Tons of meetings, events and public input opportunities in our community plus a few announcements.
TICK SEASON!
The ground is thawed and ticks are now active
Warm weather has finally arrived, which means it’s time for yard work and outdoor activities. Spring is the beginning of peak tick season, and in the past few years, we have seen numbers of deer ticks in our area increase significantly. A bite from an infected deer tick can transmit Lyme disease and also other diseases, which are becoming more common.
“We’ve all been educated that a tick bite results in a bullseye rash, but not everyone gets that kind of rash, and sometimes don’t even see a tick on their body,” says Amanda Kita-Yarbro, Communicable Disease Epidemiologist for Public Health Madison & Dane County (PHMDC). “If you’re experiencing fever, rash, chills, headache, fatigue, muscle and joint aches, or swollen lymph nodes and have been spending time outdoors, it’s best to talk to your healthcare provider, even if you haven’t seen a tick on your body or a bullseye rash,” advises Kita-Yarbro. These early symptoms of Lyme disease and other tickborne diseases like anaplasmosis can occur anywhere from 3 to 30 days after a bite from an infected tick. When treated with antibiotics in the early stages of symptoms, recovery is usually rapid and complete.
PHMDC has seen an average of 135 Lyme disease cases per year over the last three years, and additionally sees about 10-15 cases of anaplasmosis each year.
For Lyme disease that is left untreated, infection can spread to joints, the heart and the nervous system. Anaplasmosis, even in healthy people, can be serious and sometimes fatal if the correct treatment is not chosen.
In addition to watching for bullseye rashes, people can look for round or oval rashes that gradually expand, reaching up to 12 inches or more.
Preventing tick bites is the best defense from getting a tickborne disease.
- Avoid wooded and brushy areas with high grass, and walk in the center of trails when hiking.
- Use repellents containing 20-30% DEET on both exposed skin and clothing, carefully following product instructions.
- Use products that contain permethrin on clothing, carefully following product instructions.
- For those looking for alternative repellents and pesticides, CDC’s website on natural tick repellents and pesticides.
- Shower or bathe as soon as possible after coming indoors.
- Tumble clothing you’ve worn on high heat in a dryer, to kill any ticks on clothing.
People may think of doing tick checks only after coming in from hikes or being in the woods, but due to the increase in ticks in our area they should now make tick checks part of their daily routine, even if they’ve been in urban areas or their own backyards. They should do a full-body tick check using a mirror before showering or bathing after they’ve been outdoors. Remember that ticks can be as small as a poppy seed or sesame seed. It’s important that ticks be removed completely, and as soon as possible.
If a tick is found on the body, it is important to distinguish if the species is associated with disease. For this reason, the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Medical Entomology department has the Wisconsin Tick ID service, a resource for tick identification. To use this service, a person can fill out and submit the online tick identification form, including details and photos of the tick. They will receive an identification of the species, which will provide valuable information about how they might respond (e.g. go to the doctor or not). The Entomology department has also launched a new tick app today, with a quick tick ID guide, information about ticks and the diseases they transmit, and the ability to report daily tick encounters so that the department can develop better strategies to prevent tick bites and keep people healthier.
Dogs are very susceptible to tick bites and the diseases they cause. Prevention is the best defense for them as well. Tick preventive products should be used on dogs regularly and tick checks should be done daily. If a tick comes into the house on a dog it could bite another pet or person living in the house.
ADRC Public Hearings
The Governing Board of the ADRC of Dane County is holding public hearings to gather information from the residents of Dane County regarding the ADRC, Long Term Care and unmet needs. If you are unable to attend in person, you may submit comments to the ADRC Board in writing to ADRC@countyofdane.com by May 31, 2019.
Public Hearings May 2019
Meeting on the Essen Haus Properties
McGrath Property Group is proposing to construct a new mixed-use project called “The East End,” which will be situated on most of the properties currently owned by the Essen Haus (with the exception of the Hotel Ruby Marie). The proposed plan will create approximately 230 to 250 residential units, up to 340 covered parking stalls and 10,000 to 20,000 square feet of commercial space. McGrath proposes to demolish the four existing homes on 112-120 S. Blair Street and the buildings housing most of the Essen Haus restaurant on E. Wilson Street. Two existing buildings on E. Wilson Street (506 E. Wilson – Come Back In – and 518 E. Wilson Street) will be restored as part of this project. McGrath intends to submit their formal Land Use Application for the project to the City on May 29, 2019. Construction is projected to begin on October 1, 2019, with occupancy slated for April 1, 2021.
Thursday, April 25, 2019 – 7:00 p.m.
Madison Municipal Building, Room 215 – 210 Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard
We look forward to seeing you on the 25th.
