Round Up

A smattering of things from all kinds of email lists and alerts that I have that may be of interest to you. Tends to be local government, neighborhood or gardening related.

Sign on:  Letter Rejecting Proposed Infrastructure Inprovements at Truax Field

On April 7, 2019 a notice was published in the Wisconsin State Journal indicating that “The National Guard Bureau (NGB) invites the public to review and comment on the Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) and Draft Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for this proposed action. The NGB has prepared a Draft EA to analyze the potential impacts of construction and demolition projects at the 115th Fighter Wing (115 FW) at Dane County Regional Airport, Madison, Wisconsin. The proposed action would include 27 infrastructure improvement projects, including the demolition of 7 facilities, in order to support the current mission. A Draft FONSI was prepared based on the analysis in the Draft EA.”
This is an invitation to sign-on in opposition to the Environmental Assessment for Proposed Construction, Renovation and Demolition of Facilities at 115th Fighter Wing, Truax Field, Madison, Dane County, Wisconsin. Please contact Tom Boswell at tomboswell2002@yahoo.com if you have questions. Sign on before the end of business tomorrow, Tuesday, May 7, 2019. We found out about this late and have just finished this response. We will be emailing the response late tomorrow afternoon. To sign on and view the text of the letter, please use the following link: https://forms.gle/D4v2LvdwLBYQPU1X9
I also remind you of the opportunity to sign-on to a letter opposing EPA Draft Recommendations for PFOA and PFOS. The EPA is seeking public comment on a draft set of recommendations for cleaning up groundwater contaminated with PFOA and PFOS. When finalized, the recommendations will provide a starting point for making site-specific cleanup decisions. As predicted, EPA’s draft is not protective of human health particularly infants, children and expectant mothers as it fails to incorporate critical risk factors including placental and breast milk transfer to baby nor the potential for transgenerational body burden.
This letter is open to all community-based organizations. Please contact Laura Olah at laura@cswab.org if you have questions. Please to sign on is COB Friday, June 7, 2019. To sign on and view the text of the letter, please use the following link: https://forms.gle/6jUAAYH143P3wQ3K9

 

Peace,
Dace A. Zeps, Administrator
Wisconsin Network for Peace, Justice, & Sustainability
30 W Mifflin St #702, Madison, WI 53703
608-358-2940 ~ office@wnpj.org ~ www.wnpj.org
Connect with WNPJS on Twitter and Facebook!
Proud agency member of Community Shares of Wisconsin

City Assessor Presentation Postponed

I included this in an earlier round up.  If you’re planning to go, don’t.  From Alder Arvina Martin’s Blog:

Due to unforseen circumstances, have to postpone the May 7th presentation by the City Assessor, Michelle Drea. Please stay tuned for a rescheduled date, and thank you for your understanding!

Weed Spraying on Wisconsin and Southern Railroad Corridors

WEED SPRAYING TENTATIVELY SCHEDULED FOR LATE MAY

Wisconsin & Southern Railroad (WSOR) has advised the City that weed spraying along railroad tracks is tentatively scheduled over the course of the last two weeks in May.  The work will be weather dependent.

Weed spraying work zones include railroad corridors between Madison and Cottage Grove and from Madison to Middleton.

For general information about WSOR’s weed spraying operation, please visit:  http://www.cityofmadison.com/engineering/documents/RRFrequentlyAskedQuestions.pdf

ABOUT WEED CONTROL SPRAYING ON RAILROAD PROPERTY

The Wisconsin & Southern Railroad conducts weed and brush control spraying along the tracks two times a year, generally in spring and fall.  The application is performed by the railroad company to control weeds, promote effective drainage, improve safety for railroad workers and protect and extend the life of the railroad.

Sign up to be notified by email of upcoming spray applications, https://my.cityofmadison.com/

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Have questions about weed spraying?  The Wisconsin & Southern Railroad has prepared a FAQ Sheet.

Madison Urban Ministry’s Re-Entry Simulation

Join us at our next reentry simulation on Sunday, June 2, 2019 from 1 PM – 4 PM.
Location will be at Temple Beth El, 2702 Arbor Dr, Madison, Wisconsin 53711
  1. our Facebook event
  2. our Registration link
  3. our Volunteer registration link
Madison-area Urban Ministry’s Returning Prisoner Simulation gives participants an “up close” view of what it’s like to come home from prison. It inserts participants into realistic scenarios and lifelike struggles that formerly incarcerated community members are likely to encounter..
This workshop begins with an introduction to the principles of Restorative Justice and explains the basic needs of returning prisoners. Each participant receives a mock profile that describes the life of a former prisoner and they take on the role of that character during a brief role-play. They must complete fundamental life tasks, such as finding housing and a job, or simply cashing a check.
By incorporating the restorative practice of storytelling, the simulation opens a glimpse into the sense of overwhelming frustration that a newly-released prisoner may feel. Immediately after the role-play, a facilitated debriefing by the simulation Director allows participants to share their immediate reactions.
The simulation concludes with a panel of formerly incarcerated people who each share their own re-entry journey and then answer questions from participants.
Please register to join us. We are asking participants to donate anywhere from $5-$50 to cover the cost of registration. To participate for free, please register to fill the role of a community worker here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c054ca4aa2da1f85-returning1
Note: This simulation takes place at Temple Beth El in Madison, Wisconsin. Public events at Temple Beth El require police presence for security, per Temple Beth El’s policy. Please be aware that armed police officers in uniform will be present at the event.
Shawna Lutzow
She/Her/Hers
Madison-area Urban Ministry
Volunteer & Community Engagement Coordinator
2115 S. Park Street
Madison, WI 53713

