There are more ways than ever this week in Madison to fill your brain with knowledge and curiosity. That's because the Wisconsin Book Festival and Wisconsin Science Festival are both being held throughout the city from November 2-5, which thousands of people are expected to attend.

This is the third year in a row that the festivals are happening at the same time, and there are over a dozen joint book events being held between the two, which the State Journal lists here. While the science festival events are also happening around the state, the book festival has grown so much in the past few years that other events are held throughout the year, culminating in this four-day celebration.

Science festival

Families can even get a preview of the

For sweeping views of the Wisconsin River Valley, head for the hills -- particularly at Brigham County Park.

It’s situated on over 200 acres in Blue Mounds, and on a clear day you can even see the Baraboo Hills in the distance.

While you can take in the scenery by car along County Hwy. F, it’s best to park, stretch your legs, and go for a walk around this beautiful park, which is just a few miles east of Blue Mound State Park.

There are nature trails that weave around the campsites at Brigham County Park and into a mature sugar maple forest.

The park was established about 65 years ago and is dedicated in memory of two Brigham family members, including the first white settler of Dane County, who arrived to the area in the 1800s.

Downtown Madison already had their Family Halloween earlier this week. Now, it's gearing up for its next big event: Freakfest.  The festival is an annual tradition, and has grown to become the largest Halloween party in the region. What once was just streets filled with costumed adults has become a vibrant festival, with three music stages, plenty of people-watching and good business for the downtown shops and restaurants. In addition, the safety of the event has become a key highlight.  The City of Madison stepped in and made it a ticketed event in 2006. Frank Productions added live music in 2007. Since then, the event has had a very good safety record, with Madison Police and private security on hand to ensure the event's success.

"Most of the

With Halloween falling on a Tuesday this year, many events to mark the spooky occasion are being planned for the week before, including these places to trick-or-treat around Madison. And while State Street's Freakfest and many haunted houses are geared toward adults, here are three kid-friendly events the whole family can enjoy in Dane County.

"Creatures of the Night" Fall Fest
When: 5:30-7:30 p.m. Friday, October 27
Where: Aldo Leopold Nature Center, 330 Femrite Dr., Monona
Entry: Free to the public (click the website to register)
Activities: Bring a flashlight along for these "not-so-scary" indoor and outdoor activities: hike on torchlit trails, hear spooky stories, roast marshmallows, dress up for a costume parade, meet nocturnal creatures, enjoy

If you've helped a child get a Halloween costume, you know that they take great pride in their choice, and would enjoy wearing it more than once.  In Madison, you can celebrate Halloween all week long. Businesses, churches and schools often offer "Trunk or Treat" options around town, where costumed children can walk parking lots, enjoy decorated trunks and fill up on sugar.  The week leading up to Halloween, there are at least a few larger Halloween events, designed specifically for families:

1. Downtown Madison Family Halloween: Wednesday, October 25 from 3-6 p.m.

More than 75 downtown businesses will open their doors to welcome your kids and their costumes. Not only will they be able to enjoy some sweet treats, but you will also find other

The curvy, hilly route from Madison to Mazomanie is a good indicator of the terrain you can explore at Dane County's newest park, Morton Forest.

Opened to the public October 16, 2016, it is located at 5169 Reeve Road on nearly 114 acres in the Driftless Area with about two miles of year-round hiking trails and views of Blue Mound, the highest point in the region.

What was once private land and a cabin used for family gatherings is now a managed forest and nature center for future generations to enjoy. And it's all thanks to a generous and selfless act by the benefactor the forest is named after: Steve Morton.

Last year Morton was featured on the PBS program Outdoor Wisconsin, during which he said he inherited the land in 1982 and

It's fall in Wisconsin! Leaves are changing, mums are in bloom, and while we enjoy the beauty of the season, The team at Meicher CPAs suggest it's the perfect time to look at your tax strategy.  What is a tax strategy? Tax planning is really a way of making sure you utilize tax deductions, by getting everything that you qualify to use, and then using them the right way. "It's also utilizing tax credits, and making sure your capital assets are purchased at the right time," says David Meicher, CPA at Meicher CPAs. 

Meicher acknowledges that the current political climate makes tax planning tricky. It's hard to plan for a tax structure that remains undefined. Even so, we know that the existing tax code is complex, and it's wise to plan ahead. "It really

It may still feel like summer, but fall is upon us. To help you get in the autumnal mood, check out these upcoming festivals throughout Dane County. Whether you want to drink apple cider, pick out pumpkins, or take a wagon ride over crunchy leaves through city streets, there's no shortage of fun activities for the whole family this month.

Great Pumpkin Give Away
When: 9 a.m. to noon, Saturday, October 7
Where: Oak Bank, 5951 McKee Road, Fitchburg
What: Bring the family to pick out a pumpkin to take home; suggested donation of $5 benefits Summer Teaching to Advance Reading Success.
Activities: Kids games, local mascots, bounce house, horse and carriage rides, refreshments.

Monona Fall Festival
When: October 7-8
Where: Winnequah Park, 5301 Healy Lane,

On a warm September morning, just weeks after Dane County Parks opened the first phase of the Lower Yahara River Trail, a group of bicyclists paused on the floating boardwalk between Upper Mud Lake and Lake Waubesa.

They had spotted an eagle, which was perched high in a tree adjacent to the pedestrian bridge -- the longest in the state and perhaps the country. It's a sight few could have seen without being on the new trail that is suspended above the shoreline and wetland.

"Over the years, the bridge will allow millions of people to experience the natural beauty in a manner never before experienced," said Bill Lunney, chair of the Friends of Dane County Parks Endowment and Dane County Park Commission.

That scenic segment, which in places

The first week of October is packed with flavor and generosity in the greater Madison area.

Several local restaurants are donating a portion of their proceeds to causes that directly impact the community, and you can help just by filling up on some tasty food. So consider going out to eat with your family and friends during these three upcoming fundraisers.

Fall Food Cart Fest 

What: About 20 food carts from Let's Eat Out! will serve their menu items for $4. There will also be drinks for sale, yoga, and live music.
When: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, October 1, 2017
Where: Breese Stevens Field, 917 E. Mifflin St., Madison
Tickets: $5 in advance, $10 at the door, $25 VIP
Fundraiser: A portion of all proceeds will go toward Carts for Community, which "uses