To learn more about the area that eventually became the Lake Edge neighborhood, you will want to read about Blooming Grove. Here's an article from the Monona newspaper "The Herald-Indpendent", providing the history of the Blooming Grove Town Hall. The current one sits on the eastern edge of the Lake Edge neighborhood,  on the Stoughton Road frontage road, just off of Allis Street.

The article can be found here.

Madison Food Policy Council Announces 2018 SEED Grants Cycle
http://www.cityofmadison.com/mayor/news/madison-food-policy-council-announces-2018-seed-grants-cycle
Deadline: Monday, February 26, 2018 by 4:30pm
 
The City of Madison Food Policy Council announces the 2018 SEED Grants cycle to address food access issues in our community. SEED Grants are small grants designed to support new and recently emerging projects or programs that support access to healthy food in our community. The Madison Food Policy Council is encouraging any organization, group, or agency that is devoted to making food more accessible to City of Madison residents to apply. Any proposal that improves the local food system will be considered. The maximum of any one grant will be limited to $10,000. A total of $50,000 is available in this grant cycle. Potential applicants are strongly encouraged to attend a pre-submittal information meeting on Wednesday, January 31, 2017 at 6:00pm at the Meadowridge Library – Community Room B (located at 5740 Raymond Rd., Madison, WI 53711. For more info contact: George Reistad, Food Policy Coordinator, at greistad@cityofmadison.com or call 608-266-4611.
 
2018 Emerging Opportunities Program
http://www.cityofmadison.com/dpced/communitydevelopment/funding/2018-emerging-opportunities-program/152/
Deadline: March 5, 2018 at noon
 
The Emerging Opportunities Program (EOP) was established to support new and promising projects and activities that are developed with the benefit of relevant resident engagement to address emerging opportunities or unanticipated needs. Importantly, the EOP should not be viewed as a source of funds, beyond a year or two, for ongoing program or organizational costs.
 
The City of Madison is seeking proposals that address issues of poverty and inequality. The EOP’s intent is to support efforts in areas that fall under the purview of the City of Madison’s Community Development Division (CDD), for example:
• Access to affordable quality services and activities for children, youth, adults, seniors and families
• Employment training and support
• Community engagement and capacity building
• Access to affordable housing and services that address homelessness
• Economic development and job creation
• Organizational capacity building for agencies working in the above areas
 
While proposals in all the above areas will be considered, we have particular interest this year in proposals that will support positive youth engagement and leadership development and respond to needs of youth facing multiple barriers to academic success. We also welcome proposals that require one-time expenditures designed to build organizational capacity in organizations operating in the areas identified above in order to better serve residents and communities.  For more info contact: Nancy Saiz, Community Development Department, nsaiz@cityof 608-266-6520
 
Madison Arts Commission Annual Arts Grants
http://www.cityofmadison.com/dpced/planning/grant-programs-and-direct-purchases/1615/
Deadline March 15, 2018 - Grant Writing Assistance Available
 
The City of Madison distributes funds to Madison artists and non-profit organizations through the Madison Arts Commission's annual grant programs. Project Grants provide up to $3,000 for performances, exhibitions, or events that enrich the cultural lives of Madison citizens. Arts Education Grants provide up to $3,000 for extracurricular arts-based educational programming, Legacy Grants provide up to $1,500 for organizations that provide consistent, quality events, and programs year after year; and Individual Artist Fellowships provide up to $1,500 to help support artists to create and share original work.

