Volunteers at the Madison Senior Center helped their Silver Santa program over the holidays. | Photo via Madison Senior Center
Roughly 2.2 million residents of Wisconsin are eligible for senior discounts at their favorite restaurant. This is to say, about 38% of our state’s residents are age 50 or older. We are among the nation’s oldest states by median age.
According to US Census reports, 15% of Dane County residents are over the age of 65, and these numbers are only going to grow.
Here are some organizations that you can volunteer with to give your senior neighbors in need a helping hand:
Little John’s, 5302 Anton Dr., Fitchburg
Little John’s is a community kitchen that transforms food excess into accessible, chef-quality meals for everyone, regardless of their means.
Its Evening Meals on Wheels program delivers meals to residents of Madison, Fitchburg, Middleton, Monona, and Sun Prairie.
Kitchen: Help with meal packaging and preparation.
Madison Senior Center, 330 W. Mifflin St., Madison
Since 1983, the Madison Senior Center has engaged older adults as leaders, teachers, and learners to support and balance the goals of successful aging. With a mission to provide opportunities for older adults to be a part of the community, volunteers are always needed.
Group or class leader: Do you have an interest that you would like to share?
NewBridge has three office locations in Madison. | Photo via NewBridge Madison
NewBridge Madison, three Madison office locations
To ensure longer, healthier, and safer independent lives, NewBridge is a nonprofit that provides a variety of services and activities for older adults.
Snow Angels: Help seniors in winter shovel their driveways and sidewalks.
Senior Pet Connection
This national organization brings joy and companionship to the elderly while giving local shelter animals a forever home. Several local animal shelters are part of the program, including Angel’s Wish, Brown Paws Rescue, and Shelter From the Storm. They accept donations.
The Dane County Humane Society also works to provide pets for the elderly.
Events
Thursday, Jan. 11
Third Coast Bluegrass | Thursday, Jan. 11 | 7:30 p.m. | North Street Cabaret, 610 North St., Madison | $20-$27 | They’ve been pluckin’ strings since the 70s.
Friday, Jan. 12
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.
Comedy Plus: 100th Show Edition | Friday, Jan. 12 | 7-8:30 p.m. | Crucible, 3116 Commercial Ave., Madison | $5-$15 | Stand up, burlesque, and more, oh my.
Saturday, Jan. 13
Stage Test: An Evening of Works in Development | Saturday, Jan. 13 | 4:30-6:30 p.m. | MYArts Building, 1055 E. Mifflin St., Madison | $5 | Curious as to how a play makes it to the stage? Find out.
Bird and Nature Adventures | Saturday, Jan. 13 | 2:30-4 p.m. | Owen Conservation Park, 6021 Old Sauk Rd., Madison | Free | Take an easy-paced walking tour through one of Madison’s conservation parks.
Sunday, Jan. 14
Downtown Food Tour | Sunday, Jan. 14 | 1-4 p.m. | Wisconsin State Capitol, 2 E. Main St., Madison | $69 | Taste your way around the Capitol Square area via some Wisconsin staples.
Ohlschmidt, Panosh and Cohen | Sunday, Jan. 14 | 3:30-6 p.m. | Red Rooster Madison, 2513 Seiferth Rd., Madison | $10 | Listen to an eclectic mix of jazz, blues, and Americana music.
Monday, Jan. 15
John Prine Tribute featuring Billy Prine | Monday, Jan. 15 | 7 p.m. | Majestic Madison, 115 King St., Madison | $32.50 - $49.50 | John Prine’s music lives on through his brother, Billy.
Tuesday, Jan. 16
South Central Wisconsin Job Fair | Tuesday, Jan. 16 | 1:30 p.m. | Alliant Energy Center, 1919 Alliant Energy Center Wy., Madison | Free | Looking for work? Look no further.
Madison Metropolitan School District is changing the way it handles snow days. Instead of adding minutes to remaining school days or make-up days at the end of the school year, the district is sending packets of school work to be done at home. (Wisconsin State Journal)
Development
The Beltline might have a new crane or two next to it soon. A developer is proposing to demolish a vacant, one-story building at 1302 S. Midvale Blvd. on the West side. In its place will be a structure with 55 market-rate housing units, commercial space, a rooftop patio, and underground parking. (Wisconsin State Journal)
Health
UW-Madison has been awarded a $150 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to lead a five-year national study to investigate the neurobiology behind Alzheimer’s disease and other related dementias. The study will investigate characteristic biomarkers in people with dementia or at risk of the disease. (WKOW)
Closing
It’s time to say “cheers” to the oldest bar in Madison. The Silver Dollar Tavern, at 117 W. Mifflin St. will close on Feb. 3. Co-owner Chuck Teasdale says his great-grandfather obtained the city’s first liquor license. Opened in 1933, it’s now making way for a new development. (In Business)
Health
Wisconsin is among 35 states with plans to launch the USDA’s new summer grocery benefits program for kids. The USDA will provide grocery-buying benefits for families with school-aged children during the summer months when schools are closed. Families will receive $40 per eligible child per month. (WKOW)
Active
If you’ve bean bagging it in trying to find something new to do, Garver Feed Mill is starting a winter cornhole league. The 10-week season starts in February, and the sign-up deadline is Thursday, Jan. 25. Space is limited.
Job
Forward Madison FC and Breese Stevens Field are looking for customer service-oriented and outgoing individuals to work at the outdoor venue. They are currently hiring for all event positions.
Outdoors
It’s all about the bass, particularly if you’re taking one of the DNR’s free learn to fish workshops. People interested in harvesting sustainable, local food or learning how to ice fish can attend a free, five-session workshop in February. (Wausau Pilot & Review)
Family
The Council for Educational Travel, USA (CETUSA) is looking for exchange student hosts in Wisconsin. Currently, 76 CETUSA exchange students are going to school in Wisconsin right now. Applications are being accepted. (UpNorthNews)
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.
Number
Four months. The term length for a special certificate at UW Credit Union with a _% APY.^
Learn
What is a Madisonian’s personality?
Does being a Madisonian mean we have a different personality than someone, from, say, La Crosse?
Being a Madisonian makes us extroverted and agreeable. | Photo by 608today
Does where we physically live have any bearing on the kind of personalities we have? Science is pointing toward, “Yes.”
It’s a new science called geopsychology.
What is it?
As ResearchGate notes, “It is defined as the relationship between the complex matrix of static and time-varying geophysical and geochemical variables within a locality and human behavior.” This is to say, there is a correlation between one’s geophysical space and one’s mind.
Living betwixt lakes on an isthmus makes our personalities different from, say, a local from La Crosse.
What does it say about Wisconsinites?
A map of personality, highlighting confidence and kindness, has been created. Findings include:
We’re highly extroverted compared to everyone else in the US.
We’re agreeable, but less than our Minnesota neighbors.
A candle warmer lamp. It slowly heats your candle from the top down, giving you all the fragrance without an open flame and making candles last longer.
Share 608today
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).
Still being fairly new to Wisconsin, I don’t know if I’ve quite yet developed my Midwest personality. However, I do say Minnesota differently, I eat about 1000% more cheese curds now, and I now know the best snow shovels.
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.