This round up is the bi-weekly round up of emails and info that reaches my email inbox that I think you might be interested in. This one seems REALLY city heavy.
Occupy Madison Plant Sale Continues Today
The Occupy Madison (OM) Village Spring Plant Sale and Fundraiser will be this Saturday May 4 and Sunday May 5, both days from 11 am to 3 pm at 304 N Third St in Madison.
Try Rowing on National Learn to Row Day
National Learn to Row Day – 8 am to 12 pm, Saturday June 1, 2019 – Bernard’s Boathouse, James Madison Park, 622. E. Gorham St.
Visitors will tour historic Bernard’s Boathouse, learn a little rowing technique on land and, if conditions are right, hop in an 8-person rowing shell with experienced rowers for a spin on beautiful Lake Mendota. Children under 12 can’t go out in a shell, but are welcome for the rest of the event. Please RSVP so we can plan for the right number of people.
Mendota Rowing Club also offers Learn to Row classes for ages 14 and up, in May, June and July. (You can still sign up for May classes!) And check us out on Facebook or Instagram if you’re curious about what we’re up to. (like rowing in the snow!)
If you have any questions, please contact learntorow@mendotarowingclub.
Today: Bird and Nature Outing
Bird and nature outing – amazing amphibians with Naturalist Guide Jeff Steele
Sunday, May 5, 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm
Cherokee Marsh Conservation Park – North Unit, 6098 N Sherman Ave.
Follow N Sherman Ave north to the parking lot at the end of the gravel road.
Learn about Wisconsin’s common native frog and toad species and how to identify their calls. If we’re lucky, we may even find a tiger salamander.
Free and family friendly, no registration required, no pets. Dress appropriately for the outdoors. Bring binoculars or a camera if you have one.
If you can’t make it to this month’s outing, remember that we have a bird and nature outing at Cherokee Marsh on the first Sunday of every month, year-round, always at 1:30 pm.
These outings are sponsored by Madison Parks, Madison Audubon, and Friends of Cherokee Marsh.
Questions? Contact Paul Noeldner, paul_noeldner@hotmail.com, 608-698-0104
Friends of Cherokee Marsh http://cherokeemarsh.org
Madison Parks bird and nature outings page https://www.cityofmadison.com/
Vote: MG&E and Clean Energy
A note to one of the neighborhood list serves:
Dear Friends,
I am writing to ask you to take a very quick action to help preserve a livable future for us all.
The short version is that I am asking you to vote to urge MGE to create a plan to get our community to 100% renewable energy. You can vote here, right now: http://bit.ly/mgevote.
The slightly longer version of the story explains why your help with this vote is important to me. I have been worried about climate change caused by the burning of fossil fuels for a long time. Due to this concern, I have been working with a group of Madison Gas and Electric shareholders which has been encouraging MGE to move from burning coal to the use of renewable resources for energy production. In spite of MGE’s campaign advertising their leadership in green energy, in 2018, they were still getting 74% of their energy production from the burning of fossil fuels. This percentage is much higher than most of the utilities in Wisconsin and surrounding states.
This year our shareholders group submitted a resolution to be voted on by all shareholders, to create a plan outlining how MGE could move towards a goal of 100% renewable energy. Rather than allowing this vote to go forward, MGE chose to use new Securities and Exchange rules to block the vote. (If you’re interested, you can read more about MGE blocking our proposal here.) Since we still think it is important for MGE to hear the community’s position regarding moving to cleaner energy production as soon as possible, our shareholders group has put together the web based poll in which I am asking you to participate. Please take a few seconds to weigh in on whether or not MGE should provide a report outlining how we can get to 100% renewable energy. Again, here is the link: https://sites.google.com/view/community-vote-mge/
We will share the results with MGE and the public to show the level of community support for a sustainable future. This poll provides a great opportunity to act locally on an important global issue. Please share this email with others. Our goal is to get at least 2000 people to participate before the end of the month.
Supervisor Buckingham, County Executive Parisi Town Hall
Join Dane County Executive Joe Parisi and Supervisor Tanya Buckingham for a town hall meeting from 6-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 14, at the Monona Public Library.
The meeting is an opportunity to ask questions and learn more about lake level actions, energy and sustainability efforts, neighborhood engagement and other current events.
Contact Buckingham with questions at 237-6712, or buckingham.tanya@countyofdane.com.
Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Meeting and Survey
Join us for BRT Public Meeting #2 on Tuesday, May 14, 6:00-7:30 PMat the Madison Senior Center (330 West Mifflin Street). There will be a presentation and open house focused on route and station location options for the East-West BRT.
The second survey for Madison BRT is now open.
Please click the link to answer five short questions and let us know your priorities for BRT in Madison.
