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Hey Madison, hope your week’s off to a good start! In case you missed yesterday’s email, BaseLocal Business went live last week… and it’s going way better than I ever could have imagined!
If you run a local business and haven’t signed up, you can join here for free.
The more businesses we have on the platform, the more events, announcements, news, cool spots to check out, and deals we’ll have to share with you all every week. So if you know of a local business that belongs in the newsletter, forward this email to them or send ‘em here so they sign up too! The more the merrier 🙂
That’s all for today – let’s get to it!
— Cait Baker
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📰 In the news
Districtwide academic momentum: Four Madison high schools were named to the AP School Honor Roll, with West earning Silver and East, La Follette, and Memorial taking Bronze as scores hit a record high — get all the details.
Commission backs local alternatives: Madison officials and neighbors raise concerns about a state plan to widen the Beltline, citing environmental impacts and potential displacement of homes and businesses. Public comments remain open through January — get details on the proposal.
Support for young learners: Wisconsin’s governor announced the first state-funded child care program last week, which will provide $65 million to providers to prepare 4-year-olds. Get Kids Ready applications are due by February 1 — get all the details.
Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175 per 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.
Gold & silver are hot: Gold just had its best year since 1979. Silver did even better, climbing nearly 150% in 2025… and analysts expect the momentum to continue. If you’re curious about adding precious metals to your portfolio as a market hedge, American Hartford has a helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It’s free — and definitely worth a read.
*We do our best to avoid paywalled articles. If any slip through, let me know which ones and I’ll permanently remove them from our source list!
Highlights this week:
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🫶 We got your back
Year round marketplace takes shape: Madison Public Market named seven vendors ahead of its March soft opening, including Cinn City Smash, Cervato Wine & Tapas Bar, Ancestral Tribe Custom Apparel, ArtWorking, and Love U Madison. The 45,000-square-foot hub aims to support 130-plus local businesses and $10 million in annual sales. Leasing continues until opening. See who’s joining the market.
Midweek wine wind-down: Whether you’re plotting an easy date night or need a civilized pause between emails, Cambridge Winery pours approachable flights with small plates and flatbread pizzas. Low effort, high reward… think of it as self-care with a pour.
Happy feet, finally: When your arches start filing complaints, Morgan’s Shoes makes finding a true fit simple, thanks to in-store fitters and a deep lineup from everyday comfort to go-all-day walkers. Those “just for errands” sneakers may finally clock out.
A new haircare solution: My hair’s been thinning and I’ve been quietly ignoring it, hoping it’ll fix itself. Plot twist… it hasn’t. When I finally started looking into what I should do, there were so many options I didn’t know where to start. I stumbled on Keranique, and its simplicity really sold me. One kit, no pills, no choosing products, and no confusion whatsoever. It’s also on sale with a money-back guarantee (although I doubt you’ll need it).
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 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.
This week
🐾 Nail Trim Clinic for Lola’s Lucky Day Rescue @ bad dog frida | Tuesday (1/20) at 4:30 PM – If your dog’s nails are auditioning for tap class, hit the Barrymore lobby for $15 trims that support Lola’s Lucky Day. Add $5 for a shot at a $25 Bad Dog Frida gift card, book one slot per pup, cash, Venmo, or PayPal welcome.
🐯 National Geographic Live: Wild Cats Revealed @ Overture Center for the Arts | Tuesday (1/20) at 7:30 PM – Swap your couch safari for the real thing, and let National Geographic Fellow Sandesh Kadur walk us through India’s wild cats with jaw-dropping images and video. Expect Pallas’s cat, fishing cats, and the elusive clouded leopard, plus stories that beat your neighborhood tabby’s.
🎨 Pastel Evergreens @ Wine & Design | Friday (1/23) at 7:00 PM – If you can hold a glass, you can paint. Pre-register, then a pro will guide you through pastel evergreens on a pre-sketched canvas while you sip, chat, and pretend you always knew how. Supplies included, drinks and bites for purchase, East Side studio, solid vibes.
This weekend
🥕 Winter Farmers’ Market @ Garver Feed Mill | Saturday (1/24) at 8:00 AM – Cabin fever setting in? Head to the Winter Farmers’ Market at Garver Feed Mill for an indoor burst of color, aroma, and squeaky-cheese joy. Stock up from 50 farmers, cheesemakers, and bakers, savor the sunshine streaming in, and call it grocery shopping with benefits.
✂ Door Creek Park Ribbon-Cutting & Winter Celebration @ Door Creek Park | Saturday (1/24) at 10:00 AM – Take a break from the couch and help cut the ribbon at Door Creek Park, then stick around for a winter party. Free rentals on skis, snowshoes, and skates, beginner lessons, skating games, food carts, and popcorn. Weather may improvise, it’s Wisconsin.
🐾 Paint a Picture of your Pet @ Starkweather Brewing | Sunday (1/25) at 1:00 PM – Head to Starkweather Brewing to paint your pet’s portrait, no art degree required. They’ll pre-etch your fur, feather, or scaly friend on canvas, an instructor guides the fun, and supplies included. Sip a pint, make a masterpiece, and support Underdog Pet Rescue, all for $40.
❄ Winter Wonderland @ UW Lakeshore Nature Preserve | Sunday (1/25) at 1:30 PM – Bundle up and meet at Picnic Point in Lakeshore Nature Preserve for a free winter wander with naturalist Paul Noeldner. We’ll crunch snow, spot moss, ice frills, and bird tracks we’ll confidently misidentify, then thaw out with hot chocolate and s’mores at Fire Circle 2.
Live music & entertainment:
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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📻 Madison report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 15°F – Low: 9°F – Precip: 5%
Mostly sunny, with a high near 15. Wind chill values as low as -15. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Later: Snow. Mostly cloudy. Low around 9, with temperatures rising to around 15 overnight. South wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.
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Tomorrow – High: 24°F – Low: 5°F – Precip: 34%
A chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 24. West wind 5 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible. Later: A chance of snow before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 5. West wind around 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.
This house is wild
Mid-century ranch in Westmorland backing to the SW Commuter Bike Path and adjacent green space. Expansive windows, a wood burning fireplace, hardwood floors, and built-ins set the tone. The cook’s kitchen adds a gas range, generous prep space, pantry, breakfast bar, and a pet nook.
An owner’s bedroom features open closet dressers, bedroom two has built-ins, and bedroom three doubles as a den or office with walk-out to the deck. A lower-level walk-out apartment, previously used for short-term rental, offers a kitchenette and living area plus bedroom four and a full bath with dual vanities. Exterior studio for art, play, yoga, or music, plus a solar roof.
Take a peek inside →
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Thanks for reading! If you know someone who’d love BaseLocal, send ’em here so they can sign up too 🙂
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