Marsha Rummel
Alderperson, Sixth District
district6@cityofmadison.com
608-772-4555
Mike Verveer
Alderperson, Fourth District
district4@cityofmadison.com
608-576-4355
Garden & Nature Related Upcoming Events
Hometown Habitat Movie and Panel Discussion – Friday, April 26th from 6-7:45pm
2845 N Sherman Ave, Lakeview Library Meeting Room
Celebrate Earth Week with the inspiring movie Hometown Habitat. Learn how you can help plant native trees, shrubs and flowers that are critical to our native Wisconsin birds, butterflies, pollinators and other creatures. This is a free educational showing with an expert led panel discussion to help answer your questions. (Full disclosure: I will be on the panel!) Co-sponsored by Madison FUN Friends of Urban Nature Partner Groups Madison Parks, Wild Warner, Friends of Cherokee Marsh, Wild Ones and Lakeview Library. Contact paul_noeldner@hotmail.com or (608)698-0104 to reserve a seat or sign in at the door. Madison Libraries have copies of this movie for individual viewing. You can also learn more about native plants at the April 28th Bird and Nature Festival at Warner Park and meet some of the panelists!
May 4th and 5th 11 am – 3 pm OM Village Plant Sale
304 N Third St., Madison
May 4th and 5th Madison Area Permaculture Guild Tree, Shrub, Plant, and Mushroom Log Sale
10 am – 3:30 pm
5310 Winnequah Rd., Monona
Too many plants to list. However, if you want to see the list you can contact me. Hopefully books too, weather dependent!
May 4th 12 – 4 Spring ShareFest
Social Justice Center, 1202 Williamson St, Madison
Seed/plant swap table, workshops, and more! Potluck lunch at noon.
Saturday, May 11th from 10 – 2
Troy Gardens Plant Sale
502 Troy Drive
Register for the Sustainability Skill Share June 1st and 2nd: https://lowtechinstitute.org/workshops/sustainability-skill-share/
West High Electronic Waste Recycling Event
In conjunction with Goodwill of South Central Wisconsin, West Green Club is hosting one of its biannual electronic-waste recycling drives on Saturday, May 11, 2019 from 8am to 3pm in the West High School parking lot (30 Ash St, Madison, WI, 53726).
People can drop off any of the following computer-related items to be recycled in a sustainable way:
People can drop off any of the following computer-related items to be recycled in a sustainable way:
Monitors
Computers
Laptops
Hard drives (external or internal)
Keyboards
Mice
Printers
Ink and toner cartridges
Speakers
Cords and cables
Scanners
Software
At this time, we are unable to accept the following items:
TVs
Electrical appliances
Lamps
Copy/fax machines
Any monetary donations are appreciated. If you have any questions regarding accepted items for recycling or other event details, please contact us at contact.westgreenclub@gmail.
Starkweather Creek and Toxic Stormwater Runoff in Madison, WI
MEJO (Midwest Environmental Justice Organization) posted an executive summary and the full report. You might want to go check it out!
ProDane is Hiring and GMM on Wednesday
GMM Info
Progressive Dane April General Membership Meeting
Join us at 6:30 at the Social Justice Center, 1202 Williamson St.
Agenda
1) Report from Supervisor Chawla on the recommendations of the Yahara Chain of Lakes Lake Levels Task Force;
2) Possible Endorsement in Special Election for County Board District 17; and
3) Discussion with newly elected Progressive Dane elected officials on how the party can support them in implementing our platform
Hiring Info
Resume and Cover letter due May 15th at 4:00. Job description here.
Input on Madison Bus Rapid Transit
Join Us as We Plan for the Future of Public Transit in Madison
The City of Madison is exploring options for a new east-west bus rapid transit (BRT) line and we need to hear from YOU!
BRT uses modern stations, larger specialized buses, dedicated lanes where feasible, and other enhancements to provide fast and affordable service to jobs, entertainment, and schools. BRT will complement existing Metro routes and be our city’s next big step toward a more sustainable local transit system.
What: Madison East-West Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Planning Study
Public Meeting #2: Presentation and Open House
When: Tuesday, May 14, 6:00-7:30 PM (presentation at 6:15)
Where: Madison Senior Center, 330 West Mifflin Street
Why: The City of Madison invites community members to explore what BRT is and what it could mean for our future public transit system. Join us for a presentation and open house to learn more about route and station location options along the East-West BRT corridor.
This meeting is part of a broad public engagement effort that began in December 2018 to understand community needs, concerns, and priorities.
Accessibility: Everyone is encouraged to attend this community event. Spanish and sign language interpreters will be available (se proveerá de intérprete de español en esta reunion pública).
