Images of the Wil-Mar and SASY neighborhoods during and after Snowmageddon 2012, December 19-21, 2012.
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Gallery: Snowmageddon 2012
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Let It Snow! Pizza Pit Nostalgia Returns
Famous snowstorm pizza delivery commercial producer reveals new details
During Snowmageddon 2012 last month my thoughts turned to the classic Pizza Pit commerical from 1979, which The Isthmus wrote about a few years ago, that was so low rent it became almost instantly beloved. With the recent storm in mind, the snowfall depicted in the spot is not too far from the reality we all experienced.
Maybe a day after my original post about this, Richard Zillman (he was the writer and director) wrote to me and provided some very interesting details about how the spot came together in the summer of 1979 following a record winter for snowfall. Continue reading
Small Planes Don’t Kill People
Why Otis Redding and other beloved musicians died
Otis Redding in front of his airplane. Courtesy: Zelma Redding
A few days ago was the 45th anniversary of the crash of Otis Redding’s plane in Lake Monona as it approached Truax Field in Madison on December 10, 1967. I wouldn’t be born until six years later; but sometime in my tweens, when my parents first told me of the very famous person who crashed in little ‘ol Madison, I was immediately transfixed.
At the time I devoured information about the crash, going to the Main Library to look up old microfilm (how quaint!) of the Wisconsin State Journal and The Capital Times editions from the days after the crash. Now soooo many years later as a seasoned professional pilot, I have some educated theories as to the likely cause of the crash, and a desire to battle perceptions that general aviation aircraft (often referred to as “small planes”) are dangerous.
The truth is, and the statistics bear it out, its usually pilots that kill people, not planes. Continue reading
Winter Solstice Celebration
The 10th anniversary of the Starkweather Solstice Bonfire is at dusk (4:30 pm) on Friday, Dec 21 at the Olbrich Park ball diamond.
This is the 21st event (twice a year). Volunteers are welcome. No weather postponement date. Contact John Steines is you are available to help with traffic, set up, or as a fire guard.
Winter Solstice 2009
City Gives Tips for a Green Holiday
The City of Madison Streets Division has a new section on their website where you can find tips on how to green up your holiday and save the planet. According to Recycling Coordinator George Dreckman, we generate 25 percent more waste during the holiday season.
Among the suggestions are using more china and silverware instead of serving food on paper plates and plastic cups, giving gift certificates for local events and services, or giving the gift of your time.
“Two of my favorite gifts are cloth shopping bags and rechargeable batteries,” Dreckmann said. “It will help your friends reduce waste all year round.”
You can view the website here
Thornton to Challenge Rummel in District 6
Two very active neighborhood leaders vie for Common Council seat
Current District 6 Alder Marsha Rummel will be challenged by former MNA Board President Scott Thornton in elections next spring.
According to filings with the City of Madison Clerk’s office, Former MNA Board President Scott B. Thornton will challenge Marsha Rummel for the District 6 Alder seat on the Madison Common Council next spring. Thornton resigned from the Marquette Neighborhood Association Board in July after four years as president; and while he never publicly signaled his intentions, it was rumored that the action was in part so he could run against Rummel. Continue reading
City’s Emerald Ash Borer Website Updated
The City of Madison Forestry Section has updated its Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) website. There are two new features including a direct email link to the Forestry section to report a suspected EAB sighting. The site also has a search function that will indicate if there is an ash tree planted in front of your residence or within the neighborhood.
At this time, there has been no confirmed sighing of EAB in Dane County but the City encourages residents to visit the website to keep learn more and keep up with the effort to prevent EAAB in Madison and Dane County
Visit the EAB site here
Yard Waste Sites Will Close Sunday
Saturday and part of Sunday, minus the Packer game, is all the time that is left to clean up your yard and dispose of it before spring. The City of Madison yard waste drop off sites will close for the season at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday December 2nd. The Site at 402 South Point RD will be closed permanently.
Residents with leaves and yard waste who do not get their material to the sites this weekend can still bring material to the Sites at 1501 W. Badger Rd or 4602 Sycamore AV, compost material at home or hold it until spring. Continue reading
Petition Started to Boost Eastside Public Market
City pushing ahead with Public Market plans with location up for grabs
Boosters of an east Isthmus location for the City’s Public Market hope continuing plans for Central Park will enhance its prospects of locating nearby.
The City of Madison is proceeding with plans for a Public Market, something Mayor Paul Soglin has been advocating since the summer. Former Mayor Dave Cieslewicz has also been bullish on a market, but has insisted that it be located downtown.
Public Markets are much like farmer’s markets except they are open most days of the week and are enclosed to fair degree if not entirely. Now with a City committee developing a plan backed by a $1.2 million budget, a petition created by the Eastside residents hopes to encourage the City to locate the market on the Eastside. Continue reading
Willy Kids Listserv Hopes to Connect Neighborhood Families
Neighborhood resident Melody Niwot has begun an online email listserv called Willy Kids to help connect families with young children in the neighborhood. The email group is intended to serve families with young children in the Wil-Mar and Atwood Neighborhoods, facilitating community and allowing families to share resources and information. Continue reading