Paul Soglin: Waxing America

Olbrich Gardens "Corpse Flower"

Olbrich Gardens had hundreds of additional visitors over the weekend as Son of Bucky, a titan arum, more commonly known as a corpse flower came into full bloom.

In the tropics, like the plant's native country Sumatra, the smell attracts beetles and flies which pollinate the flowers and enable them to reproduce. The Olbrich flower is an offspring of Big Bucky, which is housed in the UW Madison botany department.

According to Olbrich 's Director, Roberta Sladky the plant was in full bloom and incredibly fragrant Friday evening.  Sladky was back at Olbrich on Saturday explaining the plant and its significance to a long line of visitors who came in to see it.  Many stayed to take a look at the other beautiful plants at Olbrich, both inside and out.  If you haven't had a chance to visit the beautiful gardens lately, make sure you stop by soon.  With or without Son of Bucky, the gardens are a treasure in our city.

Walk and Roll this Weekend!

If you're looking to get some time outside this Sunday, August 30th, be sure to join in on Walk & Roll, formerly known as Ride the Drive, neighborhood edition! Walk & Roll is a neighborhood event that allows bicyclists, walkers, and skaters, alike to "walk and roll" down open streets and stop for some food and entertainment along the way at Elvehjem and Acewood Parks!

At Acewood Park Village walkers and rollers will find a bouncy house, rock climbing wall, bicycling information, a visit from Maynard G. Mallard, and tots and sandwiches from the Pots N Tots cart and tacos from Cuco's Mexican Restaurant.

Then, at Elvehjem Park Village, visitors will enjoy live music presented by Mid-West Family Broadcasting, food carts including El Coqui Puerto Rican and Toast Gili's Panini's, tours of the Elvehjem Community Gardens, and other activities provided by Madison School & Community Recreation and Girl Scouts of Wisconsin-Badgerland Council.

The event begins at 10 am and ends at 2 pm.

To view the full list of vendors and to find information on the route and road closures click on the link below:

http://www.cityofmadison.com/parks/activities/walkandroll.cfm

Enjoy the event!

The Reverend James C. Wright Human Rights Award Goes to Anthony Timmons

Congratulations to Anthony Timmons, the recipient of the 2016 Reverend James C. Wright Human Rights Award.  Mr. Timmons will be honored at the September 1 Common Council meeting.  The Wright Award is given to an individual who conducts their daily life with with dedication and compassion for civil and human rights.  It is of course, named after James C. Wright, who served as the Executive Director of the Equal Opportunities Commission from its inception in 1968 until his retirement in 1992.

Mr. Timmons holds a BBA in Accounting and MBA in Finance and is employed with the Wisconsin Department of Revenue.  Mr. Timmons generously volunteers his time and experience to ensure fiscal discipline for the betterment of organizations dedicated to children, youth and adults who are most in need in society.  Mr. Timmons has served as the Treasurer of the Madison Branch of the NAACP, Treasurer of the Wisconsin Association of Black State Employees, founding Treasurer of the Charles Hamilton Houston Institute, Inc., and Treasurer of the Capital City Lodge #2 of the Prince Hall Freemasonry.  Mr. Timmons cares about poverty alleviation, civil rights, social action, economic empowerment, human rights, social service, and political involvement.  Mr. Timmons uses his expertise as a trusted strategist and collaborator to assist organizations with advancing their visions, missions, and goals to assist the Madison community with its commitment to justice, equity, and inclusion.

Our City is a better place because of Anthony Timmons and others like him!  We are grateful for his service.

Celebrate Madison Business 2015 Meet and Greet

Thank you to the Greater Madison Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce for hosting their recent Celebrate Madison Business 2015 Meet and Greet.  It was good to see many City Alders and County Supervisors have an opportunity to talk directly to business owners and community leaders.  Special thanks to Dane County Board Chair Sharon Corrigan as well as Deb Archer of the Convention and Visitors Bureau and Zach Brandon with the Chamber.

Updraft: Brittingham Gardens Placemaking Project

Brittingham Park is making a comeback. It's taking on a life of its own. The new community garden, Operation Fresh Start's work to reclaim the shoreline from invasive species, the Disability Pride Festival, volunteer shoreline clean ups, increasing use for athletic teams, and the dramatic presence of Brittingham Boats have all made the park safer and more lively.

Together, they set the stage for Updraft, a placemaking project at the site of the community garden. Calling on the extraordinary skills of artist Mike Burns, www.mbmetalworks.com/ the project will include the creation of an open arch, artisan made benches, and an ornamental garden fence. Designed to model the possibilities of integrating public art and community gardens in urban parks, continue Brittingham Park's forward motion, and increase neighborhood cohesion, the project portrays leaves caught in an updraft, a theme suggested by park users and gardeners because they identify the garden space with wind, waves, and motion of people and bikes along the bike path.

