Week of August 17, 2026

District Niners,

If you have not looked at your calendar recently, it's past mid-August and readying for school for our K-12 population to our post-secondary population is in full swing.  Safety on the streets to and from (regardless of mode) is at our doorstep as well as at every city road, curb, crosswalk and bike/pedestrian path. This requires adjustments and paying attention to speed limits, STOP, NO TURN ON RED signage and more.  We have had too many near misses and accidents resulting from speed and failures to stop, etc.  I, too, was hit (while legitimately in a crosswalk).  Consider planning your time to get you there, factor in street/lane closures as well as carrying a bottle of patience to curtail road rage. Some constituents have inquired about speed corridors on High Point Rd, Tree Lane, Old Sauk Rd. and Junction Rd.  Please know that this has not gone unnoticed and that District 9 is among other districts seeking Safe Streets Madison relief.  On another note, have you started your Fall/winter TO DO list? Yes, summer is gradually sliding away and getting ready for fall and winter in Wisconsin has to be dealt with.

Announcements and News Releases

• The 2026 Brush Collection Season is Ending Soon: All Madison residents have at least one remaining set-out date for brush collection in 2026. Once your final collection opportunity for the year passes, scheduled brush pickup for your neighborhood will be over until the start of the brush pickup in 2026.
• If your travels take you to the downtown area, and/or you are frustrated about traffic in that corridor, consider Shape Downtown Streets:  Alder Will Ochowicz  (District 2) will Host an in-person discussion about traffic safety in the downtown area.  This meeting will take place on Tuesday, August 25, in Room 215 of the Madison Municipal Building, from 6 to 8 PM. 
• Lane Closures on Fish Hatchery Road for Cannonball Path Extension Project: Beginning Monday, August 17, motorists traveling on Fish Hatchery Road can expect lane closures as construction begins on the Cannonball Path extension project. 
• 2026 Fall Leaf & Yard Waste Schedule Now Available; Collection Begins in October: The set out dates for the fall 2026 leaf and yard waste schedule are now available on the Streets Division website. Each neighborhood has three assigned dates to set out leaves and yard waste. 
• Chief Patterson continues to check in with the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) daily regarding last month's fatal shooting incident on Madison's near east side. 

Events

Take some time to crawl out of your shell, your cocoon, your comfy recliner and partake in:

•             Live at The Glen | Vets on Frets, Thursday, August 20: Spend an easygoing evening with Vets on Frets(external), an acoustic guitar group made up of talented military veterans who bring stories, camaraderie, and classic tunes to every performance. 

•             Live at The Glen | Louka & Co., Friday, August 21: Get ready for an unforgettable evening on the Glen Patio with Louka & Co(external), a dynamic group known for their eclectic blend of bluegrass and beyond. 

•             Volunteer at The Glen, Saturday, August 22: We seek passionate individuals and groups committed to giving back to the community and connecting with the City of Madison golf courses. Gain experience, foster personal growth, and build relationships within the community. 

•             Bird & Nature Adventures | Edna Taylor, Saturday, August 22: Nature Journaling ~ Join Naturalist Sheila Knerr to explore easy nature trails on this free family friendly walk. Come and learn the basics of nature journaling as a way to slow down and look at your surroundings in a new way. Bring a pen and paper for writing or sketching.

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 | Sandburg Park, Tuesday, August 18

•             Parks Alive | Hammersley Park, Wednesday, August 19

If none of the above floats your boat, visit the City events calendar.

Your well-being 

On the lighter side today, I'm reminded of the need for humor and the role it plays in getting you to look at the lighter side of things.  Believe it or not, humor can put a lid on stress and lighten your load. I'm reminded of a quote from Jane Wagner's, The Search for Intelligent Life in the Universe. She writes: “All my life, I always wanted to be somebody.  Now I see that I should have been more specific."    For whatever reason... take some time to activate your smile.  Feel better now?

Until next time,

Joann