☀️ Happy New Year's Eve (Eve)

☀️ Good morning, Coulee.

At this moment—right now—there’s nothing I’d rather be doing than wishing you a good morning. So, thank you for being here.

Bright-Eyed ✅

Bushy-Tailed ✅

Alright, enough messing around. We’ve got a lot to cover. I’m ready when you are. Let’s take on the day. 🤝👇

🎶 Song of the Day

*If you want to listen along as you read, scroll to the top right of this email and click “Read Online”.

💬 Today’s Thought

✅ ❌ Let me get your thoughts…

📰 Quick Hits

• The Eagle's Nest will close February 1st (News 8000)

• Officials urge caution after two ice fishers fall through the ice on Lake Onalaska (News 8000)

• Loggers release 2025 schedule (OurSportsCentral)

• December layoffs affect Wisconsin TV news stations (WPR)

• North-Side Library in La Crosse announces longer hours in new year (WIZM)

Today’s Sunrise Sponsor is here to help you deal with all of that post-Christmas clutter that you can feel slowly closing in on you. Yeesh—that came off a little harsher than I intended. But really, nobody likes the feeling of a cluttered, dysfunctional, disorganized home.

But that doesn’t have to be your reality.

Because my friends at Meat & Potatoes Organizing are here to help.

They’ve compiled some simple tips to help you with organizing your Christmas teardown 👇🤝

1. Sort and Group Your Decorations
   Before packing everything away, take a little time to group similar items together. Ornaments, lights, wreaths, garlands—keep them separate so it’s easier to find what you need next year. Clear bins or labeled totes are a lifesaver, and color-coding (like red and green for Christmas) can make it even simpler. 

2. Protect the Fragile Stuff
   Nobody wants to open a box next year and find broken ornaments. Wrap fragile items in tissue paper, bubble wrap, newspaper, or use divided containers to keep them safe. For lights, wind them around a piece of cardboard or use a reel so you’re not untangling a mess later.

3. Use Your Storage Space Wisely
   Maximize what you’ve got by stacking bins, using shelves, or hanging things like wreaths or garlands. Put the items you use most often in easy-to-reach spots and less-used stuff higher up or toward the back. Don’t forget to label everything—future you will thank you!

Feeling Stuck?
If the thought of tackling your storage closet or basement storage room is overwhelming, don’t worry—you’re not alone! Reach out to your friendly, local, professional organizer (Emily from Meat & Potatoes Organizing).  We’ll help you make sense of the chaos and create a system that actually works for you.

You’re not gonna regret it.

🤝 🐶 Friends….Meet Bash

Bash currently resides at the La Crescent Animal Rescue. Here’s what the staff has to say about him:

Meet Bash a 6-year-old purebred Corgi. Bash is a bundle of personality sitting on top of 4 little legs. He gets along great with other dogs, cats and children. Bash is a smart little guy and knows basic commands like sit and come and he will wait ever so patiently at an open door for permission to go outside. He loves going for walks and being with his humans. Bash is a real snuggle bug inside the house but man on man when he gets outside, he is the biggest fan of the snow! He will roll his belly around in the snow for days if you let him. Speaking of belly, you may have noticed our handsome bachelor could use a little help in the weight department. Bash has hypothyroidism which is currently being treated. He has many allergies, but they are easily controlled with medication and a special diet. Bash doesn't let any of these special needs destroy his love for life, humans and snow! We are hoping there is a special person out there who feels the same way! Bash is up to date on all vaccinations and is neutered.

Is your NY resolution to have more Corgi in your life? Apply for Bash.

📆 NYE in La Crosse (& Surrounding)

Still looking for a NYE activity? We’ve got you covered with EVERY NYE celebration that we could find. 👇

📍Charlie’s Inn - Live Music // 7pm

You are invited to ring in the new year with at Charlie's Inn! We are excited to have Spunky Bumpkins back for your entertainment! This band will have you dancing!

📍Olivet Lutheran Church La Crosse - Game Night // 6pm [Family-Friendly]

The party will be from 6pm-12:30am. There will be hourly New Year celebrations (so that families can leave whenever, and the kids can still celebrate New Years). There will be board games for both kids and adults, a MarioKart and Super Smash Brothers tournament, Nerf gun battle, cornhole, music and more. Snacks and drinks will be provided.

📍 Starlite Lounge - Live Music // 9pm

Live jazz music featuring The Jazz Foundation.

