Don and his accomplice scouted a trail in "The Wells" for our snowshoe
hike on Thursday night.  They reported that we will be on cross-country
trails, snowshoes trails, bushwhacked trails (head light recommended),
deer trails, old roads, and hills (poles recommended).  They think it
will be about 1˝ hours long; it took them longer, but they made a few
wrong turns.  The Wells have raspberries and prickery ash, so your best
jacket it not advised.  We will need to be careful not the step on any
to the cross-country striding tracks

We will meet at 5:30 in the parking lot by one of the pumping
stations.  This parking lot is on the right side of Riverview after
getting off the North Crossing.  It is just before you would get to the
Island Parking lot in Riverside Park.

Call 831-6210 if questions.

Hopefully the snow will be good enough to snowshoe on New Year's
Eve.  Meet in the Action City parking lot.  We will start along the
fence near the Expo Center and snowshoe on the mountain bike trails
in Lowes Creek Park.  Even if you don't have snowshoes, come anyway.
The trails are walkable in boots.

Afterwards we will go to Ken and Gerri's for a pot luck.  Their
address is 4534 Kensington Court, Eau Claire.  They live on a cul de
sac almost across from Pine Meadows Golf Course and Fairfax Park.
Questions call Gerri at 835-1181 or Gloria or Don at 831-6210.

There were 11 people who participated in the walk/white elephant
exchange at our house on Tuesday, December 23.  At first we had only
9, but then Mark and his son Adam showed up.  They had been visiting
our neighbors (i.e. got the wrong house).  Mark wondered why we
hadn't even shoveled our walk.

We started down East Hamilton and then cut through the neighborhood
eventually crossing Prill Road.  Our route then took us behind Wal-
Mart and by the dog park.  After that we continued on through the
overpass under Hwy. 53, and up and over the "hill" by Buffalo Wild
Wings.  We finished by walking up the "hill" on Golf Road and taking
Oakwood Parkway back to our home.  So unlike Gerri's walk, we did do
a couple of "hills".

Everyone brought something and we had a delightful meal to recover
the calories we burned on our almost 4-mile, hour and a half walk.

Then Miss Santa (Alayna; i.e. Gerry and Ken's granddaughter) put on
the Santa hat and passed out the white elephant gifts.  Several
people actually received things they liked and could use.  Adam (who
is training to be in the Green Berets and carries a back pack filled
with 50 lbs. of kitty litter and whatever else he can find to get it
to that weight) when he walks with us was gifted with a five-bottle
liquor dispensor.  I'm sure he's going to use it to dispense body
building drinks.  Mark received a glow-in-the dark headband that he
is going to wear to spinning class.  Ken really liked the pink towels
he got.  He was glad no one wanted to steal them.  Alayna got a mixed
package of soaps and lotions.  She wasn't going to let anyone steal
that.  Carol was #1 and everyone kept stealing her gifts.  In spite
of her being able to have the last pick, I don't think she ended up
with much of a treasure.

Anyway, I think everyone had a good time.  Those who came were Gerri,
Ken, Alayna, Sharon, Doug, Carol, Mark and Adam, Mark our neighbor,
and Don and I.

Thanks for coming.  It was a fun evening.

EDITED

From: Linda Walsh <lindawalsh45@...>
Hello Everyone,
Several weeks ago I sent out a note referring to the Keil Birch Creek
Reserve Project. I am forwarding information I received from Dave
Karis updating the status of the project at this time. Please scroll
down, and check out the latest figures. We are happy to say we're
halfway there. It's really exciting to see the momentum building. We
hope you will consider joining us to preserve this property.
Happy Holidays!
Linda


Date: Tue, 23 Dec 2008 19:02:40 -0600
From: KarisD@...

Dear Friends, Neighbors and Colleagues,

We are attempting to give the Menomonie Community this nature
preserve as a gift to future generations that will make Menomonie
their home. This gift enhances the quality of life and the quality of
water in our community forever!

Information regarding the Keil Birch Creek Preservation Project:
http://groups.google.com/group/birch-creek-preserve

Enjoy and Happy Holidays!     David Karis


We have 7 days to finalize this project and only need $20,650 to make
it happen. We are personally reaching out to neighbors, friends,
relatives and the business community to make the Keil Birch Creek
Preservation a reality for the Menomonie Community!