Attend a MAC Grant Writing Workshop. There is no cost for this one-hour workshop intended to give you a brief introduction to MAC’s grants process (workshop does not cover the BLINK program:  Monday, February 5, 2018 at 6:30 - 7:30 PM, Madison Central Library, 201 W. Mifflin Street or Friday, February 9, 2018 at Noon - 1:00 PM, Madison Central Library, 201 W. Mifflin Street
Arts Grants Workshop Space is limited. Pre-registration is required. Register here:
https://www.cityofmadison.com/isevents/event_detail.cfm?eid=1959

MAC also offers volunteer one-on-one assistance with the applications in free clinics held at the Madison Central Library, 201 W. Mifflin & by appointment. Drop in to ask questions about MAC Grants and receive personal assistance: Thursday, March 8, 2018 5:30 - 7:30 PM (drop in, no registration required) and Saturday, March 10, 2018 from 11 AM - 1 PM (drop in, no registration required). Fifteen-minute, one-on-one sessions are available by appointment email: MadisonArts@cityofmadison.com. Contact Karin Wolf, 608.261.9134, kwolf@cityofmadison.com for more info.
 
Final Call for Future Land Use Map Comments (as part of the Comprehensive Plan Update)
https://imaginemadisonwi.com/
Deadline: March 2, 2018 (Noon)
 
A key component of the City of Madison’s Comprehensive Plan Update is updating the Generalized Future Land Use (FLU) Map.  As the City grows, this map provides guidance on future land use in our built up and yet to be developed areas. The Plan Commission reviewed community comments received on the April 2017 Draft FLU map and based on their direction an updated version has been created. This is your opportunity to provide comments on the updated version before it goes to the Plan Commission for final adoption.
 
We are asking you for comments (deadline March 2 @ noon) on the February 2018 version of the Future Land Use Map. All of the info is in easy to read map form:  1) Take a look at the Updated 2018 Draft Land Use Map (this map provides a city wide view and highlights areas that been recommended for land use changes since 2006) and 2) review the side by side comparison mapFLU Map FAQs. For more info contact Ben Zellers, City of Madison Planning Division at where you can compare the February 2018 Draft of the map with the 2006 Comprehensive Plan FLU Map.  We’ve also updated our bzellers@cityofmadison.com, 608.266.4866.
 
 
CDD Funding Opportunity: Madison's Northside- A Safe and Thriving Community
http://www.cityofmadison.com/dpced/communitydevelopment/funding/madisons-northside-a-safe-and-thriving-community/532/
Deadline: March 29, 2018 at 12:00 pm CST (Noon)
 
The City of Madison was awarded a grant titled Madison’s Northside: Safe and Thriving Communities through the  Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) to support and enhance efforts to further the prevention and response to youth exposure to victimization and violence, especially gun and gang violence, through comprehensive approaches to violence prevention and the promotion of youth well-being.
The action plan that forms the basis of this funding opportunity was informed by an extensive analysis of community assets and needs, and a robust planning process with Northside residents and stakeholders. This grant will support programs and projects in the following areas:
 

1. Provide summer youth employment services on Madison’s Northside, that engage Northside youth with the community while developing their employment skills with a priority on serving youth involved in the juvenile justice system;

 

1. Create a youth leadership group to develop a Peace Project or Non-Violence Club that is led by and for Northside youth with a priority on recruiting youth involved in the juvenile justice system;

 

1. Create or expand pro-social activities and programs that provide Northside youth with opportunities to enhance positive youth development, and encourage cross-generational engagement with families and the Northside community; and

 

1. Form a Northside Youth Employer Coalition to share resources and sponsor trainings for businesses currently employing youth/young adults or looking to do so; and link this Coalition with the existing Youth Employment Network.

The City of Madison Community Development Division anticipates allocating up to a total of $278,000 in this funding process, pending approval from the Federal Department of Justice OJJDP.
Please note: This is the first of at least two Safe and Thriving Initiative RFPs that will be issued in 2018.  Additional RFPs will address community engagement, wellness and training for community residents and stakeholders in conflict resolution and trauma informed relationships.
 
Application materials as well as supporting documentation can be found on the CDD Funding Opportunities website.
 
Application due date is March 29, 2018 at 12:00 pm CST (Noon).
 
Community Development Division staff are committed to helping interested groups understand and work through program requirements. Please direct questions to Allison Dungan or Mary O’Donnell. You may also reach us by phone at 266-6520.
 
