Here’s about a dozen items of interest from the last few days . . .
WHAT YOU’RE MISSING IF YOU AREN’T TUNING IN”
To WYOU . . . this week is the pledge drive and they have some really good shows. Check out . . .
Day One: Madison Folk Music Society, Darlene Buhler, Ken Lonnquist, Josh Harty plus Dane Buy Local, the Li Chiao-Ping Dancers, The Living Word, The Africa Experience, Marilyn Fisher and John Vitale, Stellanovas, Madison Comedy Collective, Joe Soko and the Capital City Band
Day Two: Emily Mills on Wisconsin Megaphone
Day Three: Jesse Walker, Beerpocalypse Now & Rapid Badger Theatre
Day Four: Bluegrass Constellation, Judge Nick MacNamara, Sunspot and Axiom with host Darth Rokker,
Where else are you going to see all this . . . donate today! Help save the station! I know many haven’t seen the station since it was moved to never, never land, but its time to tune back in . . . and hope that the Hebl and Baldwin bills pass so its not so hard to find! And . . . maybe restore the funding for the station. Contact your alders today (allalders@cityofmadison.com), urge them to restore WYOU funding until we find out if the repair bills pass. Don’t put the station out of business unnecessarily.
WIENIE-GATE
I heard from an unnamed school board member about the school’s efforts to address student safety by removing food carts from the block around the schools . . . looks like there is more to the story. The school board, in fact, didn’t know about Kass’s appearance before the city council – they were not consulted formally or informally about their views about vending by the schools. This person was doubtful that the school board would have made a city issue out of this as they have a few other little things on their mind – such as, I don’t know – budget and tax levy which will be voted on Monday.
MAYBE THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH MANGANESE . . .
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) proposes to add new state groundwater quality standards for 15 substances of public health concern – and also revise existing groundwater quality standards for 15 other substances.
Enforcement Standard (ES) groundwater quality standards for substances of public health concern are established based on recommendations received from the Department of Health Services.
The list of 15 proposed new substances of public health concern includes: Manganese, Aluminum and Perchlorate.
GREAT REFERENDUM QUESTION
Think anyone will propose it? I’m not sure what iron-clad means, but the sentiment is a good one! I’d vote for it and support a referendum. I have to say, elected officials end up looking pretty smug and arrogant when they talk about referendum, even when they are making a well thought out point and taking a legitimate position.
TIME FOR A FOLLOW UP
Sounds like the city low-balled the numbers, leaving this landlord with debt if he were to accept their offer. Way to go city!
EVICTED!
I’m working on it, but I’m a little unclear what the information from the police department/city attorney means. But there were definitely people evicted as a result of their landlord getting a drug nuisance or public nuisance letter from the police department – it said so right on the court documents we reviewed at the time. I want to take a peek at a couple of the files at small claims court, but I won’t be able to do that until tomorrow. It sure would have been nice to have the list prior to the council meeting – cuz I have a relatively complete list of everyone in evicted through court since 2000 or 2001 – and the more I ask, the deeper hole they are digging about why they didn’t give me the list when I requested it.
T WALL’S TAX LOOPHOLE PUMPKIN PATCH
I meant to go take my own pictures, but – this might surprise you – I don’t make it to the other side of the beltline on the westside much and felt silly driving out there just to take pictures but couldn’t think of another reason I needed to go over there. I pictured big pumpkins with kitchy decorations and cheesy northern Wisconsin folk art . . . but sadly, this is all there is . . . that’s an awesome pumpkin patch!
WHAT’S IN A NEIGHBORHOOD
You might want to check this out. My only problem with it is . . . well, my neighborhood is a little large and not really what I define my neighborhood as. It apparently has 10,000 housing units and 23,000 people. Average value of a home about $250,000 and an average income of about $20,000 but only 170 families in poverty. About 60% own cars and 9% are unemployed. It’s all very interesting, but what, exactly, does it indicate? While its cool to map comparisons between neighborhoods, I’m not sure if I was an elected official if it would help me make better decisions.
CELEBRATE MADISON
This might actually make me go to the Overture Center . . . the only event (besides meetings) that I’ve ever attended there was Widespread Panic, but this might entice me to go . . .
Opening Reception Wed Oct 28 5:30 – 7:30 pm
“Willy Street in the 70’s – Changing the World through Art”
“The Seed” by Dan YopackMadison, WI, 10/21/2009: The Williamson Street Art Center announces an exhibit of graphic works at Overture Center for the Arts, 201 State St, Playhouse Gallery
· October 23 – Nov 15
· Reception Wednesday Oct 28 6 – 8 pm (in conjunction with Abba Mania)
· This project celebrates the history of Willy Street in the 70’s, a place where Madison’s own counter-culture artists and social activists found cheap rent and minimal restriction on their artistic and political activity.
· This exhibit features original work from a generation whose hallmark was hope.
· Curated by Sharon Kilfoy
RTA, NOT PERFECT, BUT MOVING FORWARD?
What do you think? Let them know!
Regional Transit Authority Hearing Set
A public hearing on establishing a Regional Transit Authority, hosted jointly by the Dane County Public Works and Transportation Committee and Personnel and Finance Committee has been set for Monday, October 26 at 6:30 PM, in Room 201B City County Building
The resolution being considered is to create a governing structure (as defined by state law) that can plan and coordinate transportation throughout the Madison Metropolitan area. This resolution does not contain language about particular modes of transportation.
Those in favor of establishing a Regional Transit Authority are encouraged to show up at this meeting to express their support.
If approved at this joint committee meeting, the resolution is scheduled to be considered by the full Dane County Board of Supervisors on November 5th.
WHAT’S A ROUND UP WITHOUT . . .
A little Edgewater . . . this is a funny comment on the “listening session” . . . in order to listen, you have to shut up. What this really was, was just another PR event where they tried to explain that they made a bunch of changes, without showing anyone the changes . . . I guess if you can get people to believe you before you even have something done, you’re half way there. They won’t even look at the details if they think they already understand them, then the details can be anything you want . . . I don’t mind when people use those tactics skillfully, but geez . . . try a little harder to not be so transparent in your attempts to manipulate.
DISAPPEARED!
This was a not bad editorial . . . before it disappeared. I read it last night . . . I was going to make a comment about it . . . but it no longer exists. So, instead of reading that opinion about the Edgewater, read this one instead.
NICE TO KNOW . . .
Band girlfriend alert!
Good to know my boyfriend “actually understands the musicality of the instruments instead of just smacking away at a pair of bongos like most festival hippie kids do.”
