🎄 Madison’s best holiday treats, from cake to cocktails

🚶 Take a Walk on the New Autumn Ridge Path

• Residents will soon be able to use the new Autumn Ridge Path, which connects Milwaukee Avenue with Commercial Avenue over Highway 30.
• The path will open with a public ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday. The path, including the new overpass, makes it safer for cyclists and pedestrians to cross Highway. 30 and connects to the city’s bike path network via local streets.
• It was funded by a $2.5 million federal grant and $2 million from the city. [City of Madison]

⚖️ Ald. Charles Myadze Won’t Run Again

• Calling allegations of sexual harassment and assault against him a “political hit job,” Madison Ald. Charles Myadze said he won’t run for a third term representing District 18 on the Madison City Council.
• Myadze faces a censure resolution that is almost certain to pass at tonight’s council meeting. He’s denied the allegations against him, charging the investigation against him as motivated by more progressive council members trying to remove him from office.
• Dig deeper: Ald. Julianna Bennett, one of the women made a formal complaint against Myadze, talked to Bianca Martin about her decision to come forward on the City Cast Madison podcast. [Madison365, City of Madison, 🎧 City Cast Madison]

📼 Be Kind, Rewind With the Found Footage Festival

• Since 2004, comedy writers and Stoughton natives Nick Prueher and Joe Pickett have been sharing their weird collection of exercise tapes, training videos and other VHS oddities through their Found Footage Festival. They bring the live comedy show back to the Barrymore Theatre on Friday.
• On the City Cast Madison podcast today, the duo talk to Bianca Martin about how they amassed their collection, and how a prank on Wisconsin TV stations got them into legal hot water. [Barrymore Theatre, 🎧 City Cast Madison]

Everybody deserves a little treat now and then to get them through ‘til January. Here’s a rundown on what some of the holiday treats that Madison’s coffee shops, bakeries and cocktail lounges are offering this month – both naughty and nice.

Buche Noel – Madison Sourdough

This annual holiday yule log looks almost too good to eat! It’s a chocolate cake with hazelnut and chocolate mousse decorated with white chocolate “mushrooms,” sugared rosemary, and cranberries. Order ahead of time to pick up on Dec. 23.

Gingerbread Cake and Chocolate Peppermint Cake – Bloom Bake Shop

Bloom Bake Shop is rolling out its holiday menu this week, and the many sweet treats on the menu include both a chocolate ganache cake layered and frosted with peppermint buttercream, and a moist gingerbread cake layered with cranberry preserves.

Peppermint Bark – CocoVaa Chocolate

The chocolatier’s seasonal favorite features premium white chocolate infused with natural peppermint and a hint of spearmint, along with crunchy peppermint bits.

Cocoa Nib Cold Brew with Sugar Cookie Cold Foam – Madison Chocolate Company

At the Odana Road location, the year-round cold brew is made festive with sugar cookie cold foam and sprinkles on top. Pair it with a gluten-free gingerbread person or a Christmas tree frosted sugar cookie from the bakery.

Winter Spice AuLait – Barriques

Barriques sweetens up its AuLait with vanilla and a Winter Spice syrup that includes cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, and orange zest. Order it with a Holiday Kringle Rice Krispie Treat.

Meet Toby! This adult red eared slider is fun to watch, striking the perfect pose on his favorite rock while basking beneath his heat lamp. He even wiggles a little as he scratches his shell against the aquarium filter. He’d love to go home with a new roommate!