER THERE. College students are notoriously strapped for cash as they juggle school and jobs, but start here to find the best places to get the essentials – or to treat yourself.

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Where do i GET...

MOVING TO A NEW CITY CAN BE TOUGH, especially figuring out where your regular spots are. We mined our Best of the Chippewa Valley Reader Poll (volumeone.org/bestof) to find the spots locals say you should shop.

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WHERE DO I BUY FOOD?

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3007 Mall Dr., Eau Claire The Midwest chain offers a massive variety of food, including a huge organic section.

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1201 S. Hastings Way, Eau Claire This local co-op recently rebuilt its Hastings store, which offers impressive deli, butcher, and produce sections.

412 R E V I VA L R E C O R D S

WHERE DO I BUY MUSIC?

GORDY’S COUNTY MARKET

Sure you can load up your iTunes, but sometimes it’s nice to talk to a real person and get some new recommendations.

Closest: 1031 Clairemont Ave., Eau Claire This local chain boasts a handful of stores around Eau Claire, including the closest grocery store to upper campus.

REVIVAL RECORDS

BONUS TOWNIE PICK: JUST LOCAL FOOD

1117 S. Farwell St., Eau Claire The downtown co-op offers a variety of locally produced and organic products, including fresh produce, meats, cheeses, and milk. They also have organic cleaning and bath products.

128 S. Barstow St., Eau Claire The downtown record store offers a massive collection of new and used vinyl and used CDs with a friendly staff to boot. They also host occassional all-ages shows and signing events.

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THE LOCAL STORE

AD

205 N. Dewey St., Eau Claire The Local Store offers music from hundreds of local and former local musicians on CD, vinyl, and cassette. Plus lots of in-store performances of all kinds – concerts, readings, art openings, film screenings and more.

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TOWNIE TIP:

The weekend after Thanksgiving is “Small Business Saturday,” and local shops roll out all kinds of great deals.

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WHERE DO I GET MY HAIR CUT?

Luckily for students, all three of the top-rated salons are in easy walking distance of the campus area.

SAYLON SEVEN 314 N. Barstow St., Eau Claire // (715) 836-7771

SAXY SALON 329 Water St., Eau Claire // (715) 830-1000

STARR’S SISTER SALON 412 Water St., Eau Claire // (715) 835-0180

BONUS TOWNIE PICK: CVTC’S SHEAR INSPIRATION

620 W. Clairemont Ave., Eau Claire If you’re looking for a cheap hairdo, check out the salon and spa program at CVTC, where students (with instructor supervision) can save you a buck. Haircuts start at just $6.

WHERE DO I GET MY CAR FIXED? ADAM’S AUTOMOTIVE 2915 Craig Rd., Eau Claire // (715) 834-9861

ATS SERVICE CENTER 1233 W Clairemont Ave., EC // (715) 830-7444

MARKQUART MOTORS 2191 S Prairie View Road, CF // (715) 833-0430

ALSO! The first Friday of every month, downtown businesses stay open later and have special sales.

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WHERE DO I WASH MY CLOTHES?

THE DISTRICT CO.

EAU CLAIRE QUICK CLEAN 901 Water St., Eau Claire

QUEENS DRY CLEANERS 1616 Hastings Way, Eau Claire

LONDON ROAD LAUNDROMAT 2820 London Rd., Eau Claire

WHERE DO I GO TO GAME? THE DISTRICT CO. 305 S. Barstow St., Eau Claire The downtown gaming stop features everything you’d need for card and tabletop games – from Magic: The Gathering to Pokémon – but also has a plethora of video game systems for play.

D20 2207 Fairfax St., Eau Claire The small shop is home to true gamers, offering Dungeons & Dragons games, Magic: The Gathering tournaments, and more.

GAMING GENERATIONS 508 Water St., Eau Claire Gaming Generations is a short walk from campus and can fill all your video game needs with systems, games, and repairs. They also offer cards, dice and other tabletop accessories.

YMCA

WHERE DO I WORK OUT? EAU CLAIRE YMCA 700 Graham Ave., Eau Claire

GOLD’S GYM 3225 Lorch Ave., Eau Claire

HIGHLAND FITNESS 2221 Eastridge Center., Eau Claire

WHERE DO I GO FOR USED STUFF? SAVERS

BONUS TOWNIE PICK:

2833 Mall Dr., Eau Claire

PACK THE PARK

facebook.com/rogcityfitness Local fitness guru Jeff Rogers hosts outdoor group workouts at various parks and schools around Eau Claire. The workouts are casual and fun. Find them on Facebook or

HOPE GOSPEL MISSION BARGAIN CENTER 2511 W. Moholt Dr., Eau Claire

GOODWILL 3605 Gateway Dr., Eau Claire

online for a schedule.

