Livin La Vida Local

• Median family income: $61,400
• Population: 210,674
• Estimated average home price: $175,759 (prices have grown ~167.07%)
• Average cost of a gallon of gasoline in Wisconsin: $0.663

• The Green Bay Packers beat the Denver Broncos in an exhibition game at Camp Randall Stadium — the last time the Packers have played on the field.
• The University of Wisconsin’s athletic department had a dream season; highlights included men’s basketball advancing to the NCAA Final Four for the first time in decades, women’s basketball winning the National Invitational Tournament, and five future UW Hall of Fame coaches in residence.
• Madison’s Central Business Improvement District was formed to highlight local culture and businesses.

• Limp Bizkit played at the Dane County Coliseum, now Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
• When Cher performed at the Kohl Center, ticket prices ranged from $36-$76.
• Also at the Kohl Center, Elton John opened his show with “Your Song” and ended with “Candle in the Wind.”

• Juneteenth Marketplace | Tuesday, June 18 | 4-8 p.m. | Giant Jones Brewing, 931 E. Main St., Madison | Cost of purchase | Celebrate Juneteenth with local vendors and beer inside and the DeVine Grilling food truck outside.

• Singles Mixer | Wednesday, June 19 | 6-8 p.m. | The Rigby, 119 E. Main St., Madison | Cost of purchase | RSVP to guarantee a chance to meet your person.
• “Top Chef” Watch Party | Wednesday, June 19 | 7-9:30 p.m. | Garver Feed Mill, 3241 Garver Green, Madison | Cost of purchase | Watch the season finale with fellow foodie fans.

• Concerts on the Rooftop | Thursday, June 20 | 7-9 p.m. | Monona Terrace, 1 John Nolen Dr., Madison | Free (tickets required) | Sixteen Candles will perform all of your favorite ‘80s songs.
• Summer Solstice Night Walk | Thursday, June 20 | 8-9:30 p.m. | UW-Madison Arboretum, 1207 Seminole Hwy., Madison | Free | Celebrate the solstice with a naturalist-led walk through the arboretum at twilight.

• Double Feature | Friday, June 21 | 9-10 p.m. | Atlas Improv Co., 609 E. Washington Ave., Madison | $7-$11 | Based on audience suggestions, comedians will fully improvise two movies.

• Green Bay Packers legend Mason Crosby will attend the Forward Madison FC soccer match on Saturday, Aug. 10, and interact with fans as part of American Football Night. Tickets are on sale now.

• After nearly 10 months, David’s Jamaican Cuisine reopened at its new Monona location. The restaurant is now open Monday through Saturday at 1006 E. Broadway. (Wisconsin State Journal)

• Tickets for “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows in Concert” go on sale this Friday, June 21 at 11 a.m. One of the Overture Center’s most popular recurring events, the Madison Symphony Orchestra will perform the score while the movie plays. Set an alarm, tickets go fast.

• The Royal Thai Pavilion’s restoration at Olbrich Botanical Gardens is coming along with the addition of gold leaf. Kalam, the company restoring the historic structure, started in August 2023 and is scheduled to complete the $1.6 million project this fall. (Wisconsin State Journal)

• UW Health pharmacies now offer 24/7 medication pickup kiosks at three Madison locations. Customers can retrieve prescriptions from temperature-controlled lockers at the UW Health Pharmacy Services Building, University Hospital, and East Madison Hospital.

• Maggie Porter, a sophomore bowler at Cambridge High School, is a singles national champion. This comes after Porter won the Wisconsin High School singles championship and was named Girls Bowler of the Year. (Channel 3000)

• Raise a glass, drop a deal. We’ll be toasting to Drink Up Week — a celebration of Madison’s vibrant beverage scene — from Monday, July 22 to Friday, July 26. If you own a local business that serves beverages, join us by offering a fun drink deal to our readers — we may include it in a newsletter.

• Did you know? Your favorite summertime footwear may cause pain. Try these tips to reduce pain from the experts at SSM Health.*

Join the effort

• Check out the City’s “Pollinator Pointers” web series
• Cut back on pesticides and herbicides
• Provide a water source in your yard, like a birdbath
• Start beekeeping
• Donate to the Endangered Resources Fund

Learn from the pros

• Definitely would try: Cool Ranch Doritos Pickle (21%)
• Definitely would not try: Purple Pickle Lemonade (40%)