08.18.2023

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Today’s Forecast

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

🌱 Get to know Mother Nature

Get rooted in nature with Madison’s Naturalist-in-Residence program

Qwantese Winters, Madison’s 2023 Naturalist-in-Residence. | Photo via City of Madison

Madison’s second annual Naturalist-in-Residence program kicks off in two weeks. Free nature-based activities will take place in local libraries and natural areas every weekend in September to help Madisonians connect with the outdoors as well as each other.

👋 Meet the Naturalist

This year’s Naturalist-in-Residence, Qwantese Winters, chose the theme “Rooted in Nature” to encapsulate the month-long experience. Qwantese wears many hats in her work as a doula, writer, agriculturist, and artist. You may have seen her on PBS Wisconsin’s “Let’s Grow Stuff” helping locals traverse the art of home gardening.

In the press release announcing her new title, Qwantese said she chose “Rooted in Nature” as “a way to extend a heartfelt invitation to all those who have felt detached from the land or who have lost their wonder when engaging with nature...to reconnect with the land, to embrace their heritage, and to rediscover the awe-inspiring wonder that resides within each of us when we are one with nature.”

kayak on the water — Do you prefer enjoying nature by land or water? | Photo by Europa Christoffel

🗓️ Schedule of events

If required, registration will open two weeks before each event.

Weekend one:

Friday, Sept. 1 | Meet the Naturalist | 6-7 p.m. | Troy Farm, 502 Troy Dr.
Saturday, Sept. 2 | Infusion Workshop: Rosemary and Rose Petal Hair Rinse | 2-3 p.m. | Central Library, 201 W. Mifflin St.

Weekend two:

Friday, Sept. 8 | Nature Writing and Meditative Walk | 6-7 p.m. | Edna Taylor Conservation Park, 802 Femrite Dr.
Saturday, Sept. 9 | Weeds and their Bounty | 1-2:30 p.m. | Meadowridge Library, 5726 Raymond Rd.

Weekend three:

Friday, Sept. 15 | Nature Writing and Meditative Walk | 6-7 p.m. | Heritage Prairie, 5414 Queensbridge Rd.
Saturday, Sept. 16 | Infusion Workshop: Digestive Bitter | 2-3 p.m. | Meadowridge Library, 5726 Raymond Rd.

Weekend four:

Friday, Sept. 22 | Foraged Friends | 6-7:30 p.m. | Lakeview Library, 2845 N. Sherman Ave.
Saturday, Sept. 23 | Nature Study Workshop | 2-3 p.m. | Sequoya Library, 4340 Tokay Blvd.

Weekend five:

Friday, Sept. 29 | Infusion Workshop: Herbal Tea Blend | 2-3 p.m. | Alicia Ashman Library, 733 N. High Point Rd.
Saturday, Sept. 30 | Nature Study Workshop | 2-3 p.m.| Goodman South Madison Library, 2222 S. Park St.

Asked

What’s your favorite way to connect with nature?

A. Foraging/growing food
B. Meditative walks
C. Creating nature-inspired art

Let us know

Events

Friday, Aug. 18

Blood Drive | Friday, Aug. 18 | 8 a.m.-1 p.m. | Stoughton Health Center, 3162 County Rd. B, Stoughton | Free | There is a critical need for O-negative, O-positive, B-positive, and B-negative.

Saturday, Aug. 19

Wisconsin Daylily Society Plant Sale | Saturday, Aug. 19 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m. | Olbrich Park, 3527 Atwood Ave., Madison | Cost of purchase | The best way to access the park is Milwaukee Street to Walter Street which crosses Atwood Avenue and ends in the parking lot.
GeekCraft Expo | Saturday, Aug. 19-Sunday, Aug. 20 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Alliant Energy Center, Madison | $2-$5 | A curated geek-themed pop-up market showcasing handmade goods by local crafters.

Sunday, Aug. 20

Magic Pride Festival | Sunday, Aug. 20 | 1-6 p.m. | Warner Park, 2920 N. Sherman Ave., Madison | Free | Local LGBTQ+ performers and vendors, games, and food.
A Night with the Stars | Sunday, Aug. 20 | 3:30-7 p.m. | Barnwood Events, 3230 Larsen Rd., Madison | $25-$450 | This fundraising event will feature a silent auction, film premieres, and a wine and liquor pull.

