January 31

Tuesday afternoon there is a "Bring Our Troops Home Now Rally and Rush Hour Protest Against Bush’s State of the Union Address". This is on Eastwood Drive near Division Street and Atwood Avenue at 4:30. Call 839-8542 for details.

Tuesday evening there is a Madison Infoshop Collective meeting. This is in 1019 Williamson Street at 6:00.Call 262-9036 for details.

Tuesday evening Community Action on Latin America (CALA) sponsors a discussion and slideshow with Kate McCoy who spent four months in Venezuela’s countryside in 2004. It is entitled "Bolivarian Circles in Rural Venezuela". This is in the Pres House, 731 State Street at 7:00. Call 286-0865 for details.

The Community Law Project
provides free legal services to low-income Dane County residents. They can provide legal assistance in landlord/tenant disputes, Public benefit, or un-paid wages disputes. They are at 2300 South Park Street. Call 260-8221 for details.

The Affordable Housing Action
Alliance and others are in need of donations for the homeless people of the Madison Area. Donations of non-perishable food, diapers, phone cards, infant food, toiletries and bus tickets are appreciated. Contact 358-7090 for details or drop items in the box at the Social Justice Center, 1202 Williamson Street. Call the Tenant Resource Center at 257-0006 with monetary donations.

Today ongoing the Olbrich Botanical Gardens features an exhibit entitled, "Maintaining the Glass Pyramid, A Conservatory Exhibit". The walk through exhibit will explain the history of Bolz Conservatory and what it takes to maintain this tropical environment. This is at 3330 Atwood Avenue through Sunday, March twenty-sixth. Call 246-4550 for details.

January 30

Monday vening the "Madison Women's Autonomous Movement" (WAM) sponsored by "Madison Women for Peace", a "Code Pink" affiliate meets to discuss, respect, and move forward participating group identities, platforms and community actions. Their goal is to strengthen women’s voices in all spheres of local life. This is at 6:00 in the Memorial Union. Call 280-8776 for details. See Today in the Union for the room location.

Monday evening the Dane County Humane Society is hosting the first of a two session Women’s Self-Defense class. Dick Thompson, a martial arts veteran will instruct the class. One half of the benefit will go to the Humane Society. This is at 6:30 in the Humane Society. Contact Leanne at 838-0413, extension 129 for details.

Monday evening on WORT’s Access Hour host Adrian Bowd! era presents an hour of gospel and hip hop music.That’s at 7:00. Call 256-2001 for details.

Today
ongoing the Olbrich Botanical Gardens features an exhibit entitled, "Maintaining the Glass Pyramid, A Conservatory Exhibit". The walk through exhibit will explain the history of Bolz Conservatory and what it takes to maintain this tropical environment. This is at 3330 Atwood Avenue through Sunday, March twenty-sixth. Call 246-4550 for details.

Wisconsin’s Home Energy Assistance
Program helps people pay for home energy costs including crisis assistance and weatherization. They are at 1225 South Park Street. They can be contacted via the web site heat.wi.gov or by phone at 267-3680.

"The Homeshare Program"
at "Independent Living Incorporated" matches older adults with working people or stude! nts who are in need of low cost housing and are able to provide some assistance around the house. Call 274-6900 and ask for "Homeshare" for details.

"Dane County Friends of Ferals"
and others help feral and semi-feral cats with a "Trap, Neuter, Release" program. Additionally they assist rural residents to manage their barn and feral cat colonies and find responsible caregivers for cats who may need special attention. Call 608-209-5529 for details.

January 27

Tomorrow, Jamie Derr of Great Lakes Bio Fuels holds a peak oil discussion. Geologists and economists agree that the total supply of petroleum available is diminishing. Effects are certain to ripple through our society within our lifetimes. Jamie Derr will discuss the latest on Peak Oil, where we are as a global petrol consumer, and what this means for BioFuels. All are welcomed to bring ideas and issues to join in the discussion. This is at the Madison Enterprise Center, 100 South Baldwin, in the 3rd Floor conference room from 1 to 3. For more info

Sunday afternoon, the Rainbow Bookstore Cooperative, in conjunction with local groups, hosts Feminist, Revolutionary, and Historian Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz. She is on a national tour with her recently released book “Blood on the Border: A Memoir of the Contra War” in which she recounts on-the-ground memories of the contra war in Nicaragua. This is at the Red Gym on Langdon Street at 2. For more information, call Allen and the Bookstore at 257-6050.

