Dunn’s Marsh Neighborhood e-News February 11, 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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This started out as a notice about a couple of calendar events, but there was just too much news to leave it at that. Rather than fill your mailbox with 36 different e-mails, there’s just this one. Search the calendar or the list of articles for what appeals to you: parties, walks, jobs, bird watching, marsh and tree concerns, biking, the Verona Road project, and more. Or if you are a fast reader, try them all. J
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Calendar - DMNA events are in red. To find out more, go to the article number.
Tues., Feb. 11, 7 p.m. - DMNA Transportation “Party,” #1
Thurs., Feb. 13, 7 pm - DMNA Council Meeting, Prairie UU Society, #3
Sun., Feb. 15, 6:30 pm - Guided Arboretum Snow Moon Night Walk, Visitor Center, #4
Sat., Feb. 22, 1-4 pm - Tracing Party for neighborhood children & teens (mosaic project), Boys & Girls Club. 4619 Jenewein Rd., #5
Sun., Feb. 23, 1-4 pm - Tracing Party for neighborhood children & teens (mosaic project), Prairie UU Society, 2010 Whenona Dr., #5
Mon., Feb. 24, 6:30-8 pm.- Dunn’s Marsh Masterplan Workshop, Prairie UU Society, 2010 Whenona Dr., #11
Thurs., Feb. 27, 7 pm - Information meeting about Lower Yahara River Bike Trail, Lussier Center, Lake Farms Park, #19
Sat., March 1, 8:30-11:30 a.m. - Retain the Rain Raingarden Workshop, LFA Agriculture & Conservation Center, #12
Friday, March 7, 6-8 pm - Mother-Son Beach Party, Warner Park Community Recreation Center, #27
Sat., March 8, 1-4 pm - Design Party for neighborhood children & teens (mosaic project), Boys & Girls Club. 4619 Jenewein Rd., #5
Sun., March 9, 3-5 pm - Design Party for neighborhood children & teens (mosaic project), Prairie UU Society, 2010 Whenona Dr., #5
Thur., March 13, 7 pm - DMNA Council Meeting, Prairie UU Society
Sat., March 15, noon-3 pm - Marlborough Garden Registration, Prairie UU Society, 2010 Whenona Dr., #30
Sat., March 15, Late afternoon - Dunn’s Marsh Neighborhood Chili Fest, Prairie Society
Tues., March 18, 5-7:30 pm - Marlborough Garden Registration, Prairie UU Society, 2010 Whenona Dr., #30
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ARTICLE LIST
1 - Making It In the Big Apple
COMING RIGHT UP
2 - Transportation/Streets Committee “Party,” Tues., Feb. 11
3 - Many Items on DMNA Council Agenda, Feb. 13
4 - Free Arboretum Snow Moon Night Walk, Feb. 15
5 - Be Part of the Art - Kids’ Roundabout Mosaic Sessions Start Feb. 22 & 23
(Attachments: “roundabout mosaic panel graphic.jpg” & “map - mosaic locations.jpg”)
6 - Join Facebook Page to Follow the Roundabout Mosaic Project
7 - Come to the Dunn’s Marsh Neighborhood Chili Fest, Sat., March 15
ENVIRONMENTALLY SPEAKING
8 - Watch Those Birds! Feb. 14-17
9 - Identifying Birds, Finding What’s Been Seen in the Dunn’s Marsh Neighborhood
10 - UW Practicum Focuses on Dunn’s Marsh
11 - Dunn's Marsh Watershed Master Plan Workshop, Feb. 24
12 - Retain the Rain Workshop, March 1
13 - Emerald Ash Borer Found in Madison
14 - Adopt an Ash Tree Program in Madison Parks
15 - Replanting the Urban Forest
16 - Phone Book Recycling is Easy
17 - From Fitchburg Green (Land) and Blue (Water) E-News Blast #43
TRANSPORTATION-RELATED
18 - Crazy Bikers Brave the Cold: Biker’s Advice
19 - New Bike Trail Planned at East End of Capital City Trail, Feb. 27
20 - Questions and Anwers about the Ped/Bike Bridge Over Beltline
21 - Getting Action at the Ped/Bike Crossing
22 - Highway PD Turns Into Bucking Bronco
22a - Verona Road Construction to Resume February 24
23 - Verona Road Project Endangers Our Health and the Health of Our Water Resources
FOR YOUR HEALTH , WELFARE & FUN
24 - Know WordPress or Excel?
25 - Social/Welcoming Committee Off to a Good Start
26 - Downtown Workers: Free Lunchtime Yoga at Monona Terrace
27 - Madison Parks Mother-Son Beach Party, March 7
28 - Madison College Dental Hygiene Clinic Accepts Appointments
29 - Getting Help to Sign Up for the Affordable Care Act (ObamaCare
30 - Garden Registration Coming Up, March 15 & 18
31 - Jobs Available at U-Haul
32 - Jobs Available at Copps - Fitchburg
33 - Be Aware When You Donate Online
34 - Madison 10th District Alder Report
35 - February is Black History Month (Attachment: “Feb. women's history BD.doc”)
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ARTICLES
1 - Making It In the Big Apple
You had better believe that young Madisonians can make it in the big city.
Forest Kilmer, who lived on Windflower Way during her junior and senior years at West High School, has her knitted dress project on display in a window of Macy’s in Herald Square, New York City.
The knitting project was a fashion class assignment at the Pratt Institute where Forest is a sophomore. The exhibit is called “Organic Matter.” According to an article, Pratt hopes the designs will be exhibited in store windows internationally. About 7500 people an hour pass by this window.
A You-Tube video explains the class project and features a brief interview with the teacher of the class. http://www.myfoxny.com/story/24658133/pratt-students-organic-fashions-in-macys-windows#.UvS4l5etlMJ.facebook
COMING RIGHT UP
2 - Transportation/Streets Committee “Party,” Tues., Feb. 11
Got a complaint about unshoveled sidewalks? Wondering what can be done about the construction mess up by the ped/bike overpass to make it safe for kids going to school? Want to know more about the mosaic projects that will be going in as part of the Verona Road project?
These and more topics will be taken up by Transportation/Streets Committee at a meeting this Tuesday night. Convener Donna Sarafin has scheduled a meeting, and YOU are invited.
Read her color-coded and sprightly e-mail invitation for details.
Hello to All,
If you are getting this email it is because a little bird told me that you might be interested in attending a Dunn’s Marsh Transportation party, I mean meeting about any of the following:
1. Mosaic displays near the beltline and frontage road and neighborhood involvement. ( Get the creative juices flowing! )
2. Biking issues and ideas for the neighborhood. ( There's just no telling where we can connect paths next!)
3. Street conditions and upkeep and plowing in the winter. ( Keep our streets smooooth sailing )
4. Sidewalk issues and desires ( The sidewalk to nowhere.)
5. Bus routes and schedules ( Hey, could we get the mega bus to stop here?)
6. The Verona Road Project and ongoing vigilance and ideas as the project moves into full swing. ( keeping our neighbors and ourselves informed of traffic congestion and how to relieve those sinuses! )
This is the first party, I mean meeting, convening at my house, Donna Sarafin at 4338 Windflower Way, and will commence on February 11th at 7:00 p.m. This is guaranteed to be a relaxed and inviting meeting. We certainly don't need to be groaning over something voluntary, otherwise why get involved? I'm glad you asked!
