01.10.2024

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Today’s Forecast

31º | Cloudy | 24% chance of snow | Sunrise 7:28 a.m. | Sunset 4:41 p.m.

🗓️ What’s in store for 2024

What’s in store for Madison in 2024

Here’s a sneak peek at the future of Regent Street. | Rendering by CRG Development and LJC Design

New year, new Madison. Well, not completely, but there are a variety of things in store for us in 2024. Here are a few developments, laws, and events to keep an eye on in the coming year.

🏗️ Developments

Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)
The new BRT system is slated to roll out by the end of the year. The goal is to connect the East and West sides as efficiently as possible while improving transit equity.

Bus Rapid Transit map — Check out the BRT map. | Map via City of Madison

Chapter at Madison, 802 Regent St.
This mixed-use complex will be equipped with 534 units, commercial space, and a cultural exhibit to honor the Greenbush neighborhood. The project is on track to be completed by September.

Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestra (WYSO), 1118 E. Washington Ave.
WYSO will soon have a brand new 40,000-sqft music center featuring studio teaching spaces for local musicians. Staff began moving into the new building over the holidays.

⚖️ Laws

Alcohol laws
A new law consolidates alcohol regulations, permitting brewers to sell beer at retail locations (without taprooms) and extending winery hours.

Financial literacy classes
Wisconsin high school students who are set to graduate in 2028 are now required to complete at least a half financial literacy credit to graduate.

Legislative maps
Wisconsin’s Supreme Court overturned existing legislative maps, deeming them unconstitutional. New maps are expected to be released in the next few months.

📆 Events

Frozen Assets Festival | Saturday, Feb. 3-Sunday, Feb. 4
Stop by the Edgewater Hotel to participate in the festivities, or admire the kites on ice from afar.

608 Frozen Assets kites — Don’t miss the kites on ice. | Photo by 608today

Dane County Farmer’s Market on the Square | Saturday, April 14-Saturday, Nov. 9
There are only three more months until Saturdays on the Square returns. Until then, check out some of the organization’s indoor markets.

Madison Night Market | May, June, Aug., Sept., and Oct.
Local makers are encouraged to fill out the vendor interest form to be considered for the 2024 lineup.

Art Fair Off the Square | Saturday, July 13-Sunday, July 14
Applications to both the Art Fair Off the Square and the Winter Art Fair Off the Square open on Monday, January 15.

Events

Wednesday, Jan. 10

Vaccine Clinic | Wednesday, Jan. 10 | 3-5 p.m. | Lakeview Library, 2845 N. Sherman Ave., Madison | Free | While appointments are available, walk-ins are encouraged.

Thursday, Jan. 11

Coffee Connection | Thursday, Jan. 11 | 8:30-10 a.m. | Stark Company Realtors, 2980 Arapaho Dr., Fitchburg | Free | An opportunity for Chamber members to connect with local business owners and professionals.
Spanish Conversation Group | Thursday, Jan. 11 | 1-3 p.m. | Virtual | Free | Conversational practice for adults with intermediate to advanced level Spanish skills.

Friday, Jan. 12

Road Trip | Friday, Jan. 12 | 8 p.m. | Mary Dupont Wahlers Theatre, 1480 Martin St., Madison | $5-$20 | Four short plays, one great night.
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

Art after Overture | Saturday, Jan. 13 | 10 a.m. | Central Library, 201 W. Mifflin St., Madison | Free | Hands-on craft projects inspired by this week’s Overture Center’s Kids in the Rotunda performance.
Madfest Juggling Extravaganza | Saturday, Jan. 13 | 7 p.m. | The Barrymore Theatre, 2090 Atwood Ave., Madison | $25 | Performances include comedy, hula hoops, and of course, juggling.

Sunday, Jan. 14

Model Train Show | Sunday, Jan. 14 | 1:30-4:45 p.m. | Sun Prairie Public Library, 1350 Linnerud Dr., Sun Prairie | Free | Featuring the Southern Wisconsin Sandhouse Crew.
Learn to Row Class | Sunday, Jan. 14 | 10 a.m.-11:30 p.m. | Bernard Boathouse, James Madison Park, 622 E. Gorham St., Madison | Free | The Mendota Rowing Club will guide beginners.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

Active

5 ways to up your workouts

Protect your feet during high-impact exercise with thoughtfully designed HOKA sneakers. | Photo via Amazon

Focused on movement this month? Increase comfort and results with beloved gym staples.

