Happy weekend, Madison! In today’s happening-today edition: Juneteenth celebration, watches wheels and whiskey, and summer solstice meditation with sound bath + events worth checking out today & tomorrow.
Today’s sponsor, GoldCo, 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.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
A hub for community life: Warner Park Community Recreation Center offers a gym, exercise room, game room, and dry and wet craft rooms, plus rentable meeting and community rooms on Madison’s North Side -- see what’s available there.
Building independence together: Madison’s Emerging Adults Home helps young adults leaving foster care, offering up to two years of housing and support for employment, education, budgeting, mental health, and life skills -- learn how they build independence.
Alum brings campus design full circle: UW-Madison alum returned to shape campus spaces with firm Thysse, from Memorial Union and Kohl Center to new work at Engineering Hall and Student-Athlete Performance Center at Camp Randall -- see the campus design story.
Thoughtful Father's Day gifts, ready by Sunday. Father's Day is tomorrow, which makes shipping anything now a gamble you'll probably lose. Skip it entirely. A whole range of Father's Day gifts is ready for same-day pickup in hours, so something personal is well within reach by tomorrow. -- get it today.*
The bill all retirees should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half — this free comparison tool makes it easy.*
Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill: If your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest -- this one's $150 off right now.* Highlights this week: |
02 — From our sponsor 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, GoldCo 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.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Golf glow-up, anyone: Change Golf Instruction makes learning feel low pressure with small-group classes, private lessons, and friendly leagues at Odana Hills, The Glen, and around town. Beginner to intermediate, they focus on approachable coaching and community so you can stop overthinking your grip and start enjoying more fairways.
Seafood, sorted this week: When the fish craving hits, Real Seafood Co. at One Social has you covered with briny oysters, a buttery lobster roll, and a legit local Walleye Po’boy... quick, tasty, no attitude. Easy option for a low-key weeknight that still feels like a treat.
Sneak-in camping fix: William G. Lunney Lake Farm County Park is about five miles from the Square, with bike-in access on the Capital City and Lower Yahara trails, 50-amp RV hookups, showers, an EV charger, accessible fishing piers, and a boat launch… a legit mini-getaway without leaving Madison.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
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Carrying $5,000 or more on your cards? Stop the interest charges: A balance that size racks up interest fast, and at today's rates it barely budges no matter how much you pay. This card gives you 0% intro APR until 2028 on balance transfers (made in the first 60 days), with a $0 annual fee. That means almost two years to pay down what you owe with no interest charges. *See if it's a fit →
The slower you walk, the more it works: Tai Chi walking is trending online. Turns out it's centuries old — slow deliberate steps, paced breath, attention on the body. Thirty minutes a day burns fat, lifts your mood, and builds balance. No gym, no treadmill, no pounding on the joints. Take the quick quiz to see if it fits, then use code BASELOCAL for a discount on the coaching plan. *See how it works →
The conversation no man wants to have with his doctor: Turns out ~70% of men over 50 are avoiding the exact same one. The hesitation, the awkward throat-clear, the hoping it just sorts itself out… you're far from alone. The good news? You don't need the waiting room at all. What used to mean a face-to-face appointment and an uncomfortable pharmacy run now takes a few clicks from the couch — discreet online evaluation, personalized treatment shipped straight to your door. *No appointment, no awkward small talk →
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Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Around town today & tomorrowOur favorite events going on the rest of this weekend. Dates, times, and locations are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🌱 Dane County Humane Society Garden Workday @ Dane County Humane Society | Saturday (6/20) at 8:00 AM – If you’ve been meaning to pull weeds for a good cause, come tend the native gardens at Dane County Humane Society’s Wildlife Center. Do a little, learn about native plants, chat with the Wild Ones, and help feed bees, butterflies, and wild patients healing up.
🔬 Preschool Science @ Westside Community Market | Saturday (6/20) at 9:00 AM – Preschool Science is popping up at the Westside Community Market with a kiddie pool full of corn and toy trucks, because STEM starts messy. UHP is bringing sidewalk chalk, bubbles, and hands-on preschool activities while you sip coffee, browse produce, and rack up parenting points.
🥃 Grunos Watches, Wheels and Whiskey @ Gruno's Diamonds | Saturday (6/20) at 11:00 AM – In classic Madison fashion, this charity hangout mixes precision watches, gleaming wheels, and premium whiskey, all to support Cars Curing Kids. Ogle Hamilton and Oris timepieces, swap garage lore, sip something nice, and enjoy that rare feeling when your expensive hobbies double as community good.
✊ 37th Annual Juneteenth Celebration @ Penn Park | Saturday (6/20) at 12:00 PM – Grab your lawn chair and head to Penn Park for Madison’s longest-running Juneteenth celebration, a free day of live music, cultural performances, Soul Food, and family fun. Kicks off after the Park Street parade, then becomes the block party worth staying for, vendors and all.
🎶 Make Music Madison Market @ Old Sugar Distillery | Sunday (6/21) at 12:00 PM – Corner of E Main and Brearly turns into a neighborhood jam for Make Music Madison Market, with music-loving makers, live tunes, face painting, a kids crafting corner, and shopping at Giant Jones, Old Sugar, and The Deliciouser, plus food trucks. Think block party, not Bonnaroo.
🐞 Insects Galore Family Nature Program @ UW-Madison Arboretum | Sunday (6/21) at 1:30 PM – If your littles love creepy-crawlies, the Arboretum has a free family nature walk and hands-on bug fun, no registration required. Grown-ups are part of the deal, so lace up sturdy shoes, prep for weather and mosquitoes, and meet at the Visitor Center, weather permitting.
🧘 Summer Solstice Deep Rest Meditation with Sound Bath @ Peaceful Wellness Studio & Holistic Center | Sunday (6/21) at 2:00 PM – Honoring the Summer Solstice with an hour of deep rest, guided Yoga Nidra, and a soothing sound bath, all while you lie there like a blissful log. Longest day of the year, shortest to-do list. 60 minutes, $30, no yoga heroics required. Live music & entertainment:
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — The Madison report Weather forecastToday — High: 77°F — Low: 55°F — Precip: 1%
Sunny, with a high near 77. Northwest wind around 10 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 55. North wind 0 to 10 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 72°F — Low: 54°F — Precip: 56%
Rain showers likely after 7am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 72. East wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible. Later: Rain showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 54. Northeast wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible. This house is wildThis custom home spreads out over 2.5 landscaped acres, just 7 minutes from the airport and 20 from downtown Madison. Light-filled interiors feature 5 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, a gourmet kitchen with hidden pantry, and an open great room. A covered patio, fruit trees, wildflowers, finished lower level, outbuilding, and chicken coop add charm and versatility.
Take a peek inside → |
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