I just fell upon the OshKosh News, a grassroots effort that features community news from the Oshblog, among other sections. The "Why this site" page deserves close examination and opens with, "There has got to be a better way. Here at OCNN we believe that the traditional media are not doing an adequate job in covering and delivering the news and that alternative approaches are needed to promote an informed and active citizenry."

Wow! Dems in LaCrosse vote to include a stop Wal-Mart Supercenters plank in their 2006 Wisconsin Democratic Party Resolutions:

06-ELE-07 Stop WAL-MART (2nd CD – 97 words)

WHEREAS, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (Wal-Mart) is building stores across Wisconsin and the USA;

WHEREAS, Wal-Mart with other retailers, does billions of dollars in business with China, which is known to repress worker and human rights;

WHEREAS, Wal-Mart works to stop the formation of unions, and works to lower living standards of its employees; and,

WHEREAS, Wal-Mart, by offering unaffordable health plans, passes costs to the state;

THEREFORE, RESOLVED, the DPW stands by working-class America in opposing Wal-Mart Supercenters and encourages all citizens to buy local, Union-made goods and purchase locally grown produce to stop retailers like Wal-Mart.

Check out the Egg Harbor Beach... smart growth plans never mentioned sand, lots of new sand. Over on the East Coast I noticed real estate signs in the window of the Common House so I called 839.2708 and got a taped message from Trissa that says the restaurant is no more. But, she also says the Common House Bar will open on July 1... I always liked that mode best, back when Andy first opened it, so I can't wait to sit back with a snifter of GM and enjoy the classic atmosphere - like none other.

Right now I am multi-tasking, watching the new Bill Maher show, Amazon Fishbowl... a new weekly that premieres each Thursday (at 8 PM Pacific time... for those of you that love good old fashioned TV schedule mode) but can be seen anytime, including the past shows at www.amazon.com/entertainment. Bill's guests include the Dixie Chicks , Dean Koontz, Steve Schirripa and Ward Serrill and Darnellia Russell, the director and one of the subjects of the upcoming documentary The Heart of the Game - scheduled to open in national release on July 7, 2006.

Just when you thought it was safe to wear flip flops to Wal-Mart...
She was loading her groceries into her car when she felt something lick her toes. She assumed it was a dog. But when she looked down she saw it was a man who was lying under her car. Police are searching for a man who hid under a woman's car at a Wal-Mart parking lot in Tulsa, Okla., and then licked her toes as she loaded groceries into the vehicle, according to a report.

"I felt something lick my foot," the woman said. "I looked at him and I said, 'What in the hell are you doing?' And that's exactly what I said, 'What are you doing?'"

Toe Licking Suspect On The Loose In Tulsa...
The culprit got up and ran away before police arrived at the scene. He's described as Hispanic or Indian, about 5-foot-9, 150 pounds. He was wearing a black t-shirt and blue jeans. The woman wants others to know this man is still out there. She doesn't want them to be afraid, just on their guard.

More for the Mavens...

“It's All About the Journey” highlights towns and sites along Highway 51 from Beloit to Hurley, and because it's a public road open at all times, travelers can make the journey any time. In addition to picking up a passport and map about the adventure, information about Highway 51 can be found at www.ExploreHwy51.com. The Web site contains facts about each of the 15 communities on the trek, as well as information about restaurants, hotels and sites along the road.

"Well, I know that highway like I know my hand
Yes, I know that highway like I know the back of my hand
Running from up Wisconsin
way down to no man's land."

Highway 51 Blues - Bob Dylan 1961

Door County Marketing Mavens please note:

Registrations are being accepted for PAMPERING Grab 2006. PAMPERING includes a top quality tent with daily set-up and take down. A very thick inflated air mattress. Extra large bath towel and wash cloth daily. A deluxe camp chair to relax after your ride. No need to mess with the baggage truck, your baggage will be transported as well. Cold drinks and snacks for your enjoyment. Do not be fooled by copy-cats, PAMPERING is impossible to duplicate. Complete details at www.BubbasPamperedPedalers.com. See you there.

