The Task Force established to take an independent look at security and communication aspects of the schools now has up to date information and a new online tool to communicate with them. The updated website located at www.madisonal.gov/SchoolTaskForce includes more information about the subcommittees, updated membership list, and the ability to provide feedback and ideas to the task force called Talk to the Task Force. It is an anonymous online form that is routed directly to the task force. The task force encourages you to take advantage of this new tool.

There are ongoing meetings and the task force is still focused on issuing their initial report soon. [Task Force Page...]

The Children's Living Library locatd at the Madison Public Library will be the first of its kind for any library that we know of in Alabama and possibly the country. It will feature things like a life size Scrabble board, mini-amphitheater for story time, Madison County soil history/display, veggie garden, boat dock with ship, etc. The scenes in the garden will be tied in to the library with our take on storybook themes like Charlotte's Web and Where the Wild Things Are. The garden will be free to enter and open to everyone. Lessons in sustainability and the environment, gardening, art, and music are just a few of the topics that will be taught in the garden. We have a great team of partners that are helping to host these events. Some are the Madison County Beekeepers Association, the Huntsville Botanical Garden, the Madison Gardening Club, the Madison Beautification and Tree Board, and the Madison County Soil and Water Conservation District, and the Madison Sustainability Committee.

Local professional landscape architect Lori Severin with 4Site, Inc has donated the design of the garden.

A grant was received to help with educational supplies for lessons being taught in the garden so that lesson plans are ready to go for this summer’s 2010 Reading Program. The proceeds of the first annual Madison's Run Through the Roses 10k and Celebration, May 1, 2010 will also be dedicated to the project to be used for long term care and maintenance of the garden for things like mulch and fertilizer.

The fence that will surround the garden will be created at an event May 1 from 11am-1pm at the Botanical Garden called Picnic and Pickets celebrating the Library's Big Read Event. The theme chosen for this year's Big Read is “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer”. In honor of that, a brightly colored picket fence will be painted by families visiting the Garden that day. After completion, it will be moved to its permanent home at our library. Another great point for that day is that anyone bringing a new children's book to the Huntsville Botanical Garden will receive free admission and all the books brought in will be donated to the Madison Public Library's Children Collection!!

Our theme for the garden is "every child is a story yet to be told". This garden is an opportunity for children to learn and explore, for us to help prepare them for their future...to help them tell their stories. Each young person is our next teacher, artist, doctor, councilperson, pastor, nurse, president, engineer, etc. Their success will ultimately be our success as a community!!!

WAYS TO HELP: Items and projects within the garden are lettered and available for sponsorship. All sponsored items will get a permanent plaque affixed in the garden. Donations towards the general building of the garden are also accepted and will also receive a permanent plaque inside the garden.

The plaques can have names or names and photo images so they make great honors or memorials in addition to great advertising opportunities for local businesses or civic organizations!!!!

CONTACT:
Kristen Kulavich
krisdkul@hotmail.com
(256) 682-5117
[Sponsorship Opportunities...]

City of Madison employees join forces with the American Cancer Society to BLAST Cancer! “Relay For Life is a unique opportunity for our community to come together to celebrate people who have battled cancer, remember those we’ve lost, and fight back against the disease,” said Beth Brooks, Chair of Relay in Madison. “Many of the participants are cancer survivors (anyone who has ever been diagnosed with cancer), which serves as a reminder that our community is not immune to this disease and we can actually help our friends, families and neighbors that have been touched by cancer,” Beth Brooks added. It only costs $10 to join the team. You'll receive a t-shirt to wear during the relay and you'll receive a warm and fuzzy feeling to take with you after. To join the team contact Gayle Milam (Gayle.Milam@madisonal.gov)Kay Curry (Kay.Curry@madisonal.gov) or Jon Stout (Jon.Stout@madisonal.gov). JOIN THE TEAM TODAY AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR TOMORROW! Bring the kids for food, fun and face painting and be sure to stay for the Mr. Relay Beauty Contest. Details: Madison Relay for Life, Friday April 16, 7:00 pm - Saturday, April 17, 7:00 am (Walk a while or walk all night)Madison Academy School, 325 Slaughter Road. For more information contact Sherri Blair (Sherri.Blair@madisonal.gov)or www.Relayforlife.org

Nominations are now being accepted for Madison Family of the Year. In April of 1996, The Mayor of the City of Madison, recognizing the diversity and richness of family life in Madison, directed the development of a "Family of the Year" program. The goal of the program is to recognize families in our community that maintain wholesome family values and live their lives in a way to promote the qualities of family life that make City of Madison a desirable place to live. The 2009 Madison Family of the Year was the David Abell Family.