From the Madison Activist Calendar
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.
Mon. May 6th 6:00 pm Social Justice Center (1202 Williamson St.) Introduction to Community Rights – with Community Rights Director, Paul Cienfuegos! How to say no to dangerous pesticides, how to bring legal power home, how to say no to factory farms! $20 suggested donation, but everyone is welcome.
Mon. May 6th 6:30 pm Wilmar Neighborhood Center (953 Jenifer St.) Monthly meeting of the Madison General Membership Branch of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW). Find out how you can dump the boss off your back! Info? https://www.facebook.com/
Tues. May 7th 7:00 pm First Unitarian Society (900 Univ. Bay Dr.) VIP in Haiti – with Louis Tenoir Guerrier, education coordinator for Ventures in People (VIP), a non-profit based in West Bend WI, with projects in Mirebalais, Haiti. Come learn about how VIP is “Helping Haitians Help Themselves” in this impoverished country through education, 4-H, and water filtration programs. Info? www.viphaiti.org
Thurs. May 9th 6:00 pm Madison Central Library, 3rd Fl. (201 W. Mifflin) Screening of the documentary “13th” followed by discussion! As part of our implementation of the recommendations of the Task Force on Equity in Music and Entertainment, the Madison Arts Commission and Department of Civil Rights invite you to watch Ava DuVernay’s full-length film about the intersection of race, justice, and mass incarceration in the United States. Dr. Karen Reece, President of Urban Community Arts Network and former Chair of the Task Force on Equity in Music and Entertainment, will then moderate a discussion with panelists: Dr. Yorel Lashley, founder and president of Drum Power; Rob Dz, Media Projects Bubblerarian for the Madison Public Library; and Gloria Reyes, member of the Madison School Board, former police officer and former Deputy Mayor for the City of Madison. Hmong, Spanish and ASL interpreters will be provided.
Thurs. May 9th 6:30 pm Madison Central Library, Rm. 104 (201 W. Mifflin) Trump & Russia: the Untold Story – presented by Scott Benike, organic farmer, artist, and scholar-activist. Hosted by the Peregrine Forum. Info? #608-284-9082.
Sauk Creek Greenway Restoration 2020
Due to the flooding that occurred on the west side of the city in the past few years, City Engineering has begun a series of Watershed Studies, including one encompassing the Sauk Creek Greenway. The Madison Pheasant Branch Watershed Study involves creating a stormwater model of the Madison Pheasant Branch watershed to quantify flooding risk and prioritize flooding solutions. The Study will help guide the design of the Sauk Creek Greenway Restoration project and ensure that the project improves overall flood resilience within the watershed. Read more here.
Bike Path Closure
The Southwest Path from Breese Terrace to Commonwealth Ave will be closed from May 6-10 between 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM each day for MG&E to work on the power poles. A marked detour will be in place during the closure. Most of the detour will be on residential streets. However, the eastbound detour will use a section of Regent St and the westbound detour will use a section of Monroe St. On those sections a travel lane will be marked exclusively for bicyclist use.
Property Tax Assessment Presentation
From Alder Arvina Martin’s blog
Please join us for a presentation on property assessment in Madison, by City Assessor Michelle Drea on Tuesday, May 7 from 6PM-8PM at Covenant Presbyterian Church.
Property Assessment In Madison: Understanding the Taxation Puzzle and Finding Your Voice
Topics discussed include –
- Assessor’s Office Duties
- Property Assessment 101
- Law Changes and Challenges
- Impact to Taxes: Shifts to the Tax Burden
Tuesday, May 7 6-8PM, Covenant Presbyterian Church, 326 S Segoe Rd, Madison, WI 53705
Goodman Pool Scholarships Available
Goodman Pool is a place for everyone. Thanks to the generous donations of the Madison Parks Foundation and the Irwin A. and Robert D. Goodman Foundation, we are pleased to offer scholarships for general pool admission, lessons, lifeguard certifications, and the Waves Swim and Dive Team.
With a scheduled opening coinciding with the Madison Metropolitan School District calendar, summer fun at the pool begins at 12:00pm on Thursday, June 13. Scholarship money is available to families with youth aged 18 years and younger, who are a resident of the city or town of Madison or enrolled in the Madison Metropolitan School District.
The Irwin A. and Robert D. Goodman Pool offers lessons for swimmers of all ages and abilities, taught by certified staff. Classes include parent/child, pre-school, levels 1-5, and adult beginner. See class descriptions and register online.
The Goodman Waves is a fun and competitive swim and dive team, training 5 times per week with weekly meets typically on Saturday mornings. Their hard work culminates at the end of the season in the All-City Swim Meet.
Applicants may register for a scholarship online or by submitting a printed application. Swimming lesson and the Goodman Waves Swim & Dive Team registration is also available online.
