Living in a Winter Wonderland: Recommendations for the Snowy Season

Tis’ that season again! The snow is on the ground, the temperature is rapidly declining, and love is in the air. While it can be hard to enjoy the Winter months (yes, even for native Wisconsinites), there is plenty to do around Madison during the snowy season. So, whether you are looking for a new place to impress a crush, stare lovingly into your significant other’s eyes, or is someone who loves exploring and wants to tap into some self-care by going solo to a new dive... here is a comprehensive list of off-campus activities for the winter season.

Monroe Street 

Let’s start with Monroe Street. Second, only to Williamson, Monroe is a wonderful place to start your day of adventures! Try a dessert (or 5) from Bloom Bake Shop. My favorite bakery in Madison offers a ton of options for those who are gluten and/or dairy-free. Then, head on right next door to the wonderfully indie and cleverly named book lovers paradise that is the Mystery to Me bookstore. A mom-and-pop shop, the lovely owners and workers are always looking to dish out fresh recommendations to get you out of any reading rut, however perilous. With a new book in tow and the high of supporting two local businesses, our last stop on Monroe is Barriques Cafe. There–and only if you want to have your life changed and drink copious amounts of peanut butter–try the Sprocket Smoothie. The delightfully strange combination of PB, vanilla, peach, and banana sounds weird, but trust me, it just works.  

Regent Street 

Close to Monroe is Regent street. Known for the sub-par bars and crazy tailgates, during the off-season, there are some hidden gems. Indie Coffee is one that absolutely sparkles. Small, brimming with the sweet scent of chai, and chock-full of humans donning their sweaters, it is the stuff coffee shops from the movies are made of. Perhaps you are feeling the holiday spirit and want to try one of their seasonal specialties, or maybe just a wee bit adventurous. If the latter is for you, look no further and get the goat cheese fig sandwich. On cranberry bread with ham and drizzled with honey, it is the perfect balance of sweet and savory! 

For a night on Regent, try the best Phö in Madison at Nam’s Noodles and Karaoke Bar. In addition to obtaining a bowl of soul-healing soup, you can go with friends and belt out carols in the back room, far, far away from the other patrons. After singing and noodles, hit up Leopold’s Book Bar Caffé (do you see a theme?). Great for sitting to crack open a book with a steaming hot chocolate in hand or perusing the shelves and feeling like a main character bookstore love interest, you won’t regret making the stop.  

(Close to) Capitol Square 

Around the capitol is the perfect destination if you are looking for a more modern, upscale destination to spend your money. If you are looking to get your blood pumping and make some gains during break but have fun doing it, look no further than Boulder’s Climbing Gym, Dragonfly Hot Yoga, and Kanopy Dance Studio. Boulder has a great pay-what-you-can program for students who aren’t height-inclined. With walls only 15 ft tall at the max, bouldering is a super awesome sport focusing on problem-solving and twisting your body to reach new heights. Dragonfly Hot Yoga is awesome if you are looking to sweat the seasonal depression right outta your pores. Kanopy Dance is also a great option if you wanna woo your boo with some brand-new moves. With classes ranging from salsa to ballet, you can learn new techniques and push yourself out of your comfort zone, something that is necessary to break the monotony of the gray days. These places are all great for partaking in joyful movement while learning a new skill and surrounding yourself with some of the most amazing people in the city. If you are less interested in working out and more interested in eating, capitol square has that too! Sol’s on the Square is a wonderful Korean BBQ joint with everything from bibimbap to the most interesting soup flavors that you can think of (I recommend the beef rib, ginseng, and date or the Altang spicy fish egg). And of course, I need to mention at least one ice cream joint, we’re in Wisco after all! Good News Ice Cream is the best around the square with lots of creamy, vegan options, and shakes to satisfy your dairy-filled dreams. Walking around with cones in hand on a snowy night, listening to ooey gooey lovey dovey Spotify playlists… what’s more romantic than that?

Willy Street 

Our last stop on this journey through Madtown is the wonderfully quirky, granola street that is Williamson. It is a hippie's paradise and my personal favorite for a day of adventure. Here’s a comprehensive list of where to go to make the most of the best street in Madison:

Food

• Feast Dumpling House: FEAST. Nuff said. 

• Ha Long Bay: It probably has the longest menu you’ve ever seen. That being said, you could close your eyes and point to a meal and it would be one of the best in your life. 

