Lodi Human Interest | Lodi Valley News

Hack Chat with Tracy Sachtjen, Fifth Player of the USA Women’s Olympic Curling Team

Rating 3.50 out of 5

Lodi, WI
3/3/10

March 1, 2010 ~ Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games

I am on my way home from the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games. First of all I want to apologize for not blogging since the 17^th of February, it seemed to get a little hectic with the games and my family arriving.

As you probably know the curling competition didn’t go quite like I was expecting. We had some tough games, losing nail biters and then some not so close games. But the rest of my Olympic experience has been so much more than I expected. Read on……..

First of all, the Proctor and Gamble House that was for family and friends of athletes was just so nice and comforting. Each day the house was open for lunch and dinner and snacks throughout the day. There were 4 floors, the basement had huge round tables with 3 big screen televisions to watch all the Olympic Games and it was where all the good food was served. The 1^st floor is where there was a huge family room with very comfy couches, bean bags and seating area with huge screen televisions, snacks and computers with internet access that everyone had access to. The 2^nd floor was my son Desmon’s favorite, there was a Pringle Lounge -you could taste test 24 flavors of Pringles, plus they had a WII Station set up there with 2010 Olympic Games and there was the Pamper Station for anyone with toddlers and babies, a room to run and play, there was a Crest Room where you could get your picture taken and they would put you on a snowboard, skiing, speed skating or any other Olympic Sport. Then the 3rds floor was my daughter Sierra and niece Tory’s favorite – Spa Room, you could get your hair or make-up done, hand or foot massage and other pampering necessities, also on this floor was the Tide Room – you and/or your family could drop off their laundry and come back and pick it up 24 hours later all cleaned and folded. This was a great place to meet and/or hangout with family and friends, plus you were able to meet many other athletes and their families. My kids met many athletes here and medalists, they were quite excited. Thank you Proctor and Gamble for your generosity!

On our teams day off of curling I was able to go to the semi-final women’s hockey game USA versus Sweden with my family and a couple of friends. It was a good game for the USA and fun to cheer them on, we had many Canadians cheering against us, I guess they didn’t want to meet us in the finals. We won 9-1.

After the curling games were over, my family and a couple of friends took a trip, which consisted of a train, sea bus, a bus and a cable car to Grouse Mountain. When we got on the cable car there was no snow. About ¾ of the way up the ground was finally all white. Grouse Mountain lodge is where the Today Show was televised during the Olympics and also a hangout for all the adventurous folk, it was open 24 hours a day during the Olympics. We had a nice lunch up there and decided to go ice skating and since we didn’t have the attire to ski, the family instead went limo skiing, which isn’t even close to skiing but at least you got to ride down the mountain. The downside that day was it was very foggy on our way up on the cable car so there wasn’t much to see, but by the time we got up the mountain the fog had disappeared and the view was magnificent and then on our way down the cable car in the evening the view of Vancouver was amazing, we were able to see the torch lit up and the Olympic rings on the water were lit up in gold for the Canadian Women’s Hockey Team who just won gold that evening against the USA.

My family was able to go to the Women’s Snowboard Cross event in Cypress one day, they really enjoyed this event, even though it rained the whole time they were there and by the time they got home all they wanted to do was take a very hot shower to warm up. That evening we went to the medal ceremony at the Canada Place, it was when Jeret “Speedy’ Peterson from the USA received his Silver Medal in Freestyle Skiing. Right after the ceremony there was a concert with a very popular Canadian Band “The Newfoundland and Labrador”, it was a great band to dance to.

I was able to take my daughter Sierra, nieces Tamara and Tory to the Athlete Village one day and another day I was able to take my son, Desmon and husband, Karl. How it works to get a pass to the village, is you have to put a request in days before with all their passport information, then you find out the day before if they were chosen to come to the village. The USA athletes are only able to bring 40 guests in a day into the village, which seem like a lot but it really isn’t with over 218 athletes. My visitors were able to check out our Penthouse and take some pictures of our beautiful view, they toured he fitness facility which is very nicely equipped with the most modern workout equipment, shopped in the athlete store, went in the cafeteria and ate a few items from McDonald’s and hung out a bit in the Vitamin Water Red Shed ~ which was a hangout for athletes, you could play many kinds of video games, paint on the big screen, watch Olympics on the big screen televisions, get on the internet, play shuffleboard, shoot pool or just relax. They all enjoyed seeing the athlete village and running into all the amazing athletes.