How this first meeting will go:
If you are interested, you get to say how often we meet and when. We will also be setting the priorities for our focus and finally, vote on who chairs this committee. That's the business part of it.......
You will also get a chance to meet some cool peeps from the hood, as I am sure from this list that not everyone knows everyone.
May I also entice you with some yummy, satisfying, winter warming treats? Okay, I am pouring it on, but for good reason, the more the merrier and it feeels good to connect with others for a common good cause!!
So, PLEASE PRETTY PLEASE respond and let me know if I will be seeing your bright, shining, smiling face at my house on Feb. 11, at 7:00 p.m. My email, dksarafin@yahoo.com
Thank you for reading this far!
~Donna Sarafin
3 - Many Items on DMNA Council Agenda, Feb. 13
The Dunn’s Marsh Neighborhood Council takes up many topics at every meeting.
Among other things, the meeting scheduled for this week will include these topics:
· discussion of the upcoming March 15 Chili Fest
· decision whether to particpate in Make Music Madison in June (for second time)
· an appearance by 2 UW students who are particpating in a practicum focused on the marsh
· the mosaic art project for kids for figures that will go near the Verona Road roundabout (not yet constructed)
· sidewalk issues - lack of sidewalk clearing, issues with entrance to ped/bike overpass
The meeting convenes at 7 p.m. on Thursday, February 13, at 2010 Whenona Drive (Prairie UU Society).
Neighbors are welcome to attend.
4 - Free Arboretum Snow Moon Night Walk, Feb. 15
Join us on a Snow Moon night walk at the University of Wisconsin Arboretum.
Barred owls may be calling. If the owls are silent, we can stargaze and listen for other creatures out and about on a late winter night. Meet at the Arboretum Visitor Center at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, February 15.
Did you know that in addition to a monthly night walk, naturalist guided walks are held every Sunday afternoon? (See what's scheduled on the Arboretum website.)
Don't forget to stop at the Visitor Center to see the current exhibit in the Arboretum gallery, and check out the bookstore for inspiring winter reading material.
Get to the Visitor Center from Seminole Highway north of the Beltline, turning right on McCaffrey Drive after you’ve come down the steepest part of the hill.
from UW Arboretum
5 - Be Part of the Art - Kids’ Roundabout Mosaic Sessions Start Feb. 22 & 23
(Attachments: “1 roundabout mosaic panel graphic.jpg” & “2 map - mosaic locations. jpg”)
This is a message for Allied and Dunn’s Marsh Neighborhood KIDS.
Local artist and teacher, Elizabeth Doyle, will make mosaics in collaboration with the Allied and Dunn’s Marsh Neighborhoods. Neighborhood kids (including teens) are invited to express themselves and have fun making mosaics.
This work will be permanently installed as part of the Verona Road Reconstruction Project in late summer, 2014. The location for the installed project will be near the roundabout under Verona Road - west of the present crossover to Home Depot.
Several art-making events* will be held in the neighborhood.
Tracing Party
Kids trace each other on big sheets of paper. Mosaic designs will be based on selected tracings. Snacks provided!
February 22, 1 – 4 pm OR
Boys and Girls Club
4619 Jenewein Rd, Fitchburg
February 23, 1 – 4 pm
Prairie Unitarian Universalist Society
2010 Whenona Dr, Madison
Design Party
Kids draw and share their ideas for what the mosaic figures should look like inside. Colors? Images? Dreams? No experience necessary. Snacks provided!
March 8 , 1 – 4 pm OR
Boys and Girls Club
March 9, 3 - 5 pm
Prairie Unitarian Universalist Society
2010 Whenona Dr, Madison
*Come to any or all events. Registration not required. Free. Parents and Guardians are welcome to attend events with your kids. Kids age 6 and under must attend with an adult.
Contact Elizabeth Doyle for more information:
Email : edoyle30@hotmail.com <mailto:edoyle30@hotmail.com>
Facebook: www.facebook.com/veronaroadmosaic
Phone: (608) 334-0969
The neighborhood person who will know the most about these events is Julie Lyne, lyne.julie@gmail.com
Julie has graciously taken on the task of informing neighborhood parents about these opportunities through her connections with the schools and Scout troops. Thanks, Julie!!!!
Parents, don’t let your kids miss the tracing party. Wouldn’t it be great if the tracing of your child made it through the selection process to be a permanent “Part of the Art” you and they will see every time you go to Home Depot, Goodwill, U-Haul, or Subway?
by Elizabeth Doyle & Mary Mullen
6 - Join Facebook Page to Follow the Roundabout Mosaic Project
Follow the progress of the roundabout mosaic project on a new Facebook page, Verona Road Mosaic Project at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Verona-Road-Mosaic-Project/1454452528103317 <file://localhost/pages/Verona-Road-Mosaic-Project/1454452528103317>
Meetings related to this and the second project will also be noted on the Dunn’s Marsh Neighborhood Association Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dunns-Marsh-Neighborhood-Association/187654193505 <file://localhost/pages/Dunns-Marsh-Neighborhood-Association/187654193505>
The roundabout project will be fast and furious, with a meeting of leaders having taken place on January 26, the first tracing sessions for families scheduled for February 22 & 23, and the design sessions on the calendar for March 8 and 9.
DON’T let your kids miss one of the first two sessions because this is when kids will trace each other, the first step in preparing to choose the figures that will go on the walls on the Home Depot side of the roundabout.
by Mary Mullen
7 - Come to the Dunn’s Marsh Neighborhood Chili Fest, Sat., March 15
Back in 2007, neighbor Miriam Johnson proposed a neighborhood Chili Fest. The first Chili Fest was a hit.
This year, like most years since then, the DMNA again invites neighborhood residents to bring their best chili recipe for all to taste and judge. Expect to have a great time eating chili, visiting, or getting to know each other or games. That includes the kids.
Even though this popular event is more than a month away, mark your calendar now for Saturday, March 15, and start sorting through your recipes.
This time the Chili Fest will be in the afternoon of that day. Watch for more details in an upcoming e-News.
ENVIRONMENTALLY SPEAKING
8 - Watch Those Birds! Feb. 14-17
Like birds? Can you identify some of the most common ones around here - cardinals, crows, chickadees, mourning doves?
Then you might want to join with thousands of people around the world in the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC). The GBBC takes place every year in February. This year it’s from Friday, February 14 through Monday, February 17. Minimum watching time is just 15 minutes! Could it get any easier than that?
Eager to get started? Go directly to the website at http://gbbc.birdcount.org/get-started/
Want to read more before you decide? Well, here are the steps of participating.
1. Register for the count <file://localhost/cassso/login> https://secure.birds.cornell.edu/cassso/login <file://localhost/cassso/login>
or use your existing login name and password.
2. Count birds for at least 15 minutes on one or more days of the GBBC.
3. Enter your results on the GBBC website by clicking “Submit Observations <http://ebird.org/ebird/gbbc/submit?siteLanguage=en> ” on the home page. Or download the free GBBC BirdLog app <http://gbbc.birdcount.org/birding-apps/> to enter data on a mobile device.
Think you might be interested, but aren’t sure you know enough?
