Ranting about the elections in Wisconsin and Minnesota, referendum questions and money in politics.

Ranting about the elections in Wisconsin and Minnesota, referendum questions and money in politics.

Listener conversations about the days events in and around the La Crosse area.  Weekdays from 5-6pm on WIZM 1410AM and 92.3FM

La Crosse Talk PM WIZM

Rick Solem talks about the days events in and around the La Crosse area. Weekdays from 5:07-6pm on 1410 WIZM

Rick Solem talks about the days events in and around the La Crosse area. Weekdays from 5:07-6pm on 1410 WIZM

WIZM - La Crosse

Ranting about the election

How much work goes into getting Mt. La Crosse ready for another ski season?

General Manager Darcie Briedel and Ski Patrol member Keachen Abing stopped in studio to talk about the behind-the-scenes work of preparing the mountain for winter — plus a new youth program that will give kids the chance to learn to ski for free.

Briedel and Abing discuss everything from making snow, and the costs involved,, to what it takes to become a Ski Patrol member — with members like Toddy Hilby being so over the hill he usually needs others on Ski Patrol to also rescue him on calls.

The two also break down their first-of-its-kind Learn to Ski for Free program in Wisconsin, which won La Crosse SOUP last month and is getting additional support from the La Crosse Community Foundation to get 200 fourth graders outside and on the slopes.

Lastly, we hit on the annual Ski and Snowboard Swap this Saturday and Sunday at Mt. La Crosse.

In this conversation:
Getting ready for winter: How snowmaking works, why humidity matters, the costs involved and what it takes to get the mountain ready for opening day.
Fourth-grade ski program: How the new program will work, why fourth grade was chosen and how families can sign up.
La Crosse SOUP: How the Ski Patrol pitched its idea, won $2,378 and secured additional community support.
Ski and Snowboard Swap: What to expect November 7-8 and how families can find affordable equipment.
Beyond the hill: How Ski Patrol volunteers help with emergency preparedness and community safety throughout the year.
Life on the mountain: What Mt. La Crosse offers outside ski season, including uphill running events, yoga, Pilates and weddings.

How much work goes into getting Mt. La Crosse ready for another ski season?
General Manager Darcie Briedel and Ski Patrol member Keachen Abing stopped in studio to talk about the behind-the-scenes work of preparing the mountain for winter &mdash; plus a new youth program that will give kids the chance to learn to ski for free.
Briedel and Abing discuss everything from making snow, and the costs involved,, to what it takes to become a Ski Patrol member &mdash; with members like Toddy Hilby being so over the hill he usually needs others on Ski Patrol to also rescue him on calls.
The two also break down their first-of-its-kind Learn to Ski for Free program in Wisconsin, which won La Crosse SOUP last month and is getting additional support from the La Crosse Community Foundation to get 200 fourth graders outside and on the slopes.
Lastly, we hit on the annual Ski and Snowboard Swap this Saturday and Sunday at Mt. La Crosse.
In this conversation:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Getting ready for winter: How snowmaking works, why humidity matters, the costs involved and what it takes to get the mountain ready for opening day.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Fourth-grade ski program: How the new program will work, why fourth grade was chosen and how families can sign up.</li>
<li aria-level="1">La Crosse SOUP: How the Ski Patrol pitched its idea, won $2,378 and secured additional community support.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Ski and Snowboard Swap: What to expect November 7-8 and how families can find affordable equipment.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Beyond the hill: How Ski Patrol volunteers help with emergency preparedness and community safety throughout the year.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Life on the mountain: What Mt. La Crosse offers outside ski season, including uphill running events, yoga, Pilates and weddings.</li>
</ul>

Getting Mt. La Crosse ready for ski season — and helping 4th graders hit the slopes

What happens in an elementary school when Halloween rolls around?

According to Southern Bluffs music teacher Jill Schams, there's a lot of planning around keeping kids focused — especially with a full moon, late-night Brewers games and trick-or-treating all happening in the same week.

Hopped up on candy, worried about their costumes, a lot of distractions but Schams says they find a way to keep kids focused. Sticking with Halloween, we also discussed how old is too old to trick-or-treat and what kind of things are families handing out this year — Ramen noodles? 

There was some school-related conversation, as well, including the debate over private-school vouchers and public education funding. Schams points out that La Crosse spends nearly $3 million in taxpayer money for private-school vouchers while the public school district faces a budget deficit of about the same amount.

She is also asked about student performance, declining enrollment and the value of music and arts education.

Also in the conversation:


Halloween at school: Why some schools allow costumes and others don't, and how teachers plan around the distractions.