• Burraka: The only Ethiopian restaurant in the city, it doesn’t disappoint in flavor 

• Lazy Jane’s Cafe: Straight from your nanna’s home, this cafe serves great brunch and even better scones. The upstairs is decorated with local artists and lots of reupholstered, paisley high-backed chairs  

• Madison Sourdough: The best loaf of bread in all of Madison. Take my word for it. 

Shopping

• Willy St. Treasure Shop: stacked with the wackiest trinkets that you never knew you needed in your life 

• Hatch Art House: Local art to satisfy all of your creative longings 

• The Madison Greenhouse Store: Plants and more plants…

• Still Goods: PROCEED WITH CAUTION. The thrift shop where you will not leave without 3 items… at least. 

Ambiance

• Gibs: The place to be if you are a hip, young college student who wants to escape campus and hang with the big kids. Attached to Grampa’s pizza, grab a drink and a slice and bask in the aura of coolness :)

• Cafe Coda: Live jazz, Latin, and tango socials every month, this place is not to miss if you love music

• The Moth at High Noon Saloon: So technically this one is a little off of Willy St, but it has the same vibes so I thought it best to include it here. Every month, there is a StorySlam where people from all over the community convene to share 5-minute stories on a particular theme. They pull names from a hat and each person has little time to prepare but every story will make you laugh, cry, and nod your head in the understanding that you share the common humanity with everyone in the room. It is a truly beautiful experience.

There you have it! I challenge everyone reading this to dive headfirst into the winter season. By trying new things, exploring new places, and celebrating with new and old friends, we can all discover things about ourselves that sometimes seem buried under snow. Winter can make us feel stagnant, but it is also the perfect time to tap into the joy that the small things bring. I hope all of these suggestions bring some warmth to your cold-weather frolicking. 

By Claudia Delgado

WASB Event Spotlight

WASB has so many amazing events that are all special in their own way. In my eyes, each event is characterized by the hard work that goes into planning it and the group of individuals that it brings together. This is my second semester on WASB and while many of the events are repeated semester to semester, they always have felt unique. I asked members of WASB what their favorite events are, both to plan and attend. Here is what they said...

Conversations on Wisconsin

“It’s so fun to remove the structure of college and grades and allow students to bond with and learn from professors. Professors and alumni get time to talk and engage with students about passionate and innovative ideas and it is so fun for students! I love it.”

Conversations on Wisconsin (COW), planned by the Campus & Community Engagement team, bring students and professors together to engage in valuable conversations about the Wisconsin experience and a variety of other topics. These conversations can take place virtually, at the host’s residence, or at a local Madison establishment. Sometimes free food is included! For example, during the conversation with James Ntambi, I got to learn about community health in Uganda and how the Lweza-Mukono Center is helping (check out https://www.lwezahealth.org/about_us for more information). His story is truly inspirational and I fully plan on getting involved to help make a difference. COW takes place twice a year in November and March.

Bucky’s Urban Odyssey

“It is a fantastically fun and creative event to plan, and I would argue it’s one of the most enjoyable events to participate in as a student. Also, I think it’s also super fun to volunteer as a WASB!”

“It’s a great way to start ACP. It is especially fun to watch people running around all of campus.”

Bucky’s Urban Odyssey (BUO) is a part of the All-Campus Party (ACP), a week-long series of events in April that celebrate UW-Madison’s community. Bucky’s Urban Odyssey is an “amazing-race” style scavenger hunt where participants run around campus, stopping by historical locations and local businesses, solving puzzles, and playing games. The prizes are always awesome (I remember wishing I could compete!) but the real prize is getting outside and participating in this fun event with your friends. I can’t wait to volunteer at BUO this spring.

Badger Voices

“It is an awesome collaboration with WUD Music that lets student musicians perform at Memorial Union and share their gifts with their peers.”

Badger Voices, planned by our Campus & Community Engagement team, is insanely fun for everyone involved. Student musicians and groups can sign up to perform at Memorial Union, and anyone can attend. It brings WASB and community members together to enjoy good music and allows student artists to gain countless devoted fans. I have never seen more talent in one space! 

Breakfast with Bucky

“It is one of the first events of the All-Campus Party and the first time that we are really ‘in the face’ of the students that week. It is a great way to start the week off and let students know about WASB and ACP and get them excited. And also, who doesn’t love free breakfast?”

