Ask Abe Archives - Other

Chad Carstens ’98 asks Abe: “Where can I order Bucky Badger personal checks? I’ve searched online and came up empty.”

Answer: You’re in luck! The Wisconsin Alumni Association offers personal checks featuring a spirited Bucky Badger design and matching red-and-white checkbook cover. Prices start at just $17.50 for a box of 150 single checks, and your purchase supports UW scholarships and alumni programs. Bucky checks can be ordered online at uwalumni.com/checks.

Mary Rice ’92 asks Abe: “I recently saw a program about the Madison riot police assaulting students in the 1960s at a sit-in protest in the Commerce Building. Can you tell us more about that protest?”

Answer: Students at UW-Madison are well known for their political activism, and the Commerce Building incident you mentioned is no exception. During the 1960s, the campus was rife with turmoil over the Vietnam War, and students frequently staged protests to voice their opinions. When they learned that the Dow Chemical Corporation was recruiting on campus, they staged a sit-in at the Commerce Building (now Ingraham Hall) in protest of the company’s policy on manufacturing napalm for the war. Napalm is an incendiary weapon now considered inhumane by many because it causes untreatable burns and horrific pain in its victims.

On the morning of Oct. 18, 1967, students crowded into a narrow hallway of the Commerce Building near the room where Dow Chemical was holding interviews to block the way for anyone who wanted to pass through. The protest started out as peaceful civil disobedience. Within a few hours, more than 1,000 people had gathered outside the Commerce Building in support of the protest. That afternoon, the police arrived to try to break up the protest, telling the students that they were in violation of university regulations and needed to disperse.

The students held their ground, the situation worsened and the protest turned into a riot. Students clashed with police, and a number of them resisted arrest and were forcibly carried out of the building. There were reports of some protesters being beaten by police with nightsticks. Finally, police threw canisters of tear gas into the building to break up the crowd. By 5:30 p.m. the police and students had all left the area. Then-Chancellor Bill Sewell said in a statement, “I deeply regret that it was necessary to bring police onto the campus to maintain the operations of the university. I regret that students and police were injured. This must not be repeated.”

If you’d like to read a full account of that fateful day, Pulitzer Prize-winning UW alumnus David Maraniss wrote a book called They Marched Into Sunlight: War and Peace Vietnam and America, October 1967, which details the events of the Dow Chemical protests.

Kristin Givens JD'99 asks Abe: “I was talking to a fellow UW grad who told me about a day that he remembered where smoking marijuana is legal on Statehouse grounds. Although I would never participate in this sort of ritual, is this true?”

Answer: According to the Wisconsin Capitol Police, smoking marijuana has never been legal on statehouse grounds. However, once a year the Annual Great Midwest Marijuana Harvest Festival is held on Library Mall to support the legalization of marijuana. Many protestors march their way to the capitol and rally for “sensible drug policies.”

Stewart Fong '70 asks Abe: “UW alums in the major cities total to 131,866, many short of 350,156. Where are the rest?”

Answer: As you saw in a previous Ask Abe answer, many UW alumni flock to big cities after graduation. These seven “geocities” lead in numbers of UW alumni, but there are many other cities where we are proud to be represented by a large contingent of Badgers.

U.S. Cities by Alumni Population:

Denver: 6,247

Fox Valley/Appleton: 5,618

Boston: 5,668

Seattle: 4,269

Phoenix: 4,166

Green Bay: 3,923

Detroit: 3,267

Betty Dodson MS'03 asks Abe: “I read the other day that the University of Minnesota is now the biggest college campus in the U.S., edging out UT-Austin in campus size — which makes them both bigger than OSU. I could be wrong, of course, but that occurred to me when I read your Ask Abe question.

Answer: Yes, what you read is true. The University of Minnesota-Twin Cities enrolled the most students out of any other college campus this past year. Their fall 2004 enrollment numbers show that 65,247 students attend the “U.” The Ohio State University follows behind with 58,365 and the University of Texas-Austin enrolled more than 50,000 students this year.

Yvone Ashen MFA'04 asks Abe: “I have one of those cash cards used for the campus copiers and it has around $20 left on it. Since I don't get to campus often anymore, can I redeem it for cash?”

Answer: Unfortunately, the library tells me there is no way to redeem your print card for cash. However, if you wanted to sell your card to an incoming or current student, the university has no policy against it. Surely, any busy freshman would be willing to buy a card with money already on it to not have to bother with buying one at the library!

Luke Behnke '04 asks Abe: “As a recent UW grad who now lives in California, I am wondering if you know which states/cities grads move to most often after they leave Madison? I am sure many move to Chicago or the Twin Cities, but what other cities are home to a large number of Badger grads? Also, how many stay in the Madison area?”

