Occupy Nichols November 18th?

Blast it, the Rag beat me to a post on this already. Must not have much going on on a Saturday night...

So someone left me a comment on the Occupy Nichols movement, which is apparently calling for a full-on occupation of the Nichols building on November 18th. From their website:

Occupy Nichols is a leaderless resistance movement with people of many colors, genders and political persuasions. The one thing we all have in common is that We Are The 99% that will no longer tolerate the greed and corruption of the 1%. We are using the revolutionary Arab Spring tactic to achieve our ends and encourage the use of nonviolence to maximize the safety of all participants.


Fact. Nichols School has stood at the current location since 1869. The facility and grounds have been used by the community for education for 142 years. The current building was constructed in 1935.


Fact. In October at the annual meeting of the Monona Grove School district approximately 40 citizens voted to allow the school board sell Nichols Schools.


Fact. This means that .01% gave your rights away to the school board with little or no knowledge or information about the type of deal the district will get from the 1% for the property. These 40 citizens were in large part politicians and administrators from Monona and the Monona Grove School Board.


Once again, wealth will be transferred from the 99% to the 1% - all in the name of progress and additional property taxes. This leaderless movement is asking why not a senior center, a recreation center and youth center? We want the building and grounds to be utilized for something that furthers US and not THEM.


Does this community NEED another drugstore, department store or condominium complex that is all financed with bonds from another TID? Who pays for failed TID? The 99% who assume the risk - while the 1% assume the profits. What will the 99% receive from the selling of Nichols? A large candy bar at Halloween for our children? We want more and ask our leaders to STOP the transfer of wealth.


Hmmmm, not really sure what this has to do with Arab Spring, huge transfers of wealth to the school board or large candy bars, but I, for one, can't wait to see who will show up on the 18th. And I sure hope I will still get my king-size 100 Grand bar and and my 100k in cash.

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.

A Sign Of The Times.

From http://www.channel3000.com/:

The Janesville School Board is considering options such as cutting high school athletics, closing schools and selling off land and facilities to deal with an urgent budget shortfall.


The board has to make some major cuts after already eliminating $9 million from this year's budget.

The final decision will likely come sometime next month. The most recent proposal -- cutting athletics -- came late last week from Janesville School District Superintendent Karen Schulte.

Eliminating high school athletics beginning with the winter and spring season could save the district $500,000 in the current budget year and $1 million next year with no fall sports.

Read the rest of the story here

Hope To See You At This Summer's Concerts At The Park!

The Friends of the Monona Senior Center is putting on three free family concerts at Winnequah Park this summer.



LeeDing Zeros

Monday June 27th, 7:00 p.m.

Sponsored by the Monona State Bank and the Ultimate Spa and Salon

 

New Horizons Swing Band

Monday July 18th, 7:00 p.m.

Sponsored by: Dennis and Nancy Kugle

The Banned Wagon

Monday August 8th, 7:00 p.m.

Sponsored by Vendura Solid Surfaces

 

Free concerts open to the public!

Families are encouraged to attend. Bring lawn chairs, blankets,and snacks to enjoy an evening of music.
Popcorn and drinks will be available for purchase.

Proceeds benefit the Friends of the Monona Senior Center.

Tonight 4:30 to 6:30: The Grand Opening Of The Winnequah Children's Garden!

From the Monona Elementary PTO:

Stop by the Winnequah Children's Garden today between 4:30-6:30 for the grand opening party. Watch Mayor Miller cut the red ribbon, see Whole Foods present a check for the $500 grant, enjoy snacks from Whole Foods & Taco Palace, listen to live music, sign up to volunteer, and craft with the kids. Bring lawn chairs or blankets and get comfortable in your school garden!

Pinto Stampede!

The Elusive Monona Pinto is elusive no more! The owner of this beautiful piece of wonderfulness and Monona resident, David Kawa, graciously tracked me down and took me for a spin a couple of weeks ago. He even let me drive, which further illustrates his good nature as I have been in two fender benders in the past two weeks. David bought his '78 Pinto Cruising Wagon new and has since restored it to it's original glory. Probably almost as fun as driving this car is appreciating the double-takes, thumbs-ups and out-of-the-window-cell-phone-photography that it inspires on the roadway.

