Round Up May 19 – 24!

By
Brenda Konkel
-
round up

Not much over the holiday weekend, but several things from the end of last week.

5/22 DAILY ROUND UP FOR ALDERS

For Alder Blogs:

COVID-19 Information Update 5/22/20

As of this morning, there are 590 people who have tested positive for COVID-19 in Dane County, up 7 from yesterday’s update.

Alliant Energy Center Community Testing Site Update

  • Yesterday the test site collected 539 samples and today 493 were collected. The total number of people tested at the community test site is 6341.
  • The site is open tomorrow but closed on Monday for Memorial Day.

Phase 1 Goes into Effect at 8:00am on May 26, 2020

Please note our staff will be working limited hours this holiday weekend. This mailbox will not be monitored during this time. We will return your email on Tuesday, May 26, 2020.

Information for Alders:

Earlier this week, we released Forward Dane, a phased reopening plan for Dane County during the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, based on active monitoring of the data-based metrics outlined in the plan, an order has been issued that moves Dane County into Phase 1 of the reopening plan, effective May 26, 2020 at 8:00am.

In the news today:

5/21/20 DAILY ALDER ROUND UP

For Alder Blogs:

COVID-19 Information Update 5/21/20

As of this morning, there are 583 people who have tested positive for COVID-19 in Dane County, up 17 from yesterday’s update.

Alliant Energy Center Community Testing Site Update

  • The test site is open until 8:00pm tonight. We will report the number of samples collected today in tomorrow’s update.
  • Please help us publicize the expanded testing site hours. We hope this change helps make testing more accessible to folks!

Other Updates

  • We will pull metric data tomorrow and if everything looks good, could make an announcement about Phase 1 as early as tomorrow with the enactment date being the 26th.
  • A lawsuit was filed today. Our attorneys are reviewing the complaint, and we do not comment on pending litigation.

Information for Alders:

No updates at this time.

In the news today:

Full reopening of Dane County businesses, activities up in the air under new plan: https://bit.ly/2Xnhudz

5/20/20 DAILY ROUND UP FOR ALDERS

For Alder Blogs:

COVID-19 Information Update 5/20/20

There are 566 people who have tested positive for COVID-19 in Dane County, which is up 18 from yesterday’s information update.

Alliant Energy Center Community Testing Site Update

  • Yesterday the test site collected 851 samples. Today 518 samples were collected, bringing the total of samples collected so far at the community test site to 5,255.
  • Please help us publicize the expanded testing site hours. We hope this change helps make testing more accessible to folks!

Toolkit for Businesses & Workplaces

We’ve put together a toolkit with templates, fact sheets, and posters that are relevant for all businesses and workplaces getting ready to reopen when we get to Phase 1 of our Forward Dane plan.

From Metro:

Due to Memorial Day, Metro will reduce some of its current service on Monday, May 25.

The following routes will continue to follow modified SATURDAY schedules:
2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 13, 16, 17, 18, 20, 21, 22, 26, 30, 31, 32, 36, 40, 50, 51, 59, 63, 67 and 68

The following routes will NOT operate on the holiday:

  • Routes 55 and 75 to/from Verona/Epic .
  • Route 23 to/from Sun Prairie.
  • Route 72 to/from Middleton.
  • Routes 44, 48 and 49 to/from Fitchburg.

Metro’s paratransit service will follow Saturday service hours (service to Middleton is not available). Standing rides will NOT be canceled.

Information for Alders:

  • Gov. Tony Evers today announced the Wisconsin Farm Support Program, a $50-million investment to provide direct payments to Wisconsin farmers in support of the agricultural sector during the COVID-19 pandemic, and a $15-million Food Security Initiative to combat hunger in Wisconsin.
  • Council Leadership met with the Mayor today. The Mayor agreed to attend the CCEC meeting of June 2 to provide updates on City operations.
  • The Mayor informed us that she met with the mayors of the five largest municipalities in Wisconsin and exchanged ideas on the upcoming elections. She received some ideas that she plans to share with the City Clerk.
  • Deputy Mayor Orrantia informed us that the federal government has pushed back the due date for the census count because of the Pandemic.  She stated that it was postponed to August but may have been pushed back even further to October.  The Mayor shared two maps that displayed where we are in the count (See below).

