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Rise and shine, Madison!
In today’s planning-your-week edition: St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Full Moon Snow & Sip, and Henry Vilas Zoo’s updated Tundra Buggy + all our favorite events happening over the next seven days.
Today’s sponsor, American Hartford Gold, is helping folks around Madison protect their savings as gold and silver continue to gain momentum. Their free guide explains what’s driving the surge… and what to know before adding precious metals to your portfolio. Grab your free copy here.
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đź“° In the news
Community priorities take center stage: Monona Grove school board candidate forum will be March 18 at Monona Public Library, featuring Elizabeth Cook, Rachelle Miller, and Nicole Schoenbeck-Claas, with a livestream on Monona Community Media’s YouTube — get all the forum details.
Efficiency rules enter new phase: Madison launched its third year of the Building Energy Savings Program, expanding to commercial buildings over 25,000 square feet, with tune-ups starting this year and trainings to help owners comply — get all the details.
Historic exhibit gets greener: Henry Vilas Zoo has reopened its updated Tundra Buggy with a redesigned interior and new signage teaching kids about polar bear conservation, plus bear enrichment viewing at the exhibit — get all the details.
Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.
Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175/month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.
Highlights this week:
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🏆 Gold and silver are heating up
Together with our sponsor American Hartford Gold
Gold just posted its strongest run in decades… and the momentum is carrying into 2026. Silver has become one of the most talked-about assets as investors look for ways to stay ahead of market volatility.
While many are still sitting on the sidelines, others are quietly repositioning.
If you’re wondering whether you’re missing something, AHG has a free guide explaining what’s driving the renewed interest… and how investors are approaching precious metals right now.
It’s free and worth reading before the next move.
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🫶 We got your back
Creative reset, anyone? Slate Blue Studios at ART House 360 in Verona offers affordable, uncommon art classes and a welcoming space for artists of all stripes. Here, exploration is nurtured, underrepresented voices are uplifted, and the local creative economy gets a boost. Think of it as your weekly permission slip to make a glorious mess and feel better.
Fresh fabric inspiration: Need a stash pick-me-up? Blue Bar Quilts is a modern quilting community with rows of cheerful prints, friendly help, and a lively calendar of classes and sew-togethers. It’s a bright spot for finishing that WIP or sparking something new before spring quietly sneaks up.
Your next cozy booth: When breakfast cravings meet comfort-food feels, Monty’s Blue Plate Diner serves scratch-made classics, plus vegetarian and vegan picks, with throwback shakes and malts. Ideal for a quick solo bite or a languid catch-up… the kind that ends with, “should we get pie?”
What doctors wish every 65+ adult had at home: Physicians call it “long-lie,” and it’s the real reason falls are so dangerous for older adults. It’s not a broken bone… it’s lying on the floor for hours waiting for someone to notice. We dug into the options that actually solve this problem, and one stood out. See which one →
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📆 Our favorite events this week
Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →
All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.
❤ Better Together Health Fair @ Warner Park Community Recreation Center | Thursday (3/12) at 11:00 AM – Patio weather pairs nicely with feeling vaguely virtuous. The Better Together Health Fair lines up 20-minute fitness sessions, live music, art, and local health resources, so you can move a little, catch up with neighbors, and still call it self-care.
🌕 Full Moon Snow & Sip @ Memorial Union | Friday (3/13) at 6:00 PM – Following the full moon to Picnic Point with Outdoor UW, campfire and cocoa included, then strolling back to Memorial Union like winter pros. Snowshoes provided if we have snow, boots if we don’t, and hot chocolate counts as cardio. $15, register at union.wisc.edu.
🍀 2026 Shamrock Shuffle @ 600 Block of State Street | Saturday (3/14) at 8:00 AM – St. Paddy’s season calls for a brisk shuffle, not just green beer. Join the Dane County Shamrockers to walk or run with neighbors for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Dane County. Not a runner? Donate, spread the word, and keep the bragging rights.
🧸 Madison Comic & Toy Show @ East Towne Mall | Saturday (3/14) at 10:00 AM – Swing through East Towne Mall for a free pop culture takeover with comics, toys, TCG cards, art, and nerdy treasure. It is spread across the place during normal hours, so grab steps, nostalgia, and maybe that collectible you swore you did not need.
🍝 Pastas of Rome Workshop @ The Deliciouser | Saturday (3/14) at 12:30 PM – Chef Patrick, formerly of Lombardino’s, is spilling Rome’s pasta secrets so you can nail Amatriciana and Carbonara at home. Come for the workshop, stay for lunch and chocolate budino, recipes in hand, a drink in the other. Tickets $70, $25 applies, cash saves 3%.
🍀 St. Patrick’s Day Parade @ Capitol Square | Sunday (3/15) at 1:30 PM – Ready to dust off that green sweater and do a slow lap of the Square? Madison’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade returns for its 26th year, circling the Capitol with bagpipes, shamrocks, and neighborly chaos, all while supporting Logan’s Heart and Smiles, and DAIS.
🌱 Family Nature Program: Welcoming Spring @ UW-Madison Arboretum | Sunday (3/15) at 1:30 PM – Spring is finally showing up at the Arboretum, and they’re inviting families with young explorers to wander, poke around, and try simple activities that beat screen time. It’s free, no sign-up, meet at the Visitor Center, grown-ups required, sturdy shoes, weather may call the shots.
Live music & entertainment:
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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🔥 Worth a peek
We’re always on the hunt for useful resources, deals, services, and products we think you’ll love. Here’s what caught our eye this week.
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đź“» Madison report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 67°F – Low: 41°F – Precip: 3%
Sunny, with a high near 67. Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 41. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
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Tomorrow – High: 60°F – Low: 32°F – Precip: 32%
A chance of rain showers between 1pm and 4pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 60. Northeast wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 7pm, then rain and a chance of thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 32. Northeast wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Access cash without selling your home đźŹ
A reverse mortgage can help anyone over 62 cover everyday expenses, support healthcare needs, fund home improvements, or even reduce pressure on 401(k) withdrawals – all while staying in your house.
Longbridge offers a free calculator to estimate how much tax-free cash your home equity’s worth, with no commitment required.
This house is wild
On the 14th floor, this penthouse delivers panoramic views of Lakes Mendota and Monona and the Capitol from three balconies. Floor-to-ceiling windows brighten open living around a gas fireplace. A granite kitchen joins a bar with wine fridge and Sub-Zero drawers. The upper-level suite adds a balcony. Two parking spaces, fitness, storage, and a rooftop park near the Overture Center.
Take a peek inside →
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