New Orleans Take-Out Lifts Ban on Alder

Posted on March 25, 2013 by TheEastSider

Marsha Rummel allowed to eat at favorite haunt after making peace

Madison 6th District Alder Marsha A. Rummel was banned on March 9 for a City Council vote the restaurant owner did not agree with.

District 6 Alder Marsha Rummel is once again allowed to eat at New Orleans Take-Out on Fordem Avenue after being banned by its owner on March 9 due to a vote during a City Council meeting earlier this month.

The exile was over her vote to reduce Sherman Avenue to two lanes and install bike lanes in the curb lanes and a center turn lane. The City’s biking community rejoiced but the Northside Business Association was against the move saying its members will lose money.

At the time of the ban, NOTO owner John Roussos emailed Rummel and said, “You will be told to leave. If you do not comply the MPD will be called.” according to the email she shared with the Isthmus.

“I was really sad when I got the email from John Roussos, and he has subsequently unbanned me which makes me very happy. He was very concerned with the proposals for improvements to North Sherman Avenue,” Rummel told Willy Street Blog. “Honestly, every single person at the Council meeting that night voted for those improvements.”

Continue reading →

One Night at Ingersoll and Willy

Posted on March 23, 2013 by TheEastSider

Blues Artist Paul Geremia plays Mother Fool’s.

Here are a couple of shots of Willy and Ingersoll Streets on Saturday evening March 23, 2013. Above, Blues Artist Paul Geremia plays for a full crowd at Mother Fool’s Coffeehouse. Below, Roman Candle Pizzeria always seems to be a striking photographic subject both day and night. On this evening, the still night air perpetuates a lingering goodbye between two lovers.

A moment in time at Ingersoll and Willy Streets.

Risser, Taylor, and Rummel to host Listening Session

Posted on March 11, 2013 by TheEastSider

(L to R: Marsha Rummel, Fred Risser, Chris Taylor)

Representatives from state and local government will hold a listening session in the Marquette neighborhood Monday evening from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Wil-Mar Neighborhood Center, 953 Jenifer Street.

Wisconsin State Senator Fred Risser (D-Madison), Wisconsin State Represenative Chris Taylor (D-Madison) and District 6 Alder Marsha Rummel will host the session which is an open format to hear concerns on any policy matter neighbors feel are important. No advance registration is needed.

Washing Machine Sparks Fire on Baldwin Street

Posted on March 10, 2013 by TheEastSider

Smoke streams from the second floor apartment of 420 South Baldwin Street. No one was hurt in the fire which was started by a washing machine.

Six residents and their three pets are safe after a washing machine caught fire in a second floor laundry room at 420 South Baldwin Street Saturday night. Units from fire stations 1, 3 and 4 were called to the property on the corner of Baldwin and Jenifer just before 10 p.m which caused $125,000 in damage.

Smoke was observed pouring from a second-floor window on the Jenifer street side of the house but firefighters had the fire under control quickly and no flames were observed from the street level. Venting of the residence with fans began soon after as smoke from the fire could be smelled as far away as Jolly Bob’s. Continue reading →

Thornton Endorsed By Feingold for District 6 Alder

Posted on March 8, 2013 by TheEastSider

Scott Thornton

Former Wisconsin Senator Russ Feingold has endorsed Scott B. Thornton in his race for Alder of Madison’s District 6.

“I am honored to have the endorsement of one of the most progressive voices in Wisconsin,” Thornton said. “Senator Feingold knows that District 6 deserves an alderperson who works hard for the community, is an experienced leader, and will be a true progressive voice on the city council. I am that candidate and am honored by his endorsement.” said Thornton in a campaign press release.

Thornton is challenging two-time incumbent Marsha Rummel who has also announced some endorsements recently including Alder Scott Resnick. The two will participate in a candidate forum on March 25 at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church.

Heenan Shooting Report Released

Posted on March 1, 2013 by TheEastSider

Paul Heenan. Courtesy: Cress Funeral Home

A report following the Madison Police Investigation into the officer-involved shooting of Paul Heenan on South Baldwin Street on November 9, 2012 has been released. Officer Stephen Heimsness, while responding to a 911 burglary in-progress call, shot Heenan three times after they had briefly struggled.

