Portage County capsules CONSERVATION PROGRAM SIGN UP: The sign-up for the 2001 Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is from March 1 to March 30 at the Farm Services Agency or the Natural Resources Conservation Service at the Courthouse Annex, 1462 Strongs Ave., Stevens Point. Several additional practices have become eligible, as well as the two existing practices of prescribed grazing and nutrient management. The new practices offered are three types of reduced tillage systems - ridge tillage, no-till and mulch tillage. In addition, roof runoff systems for barnyards, well abandonment and clean water diversions for around barnyards are cost shared at 75 percent. Contracts are for five to 10 years. For more information or to set up an appointment to sign up, call Farm Services Agency at 346-1313 or the Natural Resource Conservation Service at 346-1325. * * * DAFFODIL DAYS SUPPORTS CANCER SERVICES: The Portage County Unit of the American Cancer Society will hold its annual Daffodil Days on Tuesday, March 13. Spring's first flower, the daffodil is the American Cancer Society's symbol of hope. Daffodils can be purchased by the individual bunch, entire box, half box or quarter box. Bunches can be given to employees, clients and friends by businesses or by individuals. Purchase price is $6 per bunch or a box of 500 for $300 , half box for $150 or quarter box for $75. For a $10 donation, a Gift of Hope, which is a bouquet of daffodils in a vase, will be delivered to a cancer survivor. Daffodils can be ordered by telephoning Ida Frizzell 824-3780 or the American Cancer Society, 848-2881. Flowers can be picked up from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 13, from either F & M Bank, Highway 10 East, or M & I Bank, Plover. If you'd like to volunteer to help or have questions, use the same numbers. * * * RADIO CONTROL CAR SHOW: The CenterPoint Marketplace will be the site of the 2001 Preseason Radio Control Car Show Friday-Sunday, March 9-11. Sponsored by the Central Wisconsin Radio Control Racing Association, more than 50 radio control cars and trucks will be on display. Vehicles featured will include nitro-powered cars which reach speeds of 500 MPH (scale speed) and "T-Maxi" monster tracks. Viewers may vote for their favorite car or truck in the Best of Show Contest and can talk to radio control racers about this hobby and what it takes to race this season, which begins on May 27. Additional information about the show may be directed to Scott Shurpit at Galaxy Hobby, 341-4077. * * * CATHOLIC SCHOOLS CLOSED: Stevens Point Area Catholic Schools, from preschool through grade 12, will be closed Friday, March 2, for a staff retreat. The SPASCS administrative office will remain open. * * * BEHNKE FUND ESTABLISHED: Donn and Cheryl Behnke, along with a number of Stevens Point Area Senior High School cross country parents, have established the Donn Behnke Seed-A-Future Fund with the Community Foundation of Portage County. Behnke began coaching cross country at SPASH in 1977. His teams' accomplishments include 22 consecutive Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association Division I Sectional titles, seven WIAA Division 1 State titles and a 94 percent win-loss ratio. The Behnke Scholarship Seed-A-Future fund currently holds $3,500. The monies and any additional gifts will be reinvested until it reaches its fully endowed goal of $10,000. It is anticipated that one scholarship of $400-500 will be awarded every year, beginning this year in May 2001. The Community Foundation can help set up a Seed-A-Future fund for any community purpose a donor would like to fund. To contribute to Behnke's scholarship fund or to set up a separate fund, contact the Community Foundation of Portage County at 342-4454. * * * CWACT ROOF-TOP-A-THON: Central Wisconsin Area Community Theater Ltd. will kick off its 2001 capital campaign at 4 p.m. Friday, March 9, when Anne Schierl and Roy Dunlap climb to the top of the Whiting Hotel and stay there until cwACT reaches its $35,000 building renovation goal. The renovated building will house new rehearsal space with a professional dance floor, a new set shop and costume shop, and storage space for sets, costumes and props. To donate, call 345-1041, option 7. * * * CAP DOMESTIC ABUSE PROGRAM CERTIFIED: CAP Services' Domestic Abuse Alternative Program (DAAP) has been certified by the Wisconsin Batterers Treatment Providers Association. Certification means that DAAP meets state standards ensuring quality treatment is provided to male perpetrators of domestic violence. DAAP is designed to help abusers understand why they abuse and give them the tools to keep from abusing again. CAP Services provides DAAP in Portage, Waupaca and Waushara Counties. The program is offered year-round in ongoing 20-week segments. Participants include batterers who enroll voluntarily or are court-ordered to attend. In 2000, 164 abusers participated in CAP's program. The development of standards for certification of programs began in 1996. A review of programs throughout the state was completed in early 2001. CAP Services' DAAP was among the first programs to receive certification. People interested in the program should call 343-7189. All contacts are confidential. * * * CAP FRESH START RECEIVES GRANT: CAP Services has received a grant for $210,000 from the Wisconsin Division of Housing for third-year funding for its Fresh Start Program in Waushara County. Fresh Start is a program for at-risk youths ages 17-24. The goal of the program is for the students to obtain their high school equivalency degree while developing workplace and life skills. Students attend classes two to three hours a day and work with a housing professional to learn how to build single family houses the remainder of the day. The program is held daily Monday through Thursday, year-round, and students are paid for the work they do. Currently, 14 students are in the program, and the crew is working on the project's third house with completion expected in May 2001. The first two homes were sold to households with low- or moderate-incomes with assistance from CAP's Home Buyers Assistance Program. All of the houses built to date have been in the Dafoe subdivision in Wautoma. In addition to new construction, the Fresh Start crew has also provided assistance on two Habitat for Humanity projects and several CAP weatherization projects.