Presidential Posts

Saturday, January 4, 2014

Dunn's Marsh News, 1/4/13

Dunn’s Marsh Neighborhood e-News  
                                                               
January 4, 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, mmullen@chorus.net  298-0843
               Website: http://www.dunnsmarsh.org
              On Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dunns-Marsh-Neighborhood-Association/18765419350 <file://localhost/pages/Dunns-Marsh-Neighborhood-Association/18765419350>

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CALENDAR (Numbers refer to the articles that tell more.  Red = DMNA events)

Sat., Jan. 4 - Feb. 28 - Sign up for Little League (Now taking 7-year-olds), #12
Thurs., Jan. 8, 7 pm  - DMNA Council Meeting, Prairie UU Society, #3
Between Jan. 8 and Feb 13 - DMNA Committees will meet, #2
Thurs., Jan. 16 , 9 am - Edgewater Hotel construction recruitment, #13
Thurs., Feb. 13, 7 pm - DMNA Council Meeting, Prairie UU Society, #3
For other items with dates, see the Going Green articles, #10.#11
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Articles - 1/4/14 DMNA e-News
 
IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD
1 - Facebooking about Snow Plowing
2 - Ask Not What Your Neighborhood Can Do For You… (Attachment: “1 member form.jpg’)
3 - Next Council Meeting Is Thur., Jan. 8
4 - Those Mosaics Again - Please
Consider Giving the Artist Your Opinion
           (Attachment:  “2 Artist Questions w chart.doc”)
5 - Pictures Tell a Story
   (Attachments:  “3 Dunn’s Marsh photo 1970.jpg”  “4 north marsh proposals.jpg”  “5 winter.jpg”)
5a - Neighborhood Voting Location Changed

                       VERONA ROAD
6 - Verona Road Project Construction Updates Done for the Winter
7 - Map Shows Verona Road Stage 1 Construction, 2014-2016
(Attachment: “’6 Construc 2014-16.jpg”)
8  - Exhibits / Docs Available from Verona Road Stage 2 Public Meeting

                        GOING GREEN
9 - MG & E Sponsors Outreach for Energy Savings to Allied Area
10 - Fitchburg Green (Land) and
Blue (Water) E-News Blast #42

11 - What’s Permaculture?  Intensive Training Offered

                        KID BASEBALL / SCAMS / JOBS/ HOUSEWORK FOR HEALTH
12  - West Madison Little League to Add 7-Year Olds to Baseball Program
13 - Job Recruitment Event for Edgewater Hotel Construction, Jan. 16
14  - Another Scam Alert
15 - Gardening, Housework May Help Boost Heart Health

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IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD


1 - Facebooking about Snow Plowing

The following conversations took place on Facebook, starting about noon, Sunday, December 22, after a big snowfall.  Actually it’s several conversations.

Resident #1 (Ann Marie Hughes), about noon:  So, first big snowfall in Madison for me. When do they plow? I've lived in bigger cities and smaller ones and I've never experienced such disregard for the roads by the government before. I have some important appointments that weren't cancelled, is there any chance, you think, of the roads being plowed today?

Mary Mullen (MM), about 1 pm: I would have expected our main roads to have been plowed by now, but I just heard that Seminole Highway wasn't even plowed. Usually we get plowed by the afternoon of a big snowfall, but when we had a much bigger snowfall last year at this time, some more out-of-the-way residential streets like Britta Drive weren't plowed for several days, and even the snowplow got stuck. I would suggest that you contact our alder, Maurice Cheeks, 608-620-1994 or <district10@cityofmadison.com> or become his friend on FaceBook. If you do get a response from him, please let us all know what you learn. Thanks.

MM on DMNA Facebook page, a little later: Regarding snow plowing, here's what Alder Maurice Cheeks has to say about when the Madison portion of the Dunn's Marsh Neighborhood might be plowed out when I messaged him about unplowed streets here:

Thanks for bringing this to my attention Mary.

Residential streets that are not salted are only plowed when snow accumulations reach the 3" level AND the snow event has ended or has just about concluded. I don't know if they have made that call yet - but once they do, a full scale plowing of all 1708 lane miles of streets begins. This usually takes between 10-12 hours to complete.

If you think they have still missed parts of the neighborhood by this evening, please report it here & feel free to let me know that you had to submit something: https://www.cityofmadison.com/reportaproblem/snowremoval.cfm <file://localhost/reportaproblem/snowremoval.cfm>  

Stay safe out there!

Alder Maurice  Cheeks, about 2 pm:   Ann, I hope you make it safety to your appointments. As Mary said, feel free to reach out to me directly if you need to. Cheers!