Bubba Fest 2006 - The Florida Keys November 12 - 18, 2006
Direct link to site... Bubba Fest Florida Keys Bicycle touring

Plans are underway for Bubba Fest - Coast to Coast - Spring of 2007
Bubba is proud to be a member of the National Bike Tour Directors Association.

The following was derived from Faux Logo by Rob Walker in today's NYT...

Consumer cynicism is a topic of great interest to Amanda Helm, an instructor of marketing at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. In connection with her research, she has conducted in-depth interviews with about two dozen consumers on the subject and has looked specifically at fans of Adbusters. Some of her preliminary findings were summarized in an award-winning dissertation, “Cynical Consumers: Dangerous Enemies, Loyal Friends,” later published in a 2004 article in the journal Advances in Consumer Research.

One thing she has encountered is a desire among cynical consumers not simply to avoid companies and brands they dislike but also to punish them. At the far end of the cynical-consumer continuum, this might mean defacing advertisements, but for most it plays out differently. For example, shopping at Target because you can't stand Wal-Mart — Wal-Mart came up a lot, Helm says — thus denying dollars to the disfavored company. The marketplace itself is not the enemy in this situation; it's a tool for expressing discontent. Thus one of Helm's most interesting findings: that the cynical consumers who are her main focus "demonstrated very strong brand loyalty to the few companies they could trust."

"It's one thing if it's carrying soldiers to and from a fight," says Daniel Becker of the Sierra Club. "It's another if it's hauling lattes home from Starbucks."

Just what Door County needs... one less Hummer. Say goodbye to the ultimate arrogance of the H1 Alpha, a $140,000-plus Hummer whose time has come and gone, according to GM sales statistics. With about 12,000 H1's on the road sucking up a gallon of gas for every ten miles they are driven, H1 sales have slipped into oblivion. GM will continue to make the H2, based on the Chevrolet Tahoe S.U.V. and the H3, based on the Chevy Colorado pickup. More than 100,000 H2's and more than 50,000 H3's have been sold since GM introduced each of these downsized status symbols. Find out more at Hummerdinger.org.

"It is clear our nation is reliant upon big foreign oil. More and more of our imports come from overseas." - George W. Bush, Beaverton, Ore., Sep. 25, 2000

The Gas Gouge Calculator shows you how much more you'll pay for gas this year. Shhhhudup! You're scaring away the tourists... ride a bike for fresh air, exercise and economic liberty.

MINNESOTA: Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R) will sign a bill "requiring the state's three largest coal-fired power plants to cut mercury emissions by 90 percent by 2015."

Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be shoppers

To date, over 1,000 individuals in the Madison/Dane County area have participated in one or more sustainability discussion courses. The courses provide a means to examine personal values and habits, engage in stimulating discussion, and make personal changes. The courses are self-facilitated and undertaken by small informal groups.

Raising the general awareness level... to critical mass.

As gas prices trend upward and spring unfurls leaf buds, I am glad to be back on two wheels, self-powered instead of motoring to work here each day. For most of my lifetime I have been a bicycle advocate and as the "season" looms just ahead I wonder how we might reduce the impact of all of those automobiles on the general quality of life in Door County. I also wonder what the effect of $4/gallon gas might have on this petro-dependent economy... further, when we begin to plan for it instead of react to it.

BikeBlog
Perspectives on Bike Culture in NYC and Beyond
bikescape
Bikes and space "Hey you... with the pants leg rolled up!" Podcasting for bikers.

Over 30,000 people showed up for a recent Budapest Critical Mass rally - here's the clip posted on video.google.com.