That’s easily remedied. There are mountains of easy-to-access pictures, identification and life history information about hundreds of individual birds, plus recordings of their songs and calls as well as videos. And it’s all available at a click of a button on the website at the top of this article. It’s fascinating stuff!
Several Dunn’s Marsh area people have participated in the survey.
by Mary Mullen
9 - Identifying Birds, Finding What’s Been Seen in the Dunn’s Marsh Neighborhood
Not sure of what birds you may be seeing? A link on the main page, http://gbbc.birdcount.org/get-started/, shows pictures of the most common birds. Among the ones pictured on that page, we would be most likely to see would be the Northern Cardinal, Black-capped Chickadee, Blue Jay, Mouning Dove, American Goldfinch, American Crow, and Red-tailed Hawk.
Clicking on the common bird takes one to a page showing lots more pictures of the bird including those that may have different plumages because they are females or juveniles. Species that have a similar appearance are also pictured. Be sure to scroll down since additional links take one to the bird’s life history, sound, and vidoos.
Don’t forget to click on the map. You can take that map all the way down to the street level in our very own Dunn’s Marsh Neighborhood. If you do, you will see that several of us in the Dunn’s Marsh Neighborhood have participated in the GBBC. Click on the teardrop and you can even see the date we turned in a list of the species and how many of that species of bird we saw in our yards on particular days. Several people also observed birds in and around the marsh.
For additional birds, one can browse by Name and Shape index, available from a link on the page showing the most common birds. A neat thing about that index is that when one clicks on a shape of bird, the link takes you to pictures of birds, AND for each bird, when you click on the Sound link, you can listen to recordings of the bird.
Interestingly enough, if you know the bird’s calls or songs, you’ll notice that a bird you know may have a slightly different song if it was recorded, say, in the far West or in the Northeast of the United States.
by Mary Mullen
10 - UW Practicum Focuses on Dunn’s Marsh
Over the years, college students have enriched the Dunn’s Marsh Neighborhood, and a new group of University of Wisconsin students will be adding their energy to a very special place in our neighborhood - the marsh.
The City of Fitchburg received a grant to study the Nine Springs Watershed’s stormwater issues, and several UW students will be working on a proposal for the Nine Springs E-Way and Dunn’s Marsh. Dunn’s Marsh is at the headwaters of the Nine Springs Creek that runs east through the Nevin Fish Hatchery and on to Lake Waubesa, which is part of the Yahara River Watershed.
Recently, I received an e-mail from one of these students, Cynthia Novak. Cynthia is a Master’s Candidate at the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies in the Water Resources Management Program. So, what does this really have to do with us? Could be a lot.
In her introductory e-mail, Cynthia explained
We are in the very beginning stages of collecting data and trying to decide what exactly we will propose. One facet of this process, we believe, is community involvement…. I hope to meet you soon and talk about current involvement and potential for recruitment of more community involvement.
I do plan to attend the Dunn’s Marsh Watershed Master Plan Workshop [February 24]
Both Cynthia Novak and a classmate Anna Brown will also be attending the Dunn’s Marsh Neighborhood Council meeting on Thursday, February 13, 7 p.m., at Prarie UU Society, 2010 Whenona Drive. Neighborhood residents may attend this meeting and any other Council meetings. They are held on the second Thursday of the month.
The Dunn’s Marsh Watershed Master Plan Workshop is scheduled for Monday, February 24, 6:30-8 p.m. at Prairie UU Society. All neighborhood residents are urged to attend the workshop which will be led by Rick Eilertson, Fitchburg’s Environmental Engineer.
by Mary Mullen
11 - Dunn's Marsh Watershed Master Plan Workshop, Feb. 24
Fitchburg has been studying the Nine Springs Creek Watershed. Now the study is at the point where there are some specific suggestions for the Dunn’s Marsh area.
Come and learn about them, and express your opinions, Mon., Feb. 24th, 6:30-8:30 p.m. at 2010 Whenona Drive (Prairie UU Society).
If you skipped the previous article, you missed some additional information.
12 - Retain the Rain Workshop, March 1
Retain the rain workshop http://www.myfairlakes.com/pdf/Plant_Dane_workshop_brochure.pdf is scheduled for Saturday, March 1, 2014, 8:30 -11:30 a.m. Attendees will learn how to plan for and install rain gardens to help local lakes and streams. These simple yet effective projects help rain soak into the ground instead of becoming pollution-carrying stormwater on its way to our lakes and streams.
Registration is $5. Workshop deadline is Feb. 21. The workshop will also cover rain water harvesting.
The location of the workshop is the Conference Room, 121, Lyman F.Anderson Agriculture and Conservation Center, 5201 Fen Oak Drive, Madison, WI. This location is east of Highway 51 (Stoughton Road). Get there from here via the Beltline, north on Stoughton Rd., right on East Broadway to Dutch Mill Road/Femrite Drive, and then left on Agriculture Road. Fen Oak Drive is a right hand turn off Agriculture Drive.
The Plant Dane! Cost-Share Program, http://www.myfairlakes.com/PlantDane.aspx which provides plants at less than half of retail cost thanks to the Graham-Martin Foundation, will also be covered at the workshop for those interested in ordering plants for their gardens and yards. Forty-six of the 75 species available through the program provide butterfly habitat. Species available through program: http://www.myfairlakes.com/pdf/GMF_Species.pdf
Rain gardens are an attractive way to reduce lawn-maintenance time and costs, beautify your yard and help your lakes, rivers and streams all at the same time. Native wildflowers provide blooms from spring through fall and provide habitat for birds, butterflies and other beneficial insects.
Plant Dane! orders with full payment must be received by March 14. http://www.myfairlakes.com/plant/#/order
Join hundreds of others in central Dane County that already have a rain garden. www.cityofmadison.com/engineering/stormwater/raingardens/1000raingardens.cfm You can design it now for spring installation.
13 - Emerald Ash Borer Found in Madison
City of Madison officials received confirmation of the presence of the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) on the north side of Madison near Warner Park this past November. The City of Madison has an estimated 21,700 publicly owned street (terrace) ash trees and unknown number of ash trees in parks and thousands more on private property.
Since 2008, the City of Madison has been working on how to mitigate the impact of the Emerald Ash Borer. A taskforce was created to coordinate assessing the EAB threat, planning various response strategies, reviewing the latest research and acting to mitigate impacts on our tree canopy, ensuring public safety, protecting our environment and containing costs. The EAB Plan was approved by the Common Council in September 2012 and updated in September 2013.
The following is a summary of the City’s plans for public trees:
1. Over the winter, Forestry staff will preemptively remove ash terrace trees that meet the following criteria:
- Poor condition.
- Located under or near high voltage power lines.
- Measure less than 10 inches in diameter.
3. In the spring the city will implement a chemical treatment program for ash terrace \ street trees that are healthy and are not located under high voltage electrical lines. The city will use injection treatments versus soil drench treatments to ensure the protection of ground and surface water quality. All terrace trees meeting the treatment criteria will be treated by 2016 at the City’s expense. For this reason no adoption of terrace trees is needed. Treatments will begin around the end of May.
