WINTER 2013 emersoneast.wordpress.com Satya Rhodes- Conway Alder, District 12 242-4426 Do you remember 1998? How much has changed in your life since then? How much has changed in your neighborhood since then? 1998 is the last time the Emerson East and Eken Park Neighborhoods went through a neighborhood planning process. This spring, that will change – the City has funding to support a new, joint planning process for both of these neighborhoods. Plans like this are prepared by neighborhood residents, via an appointed citizen steering committee and public input sessions. They include short-term strategies (3 to 5 years) to address specific challenges, issues and opportunities, and serve as a guide for actions and changes that will strengthen, the neighborhood. If you take a look at the old plan (available at http://www. cityofmadison.com/planning/ndp/ emerson.pdf) you’ll see a number of familiar names, who I hope will participate again. I hope that new folks will get involved too! The plan covers a number of areas (business and redevelopment opportunities, housing, parks, transportation, and infrastructure) that we’ll want to look at again, and we may want to add additional areas (Sustainability? Food? Education? Economic Development? Safety?) as well. Most important is to get a high level of participation, and to craft a plan that well represents the neighborhood and will serve us well into the future. Please contact me if you’re interested in being involved with the planning process or on the neighborhood steering committee, or if you know someone who should be. On a more personal note, my plans for the future lead me to focus again on my career and family, and so I will not be running for re-election. It has been my privilege and pleasure to represent you on the Common Council. I have learned a tremendous amount, and I hope that I have served you, and the City as a whole, well. I hope to continue that service in different ways, particularly here on the eastside, as this continues to be my neighborhood. EENA Election Results The Emerson East Neighborhood Association held its annual elections at the October meeting, compelte with pizza and door prizes from local businesses! (Our next meeting will be from 6:30 – 8:00 pm on Wednesday, January 2nd, at Bashford United Methodist Church (329 North Street). Please use the rear entrance.) 2013 EENA Council Members: Co-chair: Meredith Lowe Co-chair: OPEN Treasurer: Amanda Duesterbeck Secretary: John Koch EINPC Representative: Mary Anglim Representatives for Area 1: Amanda Duesterbach, Anne Gassere Representatives for Area 2: Julie Garrett, Adrienne Sella Representatives for Area 3: Tim Cordon, OPEN Anyone considering taking on an open positions is encouraged to attend an EENA meeting on the first Wednesday of each month (6:30- 8pm, Bashford United Methodist Church) to learn more. We need your voice and he Alder Report: Neighborhood Plan Needs Your Input Heidi Wegleitner County Supervisor, District 2 Despite the very problematic levy restrictions of Gov. Walker’s Act 10, Dane County adopted a $525 million budget with many new initiatives for 2013. We avoided job cuts and salary cuts and limited tax increases to $10 on the average Dane County home. We increased our reserve fund by $1 million for a total fund balance of approximately $12 million. We made substantial commitments to protecting our democracy and enhancing public engagement. One of the biggest new budget items is $1.25 million for new voter machines throughout the County. Funding for legislation tracking services, which was extremely needed, will make it easier for citizens to follow resolutions and ordinances as they work their way from the County Board floor through the committee process and back to the County Board. Human Services The County’s increased attention to homelessness resulted in necessary financial commitments. The budget includes funding to operate the temporary winter daytime shelter through the end of March 2013 and $600,000 for the purchase and renovation of a permanent, year- round daytime resource center in the fall 2013. My amendment for $75,000 in operating funds for the permanent day resource center was not adopted in the final budget so we will need to continue to work with our other public and private partners to obtain resources to operate the Continued Top of Page 2 Supervisor Report: County 2013 Budget ‘Sustainable Saturday Nights’ Last Saturday of the Month Join EENA in 2013! Return member form enclosed in this issue or go to http://emersoneast. wordpress.com for more information. Julie Garrett Sustainability Task Force The Emerson East Sustainability Task Force is busily at work. We’re bringing together like-minded but diverse folks interested in creating a more resilient and sustainable neighborhood. “Task Force” sounds way more formal than the reality, we are more like a little hive