Lenten Chocolate Sacrifice, Roll-Away-the-Stone Hazelnut Brownie Splurge

As she does each year, my wife gave up chocolate for Lent.  It's a major sacrifice for her as she has quite the sweet tooth.

Being the good husband that I am, I baked this pan of hazelnut brownies for the roll-away-the-stone festivities.

Here's the recipe.

Audio Materials per 1000 Population in Larger Wisconsin Public Libraries

63 public libraries are in this population category.

Source:  
Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.  "Wisconsin Public Library Service Data".  (2012)

Other public library statistics posts:
Audio materials in U.S. public libraries per 1000 population.  (4/19/2014)
Periodicals per 1000 population in U.S. public libraries.  (4/18/2014)
Print materials per capita in U.S. public libraries.  (4/17/2014)
Number of public-use Internet computers: Selected Dane County public libraries vs. national average.   (4/16/2014)
Two column graphs on public-use Internet computers in public libraries by population of legal service area (2011).  (4/16/2014)
A statistical look at public-use Internet computers in public libraries, 2011.  (4/15/2014)
Total, children's, and young adult public library program attendance per 1000 population, By population of legal service area (2011).  (4/14/2014)
U.S. public library children's and young adult program attendance per 1000 population (top and bottom 10 States).  (4/12/2014)
U.S. public library program attendance per 1000 population (top and bottom 10 states).  (4/12/2014) 
Wisconsin the unquestioned leader in interlibrary loans provided and received per 1000 population.  (4/11/2014)
Wisconsin and Ohio share the public library interlibrary loan spotlight.  (4/10/2014)
Public library visits and circulation per capita by population of legal service area (2011) .  (4/8/2014)
Decline in Number of Bookmobiles Continues to Accelerate in 2011.  (4/7/2014) 
Library circulation per capita: Top 10 and bottom 10+ states.  (4/5/2014)
Library visits per capita: Top 10 and bottom 10 states.  (4/5/2014)
The biggest and the smallest U.S. public libraries: Hours of operation (2011).  (4/3/2014)
Hours of operation.  (4/3/2014)
Public Libraries: Larger and Smaller Units of Governance, Iowa and South Carolina.  (4/1/2014) 
Number of public libraries in the ten most populous states. (4/1/2014)
Percentage distribution of public libraries by legal service area population.  (3/30/2014)
Public libraries by type of legal basis.  (3/30/2014)
Public library revenue.  (3/24/2014)
Number of libraries, 2011 (administrative units).  (3/19/2014)
Library staffing, 2001-2011.  (3/19/2014)

Audio Materials in U.S. Public Libraries Per 1000 Population (2011)

Midwestern states shine in this ranking, claiming 5 of the top 10 spots.

Of the 10 states with the lowest number of audio titles per 1000 population, 8 are in the South.  9, if you count Texas.

And all the Dane County libraries are above average.

Sources:  
Institute of Museum and Library Services.  "Public Libraries in the United States Survey, Fiscal Year 2011".
Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.  "Wisconsin Public Library Service Data".  (2011)

Other public library statistics posts:
Periodicals per 1000 population in U.S. public libraries.  (4/18/2014)
Print materials per capita in U.S. public libraries.  (4/17/2014)
Number of public-use Internet computers: Selected Dane County public libraries vs. national average.   (4/16/2014)
Two column graphs on public-use Internet computers in public libraries by population of legal service area (2011).  (4/16/2014)
A statistical look at public-use Internet computers in public libraries, 2011.  (4/15/2014)
Total, children's, and young adult public library program attendance per 1000 population, By population of legal service area (2011).  (4/14/2014)
U.S. public library children's and young adult program attendance per 1000 population (top and bottom 10 States).  (4/12/2014)
U.S. public library program attendance per 1000 population (top and bottom 10 states).  (4/12/2014) 
Wisconsin the unquestioned leader in interlibrary loans provided and received per 1000 population.  (4/11/2014)
Wisconsin and Ohio share the public library interlibrary loan spotlight.  (4/10/2014)
Public library visits and circulation per capita by population of legal service area (2011) .  (4/8/2014)
Decline in Number of Bookmobiles Continues to Accelerate in 2011.  (4/7/2014) 
Library circulation per capita: Top 10 and bottom 10+ states.  (4/5/2014)
Library visits per capita: Top 10 and bottom 10 states.  (4/5/2014)
The biggest and the smallest U.S. public libraries: Hours of operation (2011).  (4/3/2014)
Hours of operation.  (4/3/2014)
Public Libraries: Larger and Smaller Units of Governance, Iowa and South Carolina.  (4/1/2014) 
Number of public libraries in the ten most populous states. (4/1/2014)
Percentage distribution of public libraries by legal service area population.  (3/30/2014)
Public libraries by type of legal basis.  (3/30/2014)
Public library revenue.  (3/24/2014)
Number of libraries, 2011 (administrative units).  (3/19/2014)
Library staffing, 2001-2011.  (3/19/2014)

Oh, Barry, look what you did to Mandy!