David and several of his fellow Pinto enthusiasts joined the Monona Memorial Day Parade, an event that apparently made me the world's most uncool mother as I was shouting out "the Pintos are coming, the Pintos are coming!" Imagine my surprise when Dave brought over half of his fleet after the parade! One was a friend who had driven down from Canada in quite possibly the world's most perfect all-original baby blue Pinto. Not even a Matchbox car has a cleaner engine. Also over for a visit was the Cookie Man in his '78 Pinto, complete with Cookie Monster strapped into the passenger side. I felt like I was sitting in the middle of a Sesame Street episode when I was behind the wheel. And just in case you are wondering why I am hanging out in all these Pintos topless, I was wearing a strapless sundress. I love Pintos, but not quite that much!

David and his Pinto buddies left yesterday morning for the Pinto Stampede in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, where they will join up with thousands of brother and sister Pinto lovers.

 

From http://www.pintostampede.com/:

The Pinto Stampede and the Pinto Car Club of America have joined forces to coral Ford Pinto owners across America and celebrate the 40th anniversary of our beloved little pony, the Ford Pinto. The stampede starts in Denver, Colorado on Sunday May 29th, 2011 and will wrap-up in Carlisle, Pennsylvania on Thursday June 2nd, 2011. At our final stop Carlisle Events will be hosting the Carlisle Ford Nationals June 3rd, 4th & 5th, 2011 and helping to Celebrate the birth of the Pinto with a special 40th anniversary display.

Check out this awesome live stream of one owner's journey to the Stampede.

Please Join Me In Supporting Vicky Selkowe For State Assembly!

It was announced today that Governor Walker has called for a special election in the 48th Assembly District and the Primary Election will take place on July 12th. I am excited to endorse Vicky Selkowe for State Assembly and hope that you will join me in supporting her!

 

From the candidate:

Dear Neighbor,

I’m running to be your representative for the 48th District in the Wisconsin State Assembly because we need an effective, experienced champion in the legislature.

I have more than a dozen years experience standing up for Wisconsin’s families and bringing people together to get results.

I am a public interest attorney, a workers’ rights advocate, and an anti-poverty public policy expert. I am currently the Chief of Staff to an Assembly Democrat (Cory Mason from Racine) and I have a proven track record of highly effective leadership.

In these challenging times, when there is a new attack on our progressive values every day, there is far too much at stake to have a representative with a learning curve. My background and experiences mean that I will be able to hit the ground running in the Capitol.

There is too much at stake in Wisconsin to have a representative who merely cares about supporting working families, ensuring affordable health care, enhancing our public schools, fighting for workers' rights, creating good jobs, and safeguarding our natural resources: we need a state representative who has also worked on and been a leader on all of these issues. I am excited, and more than ready, to put my skills and experiences on these important issues to work for my neighbors in the 48th Assembly District.

Please contact me explore my website to learn more about my background and my positions on the issues you care about. I would be honored to earn your support.

Vicky

Monona Grove Board Of Education Meets Wednesday May 11th At 7pm.

The Monona Grove Board of Education will meet this Wednesday evening at 7pm in the GDS IMC. Our meeting will follow the MG Shareholders Forum scheduled at 5pm in the same location.