Resident #1, about 2 pm:  I'm on Sheffield, and Britta has a bus, so I guess I shouldn't expect much. So far, nothing. I should peek out and see if they did Seminole. I only heard something truck like once today.

Resident#1, about 3 pm:  Looks like Seminole was plowed, if that's helpful to anyone. I am now really curious about the process about what roads they deal with after the primary roads are done, what neighborhoods, do they work overtime or call it quits after a shift and so on. Is it distance from the city center? The influence of the neighborhood? Squeaky wheels? Is there one central location for all the plows, or different garages and each area has their own? I know that doesn't change anything, but I'm always curious about the routine and decision making process of the places I live. The web page for snow removal is a wee bit helpful, but rather vague on the progress of residential streets.
 
Resident #1, about 3 pm:  Also, this probably looks like a bunch of negativity, so I thought I would add that we absolutely love it here, love the neighborhood, and we are thrilled that we moved here! It's a great place to live.

Resident #1 , abour 4 pm:  "Just looked, Sheffield is plowed!"
 
DMNA, about 6 pm:
Yeah!
 
Non-resident, about 6 pm: Knowing the way local government has been starved since our new governor was elected, cuts have been made, meaning less money for snow removal and overtime pay for snowplow drivers. In my area of the state I've heard that changes have been made due to cuts. The roads aren't taken care of like they used to be. Not sure if any changes have been made in Madison though.
 
Resident #1, about 8 pm:  Yeah, that governor made me a wee bit reluctant to move here, but the city was just too much of a draw, figured I could cope until the next election. Not sure how much state cuts would impact city workers. I have a lot to learn.
 
Non-resident #2: Whitney Way was plowed at 7AM. One of the benefits of living on a busy road.
 
Mary Mullen (MM): Milford Road [where I live] was plowed at 3:15 this afternoon. I saw Seminole was well-plowed about 2:15, so maybe the report that it wasn't plowed was either a false report or was from MUCH earlier. I didn't actually go down to check if Seminole was plowed. The Whenona/Crawford route was plowed this morning.
 
Resident #2 :    ­­­______  called me at 1:30.   Seminole was not plowed at that time.   In fact, she said Danbury wasn't either.
 
MM: Thanks for the info, _____.
 
Resident #2, about 6 p.m.:  Yep no problem and this guy that plowed our streets wasn't very good either, went up one side once and down our side twice which is good for us but need to keep both sides plowed for parking reasons.
 
Neighborhood businenessman, about 6 pm: Roads all the way to GreenBay are clear and driveable. My wife, son & his wife and friends are at the game.
                                                                        Conversations collected by Mary Mullen,
                                                                        mostly from the Dunn’s Marsh Neighborhood Association
                                                                        website www.dunnsmarsh.org <http://www.dunnsmarsh.org>
 
 

2 - Ask Not What Your Neighborhood Can Do For You… (Attachment: “1 member form.jpg’)

The national government may be stuck in partisan conflict, but the the Dunn’s Marsh Neighborhood Council is not.  We are an ambitious bunch that at the December meeting established SEVEN committees to carry out the work of the Neighborhood Association during the coming year.  Still, without your  help, our grand ideas probably won’t get done.  
 
Therefore, ask not what your Neighborhood Council can do for you -  ask what you can do for your (our) neighborhood.  (You’ll recognize that the inspiration for this statement is from President Kennedy’s 1961 Inaugural Address.)
 
Even if you have never before volunteered in this or another neighborhood, your input and volunteer time will be very valuable in making Dunn’s Marsh the best neighborhood in the world to live in. The bonus is the satisfaction you will feel and the friendships you will make.
 
Each committee has a convener, the person who calls and chairs the first meeting.  We ask that you - yes, YOU - consider joining one or more of these committees. Each will meet sometime before the Februay 6 Council meeting.  For each topic you are interested in, please contact the listed person who will convene the first committee meeting.
 