Hard to Count Map:

https://www.censushardtocountmaps2020.us/?latlng=43.09956%2C-89.34471&z=11&query=coordinates%3A%3A43.13239%2C-89.39484&promotedfeaturetype=cities&arp=arpRaceEthnicity&baselayerstate=5&rtrYear=sR2020latest&infotab=info-rtrselfresponse&filterQuery=false

Full Census Results to Date:

https://public.tableau.com/profile/us.census.bureau?utm_campaign=20200408msdvzs1ccdtanl&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery#!/vizhome/2020CensusSelf-ResponseRankings/RankingsDashboard

  • We discussed the challenges of completing the census count in the university area and the Mayor expressed that we need to get the word out to students to complete the census as heads of their own households rather than as dependents of their parents.
  • We also discussed using social media to get the word out to students as we have been told from several sources that emails are not as effective.
  • We also discussed parsing the results from the census count by neighborhood to assist alders in getting the word out to constituents where the counts are low.
  • The Mayor updated us on standing up BCCS.  The IT department is expected to start training staff to work on committees virtually, beginning next week, including Council staff to support President’s work groups.
  • We briefly discussed the Public Market in the wake of Dan Kennelly’s departure.  The Mayor affirmed her commitment to the project but stated that in light of our current budget challenges, she was having conversations with the Foundation about how to move forward.  Council VP Abbas expressed appreciation for DPCED Director, Matt Wachter taking on multiple roles in the absence of Dan Kennelly but expressed a desire to receive an update on the Public Market project when it is convenient, in front of the whole council.
  • We discussed the City providing financial support to the Black and Latino Chambers of Commerce to assist business owners of color during this pandemic.  She stated that the funds were pulled from cost savings from the vacancies of two managers in Economic Development as well as the consulting budget of the DPCED Director. Council VP Abbas expressed concern that there are some immigrant business owners who fall outside of both chambers and the Mayor expressed that she is on conversation with the chambers about expanding their outreach.
  • Council President Carter inquired about furloughs and the Mayor expressed that she is in conversations with the unions and associations and that furloughs will be across all departments and will be a fixed percentage to ensure that equity among staff across salary ranges.
  • The Mayor reiterated what she shared at CCEC with respect to work teams address recovery and reopening after the emergency order.  The plan is to leverage staff expertise and encourage their creativity in developing objectives, recommendations, operational ideas and policy suggestions which will be presented to Council for analysis and eventual approval.  She expressed the desire to have the Council Chief of Staff working with some of the teams and bringing information back to the Council to mull policy options.

In the news today:

OFFICE OF EQUITY AND INCLUSION COVID-19 UPDATES

Good Day Community Partners:

Office Of Equity and Inclusion –Contract Compliance Specialist Joe Oby – Minority Ethnic Emergency Grant

To help ethnic minority-owned micro-businesses cope with the economic impact of COVID-19, the Ethnic Minority Emergency Grant Initiative is being launched with a total of $2 million to be made available to 1,000 Wisconsin micro-businesses.  Eligible applicants are ethnic minority-owned businesses with five or fewer full-time equivalent employees (including the owner) in the retail, service or hospitality sectors that have not received assistance through WEDC’s Small Business 20/20 Program or the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) through the federal CARES Act.

Supreme Court Decision

Marci Paulsen, Attorney, City of Madison, Carlos Pabellon

  • Summary of case. Was the Safer at Home a Rule or Order?

o   It was a rule and that it needed to go through the legislative rule process. Secretary Palm needed to go through the rule making process.

o   Supreme Court found that Secretary Palm had no authority to keep people in their home. She can restrict travel and businesses.

o   Majority voted to terminate order immediately.

  • Dane County Public Health issued their order immediately.
  • Ultimate question is what impact does this have on the Secretary’s authority?

o   Does not limit the Secretary’s authority.

  • Kept the order in place to keep schools closed for the remainder of the year.
  • Secretary Palm and the Governor’s office is communicating with the legislature on provisions to limit the control of local public health officers.
  • Legal basis for public health orders. A separate statute says that the Supreme Court cannot interfere with local public health officers.
  • What local exceptions have been made. Madison/Dane County Public Health basically followed the State Safer at Home Order with the exception of religious entities.
  • Are considerations planned for next steps. Public health continues to review current data in preparation for changes to orders.
  • How is enforcement being handled? No change – education at multiple times/multiple levels. Businesses are monitored by public health. Have not had to issue any citations.
  • Personal gatherings – 10 people or less. If needed, local law enforcement attempts to educate, followed by letter from attorney (if needed). Law enforcement can cite.
  • Evictions. There is nothing in local orders. Stays on evictions are under a State statute.

Questions:

Who has the authority to open or not open schools? DPI, Governor?

