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City Cast Madison

The badger has been UW-Madison’s namesake mascot since 1889, but Wisconsin was actually dubbed the “Badger State” decades prior, and not because of animals in the region.

In the 1820s, prospectors came to Wisconsin in search of minerals. These lead miners were 

 in tunnels burrowed into hillsides in order to make it through the state’s harsh winters.

When the university first adopted the badger as its official mascot, it used a live animal at football games. But 

according to the University Athletics Department

, the original badger was “too vicious to control.”

More than once, the live badger escaped its handlers and had to be recaptured “with a flying tackle.” Eventually, the university decided it was in the best interest of fan and player safety to retire the mascot to Henry Vilas Zoo.

In 1948, the Badger Yearbook offered up a replacement for the badger: a small raccoon named 

 (badger backwards) passed off as a “badger in a raccoon coat.” While the fluffy replacement was adorable, he couldn’t quite fill the badger shoes and was retired shortly after.

The badger that most Wisconsinites are familiar with today was initially conceptualized by a California-based illustrator in 1940. But the UW-Madison mascot didn’t fully come to life until 1949 when art student Connie Conrad designed a 

 for one of the cheerleaders to wear during the homecoming game. Since that game, UW-Madison athletic events were forever changed.

That same year, the badger was officially named Buckingham U. Badger, or Bucky for short. (

In 1973, Assistant Attorney General Howard Koop attempted to dethrone Bucky as UW-Madison’s mascot and replace him with a cow named Henrietta Holstein.

Thankfully, Bucky survived the attempted coup and celebrated his 83rd birthday this year. Go Badgers!

How Madison Became the Home of the Badgers

Madison, Explained

There’s something truly special about strolling through an orchard with a cup of cider and a basket of freshly picked apples. If you’re itching for that fresh fall flavor, you won’t have to venture too far out of the city to find it.

Here are some choice stops for you to get your apple fix.

⏰ Hours: Wednesday-Friday 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday-Sunday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Door Creek Orchard grows dozens of varieties of apples. And if the breed you’re looking for isn’t in season yet, the orchard has a box where you can drop a note with your name and email, and they’ll let you know when it’s time to collect the goods. Aside from apples, the orchard also has grapes.

🧭 175 Drammen Valley Road, Mount Horeb

⏰ Hours: Wednesday-Sunday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Munchkey Apples in Mount Horeb has plenty of apple varieties and, as an added bonus, its farm store is also fully stocked with Hook’s cheese products. If you stop by, be sure to say “Hello” to the cows and dogs that work on the farm.

⏰ Hours: Tuesday-Thursday 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Friday-Sunday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

This farm is unique because it’s one of the few dog-friendly locations around town. In addition to a variety of apple offerings, Appleberry Farm also has a Chocolate Shoppe ice cream store and a wagon full of pumpkins and pies for sale.

⏰ Hours: Tuesday-Thursday 9 a.m.-1p.m., Friday-Sunday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Eplegaarden in Fitchburg offers apple and raspberry picking! The farm has red and yellow raspberry varieties that will continue to ripen throughout the fall. Eplegaarden also offers big bags of “seconds” apples, otherwise known as the apples that aren’t as pretty as the rest, but will still taste good as a cider or sauce.

For even more apple orchards and fun, tune into 

 with Cap Times Food Editor Lindsay Christians. Happy picking!

It’s Apple Picking Season

Madison's Best

Angie Treinen didn’t set out to build a corn maze empire when she first entered the world of farming. But after two decades of designing unique and intricate mazes, 

 has solidified itself among the nation’s corn maze royalty.

Treinen Farm in Lodi has been in the Treinen family for nearly a century. The farm produces hay, soybeans, corn, and pumpkins, and is known for its Belgian and Percheron draft horses.

The farm is currently run by husband and wife duo Angie and Alan, who built the farm’s first corn maze in 2001. Since then, Angie has taken on the role of maze master and Alan builds and maintains the attraction.

Angie designs the mazes with themes like 

“Schrödinger’s Cat and Other Thought Experiments”

“Rainbows, Kittens, and Killer Baby Unicorns”

 (but be sure to leave yours at home because dogs aren’t allowed).

