City Highlights for the Week of August 14, 2023

         Celebrate Black Restaurant Week this week, ending with the Food Taste Jamboree on Sunday August 20. 

·       Northeast Area Connect at Reindahl Park, Monday, August 14, 2023: The Northeast Area Planning team invites all Northeast community to the provide input about potential upcoming physical improvement projects. The Greater Sandburg and Burke Heights neighborhoods will be able to utilize $200,000 in federal funding for near-term physical improvement projects. 

·       Wingra Proper Watershed Study, Tuesday, August 15, 2023: The City of Madison is completing a watershed study in the Wingra Proper watershed (as shown below). The City of Madison contracted with an engineering consulting firm to complete the study. The watershed study will identify causes of existing flooding and then look at potential solutions to try to reduce flooding. The study will use computer models to assist with the evaluations. A public information meeting has been scheduled for 6 p.m., Aug. 15, 2023, via Zoom. Registration prior is required.

·       Northeast Area Connect at Sycamore Park, Wednesday, August 16, 2023: The Northeast Area Planning team invites all Northeast community to the provide input about potential upcoming physical improvement projects. The Greater Sandburg and Burke Heights neighborhoods will be able to utilize $200,000 in federal funding for near-term physical improvement projects.

·       Door Creek Watershed Study, Wednesday, August 16, 2023: The City of Madison is completing a watershed study in the Door Creek watershed (as shown below). The City of Madison contracted with an engineering consulting firm to complete the study. The watershed study will identify causes of existing flooding and then look at potential solutions to try to reduce flooding. The study will use computer models to assist with the evaluations. A public information meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m., Aug. 16, 2023, via Zoom. Registration prior is required.

·       Bikeways 2023, Thursday, August 17, 2023: Our Bikeways contract is meant to cover small improvements and repairs to the city bike network. The four projects below have been identified by planners and residents as crucial missing links for bike accessibility, safety, and comfort. A public information meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m., Aug. 17, 2023, via Zoom. Registration is required prior.

Events

·       Parks Alive | Elver Park | Movie: Wakanda Forever, Monday, August 14, 2023: 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! Elver Park: July 17, July 31, and August 14.

·       Wild Rumpus: An Anji Play Experience, Monday, August 14, 2023: Enjoy child-led play at A Wild Rumpus based on the educational approach of AnjiPlay. The library will provide special play equipment to spark your children's imagination at two parks this summer. Messy clothes and a water bottle are encouraged. Bring your own picnic dinner and make an evening of it! All ages and abilities are welcome. No registration needed.

·       East Side Farmers' Market, Tuesday, August 15, 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.

·       Parks Alive | Aldo Leopold Park, Tuesday, August 15, 2023: 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! Parks Alive in Aldo Leopold Park: June 20, July 18, August 1, and August 15.

·       Dane County Farmers' Market - Wednesday Market, Wednesday, August 16, 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.

·       Frautschi Family Accessible Playground at Warner Park Ribbon Cutting, Wednesday, August 16, 2023: Madison Parks Foundation and Madison Parks invite the community to a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony of the Frautschi Family Accessible Playground at Warner Park. Deeply rooted in Madison since 1867 when the Frautschi family emigrated from Switzerland. Their extraordinary philanthropy is felt across our community with their gifts of the Overture Center, Concerts on the Square, Frautschi Point on Lake Mendota and many others. Their generosity continues with the gift of an accessible playground at Warner Park, allowing people of all abilities to enjoy Madison's parks.

·       The Capitol View Farmers’ Market, Wednesday, August 16, 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 16, 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.

·       Gardens & Cocktails, Wednesday, August 16, 2023: With more than 4,000 plants on display, our William T. Evjue Rooftop Gardens cover over 68,000 square feet and include plantings of both native and non-native grasses and perennials selected for their beauty, resilience, and ecological function.  Following Frank Lloyd Wright’s inspiration, we’ll discuss his prioritization of native flora, using plants for their texture and form, and cultivating vistas in the landscape, particularly by water. Bring a friend, enjoy a refreshing beverage, and learn about our garden’s history and exciting plans for the future. Planted in drifts with showcased art sculptures, come see why our urban gardens and sprawling lake views make Monona Terrace a prime destination in downtown Madison.

·       Parks Alive | Hammersley Park, Wednesday, August 16, 2023: 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! Hammersley Park: July 5, July 19, August 2, and August 16.

·       The Sessions at McPike Park, Wednesday, August 16, 2023: The Sessions at McPike Park is in its 10th year and will have great music all seven days and dance and comedy interspersed. This is a free all-volunteer run event that helps raise funds for 6 non-profit partners. Great food and drink for sale.

·       Learn to Fish with WI DNR, Wednesday, August 16, 2023: Learn to Fish with Madison Parks and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources!  There is no cost to attend (advanced registration is required), however, anglers ages 16 and older will need a Wisconsin fishing license, which can be purchased online at Go Wild . For first-time license buyers, the cost is just $5 for an annual permit.

·       Parks Alive | Owl Creek Park, Thursday, August 17, 2023: 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! Owl Creek Park: July 6, July 20, August 3, and August 17.