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FOOD DRINK AND

BRING ON THE FRESHMAN FIFTEEN. There’s some darn good food here and someone’s gotta eat it. Whether you’re looking for fancy or cheap, Eau Claire’s got exactly what you want to chow down on.

DATE NIGHT 40

CHEAP EATS 42

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DATE NIGHT THE BEST UPSCALE, DATE-NIGHT RESTAURANTS ACCORDING TO YOU from Volume One’s Best of the Chippewa Valley Reader Poll

The

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JOHNNY’S ITALIAN STEAKHOUSE STEAK / ITALIAN 4751 Owen Ayres Ct., Eau Claire 9 Minute drive from UW-Eau Claire (715) 830-9779

JOHNNY’S ITALIAN STEAKHOUSE IS A SUAVE CHOICE TO IMPRESS YOUR DATE. Inside this upscale, modern Italian eatery you’ll find a 50s era vibe adorned with velvet curtains and Rat Pack music – making for one classy evening out. While famous for its award winning steaks, some other favorites at Johnny’s include the salmon, the bruschetta, and the Mounds Bar dessert to share (wink). If you’re of age, there’s an extensive wine list and cocktail menu from which you can choose your drinks. The atmosphere and the food are well worth the price and make the complete fine dining package for you and your date.

I had a nice dinner here with my parents and significant other a few weeks after they opened.

Although a bit dark, the atmosphere was very nice. Our waitress was pleasant and very knowledgeable about the menu. The prices were in line with what I would expect at a supper-club style steakhouse. We enjoyed our meal so much that we even ordered desert, a rare occurrence!

– cabernetplease

from VolumeOne.org/restaurants

STAFF PICKS EAU CLAIRE CITY GUIDE

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STELLA BLUES 306 E. Madison St., Eau Claire

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Stella’s has a killer seafood selection, with interesting cajun dishes and a great atmosphere (including a patio).

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FLOWER SHOPS

MONA LISA’S RESTAURANT Italian / Seafood

428 Water St., Eau Claire 8 Minute walk from UW-Eau Claire

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YOU WANT TO MAKE A GOOD FIRST IMPRESSION ON THIS ROMANTIC NIGHT? Bring a little something extra from one of these Eau Claire flower shops.

(715) 839-8969

4 SEASONS FLORIST, INC. The interior at Mona Lisa’s is mood lit with deep reds and art lines the walls, but almost more impressive is the outdoor patio – a perfect place for drinks and appetizers for a casual summer date. Pasta and seafood options tend to land in the $12-$20 range, but are well worth the price both in taste and presentation. You can also split pizza. It’s more romantic that way (and a bit cheaper).

HOULIGANS STEAK & SEAFOOD PUB Steak / Seafood

117 W. Grand Ave., Eau Claire (715) 834-2017

AVALON EUROPEAN FLORAL

504 Water St., Eau Claire (715) 838-8880 • flowersbyavalon.com

BRENT DOUGLAS: FLOWERS FOR EVERYDAY

610 S. Barstow St., Eau Claire (715) 831-0997 • brent@brentdouglas.biz

CHIPPEWA VALLEY FLORAL

2734 Mall Dr., Eau Claire (715) 839-ROSE • chippewavalleyfloral.com

EAU CLAIRE FLORAL 415 S. Barstow St., Eau Claire 17 minute walk from UW-Eau Claire

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715-835-6621

DOWNTOWN’S PREMIERE STEAK JOINT has a classic Wisconsin supper club vibe, with a dark, moody atmosphere. If there’s any risk involved with a first date at Houligans, it’s probably that you’d disgust your companion by stuffing your gills with too much delicious, delicious meat.

The steak and burger selection is to die for, but the downtown classic also offers seafood, pasta, other entrees and a full drink menu. The best part? It’s right downtown, so it’s an easy walk from campus and student housing. You’ll have two bridges to go in for that first kiss on. Don’t chicken out (or maybe eat too much of the garlic steak).

BIJOU BISTRO 2629 E. Clairemont Ave.., Eau Claire Bijou started as a catering business, but has expanded with a gorgeous small dining room with a rotating menu.