of folks interested in collaborating and building community! To begin we’re connecting in “real life” and virtually. December’s Sustainable Saturday Night potluck drew more than 75 neighbors to the James Reeb UUC on Johnson Street next to Milio’s and 4&20 Bakery. We were graciously hosted by the Peace, Justice and Sustainability group at James Reeb. Everyone enjoyed meeting their neighbors and the great live music. What an awesome community gathering space! Sustainable Saturday Night was so well received we’ve decided to make it a monthly event, so the last Saturday of every month, from 6-9 p.m. (that’s Jan. 26, Feb. 23, March 30, and April 27). Each evening will feature a different program of activities, but there will always be music, free childcare, and fun. BYOB and a dish to pass, and help us get the word out by sharing with your neighbors. To get us connected virtually, we’ve formed a Facebook group, “Emerson East Sustainability Task Force” at https://www.facebook.com/groups/ MEastSustTaskForce/ where we can easily post and share our events while also staying connected to the wider Madison community. We’ve also started an Emerson East group on a free private social networking site for neighborhoods called Next Door. Its value is its functionality –- each neighbor can create a profile; the site includes a neighborhood map; you can post documents and share recommendations for service providers, list community resources, and more. Go to https://nextdoor. com/ to check it out. We are working on plans for 2013. One idea is a “Tour de Solar” – a bicycle tour of our neighbors’ solar and urban homesteading projects. Another is to create a neighborhood skill and tool sharing list. Another neighbor wishes to host a bat house building party. Someone else is offering to teach children about sustainability and take kids on outings. A couple with a solar PV array on their home have created a presentation on how they did it. Come out to the Sustainable Saturday Night gatherings to learn more! The Emerson East Sustainability Task Force meets from 8-9 a.m. the first and third Saturdays of every month at the home of Doug Renk, 2550 Hoard St.; 608-467-8851. Anyone who wants to buzz around with us sustainability bees and help pollinate neighborhood sustainability projects is welcome to attend! For more information about the Emerson East Sustainability Task Force, please contact Tim Cordon at [email protected] or call Tim at 608-630-3633. Check out the new EENA Website! emersoneast.wordpress.com
Transcript
WINTER 2013emersoneast.wordpress.com
Satya Rhodes-ConwayAlder, District 12242-4426
Do you r e m e m b e r 1998? How much has
changed in your life since then? How much has changed in your neighborhood since then?
1998 is the last time the Emerson East and Eken Park Neighborhoods went through a neighborhood planning process. This spring, that will change – the City has funding to support a new, joint planning process for both of these neighborhoods. Plans like this are prepared by neighborhood residents, via an appointed citizen steering committee and public input sessions. They include short-term strategies (3 to 5 years) to address specific challenges, issues and opportunities, and serve as a guide for actions and changes that will strengthen, the neighborhood.
If you take a look at the old plan (available at http://www.cityofmadison.com/planning/ndp/emerson.pdf) you’ll see a number of familiar names, who I hope will
participate again. I hope that new folks will get involved too!
The plan covers a number of areas (business and redevelopment opportunities, housing, parks, transportation, and infrastructure) that we’ll want to look at again, and we may want to add additional areas (Sustainability? Food? Education? Economic Development? Safety?) as well. Most important is to get a high level of participation, and to craft a plan that well represents the neighborhood and will serve us well into the future. Please contact me if you’re interested in being involved with the planning process or on the neighborhood steering committee, or if you know someone who should be.
On a more personal note, my plans for the future lead me to focus again on my career and family, and so I will not be running for re-election. It has been my privilege and pleasure to represent you on the Common Council. I have learned a tremendous amount, and I hope that I have served you, and the City as a whole, well. I hope to continue that service in different ways, particularly here on the eastside, as this continues to be my neighborhood.
EENA Election ResultsThe Emerson East Neighborhood Association held its annual elections at the October meeting, compelte with pizza and door prizes from local businesses! (Our next meeting will be from 6:30 – 8:00 pm on Wednesday, January 2nd, at Bashford United Methodist Church (329 North Street). Please use the rear entrance.)