Family of the Year Nomination Procedure:

•Any adult person may nominate any family that resides in the City of Madison and meets the eligibility criteria.
•Online Nomination form is available at the City of Madison website at www.madisonal.gov/FOTY
•Deadline: Nominations must be submitted by the last day of March.

Eligibility Criteria:

•The family must have been residents of the city of Madison for the entire period January through December of the previous year.
•All family members must be U.S. citizens or legal aliens.
•Elected officials of the city of Madison or members of the Family of the Year Selection Committee are not eligible and cannot nominate families.
•Spouses must be legally married as recognized by Alabama law.
•A single parent must be a widow or widower, or legally divorced or separated as recognized by Alabama law.
•No family member may be the subject of any criminal indictment or be delinquent in compliance with any outstanding civil action.
•The family selected should be able to fulfill their obligations to the City for the coming year.

We have so many worthy families in Madison and look forward to receiving nominations. [Family of the Year Nominations...]

Madison Police Department has opened registration for the Rape Aggression Defense (R.A.D.) Systems Basic Physical Defense Courses, to be offered in 2010. This free, weeklong, confidence building class is designed for the specific needs of women, ages 12 and up. Courses will be offered in a 3 hour format for four weeknights (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday) from 6pm-9pm, nightly, at Dublin Recreational Park, located in Madison, AL.

The following weeks are currently reserved for R.A.D. basic classes:

• January 4th-9th
  
• February 22nd-26th
  
• March 15th-19th
  
• April 19th-23rd.

Interested ladies are encouraged to contact Detective Christie Gover for registration or for more information. Class sizes are limited, so early enrollment is a must. Detective Gover can be reached at 256-772-5618 or email her at Christie.gover@madisonal.gov.

[Additional info...]

Madison, AL – The City of Madison would like to inform residents that beginning the first week of November work will begin at the intersection of Hughes Rd. and U.S. Hwy. 72. Construction will last until approximately April 19, 2010.

Please observe the posted speed limits in this construction zone. While workers are present double fines will be implemented.

For more details on this project, you may visit the City of Madison website at http://www.madisonal.gov/index.aspx?nid=684

If you have any questions or comments, please contact the City of Madison Engineering Department at 256-772-8431 or by email at jenny.spain@madisonal.gov
[Additional info...]

US News and World report named Madison as one of the 10 best places to grow up. The honor was based on low crime, strong schools, green space, and fun family activities. [Full Story...]

City named 49th in the US for best places to live by CNN/Money Magazine. [Full Story...]

All fields at Dublin Park and Palmer Park are CLOSED.

Please see the attached Press Release from the City of Huntsville regarding the temporary closure of Wann Dr. [View Press Release...]

The City of Madison would like to inform residents that beginning on Friday, February 12th the previously closed section of Brownsferry Road between Wall Triana Hwy. and Balch Rd will be open to through traffic. This area is still a construction zone and drivers should proceed slowly and cautiously.

Construction to complete this section of roadway will be completed as weather allows.

If you have any questions or comments, please contact the City of Madison Engineering Department at 256-772-8431 or by email at jenny.spain@madisonal.gov

Madison, AL – Beginning Monday, January 25, 2010, Balch Road will be closed from Hwy. 72 to Wann Dr. for approximately 10 months. Access to local businesses will be permitted, however through traffic will not be permitted.

This project is being managed by the City of Huntsville and all inquiries should be directed to Kathy Martin, with the City of Huntsville Engineering Division at (256) 427-5300.

The detour route will be Gooch Lane to Wall Triana Hwy. and Gillespie Rd. to County Line Rd.

Wall Triana Hwy., north of Hwy. 72, which is currently closed, is scheduled to re-open on Monday, January 25, 2010.

Madison, AL – The City of Madison would like to inform residents that beginning the first week of November work will begin at the intersection of Hughes Rd. and U.S. Hwy. 72. Construction will last until approximately April 19, 2010.

Please observe the posted speed limits in this construction zone. While workers are present double fines will be implemented.

For more details on this project, you may visit the City of Madison website at http://www.madisonal.gov/index.aspx?nid=684

If you have any questions or comments, please contact the City of Madison Engineering Department at 256-772-8431 or by email at jenny.spain@madisonal.gov
[Additional info...]