Neighborhood Safety Committee
This committee will mainly deal with safety issues. That may mean law enforcement, but it could also include getting a Neighborhood Watch set up on various streets.  It’s up to the commmittee to define safety and recommend how to improve our sense of security in the neighborhoood.  Conveners are Heidi Figueroa, 332-6892, heidivette2003@yahoo.com <mailto:heidivette2003@yahoo.com>  and Yannette Cole, 332-7003, yfcole@gmail.com <mailto:yfcole@gmail.com>
 
Social / Welcoming Committee
This committee will plan social events and welcome new people in the neighborhood.  In past years the committee created binders full of neighborhood information to give to newcomers.  The idea is to have fun while doing committee work.  Convener is Thea Bach, 274-7730 or 239-9810, bachtown2@live.com <mailto:bachtown2@live.com>
 
Streets / Transportation Committee
Since we are in the midst of a multi-year road construction project - Verona Road and the Beltline - this committee will naturally put some focus on Verona Road issues.   Right now all is quiet, but mosaic art projects are in the works, and neighbors will need to be recruited to help build these mosaic creations.  Streets within the neighborhood should also be considered.  Are there some that desperately need repaving? Bus and bike transportation are also within the purview of this committee.  Convener is Donna Sarafin, 273-0437, dksarafin@yahoo.com <mailto:dksarafin@yahoo.com>
 
Natural Environment Committee
This committee will deal with any issue related to the natural environment including Dunn’s Marsh and the problem of ash trees being attacked by the emerald ash borer.  The natural environment of the neighborhood parks could also come under this committee as could maintenance of the rain garden in Marlborough Park and the plantings around the Dunn’s Marsh Neighborhood sign on the frontage road near Seminole Highway.   Convener is Rachel Potter, 280-0882, rachelpotter5@yahoo.com <mailto:rachelpotter5@yahoo.com>
 
Communication Committee
This committee is responsible for getting the word out to the neighborhood through the website, Facebook page, hard-copy flyers, and e-Newsletter.  We especially need volunteers for three “jobs:”  (1) updating the website which uses WordPress,  (2) putting the contact list on an Excel document, and (3) delivering flyers a few times a year.   If you are a computer person or someone who loves to walk the neighborhood, this committee is for you.  Convener is Mary Mullen, 298-0843, mmullen@chorus.net <mailto:mmullen@chorus.net>

Help the Homeless Committee

This year is the first time we’ve had a committee to focus on the homeless.  The committee will study the issue of homeless people in the neighborhood and how to help them.  Convener is  Deacon Tony Williams, 608-398-8798 (must dial 608), adwilliams043@gmail.com <mailto:adwilliams043@gmail.com>
 
Fund-Raising Committee (Attachment:  “1 member form.jpg”)
Although we have about $1,000 in our treasury, with an ambitious program, we could well use more.  This committee will brainstorm ways to raise money for DMNA initiatives. This may be through increasing dues-paying membership in the DMNA or through special fund-raisers. Last year we spent more than we took in, and no organization can continue to do that for long.  Expenditures have gone mostly for hard-copy flyers and for social events in the past few years.  Convenor is Denise Williams, 213-6639, dwilliams1.love@gmail.com <mailto:dwilliams1.love@gmail.com>  You can help right now without even joining the committee by sending in the attached membership form and (voluntary) dues of $10 per household.  A larger donation is always welcome.                                                                                  by Mary Mullen

 
 
3 - Next Council Meeting Is Thur., Jan. 8

The next DMNA Council meeting will be held at 7 pm, Thursday, January 8, at 2010 Whenona Drive (Prairie UU Society). Residents as well as Council members are welcome, although only Council members can vote on motions. Routine business is planned for this meeting.
 
Residents planning to attend and who want the Council to take up a specific topic should contact Vice President Deacon Tony Williams to discuss that topic.  E-mail him at adwilliams043@gmail.com <mailto:adwilliams043@gmail.com>  or call him at 608-398-8798.  You must punch in the area code to call Deacon Tony.
 
The DMNA Council meets the second Thursday of each month at Prairie.
 
 
 
4 - Those Mosaics Again - Please Consider Giving the Artist Your Opinion
           (Attachment:  “2 Artist Questions w chart.doc”)

Mosaic artist Marcia Yapp, who is working with the Dunn’s Marsh Community to develop ideas for a mosaic that will go along the path to the bike/ped overpass of the Beltline, would very much like to hear from more people in the neighborhood.
 
Download the survey “Artist questions w chart.doc” and devote 10 or 15 minutes to telling her what you think.  Those who do the survey or have shown up at previous meetings will have the most influence on how this mosaic looks.  Please e-mail your commleted survey to: marcia_yapp@sbcglobal.net <mailto:marcia_yapp@sbcglobal.net>
 
The “.doc” survey will allow you to expand your remarks on a chart where Marcia would like to know your favorite places in the neighborhood, the colors and feelings you associate with those places, and the associated visual images.  Marcia also would like to know what you feel are the strengths and challenges of this neighborhood, what gives you a sense of pride in our neighborhood, what you would like to communicate to those outside the neighborhood, and what makes you feel connected to the neighborhood.
 
