COVID still with us; Rudi the Pig; Student move out; meetings, events, and announcements

Hello neighbors,

For the second year in a row, I’ve contracted COVID while returning from my summer vacation. I share this with you not to garner your sympathies (I’m doing fine!), but to remind you that the virus is still around, and still doing its virus “thing”. I do encourage you to get any vaccinations for which you are eligible, as they have been proven to reduce the severity of the disease, and save lives.

Rudi the Pig

Thank you to everyone who has contacted me in regards to Rudi the Pig. Alders Evers, Martinez-Rutherford, and I have introduced a change to our City ordinances to allow the keeping of pet pigs within City limits, under certain conditions. The proposed ordinance will go before the Board of Health for review on September 6. I look forward to hearing their recommendations.

Student Move Out and Large Item Pickup

We are about to embark on the annual transition of students out of old and into new rental housing. During this time, large item pickup will change in much of our district. Items placed at the curb from August 7-18 will be picked up automatically without a large item work order. Please note that you will still need to pay a fee for items like microwaves and air conditioners.

Meetings

• August 2, 5:30-7:30pm - West Area Plan Public Meeting, Rennebohm Park shelter. Join this public meeting to see what we've heard thus far via surveys, interactive mapping, and previous public engagement, and to review and provide feedback on initial plan recommendations. The meeting will include food for purchase and some fun outdoor activities.
• August 15, 6pm - Wingra Proper Watershed Public Information Meeting. Please register in advance for this online meeting.

• August 23, 4:30pm – Board of Public Works discussion on City Engineering Stormwater Utility Vegetation Management Plan.

Events

• August 1-6: NoBull CrossFit Games – Alliant Energy Center. Watch for increased traffic, bicyclists, and pedestrians!
• August 2, 3-5pm: Fair housing training seminar for owners and managers of rental properties, or staff operating shelters or residential programs - Madison Public Library Alicia Ashman Branch, 733 N. High Point Rd. The seminar will include information about the protected classes and prohibited practices delineated by local, state and federal fair housing laws, as well as reasonable accommodations and modifications for tenants with disabilities.

• August 2, 4:30-6pm: LIVE @ Lake Vista: carisa. Join us at Lake Vista Café on the Monona Terrace rooftop for live music in a relaxed atmosphere.
• August 2, 5-8pm: Parks Alive | Hammersley Park | Movie: Soul.
• August 2, 7pm: Concerts on the Square. The Capitol Square comes alive for six consecutive Wednesdays during the summer months with music from the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra. FREE and open to the public, grab a blanket, a picnic basket, and your family and friends for this Madison tradition!
• August 3, 5-8pm: National Night Out – Get to know the Madison Police Department at one of these events:
  • Westmoreland Park
  • Warner Park Duck Pond
• August 3, 5-8pm: Parks Alive | Owl Creek Park | Movie: Space Jam A New Legacy.
• August 3, 7pm: Capitol City Band Concerts in the Park. Old fashioned band concerts in the park. The August 3 event will be a salute to the City of Madison Employees, with a special tribute to the Madison Parks Division for making Rennebohm Park home to the Capitol City Band. Bring a friend. Bring a chair for listening comfort.
• August 4, 5-7pm: Adaptive Family Swim Night | Goodman Pool. Join MSCR and Madison Parks as we host a FREE Adapted Family Swim Night! We welcome all individuals with disabilities and their caregivers and families for an evening of water fun at Goodman Pool. Zero-depth entry, aquatic lift, and water wheelchairs are available.
• August 4, 5:30-9:30pm: Dane Dances: The Associates Band/Mike Dangeroux Orchestra.  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.
• August 4, 5-8pm: Live from the Wonderground: Hirt Alpert. Join the Madison Children’s Museum for a night of music, dancing, food, and drink for all ages.
• August 5, 8-11am: Back to School Celebration – free backpacks for elementary and middle school students from families with limited incomes. Truax Campus, Madison College, 1750 Wright St.
• August 5, 5:45pm: Movies with Madison Parks - Finding Nemo. Head over to the Goodman Pool for a special movie night! Gates open at 5:30pm, with no admission charged.
• August 10, 3:30-6pm: FREE Expungement Clinic, Southwest Madison Employment Center, 1233 McKenna Blvd.
• August 19, 8:30am-3:30pm: FREE Homebuyer Education Class, Atrium at Villager Mall, 2300 S Park St.
• August 22, 10-11am: Estate Planning for Small Business Owners, WWBIC, 2300 S Park St, Ste 113.

Announcements

• Comprehensive Plan Interim Update – August 6 deadline for Generalized Future Land Use (GFLU) map amendment proposals.
• Public Health Madison & Dane County launched a Reproductive Health Nurse Navigator program, which connects people with a registered nurse to help review all options for pregnancy.
• Street Closure--N Stoughton Service Rd: East N Stoughton Service Rd at USH 51 will be closed to all traffic 7/31-8/7.
• Street Closure—Atwood Avenue: Atwood Avenue is fully closed to traffic between Fair Oaks Avenue and Sugar Avenue. This phase is expected to last approximately one month.
• Conservator’s Study Outlines a Matrix of Conservation Options for the Annie C. Stewart Memorial Fountain: Conservation of Sculpture & Objects Studio, Inc. (CSOS), a Chicago-based consultant group, recently completed their analysis of several possible conservation options for the City’s oldest commissioned public artwork.

• City Asks For Volunteers to Help with Spongy Moth Outbreak - The City of Madison Engineering Division welcomes volunteers to help with protecting oak trees on City property, which are showing signs of spongy moth activity and stress.
• Our children need you to step up as a Crossing Guard! The City of Madison Traffic Engineering Division is currently facing an increased need for crossing guards throughout the city.
• Take a selfie at storm drains around Madison!
• Save the Date for the Wisconsin Book Festival, October 19-22!

Be well,

Regina Vidaver