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City of Verona Newsletter
Issue Twenty - MARCH 2015
This Issue:
Fire Safety
Spring Election
Club 108 Memory Cafe
Spring and Summer Recreation
Civil Rights Film Series
Senior Center Events

March Events
2Paoli Pickers Performance, 12:30- 3:00 p.m., Senior Center (Every Monday Afternoon) 
4Keeping Seniors Safe Online, 11:00 a.m., Senior Center 
5AARP Tax Assistance, 9:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m., Senior Center 
5"Slavery By Another Name" 7:00-8:30 p.m., Library 
16Wisconsin Film Festival Sneak Peak, 6:30-7:30 p.m., Library 
17St. Patrick's Day Party, 11:45 a.m., Senior Center 
18Verona Historical Society Meeting, 3:00 p.m., Senior Center 
19AARP Tax Assistance 9:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m., Senior Center 
19Books N' Booze, Choose Your Own Mystery, 6:00 p.m., Pasqual's Cantina
20Monthly Birthday/Anniversary Party, 11:45 a.m., Senior Center 

24

No Credit, No Problem, 6:00-8:00 p.m., Library 
31Storm Water Retention and Use, 7:00-8:00 p.m., Library
 Adult Programs at the Library

Changing Weather & Climate in the Great Lakes Region, February 23-March 31 
This is a free four-week online class presented by UW-Madison.  Professor Steve Ackerman and Margaret Mooney, director of the Cooperative Institute for Meteorlogical Satellite Studies, will explore one season each week through short online lectures and activities. This program requires about one to three hours of work per week, including watching videos.
Weekly discussions will be held at the Verona Public Library on Wednesdays at 7pm.: February 25 and March 4, 11. and 18. Register here. 


Wisconsin Film Festival Sneak Peeks, March 16,
6:30- 7:30 pm
You're invited to a free preview of this year's Wisconsin Film Festival (April 9-16).
Watch trailers from this year's trailers and have an open discussion with festival organizers. Register online or call 608-845-7180. 

No Credit, No Problem
March 24, 6:00-8:00 pm 
Whether you've just turned 18 or are "starting over," tools are available to help you build credit. Learn the value of a good credit rating and other tips.  Registration is required. Call 608-257-5450.


Storm Water Retention and Use
March 31, 7:00-8:00 pm 
Rober Bohanan, Ph.D. from UW-Madison will discuss his research on the water quality of the detention ponds in Verona and at Badger Mill Creek. Marty Cieslik, from Verona's Public Works Department, will discuss Verona's rain garden and rain barrel rebate program. 
New Web Address

The City of Verona has a new Web Address. The new address is www.veronawi.gov. Please use this address going forward. 





Contacts:
  
111 Lincoln Street
845-6495
  
111 Lincoln Street
Commercial - 845-0963
Residential - 845-0909
  
410 Investment Court
845-6695
 
111 Lincoln Street
845-7623 - Non Emergency
 
101 Lincoln Street
845-9401 - Non-Emergency
 
500 Silent Street
845-7180
 
108 Paoli Street
845-7471
Fire Safety Tips: Proper Fireplace 
Ash Disposal 
The Verona Fire Department would like to remind residents of the importance of proper disposal of ashes. Each year, Fire Departments respond to fires caused by improper disposal of hot coals or ashes from fireplaces, wood stoves, and grills.  Coals and ashes from fires can remain hot enough to start a fire for many days after you think the fire is out. The exact amount of time for complete extinguishment and cooling depends on several factors: how hot the fire was, what was burning, and the amount of unburned fuel that remains. Click here to view a YouTube video developed by Portland Fire & Rescue to show how dangerous improper handling of ashes can be. 
 
To be safe, always treat all ashes and coals as hot, even when you they have had enough time to cool. 
 
