Goodman-Atwood Center -- It's a Good Thing

Yesterday was the grand opening celebration of our new neighborhood center, the Goodman- Atwood Neighborhood Center. Several years in the planning and building, this project is really a dream come true for our community. Community is a big deal in Madison, and it's probably a bigger deal on my side of town where it has grown out of neighborhoods that were largely mixed use industrial/residential, blue collar, and -- in some parts -- skid row.

Atwood Neighborhood Center has been around for a long time, offering programs for all ages. A few years ago when it was obvious they were outgrowing their current digs, they embarked on an ambitious fundraising drive, purchased a former foundry in the neighborhood, and hired an architect (who happens to be a friend of ours. Excellent work, Cliff!) The project was given a huge boost when local jewelers/philanthropists the Goodman brothers ("Hi. I'm Bob. And I'm Irwin. We're Bob and Irwin Goodman.") gave them a boatload of money.

They managed to preserve the overall structure of the foundry, complete with original beams and some of the industrial equipment, and yet create a state of the art complex with sound studios, art studios, a preschool, a full size gymnasium, a café (to be run by high school students), a teen center, and more.

The new center is right on a bike path, so neighborhood residents had plenty of opportunity to watch it develop. My school had an inservice there 2 weeks ago, and we got a tour of the facility. It is beautiful! And the most amazing thing about it? It was built for ordinary people to use: senior citizens, kids, teens, accordian players (OK, so they're not so ordinary, but ... ) It is a gorgeous, green-constructed, multi-million dollar facility that is a nonprofit, instead of being the headquarters of a bank, insurance company or HMO. That's pretty unusual in this day and age -- or perhaps any day and age here in these United States.

Yesterday was a joyous celebration. Here are a few pix:
The Reptile Palace Orchestra -- one of Mr. Ether's many bands -- played a set. That's Mr. Ether on the right and brother-in-law Ether on the left.
More Reptiles.
Where the Reptiles go, folk dancers follow. This is Fran and Lew, my all-time favorite dancers and role models for how I want to be when I am in my eighties.
Looking through the awesome playground at the main building of the center. All those beams are part of the original equipment.
The Feeny bros., all dressed up for the occasion. Brother-in-law Bill is wearing the shirt that I covet. I actually had one of my own, but I jettisoned it in, oh, 1973. If only I had a crystal ball and could have seen into the future!