Energ!ze Monona Presents The First Of Six Forums On Peak Oil And Monona

Peak Oil and Monona.

Wednesday, September 21, 6:30 - 8:00

Monona Community Center, Main Hall

Refreshments will be served.

From The Natural Step Monona:
Peak Oil and Monona with Justin Bloesch, UW Madison Student (and TNSM Member!); and Bob Stoffs, Madison Gas & Electric. An overview of the Peak Oil concept and the global response to tightening oil supplies, volatile prices, climate change, and growing international tensions over oil. What would Peak Oil mean for Monona? Although competing ideas exist about the future of oil, how should we move away from fossil fuels for a more secure future? An overview of electric vehicles, and MG&E's charging stations and the initiative to study them over the next few years will be included.

For more on peak oil and to check out one of my fave books to read when I want to plunge myself into the depths of despair, check out this 

Monona's Fall Festival This Sunday At 11am, And No, There Isn't A Packer Game.

Please plan on attending this year's Monona Fall Festival (or Family Fall Festival or Fall Family Fest or whatever it is being called now) in Winnequah Park this Sunday, September 25th. The Festival will begin at 11am sharp with our annual pumpkin scavenger hunt at the Dream Park. Free pony rides, balloon creations, caricature artist, games, crafts, storytelling by Karen Wendt, Rock Williams drum show and the Banned Wagon. Local vendors will be on hand and hot dogs, caramel apples and hot apple cider will be available. Rain location? Don't even think about it, because it's not gonna rain!

Waterlife: Green Tuesdays Movie At The Monona Public Library Tomorrow/ Park And Rec Board Meeting At The Same Time- Choices, Choices...

The Natural Step Monona will be showing the movie Waterlife tomorrow night at 6:30 in the Monona Public Library as part of their Green Tuesdays film series.

From their website: Waterlife follows the epic cascade of the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean. From the icy cliffs of Lake Superior to the ornate fountains of Chicago to the sewers of Windsor, this feature-length documentary tells the story of the last huge supply (20 per cent) of fresh water on Earth.

Check out the Waterlife website here for more information about this great film!


Unfortunately I won't be able to make it on Tuesday as the Park and Recreation Board plans to meet at 6:30 in the Monona Community Center. Our agenda includes:

3. Director’s Report

A. Mark Modaff – Public Works Assistant Director
B. Jake Anderson – Parks & Recreation Director

4. Appearances
A. Jane Kuzma – Bur Oak Landscapes

5. Unfinished Business
A. Review/Discussion/Recommendation of 2012 Operating Budget for Community Center, Recreation, & Outdoor Pool Department
B. Review/Discussion/Update 2012-2013 Capital Budget for Outdoor Pool, Parks, & Community Center

6. New Business
A. Frost Woods Park Brush Clearing Information/Discussion
B. Stone Bridge Park Discussion/Master Plan Review

Under appearances, Jane Kuzma will be presenting her draft master site plan for improvements at Stone Bridge Park.

And unrelated, but while I've got your attention,  the Monona Family Fall Festival is coming up soon! Sunday, September 25 from 11am to 2pm in Winnequah Park- the festival will begin at 11am sharp with our third annual Pumpkin Hunt at the Dream Park. As always, if you are dying to volunteer a couple hours of your time, call me call me call me at 206-0062.

Don't Make Like A Tree And Leaf.

I know that it can't be possible that I am the only person in Monona who has noticed the sudden decline in Monona's tree canopy. It seems that every time I turn around another Monona park has been clear-cut. What is going on? First Oneida Park, then Birch Haven and now Frost Woods? Who is signing off on these decisions? I did a little researching and found that one of the duties of the Monona Park and Rec Board is to "serve as Monona's "tree keepers" by reviewing and making recommendations regarding tree planting, maintenance, removal, and landscaping." Hmmm, interesting. I've been on the Park and Rec Board for several years and we haven't seen any of these projects pass through for our approval. Well, this "tree keeper" is recommending that the city of Monona starts preserving our existing tree canopy in our city parks and that any more drastic tree removal plans are presented to the Board before they are carried out. One of the most wonderful things about Monona is our tree-lined streets and parks. We can't just grow these trees back in a couple of years. Let us be good stewards of our city lands and leave more than rubber mulch in our wake.