To properly dispose of ashes or coals we recommend the following:
  • If possible, allow ashes and coals to cool for up to a week before removing them. Fireplaces and wood or pellet stoves are designed to contain their heat safely.
  • When it is time to dispose of the ashes, transfer them to a non-combustible, metal container with a tight fitting metal lid and wet them down. Buckets made especially for storage of ashes are available at many area retailers. 
  • NEVER use a vacuum cleaner to pick up ashes
  • They should NEVER be disposed of in a plastic garbage bag or can, a cardboard box, or paper grocery bag. While this sounds obvious, it happens all too often.
  • The metal container should then be places outside the home, away from anything that can burn. It should NOT be placed next to the firewood pile, up against the garage, on or under a wooden deck, or under a porch. Keep it at a minimum of 10 feet from your house.
  • DO NOT place any other combustibles in the metal container
Spring Election
The Spring Election will be held on Tuesday, April 7. The following offices will be on the ballot: 
  • Election of the Chief Justice State Referendum 
  • Justice of the Supreme Court
  • Dane County Circuit Court Judges
  • City Alderperon District 1, 2, 3, 4 
  • Verona Area School District Referendum
  • Verona Area School District Board Members

If you have changed addressees or names since the last time you voted, you will need to re-register to vote. The last day to register to vote by mail is March 18. You can register at City Hall until Friday, April 3. After this date, you will need to register at the polls on Election Day. All registrations require proof of residence. 


In-person 'early' absentee voting begins March 23 and runs through April 3 at City Hall during normal business hours. The last day to request an absentee ballot be mailed to you is Thursday, April 2. All absentee ballots must be postmarked by Election Day, April 7.

For more information about this Election, visit the City of Verona Election Page. 

Club 108 Memory Café 

The Verona Senior Center will be starting a Club 108 Memory Café on March 4. Memory cafes are welcoming social gatherings for independent seniors who are in the early stages of memory loss. The challenges of living with memory loss can sever social connection at a time when it is needed most. Memory café gatherings are one way people with memory loss and their care companions can come together to make new friendships and support one another.

 

Participation in the Club 108 Memory Café is by enrollment only.  If you are interested in learning more about this program, please contact Becky Losby at the Verona Senior Center at 845-7471. The Verona Senior Center would also like to welcome Program Assistant Rita Martin who will be working with the Club 108 Memory Café. 

 

Spring and Summer Recreation 

Registration for Spring and Summer programs has begun! The 2015 Spring and Summer Brochure is available online at www.veronawi.gov/recreation. The brochure features athletic and enrichment programs for adults and youth. You can browse offerings and register online here. 

 
Film Series Focuses on Civil Rights Struggles
The Verona Public Library will hose a four-part documentary film series, "Created Equal: America's Civil Rights Struggle," from February through March. Jonathon Pollack, Ph.D., history professor at Madison Area Technical College, will show segments of four films and moderate a discussion with audience members. The film series commemorates the 50th anniversary of Mississippi Freedom Summer and the 1964 passage of the Civil Rights Act. All films are free and open to the public.

"The Abolitionists" 
Thursday, February 26, 7:00-8:30 pm Abolitionist allies turned a despised fringe movement against slavery into a force that changed the nation. 

"Slavery by Another Name"
Thursday, March 5, 7:00-8:30 pm
Even after the Emancipation Proclamation, thousands of African Americans-often guilty of no crimes- were arrested, compelled to work without pay, repeatedly bought and sold, and coerced to do the bidding of masters.

"The Loving Story"
Thursday, March 12, 7:00- 8:30 pm
A racially charged criminal trial and a heart-rending love story converge in this documentary about Richard and Mildred Loving, an interracial couple who changed history.

"Freedom Riders"
Thursday, March 19, 7:00- 8:30 pm 
A courageous band of civil rights activists challenging segregation in the American South in 1961 risked being jailed, beaten, or killed as local and state authorities ignored or even encouraged violent attacks.

Register online or call 608-845-7180.    

Senior Center Events

Paoli Street Pickers 

Beginning Monday, March 2, the Paoli Street Pickers will resume their Monday afternoon performances. The country western group plays from 12:30-3:00 pm and there is no cost to attend. 

 

St. Patrick's Day Party, March 17

Lunch will be at 11:45 am and the cost is $5. Reservations are due by noon on March 16. The Currach Irish Trio will be playing. 

 

St. James Lunch

Preschool students from St. James will be here on March 18 at 10:15 am for a spring activity and will join us for lunch! 

 

AARP Tax Assistance 

A representative from AARP will be at the Senior Center March 5 and March 19 to assist you with tax filings. Appointments are required. Call the Senior Center at 845-7471 to schedule. 

 

Monthly Birthday and Anniversary Party 

Lunch will be served at 11:45 am on March 20. The cost is $5. Reservations are due by noon on March 19. Call 845-7471 to reserve your spot. Randy Kiel will be performing at 12:30 pm.