May 31

Free Wheel Community Bicycle is a non-commercial, neighborhood-learning center run by a volunteer collective. They share skills, workspace and donated or salvaged materials for use by community members, low-income people and youth. They focus on bike repair and education and advocate the use of environmentally sustainable, self-reliant transportation. Their meetings and bike workshops are at 1818 South Park Street, unit eight. Call 256-3733 for details.

WORT is looking for volunteers. With a whole host of opportunities it’s easy, fun and rewarding to put in as much or as little time and energy as desired. Specifically they are looking for receptionists, engineers, pledge takers during the upcoming "pledge cruise", Kiosk readers and a Kiosk volunteer coordinator. Call Glenn at 256-2001 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 251-6211 for details.

Mothers United For Moral Support is an international support and matching organization for families and other caregivers of children with rare disorders or special needs. Call Julie Gordon at 1-920-336-5333 for details.

The Community Action Coalition Food Co-op, helps people to stretch their food budget. For a small advanced fee participants receive fresh food worth at least twice as much money. There are various pick-up dates and places throughout Madison. Call Ken at 246-4730, extension 205 for more information.

The Home Chore Volunteer Program seeks volunteers to help older people by doing household chores such as yard work that may be difficult for them making living at home impossible. Call 223-3100 for details.

May 30

Tuesday evening the "Madison Area Peace Coalition" holds a planning meeting for the July first "A, T and T" protest and July eleventh impeachment teach-in and film showing. This is at 6:00 in the Escape Java Joint, 916 East Williamson Street. Call 442-8822 for details.

Tuesday evening there is a meeting of the "Madison Area Peace Coalition" to help build outreach to educate around the current escalating United States government threat of attack on Iran, and to plan actions to help protest and prevent such an attack. This is at 7:00 in the Escape Java Joint, 916 Williamson Street. Call 255-0240 for details.

Wednesday morning "Madison Children’s Museum" staff invites children ages five and under for "Sensory Science: String Thing". They will be doing sensory table activities and simple science investigations. Call 256-6445 for details.

WORT is looking for help coordinating volunteer readers or reading for "The Insurgent Radio Kiosk". Reading requires about forty-five minutes per week. It is a wonderful opportunity getting some real-life experience in radio and helping the local community radio station. Please call 256-2001 and leave a message for the Kiosk for details.

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

May 29

Monday morning "Madison Area Compassionate Friends" and others gather to remember their children. They are an international self-help support organization for families grieving the death of a child. They will gather at the Vilas Park memory benches for a special bench dedication and program. This is in Vilas Park at 11:00. Call 835-7493 for details.

Monday afternoon there is a special Memorial Day commemoration for those who have struggled against fascism and for peace and justice worldwide. It is entitled "Searching for Peace in a Chaotic World at War." Featured speakers include Clarence Kailin, an Abraham Lincoln Brigade veteran of the Spanish Civil War and Esty Dinur of WORT’s "A Public Affair". This is at 1:00 at the "Lincoln Brigade Memorial" in James Madison Park. Call 238-1266 for details.

Monday afternoon the "Madison Children’s Museum" invites kids ages seven through nine to construct a water-powered rocket and launch it outside the museum. This is at 3:00 in 100 State Street. Call 256-6445 for details.

Monday evening on WORT’s "Access Hour" the staff of "Madison Infoshop" presents an interview with Aragorn!. He is the coeditor of the magazine ¨Anarchy: A Journal of Desire Armed". He will be speaking in Madison on Thursday. This is at 7:00. Call 256-2001 for details.

May 26

Sunday, the Northside Farmer’s Market features its first Festival Days. The featured event is food samples prepared by Punky Egan, lead instructor of the Pastry/Baking program at MATC. This will be every fourth Sunday of the month. This is at Northside Town Center at the corner of Northport and Sherman from 10 to 11.

Sunday, there is a Columbian taste picnic party celebrating Columbian Independence Day. This is at the Fireman’s Park in Middleton
Sunday afternoon, Amnesty International holds its weekly meeting at the Memorial Union at 4:30. Check “Today in the Union” for the location. For more information, email tislam@wisc.edu.

