Hospitality Zone Assessment Tour

The late night tour for the Madison Hospitality Zone Assessment began with a trek to the oldest of Madison’s traditional bars – the Essen Haus. The small but hearty tour group held up to the pressures of a bootful of beer, a two-piece polka band and lederhosen-laden servers. The group observed that the German-themed bar was a destination for many demographics; frat boys and bachelorette parties, young professionals and seasoned vets, families and singletons; and polka enthusiasts of all ilks.

 

 

The tour group progressed on to King Street to observe other watering holes. The next stop was the Great Dane Pub & Brewing Company, another popular site for a diverse crowd of older students, families and professionals. The group was treated to a sampling of the brewing company’s signature and specialty beers; a variety to please all palates. Dane co-owner Ted Peterson led the group on a tour of the pub and laid out the background of his successful bar/restaurant strategy. Ted emphasized the Dane’s commitment to quality, tasty foods in an evolving menu and training hospitable and dedicated servers to keep the ambiance safe and inviting as a bar and as a restaurant.   

 

 

From the Dane the group took a walk to the other end of the geographical bar scene spectrum – the Memorial Union, student hangout extraordinaire. On the way they stopped into Woof’s, a gay, metal-themed sports bar; the Bartell Theatre, home to many theatre troupes and neighbor to a boisterously loud Café Montmartre; and Frida Mexican Grill, a Thursday night Latin dance club with a few obvious under-agers and even more obvious security guards. With occasional forays into other venues including the KK and State Street Brats, the troupe noted the diversity of patrons and music choices available on a typical night downtown. The Memorial Union offered a relatively quiet reprieve even though it was only the second visited venue to offer live (not DJ) music.  

 

 

 From the Union the tireless tour group marched on to Brothers Bar & Grill to witness a unique mix of hip-hop and teeny-bop students dancing around an unruffled security staff. Then the tour got really exciting when the group caught up with two Central District Community police officers on their rounds to dragnet under-agers in Johnny O’s Restaurant & Bar. The officers described their usual methods for sweeping bars and spotting under-aged patrons and what usually happens to the individuals and bars after such issues occur. They noted that bars and police work more effectively when working in cooperation to enforce age laws and a safer and friendlier environment for patrons prevails.  

 

 

After tagging along for a sweep, the tour group took a break for some pizza at the popular Ian’s Pizza to regroup and recharge.  From there they crossed the street to Wando’s Bar & Grill and closed down the evening talking to owner Jay (Wando) Wanserski. Wando shared his philosophies and standards for creating a safe, clean and welcoming bar for students and patrons. Wando chooses to focus on training his staff to make safety a priority – security staff and bartenders are supposed to be aware at all times of environmental hazards, such as a broken glass, and social hazards, like intoxicated individuals, and are required to step in to intercept potential dangers. In Wando’s opinion, a bar that does well has no need to take safety risks such as letting in under-agers and serving already intoxicated individuals.

 

 

At closing time the bars emptied out and the streets filled up. As there are few late-night options for public transportation and limited opportunities for taxi services, most of the people who were until recently partying hard now had to either make their way home on their own or find food to sober up.  A popular spot for the latter, Ian’s Pizza, features fast service and well-lit dining areas to improve safety. Many restaurants that are open late have hired their own security to handle the late night swell of customers. A campus police officer met with the group and discussed what happens to many of the individuals that try to walk or drive home on their own and how the campus and city police work around and with each other to control the outpouring.

 

 

By that time it was well into the wee hours of Friday morning and the tour group felt they had seen all that could be seen in one night of downtown Madison revelry. The group parted ways and walked or taxied home. The hospitality tourists learned and observed much about the late-night culture and will be presenting their notes alongside the other assessment groups at the HZA roundtable discussions June 3^rd and 4^th.

 

 

For more information on how to get involved in the HZA process, contact Sarah Hoover or check out the official Madison HZA website.

 

 

 

 

 

Wisconsin Union Upgrades

If we follow the saying that Wisconsin has two seasons – winter and construction (a.k.a. summer) - we have good news for UW students, faculty alumni and friends: perpetual summer for at least the next 3 years! 