Glide through cardio workouts with HOKA Women’s Clifton 9 Sneakers (your feet will thank you).
Use a yoga mat with alignment lines to refine your form.
These buttery-soft leggings are considered a Lululemon alternative by reviewers.
Wear Bala Bangles during familiar workouts and avoid plateauing.
Say goodbye to earbuds slipping out at the gym with silicone ear tips for AirPods.

Shop health + fitness finds

News Notes

Weather

When will Lake Mendota freeze? At this point last year, people were biking across it. The earliest freeze date ever recorded was Nov. 23, 1880. The latest freeze was Jan. 30, 1932. You can still guess and win a $1,000 Lands End gift card. (Channel 3000)

Opening

Shoppers will be able to go to Gooh Grocery for the first time this weekend. Gooh (pronounced Go-Oh) will provide staples, as well as West African and Hmong food items, in what was once Visions — Madison’s last strip club — at 3554 E. Washington Ave. (In Business)

Food

Middleton will soon have a new place to eat and drink. Cooper’s Hawk Winery and Restaurants will open on Monday, Jan. 22 in Greenway Station at 1611 Deming Way. The modern American restaurant will now have two locations in the state. (WMTV)

Sports

The ice is nice for UW-Madison’s hockey teams. Both the men’s and women’s teams are ranked in the top 3 nationally. The men’s team (18-4) takes the ice on Friday against Lindenwood at the Kohl Center. The women’s team (16-4) next plays St. Thomas on Saturday at LaBahn Arena.

Outdoors

Thanks to Becoming an Outdoors Woman (BOW), you may see more women walking the Ice Age Trail, ice fishing, or at the archery range. BOW offers hands-on, outdoor workshops for women. No experience, special equipment, or skill sets are needed. (Wisconsin Public Radio)

Arts

There will be a reading rainbow at the Overture Center for the Arts this month. The organization, in partnership with the nonprofit Madison Reading Project, is hosting a book drive from Tuesday, Jan. 9 through Saturday, Jan. 20 in conjunction with its production of The Rainbow Fish. (In Business)

Community

A Dutch elm tree that stood for generations at the UW-Madison campus succumbed to a disease in 2018 and had to be removed. It has, however, returned, by way of a new art installation by local artist Chloris Lowe and the preservation efforts of The Wood Cycle of Wisconsin.

Try This

Oh snap. Submissions are now open for our 608today Picture of the Year contest. To participate, submit a local photo that you took in 2023 by Wednesday, Jan. 17. Make a submission for the chance to win a $25 gift card to our online marketplace, Six & Main.

City

✨ Getting an upgrade

The Monona Terrace is getting an upgrade

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Hovering above Lake Monona | Photo by @sekretempire

This week, the Monona Terrace kicked off its two-week facility improvement project.

Hosting over 470 events a year can take a toll on a building. For this reason, the Monona Terrace undergoes upkeep renovations once a decade in addition to day-to-day maintenance.

Here’s what’s in store:

Wood door and furniture restoration
Kitchen floor resurfacing
Painting
General repairs
125,442 sqft of new carpeting

Fun fact: The new carpeting will be nearly identical to the iconic red pattern we all know. This design was created by Anthony Puttnam, an apprentice to Frank Lloyd Wright. Puttnam pulled inspiration from the building’s architecture as well as the curved leaves of the Gingko tree to compliment Wright’s work.

As a LEED Platinum-certified venue, Monona Terrace prioritizes sustainability. The old carpeting will be recycled and its fibers will be used for other products.

During renovations, the terrace will be closed to the public through Friday, January 26.

The Buy

The Buy 1.10.23 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

A unique candle to bring fresh scents, light, and joy inside your home this winter.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Ally

From the editor

While I’m excited for the Frozen Assets Festival, I’m wondering if the lake will even be frozen over in time. It’d be a shame if the 5K frozen lake run turns into a 5K cold lake swim.

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