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Here is a selection of brief news items from this week's paper edition.

Regional smoke-free dining guide updated

The Coulee Region Smoke-free Dining Guide, July 2007 edition, is now available through local libraries, clinics and the American Cancer Society.

The guide, which is continually updated, currently includes 219 smoke-free restaurants, 17 smoke-free bars and two smoke-free lodging facilities. These facilities account for 100 percent smoke-free environments in 35 communities among six counties in western Wisconsin, said Jenelle Meyer, the 2007 chairperson for La Crosse Area Health Initiative.

Eight restaurants have been included since the last guide was produced in December 2006, in addition to two bars. “There is continuous growth in smoke-free facilities in many areas of the state,” said Paula Silha, La Crosse County health educator, who compiles the guide. “Smoke-free air is becoming the norm.”

Tobacco use costs the nation more than $96 billion dollars a year in health care costs. By becoming smoke-free, many restaurants, bars and lodging facilities are helping to reduce costs associated with smoking, along with improving the health of employees and those around them.

As stated through www.healthedco.com, secondhand smoke contains twice as much nicotine and tar as that which is inhaled by the smoker and is responsible for more than 63,000 deaths among nonsmokers every year in the U.S.

For more information regarding which states have passed smoke-free worksite policies, visit www.no-smoke.org.

For more information on the Coulee Region Smoke-free Dining Guide, to be included or become a distribution site, call Silha at 785-9854.

Multimedia company opens in Onalaska

Elements Digital has opened in Suite 300 at 575 Lester Ave., next to Sue Kolve’s Salon Professional Academy in Onalaska.

Bill Kult and Jeff Voves are the main owners of the business,

Elements Digital specializes in commercial video and audio production. It creates radio and TV advertising, multimedia presentations and in-house sales videos. It also offers music and special effects recording, production and duplication, as well as Web design services.

Century Expo opens office in Onalaska

Century Expo Ltd. has moved from 1523 Rose St. in La Crosse to 548 Lester Ave. in Onalaska.

It has about 6,500 square feet of space at the new building. That compares with 2,000 square feet at the former location, Century Expo co-owner Margaret Fredrickson said. She and Brenda Miller bought the business 10 years ago and have been working there since 1989.

Fredrickson said she and Miller needed a larger location because of past and future growth. Century Expo has between 25 and 30 employees. “And with the new facility we can get to possibly 45,” Fredrickson said. The business moved at the end of May.

Since 1968, it has specialized in staging events and trade shows at regional shopping centers throughout the United States. “We do anywhere from 100 to 150 shows a year,” Fredrickson said.

The firm’s Web site is www.centuryexpo.com.

Dahl celebrates 25 years with Subaru

Subaru of America recently honored Dahl Automotive for its 25th anniversary with the Subaru franchise at a ceremony during the Subaru National Business Conference in Las Vegas.

In presenting the award, Tim Colbeck, vice president of sales at Subaru of America, praised Dahl as an example of the kind of dealership that is succeeding in introducing more consumers to Subaru.

According to Harry Dahl, president and owner of Dahl Automotive, the company greatly values its longstanding relationship with Subaru. “Subaru is a unique brand that is noted for engineering excellence, a total focus on safety and respect for the environment. We take a lot of pride in being associated with such a visionary company,” Dahl said.

Nearly 100 years old, Dahl Automotive is the ninth-oldest family-owned Ford dealership in the nation. It has dealerships in La Crosse and Onalaska. In addition to Subaru and Ford, it offers Lincoln, Mercury, Mitsubishi, Suzuki and Hyundai lines. Dahl has 175 employees and it averages more than 2,000 vehicle sales per year.

Counseling business moves to Onalaska

Stein Counseling is relocating its offices to 571 Braund St., in Onalaska.

Stein Counseling provides marriage counseling, child/adolescent behavioral management programs to parents, counseling for adolescents and children, as well as counseling for adults with depression, trauma, anxiety, and coping with other life transitions and challenges. Christian counselors are available.

Office hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday and Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Onsite parking is available. Bus riders can continue to bus via Route 5 Valley View Mall and exiting at ShopKo. The business is located two blocks north of ShopKo.

Red Balloon Day Care is located in the same building and will provide childcare for individuals attending parenting classes or outpatient appointments. Please contact them at 781-8580.