01.03.2024

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

🧠 Madison brainiacs - let’s play some trivia

Calling all Madison nerds - let’s play some trivia

Interior of Garth's Brew Bar in Madison.jpeg

Garth’s Brew Bar is one of several establishments across Madison that have trivia nights. | Photo via Garth’s Brew Bar

Trivia question: When is National Trivia Day? Answer: Tomorrow, Jan 4. There are plenty of places in town to show off with your smarty-pants brains.

First, impress your friends with some Madison trivia (in addition to these 15 interesting facts):

The statue on top of the Capitol building, named Wisconsin, has a badger on top of her helmet. That badger’s butt is the highest point in the city.
The origins of Earth Day started in Madison, thanks to Wisconsin politician Gaylord Nelson. The first Earth Day was celebrated on April 22, 1970. Nelson was inspired to start a national event in 1969 after witnessing an oil spill in Santa Barbara, California.
On Ho-Chunk land, Madison has the highest concentration of effigy mounds in the US.
UW-Madison was the first college in the country to offer a dairy major.
“On, Wisconsin!” is both the UW-Madison fight song and a modified version of it is the Wisconsin State Song. It’s origins come from the cry of Arthur MacArthur Jr. who used it in the Battle of Chattanooga at Missionary Ridge during the American Civil War.
Thomas Jefferson’s son, Eston Hemings Jefferson, lived in Madison. His mother was the enslaved Sally Hemings.
Madison is the birthplace of limnology, the study of lakes.
Artist Georgia O’Keeffe was born in Sun Prairie. She holds the record for the highest price paid for a painting by a woman ($44.4 million).

Interior of SconnieBar, Madison.jpeg — SconnieBar is one of several pubs in Madison that have regular trivia nights. | Photo via SconnieBar

Perhaps that information will prove key to your victory. Channel 3000 made note of quite a few local pub quizzes, including:

Echo Tap and Grill, 554 W. Main St. | Thursdays

Garth’s Brew Bar, 1726 Monroe St. | Tuesdays

Glass Nickel Pizza Company - Madison East, 2916 Atwood Ave. | Mondays

Pitcher’s Pub, 323 W. Beltline Hwy. | Fridays

SconnieBar, 1421 Regent St. | Wednesdays

Events

Wednesday, Jan. 3

Weekly Swing | Wednesday, Jan. 3, Wednesday, Jan. 10 | 8-10:30 p.m. | Cafe CODA, 1224 Williamson St., Madison | $10 | Swing in the new year at Cafe CODA.

Thursday, Jan. 4

Madtown Doubledown | Thursday, Jan. 4-Sunday, Jan. 7 | Times vary | Madison Curling Club, 4802 Marsh Rd., McFarland | $5-$10 | Get swept up in the sport of curling.
Make America Gay Again: A Comedy Show | Thursday, Jan. 4 | 7-8:30 p.m. | Crucible, 3116 Commercial Ave., Madison | $5-$15 | The new year can be a total drag - and that can be a good thing.

Friday, Jan. 5

Allied Dunn’s Marsh Self-Care Family Night | Friday, Jan. 5 | 6-7:30 p.m. | Allied Boys and Girls Club, 4619 Jenewein Dr., Fitchburg | Free | Boost your mental health, do some crafts, and have a light meal.
Wisconsin Blues Fest | Friday, Jan. 5 | 7 p.m. | Majestic Madison, 115 King St., Madison | $15 | The winter blues can be a good thing, particularly when it’s set to music.

Saturday, Jan. 6

Trophy Sale Fundraiser | Saturday, Jan. 6 | 9 a.m.-1 p.m. | Nationwide Trophy Recycling Program, 6670 Odana Rd., Madison | Free | Get yourself a trophy for helping a good cause.
Wisconsin Funk Fest | Saturday, Jan. 6 | 7 p.m. | Majestic Madison, 115 King St., Madison | $15 | In a funk? Don’t be. Listen to some funk.

Sunday, Jan. 7

Dolly Drag Brunch | Sunday, Jan. 7 | 1-4 p.m. | The Bur Oak, 2262 Winnebago St., Madison | $12 | Have a bloody mary while watching Beverly Boozwah, Bryanna Banx$, and others perform Dolly Parton as only they can.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Development

There’s plenty afoot in downtown Madison this coming year. The Wisconsin Historical Society will begin construction on a new building, State Street will experiment with being pedestrian-only, high-rise apartments will be built, Bus Rapid Transit will begin, and much more. (Channel 3000)

Outdoors

What will become of the historic Frank Allis house at Monona’s San Damiano property remains in question, even as the park’s master plan process moves forward. The plan calls for walking paths, gardens, seating areas, and a pier. The old house may be renovated or replaced. (Wisconsin State Journal)

Drink

This is nothing to wine about. Wineries, under new state law, can now stay open until 2 a.m. instead of 9 p.m. Winery owners are noting that the new curfew will allow them to stay open longer and offer more event opportunities for guests. (WMTV)

Health

In response to area overdose death rates, Vintage Brewery is installing overdose aid kits at its establishments. The kit includes essential items such as Narcan spray, breathing masks, and other devices crucial for reviving someone who has overdosed. (In Business)

Eat

Things are cooking on the food education front. Lakeview Library and Willy Street Co-op are partnering to present a series of food prep and cooking demonstrations by Chef Paul Tseng. January’s demonstration will be on plant-based meals. (Madison365)

Sports

She wants gold. Middleton High School student Estella Hassrick is one of only four youth ski jumpers in the nation to qualify for the USA Youth Olympic Team. She’ll be in South Korea at the end of the month competing in the 2024 Winter Youth Olympic Games. (Channel 3000)

Ranked

Editors Ally and Jonathan are disappointed that neither of their names were the most popular baby names at Madison’s hospitals in 2023. Names like Jack, Ava, and Emma were. (Channel 3000)

Try This

This is your year to make new friends. aSweatLife is creating cohorts of 25 people across the country to go through 2024 together. Why? To foster new friendships that help people achieve their goals. Apply to join the free Friendship Experiment by Thursday, Jan. 4.*

Health

🌞 Don’t be SAD

The Madison Public Library doesn’t want you to be sad

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) affects 15 million adults nationally. | Photo by 608today

Whether you think winter weather makes for a wonderland or not, the winter season is hard for many. According to the Anxiety Disorders Association of America, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) affected 15 million adults. That’s 7.1% of the population.

SAD is a type of depression happening, most often, in winter.

Symptoms may include:

Increased sleep and daytime drowsiness
Loss of interest and pleasure in activities formerly enjoyed
Social withdrawal
Irritability and anxiety
Headaches
Weight gain
Decreased sex drive

Help is out there. Light therapy has proven effective for treating SAD, making up for lost sunlight exposure and resetting the body’s internal clock.

Through the Madison Public Library, you can now check out HappyLights therapy lamps, from branch locations.

There are also a handful of books you could check out from the library that might prove beneficial:

The Light Book, by Jane Wegsheider Hyman
Seasonal Affective Disorder for Dummies, by Charles Elliott and Laura Smith
Winter Blues, by Norman Rosenthal

The Buy

The Buy 1.03.23 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

A colorful planner or calendar to get you organized for the new year with intentionality, purpose, and plenty of inspiration.

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The Wrap

Editor Jonathan Shipley reading at Half Price Books.jpg

Today’s edition by:
Jonathan

From the editor

I once tried out for “Jeopardy!” at a hotel in Portland, Oregon. I passed with flying colors and did a mock game with other would-be contestants with the show’s producers. I came so very close! Alas, I’m not good at remembering the periodic table.

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