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It's no secret that Madison loves coffee. You can hardly turn a corner without finding a cafe, bakery, restaurant, or coffeehouse that offers you your caffeine fix. We all have our favorites, but if you've been looking for a new spot to try, we've got a few you should check out. Grace Coffee Co. (417 State St) This quaint and comfy shop is a local favorite that's currently serving up seasonal treats like pumpkin cardamom chai latte. The place has a very relaxed vibe and excellent pour-over coffee that is a must-taste-to-believe. The açaí bowls come highly recommended, as well. Finca Coffee (2500 Rimrock Rd, Ste 105) Though its location is kind of off the beaten path, it is most certainly worth the trip. Finca, in Central America, is Spanish for farm--which is where it all begins for Finca Coffee. They use direct fair trade practices to purchase directly from farms in El Salvador and bring it here to share their culture with their customers directly. more Ledger Coffee Roasters (3241 Garver Green, Ste 140) Incredible coffee!” “Delicious coffee,” “...extra special...delectable and unique.” “Love, love, love this place!” As a staple of the Garver Feed Mill, Ledger Coffee Roasters specializes in precisely prepared small-batch coffee that is roasted locally in town, and we think the reviews say it all. “Their coffee is SO delicious!” We could go on, or you could just go and try it for yourself. Bradbury's (127 N Hamilton St) An adorable little coffee shop/ breakfast joint, Bradbury's provides great customer service and has amazing coffees that are strong and creamy. They offer a flavor-of-the-day, usually from Ruby roasters, and every blend is simply delicious. Free WiFi and Apple-pay are also available. Crave Coffee & Donuts (604 University Ave) While the gourmet donuts are most famous here, without the high-quality coffee they wouldn't be the same. Created fresh for you with excellent barista service, this place is going to make your day a little brighter, for certain. Fair Trade Coffee House (418 State St) Just a few blocks down from the Capital Square and Overture Center, Fair Trade Coffee House is serving up fair trade certified coffee and espressos. Every barista has been trained to pull perfect shots in your triple espresso and they can steam the milk perfectly for an extra dry cappuccino. They put in extra effort here and you will notice the difference. Rusty Dog Coffee (3244 Progress Rd) Founded in 2013, Rusty Dog Coffee is a small, local craft coffee roaster that is owned and operated by three good friends and their families. Their coffee is always fresh and never artificially flavored. Their coffee can be found all around town at a variety of restaurants, retailers, and other local businesses, but you can swing by and pick up some to bring home while you're out and about during your day. As a premier Wisconsin Toyota dealer, we have a wide selection of both new and used vehicles--all that have great cup holders for your coffee. We're located in Madison, WI and proudly serve drivers throughout the Middleton and Sun Prairie areas. Visit Smart Motors Toyota today to find a great vehicle that can get you to all the coffee spots your heart desires.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna has plenty to offer those searching for a minivan. With a powerful engine and available all-wheel drive, it packs a punch in all seasons, over all terrain. This year features the Nightshade package, which gives black accents to the wheels, grille, spoiler, door handles, and mirrors. Performance The Sienna is one of the very few minivans available with all-wheel drive, in fact, at the time it came out it was the only one. So if you're looking for a minivan that's good in the snow, the Sienna is one of the only options. It also features some serious power in the form of a 3.5 Liter direct-injection engine with 296 horsepower. It's paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Sienna was designed to be fun to drive, with 140 spot welds to reduce movement in the body and give a better driving response with a smoother ride. Air fin stabilizers reduce turbulence to reduce noise and drag. The Sienna SE features sport suspension for a smooth ride even when you're testing out all the power this car has to offer more Multiple Trim Levels to Test Drive The Sienna comes in seven different trim levels, so you'll be sure to find the perfect one for your test drive. If you're interested in just the basics, consider the base model L. If you want the latest tech options, you can check out the top of the line XLE. If you're interested in comfort, the SE features leather-trimmed heated front seats that are eight-way power-adjustable. Comfortable Interior The Sienna comes loaded with interior features to make your ride as comfortable and convenient as possible. These include the smart key system, which unlocks the car when it senses your key, and the engine can be started with the push of a button. It features a power liftgate as well for added convenience, and power sliding doors that open at the push of a button. Technology and Entertainment A seven-inch touchscreen is standard on the Sienna, with compatibility for Apple Carplay. It is also compatible with Alexa, so you can play music, get weather updates, make calls, get directions, and more with just the sound of your voice. The Sienna is also available with a 4G LTE wifi hotspot so you can get internet access to all your devices. The Sienna also comes with convenient features you don't see often, like a rear microphone for talking to passengers in the back. No more shouting from the front seat! Safety Of course, everyone wants to be sure they are as safe as possible on their test drive. The Sienna comes equipped with eight standard airbags and got a perfect five-star crash test rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The Sienna also features a wide range of nifty driver assist abilities. These include the star safety system, which gets you Anti Lock Brakes, Enhanced Vehicle Stability Control, Smart Stop Technology, and more. Automatic Emergency Braking, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Adaptive Cruise Control, Blind Spot Monitoring, and Lane Keeping Assist are all there as well to give you peace of mind. So come test drive the Sienna today at Smart Motors, where we've been serving communities in Wisconsin for over 100 years.