The next 6 months will (hopefully) round out the end of construction on State Street and the nearby University Square and Grainger Hall developments on University Avenue, but have no fear; there are many other planned projects that will pick up where those leave off. The old Ogg hall in the central campus area will continue its deconstruction phases to make way for a pedestrian mall and green space that will flow to the expanded Chazen Museum of Art, which is set to begin construction early next year. The Wisconsin Institute of Discovery has already begun clearing out the 1300 block of University Ave to set the foundations for its $150 million facility with the goal of completing construction in 2010.

No part of campus will be sacred in the upcoming season, not even the holy historical Memorial Union.

The Wisconsin Union, the epicenter of all things UW related, will be updating both the Memorial Union and Union South starting in spring of 2009. No worries about losing the personality of the Memorial Union – it will get basic accessibility, heating, cooling, and ventilation upgrades while preserving the historic and uniquely Wisconsin integrity that we all know and love.

It’s Union South, the building that screams “Soviet Concrete Bloc”, that will get the true overhaul. The building located on the engineering side of campus is, in large part due to its staggeringly sterile design, highly underutilized by students. The Wisconsin Union Initiative plans on designing a brand new student- and eco-friendly building to replace the one that currently stands.

The Initiative hopes to create a new south campus building that serves as a gateway for south campus buildings – including the forthcoming Wisconsin Institute for Discovery – and creates an “enduring campus center with its own identity” to serve students on the southwest side of campus. The green design will provide an urban entertainment center for student groups and individuals in the area that currently lack an accommodating and appealing place to go.

The Wisconsin Union Initiative is encouraging the UW community to partake in development of the new facility. Seven umbrella Design Advisory Groups (DAGs) associated with the project will meet every week from now until May 5th to discuss aspects of design and function for the new south building. The initiative wants input from UW students, faculty, alumni and freinds, so this is your chance to state your beef or forever hold your peace. It’s already been a long winter, so settle in for an extended constructions season. Contact Dan Cornelius or David Christopher of the Wisconsin Union Initiative to get more info at unionbuildingproject@gmail.com.

 DAG Schedule (all meetings in the Project Office of the Memorial Union)

Tuesdays
6-7:30 pm- Foodservice and Retail
8-9:30 pm- Indoor/Outdoor RecreationWednesdays
5-6:30 pm- Programming and Operations
7-8:30 pm- Leadership and Involvement

Thursdays
5-6:30 pm- Site Design
7-8:30 pm- Sustainability

Fridays
3-4:30 pm- Interior Design and Art

 [The original version of this post listed Selery and Witte Halls also on the chopping block but there are no plans for their demise in the near future and the post has been edited to reflect the Campus Master Plan.]

Euro-Local Fare on the Square

Two businesses with Francais-inspired names are making a big hit on the Capital square. Sucre on West Mifflin and Fromagination on North Carroll street are taking the first steps in creating an international flavor for local, green businesses.

Sucre, a recently opened patisserie and wine bar, took as many steps possible to come up with ways to create an environmentally friendly establishment through local vendors. The boldly designed orange and white shop speaks well of its ability to combine style with locally available materials.  The blonde wood flooring comes from a sustainable producer in Spring Green, and their furniture was found through a distributor on Willy Street. They chose low VOC paint and to-go containers made of recycled cornstarch to keep a clean atmosphere. The digital artwork on the wall, provided by local artist Jeffers Egan, keeps pace with other trendy patisseries across the Atlantic.

Sucre also strives to keep their ingredients local. Stop in for a lunch special and you will find breads baked fresh in-house, salads and dressings from scratch, and meats and cheeses from local and organic farms – sometimes straight from the indoor farmers market.  Of course, some of the ingredients for the sweets are imported from Europe, but it’s best not to question Punky Egan, Sucre’s sole proprietor, about that. She has more than 20 years (and counting) of experience as a pastry chef instructor at MATC and knows what to use to make desserts delectable. Though she still keeps a full course load, she enjoys the chance to have a chance to experiment outside the classroom. “Everything I do here I want to be different. I have a ton of knowledge that I am able to use to bring new ideas and help evolve recipes”.

Ken Monteleone, owner and creator of Fromagination came from a somewhat different background. After 14 years of working in product development for Famous Footwear and traveling the world looking at shoe trends, he found that he was paying more attention to food specialty shops than footwear boutiques. As a longtime resident of Madison and influenced by the local farmer’s market, Ken knew that Madison would be a perfect place for a specialty food store, and what better food to focus on in the dairy state than cheese?