We've made great progress from the original $300,000 price tag back
in March of this year. We have successfully been awarded a
stewardship grant through the DNR for $144,500 with the help of Rick
Gauger and West Wisconsin Land Trust. (The press release for the
grant is attached). The current owners, Ray and Jan Keil, (a former
professor at Stout) have agreed to donate $100,000. This leaves us
with a $47,300 balance to finalize this project. Our neighborhood
group met December 7th at Pinewood Golf to discuss options for
raising the funds. Since that meeting we have raised $26,650 leaving
us with $20,650 to raise by December 30, 2008 in order to close this
project on December 31, 2008. Checks are coming in daily as people
find out about this critical preservation project that enhances the
quality of life and the quality of water in the Menomonie community!
Every neighbor that I speak with about this project that has raised
their family in Birch Creek, Woodland Terrace and River Heights has
either spent time walking or playing in these woods or their children
have. Now is the time to insure that this gift will be available to
their grandchildren and many future generations of families in the
Menomonie community.


This is an opportunity to truly give a gift that keeps on giving
forever! The perfect gift … a nature preserve for people to escape
the daily stresses of life. A place in the neighborhood to go for a
walk or take your grandchild fishing and exploring! As Joe Hagaman
says, "No gas used - environmental impact zero." And I would add to
that—no cost and extremely convenient at the end of River Heights
Road. Hoffman Hills is great. But it takes gas and time to get there
and I probably won't ride my bike there very often. This nature
preserve is available by walking or easily riding your bike. The Red
Cedar State Trail and Hoffman Hills are critical natural assets to
the Menomonie Community. Keil's Birch Creek Preserve is just as
critical and future generations will appreciate the legacy and
stewardship that we've shown by preserving it!


Thanks again for your consideration! Please contact me with any
questions. If you or anyone you know can assist us in reaching this
goal, please forward this to them. Together, we can raise the last
$20,650 in 7 days     to make this nature preserve a reality…a
beautiful Christmas gift to the people of Menomonie and future
generations that will call Menomonie their home!

David Karis
Assistant Director of Operations
University Centers
University of Wisconsin Stout
206 Memorial Student Center
Menomonie, WI 54751
715-232-5831
karisd@...

The weather is supposed to be mild on Friday.  Would anyone like to ski
at Levis Mound Friday morning?

Meet at Altoona Family Restaurant for breakfast 7 AM.  Then head for
Levis Mound.

I have room and ski rack space for three people to ride with me.
Hopefully we will have enough skiers to fill more than one car.

Ski in the morning, sack lunch in the heated lodge at the park, back to
EC by mid afternoon.

Day pass at Levis Mound is $8

See you Friday morning.

Paul Peltier

John Henry Faulk's Christmas Story.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1115979&sc=emaf


--
War is not the Answer!

Our address is 3728 Alf Avenue.  Phone is 821-6210.  We will have
a "white elephant" gift exchange after the walk this week, but don't
feel that you can't come walk if you forget to bring a "white elephant"
gift.  I will provide soup, and Miss Santa will be here to help us with
the "white elephant" gift exchange.

Last week we walked from Gerri's house.  She has been busy so hasn't
had a lot of time to write about her walk.  I do think everyone should
ask her about the "hill" we walked though.

Also, Don and I and Linda Slowiak drove to Menomonie Thursday to
participate in the Christmas Lights Bike Tour put on by Pete and Julie
at Bad Cat Cycles.  I was a little apprehensive about going, but ended
up having a great time.  Joe Cuhel showed up too.  I believe Julie will
be doing a write-up on their successful event.

Hope to see you Thursday.

Gloria

Email me at neldon5352@... or call 831-6210
I plan to leave about 4:30.
Don

Because of the Thursday "bike to see the lights" in Menomonie, we will
walk on Tuesday this week.  See Paul's prior email for information on
the Menomonie event.

On Tuesday, meet in the parking lot at the corner of Farwell Street and
Gray Street (across from the Unitarian church) in Eau Claire.
Tentative plans are to walk through Putnam Drive, depending on weather
conditions.  If Putnam Drive isn't walkable, we'll most likely walk on
the bike trail.  Those wanting to socialize afterwards can head to the
Acoustic Cafe.

Any questions, call Don or Gloria at 831-6210.  If walking conditions
are extremely icy, plans could change.

Hello,

This email message is a notification to let you know that
a file has been uploaded to the Files area of the ECPieRiders
group.