Four workshops will be presented to support interested applicants in the submission of strong proposal. Please register for a workshop.
 

By: Tyler Schueffner, Briarpatch Youth Services Street Outreach Coordinator

It’s late Spring, as most high school seniors anticipate graduation and summer, Chris is wondering where he’s going to live. Chris knew this day was coming. He had lived with his Aunt Jenny for the past three years and was told from day one, turn 18, graduate, and move out.  Chris’s aunt took him in when his mother passed away from an accidental overdose. Jenny wanted to help, but has three kids of her own, works 50 hours a week, and has her own struggles to manage. Chris’s mom, who had long struggled with drug and alcohol addiction, was in several abusive relationships and struggled to hold down a job. He never knew his father, and recalls moving several times when he was young; his only memory being the random men his mom would get involved with only to get hurt and leave. Chris doesn’t have any other family to speak of.

The day has finally arrived, Chris graduated Saturday afternoon, spends Sunday packing his belongings: a few pairs of pants, a couple shirts, some dirty socks, a picture of his mom, and an Xbox. On Monday morning, Chris grabs the garbage bag with his things, lays his key on the counter, takes one last look around, and walks out the apartment door. Chris is lucky he has a friend whose parents are willing to take him in for a few days but can’t guarantee anything longer.

What happens to Chris? That’s the question we at Briarpatch Youth Services often ask.  Chris, like many teens and young adults in our community are thrown into the adult world with little support, a heavy heart, few life skills, and even fewer resources. Nearly every day Briarpatch staff, volunteers, and student interns are interacting with young people like Chris.

What is Briarpatch Youth Services? More than 40 years ago, a small dedicated group of citizens recognized the unique needs of young people in Madison, creating Briarpatch’s Runaway and Homeless Youth Program. In those 40 years Briarpatch has struggled, learned, and expanded the services we provide to the community. They involve direct homeless street outreach, crisis counseling, emergency shelter for teens, transitional housing for young adults, case management, parent / caregiver support, court involved youth services, youth employment, community peer court, and teen and parent support groups.

So, what can you do? Briarpatch offers many ways for the community to get involved. Briarpatch relies heavily on volunteers. Our volunteers are trained to work alongside our staff, working directly with teens and families in need. Briarpatch is also seeking allies and supporters who will champion the issues and challenges facing young people in our community. An ally can support us financially, organize donation drives, and/or fundraisers on behalf of Briarpatch Youth Services. Learn more by visit our website at briarptch.org and click the “get involved” tab. You can also like us on Facebook and get regular updates.

Young people like Chris need hope and opportunity… they just might need you!

Learn more about Briarpatch Youth Services by visiting their website: www.youthsos.org.

Online survey to gather public comment available through August

The Dane County Land and Water Resources Department manages an Aquatic Plant Harvesting Program to cut and harvest Eurasian watermilfoil and other invasives from county waters. 

From now through the end of August 2017, Dane County invites area residents to participate in an online survey to complement the county's comprehensive assessment of aquatic plant communities and the harvesting program. 

Dane County Executive Joe Parisi said, “Every five years Dane County assesses the health of our aquatic plant communities. We also review our management strategies for providing reasonable use of the lakes for boating, fishing and swimming, while preserving the health and balance of the lake ecosystem; and for maintaining flow in the Yahara River to prevent high water issues including flooding.
 
I invite county citizens to take a five-minute online survey to tell us what you think about aquatic plant management needs for area lakes and rivers.”
 
Public comments and the plant survey field work to be conducted during summer 2017 will provide valuable information for updating aquatic plant management plans for waters across the county where county staff operate mechanical harvesters. 
 
Aquatic plant management plans provide an inventory of existing plants in a lake or stream, and describe how native plants will be protected for their role as the foundation of healthy ecosystems, while nuisance non-native species will be controlled and recreational access will be provided. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources requires these plans in order for them to permit aquatic plant harvesting programs under NR 109 Wis. Admin. Code.
 
