Weekly Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: Thursday, April 17, 2008
Contact: Rebecca Smith, Management Assistant
Phone: 608-755-3104
Fax: 608-755-3196
E-mail: smithr@ci.janesville.wi.us
Website: www.ci.janesville.wi.us

Notice to the Media:
City Bus Tours Planned for April 19
A City Council bus tour is scheduled for Saturday, April 19. During this tour, the City Council and staff will discuss various development projects, neighborhood initiatives and visit city facilities and parks. The media is welcome to attend the bus tour. If you plan to ride the bus, please contact Rebecca Smith to RSVP at 755-3104. The bus will leave from the Municipal Building at 7:30AM and the tour should conclude at approximately 2:30PM. Please note, this tour is not open to the public; however, members of the media are invited to attend. For questions, call Management Assistant Rebecca Smith at 755-3104.

Notice to the Media:
Photo Opportunity: City Council Visit to Lincoln Elementary Planned for April 22
The Janesville City Council will be visiting third graders at Lincoln Elementary School on April 22. During their visit, the Council will share information about local government, the City of Janesville and the role of a councilmember. This visit will take place from 1:15 – 2PM at Lincoln (1821 Conde Street) and approximately 80 students will be present. This event would make an excellent photo opportunity. For questions, please contact Management Assistant Rebecca Smith at 755-3104. Please note, this event is not open to the public; however, members of the media are invited to attend.

Recreational Kickball Leagues Begin in June
Informational Meeting Planned for April 28
Adult recreational kickball leagues are back by popular demand! On April 28 at 7PM at the Senior Center, 69 S. Water Street, an informational meeting will be held for co-rec, adult kickball leagues. Each team interested in participating in the league should have a team representative at the meeting. League games will begin in early June and will take place on Friday evenings at Dawson Field. The cost per team is $100 and includes up to 20 Janesville resident players. Please note, leagues are unofficiated. The cost for non-resident players is $13 per team member. Team rosters must be finalized and registration fees must be paid by May 16. Individuals interested in playing on a team are welcome to leave their contact information and playing level with Leisure Services. For questions, call 755-3030.

Spring Yard Waste Collection May 5-9
The City will collect grass, leaves, and garden debris placed in containers or bags and bundled brush on the same day as your regular trash pick-up the week of May 5-9. Please place your yard waste a few feet apart from your regular trash. Items should be placed at the curb no later than 7AM on your scheduled collection day.

Yard waste containers or bags and bundled brush should be no heavier than 50 pounds and no longer than four feet in length and twelve inches in diameter. Using biodegradable paper bags or reusable containers such as plastic trash cans is recommended. Plastic bags can be used but please leave them untied at the curb.

City code prohibits the burning of trash, garden debris and other yard wastes within the city limits. For more information contact City Services at 755-3110.

5th Annual Family Team Treasure Hunt Scheduled for May 3
On May 3 at Traxler Park from 3-6PM, Leisure Services will sponsor the 5th Annual Family Team Treasure Hunt. Teams will receive clues that will direct them around Janesville. At each spot, teams will complete fun and challenging activities to earn clues and points. This is a great event designed for the entire family! Age is not an issue; everyone involved will enjoy this crazy, competitive and fun event!

Teams may include up to five family members and must include at least one child. There may be no more than two adults on each team and teams must provide their own transportation. Prizes will be awarded for the best dressed team and the most points earned. Refreshments will be waiting for teams as they arrive at the final site! The treasure chest for the winning team will include a certificate for a one-night stay at the Kalahari Resort, a Papa John’s pizza coupon and season passes for the Ice Skating Center and Rockport Pool.

The cost for this event is $20 per team. The registration deadline is April 22. To register, visit Leisure Services (18 N. Jackson Street). For questions, please contact Shelley Hansel at 755-3030.

SAFE Training Available for High School Students
The Janesville Police Department and the Janesville Public School District are joining in a colloborative effort to offer a two-hour "SAFE" (Self-Defense, Awareness, Familiarization and Exchange) program for female high school students, female parents/guardians and female staff members.

