Wednesday/Thursday Round Up

MONONA COUNTY BOARD UPDATE
Alders just have to update neighborhood associations, Supervisors have to deal with local governments. Here’s the council update too.

CENTRO HISPANO HAS A NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Congrats Kent.

COUNTY LABOR CONTRACTS
Unions protecting themselves while they can. This war on labor unions is going to get ugly. So much for “jobs” being important.

ELECTIONS

– Scott Milfred predictions.
– Isthmus introduction to Zach Brandon
– Isthmus introduction to John Blotz
– State Journal area filings. Very comprehensive list!!! Nice job.
– 6 open and 7 contested alder races story from WSJ.
– Mayor showdown about style and records from WSJ
– Radomski endorses Soglin and a campaign pitch at Waxing America
– Isthmus, 13 contested alder races
– No Madison School Board races
– Monona Doug is running.
– WSJ – Radomski out.
– TSOT Radomski out
– TSOT Final list of mayor, county exec and Madison alder candidate, and lack of School Board candidates

OTHER/LONGER ENTRIES

CHECK YOUR BUS TICKETS – UPDATED!

CHECK YOUR 31-DAY PASS & 10-RIDE CARD
Some Serial Numbers Expired on 12-31-2010

Important Update: Some Adult 10-ride cards have also expired.

Due to a computer error, a batch of bus passes that have already been sold expired 12-31-2010.

Check the serial number on your 31-day pass and/or 10-ride card.

Complete list of expired fare items:
Adult 31-Day Passes: Serial numbers LESS THAN 156401
Senior/Disabled 10-Ride Cards: Serial numbers LESS THAN 96001
Youth 10-Ride Cards: Serial number LESS THAN 383018.
Adult 10-Ride Cards: Serial Numbers LESS THAN 482000

Pass/card exchanges can be in person at Metro’s main office at 1245 E. Washington Ave. Staff will replace your pass and give you a FREE Metro promotional item. Office Hours: 7:30 AM – 5:00 PM.

Or you may mail your item to Metro Transit for exchange:

Metro Transit
Attn: Ticket Exchange
1245 East Washington Ave.
Madison WI 53703

START A NEW BUSINESS OR NON-PROFIT
Apparently, its never been easier! On the non-profit end, after 15 years of experience as Executive Director plus 2 more years as a board member at Tenant Resource Center, I’d say, its never been harder.

Build a Better Business or Nonprofit with Workshops at the Hawthorne Library

January 5, 2011 – Madison, WI – Starting or strengthening a business or an organization has never been easier. Join us at the Hawthorne Library (2707 E. Washington Ave., 608-246-4548) for a series of classes and workshops designed to help you make the most of your small business, start-up, or nonprofit organization. Classes will help those dreaming of starting their own business, as well as offer guidance to new and experienced business owners or nonprofit managers looking for marketing and legal information.
All sessions require registration, as space is limited. Contact the Hawthorne Library at 246-4548 or register online by visiting http://www.madisonpubliclibrary.org/calendar

• Small Business Startup: The First Step
Thursday, January 20 at 6:00 p.m.
Thinking about going into business? Spend an evening getting a clear picture of what it’s really like to run a small business. Assess your own strengths and weaknesses as a business owner. Learn how to analyze the potential for your business. Discover what information you need and where to find it. This program is designed for people who have not yet started a business. Sponsored by the UW-Madison Small Business Development Center.

• Legal Tips for Small Business, Start-Ups, and Entrepreneurs
Thursday, February 17 at 6:00 p.m.
Business law topics including taxes, intellectual property, employment, commercial leases, business entities, and contract law will be presented by Tripp Stroud of Stroud, Willink & Howard, LLC, a Madison firm with history dating back to 1892. Appropriate for new or long-established small businesses, as well as those considering starting a business.

• Social Media for Organizations, Small Business, Start-Ups, and Entrepreneurs
Tuesday, March 8 at 6:00 p.m.
Join Wendy Soucie, Certified Social Media Consultant and founding member of the Palo Alto based Social Media Academy, for this program focused on strategy and application of social media for organizations. Wendy will provide an easy to use framework for assessing how you can determine if social media is right for you, and a model that you can use for your engagement on the social sites you may already be active with. She will have several case studies on how diverse businesses are using social media tied to their business goals. Appropriate for small businesses, nonprofits, start-ups, or associations.

• Resources for Starting and Growing Your Business
Tuesday, March 29 at 6:00 p.m.
Interested in starting or expanding your business? Tana Elias, Web Resources Coordinator for Madison Public Library, presents free library resources to help you write business plans, do market research, and keep abreast of business and industry news.

• Introduction to Foundation Grants for Nonprofit Organizations
Thursday, April 21 at 5:30 p.m.
This workshop will include background on the world of grant making, information on how to build a credible nonprofit organization, general grant seeking tips, and a demonstration of the powerful Foundation Directory Online database. Suitable for anyone involved with or interested in nonprofit associations or organizations. Presented by the librarian from the UW-Madison Grants Information Center.