Monthly Archives: June 2013

Salvation Army Homeless Shelter May Move From Downtown

Posted on by
Reply

Sale of E. Washington Ave location pondered to fund Darbo Campus expansion

Image courtesy: Google

The Salvation Army has announced that it proposes to move it’s shelter at 635 East Washington Avenue including medical and dental services to their Darbo Campus location. The shelter houses approximately 18 families and also contains a single women’s shelter that holds 30 residents per night.

The Salvation Army, along with District 6 Alder Marsha Rummel and District 12 Alder Larry Palm, is hosting a neighborhood meeting Wednesday June 26 at 6:30 p.m. in the Salvation Army Basement Annex, 3030 Darbo Drive to present their proposal to the public including preliminary architectural drawings and site plans and to receive public comment and questions.

Continue reading →

Born To Bun

Posted on by
1

Chance encounter with two Wienermobile drivers on their first day

Oscar Mayer Hotdoggers Attadog Alex Connett (left) and Sizzlin' Stephen Hays. made an an impromptu stop by at Ella's because they were desperate to nosh.

Oscar Mayer Hotdoggers Attadog Alex Connett (left) and Sizzlin’ Stephen Hays made an impromptu stop at Ella’s because they were desperate to nosh.

If you are from Wisconsin you KNOW about the Wienermobile. If you are from Madison a Wienermobile driving by may not create tourist whiplash but it is a source of pride. Lunch this past Tuesday was quite the nostalgic day for me as I dined with a high school friend and her kids and witnessed the crossroads of Americana, the Wienermobile dropping by Ella’s Deli.

The arrival of a hot dog and bun on wheels at the very end of our lunch was not a planned event, but ironically an impromptu stop by its drivers who were desperate to nosh.

Continue reading →

Opening Set for Grampa’s

Posted on by
3

Paint and then patrons only left for new late-night pizza establishment

With the opening of Grampa’s Pizzeria only weeks away Owner and Chef Gilbert Altschul is focusing on the final details. The building, which was formerly Grandpa’s Gun Shop, has undergone quite the transformation in the past few months. Fresh drywall adorns every flat surface, newly stained cedar siding gives the building fresh pop, and an arty sculpture-like metal sign hangs above the front window which features a large flower box overflowing with fresh greenery.

The day I visited for an update, the din of construction was emanating from the restaurant, and I found Gilbert and Bar Manager Josh Swentzel in the backyard conducting an interview with a potential waitress.  Continue reading →

Lemonade Stand Evolution

Posted on by
Reply

Its not enough these days for kids to have a pitcher of lemonade and a stack of glasses to make a few bucks to spend on ice cream. The other day as part of a yard sale offering in the 900 block of Jenifer, a sub-10 year-old was hawking some original art. He was at it again today with no price cut; this art appreciates and is appreciated.

Summer Sippin’ at Old Sugar Distillery

Posted on by
Reply

How to make Wisconsin’s Cocktail: The Brandy Old Fashioned

Yesterday at the Old Sugar Distillery on Main Street the Friday after work cocktails were flowing. OSD offers a nice line-up of quality drinks to sip on a warm afternoon but we were curious about how they made Wisconsin’s Cocktail: The Brandy Old Fashioned.

The drink originated in New York City as early as 1855 and may have been named after a racing horse named “fashion”. While early recipes called for whiskey, Wisconsin folks started using Wisconsin brandy and thus the name was born.

Old Sugar Distillery bartender Chris was kind enough to walk us through how to make a proper Wisconsin Brady Old Fashioned using their in-house Brandy Station brandy made from grapes grown in Dane County.

City and Developers Complete Union Corners Agreement

Posted on by
2

Medical clinic, library branch and housing part of new development

Union Corners has been vacant for quite some time but the City sees its redevelopment as one of the crown jewels of resurrecting the Capitol East corridor. The red bricks (at right) from the French Battery Company plant will be incorporated into the new development.

Union Corners has been vacant for quite some time but the City sees its redevelopment as one of the crown jewels of resurrecting the Capitol East corridor. The red bricks (at right) from the French Battery Company plant will be incorporated into the new development.

