Falling into the season
Morning update: Monday, Sept. 26
In this newsletter
Good morning, Madison!
Happy Monday and happy fall. The weather has finally cooled off, I recently ordered my first PSL of the season, and soon enough Madisonians will be out in droves wearing jean jackets and flannels.
It really is a beautiful time of year.
If you're looking to get outside and enjoy the sweatshirt-and-shorts weather (AKA Princess Diana Weather), The Daily Cardinal put together a nice list of Madison-area state parks to check out.
Halle Zides
Looking for even more fall fun?
Madison Magazine rounded up the latest fall drink specials around town from the classic pumpkin spice latte to apple ciders.
There are also a bunch of cool events happening this week, ICYMI in yesterday's events newsletter.
From "Stranger Things" trivia to a glow-in-the-dark dog party, we've got you covered with everything you need to plan a fun week.
Sam Hoisington
— Hayley
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📞 Get ready for an identity crisis, 608.
- There's a new area code coming to town. Residents of south-central and southwestern Wisconsin will start receiving 353 area codes by late 2023.
- Why? Available phone numbers with 608 area codes will run out by 2024. Wild! And once again, I am reminded of a specific Simpsons episode.
- What happens if I have a 608 phone number? Absolutely nothing.
📬 Your absentee ballot is in the mail.
- Madison voters who have requested an absentee ballot can expect to receive them soon.
- Returning your ballot: Voters must return their own completed ballot by 8 p.m. on Election Day for it to count. Ballots can be returned by mail or in person to any absentee voting location, the City Clerk’s office, or directly to their polling place on Election Day. In-person absentee voting begins Oct. 25.
- Remember: Absentee ballot drop boxes are prohibited. Here is the full list of Madison's absentee voting locations and hours.
- Related: See your sample ballot here.
🚨 Prepare to slow down on Portage Road.
- As part of its Vision Zero initiative, the city has lowered the speed limit from 30 mph to 25 mph on a section of Portage Road from East Washington Avenue to Churchill Heights Park. (See the above map.)
- There's one more planned speed limit reduction in 2022.
- What is Vision Zero? It's a city-wide initiative aimed at eliminating traffic deaths and severe injuries on Madison streets by 2035.
🚫 The Dane County government is standing by reproductive rights.
- The Dane County Board of Supervisors overwhelmingly approved an ordinance last Thursday that prohibits the county from contracting with agencies that investigate, arrest, or prosecute people who violate the state’s abortion ban.
- The ordinance has potential for actual effect. As the Cap Times reports, the ordinance imposes budget control policies that make it so the county cannot contract with any federal, state, or municipal agencies that might impose stricter penalties for those who violate the abortion ban. It also prohibits county money from funding programs or services that are involved in investigating and prosecuting people who violate the state's abortion ban.
- The move was controversial but ultimately passed in a 29-5 vote, with one abstention.
- Related: Here’s what to know about abortion access in post-Roe Wisconsin (Wisconsin Watch)
The board is the legislative and policy making body of county government. It is made up of 37 elected supervisors from each district in the county. Meet your supervisor and learn more here.
🎺 Mike Leckrone is getting back on stage.
- The legendary former UW-Madison Marching Band Director will put on a one-week performance at the Overture Center in October.
- The show, titled “Moments of Happiness,” is a nod to the theme of his final spring concert in 2019 and a reflection on the fact that while life can be difficult, it's important to remember the good times, too. Leckrone spent 50 years leading the UW marching band.
- The show will run from Oct. 12 to Oct. 16 at the Overture’s Playhouse.
👟 Your lunchtime read: Sole man: the art and culture behind being a Sneakerhead.
- Via Wisconsin Life: "Ian Matthews started restoring sneakers when he was in high school. It was a skill that started out of necessity.
'It all started when I wanted to learn how to clean my own shoes,' Matthews said. 'I think that’s how every restorer comes up.'
From there Ian found a passion, and he soon started fixing and customizing sneakers for his friends and family. As word spread of his skills, Ian opened a side business called Ian Restores."
🖊️ Latest posts from Bank of Sun Prairie:
- Watch Out for These Convincing Financial Scams
- Bank of Sun Prairie opens branch in Sun Prairie West High School
- Best Ways to Save for a Home Without Even Noticing
- Want to learn more? Bank of Sun Prairie's Financial Fitness Center offers 50+ digital short courses in English and Spanish.
📅 Events: Monday
- Cruisin Round + Old Oaks at The Bur Oak
- Life Imitates Art: Redlining, Homeownership, and the Racial Wealth Gap at Christ Presbyterian Church
Tuesday
- Benjamin Rose & Brook Pridemore & Uncle Jim at Dark Horse Artbar
- Bob at Liquid Madison
- Old 97's at Majestic Madison
- Open Mic / Open Jam at The Bur Oak
- Pete Souza: The West Wing and Beyond: What I Saw Inside the Presidency at Orpheum Madison
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We're making the flyer available to download so you can post it wherever you want. Here's some ideas:
- Apartment lobbies
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