Vol. 4    No. 12
June 11, 2009 Archives

2009 Production Schedule


We also accept
Online-Only  Ads
at discounted rates!



***********
Subscription Information:

The Capital City Hues
612 Christianson Ave.,
Madison, WI 53714-1533
($45 a year)
Contact Number:
(608) 241-2000



Advertising:
Claire G. Mendoza
sales@capitalcityhues.com
     I wonder sometimes how everyone is holding out during our current economic recession. Recessions are human
hurricanes that lash our society, sometimes with terribly destructive force. Many of us have battened down our financial
hatches are trying to ride out the storm. Others of us were somewhat weakened before the storm or existed too close to the
economic edge and have been blown or washed away from this economic disaster.
     And when people do emerge after the storm next year, the landscape will look different. Things are never the same
after these recessions. It is the survival of the fittest. Large companies and financial institutions have or will disappear by
then. And a lot of small businesses will have also gone out of business.
     One of those small businesses that have disappeared is Kipp’s Down Home Cookin.’ It closed last month with little
fanfare. Michael, Forrest and Kym bravely made a go of it all these years while serving up some of the best chicken and
fixin’s in town. Kipp’s was a place where you were always greeted with a smile and felt as if you had entered their home
where they took care of you. More than just their food will be missed.
     There will also be people who have disappeared during these difficult times. I was saddened to hear that Dr. Linda
Farley died this past week. Linda has always been a healthcare icon in this community. I first became aware of the Farleys
— you almost can’t mention Linda without also mentioning her husband Dr. Gene Farley — when the Wingra Clinic was
established in South Madison. The Farleys were one of the forces behind the creation of that center.
It was at the Wingra Clinic that the Farleys launched their crusade — with other of course — for healthcare reform.
Whether it was at Juneteenth or at many other community forums, Linda and Gene were advocating for the type of
healthcare reform that would make quality healthcare affordable and accessible for all people.
     The pages of The Capital City Hues were graced by an op-ed piece that the Farleys did in April as a part of our
healthcare reform forum. I think it was Linda who wrote the piece that expressed their view that a single payer system was
the only way to truly reform healthcare. I am now doubly grateful that Linda took the time in spite of her illness to express
their views.
     I couldn’t help but think of Linda Farley when I attended President Barack Obama’s town hall meeting in Green Bay
this past Thursday. While in the past, President Obama had ruled out a single payer system, in Green Bay, he talked about
a public health insurance option. I can’t help but think it was tireless voices like Linda’s that have kept a public insurance
option on the table.
     Linda is like a Moses of healthcare reform. She and Gene have tirelessly advocated for it whether it was on the
national political agenda or not. For the Farleys, healthcare reform has been a mission and not a passing fad. Whether
one or a million were interested, Linda has been out there tirelessly advocating because it was the right thing to do. While
Linda will not see healthcare reform enacted, I hope what is passed is worthy of her tireless efforts all these years. Linda,
you will be missed!
     Madison’s Juneteenth Day celebration is 20 years old this year. While others have come and gone, Mona Adams
Winston and Annie Weatherby Flowers have been our Juneteenth mainstays and queens. Through their efforts, thousands
of Madisonians and people from all over Wisconsin have learned more about African American history, traditions and
culture. Congratulations to them and all who make our Juneteenth Day celebration possible. The lessons of Juneteenth
are for all of us. It is indeed an important part of American history.
     As with many other things lately — although it is a continuous process of life — Juneteenth could be undergoing
some changes next year depending on the will of the community, especially the younger generations, to continue to see
it continue. I hope people will turn out to celebrate the 20th anniversary of our Juneteenth Day celebration. It’s important
to cherish it while it lasts.
And finally, you may have noticed a little something extra in this issue of The Capital City Hues. As the button on The
Hues front cover says, Southern Exposure, the South Madison Planning Council’s quarterly publication, is inside. In order
to cut costs during these difficult times, The Hues and Southern Exposure have teamed up on the distribution side of
things. Southern Exposure is still fully produced by the planning council and sells its own ads, we will now be distributed
together once every three months. We hope you will enjoy both publications.

THE PULSE OF THE NATION
An interview with & speech by Donna Brazile
Reflections/Jonathan Gramling
                               Changing times