Upon arrival, you’ll receive a partial map of the maze showing its entrances and the location of the first mailbox inside the maze. Once you reach the mailbox, inside it you’ll find the next piece of your map. Repeat these steps until you have a finished map and successfully navigate the maze.

If your group is reasonably motivated, Angie says the whole process should take 45 minutes to an hour. If you’re up for a bigger challenge, there are 10 secret locations throughout the maze and if you find them all, you’ll win a prize!

For all the novices out there, Angie says not to freak out because you’re never too far from an exit. But she also suggests bringing a flashlight if you plan to navigate in the evening.

In addition to the corn maze, you’ll also find a petting zoo, pumpkin patch, horses, an enchanted woods, and much more at Treinen Farm. Additionally, outside food is allowed and picnics are encouraged.

, roughly 20 miles north of Madison and the perfect amount of time to listen to 

Crop Circle or Corn Maze? Either Way, You Need To See It.

Wisconsin is full of scenic routes for hikers, bicyclists, and motorists to take in the state’s beauty. In fact, there are 

124 state-designated official Rustic Roads

 spanning 750 miles through 61 counties that make for beautiful adventures during all of Wisconsin’s seasons.

Here are some standout routes you can take to see the sights of autumn. Don’t forget your binoculars!

The University of Wisconsin-Madison Arboretum has more than 17 miles of trails conveniently located on the west side of town. This trip is great for anyone who wants to take in the sights without worrying about filling up the tank.

The Arboretum hosts many free classes and hikes that are perfect opportunities for families and groups.

 1207 Seminole Highway, Madison, WI 53711

Parfrey’s Glen is Wisconsin’s first State Natural Area and one of the most-visited natural areas in the state. Located roughly four miles east of Devil’s Lake State Park, the glen is home to a variety of threatened plants and insects, and at its uppermost part, it reaches a depth of nearly 100 feet.

Visitors are allowed to hike the stream up to the pool below the waterfall but are not allowed beyond the falls. Also, pets aren’t allowed.

The Wisconsin Great River Road is a 250-mile journey along the Mississippi River that’s part of a national scenic route that travels through 10 other states and stretches 3,000 miles. This is a great trip for anyone looking for a longer getaway.

 that has incredible views of where the Wisconsin River meets the Mississippi.

Highway 33 is one of Wisconsin’s  "Coast to Coast" routes, stretching from Lake Michigan to the Mississippi River. With plenty of state parks, bike trails, and local attractions, this route makes for a great weekend getaway.

The Kettle Moraine Scenic Drive stretches 115 miles through six Wisconsin counties. There are numerous places to picnic, hike, camp, and bike along the way.

For even more hidden gems, check out this 

Where to See Wisconsin’s Fall Colors

Urban Almanac

If you’ve paid any attention to local news in recent years — and since you’re reading this newsletter, I’d say those odds are pretty high — you’ve likely encountered the term “Vision Zero” on several occasions.

data-informed strategy with the lofty goal

 of eliminating all traffic fatalities and severe injuries that occur on city streets by 2035. Vision Zero was 

 in the 1990s and quickly proved successful across Europe. These days, there are 

 with their own Vision Zero projects, including Minneapolis, Chicago, Denver, and Los Angeles. Madison is the 

 launched in 2020 and has been the driving force behind many transportation-related changes like speed limit reductions and street re-designs. Have you noticed the speed limits dropping to 25 mph on a number of Madison streets? That’s because the city believes that lowering the speed limit will save lives. The project is led by a steering team whose members come from the mayor’s office, Madison Police Department, Public Health, Metro Transit, and 

Some Vision Zero construction-related projects around town include the 

More than just traffic adjustments, Vision Zero relies on community engagement for success. The city has 

 since the project’s launch, with more to come.

Vision Zero relies heavily on data for its success — so, what do the numbers say?

We’re still a ways from meeting Vision Zero’s ambitious but admiral goal. So far, its results have 

. In its first year, total crashes decreased significantly but since then have plateaued.

According to the city, 44 people died in crashes on Madison streets between 2015 and 2019, and hundreds more were injured. In 2020, there were 15 

, 17 in 2021, and 14 in 2022. The estimated economic loss to the city from crashes totaled more than $103 million in 2021.

You can dig into the full action plan here

Vision Zero, Explained

Madison is a city that loves art. From big names like the 

 to the corner coffee shops, there’s art all around us on the isthmus.