Monday, there is a special Memorial Day commemoration entitled “Searching for Peace in a Chaotic World at War” for those who have struggled against fascism and for peace and justice worldwide. Speakers include: John Nichols, associate editor of The Capital Times; Clarence Kailin, an Abraham Lincoln Brigade veteran of the Spanish Civil War, and other veterans. The event also features music from Dathi Wolfe of Yid Vicious, Clare Norelle, and Maury Smith. This is in James Madison Park at the corner of Butler and Gorham beginning at 1. For more information, call 238-1266 or email heartlandphoto@tds.net.

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.

May 25

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.

Tonight, Students for a World Without Poverty holds their weekly meeting. This is in the Memorial Union at 8:30. Check “Today in the Union” for the location or call 232-1168 or email kapetterson2@wisc.edu for more information.

Then Rainbow Bookstore is looking for volunteers to continue a long tradition of offering critical literature, political and cultural writing, buttons, t-shirts, ‘zines, stickers, and more to Madison’s radical community in a boss free environment. Volunteers get a 25% discount on purchases. To volunteer, drop by the store at 426 West Gilman Street or call 257-6050 and talk to Moi, Rainbow’s volunteer coordinator. Check www.rainbowbookstore.org for details.

May 24

Wednesday evening the South Central Federation of Labor's Committee on Political Education (COPE) holds its forty-sixth annual "Bean Feed". For a low price attendees can get all the beans, hot dogs and potato salad they can eat. That’s at the Madison Labor Temple, 1602 South Park Street at 6:00. Call 256-5111 for details.

Thursday at noon on WORT’s A Public Affair host Lea Zeldin speaks with a University of Wisconsin Fitness Center Physical Therapist. They discuss "Clemente," the recent book by Dave Maranis. Call 256-2001 for details.


WORT is looking for help coordinating volunteer readers or reading for The Insurgent Radio Kiosk. Reading requires about forty-five minutes per week. It is a wonderful opportunity getting some real-life experience in radio and helping the local community radio station. Please call 256-2001 and leave a message for the Kiosk 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 251-6211 for details.

Mothers United For Moral Support is an international support and matching organization for families and other caregivers of children with rare disorders or special needs. Call Julie Gordon at 1-920-336-5333 for more information on getting or, giving help.

May 23

Tuesday morning in the Madison Children’s Museum kids ages five and under may participate in a workshop using the sensory table and simple science investigations for a spring snowstorm. This is at 11:00 in 100 State Street. Call 256-6445 for details.

Tuesday evening the Madison Area Peace Coalition holds a public forum on the growing United States threat against Iran. It will feature special guest speaker and Iranian activist, Saman Sepehri. He has been an activist in the solidarity movement against the United States war against Iraq. There will also be a brainstorming session on an Independence Day weekend peace action. This is in the Wil-mar Neighborhood Center, 953 Jenifer Street at 6:30. Call 257-6050 for details.

Tuesday night on WORT’s "New Disk at Nine" the "Original Wilson Brothers" host a show about former record producer Martin Hannett. The show features various artists and is entitled "The Martin Hannett Story 1977-1991." That’s at 8:00. Call 256-2001 for details.

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

May 22

Monday, May 24, 2006



Monday afternoon kids ages seven to nine may participate in a workshop making colorful hand dipped paraffin candles at the Madison Children’s Museum. This is at 3:00 in 100 State Street. Call 256-6445 for details.

Monday evening the Madison Infoshop holds a collective meeting and potluck for people who would like to keep their community resource center and activist freespace open and lively. That’s at 6:30 in 1019 Williamson Street. Call 262-9036 for details. Participants are asked to bring food or drinks to share.

Monday evening the "Wil-Mar Theater Troupe" and "TAPIT/new works" present "Home Town Newspapers" about exploring the news and learning to read the news with a critical sense in order to help build better citizens. That’s at 7:00. Call 256-2001 for details.

WORT is looking for volunteers. With a whole host of opportunities it’s easy, fun and rewarding to put in as much or as little time and energy as desired. Specifically they are looking for receptionists, engineers, pledge takers during the upcoming "pledge cruise", Kiosk readers and a Kiosk volunteer coordinator. Call Glenn at 256-2001 for details.

