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City Cast Madison

Tips and tricks by Madison locals, for locals.

Adrian González

Now that that holiday excitement is beginning to turn into “new year, new me” energy, an important question remains: What should you do with all that torn up wrapping paper? And what about the Christmas tree that’s been dropping pine needles all over your rug? Here are some tips for recycling and responsibly disposing of holiday waste.

The short answer: Probably not. Most of the gift wrapping paper on the market is non-recyclable. Putting it in the recycling bin can contaminate the rest of the load, meaning that all the contents will go to the landfill. The same goes for items like ribbons, holiday cards, and 

 and turns them into mulch. There are two rounds of collection, one starting on Jan. 5 and the other starting on Jan. 20. Place the tree on the terrace or right-of-way area, and make sure all tree bags, ornaments, lights, and other non-organic items are removed.

The tree also has to be free of snow and ice, so you might have to dig them out if it snows. You could also bring the tree to 

. Wreaths, boughs, and evergreen ropes go in the trash. You can also get creative and 

repurpose your tree for other home projects

 If the tree is in decent condition, and you’re just ready for a new one, consider donating it to a local organization or charity. 

 also accepts tree and decoration donations to distribute to families in need around the world.

If you have unusable decorations or holiday lights, recycle them at one of the city’s drop-off locations. Some 

 locations will take your faulty holiday lights and recycle them for you.

Are your decorations in good working order? Give them a new life by donating them to a local organization, a thrift store, or hardware store.

If you’re not sure if something can be recycled, or thrown in the trash for that matter, 

I’ll leave you with one last tip for the overachievers out there: take notes on 

how to reduce your holiday waste next year

From torn up wrapping paper to that wilting Christmas tree dropping pine needles all over your rug, here are some tips for recycling and responsibly disposing of holiday waste.

How to Responsibly Dispose of Holiday Waste

Tips and tricks for living your best Madison life, by locals, for locals.

Madison Life Hacks

Francisco Kilgore

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.

. 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, 

! Just make sure to "enjoy it and savor it, and then move along."

 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 

 have a mouth-watering list of tasty, healthy dish ideas. One of my favorites is the simple 

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 

. And please, wash your hands! The more you wash, the less likely you are to catch a cold.

The flu shot is another great way to not only prevent yourself from getting seriously ill, but from spreading a disease that can be much more serious than some sneezing and coughing. Influenza 

killed between 27,000 and 130,000 people in since October of last year

two weeks for your immune system to reach peak effectiveness

There are the classics like, try to get some sun, eat fresh foods, and get exercise. But mental health can also mean 

 (family members, friends, or therapists), and trying something to break your routine. Have you always wanted to learn guitar? It's a good time to try plucking the strings. Is there a TV show or book you're curious to check out? That might work too.

At large gatherings, among the celebration and joy there can also be uncomfortable conversations which take a toll on even the best intentioned family member. Some ways to cope are by 

setting firm boundaries, make a plan, and set your intentions before you arrive

The important thing to remember here is that you're not alone. Whether it's a family gathering where you feel a little out of place, or at home with FOMO because your neighbor is on vacation in the Maldives. Don't be afraid to reach out.

How to stay healthy during the 2025 holiday season in Wisconsin. 

Tips For Having a Healthy Holiday Season in 2025

Winter is coming, as they say on “Game of Thrones,” and Wisconsin residents want to be ready. On the City Cast Madison podcast today, host Bianca Martin talks to home maintenance expert Mercury Stardust about tips to get your house or apartment ready for the colder months.

Here’s a few more tips about what to do in the case of an emergency and tips for conserving energy and costs this winter.

In case of an emergency, know where the water shut off valve is located in your home. To avoid pipes freezing, follow these 

If a pipe bursts in your home and you can’t shut your water off, contact the 

. Call 608-266-4665 for after-hours emergencies. If you smell natural gas, leave immediately and call Madison Gas and Electric at 608-252-1111.

When it’s cold, renters’ and homeowners’ energy costs often increase. Tips like turning down the thermostat 10 to 15 degrees for eight hours a day can help save an estimated 10% on heating costs, according to MGE.

 ways to heat your home. If you crave the heat, try using a heated blanket or heating pad during the day instead. Opening curtains to allow maximum sunlight during the day can also help warm rooms.

can be found on MGE’s website. If you have questions on saving energy, email MGE’s energy experts at AskExperts@mge.com or call the MGE Home Energy Line at 608-252-7117.

If you’re behind on your bill, MGE will not cut off your service 

. Also, financial assistance may be available through the 

Here’s what to do in the case of an emergency and tips for conserving energy and costs this winter. 

The Best Ways To Prepare Your House For Winter

Tips to Keep Your Home Winter Ready

True confession: When I first moved to Madison, I thought that Old Sauk Road was actually named “Old Sock Road.” While you are probably smarter than I am, there’s a lot of things to learn when you move to a new city that the locals already seem to know.

 as host Bianca Martin, producer Jade Iseri-Ramos, and I discuss our favorite “life hacks” that will make living in Madison much more successful for you. Here’s a few hacks that both newcomers and longtime residents could benefit from.