This year, there’s a new arts celebration in town. The first annual 

The event is put on by Emerson Eken Arts, a neighborhood arts association whose mission is to support the local arts community. Planning for the event started last year when organizers were looking for a way to better connect artists with their neighbors.

More than 50 artists will showcase their work at dozens of locations throughout the east side neighborhoods.

Most of the artists are local to the area and will display their work in homes and driveways. Several area businesses are also playing the role of galleries for the day, including Eli’s Art Supplies, The Bubbling Teapot, Dexter’s Pub, Megan’s Custom Framing, and more.

Attendees can expect to see all kinds of art — from pottery and sculptures to photo prints and paintings, homemade cards, stained glass, and much more.

The event runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., rain or shine. Here’s a 

Madison’s Newest Art Walk is Here

Neighborhood Guides

The air is crisp, trees are changing colors, and pumpkin spice lattes are on the menu — it’s officially fall on Saturday. And while there are plenty of things to enjoy about this time of year, the season also brings an unwelcome guest to our lakes and streams: phosphorus.

According to the city, fall accounts for 

As rain soaks the leaves that have drifted from their branches onto yards, sidewalks, and streets, it dissolves the phosphorus in them and carries it into our waterways. You can think of the leaves as tea bags brewing phosphorus as it steeps.

Too much phosphorus can lead to murky waters, toxic algae growth, and depletion of oxygen in water, which results in the death of aquatic animals.

To combat the problem, the city cleans leaves from the streets before storms and offers yard waste collection in the fall. Clearing streets of leaves can reduce harmful phosphorus concentrations in stormwater by 

, according to a joint study from the City of Madison and U.S. Geological Survey. And 

Rake leaves from the street before it rains. Dane County residents can 

 that will remind you when rain is on the way and it’s time to take action.

. Using a mulching lawn mower to grind up leaves that fall on your lawn will return nutrients to the soil, providing a source of organic fertilizer to your lawn. It’s a win-win!

. Yard waste includes items like leaves, weeds, grass and garden trimmings, pumpkins, and pine cones. It’s different from brush, which is typically woody material cut from a tree. The city prefers you use compostable leaf bags to collect yard waste.

Yard waste pickup dates are now available for 2023. You can find yours by 

How Leaf-Free Streets Lead to Cleaner Lakes

Madison is full of great biking opportunities. Whether you want to unwind with a short spin, take a long bike trip with friends, or make it an overnight adventure, here are the best bike trips around Madison.

If you have limited time or are just getting comfortable with riding a bike around the city, here are some great options.

Downtown Loop along State Street and around the Capitol: It’s two miles long and great for people watching.

: This three-mile ride is best paired with a picnic in the middle.

 through the UW Arboretum: A beautiful six-mile trip through some of the city’s flora.

If you’ve got an hour or two, these are the rides we recommend.

: One of the most iconic rides in Madison, featuring gorgeous prairies and lots of wildflowers. It clocks in at around 12 miles.

: Lake Farm Park to Seminole Hwy, through the Arboretum and back to Lake Farm via Wingra and Cap City paths. This one’s around 16 miles.

 connects several trails, making it a great rendezvous for a ride out of the city.

 south to Paoli and back: Make a day out of it with this 17-mile loop. Paoli’s home to the new 

 and back: Pack a tent and stay overnight. This ride is about 46 miles round-trip.

 and back: At 10 miles, this one’s for less riding and more camping.

Ready to hop on the saddle? Listen to our conversation with Madison Bikes board member Grant Foster for 

more trips and recommendations on how to prepare

More of Madison’s Best Bike Trips 🚲

Madison's Best Bike Trips

Nothing pairs better with a beer at a Madison bar than pull-tabs, the small cardboard game pieces ubiquitous across the state. We asked freelance author and journalist Tea Krulos to help us uncover the bizarre backstory of this unofficial — 

Feed a dollar into a machine and out comes a Wisconsin Souvenir Milkcap — that’s the full government name. Pull on the tabs to reveal a collection of slot-machine-like icons that could win you up to $250. Krulos says the most he’s won is $2.