"Milwaukee police and members of the bicycle activist group Critical Mass on Saturday gave different versions of the events that led to the arrests of six and ticketing of 21 riders during the group's monthly trek on the city's east side Friday evening." Bicyclists' arrests set off dispute Police say 21 tickets for safety; group disagrees

Some communities are taking the lead by closing sections of town to vehicle traffic at certain times of the day or days of the week. In California HEALTHY SATURDAYS is working to expand a program that already restricts cars and other motorized traffic from JFK Drive in Golden Gate Park on Sundays to a 6-month trial that adds car-free Saturdays. Imagine how attractive it might be if sections of downtown Sturgeon Bay or Fish Creek were closed to all but bikes, pedestrians and a free trolley each weekend. Scary huh?

Lynn Stuter is an education researcher and activist in Washington state. Here's her take on undermining Delphi:

DISRUPTING THE DELPHI
By Lynn M. Stuter

Note: The Delphi is being used at all levels of government to move meetings to preset conclusions. For the purposes of this dissertation, "facilitator" references anyone who has been trained in use of the Delphi and who is running a meeting.

There are three steps to diffusing the Delphi Technique when facilitators want to seer a group in a specific direction.

1. Always be charming. Smile. Be pleasant. Be Courteous. Moderate your voice so as not to come across as belligerent or aggressive.

2. Stay focused. If at all possible, write your question down to help, you stay focused. Facilitators, when asked questions they dent want to answer, often digress from the issue raised and try to work the conversation around to where they can make the individual asking the question look foolish. Feel foolish. Appear belligerent or aggressive. The goal is to put the one asking the question on the defensive. Do not fall for this tactic. Always be charming, thus deflecting any insinuation. Innuendo, etc. that may be thrown at you in their attempt to put you on the defensive, but bring them back to the question you asked. If they rephrase your question into an accusatory statement (a favorite tactic) simply state, "That is not what I stated. What I asked was... [Repeat your question.]" Stay focused on your question.

3. Be persistent. If putting you on the defensive doesn't work, facilitators often resort to long, drawn out dissertations on some off-the-wall and usually unrelated or vaguely related subject that drags on for several minutes. During that time, the crowd or group usually loses focus on the question asked (which is the intent). Let them finish with their dissertation or expose. Then nicely with focus and persistence, state, "But you didn't answer my question. My question was...[repeat your question.]"

Always be charming, stay focused and be persistent. Never, under any circumstance, become angry. Anger directed at the facilitator will immediately make the facilitator the victim. This defeats the purpose, which is to make you the victim. The goal of the facilitator is to make those they are facilitating like them, alienating anyone who might pose a threat to the realization of their agenda. [People with fixed belief systems, who know what they believe and stand on what they believe, are obvious threats.] If the participant becomes the victim, the facilitator loses face and favor with the crowd. This is why crowds are broken up into groups of seven or eight, why objections are written on cards, not voiced aloud where they are open to public discussion and public debate. It s called crowd control. It is always good to have someone else, or two or three others who know the Delphi Technique dispersed through the crowd; who, when the facilitator digresses from the question, will stand up and say nicely, "But you didn't answer that lady (/gentleman)'s question The facilitator, even if suspecting you are together, certainly will not want to alienate the crowd by making that accusation. Sometimes it only takes one occurrence of this type for the crowd to figure out what s going on. Sometimes it takes more than one.

If you have an organized group, meet before the meeting to strategize. Everyone should know his or her part. Meet after the meeting to analyze what went right, what went wrong and why, and what needs to happen the next time around. Never meet during the meeting. One of the favorite tactics of the facilitator if the meeting is not going the way they want, if they are meeting measurable resistance, is to call a recess. During the recess, the facilitator and his/her spotters (people who wander the room during the course of the meeting, watching the crowd) watch the crowd to see who congregates where, especially those who have offered measurable resistance. If the resistors congregate in one place, a spotter will usually gravitate to that group to join in the conversation and will report back to the facilitator. When the meeting resumes, the facilitator will steer clear of those who are resistors. Do not congregate. Hang loose, and work the crowd. Move to where the facilitators or spotters are. Listen to what they have to say, but do not gravitate to where another member of your team is. This strategy also works in a face to face, one on one, meeting with anyone who has been trained in how to use the Delphi Technique.

So, Have You Been Delphi'd?