Breakfast with Bucky is also a part of ACP and is a very memorable event for me. Members of WASB set up tables at several locations around campus and hand out free breakfast to the Madison community. It was incredibly fun to directly engage with community members and see their smiling faces as they left with free breakfast. Even Bucky stops by for some food! Make sure to keep an eye out for us in the red and white stripes this spring to get some breaky and say hi!

WASBs Come Home

“It was the first event I ever planned on WASB and it was our first time hosting an alumni brunch so this event is very special to me!”

The first-ever WASBs Come Home was planned this semester by our Professional Connections and Alumni Relations team. One of WASB’s missions as a student organization is to connect students' past, present, and future. This event does just that, bringing current and past WASBs together for brunch. If you are looking for a reason to apply to WASB, here’s one: this organization connects countless people from all points in life and exposes you to so many unique experiences. I’ve learned so much from WASBs who have now graduated and I know that they would do anything to help me succeed. The event does a great job of highlighting the supportive community ingrained in WASB.

By Grace Parker

All Campus Party Team, Mad City Sessions Co-Chair

Senior Spotlight; Anisa Pontes Experience Abroad, Growth as a WASB Member, and Plans for the Future

As the fall semester comes to an end, Anisa Pontes is approaching her final semester at UW-Madison and as a member of the Wisconsin Alumni Student Board. Growing up as a Madison local, Anisa was eager to discover the new opportunities which UW-Madison would entail. She now reflects on her experiences of growth such as the roles she's held as a member of WASB, her main-character moment when studying abroad in Portugal, as well as her goals for the future. 

As a new member of WASB this past semester, I was ecstatic to have the opportunity to learn more about Anisa’s experiences. One thing that I have learned this semester as a new member is that turning to a fellow member and asking questions can be an extremely valuable experience. Each member of WASB– and student at UW-Madison– have unique experiences that shaped them into the person that they have become. 

Joining WASB during the Spring semester of her freshman year, Anisa was passionate about finding a place within the UW-Madison community that she could define as her safe space. “My cousin introduced me to the organization and presented WASB as a place that helps you find your voice and your community. Being the lost freshman that I was, I decided to apply and hope for the best.” Beginning as a Community and Campus Engagement co-chair, she developed a partnership with Slow Foods, to engage the campus community on topics of food sustainability and food culture. Although the semester’s initiatives were disrupted by COVID-19, Anisa was pleased with the results of what her team accomplished and how WASB managed to adapt to the sudden change. “The beauty of WASB is that the month and a half I had was a sufficient enough time for me to feel like I had found my stride and place on campus,” she says. 

When school resumed, Anisa shifted to a more permanent standing as a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion co-chair. As a BIPOC student, she felt that her time would be best served on the DEI team, where she could attempt to support the demands of the BIPOC community of UW-Madison with the support and connection to WAA. “I shifted my energy internally towards more passionate efforts of holding workshops within WASB that were intentional in forming concrete steps toward making our organization less performative. Instead, we worked to analyze the lack of general diversity both on campus and within the organization, and how we could continue to make an inclusive and welcoming space for all students.” Anisa is excited to see the new opportunities that her team brings when she returns from abroad. 

Anisa sadly had to extend a farewell to her WASB family this past semester as she studied abroad in Portugal. As an international studies student with certificates in public policy and global health, she chose to take classes in the Portuguese language with a focus on grammar, oral, and pronunciation. While studying Portuguese culture, she stresses that the time spent away from familiarity has been a defining opportunity for personal growth. Likewise, being immersed in an environment that has always been a part of Anisa’s identity allowed her to understand herself in a more definite manner. She expressed, “Abroad has been a series of emotions that is hard to conform into one sentence or even a paragraph. I will say despite any of the negative moments, I would not change a single moment because I know how grateful I am to have been given the opportunity to meet the people I have and immerse myself into a different culture.” Reflecting on her time spent abroad, Anisa realizes the importance of immersing herself in opportunities that are unfamiliar to her. “Being someone who grew up in the same city I currently go to college has given me the privilege of having all my resources, family, friends, and a good education, within my radius. However, sometimes it made me feel stagnant in my “growth.” Thus, abroad for me confirmed it is the best and sometimes the scariest opportunity to challenge yourself into becoming comfortable with the uncomfortable while also becoming more confident of yourself —which will inevitably hone so much growth.”

