EFFECTIVE DECEMBER 1ST TO MARCH 15TH
Parking is prohibited on ANY PUBLIC STREET or in ANY MUNICIPAL PARKING LOT between 1:00 AM and 6:00 AM. Parking is limited to one hour between 1:30 AM and 6:00 AM on any public street in an area zoned business B-1, B-2 and B-3 or a non-conforming business use located in a residential district.
Parking will be allowed on Christmas Day (December 25th) and New Year’s Day (January 1st) unless a Snow Emergency is declared.
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This year, People’s sexiest men issue includes two country stars who country fans have already determined to be very worthy of that honor: Blake Shelton and Tim McGraw.
McGraw credits swimming and eating oatmeal and chicken for his damn-near-perfect body, even at 48. “I feel like the best years are ahead of me,” he told the magazine.
Shelton won’t come right out and admit that he’s sexy, but does say that where he’s from is full of it. “Oklahoma is sexy because it’s full of wide open spaces. There are areas where I live that there is no one around for miles and miles. That can make for some sexiness,” he said.
Garth Brooks also made the issue, in the Sexy at Every Age section, for being the hottest 53 year old.
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Tim McGraw says the secret to a spectacular Thanksgiving is a great chef like his wife, Faith Hill.
McGraw says “turkey day” is a great one at their home in Tennessee, mostly because Hill is a master in the kitchen.
“For Thanksgiving, I don’t cook. Faith does all the cooking for Thanksgiving,” McGraw admits. “We have to have turkey, we have to have our stuffing, and we have to have cornbread and peas, of course.”
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Stress does not have to overcome joy this holiday season. Here are five tips from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) to help you maintain emotional well-being in the weeks ahead.
Know your limits. Identify situations that create stress. Prepare a plan to problem-solve for the situations that you can control and don’t focus on the issues for which you have little or no control.
Simplify your commitments. Organize your time around activities you want to do, and you will enjoy the most. Take time to relax and recover from these activities. It is okay to say no to invitations.
Take care of your physical well-being. Exercise regularly and practice moderation in eating and drinking. Get plenty of rest.
Embrace your sense of humor. Activate and relieve your stress response by laughing out loud.
Volunteer your time and talents. See the world from another angle by helping someone in need, and put your stressors in perspective.
Consider seeking professional help if your mood, thoughts, feelings, and/or actions continue to disrupt your daily living. Emotional health concerns are treatable and recovery is possible.
Through the Division of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services and statewide partners, DHS manages a variety of support services for individuals struggling to maintain emotional well-being. For emotional support and resources to help with any struggle before it becomes a crisis, text HOPELINE to 741741 or call 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
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After nine years of hard work and development Sheboygan County officials and business development partners cut the ribbon and rolled the first locomotive Monday for a freight rail line between Plymouth and Kohler.
While the existing rail line had been out of service for more than 20 years, it was only embargoed in 2006. Since then, local business leaders, government officials and economic development experts have pushed to refurbish the tracks.
In 2009, the state purchased the stretch of rail and contracted with Wisconsin and Southern Railroad to operate the line. In 2012, the state Department of Transportation announced financing of $17.1 million for the $19 million project. The rest of the restoration cost is being covered by Wisconsin and Southern, Plymouth, Sheboygan Falls, Sheboygan County, Bemis Manufacturing, Kettle Lakes Co-Op and Morelle Transfer Inc.
Dane Checolinkski, director of the Sheboygan County Economic Development Corporation (SCEDC), said “the active line will bring renewed economic opportunity to the area by allowing companies along the railway to cut transportation costs. Shipping by rail is about four times more efficient than by semi-tractor trailers.”
The SCEDC adds that in addition to having several plots of land available along the rail line for businesses to locate industrial or warehouse services, there are plans to establish a new intermodal system to transfer cargo loads from semis to freight lines.
Previously, DOT Secretary Mark Gottleib said “while the project highlighted the state’s commitment to promoting freight rail’s importance for industrial and agricultural uses, it was also a testament to the success of public-private partnerships to get such projects off the ground.”
“A line like this it just doesn’t fit into the business model of a lot of our private railroads to support private shippers on a line like this,” Gottleib said. “But the state, the Legislature and the governor know how important it is to maintain this type of freight rail service for individual shippers like Bemis and others so they can continue to grow and thrive in our state.”