Response: Currently ordered to close under DHS. Governor, DHS, or local health officers can close. They are closed and cannot open.

  • Attorneys working with public health on the numerous questions (e.g., graduation, cleaning out, etc.).
  • Refer to Madison/Dane County Public Health.

Does the closure of schools include the facilities and grounds?

Response: Currently buildings are closed. No extracurricular or playground activities.

  • Allowing plant sales in compliance with Public Health order. See public health website. If there are additional questions, you can submit questions on the website.

Do you have information on local states of Emergency in the municipalities? Should they be renewed?

Response: Each municipality needs to work with their legal counsel.

  • Madison Mayor gave legal counsel the authority to do what needs to be done.
  • County does not have an enumerated list of powers that exist under a State of Emergency. Some municipalities may have that.
  • State of Emergency allowed various agencies to have more flexibility than normal.

Are public schools allowed to reopen? If yes – why, if not – why not.

Response: Currently cannot be open as they are considered places of amusement. Can be open for operations and maintenance. No place of amusement can be open in Dane County right now.

  • WEDC may have guidelines, but businesses are obligated to operate under the public health orders in the County.

o   PH: commented that they are monitoring data and hoping to open pools with specific guidance in near future. Pool water is not a problem, it is the congregation of people. Hoping that data provides evidence to eventually ease the orders.

o   Concessions are under a different rule if they are licensed as a restaurant. Cannot eat on property. Concessions at pools are typically not

Is the legal interpretation and guidance available in written form?

Response: Not at this time.

Gatherings

Gatherings are not allowed. You are not allowed to gather in your house who do not reside at your house.

o   Can go for a walk with someone who does not live in your home.

o   Earlier the gathering number referenced was 10 for weddings or funerals.

o   Currently gatherings in Madison/Dane County are not allowed. No number involved.

Public Health

  • 517 confirmed cases-Dane County (11,275-State) a. 18 positive since THUR MAY 14  and 43 positive since MON (May11)
  • 2023 tests completed at the Community site at Alliant Center (Anticipated more positive results once more tests were conducted).
  • 25 deaths-Dane County (434-State) – 3 additional deaths since MON
  • 17, 492 tested-Dane County (133, 873-State)

Community site at Alliant Center

  • Anticipated more positive results once more tests were conducted.
  • Can be more assertive for individuals and as a public health entity when there is more knowledge of the positive tests.
  • More information allows us to isolate and quarantine individuals who are sick. Allow others to have a more normal routine.
  • This will lead to a more open community.
  • Working to have testing site as available as possible.
  • Have not figured out how to move the testing site from community to community. Would like to do this, but have not been able to figure out logistics.
  • Have arranged transportation to the site for those who cannot get their own transportation. Providing ride service to the site.
  • Want individuals to contact 608.243.0420 to arrange for transportation.

o   Want to use the money/resources wisely.

o   People using the ride service must be flexible with their time.

o   This is not an on-demand service.

o   May take hours to days to arrange the ride.

o   Only providing transportation within Dane County.

o   Want individuals with their own transportation to use their own transportation.

Question

What criteria is being used?

Response: Criteria in Badger Bounce Back have been morphed into Forward Dane.

  1. Some modifications have been made to improve decision making as we reopen communities.
  2. Criteria are not readily available at this time. Hoping to make them available as moving forward.

Vaccine

Work being done at FluGen and UW Madison

  • Looking forward to the development of an effective vaccine.
  • Exciting to see work being done locally. Appears that some interesting advancements are being made.
  • Important to remember that the vaccine development process is a long, detailed process.
  • No one wants to cut corners to put anyone in harm’s way in development and testing.

Do you anticipate any time of an order for folks to wear face masks?

Response: Benefits of cloth face masks. Difficult in making face masks mandatory. Department is being cautious in including face masks as mandatory. Many factors being considered.  Public health strongly recommends wearing a mask when in public places.

Have seen where businesses have made the decision that individuals must wear masks to enter which has led to conflicts. Can businesses require facemasks? Is that rule enforceable?

Response: Legal question. Believes that businesses can make that requirement. Doubts that police could not make an arrest/write a citation as this would be a business preference and not a statutory requirement.

How is the recruitment for individuals to do contact tracing progressing?

Response: Going well in Dane County. Believes the state may still be looking for individuals statewide.

What are the best materials for cloth masks? Where to get advice?

