Social services

• $2.5 million | Grant program for mental health and vulnerable community front-line services
• $1.7 million | New squad cars and equipment for the County Sheriff’s Office
• $1.5 million | Support for a Madison homeless shelter
• $237,000 | Case manager funding for the Area Agency on Aging
• $75,000 | In-home fall prevention — screenings and resources

Environment

• $17 million | County trail improvements — Great Sauk and Glacial Drumlin trails
• $10 million | Dane County Conservation Fund
• $1.75 million | Restoration of Black Earth Creek
• $1 million | Continuous Cover program — to help farmers establish acres of grasses and prairies while reducing carbon emissions
• $1 million | Dane County’s Flood Risk Reduction project

Emergency food supply

• $10 million | Second Harvest Foodbank — Farm to Foodbank program and increased demand
• $500,000 | A food storage warehouse for Badger Prairie Needs Network
• $425,000 | Extended Hands Pantry in Madison

Construction

• $36.4 million | New Dane County 911 Center
• $21 million | New giraffe enclosure at the Henry Vilas Zoo
• $15.3 million | Highway and bridge improvement projects — Highways MM, Y, KP, and G
• $2 million | A Ho-Chunk History Center

• Nerd Nite Madison | Wednesday, Oct. 4 | 8-10 p.m. | High Noon Saloon, 701 E. Washington Ave., Madison | Free | Nerds and non-nerds alike are invited to meet, drink, and learn something new.

• Public Health Vaccine Clinic | Thursday, Oct. 5 | 10:30 a.m. | Goodman South Madison Library, 2222 S. Park St., Madison | Free | Free COVID-19 vaccines and flu shots for those who are uninsured/underinsured
• Family Fun Night | Thursday, Oct. 5 | 5-8 p.m. | Madison Children’s Museum, 100 N. Hamilton St., Madison | Free | Black Girl Magic will provide a light dinner at this free admission night.

• Fall Fest | Friday, Oct. 6 | 5:30-7:30 p.m. | Aldo Leopold Nature Center, 330 Femrite Dr., Monona | Free | Park your car at Ahuska Park and grab a ride on the free shuttle.
• Meat Raffle | Friday, Oct. 6 | 6-8 p.m. | Starkweather Brewing, 2439 Atwood Ave., Madison | Cost of purchase | To participate, bring your dollars to purchase paddles.
• UW Homecoming Block Party | Friday, Oct. 6 | 7-9 p.m. | 650 N. Lake St., Madison | Free | Featuring the UW Marching Band, UW Spirit Squad, and a fireworks display.

• Trophy Recycling | Saturday, Oct. 7 | 9 a.m.-1 p.m. | 6670 Odana Rd., Madison | Free | Browse a wide range of vintage and modern trophies in various sizes to help keep them out of landfills.

• The Quest to Experience God: A Key to Our Well Being | Sunday, Oct. 8 | 2-3 p.m. | Fluno Center, Skyview Room, 601 University Ave., Madison | Free | Join Christian Science Board member Giulia Nesi Tetreu for a presentation about how your relationship with God can dissolve loneliness, foster connections, and infuse life with meaning.*

• COVID-19 cases are resurfacing in Madison schools as the academic year progresses. The MMSD reports a total of 272 cases in the current 14-day period — 0.9% of active students and staff. The district is launching free weekly flu and COVID-19 vaccine clinics beginning Monday, Oct. 9. (Fox 47)

• The Brewers lost 6-3 last night in Game One of the best-of-three Wild Card series against the Arizona Diamondbacks. The teams will face off again tonight at 6 p.m., competing for a spot in the Divisional Series. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

• In other budget news. Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway unveiled her 2024 Executive Operating Budget for Madison. The Finance Committee will receive staff briefings next week, and review amendments on Oct. 23. The final Common Council action is set for the third week of November.

• The Streets Division’s first of three fall yard waste and leaves collection dates is Sunday, Oct. 8 for some neighborhoods. Crews will take leaves, weeds, and plant debris — not mixed brush and yard waste piles. Find your neighborhood’s collection dates online.

• UW-Madison achieved a significant milestone, enrolling over 50,000 students for the first time, with a total of 50,662. The university also set records with 67,979 prospective freshman and transfer students. Additionally, it maintains its global appeal, welcoming 663 international students in the freshman class. (NBC 15)

• Madison officials reassure locals that not all 65+ trees marked for removal along Mineral Point Road will be cut down for Bus Rapid Transit construction. The $6.8 million project will shift the bus lane to the center median, and new tree planting is planned. (Madison.com)

• FEMA plans to test its Emergency Alert system today, between 1:20 p.m. and 1:50 p.m. This means your phone will receive a message from the federal agency around that time frame. Remember: This is a test.

• This leading balance transfer card offers 0% intro APR for guess how many months… with no annual fee. (Hint: It’s one of the longest 0% intro APR periods we’ve seen.) See details and apply.*

• How does Going work? Sign up for free, follow up to five airports, and get notified when flight deals to over 900 destinations are 40-90% off.*

💸 Where does the money go?

• Chancellor’s Fund
• Tuition assistance
• Nursing School
• Nelson Institute

• Arboretum
• Chazen Museum of Art
• Wisconsin Union

🗓️ Homecoming week lineup

• Women’s soccer vs. Northwestern | 7 p.m. | McClimon Field, 750 Walnut St.

• Swim and dive vs. Notre Dame | 3:30 p.m. | Soderholm Aquatic Center, 797 W. Dayton St.
• Homecoming Parade | 6–7:30 p.m. | State and Gilman streets
• Block party | 7-9 p.m. | Memorial Union, 800 Langdon St.
• Men’s soccer vs. Michigan State | 7 p.m. | McClimon Field

• Football vs. Rutgers | 11:00 a.m. | Camp Randall

• Treat yourself this fall with Salt & Ash Soap Co., a clean ingredient skincare line. Relax with the Peppermint Eucalyptus Bar Soap.

• Treat yourself to a self-care upgrade with Roosevelt Supply Co’s Anti-Aging Face Lotion. Keep your skin looking fresh and youthful.

• Ghosts have never looked cuter than on these Halloween glass can cups. Snag them from one of Etsy’s Star Sellers (read: smooth shipping + great reviews).

• Looking for something comfy for fall? This best-selling crewneck sweater can be customized to your style, thanks to colors from nutmeg to apricot to rose red.

• If you’re camping, lounging, or cheering from the sidelines, make things more comfortable with a heated, cushioned folding chair. Adjust the temperature between three heat settings.

• Best Farmer’s Market! Saturday’s on the square!!
• Most potholes per mile per capita
• Best music festivals
• Breweries
• Parks and green space
• Jazz, from the Bluestem Jazz guys
• Best liveability