WED., MARCH 6, 7:30 p.m., Prairie UU Society, 2010 Whenona Drive
Meet Maurice Cheeks who will be the new Madison 10th District Alder.
10-15 minute presentation, 15 minutes Q & A
Meet the new Community Liaison Officer Ed Marshall.
10-15 minute presentation, 15 minutes Q & A
Following this hour-long program, the Dunn’s Marsh Neighborhood Council will hold its regular monthly meeting.
We aren’t delivering flyers about this event because of the snowy conditions, so please let your neighbors know about this meeting.
-----------------------------
Dunn’s Marsh Neighborhood e-News March 5, 2013
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, Bob Hague, bphague@tds.net 218-1760
News contact, Mary Mullen, mmullen@chorus.net 298-0843
Website: http://www.dunnsmarsh.org (under construction)
On Facebook: Just type Dunn’s Marsh into the Facebook search box.
_________________________________________________________________
CALENDAR (with reference to article numbers for further information)
Wed., Mar. 6 - Neighborhood Meeting, 7:30 p.m, Prairie UU, above_________________________________________________________________
Sat., March 9 - Garden registration, 1 p.m., Prairie UU, #3
Sat., March 9 - Learn about Madison’s Anaerobic Digester, #18
Tues., March 12 - Garden registration, 5:30 p.m., Prairie UU, #3
Thur., March 14 - Wild & Scenic Film Fest, 7 p.m., Barrymore, #19
Tues., March 19 - Marsh Neighborhood Meeting, 6:30, Prairie UU, #4
Tues., April 2 - Elections, 7 a.m.-8 p.m., #6
Wed., April 3 - DMN Council Meeting, 7:30 p.m., Prairie UU
Fri./Sat., April 5 & 6 - Citizen Monitoring, #21
Sat., April 20 - Marsh cleanup, 9-noon, #22
ARTICLES in the 3/5/13 Dunn’s Marsh Neighborhood e-News
1 - NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING, WED., MARCH 6 (See above.)
2 - Snow Scenes Show the Beauty of Our Neighborhood (Attachment: “1 pics last of winter.jpg”)
3 - Community Garden Registration March 9 and 12 (Attachment: “2 garden regis flyer.jpg”)
4 - It’s All Things Marsh on March 19
5 - Latest Word on “Community Sensitve Solutions” for Verona Road
6 - Get Prepared for April 2 Spring Election (Attachment: “3 pics Feb highlights.jpg”)
THOSE BIRDS
7 - More Turkey Sightings (Attachment: “3 pics Feb highlights.jpg”)
8 - See Amazing Photos of Birds from GBBC
9 - Bird Watchers Take the GBBC to New Heights
HELP OR FUN FOR YOU
10 - AARP Tax Help at Fitchburg Senior Center, 5510 Lacy Road
11 - Free Mammograms Available
12 - Chequeos Gratis para Cáncer del Seno Están Disponibles
13 - Police Incident Report Indicates Hispanics Are Targeted in Scam
14 - Want to Dance, Write Your Memories or Discuss Good Novels?
ALL THINGS GREEN
15 - Win a Home Energy Checkup Worth $400
16 - Ready for a Worms Workshop? (March 7)
17 - Plant Dane! Buy Your Half-Price Raingarden Plants by March 15
18 - Learn About Madison’s Anaerobic Digester March 9
19 - Experience Hope, Compassion, and Adventure at the 2013 Wild & Scenic Film Fest, March 14
20 - UW-Madison Arboretum Team Leader Training & School of the Land
(Attachment: “4 team leader flyer.jpg”)
21 - Like Dunn’s Marsh? Maybe You’d Like to Attend the Monitoring Conference, April 5-6
22 - Marsh Cleanup Saturday, April 20
23 - Exciting Things Ahead for Bicycling in Dane County A Column by Dane Co. Exec. Joe Parisi
24 - March Highlights in U.S. Women's History
_______________________________________________________________
IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD
2 - Snow Scenes Show the Beauty of Our Neighborhood (Attachment: “1 pics last of winter.jpg”)
Some of us might be hoping for last year’s spring that brought out flowers and trees 6 weeks early and 2 weeks earlier than the earliest spring previously recorded by the UW Arboretum. However, so far an early spring hasn’t shown itself, and as you read this letter, we may be digging out of another storm.