My last full day in Vancouver I was hoping to get a ticket to the USA versus CANADA men’s hockey game – but that didn’t happen – there were only about 35 tickets given out in a lottery to the USA athletes. My teammate Allison did get a ticket, I was so jealous! Since I didn’t get a ticket I decided to go for a nice run down by the BC Place where the hockey game was being held, I just love hearing the energy from the crowd and seeing all the fan’s dressed in their Canadian or USA attire. I then ended up watching the hockey game in the cafeteria, where everyone no matter what country they were from was glued to the television. When the hockey game went into overtime, I ended up going back to the Penthouse and watching the rest of the game with my teammates, we had the windows open so you could hear the crowd roaring from the BC Place. It was such an exciting game for everyone and a great way to end the competition of the Olympic Games; it would have been sweeter if it was a USA victory though.

The Closing Ceremony was a bit different than the Opening Ceremony; first of all we only had to leave two hours before the ceremony instead of four. Our team got dressed in our Ralph Lauren attire and took lots of pictures before we headed down to meet the rest of team USA. We went to the BC Place with all the other USA Athletes and stood in line for a good hour and ½ before we were able to go into the ceremony. Waiting, ended up going quite fast, we walked around talking to all the other athletes and congratulating all the medalists and taking lots of pictures. When it was time to walk into the BC Place, all the athletes from all the countries walked in together instead of one country at a time, which was neat. The ceremony was much shorter than the opening ceremony; there was lots of great music, acting and Canadian traditions throughout. The closing ceremony was much lower keyed than the opening and a sense of sadness came over me because my Olympic experience was coming to an end, especially when the flame went out on the torch. All of us athletes were sent down on the main floor to mingle and dance while there was still music playing; it was time to say our goodbyes to all our new friends and competitors. When the ceremony was over we walked back to the village thinking of the many memories we were going to take away from this experience of a lifetime.

I want to say thank you to VANCOUVER for the unbelievable hospitality you have and the AMAZING place that you live.

Also, a big thank you to all the great supporters I have had throughout my Olympic experience.

Tracy

Lodi Gallery Night

Rating 4.00 out of 5

Lodi, WI
3/1/10

Explore Original works by local artists in downtown Lodi during Gallery Night Friday, March 5th from 6-8pm.
Participating Galleries include: The Nesting Shops, New Discoveries and Mill Street Gallery (on the corner of HWY 60 and 113), Different Directions and Gary N-Ski Photography(on the corner of HWY 60 and Lodi St.) A Voice For The Arts Gallery (in the old Lodi Enterprise building) and The Downtown Coffee Grounds: showing local artists’ works and serving locally roasted coffee, dessert, beer, wine and Friday night fish fry.

Hack Chat with Tracy Sachtjen, Fifth Player of the USA Women’s Olympic Curling Team

Rating 3.00 out of 5

Lodi, WI
2/18/10

February 17, 2010 ~ Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games

Sunday and Monday we finally got to practice at the Olympic Curling Venue; it is only about 10 minutes from the Olympic Village, which is nice that we don’t have to travel too far. It is a very great venue, each team has their own locker room, and we had three love seats moved into ours and we decorated it with all our cards and signs from home so we could be comfortable when we were there, it looks sweet. The ice arena is nice and bright-the rings in the ice are blue and green, a little different than the typical red and blue.

Yesterday was our first game; we played Japan and lost in a measurement 9-7. It was a tough one, definitely not how we wanted to start competition but we have lots of games in front of us. There are ten teams at the Olympics for curling and we play a round robin, then the top four teams are in the semi-finals, #1 seed plays #4 seed and #2 seed plays #3 seed and winners play in the finals for the gold medal and the losers of that game play for bronze medal. After our game we went to the Proctor and Gamble house to spend time with our families and friends that are already here. My family will be here Friday, I can’t wait.

Today, we played Germany and had another heartbreaker; we lost 6-5 on the last shot of the game. I felt like the team played better and we are going in the right direction, we now just need to get a win under our belt and keep movin’ on!

Chat with you soon~

Tracy

Hack Chat with Tracy Sachtjen, Fifth Player of the USA Women’s Olympic Curling Team

Rating 4.33 out of 5

Lodi, WI
2/17/10

February 13th, 2010 ~ Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games

The days are flying by and I haven’t had time to fill you all in.

