September 29, 2014
The DMN e-News and an occasional hard copy DMN News are published by the Dunn’s Marsh Neighborhood Association (DMNA) on an “as-needed” schedule. The Dunn’s Marsh Neighborhood Association, Inc. has been working to unite neighbors to solve mutual problems and promote fellowship among neighbors since 1973. Our neighborhood is in Madison & Fitchburg.
President & News contact: Mary Mullen, mmullen4337@charter.net 298-0843
Website: http://www.dunnsmarsh.org <http://www.dunnsmarsh.org>
On Facebook: Type Dunn’s Marsh Neighborhood Association into the search box.
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A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR: This is the first full-length e-News since mid-June, so get ready for a big one! Think of it like a magazine where you pick and choose what interests you including the 8 picture attachments. There’s no calendar printed here, but please note the DMNA free chili supper & annual meeting on October 9 (Article #2), a possible garden mosaic celebration on October 25 (about 10 a.m.), and a chance for kids to have fun on Halloween at Prairie UU (Article #28). This issue features several short articles on voter ID, reports on past neighborhood events, and a big section on new bike facilities in and near the neighborhood.
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ARTICLE LIST, 9/28/14 issue (All articles by Mary Mullen unless noted otherwise.)
DUNN’S MARSH NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION
1a - E-mail News Contact Address Has Changed
1b - Free Chili Supper & DMNA Annual Meeting, Thur., October 9
SERIOUS BUSINESS - Police, Voter ID, Walgreen’s closing
2 - How to Contact Madison Police About Crime Issues
3 - Make it Easy to Get Your Porch Light On
4 - Don’t Wait Until November to Check Your Voter Picture ID
5 - What’s Acceptable Voter Picture ID?
6 - At the Polls…
7 - Obtaining a Wisconsin ID
8 - Dane County Fees Waived for Birth Certificates
9 - Unavailable Documentation?
10 - Walgreen’s Closing, End of December - What’s to be Done?
ART IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD
11 - More Mosaic Figures for Roundabout Completed
12 - Numbered Mosaic Stones Installed in the Garden August 23
(Attachment: “1 pics installing grdn mosaics.jpg”)
13 - The Marlborough Garden Stepping Stone Sign Is In!!!! (Attachment: “2 pics making the sign.jpg”)
MORE PARK NEWS
14a - With CAC Out of Community Gardens, Garden Coalition Initiates Website
14b - Now is Time To Get on Garden Waiting List
15 - DMNA Picnic Draws 50 Neighbors
NATURE
16 - Neighborhood Sign Planting Gets Facelift (Attachment: “3 pics DM sign.jpg”)
17 - Redtails Alive and Screeing
18 - Turn in Your Water Resources Survey
19 - Final Round of Brush Collection Begins in Madison
GETTING AROUND - BUS, CAR, & ESPECIALLY BIKE
20 - Bus Route 59 Serves Neighborhood Weekends/Holidays (Attachments: “4 Bus 59 map.jpg” & “5 Bus 59 schedule.jpg”)
21 - PD Under Construction Until October 31
22 - Neighborhood Gets Richer in Bike Connections (Attachment: “6 map bike connections.jpg” & “7 pics bike stuff.jpg”)
23 - Tempest About the PD Bike Bridge
24 - Grade-Separated Crossing Slated for Badger State Trail at PD
25 - How To Use the Flashing Light to Cross PD on a Bike
26 - Should Einstein’s Have a Driveway Opening to Britta Parkway?
27 - Britta Will NOT Be the Frontage Road Forever (Attachment: “8 Noise wall map.jpg”)
MISCELLANEOUS
28 - Kids: Stop by at Prairie UU on Halloween, 5-7 pm.
29 Proud Theater Looking for Volunteers
30 - Like Lady Gaga or Not, This Short Video about Women's Equality Might Interest You
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ARTICLES
DUNN’S MARSH NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION
1a - E-mail News Contact Address Has Changed
To contact the President of the Dunn’s Marsh Neighborhood Association or the Dunn’s Marsh Neighborhood e-News, please note the new e-mail address: mmullen4337@charter.net
1b - Free Chili Supper & DMNA Annual Meeting, Thur., October 9
Put this important date on you calendar right now. Thursday, October 9, 6:15 pm. Everyone in the neighborhood is invited to come to a free chili supper, PowerPoint show about the neighborhood, and then the annual meeting of the Dunn’s Marsh Neighborhood Association.
This gathering serves the two purposes of the DMNA as stated in the official bylaws of the Association: to promote fellowship among neighbors and to unite neighbors to solve mutual problems.
Representatives to the Neighborhood Council are chosen at this meeting.
Spanish translation will be available.
SERIOUS BUSINESS - Police, Voter ID, Walgreen’s closing
2 - How to Contact Madison Police About Crime Issues
In September there was a rash of break-ins and thefts from cars in the neighborhood.
Here is Madison police contact information for ongoing safety issues in our area and who to contact and when and for what.
For an incident occurring now, call 911 or the non-emergency number 255-2345.
For ongoing incidents that will need attention, gather the information and contact all of the people shown below.
By contacting all three, you will hopefully find someone on duty on a given day. The Lieutenants (LT) normally work Monday-Friday.
Dunn’s Marsh Patrol Liaison Steve Mackesey at mackesey@cityofmadison.com <mailto:mackesey@cityofmadison.com> Lt. Mackesey works noon to 8:00 pm. If you need to talk to Officer Mackesey, call Dispatch at 255-2345 and they will have him call you if he is working.
Patrol LT Tom Woodmansee at twoodmansee@cityofmadison.com or 243-0504.
