Well, lots of blogging to be done, but this is the best way to get out a bunch of the basics, so here it is. And the rest of the blogging will have to wait . . .
LOCAL NEWS
FREE ELECTRONICS RECYCLING
Now’s the time to get rid of those items that have been sitting around that you didn’t want to throw out but didn’t have time to go get a sticker.
TRIATHLON DISRUPTIONS
Funny that this gets its own story but downtown Madison is frequently disrupted and it doesn’t quite make the news. Can we do reverse 911 for Ride the Drive? 🙂
MICE FIGHTS?
Could they be illegal? Animal rights groups ask DA to investigate.
ANOTHER MADISON INSTITUTION, SNUFFED
Not that he’s not still doing good things, just different. It’ll be interesting to see who replaces him.
NO MORE LOCAL CONTROL
Emily Mills looks at SB107 housing impacts on Madison. Patrick’s take on it here – new ghettos?
STATE NEWS
OPPORTUNITY KNOCKING?
Not cool. Not funny. Video of the Fluno event and protest here. WSJ article here.
OMINOUS
Awesome photos (referring specifically to the first two). Evil lurks.
CONCEAL CARRY ONE STEP CLOSER TO LAW IN WISCONSIN
I feel like I live in Texas this days, without the warm weather.
RYAN’S MEDICARE PITCH TO REALTORS?
Odd topic for that audience, eh?
POCAN EXPLAINS EDUCATION BUDGET CUTS
More in the explanation about why the budget is not bad . . . its terrible.
BANKS INTENT TO PROFIT FROM THEMSELVES?
Scheme to sell themselves insurance.
REGENTS BIGGEST THREAT
Broadband. And $37M
WMC’s ATTEMPT TO MAKE IT LOOK LIKE WALKER’S SHIT IS WORKING
WSJ happy to spread the propaganda. The details of this study are interesting.
WATCHING THE WATCHERS
Oh know! People have opinions they want to share about what their government is doing! We must know what they are doing! I wonder how much this is costing? Think they are reading my blog now? 🙂
SILENT PROTESTERS AT SPECIAL OLYMPICS EVENT
I gotta say, this was kinda brilliant. It was controversial, but respectful and makes a poignant statement without taking the bait. I’ve heard several questions about why Walker who usually hides from the public made such a public appearance. Many think that it was to bait the protesters and make them look bad. It didn’t work. Instead, the protesters took the high road and made their point. Apparently many of the folks there for the event were not happy Walker was speaking and several in the crowd (not protesters) were muttering about his cuts in education as he was speaking. Even the organizer of the event said this “Kelly Kloepping, vice-president of communications for Special Olympics Wisconsin, said the protesters were respectful and caused no disruption.” My question is why does the WSJ have this filed under crime and courts?
NOT IN THE NEWS
ANOTHER PARK CLEAN UP THIS WEEKEND, CANCELLED
Parks Website has this:
June 11, 9am-noon, Tenney Park, Yahara Parkway between Willy Street and E. Washington
Volunteers will assist with removing exotic species and general park clean-up.
But:
This work day has been cancelled due to a tree workshop on Monday at noon (east side of the river between E Wash and Winnebago) and following work in Tenney and Burr Jones with FFA volunteers. Join us for either or both.
Friends of the Yahara River Parkway
BIKE RIDE FOR SUSTAINABLE ENERGY
GRASSROUTES CARAVAN’S “SOULAR RIDE” BEGINS SATURDAY, JUNE 11
PARTICIPANTS WILL BICYCLE FROM MADISON TO THE ENERGY FAIR IN CUSTER, VOLUNTEERING WITH COMMUNITY PROJECTS ALONG THE WAY
For more information, contact:
Abby Davidson, 608.358.6951, grassroutescaravan@gmail.com
Thistle Pettersen, 608.316.5822
Diane Farsetta, 608.886.4757
Website: www.grassroutescaravan.org
At 9 am on Saturday, June 11th at the Just Coffee Warehouse and parking lot at 1129 E. Wilson St in Madison, bicycle enthusiasts, clean energy boosters and community builders will gather to ride in the third major bicycle village of the Grassroutes Caravan. The Grassroutes Caravan’s first stop, until 10 am, will be at the Garver Feed Mill near Olbrich Gardens in Madison, where art from last weekend’s “Boombox the Wasteland” will be on display.
