By Pastor Lex Liberatore, Lake Edge UCC and LENA member

Beginning in late January a new community partnership will address hunger and bring our Lake Edge neighborhood together. Lake Edge United Church of Christ, Zion Lutheran Church, and Frank Allis Elementary School are organizing a "back pack nutrition program" for low-income students who attend our neighborhood elementary school. The program will provide weekend non-perishable food for up to 60 students for the Spring 2017 term at Allis, with a goal to expand to 100+ students by Fall 2017. The food is meant to help close the gap for some of the 75% of students who live at or below the poverty level at Frank Allis Elementary School. As part of this effort, a special first Friday free-meal is also planned at Lake Edge UCC beginning in February. The First Friday meal is a way to support families on a tight budget and to allow neighborhood, church, and school to mingle and build relationships with each other. If our neighborhood can learn about each other and what are lives are all about we can create a real sense of hope. Look for more details in future articles; including the official start date. For more information or to inquire about helping out, contact Pastor Lex Liberatore at Lake Edge UCC, 608-222-8668 or email at pastor@lakeedge.org.

Editor's Note: LENA has been invited to participate and contribute to the initiative.  As the program details are being worked on, the specifics are unknown at this time however LENA Board and Pastor Lex are in contact.  We will be sure to keep you informed as things progress. 

By Lori Scarlett, DVM, Four Lakes Veterinary Clinic

One of my favorite things to do with my dog is go to a local dog park.  Letting him play with other dogs, being told how handsome he is, and getting to talk about dogs with other people is a highlight of my  weekend and his!  Unfortunately, sometimes having to drive a distance to get to a dog park stops me from going. 
 
But now Monona has it's own dog park!  This off-leash dog park is next to the Public Works Garage at 851 Femrite Dr. (the corner of Femrite Dr and Edna Taylor Parkway).  It is roughly one acre in size – about the size of a soccer field.  It is not as big as some of the Madison dogs parks, but certainly is big enough for a nice romp outside with some friends.
 
Your dog does need to be licensed and have a dog park permit ($30 per year), which gets them more bling on their collar and admittance to all the Dane County dog parks.  In order to be licensed, your dog must have an up-to-date rabies vaccination.  For the safety of your dog, having distemper, parvo, Bordetella, and influenza vaccines is also a very good idea.  These are all contagious and potentially fatal diseases that are easy to protect against.
 
Because the new park is smaller than some, it is important to know the etiquette for a dog park.  First, please don't take your dog if you know he/she doesn't do well with other dogs.  When at the park, pay attention to how your dog is interacting with the other dogs and people there.  If he is hiding behind you, growling, barking, or charging other dogs, take him home.  No one, including your dog, is having a good time.  If you are at the park and encounter an aggressive dog with an unresponsive owner, get yourself and your dog somewhere safe, then can call the police to intervene.

Please pick up after your dog.  Intestinal parasites are easily spread through dogs parks and cleaning up your dog's poop immediately is the best way to prevent transmission.  Some of the parasites carried by dogs can also be contracted by people, so please do the right thing!  Having your veterinarian check a stool sample yearly is a good idea and keeping your dog on heartworm preventative year-round will also keep intestinal worms in check.
 
If your dog isn't spayed or neutered yet or hasn't had all the puppy vaccines (the last one is given after 4 months of age), please wait to take him/her to the dog park.  Four Lakes Veterinary Clinic offers a Free Vaccines for Life program that is worth checking into and they also perform spay and neuter surgeries.  Getting your dog “fixed” will also decrease the cost of a dog license!
 
So check out the new Monona off-leash dog park.  Remember, a “tired dog is a good dog!”

Dr. Lori Scarlett is the owner-veterinarian at Four Lakes Veterinary Clinic, 4504 Monona Dr - a proud sponsor of LENA!

Update/Correction Notice: City of Monona officials indicated that dogs must be licensed and no other permits or licenses are required at this time.  The program will be evaluated for potential charges to non-resident use however that is not the case for at least 2017. 

by Angela Jenkins, LENA President

A few months ago, I had this idea, an idea that was stewing and is now becoming a reality! My family and I are CSA members for the past few years through my work in what is called a workplace CSA. We have always been interested in the concept but never had the guts to pull the trigger until the second season it was offered. This was largely due to a dear co-worker who graciously offered her produce with me throughout that season. She was either going to be out of town or there were simply too much for her and her roommate to consume. It was rather strange but each week, I brought home a large bag filled with fresh, organic vegetables which we enjoyed. Then my co-worker asked if we would be interested in splitting a share for the next season. I hadn't thought about it but after some discussions with the family, we've decided to go for it. It is then I learned about the healthcare rebate from our health insurance which saved us some money. The farm had other offerings (e.g. organic free-range eggs) in addition to produce which I took advantage. Before long, we were accustomed to the process and routine; box of fresh, in-season, organic produce delivered once weekly with our fresh eggs. Prior to this, I've never been a meal planner but inevitably, I had to modify my cooking behavior in order to consume the fresh veggies we receive on a weekly basis. It was a challenge initially but it didn't take long before we got used to the new routine. You see, the farm publishes weekly newsletter to its members with information around the farm and of course, the vegetables for the week. This way, you know what you'll be receiving and can plan accordingly. It became a routine where we look forward to the newsletter weekly and plan meals for the upcoming week. I loved it! I mean, it was great! Other than the occasional item here and there, we've eliminated vegetables from our grocery list. How great is that?! I think it is.