1824 Brackett Ave., Eau Claire (715) 834-2901 • eauclairefloral.com

FESTIVAL FOODS

3007 Mall Dr., Eau Claire (715) 838-1000 • festfoods.com

GORDY’S COUNTY MARKET

3310 E. Hamilton Ave., Eau Claire (715) 834-3993 • gordyscountymarket.net 2717 Birch St., Eau Claire (715) 836-8246 • gordyscountymarket.net 1031 W. Clairemont Ave., Eau Claire (715) 839-0220 • gordyscountymarket.net

MAY’S FLORAL GARDEN 3424 Jeffers Rd., Eau Claire (715) 836-8220 • maysfloral.net

MEGA CO-OP

1201 S. Hastings Way, Eau Claire (715) 839-5200 • megafoods.com 2615 N. Clairemont Ave., Eau Claire (715) 836-6342 • megafoods.com

WILLOW RIDGE FLORAL

1925 N. 60th Ave., Eau Claire (715) 379-3925 • willowridgefloral.com

CHEAP EATS FAST FOOD CONVERSIONS

OH, YOU LOVE YOUR HOMETOWN FAST FOOD? We’ve got that here too, but you could also try these local joints with the same scrumptious results.

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SMILING MOOSE DELI:

Smiling Moose is a great place for lunch. I shared a large sandwhich and had a side salad.

I like that you can sit outside and see Phoenix Park.

–johnnyboy

Try Acoustic Café, with their massively stacked hoagies and lighter options like pita sandwiches. Acoustic also has a full functioning coffee bar, plenty of fresh baked goods, and live music multiple times a week. You can also check out Smiling Moose Deli, which let’s you walk down the line and choose from their plethora of toppings – or grab one of the biggest salads you’ve ever seen.

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SAVE SOME MONEY:

Our own local burritos-as-big-as-your-head stop is Burrachos, which offers all the Baja fare you need right on Water Street (and up by Target and Walmart). Best part?

They’re open ’til bar close on the weekends. Trust me, those burritos will save your life. If you’re just looking to grab a burrito and run, Water Street’s El Patio Burrito Express serves up quick, late night burritos pumped full of flavor.

A lot of restaurants and business in Eau Claire offer student discounts with your Blugold ID. Doesn’t hurt to ask!

STAFF PICKS EAU CLAIRE CITY GUIDE

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SINGHA THAI 203 N. Barstow St., Eau Claire

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Downtown Eau Claire has a lot of great Thai food, but Singha Thai is consistently at the top of our Best Of poll.

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Court ’n’ House is the quintessential Wisconsin bar and burger place, just about a mile walk from campus. They’ve got limited toppings, but you don’t need much on their beautifully greasy patties. Dooley’s Pub on Water St. offers great burgers as well as delicious cheese curds and they’re close to campus.

COURT ‘N’ HOUSE:

THE BEST BURGERS! This is my first choice for a burger joint. The vegetarian burger and the pepper jack burger are favs. Keep on keepin’ on, Court ‘n House!

–rebekah from VolumeOne.org/restaurants

2812 London Road Eau Claire, WI 54701

IF YOU LIKE DOMINOS...

There’s plenty of great pizza in this town, but if you’re looking for something fast, cheap, and nearby look no further than Buzzy’s. Known for their mac & cheese pizza, you really can’t go wrong with anything, especially when they sell by the slice in the evenings. You can also snag by-the-slice pizza at New York Pizza & Deli, and you should give their lemon pepper fries a go on the side.

NEW YORK PIZZA & DELI

CHICK-A-DEES 1928 3rd St., Eau Claire A classic greasy spoon diner, perfect for getting a cheap breakfast or lunch when you need some comfort food.

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LATE NIGHT SOMETIMES YOU’RE UP WAY TOO LATE INTO THE NIGHT, UM ...

STUDYING. There’s nothing that keeps you going like a little grub, and being a college town, Eau Claire has plenty to offer.

THE PLUS

208 S. Barstow St., Eau Claire The downtown pizza shop is a great all-ages venue, but also serves pizza late into the night, like at their Thursday comedy series. Try their Bacon Smoked Gouda Pizza if you’re looking for something unique.

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... nd

ROUND THE CLOCK PERKINS RESTAURANT

2025 Highland Ave., Eau Claire The 24-hour breakfast and comfort food will be there whenever you need it most, just a quick drive from campus.

ERBERT & GERBERT’S

409 Water St., Eau Claire This local sandwich chain caters to students by being open late into the night/early into the morning – usually until 2am.

WHEN YOU NEED THE FOOD TO COME TO YOU: Late night delivery joints in Eau Claire: BUZZY’S PIZZA EMPORIUM (715) 552-1600 DOMINOS PIZZA (715) 833-3933, (715) 833-3930 ERBERT & GERBERT’S (715) 835-9995 GREEN MILL RESTAURANT & BAR (715) 839-8687 NEW YORK PIZZA & DELI (715) 835-5000 PIZZA HUT & WINGSTREET (715) 834-1004, (715) 834-5346 TOPPERS PIZZA (715) 552-1111, (715) 833-1111

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coffee shops YOU CAN GET A LOT DONE in the library or holed up in your room, but sometimes you just need to get out and work in the quiet bustle of a coffee shop. Luckily, Eau Claire has you covered with plenty of the glorious java right near campus.

