04.29.2024

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Today’s Forecast

66º | 37% chance of rain | Sunrise 5:53 a.m. | Sunset 7:57 p.m.

☕ This is your sign to grab a cup of coffee

Your guide to Madison’s coffee shops

Try a Chai Cold Fusion from Cargo Coffee | Photo by 608today

For richer or pourover. Madison’s coffee shops are what keep us going in the morning. The 608 has no shortage of masterful baristas, aromatic roasts, and foamy lattes. If you’re having trouble deciding on a spot, gather some brews clues with our guide to some of the best coffee shops in the 608.

Pro tip: If you need to refine your order, review the different kinds of coffee before stepping up to the counter.

Espresso yourself

Alice Good, 300 S. Main St., Verona
This specialty coffee shop sells your favorite goodies from Bloom Bakery as well as single-origin, sweet, and fruit blend coffees.

Leopold’s, 1301 Regent St.
Sip on an Italian-inspired drink made on an imported vintage Elektra espresso machine.

608 leopolds — Leopold’s espresso martini is great for when you need an extra shot with your shot. | Photo by 608today

Roasts to boast

Broken Board, 2358 E. Springs Dr.
Located inside the Focus Boardshop, this cafe carries coffee from Wonderstate, Rusty Dog, and Misfit. No board? No problem. Skaters and non-skaters are welcome.

Wonderstate, 27 W. Main St.
You can almost taste the sustainability in this coffee, which is roasted 100% by solar power.

Best bites

Finca, 2500 Rimrock Rd.
This spot offers a menu featuring Salvadorian cuisine like pupusas, quesadillas, and classic cafe sips.

Indie Coffee, 1225 Regent St.
Snag a window seat and dig into some of Indie’s famous waffles.

Zuzu Cafe, 1336 Drake St.
Pair your coffee with American and Mediterranean bites. Pro tip: Check the Facebook page for daily specials which change often, and don’t skip the from-scratch bakery items.

Where to write your novel

608 lakeside — Find your perfect book nook at Lakeside Street Coffee House. | Photo by 608today

Lakeside Street Coffee House, 402 W. Lakeside St.
With ample space, you’ll be able to find a nook of your own to hunker down with your laptop from morning to afternoon. Celebrate with a beer on the patio when you finish your work.

Michaelangelo’s, 114 State St.
A little bit of hustle and bustle paired with great food for brain fuel makes this a great place for those of us who have a hard time working in complete silence.

Seven more sips

Asked

Do you prefer to make coffee at home or get your coffee from a local business?

A. I brew my own drinks at home
B. I stop at my local coffee shop
C. I get my order from a large coffee chain (Dunkin Donuts, Starbucks, Panera, etc.)

Let's joe

Events

Monday, April 29

Willie’s Birthday Bash | Monday, April 29 | 8-11 p.m. | The Weary Traveler, 1201 Williamson St., Madison | Cost of purchase | Join the raffle for a chance to win tickets to Willie Nelson’s Madison or Milwaukee shows while supporting Luke House Inc., a local organization that feeds the hungry.

Tuesday, April 30

Comedy on State and Ian’s Pizza Blood Drive | Tuesday, April 30 | 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | Comedy on State, 202 State St., Madison | Free | Donors will receive a free slice of Ian’s and free admission to a Comedy on State show.
Making and Using Compost in Your Backyard | Tuesday, April 30 | 4-5:30 p.m. | Alicia Ashman Library, 733 N. High Point Rd., Madison | Free | A Dane County Extension Horticulture volunteer will answer all of your composting questions.

Wednesday, May 1

Crucible Karaoke | Wednesday, May 1 | 6:30 p.m. | Crucible, 3116 Commercial Ave., Madison | Cost of purchase | Use the Songbooks Online app to pre-search songs and compile your favorites.

Thursday, May 2

Greenway Station Farmers Market | Thursday, May 2 | 8 a.m.-1 p.m. | Greenway Station, 1650 Deming Way, Middleton | Cost of purchase | Stock up on locally sourced goodies.
Chief Adjuah | Thursday, May 2 | 7:30-9:30 p.m. | Memorial Union, 800 Langdon St., Madison | $8-$66 | American jazz trumpeter Chief Adjuah (formerly Christian Scott) brings “stretch music” to the Wisconsin Union Theater.

Friday, May 3

Hot Tub, Swim Spa, and Sauna Show | Friday, May 3-Sunday, May 5 | Times vary | Alliant Energy Center, 1919 Alliant Energy Center Way, Madison | $8 parking | Browse a large selection of hot tubs and more, and receive up to 50% off retail price.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

Concert

🎵 Free concerts return to the Harley-Davidson Museum

Motorcycles lined up in front of the Harley-Davidson Museum.

Ride on over to the Harley-Davidson Museum in Milwaukee for live music every Thursday. | Photo courtesy of Harley-Davidson Museum

Braking news: Thursday Bike Night is back at the Harley-Davidson Museum, happening every Thursday in May through September from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. — and all wheels, riders, and non-riders are welcome.

The free concert series features music of all genres, from rock and country to blues and everything in between. Bruce Humphries and the Rockabilly Rebels will kick off the jams on Thursday, May 2.

In addition to some of Milwaukee’s favorite bands, look out for rolling sculptures, food, and drinks.

Ride this way to the lineup

News Notes

Traffic

With Metro’s East-West Bus Rapid Transit Line scheduled to open in early fall, plans for the coming North-South line are being altered to restore street parking and relocate some stations.. North-South line construction begins in 2026 to open in 2028. (Wisconsin State Journal)

Edu

The Madison Metropolitan School District’s high schools fared well in the new US News and World Report ranking of nearly 25,000 public high schools nationwide. West High School ranked highest at No. 24 in Wisconsin and No. 997 nationally.

Environment

Trudy and Melvin are expecting. The peregrine falcons nest annually at Madison Gas and Electric’s Blount Generating Station in downtown Madison. Their four eggs are expected to hatch around the second week of May.

Civic

The City of Madison has, for the 35th time, been honored as a Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation. Madison’s Urban Forestry Division maintains nearly 100,000 trees along Madison’s roadways.

Cause

One of only five recipients nationally, Madison Children’s Museum was awarded a Climate Smart grant by the National Endowment for the Humanities. The $268,202 will go toward developing climate action plans for family-centered museums. (WMTV)

Ranked

Madison ranked No. 5 by CoworkingCafe as one of the “Best US Metros for MBA Graduates to Launch Their Careers.” Factors such as median earnings, unemployment rates, and the population of those with a graduate degree were considered.

Biz

💖 Show some local love

Celebrate your favorite Madison businesses for Small Business Week

A photo of the Wisconsin State Capitol building from State Street. The Orpheum Theatre marquee is also in view.JPG

Which local small biz keeps you coming back for more? | Photo by 608today

You know we love supporting local year-round here at 608today, but with it being National Small Business Week, we want our readers to help us celebrate the businesses they love most.

We’re asking you to shout out your favorite local spot (think: everything from nail techs and retailers to restaurants and beyond). We’re sure you have several in mind already.

Now, head to the form we’ve created and submit two things (the more detail, the better) you love about the small biz of your choosing.

We’ll share some picks in an upcoming newsletter, and you might just find a new favorite based on a fellow reader’s response.

The Buy

Gifts for mom. Our guide has something thoughtful and unique for all the mothers in your life.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Ally

From the editor

I live on the isthmus, so I hunkered down on Saturday to avoid the Crazylegs/Mifflin Street Block Party/farmers’ market chaos. However, I did venture out to Alpaca Fest yesterday — check it out on our Instagram.

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