🎄 Tips for a healthy holiday season

🗳️ Barnes is Running for Governor

• Former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes announced his run for governor in a video Tuesday morning. Besides his title as second in command of Wisconsin from 2019-23, Barnes served as a Wisconsin Assembly member, and lost in a Senate race to Republican U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson in 2022.
• He joins a crowded Democratic primary field which includes current Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez, state Rep. Francesca Hong, state Sen. Kelda Roys, and Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley among others. [WPR]

💧High Levels of PFAs Found in Landfill Runoff

• Recent tests have shown Madison's landfills are leaking PFAs into the environment at levels high enough to cause concern. The state currently doesn't have regulations for monitoring these chemicals, nor are there federal limits.
• PFAS are bad news and a national problem. They are a catch-all term for thousands of man-made chemicals used in many different industries, and which have been linked to increased risk of cancer and changes in metabolism. Since they are made to last, the so-called "forever chemicals" rarely break down. [WPR, EWG, NIH]

🏎️ Madison Drivers Got 50% More Tickets Last Year

• That means more than 5,000 citations given, almost a third of which happened on Midvale Boulevard, University Avenue, and Whitney Way. Some of the rise may be attributed to reduced speed-limits as part of Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway’s Vision Zero efforts to eliminate traffic deaths and improve pedestrian safety.
• One expert called this part of a cultural shift saying that even a 5-mph can make a difference in a crash. [Cap Times]

When the holidays come around, it can be easy to forget to stay healthy. But we didn't forget. Or at least, we're trying not to.

City Cast is breaking down how to keep your spirits up and health in tip-top-shape with the help of longtime public radio host and new podcaster, Dr. Zorba Paster. City Cast Madison host Bianca Martin talks to Zorba about everything from vaccines and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to unpacking how to avoid health misinformation.

Eating Tips

• The main consensus is don't overdo it. In other words, keep fiber-rich vegetables in your diet, avoid ultra-processed foods, and when you do go for grandma's dessert or your partner's special soufflé, have a little bit! Just make sure to "enjoy it and savor it, and then move along."
• The CDC has some great general tips on how to stay healthy too, things like, move, eat vegetables, and sleep enough. One more recent recommendation is to reduce and/or limit your alcohol. All these help ideas whether it's holiday season or work time.
• And if you're looking for healthy recipes, places like the American Heart Association have a mouth-watering list of tasty, healthy dish ideas. One of my favorites is the simple baked apple, to finish off a delicious meal.

Hygiene Tips

• When you're shaking hands and hugging your loved ones, or even just getting together in a crowded place, enjoy the moment. But if you have to sneeze or cough, do it into the crook of your elbow. And please, wash your hands! The more you wash, the less likely you are to catch a cold.

Last Week's Photo ⬆️

This one was Brittingham Park. Way to go!

🎉 Congratulations to Neave B, Erica B, and Janet M for being the first three to answer correctly!

This Week's Photo ⬇️

Here are some hints:

• These plaques represent the relationship between Madison and its sister city Freiburg Germany
• You can find them downtown but you’ll want to keep your eyes glued to the ground
• Have you been to a city council meeting? You’ve probably seen these plaques.

😅 Oh and the week before last we forgot to include the answer to the ever-pressing question of "where is it?" The photo below came from Essen Haus. Prost!