🌱 Center For Black Excellence & Culture + Record V-Day Sales

Happy Monday, Madison! Let's get you all caught up on what's happening locally to start today off on an informed note.

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First, today's weather:

A morning flurry; not as cold. High: 24 Low: 11.

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Here are the top 3 stories in Madison today:

1. Members of Madison's Black community are eagerly awaiting the arrival of the Center for Black Excellence and Culture, a three-story, 65,000-square-foot facility that will soon be built behind the Fountain of Life Church. The site, a six-acre plot of land on Madison's south side, promises "a home for Madison's Black community" with a theater, gymnasium, library, youth space, and various meeting areas. Project organizers say more than $10 million has already been raised for the Center. Construction is expected to begin by the end of 2022 and be completed by the end of 2023. (WKOW)
2. Before the country tuned in to watch the Bengals and Rams face off in last night's Super Bowl, Bierock held its fourth annual Puppy Bowl watch party to benefit the Dane County Humane Society. The event kicked off with a "tail-gate" with dog-themed drinks, including the Wisconsin Brewing Company's Chocolate Lab Porter. Bierock, which is located on N. Sherman Ave., donated 10 percent of sales from the watch party to the Human Society. "People who may not be into football, this is for them," said co-owner Brian Carriveau. (97 Seven Country WGLR)
3. A Madison baker raked in record-high Valentine's Day sales ahead of today's celebration of love. Local baker Vicki Gentz, whose business Vicki Cookies serves Madison and Fitchburg, worked all week to prepare and decorate more than 3,000 cookies for her busiest Valentine's Day yet. According to the National Retail Federation, Americans spend an average of $175 per person on Valentine's Day gifts, with 56 percent of survey respondents purchasing sweet treats like candy (and Vicki Cookies!). (Channel3000.com - WISC-TV3)

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Today in Madison:

• Virtual Storytime For Kids, Hosted By Fitchburg Public Library (9:00 AM)
• Women Veterans Community Writers Meeting At Sequoya Branch Library (10:00 AM)
• DIY Valentine's Day Card Craft Table At Meadowridge Library (10:00 AM)
• A Valentine's Affair By The Madison Shakespeare Company At The Brink Lounge (7:00 PM)

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From my notebook:

• On Saturday, Feb. 26, the Museum of Wisconsin Art is hosting an "INKspiration" Studio Class from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Draw and play with pen and ink as instructor and Biennial artist Leif Larson teaches you to think less about a perfect product and more about an enjoyable creative process! (Instagram)
• Cold temps, snow, and wind gusts are in the forecast for Madison this week. Check out this week's predicted weather. (Madison Patch)
• The East High School, West High School, and Edgewood High School basketball teams each have some big games on the docket this week. View the full schedule of local prep sports games on Patch. (Madison Patch)

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Alrighty, you're all good for today! I'll be in your inbox tomorrow with a new update.

— Sean Peek

About me: Sean Peek is a writer and entrepreneur with a degree in English Literature from Weber State University. Over the years, he has worked as a copywriter, editor, SEO specialist, and marketing director for various digital media companies. He currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.