A couple of agenda items of note:
Unfinished Business

B. Discussion of Scope and Responsibilities of Standing Committees. (20 Min)

D. Discussion and Possible Approval of Dismissal of Winnequah Students June 8 Due to Building Consolidation (10 Min)

G. Update on Continuous School Improvement Process - Deb Lyons & Christa Macomber (10 Min)

XI. New Business
A. Presentation on T4K – Connie Haessly and Christa Macomber (45 Min)

G. Discussion and Possible Approval of a General Contractor for the Winnequah and Taylor Prairie Schools Remodeling Project for the Summer of 2011 (15 Min)

I. Board Member Update on White Privilege Conference - Susan Fox (5 Min)

E. Approval of Gift Donations

• Photo Lighting Equipment donated by Dr. Gary Williams for the Art Department at MGHS
•  $3,000.00 donated by the Madison English as a Second Language – Thai Project to Glacial Drumlin School
•  $3,200.00 donated by the Cottage Grove PTO to Cottage Grove School for purchase/installation of SmartBoards
• $475.10 from the Monona Elementary PTO to Winnequah School
• $3,898.00 from the Monona Elementary PTO for the purchase of SmartBoards for Winnequah School
•  $2,100.00 from the Monona Grove Education Foundation for the purchase of SmartBoards for Winnequah School
• 10 Spruce trees for Glacial Drumlin School donated by Kathy Loniello
• $3,200 donated by the Cottage Grove PTO for the purchase of SmartBoards at Taylor Prairie School

Thank you for all of these generous donations to the district and our children!

Winnequah Children's Garden Work Day This Saturday 10am to 4pm!

Know how to build a raised bed, a pumpkin trellis or a compost bin?

Garden organizers Maggie Baum and Erin Staver stake a claim.

 Organizers of the Winnequah Children's Garden will break ground this Saturday morning at 10am and can use your help! Food, drinks and good vibes will be provided for workers.

Email questions to Chris Marsh at chris.marsh4@gmail.com

And also visit http://winnequahgarden.blogspot.com/ for more information.

Also on tap is a fundraiser at Chipotle on East Washington Ave. on May 22 from 4 to 8pm.

Easter Egg Hunt Tomorrow At 10am - MY Dream Park!

Ok, I know it's a little (a lot) late, but I just couldn't pass up mentioning the annual Monona Easter Egg Hunt at the Dream Park tomorrow morning. It has been one of my most favorite things about Monona and is also a convenient excuse to post one of my favorite photos.

From the city website http://www.mymonona.com/:

The Monona Parks & Recreation Department and Monona Grove Optimist Club are proud to announce the 13th Annual Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 23rd in Winnequah Park near the M.Y. Dream Park playground. (If the weather makes it impossible to be outside, the event will be held inside at the Monona Community Center) The hunt begins at 10:00 a.m. SHARP! Don’t be late or you’ll miss all the fun. There will be candy, prizes, lots of fun, and possibly a surprise visit from the Easter Bunny. The hunting grounds will be divided into separate areas for ages 1-3 years, 4-6 years, and 7-9 years. Please come and join us for this free community event. If you have questions please call the Monona Parks and Recreation Department at 222-4167.

Monona Grove Board Of Education Meets Tonight.

The Board of Education will meet tonight at 7 pm in the District Office. The full agenda can be found here.
Some items of note:

The discussion and possible approval of renewal or nonrenewal of contract with Chartwells School Dining Services for provision of food service for 2011-2012. We have received numerous emails from our food service workers supporting the nonrenewal of Chartwells contract with the district. Business Services Director Jerrod Rossing did a suberb job of soliciting student feedback on the changes to our district's lunch program (specifically at the highschool and GDS) and Chartwell's offerings were universally panned. I haven't been a fan of the program from the start; their colloboration with local farmers seems to be limited to Sysco Foods, lunches looked unappetizing and tiny, and the "all-the-fruit-and-vegetables-you-care-to-eat" wasn't all that they had touted. Once I found out that Chartwells considered canned fruit to be a fresh fruit option, my camel's back broke. I have to say that Chartwells did a nice job of trying to address the district's concerns,  but their program is not saving the district money and not making our kids or our food service staff happy. Time to go.

Also under new business is the discussion and possible approval of a children's garden at Winnequah Elementary. Several parents, Erin Staver, Chris Marsh, Carrie Howes and Maggie Baum,  have done an absolutely stellar job of putting together a comprehensive proposal for this. Anyone who knows me or reads my blog knows that I LOVE gardening, community gardens, edible landscapes etc. etc. I'm all in and I love this proposal. I hope that we can develop a user agreement and nail down other details soon.