Bemis Manufacturing’s David Howell said the project is crucial to his company’s business plans moving forward.
“Our industry is extremely competitive right now, and the logistics and infrastructure give us the resources we need to compete on a global scale,” Howell said.
Preliminary ground work started in 2014 with the removal of trees from the right of way and recycling old tracks, and ground breaking on the project occurred last March.
Customers seeking product transportation information should contact Wisconsin & Southern Railroad, 414-438-8810.
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With the most wonderful time of year just around the corner, many shoppers are gearing up for the gift-giving season. As you shop your local stores on Small Business Saturday for your holiday ingredients and gifts this year, keep an eye out for the Something Special from Wisconsin™ sticker.
“Giving the gift of Something Special from Wisconsin goes beyond the traditional department store,” says Teyanna Loether, 68th Alice in Dairyland. “When your loved ones see the Something Special from Wisconsin logo as they unwrap their gift, they’ll know it comes along with an extra special touch.”
It’s easy to spot: this oval logo has a bright red background and white and yellow lettering, allowing you to easily identify a Something Special from Wisconsin product. This sticker carries a meaningful message – when you see it you can be assured that at least half of the product ingredients, production, or processing has come from right here within our state.
The Something Special from Wisconsin logo can be found on everything from meats and cheeses, sweet syrups and candies, to soaps, candles, lotions, wreaths and more. With more than 480 participating companies, you can add local flavors into your holiday celebrations and there is bound to be holiday fun for everyone. “By purchasing Something Special from Wisconsin products today and every day, you are supporting local producers and processors, and the Wisconsin way of life by keeping those dollars in the local economy,” adds Loether.
Since 1983, the Something Special from Wisconsin program has been trademarked through the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection. For more information, visit www.somethingspecialfromwi.com and you can give thanks to our local farmers and agribusinesses all year long. Alice in Dairyland is Wisconsin’s agriculture ambassador, and works with media professionals to educate consumers about the importance of agriculture to Wisconsin’s economy and way of life. To learn more about the work Loether is doing, visit her travel blog at www.wisconsinagconnection.com/alice, or keep in touch with her on Facebook and Twitter.
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Convenience, availability and flexibility are always appreciated by shoppers, so it’s no wonder that gift cards are so popular as a holiday gift. In fact, gift cards are at the top of most shoppers’ lists for the ninth year in a row according to the National Retail Federation, with nearly six in ten consumers hoping to receive one as a gift. But for all of their pluses, there are some potential “gotchas” to look out for when buying and using gift cards. The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection asks both card buyers and recipients to take steps to ensure that everyone gets the full value of the gift.
“The best guidance is for shoppers to read the fine print at the time of purchase and for recipients to use the card fairly quickly when received as a gift,” said Frank Frassetto, Division Administrator for Trade and Consumer Protection.
When buying a gift card:
• Inspect the packaging before you purchase a card to ensure that no protective stickers have been removed and that the pin number has not been exposed. Report any damaged cards to store management.
• Read the fine print on the card to ensure that you understand any rules on usage and associated fees. Federal rules require fees to be disclosed prior to purchase.
• Always give a gift receipt with the card to verify its value and the date of purchase. Make sure gift recipients hold onto their receipts until they have spent the entire value of the cards.
• If your loved ones or friends shop online, consider giving them electronic gift cards by email rather than physical cards. Many retailers offer this gifting option and the messages can often be customized with personal messages or images. These cards can be saved in an email account for future use without fear of losing or damaging a physical card.
If you receive a gift card:
• Try to use gift cards right away to ensure that you do not lose money on the card due to inactivity fees. By federal law, dormancy and service fees are allowed if the recipient has failed to use the card for more than one year. After that, fees are limited to one per month, but there is no limit on the amount of the fee.
• Keep your cards safe. Make a copy of the front and back of the card and keep it with the original receipt. Contact the issuer immediately if you lose a card or if it is stolen, but be aware that you may not be able to replace it. Some issuers may replace the card for a fee.