Field LT Mike Hanson at mhanson@cityofmadison.com or at 243-0505
Information needed for ongoing incidents:
· Date
· Time
· Description of Activity
· Description of Vehicles and People, Direction of Travel, License Plate Numbers
If you can safely take a picture, do so of people, vehicles, and activity and provide them to the police.
(If you misplace this issue of the e-News, you can find this same information on the Facebook page of the Dunn’s Marsh Neighborhood Association. Look for “Posts to Page” for Sue Morovits’ posting.)
Information gathered by neighbor Sue Morvits
3 - Make it Easy to Get Your Porch Light On
Hello Neighbors.
The photo above is a programmable light switch.
Tonight when I went outside at 9:30, I saw many houses with the porch lights on. I haven’t seen so many since Halloween. I think it’s great and I thank you for doing something so simple to help keep things safer.
This switch costs about $25 and it very easy to install. I have had one on my porch light for the last 12 years and my lights are on every night. If you want one, you can buy them at the Home Depot or at Dorn’s True Value (if you want to shop local), or online.
This way you wont forget to turn the light on or off, and you will save money by having them shut off during the day.
Sept. 19, 2014 posting on DMNA Facebook page
used with permission of the author, Joe Barus
PICTURE ID INFORMATION, ARTICLES 4—9
4 - Don’t Wait Until November to Check Your Voter Picture ID
Most voters may be aware that voters will need official picture ID to vote in the next election, the one coming up on Tuesady, November 4. If you know someone who does not have the necessary ID or isn’t registered, help is at hand.
Don’t be caught short on election day when you will want to be voting for Governor. Read the articles below. For some people, it may take weeks to get all the needed documentation to obtain a legal picture ID.
All of the following voter ID information is from the City of Madison.
5 - What’s Acceptable Voter Picture ID?
Wisconsin driver license*
WI DOT issued photo ID card*
U.S. passport*
Military ID card*
*The above documents may not have expired earlier than the date of the last November election.
Certificate of naturalization issued within last 2 years
Unexpired Wisconsin driver license or state ID receipt
ID card issued by a federally recognized Indian tribe in Wisconsin
Unexpired ID issued by a Wisconsin accredited university or college
(must contain issuance date, student signature, and expiration date within 2
years of issuance, along with proof of current enrollment)
Your photo ID does not need to show your current address.
Absentee requests for ballots sent by mail must be accompanied by a photocopy or picture of an acceptable form of voter ID.
from City of Madison
6 - At the Polls…
Wisconsin law now requires voters to present a photo ID before obtaining a ballot.
Your photo ID does not need to show a current address.
Election officials will only be looking at the type of ID presented, the name and photograph on the ID, and the expiration date of the ID.
from City of Madison
7 - Obtaining a Wisconsin ID
If you are eligible to vote but do not have a Wisconsin ID card, you may obtain a free ID for voting. You will need to check a box on the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) application to indicate that you need the ID for voting. For more information, see www.dot.wisconsin.gov/drivers/drivers/apply/idcard.htm <http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/drivers/drivers/apply/idcard.htm>
You may need to provide a certified birth certificate or passport in order to obtain your free ID. If you have changed your name since birth, you will need to provide proof of your legal name change.
from City of Madison
8 - Dane County Fees Waived for Birth Certificates
If you were born in Dane County and need to obtain your certified birth certificate to apply for a Wisconsin ID in order to vote, the Dane County Register of Deeds will waive the fee for your birth certificate. You will need to show the Register of Deeds two documents with your name and address, or you will need to bring along a friend or family member who has photo ID and will corroborate for you
from City of Madison
9 - Unavailable Documentation?
Rather than pay a fee for the documentation required for a free Wisconsin ID, you may petition the DMV to verify your identity with a state or federal agency.
For details, see http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/drivers/drivers/apply/petition-process.htm <http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/drivers/drivers/apply/petition-process.htm>
File the petition as soon as possible. The DMV will try to complete verification within seven business days, but the process may take longer.
from City of Madison
10 - Walgreen’s Closing, End of December - What’s to be Done?
Our neighborhood Walgreen’s is closing by January 2015. With this loss, the only place within the neighborhood for food is the gas stations, and there will be no pharmacy.
Madison Alder Maurice Cheeks came to the September 11 DMNA Council meeting to discuss the loss and talk about what he and the City of Madison are doing to try to do get a good food source in the neighborhood. How to get pharmacy services is another matter.
Alder Cheeks told us that for 6 months he has been working with City staff on the issue of getting a grocery store. When he learned very recently that Walgreen’s was leaving, he researched whether the decision to abandon the store could be rescinded. He learned that the decision was made very high up in the Walgreen’s national heirarchy and was part of a decision to close 80 Walgreen’s stores across the country. And whereas they used to favor renting their space, now Walgreen’s wants to own its space. Walgreen’s rents in our neighborhood, and the decision to leave will not be reconsidered.
Cheeks stated, “Walgreen’s is not a community partner.” In other words, they aren’t interested in serving a community like a locally-owned establishment might be. They are focused on serving their national bottom line.
Cheeks then spoke to Mayor Soglin. The mayor called a meeting of the major grocery stores to brainstorm what could work to get a grocery store into the neighborhood The City is dedicated to working with grocers to get a store here.
Previously, Walgreen’s had a no-competition clause in their lease that would have prevented a grocery store in the other business spaces nearby.