4. Going forward, Madison Parks Forestry will replant street trees in most locations. The location and tree species is the decision of the Forestry Section.
from City of Madison
14 - Adopt an Ash Tree Program in Madison Parks
Madison residents can adopt an ash tree(s) located in any Madison park and have it treated for EAB by a city licensed tree contractor at their own expense. To date, no City funds are allocated for chemical treatment of Ash trees located in the Parks. The request form for adoption will be made available soon on the Madison Parks website (http://www.cityofmadison.com/parks/) <http://www.cityofmadison.com/parks/)> . Ash trees must be in good condition and greater than 10 inches in diameter. Once the adoption is approved by city staff, the city will issue the required treatment permit directly to the licensed tree contractor you hire. Licensed tree contractors can be found on the Madison Public Works website: (http://www.cityofmadison.com/business/pw/prequalifiedContractors.cfm) <http://www.cityofmadison.com/business/pw/prequalifiedContractors.cfm)> .
from City of Madison
15 - Replanting the Urban Forest
If you are interested in replanting the City’s urban forest you can help support this undertaking. The Madison Parks Foundation has established the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) Tree Replacement fund to replace trees in the park system that will be lost to the Emerald Ash Borer. You can find out more information on the Madison Parks Foundation website: http://madisonparksfoundation.org/support-the-parks/how-to-give/ <http://madisonparksfoundation.org/support-the-parks/how-to-give/>
What can Homeowners do about their own privately owned trees?
Madison Parks website has a Homeowner’s Toolkit to help you identify ash trees, symptoms of EAB and make a decision whether to treat or not treat your own ash trees in your private landscape: (http://www.cityofmadison.com/parks/services/forestry/pests/EAB/toolkit.cfm) <http://www.cityofmadison.com/parks/services/forestry/pests/EAB/toolkit.cfm)> .
The city highly recommends that if you decide to treat your ash trees that you consider the direct injection method rather than the soil drench method in order to protect our lakes and ground water. You can visit these websites that has more information on finding a service provider:
Arborjet: http://www.arborjet.com/arborjet_near_you/find_a_service_provider/ <http://www.arborjet.com/arborjet_near_you/find_a_service_provider/>
Bioforest: http://www.bioforest.ca/index.cfm <http://www.bioforest.ca/index.cfm>
Madison Public Works website: (http://www.cityofmadison.com/business/pw/prequalifiedContractors.cfm) <http://www.cityofmadison.com/business/pw/prequalifiedContractors.cfm)> .
As Madison officials continue to work on the Emerald Ash Borer infestation, Madison Parks will keep citizens informed of any changes or discoveries.
from City of Madison
16 - Phone Book Recycling is Easy
New phone books are starting to show up on doorsteps in Madison. Fortunately, it is easy to recycling old or unwanted phone books. Madison accepts phone books as part of its regular curbside recycling program.
“All Madison residents need to do to recycle their phone books is place them in their green recycling cart,” Madison recycling coordinator George Dreckmann said. “We accept phone books in our recycling program all year round.”
Businesses with large volumes of phone books can bring them to the City of Madison’s drop off sites at 1501 W. Badger RD (west) or 4602 Sycamore AV (east). The sites are currently open winter hours M-F from 7:30 a.m. until 3 p.m.
Too Many Phone Books, Opt Out
Madison residents are inundated with phone books every year. Now there is a way for everyone to cancel the delivery of unwanted directories with a click of the mouse.
“I was surprised to learn that I could receive as many as six different phone books at my house,” Madison recycling coordinator George Dreckmann said. “The reality is that I really only need one phone book and I don’t need a new one every year.”
The web page, which is sponsored by an industry group, The Association of Directory Publishers, can be found at www.yellowpagesoptout.com <http://www.yellowpagesoptout.com/> .
from City of Madison
17 - From Fitchburg Green (Land) and Blue (Water) E-News Blast #43
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-NewsBlast43.pdf <http://www.fitchburgwi.gov/documents/GreenE-NewsBlast43.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. 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.
3. UW-Madison Office of Sustainability – Sustainability Forum 2014 - Climate Change in Wisconsin: Where do we go from here? February 27, 2014 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. H.F. DeLuca Forum, Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery, UW–Madison
If you'd like to subscribe to future Fitchburg_Green E-News 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",
c. Enter your Email Address, and
d. Click the "Subscribe" button
Please note that Fitchburg’s web page is in the process of converting to a new format, which will include a new subscription mechanism to the mailing lists such as the “Fitchburg_Green” E-News. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions, comments, and/or suggestions on future Green E-News topics.
Thank you!
Rick Eilertson, Environmental Engineer,City of Fitchburg, Public Works
608-270-4264 rick.eilertson@fitchburgwi.gov <mailto:Dena.uselmann@fitchburgwi.gov <mailto:Dena.uselmann@fitchburgwi.gov> >
TRANSPORTATION-RELATED
18 - Crazy Bikers Brave the Cold: Biker’s Advice
Our past DMNA president is a winter bike rider, but I wonder if even he is out in these ridiculously cold windchill days. At this moment at 8:40 a.m., the Madison Weather Channel says it is 8° above zero, Fahrenheit, but with the wind, it feels like -11°.
My own thermometer claims that it is still -4°, my neighbor’s American flag is whipping around like a Packer’s flag on a speeding car, and sheets of snow are blowing across Marlborough Park.
The bikies listserve recently had some pithy comments from winter bikers. One, posting early on January 24, bragged about his 8-mile ride:
Just finished lowest-temperature ride thus far in my life: -8 degrees (OK, that’s probably kinda wimpy for some of you…) Only 8 miles – from Fitchburg Library to V Oregon (it was 4 deg and sunny on my ride there). Main problem was that the rear derailleur cable got sticky so it wouldn’t’ shift to smaller gears on rear cluster. So every now and then I’d get off and wiggle it and then it would shift OK for a while. Plus the usual problems with fogging and difficulty of getting facemask to cover cheeks. No manufacturer has that worked out yet. Sinuses feeling a bit raw now that I’m home. Heat Holder socks inside Rocky winter boots = warm feet! And I just love my Canadian Shooter’s Mittens – my hands actually got sweaty. Without Moose Mitts.
All in all, a good ride – I feel like I am still “manly”.
Another winter biker replied with some advice about sticking gears and face protection:
Congrats! If the forecasters are right, you'll probably have a chance to break your new record next week:)
Regarding cables, I would suggest not lubing them, actually….
Regarding the balaclava and cheeks, the perfect solution for me is a smartwool balaclava combined with a smartwool headband. The balaclavas do tend to open up around the cheeks, but with the headband over the top it prevents this from happening and gives your ears a little extra help. I use this set up (with no hat) down to single digits. When it gets below zero, I swap the headband for a thin wool cap and add in a neck gaiter (also smartwool) that I pull up to my nose. Combined with ski goggles, my face is totally protected and feels great.
Then another biker - this time a woman - chimed in about keeping the hands and toes warm:
Ace Hardware had a sale on hand and toe warmers last week. Not sure if they are still on sale. Normally about $1.30 each, they were on sale for 2 for $1.00. I stocked up.
Those are the little packets you put in your shoes (or gloves) that heat up when exposed to air. I finally got tired of cold toes and started using them on the worst days or when I was planning on being outside for long periods of time. (Went to watch eagles in Prairie du Sac last weekend.)
Don't be fooled by the "lasts up to 6 hours!" claim, as that has not been my experience, but they will definitely well past even the longest commute.