For more information about aquatic plant management, visit the Dane County Office of Lakes and Watersheds website.

Are you interested in a career with 100% job placement, job security and high wages that is both fascinating and rewarding, and that requires less than a 4-year degree? If so, check out these two programs for Fall 2017 at Madison College! We would love to hear from you!
 
Construction and Modeling
The Construction and Remodeling Program is a one-year program that prepares students for a career in residential construction and/or remodeling. Students learn how to take a project from prints and specifications through final finish work. As part of their coursework, students learn about site preparation, layout and foundations, do the framing of floors, walls, ceilings and roofs, and install roof shingles, windows, doors, stairs, exterior trim, siding, cabinets and interior trim. All phases of home construction are covered, including materials estimating, building science, building codes and tool maintenance.
 
Classes available days or evenings, and 50% of classroom activity is hands-on! The median wage is $24.40 per hour. Visit us at madisoncollege.edu (search construction and remodeling), and Facebook. Contact: Jen Voichick, 608-246-5213, JVoichick1@madisoncollege.edu
 
 
Court Reporting
The Court Reporting Program is a 2.5 year associate degree program that prepares students to work in a variety of career areas. These careers include court reporting, closed captioning for television and web media, and live-event captioning for the deaf or hard-of-hearing community. Choose your own hours, create your own business, or work for the court system or a freelance employer!
 
The average annual starting salary is $45,000. The program at Madison College offers a 100% online option, a free bootcamp to test drive the program, and scholarship opportunities. Visit us at madisoncollege.edu (search court reporting), Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and You Tube
Contact: Yvonne Meichtry, ymeichtry@madisoncollege.edu, 608-246-6635

COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Contact Jan Karst at 441-7891 or jkarst@rsvpdane.org:

PORCHLIGHT needs two volunteers to help cook and serve lunch at Safe Haven, a temporary housing and service center for homeless folks with mental illness. Safe Haven is located at 4006 Nakoosa Trail. Thursday and Friday lunch help is needed between 10:30am and 1:30pm.

PORCHLIGHT PRODUCTS needs volunteers to serve samples of homemade jams, pickles and salsas in area stores. Products are made by their clients in the Porchlight kitchen with locally grown food and sold to raise funds to support programs for the homeless.

COMMUNITY ACTION COALITION GLEANERS is looking for volunteers to do a weekly route of picking up excess food at one location (stores, etc.) and delivering it to another (food pantries and nutrition sites).
Many students who receive free meals through their schools go hungry on the weekend.  GOODMAN COMMUNITY CENTER is looking for volunteers to pick up food bags from First Methodist Church on Thursdays and deliver them to a designated school in Madison so students living with food insecurity can eat over the weekend.
 
DRIVER SERVICES VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Contact Gene Kundert, gkundert@rsvpdane.org or 608-441-7896 to drive Seniors or deliver meals or
Jamie Johnston, jjohnston@rsvpdane.org or 608-238-7901 to driver Vets of all ages and their families
RSVP OF DANE COUNTY needs Drivers to drive passengers who are seniors (60 yrs. and older) or veterans of all ages to important appointments, or to deliver meals to seniors in Dane County communities outside of Madison. Set your own schedule, no minimum hours required. RSVP provides mileage reimbursement and extra liability insurance.
 
GROUP PROJECTS AND HOMEWORKERS PROGRAM
RSVP OF DANE COUNTY needs Group Liaison volunteers to visit a sewing/knitting group(s) once monthly.  Deliver fabric/yarn; pick-up finished items. Enjoy a few hours a month volunteering.  For more information contact Mary Schmelzer, Group Projects Coordinator: (608) 310-7280 or mschmelzer@rsvpdane.org.