The voucher debate: Why Schams believes taxpayer money should go to public schools — or that private schools receiving public funds should follow the same rules.


School funding: The impact of rising costs and a lack of new state funding on staffing, class sizes and programs.


The budget surplus: How extra state money could help school districts, including rural communities.


Student performance: La Crosse's reading scores and graduation rate, and why Schams says test scores don't tell the whole story.

What happens in an elementary school when Halloween rolls around?
According to Southern Bluffs music teacher Jill Schams, there's a lot of planning around keeping kids focused &mdash; especially with a full moon, late-night Brewers games and trick-or-treating all happening in the same week.
Hopped up on candy, worried about their costumes, a lot of distractions but Schams says they find a way to keep kids focused. Sticking with Halloween, we also discussed how old is too old to trick-or-treat and what kind of things are families handing out this year &mdash; Ramen noodles?&nbsp;
There was some school-related conversation, as well, including the debate over private-school vouchers and public education funding. Schams points out that La Crosse spends nearly $3 million in taxpayer money for private-school vouchers while the public school district faces a budget deficit of about the same amount.
She is also asked about student performance, declining enrollment and the value of music and arts education.
Also in the conversation:
<ul data-spread="false">
<li>
Halloween at school: Why some schools allow costumes and others don't, and how teachers plan around the distractions.
</li>
<li>
The voucher debate: Why Schams believes taxpayer money should go to public schools &mdash; or that private schools receiving public funds should follow the same rules.
</li>
<li>
School funding: The impact of rising costs and a lack of new state funding on staffing, class sizes and programs.
</li>
<li>
The budget surplus: How extra state money could help school districts, including rural communities.
</li>
<li>
Student performance: La Crosse's reading scores and graduation rate, and why Schams says test scores don't tell the whole story.
</li>
</ul>

Teaching elementary school during Halloween week isn't easy

Mac Kiel joins the show to preview the latest in La Crosse city government, including two competing proposals to create a city administrator — one from Mayor Shaundel Washington-Spivey and another from council members Aaron Newberry and Larry Sleznikow. The proposals take different approaches to who would oversee the administrator, how the position would work and whether voters could weigh in through a referendum.

We also get into the city's decision to end its Flock camera contract, the questions that remain about the cost and what comes next, plus early discussions about a possible sauna and campground near Houska Park and the latest on a proposed public market.

To start the show though, we have a little fun with Halloween coming up and what should and shouldn't go in your trick-or-treat bag.

On the show:


City administrator showdown: What separates the mayor's proposal from the council members' charter ordinance — and what happens next?


Flock cameras: Public opposition helped push the city toward ending its contract, but questions remain about the costs and the future of license plate surveillance.


City budget: The latest on the proposed property tax increase and the next opportunity for public input.


Sauna and campground: La Crosse is considering an early-stage concept for a new city-run outdoor facility near Houska Park.


Public market: A new feasibility study could help determine whether the idea makes sense for La Crosse.

Kiel is a former La Crosse City Council member, who is an advocate for providing the public with what is happening with city government. She also serves on some city boards and works with the unsheltered population.

Mac Kiel joins the show to preview the latest in La Crosse city government, including two competing proposals to create a city administrator &mdash; one from Mayor Shaundel Washington-Spivey and another from council members Aaron Newberry and Larry Sleznikow. The proposals take different approaches to who would oversee the administrator, how the position would work and whether voters could weigh in through a referendum.
We also get into the city's decision to end its Flock camera contract, the questions that remain about the cost and what comes next, plus early discussions about a possible sauna and campground near Houska Park and the latest on a proposed public market.
To start the show though, we have a little fun with Halloween coming up and what should and shouldn't go in your trick-or-treat bag.
On the show:
<ul data-spread="false">
<li>
City administrator showdown: What separates the mayor's proposal from the council members' charter ordinance &mdash; and what happens next?
</li>
<li>
Flock cameras: Public opposition helped push the city toward ending its contract, but questions remain about the costs and the future of license plate surveillance.
</li>
<li>
City budget: The latest on the proposed property tax increase and the next opportunity for public input.
</li>
<li>
Sauna and campground: La Crosse is considering an early-stage concept for a new city-run outdoor facility near Houska Park.
</li>
<li>
Public market: A new feasibility study could help determine whether the idea makes sense for La Crosse.
</li>
</ul>
Kiel is a former La Crosse City Council member, who is an advocate for <a href="https://www.facebook.com/MacKielforCityCouncil">providing the public&nbsp;</a>with what is happening with city government. She also serves on some city boards and works with the unsheltered population.

Ranting about the election

WIZM - La Crosse

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