We are still in the throes of winter. The reward is, it’s beatiful! In case you haven’t been out to Marlborough Park or down to Dunn’s Marsh, you will be interested in seeing a selection of photos from March 2.
3 - Community Garden Registration March 9 and 12 (Attachment: “2 garden regis flyer.jpg”)
The dates and location for this year’s Marlborough Park Garden registration have been set. The Prairie Unitarian Universalist Society has been very gracious to allow us to use their facilities!
Dates are as follows: Saturday, March 9th at 1:00 pm and Tuesday, March 12th at 5:30. Please be on time.
The location of Prairie UU Society is 2010 Whenoona Drive. It’s just a short block north of Marlborough Park where the gardens are located.
If you have Spanish-speaking or Hmong neighbors who may want to garden, please look at the attachment which has information in Spanish and Hmong and also includes a map.
Information from CAC Garden Advisor Micah Kloppenburg
4 - It’s All Things Marsh on March 19
After a long hiatus, the DMNA Marsh Committee is coming to life again. All interested neighbors are invited to attend a meeting on Tuesday, March 19, 6:30 p.m., at Prairie UU Society, 2010 Whenona Drive, specifically to learn about and talk about the marsh. It’s also a time to dream of what could be.
The purpose of the meeting is for us to become more knowledgeable about Dunn’s Marsh and its watershed so that we can better advocate for it. For example, do you know what land areas drain to the marsh? How much of the acreage is streets and other impervious surfaces? What does this mean for water quality in the marsh? Is the quality deteriorating or improving? What effect will the Verona Road project have on the marsh?
What is the purpose of these wet ponds that collect water before it goes to the marsh? What new plans might there be that will affect the quality of the marsh? Is there something we could or should be doing to help protect Dunn’s Marsh and its plants and animals?
If you are interested in any of these questions, come to this meeting. Engineers from both the City of Fitchburg and the City of Madison will attend. They’ll come with maps and a lot of knowledge, and we’ll have plenty of time to talk about these issues and tell them what we think and what we want.
by Mary Mullen
5 - Latest Word on “Community Sensitve Solutions” for Verona Road
Finally, there may be some action regarding public art related to the Verona Road project. Since the beginning of the year, the DMNA has been keeping in touch with Mark Vesperman of the Wisconsin Department of Transportation and with the City of Madison staff who can make some of the art happen. Community input into aesthetics was promised in the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the project.
For one, we learned that a million dollars is earmarked for “Community Sensitive Solutions,” DOT-ese for aesthetics including anything you might call “art.”
Secondly, we learned that most of that money will be spent on landscaping elements including 2 feet of topsoil to be trucked into areas where trees and shrubs will be planted. A fair amount of landscaping is planned for the area along the Beltline Frontage Road in connection with the pedestrian overpass that will replace the present overpass at Whenona Drive.
Thirdly, we learned that just two areas would be considered for “art” per se: the already-mentioned pedestrian overpass and the roundabout under Vernona Road closer to MacDonald’s. The pedestrian/bike underpass of Verona Road near the Beltline would be left as bare gray concrete walls just in case someone would take a notion to “tag” those walls.
Finally, Mr. Vesperman suggested that there might possibly be $50,000 to $75,000 to spend on art for each of the two selected locations. This is 10 to 15% of the million dollars allocated for “Community Sensitive Solutions.”
Vesperman also noted that once the City of Madison and WisDOT get some ideas together for the art, two public information meetings will be held to share these ideas with the community. One meeting would be at a location closer to the roundabout and the other closer to the pedestrian overpass. At that time, community members can react to the proposed art. Dates for these meetings have not yet been set.
Both Vesperman and the Madison Arts Administrator Karin Wolf suggested that an artist might be engaged - by the city? - to make designs that could be used on bus shelters or on the overpass or in the roundabout. Ms. Wolf showed some silhouettes with nature themes that had been used at another location in Madison. They appeared to be similar to some metal sculptures one can see on some of the highway overpasses of
I-894 around the west side of Milwaukee.
