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It’s Friday, Madison! Let’s finish this week strong.
In today’s can’t-miss-weekend-plans edition: A $4.9M math overhaul, 15 can’t-miss Wisconsin supper clubs, and International Festival + a stacked lineup of events this weekend.
Today’s sponsor (FinanceBuzz) built a free comparison tool that helped me cut my car insurance premiums in half. It took about 3 minutes, and honestly… I wish I’d done it sooner. If you haven’t shopped around in a while, you can easily check the best rates here.
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📰 In the news
Curriculum shift sparks debate: Madison’s school board approved a $4.9 million K-8 math curriculum from Illustrative Mathematics to replace outdated materials, even as some critics elsewhere argue its approach contributes to poor test scores — get all the details.
Red booths and glowing sconces: A new roundup spotlights 15 Wisconsin supper clubs where reservations will go fast this weekend, including Madison favorites and lakeside escapes perfect for old fashioned cocktails and a fish fry — check out the full list.
An unexpected spotlight moment: Madison artist Alicia Steffen says it felt overwhelming in the best way when Charone Gray-Edwards wore earrings she designed for Laila Edwards’ Olympic games, and she shares how it happened — read the full story.
Gold & silver are hot: Coming off gold’s best year since 1979, the momentum is carrying well into 2026 with silver remaining one of the most talked-about assets. Curious why they’re back in focus? American Hartford Gold has a free guide that explains what’s happening and how people are approaching it today. It’s free – and definitely worth a read.
Someone Googled you this week: Whether you’re dating again, selling something locally, or just meeting new neighbors… people are going to look you up. Like it or not, the internet has a way of surfacing past mistakes and outdated information that no longer reflects who you are. Thankfully, there’s a really easy way for you (or someone you care about) to clean up all that up – learn more here.
Highlights this week:
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🚗 Are you quietly overpaying for car insurance?
Together with our sponsor FinanceBuzz
Auto insurance premiums have been climbing across the country… and most folks won’t notice until it’s time to renew and they’re hit with a higher bill.
The frustrating part? Loyalty rarely gets rewarded. Insurers adjust prices constantly, and new customers often qualify for better rates than long-time policyholders.
I learned that the hard way. I had the same policy for half a decade. Autopay was on, I saw the charges come in every month and never thought twice about them. Turns out I was paying well above the national average ($175/mo) for a single car… for years.
This free comparison tool lets you check rates from multiple insurers in just a few minutes. It costs nothing to look, and it could save you hundreds this year.
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🫶 We got your back
Treasure hunt, but cooler: Whether you’re after a statement piece or just browsing, Atomic Antiques serves up a rotating mix of antique-to-midcentury furniture, decor, clothing, and curios from 100+ vendors. It starts as a quick wander, then… somehow becomes your afternoon.
Plant-based comfort fix: Green Owl Cafe has served Madison cozy vegetarian and vegan comfort food since 2009, with weekly specials and an in-house rotating dessert menu. Grab a counter seat, order something hearty, and raise a local pour at the bar. Easy weeknight win.
Brows + bling, anyone? Artis Ink Bar shapes natural-looking brows, adds lip blush, and welds clasp-free bracelets under one cozy roof, so you can wake up polished and skip the mirror pep talk. Effortless, pretty, and a little bit sparkly.
An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial fee just to be seen to x-rays, surgery, medicine, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could get up to 90% cash back on your vet bill with this pet insurance plan.
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📆 Around town this weekend
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.
🌍 International Festival @ Overture Center for the Arts | Saturday (3/7) at 10:00 AM – Skip the TSA and take a world tour at Overture, with nearly 30 free performances by Dane County artists. Snack your way from samosas to strudel, browse crafts for sale, and meet local businesses with global roots. Show up in person, or stream select performances.
🍞 Spice & Slice: A Focaccia Workshop @ The Deliciouser | Saturday (3/7) at 12:30 PM – If your idea of self-care is carbs, olive oil, and kitchen gossip, come knead focaccia with Team Deliciouser. You’ll tour their spice lab, taste bold Italian blends, then cook pillowy focaccia, no-cook bomba sauce, and a gabagool sandwich, with a 10% discount to stock up.
👩 8th Annual Respect – A Celebration of Women in Music @ Majestic Theatre | Saturday (3/7) at 8:00 PM – The 8th annual RESPECT is taking over the Majestic with a powerhouse celebration of women in music, from roof-raising anthems to soul-soaked deep cuts. It’s cashless, it’s GA, and it fills fast, so bring a card, pack light, claim your perch, and yes, chair-dancing counts.
🐾 WildSide Discovery Day! @ Dane County Humane Society Equine Barn | Sunday (3/8) at 9:00 AM – Skip errands for a couple hours of bone study, microscopes, and crafts at the DCHS Equine Barn. All ages, self-paced, with turtles, a hawk, and nerdy talks, plus optional laser tag for the inner child you swear is just for the kids. Tickets are $15.
🗝 Wisconsin Vintage Fest @ Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center | Sunday (3/8) at 11:00 AM – Swing by Monona Terrace for a one-day vintage spree, impossible to resist. Over 80 handpicked vendors with Y2K-and-earlier gems, from denim and jewelry to toys you swore you’d never see again, and yes, free admission. Relive your glory years, upgrade your closet, thank me later.
🥾 Nature Hike @ UW-Madison Arboretum | Sunday (3/8) at 1:00 PM – Think you know your phenology, or at least how to say it? Join a guided hike at the Arboretum for Leopold Weekend, tracing Aldo’s early research and restoration sites. Free, no registration, meet at the Visitor Center, wear sturdy shoes, and weather counts, because Wisconsin.
🦇 “The Invisible Mammal” – International Women’s Day Screening & Panel Discussion @ Lussier Family Heritage Center | Sunday (3/8) at 6:00 PM – International Women’s Day calls for a smarter night out, with The Invisible Mammal, a gorgeously shot doc on bats, disease, and yes, the women scientists fighting White-nose Syndrome. Then stick around for a panel, real talk, and networking. Free, suggested $5 donation, snacks for purchase.
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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📻 Madison report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 64°F – Low: 50°F – Precip: 96%
Patchy fog and a slight chance of thunderstorms and a slight chance of rain before 7am, then rain likely and patchy fog and a slight chance of thunderstorms between 7am and 9am, then rain and a chance of thunderstorms and patchy fog between 9am and noon, then rain and patchy fog and a slight chance of thunderstorms between noon and 3pm, then a slight chance of thunderstorms and a slight chance of rain. Cloudy, with a high near 64. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible. Later: Rain and a chance of thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 50. Southwest wind 10 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
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Tomorrow – High: 51°F – Low: 33°F – Precip: 17%
A slight chance of rain before noon. Mostly cloudy. High near 51, with temperatures falling to around 43 in the afternoon. West wind 10 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 33. West wind 5 to 10 mph.
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Take a peek inside →
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