Morning Update

More snow is coming

Morning update: Wednesday, Nov. 16

In this newsletter

Happy Wednesday, friends!

How is everyone feeling about yesterday's snow? Personally, I'm more than happy to head into hibernation for the season. (Anyone have good streaming recommendations?)

If you didn't get around to raking up your leaves before the snow hit the ground, there's no need to worry. Leaving the leaves can actually be good for your lawn.

We wrote about the city's Leave the Leaf program last month but, ICYMI: The program is designed to improve the quality of soil and lawns, while also cutting down on the amount of labor needed for collection and reducing phosphorus runoff.

Piling leaves onto the curb can lead to excess nutrient runoff into storm drains and lakes. Mulching leaves on your own lawn can help curb the growth of blue-green algae in our lakes next summer.

— Hayley

P.S. If you're not excited about winter yet, watch this video from local cinematographer and photographer Sam Li.

🪓 A look at newly opened and soon-to-open businesses in town.

Now open: Forward Thai Boxing recently opened at 2500 Rimrock Rd. The martial arts gym places an emphasis on inclusivity and community building. "This is a sport for anybody, any age, any size and any ability," co-owner Abbe Braun told NBC15. "Everyone is welcome. We want you to show up and be you."
Coming soon: Madison Axe will open in early December on the city's east side at 2427 South Stoughton Rd. The business will have eight axe throwing lanes with interactive games, shuffleboard lanes, cornhole, and Hammerschlagen. Before you ask, yes, Madison Axe will also have a bar, but it will only serve beer.

🚫 Hairball clog!

Starting tonight, several lanes at one of Madison’s busy "hairball" intersection will experience three nightly closures. The intersection of John Nolen Drive, Blair Street, Wilson Street, and Williamson Street will close from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. to complete pavement markings on the newly redesigned intersection.
In addition to the intersection, South Blair St. will be closed between Railroad St. and East Wilson St.
The city says bus, bike and pedestrian routes won't be affected.

🗳️ Ald. Patrick Heck won't seek re-election in 2023.

District 2 Ald. Patrick Heck announced he won't run for re-election. Heck was first elected in 2019.
Since redistricting took effect Jan. 1, Heck has technically resided in District 6 but has legally been allowed to continue representing District 2. He's also ruled out running for the District 6 seat, according to his announcement.
Ald. Syed Abbas (District 12) and Council President Keith Furman (District 19) have also said they don't intend to run for re-election.
Want to run? Get all of the important information here.

📊 American Family Insurance Group has a new leader.

Telisa Yancy was named American Family Insurance Group's next president. According to the Cap Times, Yancy will be the first woman and first person of color to serve in the role.
American Family Insurance Group is one of Madison’s largest employers. Yancy first joined the company in 2009 and currently serves as president of American Family Insurance Direct. Earlier this year, she was named one of the most influential Black executives by Savoy magazine (for a third consecutive year).
Yancy will start her new role Jan. 1, 2023. Current president and CEO Bill Westrate will stay on as CEO, according to the company.

🎨 Your lunchtime read: Public art remains a powerful force for the Madison community.

Via Madison Magazine: "Murals have withstood the summer of 2020, still popping up in more frequency all over Madison. The desire for public art hasn’t slowed any, and Madison artists and the public alike continue to fight for better arts funding. We’ve rounded up a snapshot of murals in Madison today, featuring mural projects that are new and restored, those that carry a purpose and shed light on public arts funding and, sadly, one that suffered vandalism."

📬

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