RACY D’LENE’S COFFEE LOUNGE

RACY’S IS THE EPITOME OF THE COOL, HIP, COLLEGE COFFEE SHOP. The dark, moody vibe combines vintage, well-worn furniture, trinkets, antiques and art to give the place a comfortable feel that inspires good work. And that’s saying nothing about the coffee (rated the best in the Chippewa Valley for years). You can also snag a sandwich if you’re in for the long haul, which you can be since Racy’s is open as late as midnight most nights.

404 Riverside Ave., Eau Claire 7 min. walk from UW-Eau Claire (715) 834-0000

Wow...what can I say? Traveling near and far for my job I can’t find a latte to die for like I can at Racy’s. I also buy the espresso beans and take them home and brew them myself and am never disappointed. I’m very spoiled now. love the atmosphere, love the coffee, love the food.

It’s like a “best kept secret”... and it’s all mine!

EAU CLAIRE CITY GUIDE

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COFFEE GROUNDS 4212 Southtowne Dr., Eau Claire

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A little out of the way from campus (closer to the mall), Coffee Grounds is still a great place for lunch, studying, or buying beans.

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ACOUSTIC CAFÉ 505 S. Barstow St., Eau Claire 15 min. walk from UW-Eau Claire (715) 832-9090

BRIGHT SUNSHINE FILTERS THROUGH THE WINDOWS ON A SATURDAY OR SUNDAY AT ACOUSTIC CAFÉ, which makes it a perfect place to clear your mind and work – or attempt to. The full coffee bar will bring you in, but the baked goods keep you around and let you power through your essay/Powerpoint/diorama fueled by the power of muffins. Add in a full menu of hoagies, soups, and more and you can stick around all day – or all week.

THE GOAT COFFEE HOUSE 336 Water St., Eau Claire 7 min. walk from UW-Eau Claire (715) 831-4491

SOMETIMES IT’S GOOD TO WORK WITH OTHERS, BUT OFTEN YOU GET THE MOST DONE ALONE. The Goat is the prime place to hunker down with a latte, throw some headphones on, and take care of business. The rows of booths and single tables let you spread your work out all over the place without intruding. The coffee will keep you focused and alert. And, most importantly come finals week, the calming greens and blues will keep you from snapping your pencil in half.

THE FRENCH PRESS 2823 London Road, EC Great for early morning cram sessions, this is the city’s new breakfast hotspot – amazing coffee, insane pastries.

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arts AND

ENTERTAINMENT YOU LOOK LIKE YOU NEED A BREAK FROM STUDYING. Or at least a new soundtrack to get you through the night. Check here for info on what bands to listen to, where to see movies, and where to find inspiration.

LOCAL VISUAL STAGE AND MUSIC ARTS SCREEN 52 58 59 EAU CLAIRE CITY GUIDE 51 VOLUMEONE.ORG/CITYGUIDE

LOCAL MUSIC

WHO TO LISTEN FOR

Eau Claire does pretty well on the music front. Beyond the worldwide acclaim of some of our indie bands and jazz musicians, this city has a little something for everyone. Here’s just a sampling:

S. CAREY

VENUES

SCareyMusic.com For awhile Sean Carey (a UWEC grad) was known only as the drummer for Bon Iver, but he soon came out with his own releases under the moniker S. Carey. The gorgeously composed indie folk perfectly encapsulates Eau Claire, drawing on the natural beauty that surrounds us. While S. Carey has found success outside of our borders, the group (featuring a few Eau Clairians) still performs around Eau Claire on occassion, filling the place whenever they do. If you see this on the calendars, don’t miss it.

EAU CLAIRE CITY GUIDE

205 N. Dewey St. inside The Local Store VolumeOne.org/Store What you’ll see: Local bands, stripped down, musician interviews, book readings (space shown above)

FOR FANS OF: WHERE TO START: Bon Iver, Sufjan Stevens, long “In The Dirt” from walks through the woods All We Grow (2011)

DID YOU KNOW?

THE VOLUME ONE GALLERY

ALL AGES • FREE

Every other year, Eau Claire is host to the World Flute Society Convention, which is actually a pretty big deal, with hundreds flocking here to participate.

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SLOSLYLOVE

sloslylove.bandcamp.com Eau Claire producer Sloslylove makes the grooviest of chill beats, which are perfect for casual hangs at home or losing yourself on the dancefloor.

SAYTH sayth.bandcamp.com

The cerebreal lines of Sayth’s rapping are perfectly matched with his top-notch Eau Claire and Minneapolis production, creating a lush hip-hop product.

ADELYN ROSE

adelynrose.bandcamp.com The indie darlings of Eau Claire have found some national success with their intricate yet relaxed indie rock that finds inspiration in folk, jazz and ambient.

