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- November 3, 2022
November 3, 2022
Administration
Holiday Hours!
Mental Health Matters
Clerk's Office
2022 Polling Places
The City will be using all 8 of our Polling Places for the November 8th General Election. To find your correct polling location, visit https://myvote.wi.gov/en-us/.
Dropping off your absentee ballot information
On January 20, 2022, the Waukesha County Circuit Court Branch 1 issued an order that changes the way we have been collecting some absentee ballots. It goes on to describe the ways a voter may return a voted absentee ballot. The options are:
- An elector must personally mail or deliver his or her own absentee ballot, except where the law explicitly authorizes an agent to act on an elector’s behalf,
- The only lawful methods for casting an absentee ballot pursuant to Wis. Stat.§ 6.87(4)(b)1. are for the elector to place the envelope containing the ballot in the mail or for the elector to deliver the ballot in person to the municipal clerk,
- The use of drop boxes, as described in the Memos issued by WEC, is not permitted under Wisconsin law unless the drop box is staffed by the clerk and located at the office of the clerk or a properly designated alternate site under Wis. Stat. § 6.855.
With this new guidance, the City of Sun Prairie will no longer be using drop boxes to collect absentee ballots.
To view the official directive from the Wisconsin Elections Commission, go to: https://elections.wi.gov/node/7861
In-Person Absentee Voting
In-Person Absentee Voting will take place October 25 – November 5 and will be available at City Hall and the Public Library.
City Hall Hours:
October 25, 2022 – October 28, 2022: 8:00am – 6:00pm
October 29, 2022 – 8:00am – 12:00pm
October 31, 2022 – November 3, 2022: 8:00am – 6:00pm
November 4, 2022: 8:00am - 5:00pm
November 5, 2022: 8:00am - 12:00pm
Library Hours:
October 25, 2022 – October 27, 2022: 9:30am – 6:00pm
October 28, 2022 – 9:30am – 5:00pm
October 29, 2022 – 9:30am – 11:30am
October 31, 2022 – November 3, 2022: 9:30am – 6:00pm
November 4: 9:30am - 5:00pm
November 5, 2022: 9:30 - 11:30am
Last Day to Register to Vote is 5pm on Friday
Tomorrow is the last day to register to vote for the November 8, 2022 General Election. Starting tomorrow, November 4th after 5:00pm, anyone wishing to register and vote in the November General Election will need to do so at their polling location on Election Day. To determine your voting location, visit https://myvote.wi.gov/en-us/
Community Development
City of Sun Prairie to Host Series of Holiday Kick-off Events!
The City of Sun Prairie’s Downtown Business Improvement District and Tourism Commission will be hosting a series of events on Saturday, November 26 to celebrate the holidays in unique and festive ways. Events and activities will run throughout the entire day beginning at 12:30 p.m. with Santa and closing out the night with him around 7 p.m.
Santa Saturday
Beginning at 12:30 p.m., kids will have a chance to come out to the Historical Museum & Library, snap a photo with Santa and present their gift wish list to him. In addition to time with Santa, staff from the Parks, Recreation, and Forestry Department will be adding to the holiday fun by hosting an arts & crafts session in the museum during the event. Families unable to attend this event have no need to worry about this being the only opportunity. The next two events will be on Saturday, December 3 at the Crosse House and December 10 at Flavors! Wine Bar & Grand Hall.
Holiday Decorating Contest
Downtown businesses have been encouraged to bring out the decorations and get creative with their storefront displays. Community members will have the opportunity to vote on their favorite storefront decorations via Downtown Sun Prairie’s Facebook page. The winner of the contest will receive a fun holiday plaque.
Small Business Saturday
This event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is all about supporting small businesses in the downtown area. Local businesses will be decorated with fun décor and offering promotions on select products/services for the community. Starting at 10 a.m. and ending at 4 p.m., one hundred Shop Local tote bags sponsored by Beans n Cream Coffeehouse will be handed out at their Cannery Square location with a shopping passport attached to each. One hundred more passports will be available once the first round of bags have been given out. Visitors of Downtown Sun Prairie will want to keep an eye out for the eye-catching displays that highlight this event!
Fire and Lights Holiday Parade
All are encouraged to attend the 107th Fire and Lights Holiday Parade in Downtown Sun Prairie. This event is made possible through a partnership between the Sun Prairie Volunteer Fire Department and the Historical Library & Museum, and the Tourism Commission.
