The beautifully diverse state of Wisconsin is crossed with beautiful and scenic rivers frequented by both kayakers and canoeists, as well as those enjoying a day of tubing, rafting, or just relaxing on the river. With more than 40 rivers for kayaking and canoeing, it is no wonder the whitewater kayaking in Wisconsin is some of the best in the nation. This brief guide will cover some of the best whitewater kayaking spots in Wisconsin. The Bad River, winding through northern Wisconsin, offers more than 40 miles of whitewater for kayaking and rafting. Beginning at Devil’s Gate footbridge in Ashland County, intermediate whitewater kayakers can brave class I through III rapids for 18.8 miles of scenic, mountainous views before ending at Elm Hoist Road. Another popular stretch of the Bad River for advanced whitewater kayaking also begins at Devil’s Gate footbridge and boasts 6.2 miles of class III-V rapids, as well as breathtaking views of the Gogebic Range in Wisconsin.

The Montreal River, passing through Iron and Gogebic Counties in Wisconsin, offers 40 miles of whitewater kayaking for paddlers of all experience levels. The Erickson Road to Saxon Falls Dam section of the Montreal River is a relaxing 16.7 mile paddle with class I and II rapids, perfect for beginners or to warm up for the highly difficult western fork of the river. The challenging western branch of the Montreal River features class II through V rapids and several waterfalls for an ultimate whitewater kayaking experience. There are plenty of majestic rivers that offer outstanding whitewater kayaking in Wisconsin, from a refreshing paddle down the east fork of the Chippewa River to the heart-stopping rapids of the Potato River. Several of Wisconsin’s whitewater rivers are perfect for multiple day kayak trips. Plan ahead and make the necessary preparations for overnight camping along the river and remember a durable, lightweight camping tent like the Coleman Exponent Krypton 2 that comfortably sleeps two and weighs less than 8 pounds.

Posted on May 9th, 2008 by Brad Taylor
Filed under: Travel & Transportation | No Comments »

Escaping for a romantic weekend getaway in Wisconsin state? If it’s relaxing accommodation away from the kids you want, perhaps with luxury and pampering thrown in, there are plenty of hotels, cabins and resorts designed with couples in mind. You may never want to leave the suite when you see the whirlpool, private deck, and roaring open fire. Make sure you choose activities you will both enjoy. There is no point heading for the Wisconsin ski slopes if you are a snow boarding enthusiast but your partner can barely stand up in the snow. This is a romantic getaway. You should be spending more time with each other not less.

Wisconsin does offer an exceptional range of activities for lovers of the great outdoors. From biking to fishing, horseback riding to golf, almost every hobby is catered for. If you prefer to enjoy the natural attractions Wisconsin offers without breaking a sweat then how about a relaxing picnic at Devil’s Lake, Baraboo or a light lunch and wander through one of the many scenic harbor towns? Foodies will be in their element in Wisconsin. Time your romantic getaway to coincide with one of the many festivals and you could savor the Wisconsin State Fair Cream Puff, all things “strawberry” at Cedarburg’s Strawberry Festival, or fine French cuisine at Milwaukee’s Bastille Day.

Posted on March 28th, 2008 by Brad Taylor
Filed under: Travel & Transportation | No Comments »

Companies have been formed and emerged with an intention to earn profits. Many companies such as private LTD, public LTD, partnership firms etc have developed rapidly in the recent year. There are many companies providing different services to the customers. One such type of company is limited liability Company which provides various services to the clients. Wisconsin llc is a kind of Limited Liability Company that is situated in the United States. Limited liability companies are those companies which help in the incorporation or formation of private, public and many other companies. It helps the company with tax benefits or tax efficiencies. There is no restriction in the membership of LLC as found in private and partnership firms. The owners are referred as members and not shareholders or partners. LLC is a mixture of corporation and partnership firms but they are not a partnership firm. They are suitable to owners with limited members and it is of flexible nature.