2013 EENA Council Members: Co-chair: Meredith Lowe Co-chair: OPEN Treasurer: Amanda Duesterbeck Secretary: John Koch EINPC Representative: Mary Anglim Representatives for Area 1: Amanda Duesterbach, Anne Gassere Representatives for Area 2: Julie Garrett, Adrienne Sella Representatives for Area 3: Tim Cordon, OPEN
Anyone considering taking on an open positions is encouraged to attend an EENA meeting on the first Wednesday of each month (6:30-8pm, Bashford United Methodist Church) to learn more. We need your voice and he
Alder Report: Neighborhood Plan Needs Your Input
Heidi WegleitnerCounty Supervisor, District 2
Despite the very problematic levy restrictions of Gov. Walker’s Act 10, Dane County adopted a $525 million budget with many new initiatives for 2013. We avoided job cuts and salary cuts and limited tax increases to $10 on the average Dane County home. We increased our reserve fund by $1 million for a total fund balance of approximately $12 million. We made substantial commitments to protecting our democracy and enhancing public engagement. One of the biggest new budget items is $1.25 million for new voter machines throughout the County. Funding for legislation tracking services, which was extremely needed, will make it easier for citizens to follow resolutions and
ordinances as they work their way from the County Board floor through the committee process and back to the County Board.
Human ServicesThe County’s increased attention to homelessness resulted in necessary financial commitments. The budget includes funding to operate the temporary winter daytime shelter through the end of March 2013 and $600,000 for the purchase and renovation of a permanent, year-round daytime resource center in the fall 2013. My amendment for $75,000 in operating funds for the permanent day resource center was not adopted in the final budget so we will need to continue to work with our other public and private partners to obtain resources to operate the
Continued Top of Page 2
Supervisor Report: County 2013 Budget
‘Sustainable Saturday Nights’Last Saturday of the Month
Join EENA in 2013! Return member form enclosed in this issue or go to http://emersoneast.wordpress.com for more information.
Julie GarrettSustainability Task Force
The Emerson East Sustainability Task Force is busily at work. We’re bringing together like-minded but diverse folks interested in creating a more resilient and sustainable neighborhood. “Task Force” sounds way more formal than the reality, we are more like a little hive of folks interested in collaborating and building community!
To begin we’re connecting in “real life” and virtually. December’s Sustainable Saturday Night potluck drew more than 75 neighbors to the James Reeb UUC on Johnson Street next to Milio’s and 4&20 Bakery. We were graciously hosted by the Peace, Justice and Sustainability group at James Reeb. Everyone enjoyed meeting their neighbors and the great live music. What an awesome community gathering space!
Sustainable Saturday Night was so well received we’ve decided to make it a monthly event, so the last Saturday of every month, from 6-9 p.m. (that’s Jan. 26, Feb. 23, March 30, and April 27). Each evening will feature a different program of activities, but there will always be music, free childcare, and fun. BYOB and a dish to pass, and help us get the word out by sharing with your neighbors.
To get us connected virtually, we’ve formed a Facebook group, “Emerson East Sustainability Task Force” at https://www.facebook.com/groups/MEastSustTaskForce/ where we can easily post and share our events while
also staying connected to the wider Madison community.
We’ve also started an Emerson East group on a free private social networking site for neighborhoods called Next Door. Its value is its functionality –- each neighbor can create a profile; the site includes a neighborhood map; you can post documents and share recommendations for service providers, list community resources, and more. Go to https://nextdoor.com/ to check it out.
We are working on plans for 2013. One idea is a “Tour de Solar” – a bicycle tour of our neighbors’ solar and urban homesteading projects. Another is to create a neighborhood skill and tool sharing list. Another neighbor wishes to host a bat house building party. Someone else is offering to teach children about sustainability and take kids on outings. A couple with a solar PV array on their home have created a presentation on how they did it. Come out to the Sustainable Saturday Night gatherings to learn more!