As attendees wait for fire trucks to arrive, they can enjoy entertainment and treats beginning at 5:50 p.m. Dancers from Fusion Dance Academy will kick-off the parade with a street performance in front of the Historical Library & Museum. Area fire departments will bring their trucks to town decorated for the holiday season. At 6 p.m., the fire trucks will depart from Kroncke Drive. They will travel east on Main Street and proceed until they are parked side-by-side in two lanes at the intersection of Main Street and Church and Market Streets.
Once all of the fire trucks are parked, attendees can watch as special guest Santa Claus uses holiday magic to light the Downtown holiday tree located in front of the Historical Library & Museum. After the tree lighting, there will be time to get an up-close look at the trucks as they are parked on Main Street and see all their festive splendor. The street will be closed until 8 p.m.
“We are so excited to offer the Sun Prairie community a variety of ways to kick off the holiday season,” said Alyse Peters, Special Events and Sponsorships Coordinator. “These events are all about coming together and sharing a festive spirit.”
Stay on top of all the holiday happenings by visiting Downtown Sun Prairie’s Facebook page or the Downtown page on the City’s website at www.downtownsunprairiewi.com.
Downtown Sun Prairie... we’re having fun down here!
Greater Sun Prairie Area Job Fair
Be sure to mark your calendars for this job fair! See and share the information below.
The Sun Prairie Chamber of Commerce, along with local and statewide partners are spearheading the 2nd Annual Greater Sun Prairie Area Job Fair on Wednesday, November 16th from 1:00 – 6:00 p.m. In addition to 40+ employer booths, participants will have complimentary on-site professional resume reviews and interview skills training. The event will be at the Hilton Garden Inn, 1220 South Grand Avenue, Sun Prairie.
Community Spotlight
Pancake Breakfast!
Sun Prairie Performing Arts Center Shows!
Tickets for the following events are currently on sale:
Sun Prairie West High School Performing Arts Presents: Grease
- November 4, 5, 11, 12 at 7pm.
- November 6 and 13, at 2pm
Here is Rydell High's senior class of 1959: duck-tailed, hot-rodding "Burger Palace Boys" and their gum-snapping, hip-shaking "Pink Ladies" in bobby sox and pedal pushers, evoking the look and sound of the 1950s in this rollicking musical. Head "greaser" Danny Zuko and new (good) girl Sandy Dumbrowski try to relive the high romance of their "Summer Nights" as the rest of the gang sings and dances its way through such songs as "Greased Lightnin'," "It's Raining on Prom Night," "Alone at the Drive-In Movie" recalling the music of Buddy Holly, Little Richard, and Elvis Presley that became the soundtrack of a generation. Showing November 4, 5, 11, 12 at 7pm. Matinee performances will be held November 6 and 13, at 2pm. Tickets can be purchased online or at the door.
Sun Prairie East High School Performing Arts Presents: A Christmas Carol
- December 1, 2, 3 at 7:00pm
- December 3, 4 at 2:00pm
A ridiculous but surprisingly faithful rendition of the Dickens classic. Ebenezer Scrooge is haunted by the ghosts of Jacob Marley, Christmas Past, Christmas Present, and the Spirit of Christmas Yet to Come. Faced with his own mortality and the evil results of his misanthropic, miserly ways, Scrooge is redeemed, reconciled with his nephew and his neighbors, and becomes a second father to his assistant’s son, Tiny Tim. Ludlam finds the humor as well as the pathos in this Victorian melodrama.
Parks, Recreation and Forestry
Recreation Department
The Sun Prairie Parks, Recreation & Forestry office is open: Monday – Friday 8:00am-4:30pm, or by phone at (608) 837-3449 or by email at rec@cityofsunprairie.com.
Announcements:
Office Closed
Parks, Recreation, and Forestry office will be closed on the following days:
- November 14th for staff training
- November 24th and November 25th for Thanksgiving
- December 23rd and December 26th for Christmas
- December 30th and January 2nd for New Year’s
Fall Rec Connection Guide out now!
Registration now open for all fall programs. To view the guide or to register, visit rec.cityofsunprairie.com
“Recreation is for Everyone” Scholarship form!
Come join us for fun and enriching programs available for the whole family! Requesting a scholarship is easier than ever with our NEW online form! This easy, streamlined form provides "no questions asked" financial access to SPPRF programs.