The intelligence from the meeting with the grocers was that an ordinary grocery store would not draw enough people to be successful because people outside the neighborhood would not cross the physical barriers to come to store like Copps or Cub. Since the Dunn’s Marsh neighborhood is relatively small, a successful store has to draw people from outside. It should also be noted that when Allied Drive was redeveloped, i.e. cleared of many of its apartments, over 100 families had to leave. I’m sure this affected the sales at the Cub grocery store that was located just across Verona Road.
The barriers in our case are the major highways that make it difficult to come into and get out the neighborhood. The finalized reconstruction of Verona Road and the Beltline won’t fix this: it will be a more roundabout route to get in and out of the neighborhood than it used to be - except for the Seminole Highway route. Even before, stores failed because people from outside the neighborhood had to cross Verona Road traffic either to get into or out of the neighborhood.
Grocers felt a workable solution would be a bodega-type store such as a corner Mom & Pop grocery store, a “destination store” that people will go out of their way to visit. He mentioned the Triangle Market on State Street which has a small space but carries lots of everyday grocery items. A store selling organic or ethnic foods might be the kind of destination store that would draw people from outside.
Regarding pharmacy needs, it was mentioned that someone is going door-to-door trying to sign up people for a mail order pharmacy solution. Apparently there are two different people/businesses that want to serve the neighborhood in some way. One is the Fitchburg Hometown Pharmacy. The owner of that pharmacy which is based in Hatchery Hill (PD & Fish Hatchery Road) will be attending the Dunn’s Marsh Neighborhood Association’s annual meeting on October 9.
When things are a little further along, Alder Cheeks will be holding a meeting to inform the neighborhood of progress.
ART IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD
12 - Numbered Mosaic Stones Installed in the Garden August 23
(Attachment: “1 pics installing grdn mosaics.jpg”)
Thirty people, most associated with Marlborough Garden, showed up on a cloudy August 23 to install the numbered mosaic stepping stones at the ends of the 16 paths in the community garden. Twenty-nine stones were put in the ground before rain stopped the workday around 1:30 pm. The last 3 stones were put in later.
The mosaic project is funded by a grant from the Madison Art Commission with additional funding from the Wisconsin Arts Board and Marlborough Community Garden. The grant was awarded to the Dunn’s Marsh Neighborhood Association.
Volunteers represented several ethnic groups and a range of ages from children to older adults of retirement age. More than half of the day’s volunteers were of Latino background, but southeast Asians, African Americans, and Whites participated as well.
The stepping stones had been made by many of these same volunteers plus quite a few others from the garden and the community at workshops conducted on July 17 and 19 by community artist Christina Kantor. Others helped grout the mosaics on July 23.
To see some of the people who worked on this project, click on the attachment. If you want to see these photos larger, go to the Dunn’s Marsh Neighborhoood Association Facebook page and find the photo album “Installing the Numbered Stones. See the 32 stepping stones “in person“ by walking the north and south edges of the gardens.
Two stepping stones without numbers were installed by the wooden bench under a tree near the oldest no-till garden. The stepping stones with letters spelling “Marlborough Community Garden” were installed a month later by a much small group of volunteers.
Many thanks to the people who volunteered their time to make this practical art project come alive. You can be proud to show of the “mark” you have left in Marlborough Park.
The total work hours on August 23 was 38 ½ hours or about 1 1/3 hours per stone.
13 - The Marlborough Garden Stepping Stone Sign Is In!!!!
(Attachment: “2 pics making the sign.jpg”)
It was truly a multi-generational and cooperative community group that worked on September 20 to install the 26 mosaic stepping stone mosaics that spell out “MARLBOROUGH COMMUNITY GARDEN.” The sign was installed in the ground on the east end of the plowed garden parallel to the bike path.
The youngest and most enthusiastic digger was 8-year-old Daniel Hernandez. The oldest and one of three who stayed to the bitter end was Phillip Meier, age 80. The other 8 gardeners and neighborhood residents who came to excavate the space for the 26 stepping stones and haul dirt, gravel, stepping stones, and limestone fines ranged from their 20s into their 70s.
The nicest thing was how we all worked together as a team with no friction whatsoever.
The job began at 10 a.m. with 4 volunteers. Six more were on board before the hour was up.
It was good to have these eager and strong people, for the work was not for sissies. Some dug the 4 foot by 13-foot 7-inch deep bed. Others hauled rickety wheelbarrows of heavy, wet dirt up hill and around the corner of the garden to a hole that needed filling. When the dirt hauling was done, there were the 20-pound stepping stones to transport, usually 4 at a time in the wheelbarrows.
Meantime the hole had to be filled with gravel. That meant more wheelbarrow work. Then the gravel needed to be tamped down with a heavy hand tamper.
The next job required the skill of a carpenter, and we had just the right person for the job, Kent Seeker, a neighborhood resident. He was aided substantially by gardener and neighbor Tom Hungerford. They built the frame that snugly holds the lettered stones.
By 2:00 pm everyone but Kent, Tom, and Phillip had had to leave for other obligations. These three finished the job by 3:00 pm. Kent later said in an e-mail, “We were exhausted by the end of the day, but wanted to provide a professional job. Therefore, we critiqued each others’ tile placement.” They’d had no lunch, just a few sipa of water during their 5 hours of work.
The gardeners who helped install the Marlborough Garden steppping stone sign were Angélica Muñoz, her son Daniel Hernandez, Taylor Wahlig, Ashley Korchyk, Tom Hungerford, Patty Stockdale, and Mary Mullen. Neighborhood residents who don’t have gardens but helped anyway were Kent Seeker, Rachel Potter, and Phillip Meier.
Many thanks to these volunteers who supplied 31 hours of work on that Saturday to make this installation.