Response: Unsure of best resource. NIOSH has requirements for face masks that must be compliant. When you get outside of those realms, there would be a great deal of information. Tighter weave is typically better. Covering over face/mouth offers a fair bit of help to slow down larger particulates (secretions) from exiting and from others entering. Invisible particulates from air are difficult to eliminate. Often the air that enters the mask comes in through the sides of the mask.

PHONE NUMBER FOR TRANSPORTATION TO COMMUNITY TESTING:

608.243.0420

Announcements

  • PPE -County, State, and Federal government have been distributing PPE equipment for emergency responders, jail, child protective services, etc. (organizations of that nature). There is a prioritization process for the scarce PPE resources.

o   Anticipating that there may be increased requests for services that are not essential services. County does not have PPE to distribute to other agencies other than essential services required for emergency/public safety.

o   Understand that the needs exist. County hopes to build a list of vendors who supply PPE and related supplies (e.g., hand sanitizers). Will make the list available on the website when the list is available.

HAVE A SAFE WEEKEND

Theola Carter – Manager of Policy and Program Improvement

The Tamara D. Grigsby Office for Equity and Inclusion (OEI) Department

SAFE HAVEN DOING INTAKES AGAIN

Additionally, several weeks ago Safe Haven made the decision to temporarily suspend new intakes. We wanted to share that we will resume doing new client intakes Monday through Friday beginning after the Memorial Day holiday. Adults experiencing category 1 homelessness who have a diagnosed mental illness may come to Safe Have to complete an intake starting Tuesday, May 26th. No appointment is needed.

Safe Haven is currently open from 8:30am-3:30pm seven days a week, with the exception of major holidays, as noted above. Lunch is served at 11:30am. New clients wishing to do an intake should arrive no later than 3pm so that there is time to complete the intake before closing.

Please be in touch with any questions.

Stay well!

LANDLORDS CAN ENTER APARTMENTS AND EVICT (FOR SOME) AGAIN!

From the City of Madison Community Development Division:

I am putting in a request that the Mayor’s Office could encourage all landlords to postpone eviction notices until July 25th. I recognize that there are some property owners that rely on rent for operating expenses. To help ease burden on property owners the City did pass a resolution waiving late fees on interest for unpaid property taxes due after April 1st. The taxes must be paid on or before October 1, 2020. This is a tool to ease pressure from property owner’s expenses at this time.

  • Wisconsin Emergency Order #28 prohibits landlords from entering apartments, except to make emergency repairs, expires on May 26, 2020

At 8am on May 26th, Dane County will be in Phase 1 of the Forward Dane reopening plan. In preparation of Phase 1 and with the expiration of Emergency Order #28 PHMDC has updated their Executive Order about entering rental units: New order from PHMDC starting Tuesday is here:  https://publichealthmdc.com/documents/2020-05-22_Order_3.pdfPlease notice Landlord language in #8: Leased Premises. Landlords or rental property managers may enter leased residential premises if wearing face coverings and maintaining physical distancing.

Landlords must also follow existing law and provide 12 hour notice of entry, announce their presence, and identify themselves upon request, prior to entering any units. If tenants have concerns that a landlord is not following PHMDC orders, for face coverings or physical distancing, they may contact Public Health compliance@publchealthmdc.com

  • Wisconsin Emergency Order #15 Banning Evictions expires May 26, 2020

However, The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act moratorium on terminations of tenancy and evictions for late or nonpayment of rent and prohibition from charging fees, penalties or other charges to the tenant related to such nonpayment of rent on properties with federal investments remains in effect through July 25, 2020. Tenants are not expected to know if their landlord has federally backed mortgages. The National Low Income Housing Coalition released a searchable database, but please note these database is not comprehensive. The best advice you can provide is have tenants contact Tenant Resource Center or Legal Action.

As rental assistance programs are getting established we strongly encourage all landlords to delay eviction notices until July 25, 2020.

Eviction Prevention/Rent Assistance Programs

There were two funding announcements made this week for eviction prevention/rental assistance. Dane County has awarded Tenant Resource Center (TRC) $10 million and State of Wisconsin has awarded $25 million for rent assistance. A portion of the State of WI funds will be allocated to Community Action Coalition.

In order to support social distancing, TRC is working on an online intake process. TRC has eviction funding through 4 funding sources. All applicants will access eviction funds through the same intake process and TRC staff will triage which funding source is most appropriate. TRC is working on an online application process.  If possible please have the tenant wait until the online application is available. If immediate response is needed, tenants can call TRC 608-257-0006. TRC is still working on prioritization guidelines and will send out more information about programming when available.