Answer: As of 2005, there are 350,156 living UW alumni. Many have scattered throughout the country after leaving their beloved UW campus, but about 37 percent of UW alumni still live in Wisconsin. Below is a list of the top U.S. cities by alumni population.

Because of their high concentration of alumni, many of these cities host regular alumni events. Visit the UW Alumni Club Web page to find out about upcoming events in your area.

U.S. Cities by Alumni Population

Madison: 47,452 (14%)

Milwaukee: 18,732 (5%)

Chicago: 18,455 (5%)

Twin Cities: 14,960 (4%)

New York: 10,673 (3%)

San Francisco: 9,176 (3%)

Washington, D.C.: 7,202 (2%)

Los Angeles: 5,216 (1%)

Brook Courchaine '87 asks Abe: “My 15-year-old son, who is already set on attending the UW, saw a few fans with a T-shirt that's tie-dyed in red with some sort of saying on it. Is this groovy T-shirt a home-grown? If the UW has them, how do I get one for my little Badger treasure?”

Answer: It seems as though your son has noticed the “Grateful Red” tie-dyed T-shirts worn by the energetic student section during Badger basketball games. Student season ticket holders receive these shirts for free at the beginning of the basketball season. Each student is supposed to wear their shirt to show school spirit and unity.

As a proud Badger mom, you'll be happy to learn that while these T-shirts are “home grown” in concept, they're available for any fan to purchase, either at the Kohl Center during basketball games or at The University Book Store, at 711 State Street or online. The prices range from $14.95 to $18.95.

Arik Spigelman asks Abe: “Why don't we have a club in Israel?”

Answer: We're so glad you asked! As you'll see on our international alumni club listing, Bruce Fiedelman '65 is our contact for Badger grads living in Israel. Having dependable volunteers like Bruce is a valuable first step in connecting alumni abroad.

Yet, in our experience working with more than 100 alumni chapters worldwide, we've found that having two or more people working together helps to get a more formal alumni club started.

WAA would be thrilled to have a vibrant chapter in Israel, should more alumni step forward to help. You may visit our international Web page to read tips on forming an international club. If you're interested in becoming more involved, contact WAA's Liz Stern.

Kay Adams asks Abe: “In recalling Homecoming 1969, I was able to remember in great detail the purple suede mini jumper I wore and the lavender blousy shirt that went with it but could not remember who was the featured entertainment for that weekend. Any ideas?”

Answer: Though the Badger Yearbook from 1969-70 is one of few words, the phrase featured on pages 102 and 103 succinctly sums up the answer to your question: “Bill Cosby Homecoming.”

The two-page spread features four photos of Cosby in a three-piece suit (probably not as lovely as the purple suede mini jumper you wore!), and playing to the audience with the exaggerated expressions that have become a legacy of his comedic genius.

Mark Polster '00 asks Abe: “The other day I found a stack of blue receipts from The University Book Store. I remember there being something about turning in your textbook receipts for a percentage back. Is this true? If so, is it too late?”

Answer: Mark, don't throw out those blue receipts! Although The University Book Store does not offer this incentive anymore, it still honors old blue and yellow receipts. If you turn in your receipts to the first-floor service counter, you will receive a rebate based on how much money you spent at the time you first purchased your books. It's not too late to get some money back!

Tom Neyer '70 asks Abe: “I read a brief newspaper article many years ago that said someone at the University of Wisconsin had done research proving the deer whistles people put on their car bumpers don't work. Where can I access that information?”

Answer: There have been many studies conducted in recent years testing the effectiveness of deer whistles used to prevent deer-vehicle crashes. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation funds the Deer-Vehicle Crash Information Clearinghouse (DVCIC), a center that compiles statistics about deer-vehicle crashes in the Midwest.

Center Director Keith Knapp recently reviewed many deer-vehicle crash deterrents, including deer whistles, and found that although effective at times, many whistles emit sounds outside the sensitivity of deer noise ranges. When the sounds are at the wrong frequency, deer are not able to hear the noise and avoid the cars. Knapp also found it was difficult for deer to hear some whistles when combined with everyday road noise.

For more information about deer whistles and deer-vehicle crashes in the Midwest, visit the Deer-Vehicle Crash Information Clearinghouse.

Milton Gordon PhD'52 asks Abe: “Is it possible to get a recording of 'It's Dark on Observatory Hill'? When was it composed and by whom?”

Answer: Irving Berlin, a Russian Jewish immigrant and one of the most successful songwriters in American history, composed “It's Dark on Observatory Hill” in 1934 at the age of 45. Over time, many different musicians recorded Berlin's song, including the Dorsey Brothers and Ozzie Nelson and his orchestra. A recording of “It's Dark on Observatory Hill” can be found on Amazon's Web site.

