Decorating the historical downtown creates a festive theme that has been a tradition for many years. During the holiday season, people enjoy reminiscing in the historical streets.

The old-fashioned Christmas spirit was sparked by the bright lights and garland twisted around the street lamps. The memory of visiting Santa's house still lingers on the corner of Fourth and Main streets.

In addition to the live music, sounds of the season streamed throughout the city from old fashion radio speakers. The live nativity scene on Third and Main streets served as a reminder of the reason for the season.

A static-cling decorative wreath for your window will be available to those who contribute to keeping the traditions of decorating the streets of historical downtown.

Monetary donations can be forwarded to City Vision Foundation, P.O. Box 0175, La Crosse, WI 54602-0175. Your continued effort and support of the downtown merchants is appreciated.

Earlamae Dahlby, owner of Feminine Fancies, is a member of the City Vision Foundation board of directors. Other board members who signed this submission are Steve Rose of Rose Jewelers, Dan Howes of Howes Diamond Jewelers and Todd Ondell of Grounded.

Before you read this letter, check the year on your calendars. That's right, it's 2005 ? 45 years since birth control received FDA approval, 45 years of women having safe, effective oral contraception that gives them the power to decide when, if at all, they want to have a family and 45 years of lower rates of unwanted pregnancies and abortions.

In 45 years, we've made tremendous progress and are continuing on that same path, right? Wrong! Based on the high amount of legislation slated to be voted on both in Wisconsin and the United States regarding a woman's right to choose (nine of 14 such bills in Wisconsin have to do with denying access to birth control), it seems we are about to move backward instead of forward.

Denying a women access to contraceptives denies her the right to proper health care. I urge you to contact your representatives and tell them you're not stuck in the past, that you enjoy having sex with someone you love and that you do not want them to support any of these bills.

Why does it not surprise me to know the common council of La Crosse has on its agenda a proposal to approve or reject a water agreement between La Crosse and Campbell?

Leaders in Campbell are discussing ways to enter into a water agreement and bypass normal channels by creating two sanitary districts in Campbell for the sole purpose of the business community. Campbell Board negotiations with La Crosse are without approval of its citizens.

Why is it difficult for leaders to work out in the open? There would be no reason for residents to disagree if the leadership were honest. Backdoor politicking gives you a feeling of distrust in your town board.

I am writing in regards to the people in Viola who were hit with the tornado and then were told that they would not get any money from the government. I understand the victims of Hurricane Katrina and other hurricanes need a lot of money and food among other things.

Here in La Crosse, we held a fundraiser for the many who were affected by hurricanes down South, but what about the people here in our area? The La Crosse area is so quick to help out and raised about $600,000 for the hurricane relief effort.

This is cache, read story here