Animal lovers

• Angel’s Wish | Spend time at the adoption center or open your home to foster a feline friend.
• Dane County Humane Society | Lend a hand with in-shelter tasks or provide at-home support.
• Heartland Farm Sanctuary | If you love farm animals, this sanctuary is a perfect place to assist in the field or the office.
• Shelter from the Storm | Socialize with cats, walk dogs, or help staff with housekeeping duties at this local animal rescue.

Caring and crafty

• Arts for ALL Wisconsin | Volunteers are the backbone of this program which conducts classes in visual art, music, and movement for adults with disabilities.
• Arts + Literature Laboratory | Stop by one of the monthly volunteer orientation meetings to find where you best fit in at this creative organization.
• Friends of Madison Arts Commission | Serve on the board or participate in events to support and advance the arts in Madison.
• Giving From Our Hands and Hearts | Keep locals warm by crafting quilts, shawls, mittens, and more.

Outdoorsy types

• Adopt Ice | ‘Tis the season. Assist park staff with flooding, snow removal, and general maintenance of public ice rinks.
• Madison Parks Flower Gardens | Ever wonder how the local park gardens stay maintained? They are designed, planted, and maintained by volunteers every year.
• Olbrich Botanical Gardens | Plant, weed, water, and prune through the garden’s extensive volunteer program.

• The Wedding Singer, the Musical! | Thursday, Jan. 18-Sunday, Jan. 24 | 7:30-9:45 p.m. | Verona Area High School Performing Arts Center, 234 Wildcat Wy., Verona | $14-$17 | Adam Sandler’s beloved movie gets the live theater treatment.

• The Perfect Pair: Mozart & Mahler | Friday, Jan. 19 | 7:30 p.m. | Overture Center, 201 State St., Madison | $15-$102 | Listen to Mozart, Mahler, and music that moves you.
• Jordan Jensen | Friday, Jan. 19 | 7:30 p.m., 10 p.m. | Comedy on State, 202 State St., Madison | $10-$25 | Hear jokes by Jordan Jensen, one of Vulture’s “Comedians You Should and Will Know.”

• The Nomadz | Saturday, Jan. 20 | 6:30-11:30 p.m. | The Annex, 1206 Regent St., Madison | $12 | Chucky Chuck, The DRP, and Insane Poetry will open for The Nomadz.
• Packers Watch Party | Saturday, Jan. 20 | 7 p.m. | Lola’s Hi/Lo Lounge, 617 N. Sherman Ave., Madison | Free | Level up your viewing experience with Lola’s HiFi sound system, brat and High Life specials, and DJ Chris Fox dropping beats during commercials.

• Nature Hike | Sunday, Jan. 21 | 1-2:30 p.m. | UW-Madison Arboretum, 1207 Seminole Hwy., Madison | Free | Take a guided hike in the arboretum and learn things about plants, animals, phenology, and more.
• WORT-FM Open House | Sunday, Jan. 21 | 1-4 p.m. | WORT FM, 118 S. Bedford St., Madison | Free | For those curious about what a community station looks like or looking for volunteer opportunities.

• Dairyland Dancers | Monday, Jan. 22 | 5-9 p.m. | Five Night Club, 5 Applegate Ct., Madison | Free | All skill levels are welcome at this weekly line-dancing session.
• The Moth Madison StorySLAM | Monday, Jan. 22 | 7:30 p.m. | High Noon Saloon, 701 E. Washington Ave., Madison | $17 | Listen to true stories, or share your own.

• With salt not effective on roads below 15 degrees, Madison plows will continue to use sand to give Madison drivers some traction during this winter freeze. The city hopes that next week’s warmup will allow plows time to throw salt down to help improve area roadways. (WKOW)

• The Vatican is taking note of Madison. The Diocese of Madison is closer to having a cathedral once again. The diocese has the Holy See’s approval for its proposal to make the existing St. Bernard Church, located at 2450 Atwood Ave., its new cathedral. (Madison Catholic Herald)

• Change, a fair trade women’s boutique on Madison’s East side, is closing. The business, located at 1252 Williamson St., will shutter in March after several difficulties, including the pandemic. “It felt to me like fair trade was consistent with Madison values,” said owner Nikki Anderson. She’s unsure of her next steps. (Wisconsin State Journal)

• The UW Health Rehabilitation Hospital has been ranked in the top 10% of rehabilitation hospitals in the US, according to Netsmart Technologies. The 50-bed facility offers comprehensive inpatient care for patients who have experienced strokes, spinal cord injuries, and other major conditions. (In Business)

• Willie Nelson will be on the road again. This time, to the isthmus. Willie Nelson and family will be at Breese Stevens Field on Friday, May 17. Tickets go on sale Friday, Jan. 19.

• Don’t worry about a thing. WORT-FM and the Crystal Corner Bar, at 1302 Williamson St., will have the 20th annual Bob Marley Birthday Party on Thursday, Feb. 8 at 7:30 p.m. Featuring the Real Roots Rockers, the benefit supports local food pantries.

• The Madison Area Fire Fighters Ice Ball is taking over the Overture Center on Saturday, Jan. 27. Put together by Fire Fighters Local 311, the event has raised more than $150,000 for the community since it started eight years ago. Tickets are $50 and include appetizers and pizza. (WKOW)

• Is there a gym or fitness studio around town you’ve been wanting to check out? Get a free month of ClassPass + sample multiple gyms with just one membership.*

General ridership info

BRT info

• FAQ page
• Virtual public info meeting on Thursday, Feb. 1
• Rider tools and updates