Closure – Southwest Communter Path

The Southwest Commuter Path will be closed between Commonwealth Avenue and South Breese Terrace from May 6-10, between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. for MG&E to work on power poles.

A marked detour will be in place during the closure. Most of the detour will be on residential streets. However, the eastbound detour will use a section of Regent St and the westbound detour will use a section of Monroe St. On those sections, a travel lane will be marked exclusively for bicyclist use.

Bus Rapid Transit Meeting and Survey

The City of Madison is exploring options for a new East-West BRT line and needs your input to make this project a success.

Please give us your feedback and help us understand your priorities for a proposed East-West Bus Rapid Transit corridor.

Also join us for a public meeting on Tuesday, May 14, 6:00-7:30 p.m. at the Madison Senior Center, to learn about potential routes and station locations along this proposed East-West BRT corridor.

The meeting will include a presentation and open house breakout rooms based on location (west, downtown, east). Participants will learn about project goals and be able to provide input on route options (particularly downtown and on the west side), station locations, investment priorities, and how BRT buses are accommodated along the roadway. There will be a follow-up public meeting in the summer to present and gather additional input on the draft corridor recommendation, using input gathered from this meeting.

This second public meeting is part of a broad public engagement effort that began in December 2018 to understand community needs, concerns, and priorities for BRT. We invite you to share your input and join us in exploring what BRT could mean for the future of transportation in Madison.

About BRT

BRT uses modern stations, larger specialized buses, dedicated lanes where feasible, and other enhancements to provide fast and affordable service to jobs, entertainment, and schools. BRT will complement existing Metro Transit routes and be our city’s next big step toward a more sustainable local transit system.

Meeting Details:

Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Planning Study Public Meeting #2
Presentation and Open House

Tuesday, May 14, 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Madison Senior Center, 330 West Mifflin Street

More Information:

Visit: madisonbrt.com

  • Sign up for project updates.
  • Take public survey #2, available through June 16th.
  • Learn more about this project and BRT in other cities.

Contact:
David Trowbridge, Project Manager, City of Madison
(608) 267-1148, dtrowbridge@cityofmadison.com

Pinney Neighborhood Library project updates

Project Status Update as of May 03, 2019

Thank you to Ruedebusch Development and Connery Construction for completing the library shell.

Interior construction is now underway!

Tri-North Builders is currently moving into the site, setting up temporary electrical service, and laying out the interior spaces. During the next few weeks, the Contractor will be starting the geothermal work and installing wall insulation and structural steel.

The Bubbler at Madison Public Library is currently reviewing proposals for the two art installations that will be featured at Pinney. One art piece will be located in the north outdoor patio area and the other piece will be located in the Adult Reading Room. Visit Cap Times article Photos: Potential art for Pinney Library


New Pinney Neighborhood Library

The future Pinney Library location will be located in the Ruedebusch Development & Construction’s (RDC) “Royster Corners” mixed use development located at the intersection of Cottage Grove Road and Dempsey Road. The City of Madison is negotiating a purchase and sale agreement with RDC for 20,000 square feet of first floor space. The Common Council authorized an Architect Purchase of Service contract with OPN Architects, Inc. at the Tuesday, June 20, 2017, Common Council meeting. Programming and pre-design work will commence in summer 2017, with follow on design phases commencing in Fall/Winter 2017. Pinney Library construction is anticipated to commence winter 2018; and the current scheduled opening of the new Pinney Library is Fall 2019; pending completion of the Library gray box condominium purchase and sale agreement.

Read more

Mentoring Positives Meet & Greet

Mentoring Positives has been growing strong, resilient youth leaders on Madison’s east side for 15 years. Join us on June 5 to learn about our new pilot mentorship program at La Follette High School and our summer Off the Block social enterprise internships.This open-house style community event is free and open to the public. Refreshments provided.

Wednesday, June 5
5-7 PM
Short presentation at 6 PM
The Spark Building
821 E. Washington Ave, 8th Floor

RSVP Appreciated

Volunteers Needed for Event Parking at Lapham School

As you may or may not have heard (WSJ article here), the Lapham School parking lot is going to be utilized this Spring/Summer/Fall as event parking for concerts and Forward FC soccer games at Breese Stevens Field, with the proceeds going to the Lapham-Marquette Elementary and O’Keefe Middle School Parent Teacher Groups (PTGs).  The PTGs are going to be responsible for staffing the concerts (staff from Breese Stevens will be handling the soccer games!), and that’s where we need your help.  We need volunteers to work the parking lot for at least three concerts (more dates likely to come). If you’d like to help, please sign up for a shift or two.. You can indicate your availability to volunteer with this form: https://forms.gle/ALxBBwZCVsdeXZhe8

This could be a really big benefit to our schools, but it’s going to take a sizable effort to staff the lot, so please sign up and support our schools!