Mandy, as a given  name, has never been as popular as Amanda, which spent 20 years in the top 10 -- from 1976 to 1995 -- according to the annual list of 1000 most popular baby names for girls as compiled by the Social Security Administration.

Mandy experienced a brief moment of glory in the mid-1970s, thanks to Barry Manilow's song of the same name, which spent 16 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100, from November 16, 1974, to March 1, 1975.  As a result, Mandy rose from #435 in 1974 to #106 in 1975 on the popular baby name's list.  She reached as high as #94 in 1977 but then began a precipitous slide.

Mandy hasn't charted since 2005.

And come to think of it, I haven't heard much from Barry either.



Even now, if I'm listening to the radio and this song is played, I quickly reach out my right hand to find another station.

Barry Manilow: 'If it wasn’t for therapy, I wouldn’t be sitting here now’.  (The Telegraph, 5/14/2012)

Other baby name posts:
Annette.  (4.14.2014)
Lola on the comeback trail.  (1/25/2014)
It all started with "One Day at a Time".  (1/21/2014)
"Thou art lost and gone forever, dreadful sorry, Clementine".  (1/15/2014) 
Jason, The Straight Dope, and Here Come the Baby Name Suggestions.  (1/1/2014)
Joni Mitchell, Jane Fonda, and the Popularity of Chelsea as a Baby Name.  (12/30/2013)
Elenore/Eleanor.  (12/27/2013)
The meteoric rise and fall of Tammy.  (12/18/2013)
Anita and Wanda: When you're hot, you're hot, when you're not, you're not. (12/15/2013) 
Autumn's child has it all over Spring Byington.  (12/12/2013)
Are you a boy or are you a girl?  (12/7/2013)
April, May, and June:  The baby names of spring.  (12/4/2013)
[Nose tinkle] Sunday New York Times crossword puzzle clue: 7 down, Daughter in "Bewitched".  (12/1/2013)
Anna, a model of consistency through the years.  (11/30/2013)
Rubies and Pearls.  (11/29/2013)
The Lucy and Ethel synchronized dive.  (11/28/2013)
The George Burns and Gracie Allen line graph.  (11/27/2013)
Rick, Dick & Rich -- but above all, Richard.  (11/26/2013)
When Jennifers rules the world.  (11/24/2013)
Ralph and Alice part ways in 1988. (11/23/2013)
Now Appearing in a Colorful Line Graph -- The 6 Jans.  (11/23/2013)
Which Do You Prefer: Catherine/Cathy or Katherine/Kathy?  (11/22/2013)
Just when you thought he was going, going, gone, Eugene bounces back.  (11/21/2013)
Sidney swings both ways.  (11/21/2013)
Popular baby names:  Nancy (1880-2012).  (11/17/2013
Madge: Off the chart even when she was an advertising icon.  (11/16/2013)
Cindy: Not Always a Nickname for Cynthia (Since 1938).  (11/15/2013)
Lizabeth:  There's only one reason why this name made the list.  (11/14/2013)
Paul and Paula:  1954 was their very best year together.  (11/14/2013)
Bonnie and Clyde take a dive together.  (11/13/2013)
Joseph demonstrates more staying power than Mary.  (11/12/2013)
The popularity of Elizabeth as a baby name:  1880-2012.  (11/12/2013)
The popularity of William as a baby name.  (11/12/2013)
The popularity of Thomas as a baby name.  (11/11/2013)
Susan is losin' popularity.  (11/11/2013)
The popularity of Robert as a baby name: 1880-2012.  (11/10/2013)
The popularity of Denise as a baby name:  1926-2012.  (11/10/2013)
The popularity of John as a baby name:  1880-2012.  (11/9/2013)
The popularity of Sheila as a baby name:  1917-2002, 2003-2004.  (11/9/2013)
The popularity of James as a baby name: 1880-2012.  (11/7/2013)
The popularity of Michael as a baby name: 1880-2012.  (11/7/2013)
The popularity of Sherry as a baby name:  1926-1995.  (11/7/2013)
Friends choose 15th and 16th most popular baby names for their unexpected twin boys.  (11/3/2013) 
Destiny Hope Cyrus's impact on popular baby names for girls.  (10/15/2013)
There really was something about Mary.  (9/22/2013)
"Gone With the Wind" and baby names.  (11/27/2011)
The baby names list, 1900-1999.  (5/11/2010)