Wisconsin llc is recognized and is gaining popularity day by day with the small scale business sector. This LLC helps in protecting the personal assets from the liabilities and business debts. The owners of the LLC’S have limited personal liabilities. Wisconsin llc helps avoiding double taxation. Many companies need to keep meetings such as an AGM, board meetings etc to decide the performance and various issues. In case of LLC no such meetings are held. Wisconsin llc services provide easy filing of documents which saves lot of time and money of the client. There is much type of services provided by this LLC: one of the services is a divorce services which are provided throughout Wisconsin state to the couples. It helps in each and every thing needed to file for divorce and it makes it an easy process for the one who wants to have a divorce.

Posted on February 26th, 2008 by Brad Taylor
Filed under: Business & Economy | No Comments »

If you live in the Wisconsin area it is likely that you live in a home that has an air heating and cooling system. In fact more than eighty percent of all new homes that are built today have one of these useful system installed. You can reduce maintenance costs by using a filter cleaning service rather than replacing them each time.

There are air cleaning services that clean filters used in every type of commercial and industrial application. There are even companies which have proprietary systems that were designed to save your cash on maintenance costs. They also use innovative solutions that minimize the number of air filters that would otherwise have to be thrown out. This essentially reduces your disposal costs as well, saving even more money.

Posted on January 15th, 2008 by Maxine Trowbridge
Filed under: Uncategorized | No Comments »

Wisconsin state with a population of about 5.5 million. Its capital is Madison, and its largest city is Milwaukee. Wisconsin is known for it milk and cheese production and also its many state parks and forests.

Tourism is also a major industry in Wisconsin. Wisconsin Dells is an area of water parks and theme parks that has become a major attraction. It is located northwest of Madison, the capital and attracts millions each year. Other attractions include the mile-long Lost Canyon Tour, which is a deep canyon that visitors ride through on a horse drawn carriage.

Posted on December 25th, 2007 by Kingston J. Amadan
Filed under: Uncategorized | No Comments »

Did you ever hear the expression “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; but teach him how to fish and you feed him for a lifetime”?

On a scale of 1 – 10 with 10 being a Microsoft engineer, I’m probably about a 3 or 4. But, I was possessed with the idea of starting my own business inline. Like most of you I tried the get rich quick schemes.

This one is the real deal. Instead of promising quick riches, this program teaches you what an internet business is, how to set one up using a wide variety of tools, and how to drive traffic to your site. You will learn about AdWords, AdSense, blogs, social networking and lots more. There are tutorials and practice projects to help you sharpen your skills.

If I can do it so can you!

Let me tell you a story: There was once a very powerful king who called all of the wise men of the kingdom to his court. He told them to go out and find the wisdom of the ages. After ten years. they came back with twelve volumes. The king said that he was sure that these books did indeed contain the wisdom of the ages; but it was too long and the people would never read it.

He sent them back out and this time they came back with a single volume. The king again agreed that it did contain the wisdom of the ages but it was still too long. They went back a and soon came back with a single page; then a single paragraph; and finally a single sentence.

When the king read the sentence, he rewarded all of them and said that this was truly the wisdom of the ages. The sentence was: “There Ain’t No Free Lunch”.

So, if you run across a site the promises you overnight wealth with no effort; don’t just walk away – RUN!

My vocation is business, but my advocation is every thing else. I use the cold winter months here in Wisconsin to study subjects ranging from health and diet to quantum mechanics and from wind and solar energy to “green” building procedures.

I am no longer interested in working for “the man” and am determined to be my own boss. I have been downsized, rightsized and outsourced. I have a web-based business doing internet marketing as an affiliate for merchants.

