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Today’s Forecast

37º | Overcast | 27% chance of sleet | Sunrise 7:15 a.m. | Sunset 5:07 p.m.
 

📸 The votes are in

See the winner of our 2023 Picture of the Year contest
A view of the sunset and capital building from Blue Mound
“Blue Mound capital view” | Photo submitted by Steve S.
Who knew there were so many talented photographers in Madison? The votes are in for the 608today 2023 Picture of the Year contest. Check out the finalists below, including the winner that you, our readers, voted for.

Winner: “Blue Mound capital view” by Steve S.

(Pictured above) I spy with my little eye ... the capital on the horizon.

608 picture of year

“Moon encircled by tree at Zoo Lights” | Photo submitted by Sylvia R.

Second place finalist: “Moon encircled by tree at Zoo Lights” by Sylvia R.

Every winter season, Henry Vilas Zoo is lit with nearly one million holiday lights.

Madison's skyline at dusk or dawn with the moon directly above the capital

“Moon over Madison” | Photo submitted by Melissa P.

Third place finalist: “Moon over Madison” by Melissa P.

This one makes us feel like we’re being transported to a planet in “Star Wars.”


Finalist: “Jupiter over the Washburn Observatory” by Jeff W. | There’s an old-time feel to this photo of UW-Madison’s old observatory, built in 1881, forever looking to the skies.

Finalist: “Frozen Assets Festival” by Scott W. | Give me your huddled masses yearning to celebrate a Wisconsin winter.

Finalist: “Geese Family scores front row seats” by Beth P. | The Mad-City Ski Team is fun for 608 families from all walks waddles of life.

Finalist: “Lake Mendota Summer Solace” by Sarah A. | Chilling out lakeside under a summer sun is peak 608.

Finalist: “Merrill Springs cistern” by Martha S. | A Madisonian can find a bit of peace at any one of Madison’s 270 parks.

Finalist: “Kayaking Bliss” by Debbie K. | The Royal Thai Pavilion, at Olbrich Botanical Gardens, is a perfect backdrop for a paddle.

Finalist: “Reflection” by Cathy B. | Wisconsin, the woman atop our State Capitol, shimmers in Madison’s bright blue sky.
See all of the finalists
Asked

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Answer this week’s survey questions for a chance to score a $25 gift card to our online store (Six & Main) or Amazon!
Take the survey
SSM Health
 
Events
Tuesday, Jan. 30
  • Kevin Wypiszynski | Tuesday, Jan. 30 | 7-9 p.m. | Red Rooster Madison, 2513 Seiferth Rd., Madison | $7 | The Waukesha-based musician brings his guitar and gusto to the stage.
Wednesday, Jan. 31
  • MLK Symposium | Wednesday, Jan. 31 | 5:30-7 p.m. | Memorial Union, 800 Langdon St., Madison | Free | Join Anna Deavere Smith as she reflects on the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through the lens of her work.
  • Kim Kielhofner: Introspective Detective | Wednesday, Jan. 31 | 6:30-7 p.m. | Arts + Literature Laboratory, 111. S. Livingston St., Madison | $5 | Spend an evening watching artsy films by a Montreal-based artist.
Thursday, Feb. 1
  • Winter Cornhole League | Thursday, Feb. 1 | 5:30-7:30 p.m. | Garver Feed Mill, 3241 Garver Green, Madison | Free | Watch some serious cornholers go for glory.
  • Isiah Kelly | Thursday, Feb. 1-Saturday, Feb. 3 | 7:30 p.m. | Comedy on State, 202 State St., Madison | $5-$20 | Kelly comes from “Shaq’s Comedy All Star Jam” to downtown Madison.
Friday, Feb. 2
  • Groundhog Prognostication | Friday, Feb. 2 | 6:50-7:30 a.m. | Cannery Square, 1 Cannery Sq., Sun Prairie | Free | What will Jimmy the Groundhog tell us about our future?
  • Black History Month Art Exhibition Opening Reception | Friday, Feb. 2 | 4:30-6:30 p.m. | LOUD Gallery, Omega School, 835 W. Badger Rd., Madison | Free | Check out the grand opening of this exhibit that will be on display through February.
  • Sex, Fear Album Release Show | Friday, Feb. 2 | 7-11 p.m. | The Rigby, 119 E. Main St., Madison | $10-$15 | Support this local band as well as Mail Fraud, Mio Min Mio, and Super Critical.
Saturday, Feb. 3
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
 
Trending

To quench, or not to quench?
Stanley water bottles lined up in a row in alternating colors.
The Stanley Quencher is Amazon’s No. 1 home and kitchen best seller. | Graphic by 6AM City
Ins for 2024: Portable hydration. According to Fast Company, Stanley — of the viral Stanley Quencher — made $750 million last year, and obsession with the water bottle is not slowing down.