The US Men's and Women's Olympic Curling Teams pose for this photo with Vice President and Mrs. Biden

Friday the day of Opening Ceremonies was a whirlwind. We had the day off of curling practice, but had a great workout in the morning and a nice lunch before we had to get ready. We had to be dressed in our opening ceremony attire and ready to go by 1PM. We all met up to go on our first excursion for the day in the parking lot – all you could see is a sea or red, white and blue. That is when I spotted Snowboarder Shaun White and made sure that I had a picture taken with him, for my kids. Then we hopped on buses and were headed to meet the Vice President Joe Biden and his wife Jill, Gold Medalist Olympians Vonetta Flowers –2 man Bobsled, Peggy Fleming – Figure Skater and Mike Eurizone – Hockey player. Vice President Biden congratulated us on representing the USA and sent us good luck wishes and a go USA speech. Each sport then had there picture taken with Vice President Biden and Jill. (See below)

Then we were off to the arena where all the athletes from all the countries had to get organized in alphabetical order to get ready to enter in the Vancouver BC Place for the ceremony. Being at the end of the order, it took a while before we actually got in line, when we did get in line, we were all excited chanting USA, while other countries were chanting back, and this went on for quite awhile. It was nice to meet athletes from the all the other sports, find out when they compete and tell them you will be cheering them on either in person or by television.. When we were getting closer to the entrance to the Ceremony, it got louder and louder, all you could hear was the chanting of USA, USA, plus you could feel all the energy that was coming from us and in the BC Place. When we got to the entrance we had to stop and then you could hear them announce the United States of America, it sent chills down my spine and then the crowd was wild and we made our entrance, waving, jumping up and down with a big smiles on our face. We marched around the stage waving with joy and then made our way to our seats. The ceremony was breathtaking at times, there was sorrow for the athlete that passed away earlier that morning from a luge accident, then there were many moments that I was in “awe” of the show and when the torch came into the BC Place, especially with Olympian Wayne Gretzky and when the flame was lit, it still gives me chills. After the ceremony was over we took a lot of pictures it was hard to leave, it was such a special moment. (See picture below).

Saturday, we had our last practice at the Richmond Curling Club, which was quite busy, with the Scottish, Norwegian & USA men’s teams practicing the same time we were. There was much more media there and people watching our practices. That night our team went to the Short Track Speed skating which was very thrilling to watch, I felt like I was on the edge of my seat the whole time and trying to move with the speedy skaters. We first watched the semi-finals 1500 M men’s short track , then the women’s short track relay, which is unbelievable that they don’t crash and how they do their hand off, then it was back to the 1500 m men’s final, which had my heart racing, the race goes so fast. The USA won two medals, Apolo Ohno won the Silver Medal and J.R. Celski won the Bronze Medal, quite exciting for the USA!

Tomorrow is our big day to practice at our Olympic Curling Venue.

Chat with you soon ~ Tracy

Tracy Sachtjen at the Opening Ceremony for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver.

Wendy Soucie Interview with Lodi’s Olympian Tracy Sachtjen

Rating 4.00 out of 5

Lodi, WI
2/13/10

Social Media Expert Wendy Soucie (www.wendysoucie.com) recently interviewed Tracy Sachtjen prior to her departure for Vancouver, BC for the 2010 Winter Olympiad. Good luck, Tracy-

Hack Chat with Tracy Sachtjen, Fifth Player of the USA Women’s Olympic Curling Team

Rating 4.67 out of 5

Lodi, WI
2/12/10

February 11, 2010 ~ 1 Day until the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games

Tuesday, we had the morning off of training, so we slept in a little, hung out at our Penthouse Suite and relaxed. Then teammate Allison and I decided to go for a run outside the Village and checkout Vancouver. It was a beautiful day, sunny and in the mid – 40’s plus Vancouver has a great running path around the creek. We saw many nice dining places and shops on our run. Then we were off to breakfast at the cafeteria, it was so busy, I would have to say most of the athletes have to be at the village now. We ended up sitting by other USA athletes and chatted with them a bit, it is great to hear about their sports and their training before they compete.