ARMS ALOFT

armsaloft.bandcamp.com Arms Aloft are the definitive punk band in Eau Claire with hard-hitting lyrics, sweltering guitar licks, and an unextinguishable DIY spirit to boot.

THE HEART PILLS

theheartpills.bandcamp.com This jangly, western-rock group puts on one of the best shows in Eau Claire with high energy songs full of quirk, humor, and plenty of rock ’n roll.

Prolific songwriter Will Jennings was a UW-Eau Claire professor for a short time. The lyricist penned some Grammy-nominated tunes, including “My Heart Will Go On,” “Higher Love,” and “Tears In Heaven.”

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FOR FANS OF: Washed Out, Toro Y Moi, lasers, the beach WHERE TO START: “Bedroom” from The Haunted (2014)

FOR FANS OF: WHY?, Earl Sweatshirt, Pokemon Blue Version WHERE TO START: “Eating Alone” from Bad Habitat (2014)

FOR FANS OF: St. Vincent, Sufjan Stevens, crying onto your vintage record player WHERE TO START: “Let The Right One In” from Ordinary Fantasy (2014)

FOR FANS OF: The Gaslight Anthem, Blink 182, moshing with a Sharpie-d ‘X’ on your hand WHERE TO START: “Skinny Love” from Sawdust City (2012)

FOR FANS OF: Modest Mouse, The B-52s, swing dancing while headbanging WHERE TO START: “Concrete” from Gunfighter (2014)

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ALL The Eau Claire area loves a big music festival – especially in the summertime. Between our long-running country and rock festivals and a pair of newcomers - Eaux Claires and Blue Ox – there’s a lot in store for every music lover.

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Location: Foster Farm, Eau Claire When: July Year founded: 2015 Average attendance: 22,000 Music: Everything from indie to hip-hop to country and folk. Recent headliners include Bon Iver, The National, and Sufjan Stevens.

Web: eauxclaires.com

Age FRE

COUNTRY JAM

COUNTRY FEST

COUNTRY JAM

ROCK FEST

BLUE OX

Location: Festival grounds, Cadott When: June Year founded: 1987 Average attendance: 20,000 Music: Modern country. Recent headliners include Tim McGraw, Keith Urban, and Toby Keith.

Web: countryfest.com

Location: Foster Farm, Eau Claire When: July Year founded: 1990 Average attendance: 24,000 Music: Modern country. Recent headliners include Blake Shelton, Eric Church, and Lady Antebellum.

Web: countryjamwi.com

Location: Festival grounds, Cadott When: July Year founded: 1994 Average attendance: 20,000 Music: Metal, hard rock, and classic rock. Recent headliners include Shinedown, Judas Priest, and Aerosmith.

Web: rock-fest.com

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Location: Whispering Pines, Eau Claire When: Usually June Year founded: 2015 Average attendance: 3,500 Music: Modern and tradtitional bluegrass. Recent headliners include Yonder Mountain String Band, Pert Near Sandstone, and Del McCoury.

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MORE VENUES ACOUSTIC CAFE 505 S. Barstow St. TheAcoustic.com What you’ll see: Local bands, folk, singer-songwriters, jazz, bluegrass ALL AGES • FREE

THE CABIN Davies Center

HOUSE + BASEMENT SHOWS

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THE MOUSETRAP 311 S. Barstow St.

HOUSE OF ROCK 422 Water St. House-Of-Rock.com

Facebook.com/Mouse-Trap

What you’ll see: Local bands, folk, indie rock, jazz, small touring acts

What you’ll see: Local bands, metal, indie rock, alt rock, hip hop, improv comedy, small to mid-sized touring acts

What you’ll see: Local bands, folk, bluegrass, indie rock, funk, open mics, small to midsized touring acts

ALL AGES • FREE

21+ • FREE-$10

21+ • FREE

THE PLUS 208 S. Barstow St.

REVIVAL RECORDS

THE STATE THEATRE 316 Eau Claire St.

UWEC.edu/StuSen/UAC

PizzaPlusEauClaire.com What you’ll see: Local bands, jazz, funk, open mics, comedy, hip-hop Ages depend on show • FREE-$10

128 S. Barstow St. Revival Records.com

EauClaireArts.com What you’ll see: National touring acts, folk, bluegrass, country, comedy

What you’ll see: Local bands, stripped down, indie rock, folk, small touring acts

ALL AGES • $20-$50

ALL AGES • FREE

M UWEC’S JAZZ I AT JAZZ FEST

ALL THAT JAZZ UW-Eau Claire and Eau Claire’s high schools have extensive and successful jazz programs, creating a great scene of jazz in the area. Look out for Eau Claire’s Jazz Fest in spring of 2015, where an entire stretch of downtown turns into a collection of historically themed jazz venues. Can’t wait ’til then? Check out jazz every Friday and Saturday nights at Shanghai Bistro or other weekly jazz nights around the area.

