Editors’ Picks

• Ally | SASY Saturdays | Starting on Small Business Saturday, keep your eyes peeled for SASY small businesses marked with holiday bows. These businesses will be offering shopping specials to support the Goodman Community Center.
• Jonathan | Lake City Books | I plan to enter the weekend raffle to win a $100 gift card while scanning the shelves for “Auction,” by UW-Madison professor Quan Barry.
• You all love shopping small. Check out where else you said you’ll be shopping on Nov. 25.

Midwest-made Favorites

• 608today | Okay, we had to toot our own horn a little. If you know someone who is constantly forwarding our newsletter to share an event or piece of local history, spread the 608 spirit with these gifts.
• Simple Times Mixers | Mixologists rejoice at this Columbus, OH brand’s collection of preservative and concentrate-free cocktail mixers.
• MADE MOBB | Kansas City’s premier streetwear brand sells snapbacks, truckers, dad hats, and son hats (like kid-sized dad hats) in over a dozen styles.

Popular Gifts

• For her: simple beaded pearl ring | Drea Studio
• For friends: hygge gift box | Arinna Gifts
• For sisters: personalized “To my sister” blanket | Relatable Basic by Irene and Annie
• For holiday lovers: winter lambs ear wreath | Sprig and Vine Wreaths
• For crafters: paint your own pins kit | Jill Makes
• For anyone: stoneware coffee mug | Spinware

• Sina Davis Community Meal | Thursday, Nov. 23 | 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | Allied Club, 4619 Jenewein Rd., Madison | Free | Registration is encouraged, but walk-ins are welcome for this community meal.
• Thanksgiving at Rigby | Thursday, Nov. 23 | 5 p.m. | The Rigby, 119 E. Main St., Madison | Cost of purchase | Give thanks for $3 Hamms and PBR taps, and $4 Malort.

• Darkweather Friday | Friday, Nov. 24 | 12-10 p.m. | Starkweather Brewing Co., 2439 Atwood Ave., Madison | Free | It’s Black Friday at Starkweather. Try a new dark beer and purchase Gail Ambrosius Chocolates for pairing.
• HE$H | Friday, Nov. 24 | 10 p.m. | Liquid Madison, 624 University Ave., Madison | $15-$20 | Joey Verrando (aka HE$H) has paved his own path in the world of bass music.

• Family Art with Rita | Saturday, Nov. 25 | 10 a.m. | Madison | Free | Professional artist and illustrator Rita Salm will lead activities for folks of all ages to express themselves through art.
• Jokes and Jazz | Saturday, Nov. 25 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | The Caspian Grill, 610 Junction Rd., Madison | $5-$15 | How do you fix a broken tuba? With a tuba glue.

• Exploration Station: Winter Bird Feeders | Sunday, Nov. 26 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Madison Children’s Museum, 100 N. Hamilton St., Madison | Free with museum admission | Kids will make a festive winter bird feeder to attract and nourish native birds.

• Happy Thanksgiving. However you celebrate, we hope you enjoy a day of rest, reflection, and community. We here at 608today are thankful for our city, and the fact that there’s always plenty to talk about.

• Officials at the state and federal levels are investigating a salmonella outbreak that has left people sick across the country, including in Wisconsin. Multiple recalls have been announced. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services suggest you throw them out. (Channel 3000)

• An exhibition celebrating local Indigenous artists is now up at Gallery Marzen on Atwood Avenue. The new show, on view through Dec. 15, features the work of 17 Indigenous artists from across the Upper Midwest. Acclaimed artists like Tom Jones, Leah Yellowbird, and Chris Sweet have works being shown. (Wisconsin State Journal)

• Celebrate Black Friday with a Black IPA, perhaps? Black Friday beer shopping is here and many local breweries are offering up some new big and bold brews. (Isthmus)

• The Weary Traveler seems to be anything but weary. The co-owner of The Weary Traveler Freehouse, and two others involved in the Williamson Street restaurant, have taken over the Rotunda Cafe on Atwood Avenue. They have plans to turn it into a night spot. (Wisconsin State Journal)

• No child’s stocking should go empty. The Empty Stocking Club, the charitable arm of the Wisconsin State Journal, is taking donations for the holiday season. Last year, nearly 7,000 toys were handed out to families, and the need is expected to be greater this year. (Wisconsin State Journal)

• Green bean casserole is coming in hot. Like it or hate it, it’s Wisconsin’s most Google-searched Thanksgiving side dish. (USA Today)

• Ride, don’t walk to the H-D® Factory Outlet store in Milwaukee for their Orange and Black Friday weekend sale, happening from Friday, Nov. 24 to Sunday, Nov. 26. Shoppers can snag deeply discounted Harley-Davidson® Motor Clothes® merchandise and a curated selection of officially licensed products. Plan your visit.*