Posted on December 5th, 2007 by Valentina
Filed under: Business & Economy | No Comments »

Wisconsin is represented by major league teams in the three most popular spectator sports in the United States: American football, baseball, and basketball. Lambeau Field, located in Green Bay, Wisconsin is home to the National Football League’s Green Bay Packers. The Packers have been part of the NFL since the league’s second season in 1921 and currently hold the record for the most NFL titles, earning the city of Green Bay the nickname “Titletown”. The Green Bay Packers are one of the most successful small-market professional sports franchises in the world and have won 12 NFL championships, including the first two Super Bowl games and Super Bowl XXXI. The city fully supports their team, as evidenced by the 60,000 person waiting list for season tickets to Lambeau Field, which is referred to as the “frozen tundra” and is considered by many football enthusiasts to be “hallowed ground.” Such a strong fan following brings strong ratings during national Monday Night Football. The University of Wisconsin-Madison Badgers football program, playing at Camp Randall Stadium, enjoys similar loyalty; both teams are known to sell out their entire schedules far in advance. The Milwaukee Brewers, the state’s only major league baseball team, are based out of Miller Park in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Before Miller Park was opened in the year 2001, the Brewers played their home games at County Stadium. In 1982, the Brewers won the American League Championship, marking their most successful season. The Milwaukee Bucks of the National Basketball Association play home games at the Bradley Center. The Bucks won the NBA Championship in 1971. The state also has minor league teams in hockey (Milwaukee Admirals) and baseball (the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, based in Appleton.)

In addition to professional teams, Wisconsin is home to many successful college sports programs. The Wisconsin Badgers, teams based out of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, hold many NCAA division championship titles in their respective sports. This includes a historic dual-championship in 2006 when both the women’s and men’s hockey teams won national titles. The Wisconsin football team has also seen much success after the hiring of Barry Alvarez as head coach. Alvarez lead the Badgers to three Rose Bowl victories, including back to back victories in the years 1999 and 2000.

The Marquette Golden Eagles of the Big East Conference are the state’s other major collegiate program. They are known nationally for their Men’s Basketball team which, under the direction of Al McGuire, won the NCAA National Championship in 1977. The team, led by Dwyane Wade, returned to the Final Four in 2003.

Posted on September 24th, 2007 by Martina
Filed under: Recreation & Sports | No Comments »

According to the 2004 U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis report, Wisconsin’s gross state product was $211.7 billion. The per capita personal income was $32,157 in 2004.

The economy of Wisconsin is driven by manufacturing, agriculture, and health care. Although manufacturing accounts for a far greater part of the state’s income than farming, Wisconsin is often perceived as a farming state. It produces more dairy products than any other state in the United States except California, and leads the nation in cheese production. Wisconsin ranks second behind California in overall production of milk and butter, and it ranks third in per-capita milk production, behind Idaho and Vermont. Based on poll results, Governor Jim Doyle chose for Wisconsin’s 50 State Quarters design a Holstein cow, an ear of corn, and a wheel of cheese. Wisconsin ranks first in the production of corn for silage, cranberries, ginseng, and snap beans for processing. Wisconsin is also a leading producer of oats, potatoes, carrots, tart cherries, maple syrup, and sweet corn for processing.

Given Wisconsin’s strong agricultural tradition, it is not surprising that a large part of the state’s manufacturing sector deals with food processing. Some well known food brands produced in Wisconsin include Oscar Mayer, Tombstone frozen pizza, Johnsonville brats, and Usinger’s sausage. Kraft Foods alone employs over 5,000 people in the state. Milwaukee is a major producer of beer and the home of Miller Brewing Company’s world headquarters, the nation’s second-largest brewer. Schlitz, Blatz, and Pabst used to be cornerstone breweries within the city of Milwaukee. Today, Milwaukee’s economy is more diverse with an emphasis on health care. In 2004, four of the city’s ten largest employers (including the top two) were part of the health care industry.
Badger State
State Animal:  Badger
State Domesticated
Animal:  Dairy Cow
State Wild Animal:  White-tailed Deer
State Beverage:  Milk
State Fruit:  Cranberry
State Bird:  Robin
State Capital:  Madison
State Dog:  American Water Spaniel
State Fish:  Muskellunge
State Flower:  Wood Violet
State Fossil:  Trilobite
State Grain:  Corn
State Insect:  European honey bee
State Motto:  Forward
State Song:  “On, Wisconsin!”
State Tree:  Sugar Maple
State Mineral:  Galena
(Lead sulfide)
State Rock:  Red Granite
State Soil:  Antigo Silt Loam
State Dance:  Polka
State Symbol of
Peace:  Mourning Dove