For additional information or to file a complaint, visit the Consumer Protection Bureau at datcp.wisconsin.gov, send an e-mail to datcphotline@wisconsin.gov or call the Consumer Protection Hotline toll-free at 1-800-422-7128.
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The Two Rivers Christmas Fantasy Parade will be held on Saturday, November at 5:30 PM. The parade will travel south on Washington Street from 22” to 16tl Street.
Parking Restriction Information
Washington Street between 22 and 27th has been designated as the parade staging area. The parade will break up at the south end of Washington Street between 15th and 16th Streets.
As a result, temporary “No Parking” zones will be established along the entire length ofWashington Street.
A detour route will redirect Highway 42 traffic onto Jefferson Street and East River Street between 22 and Washington Streets. Temporary “No Parking” zones will also be established on both sides of Jefferson Street.
The parking restrictions will begin at 4:00 PM and continue until the conclusion of the parade. Motorists are encouraged to find alternative routes of traveling during the parade.
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Country music was well represented last night at the 2015 AMA’s. Here’s a list of the winners that had country artists in the categories:
2015 American Music Awards Country Winners
Artist of the Year
Luke Bryan
Ariana Grande
Nicki Minaj
One Direction — WINNER
Taylor Swift
New Artist of the Year
Fetty Wap
Sam Hunt — WINNER
Tove Lo
Walk The Moon
The Weeknd
Favorite Male Artist — Country
Jason Aldean
Luke Bryan — WINNER
Sam Hunt
Favorite Female Artist — Country
Kelsea Ballerini
Miranda Lambert
Carrie Underwood — WINNER
Favorite Duo or Group — Country
Zac Brown Band
Florida Georgia Line — WINNER
Little Big Town
Favorite Album — Country
Jason Aldean, Old Boots, New Dirt
Florida Georgia Line, Anything Goes — WINNER
Sam Hunt, Montevallo
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“Snow is both friend and foe to trees and shrubs,” says Tchukki Andersen, BCMA, CTSP*, and staff arborist with the Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA). “Snow causes its share of damage, as we all know, but in many cases it also protects plants and their roots from extreme fluctuations in temperature that could damage or even kill them.”
Excess snow, however, can also damage trees and woody shrubs by bending, breaking and splitting, and causing them to fall or uproot. Whether woody plants will be damaged in one of these ways depends upon several factors. Coniferous evergreens, for instance, can bear more snow weight than broadleaf evergreens. A tree’s form can also determine how well it will withstand heavy snow. For example, pine (low altitude), spruce and fir trees with spread branches are more likely to be damaged by heavy snowfall than trees with steeper angled branches.
Arborvitae, evergreen shrubs with tall, narrow growth habits planted in hedges or as foundation screens, are a good example of a plant that doesn’t handle heavy snow well. They tend to grow tall, with multi-stemmed branches that are low to the ground.
“Snow will cause the branches to separate,” says Andersen, who doesn’t recommend planting arborvitae species in areas that get lots of heavy, wet snow. She also warns against planting them near buildings where snow accumulates on the roof, then falls in large piles. “Small, rounded woody-stemmed plants are a better choice, but make certain to give them enough root space away from the structure.”
A tree’s structure is also a factor in whether it will be damaged by ice storms. A tree with good, right-angle branches will have less trouble than one with narrow, more vertical branch crotches.
The type of snow is an important factor in potential damage to trees. Obviously, wet snow is more damaging because it is heavier. The time of season for snowfalls can also be a factor. With a wet snow in March, when there are no leaves on the branches, the tree may be able to withstand damage pretty well. But that same snow in late spring or early fall, when the tree is filled with leaves, could add unbearable weight.
On the plus side, snow moderates root temperatures and provides moisture for spring. Snow helps insulate the ground, which is beneficial for two reasons. First, snow is a poor heat conductor, so the temperature changes very slowly from the top layer of the snow to the bottom. This keeps the ground from heating and cooling as air temperatures fluctuate. Heating and cooling often cause the ground to heave, which can be damaging to roots. Keeping the ground temperature stable is more conducive to healthy roots.
“Finally, a little breakage isn’t always bad,” insists Andersen. “Nature prunes trees, too. Wet snow may break off small twigs and dead branches. It can do a good job of pruning that way. Just follow up with some cleaning cuts.”
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