And still another woman biker replied to that, explaining how to stretch the hours on the hand/toe warmers:
If you use the hand/toe warmers in the morning and want to use them for the afternoon commute as well then put them in a Ziploc bag when you get to work. You need to seal them in and get as much air out of the Ziploc as possible. I’ve had mine last for several days that way.
Then there’s another bit of advice about preventing frostbite to exposed cheeks:
On several commutes this month, including the -18 of Jan. 6, applying a heavy dose of Warm Skin to exposed skin has prevented frostbite. Seems to work well as a shark and “Coywolf” repellant, too, as I have not encountered any of those lately on my rides.
So there you are, bragging and good advice from winter bicyclists. Might work for us pedestrians too.
As for me, I don’t bike below 20°, but mostly I would worry about hitting icy patches or snow ruts and bumps that would bring me down. Must be getting too old. J
by Mary Mullen
19 - New Bike Trail Planned at East End of Capital City Trail, Feb. 27
Plans for a new trail linking Madison to McFarland (and all of southeastern Dane County) will be unveiled at a February 27 public information meeting.
The Lower Yahara River Trail will extend from the Capital City Trail at Lake Farm Park alongside an existing active rail line to McDaniel Park in McFarland, spanning the Yahara River in the process. It will be a combination of paved surface, boardwalks and bridges, and will create a major off-road bicycle commuting and recreation route through an area where cycling has long been challenged by Madison‚s lakes, wetlands and rivers.
The public meeting will be at 7 p.m. in the Lussier Center at Lake Farm Park. Contact Chris James, Dane County Parks, 608-224-3763 for more information.
From Bill Hauda, Bicycling Representative & Funding Committee Chair
Wisconsin Nonmotorized Recreation and Transportation Trails Council
20 - Questions and Anwers about the Ped/Bike Bridge Over Beltline
Parents are concerned about the ped/bike bridge over the Beltline at Whenona Drive. Connie Roderick, a Crawford Drive neighbor, communicated with WisDOT about the construction right at the foot of the bridge on our side of the Beltline. She wrote her e-mail on January 29.
Hello Mr. Steiner,
I am writing because I have concerns of my child's safety using the pedestrian bridge located at the end of Whenona Dr over the Beltline.
My daughter is 12 and walks with several other young people from our Dunn's Marsh Neighborhood to and from school. She has expressed safety concerns walking around moving trucks, workers and having to walk on private property and around construction obstacles at the ends of the walk bridge.
What are they doing?
How long will it take to complete?
Are you working with the school (Cherokee) to provide transportation for the children of our neighborhood so they can be safe and avoid these hazardous areas in their need to get to and from school?
What is the timeline plans for the walk bridge replacement?
As you proceed to replace it, what are the safe pedestrian routes, especially for the school children? Next year there will be a significant more number of children using the bridge to Cherokee school.
Thank you,
Connie Roderick
Steve Theisen of WisDOT, replied to Connie , on February 4, early in the afternoon.
Dear Ms. Roderick:
Some utility relocation work is currently taking place near the pedestrian overpass. This work is necessary in advance of the Verona Road reconstruction. Crews should be complete with the work in the next few weeks.
The pedestrian overpass is scheduled to be reconstructed from May 1, 2015 to September 4, 2015. During this time, pedestrians and bicyclists should cross the Beltline at Seminole Highway. Prior to this reconstruction, a sidewalk will be constructed on the south side of the Beltline from Whenona Drive to Seminole Highway. A temporary barrier will also be added along Warwick Way (on the north side of the Beltline) to protect pedestrians and bicyclists. The attached two-page file highlights the sidewalk access during the pedestrian overpass construction. Project staff will share updates on these construction activities with Cherokee Middle School in spring 2015.
For more information on the Verona Road reconstruction project, visit www.VeronaRoadProject.wi.gov <http://www.VeronaRoadProject.wi.gov <http://www.VeronaRoadProject.wi.gov> > .
Please do not hesitate to contact us with any further questions.
Kind regards,
Steve Theisen
Project Communications Manager
I-39/90 Project & Verona Road Project
Wisconsin Department of Transportation
(608) 884-1230 | steven.theisen@dot.wi.gov
What do you think? Was this an adequate response?
21 - Getting Action at the Ped/Bike Crossing
Having been privy to the e-mails about the ped/bike crossing, I thought it would be useful to have some photos of the site. I like to have first-hand knowledge of a situation before I make a judgement or shoot off an e-mail.
On February 4, a cold day like most this winter, I went out with my camera. Machines were all over the area by the foot of the overpass. It was really hard to tell if it would be safe to try to get onto the bridge since a tracked machine was sitting right where one would leave the street to go over to the ramp. A big hole about 15 feet across was dug at the edge of Whenona next to the ramp. Many AT&T telephone cables come to a junction there, 9 in one direction, 6 in another, 2 this way, others draped around. The hole was fenced.
It didn’t look like anything had been done to direct pedestrians safely through the site.
I took a few photos as I approached the area, then threaded my way through the machines and went up the ramp, walking across to see what conditions were like on the other side. When I came back, the foreman stopped me, wanting to know what I was doing.
This time, due to information shared with me by a neighbor about rights to photograph in public places, I was able to tell him that I had a right to take photos on public property. (Actually, anyone standing on public property has the right to take pictures of private property as well.) I also explained that neighborhood residents had been complaining to me about the dangerous conditions caused by this AT&T construction. Previously, Lucy Blue, of Britta Drive, had talked with the Neighborhood Council about the dangerous conditions on Britta Parkway due to all the trucks and machinery there in January.
The foreman, Dan Bowell, mentioned that he had seen an e-mail on this subject. I guessed it was probably Connie Roderick’s. He said he would rather have someone come talk to him than have e-mails sent.
I suggested that a pedestrian route should be signed through the maze of holes, machines, and fencing, “We could put up cones and some arrow signs,” he said. I emphasized that a sign should say “Pedestrians.”
Regardless of Mr. Bowell’s desires to have no e-mails, when I got home, I downloaded my photos and then sent an e-mail with photos to the WisDOT people. Over the years, I’ve found that it’s important to press an issue, not simply sit back and hope a conversation with someone on the job site might have remedied the situation. And the more people who contact DOT, the more likely something will happen.
One thing that really concerned me was that in his e-mail Steve Theisen had not picked up on the fact that conditions were dangerous right now, and something should be done about it. I wanted to emphasize that something should be done now, not in 2015 when the new ped/bike bridge is to go up.
Hello, DOT people,
I wonder what can be done right now to make the ped/bike overpass approach safe for kids going to Cherokee and, of course, for others using it. It’s really a shame that this was not thought of in advance and a safe passage marked for the kids. It’s not too late to do something. In my opinion, a few more weeks of danger isn’t satisfactory.
I just now went up to the site at Whenona and the Beltline Frontage Road to take photos of the AT&T project. Some photos are attached. At this time a path had been cleared to make it possible to get to the foot of the bridge from the south, but it was not marked, and I had to walk right next to a tracked vehicle to access the bridge.
I spoke to the job foreman, Dan Bowell, and suggested that there should be some signs indicating where pedestrians should go, and he promised to work on that. Dan said he had received an e-mail about this issue. Perhaps it was a copy of what Connie Roderick had sent.
