Category: Local

Posted on

ZOOM! WHIZ! WOW! A High-Speed History of Madison’s Soap Box Derby

Learn about the history and experience the thrill of the soap box derby’s heyday in Madison from the mid-1930s through the 1950s as well as the excitement of today’s derby-racing action.  Visit Madison’s Wisconsin Historical Museum for this unique exhibit.  See unique cars, mementos, souvenirs, photos, and film from the days when zooming down a hill in a home-built car was the most fun a kid could have.

This interesting exhibit will run from June 26, 2010 – September 11, 2010. Located on the Capitol Square in Madison, the Wisconsin Historical Museum is full of wonderful information about the State’s rich history. The museum is open from 9am-4pm daily and is located: 30 N Carroll St . Madison, Wisconsin 53703 and you can reach them by (608) 264-6555.  Suggested Donation is $2.00/person

/kh

Posted on

Architect Marshall Erdman

One of most famous and pivotal of the Madison area architects is Marshall Erdman. Mr. Erdman was the founder of Marshall Erdman and Associates, one of the nation’s leading designer and builder of medical outpatient facilities. Established in 1951, the firm has its headquarters and Midwest Division in Madison, Wisconsin.

Marshall Erdman was often called a visionary.  In the 1950’s he worked with Frank Lloyd Wright on the design and construction of housing and the landmark Madison First Unitarian Church. In the years that followed, Erdman served as a consultant to the Peace Corps and was involved in many community and state boards and commissions, while continuing to oversee operation of the firm. A few years later saw the production and sales of the “U-Form-It” House, using precut, pre-marked lumber and cabinetry. In 1953 LIFE Magazine featured the home with this comment: “…Neither the first nor the cheapest but probably the best designed manufactured house.”

 In 1980, Marshall Erdman introduced a line of high quality furniture and cabinetry known as Techline. Later that year, due to his efforts in Wisconsin the Company was awarded a contract to design-build the state office building, GEF III (General Executive Facility – 3). This project set many records for excellence of construction, energy efficiency, short construction time and cost savings. GEF III was the third office building built for the State of Wisconsin. The contract called for 50-50 sharing of savings from the contract price. When the building was completed, ME&A returned over $150,000 to the State. The first year it cost 0.15 cents/square foot to heat GEF III versus at 6.14 cents/square foot to heat GEF.

/kh

Posted on

Golf Season In Madison

The Madison area  is a great place to be if you love to golf.  The city offers four premiere public golf courses for residents and visitors. They are Odana Hills, Glenway, Monona and Yahara Hills.

Each of these courses are led by Professional Golf Associations professionals and you will find all the courses challenging and a great time!

Odana Hills is a popular west side 18-hole regulation golf course and challenges golfers of all abilities and levels. The par-72 course is one of the most popular in the state and hosts several city tournaments each year.

Glenway Golf Course, located on Madison’s near west side, features a par-32 course that was first opened for play in 1927. This scenic course has the character and challenge people love. It features small greens and mature tree-lined fairways.

Monona Golf Course, a 9-hole regulation course, is located on Madison’s eastside. The par-36 course features well bunkered fairways and greens. It also has an excellent driving range with all natural grass tees.

Yahara Hills is a 36-hole regulation course that opened in 1967. It is Madison’s largest facility with two 18-hole championship courses and has hosted various national and state tournaments. Both 18-hole courses feature large bunkered greens, well-placed hazards and beautiful water features. A practice area, which includes a 40, 000 square foot putting green and large driving range, is suitable for major competitions and available for those who would like to sharpen their skills.

Season passes can be purchased at Odana Hills and Yahara Hills Golf Course and can also be renewed online. Whether you are a beginner or seasoned golfer, the City of Madison offers excellent golf courses and many are award winning!

 /kh

Posted on

Madison Area Memorial Day Fun!

Memorial Day is right around the corner and it is the unofficial start of summer! The Madison area is host to many fun events for everyone to enjoy, so plan your weekend now with some of the below events. Have a safe and fun holiday weekend!
Madison – Brat Fest, May 28-31: The World’s Largest Brat and Music Fest, featuring over 200 performances of free live music and fun. Willow Island at Alliant Energy Center. Brat Fest is 4 days filled with music, food and fun in the heart of downtown Madison. The World’s Largest Brat Fest is held every Memorial Day weekend – rain or shine – with all proceeds benefiting the local charities that help to staff the event. Brat Fest is also about enjoying good food at great prices while celebrating Wisconsin’s heritage and the people who make Madison a great place to live. And, a place where the cooking is done for the celebrating families and groups of friends.For more information call (608) 236-2035.

Madison Marathon-May 29-30:The Madison Marathon is held on Memorial Day weekend and  consists of a marathon and half marathon that begins and finishes at Alliant Energy Center. A Quarter Marathon, a first of its kind in the country, was added in 2008. A Health & Fitness Expo is held on Saturday; the races are on Sunday. American Cancer Society became MFI’s charity partner in 2007; they provide some of the volunteers and offer the ACS Charity Runner Program which brought them over $50,000 their first year.

Johnson Creek – Memorial Day Sidewalk Sale. Kick off summer fun and shopping with the  first sidewalk sale of the season! Johnson Creek Premium Outlets. For more information call (920) 699-4112.

Black River Falls – Memorial Day Pow-Wow, May 29-30: Black River Falls Memorial Day Pow-Wow – Memorial Day Weekend. Hwy 54 in Black River Falls. For more information call (800) 404-4008.

/kh

Posted on

A New Sign Installer in Town…

There is a new sign installer in town. The name is Gramar Sign.  The locally-owned company is spear-headed by John DuCharme.  After meeting with John, he has taken the majority of sign installer and fabricator complaints into consideration while structuring his offered services. The installations are set at an introductory price of $20/sign – and there are extra goodies too (for more details, visit his website: http://www.gramarsign.com/).

Once more, Oakley Signs services the sign fabrication requests.  I used Oakley myself to print my Glass Slipper Homes sign riders and open house signs. The print and materials are very precise and of high quality.

I’d love to hear what you think, once you have tried Gramar Signs for yourself.