   File        : /09 EC Winter Biking Brochure.pdf
   Uploaded by : neldony5352 <neldon5352@...>
   Description : 08 EC Transit Winter Biking

You can access this file at the URL:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ECPieRiders/files/09%20EC%20Winter%20Biking%20Broc\
hure.pdf

To learn more about file sharing for your group, please visit:
http://help.yahoo.com/l/us/yahoo/groups/original/members/web/index.htmlfiles

Regards,

neldony5352 <neldon5352@...>

This is a my MS Word version of the EC Bicycle/Predestion Advisory
Commission's WINTER BICYCLING IN EAU CLAIRE for 2008-09.  I will add
their PDF verision to the files.  Don


Eau Claire Transit Bikes on Buses

The City bus system operates routes Monday through Saturday in the
City of Eau Claire. Each bus has a rack on the front capable of
holding two bicycles. Traveling with your bike on the bus is included
in your fare and provides winter bicyclists a warm ride option.

What Kind of Bikes are allowed to be stowed on Bus Bike Racks?
Conventional, single seat, two-wheeled bikes are allowed. Tandem,
recumbent, three-wheeled or motor-driven bikes are not allowed. Both
wheels must fit into the bike rack wheel slots, and the support
arm/hook must fit over the top of the bike wheel.

Safety Tip
When you get off the bus, notify the driver that you'll be removing
your bike from the rack. Once your bike is removed, move to the curb
on the right side of the bus. Never ride out to the left in front of
the bus.

Websites for Winter Bicycling
Icebike - www.icebike.org
Bike Winter -  www.bikewinter.org/main.php
Minneapolis Winter Biking - www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/bicycles/ winter-
biking.asp

WINTER BICYCLING IN Eau Claire
TIPS FOR SAFE AND COMFORTABLE COLD-WEATHER BICYCLE RIDING

In Eau Claire, many bicyclists embrace the winter months by
continuing to ride. To help with winter commuting, the trail network
in Eau Claire is plowed and salted, so don't let the winter weather
keep you from riding. If you are already biking or are considering
winter biking, here are some tips for navigating the snow, cold
:

Quick Guide to Winter Biking
• Any bike can be ridden in winter, but a mountain bike or bicycle
with studded tires helps with traction. Some bikers add fenders to
block flying winter sludge and snow buildup on tires.
• It gets dark earlier and visibility can be bad even in daytime, so
lights on the front and back are a must. Most states require them
year-round after dark anyway.
• Skip the heavy, padded clothing. Use lighter layers, but don't
overdo it; a little chill when you start out is just right. You'll
warm up.
• Avoid moisture-absorbing fabrics such as cotton, especially for the
layer closest to the skin; try so-called "wicking" fabrics (e.g. Gore-
Tex) that move sweat away from the skin.
• The top layers should be a material that keeps out water and wind.
• Hands and feet are most likely to get cold. Several pairs of gloves
and socks are a good idea; so are shoes or boots that are warm
without being clumsy.
• In extreme cold, leave no skin exposed. That means a ski mask and
goggles. A helmet is a must; wipeouts are even more likely on wintry
streets.

WISCONSIN BICYCLE LAWS APPLICABLE TO WINTER RIDING
[numbers in brackets refer to Wisconsin State Statutes]

Vehicular Status - The bicycle is defined as a vehicle. [340.01(5)]
The operator of a vehicle is granted the same rights and subject to
the same duties as a driver of any other vehicle. [346.02(4)(a)]

Lane Positioning - Always ride on the right, in the same direction as
other traffic. [346.80(2)(a)] Ride as far to the right as is safe and
reasonable (not as far right as possible). [346.80(2)(a)] A few
situations when it is not practicable to ride far to the right
include:
• When overtaking and passing another vehicle traveling in the same
direction;
• When preparing for a left turn at an intersection or driveway;
• When reasonably necessary to avoid unsafe conditions, including
fixed or moving objects, parked or moving vehicles, pedestrians,
animals, surface hazards or substandard width lanes [defined as a
lane that is too narrow for a bicycle and motor vehicle to travel
safely side-by- side within the lane].

Use of Shoulders - Bicycles may be ridden on the shoulder of a
highway unless prohibited by local authorities. [386.04(1m)]

Use of Sidewalks - [346.94(1)] When bicycles are allowed to be
operated on sidewalks, bicyclists must yield to pedestrians and give
an audible warning when passing pedestrians traveling in the same
direction. [346.804]

Winter Snow Removal
If you know of an area that is not cleared of snow in a timely
manner, you can do something about it. Most facilities can reasonably
be expected to be cleared within 48 hours. If you know an area that
needs attention, contact:
839-6075 for property owned by the Eau Claire Area School District
839-4963 for property maintained by the City of Eau Claire
839-2952 for property maintained by Eau Claire County (which includes
most bridge decks and approaches)

Passing - A motorist passing a bicyclist in the same lane is required
to give the bicyclist at least 3 feet of clearance and to maintain
that clearance until safely past. [346.075] A bicyclist passing a
stopped or moving vehicle is also required to give at least 3 feet of
clearance when passing. [346.80(2)]

Bicycling at Night - Bicycling at night requires at least a white
front headlight and a red rear reflector. A red or amber steady or
flashing rear light may be used in addition to the required
reflector. These are required no matter where you ride - street, path
or sidewalk. [347.489(1)]

City of Eau Claire – Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Commission

A new and unique event will be happening in Menomonie on December 18,
a tour of holiday lights by bicycle.

here's the info

quote

1st Annual Menomonie Tour of Lights...on a Bike!