 
INTERGENERATIONAL VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Contact Andrea Beaster at 441-7894 or abeaster@rsvpdane.org
DEFOREST BIO LINK PROJECT is looking for 5-7 volunteers to be guest speakers at DeForest Middle School to share experiences in their lives when they have overcome obstacles. This projects' goal is to teach students about resilience and perseverance when facing challenges. Students interview volunteers and then complete a project on what they learned. The volunteers return to the school for a lunch and to view the students' class presentations.
MADISON MEMORIAL HISTORY PROJECT invites volunteers to participate in the Oral History Project with students.  Volunteers participate in small-group interviews on what their life was like during the Great Depression and WWII.  The students then compile a written documentation of the oral history.
 
COME RIDE THE BUS WITH BUS BUDDY TOURS PROGRAM 2017
BUS BUDDY TOURS PROGRAM teaches groups of seniors, age 60 and older, how to navigate Madison Metro Bus System, while experiencing fun-filled trips to local points of interest. Participants receive a tour bag with a 10-ride bus pass and Madison Metro Bus Ride Guide. For more detailed information or to sign up, contact Diana Jost, djost@rsvpdane.org or 441-1393
March 24               Multicultural Health Fair at North East Side Senior Coalition and lunch
May 17                   Madison Science Museum tour and lunch at Madison Senior Center
June 7                     Henry Vilas Zoo and picnic lunch
July 13                    Wisconsin Veterans Museum and lunch at Ian’s Pizza
August 17              Bubbler Room at the Madison Public Library and lunch at the Plaza
RSVP BUS BUDDY INDIVIDUAL PROGRAM matches seniors with an experienced Bus Buddy Coordinator to accompany and teach them the Madison Metro Bus System -- a transportation option available to use wherever they like, 7 days a week. If you would like individual training to ride the bus, or are interested in becoming a Bus Buddy Coordinator, contact Jan Karst at 441-7891 or Jkarst@rsvpdane.org

From our friends at Public Health Madison and Dane County (PHMDC)
 
In recognition of National Radon Action Month, Public Health Madison and Dane County (PHMDC) urges all residents to test their homes for radon. Radon is a naturally occurring, invisible, odorless, radioactive gas that can ultimately be fatal.
 
Radon is normally harmlessly dispersed in outdoor air, but can reach harmful levels when it enters buildings though cracks in foundations, particularly in the winter months when homes and other buildings are closed up and heated.
 
Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Surgeon General's office estimate radon is responsible for more than 20,000 lung cancer deaths each year in the U.S.  About 2,900 of these deaths occur among people who have never smoked.  If you do smoke and your home has elevated radon levels, your risk of lung cancer goes up seven times.
 
Testing homes for radon is simple and inexpensive.  Test kits can be purchased at local hardware or home product stores usually for under $25.   PHMDC also has test kits for sale at $10 per kit. (See below for detailed information).
 
The EPA and the Surgeon General of the United States recommend that the test be done in the lowest lived in level of your home. After leaving the opened kit in the room for the recommended amount of monitoring time, all you need to do is to send it to the laboratory for analysis. The lab will send you easy to understand results within two or three weeks.
 
If testing shows that you do have a radon problem, you will need to install a system that will prevent the radon from accumulating in your home. Such systems should be installed by a certified mitigation contractor. According to Clint Marshall, Public Health Radon Specialist, “The cost of a radon mitigation system can vary, but typically runs around $1,200.”
 
This is why PHMDC joins the EPA during National Radon Action Month to remind the public that ignoring this hazard can have terrible consequences, and that it pays to take action against this invisible and preventable threat to the health of your family.
 
For more information regarding radon, including a list of qualified radon remediation contractors, visit the Wisconsin Radon Information Web site at:
www.lowradon.org.
 
For more detailed background on radon see the following link:
http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/radiation/brochure/profile_radon.htm
 
To purchase a test kit or to speak with the Public Health Radon Specialist, call the South Central Wisconsin Radon Information Center at (608) 243-0392.