WisconsinEye attended the Opening Ceremonies of the 2008 Wisconsin State Fair on July 31st. The event is the official kick-off of the eleven-day State Fair.  Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker and Governor Jim Doyle were among the dignitaries addressing the crowd.  The Kids from Wisconsin, celebrating their 40th Anniversary, performed during the Ceremonies.  

Joel Franke, overnight dairy supervisor at the Wisconsin State Fair organized a special crayon drive to support Milwaukee Public Schools.  An incident during the 2007 Wisconsin State Fair prompted Franke and junior dairy exhibitors from Juneau County to donate crayons, and encourage junior exhibitors from other counties to join them.

Wisconsin State Officials visited with WisconsinEye following the Opening Ceremonies of the 2008 Wisconsin State Fair, on July 31st.  Governor Jim Doyle, DATCP Secretary Rod Nilsestuen, and Tourism Secretary Kelli Trumble shared special State Fair memories, and talked about the importance of the Fair for the State of Wisconsin.

WisconsinEye’s Amber Gonske spends an afternoon at the Wisconsin State Fair DNR Park. DNR State Fair Coordinator Doug Hoskins gives WisconsinEye a tour of the park and explains the importance of the different sections.  Fairgoers have the opportunity to learn about the state’s natural resources, while escaping from the crowdedness of the State Fair to beautiful and serene gem on the fairgrounds in West Allis.

61st Alice in Dairyland Ashley Huibregtse and WisconsinEye’s Amber Gonske enjoy opening day at the Wisconsin State Fair with a tour of the livestock barns.  Huibregtse explains the importance of agriculture in Wisconsin and educates about the different animals that exhibitors bring to the State Fair.

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The 2008 EAA AirVenture air show began this week. Billed as the world’s greatest aviation celebration, WisconsinEye was there with John Powell to visit with several of the pilots who where in attendance. The Experimental Aircraft Association's Fly-In Convention, now known as EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, has been in existence since it’s first gathering in September 1953 in Milwaukee Wisconsin. Today, EAA AirVenture Oshkosh is an international gathering place for aviation enthusiasts, where participant can study the latest aircraft and innovations; discover new ideas and techniques from the more than 500 forums and workshops; see aviation's top personalities; or just talk airplanes with people from around the world.

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A luncheon held at Discovery World in Milwaukee Wisconsin concluded a seven-day tour and exchange with 30 delegates visiting from the Peoples Republic of China. The China-US Water Symposium used the Wisconsin Idea to convene government, business, and academic leaders from China and Wisconsin to discuss common environmental issues to create a platform for relationships that lead to future business opportunities. Opening the ceremony is an interview with Jerry Murphy, Executive Director of New North, Inc. Then the ceremony takes place, hosted by Bob DeKoch, President & COO of the Boldt Company, featuring a short address by the Mayor of Manitowoc Wisconsin, Kevin Crawford. Our coverage of this event ends with an interview of Yanxia Li, Ph.D., Associate Professor from Beijing Normal University.

The Wisconsin Alliance of Cities hosted a conference tilted, Clean Water from Politics to Policy. The conference was designed to address issues pertaining to storm water run-off, and how municipalities and public officials in Wisconsin are having to deal with this issue.
 
In this segment WisconsinEye interviews Edward Huck, Executive Director of Wisconsin Alliance of Cities. Following the interview the conference begins with a keynote address from Kevin Crawford, Mayor of Manitowoc,, and flow-up addresses by Todd Ambs, Administrator of the Division of Water at the DNR, and Russ Rassmussen, Director of the Bureau of Watershed Management, also from the DNR.

As a continuation of the Wisconsin Alliance of Cities conference on issues pertaining to storm water run-off, James A. Bachhuber, Program Manager at Earth Tech, Inc. gave a presentation titled, Meeting MS4 Permit Requirements - What Municipalities are Doing and What Does it Cost.  

As a continuation of the Wisconsin Alliance of Cities conference on issues pertaining to storm water run-off, James E. Kleinschmidt, Senior Project Manager at Strand Associates, Inc. gave a presentation titled, Politics and Economics of Nutrient Criteria (Nitrogen and Phosphorus).

As a continuation of the Wisconsin Alliance of Cities conference on issues pertaining to storm water run-of, WisconsinEye had the chance to visit with Mayor of the host city, Kevin Crawford, Mayor of Manitowoc Wisconsin.  He was able to help summarize what the conference was about as well as give us a unique view towards issues  of water quality pertaining to his community. Following the interview, we joined a presentation that was being given by Ann Beier, Director of Office of Environmental Sustainability for the City of Milwaukee.

As a continuation of the Wisconsin Alliance of Cities conference on issues pertaining to storm water run-off, Linda H. Bochert an Attorney with Michael Best & Friedrich LLP, gave a presentation titled, Clean Water From Politics to Policy:” The Legal Framework and Some Thoughts About Alternative Regulatory Approaches.

As a continuation of the Wisconsin Alliance of Cities conference on issues pertaining to storm water run-off, Laurie Fischer, Director of the Dairy Business Association, gave a presentation titled Keeping the Cows in Wisconsin, and Denny Caneff, Executive Director of Wisconsin River Alliance gave a presentation titled, Farm Runoff: A Primer on Practices and Policy.