The Goodman Pool is located at 325 W. Olin Ave. More information: www.cityofmadison.com/parks/pool/
Final Yard Waste Collection Round Begin May 6
The final round of spring yard waste collection will begin on Monday, May 6, 2019.
Upon the completion of this collection round, curbside yard waste pickup will end for the season and crews will be assigned to other duties. Curbside yard waste pickup will return in the fall. The start date of the fall collection period is weather dependent and will be announced when that date is known.
Residents who wish to utilize the curbside collection of yard waste should go to the yard waste website (www.cityofmadison.com/yardwaste) and click on the Pickup Schedule button to learn when to place material to the curb for their final pickup round for the spring.
Once of the Pickup Schedule map, if a neighborhood is shaded green for “Pickup Pending” residents in those areas should place yard waste to the curb because collection crews will be there soon. And when the maps shows a neighborhood marked “Season Over,” residents in those neighborhoods should not place yard waste to the curb again until the collection service resumes in the fall.
The Pickup Schedule map is updated daily during the collection rounds. Residents who wish to have curbside yard waste collection are encouraged to check the map regularly so they do not miss their final spring collection opportunity.
City of Madison residents can also use the Streets Division drop-off sites for yard waste. The drop-off sites for yard waste are located at 1501 W. Badger Rd., 4602 Sycamore Ave., and 402 South Point Rd. They are open 8:30am to 4:30pm on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. And they are open 8:30am to 8:00pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays. These hours will remain in effect until December 8, 2019. Additional information on restrictions and material accepted at the drop-off sites can be found on the Streets Division’s website.
Additional information about yard waste is available on the Streets Division yard waste website, www.cityofmadison.com/yardwaste. On this website you can find the rules and regulations for yard waste collection plus there is a short video that explains how yard waste should be placed for pickup. Residents can also call the yard waste collection hotline at 608-267-2088 to learn collection time estimates. The hotline recording is updated weekly.
Participants Sought for Transportation Study
Volunteers are being sought for a study of the public transportation system in Dane County. UW–Madison employees representing all shifts, including second and third shift, are encouraged to volunteer. Participants who are selected will be interviewed about their experiences with public transportation and will receive $40 for their time. The goal of the study is to increase access and equity in the public transportation system. Interviews can be conducted in English or Spanish. Interviews will not take place during work hours. To be considered, complete an interest form (available in English and Spanish) at tinyurl.com/businterview. You can also call, text, or leave a message at 608-571-7725.
The Tree Butchers Are Coming
From Linday Lemmer’s Alder Blog:
Madison Gas and Electric (MG&E) will soon be contacting residents in our district regarding tree pruning. They will be pruning trees near powerlines to minimize tree-related storm damage and electrical outages.
MG&E is required to apply for a permit to prune City owned trees. They will be submitting their annual tree pruning plan and request for permit to the Habitat Stewardship Subcommittee at their May 15 meeting. Residents who have concerns about their plan are encouraged to attend the meeting:
Habitat Stewardship Subcommittee
Wednesday, May 15, 4:30 pm
Goodman Maintenance Facility, Room 103
1402 Wingra Creek Parkway
Madison, WI 53715
More information can be found here: https://www.mge.com/environment/trees-landscape/tree-pruning.htm
Sneak Peek at the Public Market
The City of Madison invites the public to attend an open house to see the building that will become the future Madison Public Market, give input on the future designs and get a taste of the future market experience.
The open house is scheduled for 5-7 p.m., May 8, 200 N. First Street, Madison. During the open house, the public will have opportunities to share feedback on updated designs for the Madison Public Market, sample food, meet future vendors and see the building. This is the first time the public will be able to step foot in the building, confirmed as the future home of the market.
The public will get to engage in design topics such as: design principles and priorities, site plan, floor plan, vendor layout, market kitchen, event space and sustainability features.
The vision
The Madison Public Market will be a year-round, inclusive and welcoming community destination. It will feature a diverse group of entrepreneurs. The market will also offer fresh produce from local farmers, culturally diverse prepared food, locally-made food products, and handcrafted arts and crafts.
The vendors
In all, there will be 35-45 permanent merchants in the market. There will also be a rotating mix of temporary and pop-up vendors. There will be vendors from both startup and established business perspectives. Some of the Public Market’s vendors will be graduates of the City’s MarketReady Program, which provides training, supportive services and micro-grants for a diverse group of entrepreneurs trying to launch businesses in the Madison Public Market.
