11.21.2023

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Today’s Forecast

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

🌟 Get your shine on

Feeling festive? Shine on Madison kicks off this week

Who’s excited for Madison to shine this holiday season? | Photo by 608today

Madison doesn’t skimp when it comes to holiday spirit. The 2023 Shine on Madison spectacular kicks off this weekend, and runs throughout the next six weeks of the holiday season. Here’s how you can get in on the action.

Holiday Shopping Trolley

When: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on

Friday, Nov. 24
Saturday, Nov. 25
Saturday, Dec. 2
Saturday, Dec. 9
Saturday, Dec. 16

Where: State Street and Capitol Square Metro stops

What: Shop your way along the trolley’s route, or stay on board to just enjoy the ride.

Holiday Open House

When: Friday, Nov. 24-Sunday, Nov. 26
Where: State Street, King Street, and the Capitol Square

What: Before your turkey has a chance to digest, holiday festivities will kick off downtown with a weekend full of activities.

Local business specials
Live music
Shopping via the Holiday Trolley
Gift bags (on the trolley and at the Downtown Madison Visitor Center while supplies last)
Ornament balloon sculpture photo op

Lighting Ceremony

When: 4-6 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 24
Where: Lisa Link Peace Park, 452 State St.

What: Once the sun sets, you’ll see State Street come alive with holiday lights.

Window decorations

When: Nov. 18-Dec. 18
Where: State Street, King Street, and the Capitol Square

What: Locals are invited to vote on which downtown businesses have the most impressive holiday window decor.

608 Soap Opera holiday — Last year, The Soap Opera won the window decorating competition. | Photo by The Soap Opera

Walk it out

Cookie Walk
When: Dec. 10, 1-4 p.m.
Where: Check-in at the Downtown Madison Visitor Center, 452 State St.

What: Take part in cookie sampling and decorating demonstrations at participating businesses.

StoryWalk
When: Nov. 24-Dec. 24
Where: State Street and Capitol Square (find the map here on Wednesday, Nov. 22)

What: Families with young children will follow a map to find StoryWalk stops. At each stop, a portion of James and Joseph Bruchac’s “Rabbit’s Snow Dance” will be posted to read. After 12 stops, you’ll have read the entire book.

Asked

When do you put up holiday decorations?

A. Right after Halloween
B. Thanksgiving week
C. First few weeks of December
D. No decorations means no clean-up

Let us "snow"

Events

Tuesday, Nov. 21

Noname | Tuesday, Nov. 21 | 7 p.m. | Majestic Madison, 115 King St., Madison | $30-$50 | Don’t miss this artist’s 608 stop on her “Sundial Tour.”

Wednesday, Nov. 22

Vaccine Clinic | Wednesday, Nov. 22 | 3 p.m. | Lakeview Library, 2845 N. Sherman Ave., Madison | Free | Updated fall 2023 doses of the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines are available while supplies last.
Jumptown Swing Night | Wednesday, Nov. 22 | 8-10 p.m. | Cafe CODA, 1224 Williamson St., Madison | $10 | A 20-minute beginner-friendly lesson starts promptly at 8 p.m.

Thursday, Nov. 23

Berbee Derby | Thursday, Nov. 23 | 8:30 a.m.-12 p.m. | The Agora Fitchburg, 5500 E. Cheryl Parkway, Fitchburg | $30-$40 | An annual Thanksgiving Day 10K run and 5K run/walk that benefits the Technology Education Foundation.

Friday, Nov. 24

Tree Lighting Celebration | Friday, Nov. 24 | 3-7 p.m. | The Edgewater, 1001 Wisconsin Pl., Madison | Free | Gather your nearest and dearest and get ready to jingle and mingle at The Edgewater.
Shane Torres | Friday, Nov. 24 | Comedy on State, 202 State St., Madison | 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. | $5-$18 | A standup comedian, writer, podcaster, and sometimes actor from Brooklyn.

Saturday, Nov. 25

Capitol Comedy Hour | Saturday, Nov. 25 | 8-10:30 p.m. | Madison’s, 119 King St., Madison | $10-$15 | A late-night variety show.
Found Footage Festival: Vol. 10 | Saturday, Nov. 25 | 8-9:30 p.m. | The Barrymore Theatre, 2090 Atwood Ave., Madison | $18 | Stoughton natives Joe Pickett (The Onion) and Nick Prueher (Late Show) have over 11,000 VHS tapes in their collection and will take viewers on a guided tour through their greatest finds.

Sunday, Nov. 26

Dark Holiday Bazaar | Sunday, Nov. 26 | 1 p.m. | Crucible, 3116 Commercial Ave., Madison | $3-$5 | Have someone weird on your holiday shopping list? Get them something weird.
Garden Stroll | Sunday, Nov. 26 | 1-2 p.m. | University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1207 Seminole Hwy., Madison | Free | A gently paced stroll well-suited for a multi-generational outing.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

Shop

Black Friday Weekend sale alert: H-D® Factory Outlet

Inject a little attitude into your wardrobe. | Photo courtesy of Harley-Davidson Museum

Ride, don’t walk, to the H-D® Factory Outlet store in Milwaukee for their Orange and Black Friday weekend sale^†, happening from Friday, Nov. 24 to Sunday, Nov. 26.

