07.12.2023

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Today’s Forecast

35º | Cloudy | 15% chance of sleet | Sunrise 7:28 a.m. | Sunset 4:39 p.m.

🍴 DIY 608 takeout

Recreate Paul’s Pel’meni at home

We used cheese and onion pierogi for our dupe. | Photo by 608today

Can’t bring yourself to order delivery again? No worries, today we’re making a 608 delivery staple at home. We did some digging and came up with a Paul’s Pel’meni dupe.

Madison native Paul Schwoerer moved to Juneau, Alaska as a teenager where he first learned the craft of making the Russian dumpling at a fisherman’s wharf. Paul recognized that the simplistic heartiness of the dish — beef, potato, toppings — would be a hit in Madison, and thus a 608 staple was born.

Pelmeni vs. pierogi

Pierogi | These Polish dumplings have a doughy exterior with a soft pre-cooked filling of meat, fruit, or potato + cheese.

Pelmeni | This Russian dumpling varies from its Polish counterpart primarily in that its doughy shell is much thinner and the filling is rarely sweet. Also, the spiced minced meat filling is raw before preparation.

You’ll have an easy time finding pierogi at most 608 grocery stores, but pelmeni is seemingly a bit harder to get your hands on. To keep the dish true to its Russian roots, try searching online for pelmeni. Otherwise, settling for pierogi will still curb your Paul’s craving.

Ingredients — serves two

14 oz. package pierogi or pelmeni
2 tbs. butter
2-4 tbs. chili sauce
1/4 cup sour cream
2 tsp. yellow curry powder
Cilantro for garnish

Sour cream, curry powder, chili sauce, butter, cilantro, and pierogi — This recipe is simple, with a relatively short ingredient list. | Photo by 608today

Instructions

Cook dumplings according to the package — we went the stove top route. Add a few tablespoons of oil to a saucepan, and cook for a few minutes on each side until crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.
Spoon dumplings into a serving bowl, gently stir in butter, curry powder, and chili sauce.
Top with a dollop of sour cream.
Garnish with cilantro

Pro tip: Do you order Paul’s beef pelmeni but can’t find beef dumplings at the store? Cook a half-pound of ground beef with a tablespoon of curry powder before cooking your dumplings. Set aside to stir into your bowl during step two.

Asked

What’s your favorite 608 late-night takeout?

A. Ian’s Pizza
B. Paul’s Pel’meni
C. Cheba Hut
D. Parthenon Gyros

Let us know

Events

Wednesday, July 12

Midweek Meat Raffle | Wednesday, July 12 | 5:30-7:30 p.m. | Lone Girl Brewing Co., 14 E. Main St., Waunakee | Cost of purchase | Come for dinner, stay for the raffle.
Madison Mallards vs. Lakeshore | Wednesday, July 12 | 12:35 p.m. | Warner Park, 2920 N. Sherman Ave., Madison | $6.08+ | The Mallards welcome seniors + kids groups and camps to the matinee kickoff of the doubleheader.*
Madison Mallards vs. Lakeshore | Wednesday, July 12 | 6:35 p.m. | Warner Park, 2920 N. Sherman Ave., Madison | $18+ | Fans are encouraged to support our community by bringing canned foods to the game.*

Thursday, July 13

Maxwell Street Days | Thursday, July 13-Sunday, July 16 | 9 a.m.-6 p.m. | State Street, Madison | Cost of purchase | Rain or shine, take a stroll down State Street for sidewalk deals + live music.
La Fete De Marquette | Thursday, July 13 | 12 p.m. | McPike Park, Middleton | Free | The annual free music festival is back with an additional stage.

Friday, July 14

Capital Brewery Tap Takeover | Friday, July 14 | 3-10 p.m. | Olbrich Biergarten, 3527 Atwood Ave., Madison | Cost of purchase | Bring your own picnic or enjoy locally crafted soft pretzels, Nürnburg-style brats, and cheese curds.
Ron Funches | Friday, July 14 | 10 p.m. | Comedy on State, 202 State St., Madison | $25 | Catch a set by this comedian known for roles on shows including “Bob’s Burgers,” “Adventure Time,” and “Loot”.

Saturday, July 15

Bollywood + Beyond | Saturday, July 15 | 10 p.m.-2 a.m. | Liquid Madison, 624 University Ave., Madison | $10-$20 | Enjoy a night filled with international party music.
Bike the Loop 2023 | Saturday, July 15 | Grand Crossing Park, 6320 Inland Wy., Monona | Free | Bring the kids for Lake Bingo, try your hand at Poker Run, and enjoy food + drinks from Buck and Honey’s.

