Paul Soglin: Waxing America

Mentoring Positives and Some Great Salsa!

I had a great time this week when I went to Metcalfe's Market for the unveiling of their new product Off the Block salsa. It's the culmination of a lot of hard work from Will Green and his Mentoring Positives team.This group of young men are part of a mentorship program aiming to bring positive goals to young people in Madison, and they are realizing a big dream.

Mentoring Positives aims to help young people living in low income neighborhoods build a brighter future. They're learning entrepreneurship and say they're grateful for a chance to see the fruits of their labor.

The 'Mentoring Positives' team has been working six years to create their own salsa brand, called Off the Block. Now, it's being sold in stores.

The group started from scratch, planting vegetables and working in the kitchen to create the salsa. UW Extension is helping out with production to get more cases out to local stores. They debuted the product Monday night.

Mentoring Positives and Will's work is mainly focused in the Darbo Worthington area, Alder Marsha Rummel's district, and it was great to see her supporting this effort as well. I can't tell you how impressed I was with the young men I met. They are so proud of their work, as they should be!

You can buy Off the Block at both Metcalfe's locations in Madison.

Club Today Not Tomorrow Community Forum

I recently joined Chief Koval, Alder Phair, and several other Madison Police Department representatives for Club Today Not Tomorrow’s Peacemakers program community forum at the Meadowood Community Center. The Peacemakers program, which was launched in February, 2014, is focused on creating and strengthening relationships and cooperation between residents and police officers. The community forum had a great turnout, with Madisonians of all ages engaging in conversations and asking questions of their Madison police officers. I would say that the community forum achieved its goal of fostering open and honest communication between police and residents. Events like these are increasingly important in light of recent events.

Check out Club Today Not Tomorrow’s Facebook page to learn more and see more photos from the event.

https://www.facebook.com/ClubTodayNotTomorrow

Madison Could be the Best Travel-Worthy State Capital

Attention Madisonians: Madison is in the running to be named the Best Travel-Worthy State Capital as part of USA Today’s 10 Best Readers’ Choice. Madison is facing off against nineteen other cities, including Carson City, Nevada, Juneau, Alaska, and Boise, Idaho.  The last time I checked, Carson City, Nevada was in the lead.  Really?!

Show your Madison pride and vote once a day every day through January 5^th by clicking here. The decision is in the hands of the readers and every vote counts!

 

Welcome Gloria Reyes!

I am excited to welcome Detective Gloria Reyes as the newest member of my staff. Gloria will be serving as liaison to numerous agencies including Police, Fire, Public Health, Community Services, the Department of Civil Rights, and the City Attorney’s Office beginning December 1st. She has worked as a City of Madison police officer for twelve years and will be coming out of the Special Investigations Unit.

Gloria’s involvement in and dedication to the Madison community speaks for itself. Outside of work she devotes her time to many community groups including Centro Hispano, the Dane County Chapter of the National Latino Peace Officer Association, the Wisconsin Association of Women Police, and the Boys and Girls Club. Additionally, she is co-founder of a group that works to break down barriers between the Madison police department and the Latino Community called Amigos en Azul (Friends in Blue).

Gloria is also a proud member of the Latino Professionals Association, a group that encourages professional development, empowers Latino leaders and celebrates achievements. Check out this wonderful video below from the Latino Professionals Association’s “Yo Soy” campaign event and keep an eye out for Gloria!

Congratulations to the Cardinal Bar!

Congratulations to the Cardinal Bar on their 40^th Anniversary! I celebrated last Friday as a celebrity DJ alongside Rockin’ John and Billy Feitlinger for WORT’s “Salute to the Cardinal Bar 40^th Anniversary Party”!  I enjoyed playing some of my favorites from the 60’s including Sam & Dave and Jackie Wilson. What a great time!