📝 Madison’s money issues explained

😋 Now Open: Lake Vista Café

• The Lake Vista Café on the Monona Terrace rooftop is officially open for the season. The spot offers gourmet fare, drinks, and of course, sweeping lake views. [Monona Terrace]

🥕 Replacing FoodShare Losses

• After recent severe storms left thousands without power, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services wants residents with FoodShare benefits to know that replacement benefits are available to anyone who lost food as a result of power outage.
• Last week’s outages affected more than 40,000 people and has been recorded as one of the biggest power outages in Madison Gas and Electric’s history. [DHS, WKOW]

👋 Madison Children’s Museum Has a New Leader

• The Madison Children’s Museum announced it has selected Tom Linfield as the organization’s new president and CEO. Linfield has deep local ties and has spent the past 20 years working at the Madison Community Foundation. He also has strong connections to the museum as a volunteer, contributing artist, and parent.
• “This is a cherished local institution, a nationally recognized museum, and one of the most innovative and creative organizations I’ve ever worked with. From the Rooftop Ramble down to the pay-what-you-can cafe, the museum continues to find ways to delight and engage their diverse visitors,” Linfield said in a statement.
• Dig deeper: City Cast Madison podcast host Bianca Martin recently sat down with outgoing director Dep Gilpin to talk about her decade leading one of the nation’s top children’s museums. [Madison Children’s Museum, City Cast Madison 🎧]

Happy Wednesday! Let’s pretend for a moment that it’s Tuesday, shall we?

For this week’s Take Me Home Tuesday, the Dane County Humane Society would like you to meet Bruno. This sweet boy was a bit fearful when he first arrived at DCHS in late April, so he was placed with one of their volunteer foster families to give him a quiet space to destress and unwind — and boy did he thrive!

Bruno quickly warmed up to his foster, following them around and asking for attention. He loves receiving pets and is incredibly affectionate and sweet. Bruno is litter box trained, and a tall litter box works best for him. This sweet bun enjoys chewing on wood and cardboard toys, and he loves to dig, so he’ll need designated items like a phone book or blanket to satisfy that desire.

Bruno is looking for a family who will spoil him with lots of attention and affection, preferably without any small children or animals that might chase him.

⬆️ Last Week’s Answers

Where in Madison can you find this encouraging mural? None other than Hilldale Mall of course. Specifically, the parking garage.

🥳 This one was definitely a tricky one for some, but not for reader Katie B. who was the first one to correctly guess the answer!

⬇️ This Week’s Clues

Where can you find this big ol’ fish painting? Here’s your hints.

• This spot used to be a warehouse, now it’s one of Madison’s hottest hangouts.
• This spot first opened in spring of 2006.
• I hope you like seafood! This place is known for its selection of aquatic offerings.

Your City Budget Questions Answered

Understanding Madison’s city budget can feel like a real head scratcher. How can the city have a surplus this year, but be talking about a deficit for next year? If the city has had a budget deficit for the past 14 years, why is this the year Common Council is considering a referendum to increase property taxes? And most of all, how can a city that is undergoing such an economic boom be struggling to balance the books? City Cast Madison podcast host Bianca Martin took all those questions and more to the man behind the city’s money, Madison’s Finance Director Dave Schmiedicke.