Pretty steady and relatively low

Happy Friday, Madison!

All I have to say is that I'm very, very glad that today is Friday. I hope you have a great weekend.

— Sam

🦠 Keeping an eye on variants (and subvariants)

• In some cities in Wisconsin, wastewater testing is showing increased levels of Covid-19, WisContext reports.
• While the wastewater testing doesn't identify variants, the likely culprit is the omicron subvariant known as BA.2. The subvariant was first detected in Wisconsin in early February and has caused recent case spikes in Europe and Asia.
• In Dane County, case counts and hospitalizations have stayed pretty steady and relatively low after the big spike in January/February.

🛫 Anti-F35s activists are hoping the EPA will stop the fighter jets from coming to Truax Field.

• Safe Skies Clean Water Wisconsin has filed a complaint with the agency “alleging federal, state and local leaders violated the Civil Rights Act because the basing decision will disproportionately affect low-income families and people of color who live near Truax Field," the State Journal reports.
• Fact check: it's true that the effects of the jets will disproportionately affect low-income families and people of color. Look at these maps from a report that the city released in 2019:

Around 26% of all Madison residents are people of color. The areas closet to the airport are well above that average.

The poverty rates are "more in line" with the overall city average of 26%, but "nearly every block group within the impacted area has poverty rates above the city-wide average," the report says.

• Other factors, such as the ability to soundproof certain kinds of residences, will make these disparities even more extreme, the report concludes.
• Related: Flight Path: When resistance takes off, a four-part Tone Madison audio documentary about the F-35s

🎞️ Kanopy: your new Netflix.

• Madison Public Library cards now grant access to Kanopy, a streaming platform that offers a wide range of films and other video content.
• The library’s announcement says the platform “offers something for everyone, from award winning indie films to important and timely documentaries, to foreign films, popular cinema, children’s shows and more.”
  • Some popular films that are featured on the platform’s website include Moonlight (2016), Lady Bird (2017), Midsommar (2019) and The Central Park Five (2012).
  • There’s also a ton of kids content, including Sesame Street (!).
• Library cards are free and you can apply for one online.

🏗️ Work has started on the 10-story Oliv Madison development downtown.

• The tower will have over 386 units as well as ground-floor retail space.
• Developers received a lot of pushback during the design process, but key approvals in November allowed development to proceed. At the time, the Cap Times reported that developers agreed to provide 10% of bedspace for “affordable housing” (the development will be renting space on a per-bed basis).
• The site was previously home to several local businesses, including Room of One’s Own, which has since moved to a new location on Atwood.
• Related: The changing face of State Street: How will development transform Madison’s most iconic street? (Cap Times)

🗳️ If elected, he’ll do… something?

• Jeff Hynes is a UW student running unopposed for Dane County District 5 supervisor. The district covers parts of the campus, and many residents are students.
• The April 5 election is just a few weeks away, but Hynes hasn’t shared what his platform is yet. According to the Daily Cardinal, the campaign "has provided no information regarding the candidate’s policy platform or qualifications." He declined to respond to questions from the newspaper.

🚲 This year’s Ride the Drive has been canceled.

• The Madison Parks Department says a staffing shortage is forcing it to cancel the annual event. The department currently has over 100 open jobs.

📚 Lunchtime read: 10 years after on-air seizure, former Madison anchor advocates epilepsy awareness

• From WPR: "A former Madison news anchor who had an on-air seizure hopes speaking about her experience can help raise awareness about epilepsy."

🦠 Covid-19 Update

Wisconsin Vaccination Rate: 60.7%

Dane County Vaccination Rate: 78.4%

Resources

• Here's where to find a COVID-19 vaccine near you.
• Need a COVID-19 test? PHMDC has you covered.
• Do you still need your flu shot? Start here.
• Request an at-home testing kit from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.
• Where to pick up free masks from the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program
• What to Do if You are Sick or Possibly Exposed (PHMDC)

📅 The weekend

Friday, March 25

• Poké and Beer Flights with FreshFin Poké at Delta Beer Lab. Flight of 2 poké bowls and one flight of beer for $23. 4:30-6 p.m.
• And Then We Danced screening at Union South Marquee. Part of the International LGBTQ+ Film Fest. 6 p.m. Free. 🟠
• Trances at UW Cinematheque. Screening at 7 p.m. Read more in this revirom Tone. Free. 🟠
• Bright Eyes, Christian Lee Hutson at Sylvee. Music at 7 p.m. $45. 🟠
• Mickey Sunshine, Caryatids, Jonathon Millionaire at BarleyPop Live. Music at 8 p.m. $7. 🟠
• Rock 'n Roll High School: A Tribute to Punk at the Majestic. Music at 8 p.m. $15.
• 90s Dance Party ft. Fool House at Garver Feed Mill. Music at 9 p.m. $15 advance, $20 doors.
• Queer All Year gay-la by Hot Summer Gays at Robinia Courtyard. Starts at 10 p.m. $5-$10.
• Fortune Feimster at the Barrymore. 10 p.m. Tickets start at $34.50.

Saturday, March 26

• Doundrins First Bloody Mary Fest. Sample bloody marys from local bars/restaurants, food trucks, music. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. $75.
• Barleywine Fest at Giant Jones Brewing Company. 12-6 p.m.
• Pup Crawl hosted by Puppy Up! at BarleyPop Tap and Shop. Bring your dog and drink. 2 p.m. Free admission.
• Disco Drag Brunch at The Bur Oak. Show at 2:30 p.m. Brunch menu by Ahan, drinks by Stateline, hosted by Bianca Lynn Breeze. $10 entry.
• Battle of the Badges at Madison Ice Arena. Police versus fire department hockey game. $5 payable at door. Game at 5 p.m.
• HUMP! Film Festival at the Barrymore. A festival of short erotic films. Two times: 6:30 p.m. & 10 p.m. $22.
• Annie And The Oakies, Nick Brown And Andrew Harrison at North Street Cabaret. Music at 8 p.m. $10. 🟠
• Unscripted! An (Almost Completely) Improvised Comedy Bonanza at The Rigby. 8 p.m. $10.
• Mad City Funk at the Bur Oak. Band is donating their proceeds to Ukraine-related causes. Music at 8 p.m. $12 advance, $15 doors.
• Dear Mr Watterson & Or Does It Explode at Dark Horse. Music at 9 p.m. Free.
• Capitol Social at Madison’s Youth Arts Center. Salsa lessons from 8-9 p.m., dance from 9 p.m.-12 a.m. $10 adults, free for kids.
• JVNA at Liquid. Music at 10 p.m. $20 18+, $15 21+.

Sunday, March 27

• CANCELLED BY ORGANIZER Mimosa Fest at Liquid. 11 a.m. $15 regular admission, $45 VIP admission.
• Mad City Bridal Expo at Monona Terrace. 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Tickets free if register before March 23rd, $10 after that.
• The Handmaiden screening at Union South Marquee. Part of the International LGBTQ+ Film Fest. 3 p.m. Free.
• Jon Irabagon at Arts + Literature Laboratory. Music at 5 p.m. Free. 🟠
• Forward Theater Game Night Featuring Bingo at Goodman Community Center. Game exchange, table games, bingo, raffle prizes. 5-8 p.m. Adults $25, children 12 and under $10.
• Vieux Farka Touré at The Bur Oak. Music at 8 p.m. $25 advance, $30 doors. 🟠

Wondering what that 🟠 means? That symbol next to an event listing means that Tone Madison’s team of writers and editors recommends checking it out.