The catch about any art for the project is that the DOT must issue specs for the art features so that they can be bid on. To this reporter that appears to put the ball fully in the court of the aurhorities while locking out meaningful ideas from the community or even more importantly participation in producing the art. Still, we can all look forward to having a glimpse at some kind of art and perhaps having a choice of various designs.
by Mary Mullen
6 - Get Prepared for April 2 Spring Election
It may seem like the primary election was just yesterday, and it will seem that the Spring Election April 2 is coming up way too soon.
Be prepared. There will be a number of candidates on the ballot.
In a few days, the League of Women Voters Candidates Answers should be available. There you can see who’s on the ballot for April 2 and also find out how they answered questions that were posed to them. Look in the upcoming Isthmus or online at http://www.lwvdanecounty.org/ for Candidates Answers.
Here is a preview of some of the contested races.
Madison School Board
Seat 3
Dean Loumos
Wayne Strong
Seat 4
James Howard
Greg Packnett
Fitchburg government
MAYOR
Jay Allen
Shawn Pfaff
ALDERPERSON – DISTRICT 1, SEAT 1
Dorothy Krause
Jason L. Williams
Justice of the Wisconsin Supreme Court
Ed Fallone
Pat Roggensack
Just for your information, on February 19 only 7.3% of the registered voters came to the polls at the Madison polls at Head Start on Red Arrow Trail. That was 91 voters. The highest Madison turnout was 25.4% at the Blessed Sacrament Church in the Regent neighborhood near Commonwealth Avenue and Regent Stret. Just 10.5% of registered Dane County voters cast ballots in this election.
by Mary Mullen
THOSE BIRDS
7 - More Turkey Sightings (Attachment: “3 pics Feb highlights.jgp”)
Last newsletters’ article and photos about the neighborhood turkey were a hit. Two more people sent photos of the turkey. One photo shows the turkey looking in a patio door of a Crawford Drive home. The other shows that this turkey likes apartments as well as single family homes since it was seen on Lumley. Our two new photographers are Kristen Durst and Marcia Seeker.
8 - See Amazing Photos of Birds from GBBC
Treat yourself to amazing pictures of birds phtographed during the Great American Backyard Bird Count.
Go to http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc/gallery to see winners in past years and photos submitted in this year’s photo contest. If you aren’t a bird-watcher now, you’ll want to be after seeing just a few of these photos.
9 - Bird Watchers Take the GBBC to New Heights
The numbers tell the story. With its new global reach, the 16th annual Great Backyard Bird Count becomes the largest worldwide bird count ever! Reported as of February 21:
That species total represents nearly one-third of the bird species in the entire world. Bird watchers in the U.S. and Canada set new national records for tallies submitted. Reports have come in from as far away as Antarctica and Afghanistan. So far, 30 states and 3 provinces have set new records for checklist entries.
4 Days
103 Countries
120,000+ Checklists
3,144 Species
25.6+ Million birds
Here are the top ten countries by checklists submitted so far:
United States 107,538
Canada 10,970
India 391
Mexico 263
Australia 143
United Kingdom 84
Peru 83
Puerto Rico 79
Iceland 78
Portugal 72
Other Preliminary Results:
Top 5 Most Reported Species (reported on highest number of checklists): Northern Cardinal; Dark-eyed Junco; Mourning Dove; Downy Woodpecker; House Finch
Top 5 Most Common Birds (most individuals reported): Snow Goose; Canada Goose; Red-winged Blackbird; European Starling; American Coot
Finch Invasion: A massive number of northern finch species moved into the U.S. including the Common Redpoll, reported in a record 36 states. Scientists believe these periodic movements are related to natural fluctuations in crops of conifer cones and other seeds in Canada.
Hurricane Sandy: The weather system that caused Sandy's landfall also blew some European birds to North America and evidence of this is still showing up in GBBC results. The colorful, crested Northern Lapwing was reported in Georgia, New Jersey, and Massachusetts during the GBBC.
GBBC First: A Red-flanked Bluetail has wintered at Queens Park, Vancouver, and was also reported for the GBBC’s first record ever. This British Columbia bird has been drawing bird watchers from all over the U.S. and Canada hoping to see this rarity. This little thrush is one of the only birds in the world with a striking blue tail and is native to Asia; the other GBBC report of this species this year was from Japan.
from Great Backyard Bird Count, Cornell University
HELP OR FUN FOR YOU
10 -AARP Tax Help at Fitchburg Senior Center, 5510 Lacy Road
Need some tax preparation help? Get FREE simple tax return help at the Fitchburg Senior Center on Friday, March 8 or Friday, March 22.