·       The Sessions at McPike Park, Thursday, August 17, 2023: The Sessions at McPike Park is in its 10th year and will have great music all seven days and dance and comedy interspersed. This is a free all-volunteer run event that helps raise funds for 6 non-profit partners. Great food and drink for sale.

·       Capitol City Band Concerts in the Park, Thursday, August 17, 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.

·       Adaptive Family Swim Night | Goodman Pool, Friday, August 18, 2023: 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.

·       Dane Dances: BBI/VO5, Friday, August 18, 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.

·       Volunteer Day at The Glen, Saturday, August 19, 2023: The Glen Golf Park is establishing an ongoing volunteer program that helps volunteers learn, grow personally and gain professional experience.

·       HUD-Approved Homebuyer Education, Saturday, August 19, 2023: Take the first step to owning a home, and join us in this Home Buyer Education Workshop. This FREE HUD-Approved homebuyer educationworkshop takes place in person and lunch is provided. For more details and to register, follow link.

·       Snapshot Day at Warner Park, Saturday, August 19, 2023: Snapshot Day is a statewide, one-day event connecting volunteers, water lovers, and local groups in a search for aquatic invasive species (AIS). You can help protect Wisconsin’s rivers, lakes, and wetlands from these invasive plants and animals that negatively impact habitat, wildlife, recreation and health. This event is coordinated in partnership with UW-Madison Division of Extension, River Alliance of Wisconsin, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, local partners, and YOU!

·       HUD-Approved Homebuyer Education "Your Path to Homeownership" (Two Part Hybrid Class) 1 of 2 (August 19 & 26), Saturday, August 19, 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.

·       Africa Fest, Saturday, August 19, 2023: Africa Fest, in its 23rd year, shares African traditions and cultural heritages with residents of greater Madison and Dane County. This exciting event includes stage performances, arts & crafts and food vendors all day long. Africa Fest is a free, family oriented festival that has something for everyone. It is a wonderful opportunity for attendees to learn about the rich cultures of Africa from African immigrants. Africa Fest is a Madison summer celebration.

·       2023 Eken Park Festival, Saturday, August 19, 2023: This family-friendly festival features incredible local musical talent from a wide range of genres and delicious local cuisine and beer.

·       Friends of Ukraine, Saturday, August 19, 2023: This event serves as a platform for Ukrainians and friends of Ukraine to come together, strengthen bonds, and celebrate the nation's journey to independence. It's a chance to share stories, forge new friendships, and build a sense of community that resonates with the spirit of unity.

·       Movies with Madison Parks – Selena, Saturday, August 19, 2023: Bring a lawn chair or a blanket and enjoy this FREE movie night in Lisa Link Peace Park! Madison’s Central Business Improvement District (BID)   in partnership with Madison Parks, proudly presents a free movie in the heart of Downtown Madison! 

·       Magic Pride Festival, Sunday, August 20, 2023: The 2023 Magic Pride Festival included a stage show with local LGBTQ+ identified performers, large vendor area, games and activities for youth and families, food and beverages, and more!

·       Bird & Nature Adventures | Warner Park, Sunday, August 20, 2023: Nature Journaling with Steven Ansorge ~ Join Master Naturalist Steve Mansorge for a free guided walk and journaling activity or take a walk on your own any day in May to enjoy the natural areas at Warner Park. Pretend you are an explorer making a journal to send back home!  Bring pen and paper and take time to stop along the way to contemplate things.  Write down a few notes about what you see, how you feel, and the beauty around you.

·       Live at The Glen & Movie | Vibe Adaptive Dance & Happy Feet, Sunday, August 20, 2023: Lace-up your sneakers and grab a blanket or bring a lawn chair and join us at The Glen for a free movement class and movie! All are welcome!

Announcements

·       Change to Madison City Clerk’s Office Hours: MADISON, WI – Beginning September 1, the Madison City Clerk’s Office will close from 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.

·       Free Food & Family Fun at Northeast Area Connect Event: The City of Madison is inviting residents to two upcoming community connect events for the Northeast Area. Here you’ll learn about recommendations for land use, transportation, and more for the Northeast Area Plan. Additionally, the City is seeking input from residents on what physical improvements they'd like to see in the Greater Sandburg and Burke Heights neighborhoods. The first event is August 14, 2023 from 5-7 pm at Reindahl Park. The second event will take place August 16, 2023 from 5-7 pm at Sycamore Park. With free ice cream and food catered by La Taguara, firetruck tours, therapy animals, games, and face painting, residents are encouraged to make it a fun family outing!

·       Street Closures--Madison Mini Marathon, Saturday, Aug. 12: Several streets will be closed Saturday morning, August 12, for the Madison Mini Marathon.  The race starts at 7:00 a.m.

Streets Division Updates:

·       Madison Mini Marathon, Saturday, Aug. 12: Several streets will be closed Saturday morning, August 12, for the Madison Mini Marathon. The race starts at 7:00 a.m. at N Park St & State St, continues to the Capitol Square, through the UW Arboretum, and back to the UW campus.

·       August Moving Days: How to Recycle Televisions, Computers, and other Electronics: Electronics must be delivered to the Streets Division’s drop-off sites, or to a reputable private electronics recycler in the area . These steps will protect your data and ensure the hazardous materials inside them are handled and recycled safely.