03.06.2024

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53º | 5% chance of rain | Sunrise 6:23 a.m. | Sunset 5:53 p.m.

📚 Play your (library) cards right

Take advantage of these local library resources in Madison

Madison Public Library’s Central branch is located on West Mifflin Street. | Photo by 608today

Public libraries are so much more than a place to check out books. In Madison, there’s something for locals of all ages to take advantage of.

Madison Public Library

For adults

From tax assistance to genealogy information, there is a plethora of resources available to adults with a library card.

The “Library of Things” allows locals to check out a variety of items beyond books, such as:

BCycle Community Pass (and helmets)
Birding backpacks
Disc golf kits
HappyLights
Portable energy meters
Vinyl records

For kids

Storytimes
Browse the virtual catalog of songs and stories online, or stop by one of the in-person storytimes which run multiple times a week at various locations.

Play spaces
Nine Madison Public Library branches have designated Play Spaces for kids. These areas are meant to promote conversing, singing, reading, writing, and playing.

For educators

Kits
STEM kits cover topics like tools, magnetism, color, and light. Each kit includes resources, books, and activities designed for children aged 3-5. Kits are available for 4-6 week checkouts to early childcare centers, preschools, and 4K classrooms in Madison.

Organization card
A Madison Public Library Organization Library Card enables after-school programs, preschools, day cares, and schools to borrow library materials for classroom use.

Dane County Library Services (DLCS)

Since 1966, DLCS has existed to guarantee equitable access to library services for all Dane County residents. The Bookmobile (just one of DLCS’s community services) debuted in 1967, becoming an instant classic for locals and interested in literature.

Looking for a specific book? As long as it’s in the LINKcat database, you can call 608-266-9297 to ensure the Bookmobile stocks your request before it stops by a neighborhood near you.

The Bookmobile, a bright green bus with a map of the Madison area on the side, in a parking lot — Have you visited the Bookmobile? | Photo by DCLS

DLCS is putting on a book sale this week at its headquarters.

When: Friday, March 8 (12-4 p.m.)-Saturday, March 9 (9 a.m.-12 p.m.)
Where: 1874 S. Stoughton Rd., Madison
What: DLCS invites you to buy and check out books, music, and movies.

Events

Wednesday, March 6

Social Media Tips and Tricks | Wednesday, March 6 | 12:15-1:30 p.m. | 821 E. Washington Ave., Madison | Free | Josh Klemons, founder of Reverbal Communications, will discuss 10 social media tips and tricks you should be utilizing for your campaign, organization, or small business.
Vinyl Listening Session | Wednesday, March 6 | 8:30-9:30 p.m. | Lola’s Hi/Lo Lounge, 617 N. Sherman Ave., Madison | Cost of purchase | Listen to Lee Morgan’s “Search For The New Land” through a HiFi sound system in an acoustically treated room.

Thursday, March 7

Arctic’s Dangerous Delights | Thursday, March 7 | 7:30 p.m. | Crucible, 3116 Commercial Ave., Madison | $15-$18 | A burlesque show with a nerdy twist.
Comedy at the Cabaret | Thursday, March 7 | 7:30 p.m. | North Street Cabaret, 610 North St., Madison | $15 | Allie Lindsay hosts this Midwest stand-up comedy showcase paired with original music by comic and musician, Jake Snell.

Friday, March 8

Wenzday | Friday, March 8 | 10 p.m.-2 a.m. | Liquid Madison, 624 University Ave., Madison | $15-$20 | Start your weekend off with some bass house music.
Bike-O-Rama | Friday, March 8-Sunday, March 10 | Alliant Energy Center, 1919 Alliant Energy Center Way, Madison | Free | Comparison shop and test ride at Southern Wisconsin’s largest bike sale.

Saturday, March 9

Fairy Tale Brunch | Saturday, March 9 | 9:30-11:30 a.m. and 1-3 p.m. | Blackhawk Country Club, 3606 Blackhawk Dr., Madison | $25-$35 | Enjoy a gourmet brunch buffet, crafts, coloring, live ballet performances, fairy tale characters, and face painting with your little ones.
The Psychology Of Serial Killers | Saturday, March 9 | 8 p.m. | The Barrymore Theatre, 2090 Atwood Ave., Madison | $32-$63 | Dr. Rachel Toles will delve into the minds of some notorious criminals.