Speaking of roads, if you’re driving in Madison, you often have to drive from the east side of town to the west side, or vice versa. It feels like there are only two options – drive through downtown or go around on the Beltline.

But there’s a third option to consider: County Highway M. Looping north around Lake Mendota and past Governor Nelson State Park, it can be a lifesaver to avoid traffic in the more heavily-traveled parts of Madison. And it’s also a lovely rural drive.

Here’s another traffic life hack, this time for cyclists. You’re biking up the Capital City Bike Trail up John Nolen Drive, and want to head to the Capitol Square, maybe for Concerts on the Square or the farmers’ market. But there doesn’t seem to be an easy way to get there without having to cross John Nolen and taking a bunch of narrow one-way streets uphill.

But there is! Monona Terrace has a dedicated exterior bike elevator. Walk your bike in, hit the Level 5 button and it’ll take you up to Olin Terrace, where you can then bike down MLK Blvd. Easy peasy!

If you’re downtown (especially with young kids), you may find yourself with the need to find a public bathroom to use. Monona Terrace, Overture Center, the Madison Public Library’s Central Branch, and of course the Capitol all have accessible (and quite beautiful) restrooms for public use.

 app will help you find open spots for all city-operated parking meters. Even better, you can pay for parking through the app, and even extend your time in the spot if you can’t get back to your car before time expires!

When the winter cold is getting to you, there’s nothing like going to 

 and spending some time inside Bolz Conservatory. Not only is it warm and toasty in there, but seeing all those greenery will remind you that spring is indeed coming.

Whether you're a newcomer to Madison or a lifelong resident, you should know these local tips and tricks, from where to find a clean public bathroom downtown to going to the Bolz Conservatory in the winter. 

These Life Hacks Will Help You Make the Most of Madison 

 and turns them into mulch. There are two rounds of collection, one starting on Jan. 6 and the other starting on Jan. 21. Place the tree on the terrace or right-of-way area, and make sure all tree bags, ornaments, lights, and other non-organic items are removed.

When the holiday season rolls around, gifts and trash can pile up. From torn up wrapping paper to that wilting Christmas tree dropping pine needles all over your living room rug, here are some tips for recycling and responsibly disposing of holiday waste.

How To Responsibly Dispose of Holiday Waste in Madison

The presence of ice and snow alone warrants slower speeds and extra vigilance, especially on stretches that are dark and winding. But cold weather could also mean you’ll see more wildlife herds on the roads. 

animal-vehicle collisions peak in December

. Here are some tips for safely sharing the roads with wildlife this time of year.

Pay attention to your surroundings. Stick to the speed limit and keep an eye out for wildlife crossing signs. If it’s dark (and there aren’t other cars around), drive with your brights on to improve visibility. Deer tend to be more active between dusk and dawn, when it can be harder to see.

Assuming you can come to a safe stop to avoid hitting an animal, honk your horn and flash your brights to scare the animal away. If time allows, tap your brakes to help alert anyone driving behind you. Since deer and elk travel in herds, wait a moment to make sure there aren’t more animals preparing to cross the road.

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation 

 that sometimes hitting the animal is the safest option. If you’re caught off guard by an animal in the middle of the road, you’ll need to assess the situation quickly. If the road is slick, it may be harder for you to stop your vehicle and/or for the animals to run to safety.

If there are cars behind you or you don’t have enough time to safely come to a stop, "driving through” the animal is the safest bet. Don’t speed up — slow down as safely as possible to minimize impact. Swerving out of your lane or slamming on your brakes could cause a much more violent accident than hitting the animal.

In the event you have to hit an animal, do your best to maintain control of the vehicle. Pull over as soon as you can safely do so with your hazard lights on. Check that everyone in the car is OK. Report the incident to the 

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

, especially if the animal is still in the roadway.

It’s a good idea to take photos of the scene of the accident and damage to your car for an insurance claim, but exercise caution when exiting your vehicle.

Driving during the winter season’s extreme weather conditions is already dangerous. This time of year can be especially tricky for avoiding animal-vehicle collisions. Here are some tips for avoiding accidents with animals in and around Madison.

How to Safely Share Wisconsin’s Roads with Wildlife

Safely Share Wisconsin’s Roads with Wildlife This Winter

Whether you’re new to winter in Madison, or you’ve been putting snow chains on your tires all your life, everyone could benefit from a reminder on how to safely navigate Madison’s icy roads. With the 

 expected this week, now is the time to make sure you can travel safely on the road!

Before bad weather really sets in, give your car a 

 — check your battery health, lights, brakes, wipers, windshield fluid, and tire pressure.

Invest in the right tires — either snow / all-season wheels, or get some snow chains for your tires.

: Put a quarter into the tread of your tire and look for George Washington’s head. If you can see any part of the top of his head, you don’t have enough tread, and you should replace those tires.

