Plus, Lola's opens on the north side.
 
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Today’s Forecast

52º | Scattered showers | 52% chance of rain | Sunrise 6:40 a.m. | Sunset 4:40 p.m.
 

👋 Give a helping hand

Here’s how you can give a helping hand this holiday season in Madison
Goodman Community Center Thanksgiving volunteer pushing cart of frozen turkeys
Get a workout in while holiday volunteering this year. | Photo via Goodman Community Center
Looking to give a helping hand this holiday season? Check out these local organizations that can help you help others.

💪 Get movin’

Neighborhood House Community Center, 29 S. Mills St.
Sign up to make reminder calls to Thanksgiving basket recipients, or to hand out baskets on Monday, Nov. 20.

Second Harvest Foodbank, 2802 Dairy Dr.
Choose your own adventure by opting to volunteer solo, with a group, for service hours, or even for an internship.

St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry, 2033 Fish Hatchery Rd.
There’s currently a high priority for traffic controllers, outdoor food loading, and general Saturday help.

Goodman Community Center, 214 Waubesa St.
Drop off food from the grocery list Nov. 13-17 at the gym, or Nov. 18-19 at the main Ironworks building on Waubesa Street.

🧸 Youth opportunities

Habitat for Humanity, 6201 Odana Rd.
Join your teenagers during this year’s Rake-a-Thon. Participants will meet at the Memorial Union and carpool to local neighborhoods for a 4-hour raking shift.

Santas Without Chimneys, 201 S. Stoughton Rd.
Toy experts wanted. Your kids can help select gifts that will go to other littles in the Madison area who are experiencing homelessness. Other volunteer opportunities include organizing and wrapping gifts.

608 Santas without chimneys

Sometimes, even Santa needs help wrapping presents. | Photo by Santas Without Chimneys

River Food Pantry, 2201 Darwin Rd.
Teens ages 16+ are welcome to help out with online ordering, pantry stocking, to-go meal packaging, and washing dishes.

🏠 Help from home

The Road Home, 890 W. Wingra Dr.
Make a $75 contribution to ensure that each family member in the housing program receives a gift card to a location of their choosing.

Lussier Community Education Center, 55 S. Gammon Rd.
More than 800 young people are signed up for the annual holiday gift program, sign up today to sponsor a family (or multiple).

Friends of the State Street Family
Check out the Amazon wishlist to help people stay warm and fed this holiday season.
More options here
Events
Wednesday, Nov. 8
Thursday, Nov. 9
  • MSO on the Go | Thursday, Nov. 9 | 7 p.m. | VAHS Performing Arts Center, 234 Wildcat Way, Verona | Free | Enjoy Madison Symphony Orchestra’s free community concert.
  • Sam Ness Band | Thursday, Nov. 9 | 7 p.m. | North Street Cabaret, 610 North St., Madison | Free | Listen to Sauk City singer-songwriter Sam Ness.
Friday, Nov. 10
  • Family Fun Night | Friday, Nov. 10 | 5-8 p.m. | Goodman Community Center, 214 Waubesa St., Madison | Free | Have good fun at the Goodman Center with swimming, free play in the gym, games, and more for families.
  • Orquesta SalSoul del Mad | Friday, Nov. 10 | 8-10 p.m. | Cafe CODA, 1224 Williamson St., Madison | $15 | Salsa and soul come together at Cafe CODA.
Saturday, Nov. 11
  • Shakespeare Audition Workshop | Saturday, Nov. 11 | 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m. | Bartell Theatre, 113 Mifflin St., Madison | Free | Art thou a thespian? Sharpen your Shakespearean skills.
  • Hayride through Holiday Fantasy in Lights | Saturday, Nov. 11 | 7-10 p.m. | Olin Park, 1156 Olin-Turville Ct., Madison | $0-$3 | Get in a festive mood with the family aboard a hay wagon at Olin Park.
Thursday, Nov. 16
  • Mess Night at the Wisconsin Veterans Museum | Thursday, Nov. 16 | 5:30-8 p.m. | Wisconsin Veterans Museum, 30 W. Mifflin St., Madison | $50-$58 | Join Wisconsin Veterans Museum for their quarterly Mess Night with guest Col. (R) Liam Collins, who will discuss how Ukraine reformed its military strategy to win the battle of Kyiv.*
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
 
Community

How you can support 608today’s 2024 vision

City Editor Ally’s 3 favorite Madison news stories from 2023
City Edit Ally with the Madison skyline in the background.
Becoming a member is a powerful way to support our local news team. | Photo by 608today
It’s hard to believe it’s almost a wrap on 2023 — and what a year it’s been. We’ve been privileged enough to bring you incredible Madison news stories straight to your inbox.

