The way to the heart is through the stomach

Play games (just not with your heart)

If you wanna show off by knowing all the hottest events in town

• Shameless plug: Sign up for our daily newsletter, where we call out our top picks of things to do around town. Your date doesn’t have to know we’re behind it, you can take all the credit.
• Stay up-to-date on the coolest local events around Madison with our events page (and check out this guide for our tips on navigating the page).

• Personal Archiving Lab | Monday, Jan. 8 | 2-4 p.m. | Central Library, 201 W. Mifflin St., Madison | Free | Stop by for a crash course on how to use the library’s Personal Archiving Lab equipment.

• Foto Esculturas | Tuesday, Jan. 9 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Arts + Literature Laboratory, 111 S. Livingston St., Madison | Free | Check out Steve Feren’s work during the exhibition’s opening day.
• Zumba | Tuesday, Jan. 9 | 5-6 p.m. | Oak Hall Community Center, 5510 Lacy Rd., Fitchburg | Free | Drop-ins are welcome for this dance fitness class.
• Trivia Night | Tuesday, Jan. 9 | 7 p.m. | The Rigby, 119 E. Main St., Madison | Free | Gather your smartest friends to compete for prizes.

• Soul Karaoke | Wednesday, Jan. 10 | 7-10 p.m. | Cafe CODA, 1224 Williamson St., Madison | Free | Wednesday nights are now your time to shine and unwind at Cafe CODA.
• Q-Cinema | Wednesday, Jan. 10 | 7-9 p.m. | OutReach LGBTQ+ Community Center, 2701 International Ln., Madison | Free | Gather and watch LGBTQ+ films with snacks and drinks provided.

• Red Cross Blood Drive | Thursday, Jan. 11 | 12-5 p.m. | Sequoya Library, 4340 Tokay Blvd., Madison | Free | Give blood. Save a life.
• Smokin’ Barrel Sauna Pop-Up | Thursday, Jan. 11 | 5-9 p.m. | Delta Beer Lab, 167 E. Badger Rd., Madison | $15-$85 | Limited slots are available, so schedule your session today.
• Gin, Chocolate, and Bottle Rockets | Thursday, Jan. 11 | 7-9 p.m. | The Harmony Bar and Grill, 2201 Atwood Ave., Madison | Free | Get into the Harmony to hear harmonies by a Madison-based trio.

• Navigating the Bus System | Friday, Jan. 12 | 3-5 p.m. | Alicia Ashman Library, 733 N. High Point Rd., Madison | Free | Become a Metro Transit pro.
• Wisconsin Jazz Fest | Friday, Jan. 12 | 7 p.m. | Majestic Madison, 115 King St., Madison | $15 | Cool jazz, smooth jazz, whatever type of jazz you like, be-bop into the Majestic.

• The Madison Police Department has created a job shadow program allowing community members and officers to learn from one another. The Madison Proximity Project pairs a Madison resident with an officer. The officer will shadow that resident at their place of employment. In return, the citizen will participate in a ride-along.

• Does the new year have you thinking about spring? Online ordering is now open for the Friends of the Arboretum’s annual native plant sale. You can get plants in large quantities, garden mixes, and your choice of trees and shrubs. Orders should be placed by Mar. 31 for May pickup.

• Three cheers for three Madisonians. Ashzianna Alexander, Matthias Lemos Castillo, and Dr. Jack Daniels are this year’s recipients of the combined City-County Humanitarian Awards honoring Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. They’ll be presented the awards at the annual City-County observance on Monday, Jan. 15. (Madison365)

• It’s hard to ice skate on Lake Mendota when it’s not frozen. Madison’s winter economy around skating, fishing, and winter sports, is taking a hit with the warm temperatures. Hopefully, next week’s potential winter weather system will improve things. (Wisconsin State Journal)

• Succeeding is Madison’s public golf courses’ FORE-te. In the last four years, the number of rounds played on Madison’s four public golf courses has jumped by 50% and revenue has doubled for the city’s golf enterprise program. (Isthmus)

• Luther Memorial is memorializing its 100th anniversary. The elegant, towering Neo-Gothic church at 1021 University Ave. has just marked a century in Madison. A church member is writing a book on its history, scheduled for release soon. (Wisconsin State Journal)

• It’s a long road trip if you’re sipping 46 million cups of coffee. According to Kwik Trip, the best gas station in the US, the chain sold 46,365,322 coffees, 38,099,636 Glazer donuts, and 26,821,499 chicken tenders last year. (Wisconsin State Journal)

• Madison has once again made a Top Ten list. The city is No. 8 in the nation for being the best city for an active lifestyle. WalletHub compared the 100 biggest US cities based on 35 key indicators including sports clubs, playgrounds, and tennis courts per capita. (WalletHub)

• Looking for your new favorite water bottle? The Owala Travel Tumbler combines the best of Stanley’s viral tumbler with Owala’s smart design. We’re liking color “Bunny Hop.”*

✏️ Name ‘em