PLATO upcoming events

Noon Zoom: Talking Earth Day Politics with Spencer Black (April 21, 2026)

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Talking Earth Day Politics with Spencer Black

Tuesday, April 21, 2026

12pm - 1:00pm

Online via Zoom

Registration is required

PLATO is pleased to introduce a new special event for members only: Noon Zooms! These virtual conversations with newsmakers and other guest experts will be produced monthly based on current events. They will be scheduled during a noon hour on different days. Watch for upcoming Noon Zooms in the Tuesday Weekly Update.

Unlike a lecture, Noon Zooms will be conversations between a host and a speaker on a timely issue in the news and there will be more time for questions and comments from attendees.

Our pilot Noon Zoom will feature retired Wisconsin Public Radio talk show host Joy Cardin talking with former state legislator and Sierra Club vice president Spencer Black about how we can individually and collectively make a difference on environmental issues during this era of deregulation and climate change denial on the federal level. How do environmentalists take back their power? What are you doing?

The theme of Earth Day 2026 is Our Power, Our Planet and we are encouraged to take action in our communities to support renewable energy policies and a cleaner, more sustainable planet.

Spencer Black represented the 77th Assembly District for 26 years in the State Legislature. He served as the Assembly Chair of the Natural Resources Committee and was the Assembly Minority Leader. During his tenure, Black was considered to be the Legislature’s leading environmental advocate. Representative Black authored numerous environmental laws including the Stewardship Fund, the largest conservation effort in Wisconsin’s history, the Mining Moratorium Bill, the Lower Wisconsin Riverway, the statewide recycling program, and the endangered species match grant. Black also served as the Vice President of the national Sierra Club, the nation’s largest environmental organization. In addition, he was an adjunct professor in UW-Madison’s Department of Planning and Landscape Architecture. He is also a columnist for The Capital Times newspaper.

FREE TO PLATO MEMBERS BUT REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED IN ORDER TO OBTAIN THE ZOOM LINK TO ATTEND. PLEASE REGISTER BEFORE THE EVENT STARTS. QUESTIONS CAN BE WRITTEN IN DURING THE EVENT.

As this event is online, you can use your computer or smartphone to listen to the conversation and then add your voice to the conversation during the "Question & Comment" time.

If you do not have a computer or smartphone you can also use your regular phone to dial a phone number and listen in.

Questions? Contact lecture organizer, Joy Cardin at cardinjoy@gmail.com

Lecture - Healthy Grown – Sustainable Produce from Wisconsin! (April 23, 2026)

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 18:30:00 GMT

Thursday, April 23 from 1:30-3:00 p.m.

In-Person at Oakwood Village University Woods

Arts & Education Center

6205 Mineral Point Road

Registration is Not Required

FREE PARKING

Healthy Grown is a whole farm approach of growing potatoes and vegetables using the best environmental practices possible, from pesticide use to promotion of ecological standards on the farm. Dr. Deana Knuteson will present the history and requirements of the Healthy Grown program, its acceptance by Wisconsin farmers, and how the purchase of Healthy Grown vegetables benefits the consumer (You!) who buys and consumes them! These practices are keeping Wisconsin on the cutting edge of sustainability documentation.

The program has been operating under the overall vision/mission of: “Healthy Grown is to maintain ecological, sustainable and environmentally sound potato and vegetable production systems while enhancing value for growers with the ‘Good for you, good for the environment’ message.”

Deana Knuteson, Ph.D. is the educational program coordinator for the Wisconsin Healthy Grown® program and works extensively on large-scale sustainability initiatives. She is a member of the Department of Plant Pathology at UW-Madison. Deana received her Bachelor’s degree in Botany from the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point, and her Master’s degree and Ph.D. in entomology from the University of Wisconsin- Madison.

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Transportation Options:

Bicycle: Bike racks are available

Bus: The BRT Route A bus runs every 15 minutes and stops in front of Oakwood at the Island/Mineral Point station.