📍 Pearl Street Brewery - Live Comedy // 7:30pm

We are bringing New Year's Eve Stand-Up Comedy back to Pearl Street Brewery in La Crosse with another great show headlined by crowd favorite Nate Abshire. Tickets here. 

📍 Robin’s Nest - Live Music // 8pm

The time has come again for another new year! New Year's Eve was the first show we ever played as the Brianna Rae Band! Not only is it the celebration of a brand new calendar year, it's also a big BRB birthday party. Put on your party hats and get ready to ring in a new season with us while we play all of our favorite tunes for you. Happy New Year!

More about the music: The Brianna Rae Band covers classic rock, alternative, pop rock, blues, originals, and some undefined styles of music from the 60s to the present and puts on a show filled with surprises! You can expect to hear songs from artists like REM, Matchbox 20, Alanis Morissette, Train, AC/DC, Sheryl Crow, Chris Stapleton and a few of their original tunes!

📍 Bodega Brew Pub // 8pm

Join us as we ring in the new year. Complementary champagne at midnight, party favors, and a lot of fun!

📍Rivoli Theatre & Pizzeria - Kids Bash // 2pm [Family-Friendly]

Come ring in the New Year with the La Crosse Film Academy! Welcome in 2025 with us at the Rivoli Theatre with a pajama party, including a pizza bar* by Pizzeria Dolorosa and a screening of Night at the Museum. Dance and pizza party start at 2pm, film starts at 3pm, and we’ll cap off the evening with a NYE ball drop for the kids at 5pm.

*Pizza bar includes kid-friendly pizzas (plain cheese and pepperoni) and water - additional beverages, popcorn, and candy will be available for purchase from the Rivoli concession bar.

Cost:

$12 in advance

$15 at the door

$40 family four pack (only in advance)

📍 Valley View Mall - Kids Noon Years Eve // 10am [Family-Friendly]

All boys and girls are welcome to join us for our free Kids Noon Years Eve party. 🎄🎉 This pint size version of NYE will feature a DJ dance party, games, face painting and free party favors. 🥳 We will also countdown at 11:59. Then, right at noon, there will be a balloon drop featuring mall gift card prizes in select balloons! Happy New Year, LAX!

📍 Children’s Museum of La Crosse - Kids Noon Years Eve // 9am [Family-Friendly]

Join us for a special celebration for all ages while we ring in the New Year!

Balloon Drop & Bubble Wrap Stomp at 12 noon.

FREE for members and museum admission!

🌤 Weather

Question…Do You Enjoy this Newsletter?

If you do, please consider sharing it with friends, family, or other community members. Do that 3 times—and I’ll shout out your birthday!

The first milestone in our referral program is a birthday shoutout—pretty sweet, right? Play your cards right and there might be a bumper sticker in it for you somewhere down the line. 😉

🏈🏀 Local Sports

12/27

Central Girls Basketball @ Prairie du Sac // W 50-37

Logan Girls Basketball @ Reedsburg // L 40-65

Winona Girls Hockey vs. Rochester // L 2-3

Aquinas Girls Basketball vs. Caledonia // W 57-50

La Crescent Girls Basketball @ Albert Lea // L 45-50

La Crescent Boys Basketball @ Pine Island // L 69-79

Onalaska Boys Basketball vs. Appleton East // W 64-32

Winona Girls Basketball @ Kasson // L 26-70

Aquinas Boys Basketball vs. Galesville // W 72-59

La Crescent Boys Hockey @ Hayward // L 4-6

12/28

Central Girls Basketball @ Reedsburg // W 53-40

West Salem Girls Basketball vs. Caledonia // L 51-55

West Salem Boys Basketball vs. Caledonia // L 67-77

La Crescent Boys Hockey vs. Fargo South // L 1-10

Holmen Girls Basketball vs. Chippewa Falls // W 58-34

Aquinas Boys Basketball vs. Cambridge // W 72-71

La Crescent Boys Basketball @ Spring Grove // W 56-39

Winona Girls Hockey vs. Red Wing // W 8-2

12/29

12/30

Luther Girls Basketball vs. Mondovi // 3:00pm

Luther Boys Basketball @ Mondovi // 1:00pm

Alright, GM Coulee Family.

That’s it for today. I’ve just tee’d up the perfect Monday for you. Now go knock it out of the park. 💪

I’ll see you back here tomorrow. Same time, same place. ☀️

Have something to say? You know what to do.

📥 👇

[email protected]