Prairie Hills Neighborhood Association

Hello Prairie Hills neighbors,

Keep Your Home SAFE This Holiday Season!

Don’t give thieves a chance.  Please be sure to keep your windows and doors LOCKED, even while you are home!  That includes the door to your garage.  There have been numerous break-ins in the Madison area recently where thieves have entered through an unlocked door and made off with valuables, sometimes even driving away in the victim’s car.  If you see suspicious individuals or vehicles in your neighborhood, or if you have been victimized, call 911.

Yard Waste

The City of Madison Yard Waste Sites will be open M-F 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. and until 8 p.m. on Thursday.  The sites will close for the season at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday December 5th.  Starting Monday December 6^th, the Streets Division’s regular drop off sites at 1501 W. Badger Rd and 4602 Sycamore Ave will be open winter hours M-F from 7:30 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Snow Removal, Winter Parking, and More

The City has updated its snow removal technology to make street-clearing after a snow storm more efficient.  For more information about this or about winter parking, winter recreational opportunities, etc. visit: http://www.cityofmadison.com/residents/winter/

Verona Road Construction Plans

Verona Road will be the topic at a Long Range Transportation Committee meeting on Dec 9 at 5:00 p.m., in Room LL-110 Madison Municipal Bldg.  A group of local residents have problems with the proposed road construction due to environmental/pollution concerns.  They plan to meet on Sun. Dec. 5 to decide how to address their issues at the meeting.  For more info, contact Kim Zinski (kimzinski@gmail.com) or Marla Powell  (mariapowell@mejo.us).

Cases of Norovirus in Dane County

Public Health Madison and Dane County has received sporadic reports of norovirus, an illness that comes on quickly and produces vomiting and/or, diarrhea.  It spreads very quickly from person to person, often through touching a surface contaminated with the virus, and through food that is contaminated by the infected person who prepares or serves it.  For more information about norovirus, please visit http://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/communicable/factsheets/norovirus.htm

A fact sheet on proper handwashing technique can be found at: http://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/communicable/factsheets/Handwashing.htm

Neighborhood Waterway Issues

City Engineering is looking at ways to reduce flooding at the intersection of Homestead & Pilgrim and at the end of Frisch Road by the greenway.  They play to install a rain garden in Pilgrim Park to solve the problems at Homestead & Pilgrim, and to correct the erosion occurring on the bike path.  They also plan to increase the inlet capacity by installing a larger pipe at the Frisch greenway, hopefully without impacting any trees.

Westgate DMV Moving

The Dept. of Motor Vehicle office at Westgate Mall is relocating to the 6500 block of Odana Road, effective Dec. 7.  The new location is larger, with easier access.

Newsletter from Alder Thuy (District 20)

For those of you in District 20, here is a link to Alder Thuy Pham Remmele’s fall newsletter: http://www.cityofmadison.com/council/district20/documents/1010webnewsfinal20.pdf

Save the Date:  Holiday Blood Drive

The American Red Cross will hold it’s 25^th annual holiday blood drive at the Alliant Energy Center on Thurs. Dec. 23, 2010.  For more information, contact Debbie Borman at bormannd@usa.redcross.org

Volunteer for the Salvation Army?

In these tough economic times, the need is great.  Want to help ring the Salvation Army red kettle bells?  Volunteers are needed between Nov. 19-Dec. 24 between 8 am and 8 pm at various locations.  You can volunteer at www.ringbells.org or call 250-2235 to reserve a shift.

Volunteer for RSVP

RSVP of Dane County, Inc. is recruiting seniors 55+ who are interested in making a difference in their community through volunteer service.  RSVP volunteers contribute their talents and energy working in a variety of non-profit agencies in the community.  If you are interested in volunteering, please contact info@rsvpdane.org or 238-7787.

Apply to be a Firefighter

City of Madison Fire Department is accepting applications for the position of firefighter thru December 3rd.  Applications can be downloaded here:

http://www.cityofmadison.com/employment/firefighter.cfm

Written exam is Jan. 24.  No alternate dates or times.

Operation Fresh Start

Do you know of conservation/habitat restoration projects that need to be done?  If so, visit http://www.operationfreshstart.org/program/index.php?category_id=3882 to see if the project can be worked on by young adults who are learning job skills.

Happy Holidays to all from your neighborhood!

Tania Banak, Prairie Hills Neighborhood Association president

From Tania Banak:

From PHNA president Tania Banak:

Hello Prairie Hills neighbors,

Hope you’ve had an enjoyable summer and are now ready for some cooler fall weather!