Car:

Use the Island Drive entrance at 6205 Mineral Point Road.
Veer left and follow the drive to the 2nd driveway with sign “Heritage Oaks Parking Garage.”
Turn right into driveway.
Press the buzzer and the Oakwood desk attendant will buzz you in. There are 70 parking stalls. Park in any visitor or non-reserved stall. Take the elevator up one floor to the main entrance, turn right and walk through the mail box area into the lobby. Ask at the desk for directions to the Performing Arts Center.
When you exit the underground parking, the garage door opens automatically.
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Questions? Contact lecture organizer Barbara Drake at barbaradrake21@gmail.com

PLATO's 2026 Member Appreciation Annual Meeting (May 13, 2026)

Wed, 13 May 2026 19:00:00 GMT

* * * CLICK HERE TO REGISTER * * *

Registration is required and members may bring a guest – Registration deadline is Friday, May 1, 2026

This complimentary social event for PLATO members and their guests will take place on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, from 2:00-4:00pm at The East Side Club located on Monona Drive.

Enjoy light refreshments, social opportunities, committee updates, door prizes, and a fascinating keynote presentation by Dr. Henrik M. Schatzinger. The title of his presentation will be Hidden Money, Visible Power: Super PACs and Dark Money in Wisconsin Politics.

Dr. Schatzinger is Professor of Political Science at Ripon College and Director of the Center for Politics and the People. He grew up in Germany and came to the United States in 2001 as a Fulbright Scholar, later becoming a naturalized citizen. His work examines campaigns and campaign finance, interest groups, and lobbying, with emphasis on how money, incentives, and institutional pressure shape participation and governing outcomes. His perspective reflects a dual vantage point. He approaches American politics with both critical distance and lived commitment, and he translates institutional mechanics into clear explanations for broad audiences. He co-authored Game Changers, a book on how Super PACs and dark money are transforming U.S. campaigns. He is the author of the forthcoming Cambridge University Press book Super PACs in the City, which explains how outside money is reshaping local elections – PLATO members may access an overview of this book here.

Dr. Schatzinger also serves as a political analyst for state, national, and international media. His television commentary includes BBC News, C-SPAN, Spectrum News, and WBAY-TV, along with full-length programs on WisconsinEye. His print and online interviews include Newsweek, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, La Libre in Belgium, and Jiji Press in Japan, and his radio interviews include National Public Radio and Wisconsin Public Radio. Since 2016, he has convened and moderated more than 120 public forums through the Center for Politics and the People, featuring nearly 300 speakers and panelists, many of which are live-streamed on WisconsinEye.

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Schedule of Events

1:30pm – Doors Open for Early Check-in & Social Time

2:00pm – Check-in & Social Time Continue

2:15pm – Welcome & Introductions

2:30pm – PLATO Business Meeting

2:45pm – Keynote: Hidden Money, Visible Power: Super PACs and Dark Money in Wisconsin Politics, by Dr. Henrik M. Schatzinger, introduced by Barbara Drake

3:35pm – Door Prizes

3:55pm – Closing Message

4:00pm – Social Time for those who want to linger + open cash bar for a variety of beverage choices during Happy Hour

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Door Prizes

PLATO One-Year Membership for current member ($60 value)

PLATO One-Year Membership for new member ($60 value)

Gift Certificate toward PLATO Theater/Bus Trip ($50 value)

Great Dane Pub & Brewing Co. Gift Certificate ($25 value)

(2) Pasture and Plenty Gift Certificates ($25 value each)

Ingeni Coffee & Tea Maker with Three Tea Sampler Bundle from Burman Coffee Traders ($35 value)

Wisconsin State Capitol 2025 Ornament ($25 value)

(2) Hand-Blown Glass Tumblers ($50 value)

––> This list will be updated as more prizes come in!

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Driving & Parking Directions

This event will be held at the East Side Club located at:

3735 Monona Drive, Madison, Wi 53714 – click here for Google Map.

The East Side Club has convenient, free parking in the parking lot in front of their building and ADA accessible facilities.

Cancellations? Contact Stephanie at info@platomadison.org.

Questions? Contact Stephanie at info@platomadison.org.