If you are seeing this article on Facebok, the attachment may not show up.  In that case, shoot me an e-mail asking for the “.doc” version:  mmullen@chorus.net <mailto:mmullen@chorus.net>
 
No complaining if you don’t participate.   J      
                                                                                                by Mary Mullen                      



5 - Pictures Tell a Story
   (Attachments:  “Dunn’s Marsh photo 1970.jpg”  “north marsh proposals.jpg”  “winter.jpg”)

I suppose you never consciously wondered what the Belmar and Dunn’s Marsh part of the neighborhood
looked like from the air 43 years ago.  Wonder or not, I’m sure you will be fascinated to see the aerial photo that was part of the PowerPoint presentation for the Watershed Master Plan for Nine Springs Creek.
 
Here’s a preview in words:  
·      The Belmar streets - Jenewein, Sentinel Pass, Aztec Trail, Pawnee Pass, and Crescent - are laid   out between Apache and Red Arrow, but only a few homes are built.

·      Crescent Road only extends from Apache to Red Arrow Trail and has no houses, apartments, or condos built on it.

·      Although the roller rink - then a bowling alley - is at the top of the picture, there’s just a hayfield to the south between it and Jenewein Road.  

·      No buildings at all lie west of Red Arrow Trail until the lines of apartments in the Allied subdivision.
 
The Nine Springs Creek Watershed Master Plan includes several proposed BMP (best management practice) improvements in the area both north and south of Cresent Road in the vicinity of Red Arrow Trail. “North marsh proposals.jpg” is a map that shows these suggested modifications.  If you are interested in these improvements or marsh water quality, you’ll also want to join the Natural Environment Committee of the Dunn’s Marsh Neighborhoood Association.
 
Finally, cold as it has been this winter, our neighborhood is beautiful.  Thanks to a few photos, you can enjoy Marlborough Park, Dunn’s Marsh, the big cottonwood tree out near Verona Road, and some backyard wildlife with the simple click of your mouse.  See it all on “winter.jpg.”
                                                                                    by Mary Mullen
 
 
 
5a - Neighborhood Voting Location Changed

Madison voters in the neighborhood will be voting at a different location starting with the February 8 election. The new location is right at the corner of the Verona frontage road and Red Arrow Trail, right across Red Arrow from the MacDonald’s parking lot.  
 
You have to go a long way back to remember when this was a Pizza Hut.
 
The old location is the HeadStart building just up the hill from MacDonald’s (but on the other side of Red Arrow Trail.
 
The new location is right at the corner of the Verona frontage road and Red Arrow Trail, right across Red Arrow from the MacDonald’s parking lot.  You have to go a long way back to remember when this was a Pizza Hut.
 
Fitchburg voters cast their ballots at Fitchburg Fire Station #2 on King James Way, a mile or so from the Dunn’s Marsh Neighborhood. This location has not changed.
 
                                                -information from Chief Inspector at our polls, Sharon Flinn
 
VERONA ROAD

 
6 - Verona Road Project Construction Updates Done for the Winter

Although weekly construction updates related to the Verona Road project have ceased as of the December 13, 2013 final update, some work was still proceeding.

Below are some excerpts from the final report.

Verona Road work
  • Work along Verona west frontage roads will continue through December. Work will occur off the roadway with minimal traffic impacts, associated with trucking.
  • Building demolition will begin in mid-December on the apartments along the east side of Midvale Boulevard, just north of the westbound Beltline off ramp. Work will occur off the roadway with minimal traffic impacts, associated with trucking.

Seminole Highway and Sentinel Pass intersection
  • Completion pending installation of permanent traffic signals. Anticipated in January 2014.

Seminole Highway/Yuma Drive/Nakoma Road intersection
  • Completion pending installation of permanent traffic signals. Anticipated in January 2014.

County M and County PB intersection
  • Completion pending installation of permanent traffic signals. Anticipated in January 2014.

Stay involved and informed with the project website and project Facebook page <http://lists.wi.gov/t/882914/1837417/3202/0/ <http://lists.wi.gov/t/882914/1837417/3202/0/> > .
                                                            mostly from WisDOT websites related to Verona Road
 
 
 
7 - Map Shows Verona Road Stage 1 Construction, 2014-2016 (Attachment: “’6 Construc 2014-16.jpg”)

Here’s an easy way to see what construction is coming down the line along Verona Road and the Beltline during the coming three years.
 
Click on the attachment to see the 5 different locations where the big road-building machinery will be grinding away.
 