The details of that night have been somewhat in dispute leaving some neighborhood residents uneasy about police policies and transparency. The Dane County District Attorney’s office cleared Officer Heimsness of any criminal culpability, and the police department said he did not violate any policies in the process of executing his duties. Continue reading →

Rummel and Thornton to Participate in Alder Forum

Posted on February 28, 2013 by TheEastSider

Current District 6 Alder Marsha Rummel will be challenged by former MNA Board President Scott Thornton in elections in April.

Madison Common Council District 6 Alder Marsha Rummel and her challenger, former Marquette Neighborhood Association President Scott Thronton, will participate in a candidate forum next month.

The question and answer session will be held at St. Bernard Catholic Church, 2450 Atwood Avenue, beginning at 6:30 p.m on March 25, 2013 with a reception to follow. The forum is sponsored by the Marquette, Starkweather Atwood Schenk Yahara, and Worthington Park Neighborhood Associations. Continue reading →

Nostalgia or Sizzle for Block 800

Posted on February 25, 2013 by TheEastSider

A deep read on the three proposals looking to remake the Don Miller site

The 800 Block of East Washington Avenue looking east towards Breese Stevens Field. Developers were required to consider how the stadium would tie into their site designs.

The north 800 Block of East Washington Avenue looking east towards Breese Stevens Field. The City is attempting to create an impressive gateway corridor just east of the Capitol while encouraging developments that blend sensible residential and commercial uses for area residents. Photo by: Jamie Grunniwaldt

The quest to revive the moribund Capitol East corridor has been restarted on the City-owned 800 block of East Washington Avenue as three new proposals are under consideration. The City was negotiating last year with Urban Land Interests to build mixed-use commercial and residential buildings featuring high-tech tenants but talks centering on public financing of a parking ramp broke down and the proposal was withdrawn.

The failed first attempt at developing the site was a sigh of relief to many residents of the Tenney-Lapham neighborhood, and to a certain extent those in the Marquette neighborhood, who were excited about a late (but not considered) proposal by Metcalfe’s Market for a mixed-used development including a grocer, hotel, and apartments. As the 800 North Block East Washington Avenue Committee prepares to consider submissions from T. Wall Enterprises, C.D. Smith, and Gebhardt Development one proposal is emerging as a clear favorite. Continue reading →

Community Input Sought for Wil-Mar Future

Posted on February 19, 2013 by TheEastSider

Neighborhood center to hold Open House as part of strategic planning process

Wil-Mar Neighborhood Center, 953 Jenifer Street.

The Wil-Mar Neighborhood Center is considered “a place for all people”, as emblazoned on its exterior, and is hosting the “Moving Forward” open house this Saturday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. to solicit ideas as they plan for future programming. Continue reading →

Trivia 2013: A Space Oddity is Here!

Posted on February 8, 2013 by TheEastSider

KVSC’s 50-Hour trivia marathon Friday 5 p.m. to Sunday at 7 p.m.

34th annual 50-Hour trivia marathon is based in St. Cloud, MN but teams play all over the world

WSB Twitter and Facebook followers have no doubt noticed the multitude of messages recently about Trivia 2013: A Space Oddity. For 34 years this 50 hour trivia contest has gathered together 1,500 players to challenger their minds and their teamwork. Started on the campus of St. Cloud Statue University in 1980 to combat dorm-related cabin fever; it has grown beyond central Minnesota as the internet has allowed teams to have players as far away as the Iraq and Afghanistan war zones.

Nine questions per hour are read over the air on 88.1 KVSC-FM, the SCSU student/community radio station (a high-powered version of WORT). One to three questions during the hour are open at any one time and have various point values. Unlike the larger contest in Steven’s Point, teams can call and guess as many times as they want while the question are open. The team with the most points wins mostly bragging rights and a cracked traveling Trivia Urn. Continue reading →

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