Appointments are 30 minutes each. Call 270.4290 to make an appointment.
11 - Free Mammograms Available
All women are at risk for breast cancer, not just those with a family history. One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. The good news is that breast cancer is treatable. Finding breast cancer early gives a woman a much greater chance of a full recovery.
Need your yearly mammogram or Pap test? No health insurance, high deductible, or your insurance does not cover mammograms?
Wisconsin Well Woman Program provides free breast and cervical cancer screening to age and income eligible women. This program has been serving women in Wisconsin since 1994. Women who enroll in the program have a choice of over 25 health clinics in Madison and Dane County.
This is an opportunity for ALL women to have access to an annual checkup. Enrollment is quick and is completed over the phone. For more information, call today! Contact the Wisconsin Well Woman Program 608-242-6392 or 608-242-6235 (Spanish) at Public Health – Madison & Dane County.
English speakers, please share the following article with your Spanish-speaking neighbors.
www.wellwomandanecounty.org <http://www.wellwomandanecounty.org>
12 - Chequeos Gratis para Cáncer del Seno Están Disponibles
Todas las mujeres corren el riesgo de contraer cáncer del seno, no solamente las que tienen historia de esta enfermedad en la familia. En el curso de la vida, una de cada ocho mujeres será diagnosticada con cáncer del seno. La bueno noticia es que el cáncer del seno es tratable. La detección temprana es la mejor protección contra esta enfermedad y proporciona a la mujer una gran ventaja de una recuperación completa.
¿Necesita un examen anual del seno y del cuello del útero? Personas sin seguro de salud, o con seguro que tiene deducibles muy altos, o el seguro no cubre mamografías. El Programa Mujer Sana de Wisconsin provee chequeos gratuitos a mujeres que según la edad y sus ingresos califican para el programa. Para los chequeos, mujeres que se inscriben en Mujer Sana pueden elegir entre las 25 clínicas que trabajan con el programa. Ciudadanía no es un requisito para ser elegible.
Esta es una gran oportunidad para TODAS las mujeres a tener acceso a este chequeo anual. La inscripción al programa es rápida y se hace por teléfono. Para mayor información llame hoy! Póngase en contacto con el Programa Mujer Sana llamando al 608-242-6392 o para español llame al: 608-242-6235 Salud Pública de Madison y el Condado de Dane.
13 - Police Incident Report Indicates Hispanics Are Targeted in Scam
A Hispanic man contacted the MPD's Self Report Unit Monday to report a scam that appears to target our Spanish speaking community. He had received a phone call from someone claiming to work for a local utility company. The caller, who spoke in Spanish, said the man’s family would lose their electricity if they did not purchase a $300 Green Dot reloadable, prepaid, credit card.
The victim was told to transfer the funds to the utility company by calling 1-800-652-5503. A quick on-line search of the number reveals others have likely been targeted by the same criminals: http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-800-652-5503.
The Hispanic man contacting the MPD said the con man was convincing as he knew the names, phone numbers, and addresses of his (the victim’s) family members.
from Madison Police Incident Reports, 2/18/213
14 - Want to Dance, Write Your Memories or Discuss Good Novels?
The Fitchburg Senior Center offers opportunities to learn line dancing, write your reminiscences, or discuss 4 different novels. The dancing and writing groups are free. The novel discussions are part of P.L.A.T.O. which means you must be a member to join. I believe a yearly fee is charged to belong to P.L.A.T.O.
Here are the details.
Line Dancing is on Tuesdays from 10:00-11:00 a.m. starting March 19. This is free.
The Reminiscent Writing Group meets the 4th Tuesday of each month at 2:00 p.m. in the Fitchburg Senior Center in the Nine Springs Conference Room. It’s also free. Contact Marlin Jung at 273.4207 for more information.
P.L.A.T.O. novel discussions are on the following schedule:
March 4 & 11—Caleb’s Crossing, Geraldine Brooks.
