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I found this survey by following Volume One online. If applicable, please take the time to fill it out. :)

Also, if you have not yet had a chance to, remember to fill out the Eau Claire County Budget Survey.

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The BBC reports that Olive Riley passed away at the age of 108 in New South Wales, Australia. Olive had posted more than 70 entries on her blog (which may not be working at this time) since 2007. On June 18th, he was moved into a nursing home with a bad cough. Regardless, she was still able to post her 73rd and 74th entries before she left this world Saturday, July 12, 2008.

For Olive's last posts, see a temporary blog that was created for Olive by a retired journalist and friend from Sydney: World's Oldest Blogger.

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Last Thursday, the University of Wisconsin-Madison published this story:

An electric snowmobile built by student members of the University of Wisconsin-Madison College of Engineering Clean Snowmobile Team is now in Greenland, on loan to the National Science Foundation . . . at the Greenland Environmental Observatory (GEO Summit Camp).

Dubbed the Bucky EV, the snowmobile won the zero-emissions category of the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Clean Snowmobile Challenge (CSC) in Houghton, Michigan, earlier this spring. The goal of this event is to promote the development of clean vehicles that can be used in environmentally sensitive areas where a gas-powered vehicle would contaminate air or snow samples . . .

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Yesterday, I went up to Bloomer, WI with my parents to talk about Thailand at a retirement home. On the way, we decided to stop at Culver's along Highway 53 to have some lunch. I saw a man sitting in a booth that looked fimiliar--I had to do a double-take, but I was certain it was Senator Feingold. My mom and dad concurred when they joined me at our table. I almost approached him and let him know that I appreciate his stance on FISA, but he seemed to be enjoying his ButterBurger a LOT. I am not sure if anyone else in the restaurant recognized the Senator--if they did, they allowed him to enjoy his 4th of July weekend "off the job".

It is always cool to see national figures in the Chippewa Valley; it is doubly cool to see them at such an everyday spot. Keep up the good work Senator Feingold!--I'll treat you to some custard next time I see you.

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The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has let us know that it is offical:

As of today, Miller Brewing Co. no longer exists — other than in the hearts and minds of those who worked there, and those who drank its beer.

The company once known as Miller Brewing is now MillerCoors LLC, a joint venture of Miller Brewing and Coors Brewing Co. The new company officially begins business today, following Monday’s signing of the closing documents by executives from SABMiller Plc and Molson Coors Brewing Co., corporate parents of Miller Brewing and Coors Brewing.

I'm not sure how the rest of Wisconsin feels, but I was saddened to hear this news. Maybe I am overreacting and need to understand that buyouts and consolidations are a part of the modern global world. Maybe I am naive to think that Miller and Wisconsin are somehow synonymous and, therefore, immune to outside influence--its kind of like the Packers, no?

Check out the new MillerCoors website--if you really want. :(

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Yes, that title is correct. At first I didn't believe it either--but then both WEAU AND WQOW reported on it, so I knew it must be true. :P

His name is Bill Ingram, and he is considering running for the House of Representatives to unseat Representative Ron Kind--just in case the "President-thing" doesn't work out.

I did a little more searching and was able to find this article by The Dunn County News and this article posted by the Newsroom at UWEC.

I'll be honest, I will still be voting for Senator Obama in November. However, I am impressed by Mr. Ingram's committment to solving problems and providing alternatives.

Also, be sure to see Bill Ingram's campaign website.

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Matthew Yglesias pointed out this video from bloggingheads.tv:

Bob Barr is running for President on the Libertarian ticket. What makes this video interesting is that Bob Barr initially attained national prominence as one of the leaders of the impeachment of President Bill Clinton. Now, he saying that what President Bush has done to our constitution is much worse.

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On May 21, I had a chance to attend Wisconsin State Senator Kreitlow's listening session at L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library in Eau Claire. A number of topics were brought up by constituents--gas prices, railway transportation, higher education, healthcare, the Iraq War, farming, etc. But the topic of most importance to me--as a UW-Madison student--was NOT sky-rocketing tuition or universal healthcare; instead, I was most interested in bipartisanship. We will only see effective policies implemented if our elected officials commit to working across party lines.

As a first term Senator, I hope Senator Kreitlow is committed to finding real solutions during this partisan age. Admittedly, his positions are often along party lines. Nonetheless, throughout the listening session, Kreitlow talked about the need for compromise and respecting the views of people you may not agree with.