Job details were completed during the following week. On the 23rd Kent Seeker put up the corner posts which were made from white cedar trunks cut from Jesse & Yannette Cole’s yard. On the 24th Mary Mullen backfilled the edges around the sign. Then on the 26th Tim Brennan from Midwest Decorative Stone volunteered half an hour to apply the polymeric sand between the stones, and Mary Mullen finished the job by dusting off all the sand grains and then misting the installation so the sand would turn hard like mortar.
Is it time for a celebration? Keep tuned. One may be in the works for October 25
MORE PARK NEWS
14a - With CAC Out of Community Gardens, Garden Coalition Initiates Website
In April, the Community Action Coalition dropped the bomb that it was no longer planning to be involved in community gardens including the Marlborough Community Garden. The date of disengagement was set for May 31 except for insurance that will continue through 2014.
While this caught nearly everyone by surprise, quite a few organizations and people stepped into the breach. A number of meetings were held and a group was formed to transition to a new way of supporting the community garden movement.
Recently a website was activated that contains much of the information that the CAC site had: location and contact numbers for different community garadens, FAQ, resources for gardeners and garden leaders, and information about planning the transition from CAC support.
This is the invitation sent out to interested garden leaders to view the website:
Hello Gardens,
I'd like to invite you to explore our new website at www.danecountycommunitygardens.org! This site has been developed as a transitional home now that CAC has ended their involvement with the gardens program – a place to share information about the collaborative planning process that is taking place to develop a new garden program, as well as a place to continue to provide resources that our gardening community has found helpful over the years. We hope it can keep growing and eventually transition ownership to Dane County's future community garden support organization.
We are excited to share it with you and look forward to your feedback! It is very much a work in progress, so your suggestions can help it evolve to meet your garden's needs. Spread the word and tell your friends!
Best,
Lexa
Lexa Dundore
Community Food Systems Americorps VISTA
Dane County UW-Extension,5201 Fen Oak Dr. Ste. 138
Madison, WI 53718
608-224-3696 dundor...@countyofdane.com
If you are interested in the any of this, access the website at http://danecountycommunitygardens.org/
14b - Now is Time To Get on Garden Waiting List
Now is the time to tell Marlborough Community Garden leaders that you’d like a garden next year. If you haven’t been a gardener there this summer and want to plant there next spring, contact one of the garaden leaders now to get on a waiting list.
Spanish speakers contact Angélica at 332-4832 or angeolvido@aol.com
English speakers may contact Mary, 298-0843 or mmullen4337@charter.net
15 - DMNA Picnic Draws 50 Neighbors
It’s old news, but still worth reporting…
Despite the threatening weather and ensuing rain on August 1, the annual DMNA picnic drew 50 people.
A fair share were kids who filled the Marlborough Park shelter with reverberating sound, but people of all ages were represented from babies in arms to oldsters in their eighth decade.
Food was a big draw, with beverages and hot dogs supplied by the DMNA. Potluck food ranged from dishes made with vegetables fresh from the garden to sweet delicacies featuring chocolate.
A major hit was the piñata brought by DMNA Council member Heidi Figueroa. Nearly everybody, including neighborhood police Officer Mackesey, batted it around. Kids shared the candy with adults, and Council member Denise Williams even stuck her arm deep into the grounded yellow bunny to scoop up the dregs.
Kids and adults were entertained by neighborhood storyteller Paul Rogovich. It was good to have peace and quiet for the storytelling.
We also had music. Neighborhood resident Cindy Harrington sang duets with her friend Angela Smith, who also accompanied on guitar. They even stayed to entertain the responsible stragglers who cleaned up the shelter. The music made the work seem lighter.
You shoulda been there.
NATURE
16 - Neighborhood Sign Planting Gets Facelift (Attachment: “3 pics DM sign.jpg”)
It took some prompting from the owner of Midwest Financial Group on the corner of Seminole and the Frontage Road, but now the plantings around the Dunn’s Marsh Neighborhood sign have been weeded. Perhaps passersby even noticed the fringe of red and purple petunias planted in front.
This year a lot of unwanted grasses and weeds poked their heads up. Earlier in the summer Arboretum horticulturalist Susan Kilmer did some weeding of broad-leaved plants. She removed that embarrassing and nearly head-heigh Canadian thistle, but grasses and other weeds continued to grow.
By mid-July Krisann Miehe of Midwest found the scraggly look was unacceptaable. She sent an e-mail to the 3 DMNA members she knew had been involved in getting the sign. That resulted in a flurry of activity including a conference at the sign with Susan Kilmer, a lengthy return e-mail to Krisann, and finally 2 hours of weed-pulling, watering, and petunia planting by Donna Sarafin and Mary Mullen on July 19.
Of course the weeds continued to grow, and they have been removed several times. In addition, on September 5, neighbor Katherine Vanderbilt and Mary Mullen planted 4 large chrysanthemums in front of the sign.
17 - Redtails Alive and Screeing
SCREEeee. SCREEeee. SCREEeee.
Screeeee. Screeeee. Screeeee.
SCREEeee. SCREEeee. SCREEeee.
I was riding my bicycle along Britta Parkway on July 18 after a photo session related to the Verona Road project, when I heard repeated screes. It took a moment to register that this sound was probably a bird of prey, but as the sounds continued, I searched the sky.
Way at the top of a metal 100-foot-tall high tension pole on the Beltline frontage road, I saw the bird sitting. But I continued to hear what seemed like louder screes closer at hand. Could there be a second bird? Looking lower, I saw another perched on a much lower wooden pole along Britta. And then, as the screes continued, I saw yet another on a closer pole.