  On Thursday December 18th Bad Cat Bicycles located at 327 East Main
Street will host the 1st Annual Menomonie Tour of Lights. Biking in
the snow one might ask?? Bad Cat Bicycles owner Peter May
responded, "We felt that we wanted to bring the traditions of old
like caroling and walking the neighborhoods to look at the Christmas
light displays while being able to spend time with friends and
neighbors outside of our vehicles. Bicycles give us that alternative
to be able to tour the town and connect with the community".

Anyone interested in riding is asked to meet at Bad Cat Bicycles at
5:30pm
on December 18th and the group will roll out on bicycles at 6pm.
Helmets and lights on your bike are required. The length of the Tour
of Lights will be one hour with a social time to follow. We ask that
you bring a donation of a non-perishable food item for Interfaith
Food Pantry. For information please
call 715.231.2453 or 715.933.0066 and ask for Pete.

end quote

Come on over if you want to do something unique on a Thursday night.

Paul Peltier

Gerri--
A wise man once told me: "Don't sweat the small stuff."  And an even
wiser man said, "It's all small stuff."  Hope to see you next week.

Boy, I am not doing so well, can you tell that this is the first time
I have posted anything on this site.  First I forget to give the
address and now it is the time.  Thanks again to another Pie Rider who
seems to have it more together than I do; the walk will be began at
5:30.  I hope that covers everything.  Lets recap.  Place: Gerri and
Ken's house. Address: 4534 Kensington Ct. Directions: Off on Golf,
approximately directly across from Pine Meadow Golf course. Time:
5:30. Phone number to call if there are any questions: 715-855-1181 or
715-225-7432 (cell).  I hope that covers everything.  If not, feel
free to let me know.  Have a great weekend.

G

5:30 p.m. Start time??

In response to Libby's message, my address is 4534 Kensington CT, in
E.C.  Coming from State Street, you would turn left on Golf and
continue until you go through the round-about and turn right on
Kensington Ct, which is located almost directly across Pine Meadow
Golf  Course.  Our house is at the mouth of the cult-a-sac (i think i
spelled that wrong).  If you were to come from 93N  (heading towards
Golds Gym) you will make a right turn at the intersection of 93 and
Golf.  Continue through two more stop lights and take the second left
after Fairfax Street.  If you have any questions or need further
instructions you can call me at 715-855-1181 or 715-225-7432 (cell).

G

Hey Pie Riders, next week the walk will start at Gerri and Ken's
(Weymouth) house.  I plan on doing approximately a 5 mile walk and
will have soup, wine and bread after. Desserts are welcome (Don would
be your buddy forever). New walkers are always welcome.  Hope to see
you than.

Gerri (G)

14 intrepid walkers did a frigid tour to Forest Hill Cemetary to view
the grave of Jean Brunet, then headed through pig alley and around
through Leinie's Lodge, followed Duncan creek downstream, then up the
hill past Notre Dame back to my home. Attendees were Deb, Don, Greta,
Doug, Sharon, Gerri, Carol, Larry, Fran, Scott, Mark and Mark, Renee,
Becky and the author.
   This hearty group nearly finished a steaming pot of Kaputza with
dumplings, drank bier, hot gluhwein, gewurztraminer and polished off
fruit strudel and braided cream cheese bread with vanilla sauce.  A
frolicking good time was had by all I think with many good laughs.
   The surprise of the evening was the unveiling of the "official Possum
Lodge uniform" by Gloria.  If you haven't seen it yet, you will.

Curt

I strongly advise bringing some type of flashlight for the walk
tonight........ and warm clothes of course! I will have my outside
porch light on as well.

Curt

I am hosting this weeks walk on thursday, 12-4.  Please meet at my
house, 310 S. state st. in C.Falls by 6 p.m.  Call for directions if
neccessary, 836-6694 days. There is parking along the fence past my
house if the front is full.  I anticipate a 1-1.5 hour walk, we'll
return for some adult refreshments, good hearty Slavic food followed
with Nachtisch and then share some "pratelstvi" .  There will be a
short program prior to (on bicycling) and one following the meal.

Curt