In Wisconsin, sports are a way of life. Just think about how many rabid fans there are who cheer on their professional teams like the Green Bay Packers or the Milwaukee Brewers. While Madison does not have many professional teams of its own, that doesn't mean it has nothing to cheer for, especially with these four local teams in town. Forward FC Forward is a professional soccer team and the only professional sports team based in this city. Its first season was in 2019 and it competes in USL League One, the third tier of American soccer. The team finished fourth in 2019 and looks to place even higher in 2020. One of the best parts about home games is the team's mascot, a cow named Lionela Bessi. The popularity of the team is evident as it had the highest attendance in the league during its first year in operation. more Mallards The Mallards are a collegiate summer baseball team that offers perfect family entertainment. The Great Dane Duck Blind, located in the ballpark, provides a combination ticket that includes dinner and drinks. It's easily the best entertainment deal in the city. Maynard and Millie, the team's mascots usually make an appearance during the game to the delight of children, and adults can enjoy a beer or two while they watch the boys of summer swing the bat. Just remember if you do decide to drink, do so in moderation and never drink and drive. Roller Derby At the roller derby, there isn't one home team to root for, but you do get to pick the one you like the best and cheer as loudly as you can. The women who play the game are athletic and competitive, making it an exciting and fun activity that the whole family can enjoy. It might even inspire teenagers to grab some inline skates and go outside for a while. What's even better is that part of your ticket goes to charity, which makes paying for entry much easier. Capitols The Capitols are a team in the USHL Hockey League, which is a minor league affiliate of the National Hockey League. While the last two seasons haven't been great for the team, they are still fun to watch, and the players strive to compete at a high level. The season begins in October and runs through early spring, so there are plenty of games to attend. Suites are available for groups and birthday parties at the skating rink are always a blast. Bundle up and head down to the ice for a bit of hockey fun. Whether you're into soccer, baseball, hockey, or even roller derby, there's a team in town for you to support. The best part is that the tickets to these games are never outrageously expensive as they would be for professional teams. You can bring your whole family and still have money left over for food and drinks. If you want to know more about these awesome teams, stop by Smart Toyota and talk to a local! Image via SteadyContent

Whether you're going out with your friends or picking your kids up from their piano lessons, the 2020 Toyota Highlander is the perfect vehicle for all your driving needs. It features the latest 2.5-liter, four-cylinder hybrid engine that delivers the optimum mix of mileage and horsepower in one of the best looking SUVs of the year. Bold New Design of the 2020 Toyota Highlander The 2020 Highlander improves upon the excellent style of the previous generations with its unique bold design featuring a stunning front black grille with chrome trim, premium headlights, and a beautiful silver bumper on the Platinum model. The powerful SUV form factor has been completely reimagined for the 2020 iteration, keeping the same standards of safety, comfort, and sophistication in mind, with the modern Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA-K). The Highlander XLE features the first-ever 20-inch aero venting alloy wheels, aerodynamically designed to reduce wind noise and improve the ventilation of the heat from the brakes. more Plenty of Room The Highlander Hybrid features a three-row design with multi-purpose cargo space that can be expanded with folding seats in the second and third rows, up to 73.3 cu ft of free space for all your storage needs. The side facets and spaces around this spacious design have been crafted to maximize the storage space with several extra shelves and compartments. The adaptable seat design offers a great range of flexibility in movement and folding, which can come in handy especially if you want to install a rear-facing child seat. More Powerful Than Ever The 2020 Highlander outranks its competitors when it comes to fuel efficiency and maximizing power. The 295 horsepower and 263 lb-ft of torque provide unmatched performance and up to 5000 pounds of towing capacity. This raw power is translated into a safe and reliable Stop & Start Engine System, which shuts the engine off when the car is completely stopped and instantly reboots it as you press the accelerator. A Smarter Ride The 2020 Highlander features an extensive suite of smart safety features designed to keep you safe on and off the roads. The Hill Assist, Trailer Sway, and Downhill Assist Controls maximize the off-road safety, while the intuitive driving modes including Normal, Eco, and Sports make sure you get the optimized driving experience every time. The Highlander Hybrid gets an edge over the contemporary