Morning Update

The other "delta"

Morning Update: Friday, April 29

In this newsletter

🌨️ Today's weather: Mostly cloudy. High: 64° Low: 48°

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🚦Downtown traffic tomorrow: some things to consider.

There’s a trio of large events happening downtown Saturday.
Mifflin Street Block Party - Lots of students, lots of drinking.
The Crazylegs Classic - Participants will start near the Chazen, head toward University Hospital, and double back to end at Camp Randall. Full race routes here.
Saturday Farmers’ Market – Expect a large crowd around the square.

😶‍🌫️ Delta-8 might be in Cottage Grove’s crosshairs.

Wait … what’s that? Delta-8 is a recreational substance made from hemp. The high is similar to what you’d experience by consuming low-quality weed. Due to some loopholes, it’s currently legal to purchase and consume Delta-8 locally.
But in Cottage Grove, officials are exploring the possibility of outlawing Delta-8.
The discussion was brought up and then tabled at the latest law enforcement committee meeting as officials seek more input from lawyers, the State Journal reports.
Related: A legal loophole allows the sale of 'Delta 8' cannabis in Wisconsin. For one grower, it’s been a boon. (Wisconsin Public Radio)

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📈 Our Covid-19 transmission levels are at "medium." But what does that mean?

Covid-19 transmission levels in Dane County recently increased to "medium" on the CDC's community transmission maps.
But this is a different system of measurement than the agency has been using for most of the pandemic. In February, they switched everything up, changing their calculations to give greater weight to hospitalizations and deaths. So "medium" community transmission today is different than "medium" would have been a year ago.
So what does "medium" mean? It's a reflection of the fact that cases have been rising for over a month. Take a look:

Related: The CDC’s new Covid-19 guidelines are facing their first test (Vox)
Covid-19 resources:
Local Covid-19 vaccine options (PHMDC)
Covid-19 testing options (PHMDC)
Local Covid-19 data dashboard (PHMDC)

📚 Independent Bookstore Day is Saturday! Here are a few local bookstores to patronize:

A Room of One's Own | 2717 Atwood in Madison
Kismet Books | 101 N Main St in Verona
Mystery to Me | 1863 Monroe St in Madison
The Book Deal | 319 W. Beltline Hwy in Madison
Itty Bitty Bookstore | 123 E Main St in Stoughton
Leopold's | 1301 Regent St in Madison
Big shoutout to Carol T. for writing us and letting us know about Independent Bookstore Day. We see you, Carol, and we love you.

🚓 Zero recruiting firms signed up to find Madison's first police monitor.

The search process was restarted after the lone finalist for the position backed out earlier this year.
This time around, the city requested bids from recruiting firms for the position and not a single one applied.
The city reached out to six firms directly, the State Journal reports. Some said they were too busy. At least one indicated that “news surrounding the previous search led us to believe this would be challenging.”
For now, the recruitment process is paused as officials consider how to proceed.

🦠 Your lunchtime read: Learn about bacteria through UW-Madison Ph.D. students’ adult coloring book

From the Cap Times: “The pages of "Bacteria & Me" are filled with fun bacteria facts and detailed artwork to color in, all of which are free to download online.

📅 Events

Friday, April 29

Live Polka with Mike Schneider at The Biergarten at Olbrich Park. 3:30-7:30 p.m. Free.
Mantis at Arts + Literature Laboratory. Music at 7 p.m. $10. 🟠
Raising Arizona (1987) screening at UW Cinematheque. 7 p.m. Free.
Juana Molina, Arthur Moon at Stoughton Opera House. 7:30 p.m. $25. 🟠
Jason Stein, Damon Smith, Adam Shead at North Street Cabaret. 8 p.m. $20. 🟠
Ron White at the Orpheum. Show at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $49.50.
The German Art Students, Heavy Looks at Harmony Bar. 9 p.m. $10 suggested donation to benefit Goodman Community Center Food Pantry. 🟠
Adventure Club at Liquid. Music at 9 p.m. $35 18+, $30 21+.

Saturday, April 30

Willy Street Park Spring Plant Sale. 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Mifflin Street Block Party.
Crazylegs Classic. Race starts around 10 a.m.
Lullaby Project at the Overture. Join local musicians and teaching artists for a very special day of sharing songs created for the little ones in your life. Part of Kids in Rotunda Series. Two shows: 9:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Free.
Black Child Book Fair Tour at the Allied Family Center Boys & Girls Club. The fair seeks to "improve literacy in Black communities by promoting Black authors and their books," Madison 365 writes. 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
The Invisible Universe at Madison Children's Museum. UW researchers show some of the tools they use to study the Big Bang. 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Free with admission.
Paved Paradise Label Expo at Settle Down Tavern. Noon to 6 p.m. Free. 🟠
Plant & Sip with Forrest Farms at Giant Jones Brewing. A twist on the classic paint & sip event. Make succulent arrangement and drink. 2-4 p.m. $60.
Notre Musique (2004) and The Dante Quartet (1987) screenings at UW Cinematheque. 4 p.m. Free. 🟠
Flesh For Frankenstein in 3D at UW Cinematheque. Screening at 7 p.m. Free. 🟠
The Bridge: Damon Locks, Morgane Carnet, Jozef Dumoulin, Fanny Lasfargues and Macie Stewart at North Street Cabaret. 8 p.m. $20. 🟠
Shoobie, We Should Have Been DJs, Dear Mr. Watterson at Mickey's Tavern. 10 p.m. Free.

Sunday, May 1

Madison Music Foundry Student Showcase at High Noon Saloon. Music at 11 a.m. Free, $5 suggested donation. 🟠
Bacon Fest 2022 at Essen Haus Madison. Various bacon recipes and also, by the way, an Elvis impersonator. 2-6 p.m.
Night of the Improvisor: Tony Barba Trio With Jason Kutz at Café Coda. 7 p.m. $10. 🟠
Will Johnson at Kiki's House of Righteous Music. 8 p.m. $20. 🟠

Wondering what that 🟠 means? That symbol next to an event listing means the Tone Madison team recommends checking it out.

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