Patrick Doolan asks Abe: “A few years ago, I was playing a national, network trivia game, when a question appeared asking who owned the recording rights to 'On, Wisconsin.' The possible answers included Michael Jackson, Paul McCartney and a couple of other artists, but not the University of Wisconsin. A computer glitch occurred, and I didn't get the answer. So who owns the recording rights to 'On, Wisconsin'?”

Answer: “On, Wisconsin” is undoubtedly one of the most popular school songs in the country. In addition to being UW-Madison's “fight song,” it was adopted on July 11, 1959, by Wisconsin's state legislature and signed by Governor Gaylord Nelson LLB'42 as the official state song. What's more, thousands of high school bands across the U.S. have adopted it as their own. So it's not surprising that it would have turned up as part of a national network trivia game.

Many rumors swirl as to who owns the rights to “On, Wisconsin,” ranging from Michael Jackson to Paul McCartney. But the song is considered to be in the public domain, as it was composed (melody written by W.T. Purdy and lyrics by Carl Beck) in 1909. “On, Wisconsin” was first performed on November 10, 1909, when it was sung by the glee club. Purdy himself performed the song on November 11, 1909, at a giant pep rally before the Minnesota game.

You'll find the lyrics and more history behind this fine college fight song on the Official Web Site of the UW Marching Band.

Bob Ruth asks Abe, “Do members of the Wisconsin Alumni Association who live in the Madison area enjoy any benefits in using university tennis facilities?”

Answer: Alumni can't use the Nielsen Tennis Stadium facility unless they are a guest of faculty, staff or students (who all have access). In addition, one would all have to pay a guest fee for usage. Students (even if attending another university) do have access to the facility.

Norman Makous '45, MD '47 asks Abe, “How can I locate students enrolled in the 1940s?”

Answer: The Wisconsin Alumni Association (WAA) offers an online alumni directory at its Web site, uwalumni.com. There, you can search for fellow alumni by name, geographic location or graduation year. Visit http://home.uwalumni.com/Login.asp to log into the directory. Or, you can call WAA toll-free at (888) WIS-ALUM for assistance.

However, if you're looking for a student who was enrolled during the 1940s but didn't graduate, you can find them by contacting the Alumni Records office toll-free at (800) 442-6469. WAA's online alumni directory doesn't list former students, only UW-Madison graduates and WAA members.

You might also be interested to know that via a partnership between UW Libraries and the Wisconsin Alumni Association, alumni can now use an online tool to search for grads from 1849 to 1919. At http://libtext.library.wisc.edu/cgi-bin/UW/UW-idx?id=UW.AD18491919, you can access the historical directory.

Paul Sabin MA'86 asks Abe, “Where would one get a replica version, suitable for office or home, of the Lincoln statue? The bookstores don't seem to have them.”

Answer: Well, Paul, you ask a very interesting question. Unfortunately, I am happy (sad for you) to say that I am the one and only me! You cannot purchase a replica version of me anywhere. I'm an original (sort of), but you are welcome to visit and sit with me anytime. However, if you want some school memorabilia, you can purchase mini union terrace chairs for $14.95 at the Union's store Web site.

To give you some background information, I was unveiled in 1909 as a gift from the sculptor Adolph Weinman. I am the only replica of the statue he previously erected in Hodgenville, Kentucky, my birthplace. I am considered a patron of the university because I signed the Morrill Act in 1862 to provide federal aid to land-grant colleges such as UW-Madison. In 1999, I underwent a thorough restoration and cleaning that removed years of grime and restored my copper color. I've felt like a new man ever since!

Carl Blesch '74, MA'76 asks Abe, “During the early '70s, I remember watching movies in some of the bigger lecture halls (B-10 Commerce and 6210 Social Science come quickly to mind) on Friday and Saturday nights for 75 cents. While not first-runs, the showings included recent hits and many, many classics. Since theaters charged as much as $2.50 on Saturday nights, the lecture hall movies were quite an entertainment value.

“Are lecture hall movies still part of campus life, or did the advent of affordable VCRs and widespread video rentals a decade after my time on campus relegate them to history? If they're still around, what would admission set me back today?”

Answer: Yes, movies that were recent hits and many classics are still shown on campus for a discounted ticket price. The Wisconsin Union Directorate (WUD) is the student organization that facilitates these viewings. They, and any other student organization they work with, try to screen films in venues other than classrooms whenever possible because of comfort value. The use of classroom and Union space for them is free, so all of the films they show outside of theaters are actually free. This includes Lakeside Cinema (classics) and Midnight Movies (recent classics), as well as International Cinema and Starlight Cinema (underground).

The WUD still shows many (at least four or five) free movies every week. The only series that costs money is the WUD's Memorial Union Movie series, which are films that they show before they come out on DVD or VHS. Even that cost is discounted. These viewings cost $3.75 for UW-Madison students, Union members and Union staff, $4.25 for everyone else.

