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- March 2, 2023
March 2, 2023
Administration
Home Composter Bin Pre-order Sales!
The City of Sun Prairie is proud to offer Sun Prairie residents a convenient pre-purchase / pick-up compost bin sale.
The sale features a highly-rated compost bin, The Home Composter. Recommended by expert composters, the Home Composter is easy to assemble, long-lasting, made from 100% recycled materials, and is NOT available in stores. Each purchase comes with a Backyard Composting book.
If you are interested in learning more and placing an order, please go to https://www.recyclingconnections.org/sunprairie
This is a partnership between The City of Sun Prairie and Recycling Connections.
Make a Donation!
The City of Sun Prairie is looking to create a native pollinator garden at City Hall in downtown Sun Prairie! The purpose of the garden is to increase awareness of the benefits of native plants and provide floral and nectar resources for our urban pollinators. We’d like to invite you to donate plants to our City of Sun Prairie garden through the Plant Dane Native Plant Program. It's as easy as can be! Just:
1.Visit https://ripple-effects.com/Order/Donate.
2. Select “Sun Prairie City Hall”
3. Select the number of plants you’d like to donate! Plants cost $2.75/each and must be ordered in multiples of 4. The deadline to donate to our project is March 21st. It's that simple!
Thanks for helping to make our garden a reality!
Pizza with Paul!
The Sun Prairie Chamber and the City of Sun Prairie Economic Development have partnered to host this event. This is a great time to connect with our Mayor, Paul Esser along with Dane County Executive Joe Parisi.
The schedule goes as follows:
- 11:30am - Doors open & free pizza (available while supplies last)
- 12:00pm - Introductions of Mayor Paul Esser & Dane County Executive Joe Parisi
Executive Parisi will touch on how Dane County is leading the state in renewable and energy efficiency projects. Learn what tax Incentives for business programs are available and how you can receive them.
Mayor Paul will give the State of the City presentation with an emphasis on businesses.
- 1:15pm - Community Question & Answer time
- 1:30pm - Conclusion
REGISTRATION REQUIRED: https://business.sunprairiechamber.com/events/details/pizza-with-paul-mayor-esser-7604?calendarMonth=2023-03-01
Community Spotlight
Get Connected
Parks, Recreation and Forestry
Recreation Department
The Sun Prairie Parks, Recreation & Forestry office is open: Monday – Friday 8:00am-4:30pm, or by phone at (608) 837-3449 or by email at rec@cityofsunprairie.com.
We need your feedback!
The dog must be on a leash, 6 feet or less in lengthThe dog must be under the control of the ownerThe dog must be properly licensed in the municipality that it primarily resides inThe owner must pick up after their dogDogs will not be allowed in playground areas, tennis courts, pickleball courts, the Family Aquatic Center, the Tom & Rita Tubbs Splashpad and Playground, park restrooms/changing facilities, or ice rinks
Announcements:
The following parks are currently closed:
- Pheasant Run Park
Summer Rec Guide coming soon!
Summer Rec Connection Guide will be available at the end of March. Registration will be available online for residents on April 4th and April 11th for non-residents.
Winter/Spring Rec Connection Guide
Winter/Spring Rec Connection Guide now available and registration is open!
1. View the Winter/Spring Guide at rec.cityofsunprairie.com!
2. Log in to our website to make sure you know your password and that your account is up to date, including street address and email address.
3. If you don’t already have an account, create your account. If you think you have an account, but cannot find yourself on the website, please do not add yourself again. Call the Recreation Department office at 608/837-3449 and we will assist you.
4. If you do not have a Sun Prairie address, but live in the Sun Prairie School District, the system will not know that and will charge you Non-Resident rates. If you continue your registration and pay Non-Resident rates, the difference is non-refundable. Please contact our office prior to your registration so that we may adjust your account to reflect the proper designation.
5. If you accidentally register for the wrong program, do not immediately register for the correct program. Call us (608-837-3449) and we can make the transfer for you.
“Recreation is for Everyone” Scholarship form!
Come join us for fun and enriching programs available for the whole family! Requesting a scholarship is easier than ever with our NEW online form! This easy, streamlined form provides "no questions asked" financial access to SPPRF programs.
In order to request the Recreation is for Everyone Scholarship you must be a resident of Sun Prairie or enrolled in the Sun Prairie Area School District.
For questions or assistance contact us at 608-837-3449 or visit Recreation is for Everyone Scholarship Information
- Scholarships cover 50% of enrollment fees on most programs
- No formal documentation is required for approval of financial assistance
- Online submission with approvals within 2 business days
Upcoming Programs Not to Be Missed:
March 16th
3:30 - 5:30 p.m.
Registration Deadline: 3/9/2023
St. Patrick's Day is right around the corner! Celebrate the luck of the Irish, or just come to create the most adorable miniature charms with Sculpey Modeling Clay! Learn the art of sculpting and designing tiny oven baked charms to add to your keychains, necklaces or bracelets. Follow along with some guided charms like a clover, rainbow & shooting star or create your own set of lucky charms!