The Emerson East Sustainability Task Force meets from 8-9 a.m. the first and third Saturdays of every month at the home of Doug Renk, 2550 Hoard St.; 608-467-8851. Anyone who wants to buzz around with us sustainability bees and help pollinate neighborhood sustainability projects is welcome to attend!
For more information about the Emerson East Sustainability Task Force, please contact Tim Cordon at [email protected] or call Tim at 608-630-3633.
Check out the new EENA Website! emersoneast.wordpress.com
Advertising and submissions for the SPRING 2013 issue of ‘The Neighbor’
are due MARCH 1, 2013. Distribution planned by thrid week of March. Send ads, articles, announcements, and images to Anne Gassere ([email protected]).
Contact Treasurer Amanda Duesterbeck ([email protected]) for billing. Ad Pricing: all dimensions W x H
Full page: $200 (10.25”x 16”)Half page: $100 (10.25” x 8” h or 5” x 16”)Quarter page: $50 (5”x 8”)Eighth page: $35 (5”x 4”)Biz Card: $25 (4”x 2.25”)
Discounts available for purchase of advertising in multiple issues. Simple ad design provided for free with advanced notice.
County 2013 Budget, continued from Page 1day center and ensure its future success. We were able to maintain some level of street outreach to unaccompanied homeless youth by providing $30,000 to Youth Services of Southern Wisconsin (which was facing elimination of the outreach program due to a loss of funding from the federal government). Funding for motel vouchers was provided to Domestic Abuse Intervention Services (DAIS) to assist those fleeing domestic violence. Additional funds were also provided to assist veterans facing crisis, including imminent homelessness. I am also very excited about our focus on low-income housing development--the real solution to homelessness. The budget includes $1.7 million over two years to develop single room occupancy (SRO) housing. My amendment to add $50,000 to support housing planning required by Res. 292, 11-12, Dane County Recognizes Housing as a Human Right was not adopted in the final budget, but budget provisions direct County planning and human services staff to assist the Human Services Board with development of the housing plan.
The Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) was expanded to Sun Prairie and “birth to four year old kindergarten” expanded to Leopold School in South Madison /Fitchburg. We added three child protective services positions and a new juvenile delinquency social worker. We provided further support to veterans with a new bus pass program and technology updates to streamline efforts to access benefits. We increased funding for developmentally disabled persons to reduce the wait-list for persons trying to access DD services.
Public Safety & Criminal JusticeThe budget includes commitments to deal with the shameful racial disparities in our criminal justice system. We added four slots to drug court to ensure that persons of color have access to the opportunities in drug court. Recently, many of the slots have been used by folks with opiate addiction, who are predominantly white. We funded the expansion of highly successful restorative justice programs (i.e. youth peer courts) to three middle schools to keep youth out of criminal justice system. We expanded AODA programs (Alcohol and Other Drugs Addictions) and updated squad car video cameras to enhance safety of both the law enforcement officers and the persons in their cars.
Parks, Gardens, and SustainabilityThe County continued its commitment to purchasing conservation land by budgeting $1 million for the conservation fund. We also included $1 million for PARC (Partners for Recreation
and Conservation) grants for municipalities and organizations to improve infrastructure public spaces for recreation. Historically many of these grants have gone to non-urban areas, so I was pleased that the budget resolution highlighted the need to ensure fair access to these funds for urban projects and recommended future PARC support for the skate park on the near east side. We also funded a wayfinding initiative to support better navigation of county-wide bike paths.
We approved $150,000 for the development of Silverwood Park in the southeastern part of the County. The County has been collaborating with Operation Fresh Start, Freedom, Inc., and Growing Power to implement Silverwood’s vision for using the land for agricultural education. The 300-acre park has exciting potential to support diverse uses, including a farm learning center and commercial garden plots, and significant recreational opportunities (hiking, kayaking, canoeing, cross-country skiing, group camping, equestrian riding, and fishing).