For other accommodations such as interpreters or materials in alternate formats, please contact us at least three business days prior. We ask that attendees please refrain from wearing heavily-scented products and using flash photography.
Live Stream: Watch from home or on the go at: https://media.cityofmadison.com/Mediasite/Play/c92230693a0a48fe8b1e105d6f0756a81d
More Info: Visit www.madisonbrt.com to:
- Learn more about this project and BRT in other cities.
- Sign up for project updates (Survey #2 will launch on May 1st!).
Social Media: Metro Transit: @mymetrobus
City of Madison: @cityofmadison
Project Contacts
David Trowbridge, Project Manager, City of Madison, (608) 267-1148, dtrowbridge@cityofmadison.com
Zia Brucaya, Public Engagement, Urban Assets, (608) 819-6566 x3, zia@urbanassetsconsulting.com
Help Us Spread the Word
Please consider posting the attached information at your workplace and sharing with your networks:
Community Meeting to Advocate for Better Jail Options
This is a meeting of community members interested in discussing alternatives to a new jail before the May 2 County Board Committee of the Whole on the latest jail study of various greenfield options for development.
I don’t expect any of these new options to be politically popular, which means in the next several weeks there will likely be a resolution to support the $150M project to build on the parking lot spot adjacent to the current PSB. I think we need a different plan that aligns with our priorities to reform our criminal justice system, reduce our jail population, eliminate racial disparities, and treat people with behavioral health needs in the community instead of in jail.
At this meeting, we will discuss the options before the Board and evaluate capacity for organizing to oppose the options and/or advocate for an alternative community based and accountable vision for reducing the number of people in jail, reducing racial disparities in incarceration, and enhancing community health and safety. We will discuss potential organizing goals and strategies.
Affordable Housing Action Alliance Meeting
Amount of affordable housing to be created? Amount of supportive housing to be created?
What impact can the city have about expiring use housing, such as Section 42 properties that convert to market rate housing? Is there something the city can do?
In Satya’s AHAA questionnaire answers she said “I’ll work to preserve existing affordable housing and improve its quality.” How does she plan to do that?
Another tiny house development?
From the Madison Activist Calendar
Mon. April 22nd 6:30 pm First Unitarian Society (900 Univ. Bay Dr.) What Does It Mean to be White? – presentation by Robin DiAngelo, author of the new book, White Fragility. White people in the U.S. live in a racially insular social environment. This insulation builds our expectations for racial comfort while at the same time lowering our stamina for enduring racial stress.. DiAngelo terms this lack of racial stamina “White Fragility.” This talk will provide an overview of the socialization that inculcates white fragility and provide the perspectives and skills needed for white people to build their racial stamina and develop more equitable racial practices. Please RSVP at: https://
Mon. April 22nd 7:00 pm UW-Madison, Old Red Gym (716 Langdon St.) 71 Years Without a Country – 2019 North America Nakba Tour comes to Madison! Mariam Fathalla was just 18 years old in 1948 when her 4,000 year old village was leveled and she was forced to flee Palestine along with hundreds of thousands of others to make way for the establishment of the State of Israel. For the past 71 years she has lived in crowded, makeshift refugee camps in Lebanon. Now an 89-year-old great-grandmother, she has seen five Israeli invasions of Lebanon, as well as the 1976 Tel al-Zaatar massacre that killed more than 2000 refugees. Don’t miss this extraordinary opportunity to hear Mariam’s eye-witness story and learn the true story of the event that Palestinians call the Nakba (catastrophe). She will be joined by 24-year-old Palestinian journalist and translator, Amena ElAskhar, herself the great-granddaughter of Nakba survivors. Co-sponsored by Madison-Rafah Sister City Project, UW-Madison Students for Justice in Palestine, and WUD Society and Politics. Welcomed by WORT Radio. Info? Visit the Facebook event:https://www.facebook.com/
Tues. April 23rd 4:00 pm UW-Madison, Rm. 6191 Helen C. White (600 N. Park St.) The Nation and War, Some Reflections from Israel’s History – talk with Uri Ben-Eliezer, political sociologist and chair of the department of sociology at the University of Haifa, Israel. His research interests include Israeli democracy, civil society, social movements, state-society relations, army-society relations, and peace and war. Hosted by the Havens Wright Center for Social Justice. Info? https://havenswrightcenter.
