Morning Update

Watch out for the weekend

Buckle up because it's going to be a very busy weekend y'all.

In this newsletter

Good morning Madison!

Buckle up because it's going to be a busy weekend, y'all.

Thousands of University of Wisconsin students will participate in commencement ceremonies on Friday and Saturday. That means lots of traffic, booked restaurants, and proud Badger parents downtown.

And this Sunday is Mother's Day (hi, mom!).

Still looking to make plans? The Cap Times has 11 restaurant suggestions, and Madison Magazine has a list of seven no-reservations-required Mother's Day activities for last-minutes planners.

— Hayley

🥖 La Kitchenette is closing.

The French café on Willy Street is closing after seven years in business. Its last day will be June 18.
“We will forever cherish the memories we have created together in this tiny little space of Willy St. So thank you from the bottom of our hearts,” the restaurant posted on Instagram.

🏘️ A pandemic rental assistance program will close its applications this month.

The Dane Coronavirus Rental program — AKA CORE 2.0 — will permanently stop accepting applications at the end of the month.
The program provides direct financial assistance to renters and has distributed more than $65 million to over 10,000 renter households since 2021, according to the city. The program is ending due to low remaining funds.
Any applications submitted on or before May 31 will still be processed and eligible for assistance as long as funds remain. You can fill out an application here.

🍹 Mark your calendars for Seltzer & Cider Fest.

Breese Stevens Field will host the third Seltzer & Cider Fest Aug. 19.
The event will feature local and national makers of hard seltzer, cider, tea, canned cocktails, mocktails, kombucha, and more. Yes, there will also be food and music.
Tickets go on sale Friday.

🍣 Nori Sushi & Grill comes to Madison.

The restaurant opened last month at 4738 E. Washington Ave. serving sushi and hibachi. If the name sounds familiar, it's because there's a Fitchburg location as well.
The owners come from a restaurant family and have also opened a Nori in Sheboygan and one in Neenah, according to the State Journal.

♿️ Your lunchtime read: ‘There is no life.’

Via Isthmus: "Karen Foxgrover lived independently in downtown Madison for decades with the help of a rotating crew of personal care workers. But a shortage of caregivers means she now can’t find reliable help."

📬

Did someone forward you this email? Sign up here.

🎙️ Today on City Cast Madison

*Ben Senson is the new director of the Madison Metropolitan School Planetarium. Photo courtesy of Ben Senson*

Madison’s Planetarium is a Hidden Gem

Tucked away inside Vel Phillips Memorial High School is the Madison area’s only planetarium.

Not only does it inspire awe in schoolkids from all over, anyone can go. You don’t have to be a kid — or have a kid in the school district — to visit. And for a couple bucks, you’re in for a show.

Dylan Brogan caught up with Planetarium Director Ben Senson to learn what’s in the skies.

Listen now