Weekly Round Up

So distracted with the elections, that I have not had time for the usual round up. Here’s a round up, non-elections related, not in the media items. Will do an all elections/news round up for this week this weekend.

TIME TO THINK ABOUT GYPSY MOTH SPRAYING ALREADY

Public Meeting Scheduled on the 2011 Gypsy Moth Suppression Program in Dane County
February 2, 2011
7:00 pm
Lyman F. Anderson Agriculture & Conservation Center
1 Fen Oak Court – Conference Room A-B
Madison, WI 53718

Dane County Parks, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, and the Dane County Tree Board will hold a public information forum about the 2011 Gypsy Moth Suppression Program in Dane County on February 2, 2011. The meeting will be held at 7:00 pm at the Lyman Anderson Agriculture and Conservation Center, 1 Fen Oak Court, Madison WI 53718. Representatives from the three agencies will provide information on the biology and life cycle of the gypsy moth and discuss gypsy moth management and control. Questions from the public will be welcomed.

The gypsy moth population is down statewide and in Dane County. However, there are still certain locations within the County that have similar or higher populations than last year. The gypsy moth can be a serious tree pest. In large populations, gypsy moths can defoliate trees and kill those that are already under stress. In addition, some people experience allergic reactions caused by contact with gypsy moth egg cases or caterpillars. The Gypsy Moth Suppression Program is intended to help reduce these effects. In mid-May to early June, a small low-flying airplane will apply Foray®, a bacterial insecticide containing Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki (Btk). Btk is a naturally occurring strain of soil bacteria that produces proteins that interact with bacteria in the digestive tracts of gypsy moth caterpillars to cause 90-95% mortality. Commonly used by organic gardeners to control pests, Btk has no apparent toxicity to people, animals, or insects other than caterpillars

For 2011, there are 15 proposed treatment blocks, covering approximately 917acres within Dane County. In comparison in 2010 there were 45 treatment blocks covering 2,954 acres within the county. The 2011 treatment blocks include 12 sites in the City of Madison, one in the City of Monona and two in the Town of Middleton. An overview map and details about each treatment block can be found below. Treatment Block (Spray Block) maps will also be available for viewing on the Dane County web site http://www.countyofdane.com/lwrd/parks/gypsy_moth.aspx and in early February at the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources web site: http://gypsymoth.wi.gov/.

Landowners and residents within the proposed treatment blocks have the option to request that their property or residence (as well as a 250 square foot buffer area) not be treated by writing to Darren Marsh, Parks Division, Dane County Land and Water Resources, 1 Fen Oak Court, Madison, WI 53718. Objection requests must be received in writing by February 18, 2011.

REMEMBERING GENERAL VANG PAO

You are cordially invited to the Hmong Community Tribute to General Vang Pao

Date: Saturday-Sunday, January 29-30
Time: 12 pm – 8 pm
Location: CUNA Mutual Conference Center (Round Building), 5810 Mineral Point Rd, Madison, WI 53705

Program starts 2 pm
– Individual Reflections
– Cultural Activities
– Reflection Activities: Photo, Video and Written Reflections
– Photo and Poster Display

Community Dinner: 5 pm

For more info: Peng Her: 608-628-3901

Free Ride to and from event:
Location Pick up Times
Kennedy Heights Comm. Ctr 11pm, 1pm, 4pm
Northport Comm. Ctr 11pm, 1pm, 4pm
BayView Comm Ctr 11pm, 1pm, 4pm
Madison Oriental Store 11pm, 1pm, 4pm

CITIZEN VIGIL FOR THE GREATER GOOD
What a great/goofy name.

The Democracy Campaign announced today [yesterday] that we are organizing a citizen vigil at the Capitol to keep a steady spotlight on the favors state lawmakers are doing for the rich and powerful and apply ongoing pressure on legislators and the governor to act on reforms addressing special interest ownership of our government.

The goal is to have volunteers citizens standing vigil every day the Legislature is in session. Read more about the planned action here and go here to sign up to participate.

We ask all who are interested in being part of the vigil to take three steps with us.

Step 1: Join us at the Capitol at 10 a.m. on Thursday, February 10 for an opening ceremony kicking off the vigil.

Step 2: Sign up to volunteer on as many days as possible. Our online registration system allows you to sign up for morning or afternoon slots on all days the Legislature is scheduled to be in session. We encourage you to volunteer for the entire day if possible. To do that, just register for the a.m. and p.m. time slots.

Step 3: Spread the word and recruit others to join the vigil.

TIMEBANK ANNUAL MEETING

Dane County Timebank now has 1766 members across Dane County.

Anyone who is interested is invited to come to the annual meeting, Sunday, Jan. 30 from 3-5pm, Madison Senior Center at 330 W. Mifflin, right off the square.

The annual meeting will provide information to members and non-members and will hold round table discussions seeking input on how members can be even better served. There will be roundtables on how we can do even more great work in our community. Topics include: housing, transportation, food/gardening, creativity, trades, and help at home.

Those who are interested can join before the meeting at the website or at the meeting. Membership is free. Timebank members provide one or more hours of service to other members and bank the time. They then can claim one hour or more of service from another member.

More information can be found at danecountytimebank.org or by calling the office at 663-0400.

NUESTRO MUNDO APPLICATIONS DUE SOON
Nuestro Mundo is currently seeking applicants for KG-5th grade for the 11-12 academic school year.
Limited Seats Available (spots granted through lottery, various priorities given based on attendance zone & siblings)
For information on upcoming informational meetings please visit http://nuestromundoweb.madison.k12.wi.us/

TWO-WAY VS ONE-WAY STREETS
This is a good video to watch and think about. Hmmmm . . . Johnson and Gorham?

