Northside News – Page 426 – A free community newspaper

Anita Weier, District 18 Alderperson

Elected Officials

Anita Weier

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February 13, 2015

I want to make sure everyone knows that I am not seeking re-election to the Madison City Council in April. I have enjoyed getting to know so many of you and helping solve some problems in District 18. However, after four years of hard work, I am imposing term limits on myself, although I will continue to work for the Northside I love.

I am extremely proud of achievements that include: helping to bring the UW Credit Union to Northport Drive, working with Mirus Partners to help them acquire and rehab The Woodlands, halting the state’s plan to build a 96,000-square-foot warehouse next to Troy Gardens, and envisioning and helping establish a productive community garden at Vera Court.

Of course, some problems remain. One major issue is the worn railroad bridge over Troy Drive and the disgraceful condition of a culvert that serves as a sidewalk under the bridge. Children fear the dark culvert and tend to walk in the narrow street under the bridge — a dangerous situation. The bridge is also so low that trucks sometimes hit it, which is a serious safety issue.

Representatives of Mendota School, the Vera Court Neighborhood Center and the co-housing at Troy Gardens hope to improve the culvert “sidewalk.” The Brentwood-Northport Neighborhood Resource Team also is exploring improvements, after I raised the issue.

City Engineer Rob Phillips and I are looking into potential funding for a major project that would include lengthening the bridge, adding a sidewalk and raising the vertical clearance under the bridge from the current 10.5 feet to 14 feet. The State of Wisconsin now owns the tracks, so perhaps the state could help fund improvements.

I know that readers of this column also have concerns, and that you will continue to work for the Northside — one of the most dedicated and resourceful communities in Madison. Take pride in your achievements and the natural beauty around us.

Degenerative joint disease?

Health

Ross Royster

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February 13, 2015

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I can’t tell you the number of patients I have seen in near panic because they have been told their joints are deteriorating, or at least that’s what they heard after having X-rays or an MRI. The term “degenerative joint disease” (DJD) is pretty scary, but it shouldn’t be. First, you have to realize that doctors love to name conditions, especially when the name implies something important to the patient. Why do you think they use so much Latin? What DJD really means is that there is some wear and tear of the joints.

I tell my patients DJD is a souvenir of living that we all collect over time. I also tell my patients not to be too concerned about it.

In that “ah-ha” moment when they were told DJD was the cause of their pain, the doctor was probably wrong. In my 34 years of practice, I have seen some of the worst looking DJD spines on film, but as long as the joints were still moving, these people had little or no pain. On the other hand, someone with a perfect looking spine on film, but whose joints are not functioning properly, may be unable to walk. You see, the key is function, not structure, and function is not seen on films or scans.

If you are told that you have DJD, don’t immediately plan that last trip to Disneyland. Take it with a grain of salt and start thinking about how to get moving more. Remember, a properly moving joint is usually a pain-free joint, no matter how it appears on an X-ray.

From Captain Jay Lengfeld, North District Police

Safety

Jay Lengfeld

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February 13, 2015

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From Captain Jay Lengfeld, North District Police

It is hard to believe 2014 is over. It was generally a safe year for the Northside and I hope 2015 is as well. I will provide crime data for 2014 in the next issue.

In the meantime, here are a few tips on what you can do to make 2015 a safe year for you and your family:

Lock your vehicle and house doors at all times.
Do not keep valuables in your vehicle.
Report suspicious activity to police right away.
Watch over your neighbors and their property.
Join your neighborhood association or watch group.
Be an active member of your neighborhood.
Follow the traffic laws.

As the population continues to age, it becomes more important for us to watch over the seniors that live in our community. Check in with them regularly and do not hesitate to call the police if something doesn’t look right. The “community care taker” role is one of the most important parts of being a police officer.

By the time you read this, the department will have completed the annual assignment process. The North Police District will have only six new faces this year, which is extremely low and a benefit to the Northside. We will be losing some talented staff and appreciate what they have done for the Northside community and the North Police District.

Senior fire safety front and center

Safety

Lori Wirth

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February 13, 2015

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By Lori Wirth
City of Madison Fire Department

Knowing what to do in the event of a fire is particularly important for older adults. People age 65 and older are twice as likely to be killed or injured by fires when compared to the general population.