Politics/Elections Opinion (Published) Keywords: EDUCATION, CONSENSUS, DELPHI, POLITICS
Author: Sandy Vanderburg

THE DELPHI TECHNIQUE:
How to achieve a workable consensus within time limits
By Sandy Vanderburg

The Delphi Technique was originally conceived as a way to obtain the opinion of experts without necessarily bringing them together face to face. In Educating for the New World Order by Bev Eakman, the reader finds reference upon reference for the need to preserve the illusion that there is "Lay, or community, participation in the decision-making process, while in fact lay citizens are being squeezed out."

A specialized use of this technique was developed for teachers, the "Alinsky Method" (ibid., p. 123). The setting or group is, however, immaterial the point is that people in groups tend to share a certain knowledge base and display certain identifiable characteristics (known as group dynamics). This allows for a special application of a basic technique.

The "change agent" or "facilitator" goes through the motions of acting as an organizer, getting each person in the target group to elicit expression of their concerns about a program, project, or policy in question. The facilitator listens attentively, forms "task forces," "urges everyone to make lists," and so on. While she is doing this, the facilitator learns something about each member of the target group. He/she identifies the "leaders," the "loud mouths," as well as those who frequently turn sides during the argument - the "weak or non-committal."

Suddenly, the amiable facilitator becomes "devil's advocate." He/she dons his professional agitator hat. Using the "divide and conquer" technique, he/she manipulates one group opinion against the other. This is accomplished by manipulating those who are out of step to appear "ridiculous, unknowledgeable, inarticulate, or dogmatic." He/she wants certain members of the group to become angry, thereby forcing tensions to accelerate. The facilitator is well trained in psychological manipulation. S/He is able to predict the reactions of each group member. Individuals in opposition to the policy or program will be shut out of the group.

The method works. It is very effective with parents, teachers, school children, and any community group. The "targets" rarely, if ever, know that they are being manipulated. If they do suspect this is happening, they do not know how to end the process.

The desired result is for group polarization, and for the facilitator to become accepted as a member of the group and group process. He/she will then throw the desired idea on the table and ask for opinions during discussion. Very soon his/her associates from the divided group begin to adopt the idea as if it were their own, and pressure the entire group to accept the proposition.

This technique is a very unethical method of achieving consensus on a controversial topic in group settings. It requires well-trained professionals who deliberately escalate tension among group members, pitting one faction against the other, so as to make one viewpoint appear ridiculous so the other becomes "sensible" whether such is warranted or not.

So have you been "Delphi'd"?

A Different Reality is an entertaining and thought-provoking audio-zine to promote a sustainable civilization.

Northeast Wisconsin take note...

FARM FRESH ATLAS MAKES LOCAL EATING EASY

MADISON - Have longer days and warmer weather whetted your appetite for crisp asparagus, sweet spinach and crunchy salad greens, fresh from the farm? Or perhaps spring has turned your thoughts to locally grown meat, eggs, flowers, honey, maple syrup, cheese and other food and farm products grown close to home.

If so, the "Southern Wisconsin Farm Fresh Atlas" is your link to locally grown food. The 2006 atlas includes nearly 100 farms that pledge to protect land and water resources, treat animals with care and respect, and provide safe working conditions for their employees. The atlas also includes farmers' markets and food-related businesses that meet similar criteria.

Beginning April 22, the Dane County Farmers' Market will have the "Southern Wisconsin Farm Fresh Atlas" available on Saturdays at their information booth at the top of State Street. The atlas will also be available at other farmers' markets, public libraries, farms, food co-ops and other area businesses after the 22nd. The Atlas is distributed free of charge. For a complete list of distribution sites, visit www.reapfoodgroup.org/atlas.

"Everybody benefits when grocery shoppers buy local," says Madison food writer Terese Allen. "With a Farm Fresh Atlas in hand - or in the car - southern Wisconsinites have access to an amazing variety of regional foods."