In order to request the Recreation is for Everyone Scholarship you must be a resident of Sun Prairie or enrolled in the Sun Prairie Area School District.
For questions or assistance contact us at 608-837-3449 or visit Recreation is for Everyone Scholarship Information
- Scholarships cover 50% of enrollment fees on most programs
- No formal documentation is required for approval of financial assistance
- Online submission with approvals within 2 business days
Fitness Flex Pass
Not sure what fitness class is right for you? Enjoy the flexibility to try them all with our new Fit Flex Pass. Click here to purchase a 5 or 10 class pass, Fit Flex Pass - Sun Prairie Parks, Recreation & Forestry (cityofsunprairie.com), passes never expire!
Upcoming Programs Not to Be Missed:
Saturday, November 12th
9:30 - 11:00 a.m.
Registration Deadline: 11/7/2022
A 3D table centerpiece created on an Oak slab! Using air clay we'll create thankful turkeys out of feathers, googly eyes & more. Let's add haybales & fall leaves to create these long lasting thanksgiving table centerpieces for your family meal!
Listen to Your Art – Elements of Art
Friday, November 18th
9:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Registration Deadline: 11/11/2022
Join Ms. Jessica from Jessica’s Art Studio on these days off of school for hours of creativity! You will also learn about famous artists and popular art methods such as drawing, painting, sculpture, clay
exploration and more. This day's theme is Elements of Art, students will create with the fundamentals of art in mind.
Wear “Art Clothes” and be prepared to get messy. It is recommended to bring an Art Bag with you to take your projects home at the end of the day. Each day will explore entirely new projects than the day before, so signing up for the whole week means TONS of new unique art projects.
American Red Cross Babysitter Training
Saturday, November 19th
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Registration Deadline: 11/7/2022
This training provides kids, ages 11-15, with the information and skills necesary to provide safe and responsible care in the absence of parents/guardians. This training will also help participants develop skills in leadership, professionalism, basic care, safety, safe play and first aid.
All sessions cover the same material.
Please bring a sack lunch.
Saturday, December 3rd
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. or 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Registration Deadline: 11/28/2022
This "Safe Kids 101" training provides kids, ages 9 - 14, sklls for being home alone. Basic guidelines, first aid, fire safety, family emergency, internet safety and more will be covered in the 2-hour training. All sessions cover the same material.
Please note: A parent is required to stay for the first 15 minutes of class.
December 5th – December 28th
6:10 – 6:40 p.m.
Registration Deadline: 12/5/2022
Join Ryan Grimes Karate staff during this more advanced karate class!
*Pre-requisite: Participants should have completed the Beginner course prior to joining this Continuing course.
Note: Each additional family member after the first registered is $25.
December 5th – December 28th
6:50 – 7:50 p.m.
Registration Deadline: 12/5/2022
Join Ryan Grimes Karate staff for Kobudo! Class will involve ancient karate weapons such as Staff and Nunchaku.
*Pre-requisite: Participants should have completed the Continuing course or the Teen/Adult class prior to joining Kobudo.
Note: Each additional family member after the first registered is $25.
December 5th – December 28th
8:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Registration Deadline: 12/5/2022
Join Ryan Grimes Karate staff in this karate class that welcomes both beginners and intermediate/advanced skill levels!
Note: Each additional family member after the first registered is $25.
Thursday Early Release Afterschool Programming (previously TGIT)
Thursdays, 1:30-5:00 p.m.
November 3-17 - $71, No class 11/24
December 1-22- $95
Elementary School Site Locations:
Meadowview
Northside
Token Springs - NEW
Beginning in the 2022 – 2023 school year, Sun Prairie Area School District Elementary Schools will be dismissing students at 1:30 pm on Thursday afternoons to accommodate professional staff development. In an effort to provide high quality afterschool childcare to our growing community, Sun Prairie Parks, Recreation & Forestry, the Sun Prairie Area School District and Community Schools are putting forth a collaborative effort to provide a community partner-based afterschool program. This program will aim to provide families with safe, affordable and engaging childcare on Thursday afternoons for students in kindergarten through 5th grade.
Childcare will be available from dismissal at 1:30 pm until 5:00 pm. We will pilot this program, starting in September, at three elementary school locations and will have programming at all nine elementary schools starting in January 2023. Program partners will be brought in monthly to provide fun and exciting programming ranging from chess to sports to ukulele lessons.