The City of Madison and Gorman & Company of Oregon, Wisconsin have signed a Letter Of Intent to proceed with developing Union Corners. District Six Alder Marsha Rummel announced the successful negotiations with Gorman to purchase the City-owned property in an email to constituents. When completed the development will include a health clinic, Madison Library branch and 50-100 housing units.

Rummel, whose district includes the Union Corners property, will introduce a resolution approving the Union Corners Selection Committee’s recommendation of Gorman & Company as the developer and authorizing the City to execute a purchase agreement for the property in the sum of $1.  Continue reading →

Protecting Their Ladybusiness

Posted on by
Reply

Women and men rallied at the State Capitol today as the Wisconsin GOP doubled-down on social issues with the passage of Senate Bill 206. Over 20 demonstrators met at the top of State Street and made one lap around the Capitol Square before moving inside to join the Solidarity Sing-A-Long.

Inside the Capitol the Guerrilla Feminism Protest AB 227/SB206! took place in the Assembly gallery. Women were asked to appear with tape over their mouths to signify the chilling effect the legislation will have on women’s rights in the state. Activist and DJ Nick Nice posted this observation to his Facebook Page:

“Watched 3 people get arrested/kicked out for wearing tape over their mouths to protest the GOP bill that sanctions State-mandated rape”

Nice told Willy Street Blog later that soon after he left with his son the Capitol Police cleared out the entire gallery. Meanwhile, the GOP seems afraid to support their own bill in the light of day. Observers are reporting that most GOP members of the Assembly are not even on the floor during the debate. Obviously this bill, so doggedly pursued by this party, doesn’t sound as appealing once its heard out loud.

Peat-Piper Memorial Scholarships Presented

Posted on by
Reply
MNA President Michael Jacob poses with 2013 Peat-Piper Memorial Scholarship winners Huck Sachse-Hofheimer (right), and Rudy Hernandez.

MNA President Michael Jacob poses with 2013 Peat-Piper Memorial Scholarship winners Huck Sachse-Hofheimer (right), and Rudy Hernandez.

In October 1991 friends Becky Peat and Margaret “Burkie” Piper who were sophomores at Madison East High School were killed by a driver as they crossed East Washington Avenue in front of the school.

In the years following the crash the Peat-Piper Memorial Scholarship fund was set up to award $500 each year to Madison East High students.

The fund is administered by the Marquette Neighborhood Association and is funded partially through proceeds from MNA fundraisers.

This year four recipients were named, three from East and one from Shabazz City High School. Wednesday night (June 5) the awards were presented to the East students by MNA President Michael Jacob.

Continue reading →

Waterfront Festival: Rites of Summer

Posted on by
2

Weekend event kicks off summer festivals in Marquette neighborhood

20130605-111527.jpg
Last year summer started in March, this year we are not sure if its going to make the June 21 deadline. Needless to say this will not stop the summer festival season from beginning with the Marquette Neighborhood Association’s Marquette Waterfront Festival this weekend (June 8 and 9) at Yahara Place Park.

The festivities will begin early Saturday with the Dandelion Dash, a fun run with various distances, culminating in the dash involving the youngest runners making 100 yard scamper. The 5K race is open to all while there will be two heats for the Dandelion Dash; one for children 6 to 9 years old and one for children 5 and under. See after the jump why this last race can not be missed.

Continue reading →

Dance Like Noone Is Listening

Posted on by
Reply

Plan B and neighbors reach agreement to fix noise as ALRC renews license

An early graphic on the side of Plan B which has since been scraped off. If the agreement is approved by all parties a new mural will go up on this wall.

An early graphic on the side of Plan B which has since been scraped off. If the agreement is approved by all parties a new mural will go up on this wall.

In the hours before the Alcohol Licensing Review Committee was to meet to rule on the renewal of Plan B’s license, the nightclub, the Marquette Neighborhood Association and neighbors concerned by noise came to an agreement about how to address the issue collaboratively.

The agreement is independent of any ALRC action, but evolved out of the committee’s directive from last year’s separation hearing for all the parties to continue to work together. Later during the hearing, the ALRC renewed Plan B’s license.

It is unclear if the renewal was a direct result of the announced agreement but City of Madison representatives were closely involved in helping to craft the deal. The agreement is still tentative and the MNA Board will consider whether to endorse at its meeting on Thursday.  Continue reading →