He also mentioned that they would soon be ditching right through the concrete ramp as they continue east along the frontage road to where they tie in with existing phone lines at a manhole in one of the parking lots east of the bridge. I anticipate that this will cause additional problems for pedestrians and bikers both at the ped/bike bridge and along the frontage road just as was true along Britta Parkway for several weeks.
I’m hoping that DOT will be communicating with the AT&T crew to sign safe routes for pedestrians and bikers who use the ped/bike bridge and the Beltline frontage road.
Best.
Mary Mullen, President
Dunn’s Marsh Neighborhood Association
I was pleased to have feedback from Connie that “right now” was exactly what she had in mind. In a response to the above e-mail which I copied to her, she said,
Thanks Mary,
It seems like the "route" changes daily depending on what the workers are doing. Rachel told me she had to walk around a house one day to get onto the walk ramp going south to home. One of the girls she walks w/ said she has tried to get the workers’ attention so they know they are there and ask if it's safe to go thru. Being 11 and 12 they are a bit young to be totally aware of what is safe and what's not to knowingly navigate around these hazards. I hope they do something right now.
Connie
Well, next time I passed by the foot of the bridge, I could see that the foreman had lived up to his word. Two big orange signs with arrows pointed at each other at the foot of the ramp, and a line of bright orange cones lined the edge of the sidewalk up to the bridge. The machines were gone too. But there was still no sign that said “Pedestrians.”
As of yet, I haven’t got a response to my e-mail from WisDOT.
by Mary Mullen
22 - Highway PD Turns Into Bucking Bronco
County Highway PD between Verona Road and Fish Hatchery Road has turned into a bucking bronco sort of a ride. This has caught the attention highway users and is a hot topic for both County and Fitchburg officials. Some offers are on the table for fixing the road, but the outcome and timing is anyone’s guess at this point.
County Supervisor Dorothy Krause, representing that part of Fitchburg, commented on concerns in a January 31 Facebook posting:
After nearly a month of my talking with people in Fitchburg and at the county (and DOT/Verona Road contacts) about the reasons for the condition of Hwy PD, some of the most involved [County]Supervisors are getting together on Monday to try to see what might be possible, both long and short term, to improve it. Earlier this month, I was meeting John Hendrick (County Board Chair) at Barriques on PD and asked him to take a drive along the road. I also did a steering-wheel-cam thing with my phone for a couple minutes.
Four other people joined the Facebook conversation, talking about who or what was to blame, and who might fund a reconstruction project. Reconstruction might cost about $1.4 million!
Two possible ways of funding the re-do have been floated. On February 11, County Executive Joe Parisi sent a letter to the Fitchburg Mayor and City Council. He offered for Dane County to fund 100% of the project if the City of Fitchburg would then claim jurisdiction for the road “for snow removal and maintaining the extent of McKee Road that is in the Fitchburg city limits - roughly 2.5 miles.” A chart accompanying his letter showed that 11 other municipalities have accepted this kind of solution.
Parisi chided Fitchburg for not accepting this offer that had first been extended to Fitchburg “over a year ago” when “sections of McKee Road (Highway PD)…were very clearly deteriorating at that time.” He added that “Dane County proposed those repairs occur in the middle of 2013 -- repairs that would have prevented the rough conditions motorists are experiencing this winter.”
According to Krause, who is also a Fitchburg city alder, Mayor Shawn Pfaff favors the idea of the County and Fitchburg sharing the cost equally, but with no further Fitchburg obligations for the road.
Currently, Co. Sup. Krause favors accepting the County’s offer of 100% funding and Fitchburg responsibility for the road. She questions where Fitchburg would find $700,000 for a 50% share of rebuilding under the other scenario. Perhaps borrowiing.
Krause thinks that the earliest reconstruction date would now be 2015. This would come in the middle of the Verona Road project construction.
Meanwhile, hang onto your hats as you drive PD. If you try to drive a normal speed, you’ll be bounced into the roof of your car and be lucky to stay on the road. Think of the moguls at the Olympics. That’s what it’s like.
by Mary Mullen
22a - Verona Road Construction to Resume February 24
Stage I construction on Verona Road (US 18/151), from the Beltline to Raymond Road, is scheduled to start on Monday, February 24. Initial construction work will install temporary traffic signals at the Beltline and Verona Road interchange.
Starting the week of March 10, all traffic will be shifted to the southbound lanes of Verona Road between the Beltline and Raymond Road. Two lanes will remain open to traffic in each direction. Access to area businesses and neighborhoods will remain open during construction. The public should continue to patronize area businesses in the work zone.
To receive periodic e-mail updates directly, sign up at <http://lists.wi.gov/t/912549/1837417/4743/0/ <http://lists.wi.gov/t/912549/1837417/4743/0/> >
from e-mail notification
23 - Verona Road Project Endangers Our Health and the Health of Our Water Resources
We live in the neighborhood and see on a daily basis what a mess the Verona Road construction project is. However, we aren’t the only ones who have noticed.
Wingra Springs, a website devoted to “Conservation and Urban Restoration Ecology, a project of the Restoration Ecology Lab,” has an extensive article about the issues of environmental degradation being caused by the project. Among other things, it says
As we reported in an earlier post the Verona Road/Hwy 18-151 interchange reconstruction project on Madison’s southwest side is adversely impacting the Allied Drive - Dunn’s Marsh neighborhood, and beyond because storm water runoff flows into the Arboretum’s Greene Prairie where storm water impacts are destroying that precious natural resource. Then, the storm water flows on to the Nine Springs Creek.
Access the article at
http://wingrasprings.wordpress.com/2013/12/09/social-and-environmental-justice-for-allied-dr-neighborhood-dealt-setback-by-highway-project/ <http://wingrasprings.wordpress.com/2013/12/09/social-and-environmental-justice-for-allied-dr-neighborhood-dealt-setback-by-highway-project/>
The article has a link to photos taken by Madison photographer David H. Thompson who documented the dusty conditions in the “staging area” between the Beltline frontage road and Britta Parkway. See the pictures he took on December 2, 2013, at http://www.flickr.com/photos/35544042@N06/sets/72157638333380393/
They are not pretty. (Of course, we all knew that.) Mud tracking onto streets on November 21 is shown in another series at http://www.flickr.com/photos/35544042@N06/sets/72157637928749676/
While nearby residents may have noticed the dust from concrete crushing, we may not have realized is that the crystalline silica dust is a health hazard.
“Exposure to concrete dust can damage human health three ways: eye contact, skin contact, and through inhalation,” the article states. “Concrete dust in the eye can burn the cornea. A skin rash can result from exposure to concrete dust. Breathing of silica dust, found in crushed concrete can cause a variety of respiratory diseases.”
Access the article above to learn about silicosis, one of the respiratory diseases that concrete dust can cause.
The article also points out that certain measures could be taken to protect our health and the health of the water resources affected by runoff from the muddy streets. For example a “curtain” of water spray could keep a lot of the concrete dust from drifting over the neighborhoood. And proper fencing and mud removal from truck tires could limit some of the damage caused by tracking into the streets.
While these others are concerned, we can only wonder whether the authors are in contact with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation and whether WisDOT will take heed.
This is a topic that could be taken up by the DMNA Environmental Protection Committee. This is a reminder that you might want to come to the February 24 Dunn’s Marsh Masterplan Workshop and you might want to call DMNA Environmental Protection Committee convener Rachel Potter to let her know you’ll join that committee. Rachel’s contact information is rachelpotter5@yahoo.com, telephone 280-0882.
by Mary Mullen
FOR YOUR HEALTH , WELFARE & FUN
24 - Know WordPress or Excel?
