Local & General Event Highlights

Local Events:

October 11, 2023, Meadowood Health Partnership Community Supper (Meadowood)

October 18, 2023, Fall Into an Evening with South Police Department (Arbor Hills Area)

October 23, 2023, Madison Police Department Public Records Presentation and Discussion

• Meditation at Monona Terrace, Thursday, September 7, 2023 - 12:00pm to Thursday, December 14, 2023 - 12:00pm: Meditation can give you a sense of calm, peace, and balance that benefits both your emotional well-being and your overall health. Anyone can practice; it’s simple, inexpensive and doesn’t require any special equipment. Join us virtually every Thursday, September 7 - December 14, for this free 45 minute program welcome to all levels. Advance registration for Zoom webinar is required.

• HUD-Approved Homebuyer Education "Your Path to Homeownership" Three Part Hybrid Class) (Oct. 12, and 19) Your Path to Homeownership is provided by La Casa de Esperanza, a Non-Profit HUD Approved Housing Counseling Agency dedicated to assisting individuals and families to increase income, build savings and gain assets. Our focus on financial wellness is supported by the Center’s programs and services which include; home buyer education and counseling, free tax services, employment coaching, financial coaching and access to financial workshops. Our people-centered approach supports our belief that everyone deserves an opportunity to work on their financial wellness.

• Co-op Connection, Saturday, October 7, 2023: Free exhibitor fair celebrating local cooperatives, including giveaways and kids' activities.
• Bird & Nature Adventures | Tenney Park, Saturday, October 7, 2023: Art in the Park with Kacy Zander ~ Join Nature Artist Kacy Zander with ReCreate for a free welcoming family friendly nature walk to enjoy the beauty of fall colors and migrating birds along Lake Mendota and the Tenney Park Lagoon. Have fun doing an art activity and create some nature art of your own!

• Dane County Fire Truck Parade, Sunday, October 8, 2023: Join the Madison Fire Department and other Dane County fire departments on State Street and the Capitol Square to help kick off Fire Prevention Week! The parade begins on lower State Street (near Lake Street) and proceeds to the Capitol Square.

• Bird & Nature Adventures | Turville Point, Sunday, October 8, 2023: Seeds and Leaves with Stephanie Briand ~ Join Master Naturalist Stephanie Briand for a free nature walk or take a walk on your own any day in October. Fall is the season of leaves changing colors and seed dispersal! Enjoy a free, fun and family-friendly fall hike where we will learn about the reasons leaves change color and fall from deciduous trees and the five main modes of seed dispersal.

Announcements

• A New Way to Get Your Collection Schedules from the Streets Division: The City of Madison Streets Division is happy to share we are testing a new map-based lookup for learning your collection schedules.
• Digital Inclusion: To build more connected communities, everyone needs internet. The federal government’s Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) has been a monumental tool offering a $30 monthly discount (among other benefits) to lower-income households. The program has enrolled over 20 million American households, with 16,000 in Madison alone. However, without action to continue funding for the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, experts warn the ACP could be out of money by the spring of 2024. This means thousands of Madisonians may lose this vital benefit that keeps them connected.

In light of National Digital Inclusion Week (Oct. 2-6), we want to affirm that the City of Madison is dedicated to bridging gaps in access to and adoption of digital devices and internet connectivity. The Affordable Connectivity Program is central to this endeavor. We encourage you to reach out to your congressional representative, asking them to support continuing to fund the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. We also encourage you to share this program with others who might be eligible. Together with Madison Public Library and all our community partners, we can help preserve internet access so all residents can live, learn, work, and thrive.

ACP participants receive up to $30/month discount on internet service and a $75/month discount if your household is on qualifying tribal lands. Participants can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 for a laptop, tablet, or desktop computer (with a co-payment of more than $10 but less than $50).

Participants qualify based on household income; if you, your child, or a dependent participate in certain government assistance* programs; if you, your child, or a dependent already receive a Lifeline benefit; or if you qualify through a participating internet provider’s existing low-income program.

Enroll today at www.affordableconnectivity.gov.

Don’t currently have email, computer or Wi-Fi access to enroll?

You can contact the ACP Support Center by phone at (877) 384-2575.

The Madison Public Library offers free computer and Wi-Fi access. Call (608) 266-6300 for a list of library locations and computer use hours.

Need bilingual support?

You can contact the ACP Support Center at (877) 384-2575.

* If you or someone in your household participates in one of the following programs, you are automatically eligible for ACP: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Medicaid, Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA), Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit Free and Reduced-Price School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program including at U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Community Eligibility Provision schools, or if you received a Federal Pell Grant in the current award year.

The Affordable Connectivity Program is administered by USAC with oversight from the Federal Communications Commission.