State’s Wisconsin Rental Assistance Program (WRAP) is for rental assistance and security deposits. Complete information on application intake is not available yet.

Please be patient as these agencies set up the intake process. Once there are clear application guidelines, information will be shared for tenants. We hope you will support getting this critical information to those that need it.

Legal Action of Wisconsin

If a tenant receives a notice of termination or eviction court papers, please refer them to Legal Action’s intake line 1-855-947-2529.

If City agencies have any questions you may contact housinginfo@cityofmadison.com. Thank you!!

GOATS IN PARKS: PRESCRIBED GRAZING

Goats in Parks: Prescribed Grazing

May 21, 2020

Fighting invasive plants is an on-going challenge for Parks staff and volunteers. Management is not only time-consuming; it can also include the application of herbicides in an effort to win the battle. This year, Madison Parks is utilizing a new invasive plant management technique. Goats! Yes, goats!

Read full news release

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE, MORE THAN A BUZZWORD

Green Infrastructure, More Than a Buzz Word: Project, Pilot, Upcoming Meeting

May 21, 2020

The City of Madison Engineering Division would like to invite the public to learn more about green infrastructure and a pilot project in the Westmorland neighborhood. The public is invited to attend an upcoming virtual public information meeting, 5:30 p.m., June 10, via Zoom.

Register for the meeting by June 9. All information on how to register is on the pilot project page.

Read full news release

LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS – SUPPORT VOTE-BY-MAIL

During the April election, Wisconsin forced people to choose between their health and their right to vote. The heartbreaking stories from voters who never received their absentee ballots or stood for hours outside of crowded polling places makes it clear that we can never again allow this mistake to be repeated.

At last week’s meeting, the Wisconsin Election Commission (WEC) reviewed the results from the April 7th election and began to plan how to best serve all Wisconsinites with an improved election process. The WEC began discussions of multiple proposals to send absentee applications to voters. LWVWI supports the staff’s proposal to send absentee ballot applications to all registered voters without an active absentee ballot request.

The WEC will vote on this proposal and many others on Wednesday, and it is extremely important that they hear your voice in support of mailing absentee ballot applications to ALL registered voters without active absentee ballot applications. Email the WEC now!

This proposal would not require an all-mail election, but it would go a long way toward ensuring every Wisconsin voter knows their options for safely casting a ballot in the upcoming August and November elections. Having the Wisconsin Elections Commission implement this process will provide a consistent statewide process, and will also be more cost effective than a fragmented local approach.

So, let your voice be heard – email the Wisconsin Election Commission NOW and ask them to protect the right to vote by sending absentee ballot applications to all registered voters without active absentee ballot applications.

Send the email to elections@wi.gov and put “Message to Commissioners” in the subject line. We have an example email you can use below.

THANK YOU
Example email:

Dear Wisconsin Elections Commissioners,

The April election forced many people to choose between their health and their right to vote. It was disappointing to hear about the many people who were unable to request an absentee ballot because they lacked access to technology or never received their absentee ballot. Access to absentee voting is a nonpartisan issue with broad public support.

I was heartened to hear about the WEC staff’s recommendations to mail every registered voter who does not have an active absentee ballot request on file information on how to apply for an absentee ballot and instructions for uploading or sending a copy of the voter’s ID. I urge the commissioners to adopt the staff plan as it was proposed and to send absentee ballot applications to people regardless of their municipality. I believe that all voters in the state of Wisconsin should receive this information in a consistent manner in order to ensure that they have the information that they need in order to be able to vote safely from home.

I also appreciate the WEC staff’s willingness to support clerks by following-up with individuals who do not include their ID with the absentee ballot application. Despite the many challenges they’ve faced during the pandemic, our clerks have done a noteworthy job running elections and need support. I greatly appreciate the WEC staff plan that would provide needed support to our local municipal clerks while also ensuring that all registered voters receive an absentee ballot application.

 

MADISON METRO UPDATES

COVID-19 Service Update

There will be no change in service or riding rules on Tuesday, May 26. Metro will continue operating its current level of reduced service until further notice.

Watch for text and email updates on Metro’s future plans to gradually return to a more normalized service.

