Prairie Hills Neighborhood Association

From PHNA President Tania Banak:

Habitat for Humanity in SW Madison

Habitat for Humanity will soon begin renovating the property at 5834 Russett Road into two owner-occupied townhomes.  You are invited to attend an informational meeting on Thurs. Sept. 24 at 6:30 pm at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church , Whitney Way & Raymond Road .  Word is that Operation Fresh Start is finalizing purchase of a property on Prairie Road and will begin renovating there as well. Please support these efforts to take back our neighborhood.

Hearings about New Central Library

The Library Board felt it was important to meet with citizens who might have questions about a new Central Library.  As a result, they will be conducting informal meetings at several branch libraries to answer questions/concerns people may have.  We welcome your attendance as well.

The meetings have been scheduled as follows:

September 21 – Hawthorne – 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.

September 22 – Lakeview – 6:45 – 7:45 p.m.

September 23 – Alicia Ashman – 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.

September 25 – Pinney – 7:00 – 8:00 p.m.

September 28 – Sequoya – 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.

Sustainable Madison : Save the Date

Please come and learn what the city is doing to make Madison ‘s community, economy and environment sustainable and voice your priorities to shape upcoming efforts that will improve and sustain our quality of life now and for generations to come.

Community Meetings:

·        October 22 at Goodman Community Center – 6-8:30pm

·        October 29 at Overture, Wisconsin Studio - 5:30-8pm

·        November 5 at Sequoya Library - 5:30-8pm

For more info, contact Jeanne Hoffman at (608) 266-4751 or jhoffman@cityofmadison.com

Free Vehicle Winterization Check for Folks 50 and Over

Fri. Sept. 25 at Firestone at West Town, 8 am – 12 noon

Call 441-7897 to make a reservation or mstamstad@rsvpdane.org

Sponsored by Southwest Madison TRIAD– A Crime Prevention and Safety Program

Strengthen Your Community by Becoming a Schools of Hope Tutor at Toki Middle School !

Tutors can make a real difference in a student’s attitude toward school.  Tutors work one-to-one with students on homework and class projects, as well as practice general study and organizational skills to promote academic success.  Extra support in math and literacy are the most frequent needs, but it is not necessary to be an expert to provide a real service.  Just knowing someone has taken an active interest in their academic performance positively affects students.

For more information or to apply, please contact Anna Weidemann (anna@chdc.us) or Ariana Hauck (ahauck@ulgm.org) at (608) 204-4763. An application can be downloaded from the Urban League website (www.ulgm.org).

UW-Madison Arboretum Earth Partnership Team Leader Training

If you are interested in getting your hands dirty while learning about native landscapes, and you enjoy working outdoors and meeting new people, consider becoming an UW Arboretum Earth Partnership Team Leader!  For more information contact Marian Farrior at 608-265-5214 or mlfarrior@wisc.edu

From PHNA President Tania Banak:

Wanted to let you know about several exciting events

occurring in the greater SW Madison neighborhoods area:

Wed. Aug. 26, 7-8:30 pm

Neighborhoods Restoring Safety Meeting

At Falk Elementary School , 6323 Woodington Way, Madison

(child care will be provided for children 2-12 to allow more residents to attend)

In June, Madison ’s Mayor called on neighborhood leaders to design responses and solutions to the many problems evident in our neighborhoods on the southwest side. Many neighborhood leaders have been working to respond to the Mayor’s call for grassroots efforts and action. This program will focus on solutions and actions regarding:

• Safety and positive behavior in public and in the school
• Safety enhancement and enforcement by city and county officials
• Housing issues

Please attend! And let your neighbors know about this meeting, too!

Sponsored by South West Alliance of Neighborhoods (SWANS)

> Click here for more information

Sat. Aug. 29, 11 am – 4 pm

United We Stand

At Elver Park

A huge all-community event designed to bring us together!

Free food! (hot dogs, hamburgers, drinks, desserts)

11 am – 2 pm Basketball tournament and Games for All Ages
Noon – 2 pm Talent Show
2 pm – 3 pm Guest Speakers
3:30 pm – 4 pm Prizes and Awards

Sponsored by churches, businesses of our community, and county efforts.

Prairie Hills neighbors – can you donate a DESSERT? If so, please let Kimberly Lawrence know what you’re bringing (957-6322)

Willing to VOLUNTEER? (cook food, serve food, organize games, greet people, etc) Please call or email Dawn Knudtson at 608-622-0887 or ddxb@tds.net

Help Us Connect With Your Neighbors!

