📝 How to have a dry January in Madison

🤧 Pass the Tissues

• Madison is in the thick of respiratory illness season. Public Health Madison and Dane County says area hospitals have seen an uptick in cases of Covid-19, flu, and RSV. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services is urging pregnant people and those who are 60 or older to get vaccinated against the illnesses. You can find vaccine appointments near you here.
• In addition to getting vaccinated, you can keep yourself and those around you healthy with frequent (and thorough) hand washing, staying home when sick, and wearing a mask when in public places. [Channel 3000, Wisconsin Examiner, CDC]

🍕 Glass Nickel is Growing

• The east side pizza joint has announced plans to expand into the former laundromat that sits next door to its Atwood Avenue location. For the most part, the new space won’t be for customers. It will house an employee break room, a new dishwashing room, an expanded prep and delivery area, and serve as the headquarters for Glass Nickel's nine franchises.
• Related: Want to know more about the SASY neighborhood? Check out our guide. [Wisconsin State Journal, Madison Minutes]

🌱 Need Plants?

• The Friends of the Arboretum annual native plant sale is officially underway. Through the end of March, you can order seeds online that will be available for pickup in May.
• Dig deeper: Native plants provide food and shelter for countless insects and wildlife that call Madison home. Learn more about Madison’s native plant species and the role they play in our local ecosystem. [FOA, Madison Minutes]

💡 Lunchtime Read: This prolific sign-maker lines Madison's streets with art

• “Drive down a business-lined street in Madison and you’ll likely experience Dan Yoder’s hidden-in-plain-sight gallery that spans the entire city. One of his pieces is probably on your camera roll already — the Orpheum sign.”
• Related: Of course Dan also had a role in making the iconic sign at arguably Madison’s hottest new restaurant, Lola’s Hi/Lo Lounge. Learn more about how this “trashy-fancy” spot has the North Side buzzing. [Madison Magazine, City Cast Madison 🎧]

Trying Dry January? We’ve Got Ideas.

Trying dry - or even damp - January this year? For those looking to cut back on alcohol this year, there are more options than ever. From mocktails to CBD seltzers, there’s an array of choices beyond yesterday’s non-alcoholic beers.