Ok, now there is going to be a likely smaller part IV, for everything except the Edgewater . . . that’s next in part V . . .
PARK’S DEPARTMENT GAG RULE
The latest symptoms showing in the crack down on information and control in the City of Madison. They’re not the only department I’ve seen this in, as the city creeps further and further away from being transparent and open. I can’t tell you the number of city staff who have had to meet me at a coffee shop away from downtown, refused to email me information (paper copies only), told me they can’t tell me information that I request, call me from their personal cell phones or have told me if asked what I should tell their supervisors we talked about. I understand why the employees are being extra careful so as not to attract attention and perhaps not wanting to be associated with me, but what I don’t understand is why they have to do their jobs in fear and why they can’t talk to their own commissioners or alders. Why can’t they talk? What is the Mayor’s office and its leadership so afraid of? One of the biggest problems the city seems to be facing, in my estimation, is that we have a talented and skilled city staff that are being prevented from doing their jobs. Why not unleash all the talent and energy instead of trying to contain it? What’s to fear?
WYOU IS MOVING
Dear WYOU Producers,
It’s now official: WYOU is moving to a new address! When our lease at the current location expired late last year, we began looking for a more economical alternative as part of the initiative to reduce overhead costs for this financially challenging new year. We looked at numerous spaces including the old Atwood Community Center building on Atwood Ave., the Churchill Building on North Carroll, the Hovde Building on West Washington and the Social Justice Center on Williamson Street. We chose Suite B at the Social Justice Center primarily as it offered the best rental arrangement and it comes with a number of attractive extra features: 1) a special build-out that creates a modestly-sized dedicated studio, 2) an installed phone system, 3) a shared conference room space and several other shared spaces and services. The cost savings to the station for this new space is $1,100 monthly; I’m sure you’ll agree that’s a whopping-sized savings and too good to pass up.
So, we’re moving. The build-out will be completed roughly mid-February and the plan is to move in two phases: The new location address is 1202 Williamson Street, Madison, WI 53703.
The Playback-Automation System will remain under a special arrangement with a neighboring company for a period of up to six months as we work on securing a superior technology solution for delivering our programming to Charter Communications. What does that mean? For the period of time that we’re separated from the playback-automation system we will not be able to cablecast live shows. And, we will be recording many shows to Hard Drive in order to load the Automator on a once or twice a week basis instead of a daily basis.
What does that mean to you? If you regularly deliver your shows to WYOU on dvd, you will continue to do so. However we ask that you consider delivering multiple shows as we will now need to record your shows to Hard Drive. We’ll need your programs delivered at least two weeks before they air. If you regularly do live shows, we ask you to consider pre-recording them and delivering on disc until we are reunited with the Automator. The last day you will be able to do a live show in the current studio is Friday, February 19th. Phase One of the move will be the current office/public area and the edit room and will take place the week of February 15th. Phase Two will be the current studio and control room and will take place the week of February 22nd.
We expect that you will have questions and we ask you to please call and or set up an appointment to come in and talk about the changes and how we can help you during this exciting transition.
LOCAL FOOD
From County Board Supervisor Tom Stoebig:
The Institutional Food Market Coalition, Dane County UW-Extension and Extension Partners in Dodge, Walworth and Jefferson Counties are working together to host a meeting for WI produce growers – and we would like to invite you! Growers will hear from institutional buyers, learn about how to sell to institutional customers, what they are looking for, how to reach out and other key information about accessing this new market.
All types of farm operations – large, small, CSA, commodity, fresh market and all those interested in growing produce are encouraged to attend and will find useful information at the session. Registration is $20.00. See invite below for details. We hope to see you there!
Grow and Sell Produce For Large Volume Wisconsin Buyers
A Workshop for Farmers Interested in Selling to Large Volume Institutional BuyersTuesday, February 9, 2010
10:00 am to 2:50 pm
Alliant Energy Center
1919 Alliant Energy Center Way
Room: Mendota 4
Madison, WI 53713
RTA, PAY ATTENTION TO THIS
This could have interesting implications as Metro moves away from serving low income neighborhoods and focuses on traditional (9 to 5) commute routes and could be interesting with high speed rail and the RTA referendum coming up. From Steve Steinhoff:
“Last week the Federal Transit Administration informed BART that BART’s application for federal funding for the Oakland Airport Connector project was unlikely to be granted. The FTA wrote in a letter (PDF) that BART failed to evaluate the impact on poor and minority communities of replacing an inexpensive bus with an expensive train, while taking money away from the operations of BART and other transit agencies.”