The first work, March to July 2014, will include:
·      Northbound Verona Road lanes constructed first
·      All traffic will be shifted to southbound lanes on Verona Road
·      Jug-handle intersection at Summit Road (Atticus Way) reconstructed
·      Roundabout constructed under Verona Road - just past Walgreens and before Red Arrow Trail (MacDonald’s)
·      Pedestrian underpass
                                                                                    by Mary Mullen




8  - Exhibits / Docs Available from Verona Road Public Meeting

As a few hardy people talked to Wisconsin Department of Transportation folks about Stage 2 of the Verona Road reconstruction project December 19, nature was doing a number outside Fitchburg’s Fire Station #2 on King James Way.  Meeting-goers exited the building onto icy sidewalks.  They had a lot of scraping to do on their windshields.
 
Regardless, they had learned a bit more about what’s coming down the pike when construction will eventually shift to the area between Raymond Road and Co. Hy. PD (McKee Road).  You can too by reviewing the exhibits and handouts posted at <http://projects.511wi.gov/web/veronaroad-18-151/ <http://projects.511wi.gov/web/veronaroad-18-151/> >
 
While all of these locations are beyond the Dunn’s Marsh Neighborhood, people who use businesses adjacent to Verona Road beyond Raymond Road may want to look at the exhibits.  They show different alternatives for the County PD instersection with Nesbitt Road/Kapec Road and the WilliamsburgWay/ Anton Drive intersection.
 
The McKee Road alternatives will affect getting onto Nesbitt Road from PD.  Nesbitt gives access to the Monkeyshines bar, Jung’s Garden Store, the Fitchburg Veterinarian Hospital, and other businesses.   They also affect getting onto Kapec Road from Nesbitt.  Kapec is just opposite Nesbittt.  
 
All the alternatives prevent crossing PD from Nesbitt to go onto Kapec.  Kapec is the road leading to Jamestown Way where Fitchburg Fire Station #2 is. This is where Fitchburg residents in our neighborhood vote.
 
Two alternatives are offered for the Williamsburg Way/Anton Drive intersection - a roundabout or a signal.
 
To see the maps posted as part of the website <http://projects.511wi.gov/web/veronaroad-18-151/ <http://projects.511wi.gov/web/veronaroad-18-151/> >, look for  UPDATES [in red type] go to Exhibits.  Then scroll down to Stage 2 - Proposed improvements. Click on County PD for those alternative and on Williamsburg Way for the other set.
 
As you look at the PD map, be aware that 18/151 is to the right (east) of what’s shown on the map and the highway runs parallel to Kapec/Nesbitt Road.
 
I believe these changes are several years in the future.
                                                                                                by Mary Mullen

 
GOING GREEN
 
9 - MG & E Sponsors Outreach for Energy Savings to Allied Area

Sina Davis, Selena Pettigrew, and others have been working with Allied area residents to promote energy savings and save money for MG&E customers.
 
Here is Sina’s report for outreach work done during the month of December.

Met with Ms. Stephanie & Selena on plans to outreach for January, and talked about the video and grant.  Talked to Annetta at MGE about upcoming training and door-to-door outreach on saving energy.

Outreach at the Holiday Family Night, talking to residents about being part of our Energy Saving Workshop, our upcoming Solar Project, Power Time II Kick-Off Party in January and signing up some residents to be part of the our new projects on Allied Drive.

Selena and I met to look at the video, work on what we can add and the future of making more video.  [The video features neighborhood people talking about the benefits of saving energy.]

Work on reconnecting with original partners and getting things ready for the Kick Off Party.

We have 6 residents ready to start the Energy Saving workshop in January.

Outreach door-to-door to residents about The Kick-Off in January,  MGE Training,  Solar Project.  We are to be on the lookout for Allied Allies Cooperative.

Covered are 2402, 2406, 2410, 2414, 2418, 2422, 2426, 2430, 2434, 2438, 2442, 2446, 2221, 2230, 2201, 2202, 2210, 2218, 2122, 2118  Allied Drive and 4713, 4702, 4706 Thurston.
                                                                                                            from Sina Davis
 
P.S. - For more information, contact either Sina Davis, 886-5994, sinadavis703@yahoo.com <mailto:sinadavis703@yahoo.com>  or Selena Pettigrew, 217-3639, selenapettigrew@gmail.com <mailto:selenapettigrew@gmail.com>  
 