It didn’t take much thought to realize that the bird on the high metal pole was a parent and the other two were young redtail hawks probably recently fledged from a nest and a little nervous about it, or hungry. Looking at the bird on the tall pole with the telescopic feature on my little camera, I could see its diagnostic red tail, while the other 2 had the barred tails typical of juveniles.
I snapped a few pictures that showed all 3.
Soon one of the juveniles flew down to the corner of the apartment building at the corner of Britta and Axel. I got a few photos. Then it flew to a low branch of a nearby street tree on Axel. More photos.
About this time, a young man came out on the stoop of the apartment building. He was curious as to what I was doing. When he saw the hawk I pointed out, he went in to get his phone to take a video. Again the hawk flew, this time to another tree in the yard next door. I took a few more photos, getting close-ups with the telescopic lens feature.
Less than 2 weeks later as two of us were biking out Seminole Highway near the Dawley Park prairie and bike hub building, we heard birds in the woods. Stopping, I identified the call of redtail hawks, close. They sounded like they were nearly above us. As we crossed the highway to see if we could spot them, they took off deeper into the woods. Then one broke free and soared above the trees toward the Beltline and then back over the prairie.
Just another exciting encounter with nature that probably would never have been noticed from a car.
The redtails are alive and screeing.
18 - Turn in Your Water Resources Survey
During the last week of August, UW Water Resources seminar students made the rounds in the neighborhood with a water resources survey and a postage-paid envelope. They asked residents to fill out the survey and return it to them.
The survey was supported by the Dunn’s Marsh Neighborhood Association, with all the work of devising and distributing the survey done by the seminar students.
If you got a survey form and haven’t yet returned it, please hunt it up and finish it before sending it off. If you did not get one or prefer to do the survey by computer, please fill out the survey on line at https://uwmadison.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_23tpxw9kKU5qgAZ file://localhost/SE
A paper survey can be given to you if you prefer. Just contact the editor of the e-News. Only one survey per household, please.
19 - Final Round of Brush Collection Begins in Madison
The Madison Streets Division will begin the final round of brush collection Monday September 29th.
“Every neighborhood in the city will receive one more brush collection, starting Monday September 29th,” Madison recycling coordinator George Dreckmann said. “It is our goal to be done with brush collection by the time the volume of leaves picks up so we can assign brush crews to leaf collection.”
Madison residents should get their brush trimmed and to the curb as soon as possible to avoid missing the final collection of the season.
You can get updated information on when crews are expected in your area by calling 267-2088 or by going to www.cityofmadison.com/streets.
Madison residents can also bring their brush to the Streets Division’s drop off sites at 1501 W. Badger Rd and 4602 Sycamore Av. The sites are open seven days a week from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. and on Tuesday and Thursday they are open until 8 p.m.
from City of Madison
GETTING AROUND - BUS, CAR, & ESPECIALLY BIKE
20 - Bus Route 59 Serves Neighborhood Weekends/Holidays
(Attachments: “4 Bus 59 map.jpg” & “5 Bus 59 schedule.jpg”)
In March, the Fitchburg Transportation and Transit Commission held a hearing on a new route for Madison Metro Bus 59. As of Sunday, August 24, that service began with a totally new pick-up stop on the east side of the neighborhood at Crescent Road near Sentinel Pass and a modified route in the Red Arrow Trail/Allied Drive area.
The 59 comes once an hour on weekends and holidays, but will not serve the neighborhood at all on weekdays. It provides quick service to Target and HyVee on PD and eventually ends up at the West Transfer Point where there’s a Copp’s grocery store and a second HyVee.
The change has engendered a certain amount of controversy. More about that later.
Route described…
Bus 59 travels only one direction in the Dunn’s Marsh Neighborhood. It will come up Seminole to Sentinel Pass, turn left on Sentinel, then left again on Crescent Road where the first stop is located. The route continues on Crescent with a right on Red Arrow where several stops are located. After going all the way to the Verona frontage road, it will briefly travel there and quickly turn onto Allied Drive. Halfway down Allied, it turns right onto Lovell Lane. View the route and schedule on the attached map and chart.
Controversy
Whle there were mixed reviews of the proposal at the March 19 hearing, the Dunn’s Marsh Neighborhood Association favored the changes and suggested a stop on the eastern edge of the neighborhood at Sentinel Pass/Crescent Road. A concentration of apartments is nearby this stop, some with addresses on Seminole, others on Crescent. The Fitchburg city staff also recommended that stop.
But the homeowner on Crescent Road where the new stop is located was shocked and angered when he first learned about it when he talked to the contractor who was installing the pole in front of his house. He dashed off a scathing e-mail to the two Fitchburg alders who live in the Dunn’s Marsh neighborhood and later sent a snail mail letter of similar tone to Thea Bach and Mary Mullen who had represented the DMNA at the hearing and who were recorded in the minutes as favoring a stop in the vicinity of Sentinel Pass and Crescent Road.
This homeowner had not been aware of the hearing in March in Fitchburg nor the one in April in Madison nor of the decisions Fitchburg was making through its Transportation and Transit Commission and Common Council.
Readers of this newsletter would have known all about the proposed change because the March 31 issue of the Dunn’s Marsh e-News carried an article about the hearing and had a detailed map of the proposed route and its proposed stops. You can review that article and map by going to http://dunnsmarsh.blogspot.com/2014/03/dmn-e-news-voting-taxes-greenstuff-more.html
Take-home
This real-life example is just one more reason why all Dunn’s Marsh neighbors might find it in their best interest to subscribe to the e-News. (If you know neighbors who don’t subscribe, this would be a good time to suggest that they get on the subscription list by sending an e-mail to mmullen4337@charter.net <mailto:mmullen4337@charter.net>
One aim of the Dunn’s Marsh Neighborhood Association is to keep abreast of proposals affecting the neighborhood so that residents can have input into decisions rather than finding out about them when it’s too late to do anything about them. This goal is embedded in the DMNA bylaws as its first purpose: “To
unite neighbors to solve mutual problems.”
