The cities of Fitchburg and Madison recently absorbed the town of Madison. As a result, Badger Rock is now a neighborhood center, urban farm, and community gardens across the street from Fitchburg. As a project of the nonprofit organization Rooted, Badger Rock is committed to increasing equitable access to land, fresh food, and learning opportunities. Hedi Rudd, the Deputy Director of South Madison Programs and Director of the Badger Rock Neighborhood Center, will introduce us to their diversity and inclusion work in community outreach, the educational programs about urban agriculture and cuisine, the multigenerational activities, and the community market. Through her impressive background in community organizing and photography, Hedi will provide a unique lens on these diverse topics.

A lightning strike behind Barry Callen knocked him 40 feet through the air, and he lived to tell the tale. “It gave me the best excuse ever to quit jogging,” he said. In the years that followed, some of his friends and neighbors were not so lucky. When Barry says, “I’m glad to be here,” he’s not kidding! Hear three true tales of actual lightning strikes. Barry is owner of Corprov, a corporate improv training company, and former Executive Creative Director and Vice President of Hiebing, an integrated marketing consultancy.