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An e-newsletter from Senator Jon Erpenbach 11-21-08

Target Hunger Needs Our Help – This deer hunting season consider donation of venison to the Target Hunger program. Food pantries and local community action groups are asking hunters to help by harvesting an extra deer and donating it to provide quality, healthy protein for those who can truly use the help. Thanks to that partnership with hunters, nearly 1,500 deer were donated, tested, processed and distributed to food pantries last year. For details on how you can help through financial contributions or venison donations, contact Southwest Wisconsin CAP at (608) 935-2326 or Community Action Coalition of Dane County at (608) 246-4730 or visit http://www.wnrmag.com/stories/2008/oct08/hunger.htm

Sex Offender Website Added Map and Email Function – Wisconsin’s Sex Registry Website now offers a mapping feature as well as an email notification system for residents through collaboration with Family Watchdog. Under an agreement with the non-profit Family Watchdog, users of the state’s Sex Offender Registry website at http://www.WIDOCOffenders.org can link directly to http://FamilyWatchdog.us where they can map the location of sex offenders within a certain distance from their homes or other locations.

Farmers Health Cooperative Study Released – A recent survey of the Farmers’ Health Cooperative of Wisconsin (FHCW) members revealed that the health insurance purchasing cooperative has had a positive impact on both the cost and quality if health insurance coverage offered to families and agribusiness. Farmers and agribusinesses can find out more about FHCW by calling 1-800-539-9370 or by visiting http://www.farmershealthcooperative.com FHCW offer six plans with deductibles ranging from $300 to $5,000, a comprehensive, statewide provider network and coverage for work related injuries. The cooperative will be adding dental care as a benefit available to members in 2009.

Cookies Shipped to Wisconsin May Contain Melamine – The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection is advising consumers to avoid eating Wonderfarm brand “Successful” biscuits or cookies, because they may contaminated with melamine. The alert comes after Wonderfarm “Successful” products tested positive in Minnesota for melamine. Melamine is a synthetic industrial chemical; that had been associates with a number of food recalls linked to products made in China and Southeast Asia. For more information on melamine and related recalls visit the FDA website at http://www.fda.gov

Buy Local: Something Special from Wisconsin – Look for the trademark “Something Special from Wisconsin” this year during holiday shopping and help Wisconsin companies. The Something Special logo means that there is a guarantee that at least half of the products ingredients, production, or processing activities are from Wisconsin. The red and yellow trademark can be found on food, services, and products from businesses of all sizes. Visit: http://www.savorwisconsin.com for a complete list of Something Special from Wisconsin companies and contact information.

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