Highlights for the Week of August 21, 2023

MEETINGS

• Brayton Lot In-Person Public Meeting, Tuesday, August 22, 2023
• Brayton Lot Virtual Public Meeting, Wednesday, August 23, 2023  
  • The Brayton Lot (Block 113), is a two-acre surface parking lot situated three blocks from Capitol Square along East Washington Avenue in the First Settlement neighborhood. The future of this site has been addressed in multiple City adopted plans over nearly 30 years. These plans have been consistent in their vision for the scale and massing of future buildings. Now, the community has a unique opportunity to implement those plans, and two public meetings have been scheduled to learn about that opportunity. The image below is a little blurry--the lot is just southeast of the GEF 1 State building between E. Washington Ave. and E. Main St.

• Board of Public Works: The Board of Public Works meeting will take place on Wednesday, August 23, 2023 in virtual format at 4:30 PM. Agenda items include an informational presentation on proposed changes to the Madison General Ordinances to create a “privilege in greenway” process, an informational presentation on the stormwater utility land management plan and more. Click the link below for details on the agenda, how to register for public comment, and how to watch online.

  • Meeting Details
• Joint Area Campus Committee: The Joint Area Campus Committee meeting will take place on Thursday, August 24, 2023 in virtual format at 4:45 PM. Agenda items include project updates from UW-Madison, UW Health, and the City of Madison, updates from the Regent Neighborhood Association, and more. Click the link below for details on the agenda, how to register for public comment, and how to watch online.
  • Meeting Details
• Street Use Staff Commission:  The Street Use Staff Commission meeting will take place on Wednesday, August 23, 2023 in virtual format at 10:00 AM. Agenda items include the consideration, discussion, and vote on street use permits for events such as Willy Street Fair, Madison Marathon, Downtown Madison Family Halloween, and more! Click the link below for details on the agenda, how to register for public comment, and how to watch online.
  • Meeting Details
• Police Civilian Oversight Board: The Police Civilian Oversight Board meeting will take place on Thursday, August 24, 2023 in virtual format at 5:00 PM. Agenda items include initial planning for future trainings, a discussion of youth outreach and participation on the Police Civilian Oversight Board, and more. Click the link below for details on the agenda, how to register for public comment, and how to watch online.
  • Meeting Details

You can visit the City website here for a complete list of meetings this week. 

EVENTS

• Madison Jams, Monday, August 21, 2023: Join us for an uplifting jam session where you can connect with neighbors, create memories, and sing folk and popular songs.

• East Side Farmers' Market, Tuesday, August 22, 2023: The Eastside Farmers' Market is Madison Wisconsin’s finest weekday farmers' market. Our goal is to bring the freshest Wisconsin grown food direct to the heart of the East side. Our vendor members are agricultural producers and food artisans who make value added products from Wisconsin's agricultural bounty.

• Dane County Farmers' Market - Wednesday Market, Wednesday, August 23, 2023: The Wednesday Dane County Farmers’ Market is located on the 200 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, in between the Madison Municipal Building and the City County Building. While more intimate than the Saturday Market, you will still find many of your favorite Dane County Farmers’ Market members, as well as a full array of fruits and vegetables, eggs, cheeses, honey, maple syrup, bakery items, cut flowers, plants, and many specialty items.

• The Capitol View Farmers’ Market, Wednesday, August 23, 2023: The Capitol View Farmers Market is returning to the North Star Neighborhood! Join us each Wednesday (May 31-October 11, 2023) from 3:00-7:00pm to support local farmers and vendors, enjoy live music and food carts, and make the most of summer in Madison!

• Jazz at Five, Wednesday, August 23, 2023: The Jazz at Five Entrepreneurial events are on hold until fall as we get ready to dive into the Performance Series. Enjoy the Jazz at Five performance series at one of our sponsored tables, bring a chair of your own or rent one from the Jazz at Five info tent. Audience members of the free to the public series are also welcome to picnic on the capitol grounds. This year’s Performance Series dates are August 7, 14, 21, 28 and September 4.

• Cyclocross Practice Ride | Door Creek Park, Wednesday, August 23, 2023: We've partnered with Capital Off-Road Pathfinders in offering a free, temporary cyclocross course to practice your biking skills. Each event is open from 5-7pm at the designated location. You will need a bike with knobby tires, such as a mountain bike style and a good-fitting helmet. Some parks do not have restrooms, please plan accordingly. Cyclocross is a form of bicycle racing similar to cross country running but on a bicycle. Courses feature wooded trails, grass, pavement, steep hills, and obstacles.

• Parks Alive | Warner Park | Movie: Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, Wednesday, August 23, 2023: Special Addition: Parks Alive - Warner Park on Trailsway. Due to two canceled events this summer, we've added August 23 at Warner Park! Parks Alive builds stronger neighborhoods and connects neighbors to their parks through fun, family-friendly activities, music and free food. Events are held in parks across the city and throughout the summer. Connect with your neighbors and engage with your community at a Parks Alive event near you! Bring a blanket or lawn chair to enjoy the free movie!