VOLUNTEER GARDENERS NEEDED

Urban Ag Volunteer Meeting
Tuesday, February 1 6:30
Willy Street Coop Community Room

No experience required. New and experienced gardeners, mentors, activists and all others welcome. Here are just a few of the projects that need your help to succeed:

Darbo Community Garden: Darbo Community Garden grew hundreds of pounds fresh, organic produce for the Salvation Army food pantry on Darbo Drive last year. With your help, we can double or even triple that this season. Hone your gardening skills while growing food for Madison’s hungry in the heart of Darbo-Worthington.

Off the Block Salsa: Help Mentoring Positives, based in Darbo-Worthington, mentor at-risk youth as leaders in urban agriculture and small business development. Work with Madison Urban Ag Enterprises to support Off the Block Salsa and similar local food initiatives. Together, we can help at-risk teens, create a large new market for local produce and help non-profits create new revenue streams. Check out more info at <ttp://deurbanization.com/CURRENT_PROJECTS/MUAE/MUAE.html.>

Darbo-Eken Garden District: This emerging project seeks to re-invent the area around Worthington Park as a garden district. Work with the Worthington Park Neighborhood Association, permaculture activists, local landlords and homeowners to develop plans for edible landscaping, expanded community gardens, a farmers’ market and more. There’s something for everyone to help with on this project even if you have a brown thumb! A draft overview is on-line at <http://deurbanization.com/CURRENT_PROJECTS/Darbo_Eken_Garden_District/Darbo_Eken_Garden_District.html>.

And that’s only the beginning. If none of these projects works for you, there are plenty of other great volunteer opportunities city-wide. Come meet others involved in the local urban ag scene and be part of the action!

If you’d like to volunteer but can’t attend, email . If your organization would like to recruit volunteers at this meeting, come prepared with a short pitch and flyers as appropriate.

IMPORTANT NOTE: If you must drive to this meeting, avoid parking in the Coop lot. Parking is limited to shoppers only and always in short supply!

FREE FORELOSURE WORKSHOPS

FREE Workshops from 6 pm to 8 pm on the 2nd Thursday of Every Month in 2011: Help for Homeowners in Distress. First Workshop February 10th, 2011.

What: FREE Workshop for Homeowners – Workshops for Homeowners in Distress

Where: Madison College (MATC) – Truax Campus (near the airport), 3550 Anderson Street, Room 142A, Madison, (Free Parking in the Student Parking Area off Wright Street.)

When: Next Workshop – February 10, 2011, 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, (Please allow time to walk from parking to the class room.)

Reservations: Space is limited. Reservations are appreciated but not required. Please call Annie Beaman (608) 261-5677 for more information.

Cost: FREE

The problem is not over! People in Dane County continue to struggle to make ends meet. New foreclosure filings increased in December 2010. People continue to need help.

The Dane County Foreclosure Prevention Taskforce wants to make sure that homeowners have the information they need to make good decisions and get the assistance they need. We are increasing the number of workshops this year in an effort to reach more homeowners in distress. They will take place every month on the 2nd Thursday at the Madison College (formerly MATC) Truax Campus beginning February 10, 2011.

“Homeowners need information… they need to know what they can do and that help is available,” says Ellen Bernards, co-chair of the Dane County Foreclosure Prevention Taskforce. “Too many homes in Dane County are falling into foreclosure. Our website at www.daneforeclosurehelp.org provides considerable information. But it’s not enough.”

At the evening workshops homeowners will learn about the loan modification process and other foreclosure prevention options, what to expect from their lender and what the lender will expect from the homeowner, what the legal process of foreclosure entails, and how bankruptcy might help. And, we cover the timelines for foreclosure and important options even after foreclosure lawsuit is filed.

The Dane County Foreclosure Prevention Taskforce is a coalition of government agencies, non-profit service providers and other community partners working to implement a coordinated response to the foreclosure problem in Dane County through prevention, intervention, and neighborhood stabilization effort. www.daneforeclosurehelp.org

WATER WOES

The Madison Water Utility is having a sat morning water session for the east side citizen advisory panel (CAP).

Sorry for the short notice, this is last minute that we the members of the CAP want other citizens to be at
this meeting.

Can you come for two early morning hours to learn more about our water supply on the east side.
It should be very good.

JOIN US!

Saturday January 29th- 8:00am-10:00am

(a technical discussion of water demand continues from 10:00am-12:15pm)

East Madison Community Center
(by Truax Apartments)
8 Straubel Court

If some of you are unfamiliar with what a CAP is, this is a citizen advisory panel. Since well 3 and the process of slow disclosure on toxins from well 3, a public participation plan must be included with any projects that the WU is working on. Not all projects, just major ones, like this one, it is a federal grant– evaluation of our east side water supply.

Please tell anyone you know who wants to learn more about our water supply that this is happening.

TAX HELP

This year, Madison Public Library is offering free tax filing for individuals, courtesy of VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program).

VITA will be at Central Library (201 West Mifflin) every Saturday from January 29th to April 9th from 9 AM to 1 PM.

Appointments are required– call the Central Library reference desk at 266-6350 to schedule one. Appointments should last about 20 minutes.

If you are married, both spouses MUST be present at the appointment.

Please refer clients and customers who could benefit. This service is generally intended for low- to moderate-income people, but we will not be screening. They will not do business returns, and that includes income from renting a room, rental property, your own small business.

If you have questions about this service, please call 266-6350.