Check out some of City Editor Ally’s favorites:
We’re asking for your support to bring you even more stories like these next year.

We’re passionate about our approach to local news. In 2024, you can depend on us for newsletters free of divisive political content. Instead, we’ll deepen your Madison roots, celebrate our city, and tell you ways to get involved with our community.

Joining our membership club is a powerful way to support our mission and keep our free newsletters hitting your inbox. Join and support us today.
Learn about member benefits
News Notes
Sports
  • CBS Sports has secured a deal with the United Soccer League (USL) to broadcast 100 USL matches each year until 2027, marking the USL’s debut feature on a national network TV station. Specifics regarding the coverage of the 2024 season, including Forward Madison matches, will be announced in the coming weeks. (Channel 3000)
Open
  • Lola’s Hi’Lo Lounge is now open on Madison’s north side. From the owners of Ancora, this “Wisconsin fancy” 60s-inspired spot offers tavern food from around the world and a variety of classic cocktails.
Job
  • The Madison Public Market Foundation is preparing to hire its first executive director as the public market project advances. The director will select and negotiate agreements with the 200+ businesses that have shown interest in market spaces. (Isthmus)
Learn
  • UW-Madison celebrates Native American Heritage Month with the theme “Laughter is Medicine.” The focus is on uplifting Indigenous culture, honoring the community, and educating non-Indigenous people. Various events are planned throughout the month, culminating with a keynote by activist Dallas Goldtooth. (Badger Herald)
Edu
  • Speaking of the university — the UW System unveiled a budget proposal allocating $32 million to produce 9,300+ STEM and healthcare graduates in five years, expanding the workforce in the respective fields. The proposal awaits approval by the Board of Regents and the Joint Committee on Finance. (WKOW)
State
  • Korey Kleinhans, a Hortonville adaptive PE teacher, aims to introduce varsity-level adaptive sports in Wisconsin high schools, allowing students with disabilities to showcase their abilities. Currently, 13 schools participate, and Kleinhans hopes to expand, potentially leading to a WIAA-sanctioned state championship. (NBC 15)
Biz
  • Small Business Saturday is just around the corner — Nov. 25, to be exact. What local businesses will you be supporting + which local deals should we check out? Let us know and we may feature your recommendation in an upcoming newsletter.
Health
  • “Will LASIK work for me?” “Can I really get rid of my glasses?” “What about nighttime side effects?” These are just a few of the frequently asked questions SSM Health Eye Care providers receive about refractive surgery. Schedule a free consultation to learn more, and find out whether this could be the right choice for you.*
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Government

💰 Making cents

The 2024 Dane County budget has been approved
608reflect.jpg
The new year is a time of reflection and partying. | Photo by @giuliaparisparis
The 2024 Dane County budget was officially approved by the County Board this week. The budget looks slightly different than what was initially proposed by County Executive Joe Parisi in October, so we’re summing up some key changes in less than 150 words.

Parisi’s proposed operating budget: $787 million
County Board’s approved operating budget: $789 million

Parisi’s proposed capital budget: $149 million
County Board’s approved capital budget: $179 million

Amendments:
  • An additional $100,000 in funding for youth center programming
  • $10 million increase to the Affordable Housing Development fund
  • $7/hour raise for staff at Journey Mental Health
  • $5.5 million toward the renovation of the county’s parking ramp near the Capitol Square
To finalize the budget, Parisi will now sign off on the County Board’s amendments before retiring from his position as Dane County’s executive come May.
The Buy

The Buy 11.08.23 (Affiliate + Six & Main)
One of these gifts. All under $25, all adorable.
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The Wrap
 
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Today’s edition by:
Ally
From the editor
I know this is 608today, not 414today, but I’m gearing up for a weekend trip to my second favorite city — Milwaukee — and need restaurant recommendations. Shoot me an email with your fave MKE dinner and/or drinks spots (bonus points for river views).
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