Week of July 7, 2026
postedDistrict Niners,
The weather held off for July 4th festivities in the 9th District! The 250th birthday party is over; the parades, the cookouts, gatherings with family, neighbors and friends culminated with fireworks that have since flickered and dimmed across the nation as we celebrated the beginning of the next 250 years. As with any birthday, looking back and looking forward, take some time to think about patriotism and what it means to you, what you are doing to repair the harm, steps you are taking to owning up to uncomfortable United States history and, for some, who choose to erase or minimize very troubling aspects of our history that took place over the last 250 years. True, much progress and gains have taken place, however, many of the gains, progress and fundamental rights that we took for granted have been stripped or rolled back. Progress, at times, allows you to take five steps forward and sometimes take ten steps back, but we should never give up!
Updates and Notices
- Payment Systems Scheduled Maintenance: Municipal Services Bill, Property Taxes, and General Billing Invoice payments will be down for maintenance beginning 9pm on Wednesday, July 8 through 8am on Monday, July 13.
Boards, Commissions & 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.
- The Common Council meeting will take place on Tuesday, July 7, at 6:30 p.m. in hybrid format. Agenda items include a presentation on the 2027 Operating Budget outlook.
- Board of Public Works: The Board of Public Works meeting will take place on Wednesday, July 8, at 4:30 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items include Authorizing a jurisdictional transfer agreement between the Wisconsin Department of Transportation and the City of Madison for portions of S. Park Street, W. Washington Avenue, Proudfit Street, North Shore Drive, John Nolen Drive, and S. Blair Street.
- Board of Park Commissioners: The Board of Park Commissioners meeting will take place on Wednesday, July 8, at 6:30 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items include adopting the Comprehensive Master Plan for Olbrich Botanical Gardens.
If you would like more information about becoming a member of a City board, commission, or committee, please visit the page linked here.
Announcements & News Releases
- Overdose Spike Alert: Extreme Heat Increases Risk of Drug Overdose(external): Public Health Madison & Dane County is issuing a public health alert due to an increase, or spike, in drug overdoses in our community that may be fueled by extreme heat.
- City of Madison Greens Purchasing Policies Related to Vehicles, Buildings, and More: The four updated Administrative Procedure Memoranda (APMs) build on Madison's 2024 Sustainability Plan and its goal of leveraging City purchasing power to reduce emissions and support a circular economy.
- Stay Cool, Hydrated, and Connected During Extreme Heat Warning(external): Public Health Madison & Dane County is urging everyone to stay cool, hydrated, and connected as an Extreme Heat Warning is in effect this week.
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
- Monday Mornings at The Glen, Monday, July 06 (This event occurs on multiple dates- June 1 through August 31): Enjoy The Glen for a stroll, nature, workout, or leashed dog walk from sunrise to 8:00 am. Tee times resume at hole #1 at 8:00 am. Visitors should be alert for golf balls and golfers as they exit the course.
- Barre3 Fitness Class, Monday, July 6, 2026 (This event occurs on multiple dates): Join Madison's barre3 and Madison Parks Foundation on fairway #1 at The Glen Golf Park for a heart-pumping, joy-filled workout.
- Learn to Drive a Pontoon, Tuesday, July 7: Gain boating confidence from Madison Boats captains. We've partnered with Madison Boats for this Learn to Drive a Pontoon class at Marshall Park. Join their amazing captains as they demonstrate the basics of driving a pontoon boat and basic boating safety.
- Movie: King Richard(external) (2021) PG-13, 2h 24m.
- WPCRC Ribbon Cutting & Grand Reopening, Wednesday, July 8: Join City leaders, partners, and friends for a ribbon-cutting and summer celebration at Warner Park Community Recreation Center!
- Disability Pride Flag Raising Ceremony & News Conference, Wednesday, July 8: The City of Madison will host its second Disability Pride Flag Raising Ceremony to commemorate the 36th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The ceremony and news conference will take place on Wednesday, July 8, at 11:30 a.m. in front of the Madison Municipal Building. Community members are encouraged to attend and show their support for disability, pride, and inclusion.
- Capitol City Band Concerts - 58th Season, Thursday, July 9: The Capitol City Band's 58th season begins June 18 at the Rennebohm Park Shelter. Bring a chair and enjoy live music on Thursdays at 7:00 PM through August 20.
- Concerts on the Rooftop: Granny Shot ('90s & '00s Cover Band), Thursday, July 9: Granny Shot is a cover band based in Madison, WI playing all of your favorite alternative rock, hard rock, and pop punk hits from the ‘90s and ‘00s, as well as some classics from the ‘70s and ‘80s.
- Adapted Swim, Friday, July 10: Summer 2026 Open Adapted Swim with MSCR at Goodman Pool - Free! Open to all individuals with disabilities and their caregivers and families. Pre-registration is not required.
- Live at The Glen | Panchromatic Steel, Friday, July 10: Madison Parks Foundation(external) is proud to present Live at The Glen! Enjoy live music on the patio at The Glen Golf Park. We are excited to welcome back Panchromatic Steel(external) to the Live at the Glen music series.
- Free Homebuyer Education Class (in person), Saturday, July 11: Take the first step to owning a home and join us in this Home Buyer Education Workshop. This FREE Homebuyer Education workshop takes place in-person at a Madison area location to be determined on Saturday, July 11, 8:30 am – 3:30 pm! Lunch will be provided.
- Bird & Nature Adventures | Owen, Saturday, July 11: 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.
- Bird & Nature Adventures | Turville Point, Sunday, July 12: Summer Wildflowers ~ Join Master Naturalist Jeff Nesta for a free fun family friendly outing to explore beautiful winding nature trails to find and learn about the fascinating variety of native wildflowers that grow and bloom throughout Summer in the restored woodlands and prairies.
Parks Alive Dates!
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! Events start at 5:00 p.m.
- Parks Alive | Allied Park, Monday, July 06
- Parks Alive | Worthington Park, Tuesday, July 7
- Parks Alive | Meadowood Park, Wednesday, July 8
- Parks Alive | Penn Park, Thursday, July 9
Interested in volunteering for Parks Alive? Volunteers Welcome! Learn more and register online!
Movie in the Park Dates!
- Movie in the Park | Goat, Monday, July 6
- Movie in the Park | King Richard, Tuesday, July 7
- Movie in the Park | The Fire Inside, Wednesday, July 8
- Movie in the Park | The Senior, Thursday, July 9
Additional upcoming events can also be found on the City events calendar.
Your well-being
Local meteorologists are predicting a brief reprieve from the heat extremes of last week. Remember that weather extremes can be deadly if we fail to pay attention to signs of dehydration, especially for seniors and those with other health conditions. Check on your neighbors and let's not forget our pets. After all, we domesticated them and now we have a duty to take care of them.
Until next time,
Joann