As a continuation of the Wisconsin Alliance of Cities conference on issues pertaining to storm water run-off, Mike Hahn of the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission itemized $1.49 billion in new spending needed to meet water quality goals; Kevin Shafer of the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage Commission described sustainable development possibilities; Paul Kent of Anderson & Kent called for a more level regulatory playing field; Lori Grant of the River Alliance expressed cautious optimism about watershed-based solutions; Dr. Dr. Hongyang Cao of the Beijing Research Center of Urban Systems Engineering described environmental challenges in Beijing.

WisconsinEye traveled to Bayfield to visit Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua on July 24th. We learn about the Big Top and its summer seasons of tent show entertainment, how it got its start, and the changes that have been made over the years. WisconsinEye talks with recording engineer Mark McGinley, operations manager Phil Anich, and artistic director & founder Warren Nelson.  Experience Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua as the Blue Canvas Orchestra & Singers prepare for the evening performance.

WisconsinEye attended the Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua performance “Best of the Big Top” on July 24th in Bayfield.  Warren Nelson along with the Blue Canvas Orchestra & Singers presented a variety of original music telling the stories of Wisconsin, including the St. Croix River, the Apostle Islands, and more.  The musical numbers are joined by photographs supporting the stories.  A musical experience enjoyed by all ages.

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WisconsinEye visits the Washington County Fair on their 150th anniversary.

WisconsinEye spent the day at Bradford Beach in Milwaukee Wisconsin. We were there to learn about a program where border collies are used to chase seagulls from the beach. Through a grant from MillerCoors LLC, parks officials hired a team of border collies this summer to keep E. coli-spreading gulls away from Bradford Beach. WisconsinEye was able to speak to Katie Gromoll, Account Manager for Migratory Bird Management about the program, as well as Kathy Schmidt, a dog handler for Migratory Bird Management, and Kim Marotta, Director of Corporate Social Responsibility for MillerCoors, LLC.

The 32nd Annual World Championship Snowmobile Watercross was held in Grantsburg, Wisconsin, July 18, 19, and 20th. Event organizer and President of Grantsburg Watercross, Duke Tucker, spoke about the event and its impact on the community, and International Watercross Association President Mike Benoy spoke about the sport and its origins.  Wisconsin Eye visited the event on its final day.

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WisconsinEye visited the Barron County Fair in Rice Lake, and talked with Manager Tim Heffernan on July 20th.  Heffernan talked about the unique aspects of the Barron County Fair, what his job as fair manager entails, and why fairs are important in the state of Wisconsin.

WisconsinEye was at the Deer Park Buddhist Center just outside of Oregon Wisconsin as His Holiness the Dalai Lama arrived for his latest visit to Madison. His Holiness was invited to Madison to help celebrate the consecration of the new temple that was recently completed at the Buddhist Center. WisconsinEye was able to witness the days event as well as visit with Tashi Wangdai, Representative of His Holiness, and Norbu Tsering, President of the Canadian Tibetan Association of Ontario.

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Thousands of people were in attendance at the Wisconsin Farm Technology Days held in Brown County. Wisconsin Eye's Tyler Mickelson discussed the event with numerous attendees including a member of the host family, a Tent City Chairperson, the General Manager of Farm Technology Days, Representative Al Ott, and many others. Held on July 15th, 2008.

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Duane and Tina Hinchley, owners of Hinchley Dairy Farm led a tour of their farm in Cambridge, Wisconsin with Lt. Gov. Barbara Lawton to highlight their operations, and to speak about some of the issues that face Wisconsin farmers on July 14, 2008.  The Hinchley Farm has 200 dairy cattle, and farm nearly 2,300 acres of land raising a variety of crops.

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Community Car hosted its 2nd Annual Divorce Your Car party in Madison Wisconsin. Community Car in a member-based car-sharing service located in Madison, where members share access to a fleet of high gas-mileage and hybrid-electric vehicles located in reserved parking spots throughout the city. The ceremony was designed to highlight 4 Madisonians who agreed to sell their cars to illustrate their commitment to alternative forms of transportation. WisconsinEye was there to record the event, and had the chance to visit with Erin Carlman, Michael Weber and David Zaks, all of whom divorced their car, as well as Amanda White, Vice President of Community Car and Sonya Newenhouse, President & Founder of Community Car.

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The Reedsburg Disaster Committee met at the Reedsburg City Hall on July 9th. The committee was created to discuss options and implement ideas for the City in times of natural disaster and emergency.  The committee discussed the response of the June flooding, and talked about what steps should be taken to develop a response plan for emergencies.  

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As part of a WisconsinEye Business Profile of Wisconsin Dells, we were able to go on an Original Wisconsin Ducks tour. Driving our Duck was Ann Curran from Portage Wisconsin. Curran is a student at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She has been driving Ducks for 2 years as a summer job. Duck tours are one of Wisconsin Dells more historied attractions. Original Wisconsin Ducks has been navigating the land and water there for more than 57 years. With 90 vehicles, the Original Wisconsin Ducks are the largest fleet of tour ducks in the nation. Duck drivers serve up a novel tour mix including a bit of Wisconsin geology, some world history and  a hefty helping of humor.

University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Athletic Director Paul Plinske joins host Tyler Mickelson to discuss the success of UW-Whiterwater Athletics and the national success of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC). The interview was held in the WisEye studios on July 7, 2008.

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Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Commissioner Gary Karner discusses the national success of the WIAC. Karner also discusses the impact the conference has on the state of Wisconsin at the WIAC offices in Madison, WI on July 3, 2008.

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