Sunday afternoon, the AIDS Network holds a bingo fundraiser. The vent is hosted by female impersonator GiGi Monroe and local guest celebrities call the numbers in this game where no straight line wins. The theme for the first event is “Hee Haw Bingo”. There is an admission charge, which includes 7 games of bingo, prizes, and entertainment. Participants must be 21 years or more old. This is at the High Noon Saloon, 701 East Washington Avenue, with doors opening at one and the games starting at 2. For more information, check www.madcampbingo.com or call the AIDS Network at 262-6540 x21.

Beginning Monday, the Dane County Humane Society will be hosting a Women’s Self-Defense Classes. Dick Thompson, a 25-year martial arts veteran will put women into simulated life threatening situations to shown them how to defend themselves. There is a cost for each class and they run through February 27. This is at the Dane County Humane Society, 5132 Voges Road, from 6:30 to 8. To sign up for the class, or for more information, contact Leanne at 838-0413, ext. 129, or email lhughes@giveshelter.org.

January 26

This evening, the Radical Sci-Fi & Fantasy Reading Group holds a kick-off meeting. The meeting will focus on collecting ideas and creating a spring schedule. Some suggested authors and tittles include: Quinn's "Ishmael", Le Guin's "Dispossessed"; and Dick's "Penultimate Truth”. This is at Escape Coffeehouse, 916 Williamson Street, at 6:30. For more details, call 262-9036.

Tonight, the Jewish Cultural Collective hosts Joshua Braff. He will speak on his book The Unthinkable Thoughts of Jacob Green about a witty, sensitive boy observes the darkly humorous goings-on in his Orthodox Jewish family in 1970s New Jersey. The Jewish Cultural Collective is a student group on campus dedicated to bringing Jewish arts and culture to campus for everyone. This is at Hillel, 611 Langdon Street, at 7:30. For more information, call Lisa Heilbronner at 438-6684.

This weekend, Saint Vincent de Paul holds a “Recycle the Warmth” Blanket Drive. They are seeking donations of blankets and other bedding to help provide comfort to low-income families and individuals throughout 2006. Collection points are the four Madison-area ShopKo stores and the five Saint Vincent de Paul thrift stores. They will collect donations of blankets and funds from 9 to 5 tomorrow and Saturday. For more information or to get the addresses of the locations, call the Society of St. Vincent de Paul at 278-2920 or by check www.svdpmadison.org.

Janurary 25

This week
Project Home is seeking applicants for its May "Hammer with a Heart" home repair project. This home repair event is designed to unite volunteers and donated materials with homeowners who desperately need repairs to remain in their homes. To be eligible, homeowners must both own and occupy a single-family home within Dane County. The home must be structurally sound, but in desperate need of repairs. For details call 246-3737.


The Community Law Project
provides free legal services to low income Dane County residents. They can provide legal assistance in landlord/tenant disputes, Public benefit, or un-paid wages disputes. They are at 2300 South Park Stree! t. Call 260-8221 for details.

"The Homeshare Program"
at "Independent Living Incorporated" matches older adults with working people or students who are in need of low cost housing and are able to provide some assistance around the house. Call 274-6900 and ask for "Homeshare" for details.

"Dane County Friends of Ferals"
and others help feral and semi-feral cats with a "Trap, Neuter, Release" program. Additionally they assist rural residents to manage their barn and feral cat colonies and find responsible caregivers for cats who may need special attention. Call 608-209-5529 for details.

January 24

Today and ongoing
the South Madison Farmers Market offers a chance to get fresh, reasonably priced, sustainably grown or organic produce throughout the winter. Boxes may contain items such as, apples, beets, carrots, peppers and spinach. Orders should be in by Tuesday for pick up on Friday in the South Madison Area. For details or to place an order call Robert at 358-6834.

Today ongoing
the Olbrich Botanical Gardens features an exhibit entitled, "Maintaining the Glass Pyramid, A Conservatory Exhibit". The walk through exhibit will explain the history of Bolz Conservatory and what it takes to maintain this tropical environment. This is at 3330 Atwood Avenue through Sunday, March 26. Call 246-4550 for details.


"Da! ne County Friends of Ferals"
and others help feral and semi-feral cats with a "Trap, Neuter, Release" program. Additionally they assist rural residents to manage their barn and feral cat colonies and find responsible caregivers for cats who may need special attention. Call 608-209-5529 for details.