List of vendors planning to participate on May 8 event:
Artesan Fruit
Bohobauble
Caracas Empanadas
Ember Foods
Café Social
Grasshopper Goods
Just Coffee
Madre Yerba
Savvy Pet Foods
QB’s Magnetic Creations
Melly Mels
Landmark Creamery
Perfect Imperfections
Madame Chu Delicasies
SuperCharge! Foods
Ugly Apple
Youa Lor
Michelle Quigley
The building
The Madison Public Market will be located at 200 N. First Street in Madison, which is currently a building that houses city fleet vehicles, known as Fleet Services. The building was originally constructed in 1953. The market will sit on an approximately 3.5-acre piece of city-owned land. The City will vacate the Fleet Services Garage on First Street in 2020. Fleet Services will relocate to a new facility at 4141 Nakoosa Trail. The Madison Public Market is expected to be approximately 43,000 square feet.
The budget
The Madison Public Market is a $13 million project. The City of Madison has included $7.5 million in the City’s Capital Budget. The Madison Public Market Foundation launched a campaign to raise $4 million for the project. Of the $4 million, $2.5 million will go to the building project, and $1.5 million will be used for future market operations. The $1.5 million was not included in the City’s Capital Budget. The Market anticipates receiving equity through the tax credit program of $3 million (20 percent of total project costs). State and federal grants and tax increment financing may also support a part of project costs.
The City of Madison will maintain ownership of the building. The Madison Public Market Foundation, an independent non-profit organization, will manage and operate the facility.
The timeline
- May 8, 2019: Open house for public to share feedback on designs, experience vendors
- Fall 2019: Design complete
- Summer 2020: Construction bidding
- Fall 2020: Fleet Services moves to new facility at 4141 Nakoosa Trail
- Fall 2020: Ground breaking for Madison Public Market
- Fall 2021: Madison Public Market opens, scheduled completion
Please follow the progress of the Madison Public Market at the following resources:
https://marketreadymadison.org/
http://madisonpublicmarket.org/
http://madisonpublicmarket.org/connect/
https://www.facebook.com/events/855579251501316/
Online RSVP appreciated, not required for May 8 event: https://secure.lglforms.com/form_engine/s/7uOFdM2EL_TyN1kQA2O1ig?t=1555535939
Parking information for event
For anyone attending the open house, the City would like attendees to expect slower moving than normal traffic patterns around the area, and to be mindful of road construction underway on East Johnson and N First Street, which is near the Fleet Services building. The building is located at 200 N First Street, Madison, WI 53703. The City has designated parking for attendees in the Fleet building’s back lot, and overflow parking at Burr Jones Park. The event entrance is located on the side of the building that faces North First Street. There are also accessible parking options. Click the image on the right for a parking map for the event day.
Road Construction Updates
- Buckeye Rd
- Darwin Rd
- Groveland Terrace
- Blackhawk Ave., N – Bruce Ct – Heather Crest Resurfacing
- Bryan St., Daley Dr., James St., Thorp St. Reconstruction
- Reetz Rd and Altem Circle
- Winnebago St – Linden Ave Reconstruction
- Sunset Village
- Williamson and E Wilson St.
- Haywood Drive
- Shepard Ter, Chamberlain Ave, Van Hise Ave and Mason St Resurfacing
- County Highway M – Prairie Hill to Cross Country
Madison Metro Detours
Current Detours
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Routes 2, 4, 5, 6, 7 & 8 NEW
Buses detour from the State St. corner of the Square for the Farmers’ Market.
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Stop #0068 Closed NEW
Stop closed for student move-out
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Stop # 0256 Closed NEW
Stop #0256 on Mills at University is closed for construction.
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Routes 4 & 10 NEW
Winnebago St. is closed between First and Sixth St.
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Route 71
Buses do not serve University Ave. between Park and Parmenter streets.
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Stop Closures for E. Johnson St. Construction
Various stops are closed or relocated due to the E. Johnson St. construction.
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Route 56
Reetz Rd. closed
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Route 80
Dayton St. closed between Charter and Lake St.
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Stop #1480 Closed
Stop #1480 on Williamson at Blount St. is closed.
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Routes 27 & 44
Northbound Mills St. is closed.
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Stop #0234 Closed
Stop #0234 on University Ave. at Mills St. is closed.
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Stop #0670 Closed
Stop #0670 on University Ave. at Lake St. is closed.
Upcoming Detours
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Routes 1, 11 & 19
Buses detour from MLK Jr. Blvd. for the Wednesday Farmers’ Market.
In effect: Wednesday, May 8, 2019 start of service – 2:00 pm -
Stop #0506 Closed
Route 82 detours from State St. for Madison Night Market event.
In effect: Thursday, May 9, 2019 6:30 pm – end of service -
Weekday Capitol Loop Detour
All buses will not serve the Capitol Square.
In effect: Friday, May 10, 2019 11:30 am – 1:00 pm