Mark Lebow asks Abe, “Does the comic strip 'Jim's Journal' still run? It was a fixture of the Daily Cardinal when I was there in the late 1980s. (It was pretty good).”

Answer: According to a staff member on the Daily Cardinal (who has been there for four years), “Jim's Journal” no longer runs — he had never even heard of it.

But here's some background information on the comic strip. “Jim's Journal” was a comic strip in which nothing happened. The title character, a stick figure with no mouth, semi-sleepwalked his way through life. As a college student, Jim put off reading his textbooks, watched TV constantly and sometimes spent the entire day in bed.

Scott Dikkers is the strip's creator. In 1987, Dikkers was majoring in film at USC, but dropped out. That fall he moved back to Madison, where he had lived for a couple of years, and created “Jim's Journal.” When the Daily Cardinal began running the strip in 1987, students reacted favorably. So Dikkers sent samples to other colleges in the Midwest, and other campus newspapers began picking it up. “Jim's Journal” has appeared in more than 200 college papers. The comic strip gained tremendous popularity, and there were even Jim T-shirts, boxer shorts and coffee mugs. However, Dikkers confirms that Jim is now “dead.”

“Jim's Journal” books are still available at bookstores and e-bookstores such as amazon.com and rustybrooks.org/html/comics.

Bob Wegge '56 asks Abe, “Where or how can an alumnus get a parking permit to visit campus?”

Answer: We love it when alumni come back to visit campus — during Homecoming or any time of year! While metered parking on Lake and Langdon streets is the only option near the Wisconsin Alumni Association, we encourage you to stop in and say “hello,” as well as pick up your free Union day pass if you're a member.

As far as parking permits, you can purchase a half-day or all-day pass at any one of the UW Parking and Transportation offices. The main office is in Room 124 WARF at 610 Walnut Street. You can also visit the Transportation Information Place in the Memorial Union at Park Street or the UW Hospital Branch office in room G5/140. Half-day passes sell for $3.50, and all-day passes for $7.00, and they can be purchased for specific lots depending on your campus destination.

For more information about campus parking, visit www.fpm.wisc.edu/trans and click on “Visitor Parking.”

Owen Anderson MS'55, PhD'60 asks Abe, “I seem to remember seeing a picture of thousands of pink plastic flamingos in front of you on Bascom Hill. Did that really happen? Is there a postcard that shows the display? Is there any way to get such a postcard?”

Answer: There are many types of birds that covet the city of Madison — and almost seem to dominate the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus at times — but the type of bird that one would not really expect to find this far north is a flamingo. But in the fall of 1979, a “flock” of this pink tropical bird did indeed make an appearance on the UW campus. At the hands of student government pranksters, the Pail and Shovel party, hundreds of plastic pink flamingos were placed all over Bascom Hill. The party conducted this well-known prank as a part of a campaign promise, but many of the birds were stolen from Bascom Hill and ended up all over the city of Madison.

Despite criticism, it seems that today the infamous pink flamingo prank is somewhat celebrated. Postcards and other such memorabilia are sold online and at local Madison stores.

James Linn asks Abe, "How many UW-Madison alumni were killed in the Vietnam War? Can that be broken down by the year of their graduation?"

Answer: The Vietnam War era was a tumultuous time for the United States and on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus. The many protests and demonstrations that became highly prevalent on the UW campus created much dismay. One such protest of a napalm manufacturer actually turned violent, and 74 people we injured. But the most infamous of protests was the Sterling Hall bombing that killed one post-doc. This landmark event, in essence, brought a screeching halt to the anti-war demonstrations on the UW campus at that time.

Despite the opposition to the war made public by these campus demonstrations, many UW students still were over in Vietnam, fighting and losing their lives. Unfortunately, there is no accurate record of the UW alumni or students who lost their lives in Vietnam. The closest account is the Wisconsin Department of Veteran Affairs list of casualties, which documents 1,239 Wisconsinites killed in action.

Mike F. Dries asks Abe: "How does soap kill germs?"

Answer: Regular soap does not actually kill germs such as bacteria and other microorganisms. Hot water and soap lift the germs off of the skin so that the germs can be rinsed away. To actually kill germs, antibacterial soap, which usually contains triclosan, must be used.

According to Jenny Deam's article in The Denver Post, antibacterial soap has become a multibillion-dollar consumer trend. Antibacterial agents have been added to hand lotion, dish soap, toothbrushes, mattress pads, athletic socks, wallpaper and even children's toys. This overuse is actually being proven more harmful than helpful.

With the everyday use of antibacterial agents, resilient strands of bacteria such as E. coli and viruses are developing, especially when the products are not used correctly. In the case of the antibacterial version of Formula 409 spray, the directions state that the spray must be left on surfaces for ten minutes. Most consumers do not follow these directions, which allow strands to grow resilient.