Events calendar here

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Try This

Forward Madison FC’s Family Night

Try This: Forward Madison FC’s Family Night

Presented by a 608today Partner

Kick it with the team at Breese Stevens Field. | Photo by 608today

Looking for a family-friendly activity downtown that the whole crew will enjoy? Look no further than Forward Madison FC’s Family Night. (Hint: The next one is happening in two weeks).

What we tried:

Earlier this spring, we attended the first Family Night of the season to take in the festivities and a great match (think: face painting, a petting zoo, a balloon artist, and so much more). With an early kickoff time (5 or 6 p.m.), you can bring the kiddos to cheer on the Mingos without messing up bedtime.

Pro tip: Family Special tickets feature entrance to the game, a meal, and a scarf for just $21. They’re available for all remaining home matches here.

There’s usually an opportunity for fans to meet the team and snag some autographs after the game. Pro tip: To ensure that you’ll be able to grab some time with the team, snag tickets to the Saturday, Sept. 30 game, which features a designated post-game autograph session.

Keep reading to see what we’re still talking about at this exciting match. (Hint: Furry animals are involved.)

What not to miss

News Notes

Development

The Carey Group is proposing the demolition of Vintage Spirits and Grill to construct a 12-story building with 33 rental units, commercial space, and a rooftop patio. The project would occupy the small site at 529 University Ave. and have no vehicle parking. (Madison.com)

Community

Stop by the Westside Alders Meet and Greet tomorrow, July 13 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Meadowood Neighborhood Center — 5740 Raymond Rd. The Alders hope to engage residents in local government and foster dialogue that creates positive changes in Madison’s west side.

Watch

Keep your eyes on the sky tomorrow night, the Northern Lights are expected to be visible on the horizon in Southern Wisconsin. You’ll have the highest chance of seeing them between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. in an area far away from dense light pollution. (WKOW)

Read

Author Terese Allen released the “Dane County Farmers’ Market Cookbook,” featuring over 125 recipes from the market community. It promotes the creation of global flavors with local food and can be purchased at the market for the rest of the season. (NBC 15)

Art

The Annie C. Stewart Fountain, Madison’s oldest public art piece, has deteriorated past the point of repair. A consultant suggests preserving it indoors for $210,000 or creating a $700,000 replica. Its fate will be decided by City officials following a working group meeting at the end of the month. (Madison.com)

The Word

Broncearse. Start using it in conversation in three weeks.*

Job

Passionate about storytelling, news, and Madison? We’re hiring a City Editor to plan, write, edit, and publish the most relevant and engaging daily content about our city. See details + apply.

Civic

🗣️ Money talks

Fast facts on Wisconsin’s newly enacted biennial budget

Changes are on the horizon for Madison + other Dane County cities | Photo by 608today team

Gov. Tony Evers signed legislation enacting the 2023-2025 biennial budget last week. We’re breaking it down, highlighting a few major points, in 150 words.

Terms

Reimbursement rate: Tax-deductible value
GPR: General purpose revenue
Innovation grants: Financial backing for research + development
Revolving loan: Funds remain available to finance operations without fiscal year limitation. Think: Line of credit.

K-12

$30 million — school-based mental health services
$97 million GPR — achieve a yearly 33.3% special ed. reimbursement rate
$50 million — improve reading and literacy

Affordable housing

$1 billion — new limit on notes + bonds that WHEDA can issue to finance projects
$275 million — Residential Housing Infrastructure Revolving Loan Fund
$1 million GPR — yearly Homelessness Prevention Program funds

Infrastructure

$555.5 million — transportation projects
$300 million — innovation grants
$100 million — Local Roads Improvement Program

Environment/Agriculture

$125 million — address PFAS contamination
$1.6 million — Meat Processor Grant program
$100,000 GPR — yearly mental health assistance to farm families

Shop

It’s the last day of Amazon Prime Day sales — aka, discounts on everything from iPads to furniture to nugget ice makers. Surf the sales or check out our picks. Note: Deals may be subject to change.

Family

Keep crumbs and messes under control with the iRobot Roomba that empties itself — it’s $400 off (yes, you read that right).

Eat

Bread makers are making a comeback, and we totally get why (read: soft, warm, homemade bread). Snag the Hamilton Beach Bread Maker that’s $34 off.

Arts

Customize tees, pillows, and totes with the Cricut Heat Press Machine’s pro-level heat-transfer that lasts through repeated washes. Get it while it’s 20% off.

Outdoors

Keep comfy and cool this summer with wear-anywhere black running shorts, discounted down from $24.99 to $18.39.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Ally

From the editor

I’ve spent an embarrassing amount of money on ordering Paul’s — full order, half+half, with the works. Although I would argue that it offers the best bang for your buck in comparison to other isthmus eats, so I can’t feel too guilty. If you’re still hungry, check out our recreation of Ian’s mac n’ cheese pizza.

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