📝 Fat! Bird! Week!

🌊 City Council Approves Lake Monona Waterfront Plan

• The Lake Monona waterfront redesign is one step closer to reality after City Council gave the project’s master plan its seal of approval.
• Some context: The city is working to completely redesign the Lake Monona Waterfront. After much deliberation and community input, the city chose design firm Sasaki’s plan to proceed. The plan includes new space for a playground, amphitheater, community center, concession, and boathouse, among other features. You can check it out here.
• Next steps: The plan is likely going to take decades to implement. But now with City Council’s approval, the city can proceed with exploring outside funding resources, because at the end of the day, it always comes down to money. [City of Madison, Sasaki]

👋 Meet City Council’s New Leaders

• Madison’s City Council elected its new leadership this week, naming District 10 Ald. Yannette Figueroa Cole president and District 1 Ald. John W. Duncan vice president. Figueroa Cole makes history as the council’s first Latina president, she grew up in Puerto Rico and has served on the council since 2021.
• Meanwhile on the Dane County Board of Supervisors, Patrick Miles reelected as chair. In this role, Miles will also act as county executive once Joe Parisi retires in May until an interim is selected. Miles has served on the board for 18 years. [Madison365, Cap Times]

✡️ Madison’s Community Seders

• Passover is just around the corner and for many Jewish people, it’s a time of reflection, community, and of course, food. Passover is a major Jewish holiday that celebrates the Jews’ biblical liberation from slavery in Egypt.
• Several local organizations are hosting community seders for the holiday, including Chabad Madison, Jewish Social Services of Madison,Temple Beth El, and UW Hillel. Most of these events require advanced registration so check the links for details.
• If you’ve ever wondered about Passover and other Jewish traditions, check out today’s podcast where host Bianca Martin talks to Rabbi Laurie Zimmerman of Shaarei Shamayim. [City Cast Madison 🎧]

🚨 Some MPD Officers Now Have Body Cams

• Officers in the Madison Police Department’s north district have started wearing body cameras as part of a 90-day pilot program. The city has also hired an independent researcher to study the program and report their findings.
• Some context: City Council approved the pilot program last summer. Currently, the only MPD officers who wear body cameras are those on the SWAT team and motorcycle-riding patrol officers. [City of Madison]

Everything You’ve Wanted to Know about Seders But Were Afraid to Ask

Have you ever been curious about the Jewish tradition of seders, ceremonial dinners held on the first nights of Passover? Maybe you’ve been invited to one and don’t know what to bring! Perhaps you’re away from home and looking for a celebration to join here in Madison? We’ve got you!