“The story is really convoluted and strange, and kind of a rabbit hole,” says Krulos, who recently wrote about pull-tabs for Milwaukee Magazine and says he’s still unsure if he fully understands it.

The game was invented in 1955 by Walter Bohrer, who was in the business of providing bars with coin-operated machines like jukeboxes and pinball — it was his “retirement hobby business.”

The sale of gambling devices is illegal in Wisconsin, so how are pull-tabs allowed? 

, a gambling piece is legal if it is attached to an item of value in addition to a potential prize — like the fries you got with McDonald’s Monopoly game. Walter Bohrer remembered that when he was a child, delivered milk bottles had a tab underneath the cap that you could pull and potentially win a free dairy product. This gave him an idea.

Fellow 90s kids will remember Pogs, decorated 

circular cardboard pieces that you could collect

  — and collect, I did. Enter the Wisconsin Souvenir Milkcap, a collectible item that just so happens to come with the opportunity to win some money.

This might be my favorite instance of utilizing nostalgia to exploit a loophole.

You can click (not pull) the button below to hear more about pull-tabs.

Why Madison Bars Have Pull-tab Machines

WTF are Pull-Tabs?

You don’t need to be an expert to have success in the market, and with our beginner’s guide to stocks, you’ll be starting on the right foot.

With markets nearing all-time highs and retail traders shaking things up, interest in the stock market has never been higher. Newcomers often face a steep learning curve as the stock market has a language of its own, and professional traders have many advantages to retain an edge.

Simply put, a company’s stock is shares of ownership divided into equal pieces. When you buy one share of a company, you are now a fractional owner. Stocks are often referred to as equities within the financial world.

Publicly traded companies issue shares to raise money for new products, research and development, or pay off debt.

There are numerous reasons for investors to get involved in the stock market, but low-risk capital appreciation is the biggest draw. Don’t let the fancy finance words scare you off - this simply means that purchasing stock is a safe way to invest money and see returns without much risk of losing your entire investment.

Some equities are more volatile than others, but it typically takes years for companies to fail and for entire investments to be lost.

Because traditional stock markets are less volatile than cryptocurrency or foreign exchange markets, return potential is often lower - this doesn’t mean you can’t catch lightning in a bottle, but you shouldn’t view stock investments as lottery tickets. A savvy, well-balanced approach will earn you consistent gains with little downside.

Another way investors see returns from purchasing equities is through dividends. These payments are typically distributed quarterly or annually and are basically a distribution of profits from the company among its shareholders. Not all stocks give dividends, and you’ll typically need to own a substantial amount of shares to see significant returns from these payments. Still, any return on investment is beneficial, and dividend-bearing equities are quite popular among traditional investors.

Retail trading apps have made entering the markets more straightforward than ever before. You now have access to various markets, company news, and much more from your smartphone or computer.

To avoid losses, it’s recommended to try and diversify your buys to multiple industries. Loading up on one sector and nothing else will expose you to market declines, so try to spread the wealth to numerous types of businesses.

Without hiring a professional financial advisor, picking which equities to buy is entirely up to the individual. If there’s a company that you believe in or a particular business you love to shop at and want to own a piece of the action, then you should buy shares in that company.

A little research can go a long way, and financial statements and company road maps are usually widely available. The two primary schools of stock analysis are fundamental and technical.

focuses on a company’s financials, measuring its intrinsic value through earnings reports and debt statements.

searches for trends and patterns in the market data itself, paying little attention to the bottom line.

There is no silver bullet when picking stocks, and a strong knowledge of both techniques is advised for serious traders.

The easiest trade for beginners is simply buying shares of a company and holding with the expectation of the share price to rise. This is often referred to as “being long,” and you’ll have total freedom to sell some or all of your shares whenever you want. As long as the price is higher when you sell than when you bought, you’ll be making money.

The other popular trading tool for newcomers is the option. Options strategies and terminology can be incredibly nuanced and confusing, but the trade basics are quite simple. There are two types of options trades - calls and puts.

 give you a choice to buy 100 shares of a company for the strike price on the expiration date. If the share price is above the strike price, you’ll make the difference back times 100 shares.

 allow you to sell 100 shares at the strike price upon expiration. If the share price is below the strike price, you’re making the difference across 100 shares.

Options come with risk but are a great way to maximize a limited bankroll.