Periodicals Per 1000 Population in U.S. Public Libraries

In Dane County, the top 8 libraries have the smallest service area populations.

Sources:  
Institute of Museum and Library Services.  "Public Libraries in the United States Survey, Fiscal Year 2011".
Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.  "Wisconsin Public Library Service Data".  (2011)

Other public library statistics posts:
Print materials per capita in U.S. public libraries.  (4/17/2014)
Number of public-use Internet computers: Selected Dane County public libraries vs. national average.   (4/16/2014)
Two column graphs on public-use Internet computers in public libraries by population of legal service area (2011).  (4/16/2014)
A statistical look at public-use Internet computers in public libraries, 2011.  (4/15/2014)
Total, children's, and young adult public library program attendance per 1000 population, By population of legal service area (2011).  (4/14/2014)
U.S. public library children's and young adult program attendance per 1000 population (top and bottom 10 States).  (4/12/2014)
U.S. public library program attendance per 1000 population (top and bottom 10 states).  (4/12/2014) 
Wisconsin the unquestioned leader in interlibrary loans provided and received per 1000 population.  (4/11/2014)
Wisconsin and Ohio share the public library interlibrary loan spotlight.  (4/10/2014)
Public library visits and circulation per capita by population of legal service area (2011) .  (4/8/2014)
Decline in Number of Bookmobiles Continues to Accelerate in 2011.  (4/7/2014) 
Library circulation per capita: Top 10 and bottom 10+ states.  (4/5/2014)
Library visits per capita: Top 10 and bottom 10 states.  (4/5/2014)
The biggest and the smallest U.S. public libraries: Hours of operation (2011).  (4/3/2014)
Hours of operation.  (4/3/2014)
Public Libraries: Larger and Smaller Units of Governance, Iowa and South Carolina.  (4/1/2014) 
Number of public libraries in the ten most populous states. (4/1/2014)
Percentage distribution of public libraries by legal service area population.  (3/30/2014)
Public libraries by type of legal basis.  (3/30/2014)
Public library revenue.  (3/24/2014)
Number of libraries, 2011 (administrative units).  (3/19/2014)
Library staffing, 2001-2011.  (3/19/2014)

"Understanding" Secessionist to Run Against Robin Vos in Republican Assembly Primary

Photo source:  Bryn Biemeck for State Assembly

Mount Pleasant Republican to run in primary against Speaker Robin Vos. (Wisconsin State Journal, 4/17/2014)

Why she's running.  She said her opposition to Common Core is part of her strong support of states’ rights, also mentioning a secession resolution scheduled to be taken up at the state Republican Party convention as something she supports. The resolution “supports legislation that upholds Wisconsin’s right, under extreme circumstances, to secede,” according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, and Biemeck believes in “approaching states’ rights (with) that attitude.” 

Most commenters assume Bryn is a member of the Tea Party, a logical connection to make based on her views.  But I can't find any evidence of this at the Racine Tea Party website, which hasn't been updated since...

However, it appears that she is a member of the Libertarian Party of Southeast Wisconsin.

