Plus, how do you say "Cheers" in Japanese?
 
01.09.2024 6AM-Top banner logo-small.png

SUBSCRIBE | REFER

Today’s Forecast

35º | Cloudy | 99% chance of snow | Sunrise 7:28 a.m. | Sunset 4:40 p.m.
 

🌺 Flower power

Madisonians can find color in the drab of winter
Lilies found at the UW-Madison greenhouses.jpeg
The Botany Greenhouse at UW-Madison has over 1,000 species. | Photo via UW-Madison Botany Garden and Greenhouse
“When you take a flower in your hand and really look at it, it’s your world for a moment,” said Sun Prairie-born artist Georgia O’Keeffe. “I want to give that world to someone else. Most people in the city rush around so, they have no time to look at a flower.”

O’Keeffe knew, as do we all, that flowers are hard to come by in a Wisconsin winter. That doesn’t mean they don’t exist. They can be found at area conservatories and greenhouses. And, heck, you can grow them yourself.

Mitchell Park Domes Horticulture Conservatory, 524 S. Layton Blvd., Milwaukee
Known as much for its plant life as it is for its architecture, each of the three Mitchell Park Domes maintain a distinct climate and setting. There’s a floral show dome, a tropical dome, and a desert dome.

Mitchell Domes Conservatory in Milwaukee.jpeg

Each dome contains a distinct climate and setting for plant life. | Photo via Mitchell Park Domes Horticulture Conservatory

Nicholas Conservatory and Gardens, 1354 N. 2nd St., Rockford
It is one of the largest conservatories in Illinois, and just across the Wisconsin border along the banks of the Rock River. It includes an 11,000-sqft plant exhibition area complete with water features, seating areas, and sculptures, all in a tropical plant setting.

Olbrich Botanical Gardens, 3330 Atwood Ave., Madison
Open daily, this year-round tropical paradise houses more than 650 plants representing more than 80 families and more than 475 different species and cultivars. It’s all under a glass pyramid with a temperature that goes no lower than 65 degrees.

Inside Olbrich Gardens' Bolz Conservatory.jpeg

There are more than 650 plants growing in the Bolz Conservatory. | Photo via Olbrich Botanical Gardens

UW-Madison Botany Garden and Greenhouse, Birge Hall, 430 Lincoln Dr., Madison
The Botany Greenhouse has been a laboratory of learning and has been an oasis for the public for years. There are eight rooms, divided into 11 distinct climate zones. It features more than 1,000 species comprising distinct aquatic, desert, and tropical communities.

After visiting a conservatory, you may want to plant some flowers of your own. The Madison Public Library is here to help with its seed library. Six participating library branches are offer free 10-seed packets. Some available native plant seeds include black-eyed susans, wild bergamot, and lavender hyssop.
Asked

What piece of gardening advice would you give someone who doesn’t have a green thumb?

We might include your response in a coming newsletter.
Lettuce know
Events
Tuesday, Jan. 9
  • Tuesday Salsa Dance Night | Tuesday, Jan. 9 | 8:30-11:30 p.m. | Cafe CODA, 1224 Williamson St., Madison | $10 | Get a little spicy with your dance partner.
Wednesday, Jan. 10
  • Geezer Gamers | Wednesday, Jan. 10 | 12:30-5 p.m. | Noble Knight Gaming Hall, 2835 Commerce Park Dr., Fitchburg | Free | Whether you’re a retiree, a late-shift worker, or just happen to have the afternoon free, stop by for casual tabletop gaming.
  • Junkyard Kings | Wednesday, Jan. 10 | 7-9 p.m. | Red Rooster, 2513 Seiferth Rd., Madison | $10 | Listen to locals croon country-tinged tunes.
Thursday, Jan. 11
  • Cooking with Chef Paul: Plant-Based Meals | Thursday, Jan. 11 | 6:30-7:30 p.m. | Lakeview Library, 2845 N. Sherman Ave., Madison | Free | Explore plant-based meals with Chef Paul.
  • Open Mic Comedy | Thursday, Jan. 11 | 8 p.m.-12 a.m. | The Rigby, 119 E. Main St., Madison | Free | Are you the next Jim Gaffigan? Step right up to the microphone.
Friday, Jan. 12
  • Madison Capitols vs. Green Bay Gamblers | Friday, Jan. 12 | 7:05 p.m. | Bob Suter’s Capitol Ice Arena, 2616 N. Pleasant View Rd., Middleton | $12-$34 | More fun than you can shake a (hockey) stick at.
  • 80s Rewind | Friday, Jan. 12 | 9 p.m. | Crucible, 3116 Commercial Ave., Madison | $5 | You’ll have a total eclipse of the heart if you shake and shimmy to your favorite 80s tunes.
Saturday, Jan. 13
  • Book Buddies Reading Program | Saturday, Jan. 13 | 9:30-11:30 a.m. | City Dog Veterinary Clinic, 1004 E. Washington Ave., Madison | Free | Kids have an opportunity to read with registered therapy dogs.
  • N/A Day: A “Dry January” Beverage Festival | Saturday, Jan. 13 | 12-4 p.m. | The Bur Oak, 2262 Winnebago St., Madison | $20-$30 | Enjoy non-alcoholic beverages during Dry January.
  • Madfest Juggling Extravaganza | Saturday, Jan. 13 | 7 p.m. | The Barrymore Theatre, 2090 Atwood Ave., Madison | $25 | Juggle your schedule if you have to. You need to see some skilled jugglers.
Sunday, Jan. 14
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
 
