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Community resources; MLK Day observances; PIM on Virginia Terrace 1/21; Announcements & Events

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Hello neighbors,

The Mayor and Common Council are united in a message we want everyone in our community to hear — regardless of who you are or where you come from — your City government welcomes and values you. The diversity of our community is part of what makes the City of Madison a great place. 

Madison benefits tremendously from immigrants and individuals of all racial, ethnic, religious, and gender identity backgrounds. We study and learn together; enjoy small businesses we cherish and depend on; and most importantly, individuals from all backgrounds enrich our city with different ideas, perspectives, and culture. We are neighbors, coworkers, and friends. Madison stands united and will continue to be a welcoming community to all.

Resources: 

Please do not spread rumors of immigration enforcement activity in Madison. Please contact Voces de la Frontera at 1-800-427-0213 with any questions about what you may be witnessing. 

Public Information Meetings (PIMs)

Virginia Terrace, Norwood Place, Rugby Row, Hillington Way, Wednesday, January 21: The City is planning a construction project on Virginia Terr (Virginia Terr cul-de-sac to Regent St), Norwood Pl (Virginia Ter to Hillington Way), Rugby Row (Virginia Terr to Hillington Way), and Hillington Way (Norwood Pl to Southwest Commuter Path). A public information meeting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m., Jan. 21, 2026, via Zoom. Registration prior is required. PLEASE FILL OUT THIS SURVEY by end of day Tuesday, January 20.

Updates and Notices

Observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day: City of Madison offices are closed on Monday, January 19, 2026, in observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. All emergency services will be open. In case of an emergency, please call 911. For non-emergencies, please visit the following webpage for contact information.

Announcements and News Releases

  • Enjoy a Free Fun Weekend in Madison's Parks: Madison Parks, in partnership with Dane County Parks, is offering a permit-free weekend on Saturday and Sunday, January 17 and 18, 2026. Activities typically requiring a permit are free to use this weekend! 
  • City of Madison Strengthens Commitment to Sustainable Building Standards : The City of Madison has raised its green building requirements for all City-owned facilities.
  • MPD seeking to learn lessons from ALCS shooting response: The Madison Police Department has requested a formal review of its response to the deadly shooting at Abundant Life Christian School.
  • Prevent Lung Cancer by Testing Your Home for Radon: A cancer-causing element known as radon can be found at high levels in roughly half of the homes tested over the past five years in Dane County.
  • The Office of the Common Council Launches Its First Resident Newsletter: The "Common Council in Focus" newsletter, a new initiative from the Office of the Common Council, will launch on Wednesday, January 14, 2026. This publication aims to keep you informed about topics being considered by the Common Council.
  • Bill Pomraning, an aspiring Eagle Scout, is planning to build bat houses in our neighborhood to support the local ecosystem. If you would be interested in having Bill evaluate your location and possibly having a bat house on your property – of no cost to you - please send an email to his dad, Mike.

  • MG&E plans to perform tree pruning around electric lines this spring and summer in the following areas:

    • Bounded by Midvale Blvd, University Ave, N Blackhawk Ave, and Bagley Pkwy
    • Bounded by Randall, Regent, Monroe, and University Ave
    • Much of Eagle Heights

    MGE's 2026 plan for pruning trees on the public rights-of-ways will be considered by the Board of Public Works on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, at 4:30 P.M., via virtual meeting.

Please visit the City news webpage to find additional news and announcements and to subscribe to receive notification of news releases as they are posted.

Events

  • North District Coffee with a Cop, Wednesday, January 21: Warner Park Community Center, 9-10am.
  • Olbrich Botanical Garden: Planning for Olbrich’s Future: Public listening workshops, January 22, noon and 6pm. The noon and evening sessions are both in -person and will be identical. The meeting will start off with some introductory information, followed by an open workshop divided into stations on key topics with opportunities to provide input. Attendees are welcome to bring children - there will be a kids' area with coloring sheets and light snacks provided. For those that can’t attend the meeting, there is a survey available to share comments. 
  • Groove & Glide | Rennebohm, Friday, January 23: Experience the fun and beauty of ice skating under the stars and lights with music and games.  All ages and experience levels are welcome. Groove & Glide events are free to attend and no registration is needed.
  • WHAT’S TRUE IN THE 21ST CENTURY? A special discussion with UW Professor Mike Wagner, Friday, January 23, 7:00–8:30 PM, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church (Parish Hall),1833 Regent Street. Professor Wagner will describe various types of misinformation and how they spread, as well as strategies to combat misinformation and ways to find information that is verifiably true. Please use the main church entrance (red doors). Both an elevator and stairs lead to the parish hall on the lower level. 
  • Bird & Nature Adventures | Edna Taylor, Saturday, January 24: Critter Tracks ~ Join Naturalist Paul Noeldner for a free, fun, family and kid friendly guided walk to explore Aldo Leopold Nature Center and Edna Taylor Conservation Park.  We will look for bird and animal tracks and signs!  
  • Door Creek Park Ribbon Cutting & Winter Celebration, Saturday, January 24: Join City leaders, partners, and friends for a ribbon-cutting and winter celebration at Door Creek Park!
  • Learn to Cross-Country Ski, Saturday, January 24: Join us for a free cross-country ski workshop at Door Creek Park, hosted by Madison Nordic Ski Club (MadNorSki)! This requires advanced registration, is free to attend and part of the Ribbon-Cutting and Winter Celebration. 
  • Kiddie Basketball Clinic, Saturday, January 24 (This event occurs on multiple dates): This basketball clinic is designed for boys and girls in kindergarten through 3rd grade. Kids will learn the fundamentals of dribbling, shooting, passing and game-play. 
  • Sound and Sense Immersion, Sunday, January 25: Sound and Sense Immersion is a 2-hour gentle and restorative meditation, light, aromatherapy and sound bath journey through the elements.
  • The Madison School District will host three forums later this month to get public feedback on plans to rebuild two middle schools and a combined elementary and middle school. The forums will take place in the existing schools’ buildings and run from 5:30 to 7 p.m.:
    • Orchard Ridge Elementary/Toki Middle School, 5602 Russett Road; Jan. 27 in the cafeteria
    • Cherokee Heights Middle School, 4301 Cherokee Drive; Jan. 28 in the library
    • Sennett Middle School, 502 Pflaum Road; Jan. 29 in the cafeteria

Additional upcoming events can also be found on the City events calendar.

Boards, Commissions, and Committee Meetings

Note: This is not a complete list of meetings for this upcoming week. All meetings and their details can be found at the Meeting Schedule page.

If you would like more information about becoming a member of a City board, commission, or committee, please visit the page linked here.

Be well,

Regina Vidaver

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District 5 - Alder Vidaver

Portrait of Alder Regina Vidaver

Alder Regina M. Vidaver

District 5, Council President
Contact Alder Vidaver

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