Other 2014 election posts:
Jay Schroeder running again in 55th Assembly District.  (4/16/2014)
60th Assembly District.  (4/14/2014)
4th Assembly District.  (4/14/2014)
At this point, Penny Bernard Schaber is running unopposed in Wisconsin's 19th State Senate District. (4/11/2014)
22nd Assembly District (4/10/2014)
28th Assembly District.  (4/8/2014)
Who will run in the 55th Assembly District now that Dean Kaufert has been elected Mayor of Neenah?  (4/2/2014)
Not just a rumor anymore; Kestell announces his retirement.  (4/1/2014)
Apparently, he's not foolin': Al Ott running for re-election.  (4/1/2014)
Bill Kramer & the 97th Assembly District.  (3/24/2014)
26th Assembly District.  (3/24/2014)
37th Assembly District rematch.  (2/27/2014)
87th Assembly District.  (2/17/2014)
Todd Novak, Dodgeville Mayor, Running for 51st Assembly seat.  (2/17/2014)
88th Assembly District.  (2/17/2014)
58th Assembly District.  (2/10/2014)
81st Assembly District.  (2/7/2014)
17th Senate District.  (1/27/2014)
59th Assembly District.  (1/18/2014)
1st Assembly District.  (12/13/2013)
Candidate scorecard for the 2014 Wisconsin Attorney General's race.  (12/8/2013)
22nd Assembly District.  11/21/2013)
17 Senate District.  (11/7/2013)
19th Assembly District.  (11/7/2013)
9th State Senate District. (10/23/2013)
15th State Senate District.  (10/10/2013)
Wisconsin Attorney General in 2014: Waukesha County DA Brad Schimel.  (10/10/2013
25th State Senate District.  (10/9/2013)

"Just an Old-Fashioned Love Song" to the Greenfield Public Library

"One I'm sure they wrote for you and me."

 

What say you about this video?  (Did you know that nonprint materials comprise 42% of the library's total circulation?)

What say you about the library's website?

Fox News: Scott Walker Polling Neck-and-Neck with Rick Santorum

Fox News poll.

The biggest loser:  Ted Cruz.

Makes you feel as though there is a God.

The biggest winner:  Rand Paul.

Well, so much for that thought.

And that Scott Walker guy has actually lost some ground since December.  Maybe they read his book.   He's now in a tie with Rick Perry and Rick Santorum.  (Insert Boris Badenov laugh here.)

Related posts:
Iowa Republican caucus voters not singing Scott Walker's song.  (4/10/2014)
Scott Walker still "Stuck Inside of Mobile with the Memphis Blues Again".    (4/4/2014)
While Mary Burke campaigns for Governor, Scott Walker continues to run for President.  (3/28/2014)
The Washington Examiner offers a boost to Scott Walker Presidential campaign without a hint of irony.  (3/26/2014)
Let's do an ID update on this Townhall straw poll.  (3/25/2014)
Scott Walker for President 2016: Pundits like the idea but the public sez "meh".  (3/16/2014)
Scott Walker is in a bind.  (3/15/2014)
Christie/Walker meme, part 3.  (3/8/2014)
Christie/Walker meme, part 2.  (3/7/2014)
Christie/Walker meme, part 1.  (3/7/2014)
The chattering class falls hard for Scott Walker, but the voters are still scratching their heads.  (3/6/2014)
So he, too, can embarrass himself.  (12/30/2013)

In the Cart 2525.....

Photo source:  Retiring Guy

....are the ingredients for this recipe.

The New York Times, 1/4/2006

States Where Scott Walker Will Be Spending a Lot of Time in 2015 (Not Wisconsin)

Gearing up/campaigning for the 2016 Republican Presidential caucuses and primaries.

Iowa caucuses:  Monday, January 18, 2016.  (Date tentative)

New Hampshire primary:  Tuesday, January 26, 2016.  (Date tentative)

Colorado caucuses:  Tuesday, February 2, 2016.

Minnesota caucuses:  Tuesday, February 2, 2016.

Nevada caucuses:  Saturday, February 6, 2016.  (Date tentative)

South Carolina primary:  Saturday, February 13, 2016.  (Date tentative)

North Carolina primary:  Tuesday, February 16, 2016.  (Date tentative)

Arizona primary:  Tuesday, February 23, 2016.

Michigan primary:  Tuesday, February 23, 2016.

Maps source:  Greenwich Mean Time

And that's just the beginning.

Gov. Scott Walker declines to commit to four-year Wisconsin term. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 4/16/2014)

Again and again and again.  The Republican governor is frequently mentioned as a potential candidate for president in 2016. If Walker and Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch were re-elected this Nov. 4 but Walker stepped down midterm, the job would go to Kleefisch until January 2019. 

Asked Wednesday after speaking to the Wisconsin Hospital Association in Madison if he would commit to serving a full second term, Walker dodged the question. 

"I'm committed to run for governor again," he said. "I love being governor and I'm committed to being governor going forward." 

Asked again whether he would serve all four years of a second term, Walker said: "Again, what I'm going to stay focused on and be committed to is telling the people of the state what I plan to do in the next term. I want to be governor and that's the only thing I'm focused on right now." 

