Welcome home, Dumpty Humpty

Happy Monday, Madison.

Last Friday, Sam told you the story of a stolen puppy who was reunited with his family and got his happy ending. Well I've got another happy ending story for you  involving one $1,400 bronze “Dumpty Humpty" statue.

Image via MPD

The art piece (above) depicts Humpty Dumpty sitting on a toilet and was stolen from a vendor at the Art Fair on the Square last week. Two suspects were identified in the theft and one has since come forward to confess to the crime.

While the investigation is still ongoing, “Dumpty Humpty" has returned home and I'd call that a happy ending.

— Hayley

🏈 Here's what happened over the weekend in Wisconsin sports.

• The Packers beat the Steelers. Aaron Rodgers played a solid game that helped lead the Packers to a 27-17 win Sunday at Lambeau Field.
• UW's Women's volleyball team bested the Fighting Illini, winning three straight sets (22-25, 25-20, 25-20, 25-17) after losing the first on Sunday in Illinois.
• And then there's the Badgers football team....do we really need to talk about it? The Badgers had another disappointing Saturday losing 38-17 to Michigan.

✊ Pro-choice advocates took to the streets in protest in light of recent legislation limiting abortion access in the U.S.

• Hundreds gathered downtown to take part in the Madison Bans Off Our Bodies march. It was part of a national movement of more than 650 pro-choice rallies that took place in all 50 states on Saturday.
• The Madison protest was initially cosponsored by Indivisible Madison and the University of Wisconsin-Madison BIPOC Coalition, however, on Friday the BIPOC Coalition announced it would rescind its sponsorship of the event.
  • In a statement the BIPOC Coalition said it was stepping back from the event "because the primary organizers have repeatedly failed to recognize their privilege, be inclusive of all folks with uteri, and understand that BIPOC, queer, disabled, and/or low-income folks do not owe cis-gender, middle-class white women their support, nor labor in a movement that white women co-opted."
• A group of anti-abortion activists also came out to protest, though there was little interaction between the dissenting groups.

💰 A look at Dane County's proposed 2022 budget.

• The county's budget has been mostly shaped by the ongoing challenged the COVID-19 pandemic has thrust upon society and the uncertainties it's created for the future, the Cap Times reports. Dane County Executive Joe Parisi introduced his $659.6 million operating and $88.2 million capital budgets for 2022 late last week.
  • Some budget highlights include:
    • $10 million for the construction of a Crisis Triage Center.
    • More than $26 million for housing initiatives and addressing homelessness — including $6.5 million in federal funding for sheltering homeless individuals in hotels through June 30; $6 million for the affordable housing fund; $3 million for improvements to Dane County Housing Authorities properties; and $250,000 for legal services for those facing eviction.
    • $15.6 million for several highway maintenance projects
    • $750,000 for the multi-year rehabilitation of the Capital City Bike Trail.
• From the Cap Times: "If adopted, the budget would increase taxes on the average home in Madison, valued at $335,200 in 2021, by $63.99 for a total of $966.09. The budget proposal will now move through county committees until it arrives in front of the full Board of Supervisors in November."

📚 Welcome back, Room of One's Own.

• Some context: Due to the pandemic, the book store hasn't been open for in-person browsing for over a year. On top of that, the business made the decision to leave its long-time downtown location after a massive proposed development called for demolishing its 315 W. Gorham building.
• The iconic Madison book store opened the doors to its new location at 2717 Atwood Ave. over the weekend.

🛍️ Meet the pop-up stores now open on State Street.

• Some context: Earlier this year, the city announced it would lease two vacant State Street store fronts to host entrepreneurs from marginalized groups.
• Now, 11 vendors have set up shop inside 440 and 444 State St. selling goods ranging from "bath salts and West African beads to specialized shoelaces and boutique clothing," the Cap Times reports.
• The storefronts are open daily from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. but each vendor will set their own hours of operation. There will be a big "grand opening" for the shops at the next Madison Night Market Oct. 22.

😷 UW has extended its mask mandate.

• Chancellor Rebecca Blank announced Wisconsin's flagship university would extend its mask mandate to at least Nov. 26.
• Additionally, The Badger Herald reports that University Health Services will now offer booster shots of the Pfizer vaccine to eligible students and employees.

✈️ Your lunchtime read: Future noise concerns could scuttle housing along planned transit corridor

• The Wisconsin State Journal takes a look into how the impending arrival of F-35s in Madison could impact the city's ability to create more housing that it so desperately needs. This story checks all the Madison boxes: housing, jets, and BRT.

🦠 Covid-19 Resources

Wisconsin Vaccination Rate: 53.8%

Dane County Vaccination Rate: 71%

Here's where to find a COVID-19 vaccine near you.

Need a COVID-19 test? PHMDC has you covered.

Are you eligible for a third dose of Pfizer or Moderna? Find out here.

📅 Events: Monday, Oct. 4

• Tequila for Tatas fundraiser benefiting the UW Carbone Cancer Center at Tri-North Builders in Fitchburg. Margaritas, appetizers, raffle. 4-7 p.m. $30.
• Open Mic Comedy Night at the Bur Oak. 7-10 p.m. Free.
• Concert: Grandpa's Elixir at The Malt House. 7 p.m. No cover.

Multi day

• Dream Summit. Wednesday and Thursday. Motivational keynotes & workshops presented by American Family Insurance’s DreamBank. Speakers include Tan France, Glennon Doyle, and the Property Brothers. Virtual. Free.
• MadTown Yarn Shop Hop. Friday through Sunday. Self-guided tour of area yarn stores and related businesses. Free.
• Autumn Color Train Rides at Mid-Continent Railroad Museum, located about one hour from Madison. Saturday and Sunday. Adult $22, senior $20, 3-15 years old $12, 2 and under free.
• Tour the new MYArts building, which is home to the Madison Youth Choirs and Children’s Theater of Madison. Saturday and Sunday. Pre-registration required. Free.