6AM City In-house

This place rocks

Burnie’s Rock Shop in Madison, WI
external shot of burnies
Burnie’s on Park is a great spot to grab unique gifts. | Photo by 608today team
What originally started as a hobby for Burnell “Burnie” Franke has now morphed into a multi-location earth + science namesake in Madison. Like all good startup stories, Burnie’s Rock Shop started small — circa 1962 in the basement of a local YMCA, to be exact.

🪨 Starting with small finds

Burnie, along with his loved ones and staff, would collect rocks + fossils to put up for sale at the store. Moving from the YMCA basement to a Monroe Street storefront, this quirky rock shop gained traction quickly.

As word got out of this hidden gem, Burnie started supplying communities of craftspeople and earth science enthusiasts with goods needed for jewelry making and lapidary.

💎 A shining legacy

In 1976, the store relocated to 901 E. Johnson St. in order to hold even more inventory + allow for more foot traffic. This location is still in place today as well as Burnie’s on Park, its second location, at 636 S. Park St. For the past 20+ years, both locations have been run by Burnie’s son, Nevin, and his wife Sonali. These two carry on Burnie’s legacy by continuing to provide Madison with a plethora of unique gifts, supplies, and equipment.

As the shops have expanded, some unique products have been featured such as Banded Onyx from Pakistan and mounted butterflies from Peru.

🗓️ Rock on

Can’t get enough? The 2022 Madison Gem, Mineral + Jewelry Show is happening this month — Sat., Nov. 19-Sun., Nov. 20 — at the Alliant Energy Center. Pan for gold + sapphires, pick up some jewelry and check out special fossil exhibits. Stop by either of Burnie’s locations to find more information and snag a few crystals while you’re at it.
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Today, Nov. 2
  • Candy Cigarette | Wednesday, Nov. 2 | 6:30 p.m. | Red Rooster Madison, 2513 Seiferth Rd., Madison | Free | Enjoy this dynamic blues-rock duo of identical twins, Isaac and Lucas Deitz, from Oconomowoc, WI. 🎹
  • Legends and Lore of Winter | Wednesday, Nov. 2 | 6:30-7:30 p.m. | Sun Prairie Public Library, 1350 Linnerud Dr., Sun Prairie | Free | Join presenter Chad Lewis for an evening of bizarre tales and stories of weird spirits.
Thursday, Nov. 3
  • Revolver Open Mic Comedy | Thursday, Nov. 3 | 7:30-10 p.m. | The Rigby, 119 E. Main St., Madison | Free | Sign-up starts at 7:30 p.m. + sets begin at 8 p.m. 🎤
  • Loving Cup: Rolling Stones Tribute | Thursday, Nov. 3 | 7:30 p.m. | High Noon Saloon, 701 E. Washington Ave., Madison | $10-$15 | Rock out to some of your favorite, classic jams.
Friday, Nov. 4
  • Friday Family Films | Friday, Nov. 4 | 5:30 p.m. | Goodman South Madison Library, 2222 S. Park St., Madison | Free | Sit back + enjoy a screening of “Coco” with the family.
  • Comic Relief: Stand-Up Comedy for a Cause | Friday, Nov. 4 | 8 p.m. | The Brink Lounge, 701 E. Washington Ave., Madison | $5-$15 | Chicago comic Saku Yanagawa headlines a knock-out lineup of stand-up comics from across the Midwest. 🎭
Saturday, Nov. 5
  • Wisconsin Dells Singers | Saturday, Nov. 5 | 9:30 a.m. | Overture Center, 201 State St., Madison | Free | This week at Kids in the Rotunda, learn about and celebrate Native American culture with traditional Ho-Chunk Nation songs and dances.
  • Wisconsin Badgers vs. Maryland Terrapins | Saturday, Nov. 5 | Camp Randall, 1440 Monroe St., Madison | $20+ | Cheer on the Badgers at this week’s home game. 🏈

We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
100+ MORE EVENTS

Weather
  • 71º | Sunny | 6% chance of rain
Cause
  • Urban League of Greater Madison received a $2.9 million donation this week from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott to provide more community-based programming. This is the largest single private donation in the affiliate’s 55-year history. 💰 (Channel 3000)
Edu
  • Madison Metropolitan School District is investing some of its COVID relief funds into new instruments for students. New instruments will benefit current students + give hope to future generations of musically inclined MMSD families. (Cap Times)
Community
  • The City of Madison Streets Division advises locals to dispose of their jack-o-lanterns one of three ways. Dispose along with yard waste on your neighborhood’s next collection day, bring it to a drop-off site, or use it as a backyard compost bin. 🎃 (WKOW)
Award
  • The nomination window for the Erlanger Award has been extended until Monday, Nov. 7. This award recognizes residents with a dedication to, and passion for, public policy, civility, and human rights.
Feel Good
  • Officers of the Madison Police Department dressed up as superheroes while visiting the American Family Children’s Hospital to greet patients and drop off donations for children unable to go trick-or-treating this year. (NBC 15)
DYK
  • Did you know you can share your Black Friday deals with our 608today readers? Promote your business with us by submitting a deal to be included in our Fri., Nov. 25 newsletter. Pricing varies by market + must be submitted by Wed., Nov. 16.
Shop
  • The holiday season is just around the corner and we have the perfect wine chiller to keep your bottle of sparkly cool when hosting guests. Not only is it stainless steel and vacuum insulated, but its three different styles — teakwood, black marble, and calacatta gold — are sure to pop against your holiday decor. 🍾*
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Native American Heritage Month

Native American Heritage Month in Madison, WI
hochunk flag
The Ho-Chunk Nation’s flag will be flying at Bascom Hall this month. | Photo by Wikimedia Commons
Native American Heritage Month, which takes place in November, is dedicated to recognizing the contributions of Native people as well as appreciating their diversely rich culture + history.

Long before any of us called Madison home, the Ho-Chunk Nation did. Well, actually, they called Madison Taychopera which means “land of the four lakes.” Before Madison became the state capital, these Ho-Chunk tribes — as well as Fox + Sauk tribes — established their culture and left their mark.

💡 Learn more

These events are welcome to all people who want to learn, appreciate, celebrate and respect the culture + history of Native American people.

Annual Green Corn Dance | This tradition is a Ho-Chunk celebration to ring in the harvest season with music + food.
Indigenous Art Exhibition | Stop by Edgewood College’s art department this month to see pieces by local artists + students.
Remembering Wazhask | Register for this virtual event to learn about traditional Indigenous birth + parenting practices.
‘6AM
THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Ally.

Editor’s pick: I’m celebrating my dad’s birthday with a trip to Everyday Kitchen this week. This will be my first time eating there so let me know if you have any menu suggestions. (Happy Birthday Dad!)

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? We ran a 608 voting guide.
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Editorial: Ally Geiger, Ryan Waldman, Dayten Rose, Josh Kranzberg, Ashlea Hearn, Emily Shea | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

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