Old business consists of ongoing discussion and possible approval of proposed budget reductions.

In the consent agenda, I would like to thank the Monona Elementary PTO for their donation of $920.37 to Winnequah School and the GDS PTO for their donation of $1,970.00 for the development of the GDS Prairie for a sign and guest speaker.

I would also like to thank Board member Jill List for her service on the MG School Board. Tonight will be her last meeting and I wish her well! Thanks Jill!

Monona Park And Recreation Board Meets Tonight.

The Park and Rec Board will meet this evening at 6 pm in the Monona Community Center.

New business consists of:

A. 2013 Parks, Community Center, Pool Capital Plan Ranking

B. Recommendation/Award of contract for Maywood Park Pedestrian Path project

C. Review/Discussion of Public Input meeting for Parks & Open Space Plan

D. Capital Transfer Request/Recommendation of $136,000 for Firemen’s Park Shelter bathroom construction project

Monday evening was the last of two scheduled open houses for community members to check out Director Jake Anderson's proposed Parks and Open Space Plan. He did a nice job of setting up various displays of proposed changes, particularly in Winnequah Park, and solicited community input through the tried-and-true Post-It note approach. I stopped in last night at the Community Center to check things out and found a lot of good comments had been left. Stop in tonight at our meeting to offer any additional comments you may have!

The Park and Open Space Plan can be found here.

Severe Weather Spotter Classes Tuesday March 29 At GDS.

Dane County Emergency Management is offering a free class for aspiring weather watchers on Tuesday, March 29 at 6:30pm at Glacial Drumlin School. Classes usually fill up fast, so if you're interested, plan on being there 10 minutes early. For more information call 267-2542.

Green Tuesdays At The Monona Public Library: Organic Gardening With Erin Schneider

From Natural Step Monona's Green Tuesdays Film and Lecture Series:

Next Tuesday, March 29 6:30 to 8pm: Introduction to Organic Gardening with Erin Schneider

Learn how to turn your yard into an "edible ecotopia" with a presentation from Erin Schneider, co-owner of Hilltop Community Farm, LLC, and a Fellow and Facilitator with the UW Office of Human Resource Development.
On tap: how to look at garden design from a systems perspective--from the ground up--and then design our backyards and gardens in the image of an ecosystem. Schneider will emphasize site preparation and sustainable garden design for urban areas. She'll also share ways to integrate perennials into a vegetable garden, information about plant guilds and plant community functions, and more tools for creating abundance.

Possible Child Enticement Incident In Monona.

From http://www.heraldindependentonline.com/

The Monona Police Department is asking for assistance in the investigation of a possible child enticement incident that occurred at approximately 5:30 p.m. on Monday, March 14, in the area of Gateway Green and Woody Lane in the City of Monona.
Read the rest of the story here.

Dane County Wide: A Community Meeting On The Future Of Public Education.

A Community Meeting--

The Future of Public Education

& Call to Action

March 27, 3-4:30

Monona Grove High School Commons

4400 Monona Drive, Monona

How did we get here?

What do we anticipate with the Governor’s proposed budget?

Are there alternatives?

What can we do?

All are welcome to come.

Our hoped for outcomes include: increased understanding of school funding and the present challenges; alternatives to cuts in funding to public education; & formation of community advocacy groups.

Sponsored by members of the Dane County School Board Consortium and WAES (Wisconsin Alliance for Excellent Schools)

For more information please call 217 5938

School Board Candidates Schedule A Joint Listening Session Tomorrow.

Uncontested MG School Board candidates Susan Fox and Dean Bowles are co-hosting an informal listening session Saturday, March 12 from 9-11am at the Olde Town Coffee House, 218 S. Main St., Cottage Grove. They also plan on hosting a second session on Tuesday, March 15 from 5-7pm at the Monona Gardens Restaurant, 6501 Bridge Road, Monona.