March 18 & 25—Cold Sassy Tree, Olive Ann Burns.
April 1 & 8—State of Wonder, Ann Patchett. April 15—Voting
April 22—Henderson the Rain King, Saul Bellow.
Each book has two discussion leaders. Member input is encouraged. Classes begin February 18
at 1:00 p.m. For information and/or a membership packet call UW PLATO Liaison Wendy
Kerr at 262-5823
For more info call PLATO at 262-5823
ALL THINGS GREEN
15 - Win a Home Energy Checkup Worth $400
Want to make your home more comfortable? Here's your chance! We're announcing another Home Energy Checkup Contest. You could win a Home Performance with ENERGY STAR® evaluation, valued at approximately $400.
To enter, just fill out your application at https://www.mge.com/my_mge/ServiceForms/hecuContestEntry.htm <file://localhost/my_mge/ServiceForms/hecuContestEntry.htm> or send a written application by mail.
The contest began February 25 and will continue until March 25. Entrants must be an MGE residential customer, own and occupy their single family home, and have been in their home for at least 12 months prior to entering.
If entering by mail, send your entry to
Win a Home Energy Checkup Contest
Madison Gas and Electric Company
P.O. Box 1231
Madison, WI 53701-1231
Entries must include the following information:
· Name
· Address
· E-mail address
· Phone
· Do you own and occupy your home? (Yes or No)
· Age of home
· What is the heated area of your home? ___________ Square Feet
· Type of heating system (choose all that are applicable: forced air, boiler, electric)
· How would you like to be notified? ____ E-mail ____ Regular Mail
· Essay (300 words or less)
In the essay, please answer the following question in 300 words or less:
Why do you want a home energy audit?
Only one entry from each address will be accepted. Any entrant who attempts to participate with multiple submissions will be disqualified.
from Madison Gas & Electric
16 - Ready for a Worms Workshop? (March 7)
Fitchburg Green Thursday – Fitchburg’s Organics Collection Pilot & Indoor Composting w/ Worms Workshop - Thurs., March 7, 6:30pm, Fitchburg Library (5530 Lacy Road) – Join Rick Eilertson, Fitchburg’s Environmental Engineer, and Tim Bolhuis of Pellitteri Waste Systems, for an update on Fitchburg’s Organics Collection Pilot; then stick around for a fascinating presentation by Master Composter Joanne Tooley on vermiculture (indoor composting with worms)! Read More <http://www.city.fitchburg.wi.us/documents/GreenE-NewsBlast19.pdf <http://www.city.fitchburg.wi.us/documents/GreenE-NewsBlast19.pdf> > ...
17 - Plant Dane! Buy Your Half-Price Raingarden Plants by March 15
The Plant Dane! cost share program helps homeowners purchase native plants for their rain gardens and yards. Read More <http://www.city.fitchburg.wi.us/documents/GreenE-NewsBlast19.pdf <http://www.city.fitchburg.wi.us/documents/GreenE-NewsBlast19.pdf> > ... Visit www.myfairlakes.com <http://www.myfairlakes.com <http://www.myfairlakes.com> > to order your plants by the March 15, 2013 deadline. Plants will be delivered on May 18, 2013. Fitchburg residents who install and maintain rain gardens are eligible for a reduction in their stormwater utility bill of $4 to $12 per year. For more details, visit www.city.fitchburg.wi.us/stormwater <http://www.city.fitchburg.wi.us/stormwater <http://www.city.fitchburg.wi.us/stormwater> > .
from Rick Eilertson, Fitchburg’s Environmental Engineer
18 - Learn About Madison’s Anaerobic Digester March 9
The Streets Division and the Madison Public Library will host four community meetings to update Madison residents on the anaerobic digester project and Madison’s organics collection pilot program.
The one nearest us will be on Saturday, March 9, at 10 a.m. at Sequoya Library, corner of Midvale Boulevard and Tokay.
The others are:
Saturday, March 2, 10:30 a.m., Alicia Ashman Library, 733 N. High Point Road
and 1:00 p.m., Lakeview Library, 2845 N. Sherman Avenue
Saturday, March 23, 10:00 a.m., Pinney Library, 204 Cottage Grove Road
“We are very excited about how the pilot program has been going,” said Madison recycling coordinator George Dreckmann; “We want to share this information with the public and get some feedback from our residents.”