Antibacterial soap is valuable in health care and childcare, but for most people, regular soap does the job.

Michael J.T. McMillen '72, JD'76 asks Abe: "Who first put the pimento in the olive?"

Answer: Adding the sweet pepper, pimiento or pimento, into pickled olives has been practiced before recorded history, so it is a bit difficult to pin the practice on one particular person. According to yahoo.com, all freshly picked olives, no matter how ripe, have a bitter taste and must be pickled. Since pimiento is the Spanish word for pepper, it is believed that the practice began in Spain to balance the bitter olive taste with the sweetness of the pepper.

Deirdre Moloney MA'89, PhD'95 asks Abe about the "Eyes on the Prize" documentary on civil rights and Jim Zwerg, the white freedom rider from Wisconsin. She wrote, "Was he enrolled at UW at the time, and where is he now?"

Answer: James Zwerg, an Appleton native, attended Beloit College in Beloit, Wisconsin. However, after a black roommate at Beloit College opened his eyes to the cruelty of segregation, Zwerg enrolled in a one-year exchange program with Fisk University, in Nashville, Tennessee. Zwerg was a 21-year-old student at Fisk University during the freedom rides in 1961. While in Nashville, Zwerg took part in sit-ins and was elected to the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee. He was part of a group of about 150 people, mostly college students, who set out in May 1961 to ride from Washington to New Orleans to test a Supreme Court ruling banning racial segregation on interstate public transportation.

An angry mob was waiting for the freedom riders when they arrived in Montgomery, Alabama. The mob descended on the buses and beat the riders severely. When the beating ended, Zwerg had three cracked vertebrae, a broken nose, a concussion and all of his teeth were fractured.

After his release from the hospital, Zwerg returned to Beloit to recuperate and finish school. His deeply religious faith led him to become a United Church of Christ pastor. Zwerg is now retired from the ministry and living with his wife of 37 years. He was prominently featured in the 1999, 26-part, PBS production called "People's Century." The documentary contained both archival footage and present-day interviews. Zwerg also participated in a re-creation of the freedom rides in 2001, to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the civil rights milestone.

James Bie '50 asks Abe: "I frequently read reports of research conducted that comments on the risk associated with certain activities and lifestyles. They always say such-and-such increased the risk of, let's say, heart attacks by 20 percent. Does that mean 20 percent more people actually got heart attacks? What do they mean?"

Answer: For diseases like cancer and heart disease, the average person has a predetermined risk of developing the disease. However, as medical research has shown, certain lifestyle choices — such as smoking, drinking or exposure to toxins may increase a person's risk. For example, let's say that the average person has a 10 percent risk of having a heart attack, and smoking has been shown to elevate that initial risk by 20 percent. That would mean that smokers would have a 12 percent chance of having a heart attack, while non-smokers would have a 10 percent chance. In the medical research example quoted above, that would mean that out of every 100 smokers, 12 would suffer heart attacks, and for every 100 non-smokers, only 10 would suffer heart attacks. So yes, it would also mean that twenty percent more smokers would suffer heart attacks.

Brian Grabowski '86 asks Abe: "Friends of mine who are alums from other universities have told me about a 'lifelong e-mail address' that their respective alumni associations provide which allows individuals to designate an e-mail address and keep in touch regardless of workplace or service provider. Does the UW have this type of service? If so, how do I connect to it?"

Answer: Indeed, the Wisconsin Alumni Association offers the service you're inquiring about: if you visit our Web site at uwalumni.com and click on the "free e-mail" button at the right, you can register for one of these no-cost, Web-based e-mail accounts. You may also click on this direct link: http://uwalumni.com/email/index.html.

Our free e-mail is becoming increasingly popular, since providers such as Yahoo and Hotmail are beginning to charge for their services, so spread the word to your alumni friends. (Plus, yourname@uwalumni.com lets all of your e-mail associates know you're proud to be a Badger!)

Rosy Caldwell-El Aissati asks Abe: "Does Steve Marmel write scripts for cartoons?"

Answer: Steve Marmel '88 began his career at a comedy contest at UW-Madison. Today, he is head writer for Fairly Oddparents, a Nickelodeon cartoon about a ten-year-old boy whose "fairy godparents" magically solve his problems. But Marmel can't get enough of the stage and still gets laughs as a standup comedian at the Improvisation Comedy Club in Los Angeles.

Chet Nelson '54 in San Diego asks: "I seem to recall that Madison had fluoridated water way back when I was at the UW in the '50s. An attempt to start getting the benefits of fluoridated water for San Diego residents now prompts me to ask if anyone at the university has done research on the long-term effects of fluoridated drinking water?"