Prairie Hills Neighborhood Association wants to keep ALL of you informed about what’s happening in our neighborhood, but to do so, we need YOUR help. Please encourage your neighbors to join the association (only $5 per year). Need a membership form? Call or email Tania at tebanak@wisc.edu or 608-278-1093

It’s hard to reach everyone UNLESS we either have an email address for you (submit yours to Tania above) or we have block captains who are willing to keep their immediate neighbors informed (willing to serve? Please let Tania know!)

“To be Aware is to be Prepared”

September 22, 2009, 8a.m.-3:00 p.m. at Blackhawk Church, Madison, WI

Come and learn how to keep you, your family and friends safe in your home and community. All ages are invited. Seniors, law enforcement, EMS, fire personnel, neighborhood associations, city/county officials, human service professionals and the general public are invited to attend.

Workshops will focus on:

• Juvenile Gangs
• Internet Safety for You and Your Children/ Grandchildren
• Hiring a Reputable Contractor
• Fire and Falls Prevention
• Scams and Frauds
• Project Lifesaver and Safe Return Projects
• Youth Peer Court
• Financial Literacy
• Financial Fraud Risks for Older Adults in Economic Hard Times
• Elder Abuse

There will be an opportunity to participate in the AARP free Car-Fit Program. Drivers are assessed in how they “fit” in their cars for safety.

There will be Exhibits, Blood Pressure Screening, and Reflex Screening.

The cost is $15.00*. The fee includes lunch, breaks, and materials. C.E.H.s are available. If you need an interpreter, translator, materials in alternate formats or other accommodations to access this program please call 441-7897, 10 working days before September 22.

*Early Bird: $12. if registering by August 15th.

For more information or to register contact: RSVP of Dane County: (608) 441-7897

If you remember, last year there was a period where no one was sure the annual Southwest Madison fireworks event would take place. Well they are definitely a go for 2009, sponsored by Woodman’s and Q106. Here are the details from the Q106 website:

Woodman’s Elver Park Fireworks

Queen Anne’s Catering will be grilling brats, hotdogs and prime rib sandwiches!

There will be tons of FREE games for the kiddies starting at 6 pm. They can jump in the bounce houses, get their hair braided, their face painted and join in on some sing-a-long songs!

Be sure to grab your spot, relax and have a good time… the fireworks start at dusk thanks to Woodman’s Food Markets!

Come on out and enjoy dinner at the park! Pizza from Papa John’s will be sold starting at 5 pm!

You no longer have to head downtown to navigate the farmers’ market crowds to buy fresh produce and local food products. Beginning June 24, the Southwest Community Farmers’ Market will bring those goodies to your neighborhood.

You will find the market in the Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ parking lot at 1501 Gilbert Road from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. every Wednesday from June 24 through October 28. (Hours during the fall will be adjusted, but those are yet to be determined.) “ORUCC has graciously agreed to host this brand new market, which reflects the members’ community spirit and support,” says Marlys Miller, planning committee member.

Market manager, Robert Pierce, also a farmer, estimates that 10 to 15 vendors will offer their fresh food products for sale during the market. “Of course, its success depends on the community supporting the vendors and buying food there,” he adds.

Wednesdays beginning June 24 through October

3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Orchard Ridge UCC Church (ORUCC) – Parking Lot, 1501 Gilbert Road

Stop by for fresh, locally grown produce direct from the farmer.

Stay for some community socializing, entertainment and much more!

(QUEST cards will be accepted)

On opening day, even Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz, Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk and Steve Hartley, MMSD School Superintendent, plan to stop by to check out the this landmark event.

At the market, a process will be implemented to accommodate people shopping with Quest vouchers. Those participants will be able to exchange their Quest funds for farmers’ market tokens, which they can then use to purchase food-stamp-approved products such as fruit, vegetables, meat, cheese and more.

“This is a community effort to make fresh fruits and vegetables and other wholesome food products available to the Southwest community,” says Lisa Veldran, planning committee member.

The planning committee has plans to feature some of the area neighborhoods’ talent and entertainment during the market. So plan to stop by to pick up something fresh and tasty, socialize with neighbors and enjoy some entertainment and community spirit.

For more information, you may contact the planning committee at mmskyumah@aol.com.