Hey 608, Ally + Ryan here. We get the privilege of sharing the news with over 40,000 readers in Madison, daily — through our newsletter + social feeds.
We have a new face at 608today, so you can consider this our official meet-cute(no cinematic, albeit awkward, coffee spill bump-ins required). 😘
Meet Ally 👋
Q: Describe your perfect day in Madison. A: I’d start my day off with Gotham Bagels + a walk down Picnic Point. Then, I’d go thrifting at Upshift with my best friend, which offers free coffee + boxed wine to really heighten the shopping experience. We would meander around the square, people-watching, before I ended my day with a drinks + apps date night at Nattspil.
Q: If you were taking someone on a tour around 608, where are the three places you’re going? A: Chazen Art Museum – Free admission + cool art is a no-brainer. Willy Street — I love the charm that Willy Street offers. It’s easy to walk, making it perfect for popping into all of the shops + cafes for quick bites and quirky trinkets. Short Stack — Ordering the blind special is a must. Takeout only though, I’m not waiting in that line.
Q: You’re ordering a drink from 608-coffee shop/bar: What’s in it? A: Two words: spicy + margarita. Preferably from The Mason on South Park Street.
Meet Ryan 👋
Q: Describe your perfect day in Madison. A: Early morning coffee from Cafe Domestique + a treat from Batch Bakehouse. A day filled with outdoors time — cycling, walking, picnicking in a park. Cap it off with happy hour at Sardine. Must-try: moule frites + a tin of sardines.
Q: You can only choose one local restaurant menu to bring with you to a deserted island — which one is it + why? A: To anyone who closely follows my Editor’s Picks, this will come as no surprise. Casetta Kitchen and Counter — a contemporary sandwich shop with a rotating weekly menu — would be my desert island restaurant. Anyone can make a decent sandwich, only the greats can make an amazing one.
Q: What are your tips for parking downtown on a weekend night? A: My greatest pro tip: ride a bike. The 608 has more bike parking than car parking — and it’s all free. For motor enthusiasts, use tools like the City of Madison parking utility to check lot availability as well as pricing.
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South Madison Farmers’ Market | Mon., Sept. 19 | 2-6 p.m. | Novation Center, 2500 Rimrock Rd. | Free entry | Shop for local produce, handmade arts + crafts, plus mingle with neighborhood friends. 🥕
Tuesday
Drag Queen Bingo | Tues., Sept. 20 | 7:30-9 p.m. | Delta Beer Lab, 167 E. Badger Rd. | $5 | Join one of Madison’s most beloved drag queens, Kendra Banx$, for a night of beer, bingo + prizes. 🍺
Wednesday
FMFC Watch Party vs. Central Valley Fuego FC | Wed., Sept. 21 | 8:30 p.m. | Breese Stevens Field, 917 E. Mifflin St. | Free | Cheer on + watch the Mingo’s battle the Fuego on the big screen at Breese Stevens.
Thursday
Charming Disaster | Thurs., Sept. 22 | 7-10 p.m. | The North Street Cabaret, 610 North St. | $10 | This musical storytelling duo will immerse you into a performance with playful twists on dark narratives. 🎭
Friday
Mad Lit | Fri., Sept. 23 | 8-11 p.m. | 100 Block of State Street | Free | Spend the night on State enjoying live performances, pop-up shops, and visual exhibits highlighting local artists.
We have amonthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
For tickets to local and regional events, check out our 6AM Tickets resale marketplace.*
SSM Health is centralizing patient care in the 608 with its new comprehensive campus at 1211 Fish Hatchery Rd. | Photo 608today team
City Editor Ryan here. 👋 When it comes to meeting your healthcare needs, it can be dizzying to know where to look for support. That’s why I toured SSM Heath’s South Madison Campus, which opened its new, state-of-the-art building in February — completewith 180,000 sqft of centralized healthcare services and 100+ primary and multi-specialty care providers.
Here’s what I discovered.
What we tried:
📍 First stop: Lobby + community amenities
After learning about the easy, patient check-in process (including lobby self-registration + online pre-registration options) I popped into the public cafe+neighborhood pharmacy, available to both patients and neighborhood residents. Let’s just say anyone visiting will recognize the thought put into a positive visitor experience — including the calming aesthetic of wood elements throughout, much of it repurposed from black walnut trees previously in the clinic’s lot.
📍 Second stop: Orthopedics + therapy services On the second floor is a comprehensive and thoughtful mix of wellness spaces, including multiple gyms for physical, speech, and occupational therapy services — not to mention X-ray imaging for orthopedics care.
Keep reading to see our last stop — and what we’re still talking about. *
Wisconsin has been approved for $78 million in federal funds to help build a nationwide electric vehicle charging network. This includes 406 charging stations in the state, over 100 of those being within a 10-mile radius of the Isthmus. 🔋 (Madison.com)
Number
8,000. That’s how many new jobs the state of Wisconsin created during the month of August. Many of the positions are government based + support public schools — custodians, kitchen workers, + teachers. (Cap Times)
History
Wisconsin Historical Society announced the 300 block of East Washington is being listed on the State Register of Historic Places. Currently Rubin’s Furniture, the building was erected in 1907 + housed Madison Saddlery Company, a retailer for leather goods. (NBC 15)
Edu
Changes are coming to Madison Metropolitan School District’s lunches. After criticism from guardians + staff, more complex and nutritious options are to be expected as soon as next week. 🥪 (Cap Times)
Job
We’re hiring a Sales Executive to lead our advertising relationships in Madison. This executive would oversee the entire 608 territory, pitching the most relevant + modern media offering in town while earning a competitive salary with unlimited PTO. If you’d like to be considered or know someone we should, learn more + apply here.
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See numerals + refer to list below | Graphic by 608today team
One of the best things about 608 living is the opportunity to experience a variety of cultures right here on the Isthmus. Take a culinary tour of the world via some of our favorite spots serving international cuisine.
1. 🇪🇹 Ethiopian | Buraka, 1210 Williamson St. | Stop by for appetizers + specialty drinks or kick back in the garden patio for a relaxed, outdoor dinner.
2. 🇷🇺 Russian | Paul’s Pel’meni, 414 W. Gilman St. | Paul’s keeps it simple with one thing on its menu, Pel’meni. (Think: potato-filled dumplings.)
3. 🇧🇷 Brazilian | Samba, 240 W. Gilman St. | This one is for the meat lovers.Indulge in table-side meat carving paired with salad, cheeses, and other small bites.
4. 🇮🇳 Indian | Maharani, 380 W. Washington Ave. | A must-try for traditional Indian cusinse + one of Madison’s best lunch buffets. Must-try: vegetable samosa.
5. 🇨🇦 Canadian | Cooper’s Tavern, 20 W. Mifflin St. | While Cooper’s serves more than just Canadian cuisine, it’s the 608’s go-to for poutine.
Editor’s pick: If you’re looking for a low-pressure physical activity, check out the Madison Outdoor Yoga Group on Facebook. These donation-based classes are hosted all over town at public parks and are great for beginners, like me, who prefer a more relaxed experience.
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