Wisconsin is also home to several transportation equipment and machinery manufacturers. Major Wisconsin companies in these categories include the Kohler Company, Rockwell Automation, Johnson Controls, Briggs & Stratton, Miller Electric, Milwaukee Electric Tool Company, Bucyrus International, Oshkosh Truck, and Harley-Davidson. Wisconsin also ranks first nationwide in the production of paper products; the lower Fox River from Lake Winnebago to the Bay of Green Bay has 24 paper mills along its 39 mile (63 km) stretch. The largest paper companies with operations in Wisconsin are Kimberly-Clark and Georgia-Pacific, both of which rank among the state’s top ten employers.

The development and manufacture of health care devices and software is a growing sector of the state’s economy with key players such as GE Healthcare, Epic Systems, and TomoTherapy.

Tourism is also a major industry in Wisconsin — the state’s third largest, according to the Department of Tourism. This is largely attributed to the 90 attractions in the Wisconsin Dells family vacation destination area, which attracts nearly 3 million visitors per year. Tourist destinations such as the House on the Rock near Spring Green and Circus World Museum in Baraboo also draw thousands of visitors annually, and festivals such as Summerfest and the EAA Oshkosh Airshow draw national attention along with hundreds of thousands of visitors.

Wisconsin collects personal income tax based on four income-level brackets, which range from 4.6% to 6.75%. The state sales and use tax rate is 5%. Fifty-nine counties have an additional sales/use tax of 0.5%. The counties surrounding Milwaukee County have an additional 0.5% tax imposed upon them to fund the new baseball stadium, Miller Park, which was constructed around the turn of the century. Retailers who make sales subject to applicable county taxes must collect 5.5% tax on their retail sales.

The most common property tax assessed on Wisconsin residents is the real property tax, or their residential property tax. Wisconsin does not impose a property tax on vehicles but does levy an annual registration fee. Property taxes are the most important tax revenue source for Wisconsin’s local governments, as well as major methods of funding school districts, vocational technical colleges, special purpose districts and tax incremental finance districts. Equalized values are based on the full market value of all taxable property in the state, except for agricultural land. In order to provide property tax relief for farmers, the value of agricultural land is determined by its value for agricultural uses, rather than for its possible development value. Equalized values are used to distribute state aid payments to counties, municipalities, and technical colleges. Assessments prepared by local assessors are used to distribute the property tax burden within individual municipalities.

Wisconsin does not assess a tax on intangible property. Wisconsin does not collect inheritance taxes. Wisconsin’s estate tax is decoupled from the federal estate tax laws; therefore the state imposes its own estate tax on certain large estates.

Posted on September 24th, 2007 by Agustina
Filed under: Business & Economy | No Comments »

Wisconsin Dells, WI has long been a favorite travel destination of numerous vacationers, but it wasn’t until recently that more people have discovered what Wisconsin Dells all has to offer. With the combination of award winning resorts, highly rated dinning, indoor and outdoor waterparks and numerous attractions, Wisconsin Dells really has it all.

Wisconsin Dells is often referred to as the “Water Park Capital of the World” because of its abundance of indoor and outdoor water parks. Wisconsin Dells contains America’s largest outdoor and indoor waterparks. Noah’s Ark Waterpark in Wisconsin Dells is the largest outdoor waterpark in America and features 45 waterslides along with 2 huge wave pools. Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells is America’s largest indoor water park and features the FlowRider® which allows you to surf or boogie board year round.

Wisconsin Dells attractions do not just contain waterparks either. With over 80 attractions in the Dells area, travelers can enjoy a wide range of different attractions. Wisconsin Dells attractions include; mini-golf, magic shows, music performances, comedy clubs, museums, scenic tours, shopping, petting zoos, gambling, golf, fishing and much more.