21 - PD Under Construction Until October 31
Remember jouncing along last winter on the bucking bronco road, PD? The annoying bumps were caused by freezing and thawing of water. This wasn’t the only road suffering from heaving, but it was the worst I experienced.
Now something is being done about it. The entire pavement on the both sides of the bouledvard has been taken up, ground, and carried away. The project which extends from Seminole Highway to Fish Hatchery Road and will be cost-shared 50/50 by Dane County and Fitchburg, will include a new drainage system under the road to move water away. Total cost is $3 million. October 31 is the projected completion date.
After reconstruction, the City of Fitchburg will begin snow removal in the winter of 2016-2017. Fitchburg will take on full maintenance of the road when the state finished reconstruction of Highway 18/151, by January 1, 2020.
The press release about this project mentions that the agreement between Fitchburg and Danae County “includes a couple of additional potential partnerships…. one that could dramatically improve safety for bicyclists crossing… PD.” Probably that refers to the tunnel anticipated for the Badger State Trail crossing.
As of the third week of September, PD project leader Rick Eilertson reports that the project is still on schedule to be completed by the end of October.
from Dane County/Fitchburg press release
22 - Neighbohood Gets Richer in Bike Connections
(Attachments: “6 map bike connections.jpg” & “7 pics bike stuff.jpg”)
The Dunn’s Marsh Neighborhood is one of the richest places for a bike enthusiast to live, and in the last year - in fact, this summer it has taken a quantum leap forward.
Consider the following improvements.
1. The new bike/pedestrian bridge at Apache Pond at Apache Drive and Crescent Road. Bicyclists, dog walkers, marsh lovers, and parents with strollers can now get from neighborhood streets directly onto the Cannonball Path without ever getting their feet wet or endangering their lives on Seminole Highway.
2. Bicyclists and the inveterate hiker can take a pleasant break at the new “bike hub” building, deck, and bicycle repair station. It is located at the parking lot at Dawley Park just beyond the first curve of Seminole Highway. It is accessible from Seminole Highway or spur from the Capital City Trail.
The restrooms are finally open. There’s even a baby-changing station - at least in the women’s restrooms. (I didn’t check the men’s restroom.)
If your tires are low, you can pump them up, and if something has come loose on your bike, tools are attached to the repair station for your use. If you are simply tired of sitting on your bike seat or hot and sweaty from your exertions or a sudden shower has come up, you can enjoy the benches which are under the roof but still outdoors. There’s usually a breeze to ruffle your hair if you are standing on the deck taking in the view of Dunn’s Marsh. From the deck, recently I watched great blue herons and sparkling white egrets wading in the marsh.
3. Still under construction is the new off-road mountain bike park accessible currently only where the Capital City Trail, the Cannonball, and the Badger State Trail meet. Back in mid-August, I ducked under the caution tape and wandered around in the woods where a skidster had been roughing out the paths.
Mostly, the paths are in the shade. I noted wildlife signs: feathers from a woodpecker, a blue jay, and an owl; deer scat and tracks, raccoon tracks; the songs and calls of a cardinal, blue jay, and nuthatch; and a dead tree pecked full of square holes that I assume were made by a pileated woodpecker.
I was reminded of geological history from 10,000 years ago. Large boulders brought by the glacier dotted certain areas, mostly piled together by past human residents since they tended to be next to huge oaks.
Those oaks were open grown as one could see that they had many brawny “arms.” A forest-grown tree will have a long trunk with no branches until the crown: surrounded by other trees from birth, it has put its energy into seeking the light. Those grandmother oaks generally appeared to be along old fence lines, and farmers since the late 1830s and the 1840s were probably the ones who had cleared the fields of these boulders.
By the end of August, a sign had been placed at the entrance. It noted that about 2 miles of trail were being built, one a beginner’s trail and the other an intermediate trail. Even more recently, when I stopped to talk to a group of workers from the Capitol Off-Road Pathfinders who were clusterd around the entrance with garden tools in their hands, they indicated that some of the trail was already open to bikes.
4. The newest completed addition to our awesome bike infrastructure is the Cannonball Path. It has the smoothest paving around. The crossing at Seminole Highway has been enhanced with an island refuge that is welcome since the traffic has increased tremendously because of the Verona Road project.
Traveling to the west, one comes upon the nexus of long distance paths where the high bridge marks the transition from the Southwest Commuter Path to the Badger State Trail. The Southwest Path will take you downtown if you head north. If you head south, you can go all the way to Illinois!
At the bike “roundabout” below the high bridge the choices toward the west are the Capital City Trail which wends its way up to the Verona Frontage Road or the Military Ridge Trail which seems like an extension of the Cannonball.
If you continue on the newest blacktop - the Military Ridge Trail - you will eventually arrive at the new bike bridge over PD. This bridge is in the vicinity of the big General Beverage warehouse - on the right (west) - and Midwest Decorative Stone and the Star Theater on the left (east).
Only one short section hasn’t been paved. Why? Because a new road will intersect the path, Spoke Drive. The Cannonball will tunnel under that road.