Answer: Quite a bit of research has been done around the world on this subject since 1945, and it has become a somewhat controversial issue. Some researchers believe it can reduce tooth decay. Others cite a possibility for acute toxicity, which could cause kidney and liver damage. The evidence on positive and negative effects needs to be considered along with the ethical, environmental, ecological, financial and legal issues that surround any decisions about adding fluoride to water. Resources that might help you make a decision for your community include http://fluoride.oralhealth.org and the UW Water Resources Institute Library at http://wri.wisc.edu/library.

Rob Hurda '00 asks Abe: "Is it true that the UW is one of only two schools to sell alcohol on campus? I have heard that the Memorial Union's selling beer is a rare case. It seems like a lot of other students are missing out on a great after-finals tradition — beer and sun on the Terrace."

Answer: UW-Madison was the first public university to authorize beer sales on its campus in 1933; however, more than 100 student centers at universities across the country have since authorized alcohol sales. These schools include UW-Stevens Point, UW-Whitewater, Iowa State University, The Ohio State University, University of Southern California and the University of California-Berkley.

Irving Ungar ’35 asks Abe: “I am a WAA member and want to know how to use the ProQuest research database at UW-Madison.”

Answer: The Wisconsin Alumni Association offers its members an exciting benefit: access to the UW’s extensive online library resources, including the ProQuest research database. ProQuest indexes more than 2,000 periodicals and provides the full text for nearly half of them. Members can request free copies of articles and can also e-mail questions to a research librarian.

Once restricted to faculty and students, the ProQuest research library can be accessed through the Alumni Directory. Once you have logged into the WAA server, simply click on “Use My Member’s Library Pass” and you will be connected to a Web page describing ProQuest features. Happy searching!

Gunter Woog asks Abe: "Where can I buy a University of Wisconsin alumni license plate frame?"

Answer: You can purchase a University of Wisconsin alumni license plate frame at The University Book Store. While you're browsing, check out their selection of UW gifts, such as cufflinks, apparel, scrapbooks and framed artwork.

Marcia Gold Lehr '70 asks Abe: "I'd love to find a ringtone of 'On Wisconsin' for my cell phone. I've found many ringtones available for college songs, but not ours. Is it available anywhere?"

Answer: Even bronze statues (like myself) need wireless plans these days. During my own search for a UW ringtone, I found a number of Web sites that offer "On Wisconsin" as an option. However, the only plan I came across that officially offers the fight song as a ringtone is Cingular. Happy dialing!

Phillip Hung-Kai So ’05 asks Abe: “Were any movies ever shot at UW-Madison?”

Answer: Yes, the University of Wisconsin has played host to several movie productions in addition to 30-plus films, documentary shorts and TV movies and series that have been shot in the Madison area. The most recent was The Last Kiss written by Paul Haggis (Million Dollar Baby and Crash) and starring Zach Braff (Garden State and Scrubs), Rachel Bilson (The O.C.), Blythe Danner, Tom Wilkinson and Jacinda Barrett. Most of the movie was filmed in Montreal, Canada, but Lakeshore Entertainment CEO and producer Tom Rosenberg ’68 and executive producer Andre Lamal ’66, MA’70, wanted the story to be set in Madison, a fondly remembered stomping ground for the two who met on campus. They brought the cast and crew to Madison in the summer of 2006 for filming at the Union Terrace, Bascom Hill and State Street.

Other major motion pictures with UW connections include For Keeps? (1988), starring Molly Ringwald as a pregnant teen, and Rodney Dangerfield’s Back to School (1986), the tale of a hedonistic businessman who enrolls in college to inspire his son and relive the good times. Most of its outdoor scenes were shot on the UW-Madison campus, referred to in the film as Grand Lakes University. Still other film storylines have been set on the UW campus, but were not filmed here. For example, The Prince & Me (2004), the story of a free-spirited Wisconsin university student who falls in love with a Danish prince, was filmed primarily in Canada and Denmark.

Michael Hanrahan ’80 asks Abe: “When I was an undergrad from 1976 to 1980, there was a belief that someone was stalking and attacking women in the library stacks (which, by the way, could be a very dark and scary place!). Was this an urban/campus legend, or not? If not, was he or she ever caught, and what happened?”

Answer: The rumors were true — there was indeed a criminal named Eugene De Voe who came to be known as the Library Stalker on campus during that time.

In 1979, De Voe attacked a woman at the UW’s Memorial Library with a fire axe. She suffered a deep cut that required 11 stitches, but she recovered. De Voe was sentenced to five years, which was the maximum at the time.

Then in 1986, De Voe was arrested again, this time for armed burglary, and was sentenced to ten years. He was paroled in 1993. In 1997, he attacked a woman at the UW’s Teacher Education building, striking her on the head with a stapler. He was convicted and sentenced to 15 years. As far as I know, he's still in jail. It’s because of this infamous axe incident that the Memorial Library requires patrons to show ID before entry.

Deborah McCants ’96 asks Abe: “My sister said UW alums can buy in to a family health insurance plan. Is that true?”

