06.16.2023

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Today’s Forecast

35º | Cloudy | 15% chance of sleet | Sunrise 7:28 a.m. | Sunset 4:39 p.m.

📝 Poetry in Madison

Madison’s new Youth Poet Laureate

Poet Laureate Angela Trudell Vasquez encourages kids to get excited about literature. | Photo by WI Book Festival

Madison’s Poet Laureate Angela Trudell Vasquez named Maliha Nu’Man as the city’s 2023-2024 Youth Poet Laureate at a ceremony on Thursday evening.

Maliha self-published her book “Photograph” at the age of 14 and has worked with Madison’s Youth Poet Laureate Cohort under Angela Trudell Vasquez from 2022 to 2023.

The National Youth Poet Laureate program works with local organizations across the US to highlight young people who want to inspire a positive impact in their community through their poetic talents.

What is a Poet Laureate?

Poet Laureates are appointed by the City to guide and nurture the development of poetry in the community. Fun fact: Madison is one of the first cities in the country to have a Poet Laureate.

Madison’s Poet Laureate duties

Bus Lines project | Since 2009, this project has been a way to bring poetry to city residents by displaying poems on Metro Transit buses. Each year, all Madison residents are welcome to participate for a chance to have their short poems showcased on buses that traverse the city.

bus poem reads "Bus stop / I sync my iPod / to the rain" — The Bus Lines project brings a bit of zen to your daily commute. | Photo by Melissa Allen

Common Council series | During Madison’s Common Council meetings, a poem is occasionally recited by the Poet Laureate or invited poets. This can reinforce a sense of civility in the discourse to follow.

Youth Poet Laureate mentorship | This is Madison’s second year as a member of the National Youth Poet Laureate program, making Maliha Nu’Man the second-ever teen to hold the title in the 608.

During Maliha’s one-year term, she will join Angela Trudell Vasquez to give multiple public poetry readings, and her poems will be published in the annual anthology of the National Youth Poet Laureate program. Also, Maliha now has the chance to apply for the role of National Youth Poet Laureate come fall.

Events

Friday, June 16

Adult Swim: Camp Camp | Friday, June 16 | 5:30-9 p.m. | Madison Children’s Museum, 100 N. Hamilton St., Madison | $20-$25 | Camp Camp channels the DIY, try-new-things spirit of classic summer camp along with the outrageous and joyful expression of campy style.
Madison Mallards vs. Lakeshore | Friday, June 16 | 6:35 p.m. | Warner Park, 2920 N. Sherman Ave., Madison | $6.08 | Watch the Mallards play as the Muskallards for the first time.*

Saturday, June 17

Blood Drive | Saturday, June 17 | 9 a.m.-2 p.m. | Urban League of Greater Madison, 2222 S. Park St., Madison | Free | Help save lives with UnityPoint Health - Meriter.
Madison Mallards vs. Kalamazoo | Saturday, June 17 | 6:05 p.m. | Warner Park, 2920 N. Sherman Ave., Madison | $6.08 | Catch the Mallards playing baseball in a galaxy far, far away.*

Sunday, June 18

Milkman Triathlon | Sunday, June 18 | 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m. | Olin Park, 1156 Olin-Turville Ct., Madison | $300-$450 | Observe the race along the shore at Olin Park.
Summer Solstice Night Walk | Sunday, June 18 | 8-9:30 p.m. | UW Arboretum, 1207 Seminole Hwy., Madison | Free | Let your eyes adjust to the moonlight, listen to the night sounds, and experience the darkness on this naturalist-led walk.
Madison Mallards vs. Kalamazoo | Sunday, June 18 | 12:35 p.m. | Warner Park, 2920 N. Sherman Ave., Madison | $6.08 | Bring your Dad to the Duck Pond for Father’s Day.*

Monday, June 19

Tour of FEED Kitchen | Monday, June 19 | 7-8 p.m. | FEED Kitchen, 219 N. Sherman Ave., Madison | Free | Learn about the development and importance of local food production.
Scoops and Stories | Monday, June 19 | 10:45-11:15 a.m. | Grand Crossing Park, 6320 Inland Way, Madison | Free | Kids are invited for a free story time session — ice cream is available for $1.