When it comes time to eat travelers can choose from over 100 restaurants, all within 19 square miles in Wisconsin Dells. Whether you are hungry for seafood, steak, fast food, fine dinning, ethnic entrees, family-dinning or an all you can eat buffet, you will find it in Wisconsin Dells. You will not need to travel far to eat either, as most Wisconsin Dells resorts have restaurant within the resorts.

When looking for a hotel resort to stay at while in Wisconsin Dells there are 5 main resorts to choose from if you want a resort with an indoor and outdoor waterpark. These 5 resorts include; Great Wolf Resort, Kalahari Resort, Wilderness Resort, Treasure Island Resort and Chula Vista Resort. Each of these resorts has large indoor and outdoor waterparks attached to them and admission is included with your stay. They also have restaurants within the resorts. If you are looking to save money you can stay at a Wisconsin Dells hotel or motel that does not have a waterpark and prices will be much lower. However, you will still be able to enjoy a waterpark by visiting Noah’s Ark Water Park.

When planning your next vacation take a look at Wisconsin Dells and see what they all have to offer. It is sure to be a vacation you will remember for some time to come.

Posted on September 24th, 2007 by Jade
Filed under: Travel & Transportation | No Comments »

The University of Wisconsin–Madison (also known as UW–Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, University of Wisconsin, or UW) is a public research university located in Madison, Wisconsin, USA. Founded in 1848, it is the largest university in the state with a total enrollment of over 41,000 students, of whom approximately 29,000 are undergraduates.

A public, land-grant institution, UW-Madison offers a wide spectrum of liberal arts studies, professional programs, and student activities. The school is frequently called a “public Ivy,” and in 2007 US News and World Report ranked UW as the eighth best public university in the United States. It has also been ranked as the 16th best university in 2006 in terms of volume scientific publications according to the Academic Ranking of World Universities.

From 1848 to 1956, the university was part of the higher education system in Wisconsin that included the current Madison campus, ten freshman-sophomore centers and the state-wide extensions. Between 1956–1971, it was part of the then University of Wisconsin. It became a part of the University of Wisconsin System in 1971.

Wisconsin’s NCAA Division I athletic teams are called the Badgers. They compete in the Big Ten Conference in all sports except ice hockey, where they participate in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association. Wisconsin’s football team won the Rose Bowl in 1994, 1999, and 2000. Its men’s basketball team won the NCAA National Championship in 1941, and made it to the Final Four in 2000. Both the men’s and women’s hockey teams won the national championship in 2006.

The university had its official beginnings when Wisconsin was incorporated as a state in 1848. Article X, Section B of the Wisconsin Constitution provided for “the establishment of a state university, at or near the seat of state government…” On July 26, 1848, Nelson Dewey, Wisconsin’s first governor, signed the act that formally created the University of Wisconsin. The board of regents held their initial meeting in the library room of the Capitol on October 7, and provided John W. Sterling a $500 per-annum salary to become the university’s first professor (mathematics). The first class of 17 students met at Madison Female Academy on February 5, 1849. Regents continued to discuss the construction of the university and soon a campus site was selected. It was an area of 50 acres (200,000 m²) “bounded north by Fourth lake, east by a street to be opened at right angles with King (later State) street, south by Mineral Point Road (University Avenue), and west by a carriage-way from said road to the lake.” Building plans called for a “main edifice fronting towards the Capitol, three stories high, surmounted by an observatory for astronomical observations.” This building, University Hall, now known as Bascom Hall, was finally completed in 1859. A fire later destroyed the building’s dome, which was never replaced. North Hall, constructed in 1851, was actually the campus’ first building. Finally, in 1854, Levi Booth and Charles T. Wakeley became the first graduates of the university. Academics continued to improve at Wisconsin, and in 1892 the university awarded its first Ph.D. to future university president Charles R. Van Hise.

Posted on September 24th, 2007 by Madison
Filed under: Education & Health | No Comments »