Next week, on Wednesday, August 26, from noon- 8 PM, Brittingham Boats joins a long list of project supporters by hosting a public fundraising event for Updraft called Paddle for the Park and Ice Cream Boat Float.  Artist Mike Burns will be present from 4-7 PM to talk with people about the project, and a full-scale model will be on site. Ice cream, paddleboard relay racing, a raffle, great art, and good friends – what more could anyone want? See the flyer here!

Learn more about Updraft on Facebook at Brittingham Garden Placemaking Project:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Brittingham-Garden-Placemaking-Project/1003569556340509

Sherman Neighborhood Yard Art Project

If you have been around the Sherman Neighborhood lately you may have noticed some new yard art! The new additions are a product of the City of Madison Neighborhood Grant Program and have come to be called the Sherman Art Project. The art was created by neighborhood residents with the assistance of Alexis London, the artist, and the yard art team.

The Sherman Art Project has received positive reviews so far and has served as a way to bring neighbors together.  Projects like these demonstrate the importance of placemaking, providing an opportunity to bring residents together and build community.

The Sherman Neighborhood is holding a potluck and yard art celebration Sunday, August 23rd from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm at the Northside TownCenter to share photographs of the art being created as well as information on a self-guided walking tour of the pieces.

See some of the photographs below and access the Yard Art Map here!

Madison Metro's Hero Driver

Many of you may have heard about the Madison Metro Bus Driver, Tim Homann, who rescued a toddler from a busy street last week. Tim, a Metro bus driver of 18 years, was driving his usual route when he spotted a small toddler standing alone in the street near a parked car. Tim immediately pulled to the side and approached the toddler, asked her if he could pick her up and carried her out of the roadway, eventually locating her worried father. Had Tim not intervened, there could have been a very tragic ending to this story. People like Tim who are vigilant to their community in performing their everyday work continue to make Madison such a great place to live, work, and play.

Thank you for all that you do Tim!

See Tim in the news by clicking on the image below:

Chris Farley Day

Happy Chris Farley Day Madison!

This weekend the Farley family joined hundreds of friends and fans at the Orpheum Theatre for a screening of the documentary on comedian, and Madisonian, Chris Farley. The documentary, “I am Chris Farley”, offers a look into Chris Farley’s early years growing up in Madison and his later years as his love for laughter brought him into the entertainment industry. Following the screening, the Farley family shared many memories of Chris and looked back on his short, but iconic career. Katie Crawley of my staff was able to deliver my proclamation declaring today, August 10, 2015, Chris Farley Day in Madison.

The documentary premieres tonight at 8 pm on Spike TV, preceded by a Chris Farley marathon in honor of Chris Farley Day, both on Spike TV and in Madison!

Thank you to the Farley family and Spike TV for their gracious welcome.

Photo Credit: Frank Byrne

Help a Student Succeed!

Madison Metropolitan School District Partners are seeking AmeriCorps Members to serve in Madison Schools.

AmeriCorps Members work in the schools to help students succeed in reading and math through providing literacy and math programs.  Their impact has been consistently positive!

Back in April, I had the honor to read with several students at Chavez Elementary during the AmeriCorps Mayor's Day of Recognition for National Service.  It was an excellent opportunity to engage with some of Madison's schoolchildren and it could not have been done without the support of AmeriCorps dedicated members.

I encourage you to serve our schools and our community by applying to become an AmeriCorps Member in any of the following MMSD partnership programs:

•        Schools of Hope AmeriCorps Project – Help an elementary student improve their reading skills
•        Partners for After School Success (PASS) – Middle & High School literacy and academic support
•        Achievement Connections – High School Algebra and academic support

One of the many things that makes Madison such a special place to live, work, learn and raise a family is the commitment we make to each other.Volunteering is a great way to contribute!

Civil Rights Reboot

The City of Madison Department of Civil Rights (DCR),through their AASPIRE intern Kate Michalski, brought the majority of Madison Alders together recently to demonstrate the idea that we must all work together to fight discrimination.  The alders painted their hands and were then asked to attempt to push over a wall, first individually, and then collectively.

On their own, the wall did not budge, but as a group, it easily tipped over. The wall stands for persistent discrimination and each hand print represents a point of progress.

This exercise was first done with Alders Carter, Phair and McKinney and neighborhood residents at the Theresa Terrace Neighborhood Center to take the message of the importance of civil rights into the community and create a public service announcement to be shared with all Madisonians.

 

Aside from refocusing attention on civil rights, City of Madison DCR hopes the demonstration will help eliminate uncertainty involved in reporting discrimination to DCR investigators and remind residents that every incident reported is a step towards equality.