Monday, Aug 21

Discord Game Night: Scribbl.io | Monday, Aug. 21 | 6-7 p.m. | Virtual | Free | Tech-savvy gamers are invited to join the Discord for a casual drawing game night.
Simply Stitched | Monday, Aug. 21 | 5:30-8:30 p.m. | Madison | Free | Stop by with your sewing machine and other supplies to work on your current project.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

Travel

The cheapest US destinations to fly to, according to travel experts

A plane flying over a blue sky, possibly to a cheap US destination, with palm trees below.

Start dreaming of your next vacation. | Photo by Tom Cattini via Pexels

Our partners at Going search for cheap flights for a living (and then email you about them for free). Check out their list of the cheapest destinations in the US to fly to, including:

No. 3: San Francisco

Last year, the Going team found 89 flight deals here.
Fun fact: San Francisco International Airport has direct flights from 88 US cities.

No. 2: Los Angeles

Going finds ~10 deals per month to LA — like Chicago to LA for $138 roundtrip.

See the No. 1 cheapest place

News Notes

Weather

The Wisconsin DNR has issued an air quality advisory for the weekend due to smoke from Canadian wildfires and elevated ozone levels. The advisory will end at 6 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 21. Air quality is predicted to be in the orange/red zone, learn more about what this means. (WKOW)

Coming Soon

Long live the 32-oz Long Islands. With Wando’s taking over The Red Shed’s current location, the dive bar has found a new home at 508 State St. After 50 years on Frances Street, the bar will officially close on Sunday, Sept. 17 before moving into its new space which will have a divey vibe and eventually serve lunch. (Madison.com)

Traffic

New Vision Zero measures are in the works to enhance street safety in Madison. Starting this month, speed limit reductions will be implemented on several streets, including Whitney Way, Rosa Road, and Northport Drive.

Community

Help determine the future of the Brayton Lot, a two-acre parking lot near the Square targeted for redevelopment. Stop by the in-person meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 22 at 7 p.m. at the Municipal Building, or register for the virtual meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 23 at 12 p.m.

Environment

Dane County officials plan to purchase around 625 acres of land in Verona and Montrose for a $12 million expansion to the Sugar River Wildlife Area. Expected to be made official in a matter of weeks, this will be the largest conservation acquisition in the county’s history. (NBC 15)

Sports

Wisconsin ranks No. 16 in the country for high school sports participation by state with over 150,000 young athletes. Listen to leaders from RISE and the Milwaukee Youth Sports Alliance discuss how organized sports can positively impact these students in high school and beyond. (WPR)

Finance

One card, all the perks. A $200 welcome bonus, unlimited cash back, and 0% interest into 2024 all with no annual fee almost sounds too good to be true — but this card has it all.*

Travel and Outdoors

🌻 Fall blooms

Become an expert on native flowers

City Editor Ally spotted these beauties in the Greenbush neighborhood. | Photo by 608today

Did you know that late summer is a great time for planting some native flowers?

Native plants are naturally adapted to the local climate, provide sustenance to native wildlife, and save water by thriving on normal rainfall. Get your garden gloves out, and get ready to enjoy some Wisconsin florae this fall.

Black-eyed Susan

Rudbeckia hirta

Soil: Moist to dry, well-drained
Light needs: Sun
Bloom time: March-Nov.

Growing tips: Black-eyed Susan can become aggressive without competition, so consider planting it alongside other plants.

Butterfly Milkweed

Asclepias tuberosa

Soil: Well-drained, sandy
Light needs: Sun, shade, part-shade
Bloom time: May-Sept.

Growing tips: Butterfly Milkweed attracts aphids, which you can deal with by spraying with soapy water.

Blazing Star

Liatris pycnostachya

Soil: Moist, well-drained
Light needs: Sun
Bloom time: June-Dec.

Growing tips: This flower thrives in temperatures ranging from 55 to 75º.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Ally

From the editor

I had a meeting with a coworker who lives in South Carolina this week, and we got to chatting about regional potluck staples. She enlightened me on the South’s love for pimento cheese and chicken salad while I tried convincing her how good Snickers salad is. Let me know your favorite (or least favorite) Midwest potluck staple. I’m a big fan of funeral potatoes and any pudding-based “salad.”

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