🥺 Closing time for Daisy Cafe & Cupcakery

🧁 The End of Daisy Cafe & Cupcakery

• After 15 years of business, this cafe on the east side is closing its doors. Owners Daryl Sisson and Kathy Brooks made the hard decision on Sunday.
• Even with setbacks from COVID-19, the cafe had a slight uptick every year in sales but this year showed a different trend. They will officially close their doors on Aug. 26. [Facebook, WMTV]

🌱 Will Native Plants Reduce Flooding?

• A city crew planted trees, shrubs, and water plants on the far west side to reduce flooding throughout Madison. The plants help slow the speed of overflowing water, lessening the intensity of streams that contribute to flooding.
• The group has also removed invasive species in these areas as they inhibit the growth of native plants. The city is also considering using native plant restoration or other flood mitigation strategies on the south side and around John Nolen Drive downtown.
• Related: What are Madison’s native plants? [Cap Times, Madison Minutes]

🚘 New Way to Reduce Madison Traffic

• A temporary vehicle diverter could become the new reality for the intersection by Mifflin and Paterson streets. The diverter, which is essentially a small traffic island, is meant to decrease the number of vehicles that go in bike lanes. It will allow bikes to continue traveling in all directions, but prevent cars from going west on Mifflin past Paterson and from turning west onto Mifflin from Paterson.
• This area often sees a lot of vehicles, bikes, and foot traffic from events at Breese Stevens Field. The diverter will be installed later this summer and stick around for at least a month.
• Listen up: Learn different tips and tricks on how to deal with Madison’s traffic. [🔒WSJ, City Cast Madison 🎧]

Madison is full of places to nestle up with a good book. With coffee shops and fun bars, there are plenty of options. But what if you don’t want to spend money on a drink? Here’s a list of 14, free places to sit down with a good book.

🏠 Free Spots Inside

Madison’s Public Libraries are a great place to set up and read a good book. There are nine different libraries to choose from, offering something for everyone.

The reading nook at the Chazen Art Museum is a great spot to sit and read. Surrounded by art and big windows, how could you not enjoy this secret reading spot? There aren’t many spots, so go early if you want to snag space.

Wisconsin Institute of Discovery is a cool spot in Madison to enjoy your book. With a ton of natural light, it is a great place to feel like you are outside while staying inside. Not to mention the real TREE that is inside!

Wisconsin Historical Society Reading Room is a popular spot for many Madisonians. This quiet location will make you feel like you’ve traveled to the world of Harry Potter. With marble columns and long wooden tables, it really feels like you left the real world behind.

🌲 Free Spots Outside

The third-floor patio at the School of Human Ecology. This is one of my favorite places to read a book. It’s quiet with plenty of seats, including some Adirondack chairs.

Madison is stuffed to the brim with parks. Some popular ones to crack open your novel include James Madison Park, San Damiano in Monona, and Yahara Place Park. Bonus points if you find some good trees to set up a hammock!

While it may be deemed basic, how could the Terrace at Memorial Union not be included? With a beautiful view of Lake Mendota, this is the perfect place to read your book throughout the end of summer. And during the colder months, head inside to the Lakeview Lounge for spectacular views and plenty of seats for reading.

The Dane County Humane Society needs help finding new homes for domestic ducklings — 17 to be exact.

The first group includes 11 ducklings that were found on a terrace of a downtown building in early July. Four of the ducklings found new ponds to call home, but DCHS is still looking for homes for the other seven. All of them are named after the characters in the first “Top Gun” movie.

Two weeks later, a young domestic duck named The Quacken was found in a Madison backyard.

Four days after that, nine ducklings were found on the rooftop of a museum and brought to the shelter. These ducklings are named after characters in the “Top Gun: Maverick” film.

All of the ducks do not have to go to the same home, so you can adopt as many ducks as you want!

Kayaking, Nail Salons, and Impressing a Picky Teen in Madison

The tables are turned in this week’s installment of Must See Madison. Producer and Madison (not-so) newbie Phil Surkis shares his experiences showing off our fair city to some out-of-town visitors and how he celebrated a special birthday the Madison way. Host Bianca Martin and executive producer Hayley Sperling join the conversation to talk boating, self-care, fancy dinners, and impressing teenagers with high standards.