I should mention that if you yearn for ice cream or a hamburger, take the Cannonball to the east from its intersection with Seminole Highway. Remember the huge, gleaming white bike bridge over the Beltline that went up last fall? That bridge is part of the Cannonball, and once you get across, you’ll be at Culver’s.
For a visual of these amazing bike connections, view the attachmeent, “6 map bike conncections.jpg.” The orange lines depict the major routes and facilities as well as internal connections on city streets and through Marlborough Park.
Now, is there any excuse at all for not being fit?
23 - Tempest About the PD Bike Bridge
Believe me, bicycle trail-related decisions can generate a literal tempest of e-mails, filling up e-mail boxes of bike advocates and, no doubt, government deciders.
A recent case in point is a set of decisions about the new bike bridge on PD. All last fall and this spring DOT weekly e-mails said the bridge would be closed until May, implying, of course, that it would be open in May. In mid-May, the weekly message was changed to “closed until summer 2014.” It is still officiallly closed.
This leaves bicyclists to negotiate a frantic mix of motor vehicles at the stoplight at Verona Road where motorists are more interested in turning right, turning left, or crossing Verona Road, than paying attention to the stray biker waiting patiently for a safe chance to cross the road.
So, what was the bike bridge tempest about? About bicycle access to the bridge on the south side of PD. About two businesses affected by the access, the gigantic General Beverage that has plans to expand further on the south side of PD and the much smaller Midwest Decorative Stone. About who should make the decision about access, DOT or Fitchburg. About who or what should have the most pull in the decision, DOT and its bicycle standards for paths, the bigger business, the business that had been most cooperative, oh, even the bicyclists who would be using the bridge.
In the end, DOT rescinded its decision to let Fitchburg decide. DOT then decided that General Beverage would get its way to make a change in the plans. The “compromise,” as it were, puts the south access on the east side of the bridge instead of the west, but it also means that bicyclists will probably actually be able to get onto the bridge before the snow flies and enjoy the view of PD from a safe place high above the snarl of motorized traffic.
But it is also a fact is that the compromise compromises the standards for width of the access trail and the sharpness of the curve to get on and off the bridge.
Here’s some interesting “stuff” appeared in the flurry of communications about this project. General Beverage was called a bully for throwing a monkey wrench into the works, and one bicyclist suggested that political contributions to Govenor Walker were perhaps influencing the final decision. It came out that the land for a west side access had been purchased with state Stewardship (recreation lands) money and should/could not be used for private purposes unless property of “equal value, use, and acreage” were purchased to substitute for that private use. It also came out that the original design for west side access meant the bridge was located as far east as possible next to the Midwest Decorative Stone property, and MDS had paid $46,750 for an “open” bridge design so that its business sign could be visible.
24 - Grade-Separated Crossing Slated for Badger State Trail at PD
A bicyclist’s griping about the at-grade Badger State Trail crossing of County Highway PD brought out a welcome piece of news for bikers who use the the Southwest Commuter Path near Allied Drive and continue south to the PD crossing
William Schaefer, City of Madison staff, noted the following:
The City of Fitchburg applied for federal Transportation Alternatives Program funding for a grade-separated crossing at this intersection. The city is also planning to reconstruct this section of McKee Road (in conjunction with WisDOT work on the section further west as part of new Verona Rd interchange) and has applied for federal funds through the MPO for this project. The grade-separated crossing (probably a tunnel) would be done as part of the street project. It is scheduled for 2019.
These facts were divulged as part of a discussion about the current crossing. Now cyclists can push a button to activate yellow flashing lights. This notifies motorists that someone wants to cross the road. PD is a 4-lane road at this location, and there is a refuge island in the center for bikers and pedestrians.
In the exchange of e-mails on the bikies listserve, William Hauda of the Wisconsin Bike Federation, pointed out that the flashing lights do not guarantee safe passage. He said.
This is a crossing crying for a safer solution..Greatest danger with flashing lights on a major four-lane road is when a car yields in the lane closest to the cyclist while a car in the adjacent lane (and out-of-sight of the cyclist) keeps going. The problem is especially severe during rush hour. McKee gets a huge volume of motor vehicle traffic at precisely the same time cyclists are commuting to and from work or getting out for recreation or a workout. I've repeatedly expressed my concerns to the powers that be that we need a bridge or tunnel instead, despite serious buried and aerial infrastructure issues that would need to be addressed. It would cost much more than simply putting up flashing lights, but the payback would, along with making everything more pleasant for both drivers and cyclists, include probably saving lives.As a user of this trail to get to my exercise club just past PD, I can guarantee that I always check both lanes I’m about to cross to see if some speeding bullet is about to get me. When possible, I wait until there are no cars coming in the double lanes I’m crossing. If I do activate the light to stop the cars, I try to make eye contact with the drivers in the two lanes, and I always check that far lane to see that no yahoo is ignoring those flashing lights.
25 - How To Use the Flashing Light to Cross PD on a Bike
If you use the Badger State Trail that crosses PD/McKee Road between the Seminole Highway crossing and Verona Road, these hints from bicyclist Steve Arnold might help you do so safely. To be unaware may mean you may not be anymore.
If you are not looking to cross McKee Rd immediately, linger back from the crossing so motorists can tell you're not planning to cross at the moment.
Outside of peak hours when there's intermittent road traffic: Cross in a gap.
During busy times, to cross McKee Rd:
1. Stop. You are now a pedestrian and have the right of way.
2. Activate the flashing lights and look upstream at the traffic. Put your front wheel in the gutter pan (bike lane). Make eye contact with the first driver in each lane. Wait for them to stop. By state law, they must stop, but not all drivers know this.