Sunday, March 10

Spring Fling Craft and Vendor Fair | Sunday, March 10 | 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | Prairie View Middle School, 400 N. Thompson Rd., Sun Prairie | Free | Shop from more than 60 vendors and crafters, all benefiting OccuPaws Guide Dogs.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Development

Madison’s Eastpark Medical Center, due to open this fall, is the largest medical office development in the country this year. Located at 4621 Eastpark Blvd., and owned by UW Health, it will be a 469,000-sqft, seven-story outpatient facility. (Commercial Search)

Edu

To address a teacher shortage, Edgewood College is launching a program for Wisconsin National Guard members and their spouses to earn Master’s degrees and licenses at a reduced cost. Enrollment is available for this spring with tuition at about $9,750. (Cap Times)

Announced

You red that right, Maroon 5 is performing at Milwaukee’s Summerfest this year. They’ll take the stage on Friday, July 5. Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, March 8.

Sports

Wisconsin men’s basketball will take part in the inaugural Greenbrier Tip-Off next year alongside Pittsburgh, Central Florida, and a fourth team to be announced after the current season wraps. Games will be played November 22-24 at a resort in West Virginia’s Allegheny Mountains. (Channel 3000)

Health

A new medical campus is coming to Verona. SSM Health announced plans to build a 40,000-sqft clinic near the intersections of Highways 151 and 69. Groundbreaking is set for early 2025 with a grand opening in early 2026.

Opening

Retailer Lands’ End will be opening its doors in Middleton on Thursday, March 28. Located at Greenway Station, at 1651 Deming Way, the store will have a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 9 a.m. with free coffee.

Civic

North and East side residents are invited to a housing meeting put on by the Equal Opportunities Commission of Madison. The meeting will be held on Thursday, March 14, at the Lakeview Madison Public Library (2845 N. Sherman Ave.) to address the surge in housing complaints within the community.

Environment

During winter weather, the city’s salted roads pollute local waterways. Madison’s USDA Forest Products Laboratory just developed a brine from the lab’s water softeners and turned it into a solution for potential use instead. Brine is better for the environment than rock salt. (Channel 3000)

Fun Fact

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Travel and Outdoors

🪴 Gotta green thumb?

Madisonians can stock up on native plants this spring

City Editor Ally spotted these beauties in the Greenbush neighborhood. | Photo by 608today

An abnormally warm winter is making it feel like spring has already sprung in Madison. If you’re ready to start flexing your green thumb, check out the Friends of the Arboretum’s (FOA) current plant programs.

Note: It may feel like spring, but experts are reminding Madisonians to hold off on planting spring flora until after the last frost in May.

Native Plant Sale

Since 1990, FOA has hosted an annual Native Plant Sale, offering Wisconsin-native plants grown in commercial nurseries.

Online orders are accepted until March 31, with pickup in May. While there is also an in-person sale in May, shopping online allows you to buy larger quantities, garden mixes, trees, and shrubs.

Grass-to-Garden

Three Madison residents who apply by Sunday, April 14 will be gifted a rain garden kit. Rain gardens feature native plants to absorb rainwater, preventing erosion and pollution.

While educational support will be provided, applicants must have suitable space (35-65 sqft) and tools for planting. Kit recipients are expected to submit a written or in-person report on the experience.

The Buy

The Buy 3.06.24 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

Coco Cadeaux Collection. It’s the best way to turn up your party hosting skills with the latest supplies. Now, let’s celebrate.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Ally

From the editor

Henry Vilas Zoo shared some cute pics of Aayla the aardvark for National Aardvark Week. As a former PBS Kids kid, “Arthur” was a big part of my childhood. Between writing about library resources and National Aardvark Week, I’m reminded of some classic “Arthur” bangers — “The Aardvark Rap” and “Library Card Song.” Enjoy having those stuck in your head for the rest of the day.

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