We continue to implement the County Board’s Clear Lakes initiative, which is now its second year, including carp removal. Additional Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) purchases have been budgeted to expand our CNG vehicle fleet. The budget also includes sustainability funding for county-wide efforts to decrease the county’s environmental impact.
ANNOUNCEMENTSDay Shelter Offers Opportunities for
The Homeless and Community Volunteers
The day shelter at 827 E. Washington Ave. opened November 26th and is now open daily from 8am to 4:30pm until March 31st. It has been averaging 100 guests daily. Service providers and committed volunteers, including the guests themselves, are helping to connect people with social services such as job training and mental health and rehabilitation programs. Guests are very involved in the shelter operations, including neighborhood watch, food service, cleaning, and support group facilitation.
This inclusive, participatory model is an exciting and empowering way
of offering services to folks in need and has contributed significantly to the early success of the shelter. Additional computers, and those who can rehab them, and a dedicated supply of warm food for lunch is still needed.
Please consider contributing time or other resources to ensure the success of the day shelter by contacting me at 333-3676 or [email protected] , calling the shelter at 371-WARM, or emailing Sarah, the director, at [email protected].
Aging and Disability Resource Center Opens
The ADRC opened in November on the Northside of Madison, at 2865 North Sherman Avenue (the “Northside TownCenter”). It is a one-stop shop providing services and information for individuals and their families / caregivers. The center will assist people, free of charge, in identifying their needs and determining what resources exist in Dane County to best serve them. The center has created approximately 45 new jobs.
How We VotedWe had elections since our last newsletter. It is always interesting to review how our neighborhood voted. The 29th Ward closely matches the borders of the Emerson-East neighborhood. Here are the election results: Barack Obama 2,150 votes to Mitt Romney’s 124. Tammy Baldwin 2,152 votes to Tommy Thompson’s 153. Mark Pocan 2,135 votes to Chad Lee’s 149.
Our ward was the fourth most Democratic leaning district in the county. Wards 40, 41 and 42 had slightly higher percentages. Those three wards cover the area from the Jenifer Street neighborhood up to Olbrich Park.
Real Estate Update2012 was a strong year for home sales—a 25% increase over 2011 in fact. Though sales were up considerably, values have yet to show gains. Prices have stabilized however. 2013 promises continued low interest rates. Consumer confidence seems to be on the upswing as well. So, barring any economic upheavals, this spring should be a good market for sellers.
So now is a perfect time to get your home in order if you’ll be selling. As always, sellers should make an effort to put their homes in good condition, stage them for showings, and price them correctly the day they go on the market. Professional photographs of your home can make a big difference as well. Today’s home buyers start shopping on the internet. Quality images can make a big impact.
Beware of over-improving your home. Most often, the simplest improvements, such as cleaning, painting and de-cluttering, have the best return on investment. Sellers
should consider meeting with a real estate professional if they are unsure of the wisdom of making a major renovation.
If you are a potential buyer, now is a good time to find a good deal because there are fewer buyers to compete with. Still, be prepared to make an offer quickly, because the best properties will go fast.
Buyers are advised to meet with a lender before beginning the home search process and to work with a real estate professional who knows the market in which they are shopping. It would not be unwise to meet with a lender even a year in advance as they can run your credit report and advise you on how to improve your credit score if necessary. Working with a real estate professional will help buyers to act quickly and with confidence when they find the right property.
Madison remains a great place to own real estate. Unemployment is relatively low and our population is growing, so we can expect continued demand for housing over the long term.
To the right is a spreadsheet of Active and Sold homes in the Emerson-East Neighborhood since January 1, 2012. The sold prices should give you a rough idea of the value of neighborhood homes. Other factors such as location, condition, motivation of the seller, lot size, etc. should also be taken into consideration. I’ve included multi-unit income properties as well, which are identified by italics.
The Absorption Rate table shows up to the third quarter of 2012 since, as of the deadline of this article, the fourth quarter of 2012 quarter has not ended.
Active and Sold property listings are based on information from the South Central Wisconsin MLS for the period January 1, 2012 through December 24, 2012. Some sq ft data, number of bedrooms and bathrooms was also gathered from the Madison City Assessor’s webpage.