Wed. April 24th 8:00 am – 10:00 am and 11:30 am to 1:30 pm USDA Office – Madison. Women Caring for the Land – Conservation Learning Circles for Women Landowners! The goal of this two hour free workshop –offered at two different times – is to empower women to make land management decisions that lead to stronger farm enterprises while improving and sustaining the quality of natural resources. This event is for you if: You do or someday will own farmland, whether you farm it yourself or rent it out; you manage or have stake in farmland for yourself, a family trust or in a partnership; and/or you are thinking of owning or investing in farmland in the future.Hosted by the MOSES In Her Boots Project in partnership with the Women, Food and Agriculture Network (WFAN). Breakfast and lunch provided. For more info and to register, visit: https://mosesorganic.org/in-
Wed. April 24th 4:00 pm UW-Madison, Rm. 6191 Helen C. White (600 N. Park St.) The Making, Unmaking, Remaking of Israeli Militarism – talk with Uri Ben-Eliezer, political sociologist and chair of the department of sociology at the University of Haifa, Israel. His research interests include Israeli democracy, civil society, social movements, state-society relations, army-society relations, and peace and war. Hosted by the Havens Wright Center for Social Justice. Info? https://havenswrightcenter.
Wed. April 24th 6:00 pm A Room of One’s Own Bookstore (315 W. Gorham) Living and Dying on the Factory Floor – book event with author, David Ranney, professor emeritus in the College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs at the University of Illinois Chicago. His latest book describes Ranney’s work experiences between 1976 and 1982 in the factories of southeast Chicago and northwest Indiana. The author takes the reader on a walk through the heart of the South Side of Chicago, observing the noise, heavy traffic, the 24-hour restaurants and bars, the rich diversity of people on the streets at all hours of the day and night, and the smell of the highly polluted air. Ranney’s emphasis is on race and class relations, working conditions, environmental issues, and broader social issues in the 1970s that impacted the shop floor. Forty years later, the narrator returns to Chicago’s South Side to reveal what happened to the communities, buildings, and the companies that had inhabited them. Living and Dying on the Factory Floor concludes with discussions on the nature of work; racism, race, and class; the use of immigration policy for social control; and our ability to create a just society. Info? Visit the Facebook event:https://www.facebook.com/
Thurs. April 25th 6:00 pm Orient House (626 S. Park St.) Radicals & Progressives Meet & Eat! The public is welcome – join us to share your issues and projects. Info? #608-284-9082.
Thurs. April 25th 7:00 pm UW-Madison’ Library Mall (700 Block of State St.) Take Back the Night March 2019! This march up Langdon Street and ending at the State Capitol is to demand an end to sexual assault, harassment, and violence experienced on campus and in the Madison community. There needs to be a no tolerance policy. Enough is enough. As students and community members, we deserve safe streets. This is an opportunity for people to show their support for survivors. This march serves as a safe space for healing and conversation. Let’s work together to create change and put an end to the silence on violence. We encourage all of those affected to join us on taking a stance and take back the night. Speakers to be announced. Hosted by National Organization for Women – UW Madison. Info? Visit the Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/
Fri. April 26th 8:00 am Christ Presbyterian Church (944 E. Gorham) 19th Annual Faith Labor Breakfast!Keynote speaker – Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes! Come learn more about the mission and goals of Worker Justice Wisconsin. We provide breakfast, beverages, inspirational speakers and great information. For tickets, please visit:https://www.eventbrite.com/e/
Sat. April 27th 4:00 pm – 9:00 pm James Reeb Unitarian Universalist Congregation (2146 E.. Johnson) Building Unity Gathering! We will start this gathering by giving Building Unity groups a chance to share and explore opportunities for collaboration. At 6:00 pm we will join the Sustainable Saturday Night community meal followed by music by Clare Norelle and friends. Then at 7:00 pm we will hold a community discussion about Building Unity. Info? Visit the Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/
Sat. April 27th 5:00 – 8:00 pm Madison College (1701 Wright St.) Celebrate Madison Sister Cities 30 Years!For three decades, the City of Madison has been fostering friendships with communities around the world, including Arcatao (El Salvador), Freiburg (Germany), Vilnius (Lithuania), Camagüey (Cuba), Kanifing (The Gambia), Mantova (Italy), Obihiro (Japan), Tepatitlán (Mexico), and Bahir-Dar (Ethiopia).This year’s event will highlight “Our Sister Cities in the Latin-American World”; Arcatao, Camagüey and Tepatitlán, including a keynote address by Eduardo Santana-Castellon, wildlife biologist at the University of Guadalajara (PhD University of Wisconsin-Madison), entertainment by Madison Youth Choirs and Ballet Folklorico de Maria Diaz. Plus, photo displays, refreshments, and a buffet dinner featuring Latin American dishes. Our Master of Ceremonies for the event will be Wisconsin State Representative Chris Taylor, who was on a delegation to El Salvador in 2018, focused on immigration issues, and spent time in Madison’s sister city Arcatao. Tickets are $40 ($25 for students) – send checks to Madison-Kanifing Sister City Committee – P.O. Box 70817 – Madison, WI 53707 or visit:https://www.brownpapertickets.
