Sunrises at Tenney Park are just as pretty during the winter as they are in summer. | Photo by 608today
A study by Polish researchers suggests that walking through a snowy landscape leads to a greater sense of self-esteem. Lucky us.
While it’s different for everybody, it takes an average of 2,000 steps to walk a mile. Here are some brief walking routes for you to get your steps in no matter the weather.
Bear Mound Park loop | 1 mile | ~2,000 steps This loop starts and ends at the easternmost end of Vilas Avenue, wrapping around Bear Mound Park.
Cherokee Marsh Bluebird loop | .5 miles | ~1,000 steps Note that there are no dogs allowed at this conservation park.
Guided Arboretum hikes | 2-3 miles | ~4,000-6,000 steps Guided hikes are offered every weekend, making for great multi-generational outings.
Tenney Park Breakwater | .25 miles | ~500 steps This brisk stroll allows for an unobstructed view of Mendota’s shoreline.
Gut Instincts: Microbes, Addiction and Immunity | 7 p.m. | Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery | Free | Learn how your gut affects a lot more than just how you digest those yummy meals you eat.
Bring Your Own Canvas Painting Social | 6-9 p.m. | Communication | Free | Flex your creative muscles and work a paintbrush in this all-ages, sober event.
Friday, Jan. 17
Beethoven x3 | Friday, Jan. 17-Sunday, Jan. 19 | Various times | Overture Center | $15+ | This magnificent concert will cover a few of the great composer’s works.
Saturday, Jan. 18
UW Arboretum Ecological Restoration Work Party | 9 a.m.-12 p.m. | Grady Tract | Free | Make some new friends and help keep Madison beautiful by removing invasive plants, cutting brush, and tidying trails.
Pun-demic | 8-9:30 p.m. | Forward Madison FC | $10+ | Your eyes will never have been so strong after all the rolling they’ll do at this cleverly cheesy improv show.
Beer, Cheese, & Beyond Fest | | 12-6 p.m. | Alliant Energy Center | $66+ | A truly winning combination if you ask us — feast on a variety of drinks before diving into some cheesy goodness.
Wednesday, Jan. 22
Premium Tasting: European Wines | 6 p.m. | WineStyles Tasting Station, Sun Prairie | $50 | Your palate will thank you after this little tasting tour around Europe.
Sapphic Speed Dating | 7-9:30 p.m. | The Rigby | $5 | Meet some other lovely ladies in a super casual setting.
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We have a football hero in our midst. One of the state’s greatest running backs, Montee Ball, will be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. Ball, whose college career ran from 2009 to 2012, set a NCAA record for career touchdowns and career rushing touchdowns. (Channel 3000)
Civic
The Madison City Council has voted to give formerly city-owned ice arenas to two nonprofits and forgive a $1.6 million debt in the process. The deal will also allow the East Madison Ice Collective to start raising money to repair the East Side Hartmeyer Ice Arena’s HVAC system and roof. (Wisconsin State Journal)
Cause
All nine of Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream’s locations are organizing a fundraiser to support the United Way of Dane County’s ACLS Emergency and Recovery Fund. On Sunday, Jan. 19, 50% of the stores’ proceeds will go directly to the fund. (Channel 3000)
Biz
It looks like the Leinenkugel brewery in Chippewa Falls will in fact close this Friday. The Leinenkugel had previously put in a request for an NDA with Molson Coors in order to buy the brewery, but Molson Coors’ CEO declined the proposal. (Channel 3000)
Community
Mirror, mirror on the wall... Who’s the Fairest of the Fair? Applications for anyone who considers themselves the monarch of “all things Dane County” should apply for this Dane County Fair competition by March 21. The winner will go on to Wisconsin’s Fairest of the Fair, make public appearances, and promote our county for the next year. (Channel 3000)
Open
A new Mexican restaurant is now open in the former location of Daisy Cafe and Cupcakery on Atwood Avenue. Taco Madre serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner with a variety of dishes like breakfast burritos, tacos, and choripollo. Expect homemade tortillas made with local masa at this new location. (The Cap Times)
Eat
Start 2025 with Thrive Market: organic groceries delivered right to your door. (They ban over 1,000 harmful ingredients.) Join here to get 30% off your order plus a free $60 gift.*
Finance
When this card hit the market, it became the do-it-all card that took the top spot in thousands of peoples’ wallets. Perks include a significant first-year bonus, up to 5% cashback on everyday purchases, no annual fee, and 0% intro APR on purchases + balance transfers into 2026. Cha-ching.*
Volunteer
Did you know MLK Day is the only federal holiday designated as a National Day of Service? Join AmeriCorps this MLK Day to honor the life and legacy of Dr. King and help your community by volunteering on Monday, Jan. 20. Find volunteer opportunities to serve locally.*
Job
Ready to get connected with the best local talent in 2025? We created our community job board just for you. Give it a try by posting your first listing for free.
City Guide
City Guide
On exhibit
Don’t forget to say “Hi” to the Boaz Mastodon while at the UW Geology Museum. | Photo via UW Geology Museum
Museums are the cultural hubs of Madison. Whether you’re looking to learn something new about the 608 or plotting a way to spend your Saturday afternoon, here are 12 museums to visit in and around our city.
Wisconsin Veterans Museum | Free Learn about the ordinary people who made the history you’ve read about.
Physics Museum, 1150 University Ave. | Free These exhibits offer a hands-on + kid-friendly approach to understanding concepts ranging from mechanics to modern physics.
Chazen, 800 University Ave. | Free With ~24,000 works within this art museum’s collection, you’d be hard-pressed to find a way to leave without feeling a little more inspired.
National Mustard Museum, 7477 Hubbard Ave., Middleton | Free Founder Barry Levenson began collecting mustard in 1986, a practice that quickly culminated into the world’s largest collection of the condiment. Hundreds of mustards are also available to try at the tasting bar.
What did we miss? If you know a museum that’s not on the list, let us know using this survey.
A pair of 14K gold plated heart hoops. The huggie-sized earrings are hypoallergenic and tarnish-resistant. Psst — they’re also the perfect Valentine’s Day accessory.
Better keep your pedal off the metal — Madison is now in the process of lowering several residential speed limits to as low as 20 to 25 mph in an attempt to reduce traffic-related deaths. More than 2,000 speed limit signs will be replaced to reflect the change.
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