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JOSH SCOTT OF AERO FLYNN AT THE HOUSE OF ROCK.

THE GRADUATES

Eau Claire’s been fortunate to have a number of bands make it on the big stage. You may not see them play around here often (though many of them still live here), but their hometown stays close to their hearts.

AERO FLYNN

BON IVER

From the ashes of legendary Eau Claire band Amateur Love comes Aero Flynn, a terrific indie rock band headed up by Josh Scott.

Now based in Minneapolis, the band’s debut record is infectious and they’re quickly gaining fans all over the world.

The Eau Claire powerhouse is Bon Iver.

Fronted by local resident (and UWEC grad) Justin Vernon, the band has found international fame, winning two Grammys and selling out some of the most revered venues and festivals in the world.

FIELD REPORT

Volcano Choir pairs Justin Vernon with Milwaukee post-rockers Collections Of Colonies Of Bees for epic, full rock music.

VOLCANO CHOIR

UWEC grad Chris Porterfield’s Milwaukeebased band has found big success, releasing two albums of delicious folk-rock and doing huge national tours.

SHOUTING MATCHES

Vernon’s most local project with two former local dudes is a meandering take on blues with a hint of Southern rock, rockabilly and bluegrass.

RYAN OLSON

The Minneapolis-based producer is the brains behind Poliça, Solid Gold, GAYNGS, Marijuana Deathsquads and a number of Twin Cities hip-hop acts.

APRIL BASE

Justin Vernon’s studio just east of Eau Claire is host to scores of musicians every year, includ ing local favorites and national names like Sylva n Esso, Sufjan Stevens, and The National.

POLIÇA

The band features Eau Claire native Drew Christopherson behind the kit and features songs cowritten and produced by Ryan Olson.

DID YOU KNOW? EAU CLAIRE CITY GUIDE

There are 44,026,467 views on the top two YouTube versions of Bon Iver’s “Skinny Love” combined.

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the many rts.

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VISUAL ARTS SOME PEOPLE SEE ART EVERYWHERE, and in Eau Claire that’s actually not that hard. The city is littered with public art on city streets, in parks, and in local galleries and businesses. Whether you’re looking to expand your mind or just get a little inspiration, here’s where to go:

THE INK & PAPER SALE AT THE VOLUME ONE GALLERY November-December every year

Galaudet Gallery 618 S. Farwell St.

JANET CARSON GALLERY 316 Eau Claire St.

GalaudetGallery.yolasite.com

EauClaireArts.com

What you’ll see: Touring fine art, local artists

What you’ll see: Regional fine and modern art

Foster Gallery 121 Water St. (Haas Fine Arts)

TANGLED UP IN HUE 416 S. Barstow St.

uwec.edu/art

TangledUpInHue.com

What you’ll see: Touring shows, student & faculty art

What you’ll see: Local arts/ crafts, usable art

EC PUBLIC LIBRARY 400 Eau Claire St.

VOLUME ONE GALLERY 205 N. Dewey St.

ECPublicLibrary.info

VolumeOne.org/store

What you’ll see: Local artists, collaborative shows

What you’ll see: Local prints, posters, & fine art

The Sculpture Tour Eau Claire brings a new set of sculptures to Eau Claire every year, with dozens lining Water Street, Barstow Street, and other locations downtown. The tour generally runs year-round and favorite sculptures are purchased by the city or local businesses to stay here in town. Find out more at SculptureTour.org.

Every year the Banbury Art Crawl features scores of local artists who gather in the old tire factory to show off their goods.

The artisans bring everything from paintings and sculptures to furniture and home goods. Usually the event takes place in February. Learn more at BanburyArtCrawl.com.

TOWNIE TIP:

There’s a small, hidden art gallery on Water Street, between Third and Fourth Streets. You can get the key by asking at The Joynt, 322 Water St.

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STAGE + SCREEN A SPECIAL BLACK BOX-STYLE SHOW AT THE STATE THEATRE.

CLEAR WATER COMEDY Eau Claire is home to an exploding standup comedy scene, centered around The Plus on Barstow Street. The Tuesday night open mic is a great place to see up and comers (or try some bits yourself), and on Thursday nights you can check out touring and local comic showcases presented by Clear Water Comedy.

You’ll also find a couple of super fun annual events throughout the year featuring our homegrown comedians.

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EAU CLAIRE HAS A VAST THEATER SCENE, supported by both the university and local community theater groups. The two major community groups in town are the Chippewa Valley Theatre Guild and the Eau Claire Children’s Theatre. Both produce shows of all sizes for audiences of all ages. Interested in participating? Throw ‘em a name and keep an eye out for local auditions.