 
10 - Fitchburg Green (Land) and
Blue (Water) E-News Blast #42
 
1. City of Fitchburg Receives Excellence in Recycling Award for Organics Pilot! – Last month, the City of Fitchburg received a Recycling Excellence Award from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for Fitchburg’s Organics Collection Pilot that began in 2012. ... Read More… <http://www.fitchburgwi.gov/documents/GreenE-NewsBlast42.pdf <http://www.fitchburgwi.gov/documents/GreenE-NewsBlast42.pdf> >   Fitchburg would like to thank Pellitteri Waste Systems as well as the residents who made this Pilot possible.  For more information, please visit: www.fitchburgwi.gov/Organics <http://www.fitchburgwi.gov/Organics <http://www.fitchburgwi.gov/Organics> >  or view the press release at: http://www.fitchburgwi.gov/meeting_minutes/files/PRESS_122013_CH.pdf <http://www.fitchburgwi.gov/meeting_minutes/files/PRESS_122013_CH.pdf>
 
2. Fitchburg Holiday Light String Recycling Available (Nov. 25, 2013 to Jan. 30, 2014) – Fitchburg staff and Surplus-IT are teaming up for the second year in a row to offer recycling of holiday light strings for Fitchburg residents.  A special cart is available at the Fitchburg City Hall Lobby (5520 Lacy Road, Lobby is available 24 hrs/day) for Fitchburg residents to drop off non-working holiday light strings and extension cords for recycling.  Residents must remove any bulbs larger than marble-size and recycle those separately at participating stores.  Special thanks go to Lee Shinefield from Surplus-IT for providing recycling of the holiday light strings.
 
3. Holiday Recycling Guide in English and Spanish – Ever wanted a 1-page handy guide for finding out what types of holiday-related packaging, wrapping, are recyclable? Please visit: http://www.city.fitchburg.wi.us/departments/cityHall/publicWorks/solidWaste/documents/HolidayRecycleListBilingual.pdf <http://www.city.fitchburg.wi.us/departments/cityHall/publicWorks/solidWaste/documents/HolidayRecycleListBilingual.pdf> The second page is in Spanish, with special thanks to Felipe Avila and Vanessa Martinez.  We’re currently working on ways to make this available throughout the Latino community, so if you have ideas, please contact felipe.avila@fitchburgwi.gov. We’re also considering translating the full 20-page Fitchburg Recycling Guide and would love to get some help with this.
 
4. Strong Towns Curbside Chat – January 23, 2014, 6:30pm - City of Fitchburg Public Library – Join Chuck Marohn in an intimate discussion regarding the future of Fitchburg’s neighborhoods. Chuck Marohn is an Engineer and Urban Planner, as well as author of Thoughts on Building Strong Towns, The Strong Towns Blog, and host of The Strong Towns Podcast. For more information on Chuck Marohn and Strong Towns, visit: http://www.strongtowns.org/ <http://www.strongtowns.org/> .
 
5. City of Fitchburg Water Conservation Campaign – The City of Fitchburg has made water conservation a top priority in 2014 and would like your help. Water conservation saves you money, but also protects our cherished supply of water and decreases energy usage. If we all reduced our indoor and outdoor water usage, we could have a dramatic impact. This winter, join the City of Fitchburg in preparing for Fix a Leak Week March 17-23 and the Wyland Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation April 1-30.
 
6. Fitchburg Green Thursday Event – Yahara Watershed Improvement Network (Yahara WINs) Update - Thurs., Feb. 6, 2014, 6:30pm – Fitchburg Public Library Meeting Rooms A & B - Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD) Environmental Specialist Kathy Lake will be on hand to give an update on the great work being done on the Yahara WINs pilot project funded by the City of Fitchburg, MMSD and ~30 additional partners. Visit: http://www.madsewer.org/Programs-Initiatives/Yahara-WINs <http://www.madsewer.org/Programs-Initiatives/Yahara-WINs> for more details.
 
7. Middleton Green Thursday Event – Water Conservation & Rain Gardens - Thurs., Feb. 6, 2014, 7pm – Willy West Co-Op Community Room, 6825 University Ave., Middleton – Join Middleton staff and Sustainability Committee members in celebrating Middleton's Water Conservation Challenge contestants and winners, share water conservation tips, and hear from a rain garden expert on how to make yards more environmentally friendly.
 
If you'd like to subscribe to future Fitchburg_Green E-News and/or Organics updates, please:  
    a. Visit: http://www.fitchburgwi.gov/mail_list/index.php <http://www.fitchburgwi.gov/mail_list/index.php>   
    b. Check the box for "Fitchburg_Green" and/or “OrganicsCollection”,
    c. Enter your Email Address, and
    d. Click the "Subscribe" button
 
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions, comments, and/or suggestions on future Green E-News topics.
  
Rick Eilertson, Environmental Engineer
City of Fitchburg, Public Works
608-270-4264        
rick.eilertson@fitchburgwi.gov

 

11 - What’s Permaculture? Intensive Training Offered

Permaculture is a new way of looking at relating to the environment and growing food. The Madison area is lucky to be a hotbed of activity relating to permaculture including the Madison Area Permaculture Guild.
 