That afternoon the team went to practice at the Richmond Curling Club in the afternoon, I ended up staying back at the village to do media shoot, a station was interested in photo shooting our patriotic room and checking out our scenic view. I ended up meeting with the ladies at the curling club; we had a few meetings and off to dinner. We were invited to have dinner at my friend Doris’ house, I met Doris years ago at World Championships in Switzerland and then she ended up marrying my high school coach. It was so nice to hang out at a house and relax, have a great home baked dinner and to be able to taste test 3 delicious cakes.

Wednesday, was a busy day, practice again at the Richmond Curling Club and then off to pick up tickets and have lunch before our Press Conference. The official Press Conference went well, the 5 of us ladies and Coach Wally sat up on a stage at table while the media could ask any one of us questions. After that, each one of us walked around and had personal interviews. After the Press Conference we were off to the Nike House, which was another unbelievable experience, we were welcomed with open arms and a big duffel bag full of gifts for each one o f us. We were asked to try on the clothes and footwear in the duffel to make sure they fit us, you can imagine the oooh’s and ahhh’s from each one of us, we were spoiled again, but loving it. Nike personnel then took us to the USA House to show us where it was, what it was all about and show us how to register. The USA house is really neat, with many different activities to do while your there, I can’t wait till our families get to check it out.

We finally got back to the village in the early evening after the busy, busy day. Natalie and I had to rush off to a meeting, representing the men’s and women’s curling teams, with a representative from all other teams in Vancouver and conference call with the athlete representatives in Whistler to vote on our Opening Ceremony Flag Bearer. After all of the voting our USA Flag Bearer will be 5-time Olympian Luge athlete Mark Grimmette.

Thursday was another busy day in the Village; we had a workout, practice at the Richmond Curling Club and more media. Then we were off to the opening of the Proctor and Gamble House, all the USA athletes were invited to come and see all the neat accommodations they have for the athletes and their families. The Proctor and Gamble house is a place for your families to go and feel at home and a place to meet up with the athletes. Here is a little view of what they are offering: a Pringles Room with 24 flavors of Pringles – yummy, then a WII Room, a Spa Room, which definitely was a stop of mine, Pampers room for toddlers to play, place to drop off your laundry and pick it up in 24 hours, and lots of food and drinks. My family is going to love this place, thank you Proctor and Gamble.

We also, had the USA Flag raising Ceremony at the Athlete Village in the evening. All the USA athletes, coaches and staff gathered together and the ceremony was lead by Sandra Oh from Greys Anatomy. I met the youngest USA athlete, Freestyle Skier Ashley Caldwell who is the same age as my daughter, 16; we got a picture taken together. The ceremony was very festive and you can feel the excitement as we gathered with all the other USA athletes.

That was our past three days in a nutshell, I can’t believe tomorrow is OPENING CEREMONIES!

Chat with you later ~ Tracy

Lodian Tracy Sachtjen to Vancouver for Winter Olympics

Rating 3.50 out of 5

Lodi, WI
2/8/10

Lodi's Tracy Sachtjen will compete in the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver as a member of the USA Women's Curling team. Go Tracy!

As many of you probably know, Lodi is honored to have Tracy Sachtjen, on the US Women’s curling team for the winter Olympics. Way to go! Attached is a copy of the TV schedule Tracy sent out yesterday – it starts on Feb 16 – and gives you the cable or dish channel you can watch and the local time.

Awesome! Please share with anyone whom may be interested.

USA Women’sCurling- Olympic TV Schedule

(Madison, WI Market)



Date	Time (CST)	Channel			Opponent	Charter	Charter HD	DirecTV	Dish

2/16/2010	4:00 PM	CNBC	USA	vs.	Japan	63		355	208
2/17/2010	11:00 AM	USA	USA	vs.	Germany	34	628	242	105
2/18/2010	4:00 PM	CNBC	USA	vs.	Denmark	63		355	208
2/19/2010	11:00 AM	USA	USA	vs.	Russia	34	628	242	105
2/20/2010	4:00 PM	CNBC	USA	vs.	Great Britain	63		355	208
2/21/2010	11:00 AM	MSNBC	USA	vs.	Canada	64		356	209
2/21/2010	8:30 PM	CNBC	USA	vs.	Sweden	63		355	208
2/23/2010	11:00 AM	USA	USA	vs.	China	34	628	242	105
2/23/2010	8:30 PM	MSNBC	USA	vs.	Switzerland	64		356	209