Events calendar here

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News Notes

Development

Middleton-based developer NCG Hospitality plans to breathe new life into the former Madison Area Technical College site. The redevelopment project includes an 11-story hotel and the conversion of the historic MATC building into loft-style housing units. (Madison.com)

Biz

The US Department of Energy has awarded a $3 million grant to Madison startup Realta Fusion Inc., to support research on nuclear fusion for clean industrial energy. Combined with $9 million in venture capital, the funding advances their quest for zero-carbon heat and power generation. (Cap Times)

Shop

The 10th year of Dane County’s Double Dollars program began Thursday with the addition of the Sun Prairie + Verona Downtown markets. FoodShare recipients can withdraw $20 in benefits to receive vouchers to shop the local vendors. (WKOW)

Community

City leaders updated the public on their efforts to enhance safety in Madison. City Traffic Engineer Yang Tao mentioned the progress of the Vision Zero Initiative, with 23 Safe Streets projects approved in 2023 thus far. An official progress report will be released in the coming weeks. (Channel 3000)

Civic

The City of Madison is actively working on an Interim Update of its 2018 Imagine Madison Comprehensive Plan, focusing on the Generalized Future Land Use (GFLU) map. Public input on GFLU amendments is encouraged until Sunday, August 6.

Ranked

Madison ranks top five among US cities for its number of pickleball courts. with around 1.6 courts per 10,000 people. While Garner Park has six dedicated pickleball courts, many tennis courts are dual-striped to accommodate pickleball as well — totaling 50 public courts in the city. (Channel 3000)

Environment

The Wisconsin DNR is reminding residents to help prevent the spread of invasive species. Following state law, cleaning gear, using local firewood, planting native species, and reporting problem plants + animals are all advisable practices. (NBC 15)

Finance

A Banksy painting that gave everyday investors 32% returns? Yep, you read that right. Thousands of investors are smiling all the way to the bank thanks to the fine art investing platform Masterworks. Masterworks investors have benefitted from sales with returns of 13.9%, 35.0%, and 27.3%. Skip the waitlist and join.*

Featured Deal

Need a last minute Father’s Day gift idea? Treat dad to the ultimate smart home upgrade by converting his manual window shades into motorized SmartShades. Easy-to-install, energy savings, and smart sophistication all in one package. RYSE is offering 10% off the entire store. Snag the deal here.*

Events

Juneteenth in the 608

Celebrate Juneteenth in Madison

The Juneteenth Celebration in the Park is put on by Madison’s Kujichagulia Center. | Photo by MG&E

This Monday is Juneteenth, a federal holiday which marks the end of institutional slavery in the US. We rounded up a few local events where you can celebrate and honor the holiday in the 608.

Friday, June 16
Juneteenth Wine Down | 6-9 p.m. | Memorial Union
The WAA African American Affinity Group invites you to enjoy food, music, networking, and thought-provoking conversations.

Saturday, June 17
Juneteenth in the Park | 10 a.m.-6 p.m. | Penn Park, 2101 Fisher St., Madison
Grab a bite to eat while perusing a variety of local artists, presentations, activities, and cultural information at this family-centered affair.

Sunday, June 18
Juneteenth Celebration on the Terrace | 2:30-9:30 p.m. | Memorial Union
Enjoy free jazz performances all day long as part of the Madison Jazz Festival.

Monday, June 19
Resilience, Reflection, and Joy | 12 p.m. | Virtual
Melissa Harris-Perry will discuss the historical context surrounding Juneteenth and how to celebrate and recognize the occasion.

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Ally

From the editor

Did anyone catch that sunset last night? I caught a glimpse of the giant orange sun right before it went under the horizon, but didn’t have an ideal view. Let me know where your favorite 608 sunset spots are, so I can really soak in the next one.

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