Ken spent a year working on his business plan, design and layout – consulting with local chefs, cheesemakers and food connoisseurs to make sure he got the concept right. The feedback he received was all positive – a good indicator that the city was ready for a high class cheesemonger. Madison, especially downtown Madison, was the perfect environment and locale for a small, artisanal cheese shop featuring local makers.

Of course, the dream cheese boutique would have to be environmentally friendly as well as chic to best showcase the artistic collection of fromage.  Mr. Monteleone worked with a local architect to find building materials that were either almost entirely recycled or renewable for the entire shop. The result? Cabinets made from eucalyptus wood, floor tiles that are actually reclaimed shingles from an abandoned Chicago warehouse, ceiling beams from an old barn, and walls, made of American Made Plaster and milk protein paint, that reflect the warm and inviting texture of the hand-crafted cheeses found in the store.  

These two foodmongers represent what we hope is a growing trend in new businesses on the capital square. Their international flare invested into local stock is a remarkable way to translate a simple localized businesseses into something fantastic. Sucre and Fromagination add a bit of elegance amongst the bourgeois backdrop without commiting the sin of exclusivity – something that the owners took great pains to avoid.  Both the stores’s atmospheres reflect the attention, passion and drive that the entrepreneurs put into them without being overworked. DMI is excited to see such great combinations of green, local, international and tasty flavors added to the square, and we can’t wait to see what new creations will move in next door!

Downtown Loves Valentine’s Day!

The Cap Times noted yesterday that downtown restaurants are quickly filling up with reservations for the impending V-Day. If you are still looking for something to do for tomorrow’s holiday, downtown Madison has something to offer for the serendipitous singles and culturally-minded couples. No need to be “Anti” Valentines with all of these cool events.   Feb 13^th:Tunes at the Monona Terrace5:30-7pm, Monona TerraceWho should go: EveryoneWhy: It’s a free concert with concessions and snacks available for purchase. Tonight’s band is Joe Scalissi and the Dry Martinis and will feature Rat Pack favorites. There’s nothing more romantic and fun than some 1950s glam in the year of the rat. 

Feb 14^th

WI Women’s Basketball WI vs. IL

7pm @ Kohl Center

Who should go: Those au pair and in groups.

Why: It’s conference women’s basketball, why not? The fun and sporty atmosphere makes it a good event for groups of friends, and couples to support UW Women’s athletics and celebrate in a relaxed setting.  

2008 Business Women’s Expo

8am-6pm, Marriott Madison West (Middleton)

Who should go: The career-minded woman.

Why: Networking, seminars, exhibitors and the DMI Prez Susan Schmitz as the luncheon Keynote Speaker.  Guaranteed to be an empowering and inspiring event for all working women.   

Decadence Dance Theatre

7:30pm @ the Capital Theater, Overture Center

Who should go: Chicas in groups.

Why: The all-female dance troupe combines urban culture with classic choreography to create “hip hop ballet”. It’s funky fresh, yo, and economically friendly – tickets are $15, $22, and $25.  

School of Music Faculty Concert

7:30pm @ Mills Hall, Mosse Humanities Building

Who should go: Groups, couples, singles and families.

Why: It will be a family-friendly night beautiful music from some accomplished artists and educators. Has potential for a double-header as the School of Music will also be hosting their concert in Morphy Hall at 8:30pm.  

Why stop celebrating the people you love after one day? These events make it possible to find the love all through the weekend.  

Feb 15^th & 16th

The Vagina Monologues

Barrymore Theatre, $15. 7:30pm

Who should go: EVERYONE. Seriously.

Why: Profits go to domestic abuse and intervention services. Enjoy a night of monologues that are hilarious, thought-provoking, powerful and expressive—sometimes all at once–and help a good cause.   

Feb 15^th-17th

Madison Symphony Orchestra, Beethoven’s Lyrical Beauty

Show times vary, Overture Center

Who should go: Families and couples

Why: The concert will feature Cho-Liang Lin, an award-winning artist and supreme violinist, and it’s the MSO. Again I say to ye, why not? 

Feb 16th

International Festival at the Overture Center

11am-5pm, featuring Ballet Folklorico Mexico at 4pm

Who should go: Families, couples, groups         

Why: It’s a festival! More celebrations through music, dance, storytelling, an international food court and a craft fair. Another opportunity to learn and grow and love thy multicultural neighbor.  