Now in its fifth year, the atlas continues to link Madison and Dane County residents with some of the best food in the area. Farm Fresh Atlases are also available in the southeastern, eastern, western and central regions of Wisconsin.

The "Southern Wisconsin Farm Fresh Atlas" is a collaborative project of REAP Food Group, the Dane County Farmers' Market, the University of Wisconsin-Madison Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems and the Friends of the Dane County Farmers' Market.

Major sponsors include Bunky's Café, the Greenbush Bar, Harvest Restaurant, L'Etoile Restaurant and Café Soleil, Lombardino's Restaurant, the Madison Area Community Supported Agriculture Coalition, Nature's Bakery Cooperative, Organic Valley, Slow Food, The Washington Hotel Coffee Room, the Washington Hotel, Restaurant and Culinary School, the Willy Street Grocery Co-op and Wisconsin Farmers Union.

If you are interested in distributing copies of the atlas, or if you would like more information about this resource, please contact Miriam Grunes at (608) 294-1114 or miriamg@reapfoodgroup.org.

CAPE WIND UNDER ATTACK

On April 6, a Congressional conference committee inserted language into the Coast Guard spending bill that threatens the construction of Cape Wind – the first major offshore wind farm in the United States. This language would give exclusive veto power over Cape Wind to the governor of Massachusetts. Governor Mitt Romney is an outspoken opponent of the project and if this bill becomes law, he could destroy the Cape Wind project.

If completed, Cape Wind would supply 75 percent of Cape Cod’s electricity needs with clean, renewable energy. The project is supported by the majority of local residents, the Massachusetts Audubon, and a range of clean energy and environmental organizations.

TAKE ACTION – Call your Senators at the Capitol Switchboard 202.224.3121. Tell them that you support clean, renewable energy and that you urge them to reject the provisions in the Coast Guard spending bill that would block Cape Wind.

The upcoming 28th annual Wisconsin Lakes Convention takes place April 20-22, 2006 at the KI Convention Center, Green Bay. "Hands Across the Waters" is the theme with this year's focus will be on "civic engagement."

On Thursday, April 20 a field trip will bring participants to Kangaroo and Clark Lakes in an exploratory tour billed as, "Door County Shallow Lakes."

At issue should be a study of the aquatic herbicides - chemicals specifically formulated for use in water to kill or control aquatic plants. Herbicides approved for aquatic use by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have been reviewed and are considered compatible with the aquatic environment when used according to label directions. However, some individual states, including Washington, also impose additional constraints on their use.

2,4-D is the oldest organic herbicide registered in the United States for aquatic use. There are two formulations of 2,4-D approved for aquatic use. The granular formulation contains the low-volatile butoxy-ethyl-ester formulation of 2,4-D (Trade names include: AquaKleen® and Navigate®). The liquid formulation contains the dimethylamine salt of 2,4-D (Trade name - DMA*4IVM). 2,4-D is a relatively fast-acting, systemic, selective herbicide used for the control of Eurasian watermilfoil and other broad-leaved species. Both the granular and liquid formulations can be effective for spot treatment of Eurasian watermilfoil. 2,4-D has been shown to be selective to Eurasian watermilfoil when used at the labeled rate, leaving native aquatic species relatively unaffected. (Click here to read Ecology’s risk assessment).

Chronic effects
It seems that long term exposure to 2,4-D can affect different animals in a wide variety of ways. Rats for example were found to be largely unaffected when fed moderately large amounts in their diet over long periods, although signs of kidney pathology were demonstrated. Dogs however died when fed smaller amounts over shorter periods. A human fed 16.3 grammes over 32 days showed severe symptoms of intoxication (Evaluation on 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid salts and esters, MAFF, March 1993).

It also seems that the various chemical forms of 2,4-D can have different toxic effects. Acid, salt and various esters differ in all their measured toxic effects to some extent, but the majority of toxicity data relates only to the acid.