With improved access and tools for retail traders, the stock market is becoming much more inclusive. Small purchases now can pay off big over time, so take this guide and get in the game today!

Stocks 101: How to Get Started

Finances 101

This weekend is the 46th iteration of one of Madison’s longest running neighborhood festivals: 

The annual event runs Sept. 16 and 17 on the 800, 900, and 1000 blocks of Willy Street. This year’s festival will feature 

 across five stages and even more local vendors selling their wares. Proceeds from the festival go back into the community by benefiting the Wil-Mar Neighborhood Center and Common Wealth Development.

Saturday, Sept. 16 from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 17 from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

800, 900, and 1000 blocks of Willy Street

The fair is free to attend! But of course, food, drinks, and other goodies will come with a price tag. 

If you need an ATM, you can easily find one at Heartland Credit Union at the intersection of Willy and S. Brearly Street. Additionally, many surrounding bars — like I/O Arcade and The Wisco — also have ATMs.

The event is wheelchair accessible. When it comes to parking, stick to the side streets or one of the nearby garages. Just be sure not to park in front of a bus stop or anyone’s driveway!

Nope. Leave your furry friends at home for this one.

The iconic Willy Street Fair parade kicks off at 11 a.m. Sunday.

You can buy tickets at the Common Wealth Development booth during the fair. The drawing will be at 5:00 p.m. Sunday.

There’s a Party on Willy Street This Weekend and You’re Invited

There’s a team at the Madison Parks Department whose sole job is to eat and its members spend long hours on assignment in many Madison parks throughout the summer. But what’s most unique about these park staffers is that 

The city uses goats to clear out brush and invasive species from the city’s parks. And they’re pretty good at it.

Goats are a useful and more sustainable option for this situation because they can 

. Additionally, by making a first pass through a park, goats help cut down the amount of time that their human coworkers need to be out in the field (literally) with heavy equipment. And not to mention, they like to get paid in grass.

The goats munch on plants such as buckthorn, honeysuckle, box elder, mulberry, and will even devour poisonous or toxic plants like poison ivy (but don’t worry, it’s not harmful to them!).

On top of eating unwanted plants, goat pellets naturally fertilize soil and promote growth of native grasses. A win-win scenario since no one has to clean up after them.

The goats get dropped off inside areas of Madison parks that have been set up with electric fences, which keeps them in place for the most part. But every now and then, a

 with daily goat checks to ensure the goats and their area are in good condition, especially after storms.

The Goats in Your Backyard

Madison is home to many Mexican restaurants, grocery stores, and food trucks. But when it comes to burritos, a few spots stand out from the pack. Here are your picks for Madison’s best burritos.

El Rancho proved to be Madison’s fan-favorite spot for burritos. With two locations offering authentic Mexican cuisine, there’s something for just about everyone on the menu.

Habanero’s first opened in 2007 with an emphasis on local and organic produce. The restaurant’s menu takes the Qdoba and Chipotle approach, meaning customers can customize their burritos (or bowls, or salads, etc.) to their heart’s content.

Tapatios Cocina Mexicana in Fitchburg is the brick-and-mortar iteration of the local food cart Cali Fresh. Bonus: you can get containers of their homemade salsa to go.

For those looking to spice things up, here are some less traditional options for burrito goodness. 

 has stellar Salvadoran food (and coffee); If you need more than just one meal, head to 

; And if you’re looking for a breakfast burrito, check out 

Listen To Our Podcast

How Madison Became the Home of the Badgers

It’s Apple Picking Season

Crop Circle or Corn Maze? Either Way, You Need To See It.

Where to See Wisconsin’s Fall Colors

Vision Zero, Explained

Madison’s Newest Art Walk is Here

How Leaf-Free Streets Lead to Cleaner Lakes

Madison's Best Bike Trips

WTF are Pull-Tabs?

Stocks 101: How to Get Started

More from City Cast Madison

There’s a Party on Willy Street This Weekend and You’re Invited

The Goats in Your Backyard

Madison’s Best Burritos

✨ How to Live Your Best Madison Life

The Difference Between the Town and the City of Madison

How to Find Out What’s Going On With Madison’s Local Government

Where to Find Public Lactation Spaces in Madison

Understanding Dane County Government

Where to Find Madison Farmers' Markets