vehicles with its rear-wheel electric motor that can power the rear wheels when required to deliver excellent performance on slippery terrains. Please note that the smart features of the Highlander cannot replace the driver's attention. Tech Savvy The 2020 Highlander Hybrid features the largest Toyota SUV touch screen ever, with a 12.3-inch screen that is reliable and responsive in all light conditions and features an HD 360-degree camera view around the entire car. It comes with an optional Wireless Charger and up to five USB charging ports to keep you powered up through the entire journey. The 2020 Highlander has been coupled with a Remote Starter that you can control from your smartphone to lock/unlock and check the status of your car, including whether or not the windows are closed, so you don't have to run back to your car every time you forget to do it! These subtle quality-of-life improvements make the 2020 Highlander Hybrid the best value-for-money SUV you can get on the market today. For more information, contact Smart Toyota today! Image via SteadyContent

State Street in Madison is an outdoor public space where locals, tourists, and college students mingle and enjoy each other's company on any given day. It's a place where the community can come together for a meal, a drink, or some shopping. Closed to traffic, this area is also excellent for taking a walk or a bike ride. People Watching This little strip of community fun offers some of the best opportunities for watching people that you are likely to find anywhere. You will see families spending time together, couples strolling hand in hand, and people leading their dogs along the sidewalk. You will also find groups of college students connecting between classes and office workers grabbing a bite to eat or some exercise during the day. more Capital Building The State Capital building stands on one end of the street and offers a view of its attractive architecture. Take a tour of the building to learn about state government and the history of Madison and Wisconsin. University of Wisconsin-Madison Spend some time walking around on the beautiful campus of the university where many students learn, live, and play each day. You'll find shady places to sit and relax and plenty of history to explore. Maybe you'll even be inspired to go back to school yourself! Madison Museum of Contemporary Art The Madison Museum of Contemporary Art is a space where you will find the work of a number of different artists. Some of the artists showcased are famous people legendary in the art world, while others are relative newcomers. With the wide variety of art available to see, you are sure to find something that speaks to you. Unique Shopping The shopping on State is eclectic, and there's a little something for everyone. Whether you are looking for a new outfit, something for your home, or touristy souvenirs to bring home from your trip, you'll find it here. Supporting small community shops is a great way of giving back to this town. Fun Restaurants From cozy cafes to upscale eateries, there's a restaurant for every taste along this street. Take the family out for burgers, or spend time with adults at a bar. You will find excellent food and a good time no matter what you choose. Farmers Market The Farmers Market near the capital building is famous for its huge display and unique options. Shop one of the many booths for some wonderful locally grown food or for craft items made in the area. You will also find signs teaching you about the area's dairy farming and how cheese is made. You will learn something new about Wisconsin and be able to taste some of what makes this state so wonderful when you visit the market. State Street is an excellent place to gather with friends or family, and it's a perfect spot for locals and tourists alike. Visit Smart Motors Toyota for information on the perfect car that will take you around Madison and on adventures beyond. Image via SteadyContent

Whether you're looking for a new SUV to take on long family vacations, make trips back and forth to school, or use as a new everyday driver, the Highlander has everything you need. A powerful, fuel-efficient engine is paired with high-end technology for the distinct ability to perform in any way you need it. We're here to help you discover the versatility of the 2020 Toyota Highlander. Intelligent Technology One of our favorites features of the 2020 Toyota Highlander is the intelligent built-in technology. Enjoy options such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for the ability to listen to your favorite playlist, send and receive text messages, and even set up your map route. Available Wi-Fi connectivity will enable the kids, with up to five devices, to stay connected and entertained while on any road trip. You also get the ability to add the Dynamic Navigation system for up-to-date data, routes, and even places to stop for fuel or food. The best just got better. more Always-Ready Performance The engine in the Highlander is the epitome of power. It's a 3.5-liter V-6 that delivers up to 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque. The multi-terrain selection enables you to drive in a variety of road and weather