Are you a computer-savvy person - maybe one of the growing number of young working people with such skills in our neighborhood? Or is your neighbor such a person, one who knows WordPress and/or Excel?
Then please read on.
If you are familiar with WordPress and websites, please, please consider volunteering an hour or so a month to update and improve the Dunn’s Marsh Neighborhood Association’s website <www.dunnsmarsh.org>
The material to add to the website will be provided, and if you have some ideas for improving the appeal of the website, those will gladly be accepted as well. This will be a rewarding activity.
Is Excel your baby? Then the DMNA has a one-time project for you. That would be to put our contact list into an Excel document. Now it is an unwieldy Word document. All the information is there – just needs to be transferred to an Excel document so it can be easily sorted. This will take a few hours, but it is a finite project.
If you have questions or are willing to consider either one of these computer tasks that won’t eat too much of your time away and will contribute to the good of the neighborhood you have chosen to live in, please contact Mary Mullen, 298-0843, or mmullen@chorus.net
by Mary Mullen
25 - Social/Welcoming Committee Off to a Good Start
Led by the indefatigable Thea Bach, the DMNA Social Committee got off to a good start January 23. Seven neighbors attended: Thea and John Bach, Cindy Harrington, Dan Neuhaus, Sina Davis, Laura President-Brown, and Sharon Grant. They were a mix of people from the Marlborough, Crawford, and Belmar parts of the neighborhood.
In a set of minutes Thea summarized the topics discussed that night: “creating community, encouraging good in our neighbors, encouraging good neighbor relations, interest groups, prayer walk, dodge ball game at Marlborough Park, Mothers in the Neighborhood to monitor/direct play activities of children during meetings, and including neighborhood participation in all areas of Dunn’s Marsh.”
The committee called a meeting for February 6, but due to sickness (colds) and other obligations, just 2 showed up. Thea and Sharon then watched the classic movie “Oklahoma,” largely centered on a social event. This gave the two women the idea of brainstorming for other movies in which a community is brought together by a social event.
Possible dates for the next Social/Welcoming Committee meeting are put forth to ALL of us in the Dunn’s Marsh Neighborhood. Contact Thea and tell her what your available dates would be from the following: any Sunday in March to meet at MacDonalds for lunch, Wednesday March 5 or 9, Thursdays March 6 or 20, Fridays March 14, 21, or 28.
Call Thea at 274-7730 to state your preference. Any neighbor can join this lively social group.
by Mary Mullen
26 - Downtown Workers: Free Lunchtime Yoga at Monona Terrace
If you work downtown or you just want to take advantage of a free yoga class, march on down to Monona Terrace. Here’s the skinny.
Mondays & Thursdays
January 27-March 20
12 noon - 12:45 pm
Free and Open to the Public
Take a break from the daily stresses of your workday with Lunchtime Yoga. Yoga is about so much more than bending your body like a pretzel. Ease into the world of yoga with the help of this gentle class that focuses on mindful breathing, stretching, and strengthening.
Sponsored by Group Health Cooperative and Monona Terrace
27 - Madison Parks Mother-Son Beach Party, March 7
A beach party? They must be nuts. But if you are a mother with a son, check this out.
A night of dancing and fun with Madison area Mothers and Sons
Madison Parks will host the third annual Mother-Son Beach Party on Friday, March 7, 2014 from 6-8pm at the Warner Park Community Recreation Center.
With the cold winter temperatures not letting up and Spring Break feeling like it is a million years away, the Madison Parks Mother-Son Beach Party will be a great opportunity for moms (or adult loved ones) and their sons to get out of the cold and experience the tropics.
Warner Park Community Recreation Center will be transformed into a tropical beach where moms and their sons can dance, play games and just spend some quality time together! The couples will also have the opportunity to get their picture taken together as a way to remember the night.
The Beach Party will feature a live DJ and will have delicious cake and punch for the mother-son duos.
“The Mother/Son Beach Party is a great way to combat cabin fever,” says Superintendent of the Madison Parks Division, Kevin Briski. “Madison Parks invites mothers and sons to dress up in their beach clothes and join us on the dance floor.”
Tickets may be purchased over the phone (608) 245-3690 or (608) 266-4711 or in person at the Warner Park Community Recreation Center, 1625 Northport Drive and Parks Administration office, 210 MLK Jr., Suite 104 during hours of operation. Tickets will be available until February 28 or until the event sells out. Tickets are $15 per couple and $5 for each additional son.
Space is limited, so be sure to buy your tickets early. Last year’s event sold out!!
For more information visit the website at https://www.cityofmadison.com/parks/celebrate/mothersonluau.cfm
To see pictures of the last two years’ events, visit:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cityofmadison/sets/72157629474888363/ <http://www.flickr.com/photos/cityofmadison/sets/72157629474888363/>
from Madison Parks Division
28 - Madison College Dental Hygiene Clinic Accepts Appointments
The Dental Hygiene Clinic will accept patients for the Spring semester starting Jan. 13. Appointments are available on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at either 7:30 a.m. or noon.
The clinic offers dental cleanings and X-rays for $35. To schedule an appointment please call (608) 258-2400 or stop by the clinic in the Health Education building, room 151.
Services are open to the public so spread the word to family and friends that may benefit.
29 - Getting Help to Sign Up for the Affordable Care Act (ObamaCare)
People without health insurance have until March 31 to sign up under the Affordable Health Care Act. There are places to go for help from a “Navigator.”
Three of the closest are:
Meadowood Neighborhood Center, 5734 Raymond Road, Wednesdays, 10 a.m.-noon
Sequoya Library, corner of Midvale & Tokay Boulevards, Friday, February 21, noon-3 p.m.
Goodman South Madison Library, 2222 South Park Street, Monday, March 24, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
At least a dozen other locations in Madison give help on a daily basis, usually from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.. For a list of these places which also have links to maps showing where they are, go to www.healthcare.gov <http://www.healthcare.gov> and look to the bottom of the page to the link “Find local help.” In the blank that comes up, just put in your zip code.
30 - Garden Registration Coming Up, March 15 & 18
Think spring! Even though it was -11° F this morning, the seed catalogs are out and gardeners are planning their gardens. In fact, one inveterate community gardener from our neighborhood, Katherine Vanderbilt, says she is now very busy helping several other gardeners plan their gardens for the coming season.
The Marlborough Community Garden registration days are already scheduled. They will be held at Prairie UU Society, 2010 Whenona Drive. Dates and times are:
Saturday, March 15, noon until 3 p.m.Gardeners rent plots for the season with suggested rates of $10, $35, or $65 for a 20x20-foot plot, depending on income and family size. But gardeners who feel the higher fees are too high for their income will not be turned away regardless of the guidelines or what they choose to pay.
Tuesday, March 18, 5:00-7:30
There’s a choice of gardening in the community-plowed section or the no-till section. Regardless of which area one is assigned to, gardeners who manage their plots well will be able to garden in the same spot in the following year.
Besides paying the rental fee, gardeners are required to come to 2 workdays. An extra fee is assessed for those who did not show up to the previous year’s work days - $10 per work day missed.