Related posts:
Wisconsin State Journal headline: Time for a calendar check.  (4/15/2014)
While Mary Burke campaigns for Governor, Scott Walker continues to run for President. (3/28/2014)
Scott Walker has also accepted a "tens of thousands" campaign donation from Sheldon Adelson.  (3/28/2014)
The Washington Examiner offers a boost to Scott Walker Presidential campaign without a hint of irony. (3/26/2014)
Scott Walker for President 2016: Pundits like the idea but the public sez "meh".  (3/16/2014)
Scott Walker is in a bind.  (3/15/2014)
Christie/Walker meme, part 3.  (3/8/2014)
Christie/Walker meme, part 2.  (3/7/2014)
Christie/Walker meme, part 1.  (3/7/2014)
The chattering class falls hard for Scott Walker, but the voters are still scratching their heads.  (3/6/2014)
So he, too, can embarrass himself.  (12/30/2013)

Print Materials Per Capita in U.S. Public Libraries (2011)

Of course, what we don't know in the above column graph is the average date of publication of print materials owned by public libraries.

Perhaps books aren't weeded as often in New England public library collections as they are elsewhere.

The overall average for Dane County is 3.3.  Madison's collection of print materials comprises 42% of Dane County's total.

Sources:  
Institute of Museum and Library Services.  "Public Libraries in the United States Survey, Fiscal Year 2011".
Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.  "Wisconsin Public Library Service Data".  (2011)


Other public library statistics posts:
Number of public-use Internet computers: Selected Dane County public libraries vs. national average.   (4/16/2014)
Two column graphs on public-use Internet computers in public libraries by population of legal service area (2011).  (4/16/2014)
A statistical look at public-use Internet computers in public libraries, 2011.  (4/15/2014)
Total, children's, and young adult public library program attendance per 1000 population, By population of legal service area (2011).  (4/14/2014)
U.S. public library children's and young adult program attendance per 1000 population (top and bottom 10 States).  (4/12/2014)
U.S. public library program attendance per 1000 population (top and bottom 10 states).  (4/12/2014) 
Wisconsin the unquestioned leader in interlibrary loans provided and received per 1000 population.  (4/11/2014)
Wisconsin and Ohio share the public library interlibrary loan spotlight.  (4/10/2014)
Public library visits and circulation per capita by population of legal service area (2011) .  (4/8/2014)
Decline in Number of Bookmobiles Continues to Accelerate in 2011.  (4/7/2014) 
Library circulation per capita: Top 10 and bottom 10+ states.  (4/5/2014)
Library visits per capita: Top 10 and bottom 10 states.  (4/5/2014)
The biggest and the smallest U.S. public libraries: Hours of operation (2011).  (4/3/2014)
Hours of operation.  (4/3/2014)
Public Libraries: Larger and Smaller Units of Governance, Iowa and South Carolina.  (4/1/2014) 
Number of public libraries in the ten most populous states. (4/1/2014)
Percentage distribution of public libraries by legal service area population.  (3/30/2014)
Public libraries by type of legal basis.  (3/30/2014)
Public library revenue.  (3/24/2014)
Number of libraries, 2011 (administrative units).  (3/19/2014)
Library staffing, 2001-2011.  (3/19/2014)

Jay Schroeder Running Again in the 55th Assembly District

He received 35% of the vote when he challenged Dean Kaufert in a 2012 Republican primary.

Schroeder will run for Kaufert's Assembly seat.   (Appleton Post-Crescent, 4/15/2014)

Running again. He previously served as a Town of Menasha supervisor and a Menomonie alderman. He also has run for county executive, county supervisor and school board.

Photo credit;   Wisconsonvote.org

What about this huge transportation project, Jay?

Connecting Wisconsin (page 1 of 2)

Pauline Haass Library Disputes Continues XXXV

It goes on and on.


Pauline Haass library dispute continues.  (Sussex Sun, 4/15/2014)

The lede.    The court-ordered mediation intended to resolve the dispute over about 65 acres of farmland between the Town of Lisbon and the Pauline Haass Library Board is not likely to begin soon and may eventually include the Village of Sussex, according to both Lisbon and Library Board representatives.