conditions. Choose from Mud and Sand, Rock and Dirt, Snow, and Normal modes. Built-in performance modes — Sport, ECO, and Normal — match your driving situation for improved handling and efficiency. The Highlander is able to haul up to 5,000 pounds, so you can easily pull a trailer, boat, or even an RV. Drive With Confidence With the Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 system, you're able to drive down any road with confidence. Features such as the pre-collision system with low-light pedestrian detection, full-speed range dynamic radar cruise control, and lane departure alert with steering assist are all included. Systems such as lane tracing assist, automatic high beams, and road sign assist help you stay protected while on the road. Impressive Design Both inside and out, the Highlander is full of advanced design features. Enjoy the Smart Key System on the front doors and liftgate, which is accessible with Push Button Start so you can lock, unlock, and use the liftgate functions. An available power panoramic moonroof with sunshade enables you to let the sunshine and fresh air in. The power liftgate with jam protection enables you to easily load the rear cargo area with groceries, sports gear, or work equipment. The interior boasts high-end comfort features to ensure you and your family enjoy every ride. Three-zone automatic climate control enables everyone to enjoy a perfect temperature setting in all weather conditions. Fabric seating is standard, with leather seats available. The XLE comes with heated front seats and a leather-wrapped steering wheel for even more comfort. If you want to check out the 2020 Highlander for yourself, come check us out at Smart Toyota. Our knowledgeable sales staff would be more than happy to schedule you for a test drive or find answers to any of your questions.

When Keith Peterson moved from Orlando, Florida to Madison, Wisconsin, he brought along his recently purchased car. That was in September, and everything was fine. Then came the first snowfall of the year. Being from Florida, Peterson didn’t have a lot of experience driving in wintry conditions, but he never expected to feel so utterly out of control. “I slid through intersections, and I fishtailed whenever I hit even the smallest patch of snow,” he says. “No other driver seemed to be having the difficulties I was. Afterward, my friends nicknamed my car “The Silver Sled of Death.” He says a friend recommended that during the next mild day, he should take his car into Smart Motors and let their service department help him with his issue. He did. And he learned quite a bit. more Jim Ward, service manager at Smart Motors, pointed out that Peterson was driving on high-performance tires, which are great for warm weather conditions like in Florida or even Wisconsin from May through October. “We see cases like this several times at the beginning of every winter,” says Ward. “Tires can look brand new, so people don’t know what is making them slip-sliding the season away.” Peterson told Ward that he was expecting to move 20 miles south of Madison soon but still work in the city. With this in mind, Ward recommended Peterson go with designated snow tires. “When people need to commute to and from work from a rural area, I almost always say they should go with snow tires,” says Ward. “They can swap out with their regular tire in early November or so. And having two sets of tires puts less wear and tear on both pairs, so you can have them for quite a long while.” Ward says Peterson’s other option would have been to basically ditch the high-performance tires and go with all-season radials. “All-season tires are what I recommend to most drivers,” says Ward. “They’re great for people with short commutes and little reason to veer far from the beaten path,” Ward says all-season tires are also very convenient, as they don’t need to be swapped out with any other set of tires seasonally. “Given that, a driver can simply leave all-season tires on a vehicle year-round, which may cause some issues down the road if the driver isn’t conscious of the wear that occurs annually,” says Ward. Ward says most drivers don’t think about their tires until they have to swerve or brake suddenly, or they have a flat—often with serious consequences. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, about nine percent of vehicle crashes are tire-related and could be prevented with proper tire maintenance. “It is so important to check your tires every month for wear,” says Ward. “If the tire tread is worn down to 5/32 of an inch, your vehicle is just not going to cut it on snowy roads.” Drivers can gauge tread depth at their leisure with a quarter. If you put George Washington’s head into one of your tire’s big grooves and the top of his head is flush with the tread, you have about 4/32 inch of tread left. This means you still have some grip remaining for rainy or snowy conditions, but this is also the time when you should start thinking about new tires. If you can see space above Washington’s head, you need to replace your tires as soon as possible. AAA and the Automobile Club of Southern California’s Automotive Research Center tested new all-season tires and all-season tires worn to 4/32” in