3. When traffic is stopped, cross two lanes with caution. You may walk or mount and proceed at pedestrian speed. In both cases, you preserve your right-of-way as a pedestrian.
4. Give a friendly wave and smile of thanks to stopped motorists. Now go back to step 1 for the two lanes going the other direction.
For official WisDOT guidance that goes into more detail and cites applicable statutes, see
http://www.dot.state.wi.us/safety/vehicle/bicycle/docs/ bike-crossing-guide.pdf.
Eschewing [deliberately avoiding] the use of the rectangular rapidly-flashing beacons (RRFBs) simply contributes to the ambiguity that … some bicyclists dislike. The beacons are there to help warn motorists, including those behind those closest to the intersection, that there are trail users who are waiting to
cross, and to remind motorists of their obligation to yield. I recommend using them whenever there is continuous cross traffic.
Likewise, I disagree with the request to "don't try to be 'nice.” Motorists yielding to path users, as required by state law, help educate other motorists about that law and the presence of bike and pedestrian cross traffic.
from Steve Arnold
reprinted from the Bikies list serve
26 - Should Einstein’s Have a Driveway Opening to Britta Parkway?
SUMMER communications with Pat Roberts revealed that Einstein’s was thinking of requesting a driveway opening to Britta Parkway as well as the official driveway they’ve had all along to the Verona Road frontage road. A temporary side driveway was opened up during construction of the new concrete entry and is still in operation.
What do you think? Let Donna Sarafin, our Streets and Transportation Committee convener know what you think - dksarafin@yahoo.com or 273-0437.
27 - Britta Will NOT Be the Frontage Road Forever (Attachment: “8 noise wall map.jpg”)
When the tall noise wall went up behind the CDA housing on Britta Parkway, and the Beltline frontage road was (and still is) closed, a rumor went through the neighborhood that the Wisconsin Department of Transportation had gone back on its promise to keep the frontage road out of the neighborhood. This is NOT TRUE.
In keeping with its promises and maps, the Beltline frontage road that is currently blocked off at Whenona Drive will eventually be reopened. It will be outside the tall sound wall and next to the Beltline. Britta Parkway will then revert to the local street that it was made to be.
The attached map shows the noise walls on both sides of the Beltline in red. A close look also reveals the alignment of the pedestrian/bike bridge that will replace the one at Whenona Drive. The bike bridge and its approach are shown in blue and it looks like it will have to cross over or through the north side sound wall.
The Beltline frontage road from Whenona to Britta Parkway should open up in October.
MISCELLANEOUS
28 - Kids: Stop by at Prairie UU on Halloween, 5-7 pm.
As a service to the neighborhood, Prairie UU Society is again hosting fun for kids making the rounds on Halloween.
If you are bringing your children door-to-door in the neighborhood, feel free to stop by at Prairie, 2010 Whenona Drive, between 5 and 7 pm on Halloween, Friday, October 31, 2014
Anticipated activities are watching jugglers, drinking hot apple cider, watching balloon animals being made - and maybe taking one home. Trick-or-treaters may also receive a small toy to take home.
Adult volunteers are needed. Call Paula at 206-1770.
Watch the Dunn’s Marsh Neighborhood Association Facebook page for more information.
information from Paula Pachciarz, Prairie UU Society
29 - Proud Theater Looking for Volunteers
Proud Theater, an LGBTQ+ and allied youth theater, leadership development, and advocacy organization, now in its 15th season, is looking for volunteers.
We are a volunteer powered organization and need YOU!
Interested in getting involved in the change-making work of Proud Theater? Becoming an volunteer Adult Mentor and directly working with Proud Theater’s brilliant and diverse LGBTQ+ youth in our collaborative artistic process? Got a passion for, and experience in creative work with young people? Want to be part of building platform for youths’ voices and leadership? We’re accepting applications NOW for our 2014-2015 season beginning in September. LGBTQ+ people of color and trans* folks strongly encouraged to apply!
For an application, detailed Mentor job description, information about other volunteer opportunities, and any other questions please e-mail info@proudtheater.org. In your e-mail please share why you would be passionate about working with Proud Theater and what you have to offer!
Suggested by neighbor Jo Kelley
30 - Like Lady Gaga or Not, This Short Video about Women's Equality Might Interest You
Check out Soomo Publishing's Bad Romance: Women's Suffrage <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYQhRCs9IHM <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYQhRCs9IHM> > Video! This amazing parody of Lady Gaga's Bad Romance- is an award-winning, upbeat 5-minute video which depicts the last phase of the Woman Suffrage [right to vote] Movement.
For lyrics and teaching resources visit: http://www.soomopublishing.com/suffrage <http://www.soomopublishing.com/suffrage> <http://www.soomopublishing.com/suffrage <http://www.soomopublishing.com/suffrage> >
A related music video, “Spirit of 1776,” is a 4-minute Suffragette Anthem video which pays tribute to all those who worked for US women to win the right to vote. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aga11k5s0Bc&feature=youtu.be <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aga11k5s0Bc&feature=youtu.be>
For lyrics to the “Spirit of 1776” go to the end of the blog at http://newyorkhistoryblog.org/2014/08/24/spirit-of-1776-a-new-suffragette-anthem/ A wealth of additional information on this is available at http://SuffrageWagon.org <http://SuffrageWagon.org> <http://suffragewagon.org/ <http://suffragewagon.org/> >
from the National Women’s History Project
http://www.nwhp.org <http://www.nwhp.org>
----- End of the 9/29/14 DUNN’S MARSH NEIGHBORHOOD E-NEWS----
THANKS FOR READING.
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