Summary of Service:

  • Buses are operating modified Saturday service.
  • Customers are required to board and exit the bus using the rear doors (riders needing the ramp may still enter through the front).
  • Fare collection is suspended.
  • Customers are asked to ride for essential trips only.
  • Passengers are asked to wear a mask or other face covering when riding.
  • Metro’s Administration Office is now closed. Lost and Found pick-up done by appointment only. Call 608-266-4904.
  • Metro maintenance is performing daily cleanings of all buses.
Complete Info

Upcoming Detour

  Route 13 – Bram/ Koster St.
Tuesday, May 26 

Route 13 detours from portion of Bram and Koster streets on Tuesday, May 26. Board at select stops on Fisher, or Koster at Ardmore.
See All Detours

August Service Changes

Due to Metro’s reduction in service in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Metro reduced its service changes to only include Route 29 and UW Campus Routes 80, 81, 82, 84.

These changes were approved for implementation at the end of August.

The Transportation Commission’s review of all other proposed service changes would be suspended until such time as Metro Transit’s service is restored.
Complete Info

WATER MAIN FLUSHING SCHEDULE

Water Main FlushingWater Main Flushing plans beginning Tuesday, May 26th (all flushing is daytime unless otherwise noted)

MAP: http://www.cityofmadison.com/water/Documents/flushingschedule.pdf

Downtown (Area 24) — The Area between Blair St and Randall Ave.

East (Area 15) — East of the Interstate between Burke Rd and Hoepker Rd.

East (Area 25) — East of the Interstate between Buckeye Rd and Milwaukee St.

————

Questions: Shayne Santi, 261-9128

Flushing Information Line: 261-9178

DETAILS:

Area 24 (Downtown): Conventional flushing opening multiple hydrants over a large area.

Area 15 (East): Conventional flushing opening multiple hydrants over a large area.

Area 15 (East): 4-6 runs per day

Run ID  Run Description

15567 Victoria Ln

15568.1 Declaration Ln and Independence Ln

15568.2 Independence Ln – Declaration Ln to Anniversary Ln

15569 Anniversary CT

15570 Bunker Hill Ln

15571 Armistice Ln

15572 Anniversary Ln

15573 Victoria Ln north of Anniversary Ln

15574 Forrest Run Rd

15575 Forrest Ridge

15577 Forrest Run Way and Forrest Run Ct

15578.1 Forrest Run Ct

Area 25 (East): Conventional flushing opening multiple hydrants over a large area.

MADISON ACTIVIST CALENDAR

Madison Activist Calendar from 5/25/20 – COVID-19 Quarantine Solidarity Edition!

To post events or announcements for future listings, please contact: jepeck@wisc.edu

For an online version of this calendar, please visit: https://madinfoshop.wordpress.com/your-space/madison-activist-calendar

This calendar is brought to you by the friendly volunteer collective of the Madison Infoshop, 1202 Williamson St., Madison, WI 53703 https://madinfoshop.wordpress.com

We are a non-hierarchical freespace and activist clearinghouse that needs your support to survive and flourish. Check out our free lending library (videos, books, periodicals, zines), our other community resources (art supplies, theater props, graphix and stencils, megaphones, and button maker). We also host meetings and help organize events.

Wed. May 27th 6:30 8:00 pm Essential, Yet Expendable: Wisconsin Food Workers Amidst Pandemic

A Virtual Town Hall – hosted by the WI Poor People’s Campaign and WI Faith Voices for Justice.

From seedlings to packaging to retail to dinner tables, food workers are essential to society. However, Wisconsin food workers today—many of whom are immigrants—lack legal protection, living wages, safe workspaces, job security, and healthcare access. And now, COVID-19 has laid bare these contradictions of our essential, and yet expendable, food workforce. How do we move from expendable to empowered? In this virtual town hall, workers on the  frontlines share their stories as we build a moral response to the impact of coronavirus on our food system.

Join the discussion with:

John E. Peck, Executive Director, Family Farm Defenders

Arquímedes Arias, Dairy farm Worker in Green Bay

Josh, slaughterhouse worker

Larissa Johanna, restaurant worker and member of Madison Restaurant Workers Coalition

RSVP at tinyurl.com/wifoodworkers and you will receive Zoom and call info.

You may also join via phone—no internet required. Facebook event is at: https://www.facebook.com/events/1360377524161451/

Additionally, we will be livestreaming the event at facebook.com/wisconsinppc/.

Thurs. June 4th 6:30 pm The Overstory: A novel by Richard Powers – WILPF Zoom Book Circle Discussion. From the roots to the crown and back to the seeds, Richard Powers’s twelfth novel unfolds in concentric rings of interlocking fables that range from antebellum New York to the late twentieth-century Timber Wars of the Pacific Northwest and beyond. There is a world alongside ours—vast, slow, interconnected, resourceful, magnificently inventive, and almost invisible to us. This is the story of a handful of people who learn how to see that world and who are drawn up into its unfolding catastrophe. To register and receive Zoom link details, contact Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom:wilpfmadison@gmail.comor 608-609-7961

Support Bouquets of Gratitude – Gifted to Our First Responders and COVID Care Providers in Honor of Their Essential Service!