• Forward Fest x PechaKucha Night Madison, Wednesday, August 23, 2023: Join us for “Forward Fest x PechaKucha” as our speakers showcase innovative and creative ideas that elevate Wisconsin to the next level. PechaKucha is one of 50+ events during the Forward Festival, bringing together entrepreneurs and creatives in a 5-day celebration of innovation, technology, and collaboration.

• Workout with Transformation Center at The Glen, Thursday, August 24, 2023: Join Erin, Trainer and Owner, from Madison’s Transformation Center on Fairway #1 at The Glen Golf Park for a fun, energizing total body workout. Bring your family and friends, as all are welcome to participate in this free session.

• Capitol City Band Concerts in the Park, Thursday, August 24, 2023: Old fashioned band concerts in the park, "as American as apple pie." Familiar toe-tapping tunes, songs, polkas, broadway tunes and the marches of John Philip SoUSA. Music for all ages and all cultures. Relax, enjoy the music. Bring a friend. Bring a chair for listening comfort.

• Orton Park Festival, Friday, August 25, 2023: Nur-D! Gold Dust Women! Them Coulee Boys! The Sadies! The 58th annual Orton Park Festival brings an incredible lineup of music to close out the summer, plus Cycropia Aerial Dance, vendors from the best local restaurants and artists, craft beers and wines, kids games and more!

• Dane Dances: Aurra & Slave/Angel Melendez & the 911 Mambo Orchestra, Friday, August 25, 2023: Join us for a free, family-friendly event held on the beautiful Monona Terrace rooftop. The much-anticipated summer music series every Friday in August is a great way to get down and dance with your friends, family, or coworkers! Dane Dances promotes inclusivity with a fun night of music and dancing for all ages. No ticket needed.

• Live at The Glen: A Look Back in History with Tom Martinelli, Friday, August 25, 2023: Live at The Glen featuring Tom Martinelli. Join us on the patio as we learn about the history of The Glen Golf Park with Tom Martinelli, a local historian and neighbor of The Glen. Martinelli will share his passion for the Westmorland neighborhood from prehistoric through the present. If you love history and enjoy storytelling, this event is perfect for you!

• HUD-Approved Homebuyer Education "Your Path to Homeownership" (Two Part Hybrid Class) 2 of 2 (August 19 & 26th), Saturday, August 26, 2023: 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.
• West Side Community Market – Saturday, August 26, 2023: The market is located at 505 S. Rosa Rd. in Research Park and is open every Saturday from 7:30 am – 12:30 pm through November 4, 2023. Food Share is accepted, free parking, and accessible by bus.

(NOTE: for a more complete list of Madison farmers’ markets, follow this link.)

• Bird & Nature Adventures | Edna Taylor, Saturday, August 26, 2023: Birds, Bugs & Bees with Doug Davis and Paul Noeldner ~ Join Naturalists Doug Davis and Paul Noeldner for a free fun family-friendly guided outing to enjoy the birds on the branches, bugs in the bushes, and bees buzzing in the blossoms! Bring binoculars or a camera if you have one. Learn how to use Merlin and Seek to help you identify and learn about birds and plants you see.

• Summer of Love and Community Connection - Penn Park, Saturday, August 26, 2023: Summer of Love and Community Connection offers arts and movement activities for the whole family in parks in Madison and Dane County. We all need more arts, exercise, and connection. Join us for workshops in dance, circus, music, painting, games, and more.

• Orton Park Festival, Saturday, August 26, 2023: Nur-D! Gold Dust Women! Them Coulee Boys! The Sadies! The 58th annual Orton Park Festival brings an incredible lineup of music to close out the summer, plus Cycropia Aerial Dance, vendors from the best local restaurants and artists, craft beers and wines, kids games and more!

• Water Lantern Festival, Saturday, August 26, 2023: The Water Lantern Festival is an enchanting event suitable for the whole family, showcasing a variety of local food vendors, live music performances, and the breathtaking release of beautiful lanterns onto the water at sunset. Each lantern is skilfully crafted from a wooden base, rice paper, and a small blameless light, producing an awe-inspiring visual spectacle that will leave a lasting impression.

• Orton Park Festival, Sunday, August 27, 2023: Nur-D! Gold Dust Women! Them Coulee Boys! The Sadies! The 58th annual Orton Park Festival brings an incredible lineup of music to close out the summer, plus Cycropia Aerial Dance, vendors from the best local restaurants and artists, craft beers and wines, kids games and more!

SAVE THE DATE!

Join us at Pinney Library on September 16, 2023 from 9:30AM-2PM for a Spanish Language Book Fair featuring books for children, teens and adults sourced from the Feria Internacional del Libro de Guadalajara and from the library's growing collection!

• Browse books in the library's collection
• Sign up for a library card
• Learn about library resources

This is your opportunity to learn about all Madison Public LIbrary has to offer Spanish-speakers + weigh in on future programs at the library. Save the date!