Feb 16^th

Polar Plunge

11am-3pm, Olin Turville Park

Who should go: The bravest of the brave.

Why: Also to support a good cause as plungers are asked to raise at least $75 to take the…you know… and support Special Olympics. Those who are less bi-polar can volunteer at the event or watch from the sidelines and gape in awe.  

And if you’re feeling more gifty than going-out, here’s a few ideas!

• If your loved one has a sweet tooth, be sure to check out Candina’s Chocolatier on Capitol Square for locally made delectable dainties for your darling. 
• Instead of roses that wilt in a few days, visit the art galleries downtown and support a local glassblower, painter, or sculptor while you get buku points for flowers that last!
• MMoCA has a huge selection of jewelry, cards, vases, and strange twirly things to impress your amore’ with your chic urban sensibilities.  Make it a one-of-a-kind valentine.
• Pamper your precious one with an appointment at Cameo Spa Salon, where soothing music and gently flavored tea relaxes stress away.
• Do something for your sweetheart: turn a cluttered corner into a creative space simply by cleaning and organizing a spot for him or her to connect with him or herself.  Decorate with their favorite images and colors for a personalized haven your partner will always appreciate.
• Volunteer together! Show love to each other and your community by volunteering with a local organization, or check out this website for more ideas about charitable holiday work.  Open your heart to the possibilities.
  

What do football, presidential elections, and hemlines have in common?

The game of economics is to predict accurately what will happen in the next month, year, or decade.  While there are many modeling systems to assist in this goal, some of the strangest economic indicators make us wonder how the story started! 

The Hemline Indicator:

Stock broker Ralph Rotnem observed, rather casually, that the long-term trends of stock prices and of the hemlines on women’s skirts appear to be in concert. Skirt heights rose to mini-skirt brevity in the 1920s and in the 1960s, peaking with stock prices both times. Floor-length fashions appeared in the 1930s and 1970s (the Maxi), bottoming with stock prices. This is not likely a frivolous observation. In my judgment, it is not unreasonable to hypothesize that a rise in both hemlines and stock prices reflects a general increase in friskiness and daring among the population, and a decline in both, a decrease. – Robert R. Prechter, Jr., Pioneering Studies in Socionomics.

You didn’t read that wrong.  The basic theory is “if hemlines are going up, so are stocks.”  Unfortunately, the spring trend toward lower hemlines might mean slumping economic indicators, according to the International Business Times.  So the 2008 trend toward mermaid-like dresses with dramatic hemlines means economic interests are trying to distract you?  

The Presidential Approval Ratings Indicator:

The Presidential Election Year Cycle, of course, holds that the stock market does better or worse depending on how close we are to a Presidential election. Its author is Yale Hirsch, former editor of the Almanac Investor Newsletter, and father of that service’s current editor, Jeffrey Hirsch.–  Mark Hulbert, MarketWatch

While this indicator may initially seem bizarre, the correlations do make some sense.  The argument is that in or just before an election year the administration will do everything it can to make the economic situation appear to be good, thus providing a clear argument for the party affiliated with the administration. The stock market generally performs better in the third year than the fourth year, possibly indicating the preparation for change that stockholders begin to make.   

The NFL Indicator:

According to the indicator, which has a surprisingly accurate track record, a victory by an old NFL team means a gain for the Dow Jones industrial average in the following year. “It’s been correct just under 80 percent of the time – I don’t know of any other gaggle of gurus that has a record that good, Of course, I certainly wouldn’t put real money into the market based on the game. But it’s nice to know if it’s on your side.”—Bob Stovall, managing director and strategist at Wood Asset Management. 

This sounds to me like a great excuse (if you need another) to cheer the Packers on to victory.  Since both the Chargers and the Patriots were AFL teams before the 1970’s merger, if they win we can expect further economic downturns.  In my own spinoff interpretation of the NFL indicator, the team that’s been in the NFL for longest would signal the highest upturn of stock prices.  Therefore, the 1925 New York Football Giants need to lose to the 1920 Green Bay Packers to achieve the maximum effect.  (You can read more about this at About.com.)

Whatever economic voodoo you use, we hope you find 2008 a successful year.  And go Pack!