CHIPPEWA VALLEY THEATRE GUILD

EAU CLAIRE CHILDREN’S THEATRE

Main theater: Grand Theatre 102 W. Grand St., Eau Claire www.cvtg.org

Main theater: The Oxford Theater 1814 N. Oxford Ave., Eau Claire www.ecct.org

The Eau Claire Downtown Cinema releases movies a little after everyone else in town, but at a greatly reduced price which gives you a little more flexibility. They’ve also just recently renovated the place to accomodate more seating, and they serve pizza and other food to enjoy with your film.

One benefit of staying in Eau Claire over your summers is enjoying the balmy evenings. A perfect way to do that is to check out a flick outdoors at the Gemini Drive-In. The oldfashioned outdoor theater has some food stands, or bring your own picnic for a perfect summer night.

DID YOU KNOW? EAU CLAIRE CITY GUIDE

UNIQUE THEATERS Downtown Cinema 315 S. Barstow St. (715) 874-7000 (movie hotline) (715) 832-3355 (box office)

Gemini Drive-In Highway 12 & I-94 (715) 874-5101 (box office)

UW-Eau Claire hosts an outdoor free movie series all summer long on the lawn by Haas Fine Arts, featuring new and old films.

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recreation

outdoors AND

THERE’S NOTHING LIKE THE GREAT OUTDOORS. And Eau Claire’s outdoors are really great. Whether you just want a place to sit out and tan or you’re looking for your next centennial trail ride, check out the ammenities here.

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EAU CLAIRE PARKS chippew

3rd St

7th St

N. Eddy St

IF YOU’RE A LAY-IN-THE-GRASS STUDIER OR A THROW-THE-FRISBEEAROUND KINDA PERSON, Eau Claire’s parks should have what you’re looking for. A bunch of parks right around campus offer a variety of amenities and spaces that show off Eau Claire’s natural beauty.

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For more information on city parks, check out the City Of Eau Claire’s website, eauclairewi.gov.

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The strip of land along First Avenue has tennis courts, a bandshell with live music, and a playground. Among the trees you’ll find plenty of space for yoga, frisbee, and even a healthy scene of live action role play (LARPing). The Chippewa Valley State Trail cuts right through as well.

The large forest in the middle of the city is best known by students as the place where the Blugolds play football, but it has much more than that. Half Moon Lake is a quiet place for boating and fishing, and there are multiple trail systems that let you get out of civilization for a bit.

It’s also home to a gorgeous baseball stadium, home of the Eau Claire Express.

Named after city forefather Adin Randall, Randall Park (which is also the namesake of the neighborhood it sits in) occupies a square block between Third and Fourth Streets. It’s a small, quiet space with lots of shade, perfect for reading or studying.

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Carson Park

Mt. Simon Park

Another park that feels like it’s much further out of the city, the hike up Mt. Simon gives the premiere view of the city. Mt. Simon is also host to one of Eau Claire’s disc golf courses and probably some of the best cliff jumping in the region.

Phoenix Park

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The relatively new park in downtown Eau Claire sits at the confluence of the Eau Claire and Chippewa Rivers and is home to the weekly Downtown Farmers Market. The park offers gorgeous views of the rivers, a labyrinth with occasional live music and the best place to kick off a tubing expedition.

Putnam Trail

The trail kicks off right behind the Davies Center parking lot and continues roughly a mile into the heart of the Third Ward Neighborhood. The wooded area is perfect for a secluded romantic walk and ends right next to Demmler Park.

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kubb AS LEGEND TELLS IT, the friendly and strategic game of “kubb” originated thousands of years ago when surly Vikings played it with the skulls and femurs of their enemies. This can’t be proved, but it adds a certain mystique to a game most often played at barbecues and picnics.

WHAT WE KNOW FOR SURE IS THAT KUBB (PRONOUNCED “KOOB”) IS AN INDIE LAWN SPORT – huge in Sweden and other parts of Europe – played with batons and blocks of wood instead of bone. Over the past decade, kubb has taken root in Eau Claire, which is the official “Kubb Capital of North America.” All year long it’s played in backyards and at schools across the city, but things really heat up in July when the U.S. National Kubb Championship sprawls across the Eau Claire Soccer Park – a

two-day battle attracting hundreds of players from around the country. And there’s no experience necessary – every year novices have a blast competing at the Championship, learning on the fly as they dive into the kubb community. Fun fact: an Eau Claire team took 2nd place in the World Championships held in Sweden in summer 2014. We live and breathe kubb around here, so get to know it!

Learn more and find official rules at USAKubb.org and WisconsinKubb.com

Put simply, it’s an addictive outdoor game perfect for casual and competitive players alike.

