Water your trees, Bike Week, Pride Month, Metro redesign takes effect June 11, Emergency detention transports, meetings, events, & announcements

Hello neighbors,

It’s been warm, and we haven’t had much rain. That means our trees might need a little TLC, particularly younger trees, many of which have been planted on our terraces. Please water judiciously!

Madison Bike Week

What do brownies, brats, and bagels have in common? They’re all part of Madison’s Bike Week celebrations! I hope you’ll be able to enjoy some of the festivities around town.

Pride Month

June is Pride Month, which began in response to the Stonewall uprising. I had the privilege of visiting the Stonewall site this spring, and was incredibly moved by the national park across the way memorializing the conditions of the times. There are numerous Pride events at our libraries, at Hilldale mall, Dane Buy Local, and others. While you’re celebrating our families and neighbors, consider viewing the PBS documentary on the rich history of the contributions of Wisconsin’s LGBTQ+ people to the state.

Metro Redesign takes effect Sunday, June 11

All Metro routes are changing this Sunday. Bus stops will be updated, transfer points will close, and park and rides will change. There are multiple opportunities to get more information, including meetings with Metro staff, contacting Metro’s customer service center at (608) 266-4466, or mymetrobus@cityofmadison.com, or engaging with Ride Guides, who are out and about at many bus stops and riding buses, and noticeable in their yellow vests. Plan your new trip now on Google Maps, the Transit App or at mymetrobus.com.

Pilot program for emergency detention transports implemented

When I first decided to run for office, I spoke with a friend on the Madison Police Department (MPD), to understand, from a field officer perspective, what the big issues were. One of the things he described was how emergency detentions for people experiencing extreme mental health distress were occurring. Once Mendota Mental Health Institute closed to local detentions, the only option for emergency detentions was at the Winnebago Mental Health Institute, which is in Oshkosh. This meant that two officers had to drive someone in extreme distress in a squad car for two hours, and then drive back to Madison after the individual was admitted. This process not only was a severe under-use of highly trained individuals, but also significantly contributed to challenges in staffing our already stretched MPD. I am very pleased that REDI Transports will be partnering with MPD to transport people to Winnebago, and look forward to seeing how this pilot improves the experience of both people in need of emergency detentions, as well as the MPD.

Meetings

• WisDOT Madison Beltline Study, Wednesday, June 7: The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) Southwest Region is hosting public involvement meetings for the Madison Beltline Planning and Environment Linkages (PEL) Study. The meetings will provide an update on the status of the study and gather input. Note: Alder Field provided an excellent update on a different, but related project for the interchange along Madison’s East Side as part of the I-39/90/94 Corridor Study.

Events

• Madison Night Market, June 8: Madison Night Market is a celebration of Madison's unique and inspiring creative culture.
• Safety Saturday On the Square, June 10: Fun for the whole family! Join the Madison Fire Department, Madison Gas & Electric, and other partners for Safety Saturday on the Capitol Square (North and South Pinckney Street & East Washington Avenue).
• Sticker's Pond Volunteer Day, June 10: Madison Parks is seeking volunteers to assist in removing invasive plants in Sticker's Pond Conservation Park. Participants will learn plant identification, conservation methods, ecological restoration efforts and methods, as well as park history.
• SummerPalooza, June 10: SummerPalooza includes free admission to the Children’s Museum, along with exciting activities and live entertainment just off the Capitol Square.
• Bird & Nature Adventures – Owen Conservation Park, June 10: Explore Owen Conservation Park on gentle trails through historic oak openings on a hillside with an Ice Age kettle and along restored prairies with beautiful vistas on this high point overlooking the west side of Madison.
• Tri 4 Schools’ Madison Kids Bike + Run, June 10 - Warner Park, Madison, WI: A bike and run duathlon for kids aged 3-14. 100% of entry fees are donated directly back to the schools.
• Marquette Waterfront Festival, June 10-11: Marquette Waterfront Festival kicks off the summer on the eastside with two stages featuring some of the very best local bands and national touring acts, along with vendors from favorite local restaurants, kids' games, craft vendors, and the Fools' Flotilla.
• Yo Quiero Dinero: Our Stories, a night of powerful transformational stories, June 16: Are you ready to celebrate the power of stories? Don't miss this incredible event hosted by Midwest Mujeres where voices from our community come alive!
• 22nd Annual Juneteenth Parade, June 17 – Penn Park: Kujichagulia – Madison Center for Self Determination, the home of the Juneteenth Day Celebration, invites you to join in on the celebration of freedom and heritage by participating in the Annual Juneteenth Day Parade.
• Culture by Design Art Fair, June 17: This free, family friendly art fair will feature local business owners, a fireside chat with entrepreneurs, community canvases for all attendees to contribute to, a live DJ and more!
• Shades of Black, Culture Festival, June 18: The 3rd Annual Shades of Black: Culture Fest will feature over 20+ small business owners and local artists. Meet your neighbors, enjoy the festivities, honor our ancestors, and show love to each other while being in community.
• The Capital City Hues Alive at 17: Celebrating Our Cultures Together, June 24, 1-8pm: Come celebrate with The Capital City Hues on the grounds of the Madison Labor Temple on S. Park Street.

Announcements

• City of Madison Recognizes National Homeownership Month: The City of Madison is recognizing National Homeownership Month by encouraging Madison residents to explore incentives that can lead to homeownership.
• Madison Public Library’s We Read Program Returns with Activities for Kids and Families Throughout the Summer: The We Read campaign is inspiring youth to keep reading and invites families to participate in fun, free library programs taking place in libraries, in parks, and around Madison all summer.
• Madison Water Utility's 2022 Annual Report is Available: Madison Water Utility's 2022 Annual Report is now available! This reporting period covers calendar year 2022, including audited 2022 financial statements, 2022 water quality monitoring, and 2022 projects, events, operations, and accomplishments.

• Please remember to use the large item pickup work order system for all the larger items you’re getting rid of through your spring and summer cleaning. Large items can also be taken to a drop-off site. What about that neighbor with a pile of stuff out for a long time? You have two options if speaking with the neighbor is not possible:

  • Contact Building Inspection at 608-266-4551.
  • Create a work order for your neighbor. While this means your neighbor may not learn about the work order system, it does guarantee that they would be on the schedule for pickup.

Best wishes,

Regina Vidaver