If this program isn’t offered at your school initially you do have the option to attend any site, but transportation will not be provided at this time. Registration will be by month for September -December. Please click “register” to be added to our interest list to be notified when enrollment begins and when new sites are added to this program.
For more information visit rec.cityofsunprairie.com and the digital version of the Rec Connection which will be updated prior to the start of the school year. Please contact Emily Rebarchek, erebarchek@cityofsunprairie.com, or call 608-837-3449 with any questions.
Public Safety
Police Swearing In
The Sun Prairie Police Department welcomes four new officers that had their first day with us on Monday, October 17th, 2022. Odalys Gloria previously served as a community service officer with our department and began that role just earlier this year. Shamika Anderson has been employed with Milwaukee County Transit for the past 5-plus years. Cole MacMiller grew up in Sun Prairie and has been with the U.S. Air Force Security Forces for the past 6-plus years. Matthew LaCount was formerly a security officer at UW Health. All four will be attending the 720-hour Recruit Academy in January 2023. We are very excited to welcome them to our team!
SNPD Intern Report
Hello, my name is Sam Gibbons and have been an intern at the Sun Prairie Police Department since September. I attend the University of Wisconsin – Madison and I am planning on pursuing a career in law enforcement. My time with the Sun Prairie Police Department has afforded me countless, one-of-a-kind opportunities to see various aspects of policing. I have been able to observe patrol operations, investigative operations and numerous specialty units including K-9 and SRT. I have thoroughly enjoyed my experience and I am very grateful to the men and women of the Sun Prairie Police Department for giving me an opportunity to observe and learn at a world-class police department.
Public Works
Leaf Free Streets
In the fall, timely removal of street leaf litter can reduce the amount of phosphorus in urban stormwater by 80% compared to no leaf removal! Communities across Dane County are working hard to reduce stormwater pollution to protect our waters, but they can't do it alone. You can help!
- Safely remove leaves from the street in front of your home before it rains.
- Leave your leaves on the lawn, use it as a mulch in garden beds or set aside your leaves for yard waste collection in November
- Sign up to receive Leaf-free Streets Rain Alerts this fall (Oct. 1- Nov. 30). Alerts will be issued 1-2 days before a significant rain event reminding you that it's time to remove street leaves.
- Request a Leaf-free Streets yard sign to help sread the word!
To learn more or to sign up for Leaf-free Streets Rain Alerts visit: www.ripple-effects.com/Leaf-free-Streets.
Transit Planning
The City of Sun Prairie and Madison are working together to explore options for providing local fixed-route bus service (i.e., Madison Metro) throughout the City of Sun Prairie. Below are details on the upcoming process that will determine what local transit service around Sun Prairie could look like in the near future.
While the new draft route approved in the Summer of 2022 addressed many concerns raised during stakeholder engagement; however, multiple factors necessitated further modification to the route:
- Shorten the route in order for the local buses to confidently connect with the BRT Bus at the Park and Ride every time
- Best serve the current users of Route 23, a growing Metro Transit Route that would cease operations upon launch of BRT and any new local service routes.
The solution to these issues is illustrated in the above presentation, which the Transit Commission reviewed on October 19, 2022. The latest proposal from Madison Metro Transit and Sun Prairie City staff advocates for two, simultaneous routes that will maximize ridership and coverage, while reliably connecting to the BRT.
To request a presentation of the new draft routes or for any questions on local transit planning, please contact Alexander Brown at (608) 825-0859 or email abrown@cityofsunprairie.com. For more information please go to https://www.cityofsunprairie.com/TransitPlanning,
Sun Prairie Public Library
Children’s & Teen Services
Thursday, November 10 2:30 p.m.
Tuesday, November 22 3:30 p.m.
Only for ages 7-12. We meet on Zoom. To get the link, please register on the Events Calendar. We play Among Us, Gartic Phone, Jackbox Games, and Roblox.
Friday, November 11 4:00-5:30 p.m., Community Room
Play board games, Jackbox, Gartic Phone, and more! Registration is required, please register on our Events Calendar at https://sunprairie.librarymarket.com. Teens in 6th - 12th grade are eligible to register. Questions, concerns, or if registration has already closed but the event has not yet happened, please email Melissa at mcarollo@sunlib.org.