News Notes
Civic
  • Voting will be vigorous in 2024 as Wisconsin’s political calendar is a full one. There’s the presidential election in November, of course, but voting really kicks off this winter with primaries for nonpartisan offices on Feb. 20. (Isthmus)
Cause
  • Show your warmth by donating bedding and blankets to St. Vinny’s of Madison’s Recycle the Warmth Blanket Drive. It takes place Jan. 26-28 at the 1309 Williamson St. location. Last year, 668 families received support from the drive.
Edu
  • The Madison Metropolitan School District should have a new superintendent by the end of February. The candidates will be interviewed in person, and the public can watch via livestream to provide informed feedback. (Wisconsin State Journal)
Drink
  • Octopi Brewing is now an arm under Asahi. The beloved Waunakee brewery was recently purchased by Asahi, one of Japan’s largest brewing companies. The acquisition means that Asahi Super Dry, the most popular beer in Japan, will be brewed in the US for the first time. (WKOW)
Health
  • Professors and students at UW-Madison have developed groundbreaking technology that could assist doctors in identifying developmental disorders before a child is born. RosetteArrays is a genetic screening tool that enables scientists to pinpoint the beginning stages of developmental disorders. (WKOW)
Community
  • The 34th annual MLK Free Community Dinner is set for Friday, Jan. 12. In celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, the event is hosted by the King Coalition and will take place at the UW Gordon Dining and Event Center from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. (Madison365)
Closed
  • This yarn is far from over for Fiddlesticks, which recently closed on the east side due to a dispute with its landlord. The fiber arts shop is hoping to find a new brick-and-mortar space on the east or north side. In the meantime, operations have shifted online. (In Business)
Biz
  • Winter is here. Snow is falling. That’s good news for the Snow Scholars, a new snow shoveling business founded by UW-Madison students. They serve other students, as well as residents in the Madison community. (WMTV)
Open
  • Slip on your skates and slide on over to the Edgewater. The hotel’s iconic ice rink is now open Wednesdays through Sundays. Times and ticket prices vary.
Fun Fact
  • Did you know 42,000 of you welcome us into your inbox every morning? We’re asking you to take two minutes to tell us more about yourself so we can continue to write about things you find interesting. One lucky 608 survey participant will win $500. Take the survey.
 
Outdoors

⛷️ Snow more waiting. Go ski.

Madison skiers are saying “Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.”
Skiers enjoying their time at Granite Peak Ski Resort.jpeg
Granite Peak Ski Resort offers 25 trails and five lifts on 75 acres. | Photo via Granite Peak Ski Resort
Winter is finally coming this week. As much as a foot of snow is predicted.

Locals, it’s time to wax those skis and pile the kids into the station wagon. Ski destinations beckon.

Cascade Mountain, W10441 Cascade Mountain Rd., Portage
As of this writing, 33 of the 48 trails are open. Not a skier? Check out the tubing runs.

Devil’s Head Resort, S6330 Bluff Rd., Merrimac
Check out its webcams to get a feel for what the ski and snowboard trail conditions are.

Granite Peak Ski Resort, 227200 Snowbird Ave., Wausau
There are 25 trails and five lifts on 75 acres. Have an après-ski soirée with live music in the historic chalet.

Tyrol Basin, 3487 Bohn Rd., Mount Horeb
Open for the season, some of the trails are still closed but there is plenty of slope to carve down, as well as tube runs, live music, races, and more.
The Buy

The Buy 1.09.23 (Affiliate + Six & Main)
A ring light you can clip right on your laptop or monitor — great for virtual meetings, live streaming, and video calls with family.
Share 608today
ReferralGIF1-608.gif

Share the good news. Get rewarded.

Have someone who needs to stay in the know? Get amazing rewards for every new subscriber you bring by sharing your unique referral link (below).

{{profile.vars.rh_reflink_4}}
Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email

{{profile.vars.rh_totref_4}} friends are tapped into all things local because of you.
Claim your rewards
 
The Wrap
 
Jonathan Shipley 2.jpg

Today’s edition by:
Jonathan
From the editor
I, by no means, have a green thumb. I do like having tended my little plot in a community garden. Madison has a plethora of them.

A ladybug on a thumb.jpeg
Missed our previous newsletter?     ›
Send Us A Scoop, Question, or Feedback     ›
Become a Member     ›
Advertise     ›
Shop     ›
 
 

Content marked with an * is paid advertising. Content marked with an ^ is created by our content studio. The company may also generate commission from affiliate links in the newsletter.

Change your preferences or unsubscribe here.

Copyright © 2023 6AM City Inc, All rights reserved.

P.O. Box 2505, Greenville, SC 29602

ADVERTISE | CAREERS | ETHICS | PRIVACY | THE BUY