The Grassroutes Caravan’s “Soular Ride” will be a nearly 300 mile round-trip trek to the Midwest Renewable Energy Association’s yearly Energy Fair. Twenty adults and seven children under the age of ten are participating in the ride. On their way to the Energy Fair, the bicyclists will perform community service projects, including a marsh restoration project in Horicon, and a Grassroutes Caravan Variety Show, featuring their philosophies of renewable energy.
Other Soular Ride stops include Fountain Prairie Farm in Fall River, the Marsh Haven Nature Center in Waupun, Harmony Cafe in Appleton, and Mosquito Hill Nature Center in New London. On Thursday, June 16, the bicyclists will arrive at the MREA Energy Fair in Custer. The Soular Ride will return to Madison on June 22nd.
The Soular Ride will focus on alternative forms of energy, while emphasizing bicycle use as a long-distance form of transportation.
“The main ideas of the Energy Fair are to promote the elimination of non-renewable forms of energy and to explore alternative sources of energy that do not damage the earth,” remarked eager caravanista Seth Jensen. “We take those ideas very seriously. When you consider that the bicycle does not need fossil fuels to run, our mission is in alignment with the Energy Fair’s. In addition, all the volunteer stops we have planned along the route, the cultural exchange and the opportunities for relationship building, all mean we’re talking about much more than a bicycle ride. I like to call it a mobile village.”
The Soular ride is the third ride organized by the Grassroutes Caravan. In June 2010, Grassroutes Caravan bicyclists rode to the U.S. Social Forum in Detroit.
“The incredible success of the first Grassroutes Caravan made us want to do this again,” proclaims Kristine Pettersen, who devoted a year of her life to organizing a two-week bicycle ride from Madison, Wisconsin to St. Paul, Minnesota for the RNC in 2008. “Over 40 people came together for that ride and it was such a beautiful community building experience we are excited to offer this opportunity to others.”
Learn More:
http://www.grassroutescaravan.org/Local media coverage of the 2010 ride, from Grand Rapids, Michigan:
http://griid.org/2010/06/15/grassrootes-caravan-creates-community-on-its-way-to-the-us-social-forum/
ART AND HISTORY ON WILLY ST
What would you like to see honored?
A new committee was formed at the May MNA board meeting to discuss public art opportunities for the Williamson Street corridor. One idea that we would like to get started on right away is for historic/artistic markers along the street. These could explain an event that was or still is important to the neighborhood, an historic figure or special place using text, images or even poetry.
We are asking for input and what would be your top 5 items that you would like to see included in the project.
Please send your top 5 list to me at scott@kreweofmadison.org
DOWNTOWN COMMUNITY GARDENS MEETING
All: Our next meeting is next Tuesday, June 14, 7:00. This one time, we will be meeting at Sue Rosa’s house, 3427 Viburnum Dr. Typically, we meet at a downtown location. Sue lives west of campus, about a 30 minute bike ride from the square, and a 15 minute walk from the nearest bus stop on University Ave or the Eagle Heights Brown shelter. Please call for directions, 236-9374. Agenda items will include our up-coming meeting with the mayor, and an update on our efforts to explore the feasibility of a garden in one of the downtown parks. Join us if you can.
Downtown Community Gardens Group
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR COUNTY ELECTRONIC WASTE DROP OFF
Dane County to Host FREE TV, Electronics Drop-Off June 25, 2011 from 8am-2pm, at the Alliant Energy Center, 1919 Alliant Energy Center Way, Madison WI. This event is free to Dane County residents ONLY.
Because a large number of people are expected to take part, Dane County and its partner agencies need volunteers to help make June 25th a success. Volunteers are needed from 7a m to 3:30pm, in half day or full day shifts. Those interested in helping unload cars and/or direct traffic at the drop-off site are encouraged to contact Jan Neitzel-Knox at Dane County Public Works at 266-4029 or by e-mail at: neitzel-knox@countyofdane.com
REFLECT, REFUEL, REFRAME
Thursday, June 16 · 6:30pm – 8:30pm
James Reeb Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 2146 E. Johnson St., Madison, WisconsinTrying to stop Governor Walker, working on recall elections, dealing with the fallout of budget cuts, and so much more. It’s really stressful. Come together for a chance to step back, take care of yourself, and connect on a personal level with others who care too. Everyone is welcome
Re-legalizing concealed carry shouldn’t make you feel like you’re just in Texas…you could also be in Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wyoming. Those states all allow for concealed carry of firearms.