2/24/2010	4:00 PM	MSNBC	Tie-breaker round if needed			64		356	209
2/25/2010	11:00 AM	USA	First Semi-Final			34	628	242	105
2/26/2010	11:00 AM	USA	Bronze Medal Game			34	628	242	105
2/26/2010	5:00 PM	CNBC	Gold Medal Game			63		355	208

Lodi Haiti Fundraiser Scheduled

Rating 3.00 out of 5

Lodi, WI
2/4/10

Sunday, February 7
1 to 3 p.m.
At Lodi Sports and Recreation Center

Performers include:

Will, Jackson, Steve and Bryce’s band
Dan Pertzborn, Jessie Pieper, Taran O’Reilly & more to be announced

Proceeds go to: American Red Cross Haitian Disaster Relief Fund

Matching funds provided by: Thrivent Financial for Lutherans

Featuring: River Dog Red Hots-hot dogs and brats

For information or donation: call Jackson Pertzborn

Accurate Appraisal Website

Rating 3.00 out of 5

Lodi, WI
1/28/10

Accurate Appraisal LLC, the new Town and City of Lodi appraisal service provider has announced that local tax information will be accessible through their website. Go to www.accurateassessor.com, click on the state of WI map and then your municipality name. You will have several search options.

This link makes it easy to compare all properties in the city and the town.

One Student Wins $2,500 EdVest Scholarship

Rating 4.00 out of 5

Lodi, WI
1/27/10

7 others will take home $500 for writing essays about going to college

Madison – On Wednesday, January 20th, 2010 at 2:00pm at the Governor’s Mansion, Treasurer Dawn Marie Sass and First Lady Jessica Doyle will award 8 Wisconsin students EdVest College Scholarships. The students were among 400 who took part in the 2009 Higher Education Day Essay Contest. The 4th-6th graders wrote about why they want to continue their education beyond high school.
The winners are:
·        Zachary Atkins –Racine County, 6th grade, REAL School
·        Jillian Tuscher – Sauk County, 6th grade Jack Young Middle School
·        Kaitlyn Skala – Vernon County, 6th Grade, Hillsboro Elementary
·        Tyler Yang – Milwaukee County, 5th Grade, St. Bernadette
·        Cole Wirth – Milwaukee County, 6th Grade, Longfellow Middle School
·        Natasha Brantley – Manitowoc County, 6th Grade, Franklin Elementary
·        Jackson Her – Wood County, 6th Grade, Grove Elementary
·        Kyle Thieme – Brown County, 4th Grade, Forest Glen Elementary

The winners come from each of the state’s Congressional Districts. While all 8 know they have won college scholarship money through the EdVest Program, the grand prize winner of $2,500 will be announced at the event.

“I am proud of all the children who took the time to write the essays,” said Treasurer Sass. “These students already realize it’s never too early to start saving for their future.”

The EdVest essay contest was launched on Higher Education Day, created by the Treasurer’s Office four years ago in order to focus attention on the importance of higher education, and to highlight the many excellent resources already available in our state for students, parents and teachers. Teachers used the curriculum to create a teachable moment to talk about the importance of an education, especially in today’s financial world.

For more information on the EdVest College Scholarship program, visit www.statetreasury.wisconsin.gov.

L.O.D.I. Annual Meeting

Rating 3.50 out of 5

Lodi, WI
1/26/10

Dear Friends of L.O.D.I,

L.O.D.I. cordially welcomes you to attend our Annual Meeting and New / Expanded Business Reception on Wednesday, January 27^th at Lodi’s Northern Edge. Hors d’oeuvres and musical entertainment begins at 5:30 pm. As you mingle, plan to register for numerous door prizes!

Following the reading of the L.O.D.I. Annual Report at 6:30, we will recognize over a dozen New or Expanded Businesses in the Lodi area. Recognition of these businesses is a great opportunity to hear about and meet the people who have committed to economically developing our business community. Three other awards will also be presented. They are:

Vilas Hibbard Beautification Award recognizes a business or organization that has renovated its facility or property.
L.O.D.I. Director’s Award is presented to an individual or organization for efforts exemplifying L.O.D.I.’s mission of promoting the Lodi area and supporting area economic development.
“Green Awards” recognize businesses which strive to conserve energy by installing energy efficient devices

Our keynote speaker is Mark O’Connell, Executive Director of Wisconsin Counties Association. His message will center on how to use your unique talents to help strengthen our community’s economic vitality.