“Remembering When: A Fire and Fall Prevention Program for Older Adults” is a program developed by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to help older adults live safely at home for as long as possible. The City of Madison Fire Department offers the program, which is presented by community educators. If your group would like a presentation, call Lori Wirth at 266-5947.

To increase fire safety for older adults, NFPA and the Madison Fire Department offer the following guidelines:

Keep it low: If possible, consider sleeping in a room on the ground floor in order to make emergency escape easier. When looking for an apartment or high-rise home, look for one with an automatic sprinkler system. Sprinklers can extinguish a home fire in less time than it takes for the fire department to arrive.

Sound the alarm: The majority of fatal fires occur when people are sleeping. Make sure smoke alarms are installed in every sleeping room and outside any sleeping areas. If you or anyone in your household has diminished hearing, consider installing a smoke alarm that uses a flashing light or vibration to alert you to a fire emergency. Contact Sharon Gmache at NFPA´s Center for High-Risk Outreach for a list of product
manufacturers. Her email address is sgamache@nfpa.org. Sharon has worked with the older adult population for years and is very responsive to questions from educators and the public. She is recognized as a national authority on the topic within the fire service.

Do the drill: Conduct your own, or participate in, regular fire drills to make sure you know what to do in the event of a fire. If you or someone you live with cannot escape alone, designate a member of the household to assist, and decide on backups in case the designee isn’t home. Fire drills are also a good opportunity to make sure everyone is able to hear and respond to smoke alarms.

Open up: Make sure you are able to open all doors and windows in your home. Locks and pins should open easily from the inside. (Some apartment and high-rise buildings have windows designed not to open.) If you have security bars on doors or windows, they should have emergency release devices inside so that they can be opened easily. (These devices won’t compromise your safety, but they will enable you to open the window from inside in the event of a fire.) Make sure windows haven’t been nailed shut or sealed shut with paint. If they have, arrange for someone to remove the nails or break the paint seals.

Stay connected: Keep a telephone nearby, especially in your bedroom. Keep a list of emergency phone numbers near the phone so you can communicate with emergency personnel if you’re trapped in your room by fire or smoke.

Looking ahead Discover Engineers Week

Schools & Youth

Cynthia Chin

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February 13, 2015

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By Cynthia Chin
East High Math Dept.

East High students and current eighth-graders are in the process of selecting courses for 2015-16. Be sure to investigate all the options and think ahead about what can be done now to develop skills for a livelihood tomorrow. In addition to core academic skills, there are many opportunities at East High to develop cultural competence and artistic talent, investigate specific career fields, and get a head start on earning technical certifications and Madison College or UW-Madison credits. Talk to counselors soon about dual credit options, advanced placement and the Youth Options program, all of which enable prepared and
motivated students to begin their post-secondary studies early. For more information about Youth Options, visit https://altedweb.madison.k12.wi.us/
node/124.

Also, high school graduation requirements in the State of Wisconsin have changed for students currently in ninth and tenth grades. In particular, math and science requirements have increased. Be sure you understand the guidelines as you and your student choose classes together.

America Saves Week is Feb. 23‒28
East High students can improve their financial know-how in math, social studies, business, and family and consumer science courses. Read that course catalog carefully. Learn more by asking a teacher or visit http://americasavesweek.org.

Exxon Mobil grant supports update of classroom materials
The East High Mathematics and Science Departments would like to extend thanks to Exxon Mobil for awarding a grant of $250 to each department. Exxon Mobil has a long history of supporting educational programs that focus on improvements in these subject areas, and this generosity will go a long way to support the education of math and science students here at East High.

Lights, camera … engineering
East High engineering students will be hosting seventh and eighth-grade students for several afterschool visits focusing on education and career opportunities in science, technology, engineering and mathematics during the spring of 2015. These visits, in addition to a full-day session that was conducted in late October, have as a common theme, “Engineering in Show Business.” Sponsors for 2014-15 include The Foundation for Madison Public Schools, the Madison East High Philanthropy Club, Electronic Theatre Controls (www.etcconnect.com) and various fundraising activities of the Engineering Club. Thank you for your support of all these local organizations. For more information about engineering careers, visit www.discovere.org, www.egfi-k12.org or www.fabfems.org.