Cancer
Phenoxy acid herbicides have been linked with soft tissue sarcomas, but the UK ACP has concluded that 'the data do not suggest a positive link with 2,4-D'14 as have the Canadian authorities(Interdepartmental Executive Committee on Pest Management, 2,4-D Re-evaluation update and label improvement program, Plant Industry Directorate, Canada, 23 November, 1994.). However, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified 2,4-D among the phenoxy acid herbicides MCPA and 2,4,5-T as a class 2B carcinogen-possibly carcinogenic to humans(IARC monographs on the evaluation of carcinogenic risks to humans: An updating of IARC Monographs volumes 1 to 42. Supplement 7, WHO, Lyon, France 1987.) (concluding that there was limited evidence in humans, inadequate evidence in animals).

The US authorities have also been reluctant to declare 2,4-D as a potential human carcinogen, but the US courts decided that a forestry worker contracted cancer and died as a direct result of his exposure to 2,4-D during the course of his work (O'Brien, Mary, Jury Charges Dow $1.5 million for 2,4-D caused death of forest worker, Journal of Pesticide Reform, 1987, 7: 4(30).).

One concern about 2,4-D has related to dioxin contamination. 2,4-D was in the past frequently co-formulated with the herbicide 2,4,5-T. Production of 2,4,5-T was contaminated with the carcinogenic dioxin TCDD. Those who were exposed to the mixed formulations might therefore have been exposed to TCDD. The most notorious mixed formulation was Agent Orange, used first by the UK military in Malaysia and later extensively by the US military to defoliate jungle regions in Vietnam. In the UK, 2,4-D + 2,4,5-T formulations were in use until 1994(Veterans and Agent Orange-Update 1996, National Academy Press, US, 1996.). 2,4-D has been produced with contaminant dioxins, but not the harmful TCDD.

Reproductive effects
Abnormal foetal skeletal development, increased foetal mortality and other reproductive effects are fairly conclusively associated with exposure to phenoxy-acid herbicide and their dioxin contaminants(Environmental Health Criteria 29, 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), IPCS, Geneva, 1984.).

2,4-D has also been classified as an endocrine disrupter(Colborn, T, et al. Developmental effects of endocrine disrupting chemicals in wildlife and humans, Env. Health Perspectives 101:378-384, 1993.), and significant chromosomal damage occurred in human cells cultured in the presence of 2,4-D. At the same time no evidence for mutagenicity has been found and 2,4-D did not damage DNA in human lung cells.

Hey Door County... Down To Earth Tours in Hayward provides a 5-hour mini-bus tour with numerous stops along the way to explore: the history of northwest Wisconsin's glaciers, the ice age, nature interpretation, forest ecology, geology, culture, natural history.


More green tourism and sustainable communities movement suggestions... from Peter Sigmann

You challenged me to come up with some short-term achievable steps in favor of sustainable life in Door County. I hope that the final session of our study group will lead to agreement on such a list. Certainly the notes that Ann is keeping should be a start.

Here a some ideas which came to me during discussion or which were actually discussed:

• Get at least one E85 pump in DC (reduce fossil....help nature ozone)
  
• Community bike sharing program for St.Bay (discussed at meeting): (reduce fossil...)
• Propaganda or regulation to avoid phosphate containing dish detergent: (avoid chemical...)
• Intelligent and reduced highway mowing program designed to maintain wildflowers (reduce fossil.., maintain nature, improve quality...)
• Create a car pooling registry/exchange, especially for S. Door to Green Bay commuters: (reduce fossil...)

Notes from the Underground...

In New York - "Tall-bike gangs have a very heavy base of anti-consumerism. They live in warehouses, and all their clothing could fit into a tall duffel bag. A lot of them are dumpster-diving people. The idea is to avoid consumer waste."

B.I.K.E. a film about rebels with a cause...

