Boing Boing » wisconsin

Recreating the sound of early 20th-century America

Maggie Koerth-Baker — Mon, 24 Sep 2012 16:14:14 +0000

Naturalist Aldo Leopold took such detailed notes of the sounds he heard in 1930s Wisconsin — particularly bird calls — that researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have been able to recreate what the environment sounded like back then. At least, what it sounded like around Aldo Leopold's house. His notes, and the recreated sound, are allowing scientists to learn more about species migration and how industrialization has changed ecology.

Wisconsin's Scott Walker recall workers face intimidation

Cory Doctorow — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 15:49:45 +0000

Activists collecting signatures for the recall of Wisconsin's governor Scott Walker report widespread intimidation from the governor's supporters, including an incident recently captured "on tape" (I'm pretty sure tape wasn't involved). Kudos to the volunteers who stand their ground in the face of harassment from people who think "democracy" includes threatening people who disagree with you.

Reports of harassment have come in from many areas, and on Monday night, Brookfield police arrested a man after one such incident was caught on tape.
"I just thought this guy is out of control. I could just see the steam coming off his head. So I thought, 'Wow, this could be serious,'" volunteer Steve Nagel said.
Nagel said he immediately started recording the incident when Fred Frisby pulled up to the area along Bluemond Road where the volunteers were collecting signatures.
Volunteer Steve Spieckerman said, "He shouted out. He asked me, 'What don't you like about Scott Walker?'"
Spieckerman said Frisby jumped out of his truck when he refused to answer.
"Then he let loose with a torrent of abuse and obscenities," Spieckerman said.

Walker Recall Intimidation Caught On Video (Thanks, Needsleep99!)

21 lb layer cake containing three pies

Cory Doctorow — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 22:07:37 +0000

Chef David Lowery created this "Cherpumple" -- a "dessert version of the turducken," composed of "CHERry, PUMpkin and apPLE pie," baked into three separate cakes, then assembled into an enormous layer cake.

Working in the Grand Geneva Resort pastry kitchen, I had some time to make a Cherpumple and serve it at Sunday Brunch. My Cherpumple weighed 21 lbs 10 oz and was seen by over 200 guests that Sunday. I was very pleased that it stayed standing until the final 1/8 was cut 4 hours after the first slice was taken. Will be doing this again.

Sunday Brunch Cherpumple (via Neatorama)

Wisconsin Democratic voters targeted with Koch-funded absentee ballot notices advising them to vote 2 days after the recall election

Cory Doctorow — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 13:16:04 +0000

The Koch-funded Americans for Prosperity group has been reportedly distributing fliers in Democrat-leaning Wisconsin districts advising voters to send in their recall absentee ballots "before August 11." The recall election -- in which Democrats are seeking to unseat state Republicans who voted for Governor Scott Walker's attack on unionized labor -- is being held two days earlier, on August 9. AFP has also given $150,000 worth of ad time to Republican candidates facing recall.

A Democrat on the ground in Wisconsin said the fliers were discovered to be hitting doors in District 2 and District 10 over the weekend.
"These are people who are our 1's in the voterfile who we already knew. They ain't AFP members, that's for damn sure," the source said.
One flier was discovered in Hudson, Wisc. where Democrat Shelly Moore is attempting to upend GOP State Sen. Sheila Harsdorf in District 10; the other was found in Kaukauna, where Democrat Nancy Nusbaum is challenging Sen. Robert Cowles in District 2.

AFP Wisconsin ballots have late return date (via Reddit)