¡APARTA LA FECHA!

¡Únase a nosotros en la Biblioteca Pinney el 16 de septiembre 2023 de 9:30AM hasta 2PM para una feria del libro en español que presenta libros para niños, adolescentes y adultos provenientes de la Feria internacional del libro de Guadalajara y de la creciente colección de la biblioteca!

• Explora libros en la colección de la biblioteca
• Regístrese para obtener una tarjeta de biblioteca
• Obtenga más información sobre los recursos de la biblioteca

Esta es su oportunidad de conocer todo lo que la Biblioteca Pública de Madison tiene para ofrecer a los hispanohablantes y opinar sobre los programas futuros de la biblioteca. ¡Aparta la fecha!

ANNOUNCEMENTS

• The Madison Black Chamber of Commerce launched the MBCC Means Business Program, which offers a 4-week Incubator and an invitation to participate in an 11-week Accelerator Program. Each program is different but have similarities. Topics include Sales, Marketing, Money Operations and Financing, eCommerce and more. Program benefits include joining and receiving support for the MBCC Program Alumni, Mentorship, and access to over $5,000 in MBCC Shared Services Benefits.

And…. Speaking of the MBCC Shared Services. We have over $400,000 in our MBCC Shared Services Program to invest in Black and BIPOC entrepreneurs. Our goal is to enroll MBCC Program Participants into the Shared Services Program as Vendors to provide services to the MBCC Program’s portfolio companies. Learn more about the MBCC Program here !

• Vision Zero Safety Improvement Projects and Speed Limit Reductions: Redesigning our streets to make them safer for all users is critical in meeting the goal of eliminating serious and fatal crashes.

• Ribbon Cutting Set For Frautschi Family Accessible Playground at Warner Park : Warner Park joins Brittingham and Elver parks, with the third accessible playground officially opening on Wednesday, August 16 at 11:00am with a ribbon cutting ceremony.

• Get Rooted in Nature this September with the Naturalist-in-Residence Program at Madison Public Library: MADISON, WI – Madison Public Library’s popular Naturalist-in-Residence program returns for its second year this September!

• Madison Public Library Director Greg Mickells to Retire in February 2024: MADISON, WI - After 11 years at the helm of Madison Public Library, Library Director Greg Mickells has announced his retirement, effective February 2, 2024.

• Winners of Madison Public Library’s We Read Youth Voices Writing Contest Announced: MADISON, WI – Three young Madison writers were announced and recognized over the weekend as the winners of Madison Public Library and Madison Public Library and Forward Madison FC ’s 2nd Annual We Read Youth Voices Writing Contest.

• City of Madison Fire Department Remind Residents to, "Turn Around, Don't Drown": With area flood watches, City of Madison Fire Department remind residents to “Turn Around, Don’t Drown”.
• You know summer is coming to an end when the Goodman Pool is in its last week of operation. The 2023 Season runs from 2023 Season: Friday, June 9 - Sunday, August 27 so get in your last swim! Splash parks at Cypress, Elver and Reindahl are open daily, 10am to 8pm, May 27 - Sept. 4, 2023.

STREETS AND TRANSIT

• Metro Transit Service Adjustments : Based on passenger and driver feedback on redesigned service schedules, a number of adjustments will be made starting Sunday, August 20. Click the link above for details on these adjustments.

• Metro Transit has posted the high school service routes. Alder Yannette Figueroa-Cole shared a helpful guide to this process in a recent blog post.

• Keep up with progress on the East-West Bus Rapid Transit Line Construction here.
• Water Main Flushing plans beginning Monday August 21st (all flushing is daytime unless otherwise noted).
  • East (Area 11) – South of Milwaukee St. and west of Dempsey Rd.
  • West (Area 12) – Whitney Way to Midvale Blvd. north of the Beltline.
  • West (Area 20) – North of Raymond Rd. Between Prairie Rd. and the Beltline.
  • West (Area 16) – West Towne Mall area; Then East of Gammon Rd. between Mineral Point Rd. and Odana Rd.

• University Ave. Work, Week of August 21, 2023:

  • Traffic was moved into the Stage 3 traffic configuration on August 12, 2023. It is anticipated that traffic will remain in the Stage 3 configuration until approximately August 30, 2023. An overview of the current traffic configuration can be viewed at the following link: View an overview of the Stage 3 traffic configuration and work zone locations. PDF
  • The left turn lane for westbound University Ave. onto Ridge St. will be restricted until early September.
  • The contractor will continue sawing and removing existing pavement in the median of University Ave. between Shorewood Blvd. and Highland Ave.
  • Storm sewer, water, and sanitary sewer connections will continue in the median while eastbound and westbound traffic on University Ave. is shifted to the outside lanes.
  • Roadway grading for the temporary median widening that is necessary for the Stage 4 traffic configuration will continue as the utility work is completed.