Leaf pickup extended through next week, Lisa Peyton-Caire honored, lots of library activities

Hello Neighbors,

It's difficult to believe it's already December!

I've heard from several of you with queries regarding leaf pickup, given how late leaves fell this year. Well, the Streets Division heard you, and will be offering a "last chance" leaf pickup next week. You must get your leaves to the curb before Monday morning December 6 if you want the chance to have your leaves collected. Otherwise, you may take your leaves to one of the City drop off sites.

The Jeffrey Clay Erlanger Civility in Public Discourse Award has been awarded to Lisa Peyton-Caire, the founder and CEO of The Foundation for Black Women's Wellness. Her advocacy for maternal and child health disparities in African-American communities is making a difference in Madison and Statewide. 

There's a lot going on at our libraries:

• Native American Storyteller-in-Residence Wraps Up: ?Storyteller-in-Residence Andi Cloud has hosted dozens of events at our libraries and beyond for Madisonians of all ages. We've learned so much from her and all the guest speakers she's invited to give us insight into Ho-Chunk culture. As the residency wraps up, we're grateful for the time she's spent with us and excited about the final activities she has planned!
• New City-Wide Medallion Hunt December 1-10: Andi Cloud invites Madison residents to hunt for a hand-made medallion in City of Madison parks. The clear, acrylic medallion has the Great Seal of the Ho-Chunk Nation engraved and is hidden within a City of Madison public park. Clues will be published online starting Wednesday, December 1, 2021. A new clue will appear daily through Friday, December 10, 2021, unless the medallion is found before that date. The person who finds the medallion will get to keep it and will also win a $50 gift card!
• Wisconsin Book Festival Presents Patty Loew for Seventh Generation Earth Ethics | December 9, 7 p.m. | VIRTUAL: In partnership with the Wisconsin Book Festival, author Patty Loew will appear live on Crowdcast to discuss her book, Seventh Generation Earth Ethics, and the increasing pressures to turn Indigenous lands into "sacrifice zones"--geographic areas that are permanently affected by environmental damage. 
• Being Hinu: Growing Up Ho-Chunk in the 20th Century | December 14, 7 p.m. | VIRTUAL: This Tuesday, Dec. 14, Andi Cloud wraps up her Storyteller Residency by getting personal! The virtual event, Being Hinu: Growing Up Ho-Chunk in the 20th Century, will provide a look into Andi's life, including pivotal moments where she learned her tribe's ways and started to define what the Ho-Chunk life means to her. 
• NEW SERVICE - Tech Assistance Available at the Library: Two of our library locations are offering FREE tech repair for tablets, laptops, and phones! Drop-in programs hosted at Lakeview and Meadowridge Libraries. 
• NEW SERVICE - Winter Mending at Central Library: Helpful sewers from the Sewing Machine Project are offering free, onsite mending services at Central Library every Thursday, from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. throughout December and January (not available Dec. 23). They can mend clothing, coats, and any other fabric-related repairs, with the exception of zippers. No sign-up required! Drop in anytime.

Neighborhood Grant Program: 

The Department of Planning and Community & Economic Development, Planning Division, has a grant program designed to help neighborhoods build capacity and beautify public places. The grant program helps to improve the quality of life within neighborhoods, and the City as a whole. All potential applicants must meet with city staff by January 17 and applications will be due February 7. Please send an email to neighborhoods@cityofmadison.com to request your pre-application meeting, and check the city's webpage in mid-December for 2022 program materials.

Stay warm!

Regina Vidaver