But Stanley is not alone. Choose your weapon water bottle from today’s top brands:
Shop best selling bottles
News Notes
Edu
  • Due to renovations at the Kohl Center, the graduation ceremonies for East, La Follette, Vel Phillips Memorial, and West high schools will take place this year at the Alliant Energy Center on Saturday, June 8. Capital and Shabazz high school graduations will remain at the Sheraton Hotel on Wednesday, June 5. (Cap Times)
Community
  • Do you know of a veteran going above and beyond? Spirit of Service is a campaign asking the community to nominate a veteran providing service to those who need it. Nominations are being gathered until Friday, Feb. 16. The winner gets $5,000. (Channel 3000)
Closing
  • Bolz Conservatory, inside Olbrich Botanical Gardens, will be closed from March through mid-June for maintenance updates. This will be its first major closure since opening in November 1991. The indoor tropical garden’s exact closing date has yet to be finalized. (WKOW)
Family
  • Adventure Day Camp is canceling its 2024 summer camp season due to a recent theft of multiple pieces of outdoor equipment. Last week a trailer housing the items was taken from a spot at the St. Bernard’s Catholic Church parking lot that contained bicycles, camping equipment, and more. (In Business)
Travel
  • The Circle K convenience chain plans to open 75 stores in Wisconsin over the next five years. The company is actively scouting possible locations — landowners, developers, and municipalities are encouraged to contact Circle K to be considered.
Biz
  • Deb Gilpin, Madison Children’s Museum president and CEO, is retiring. A nationwide search is now on for her replacement. A MacFarland resident, Gilpin has been at the job for the last 11 years. (Wisconsin State Journal)
Health
  • The mental health of local students may improve thanks to a new partnership with Wisconsin school districts and WEA Member Benefits. “This money has helped us to maintain our current individual therapy services in schools and to expand…our partnerships,” Sun Prairie Area School District employee Janet Thomas said. (WMTV)
Ranked
  • With Valentine’s Day approaching, there’s some good news for Madison singles. Wisconsin was recently named one of the best states for singles. And where you should go on a date? We offer up some ideas. (WalletHub)
 
Weather

🎶 Ice ice baby safety

Madisonians are encouraged to brush up on ice safety
Frozen ice on Lake Mendota at Frautschi Point
Lake Mendota at Frautschi Point in January. | Photo submitted by Laura B.
The Dane County Sheriff’s Office is issuing a warning about venturing out on Madison’s lake ice. The office noted that “recent temperature swings and mixed precipitation are making ice unsafe.”

In addition to the PSA from the Sherriff’s Office, the DNR suggests these ice safety tips:
  • Always tell someone where you’re going and when you plan to return.
  • Look for clear ice, it’s stronger than ice with bubbles in it.
  • If you fall through the ice, keep your winter clothes on.
  • Carry basic safety gear — a cellphone in a waterproof bag, a life jacket, lengthy rope, and ice claws.
How to make your own DIY emergency ice claws:
  1. Obtain a couple of four-inch dowels, or any similarly sized wooden pieces that will float
  2. Drive hardened, sharpened nails into one end of each dowel
  3. Drill holes at the opposite ends of the dowels, perpendicular to the nails
  4. Attach strong cords through the drilled holes, your creation should resemble a jump rope
  5. Carry in your pocket for easy access in case of emergency
The Buy

The Buy 1.30.24 (Affiliate + Six & Main)
Something for your kitchen from Coco Cadeaux’s collection. We’re loving: this charcuterie board cheat sheet, perfect for Super Bowl parties.
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The Wrap
 
Ally Geiger.jpg

Today’s edition by:
Ally
From the editor
While we could only choose 10 of the 110 Photo of the Year submissions as finalists, keep an eye out for photos in the newsletter that have “Photo submitted by [First name, last initial].” These are submissions that didn’t make the finalists cut, but still deserve some spotlight.
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