Wisconsin’s Home Energy Assistance
Program helps people pay for home energy costs including crisis assistance and weatherization. They are at 1225 South Park Street. They can be contacted via the web site heat.wi.gov or by phone at 267-3680.

The Affordable Housing Action
Alliance and others are in need of donations for the homeless people of the Madison Area. Donations of non-perishable food, diapers, phone cards, infant food, toiletries and bus tickets are appreciated. Contact 358-7090 for details or drop items in the box at the Social Justice Center, 1202 Williams! on Street. Call the Tenant Resource Center at 257-0006 with monetary donations.

Janurary 23

Shore to Shore, a program for families with a hearing impaired person will start a series of classes in American Sign Language. These will be held on consecutive Tuesday’s through March. Call 241-5150 for details.

The Tenant Resource Center
offers free counseling on Wisconsin state housing laws and regulations as well as information about local housing laws. It can also refer clients to the correct agency to assist them with housing needs. This is at 1202 Williamson Street. Call 257-0143 for details.

The South Madison Health
and Family Center, Harambee offers information about many services provided by a diverse number of groups including the Madison Community Health Cente! r, Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin, the Family Enhancement Early Childhood Center and the Dane County Parent Council. They are at 2202 South Park Street. Call 261-9138 for details.

Wisconsin’s Home Energy Assistance
Program helps people pay for home energy costs including crisis assistance and weatherization. They are at 1225 South Park Street. They can be contacted via the web site heat.wi.gov or by phone at 267-3680.

"The Homeshare Program"
at "Independent Living Incorporated" matches older adults with working people or students who are in need of low cost housing and are able to provide some assistance around the house. Call 274-6900 and ask for "Homeshare" for details.

January 20

This evening, Partners for SustainAbility host a screening of "Independent America: The Two Lane Search for Mom & Pop”. The 80-minute documentary follows filmmakers Hanson Hosein and Heather Hughes as they travel through 32 states in search of "Independent America," uncovering a growing discontent with corporate America and a growing movement toward "local" in communities across the country. There is a suggested donation. This is at Capitol Brewery, 7734 Terrace Avenue, from 6 to 9. For more information or to RSVP, call 221-0588.

Tonight, activists are holding an informational meeting about the organizing movement against American Transmission Company. They are protesting ATC’s proposed high-voltage power line that will run through the greater Madison area. They argue that the power lines cause environmental destruction of natural lands and agriculture and health problems for people living near transmission lines. Activist Tom Kreager is the featured speaker. This is at the Verona Senior Center, 108 Paoli Street, at 6:30. For more information, call 845-6026.

Tomorrow morning, the Madison Institute holds a Progressive Round Table entitled “Voter Fraud!” There will be a screening of a DVD on the topic recommended by NYU Professor Mark Crispin Miller, author of Fooled Again, followed by a discussion of what needs to be done to protect the integrity of our electoral system. This is at Meriters’ Main Gate Grand Hall, 333 West Main Street, from 9 to noon. For more details, check www.themadisoninstitute.org.

Tomorrow, the Madison Area Peace Coalition hosts a peace vigil to “Bring the Troops Home Now and End the War in Iraq”. Participants are asked to bring signs and drums if possible. This is next to Culver’s at East Town from 11 to noon. For more information, call Helena White at 249-2097 or check www.madpeace.org.

Tomorrow afternoon, Hands off Venezuela’s local chapter holds its inaugural meeting. The international group seeks to raise awareness and grassroots support for the Bolivarian (bowl-ah-varian) Revolution. This is at 150 Jenifer Street at 4. For more information, check www.ushov.org or www.handsoffvenezula.org.

Sunday, the Wisconsin Youth Company hosts the 2006 Celebrating Youth Day with the theme of “Circus of Dreams”. 30+ groups will perform dance, theater, vocal and instrumental music, and cultural acts. Circus World Museum will have many of their historical memorabilia on hand. The annual event is held to show what is right with youth and the positive things they do for their community. This is free, open to the public, and held at the Monona Terrace Convention Center from 11 to 5. For more information, call 276-9782 ext. 23 to visit www.celebratingyouth.org.

Sunday, Two Degrees Coffeehouse in Room of One’s Own Bookstore hosts Eric Glatz, Wobbly finger guitarist from the shores of Lake Michigan. He will play a mixture of blues, Latin, classical, blues, and indigenous music. This is at the Coffeehouse, 307 West Johnson Street, at 2. For more details, call the Coffeehouse at 257-7888.

