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Madison is a beautiful city to walk in any time of year, but fall is a spectacular time, particularly if you walk through one of the conservancies or along one of the lakes.

The University offers wonderful opportunities for walking. Try these:

The UW Lakeshore Path - Made of up the Howard Temin Trail and the Lake Mendota Path, this lakeside path goes from the Memorial Union at N. ...

Quilters love to fondle fabric. I know this because I have a quilter in the family. And it's not just any ol' fabric they desire. Quilters have very high standards in terms of thread count, design, and over all quality.

So where do the quilters in Madison get their fabric fix and other quilting notions?  There are surprisingly few choices, and some of them are in surrounding communities --- but they are ...

There's lots of things to do in Madison Labor Day weekend.  Check these out!

Thurs., Aug. 28
Live Reggae at the Edgewater Pier Bar and Café.  5-7pm. On the corner of Langdon St. and Wisconsin Ave.
Friday,  Aug. 29
Dane Dances! on the Monona Terrace Rooftop. Performers include: Nelly Tiger Travis Blues Band and MadiSalsa  FREE entertainment and dancing with ethnic food vendors and cocktails available for purchase.  5:30-9:30pm
Friday, Aug. ...

Rocks, meteors, fossils, even dinosaur bones--you name it, the University of Wisconsin Geology Museum has it.  I go there at least once a year, with about 40 six and seven year-olds in tow. And we are never bored.

This is where you can check out Wisconsin's geologic history in all its glory. While some items are behind glass, there's still lots you can touch. How cool is ...

Doin' the doggie walk-on and off-leash...

When it comes to parks for people, Madison has made a commitment to accessibility. That means lots and lots of parks throughout the city, providing lots and lots of recreational and conservation opportunities for the two-legged species. However...I'm sorry to say, your pooch is not allowed (even on-leash) in most parks, children's play areas, beaches, athletic fields and conservation parks. 

But don't pout. There are places ...

There are lots of fun things to do with kids in Madison.  Here are 15 ideas to get you started and keep the little ones busy:

Explore the Capitol Building and go up onto the outdoor observation deck to get an awesome view of the city.
Ride the Carousel at Ella's Deli and have an ice cream delight while you're at it. 
Learn something new at the ...

It's a hot, muggy Madison day and nothing would feel better than a cool dip in the lake. Take your pick, we've got lots of Lakes: Mendota, Monona, and Wingra are all within the city's limits.  And Madison has plenty of beaches, too --- 13 in all, ten of them with lifeguards.

What Madison doesn't have, however, is consistently swimable water. The problem? Well, all those wonderful bodies of water are surrounded ...

I've been away from my post for awhile. Okay, for longer than a while...for most of a year.  So I just want to refresh some of the great --- FREE --- musical activities in and around Madison for the month of July.

SUMMER CONCERT SERIES at Warner Park,  Mondays at 6pm

(Sponsored by North/Eastside Senior Coalition)

July 14 - Kydd and Byrd

July 21 - Que Flavor

July 28 - The Midwesterners

LUNCH TIME LIVE  on ...

What are the four major food groups in Wisconsin?

Cheese . . . brats . . . corn . . . and beer!

Cheese is so common you can pick it up anywhere, in any grocery store,  order it added on to any item in any restaurant anytime. Cheese to a native Wisconsinite is like the air you breathe.

And, for that matter. . . so is beer.

But brats and corn. . . well, ...

Before you say "Opera? Are you nuts?" hear me out.  I am the queen of free musical experiences. I once listened to a live Rolling Stones concert from UW's Camp Randall Stadium for free. I wasn't in the stadium--couldn't actually see Mick himself--but I found the coolest place up on Observatory Drive where, not only could you hear the music clearly, you could FEEL the drums. 

So when I tell you ...