Related articles: 
The Sussex-Lisbon library dispute continues.  (3/27/2014)
Differing opinions on the future of the library.  (3/3/2014)
Dissolution, "from Latin dissolutionem (nominative dissolutio) "a dissolving, destroying, interruption..."  (1/29/2014)
Getting out of joint?  (1/10/2014)
Pauline Haass library board 1, Town of Lisbon 0.  (1/3/2014)
Pauline Haass Public Library considers the cost of litigation.  (11/27/2013)
Sussex/Lisbon: Mediation fails, time to go to court.  (10/23/2013)
Town of Lisbon agrees to nonbinding arbitration with Pauline Haass.  (10/19/2013)
An uncertain funding picture for the Pauline Haass Public Library.  (10/11/2013)
This land is my land, this land is my land.  (9/12/2013)
Sussex-Lisbon library agreement still appears to be more "if" Than "when".  (8/22/2013) 
Still following the Sussex-Lisbon library talks -- since 2010.  (8/6/2013) 
Following a brouhaha over a "most objectionable 3-page letter," library talks to resume between Sussex and Lisbon.  (5/27/2013)
A most objectionable 3-page letter.  (5/10/2013)
Dear Greg; Love, Lisbon Town Board.  (4/27/2013)
Perhaps Pauline Haass is spinning in her grave.  (3/18/2013)
What a long strange trip it's been.  (2/13/2012)
Dueling news releases.  (10/7/2012)
Town of Lisbon wants deep discount in payment for library services.  (9/30/2012)
As the world of joint library agreements turns.  (8/22/2012)
The beat goes on.  (7/2/2012)
Joint library negotiations continue.  (5/13/2012)
Jane Stadler on Paying Taxes: "...it is something that you do because you're part of the community.  (11/26/2011)
Lisbon town chair not likely to get his way on Pauline Haass Library funding. (11/22/2011)
Lisbon Town chair advocates paying for library services on the cheap.  (11/22/2011)
The challenges of shared governance and funding.  (9/28/2011)
Consensus building for new joint library agreement.  (7/22/2011)
Sussex, Lisbon:  Local politics and library negotiations.  (5/28/2011)
Negotiation to continue after information-gathering process.  (10/8/2010)
And the beat goes on.  (10/4/2010)
Differences of opinion of library funding continue.  (9/18/2010)
Leaders of Village of Sussex, Town of Lisbon clash over funding for library. (8/26/2010)
Will annexation resolution interfere with negotiations over joint library agreement?  (8/4/2010)
Proposal to change library funding formula gets cool reception.  (6/7/2010)
Town of Lisbon Chairman proposes new funding formula for library.  (5/31/2010)

Site Selected for New Appleton Public Library

Library board calls for new $40M library on river site. (Appleton Post-Crescent, 4/15/2014)

A unanimous vote.  John Peterson, president of the board, was adamant that the site selection was not a hostile takeover and said Fox Banquets & Rivertyme Catering approached the library in 2012 about purchasing its property. 

“Obviously the sentimental and spiritual attachment of longtime members of Trinity Lutheran Church would be disrupted by this move,” Peterson said. “I have absolutely no interest or intent that the relocation be in any manner hostile to the church or congregation.” 

Peterson said the decision had less to do with views out the building to the river, and more about aesthetics of a brand new facility welcoming residents downtown at a key gateway from the Oneida Skyline Bridge.






Related posts:
Post-Crescent interview with Appleton Public Library Director Colleen Rortvedt.  (4/9/2014)
Consultants recommend 3 sites for new downtown Appleton Public Library.   (3/19/2014)
Appleton Public Library hires Godfrey's Associates to gather data and public input on future of library.  (8/19/2012)
Appleton Public Library Colleen Rortvedt interviews on Post-Crescent's newsmakers.  (4/19/2012)
Community conversations bbout the Appleton Public Library.  (4/18/2012)
"Quirky" Geenan favors new Appleton library over downtown exhibition center.  (2/14/2012)
Post-Crescent editorial board agrees with decision to wait on library building project.  (7/18/2011)
Appleton Public Library Director Colleen Rortvedt provides context to Post-Crescent article on library expansion.  (7/7/2011)
New library placed on indefinite hold.  (7/6/2011)
On the need for a new library.  (2/4/2011)
Director responds to 'frequently observed misconceptions'. (12/4/2009)
Readers weigh in on new library. (11/9/2009)
Mayor provides his perspective on library planning process.  (10/7/2009)
Post-Crescent supports next step in library facilities planning process.  (10/6/2009)
Financing options for Appleton's library project.  (10/6/2009)
Potential sites for new library under discussion.  (10/4/2009)
Membership of capital facilities committee for library project approved.  (8/7/2009)
Terry Dawson's discusses Appleton library building project.  (7/16/2009)
Library building project update.  (6/18/2009)
Appleton's library planning escapes budget cuts.  (11/13/2008)
Post-Crescent endorses library design study.  (11/11/2008)
Study:  New library should be built downtown.  (7/10/2008)

