Start a garden with a library card

Good morning, Madison!

There's still snow on the ground but signs of spring are all around.

Just this week, the Madison Public Library opened its seed library, offering a variety of vegetable, herb, fruit, and flower seeds for gardening.

Free seeds are being offered at Goodman South, Lakeview, Meadowridge, Pinney, and Sequoya libraries through September.

There's no limit to the number of seed packets you can take and each packet contains about 10 seeds.

Happy planting!

— Hayley

• City Council voted this week to officially change the definition of "family" in Madison's zoning code. The change allows more unrelated people to live together in neighborhoods that are zoned for single-family homes.
• Some context: More than one-third of the city's land is zoned as "single-family," which banned more than two unrelated renters from living together. Now, up to five unrelated people can live together, whether they are renters or homeowners.
• Proponents of the change say it will provide more people with access to housing and address racial inequities, especially as rent prices in Madison continue to climb.
• Related: 80% of Dane County residents say housing is not ‘attainable’ to all income levels (Wisconsin State Journal)

• Breese Stevens Field recently announced several big acts coming to town this summer.
• So far, the lineup includes Tyler Hubbard (formerly of Florida Georgia Line), Weezer, The Doobie Brothers, Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds with Garbage, Jason Mraz, and Wisconsin-originated Bon Iver.

💸 Need tax help?

• Low-income, elderly, and people with disabilities can receive free tax help at the Richard Dilley Tax Center (2238 S. Park St.)  through April 15.
• Appointments are in-person with a certified, volunteer tax preparer. They must be booked in advance. The center is open Mondays, Fridays, and Saturdays.
• Related: Here are 4 ways to file your taxes for free (CNBC)

• The Madison School Board is hosting listening sessions this month to gather community feedback on what is and isn't going well in the district. The sessions will be livestreamed on the board’s YouTube channel.
• There's a session tonight at 5:30 p.m. at La Follette High School. Additional sessions will be held on March 15 and 16.

• Local Kia and Hyundai dealerships are offering free software updates for the vehicles following a nationwide spike in thefts. The new software is designed to prevent the cars from starting without a key in the ignition.
• A lack of security features in Hyundai and Kia vehicles made between 2015 and 2019 has made the cars easy targets for thieves. “We were busy this summer. At one point in time, half of our stolen auto cases involved a Kia or Hyundai,” Madison Police officer Scott Reitmeier said.
• For more information: Hyundai owners can call 800-633-5151 and Kia owners can call 800-333-4542.

🎙️ Today on City Cast Madison

Where Do You Friday Fish Fry?

Friday Fish Fries in Madison are their own kinda of religion. When we went in search of the best fish in town, we had to talk to Linda Falkenstein, Associate Editor of the Isthmus newspaper. She’s been going to fish fries in Madison her entire life… and now makes a living writing about them, among other things. It might surprise you that a few of her picks aren’t in Madison at all, but right next door in Westport and Fitchburg. But perhaps the most surprising pick of all? Well, we’ll leave that for you to discover.

Linda’s Picks: Quivey’s Grove, Athens Grill and The Old Fashioned.  Read Linda’s Isthmus reviews, including this roundup of Wednesday Fish Fries (gasp!)

Join us every Thursday as we explore Madison's food culture, from the brewers and bakers to the chefs and cheesemakers.

🦠 Covid-19 resources

• Get free Covid-19 tests here and here
• View the PHMDC data dashboard
• Find a vaccine appointment near you

📅 Events

Today

• Arboretum Research Symposium at the UW–Madison Arboretum
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Dane County Social at Cambridge Winery Tasting Room
• Black Violin at Overture Center
• House Plant Propagation Swap at Goodman South Madison Library
• MMoCA Cinema: Brainwashed: Sex-Camera-Power (2022) at MMoCA
• Music Bingo at Starkweather Brewing Company
• The Wild & Scenic Film Festival at The Barrymore Theatre

Tomorrow

• 90's Themed Trivia at Delta Beer Lab
• Latino Art Fair at Overture Center
• Sixteen Candles: Ultimate 80s Dance Party at the Majestic
• Friday Family Films: Hidden Figures (2016) at Goodman South Madison Library
• Just Bust! Open Mic at Wisconsin Historical Society
• Le Youth at Liquid Madison
• Dyke Dive at the Wisco
• Titus Andronicus at High Noon Saloon

⏪ Yesterday's news

• This new program will help reduce utility bills for low-income customers.
• Recapping the mayoral debate.
• Say “hello” to Ezekiel Gillespie Middle School.
• Introducing World Premiere Wisconsin.
• Just for shits.