Free Wheel Community Bicycle is a non-commercial, neighborhood learning center run by a volunteer collective. They share skills, workspace and donated or salvaged materials for use by community members, low-income people and youth. They focus on bike repair and education and advocate the use of environmentally sustainable, self-reliant transportation. Their meetings and bike workshops are at 1818 South Park Street, unit eight. Call 256-3733 for details.

The Parental Stress Center in Madison works to prevent child abuse and neglect. They need volunteers to provide childcare on Monday evenings at 6:30 and to serve a hot meal to families on Wednesday evening at 4:00. Call 241-4888 for details.

May 19

Tonight, Carol Vesecky, director of Biointensive for Russia, gives a talk on “Biointensive Mini-Farming in Russia’s Chernobyl Radiation Zone”. She will discuss their group’s work with the Russian NGO, Viola, to monitor radiation in harvested vegetables and develop more sustainable agricultural alternatives for those living in the Chernobyl fallout zone. This is in the Memorial Union, 800 Langdon Street, at 7. Check Today in the Union for the room location or call 260-0900.

Tomorrow morning, the Wisconsin Center for Book and Paper Arts holds a Benefit Rummage Sale. All proceeds benefit the Wisconsin Center for Book and Paper Arts, Wisconsin's only non profit book and paper co-op studio. This is at the Coop, 515 South Paterson, from 9 to 6. To donate items, call the Center at 284-8394.

Tomorrow, The Madison Area Peace Coalition holds informational picket to Bring the Troops Home Now, End the War on Iraq, and Impeach the Bush Administration. This is a continuation of monthly peace vigils the MAPC has held since December. Participants are asked to bring signs and drums if possible. This is near the Armed Forces Recruiting Center at the northeast corner of East Washington and Thierer Road from 11 to noon. For more information, call Helena White at 249-2097 or check www.madpeace.org.

Sunday, The Missira Library Project, inspired by a Peace Corps volunteer from Madison hosts a fundraiser with an open reception. The event includes a raffle and a silent auction. All proceeds go directly to aid African youth education in Missira, Senegal build a library, computer and science lab. There is a suggested donation at the door. This is at the Weary Traveler Freehouse, 1201 Williamson Street, from 2 to 6. Contact Sara Choate, Peace Corps Volunteer at sarachoate@gmail.com or 663-9289.

Sunday, First Unitarian Society hosts Cameron Powers and Kristina Sophia of Musical Missions. They will recount their experiences playing Arabic music on the streets of Iraq, Egypt, Jordan, Syria and the West Bank before and during the war in Iraq. Their presentation includes music, images, stories and information about the Arab world from the viewpoint of Americans singing and playing Arabic music to the astonishment of Arab speaking audiences. There is a suggested donation. They play at the First Unitarian Society Meeting House, 900 University Bay Drive, on Sunday, from 3 to5. Following the concert, they lead a special workshop, “Spiritual Traveler: Journeys Beyond Fear” from 6 to 8. Check www.musicalmissions.com for more information on their work.

May 18

This afternoon, Christine Neumann-Ortiz and a representative of the Workers Rights Center hold a meeting to discuss immigration and work issues. The meeting is held in Spanish and translated into English. This is at the Madison Labor Temple, 1602 South Park Street, at 3. Call 335-1680 for details.

This evening Dr. Shazia Khalid (sha-ZEE-ah KAH-lid), a rape survivor and advocate of women’s human rights, speaks about the social and legal challenges women face in Pakistan today. Dr. Khalid has spoken out against the injustice women face with laws that allow perpetrators of rape and abuse to escape punishment and the existing environment of hostility and “victim blaming” of Pakistani rape survivors. This is sponsored by the Asian American Network Against Abuse of Human Rights and South Asia Forum-Madison. This is in the Red Gym, 716 Langdon Street, from 6 to 7:30. Check www.4anaa.org or www.southasiaforum.org for more information.

Tonight Mary Ann Novascone (no-VAH-skone-ee) shares her experiences in dealing with school districts, students and parents in the Sauk Prairie, Reedsburg, Baraboo and Lodi school districts on countering military recruitment in public schools. This is in Regina Hall’s Lake Room at Edgewood College from 7 to 8:30. Call 233-1898 for more details.