In addition to information on Madison’s pilot program there will be information on how anaerobic digesters work and how a full scale program might operate in Madison.
from City of Madison
19 - Experience Hope, Compassion, and Adventure at the 2013 Wild & Scenic Film Fest, March 14
Come join the River Alliance for the Sixth Annual Wild & Scenic Film Festival! We are really excited to share this year's line up of 14 films with you. You are sure to be inspired by the incredible bravery and ingenuity of the people depicted in these films.
See a list and brief description of each film at http://www.wisconsinrivers.org/events/wild-and-scenic
Thursday, March 14, 2013, 7 PM, Barrymore Theatre, Madison
Tickets $10 in advance $13 at the door
-or-
Films & VIP Afterparty $25 (film screening + *free* drink ticket + food + membership to the River Alliance)
Purchase Tickets Online Now (VIP or Regular) Or at the door or via phone (608)-241-8633
20 - UW-Madison Arboretum Team Leader Training & School of the Land
(Attachment: “4 team leader flyer.jpg”)
Are you interested in getting your hands dirty while learning about native landscapes? Do you enjoy working outdoors and meeting new people?
If you answered yes to those questions, you may be interested in becoming an UW Arboretum Team Leader! Team Leaders learn about the art and science of ecological restoration and about the native ecosystems of Wisconsin. They apply this knowledge by leading other volunteers at the ecological restoration work parties at the UW Arboretum.
Responsibilities include teaching and supervising volunteers, working outdoors in a variety of seasons and weather conditions, clearing brush, controlling invasive plants species with weeding and/or herbicide application, seeding in restoration sites, and collecting research data. This is a great professional development opportunity, and a way to practice the land ethic by giving back to your community.
Training runs from April 4 to August 1, 2013. Cost for materials and training is $85. Please contact the editor of the e-News if you are interested in seeing the flyer that gives dates, times, and subjects of training. Contact the Arboretum’s Marian Farrior at 608-265-5214 or mlfarrior@wisc.edu for more detailed information and an application form.
If you don't like to wake up early Saturday morning, but are still interested in learning more about ecological restoration, please consider taking the School of the Land classes. That brochure is also available from the e-News editor. Register for classes on the Arboretum website at http://uwarboretum.org/ <http://uwarboretum.org/> <http://uwarboretum.org/ <http://uwarboretum.org/> >
from UW Arboretum
21 - Like Dunn’s Marsh? Maybe You’d Like to Attend the Monitoring Conference, April 5-6
[Editor’s note: This notice is included in our newsletter because there might be a chance for citizens to do some monitoring of Dunn’s Marsh, and learning about other citizen’s work would be useful.]
The Wisconsin Citizen-based Monitoring Conference is less than six weeks away. Hop on over to the conference website http://wiatri.net/cbm/Conference/ <http://wiatri.net/cbm/Conference/> for the updated agenda and to register now!
The conference theme is "Making Connections" and is a collaborative event between Master Naturalists, River Alliance of Wisconsin, Water Action Volunteers, and the Wisconsin Citizen-based Monitoring Network. The conference will be held on Friday, April 5 and Saturday, April 6 at Hotel Mead in Wisconsin Rapids.
The conference fee is $50 if you register by March 24. The $50 fee includes all sessions and meals. After March 24 the registration fee will be $70.
The registration fee does NOT include lodging. Hotel Mead <http://www.hotelmead.com/> is offering us a reduced rate for rooms. A single room is $70 and double is $99. You are responsible for making your own reservation by March 15. When making reservations at Hotel Mead (715-423-1500), please reference the block of rooms being held for Department of Natural Resources to obtain the discounted rates.
If you have conference questions, please contact Owen Boyle, 608-261-6449 or owen.boyle@wisconsin.gov. <mailto:owen.boyle@wisconsin.gov>
from Genesis Steinhorst, City of Madison Engineering
22 - Marsh Cleanup Saturday, April 20
All year long our streets give various things to the marsh - cans, plastic bottles, paper cups,chip bags, grocery bags, plastic straws, and even bigger things, would you believe bicycles, grocery carts, car tires, and TVs?