Gee, if you're a household of 1, your pay will be at nearly twice the poverty rate

Madison call center to receive nearly $575,000 in state incentives to add nearly 300 jobs. (Wisconsin State Journal, 4/15/2014)

It's a start.  Two state agencies will provide more than a half-million taxpayer dollars to help a Philippines-based outsourcing company expand a small Madison call center, based on its pledge to add 286 jobs in three years starting at $11 per hour plus commission.

For the benefit of all those hard-working families.  Hall said WEDC rules require companies to pay at least $11 per hour to get taxpayer incentives.

About that $11,670.

The income standard for housing affordability is 30%.  In other words, an individual earning $11,670 annually should not pay more than $3501 for housing costs.  That $291.75 per month.

In many Wisconsin zip codes, you'll be lucky to find a studio apartment for less than $600 per month.

It's not easy being a household of 1 when you earn $11.670 a year.

I'd like to suggest some alternate wording, please: Cross out "Legislative committees are", insert "The American Legislative Exchange Council is".

On Politics: 'Unprecedented' bipartisan legislative committee met once during session. (Wisconsin State Journal, 4/15/2014)

Curiously, the State Journal makes no mention here of ALEC.

The sounds of silence:

• The four committee co-chairs of the two committees did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
• Vos did not respond to a request for comment Tuesday.

Related reading:
Wisconsin Poised to Pass ALEC's Deadly Asbestos Bill.  (The Center for Media and Democracy's PR Watch, 3/10/2014)

Delivery boy in action. Rep. Andre Jacque, a member of the ALEC Civil Justice Task Force, introduced Assembly Bill 19 in April of 2013.

WI GOP Marches in Lockstep with ALEC Agenda, Voting Records Show.  (The Center for Media and Democracy's PR Watch, 3/10/2014)

Yes, the key word is "lockstep'.   A review of 2011-2012 voting records by a University of Wisconsin academic demonstrates that many Wisconsin legislators are marching in lockstep with the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC). Sixty-one Wisconsin politicians -- or 46 percent of the legislature -- voted with the ALEC agenda one hundred percent of the time.

Who’s Really Behind Recent Republican Legislation in Wisconsin and Elsewhere? (Hint: It Didn’t Start Here).  (Scholar as Citizen, 3/15/2011)

Paying attention. The most important group, I’m pretty sure, is the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), which was founded in 1973 by Henry Hyde, Lou Barnett, and (surprise, surprise) Paul Weyrich. Its goal for the past forty years has been to draft “model bills” that conservative legislators can introduce in the 50 states.

Other ALEC posts:
Meet Chris Kapenga, R-Waterboy, representing the grate state of ALEC.  (2/18/2014)
Sen. Paul Farrow throws a hissy fit (which is transcribed in this news release).  (2/7/2014)
Also known Aas the American Legislative Exchange Council's Super-Majority Act.  (12/24/2013)
Robin Vos believes in selective transparency of the kind advanced by the American Legislative Exchange Council.  (12/24/2013)
Background on the National Conference of State Legislatures for Leah.  (12/12/2013)
ALEC transparency?  Up to a point.  (12/12/2013)
From ALEC to Andre to us: Rep. Jacque (R-DePere) whittles model bill down to the basics.  (9/1/2013)
NRA/ALEC "Docs and Glocks" law finally makes its way to Wisconsin.  (6/18/2013)
Robin Vos, "an ALEC Wisconsin Foot Soldier" (SourceWatch).  (6/13/2013) Pat McCrory Cain't Say "No" to ALEC.. (6/10/2013)
ALEC'd to Death: Wisconsin Republicans Continues to Depend on the Koch Brothers' Playbook. (6/7/2013)
ALEC's State Budget Reform Toolkit: "Asset Sale and Lease Opportunities".  (6/6/2013)
Selling State Properties? It's in the ALEC Playbook.  (5/22/2013)More cookie-cutter legislation from ALEC.  (4/7/2013)
The New York Times Provides an overview of school choice without mentioning ALEC's orchestration.  (3/28/2013)
Selling state properties:  It's in the ALEC toolkit.  (2/17/2013)
Performance funding: They love this stuff at the Lumina Foundation and ALEC. (11/19/2012)
Splashy full-page ad for a movie few want to see.  (9/30/2012)
AT&;T, ALEC have their way with South Carolina legislature.  (7/2/2012)
What the Koch Brothers left under Scott Walker's 2010 Christmas tree.  (6/19/2012)“
….really, what ALEC is, is a bipartisan association of state legislators….” (Wisconsin State Senate version, 4/10/2012)“

