Life In Madison

Life in Madison: neighborhoods, opportunities and events in the greater Madison, Wisconsin area

Found 190 blog entries about Life In Madison.

At the time of writing this article, the sun is peeking through rain clouds on April 22, the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. It’s been about a month since Gov. Tony Evers issued a Safer at Home order amid the COVID-19 pandemic, so celebrating this conservation milestone without a public gathering feels strange yet necessary given the circumstances. 

However, we can still connect with nature on our own or with those who live in our homes while following the latest social distancing guidelines.

Public Health Madison & Dane County recommends:

  • Walking, hiking, or biking while being safe;
  • Maintaining a physical distance of at least 6 feet from anyone you may encounter while you’re out;
  • bringing along a cloth face covering;
  • And finding
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family going for a bike ride togetherSocial distancing has brought the entire family back under one roof 24/7, which can be a challenge. How do you keep your kids from getting too stir crazy?

Structure is important, and setting a rough daily schedule can be a good guide for the whole family. Include time for quiet play or relaxing, learning, and getting physical activity. Make sure to include something fun each day. Just remember, in-person play dates or time at the local playground are not permitted right now in order to slow the spread of the virus.

If your kids are anxious about COVID-19, or are fearful or confused, read this article from a UW-Madison expert on how to talk to your kids about COVID-19.

Make it educational

Just because school is out of session doesn’t mean kids

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5 ideas for self care during COVID-19Daily routines have been disrupted all over Dane County due to COVID-19, and it is making many people feel restless and stressed. Below are some tips for self-care during this challenging time.

Note: For the latest local information about COVID-19, visit the Public Health of Madison and Dane County website or the CDC’s website.

Stay connected

Social distancing means you’re likely not able to be in contact with many of the people you are used to spending time with. You may not be able to see loved ones at all. Calling friends and family on the phone is a nice way to stay connected while you need to physically stay apart. Make a point to reach out to elderly family members or those who may be living alone. Online platforms like Facetime and Skype

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As we navigate the changes in our own lives brought on by the coronavirus outbreak, many people also feel compelled to help the greater Madison community. But how? 

While still maintaining social distancing and following precautionary measures regarding COVID-19 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO), and the Public Health Madison & Dane County, there are several ways to get involved.

If you have the means to give, please consider making a donation to a local cause you support. There are nearly 3,000 nonprofits to choose from in Dane County, and several directly provide food, housing, and transportation options for our community’s most vulnerable. 

The United of Way of Dane County, in partnership

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What started as a visit to Dane County’s newest gem, Morton Forest near Mazomanie, turned into a “bucket list” of parks for one Madison couple. 

(Michael and Jeanne Mraz stopped at Ferry Bluff State Natural Area after their Dane County Parks adventure, and they continue to explore the beautiful parts of our county and state.)

Jeanne and Michael Mraz have always enjoyed outdoor activities, especially mountain biking at CamRock County Park in Cambridge, hiking at Indian Lake County Park near Cross Plains, and cross-country skiing.

But the lack of snow in recent years meant they had to get creative finding fun, healthy things to do together in the winter. 

So when they saw a newspaper article about Morton Forest, they decided to explore its

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Cheese curds aren’t the only byproduct of cows that we have an excess of in the Madison area. There are also phosphorus-rich turds. And unfortunately when it’s raining, some of that fertilizer runs off farm fields and into our groundwater. 

“Over the last few decades, the phosphorus concentrations of the Yahara chain of lakes (Mendota, Monona, Waubesa, Kegonsa) have led to an increase in the frequency and extent of algae blooms, creating green, slimy lakes and beaches,” according to the Dane County Land and Water Resources Department.

But cows are hardly the only ones to blame for the Dairy State’s environmental woes. For that, we can take a look in the mirror and reflect on how we handle our own messes. 

Even though 94% of Wisconsin

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MCDH Marketing Team

I walked into the Mad City Dream Homes team office recently and found their marketing team gathered around a table, working on a new way to feature nonprofits and give back to the community.

“We have the freedom to experiment here, and to do good for the community, without having to justify every project to a specific budget,” said Samantha Haas, marketing writer for the team.

“We love doing these types of projects. When you do something because it feels right, it eventually comes back around,” added Dan Miller, a Realtor and leader for the team.

The Mad City Dream Homes team includes several realtors, but many clients don’t realize that there is also a robust team of skilled marketers who are focused on promoting listings, community

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Celebrate National Dog Day (August 26 officially, but you can celebrate any day really!) and bring your doggo to any of the eight off-leash dog parks that the City of Madison offers! There are four on the east side and four on the west side, with each park varying in size and offerings. A dog license and dog park permit are required at all locations.

1. Warner Park
2301 Sheridan Dr.
Bag dispenser & benches available
This dog park is very large, comprising of a separate small dog & geriatric dog area, open grass space, woods with trails, many picnic table areas, and a lagoon for swimming. The water in the lagoon is not tested by Public Health Madison & Dane County.

2. Demetral Park
2297 Commercial Ave.
Bag dispenser & benches available

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Sometimes your life’s work happens almost by accident. For Doreen Meland, designing and staging homes came naturally, even before she knew it could be a business. “I didn’t know I was doing it, but I was. A Realtor came through our home, and asked if I staged homes. After thinking about it, I decided it would be fun. My business has grown from there,” she says.

Doreen Meland of Ready, Set, Show!Doreen’s work covers a broad range of projects. She has a natural ability for interior design, and is a gifted landscaper. Both interior and exterior projects fill her portfolio.  She has helped clients efficiently stage their homes for sale. But she has also worked with clients who require a more thorough decluttering.

Doreen loves organizing. Recently, she assisted clients who needed to

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With over 60 community gardens around Madison, there is a wide range of plot sizes and amenities to suit anyone's needs. All of the gardens have a different feel, and with varying degrees of involvement from each community they can serve as a hub for social, educational, and family activities. Below, we highlight five of the most unique community gardens in the Madison area.

Atwood

The Atwood garden has 110 plots and works with the Goodman Community Center to offer youth programming. Located along the Isthmus bike path between Jackson St. and Waubesa St., this is one of the oldest community gardens in Madison. 

Bock

Located north of Middleton on the southeast end of the Bock Community Forest, this land was acquired for

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