Tonight, environmental author Peter Friederici (free-der-REE-chee) speaks at the UW Arboretum on stories from his new book, Nature’s Restoration: People and Places on the Front Lines of Conservation. The stories are examples of how ordinary citizens are working to help nature heal itself. Friederici teaches journalism at Northern Arizona University, and has contributed articles to Audubon, Orion, High Country News and many other periodicals. The event is free and open to the public and is at the Visitor Center auditorium at the Arboretum at 7. For more information contact Pat Brown at 265-3355 or by email at pabrown1@wisc.edu.

May 17

Wednesday the University of Wisconsin Transportation services sponsors a day of "Bike to Work" week activities. At 7:00 in the morning WORT has "Bike To Work Week" and "Bike Federation" news. At 5:30 there is a pre-movie casual bike ride from the Memorial Union to commemorate those who were injured or killed in bicycle crashes. At 7:30 there is a "bike in movie" at the Union Theatre. Call 251-4456 for details.

The Parental Stress Center in Madison works to prevent child abuse and neglect. They need volunteers to provide childcare on Monday evenings at 6:30 and to serve a hot meal to families on Wednesday evenings at 4:00. Call 241-4888 for details.

Domestic Abuse Intervention Services is a non-profit agency dedicated to ending violence in the lives of domestic abuse victims and their children. They are currently looking for volunteers. Call 251-1237 for details.

The Community Action Coalition Food Co-op helps people increase their food budget. For a small advanced fee, participants receive fresh food worth at least twice as much money. There are various pick-up dates and places, throughout Madison. Call Ken at 246-4730, extension 205 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 251-6211 for details.

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

May 16

Tuesday "Sustainable Times" sponsors an "Isthmus Bke to Work Week" breakfast and bike safety check. That’s at 7:00 in the morning at 101 King Street and at 7:00 in the evening there is a "dessert potluck" with "Madison Hours" at the "Wil-Mar Neighborhood Center, 953 Jenifer Street". Call 251-4456 for details.

Tuesday evening the Madison City Council votes on the proposed sick leave ordinance. There is a support rally on the City-County building steps before the meeting. Supporters are asked to attend and register in support of the ordinance beforehand. The rally is at 6:00 in front of the City-County building, 210 Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard. The meeting is at 7:00. Call 260-8299 for details.

Tuesday night the "Diamond Way Buddhist Center" sponsors a lecture by Lama Ole Nydahl. The talk is entitled "Meditation: Science of Mind". It is at the Orpheum Theater, 216 State Street at 7:30. Call 608-332-7628 for details.

Tuesday night there is an Anarchist Potluck meeting. Participants are encouraged to come, bring a dish and hang out with folks interested in getting the potluck up and running again. That’s at 8:00 in Lothlorien Co-op, 244 West Lakelawn Place. Call 262-9036 for details.

Mothers United For Moral Support is an international support and matching organization for families and other caregivers of children with rare disorders or special needs. Call Julie Gordon at 1-920-336-5333 for more information on getting or, giving help.

May 15

Monday for "Bike to Work week" Williamson Street Bicycles sponsors a day of activities. At 8:00 there are bike check-ups and bagels on the square at State Street. At 10:00 there is a press conference and at 7:00 a bike maintenance clinic in 640 West Washington Avenue. Call 255-5292 for details.

Monday at noon on WORT’s A Public Affair for Saint DYMPHNA's Day host Norm Stockwell speaks with Professor Ronald Takaki on immigration and "melting pots." Call 256-2001 for details.

Monday afternoon the Madison Children’s Museum holds a workshop to construct wooden stick bridges and test the strength of the designs. It is geared for children ages seven through nine. It is at 3:00 in 100 State Street. Call 256-6445 for details.

Monday evening the Escape Gallery and Café’ sponsors a "Metaphysical Monday" event in honor of Mother’s Day. It includes a community sing-along, meditation and a drum circle. This is in 916 Williamson Street at 7:00. Call 255-0997 for details.

Monday evening on WORT’s Access Hour host WMJ Leplae presents a Wisconsin produced radio drama, "Ghosts of Bellstone" and interviews the writer by phone in Milwaukee. That’s at 7:00. Call 256-2001 for details.