Read more.
FREE TRAINING SESSIONS
The EOD has partnered with the Dane County Job Center to offer trainings to the general public.
The first Thursday of the Month from 10:00 – 11:30 a.m. Dane County Job Center, 1819 Aberg Avenue, Madison, Wisconsin
2010 Schedule
February 4 Arrest Record & Conviction Record
March 4 Age Discrimination
April 1 Fair Housing
May 6 Hate Crimes
June 3 Overview of EOD Services
July 1 Arrest Record & Conviction Record
August 5 Age Discrimination
September 2 Fair Employment Practices
October 7 Hate Crimes
November 4 Harassment
December 2 Welcoming Diversity
WILLY ST COOP STILL TAKING INPUT
They extended the date to give input to February 15th – see previous announcement:
The Willy St Grocery Coop board is taking feedback on whether to discontinue nonmember surcharge– in order to eliminate the difference at the register between member and nonmember prices.
Whether you want this distinction be kept at the checkout counter or want that surcharge to disappear, please weigh in by email to the board before Jan 25.
The Rebates Committee meets Monday Jan 24 to make its recommendation to the board.
If you care about whether the coop eliminates or keeps the nonmember surcharge, please weigh in by the time early afternoon Monday Jan 25th. coop.services@willystreet.coopFor two different discussions of this issue , please refer to Lynn Olson’s piece in January 2010 issue of the Reader and my column in the October 2009 issue of the Reader.
http://www.willystreet.coop/article/5289 http://www.willystreet.coop/article/3912
BOARD MEMBERS NEEDED
Well, its probably true for many non-profits, but today’s need is:
Wisconsin Community Fund is currently recruiting for new members of our Board of Directors. Our Directors play a large role in funding social change in Wisconsin. Here’s an idea of what you can expect as a Fund Board Director:
* Now is an especially exciting time to be get involved with the Fund, as we’re in the midst of planning a new kind of grant making cycle—one that has not been used in Wisconsin. This new way of funding may further influence future planning for the organization.
* Board members help determine the current and future direction of the Fund.
* Board members provide financial oversight of the organization.
* Board members help raise the funds needed to make our grants each year.We are especially interested in recruiting individuals who participate in growing social justice grassroots in Wisconsin.
For more info on the Fund, please look for us at http://wcfund.org
If you or someone you know might be interested in hearing more about getting involved with Wisconsin Community Fund, please contact me directly at cindy@wcfund.org or 608-251-6834.
Thank you!
-Cindy Fesemyer, Chief Development Officer
HERE WE GO AGAIN
We started with half-way through the lease, compromised to 1/3 of the way, changed to 1/4 and now Alder Maniaci is going back to half . . . it’ll be interesting to find out if we end up in a different spot, or just recreate the wheel. And more importantly, will it make any difference in the end? Maniaci is right, it should be half-way. The downtown landlords did it before when the campus assistance center was the main advertising and they didn’t let them advertise until second semester, they can do it again. But will they?
WINTER FESTIVAL
Come to the Capitol Square | February 20-21, 2010
Winter Festival
Capitol Square, MadisonMadison Winter Festival is a weekend of winter celebration which was established in 2004 to promote fun and healthy lifestyles during winter by showcasing snow sports, festive recreational activities and opportunities to participate for everyone including individuals with mobility limitations.
Over 100 volunteers transform the Capitol Square into a winter wonderland in the heart of downtown Madison in 6 short hours on Friday night. The weekend is full of events and activities such as tubing, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, snowboarding, ice carving, snow sculpting, running, walking and biking.
Madison Winter Festival became a driving force for winter recreation in the Madison area with the collaboration of Madison Park’s Department, Madison’s public school system, after school programs and local non-profit organizations.
Learn more at: http://www.winter-fest.com/