Enclosed you will find your 2010 L.O.D.I. Membership Form. Please take a moment to complete and return it along with your dues to L.O.D.I. so that we may continue to support, improve and energize economic development. Your interest and involvement is greatly appreciated. We look forward to your attendance at our Annual Meeting on Wednesday, January 27^th! Read more »

Van Dyke Honored by Hospice Family

Rating 3.50 out of 5

Lodi, WI
1/26/10

Van Dyke received a Guardian Angel award from Rick Bourne with HHU CEO and Denise Gloede

Mildred Bruhn of Lodi made a donation to the Home Health United – Visiting Nurse Service Foundation in honor of John Van Dyke, registered nurse for Home Health United – Hospice. Van Dyke, a Madison resident, received a Guardian Angel award from Rick Bourne, president and CEO of Home Health United and Denise Gloede, hospice program director.

“John was our primary nurse for my Dad’s care while in hospice status,” wrote Bruhn. “He was excellent keeping us abreast of changes and giving us the support we needed at his passing.”

HHU offers an integrated and comprehensive variety of home health services in 25 counties of southern Wisconsin. Home Health United – Hospice has served patients facing life-limiting illnesses wherever they call home for 20 years.

Family-Built Home

Rating 4.00 out of 5

Lodi, WI
1/25/10
by Carole Roche

Bill Weber’s Town of Berry home near Black Earth, Wisconsin is not only striking in appearance and design, it has a compelling story to tell.

Built with the combined efforts of family and friends, it is a testament to the value of people working together to achieve a dream. Country

Nestled in an area known as Spring Valley, the home was designed by Weber’s son, Jonas, and daughter-in-law, Danica, both LEED-certified (Leadership in Energy and Environment) architectural designers who have “the expertise to organize space to benefit their clients,” said Weber. “They are skilled architects and caring collaborators.”

There were other contributors to Weber’s dream, including his two younger sons, Nick and Wyatt, and a strong-willed neighbor by the name of LaVerne Holler.

Holler’s “energy and optimism combined with his genius for building and solving construction problems made the house possible,” said Weber. “He was always there to offer encouragement and support.”

Weber’s home is a hybrid, a post-frame structure blended with more conventional construction. Supported by Douglas fir posts and beams purchased from a company that reclaims lumber from building slated for demolition.

Weber knows that he could have purchased new beams for less, but he “ wanted to give older, more seasoned wood a second life. “ “Plus, said Weber, “ reclaimed wood is of better quality and is no longer shrinking.”

Purchasing the Spring Valley land in 1990, Weber had lived in a trailer on the property since 1994, waiting for eldest son Jonas to receive a master’s degree in architecture. In 2003, Jonas graduated, and he and his father spent a year designing the home.

Initial construction was due to begin in June, 2004.

Yet, before work could begin, the home site had to be prepared. This included building a retaining wall at the base of a hill at the rear of the property. “I had completed two rows of the retaining wall when a ‘fifty year deluge’ came, inundating the area with sixteen inches of rain. “All that water filled up hidden springs within the hill and gushed out thru the base,” said Weber. “The retaining wall was leveled.” Read more »

Small School Doing Big Things

Rating 3.00 out of 5

Lodi, WI
12/15/09

Local students host hunger awareness event, Food For Thought.

Did you know that one out of every eight children under the age of twelve in the U.S. goes to bed hungry every night? Did you know that every 3.6 seconds someone dies of hunger?

Madison Country Day School high school students are hosting an Oxfam Hunger Banquet to get Madisonians thinking. As “food insecurity” in our nation has soared to affect 49 million Americans (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/17/us/17hunger.html), students are determined to build awareness on the issue of hunger globally, nationally, and locally.

Since September, students from the Sharing our Humanity elective have been looking at the issues and connections between hunger, poverty, and education. They are inviting MCDS families and the greater Madison community to take part in Food For Thought, a feast for the mind and heart, on January 15, 2009, from 5:00-6:30 p.m., in the MCDS Lower School lobby.

Those planning to attend should RSVP to Sandra Fernandez at sferna02@sbcglobal.net.