Saturday, April 20 is the day to take these detrimental items back from the channels leading to Dunn’s Marsh. That’s the day, from 9 a.m. until noon, all able-bodied people including kids, are invited to join the Dunn’s Marsh Cleanup. Now’s the time to reserve the date on your calendar even though it is weeks away.
Plan to come in your cleanup clothes. Gloves will be provided if you want them and don’t bring your own. Fitchburg Environmental Engineer Rick Eilertson will be on hand to give us a good start.
Traditionally, we meet at the Dunn’s Marsh Conservancy sign on Crescent Road across from the single family houses. Watch for upcoming newsletters that will have more information.
by Mary Mullen
23 - Exciting Things Ahead for Bicycling in Dane County A Column by Dane Co. Exec. Joe Parisi
Dane County is a nationally recognized leader in biking, with over 200 miles of trails, premiere events like the Iron Man competition, and numerous cycling industries calling our region home.
I meet regularly with residents, cycling organizations, and cycling businesses that give me valuable perspective on how to increase cycling safety, and strengthen this key recreational and economic asset.
This year we’re continuing to move forward on a number of key recommendations from our community.
This spring, communities and organizations will be able to apply to fund projects such as signage, road striping, bike trail crossing improvements and lighting from the $25,000 included in my county budget to enhance safety.
A number of trails will move forward this year, adding to our extensive network of on and off-road trails for cyclists and pedestrians that link our parks, natural spaces, and communities.
First we will connect the Military Ridge State Trail to Brigham County Park. The trail will be a little over 1 mile long, paved 10’ wide and traverse through some of the most scenic areas of Dane County. Construction will most likely begin sometime this summer with completion anticipated by July of 2014.
Planning for phase one of the Lower Yahara River Trail will also be finalized, with construction anticipated in 2014. This trail would connect the Capital City Trail in Madison to McFarland and eventually will extend to Stoughton.
The county continues to partner with the City of Madison on the Ice Age Junction North Trail, connecting county highway PD to Raymond Road in Madison and county highway M.
Development of a missing trail link between the Glacial Drumlin Trail and Capital City Trail that could connect Madison all the way to Milwaukee continues as well as a county-wide trail signage project, allowing cyclists to better navigate across the county for day or week long cycling trips.
Our efforts are making this fun and easy sport for families and people of all ages safer and even easier to get into. For more cycling info and area maps, visit:http://www.countyofdane.com/lwrd/parks/bicyclists.aspx <http://www.countyofdane.com/lwrd/parks/bicyclists.aspx>
Co. Exec. Joe Parisi, (608) 267-8823 or cell (608) 843-8858
24 - March Highlights in U.S. Women's History
March 1, 1978 - Women's History Week is first observed in Sonoma County, California
March 1, 1987 - Congress passes a resolution designating March as Women's History Month
March 4, 1917 - Jeannette Rankin (R-MT) took her seat as the first female member of Congress
March 8 - International Women's Day, whose origins trace back to protests in the U.S. and Europe to honor and fight for the political rights for working women
March 11, 1993 - Janet Reno is confirmed as the first woman U.S. Attorney General
March 12, 1912 - Juliette Gordon Low assembled 18 girls together in Savannah, Georgia, for the first-ever Girl Scout meeting
March 13, 1986 - Susan Butcher won the first of 3 straight and 4 total Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Races in Alaska
March 17, 1910 - Camp Fire Girls is established as the first interracial, non-sectarian American organization for girls
March 20, 1852 - Harriet Beecher Stowe's novel, "Uncle Tom's Cabin," is published and becomes the best-selling book of the 19th century
March 21, 1986 - Debi Thomas becomes first African American woman to win the World Figure Skating Championship
March 23, 1917 - Virginia Woolf establishes the Hogarth Press with her husband, Leonard Woolf
March 31, 1888 - The National Council of Women of the U.S. is organized by Susan B. Anthony, Clara Barton, Julia Ward Howe, and Sojourner Truth, among others, the oldest non-sectarian women's organization in the U.S.
March 31, 1776 - Abigail Adams writes to her husband John who is helping to frame the Declaration of Independence and cautions, "Remember the ladies..."
--- End of the March 4, 2013 Dunn’s Marsh Neighborhood e-News ---
Thanks for reading.