March 20th – March 23rd
9:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Registration Deadline: 3/13/2023
Happy Spring Break! This four day Spring Break Art Camp is such a great way to spend your days away from school - each day let's create art focused around the themes of Spring and Nature! Modeling clay, acrylic paint, watercolors and weaving will be some of the mediums we'll explore as we enjoy our time off! Join us for the whole week for $150 or any day you choose for $40 a day.
Spring Break – Adaptive Art Camp
Join Ms. Jessica and Ms. Emily for our Spring Break Adaptive Art Camp! Children will be offered various mediums and tools to create their one-of-a-kind masterpiece. Follow along with the class for a structured project or let your creativity flow naturally and create at your own pace! This is an open art studio featuring access to multiple types of mediums and art supplies in an inclusive group setting designed to give children with disabilities space to develop self-expression, creativity, and positively engage with peers. All levels of art abilities are welcome! For this course, each day is themed! Our themes include Messy Monday, Texture Tuesday, Wild Wednesday, and Thrifty Thursday. Join us for one class or all four! All classes are held at Westside Community Services Building from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
March 20th
Registration Deadline: 3/13/2023
March 21st
Registration Deadline: 3/14/2023
March 22nd
Registration Deadline: 3/15/2023
March 23rd
Registration Deadline: 3/16/2023
March 30th
6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Registration Deadline: 3/23/2023
Make a fun wood centerpiece box for your home or as a gift! Centerpiece boxes measure approx. 16” long and 6” wide and come with a stencil to add your design to one side. Personalize with your choice of stain & paint colors and beautiful wood flowers arrangement. Our creativity coach will guide you step by step through the process to complete this special one of a kind piece.
STENCIL OPTIONS TO SELECT DURING REGISTRATION:
1. Together is our favorite place to be
2. Welcome to our home
3. Home Sweet Home (with last name personalization)
4. Hello Springtime
5. Last Name with Established Date
6. LOVE
Thursday Early Release Afterschool Programming (previously TGIT)
Thursdays, 1:30-5:00 p.m.
Elementary School Site Locations:
Meadowview
Northside
Token Springs – NEW
Beginning in the 2022 – 2023 school year, Sun Prairie Area School District Elementary Schools will be dismissing students at 1:30 pm on Thursday afternoons to accommodate professional staff development. In an effort to provide high quality afterschool childcare to our growing community, Sun Prairie Parks, Recreation & Forestry, the Sun Prairie Area School District and Community Schools are putting forth a collaborative effort to provide a community partner-based afterschool program. This program will aim to provide families with safe, affordable and engaging childcare on Thursday afternoons for students in kindergarten through 5th grade.
Childcare will be available from dismissal at 1:30 pm until 5:00 pm. We will pilot this program, starting in September, at three elementary school locations and will have programming at all nine elementary schools starting in January 2023. Program partners will be brought in monthly to provide fun and exciting programming ranging from chess to sports to ukulele lessons.
If this program isn’t offered at your school initially you do have the option to attend any site, but transportation will not be provided at this time. Registration will be by month for September -December. Please click “register” to be added to our interest list to be notified when enrollment begins and when new sites are added to this program.
For more information visit rec.cityofsunprairie.com and the digital version of the Rec Connection which will be updated prior to the start of the school year. Please contact Emily Rebarchek, erebarchek@cityofsunprairie.com, or call 608-837-3449 with any questions.
Fitness Classes
Sun Prairie Historical Museum
Sun Prairie Media Center
CHECK OUT SPMC FORUMS BEFORE HEADING TO POLLS
Sun Prairie residents will have some important decisions to make when they head to the polls on April 4 and the Sun Prairie Media Center is offering programming to help residents make those decisions.
The SPMC has already recorded two in-depth programs related to this spring’s elections: On February 24, the two candidates for municipal judge, incumbent Tom Hebl and challenger Brent Eisberner, engaged in a “Talk of the Town” format that covered a variety of topics from caseloads to common offenses to penalties.
Then on February 28, SPMC director Jeff Robbins moderated a SPARC-hosted event that included all candidates from municipal judge to SPASD school board to the mayor and city council candidates. (Anyone running unopposed gave short statements and did not engage in any formal debate.)
Then on March 10, “Talk of the Town” moderators Don Hooser and Chris Mertes will host a second forum, this time with the four SPASD school board candidates – Carol Albright, Lisa Goldsberry, Katey Kamoku, and Tom Weber.
The first two programs are currently available to watch on-demand at sunprariremediacenter.com or on the SPMC channels on Roku, Apple TV, or Amazon Fire TV, or on the SPMC mobile app. The final school board forum will be available after March 10.