May 12

Tomorrow, Friends of the Cambridge Library hold their annual plant sale. The sale features perennials, annuals and houseplants from local gardeners. This is from 9 to 3 at the Amundson Center downstairs from the library at 200 Spring Street in Cambridge. Call 423-3900 for more information.

The North side Farmers Market continues this Sunday at the North side Town Center at the corner of North Sherman Avenue and Northport Drive. The Market accepts Senior produce vouchers, WIC produce vouchers, and QUEST cards. This is every Sunday from 8 am to noon through October 29.

Sunday, poet Robin Chapman and physicist Julien Sprott read and discuss Images of a Complex. The book mixes Chapman’s poems of everyday experience of change in a complex world metaphorically with Sprott’s full-color computer art generated from billions of versions of only three simple equations for strange attractors. This event is free and open to the public and is at a Room on One’s Own, 307 West Johnson Street, at 2. For more information, call the bookstore at 257-7888 or check roomofonesown.com.

May 11

This evening, the Madison General Membership Branch of the Industrial Workers of the World holds its monthly meeting and potluck. They will provide pizza and beverages, but other items are welcome. This is at the MTI Building, 821 Williamson Street, at 6:30. For more information, call 255-1800.

Tonight, the PoliSciFi book meets to watch the controversial cinematic version of the story “V for Vendetta” by Alan Moore, in preparation for a discussion of the graphic novel itself scheduled for May 18. “V for Vendetta” is a futuristic tale in a fascist Great Britain where a freedom fighter known as V uses terrorist tactics to fight the oppressive society. He rescues a young woman Portman from the secret police, and she becomes his unlikely ally. Carpools leave from Escape Café, 916 Williamson Street, at 7:30 and the film is at Point Cinema, 7825 Big Sky Drive, at 8:15. For more information, call 442-8399.

Sunday, May 21 is the Tour de Timor bike ride to raise money for the Madison-Ainaro Sister City Alliance. All proceeds support community-led projects in Madison's sister city of Ainaro, East Timor, including a maternal and child health care clinic, Ainaro's community radio station, and a grassroots reconstruction and vo-tech training group. Our yearly ride is about twelve miles and takes an hour to an hour and a half to complete. There is a registration fee that includes a union-made Tour de Timor T-shirt and free refreshments. Riders are also encouraged to collect pledges. This begins at 1 at Law Park on the corner of Williamson Street and John Nolen Drive. For more information and to register, check aideasttimor.org or call 244-4563.

May 10

The Home Chore Volunteer Program is seeking volunteers to help older people by doing household chores, such as yard work or snow shoveling that may be difficult for them, making living at home impossible. Call 223-3100 for details or to volunteer.

The Community Action Coalition Food Co-op helps people to stretch their food budget. For a small advanced fee, participants receive fresh food worth twice as much money. There are various pick-up dates and places, throughout Madison. Call Ken at 246-4730, extension 205 for more information.

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.
Volunteers may call the station at 256-2001 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 251-6211 for details or, to volunteer.

The Respite Center is a safe place for kids, ages birth to fourteen, whose families are under stress or in crisis. They are looking for volunteers to play with kids four hours a week. Call Molly at 244-5730 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.

May 9

Tuesday evening the Women's International League For Peace and Freedom (WILPF) hosts author Louise Knight discussing "Citizen". It concerns the search for the influences that formed Jane Addams, founder of WILPF, Hull House and the first women’s union. This is in the Central Library, 301 West Mifflin Street, room 2002 at 6:00. There is a potluck at 5:30 before the program. Call 233-8979 for details.

Tuesday evening the Diamond Way Buddhist Center presents a lecture by Lama Ole Nydahl. He is a Buddhist Master from Denmark. This at the Orpheum Theatre, 216 State Street at 7:30. Call 332-7628 for details.

Tuesday evening the Interfaith Center for Worker Justice (ICWJ) holds its
quarterly general membership meeting. Participants may learn about current campaigns and upcoming activities, This is in the First Unitarian Society Meeting House, 900 University Bay Drive at 7:00. Call 255-0376 for details. Translation and refreshments are provided.

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.

"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.

Mothers United For Moral Support is an international support and matching organization for families and other caregivers of children with rare disorders or special needs. Call Julie Gordon at 1-920-336-5333 for more information on getting or, giving help.