When asked about her long-term goal, Anisa wants to establish and maintain a healthy balance between work and life. Her college experience has offered what feels like an endless amount of meaningful moments. All WASB members have specific times that are momentous from the rest. “My favorite memory on WASB is All Campus Party week. The energy that is formed that week is truly unmatched and I cannot wait to run back again this year!” When returning to campus this Spring, Anisa is thrilled to make the maximum amount of memories that she can form. Her advice for new members joining WASB remains as a tribute to her younger self– a time when she felt hesitant, inspired, and eager all at once. “My best advice to give to freshmen is whenever you start to doubt yourself just remember that you were selected to be in this space for a reason which means there are 64 people who have and will always see your potential. See you all so soon <3.”

By Addyson Farias

Marketing Team, Wasblog Co-Chair

The Muralist Connecting The Madison Community

Spread across the walls of local businesses around the Madison area are beautiful murals that seem to grasp the essence of this city. Many of them were created by the same artist, @triangulador, whose real name is Liubov Szwako. He was born and raised in Mexico City, Mexico but has been living in Madison for the past decade or so. 

According to his website (www.triangulador.com) he is “a human who finds joy in experimenting and finding his ways to manipulate paint while creating his own path through patterns and shapes that are both spontaneous and abstract.” His incredibly recognizable art is created using spray paint, acrylics, and other mediums. He describes his art as being “connected to unconventional found objects.” I have seen his art all over Madison, but had not really known who it came from or what the purpose of it was.

During the summer and fall of 2020, when many of the stores on State Street were boarded up, Szwako contributed to some of the beautiful art that was created on these shop windows. Some of the shops that he created art on include It’s Sugar, August, European Wax Center, and Fair Trade Coffee House. The art was created with the intention to celebrate inclusion, love, and unity, as described on his Instagram and in the art itself.

He also has frequently ‘tagged’ mattresses that are left on the curb with funky designs. Many of these designs have been posted on his page as well, with captions that inspire viewers to take it upon themselves to do what they want in the world... “Tomorrow might not exist.. Go do what you love. #triangulador” (post on March 8, 2021).

Another form of art that he creates are murals on the side of local Madison businesses. One that I personally have appreciated is titled “Flamingo Swirls” that is on the side of the Laundromat on the corner of Blount and Johnson on the East side. If you have ever headed toward Milwaukee from downtown, you most likely have seen this mural. It has always made me smile, and the bright and cheery colors hold up well to the (sometimes) bleak Madison winters.

Szwako has also created murals inside of businesses all around the Madison area. Inside Garth’s Brew Bar lives a green swirl mural and inside Moxe Health lives an abstract tree mural. These murals bring life to the place where they are housed.

Szwako was interviewed by the news site Tone Madison, and he said that he always loved writing in graffiti letters and other types of lettering. He was very interested in becoming a graphic designer but wasn’t interested in pursuing a higher education past high school. He instead chose to move to Madison and create art. He enjoys experimenting with different materials and just putting whatever he is thinking about into the world in a creative format.

When Szwako makes art, he does not trace anything. He might make a small sketch beforehand, but all of the actual work is created there in the moment, on mattresses and in the street. Part of it for him is changing something from being trash or just not noticeable to something that makes you stop and think, “huh, that’s cool.” However, all the art he creates is for himself. The one aspect of his art that he does struggle with is selling it. Even though he creates the art for himself, he wants someone who is purchasing the art to appreciate it for what it is. It’s not a product, but something to make people pause in their day and just have a little more appreciation for the world.

One of Szwako’s main influences once he reached Madison was Stefan Matioc. Matioc is another doodle artist in the Madison area, whose art can be seen downtown as well. Most of what Szwako learned was about confidence and just doing whatever he wanted to do. Some of that came from his childhood, as he said he was raised that he could do anything he wanted to do as long as he was nice to people. This is why he hasn’t spray painted random walls in Madison no matter how much he would like to. He has talked to the police many times, just to figure out what he is and isn’t allowed to do, so he doesn’t get arrested and can still enjoy doing his art for the public (and himself) to enjoy.

One last piece of advice from Liubóv Szwako is to not do anything just because it’s popular, but instead do something for your own pleasure and ignore what others think about it. Something that’s important to remember as some of us graduate and go into the real world, where everyone’s timeline is different! Keep your eyes peeled for stray mattresses around Madison that have funky little doodles on them and think of @triangulador when you come across them!

