Bats

• Buildings? They’ll not chew their way into your house.
• People? They’re insectivores. They won’t drain your blood.
• Pets? In rare instances, they carry rabies. Keep your pets vaccinated.
  

Coyotes

• Buildings? Keep food opportunities out of your yard (garbage cans, bird feeders, pet food bowls, etc).
• People? Attacks on humans are exceptionally rare.
• Pets? Opportunistic hunters, they generally eat small rodents and rabbits, so keep your guinea pigs and gerbils inside.

Opossums

• Buildings? If they take residence under your porch, play a radio continuously and they should move along.
• People? They’ll hiss at you but they’ll typically run away.
• Pets? They won’t prey upon them though they do host fleas and diseases.

Raccoons

• Buildings? Secure access holes, broken windows, and chimneys to keep them out.
• People? They can fight when they feel threatened.
• Pets? They’ll stay away from your dogs, but keep your cats away.

• Tree-Ripe Fruit Co. Citrus Stop| Wednesday, Nov. 22 | 12 p.m. | Capital Brewery, 7734 Terrace Ave., Middleton | Orange you glad you picked up some produce at the brewery?
• Art Club | Wednesday, Nov. 22 | 4-6 p.m. | Goodman South Madison Library, 2222 S. Park St., Madison | Free | Have some family fun with colorful markers and craft makers.

• Free Thanksgiving Meal | Thursday, Nov. 23 | 12-3 p.m. | First Congregational United Church of Christ, 1609 University Ave., Madison | Free | Celebrate the holiday with your neighbors.

• Madison Makers Black Friday Market | Friday, Nov. 24 | 12-5 p.m. | The Sylvee, 22 S. Livingston St., Madison | Free | Holiday arts and crafts vendors, plus alcohol.
• The Thanksgiving Hangover Show | Friday, Nov. 24 | 8-9:30 p.m. | Breese Stevens Field, 917 E. Mifflin St., Madison | $5-$15 | “Why did the turkey bring a microphone?” “He was ready to roast.”

• FUN Walk | Saturday, Nov. 25 | 1:30-3:30 p.m. | Pheasant Branch Conservancy, 4864 Pheasant Branch Rd., Middleton | Free | Burn off some of that holiday feast.

• Holiday Craftacular | Sunday, Nov. 26 | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | Garver Feed Mill, 3241 Garver Green, Madison | Free | All your holiday shopping can be done in one place.
• The Trouble Notes “More Violins, Less Violence” Tour | Sunday, Nov. 26 | 7:30 p.m. | High Noon Saloon, 701 E. Washington Ave., Madison | $15-$18 | More violins and less violence is something we can get behind.

• Read a Book & Learn to Cook: Sweet Potato Macaroni and Cheese | Monday, Nov. 27 | 10-11 a.m. | Willy Street Co-op—West, 6825 University Ave., Middleton | $15-$25 | Join Chef Lily in this hands-on cooking class for preschool-age children and their caregivers, learning through storytime, music, movement, and making Sweet Potato Macaroni and Cheese together.*
• Rhythm Aces | Monday, Nov. 27 | 6-8 p.m. | Breakwater Restaurant, 6308 Inland Way, Monona | $10 | Have a fine meal while four local musicians serenade you with trombone-forward tunes.

• The idea of a permanent home for a local men’s homeless shelter is starting to become a reality. The Board of Public Works recently approved construction plans and gave the city the go-ahead to advertise for bids. It will be built on Bartillon Drive and have room for 250 people. (WKOW)

• Wisconsin’s public school libraries, including those in Madison, are getting a record $65 million in 2024 for purchasing books and technology. The allocation comes from the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands and is a 25% increase from last year. (Wisconsin State Journal)

• Something to choo-choo on — Amtrak service will be had between Chicago and the Twin Cities next year. The service will stop at all existing stations on the Empire Builder route, plus the Milwaukee Airport Rail Station (MARS). The closest Amtrak stop for Madisonians will be in Columbus. (WMTV)

• Some new employees are climbing the (fire) ladder. The Madison Fire Department’s 60th recruiting class recently graduated. With ceremonies held at the Monona Terrace, the recruiting class includes 24 men and women. (WMTV)

• Uh oh, you forgot marshmallows for your yam dish. Here’s a list of what major retailers are open and what ones are closed on Thanksgiving. Psst, Walmart and Aldi will be closed, but Whole Foods will be open. (Washington Post)

• Madison sustains its place as being a fine place to live. It was just listed as one of the seven most sustainable places to live in the Midwest. The city is aiming for 100% renewable energy and net-zero emissions by 2030. (Midwest Today)

• Madison Public Library may be closed for the Thanksgiving and Ho-Chunk Day Holidays this week, but its digital library is always open. Use your library card to set up a Libby account, and enjoy eBooks, audiobooks, magazines, and more from your own device at home.*

• Have an active loved one on your shopping list? Upway delivers rigorously inspected, certified, and 99% pre-assembled ebikes from top brands (think: Specialized, Aventon, and Super73) directly to your doorstep. Get up to $1,200 off for Black Friday, and score free express shipping with code TREE.*

• More than half the entire world’s supply of cranberries is grown by Wisconsin family farms.
• Wisconsin cranberries generate $1 billion in annual revenue for the state.
• The cranberry is Wisconsin’s state fruit.
• Cranberries are among the highest of all fruits in antioxidants.