Saturday, November 12 1:00 p.m., Community Room
Stop in and create with LEGO®s as a family! Our LEGO® and DUPLO® collections will be out for free play and creativity!
Tuesday, November 15 9:30 a.m. Registration Required
Thursday, November 17 6:30 p.m.
Friday, November 18 9:30 a.m. or 10:45 a.m.
Saturday, November 19 10:00 a.m.
Puppet Theatre Storytime will be 25-30 minutes long and will feature many puppets, along with stories, rhymes, and songs. Geared for ages 2-5, but all ages are welcome and encouraged to attend!
Friday, November 18 4:00-5:30 p.m., Community Room
Join Melissa for Teen Creativity Club! The project for our November 18 meeting will be making decorations for the Library's Yule Ball event in December. Registration is required, please register on our Events Calendar at https://sunprairie.librarymarket.com. Teens in 6th - 12th grade are eligible to register. Questions, concerns, or if registration has already closed but the event has not yet happened, please email Melissa at mcarollo@sunlib.org.
Adult Services
Movie Night! “Top Gun: Maverick”
Wednesday, November 9 6-8 p.m. Community Room
Take a break from all that holiday prep and join us for a free screening of the blockbuster film, “Top Gun: Maverick”! After more than thirty years of service as one of the Navy's top aviators, Pete Mitchell is where he belongs, pushing the envelope as a courageous test pilot and dodging the advancement in rank that would ground him. This movie is rated PG-13 and has a run time of two hours and ten minutes. Refreshments served!
Friday, November 11 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Community Room
Sun Prairie EMS Outreach is bringing awareness to good health! Stop by the library between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. for a free blood pressure check, temperature check, and pulse & oxygen saturation reading from EMS Outreach, and gain some tools for managing and maintaining your health. EMS will also have free resources and giveaways on hand, including thermometers and pulse oximeters! No appointments needed, and children are welcome too.
Saturday, November 19 2-4 p.m. Community Room
Prenicia Clifton is a world class opera singer. She was the first African American to sing in a Chinese opera house solely in Mandarin. In this presentation, Prenicia tells her story of overcoming society putting young Black girls in a box and what it really means to create your own path in life. Prenicia to this day constantly challenges the stereotypes of Black women and uses her story to inspire youth.
This event is part of the Ripple Project, a year-long series of free humanities programs focused on racial equity and social justice in the Dane County public libraries. Learn more at www.beyondthepage.info/ripple-project. The Ripple Project is sponsored by Beyond the Page, National Endowment for the Humanities, and Madison Community Foundation.
Other Library Information
Sun Prairie Public Library Foundation – Giving Tuesday
Giving Tuesday is on November 29! The Foundation is excited to announce a $5,000 match gift for Giving Tuesday! Giving Tuesday is a global generosity movement. All gifts made from Tuesday November 22-Giving Tuesday, November 29 will be counted towards the match goal. The total raised will go towards a family computer station. Mark your calendars and join us to kick off the season of gratitude! Additional details are available here: https://www.sunlibfoundation.org/givingtuesday
We’re Hiring!
The library is hiring a Bilingual Library Assistant I- Circulation and Information. Primary responsibilities of this position include: ensuring that all circulation policies and procedures are implemented and adhered to with attention to detail and equity and assisting library patrons with access to information within the library. This individual will also be providing customer service at a public desk, translating and interpreting library services in Spanish, as needed. This is a part-time, hourly position that pays $15.09. The online application and additional details are available here: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/sunprairiewi. The deadline to apply is November 13.
Due to a significant increase in Hoopla usage over the last few months, we've had to place a limit on the collective number of items borrowed from Hoopla each day in order to stay within our budget. If you receive a message that says your library has reached its daily limit, please try again tomorrow morning since Hoopla resets daily.
Since Hoopla's cost is based on circulation and usage, in order to stay within our budget, we have had to implement daily caps for the rest of the year.
What you can do in the meantime:
- Mark the item you’d like as a "Favorite" in the Hoopla app so you can find and borrow it later. You may be able to borrow Flex items immediately if they are currently available. (For help with Flex items, please call the Information Desk at 608-825-0702.)
- Try Libby/Overdrive for digital ebooks and digital audiobooks.
- Try Kanopy for video content.
- The library also has physical audiobooks on CD and on playaway, please ask staff if we can assist you in finding materials for you.
- Let the Mayor and City Alders know how much you appreciate the library's collection.