The Children’s Zoo inside Henry Vilas Zoo features friendly goats, a carousel, and a train. | Photo by 608today
Sorry, but — NO ADULTS ALLOWED — this one is for the kids. Grown-up, please hand this over to your little one. Got it, kiddo? Let’s plan a family day together. Here’s a fun schedule for you to try.
Morning
Be a chef and cook breakfast for the adults at home. The night before, ask your family to choose from one of these recipes. Don’t be afraid to ask for help if any of the instructions seem confusing.
While you eat, talk about your plan for the day. Ask your family to help you prepare a backpack with things you’ll need. We suggest bringing:
If you have time before heading to lunch, head to Urban Air Adventure Park to practice your jumps and flips.
Afternoon
For lunch, head to ZuZu Café and try the grilled cheese sandwich. After you’ve filled your belly, walk across the street and spend the afternoon exploring the Henry Vilas Zoo. We love seeing the tigers and grizzly bears.
Evening
Wrap up the day with a family dinner. Head to one of our local farmers’ markets to pick out foods you can make together. Over dinner, talk about everything you did today. Ask questions like:
🧠 What was something new you learned?
🤡 What was something funny that happened?
👀 What would we do differently if we did that again?
👍 What do you definitely want to do again? (And again and again…)
Grown-ups — take pictures along the way and share them with us. Also, send us more family friendly recommendations and we may just feature them in an upcoming newsletter.
Asked
Do you want to see more content like this?
A. Yes, weekly B. Yes, monthly C. Maybe, but rarely D. No, never
Sumbuck Summer Run | Monday, June 12 | 8 p.m. | Majestic Theatre, 115 King St., Madison | $18-$45 | From the indie pop band Caamp, check out Sumbuck with special guest Parker Louis.
Tuesday, June 13
Mobile Madison Summer Kickoff Event | Tuesday, June 13 | 5 p.m. | Pinney Library, 204 Cottage Grove Rd., Madison | Free | Enjoy free snacks, books, art activities, fishing games, fitness, and more.
Madison Mallards vs. Fond du Lac | Tuesday, June 13 | 6:05 p.m. | Warner Park, 2920 N Sherman Ave, Madison | $6.08 | Legendary White Sox organist Nancy Faust will play the organ at tonight’s game.*
Wednesday, June 14
Juneteenth: Understanding and Honoring | Wednesday, June 14 | 6-8 p.m. | Sun Prairie Public Library, 1350 Linnerud Dr., Sun Prairie | Free | Learn about the history of Juneteenth and how it is recognized and celebrated today.
Women’s Chainsaw Safety Class | Wednesday, June 14 | 8 a.m.-5 p.m. | Neighborhood House Community Center, 29 S. Mills St., Madison | $200 | This course is certified through the SAWW training program and is part of a four-level series designed to increase safety and efficiency of chainsaw use.
Thursday, June 15
Strawberry Fest | Thursday, June 15 | 3-6 p.m. | Agora Fitchburg, 5511 E. Cheryl Parkway, Fitchburg | Free | Strawberries invade the Fitchburg Farmers Market.
Concerts on the Rooftop: Sixteen Candles | Thursday, June 15 | 7-9 p.m. | Monona Terrace, 1 John Nolen Dr., Madison | Free | Entertaining audiences since 2003, Sixteen Candles travels the country to bring 80s music to life in full force.
How the All of Us Research Program is reshaping the future of medical research
Presented by a 608today Partner
The future of health in Wisconsin — and beyond — starts with you. | Photo provided by All of Us Research Program
Studies show more than 90% of participants from large genomics studies have been of European descent. The lack of diversity in research has hindered scientific discovery —until now.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH)’s All of Us Research Program’s goal is to engage 1 million+ Americans in research to advance medical discoveries and treatment. Recently, it released data on nearly a quarter million whole genome sequences for broad research use. That means, to date, the group has information from 413,450+ participants. Of those, about 45% of the data was donated by people who self-identify with a racial or ethnic group that has been historically underrepresented in medical research — making the All of Us Research Project the world’s largest and most diverse data set of its kind.
Our backgrounds, lifestyles, and genes play important roles in our health. By studying these factors, researchers may find ways to improve health for you, your family, and future generations. Joining the All of Us Research Program can help change the future of health care.
The program is open to adults of all backgrounds and health statuses, even if they’re currently facing an illness. Learn more online or by calling (888) 294-2661.*
This fall, UW-Madison will offer its inaugural ASL course, Linguistics 351: American Sign Language 1. Taught by Taylor Koss, a deaf athlete and ASL instructor at La Follette High School, the four-credit course satisfies the university’s language requirement. (Daily Cardinal)
Open
The new Madison School + Community Recreation facility is now open at West Towne Mall. The 30,000-sqft space includes staff offices and ample room for activities and programs. Stop by the open house on Wednesday, Aug. 9 for a tour of the new digs.
Sports
The Badgers will have some new Big Ten opponents in the future. Wisconsin will head west to play USC in 2024 and UCLA in 2025. Out of conference, the Badgers will play Alabama at home in 2024 and head to Tuscaloosa in 2025.(WKOW)
Arts
Attend the 2023-24 Madison Youth Poet Laureate reading at Pinney Library on Thursday, June 15. Following the reading, Angela Trudell Vasquez will reveal the chosen poet, who will become Madison’s second-ever Youth Poet Laureate — stay tuned for more.
Learn
Is your child an aspiring writer? They’re in luck. Madison Public Library is hosting the We Read Youth Voices Writing Contest now through Friday, June 30. Kids 18 and under can submit a story, song, or poem with the chance to win cash, take home prizes, and get published. Submit a story.*
Drink
Love berries? Then you’re in luck, because it’s Red, White, and Berry Smirnoff season and the Berry Firecracker is the cocktail of the summer. Learn how to make it (at home) for yourself — and maybe even all your friends.*
Finance
Refinance rates are skyrocketing. But home equity rates remain relatively low — which means that now is a great time to borrow against your home. Calculate your payment.*
Don’t forget to meet Maynard when you’re at The Duck Pond. | Photo by Madison Mallards
Skip the card, and take Dad to the Duck Pond for Father’s Day on Sunday, June 18, as the Madison Mallards take on the Kalamazoo Growlers (first pitch at 12:35 p.m.). The festivities include:
Playing catch with Dad on the field before the game begins
A meat raffle, presented by Stoddard’s Meat Market
Mallards-themed Dad socks (available for purchase)
Make it a Father’s Day to remember — tickets start at $10.*
If I had the option to take an ASL course to fulfill my language requirements at UW-Madison, I would’ve chosen that in a heartbeat. Foreign language classes were never my forte, and I’m sure my French 101 professor would agree.
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