Shoppers can save big on discontinued Harley-Davidson® Motor Clothes® merchandise, plus a curated selection of officially licensed products.

Our suggestion? Drop by while visiting family in Milwaukee for Thanksgiving. Grab a bite to eat at MOTOR Bar and Restaurant for a mid-afternoon pick-me-up, and get ahead on holiday shopping for everyone on your nice list.

Plan your visit

^†^{Valid only for onsite use in the H-D® Factory Outlet at the H-D Museum on purchase of select, discontinued men’s and women’s Harley-Davidson® Motor-Clothes® merchandise and select official licensed products. Not valid for online purchases; not valid in the Harley-Davidson® Shop at the H-D Museum. Prices as marked in the H-D® Factory Outlet. Sale prices valid from November 24, 2023 – November 26, 2023. While supplies last. Offer not valid on previously purchased merchandise. Cannot be combined with any other offer, discount or promotion. Offer is subject to change without notice. Void where prohibited or restricted by law.}

News Notes

City

The Streets Division will not collect on Thursday, Nov. 23, or Friday, Nov. 24 for Thanksgiving. For Wednesday/Thursday collections, place carts out by 6:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 22. For Friday/Monday collections, place carts by 6:30 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 27. Confirm your recycling cart placement online.

Cause

WayForward Resources faces an unprecedented surge in demand for its food pantry, serving triple the number of people since January 2022. With 10% of Dane County children food insecure, the organization relies on community donations and partnerships, not just federal aid. (Wisconsin State Journal)

Holiday

The Wisconsin Executive Residence is bedecked with festival holiday decor and will soon be inviting guests like you. Holiday tours are free to the public, though registration is required. Visitors are encouraged to bring a new, non-perishable food item or a new children’s book to be distributed to local nonprofits.

Open

What was once Rocky Rococo’s is now Fabiola’s. Leopold’s owner Sam Brown has a new restaurant on Regent Street right next to his beloved books bar cafe. Check out what we ate at the spaghetti restaurant and deli inspired by Italian and Jewish culinary traditions. (Badger Herald)

Development

Fitchburg’s youth must feel like a million bucks. That’s because the Dane County Board of Supervisors recently approved the 2024 Dane County budget. It includes $1 million for a long-term project to build a teen center located in the Verona Road West/King James Way area. (Madison365)

Civic

Madison Parks is creating a Park Development Plan for the parkland north of Garver Feed Mill. They are interested in public feedback on what’s being called Olbrich Park - North Parcel. The first public meeting, via Zoom, will take place on Thursday, Dec. 7.

Seasonal

Local businesses bring our community to life in a big way. Let’s return the favor by shopping small. Start your Small Business Saturday (happening Nov. 25) at Hilldale with a complimentary donut + coffee in The Plaza at 10 a.m. Bonus: Shop or dine at two of their locals from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and they’ll give you a ‘Loyal to Local’ tote with goodies.*

Culture

Who’s who of local loos

Our readers’ favorite public bathrooms in Madison

Next time you’re at Imaginary Factory, check out the loo. | Photo by Places I’d Poop Madison

We recently showed off some of Madison’s best public bathrooms with the help of a local legend. This story garnered a lot of reader feedback, so we’ve compiled a reader’s choice list of Madison public bathrooms.

Nancy Nichols Hall, 1300 Linden Dr., Madison
“First floor. British police boxes for stalls, and bird sounds in the background.” We received this suggestion multiple times.

Genna’s Lounge, 105 W. Main St., Madison

Madison Chocolate Company, 5521 Odana Rd., Madison
“[This] Location is downright beautiful and dreamy.”

Monona Terrace, 1 John Nolen Dr., Madison

📸 Instagram submissions

Sequoia, 1843 Monroe St., Madison
”... a beautiful restroom originally created when their location was the Irish pub, Brocach.” - @OrangeTreeImports

Toot and Kate’s, 109 S. Main St., Verona
“You’re missing one. We have picture frame wallpaper + a zillion pics, you never feel alone.” - @tootandkates

Nitro Lounge, 502 W. Washington Ave., Madison
“How is [Nitro] not on here???? Prettiest bathroom I’ve ever used.” - @mingo3916

The Buy

The Buy 11.21.23 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

These women’s workout leggings with high waist tummy control — they’re “squat-proof” and 30% off today for Black Friday.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Ally

From the editor

Yesterday, I spent the afternoon handing out Thanksgiving baskets at my neighborhood community center. Fun Fact: There are 16 community centers in Madison. Reach out to one near you to find out if there are holiday volunteering opportunities available.

608 volunteer neighborhood house — Shout out to everyone giving a helping hand this holiday season. | Photo by 608today

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