Answer: The Wisconsin Alumni Association offers a number of health insurance plans from Marsh Affinity Group Services. Only UW graduates and their families have access to this service, and because of the group-buying power, WAA is able to offer competitive rates. Short-term medical coverage is a great option for those who are switching jobs or just out of college. Major medical plans are ideal for entrepreneurs or workers who don’t have access to health benefits. You can also buy long-term care coverage to plan for retirement, life insurance to protect your family’s future, or disability income insurance to preserve your financial well-being. WAA even has your furry friends in mind — they now offer pet insurance! For rate quotes and more information about WAA’s insurance plans, visit uwalumni.com/insurance.

Carolyn Kowalski MA’66 asks Abe: “Does Paisan’s Restaurant still exist? More importantly, does it still serve the Garibaldi sandwich, and can I get the recipe?”

Answer: Paisan’s Italian Restaurant has been a Madison favorite since 1950. The restaurant first opened in a small building on the corner of Park Street and University Avenue, and over the years it has done business in five locations. For some time, Paisan’s served up spicy Italian dishes in the cellar of its sister restaurant, Porta Bella.

Paisan’s was located in University Square for many years, and was known for its dark woodwork, open-air patio, fresh Italian bread, crisp Porta salad and delicious entrees. When University Square was demolished in 2006 to allow for an extensive revitalization, Paisan’s moved to its present location at 131 West Wilson Street. The restaurant now offers views of Lake Monona just off the Capitol Square.

The location may have changed, but the Paisan’s menu has remained true to tradition. Paisan’s still serves its signature Garibaldi sandwich, which has been a Badger favorite for decades. The head chef says the recipe is secret, but I can say that the Garibaldi features ham, salami, hot spicy cheese, sliced tomatoes and peppers on French bread.

David Ernst ’61 asks Abe: “Back when I was an engineering student in the early ’60s there was a huge mountain of coal that filled the area between the mechanical and electrical engineering buildings that we had to walk around to get to class. These days, there is a courtyard in that area, and my son refuses to believe that the university would have had a coal mountain there. Please tell me the when and why of that distinctive pile of carbon.”

Answer: There certainly was an enormous pile of coal in the Engineering quad during the mid-1950s. The coal was stored there for steam plants that provided the campus with power, but it marred the otherwise lovely view of Henry Mall. It was such an eyesore, in fact, that in 1955 it became the mission of an undergraduate named John G. Bollinger ’57, PhD’61 who would later become dean of engineering to have the coal pile evicted. Bollinger collected hundreds of signatures from fellow students and delivered them to then-Dean Kurt W. Wendt before summer break of that year. By the next semster, the coal pile was gone, and in its place today is a pedestrian mall with the artistic Maquina sculpture and fountain.

Melissa Pacult ’03 asks Abe: “My husband and I both graduated from the UW and at the time did not have the money to buy one of the nice plaques to display our diplomas. We were wondering how we could order the plaque with the drawing of the UW on top and space for two diplomas below it.”

Answer: The diploma frame you describe sounds like part of the Alumni Artwork collection, available from the University Book Store. The single or double frame comes in red, oak or mahogany and features a UW-Madison montage above the diploma(s). A note about diploma size: most degrees granted before 2003 came with a 6x8 diploma. All degrees since May 2003 have been awarded with an 8x10 diploma. For a fee of $50, you can get your small-sized diploma upgraded to a regular size; call Degree Audit and Diploma Services at (608) 262-3782.

Rick Wills ’71 asks Abe: “I remember one poignant morning walking up Bascom Hill and viewing what seemed to be thousands of white crosses placed there the night before. This was obviously an anti-war statement during the height of the war in Vietnam. Can you fill in the details of this sobering event? Are there any pictures of this scene?”

Answer: The University of Wisconsin campus was wracked with civil unrest during the Vietnam War era, when students voiced their opposition to the authorities at anti-war marches and rallies. The perfect rows of white crosses you mentioned were part of a 1968 protest. That March, some 60 students worked for two days to make 435 crosses, then planted them in the grass on Bascom Hill. They also mounted a sign that read, “Bascom Memorial Cemetery, Class of 1968,” and chanted to passers-by, “Pray for the dead and the dead will pray for you.” Because the protesters were peaceful, the UW administration allowed the display to remain on Bascom Hill all day, but the crosses were removed the following morning. You can view a black and white photo of the cemetery by doing a Google search, or read a short TIME article about the protest.

Gary K. Grimm ’70 asks Abe: “I am president of the Motor City Badgers, the Wisconsin Alumni Association chapter here in Southeast Michigan (Detroit area). I was talking to one of our younger alumni and the subject of the free “red bicycles” came up. He said that anytime you saw a red bicycle on campus and were in a hurry, you could take the bike and get to your destination. I graduated in 1970 in mechanical engineering and don’t remember anything about free red bicycles on campus. Virtually all of us walked to get to our classes. No matter how far. When did this phenomenon start?”

