Today in 1945: Jackie Robinson and pitcher John Wright are signed by Branch Rickey, president of the Brooklyn Dodgers Baseball Club, to play on a Dodger farm team, the Montreal Royals of the International League.

Robinson became the first black baseball player to play on a major league team.

It’s Today’s Action Calendar!

Today at 5pm is “Boom & Bust: Exploring the Health and Environmental Effects of Frac Sand Mining,” a presentation by Dr. Henry Anderson, Chief Medical Officer of the State of Wisconsin. Part of the Doug La Follette Environmental Speakers Program hosted by Clean Wisconsin, this is today at 5pm at the Fluno Center, 601 University Avenue. More info at cleanwisconsin.org/speakers

Tonight, the Anarchist Sci-Fi Reading Group meets at 6:30pm a the Madison Infoshop, 1019 Williamson Street. More info at madisonfreeschool.wordpress.com.

The Keep Wisconsin Warm and Cool Fund’s 4th annual Charity Corn Maze is open now through November 3rd, Thursdays and Fridays from 4 to 9pm, and Saturdays and Sundays from 10am to 4pm. The maze is at 1262 John Q. Hammons Drive and there is a cost. More info at kwwf.org or call Kari at 608-268-7881.

Community Action Coalition for South Central Wisconsin, Inc. announces the eighth year of grants to encourage creation of new community gardens and expansion of existing gardens in the City of Madison. Grants of up to 2,000 dollars will be given out in early March 2014. Applications are due on November 30th. Call Micah at 246-4730, extension 236, or visit cacscw.org/garden_grants.php for more info.