Leaf Mulch Guidelines

The city is launching a new “Leave the Leaf” program to encourage residents to reduce phosphorus runoff into the lakes and to reduce the amount of labor needed to collect leaves.  For more info, visit:  http://www.cityofmadison.com/streets/leavetheleaf/

Southwest Farmer’s Market Every Wednesday

Through October, you can still pick up fresh produce (as well as soaps, baked goods, etc) from 3-7 pm every Wednesday from the Southwest Farmer’s Market.  You’ll find the market in the parking lot of Orchard Ridge Church of Christ, at the corner of Tolman and Gilbert roads.

Graffiti Action

Noticed graffiti where you live?  This website will tell you exactly how best to handle it:  http://www.cityofmadison.com/residents/graffiti/index.cfm

West Police District Newsletter

Justine Harris is the neighborhood officer for the Hammersley/Prairie area of our neighborhood.  You can find her report at:  http://www.cityofmadison.com/police/west/newsletters/Documents/WPD201007-08.pdf

Deadline for New Smoke Alarms was Aug. 15

All homes must have new 10-year, tamper-proof smoke alarms installed on each floor of the building, in each bedroom, and within 6 feet of each door leading to a bedroom or sleeping unit.  The Fire Dept. has been awarded a grant to help install new alarms for homes with young children, elderly, disabled or low-income residents.  If you need more information, please contact the Madison Fire Department Community Education Office at 266-4709.

District 20 – Alder Thuy’s Newsletter

If you reside in District 20 (a part of our neighborhood), please take a look at Alder Thuy Pham-Remmele’s August newsletter, posted on the City of Madison website at http://www.cityofmadison.com/council/district20/documents/fall2010newsletter20.pdf

City Budget Details

The Mayor’s full 2011 capital budget is available on the City’s website: http://www.cityofmadison.com/comp/budgetindex.htm. The Council will vote on it together with the operating budget during the week of November 15.  The operating budget is scheduled to be introduced on October 5.

Public Hearing on Stormwater Budget – Sept. 22

http://www.cityofmadison.com/comptroller/documents/2001CapBud/cip53s.pdf

Downtown Plan Details

Interested in the city’s downtown plan?  There’s a public meeting on Sept. 23.  More info is available at this website:  http://www.cityofmadison.com/neighborhoods/downtownplan/

Hayrides in Madison Parks This Fall

Elver and other Madison parks are offering hayrides this October and November.  For details, visit this website:  http://www.cityofmadison.com/parks/hayrides.html

Dialogues on Homelessness

The city is sponsoring a series of dialogues on area homelessness on the second Saturday of each month.  The first session is scheduled for October 9.  For more info, contact Donna at (608) 609-8522 / dcassociated@gmail.com

Grassroots Leadership Training

The Grassroots Leadership College is committed to the idea “everyone a learner, everyone a teacher, everyone a leader.” They’ve hosted initial training workshops on community organizing, and will host a second community led forum in September or early October. Keep your eyes open for the date and place. The focus for the forum is “Funding and Collaborations.” Check out www.grassrootsleadershipcollege.org or call 441-0085 for upcoming workshops and community forums.

Tania Banak, Prairie Hills Neighborhood Association president

From PHNA president Tania Banak:

Hello Prairie Hills neighbors,

Southwest Farmer’s Market Every Wednesday

From 3-7 pm every Wednesday through October, you can pick up fresh produce (and much more!  Soaps, crafts, etc) from the Southwest Farmer’s Market.  You’ll find the market in the parking lot of Orchard Ridge Church of Christ, at the corner of Tolman and Gilbert roads.

Weigh in on Design of Madison Library

You have a say!  Please join the architects for public meetings about the Madison Public Library on Thurs. Aug. 5, 7-9 pm, at the Madison Senior Center, 330 West Mifflin.

West Police District Newsletter

The May/June West District Police Station newsletter is now available at http://www.cityofmadison.com/police/west/newsletters/

Plastics Recycling

Madison residents can now leave lids/caps on their plastic bottles and they will be recycled.  Recycling director George Dreckman says it is important to reattach the lids, because loose lids are screened out of the recycling stream and will not get recycled.  He recommends giving bottles a squeeze to eliminate air, then to reattach the lids.

October Work Day for Climate Change

Dave Spitzer (d-spitzer@tds.net) is organizing a Madison work day for global climate change on October 10, 2010 (10-10-10).  Contact him for more info, or visit www.350.org (an international organization, directed by Bill McKibben).

Tania Banak, Prairie Hills Neighborhood Association president

From PHNA president Tania Banak:

Hello Prairie Hills neighbors,

It’s time to renew your membership in the neighborhood association!

Annual dues are only $5.  These dues help pay for supplies for events such as socials, trash clean-ups, and promotional fliers about neighborhood activities.  You can renew via PayPal directly from the neighborhood’s website! http://prairiehillsna.org/join-or-renew/

We need your involvement to make our neighborhood a better place!  To refer back to this info, or to share it with your neighbors, please bookmark the Prairie Hills Neighborhood Association website (www.prairiehillsna.org).