From now to the end of June, you can purchase a custom flower bouquet, grown and designed with love and care from Hilltop CSA Farm, that we will then give away to First Responders and COVID Care Providers in our local Madison and Reedsburg/La Valle neighborhood(s).

We will plan to deliver come June when we will have an abundance of peonies and perennial flower mojo that we would love to share!

For more info, visit: https://hilltop-community-farm.square.site/product/flowers-for-first-responders-and-covid-care-providers/65?cs=true

Support Neighbor Loaves through the Artisan Grain Collaborative!

Through this COVID-19 inspired initiative, you can help support family farmers, local millers, artisanal bakers, and their communities! Now more than ever we need a regional grain value chain and community access to high quality bread – you can also buy a loaf to share with someone in need!

More info? Visit: http://graincollaborative.com/neighbor-loaves/

OM Village Spring Plant Sale – Safer-at-Home Edition!

Occupy Madison (OM) has been growing hundreds of happy vegetable, herb, and flower seedings in our greenhouse… and we’re ready to get them safely to you for your gardens! This year’s OM spring plant sale is as easy as one, two, three:

1.) purchase your plants online, here: https://occupy-madison.square.site/

2.) Write down your pick-up date! For orders placed between Monday 12 pm and Thursday 12 pm, pick up is that Friday after 12 pm. For orders placed between Thursday 12 pm and Monday 12 pm, pick up is Tuesday after 12 pm

3.) When it’s time, come to the OM Village (304 N. Third St.) and look under the tent for the bag with your name on it!

We’ll keep our OM spring plant sale open as long as we have seedlings available. Shop early for the best selection! The seedlings have been grown in a rich soil mix with Purple Cow organic compost, soil, sand, and nutrients, and tended daily with love.

For more info, visit: https://occupymadisoninc.com/

Get Involved with the Food Justice Garden Project!

The Dane County TimeBank, Rooted, and Feed to Go are linking to grow farm-fresh produce and redistribute it to the families that are most impacted by food injustice and structural racism.

Rooted is a nonprofit agriculture production and education-focused organization, that operates Troy Farm on Madison’s Northside. Rooted’s Troy Farm will distribute $31,000 worth of vegetables this growing season to more than 60 families. TimeBank members can help make this happen.

To make this happen, Rooted’s Troy Farm has greatly ramped up production and the TimeBank has made this work the focus of our garden project this year. We need your help. Rooted is looking for Timebank members who can commit to four (4) hours of work per week working on the farm and/or helping with packaging food.

With a 4 hour per week commitment through the growing season, you can earn a box of produce weekly if you are experiencing food insecurity or you can redistribute that box to a family who needs it through Rooted’s partnerships with the local community centers. Let’s work together to grow, teach, share, and make sure everyone has fresh and healthy food to eat!

To learn more and to sign up contact: info@danecountytimebank.org or call 608-663-0400.

Call from Madison Public Library for “Stories from a Distance” during COVID-19!

The Living History Project, Madison Public Library’s community history platform, is gathering narratives in a new initiative called Stories from a Distance. The unprecedented social distancing people are doing to prevent the spread of COVID-19 will have far-reaching consequences for individuals, as well as Madison businesses, schools, government, voting, and more.

Stories from a Distance will be collected in three ways:

  • Short audio or written interviews with community members that can be conducted online, via phone or through other mediums. Trained facilitators are available to help anyone interested in sharing their story.
  • Share a story or moment by submitting an image that evokes this time for you and a written response to it – the response can be a song, poem, short essay or even a brief caption.
  • If you’ve posted or shared a story elsewhere already, you can submit a public link for sharing in the Stories from a Distance collection.

Stories from a Distance will gather and share narratives related to COVID-19 and Safer at Home until March 2021. The scope of the project is limited to anyone with a strong Madison connection. For more info, visit: https://www.madisonpubliclibrary.org/new/living-history-project-%E2%80%9Cstories-distance%E2%80%9D

Support Madison Teen Activists Getting Menstrual Products to Those in Need During the Pandemic!