This year the Guild is offering a Permaculture Design Certificate (PDC), with the training “open to anyone and everyone who has an interest in learning more about permaculture.”  The 80-hour-plus training is geared to working adults, with one intensive weekend, several Saturdays, and the another intensive weekend.  Class starts February 15 & 16 and ends June 7th & 8th.  Payment plans are available.
 
Over half of the training hours involve participatory education, hands-on projects and local tours, so students shouldn’t plan on sitting in a classroom for very long!  
 
For a hint about what permaculture is, here’s a list of the topics covered in the Permaculture Design Certificate Training:
  • Permaculture Design and Natural Systems
  • Soil Building and Ecosystems
  • Foraging and Wild Crafting
  • Fungi  - food, soil and remediation
  • Water Harvesting, Management and Remediation
  • Plant Guilds and Forest Gardens
  • Natural Built Environment
  • Energy Systems
  • Invisible Systems, Social Permaculture and Community Building
  • Large and Small Scale Permaculture
  • Intensive Food Systems and Animals
  • Urban Permaculture Solutions
  • Biomimicry and Patterns
  • Participatory Education - our collective knowledge of all the students and instructors is greater than any one of us.
For more information, and to sign up, either see the website <http://madisonareapermacultureguild.org/pdc-training/ <http://madisonareapermacultureguild.org/pdc-training/> > or contact Jean Schneider, PDC Registration Coordinator, 608-513-0016.
 
Early registration deadline is January 13 and will result in a $50 reduction in the course fee. Registration is open until class is filled.  12 people were turned away last year because the course was full.

                                    information from Madison Area Permaculture Guild’s Jean Schneider
 

 
KID BASEBALL / SCAMS / JOBS / HOUSEWORK FOR HEALTH


12 - West Madison Little League to Add 7-Year Olds to Baseball Program


West Madison Little League is making a major change in 2014 that will open up opportunities for many more west side youngsters to participate in Little League baseball next spring and summer.  We need your help in spreading the word about this change to the families in your neighborhood


West Madison Little League (WMLL) has announced the addition of 7-year olds to its spring/summer baseball program for 2014. Players must be 7 years old by April 30, 2014, to qualify. Registration is online at www.wmll.org <http://www.wmll.org/ <http://www.wmll.org/> > starting Jan 4 through Feb 28, 2014.
 
Fees are $15 less for those who register by Feb 2 (Super Bowl Sunday). All 7-year olds will be paired with 8-year olds in WMLL's machine-pitch Atlantic league.
 
E-mail questions to info@wmll.org <mailto:info@wmll.org <mailto:info@wmll.org> >
 
WMLL is a 501c3 non-profit organization and our registration period runs from Jan 4 through Feb 28.
                                                                        from West Madison Little League

 
13 - Job Recruitment Event for Edgewater Hotel Construction, Jan. 16

Calling all qualified, experienced construction workers or individuals pursuing a career in the construction industry to attend an informational recruitment event about job training and work readiness programs offered by WRTP/BIG STEP and The Building Trade Council of South Central Wisconsin.
 
The Building Trade Council represents bricklayers and allied crafts (tile setters), electricians, elevator constructors, heat & frost insulators, iron workers, laborers, operating engineers, operative plasterers and cement  masons, painters and allied crafts (painters, drywall finishers, glazers), plumbers, roofers, sheet metal workers, sprinkler fitters and steamfitters.
 
 
THE EDGEWATER HOTEL PROJECT
 
9:00 AM THURSDAY, JANUARY 16, 2014
 
LABOR TEMPLE 1602 S. PARK STREET MADISON 53715
 
ROOMS 201A, B & C
 
RSVP 414-342-9787

Please pass this information along to all interested parties.





                                                                                                from  the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO



14  - Another Scam Alert

Someone is calling people stating they are with Madison Gas and Electric. They inform you your account is past due and you need to pay immediately to avoid disconnect. They want payment with a credit card. This is a scam. DO NOT give any personal information out over the telephone.

I contacted Madison Gas and Electric. They are aware of this scam.
#1 You should know if you are behind payment with your MG&E account.
#2 Madison Gas and Electric will not ask you for credit card payment. They will send you a final notice for a past due account and give you 10 days to work out a payment plan.


If you receive telephone calls like this, hang up and contact the police.  Fitchburg Police -270-4300, Madison Police - 255-2345.