Answer: Twenty-five years after you hoofed it, Gary. Donated as part of a community service project in 1995, the bikes were tuned-up, licensed and spray-painted Badger red. Then they were left out, unlocked, to be used and returned as needed, free of charge. After two years and losses at about 80 percent due to vandalism, theft or mechanical problems, a Yellow Bikes program was started, based on a refundable deposit system: $40 got you a bike and $20 a U-lock. Leaving a deposit encouraged riders to return the bikes, and the Yellow Bikes saw far fewer losses. To make the best use of people’s donations, Red Bikes switched over to a deposit system in 2002.

Housed at Budget Bicycle Center, the bikes are available for checkout from when the snow is gone until November 30. Typically, all 400 bikes are checked out by mid-summer and as soon as one comes back, it goes to a waiting recipient. Losses are between 25 and 50 bikes a year, but the store receives that many donations so things tend to even out. For more information about the Red Bikes project, call the Budget Bicycle Center at (608) 251-1663.

Ken Koscik '64 asks Abe: "I do not remember the year, but the metallurgical engineers or the Engineering Department produced a large heavy belt buckle. The buckle had Bucky Badger holding a slide rule. My old belt buckle has bit of dust. The wire that holds the belt on the back has come out of its loops and does not work. Bucky's nose is all smashed and polished. I would really like to get another belt buckle and take better care of it. Any suggestions where I can find this gem?"

Answer: I'm afraid you may be out of luck, Ken. In the 1960s, engineering student organizations produced items like your belt buckle as a means of fundraising. In fact, one of the most popular items was a paperweight with Bucky holding a slide rule, similar to your belt buckle. Unfortunately, according to the College of Engineering, high-tech applications have taken over and students haven't cast anything like your buckle in years— so hold on to that collector's item! You can check out what else the Department of Materials Science and Engineering is up to on the Web.

Valerie Brink '99 asks Abe: "Is there an Ask Abe archive? I'm wondering if it is possible to buy beer without a Union membership. Do tell!"

Answer: Yes! Ask Abe is archived on WAA's Web site each month and the answers to your great questions are now easier to find than ever before. Fittingly housed under "Cool Stuff," the Ask Abe archives also live on other pages and are easy to search by categories: campus buildings and landmarks, campus traditions, organizations, athletics, administration and academics, people, Madison landmarks, and other. Plus, logged-in readers can now upload photos from alumni events and travel tours and add comments for fellow Badgers, WAA staff and yours truly.

To answer your second question, you can buy beer at the Memorial Union with a guest pass from Der Rathskeller, Der Stiftskeller, the Brat Stand (when it's open), Hoofers and Outdoor Rentals. You need to show a photo ID and are allowed up to three guest passes per year. Several items also serve as a guest pass: a Union hotel key, a Badger sporting event ticket from that day, a name badge from a conference being held at UW-Madison, or a member of the military in uniform. Of course, annual and life members of the Wisconsin Union get this privilege anytime, and much more. Visit www.union.wisc.edu to join online and learn what's happening at the Union.

Gary Greeneway '76, '77 asks Abe: "I would like to contact some people I went to school with but have not heard from in years. Does the Wisconsin Alumni Association or UW-Madison have any search engines that would allow me to do this, without of course trampling over anybody's privacy rights?"

Answer: You can search for your former classmates and for other Badgers who graduated when you did or live in the same geographic area in the online Alumni Directory. By logging in, you can also join the Badger Career Network and upload your UW-related photos. Participation in the Alumni Directory is voluntary. The UW Foundation works in partnership with the Wisconsin Alumni Association to maintain the demographic data of alumni in the directory.

Diane (Cummings) Jewell ’83 asks Abe: “When my husband (Dave Jewell ’83) and I attended UW-Madison there was a well-known band around campus called Broken Bow. Can you tell us if their music is available anywhere? We heard a band the other night from Atlanta that reminded us of them and we yearn to hear their music again.”

Answer: Broken Bow recorded a sole LP, Arrival, at Madison’s Full Compass Studio in 1980. The album’s title track and songs “Runnin’” and “Thought of Leavin’ You” have been described as acoustic pop stylings that recall the rock band America. Broken Bow’s lineup included singers and guitarists Chip Duncan ’77 and Helt Oncale, bassist Steve Barr, pedal steel guitarist Dan Showalter and drummer Rick Tacey. Duncan went on to become a well-known independent documentary filmmaker, while Oncale has enjoyed a successful music career in Germany.

Copies of Arrival are hard to come by. Your best bet is to check with record collectors who have an appreciation for music and history.

Scroll down to the comments section to read more about Broken Bow.