It's been a great year
Morning update: Friday, Dec. 23
In this newsletter
Happy Friday, Madison!
We're almost through the week. Before getting into the news, let's take a moment for reflection.
This year has been a wild one, to say the least. Here's a look back on what your support allowed us to do in 2022:
- We helped launch a podcast (shout out to the City Cast Madison team!).
- We built a new website.
- I officially became our first full-time employee and Sam quit his day job.
- We published our first freelance stories.
- We leveled up our events calendar.
- And on top of that, we sent over 250 newsletters.
As a reminder, we’ll be taking a break from newsletters until Jan. 9 to rest and recharge. Until then, happy holidays, happy new year, happy everything!
See y'all in 2023! 💙
— Hayley
🏥 An update on the UW Health nurses' fight for unionization.
- Where we left off: In November, the Wisconsin Employment Relations Commission (WERC) ruled the University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority is not legally obligated to recognize the nurses' union.
- What's new: The UW Health nurses' union on Wednesday filed an appeal against the state agency's ruling, calling it "inaccurate." The union argues this ruling is in direct opposition to what many legal experts have said in the past, including Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul.
- Moving forward: Both sides plan to seek further legal action. UW Health submitted its petition to the state Supreme Court for more information earlier this month, according to the State Journal.
🗳️ Competition in the race for School Board.
- Two Madison school board seats are up for election next spring: seat six and seat seven.
- Nicki Vander Meulen, seat 7, announced her re-election campaign last month. Christina Gomez Schmidt, seat 6, announced earlier this week she would not see re-election.
- One day after Gomez Schmidt's announcement, former Madison Metropolitan School District teacher Blair Mosner Feltham declared her candidacy for the role. Former City Council hopeful and computer engineer Badri Lankella is also running for Seat 6, having filed paperwork with the city earlier this month, according to Cap Times.
- Related: Learn more about the workings of the School Board here.
🥶 Keep your home protected from the cold.
- You don't need us to tell you that it's Very Cold outside this week, but it is Very Cold outside this week. Here are a few tips from our winter guide on keeping your home warm and safe as temperatures drop.
- Staying warm: Space heaters are one of the most expensive ways to heat your home. If you need heat, try using a heated blanket or heating pad during the day instead. Opening curtains to allow maximum sunlight during the day can also help warm rooms.
- Protect your pipes: In case of an emergency, know where the water shut-off valve is located in your home. To avoid pipes freezing, follow these tips from the Madison Water Utility. If a pipe bursts in your home and you can’t shut your water off, contact the Water Utility.
🥡 Where to get fed on Christmas.
- The Cap Times rounded up a list of 28 Madison area restaurants open on Christmas Eve and/or Christmas Day. From dumplings and soups at Ru Yi Hand-Pulled Noodle to burgers and fries at the Great Dane Pub, there's something for just about everyone out there. Check out the full list here.
- Of note: The recent weather may affect the hours of the listed restaurants, so it's always best to check social media or call ahead before heading out.
✨ Your lunchtime read: Moments in time: photos from 2022.
- Via UW-Madison: "We haven’t tried to recapture all of 2022. Instead, we set about sifting and winnowing down the thousands of photos taken this year to bring you this time capsule of 49 images. We chose some for their stories and surprises, some for the rush or the hush of a singular moment and others that made us want to know more about what exactly was happening at that moment in time."
- NEW: How to Protect Your Money While You Travel
- Curb Your Holiday Shopping Habits With These Tips
- Don’t Waste Your Flexible Spending Account Dollars
- Budgeting 101
- 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.
🦠 Covid-19 update
🔗 Related links
📅 Events: The weekend
Please note the weather may affect these events. Double check with the sources before heading out.
Today
- A Christmas Carol at Overture Center
- Art Paul and Friends Holiday Variety Show at Cargo Coffee East
- Hippie Christmas at High Noon Saloon
- Jane Hobson, Lamphouse Blue, Carisa at The Harmony Bar and Grill
- The PANTO-lorian at Bartell Theatre
- TGIF Featuring DJ Khoa Le at The Rigby
Saturday
- Bird & Nature Outing at Aldo Leopold Nature Center
- DJ Pearl Marshall at The Rigby
- Holiday Express: Flower & Model Train Show at Olbrich Botanical Gardens
Sunday
- Friends’ Favorite Places | UW-Madison Lakeshore Nature Preserve at Picnic Point entrance
- SIN on Sunday at The Rigby
📡 On our radar: New Year's Eve edition
- Gimme Gimme Disco at The Sylvee. $30+.
- Noon Year’s Eve Dance Party at Madison Children's Museum. Free with admission.
- KennyHoopla, Groupthink, Jackie Hayes at High Noon Saloon. $25.
- Dance Party with DJ EMC at Merchant. Free.
- Nobody Likes You When You're 2023 at Stateline Distillery. $30.
- Kenny Hoopla Presents: Home for the Holidays at the High Noon Saloon. $25+.
- WORT New Year’s Eve Party With Nuggernaut & Friends at Alchemy. $15.
- Ivory Room Piano Bar’s NYE Black & Gold Extravaganza. $20.
🐶 Friday Floof
Once again, we've made it through the week and you've made it through the whole newsletter (unless you've just scrolled to the bottom for some cuteness, no judgement eitherway)! For our final Friday Floof of 2022, meet Rufus. This cutie is a total cuddle bug, according to his human Rutuja. Rufus is also a hungry boy who is quick to snatch up any food within reach (same here).
😸 Do you have a floof to share with the Madison Minutes community? Fill out this form for the opportunity to be featured.
📝 Miss a Minute? Check out yesterday's newsletter.
Hayley Sperling