                                                                                    Officer Jay Wilson,  Fitchburg Police
 


15 - Gardening, Housework May Help Boost Heart Health
                       
Study of Swedish seniors found a reduced death risk of up to 30 percent
                                                            By Steven Reinberg, HealthDay Reporter
TUESDAY, Oct. 29 (HealthDay News) -- Activities such as gardening, do-it-yourself projects and housework may be as good as formal exercise when it comes to reducing the risk for heart attack and stroke, Swedish researchers say.

For people 60 and older, just keeping busy with daily activities can reduce the risk of cardiovascular problems by nearly 30 percent and even prolong life, they added.

Being on your feet and active cuts the time spent sitting around, pointed out lead researcher Elin Ekblom-Bak, of the Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences and the Karolinska Institute, in Stockholm.

"Sitting is mainly replacing time you spend in daily activity and vice versa," Ekblom-Bak said. A recent study found long periods of sitting actually increased the risk for diabetes , cardiovascular disease and death, she noted.

"The results of this study showed that activities of daily life are as important as regular intentional exercise for older adults for cardiovascular health and longevity," she said.

But that doesn't mean formal exercise isn't important. "We saw that those who exercised regularly and that also had a daily physically active life had the lowest risk of all," Ekblom-Bak explained.

The time people spend exercising, however, is only a small part of the day, which leaves a lot of time for daily activities or sitting, she added.

For the new study, researchers collected data on more than 3,800 men and women in Sweden who were born in 1937 and 1938. Participants were asked about their lifestyle, which included information on their diet, whether they smoked or drank alcohol, and how physically active they were.

The participants were also asked how often they took part in activities, such as gardening, do-it-yourself projects, car maintenance and blackberry picking over the past year. They were also asked about any exercise they did.

To see how heart-healthy they were, the researchers examined the participants and took blood samples to assess levels of fat and sugar. They also checked for high levels of blood-clotting factor, which is linked to a raised heart attack and stroke risk.

During more than 12 years of follow-up, 476 of the participants died from or experienced a first heart attack or stroke, and 383 died from other various causes.

People whose daily activities kept them moving reduced their risk of a heart attack or stroke by 27 percent and the risk of dying from any cause by 30 percent, compared to people who spent the least amount of time on their feet.
"Promoting daily life activities is as important as recommending regular exercise for older adults for cardiovascular health and longevity," Ekblom-Bak said.

"This is particularly important for older adults as they tend to spend a greater portion of their active day performing non-exercise physical activity, as they often find it difficult to achieve recommended exercise intensity levels," she said.

The report was published online Oct. 28 in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.

Traditional notions of retirement often don't support continued physical activity at this stage of life, a U.S. expert said.

"It is almost expected that as we age, we move less," said Samantha Heller, a senior clinical nutritionist and exercise physiologist at NYU Langone Medical Center, in New York City.

"Retirement, a patient told me, is for sitting around, resting and watching TV," she said. "Unfortunately, sedentary lifestyles now range across all ages with the same unhealthy results: increased risk for diseases such as cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome and certain cancers."

The human body is designed to be moving a good portion of the day, Heller said. "The less one physically moves, the less they are able to move," she said.

Regular physical activities such as house cleaning, gardening, lawn care and climbing stairs help keep the body mobile and strong, Heller said.

"You can burn up to six times as much energy per minute when house cleaning as you do when you are sitting still. People of all ages need to be encouraged to get up off the couch and turn off the computer and TV and move," she said.

Heller said there are simple ways to add more physical activity into the day, such as the following:
  • Standing up when talking on the phone.
  • Marching in place when watching TV -- at least during the commercials.
  • Getting up from your desk every hour and doing jumping jacks, knee lifts or knee bends for three to five minutes.
  • Climbing a flight of stairs every few hours.
  • Vacuuming the house.
  • Mopping the floor.

Another expert described the physical fallout of being sedentary.

Dr. Gregg Fonarow, a professor of cardiology at the University of California, Los Angeles, said sitting for too long may have adverse effects including burning fewer calories, and increasing insulin resistance and fats in the blood.

"Greater time spent in non-exercise physical activities can potentially counter these effects," Fonarow said. "These findings further emphasize the importance of decreasing sedentary time and encouraging everyday regular non-exercise physical activity to improve cardiovascular health."

Although the study found an association between being active around the house and reduced heart risk, it did not establish a cause-and-effect relationship.

                                       
Reprinted from     https://www.webmdhealth.com/nl/nlv.aspx?id=81B7C6D1E52495A4&s=13828 <file://localhost/nl/nlv.aspx>
 

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-- End of the 1/4/2014 DUNN’S MARSH NEIGHBORHOOD e-NEWS ---
                                        Thanks for reading.

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