The Return of the Round Up?

I’m not making any promises, but here’s a round up of Monday Tuesday news and maybe a bit from the weekend. It’s a little tough, cuz there isn’t much news left in this town, but here’s my shot at it. We’ll see if I can keep this going.

LOCAL ISSUES

NO ARTS INCUBATOR AT GARVER FEEDMILL
Despite 77% support from the public, we didn’t put our money where our mouths were. Or perhaps the support is all going to Overture? Soglin thinks its too hard to save the Garver Feed Mill. (Something in that article doesn’t make sense, Soglin couldn’t have pushed Landmarks for an up/down vote last June, sounds more like Mayor Dave)

MMSD INSURANCE TO PAY FOR LAWSUIT SETTLEMENT
Wow. Why doesn’t the city have this kind of insurance. We seem to be losing lawsuits left and right.

GREYHOUND FREAKING MOVES AGAIN!
No joke. This time, they move out of Madison, except for the Greyhound Express. Still not selling tickets, and I don’t know how people will get into Madison if they are relying on public transportation – expensive taxi’s I guess.

THE NEW UBANISTS ARE COMING! THE NEW URBANISTS ARE COMING!
We got our B cycles in place! What more could they want? Madison! But not Allied Drive or the Villager Mall.

FORMER MAYOR DAVE LIKES THE HOUSING MARKET CRASH
Wonders what a city of renters looks like. Uh, Madison’s homeownership rate . . . about 50%, far from the national average of 66%. No need to go to Paris to see what it looks like. But I bet someone he could have promised something to a company that would have paid for that if he wanted to.

STATE ISSUES

CANDIDATE FORUM FOR THOSE HOPING TO REPLACE PARISI
Not much coverage for 7 candidates, you don’t really get much of a flavor of the differences, if there are any, from this article.

SUPREME COURT RACE AND RECALLS
Kloppenberg concedes she lost, won’t pursue court remedies. Wisconsin State Journal uses this to call, once again, for judicial appointments instead of elections. 3 Republicans are challenging who circulated the petitions against them. 3 more recalls for Republicans cleared by Elections Board, recalls of Democrats delayed.

UH, JUST ASK
Red Cross takes it ball and goes home, instead of asking capitol singers to play along. Love the response, it’s a space for “everyone’. All they had to to was ask.

NOT IN THE NEWS

WILLY ST PARK PERRENIAL SALE CANCELLED/ART CART

Willy Street Park’s June 11 Plant Sale, has been cancelled. Maybe next year, for a late Spring perennials event.

Meanwhile the community park at Williamson and Brearly Streets will be home to the ART CART twice this summer: On Friday, June 24, from 9-12; and on Tuesday, July 26, 1-4 pm. The ART CART is a free art program for children 3+ and their families, sponsored by MSCR and the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art.

NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING ON BETHEL TONIGHT

MANSION HILL NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING
PROPOSED EXPANSION OF BETHEL LUTHERAN CHURCH
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 2011 – 7:00 P.M.
MADISON AREA TECHNICAL COLLEGE, ROOM D240 (2ND FLOOR)
211 N. CARROLL STREET

Bethel Lutheran Church, 312 Wisconsin Avenue, is proposing a major expansion that would add a multi-story educational, recreational and religious center atop several levels of parking. The proposed community center would be built on the site of the existing church parking lot and historic Steensland House, 315 N. Carroll Street. The proposal assumes that the 1896 house would be moved to another location yet to be determined.

I look forward to seeing you on the 1st.

For more information, please contact:
Alderperson Mike Verveer
Madison Common Council
Fourth District
Cell: (608) 576-4355
Home: (608) 255-6498
Office: (608) 266-4071
mverveer@cityofmadison.com

WORKERS’ RIGHTS TRAINING TONIGHT

Wedensday, June 1: Volunteer Worker Advocate Training. The Workers’ Rights Center will hold a training for new volunteers interested in getting involved with the WRC and assisting low wage workers fight for justice in the workplace. Wednesday, June 1 from 5:30pm-8:30pm at the Villager, 2300 S. Park Street in the Community Room. A light meal will be provided. Call 255-0376 for more info and to register.

Thank you,

Patrick Hickey
WRC Director
608-255-0376

OFF THE BLOCK IS BACK

Reprinted from the Eastside News May/June 2011

Off the Block Salsa is back — bigger and better than ever before! That’s right friends, get ready for an exciting new season of salsa and fun because Off the Block is blowing up! Started last summer by young leaders involved with Mentoring Positives, not only was Off the Block Salsa made with all local ingredients but every jar sold also provided support for MP’s critical work in Worthington Park and city-wide.

This year, OtB is poised to grow by leaps and bounds. Partnering with Drumlin Community Farm Producers’ Coop, OtB will produce and market thousands and thousands of jars of salsa this season. So, get those chips and tacos ready because you’ve all got a special treat coming once the tomatoes begin to ripen. But OtB is not only about local food and tasty snacks, the seed that was OtB has actually sprouted into a much broader initiative called Madison Urban Ag Enterprises (MUAE).

MUAE seeks to accomplish multiple, shared community goals at the same time. MUAE trains neighborhood youth to become leaders in urban agriculture and community development by making value added products with local ingredients. MUAE directly impacts hunger and joblessness in low income neighborhoods while also creating a new, growing market for local produce farmers. And, as if that’s not enough, MUAE’s products also directly benefit non-profits like MP who create new revenue through their sales.

Mentoring Positives, led by Will Green, has been based in Worthington Park for more than 7 years. “There are so many intelligent, motivated youth in this community just itching for a chance to be a part of something,” says Green. “Urban ag and local food is a hot field with many opportunities for them to find their calling.” Engaging area youth in local food production gives them real skills, practical job experience, a better diet, a healthy outdoor hobby, builds community resilience, and much, much more. What’s not to like, right?

Donations, volunteers and other forms of assistance are needed to make this project a success. Mentors, gardeners and activists of all stripes are warmly invited to pitch in and be part of the action. This year MUAE plans to train 20 youth as farmers, chefs, sales people, special event coordinators, marketing reps and every other job involved. Can you or your co-workers teach them part of what they need to know? Will you mentor one of these enterprising young interns who just needs a foot in the door?

Mentoring Positives youth chose Off the Block as their brand name for a reason. These are talented, driven young men looking to make their mark in the world and find their ticket off the block. Despite the many struggles and barriers they face everyday, they’ve got their eyes on the future and are working mightily to do something positive in the community. Will you stand shoulder to shoulder with them while we take on all the challenges ahead? Make a real difference right in your own neighborhood, this summer, get involved with MUAE and OtB! Email for more info or to join the crew!