Sunday evening, the Alliance for Animals hosts a Thanksgiving in January Community Vegan Dinner. They will serve traditional vegan fare including seitan (see-tan) turkeys, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie. This event is free and open to the public. Volunteers are also needed from 4:00 – 9:00 to help with cooking, serving, greeting people, and cleaning up. This is at the Wilmar Center, 953 Jenifer Street, from 6:30 to 8. For more information or to volunteer, email inquiz@yahoo.com or call 441-2457.

Sunday afternoon, there is a fundraiser for the Inter Faith Coalition’s Worker’s Right’s Center. The Worker’s Rights Center, located at 2300 South Park Street, is a volunteer-run, multilingual resource center that provides workers with information, assistance, and advocacy for workplace problems. This features music by Aniv del la Rev. There is a suggested donation and is at the Harmony Bar, 2201 Atwood Avenue, from 3 to 5. For more information, call 255-0376.

January 19

Artists producing wall-hung art are invited to apply for exhibitions in the University of Wisconsin–Madison Arboretum’s Steinhauer Trust Gallery. The deadline is February 28. Interested artists need to send proposals, 5 slides or electronic images and return-postage paid mailers to: Pat Brown, UW-Madison Arboretum; 1207 Seminole Highway; Madison, WI 53711 or pabrown1@wisc.edu Artwork will be juried for appropriateness to the mission and goals of the Arboretum. Call Pat Brown at 265-3355 for more information.

January 18

Tonight, Wheels For Winners holds an open house. Wheels for Winners refurbishes used bicycles and gives them to kids who do community service. The organization has many opportunities to get involves. The open house is at Wheels for Winners, 2310 Pennsylvania Avenue, from 6:30 to 8:30. For more information, check www.wheelsforwinners.org or call 249-2418.

The Homeshare Program at Independent Living Incorporated matches older adults with working people or students who are in need of low cost housing and are able to provide some assistance around the house. Call 274-6900 and ask for Homeshare for details.

Briarpatch seeks volunteers to work with teens in crises, either by answering the crises line, providing emergency shelter or acting as family counselors. Some positions may require training. Call Debi at 251-6211 for details.

January 17

This evening, the UW-Madison branch of Stop the War holds its weekly meeting at 6 in the Memorial Union. Check Today in the Union for the room location. For more information, check www.campusantiwar.net.

Madison Hours invites grassroots groups to cosponsor their monthly pancake breakfast fundraiser. The breakfast occurs the second Sunday of each month from 8:30 to 11:00 at the Wilmar Center. Cosponsors are asked to help publicize the fundraiser to their members and provide two volunteers for the duration of the breakfast. Madison Hours will do all the food preparation and actual cooking. If interested, contact Camy at 455-2712.

WORT is looking for help in recording and reading for The Insurgent Radio Kiosk. This would require a minimum of one hour per week. It is a wonderful opportunity to help your local community radio station and get some real-life experience in radio. If a listener is interested in volunteering they may call the station at 256-2001 and talk to Glenn.

January 16

Sunday, the Rainbow Bookstore Cooperative, in conjunction with local groups, hosts Feminist, Revolutionary, and Historian Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz. She is on a national tour with her recently released book “Blood on the Border: A Memoir of the Contra War” in which she recounts on-the-ground memories of the contra war in Nicaragua. This is at the Red Gym on Langdon Street at 2. For more information, call Allen and the Bookstore at 257-6050.

This evening, Just Coffee presents Josh and Chris of the Aprovecho Research Center. The Center is home to 40-acres of ethical agriculture and sustainable forestry management. It is located at the western edge of the Willamette watershed in Oregon. This is at 2 Degrees Coffee House, 307 West Johnson Street, at 6. For more information, check www.aprovecho.net.

This evening, the City of Madison and Dane County host the 21st Annual City-County observance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The keynote speaker is Dr. Gloria Johnson-Powell, the first black female full professor at Harvard Medical School. This is at the Overture Center’s Capitol Theater, 211 State Street, at 6. This will also be broadcast on Madison City Channel 12. For more information, call Mona at 239-7707.