The National Self-Defense Institute developed the "SAFE" program to increase women's awareness and familiarization with dangerous situations. The "SAFE" program is nationally acclaimed for its self defense training. The instructors are Janesville police officers that have attended the National Self-Defense Institute instructor's course. The program helps to increase a woman's sense of awareness, confidence and resiliency when facing an unsafe situation.

The training will be offered several times per month during the 2008/2009 school year at different Janesville schools after normal school hours. Grant funds obtained through the Citizen Corp committee will be used to purchase workbooks for the training. The training will be free for female students that attend.

The Janesville Police Department has "SAFE" trained over 800 women in the last five years. The Police Department is excited about this additional partnership with the Janesville Public School District and the opportunity to share "SAFE" messages with students and adults.

If you have any questions or wish additional information contact Sergeant Brian Donohoue at 608-755-3133 or Karen Schulte, Director of Student Services, the Janesville School District at 608-743-5141.

JTS “Rack it and Rocket” Bike on Bus Program Adds More Bike Racks in 2008
With the winter freeze finally over and bicycles beginning to hit the streets again, JTS reminds citizens that there has never been a better time to “Rack it and Rocket” by putting their bikes on JTS buses! Want to ride your bike to work or school but worry about what to do if it rains when you’re ready to go home? “Rack it and Rocket” with a dry ride home on a climate controlled JTS bus! Want to enjoy Janesville’s great trail system with your kids but worry about getting back from the far side of town? “Rack it and Rocket” from just about anywhere on the Janesville trail system on JTS!

Over the winter, JTS placed additional bike rack equipped buses into service. Now, 76% JTS buses are now bike rack equipped. Each rack can hold up to two bikes and is designed for easy loading and unloading. Bike racks are available on a first-come, first-served basis on all regular transit routes. Passengers pay the regular fare and their bike rides for free!

For safety’s sake and to speed service, individuals interested in using the bike racks must be certified. Bus drivers are prohibited from leaving the drivers seat to assist in loading or unloading bikes. Residents can call the Transit System office at 755-3150 to make an appointment for certification training. Certification training is free, takes approximately 10 minutes to complete, and is available Monday – Saturday during normal business hours of the JTS office. For convenience, JTS has bikes available for trainees to practice loading and unloading. In addition, instruction will be available at many local and municipal events throughout the year.

To be eligible for certification, individuals must be at least 11 years old and physically able to lift and load their bicycles on the racks, which are about 2 feet off the ground. The racks are equipped for two-wheeled bikes only, and any equipment not permanently mounted on the bike, such as water bottles, pumps, and other loose items should be removed before the bike is loaded onto the rack.

This summer, JTS invites citizens to save gas money when they “Rack it and Rocket” to work, school and recreation on the bus! The bike rack brochure is available on the City’s website (www.ci.janesville.wi.us), JTS buses, the Downtown Transfer Center, the Library or other public buildings. For additional questions, please call JTS at 755-3150.

Library News
For questions or more information about any of the library items below, please call the library at 758-6607.

So Many Colors @ Your Library
The whole family can sing, move and share ideas with Clare Norelle on Friday, April 18 at 7 p.m. at Hedberg Public Library, 316 S. Main St. Clare will combine two of her wildly popular programs: Songs in Two Languages and So Many Colors. This fun, participatory performance encourages learning new languages and respecting different cultures. No registration is necessary for this free family program. For more information, visit www.hedbergpubliclibrary.org and click on our National Library Week page.

Meet Mosi @ Your Library
Hedberg Public Library, 316 S. Main St., will hold an open house on Saturday, April 19 from 2-4 p.m. to welcome their new mascot, Mosi the giraffe! Mosi has travelled all the way from Africa, courtesy of the Friends of HPL, to join his giraffe family in the Children's Room. Enjoy refreshments and activities, and don’t forget to bring your camera to snap a picture of you and Mosi together! Visit www.hedbergpubliclibrary.org for more information and to check out some pictures of Mosi’s journey from Africa.
Photo Opportunities Available
There are several City of Janesville events that would make excellent photo opportunities and story ideas. Please mark your calendar for these upcoming events and look for more information in future press releases.


Date Event Time & Location Contact
April 29 S.A.F.E. Training 5:30-7:30PM, Mercy Center at Mercy Hospital (1000 Mineral Point) Sergeant Donohoue, 755-3133.