🚗 Will city experiment make Willy Street safer?

🚗 Willy Street Will Try Ending Rush Hour Lanes

• The rush hour lanes on Williamson Street will close on Sept. 9, as part of a test run to see if the change helps prevent car crashes.
• The city will no longer ban parking on the westbound lane from 7 to 8:30 a.m. and on the eastbound lane from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Residents hope the change will force drivers to slow down and avoid accidents, like the car that rammed the front of Mother Fool’s Coffeehouse this spring.
• The test will cost $24,000 to change signs and to collect data, and will go through October. [Isthmus]

🐶 County Park Fees May Go Up Next Year

• Fees for dogs, camping, and boat launches in Dane County parks may rise if a resolution is approved this week by the Dane County Parks Commission.
• Supporters say the fee increase is needed to keep maintaining the parks, which are free to enter. Most of the fees would increase from $3 to $5 – for example, the annual fee for dogs would go up from $43 to $46, and the annual fee for lake access from $50 to $53. Permits for alcohol and vendors at small events would rise by $10.
• The commission will vote on the measure on Sept. 10. [Cap Times]

🇦🇫 UW-Madison Starts New Afghan Student Association

• A UW-Madison student who grew up in Afghanistan has started the university’s first-ever Afghan Student Association, to help Afghan students connect with each other and the broader Afghan community.
• Organizer Hera Salehi told Wisconsin Public Radio that she would like to connect with similar groups at other U.S. universities, and to support Afghan girls and women via fundraisers.
• The group is planning a fall kickoff event, where they will serve Afghani food and introduce themselves to the larger student population. [WPR]

All you autumn lovers who have been waiting for August to end can rejoice! It’s September, and while it may not feel much like fall right now, I promise by the end of the month you’ll be wearing your flannel and sipping on cider. On the City Cast Madison podcast today, the team talks about what we’re most looking forward to doing, seeing, and eating this month.

🎽 I Am Ironman!

For triathletes, Ironman Wisconsin is a very special event. Not only is the event itself pretty unique among Ironman competitions because of its location, but the city really comes out to support the athletes.

This year’s Ironman takes place on Sept. 7. Athletes will take a two-lap swim in Lake Monona, a bike ride through the scenic rural countryside, and a punishing run around campus and through downtown. There are events planned Sept. 4-8 at Monona Terrace, as well as an “Ironkids” fun run on Sept. 6. Good luck, athletes!

🛍️ Meet Me on Monroe Street

One of my favorite September festivals is the Monroe Street Festival on Sept. 13, with businesses up and down the west side thoroughfare participating. Grab a slice at Pizza Brutta, pick up some vinyl bargains at Strictly Discs, take part in the community scavenger hunt, and enjoy live music, a bouncy castle for the kids, and other goodies. It’s a festival that’s as eclectic as the street it's on.

Meet Cow and Spots! The one-year-old brothers are a bonded pair, Spots is friendly and outgoing whereas Cow is friendly but shy. They both love munching on their fruits and veggies, especially apples, lettuce, tomatoes, and carrots. They also enjoy running around their pen chasing each other and popping in and out of their hidey houses. They both entertain with their unique “popcorning” jumps, a sign that they are happy guinea pigs.