Because of COVID-19, most schools, businesses, public facilities, and places of work have been closed, yet25% of those who menstruate rely on educational institutions and local businesses to provide period products each month. At such an unsettled and uncertain time, many community centers have alsoneglected to recognize menstrual products as basic necessities, that are unsafe for people to go without. Period products should be of the same concern as other health products like toothbrushes, hand sanitizer, and soap. Whatever funds are raised will be used to help local shelters, schools, and health facilities in Wisconsin provide free menstrual products to those who would otherwise not be able to afford them. To support this effort, visit the Go Fund Me page: https://www.gofundme.com/f/r5pq7-menstrual-product-accessibility-during-a-pandemic

Support Dane County Community Defense! Mutual aid in this time of crisis is critical and Dane County Community Defenseis in need of more donations and volunteers! They need helping calling folks in need, as well as pointing them towards other resources available in the community.

For more details about this community solidarity effort and to sign up for volunteering, please visit:https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/e/2PACX-1vQw7ptVb-w6FC1xxhEmw_uwN72BrsQMVlBWwv6hy_VG_91SBwF2QiSytoORlUNOP5l12xiw2foGMgK7/pubhtml?gid=1121011970&single=true

You can also make donations for this effort, by visiting: https://secure.givelively.org/donate/social-justice-center-inc/dane-county-mutual-aid-crisis-response-fund

You can also support growing community demands to release folks from the Dane County Jail whose only real “crime” is being too poor to afford a cash bond! Prisons are proven disease incubators that need to be emptied out as much as possible in this time of pandemic. Money should be diverted instead to healthcare and housing, especially for people who will be homeless upon release! Call Sheriff Mahoney, DA Ozanne, the circuit court judges, and your Dane County Board Supervisor using this sample phone script:bit.ly/dcjscript Connect with PSL Madison for future car caravan protests and other actions – more info at:https://www.facebook.com/events/903339126755571/

The Free The 350 Bail Fund is also holding a series on online concerts to raise money to free folks in Dane County Jail who don’t have enough money to pay their bail! To support this effort, visit: https://www.facebook.com/events/161708938574676/

Buy One for a Neighbor Needs your support! Access to safe local healthy food is a top priority in times like these, especially for those already barely making ends meet. This effort will be contracting with area farmers now for produce to distribute to struggling families all season long. Farmers won’t have to worry if markets are closed or sparsely attended and we ensure low-income neighbors have access to healthy local food. To make a donation and find out more, visit: https://www.gofundme.com/f/feed-the-people-and-save-the-farms

The Dane County Farmer Market and Fair Share CSA Coalition have also set up an Emergency Farmer Fund to assist local growers whose markets have been severely impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak.

To support this effort, visit: https://www.gofundme.com/f/emergency-farmer-fund

You can also support Farm to Families Fund / Fundo de Granjas a Familias! This emergency initiative between REAP, Roots4Change, and Rooted will purchase fresh, healthy, locally grown food from regional family farms and provide it to Madison-area Latino/Indigenous residents and families hard-hit by job loss, food insecurity, lack of access to social services, and federal anti-immigration provisions.  These boxes contain purchased and donated produce, protein and grains from area growers and producers. Community members who are now unemployed due to the pandemic will also be paid to deliver the food to the homes of the recipient families. To contribute to this effort, visit: http://reapfoodgroup.org/farms-to-families/


And since we also know that our undocumented friends, relatives, and co-workers will NOT be receiving any federal COVID-19 relief checks from the $2 trillion package that just passed Congress, please considermaking donations to support folks in that community!

Voces de la Frontera Direct Relief Fund:https://voces.ourpowerbase.net/civicrm/contribute/transact?reset=1&id=16

Centro Hispano’s Latino Consortium for Action (LAC) Emergency Relief Fund:http://www.micentro.org/LCA-COVID-19-relief.html

If you want to support your favorite restaurant/tavern/food service worker who may now be out of job for awhile, check out the Madison Virtual Tip Jar: https://tipyourserver.org/MSN/

And there is a similar initiative for struggling out-of-work musicians and artists underway:https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScDmqDoyREg9zpsiP2cq_l5uv96RvSQX2N6LMyxOOqYGRSKiA/viewform

As we deal with this historic pandemic, the Wisconsin State Historical is also working hard to collect people’s stories of struggle and solidarity throughout this wholepandemic experience. You can find out more details and share your stories here: https://wisconsinhistory.org/records/Article/CS16333

Lastly, the Wisconsin Network for Peace and Justice (WNPJS) has a very comprehensive listing of mutual aid efforts and other solidarity opportunities statewide which is constantly being updated. For the latestupdated version, please visit: http://www.wnpj.org/COVID-19

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