Number of Public-Use Internet Computers: Selected Dane County Public Libraries vs. National Average

10,000-24,000 average = 14.3.  (Verona)

25,000-49,000 average = 17.4.  (Fitchburg, Middleton, Sun Prairie)

Sources:  
Institute of Museum and Library Services.  "Public Libraries in the United States Survey, Fiscal Year 2011".
Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.  "Wisconsin Public Library Service Data".  (2011)

Other public library statistics posts:
Two column graphs on public-use Internet computers in public libraries by population of legal service area (2011).  (4/16/2014)
A statistical look at public-use Internet computers in public libraries, 2011.  (4/15/2014)
Total, children's, and young adult public library program attendance per 1000 population, By population of legal service area (2011).  (4/14/2014)
U.S. public library children's and young adult program attendance per 1000 population (top and bottom 10 States).  (4/12/2014)
U.S. public library program attendance per 1000 population (top and bottom 10 states).  (4/12/2014) 
Wisconsin the unquestioned leader in interlibrary loans provided and received per 1000 population.  (4/11/2014)
Wisconsin and Ohio share the public library interlibrary loan spotlight.  (4/10/2014)
Public library visits and circulation per capita by population of legal service area (2011) .  (4/8/2014)
Decline in Number of Bookmobiles Continues to Accelerate in 2011.  (4/7/2014) 
Library circulation per capita: Top 10 and bottom 10+ states.  (4/5/2014)
Library visits per capita: Top 10 and bottom 10 states.  (4/5/2014)
The biggest and the smallest U.S. public libraries: Hours of operation (2011).  (4/3/2014)
Hours of operation.  (4/3/2014)
Public Libraries: Larger and Smaller Units of Governance, Iowa and South Carolina.  (4/1/2014) 
Number of public libraries in the ten most populous states. (4/1/2014)
Percentage distribution of public libraries by legal service area population.  (3/30/2014)
Public libraries by type of legal basis.  (3/30/2014)
Public library revenue.  (3/24/2014)
Number of libraries, 2011 (administrative units).  (3/19/2014)
Library staffing, 2001-2011.  (3/19/2014)

Two Column Graphs on Public-Use Internet Computers in Public Libraries by Population of Legal Service Area (2011)

No surprises here. The larger the service area, the greater the number of public-use Internet computers.

Source:  Institute of Museum and Library Services.   "Public Libraries in the United States Survey, Fiscal Year 2011".

Other public library statistics posts:
A statistical look at public-use Internet computers in public libraries, 2011.  (4/15/2014)
Total, children's, and young adult public library program attendance per 1000 population, By population of legal service area (2011).  (4/14/2014)
U.S. public library children's and young adult program attendance per 1000 population (top and bottom 10 States).  (4/12/2014)
U.S. public library program attendance per 1000 population (top and bottom 10 states).  (4/12/2014) 
Wisconsin the unquestioned leader in interlibrary loans provided and received per 1000 population.  (4/11/2014)
Wisconsin and Ohio share the public library interlibrary loan spotlight.  (4/10/2014)
Public library visits and circulation per capita by population of legal service area (2011) .  (4/8/2014)
Decline in Number of Bookmobiles Continues to Accelerate in 2011.  (4/7/2014) 
Library circulation per capita: Top 10 and bottom 10+ states.  (4/5/2014)
Library visits per capita: Top 10 and bottom 10 states.  (4/5/2014)
The biggest and the smallest U.S. public libraries: Hours of operation (2011).  (4/3/2014)
Hours of operation.  (4/3/2014)
Public Libraries: Larger and Smaller Units of Governance, Iowa and South Carolina.  (4/1/2014) 
Number of public libraries in the ten most populous states. (4/1/2014)
Percentage distribution of public libraries by legal service area population.  (3/30/2014)
Public libraries by type of legal basis.  (3/30/2014)
Public library revenue.  (3/24/2014)
Number of libraries, 2011 (administrative units).  (3/19/2014)
Library staffing, 2001-2011.  (3/19/2014)