8 O'Clock Buzz

Families with young children commonly find themselves in an economic catch-22. For many, the cost of childcare exceeds the income one parent would get from returning to the workforce. So, do you try to struggle by on one paycheck, with one parent at home with the kids, or do you cough up the money to pay for daycare, so both parents can work?

Meanwhile, on the other side of the ledger, daycare workers are chronically underpaid, turnover is high, and private daycare operations run on slim margins. The Wisconsin Policy Forum’s new report “Not Mere Child’s Play” dives into the difficult economics of child care in Wisconsin. Senior Researcher Sara Shaw, the primary author of the report, joined Monday Buzz host Brian Standing on May 22.

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Everyone knows that operas are large lavish affairs, with sky-high ticket prices, audience members in fancy dress, huge, elaborate sets and costumes and production values – and budgets – that rival that of a Hollywood blockbuster.  They’re also long… your typical Rossini or Wagner runs three or four hours, with two intermissions.  Does it have to be that way, though?  What if you could tell the story of let’s say, seven operas, sitting around the campfire, or better yet, with puppets?  Impossible, you say? 

Well, that’s exactly what the Milwaukee Opera Theater and Quasimondo attempt to do with their most recent production, “Impossible Operas.”  A quartet of folks joined the May 22 Monday Buzz:

* Jill Anna Ponasik – Co Creator & Artistic Director of Milwaukee Opera Theatre.

* Brian Rott – Co Creator & Artistic Director of Quasimondo.

* Jeff Mosser – Co Creator & Artistic Producer at Milwaukee Rep.

* Puppet Designer and Operator Anja Notanja Sieger.

 

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No, we’re not talking about WORT’s distinctive, one-of-a kind program schedule, though we could be. These adjectives of abundance are being thrown around to illustrate what’s universally known as WORTstock‘s No Crap on Tap beverage policy. Fred Swanson of the Madison Homebrewers and Tasters Guild joined Tony Castañeda and Eli Wilz on Thursday’s edition of the 8 O’Clock Buzz to talk about the wide-ranging number of local breweries whose beer, mead, cider, and hard seltzers will be available on a rotating basis throughout the day. We personally plan to skip breakfast and have, instead, a cup of the Honeysuckle French Toast cider Fred recommends. You can find this delectable breakfast drink along with dozens of other beverages from 11:00-7:00 Sunday, May 21 at Warner Park. Kid and gluten-free options will be available as well. Like we said, an embarrassment of riches…

Photo courtesy of TaniaVdB on Pixabay.

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If you’re someone who finds humor in life’s challenging moments as comedian Charlie Kojis does, you’ll want to check out his upcoming special “A Normal Amount of Pain“, debuting May 22 on YouTube. Far from inducing pain of any kind, Kojis, who joined 8 O’Clock Buzz host Tony Castañeda and produced Eli Wilz on Thursday, has discovered the grin and bear it approach to life, finding laughs in the obstacles, awkward moments and cringe-worthy experiences that most of us would prefer to forget. A CD will also go on sale in conjunction with this free comedy special.

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What are the odds of finding something exciting to do on a Thursday night? Why not try your luck at The Bur Oak tonight for Groove Roulette. Glenn Widdicombe joins the 8 O’Clock Buzz and hosts Tony Castañeda and Eli Wilz to talk about the return of this music series where four musicians from different genres come together and create original improvised musical alchemy. The show is tonight and starts at 7:00 PM. You can bet on this being a good time.

Image by SanderSmit from Pixabay

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Today on the Tuesday 8:00 Buzz with Tara Wilhelmi and 1neofmani (Breyon Sommerville), award-winning re-entry activist and host of OuttaDeeBox Podcast Dee Star joins us to talk about being a Black entrepreneur and award-winning podcast;  In the second half, Infamous Mother and author Dr. Sagashus Levingston joins us to discuss Black motherhood, Infamous Mothers, and her new work, “Covet: The ‘Disrespectful’ Health and Wellness Journal” about coveting your better self!

More about Dee and his podcast: https://outtadeeboxradio.com/

More about Infamous Mothers at https://www.infamousmothers.com/ and programs at https://imu.infamousmothers.com/ 

More about Dr Levingston, Covet and her other books at https://drsagashus.com/

Listen in Madison at 89.9FM or online anywhere at wortfm.org.  Support your community radio with a donation online at wortfm.org.

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Beginning life as the WORT Block Party over 25 years ago, WORT’s annual outdoor music festival has now morphed into WORTSTOCK, which will take over Madison’s Warner Park on Sunday May 21. Here to tell us more about WORT’s kickoff to Madison’s summer festival season and WORT Business Development Director Doug Holtz and WORT Volunteer Coordinator Adrienne Ranney. 

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On June 11, Madison Metro will introduce a radically changed bus system. With the new routes, Metro promises more frequent buses, fewer transfers and speedier trips. On the other hand, that efficiency comes at a cost. The new transit system will have fewer routes, longer distances between stops, and will result in the closing of over 700 bus stops.

Although Metro will hire so-called “transit ambassadors” to help people navigate the new system, there’s still bound to be some confusion during the transition. One Madison resident has taken upon himself to do more and is calling on other bus riders to help. Harald Kliems is the creator of the Metro Bus Stop Closure Sign Project, and he joins us now in the studio.

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The Republic of Burundi is one of the smallest, most densely populated and impoverished countries in Africa. Landlocked in the Great Rift Valley, Burundi has seen more than its share of difficulties, including war, deforestation and government corruption. In spite of national strife, grassroots activists have made progress making Burundi a more peaceful place.

Parfaite Ntahuba, a Quaker pastor, has made peacemaking her career. Ntahuba serves as an executive board member for the Friends World Committee for Consultation, the Friends Women’s Association and the All Africa Conference of Churches. She is currently touring the Midwest as part of the Society of Friends African Great Lakes Initiative. Parfaite Ntahuba joins 8 O’Clock Buzz host Brian Standing in the studio.

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Victoria Gutierrez of SEIU Healthcare Wisconsin talks with host Tony Castañeda of the Thursday 8 O’Clock Buzz about the Meriter nurses’ sponsored blood drive happening tomorrow, Saturday, May 12 at the Madison Labor Temple. Honor a nurse and give to an impactful cause.

Image by OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay

 

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