Upon arrival to the event, participants will be given an identity card assigning them to a particular income level where they will be served food accordingly. Special guests will include Wisconsin Public Radio’s host of Here on Earth, Jean Feraca, and The Goodman Center Food Pantry Coordinator, Helen Hazelmare.

Many thanks to event sponsors Benvenutos and Café La Bellitalia. Suggested donation for the event is $4 and/or non-perishable food items to support The
Goodman Center Food Pantry. All monetary donations will go to Oxfam and Heifer International to support their sustainable food programs.

“After an Oxfam America Hunger Banquet event, few participants leave with full stomachs, but all possess a greater understanding of the problems of hunger and poverty and will hopefully be motivated to do something about them.” (Oxfam America)

New On-Line Resource Tallies News Reports of CCW Killings

Rating 4.50 out of 5

12/2/09
Lodi, WI

Concealed Handgun Permit Holders Have Killed 8 Law Enforcement Officers, 77 Private Citizens Over Two and a Half Year Period According to New On-Line Resource That Tallies News Reports of CCW Killings

Wisconsin Anti-Violence Effort (WAVE) Says State’s Prohibition Against Carrying Concealed Handguns In Public Saves Lives and Protects Law Enforcement Officials

Washington, DC–Concealed handgun permit holders killed eight law enforcement officers and 77 private citizens (including 10 shooters who killed themselves after an attack) during the period May 2007 through October 2009 according to a new Violence Policy Center (VPC) on-line resource that tallies news reports of such killings. The web site, CCW Killers, is located at http://www.vpc.org/ccwkillers.htm and is updated monthly to include new fatal shootings and changes in the legal status of concealed handgun permit holders facing criminal charges. (Any concealed handgun permit holders who are eventually acquitted of their alleged crimes are not included in the tallies maintained on the site although the facts surrounding the shooting are detailed.)

Wisconsin and Illinois are the only states that prohibit the carrying of concealed handguns in public places. The gun lobby has targeted both states through aggressive legislation and litigation while using its special-interest money to intimidate elected officials in support of its pro-gun agenda. For example, in 2006 the National Rifle Association hosted its annual meeting in Milwaukee with the stated purpose of defeating Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle, who had previously vetoed legislative attempts to enact a law allowing concealed handguns to be carried in public. Wisconsin gun violence prevention advocates say the leadership shown by the governor in standing up to the gun lobby has saved lives and should be a model for other governors and state legislatures.

“It is sobering to think of all the police officers and other Americans who have been murdered at the hands of concealed handgun permit holders,” said Jeri Bonavia, executive director of WAVE Educational Fund. “We are thankful that, here in Wisconsin , we don’t have a law that threatens our public safety by permitting the carrying of hidden, loaded handguns in public places.”

The new VPC web site offers detailed descriptions of the 46 incidents, which occurred in 18 states (see http://www.vpc.org/fact_sht/ccwtotalkilled.pdf for detailed descriptions of all incidents). Of these incidents, 10 were murder-suicides involving firearms and eight were mass shootings (three or more victims) that claimed as many as 11 lives at a time. Law enforcement officers were killed in Florida (two incidents), Idaho , Ohio , and Pennsylvania (two incidents). All of the law enforcement killings were committed with guns.

Private citizens were killed in Alabama, California, Colorado, Florida (nine incidents), Idaho (two incidents), Kentucky, Michigan (three incidents), New York, North Carolina (two incidents), Ohio (three incidents), Oklahoma (two incidents), Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina (two incidents), Tennessee (five incidents), Texas, Utah (two incidents), and Virginia (three incidents). All but one of the killings were committed with guns.

Kristen Rand, legislative director for the Violence Policy Center, states, “This new web site makes clear that contrary to the false promises of the gun lobby the simple and deadly fact is that state concealed handgun systems are arming cop-killers, mass shooters, and other murderers.”

Because most state systems that allow the carrying of concealed handguns in public by private citizens release little data about crimes committed by permit holders, the VPC reviews and tallies concealed handgun permit holder killings as reported by news outlets. It is likely that the actual number of fatal criminal incidents involving concealed handgun permit holders is far higher.

The Violence Policy Center (www.vpc.org) is a national educational organization working to stop gun death and injury.

The Wisconsin Anti-Violence Effort Educational Fund (www.waveedfund.org) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing firearm violence, injuries, and deaths in Wisconsin through education, outreach and advocacy.