December 10, 2008 – 3:26 pm
Latest update from Madison’s Parks. Can’t wait to get the ski’s out!
Sledding – Sledding hills are open and in good condition. Elver Park Warming Shelter will be open for concessions on Saturday and Sunday (weather dependent).
Ski Trails – Staff is packing trails and setting tracks at Elver Park and Odana Hills Golf Course today. Please note that only the main loop at Odana Golf Course will have tracks set today. Tomorrow staff intends to pack and set tracks at Turville Point and South Cherokee. We will keep the public notified as trails are open for skiing. Ski rentals will be available on Saturday and Sunday at both Elver Park and Odana Hills Golf Course.
Ice Skating - The ice rinks are snow covered and continue to have dangerously thin ice conditions. While the snow is great for skiing, it has an insulating effect on the ice, turning it into slush. Public is advised to stay off the ice. Staff will continue ice maintenance as conditions allow.
For more information, visit www.cityofmadison.com/parks
November 12, 2008 – 2:32 pm
Want a great deal? The price has been cut DOWN on 1105 N. Thompson Drive. Check it out - send it to your friends!
November 4, 2008 – 3:00 pm
Exercise your right to vote today by 8pm!
This youTube video says it all: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svhq4C9HhUg
October 21, 2008 – 2:39 pm
It’s taken me a while to get this into blog form, but the Hosta Fundraiser for The Road Home was a huge success! The recommended contribution was $5 per plant and we raised $500!
Expect to see this as an annual event with more publicity this coming spring!
Thanks to all that participated in this event, there will be a homeless child that benefits from your support.
October 21, 2008 – 1:59 pm
Now that the leaves have begun their decent, we must be sure that the vital pathways of the roof are clear to allow for thawing and proper diversion of water - away from the foundation. Think of your the gutters on your house as the veins of the house. If they are clogged, things start to back up. Ice Damning is a perfect example of a potential result of backlogged gutters.
Use the buddy-system if you are going up on the roof. Make sure the ladder is tall enough to safely reach the top (so you can get back down!) some other roof cleaning options are mentioned on This Old House.
As you sweat from raking all the leaves - breathing in the crisp autumn air - remember, you’ll be done with “yard” work for the winter. City of Madison leaf collection. To make it less of a chore, do sections of the yard throughout the week. Less aches and more Vitamin D.
Hostas and most perennials can be cut back: Perennial Fall Maintenance. This helps with raking and will reduce the soggy spring plant bed preparation. A great way to stay green is to use decomposing yard waste bags as you clean the green away.
If you plan to use your wood fireplace, now is the time to get it inspected. Contact your local Fireplace installer to find a knowledgeable chimney sweep that can service your area. Remember to keep stacked wood away from the foundation of your home (especially if your home is made of wood!) A tarp will keep the moisture off of the wood. Bring in only what you need to use.
Before the snow flies, make sure that all the hoses are disconnected, emptied and stored for winter to prevent cracking. Double check the exterior faucet to see if there is an interior shut-off valve for the water. Better safe than flodded from a cracked pipe.
Speaking of winter, now is a great time to get first pick on a snow blower-before the first snow rush. I just bought a Toro CCR 2450 after much online research. I’ll keep you posted on how it throws snow.