Active Homes for Sale Address Beds Baths Sq. Ft. List Price 2562 Upham St 2 1 685 $124,900 2218 E Johnson St 3 2 942 $133,000 2446 E Johnson St 2 3 1080 $159,900 2010 E Washington Av 3 1.25 1190 $159,900 17 N 6th St 4 2 1581 $164,900 2342 E Washington Av 3 2 1362 $165,000 226 N 5th St 4 1.5 1568 $172,000 16 N 7th St 3 2 1394 $179,900 2030 E Washington Av 3 1 1453 $185,000 2502 E Mifflin St 3 1 1336 $189,900 2551 E Johnson St 4 2 2183 $219,900 2557 E Johnson St 5 3 2788 $295,000
Homes Sold Address Beds Bath Sq. Ft. List Price Sold Price
2454 Hoard St 4 1 956 $40,000 $40,500109 N 5th St 3 1 1100 $99,000 $95,000202 N 4th St 2 1 925 $104,000 $104,00021 N 1st St 3 1 1500 $108,000 $80,00021 N 7th St 2 1.5 1310 $116,900 $119,6422242 E Johnson St 2 1 850 $120,000 $130,000116 N 4th St 2 1 1248 $125,000 $118,5002554 E Johnson St 2 1 858 $129,900 $128,0002517 E Johnson St 3 1 1331 $135,000 $123,0002505 E Johnson St 2 1.5 1639 $138,500 $130,000109 N 2nd St 2 1 1056 $139,900 $137,5002432 Hoard St 2 1 720 $140,000 $136,5002458 E Johnson St 4 2 1904 $149,900 $140,5001906 E Washington Av 7 3 2970 $155,000 $137,5002307 E Dayton St 3 1.5 1240 $159,900 $134,0002502 E Dayton St 3 1 1100 $169,900 $166,0009 N 3rd St 3 1.5 1449 $179,900 $174,9002317 E Mifflin St 3 1 1184 $179,900 $175,5002525 E Mifflin St 3 1 794 $179,900 $179,9002414 Upham St 3 1 1204 $185,000 $190,0002002 E Washington Av 3 1 1305 $189,900 $187,9002426 E Johnson St 3 1 1103 $199,900 $196,0002226 E Johnson St 4 2 1446 $209,900 $208,00021 N 6th St 3 2 1395 $212,500 $212,5001914 E Mifflin St 3 2 1385 $225,000 $220,0002141 E Mifflin St 4 2 1664 $229,900 $222,5002413 E Mifflin St 3 1.5 1386 $229,900 $225,000203 N 2nd St 2 1 1332 $229,900 $234,00022 N 6th St 3 2 1740 $242,500 $231,500
Our Changing Neighborhood
6˝ x 4˝
GS1641 04/04/2011
Make your home more comfortable and energy efficient while adding value
• New program from the City of Madison for homes to help offset the cost of making energy improvements.
• Work with a local energy advocate that will help guide you through the process.
• Get a professional evaluation, testing and written recommendations from Focus on Energy, Wisconsin utilities’ statewide program for energy efficiency and renewable energy.
• Get access to low-interest financing from Summit Credit Union (summitcreditunion.com) to finance your project and Cash-Back Rewards from Focus on Energy to help offset the cost of eligible improvements.