Marquette Neighborhood Association’s Annual Yard Sale

The Marquette Neighborhood Association’s 7th annual neighborhood garage sale will take place on Saturday, June 1st.   Sign up now!
MNA will provide the advertising–you provide the saleable goods and driveway/yard space.  This is a great (and green) opportunity to clear your home of clothes that don’t fit, furniture you no longer need, and other items that have outlived their usefulness to you but that might be a gem to someone else.
You can add your sale to the map by sending an e-mail to Robert at rkobuch3@gmail.com.  Please include your address and a brief description of what you’re selling (example: baby clothes, vintage jewelry, kayak, etc.).
MNA will post the Yard Sale Map on the MNA website (www.marquette-neighborhood.org), the MNA Facebook page and other community listings.
Sign up before May 30th to get on the map.

American Toads Successfully Reintroduced to Isthmus

Toads have become re-established in at least two locations in our neighborhood. They can be heard calling if you are within about a block. Attached is a sound file of their breeding calls.

If you want to have them in your back yard, make a small pond, make a compost pile for them to over-winter in and shoot me an email.

take care,

john (colemanjj@ameritech.net)

Seed Swap

You are invited to my swap. This is a free public event so tell your friends! Emily

Plant/Seed/Book Swap – Saturday and Sunday, May 18th and 19th from 12:30 pm – 5 pm at 5308 Maher Avenue. (details below)

These events are also happening close by on Sunday:

Plant and Seed Swap – May 19th from 10 am – 1 pm, Esther Beach Park, 2802 Waunona Way, Madison

Dane County UW-Extension’s Teaching Garden Plant Sale – May 19th, 11:00 am -3:00 pm (rain date May 26th) 5201 Fen Oak Ct, Madison

We offer hundreds of perennials for shade or sun, vegetable & herb starts, annuals and more!   Master Gardeners will be available to answer your gardening questions.  Plants are reasonably priced. Cash or check only.

My Event Details: If it’s raining we can hang out in the garage. You may drop off items between 8 am and 8 pm on Friday, May 17th.  Leave the books and seeds on the back deck under the roof overhang, and leave the plants in the driveway next to the house. 

There will be tables and shelves filled with plants, seeds and books. Bring 2, take 2. Bring 10, take 10! Or just bring things that need a new home. If you don’t have anything to swap, you could bring a snack or baked goods to share.

Please bring:

  • You and your family (there is a playground and 60 acre conservation park just down the street).
  • Plants, seeds and books of all kinds. Please label the plants and seeds.

Please do not bring:

  • Jumping worms. Hopefully you know by now if you have them or not. If you aren’t sure, please don’t bring plants you dug up unless you remove all of the soil from the roots.
  • More than 7 books or magazines.

Link to FB event: https://www.facebook.com/events/641427229613000/

More Road Updates

Gather the Women Quarterly Breakfast – The Human Face of Trafficking

May 21, 2019, 8 till 9:30 am – Threshold at 2717 Atwood Avenue

Join us for a buffet breakfast and to hear from: Judy Aubry, Clare Wagner, and Mary Rathert, Sinsinawa Dominicans Against Human Trafficking

This gathering will include a discussion of what trafficking is, who the most likely victims are, how to recognize the signs of trafficking, trafficking in Wisconsin, a sharing of resources, and suggestions for what we can do about it.

Judy Aubry, Clare Wagner, and Mary Rathert are Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa, who are Madison residents. They are life-long educators and are now pursuing education in a different venue. Sinsinawa Dominicans Against Human Trafficking came into existence three years ago. A group of 10-15 sisters, associates, and friends meet bi-monthly to study, share information and awareness on their learnings and plan for education and speaking events. They are passionate about working to eradicate this modern day slavery and believe that it will only happen through wider awareness, education, and advocacy.

There will be conversation and good food!

RSVP now to reserve a place:  wilpfmadison@gmail.com  Cost:  $15 (to be paid the morning of the event)  Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF)  Madison welcomes all.

Graffiti Removal Program

From Alder Patrick Heck: At the last Mansion Hill Neighborhood Association meeting, there was discussion of a large increase in graffiti in the neighborhood. I want to make sure you were aware of the city program that can lower the cost of graffiti removal. The city will also hire contractors to do the removal.

https://www.cityofmadison.com/dpced/bi/graffiti-enforcement-co-pay-graffiti-removal-program/98/

If your property is historic, you may want to verify that any graffiti removal techniques are appropriate for the surface in question.

The Madison Police Department has made progress in identifying some of the taggers, so it is hoped that the problem will lessen.

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