Of course, the programs are also running on the community cable channel KSUN, which is available on Charter and TDS. Please check sunprairiemediacenter.com/ksun-schedule for details.
In addition, there are several interviews with candidates that have been conducted for 103.5 FM The Sun Community Radio. For times when those interviews will run, please check sunprairiemediacenter.com or check the SPMC app for podcast versions of those shows.
The focus on candidate programming is a source of pride for the Sun Prairie Media Center. “Our main mission is to provide programming that informs the Sun Prairie community,” said SPMC director Robbins. “At no time is that mission more significant than when our viewers our facing important decisions at the polls. We greatly appreciate all of the candidates who make themselves available to participate in our programming.”
CONGRATULATIONS!
We are celebrated the 200th episode of "Inside Your City with Aaron and Chris." City of Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, USA Administrator Aaron Oppenheimer and Managing Editor of the The Star Chris Mertes have been producing this program with us since 2014! For the 200th episode, Aaron turns the tables on Chris by featuring him as the spotlight guest. Congratulations on 200 episodes Aaron and Chris from the Sun Prairie Media Center! This program airs today on KSUN or click here.
Sun Prairie Public Library
Children’s & Teen Service
Flicks & Bricks: Strange World
Thursday, March 2 2:00 p.m.
Flicks = watching a movie; Bricks = playing with LEGO®s. We'll provide the movie and the LEGO®s, you bring yourself and maybe a blanket to sit on! All ages are welcome, this is a family program. Stay and play together!
Tuesday, March 7 3:30 p.m.
Thursday, March 30 2:30 p.m.
Only for ages 7-12. We meet on Zoom. To get the link, please register on the Events Calendar. We play Among Us, Gartic Phone, Jackbox Games, and Roblox.
Thursday, March 9 1:00-3:00 p.m., Community Room
Build with the library’s LEGO® collection! Bring your creativity, but leave your LEGO®s at home! For school-age children only (Kindergarten - 5th grade). Children can be left with the librarian as long as they are registered. Please register on the Events Calendar.
Adult Services
Cooking Class: A Couple of Salads
Tuesday, March 7 6-7:30 p.m., Library Community Room
We are pleased to welcome Chef Jason Dunn back to the library for a cooking demo! Spring is right around the corner, and Chef Jason will be sharing and showing two delightful spring salad recipes. On the menu:
- Spinach Salad with Pistachio Crusted Goat Cheese
- Spring Radish and Parmesan Salad
All participants will receive a copy of the recipes. **Space is limited, registration required. Please register on our Events calendar at www.sunlib.org
No Mow May 2023: Pollinators & Citizen Science in Your Backyard
Tuesday, March 14 6:30-8 p.m., Library Community Room
This program will provide an update on the City of Sun Prairie’s plan for No Mow May in 2023, along with new opportunities for data collection and citizen science. No Mow May is a conservation program that encourages residents to either reduce the frequency of mowing their lawns, or to stop mowing altogether for the month of May. The objective is to create habitat & resources for early-season pollinators. This is especially important for urban areas, where flower resources can be limited. The presentation will also share information on pollinators in Wisconsin generally, and detail planned use of the WiBee app. Additional information on the app is available here: https://pollinators.wisc.edu/wibee/
Presented by:
- Genevieve Pugesek - Department of Entomology, University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Hannah Gaines Day – Department of Entomology, University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Scott Semroc – Sustainability Coordinator, City of Sun Prairie
Please register on our Events calendar at www.sunlib.org if you would like a reminder email prior to this program.
Prevent Bird-Window Collisions at Home
Wednesday, March 15 6:30-7:30 p.m., Library Community Room
Up to a billion birds die each year in the U.S. after hitting windows. And nearly half of that happens at homes. While this may feel like an overwhelmingly large problem, each of us can take small, manageable, and very helpful steps in making sure our home's windows are bird-safe. In this presentation by Brenna Marsicek, you'll learn about why birds hit windows, and what we can do as individuals to save lives and make our windows visible to birds.
Brenna Marsicek is the Director of Communications and Outreach for Madison Audubon. She currently leads a project called Bird Collision Corps, working with Madison-area organizations to track bird-window collisions during peak migration times, in the hopes of better understanding and preventing bird collisions. Please register on our Events calendar at www.sunlib.org if you would like a reminder email prior to this program.
COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics
Public Health Madison & Dane County will be holding walk-in vaccine clinics in the library’s Community Room on Monday 3/6, 4-6 p.m., and Monday 3/27, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Everyone 5 and older is welcome. No ID or insurance required, but children 5-17 must have a parent or guardian present. For the most current availability and appointment information, please visit the Public Health Madison & Dane County website.
Sun Prairie Public Library Foundation
Open House Weekend
Saturday, March 11 2-4 p.m.
Sunday, March 12 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Join us at the library for a fun weekend of learning about the expansion project, rediscovery of Library favorites, games and community! Light refreshments provided.