VA Townhall event scheduled
The Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center will be hosting a veteran healthcare presentation at 5 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 17 in Iron Mountain. The event will be streamed live on the medical center’s Facebook page and the video post will be available for later viewing. The presentations will focus on three things: VA Video Connect, a new way for veterans to connect with providers via smartphones, tablets, laptops or other home computers; benefits that may be available for veterans and eligible family members due to their connection with water contamination at Camp Lejeune; and the medical center’s new smoke free policy which goes into effect Oct. 1.  VA providers that specialize in smoking cessation will be available to discuss resources with veterans to quit smoking.

How to recruit women to run for office
Nicolet College Learning in Retirement and the League of Women Voters of the Northwoods are teaming up to present “Recruiting Women for Elected Office,” on Monday, Sept. 23 at 1:30 p.m. at Pine Lake Town Hall. This interactive presentation will offer opportunities to explore effective ways to recruit more women to run for elected office. Three UW-Extension community resources officials will be facilitating the community dialogue. The program is free and open to the public.

Ascension to offer 24/7 provider access
Ascension Wisconsin, which has several locations in the Northwoods, has expanded its online care services, giving consumers round-the-clock access to care. Ascension Online Care offers patients a one-on-one video visit with an urgent care provider through smartphones, tablets or laptops. This is an expanded version of the virtual care program launched in 2015. The service is for non-emergency needs. A flat rate fee is charged at the time of the visit.

Project North tickets on sale
Tickets are available now for Rhinelander’s three-day music, art and sustainability festival. A Project North ticket will include four stages of music from 30 bands, art activities, and an art walk, sustainability experiences and lectures, and ability to purchase food and beverages from vendors and the craft beer wagon. Tickets are $65 in advance and $75 at the gate. The event coincides with the opening of the annual Northern National Art Competition at Nicolet College and the ArtStart School of the Arts Legacy program held at UWSP Treehaven. Kids get in for half price and can enjoy all the events plus a kids’ tent of activities. For tickets and information, visit projectnorth.org. Informational sessions will be held Tuesday, Sept. 17 at ArtStart Rhinelander for anyone interested in volunteering. Show up at 10 a.m., or 2 or 5:30 p.m. Volunteers can qualify for free event admission for the day. Visit the projectnorth.org website for details.

Rhinelander pastor promotes ‘Back to Church Sunday’
Rod Ankrom, pastor at Calvary Baptist Church, wants Northwoods residents to add one more event to their fall rituals: Go back to church. Sunday, Sept. 15 is “National Back to Church Sunday,” and Ankrom is encouraging people to attend his church or any other church in the Northwoods. The movement began in 2009, Ankrom said, when a survey showed 82% of people said they would attend church if someone they knew invited them.  This year’s theme is Come Together. “We invite people to come to church to find a gathering of people who are growing together spiritually, applying their faith to everyday challenges and who help and support one another, as well as our community,” Ankrom said. He can be reached at 715-362-4792.