This year, another mosaic project is in planning stages for the garden. The Marlborough Garden management committee is looking into this, and the Dunn’s Marsh Neighborhood Association may be the entity that actually makes the application for a Madison Arts Grant. The idea is to create numbered mosaic tiles to mark the entrances to each garden path. This will make it easier to locate plots as well as add a bright spot to the day.
Some years ago, gardeners created the mosaic tiles around the sandbox and several of the water spigots.
by Mary Mullen
31 - Jobs Available at U-Haul
How often does a neighborhood association get contacted by an employer looking for workers? I can tell you that it is very seldom, but it does happen.
Tom Hodel, Marketing Company President for U-Haul, reached out this January to the Dunn’s Marsh Neighborhood Association to publicize jobs available at U-Haul. The business is just across Verona Road from our neighborhood.
Are you hunting for a job? Then consider U-Haul. A check of the website today, February 11, indicated that 10 different jobs are available. Go to http://www.uhauljobs.com/ and put Madison in the blank to find out what they are. A good thing about these jobs is that there are some benefits no matter how parttime the work is.
Mr. Hodel says U-Haul prefers that job-seekers come right to the store to apply. Computers are available to make the application. Bring your work history, names and addresses of previous employers. The facility needs a maintenance worker right now. Applications are good for 6 months.
The store is open Monday-Thursday & Saturday, 7 a.m.-7 p.m.; Friday, 7 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sunday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
by Mary Mullen
32 - Jobs Available at Copps - Fitchburg
Nearly every time I go to a grocery store, I see they are looking for employees. A flyer at Copps - Fitchburg (shopping center off Fish Hatchery Road north of PD/McKee Road) goes like this.
Looking to Earn Extra Money? Your Fitchburg Copps is
NOW HIRING
Cashiers Produce Clerk
Utility Clerks Meat Clerk
Deli Clerk
Apply online: http://www.copps.com
33 - Be Aware When You Donate Online
Now this is scary. Read on if you ever donate to candidates through websites.
A February 9 Los Angeles Times article pointed out that sometimes websites that appear to be for a candidate may actually be raising money for the opposing candidate.
Here’s what has happened, according to the LA Times:
The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) bought up hundreds of URLs ahead of the 2014 election cycle and has created nearly 20 websites appearing to support Democratic candidates in all but the small print, a spokesman for the campaign confirmed Thursday. The websites include donation forms that accept credit cards and encourage viewers to contribute up to $500, but instead of money going to the Democratic candidates, it goes to the NRCC.
The article mentioned mock websites that targeted candidates in New York, California, and Florida. A separate article showed a mock website for a Maine candidate. Neither article mentioned Wisconsin candidates.
The NRCC defends such websites by saying that they are clearly against the featured candidate.
Illustrations taken from several websites were shown in a different article. Each showed a photo of the candidate and had the candidate’s campaign headline in large colored letters. One example was “Martha Robertson for Congress.” However, the fine print said, “Make a contribution today to help defeat Martha Robertson and candidates like her.”
It pays to read the fine print.
by Mary Mullen
TAIL END ARTICLES
34 - Madison 10th District Alder Report
Happy 2014!
Hopefully, you are able to look back fondly on the memories that were made last year. I certainly look forward to this year and the things we can accomplish together.
The end of the year was budget season for the City of Madison. There are twenty members the City Council, five of which (myself included) were participating in the budget deliberation process for the first time. I am proud to have played a part in passing what has been regarded as one of the most thoughtful, and least contentious budget debates in many years.
A few highlights that may have otherwise gone unnoticed:
The 2014 budget includes funds to acquire the land needed to pursue the development of of a Mid-Town Police Station. I am highly supportive of the creation of a mid-town police district. This would split our current West District roughly in half, and allow police to be increasingly responsive to neighborhood issues in Dunn’s Marsh. Read more: http://host.madison.com/news/local/crime_and_courts/madison-police-stress-need-for-a-sixth-station/article_880c5710-89bf-11e1-af6c-0019bb2963f4.html#ixzz2sQWkN4NL
I also believe it is important for the City & County to be strategically cooperating. One way that I am proud that we are cooperating is that the City will be funding laundry service, transportation, and portable restrooms for the homeless in order to fill gaps in services between January and the projected midyear start of the Dane County Day Shelter.
Funding for Public Restrooms Downtown was a last minute addition to the 2014 budget. Specific locations will be determined this year, but the goal is to add convenience to anyone who might be shopping, sauntering, visiting, or living downtown.
Madison’s commitment to support the homeless adult population through the development of permanent supported housing is demonstrated in this 2014 budget. I serve on the committee that reviewed proposals for this Single Room Occupancy project. We are proud to have recommended an organization called Heartland Housing, which has spent over 100 years dedicated to serving human needs & advancing human rights in the Midwest.
All this while avoiding furloughs, expanding support for police & fire, creating a youth apprenticeship program, maintaining funding for the arts, and dedicating significant funding to regularly scheduled streets & water utility projects.
I rely on your input to prioritize these important decisions. Please feel free to contact me directly with any feedback on what you would like to see us include in our next budget.
Alder Maurice Cheeks
District10@cityofmadison.com
608.620.1994
35 - February is Black History Month (Attachment: “3 Feb. women's history BD.doc”)
Black History Month recognizes and honors important people and events in the history of African-American history. In 1926 noted historian, Carter G. Woodson, originated the idea of "Negro History Week". Woodson chose the second week of February because it marked the birthdays of two Americans who greatly influenced the lives and social condition of African Americans - former President Abraham Lincoln and abolitionist Frederick Douglass.
The tradition of what became Black History Month greatly influenced the expansion of academic scholarship and the corresponding recognition of the rich history of African Americans
- Take the African-Americn women's history quiz
- African-American Women's History Challenge <http://www.nwhp.org/news/black_whc.php <http://www.nwhp.org/news/black_whc.php> >
- Celebrate Black History Month <http://www.nwhp.org/resourcecenter/blackhistorymonth.php <http://www.nwhp.org/resourcecenter/blackhistorymonth.php> >
February Highlights in US Women's History
- February 1, 1978 - First postage stamp to honor a black woman, Harriet Tubman, is issued in Washington, DC
- February 4, 1987 - First "National Women in Sports Day" is celebrated by Presidential Proclamation
- February 12, 1869 - The Utah Territorial Legislature passes a bill allowing women to vote
- February 15, 1921 - The Suffrage Monument, depicting Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and Lucretia Mott, sculpted by Adelaide Johnson, is dedicated at the U.S. Capitol
- February 15, 1953 - Tenley Albright became the first American woman to win the World Figure Skating championship
- February 17, 1870 - Esther Hobart Morris in Wyoming became the first American woman Justice of the Peace
- February 24, 1912 - Henrietta Szold founds Hadassah, the largest Jewish organization in American history, focusing on healthcare and education in the Israel and the U.S.
- February 24, 1967 - Jocelyn Bell Burnell makes the first discovery of a pulsar, a rapidly rotating neutron star
- February 27, 1922 - U.S. Supreme Court upholds the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, which guarantees women the right to vote
from the National Women’s History Project. http://www.nwhp.org/
--- Finally, the END of the 2/11/14 DUNN’S MARSH NEIGHBORHOOD e-NEWS ---
Thanks for reading.
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