By Carly Jennings

ACP Director

Ranking the Wisconsin Union Restaurants

With midterms season in full swing, a lot of us are probably spending more time at Memorial Union and Union South. These study spaces have plenty of dining options, making them the perfect place to hunker down and grind for hours on end. Everyone has their favorite go-to Union restaurant, but which one is the best? 

I’ve taken the liberty of ranking each Wisconsin Union restaurant from worst to best to help you get through those studying cravings. (Note that this is based purely on my subjective rankings, but you’ll want to trust me on this one).

Alright, so coming in last we have… South Cantina. It’s not that South Cantina is bad, per se. There’s just nothing stand out about it. It’s just meh. This make-your-own Mexican style restaurant appears to be a spoof on Qdoba and Chipotle. It has burritos, bowls, and tacos. The food is okay, it’s definitely not bad. But, if you’re looking for a burrito bowl to hit the spot, I’d recommend just going to Chipotle. However, South Cantina is great if you’re looking for something quick considering that the line is never long. With that being said, on Mondays and Wednesdays its only open from 11-2 and then 5-7. So, double check that it’s open before making the trip to Union South!

Not worst, but surely not the best, up next is… Carte. The only reason that Carte isn’t ranked higher is because it could be so much more. This sandwich and salad shop has a good selection of toasted to-order paninis and signature salads. You also have the option to craft your own salad with their numerous ingredients. It’s truly the perfect lunch spot. But, that’s the issue… it’s only open for lunch. Carte is open from 11-3, so it is not an option during a dinnertime study sesh. If you’re looking for a quick, healthier lunch, then Carte is your place. Perhaps check out some of their ~fall vibe~ menu items with the Butternut Squash salad and Cranberry Harvest panini!

Coming up next, we have… Peet’s Coffee in Memorial Union. Peet’s Coffee is great for a midday pick-me-up or breakfast sandwich. It's got the classic espresso drinks with some occasional seasonal treats (pumpkin spice, anyone?). The downside to Peet’s – it is always ridiculously busy. If standing in line for 30 minutes is worth a latte, then this is the spot for you. On the plus side, Peet’s is a beautiful study spot. It has lots of great seating so that you can sit down, enjoy your coffee, and get some work done. 

Climbing up the rankings is… Prairie Fire in Union South. Yes, Prairie Fire is better than Peet’s Coffee. Don’t ask me how, it just is. For one, Prairie Fire has more food options than Peet’s, such as warm brie on a baguette. Also, the lines at Prairie Fire are usually significantly smaller than those at Peet’s. The coffee is the same, but occasionally Prairie Fire offers more seasonal/specialty drinks than Peet’s… making it just slightly better.

Finally, we are at the top 3. In third place we have… Strada. Strada is Memorial Union’s Italian pièce de résistance. Here, you can get delicious wood-fired pizza and pasta bowls. Choose from their many signature pizzas and pastas, or make your own. Feeling like a classic ‘za? Get a margarita pizza. Feeling a little more adventurous? How about Thai Chicken. Craving pasta instead? Choose from Strada’s six signature bowls or create your own. They truly have it all. Strada is also open from 11am-9pm, making it a perfect option for all times of the day. Skip pizza delivery, and head over to Strada!

The second place award goes to… Der Rathskeller. Der Rathskeller, affectionately known as The Rath, is a UW–Madison classic. Cheese curds dipped in rath sauce is a heavenly experience. It has classic pub food in a German-inspired atmosphere. Grab a burger between classes, or share a pitcher with friends and watch a Badger game. It is very noisy, making it a less than ideal place to study. But, if you’re just looking for a delicious meal shared with friends- The Rath is the place for you. 

And finally, in first place, is… GINGER ROOT. Ginger Root is a surprise first place after slowly but surely passing the Rath in the eyes of the students. Ginger Root is the perfect quick meal to pick up on your way to class or while studying. Their Sesame Chicken is a cult-classic that leaves students coming back for more. They have rotating entrees so that you can get something new everytime you visit. The only complaint about Ginger Root is that the line gets pretty long, but it goes by very quickly due to some amazing workers!

There you have it. The unofficial Wisconsin Union restaurant rankings. Next time you need to binge for an exam or you want to just grab a bite with friends, stop at one of the many delicious Wisconsin Union dining units!