WHERE CAN I BUY A KUBB SET?

THE US NATIONAL KUBB CHAMPIONSHIP, Eau Claire, WI

Kubb sets can be purchased in Eau Claire at The Local Store (205 N. Dewey Street). Or if you don’t mind paying hefy shipping, go online at jpsbackyardgames.com and oldtimegames.com

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CYCLING CULTURE BIKES ARE PERFECT FOR GETTING AROUND TOWN, but is also one of the best ways to relax around the Chippewa Valley. With miles of trails, take the ol’ two-wheeler out for a nice leisurely ride – or join a race and let out some stress.

THE CHIPPEWA RIVER STATE TRAIL cuts right through Eau Claire, connecting to campus by Haas Fine Arts and the footbridge. It stretches toward Owen Park, or behind Water Street. Take the Owen Park direction for a more urban, city bike ride that takes you through neighborhoods and past shops and old factories. Take the route down Water Street to get out of town fast and into some gorgeous terrain along the Chippewa River.

IT’S THE LAW

BIKE LAWS VARY BY STATE AND CITY, SO HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW TO RIDE SAFELY IN EAU CLAIRE:

Cyclists must obey all traffic laws, including stoplights and stop signs • At night, bikers should have a forward-facing head lamp • Cyclists should never be attached to a motor vehicle to hitch a free ride • Don’t be an idiot. Wear a helmet.

THE VALLEYCAT Every year, cyclists from around the area gather in Eau Claire for a race that doesn’t take place on trails or a track, but on the live streets of the city. The scavenger hunt style trek takes you all over, picking up clues at checkpoints and finding your own way to the finish line. Check out more details at ValleyCat.org.

Did you know?

Many trails around the Chippewa Valley are the result of the Rails To Trails program, which converts unused rail tracks into multipurpose trails.

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WINTER FUN THE WISCONSIN WINTER CAN BE BRUTAL, but we’re ready for it.

Eau Claire’s winters are chock-full of awesome stuff to do – inside and outside. Here’s just a few ideas of how to beat cabin fever and keep your energy up all winter long.

THE EAU CLAIRE CURLING CLUB Curling is a perfect sport for winter. You’re inside, but still have a bit of the winter chill out on the ice. Eau Claire’s Curling Club has been around for over 100 years and offers leagues that range from newbie to advanced – and they provide everything you need. Check out Facebook.com/ECCurlingClub for more info.

SILVER MINE SKI JUMPING

WINTER AFTER HOURS

Every Thursday throughout the winter, the Eau Claire Parks & Rec Deparment and Volume One host a winter gathering at Boyd Park with ice skating, snowshoeing, kubb, hot chocolate, huge snow sculptures, and more. You can find more info at VolumeOne.org/winter.

World-class ski jumpers gather in Eau Claire every year for the Silver Mine Invitational, which has expanded into a full blown winter festival with pond hockey, live music, bon fires, and of course plenty of ski jumping. It’s usually held in January, so look for more details at EC-SkiClub.com.

TOWNIE TIP

The Pinehurst Park Project is actively converting an old sledding hill into a legit winter park for snowboarding, tubing, downhill skiing, and cross-country skiing. More: PinehurstPark.org

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SUMMER FUN SOME STUDENTS BAIL IN THE SUMMER, heading home around the state and region. Those students must not know what they’re missing out on.

TUBING DOWN THE RIVER THE EAU CLAIRE SUMMER CAN BE A HOT ONE and there’s no better way to cool off than to hit the cool river on an inflatable inner tube. The lackadaisical jaunt from Phoenix Park to Putnam Rock takes at most a couple hours, perfect time to get some tan and catch up with friends.

TUBING TIPS MUSIC. AND LOTS MORE MUSIC. Between weekly outdoor music series like Tuesday Night Blues, Municipal Band Wednesdays, Volume One’s Sounds Like Summer Series on Thursdays (above), and major festivals like Eaux Claires, Country Jam, Rock Fest, and Country Fest, there’re plenty of tunes to be heard in an Eau Claire summer.

THE EAU CLAIRE EXPRESS play all summer right in Carson Park, featuring advanced college ball players from around the country – including some future pros. Games are dirt cheap and tons of fun.

1 Buy tubes early

Many places around campus sell out or drive up the price closer to good weather.

2

Wear some kind of shoes

Whether they’re old sneakers, wet socks, or something else. The bottom of the river can be sharp with rocks and debris.

3

Avoid high water

After the snow melts the river usually floods a bit, so beware of river conditions and check the City of Eau Claire’s Facebook page or website for warnings.

4

Don’t be stupid

Yes, you absolutely can get an underage on the river. Yes, the rivers can be dangerous if you’re not paying attention.

And no, you shouldn’t just litter.

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