Tomorrow morning, Voces De La Frontera holds a protest at the Capitol Building to protest Assembly Bill 69. The bill would restrict non-resident aliens from receiving Wisconsin Drivers License. Voces de al Frontera argues that this promotes racism and would drive those aliens further underground, making roads more dangerous. This at the Capitol Building at 10 am. For more information, check www.vocesdelafrontera.com.

January 12

This evening, the Industrial Workers of the World hold their monthly Madison General Membership Branch. This month’s meeting includes elections for treasurer and secretary, plus committee updates including the latest on the Madison Downtown Workers Union drive. This is at the Madison Teachers Building, 821 Williamson Street, at 6:30. For more information, call 255-1800 or 262-9036.

Sustain Dane hosts a variety of discussion courses including ones on health, voluntary simplicity, and community. For more information or to register, call 845-7180 or check www.sustaindane.org.

The Interfaith Coalition of Worker’s Justice (ICWJ) Worker’s Rights Center is a community center dedicated to educating and empowering workers and advocating for worker justice. They are in the Villager Mall at 2300 South Park Street, Suite 6. Workers may call the ICWJ office at 255-0376.

January 13

This evening, there is a free community dinner in celebration of Martin Luther King Junior Day. This is at Gordon Commons, 717 West Johnson Street, at 5. For more information, call Mona at 239-7797

Beginning tonight, the Broom Street Theater presents “A Wake”, a new comedy written and directed by Callen Harty. The story follows an Irish-American family gathering for a wake in small-town Wisconsin. The play runs through February 19th on every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 8. Tickets are available at the door. The Broom Street Theater is located at 1119 Williamson Street. For more information, call the Theater at 244-8338 or check www.broomstreet.org.

Tomorrow, the Socialist Potluck meets to discuss “Raising Reds: Young Pioneers, Radical Summer Camps and Communist Political Culture in the U.S.” with Professor Paul Mishler of the Division of Labor Studies at the University of Indiana, South Bend. The Socialist Potluck is an opportunity for Socialists to come together and discuss issues. This is at the Wilmar Center, 953 Jenifer Street, at 5:30.

January 6

Beginning tomorrow, the Dane County Winter’s Farmers Market will provide local seasonal foods, plus a breakfast featuring vendor products. This runs through April 15 at the Madison Senior Center, 330 West Mifflin Street from 8 to noon. For more information, check www.dcfm.org.

Beginning tomorrow, Olbrich Botanical Gardens hosts an exhibit on maintaining its glass pyramid Bolz Conservatory. The walk through will explain the history of the conservatory, the over 750 species of plants, and what it takes to maintain the tropical environment. This runs Mondays through Saturdays from 10 to 4 and Sundays from 10 to 5 through March 26. There is a small admission charge and is at Olbrich Gardens, 3330 Atwood Avenue. Call 246-4550 for more information.

Tomorrow afternoon, the Clarence Kalin Chapter of Veterans for Peace along with other local groups, as part of a national event, hold a town meeting entitled “Out of Iraq & Impeach the Leaders”. The purposes of the meeting are to discuss and encourage the national movement to impeachment President Bush, Vice President Cheney and Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld. This is a town meeting open to the public. This is at the Labor Temple, 1602 South Park Street, from 1 to 3. For more information, contact Buzz Davis at 873-4886 or by email at dbuzzdavis@aol.com.

Sunday, Madison HOURs holds its monthly pancake breakfast. The breakfast features an all organic and vegan line up of potatoes, pancakes, orange juice and fair-trade coffee. Madison HOURS seeks local commerce through local currency, keeping the wealth in your own neighborhoods. This is at the Wilmar Center, 953 Jenifer Street, from 8:30 to 11. For more information, check www.madisonhours.org.

January 5

Every Thursday from 3 to 7, Free Wheel hosts an open bike shop. Participants can learn about bikes and how to restore, fix, alter, or beautify their bikes by themselves. This is at Free Wheel, 1818 South Park Street. For more information, call 256-FREE.

AnySoldier.com seeks to connect interested parties with soldiers serving abroad. Participants can send letters or packages to those serving in foreign countries. AnySoldier.com started to help those serving under harsh conditions who lack many basic amenities or just need someone to write. To help, check www.anysolder.com.

The Madison Area Family Advisory/Advocacy Council calls for community members to get involved with the education of African American students in the K-12 schools. People can go to www.schoolcommmunityconnection.org to email or post comments. The Council can also be reach by mail at PO Box 55431, Madison, WI 53705.