Keep your gas tank at least half full to decrease the risk of getting stranded in bad weather.

 in your car in the event you are stranded.

Know your route — look at a map before you start driving to avoid having the extra distraction of your GPS or getting lost.

Learn the latest about your route’s conditions and incidents before heading by by visiting 

Maintain steady speeds and keep extra space between yourself and other cars — no matter what type of vehicle you have.

Be extra careful on bridges and underpasses, which tend to be the slickest.

Remove all snow and ice from your windows, hood, and roof before you drive.

If you begin to skid, let off the accelerator and brake, then turn your steering wheel in the direction you want to go.

Ilana Nevins contributed to this article.

Whether you’re new to winter in Madison, or you’ve been putting snow chains on your tires all your life, everyone could benefit from a reminder on how to safely navigate Madison’s icy roads.

How to Safely Navigate Madison's Winter Roads

Tips for Winter Driving in Madison

In classic Wisconsin fashion, we have gone from cold spring mornings right to sweltering humidity. I curated a list of places for you folks to cool off and take a break from the balmy weather. These are some of my favorite ways to beat the heat in Madison.

For the ultimate break from the heat, take a dip in the Goodman Pool. A great place for the whole family to take a break from the heat.

From kayaks to the eight-person stand-up paddleboard, there are plenty of rentals one can get from Outdoor UW. Set sail on Lake Mendota for the perfect way to avoid the heat!

With huge windows, this spot allows for natural light with the luxury of air conditioning. Enjoy a margarita, or my personal favorite, their yerba juice.

Classics are classic for a reason — grab a pitcher at the terrace while enjoying the views of Lake Mendota.

What is a better way to cool off than a cold beer? Olbrich Biergarten is on Madison’s lake loop, and is a great spot where you can get a beer and play cards with your friends.

Bike or drive to this wonderful ice cream spot located on Lake Monona. Featuring Babcock Hall Ice Cream, there are plenty of flavors to choose from and enjoy on their patio.

Located on King Street, this ice cream shop has a variety of quirky flavors that are sure to not only cool you off, but also satisfy your sweet tooth. My go to is fig & honey!

What are some ways you like to beat the heat?

Stay Cool Madison 😎

The Best Ways to Beat The Heat

Madisonians recently got their first air quality alert of the season. With wildfire smoke blowing in from Canada, keeping your lungs safe from harmful particles is crucial. Air purifiers can make a huge difference when it comes to indoor air quality, but they can be expensive, so here’s how you can make your own at home with a few simple items.

Necessity is the mother of invention, so let’s start with the most simple version of a DIY air purifier.

: Acquire a square fan (most air filters are squares or rectangles, so we’re applying basic geometry).

: Get yourself a HEPA filter (shoot for one similar in size to your fan).

: Secure the filter to your fan via duct tape or packing tape, making sure to seal the connection as tightly as possible.

 from the New York Times’ Wirecutter. Their testing showed this simple version outperformed a fancy $800 air purifier!

After covering the COVID-19 pandemic, The Washington Post reporter Lena H. Sun took it upon herself to build what’s called a Corsi-Rosenthal Box, which basically takes the version above and gives it superpowers. She has a great 

You can have clean, purified air without breaking the bank. Here’s how you can make an air purifier at home with just a few simple items.

How To Make A Simple DIY Air Purifier

How to Make Your Own Air Purifier

Living in Madison, three things are certain: death, taxes, and parking tickets.

Parking rules are heavily enforced around the city — and they kind of 

 to be in order for traffic to flow properly, especially on the isthmus.

Of course no one likes getting a ticket. Whether you were too late to feed the meter, forgot to move for street sweepers, 

, there’s no shortage of ways to get ticketed. But when it comes to facing the consequences, residents hold more power than they may know.

So you got a ticket. Bummer. What’s next?

If you know you did something wrong and don’t mind paying the fee, then by all means, just pay the ticket.

But if you have reason to contest the ticket, you can begin the 

 or by calling the number on the back of your ticket, Madison Municipal Court Judge Dan Koval explained on the City Cast Madison podcast.

“When you call that agency, you can tell them the reasons why you think that they should withdraw this ticket, and most of the time they won't do it,” he said. “They occasionally will, but most of the time they'll say, ‘You know, you have to talk about that with the court.’”

At court is where you’ll meet Koval, who has the power to reduce, change, or even void your ticket. And when it comes down to it, he’s a pretty sympathetic guy.

If finances are an issue, Koval has offered payment plans or community service options where tickets can be paid through volunteer hours.

When it comes down to it, Koval says he considers a lot of factors when making determinations, including a person’s driving history and their reasoning for why they got ticketed. (Did they make an honest mistake? Was there a miscommunication?) Oftentimes, he’ll ask the individual what they think the ticket should be reduced to.

Ultimately, he just doesn’t want people to fear the legal process.

“We're trying to make it less onerous for people to do since these are not criminal cases,” he said.