Get Ready for the 4^th of July

Once again, PHNA will celebrate the nation’s Independence Day with a parade!  Meet at 1:00 pm at the playground in Lucy Lincoln Hiestand Park (south of Jacob’s Way, north of Raymond Road, just east of Frisch).  We will have crepe paper and balloons to decorate bikes, wagons, and strollers.  Our parade through the neighborhood will begin at about 1:30.  After the parade, we’ll enjoy popsicles and a water balloon toss.  This is a family-friendly event, and a great way to meet other neighborhood families.  Come join in, or just watch the festivities!

Share Your Ideas for Neighborhood Events

We’re always looking for ideas for neighborhood community-building events!  You can contact us at prairiehillsna@yahoo.com Special thanks Karen Deaton for organizing this year’s 4^th of July parade!

Art for Kids: from MSCR

The Madison School & Community Recreation (MSCR) is sponsoring a FREE traveling art program that provides creative, outdoor art-making experiences for children 3 and older and their families.  Pre-registration is required (608-204-3021).  The Art Cart will be at Meadowood Park on Tues. 7/13 (1:30-4:30 pm), and at Elver Park on Wed. 7/28 (5:30-8 pm).

Juvenile Gangs: What You Should Know About Them

On Wed. July 7 from 12:45-1:25 pm, SW Madison Triad is sponsoring a talk about juvenile gangs by Madison Police crime prevention/gang officers.  The talk will be held at the Lussier Community Education Center (55 S. Gammon Road).  Call 441-7897 for more info.  This is a Lussier Center Senior Meal site.  To register for lunch (seniors), call 238-7368.

Decorate Sidewalks with Neighborhood Kids

Justine Harris, neighborhood police officer for the Hammersley/Prairie area is hosting Sidewalk-Decorating events throughout the summer to keep children and adults  involved and to beautify the neighborhood.  All are welcome!  Sidewalk chalk provided.  Please join Justine:

July 12, 7 pm, Loreen & Hammersley

August 16, 7 pm, Theresa & Betty’s Lane

Cancelled in case of rain.

Neighborhood Challenge – Plant a Row for the Hungry

Community Action Coalition of South Central Wisconsin (CAC) is piloting the “Neighborhood Challenge-Plant a Row for the Hungry” to collect extra produce from home gardeners for distribution to food pantries.  For more information, contact Patty Zehl,

AmeriCorp VISTA – Food Pantry Gardens, Community Action Coalition, 608-246-4730 ext. 234, pattyz@cacscw.org or visit www.cacscw.org/food_gardens/index.htm

Want to Know About Zoning Code Rewrite, Edgewater Hotel, Train Station, etc?

Interested in city issues such as the zoning code rewrite, train station, the Edgewater hotel, etc.?  If so, please drop us an email, so we can forward you announcements about meetings as they occur.  (We don’t feel it’s appropriate to overwhelm everyone on the mailing list w. these, because not everyone is interested).

Meriter McKee Now Offers Pediatrics

Effective July 1, 2010, Meriter McKee will offer pediatric services. For more info, visit http://www.meriter.com/content/index.cfm?cm_id=368

Channel 3000 Community Web Page

Channel 3000 is launching a series of websites that are focused on communities and neighborhoods in and around Madison.  They are looking for neighborhood journalists or bloggers.  Please contact Scott Beedy at sbeedy@wisctv.com or 608-277-5229 if you’re interested in helping out.

Help Ring Salvation Army Bells in July

Volunteers are needed to help ring bells in July to raise funds for the Salvation Army.  To sign up to help between July 9-17, go to http://ringbells.org

Protect Yourself from Mosquitoes

Recent rainfall has spurred the emergence of a extra large crop of pesky mosquitoes.  The US Environmental Protection Agency has a new online tool to help pick the repellent that may work best for you: http://cfpub.epa.gov/oppref/insect/index.cfm#searchform

You can reduce outdoor mosquito presence by eliminating standing water on your property.

Clean out clogged rain gutters

Change the water in birdbaths, wading pools, and pet water dishes every three to four days,

Properly dispose of old tires http://www.cityofmadison.com/streets/pdfs/Recyclopedia2005.pdf

Make sure that items on your property (boats, pool covers, pots, bird baths, etc) do not hold water for more than 3 – 4 days.

For more information on what works and what doesn’t work to keep the mosquitoes at bay, visit the UW Integrated Mosquito Management website at: http://www.entomology.wisc.edu/mosquitosite/topicalrepel.html

Tania Banak, Prairie Hills Neighborhood Association president