📝 Wedding barns vs. state liquor lobby

🧒 New Child Care Facility

• Madison Area Technical College, in partnership with the city of Madison, is purchasing the No. 6 fire station for $1 to convert it into a child care facility for its Goodman South campus. It will be partially supported by a $1.25 million grant from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation.
• The new South Side facility will also include classrooms for students in the college's early childhood education programs.
• The facility is expected to be open for the 2025-2026 academic year. [Wisconsin State Journal]

⚖️ Protests over Prison Lockdowns

• Formerly incarcerated people and their families gathered outside the Wisconsin Department of Corrections offices in Madison on Wednesday. They were protesting ongoing lockdowns at Green Bay and Waupun state prisons.
• Protesters argue that Gov. Tony Evers and Department of Corrections Secretary Kevin Carr’s plans to move nearly 24% of people at Waupun Correctional Institution to other Wisconsin facilities is not enough to end the suffering caused by lockdowns. Lockdowns were imposed because of limited staffing and overcrowding, according to DOC officials.
• Since lockdowns began at Waupun in March, three people have died. [Wisconsin Examiner]
• The governor’s office announced that some of the lockdown restrictions at the two prisons have been lifted as of Tuesday and that they are working on policy revisions to limit the use of solitary confinement. [Wisconsin Public Radio]

🍸 What’s Happening to Silver Dollar?

• A user took to X (Twitter for the nostalgically stubborn) to share that Hovde Properties will be filing a demolition permit next month for the commercial buildings at 117 W Mifflin St. And yup, that’s the location of one of Madison’s oldest bars, Silver Dollar Tavern. [X]
• But, there may be hope yet! An Aug. 4 post on the bar’s Facebook account says, “It is true, the Silver Dollar Tavern is looking to continue its 90-year legacy in a new location. Stay tuned!” Oh, we absolutely will. [Facebook]

🦆 State Park Sticker Contest Winner

• The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources sponsors an annual design contest for Wisconsin high school students to create a design that best represents state parks and forests.
• This year’s winner is Samantha Williams, a sophomore at Slinger High School. Samantha’s design will be featured on all state park admission stickers in 2024. Check out the winning design here! [Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources]

Meet Louie! This sweet and charming Cavapoo is sure to melt your heart with his adorable looks and friendly demeanor. With his soft, curly coat and big, expressive eyes, Louie is impossible to resist. He is adored by everyone who meets him. Louie loves playing tug of war, going on boat rides, and playing at the dog park.

🐶 Share your floof with the Madison Minutes community!

Friday, Nov. 17

• Charanga Agozá at Cafe CODA
• DIG JAZZ: Nick Moran and Friends at Wisconsin Union Play Circle
• Emily Kuhn Quintet at North Street Cabaret
• Foo Foo Dolls at Red Rooster Madison
• Joel Kim Booster at Comedy on State
• Miller / Hammes / Kleve at Arts + Literature Laboratory
• Nester, Magic Conch, Seasaw at The Bur Oak
• Rod Tuffcurls and The Bench Press at Majestic Madison
• THE SH!TSHOW: A Chaotic Stand-Up Comedy Show at The Forward Club
• Signing Slam Trivia Night at The Bur Oak
• Sultan + Shepard at Liquid Madison
• Symphony Gems at Overture Center
• Friday Jazz Series at Tandem Press
• Wisconsin Singers 56th Annual On-Campus Show at Memorial Union

Saturday, Nov. 18

• 4th Annual Santa's Helpers Craft & Vendor Market at Bowl-A-Vard Lanes
• Artists Talk: Theresa Abel and Kelli Hoppmann at Abel Contemporary Gallery
• ATLiens at Liquid Madison
• cocktails in the conservatory at Olbrich Botanical Gardens
• Dane County Farmers' Market - Holiday Markets at Monona Terrace
• Holiday Desserts Class: Gateau St. Honore at The Deliciouser
• Holiday Cocktail Class at Garver Feed Mill
• Inspired by Wright: Tour & Art Making Experience at Monona Terrace
• Joel Kim Booster at Comedy on State
• Leonid Meteor Shower Night Walk and Stargazing at UW–Madison Arboretum
• Jane Hobson Band and Blinker at The Harmony Bar and Grill
• Lucas Gillan's Many Blessings & Tom Gullion Quartet at North Street Cabaret
• Madison Gem & Mineral Show and Sale at Alliant Energy Center
• Masquerade: Heaven and Hell at Crucible
• Mondo Cortez & the Chicago Blues Angels at Red Rooster Madison
• Remain In Night at High Noon Saloon
• RUSH HOUR: A Comedy Show Celebrating Black & Asian Voices at Cardinal Bar
• Sam Robinson Quintet at Cafe CODA
• Shakey Graves at The Sylvee
• V05 & Howler: Celebrating Women’s Reproductive Rights at Majestic Madison
• Wisconsin Football vs Nebraska at Camp Randall Stadium

Sunday, Nov. 19

• All About Seeds at UW–Madison Arboretum
• Art in the Wright Place at First Unitarian Society of Madison
• Che Durena at Comedy on State
• The Comedy Machine at Crucible
• Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood LIVE! at Overture Center
• Dessa at Majestic Theatre
• Gin Mill Hollow with Wise Jennings at Red Rooster Madison
• North Pole Party at Hilldale Shopping Center
• Off With Their Heads at High Noon Saloon
• Word Power Open Mic Series at Arts + Literature Laboratory

Starbucks Strike, Wedding Barn Woes, and UW Engineering School Fight

City Cast Madison's Bianca Martin and Molly Stentz, and your fave Madison newsletter writer Hayley Sperling talk about why Starbucks went on strike this week, the fight between wedding barns and the state’s liquor lobby, and the push to expand the UW-Madison Engineering School.