Many Madison Seniors are not able to keep their lawns trim and tidy themselves. The Madison Coalitions of Older Adults Home Chore Volunteer Program is looking for people to help do this on either a one-time or on-going basis. Volunteers may call 243-5252 and ask for Nicole.

May 8

Monday evening the Madison Infoshop Collective holds a meeting for people who would like to keep their community resource center and activist freespace open and lively. That’s at 6:00 in 1019 Williamson Street. Call 262-9036 for details.

Monday evening on WORT’s Access Hour the host is Kristin Buras. Born and raised in New Orleans, she recently returned there to visit family. She will present a show about the city. It will include a mix of political commentary, phone interviews, spoken word poetry and music. That’s at 7:100. Call 256-2001 for details.

Domestic Abuse Intervention Services is a non-profit agency dedicated to ending violence in the lives of domestic abuse victims and their children. They are currently looking for volunteers. Call 251-1237 for details.

The Community Action Coalition, Food Co-op, helps people increase their food budget. For a small advanced fee, participants receive fresh food worth at least twice as much money. There are various pick-up dates and places, throughout Madison. Call Ken at 246-4730, extension 205 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 251-6211 for details.

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

May 5

Absolutely Art, 2322 Atwood Avenue, will host three groups during the month of May. This includes "Security is...The Respite Center”, Abby's Art Club with "Chickens for Chickens”, and Marquette Elementary with "All in a Year's Work". Both the art club and the Marquette will donate proceeds to Heifer International and the Respite Center work will go directly back to the Respite Center. The shows run May 1 to 31. The Opening Reception will be held tonight from 5 to 9. It features live music by a local High School string quartet and refreshments. If you have any questions call the gallery at 249-9100.

This evening, the Wisconsin Center for Book and Paper Arts hosts “Cinco de Mayo Paper Fruit”. Participants can make and take home paper fruit. The Center is Madison’s only all volunteer, non-profit, cooperative book and papermaking studio. There is a small requested donation. This is at the Center, 811 Williamson Street, from 5 to9. For more information, call 284-8394 or check www.wibookandpaper.org.


This evening, the Madison Children’s Museum hosts a free open house and Elementary School Arts Showcase as part of Madison’s spring Gallery Night
festivities. The exhibition of visual artwork was created by K–5 students at Mendota, Lincoln, Frank Allis, Nuestro Mundo, and Crestwood elementary
schools. This is at the Museum, 100 State Street, from 6 to 8. Check www.madisonchildrensmuseum.com for details.

This and next Saturday, Sustain Dane needs volunteers to install rain barrels at the homes of about 100 Dane County residents. The Rain Barrel Project is a hands-on initiative to reduce water pollution in communities across Dane County. Proceeds from the project will support Sustain Dane's sustainability efforts. This is from 10 to 3. To volunteer, check www.sustaindane.org.


Tomorrow, the Bristol Lutheran Church hosts a Salad Buffet and Bake sale to bene9ft the Sun Prairie Emergency Food Pantry. This is at the Church, 6835 Highway N 2 ½ miles north of Sun Prairie, from 11 to 1. Call the Church at 837-6093 for details.

Tomorrow afternoon, UW alum and former Labor Dept. economist, Morgan Reynolds gives a talk entitled “Was America Bush Whacked?” about the controlled demolition of the Bush Administration. This is sponsored by the Muslim-Jewish-Christian Alliance for 9/11 Truth and is at the State Historical Society, 800 State Street, at 3. Check www.mujca.com for details.

Tomorrow night, WisCon hosts an unveiling of the Tiptree Quilt. The Tiptree Quilt celebrates the James Tiptree Jr. Award, an annual prize for science fiction and fantasy that expands and explores our understanding of gender. James Tiptree, Jr. was the male pseudonym of Alice Sheldon whose brilliant stories and gender-bending life inspired the award in 1991. This is at Café Zoma, 2326 Atwood Avenue, from 7 to 10. For more information, check www.wiscon.info,.