In Milwaukee - Mardi Grad Ride: Wear Mardi Gras masks and attire. Even if it's cold outside, the night will be hot - and end in a tropical environment with revelry for all! So bring your nicest scivvies! Fuel Cafe (818 E Center) Tue, Mar 21, 2006

In Chicago - bikewinter.org is encouraging Chicago All-Season Cycling! "Winter Biking: Just because the weather is getting colder doesn't mean that you have to put your bike away. Join the growing number of folks in Wisconsin who are enjoying bicycling all year around."

http://bfw.org/events/winterbiking.php

Wednesday, April 26, 2006 will be the first annual Wisconsin Bicycle Lobby Day. Our goal will be to have a district resident bicyclist visit every one of the 99 state assemblypersons and 33 state senators. The Bicycle Federation can be a resource and an overall state voice for bicyclists, but ultimately elected officials are servants of their home district constituents. A visit from a constituent is a powerful statement to a state Assembly person or Senator.

Chris Fortune, president of Saris Cycling Group; Chris Kegel, owner of the Wheel & Sprocket Stores; and John Burke, president of Trek Bicycle Corp. met with George Bush as part of the National Bike Summit. All three are directors of the Bikes Belong coalition.

Off the Couch:
Running, biking, skiing, and more

In their own quiet way, the thousands of people who run, bike, hike, ski and paddle make a lot of noise in Wisconsin. In Off the Couch, we hope to turn up the volume on their stories and encourage others to join them. Feel free to email us with information and comments: blang@journalsentinel.com

Gearing up for mountain bike races
Wisconsin Off Road Series (WORS) Director Don Edberg has been at full speed the past couple weeks, even though the first race in the growing mountain bike series is still two months away.

Edberg traveled this week to Madison and Milwaukee, delivering series race books to bike shops and checking in with local race organizers. He put nearly 4,000 handbooks in the mail on Monday, so those anxious to plan their summer schedules should have the information in hand shortly.

WORS, entering its 15th year, drew an average of 700 racers to each of its 12 events last year, making it the largest off-road series in the nation.

“It’s kind of overwhelming when I sit back and think about how this all kind of happened and grew,” Edberg said, after one of his drop-offs in Madison. “I just am hoping that we can keep it going as long as possible.

“It’s been a fun ride.”

Critical Mass: Join other Milwaukee bicyclists on this once a month party on a bike. Share your thoughts of "happy friday" with motorists who may not being enjoying their commute. Riverside Park Fri, Mar 31, 2006 5:30 PM

The ".org" domain notwithstanding, Critical Mass is not an organization, it's an unorganized coincidence. It's a movement ... of bicycles, in the streets.

Accordingly, this isn't the official Critical Mass web page, because there is no official Critical Mass web page. There are, however, a bunch of unofficial web pages. http://www.critical-mass.org/

Chicago Critical Mass bike rides start from Daley Plaza, Dearborn & Washington at 5:30 pm on the last Friday of each month, regardless of season or weather. They are free and fun. All you have to do is show up with your bike. http://www.chicagocriticalmass.org/

Are these religious nuts fanatics
Tom Williams, Hackensack summer resident
The Pilot-Independent
Last Updated: Thursday, March 09th, 2006 09:30:06 AM


I couldn't help putting some more thoughts on Bart Hoglund's letter (published March 1) about the religious Republicans.

A number of years ago I was the Republican Party Chairman of Door County, Wis., and in that position we attended the district meetings and the state conventions. The whole [trend of] religion in the party started with the abortion issue, shortly after the Roe v. Wade Decision. These anti-abortionists are still in the minority within the party, but they are also activists and have taken over the party.

I disagreed with these zealots because to me, abortion is a personal issue that should not be in politics. But it seems they won out in the party and really branched out as religious fanatics that anyone running on the Republican ticket has to cater to.

I couldn't take being an activist in politics with religion hanging over my head, so I threw in the towel and haven't renewed my [party] membership since.

Now that we have a couple of more Republicans on the [Supreme Court], it won't surprise me if Roe v. Wade is not overturned because our neighbor, South Dakota, also has a Republican legislature that recently passed an anti-abortion law with the express intent of getting Roe v. Wade back in the Supreme Court. As I said, these religious nuts are fanatics.

Tom Williams,
Hackensack summer resident