Then I had this idea. What if we start a public CSA site right here in the neighborhood?! Wouldn't that be great? To be able to share the same experience we had with friends and neighbors? I brought this up casually with a few neighbors and surprisingly, the reactions were overwhelmingly positive. I've never organized something like this before and I didn't know where to begin but I mustered up the courage to contact the FairShare CSA Coalition office. We invited the Executive Director, Erika Jones to share information about CSA and FairShare to one of the LENA meetings. She helped us create a survey to gather interest in the neighborhood with the premise that if there is enough interest, we would pursue the opportunity. Well, you've spoken and here we are.


Based on the survey results and with help from our friends at the FairShare, we've identified a farm that meets our needs; My Fine Homestead, located just west of Muscoda in Blue River. I've had the opportunity to meet the farmers, Stacey Fiener and Bill Meyer last week. They were kind enough to come to meet me at the Monona Community Center where my 4 year old had her final ballet class. Both Stacey and Bill are equally as excited as I am in building this relationship. Here are some of the details discussed:

• Sign up information
  • Stacey planned to have the sign up for the upcoming season online by January 1
  • There will be an early-bird discount (5%) if signed up by January 31
• Pick up information
  • Every Wednesdays
  • Between 2:30 and 6PM*
  • At the Lake Edge UCC (4200 Buckeye Road) - more information to come
• Other details
  • Boxes will be labeled with name and type of share
  • Begin as early as spring (end of March or early April) or summer (in June)
  • Complete the survey to be included in future communications
    
  • Check out the website or Facebook page to learn more about the farm
    

Questions? Do not hesitate to reach out to Stacey directly via email at stacey@myfinehomestead.com.

*notification can be sent via text or email (please specify)

Thank you Carrie and Erika at FairShare for your assistance and Pastor Lex at the Lake Edge UCC for agreeing to let us use the facility as a pick up location. There is a secondary goal and I have ideas in how we may contribute to the Allis nutrition program. More information to come on that. Until then, please feel free to spread the word and I can't wait for the upcoming season to begin!

Q. Tell me about FairShare CSA Coalition
A. FairShare CSA Coalition aim to support and connect CSA farmers to us (CSA members).

Q. Are all CSA farmers FairShare members?
A. No. The FairShare farmers have been through a peer-reviewed application and interview process to ensure their ability to provide the highest quality foods and customer service. The farms must be certified organic or are practicing organic farming techniques (i.e. in transition to be certified).

Q. What financial assistance are available?
A. All FairShare farms participates in the financial assistance in addition to health care plan reimbursements (limited to produce and fruit only). Eligible households may apply for assistance via the Partner Share Program from FairShare.

Q. How does the healthcare reimbursement work?
A. Learn more about this on the FairShare website: Health Insurance Rebate.**

Q. What types of shares are available and how much?
A. Depends on the farms however My Fine Homestead offers many options year-round. Check out their website for information.

Q. Is this only available to Lake Edge neighbors?
A. No - this is open for all who wish to support local farms and in having fresh, seasonal farm products delivered weekly.

Q. I have an extensive garden during the growing season. What options are available to me?
A. The farm offers spring and winter shares along with other goodies such as meat, eggs, and sweet shares.

Resources:

FairShare CSA Coalition: http://www.csacoalition.org/

**Contact Carrie Sedlak at carrie@csacoalition.org or Erika Jones at erika@csacoalition.org for questions re: Heatlh Insurance Rebates

By Kristie Schilling, MESBA

Do you have a great photo of the Monona East Side community? Then, consider submitting it for the 2017 cover photo contest! The 2016 edition was a stunning photo of sailboats on Lake Monona provided by Matt Lueck from the Lake Monona Sailing Club. If you’re interested in submitting a photo, following is the criteria sought for a winning photo (all of the following in order from most heavily weighted in the judging).

1. 1) Features outdoor recreation—boating, kayaking, sailing, beach play, snowshoeing, skiing, etc.
2. 2) Photo must contain people
3. 3) Photo must be available in high-resolution (typically photos taken on your mobile phone are not high resolution or would need an add-on lens to be of high quality)
4. 4) Preference is given to photos of Lake Monona or Yahara River (showing off our waterfront community)

 
Best results are achieved by using a Digital SLR, not a phone camera.
 
If you’d like to submit a photo, please email it to connect@MononaEastSide.com by February 1. Photo credit will be given on the table of contents page, on the Monona East Side Business Alliance’s social media channels, and in the weekly e-news, the Monona Minute. If you would like to be added to the mailing list for the Monona Minute, please send us an email at connect@MononaEastSide.com or give us a call at (608) 222-8565.

Details on the Guide to the Monona Area
2015 was the first year the Guide to the Monona Area was published and 9,000 copies were produced. Demand for the guidebook has increased greatly and has become a reliable resource to area information. The magazine serves as a promotional publication for the Monona East Side community and members of the Monona East Side Business Alliance (MESBA). In 2017, the Alliance will produce and publish 15,000 copies that will be direct mailed to the following zip codes: 53713, 53714, 53716, and 53718. Watch for your copy in your mailbox in early April! The Guide can also be viewed online at MononaEastSide.com.
 
Being featured in the publication requires membership in the Alliance. Through the support of members working together, the Alliance is able to promote the community to a wider audience, recruit new businesses to locate here bringing jobs and new residents, promote many of the great assets of the community for tourism initiatives, and to promote existing businesses and encourage local support. More information on MESBA can be found online at MononaEastSide.com.

Kristie Schilling is the Executive Director of MESBA, 5708 Monona Drive - a proud sponsor of LENA!