May 4

This evening, the Social Justice Center celebrates its 6th Anniversary. The event features the SJC Visionary Award, presented this year to Abha Thakkar of the Northside Planning Council. Ed Garvey of the People's Legislature, Fighting Bob, and Garvey, McNeil & McGillivray will receive the SJC Legacy Award for a lifetime of work dedicated to social justice and political change. This is at Olbrich Botanical Gardens, 3330 Atwood Avenue, from 5 to 7. For more information, contact the Social Justice Center at 227-0206 or by email at sjc@choiceonemail.com.

Tonight, the Rainbow Bookstore Cooperative and WORT – 89.9 FM host the authors of “Crashing the Gates: Netroots, Grassroots, and the Rise of People Powered Politics” Markos Zuniga and Jerome Armstrong. They are two of the most popular and influential commentators in the blogosphere and are in Madison on a national book tour. This is at the Madison Public Library, 201 West Mifflin Street, at 7. Call the Bookstore at 257-6050 for details.

May 3

Wednesday afternoon the Don and Marilyn Anderson HospiceCare Center holds a drop-in group for caregivers. It provides a supportive environment for those experiencing a time of crisis or increased distress. This is at 3:00 at 5395 East Cheryl Parkway in Fitchburg. Call 276-4660 for details. It is on the first and third Wednesday monthly.

Wednesday evening the South West Area Progressives sponsor a panel discussion on health care in Wisconsin primarily the four health care plans being proposed in Wisconsin. This is at 7:00 in the Mount Horeb Community Center, 105 North Grove Street. Call 608-832-8013 for details.

Thursday morning children are invited to the Madison Children's Museum for songs, movement and music-making with Kjersti Johanson. This is at 9:30 and 10:00 in 100 State Street. Call 256-6445 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.

Many Madison Seniors are not able to keep their lawns trim and tidy themselves. The Madison Coalitions of Older Adults Home Chore Volunteer Program is looking for people to help do this on either a one-time or on-going basis. Volunteers are asked to call 243-5252 and ask for Nicole.

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

May 2

Tuesday night WORT hosts May's First Tuesdays Reggae" benefit. It is at the Cardinal Bar and Dance hall and features Supa Ranks and His Rock-Stone High-Power; Tropical Riddims Sound System. This is in 418 East Wilson Street at 8:00. Call 256-2001 for details.

Wednesday morning children ages five and under play with Children's Museum staff at sensory table activities and simple science investigations. This is in 100 State Street at 11:00. Call 256-6445 for details.

Wednesday at noon on WORT's A Public Affair host Esty Dinur speaks with Mary Des Chene, an anthropologist who co-founded and co-edits the journal, "Studies in Nepali History and Society". She is a research associate at Washington University in Saint Louis, she'll discuss recent events in Nepal. Call 256-2001 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.

"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.

Mothers United For Moral Support is an international support and matching organization for families and other caregivers of children with rare disorders or special needs. Call Julie Gordon at 1-920-336-5333 for more information on getting or, giving help.

May 1

Monday morning the group, Organizacion En 10 de Abril holds a rally for a grassroots immigrant-led movement for a just and humane reform of United States immigration law. This is at 11:30 in the State Capitol building. A celebratory gathering at Brittingham Park follows. Call 467-0475 for details.

Monday afternoon children seven to nine are invited to the Madison Children's Museum for a paper making workshop to learn how paper is recycled and to make home made paper from colorful scraps. This is in 100 State Street. Call 256-6445 for details.

Monday evening WORT and others sponsor a benefit concert for the Workersf Rights Center and the Madison Downtown Workersf Union. Several bands will perform including Tani Diakite and his Malian Band (with guests WORT's own Tony Castaneda, Andy Ewen and Jerry Alexander). That's at 8:00 in the High Noon Saloon, 701 East Washington Avenue. Call 256-2001 for details.

Tuesday morning the "Greenbush Community Conference" presents "The Greenbush: Past, Present, Future". Using panel discussions, videos, exhibits and a new website they will "explore the rich life experiences, community changes, and continuity in this diverse community". This is at 9:00 in the Italian Workmen's Club, 914 Regent Street. Call 260-8078 for details.

Wednesday morning kids and Children's museum staff take an informal walk outside the museum to observe plants and animals, and record seasonal data for Nature Net's Earth Alive database. This is at 10:00. Call 256-6445 for details.

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