Call Green Madison at 877-399-1204 or visit cityofmadison.com/greenmadison
Page 4 The Neighbor
For up-to-date information, see our Facebook page or join EENA e-mail group at groups.yahoo.com/group/Madison_eena/
January 2nd, 6:30-8pm, Bashford Church, EENA monthly meeting, 329 North Street (back entrance)
February 6, 6:30-8pm, Bashford Church, EENA monthly meeting
February 19, Spring Primaries (Alder Seat for Dist. 12.), East High School 5th Street entrance, polls open 7am-8pm
March 1, The Neighbor newsletter deadline for advertising and articles
March 6, 6:30-8pm, Bashford Church, EENA monthly meeting
March 10, 1-4pm, Monona Terrace, CSA Open House, learn about Community Supported Agriculture and meet area farmers
April 2, Spring Election, (Alder) East High School 5th Street entrance, polls open 7am-8pm
Event Calendar
‘Like’ EENA on Facebook
The latest edition of the City of Madison Recyclopedia is now available on line. You will find it on the Streets Division’s home page www.cityofmadison.com/streets
You can also download your 2013 collection calendar at http://www.cityofmadison.com/streets/refuse/collectionlookup.cfm
2013 Recyclopedia & Collection Calendars available online
CSA Open House March 10thLearn about Community Supported Agriculture
OPEN HOUSE CSA Open House hosted by FairShare CSA Coalition - 1-4 p.m. Sunday, March 10 at Monona Terrace, featuring kids’ activities, workshops, and ample opportunities to meet and greet up to 50 local CSA farmers and learn about their farms. Free. (The Natural Parenting Expo will be held downstairs at the Terrace the same day, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.) For more information call (608) 226-0300 or visit www.csacoalition.org.
What’s a CSA?CSA is a unique social and economic arrangement between local households and farmers who work together to share the responsibility of producing and delivering fresh food. Members support the farm by paying an annual fee in the winter or spring that entitles them to a “share” of the season’s harvest. Once harvesting begins, members pick-up a weekly or bi-weekly box of fresh food grown by their farmers.
FairShare CSA Coalition (formerly MACSAC) is a non-profit organization made up of 50+ certified organic farms serving the community with weekly shares of produce, meat or other farm-direct products and delivering food to more than 200 pick-up sites. In the Emerson East Neighborhood, Ridgeland Harvest delivers to a pick-up site on Hoard Street; see the farm’s profile at www.csacoalition.org.
Each year, FairShare hosts a CSA Open House that brings together farmers and community members for a free event to learn about CSA shares and select the right farm for your family. This year’s event is scheduled for 1-4 p.m. Sunday, March 10 at Monona Terrace. It will feature kids’ activities, workshops , and ample opportunities to meet and greet your local farmers
and learn about their farms. The Natural Parenting Expo will be held downstairs at the Terrace the same day, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and will feature lots of fun and educational activities for families.
There are several ways to make it easier to afford to “buy into” a farm.
Through an innovative program in partnership with local health insurance providers, many people are eligible for CSA rebates of $100-$200. The following health insurers offered a CSA rebate in 2012: Unity, Physician’s Plus, Group Health, and Dean Health. For more information, please visit www.csacoalition.org.
The Partner Shares Program connects low-income families with CSA shares by offering financial and educational assistance to make farm membership more accessible. Partner Shares helps eliminate barriers to participation for low-income families by providing assistance funds, offering payment plans to spread payments through the year, and administering Food Stamps benefits to be utilized for purchasing CSA shares from any farm in the coalition. Call FairShare at (608) 226-0300 to learn more.
As a CSA member you’re sharing the benefits and the risk of the farming season and agreeing to weather the bounty as well as the scarcity with your farmer. CSA shares are as diverse as the farms and farmers who grow them. Size, content, frequency and location of delivery, price and variety all vary by farm; finding the right farm for your family is all part of the fun!
For more information about CSA and to browse our farm’s profiles, search a pick-up location map, etc., please visit www.csacoalition.org or call (608) 226-0300 or email to [email protected].
Check out the new EENA Website!
emersoneast.wordpress.com
Become an EENA member in 2013Support the Emerson East Neighborhood Asso-ciation by returning the member form included in this issue, or better yet, bring your form and payment to an EENA meeting to learn more about what’s going on in our neighborhood or to bring up concerns you have. We meet on the first Wednesday of each month, 6:30-8pm, Bashford United Method-ist Church, 329 North Street.
What do we talk about?Trash & noise Bike & pedestrian issuesSustainabilityPublic ArtPublic SafetyTraffic & Street issuesYard Sale DayParks and GardensNeighborhood planning & zoningBuilding community