wet conditions. Compared to new ones, the worn tires increased stopping distances an average of 87 feet for a passenger car and 86 feet for a light truck – longer than a semi-trailer truck. “That’s a lot of feet to be sliding pretty much out of control,” says Ward. “And the Farmers’ Almanac is predicting an above-average snowfall for greater Dane County this year, so now is definitely the time to make sure you have the proper tires on your vehicle with enough quality tread to see you through the winter.” Smart Motors was founded in 1908 by O.D. Smart and is one of the nation’s oldest automotive dealerships, is the midwest's largest hybrid dealer and Wisconsin’s #1 volume Toyota dealer. Located at 5901 Odana Road, Smart Motors is Wisconsin’s only two-time President’s Cabinet Award recipient from Toyota Motor Sales for superior customer service & sales volume.  For more information visit www.smarttoyota.com Image by fancycrave1 from Pixabay

There is no better time to get out and go for a hike than right now. People who love the outdoors and enjoy exploring new hiking trails can enjoy the hundreds of miles of trails to check out within a short drive from Madison. This Wisconsin city has five different lakes with trails surrounding each of them, and there are over 200 parks with both hiking and walking trails, along with state parks and rec areas. Discover the best places to hike near Madison. The UW Madison Arboretum Trails If you're up for a challenge but don't want to leave the city, head to the UW Madison Arboretum Trails. You can explore the over 17 miles of trails that cover woodlands, savannas, wetlands, and prairies, and wind through the world-renowned ecosystem right on campus. Even though the Arboretum is part of the university, the trail system is open to the public. Explore the trails on your own or take advantage of the guided nature walks that are available. more Blue Mound State Park Blue Mound State Park sits just 25 miles west of Madison and well worth the short drive if you want to experience some of Madison's best hiking. The park sits in the southern part of Wisconsin and features over 20 miles of hiking trails, with many that offer one-of-a-kind views. The Indian Marker Tree Trail is an easy, hiking-only trail and takes you on a short walk to a century-old oak tree. A little longer trail is the Flintrock Nature trail. This runs for 1.3 miles and features signs with information about many of the flowers and plants you might see as you walk. The Badger State Trail The Badger State Trail covers 40 miles and runs from Madison all the way to Illinois. With several places along the way to access the trail, it's a nice place for a day hike because you can make it as long or as short as you want. The trail runs through some small towns and has easy access to local restaurants if you want to stop for lunch. Along the way, you'll get to see ravines, hills, and farmland with some nice scenic views too. This trail connects to the Capital City trail, along with Military Ridge, and the Sugar River state trails along with the Madison bikeway system. The Ice Age National Scenic Trail The Ice Age Trail runs for about 1,200 miles and traces the end of the last glacier running from east to west and north to south. The entire trail sits in the state of Wisconsin, with some segments within the Madison area. The Valley View segment covers 1.8 miles, and the Madison segment runs for 32 miles. The trailhead on Ice Age Lane has one place to access the hike with roadside parking available. These are just a few places for hikes in and around Madison. Make sure to pack food and water, have a compass, and make sure someone knows where you'll be going before you head out. Image by Mike Goad from Pixabay

If you're in search of a comfortable off-road vehicle, the 2020 Toyota Land Cruiser is sure to meet your needs. With its exceptional handling and luxurious design, it's going to check all your boxes. Read on to see how the Land Cruiser will help you explore the outdoors. Outstanding Off-Road Capability With a 5.7-liter V-8 engine, the 2020 Toyota Land Cruiser is good for 401 pound-feet of torque and 381 horsepower. Its eight-speed automatic transmission enables it to grip well off-road. You can check your surroundings easily with the Multi-Terrain Monitor, seeing the front, rear, and side views. The Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System assists with ideal traction. Multi-Terrain Select helps with challenging surfaces, while Crawl Control with Off-Road Turn Assist gives you a tighter turning radius. In addition to its off-road capability, the Land Cruiser has an impressive 8,200-pound towing capacity. With all that muscle, its LED lighting and chrome grille may come as a surprise. Not only is it powerful and perfect for off-roading, but it's sleek and holds the road great too. Since the Land Cruiser is built with exploring in mind, it comes standard with a moonroof. more Ultra-Comfortable and Luxurious Interior The 2020 Toyota Land Cruiser smoothness carries over to the interior as well, and you're sure to find it stylish. It has a heated, leather-trimmed steering wheel and includes heated seats, even in the second row. The four-zone automatic climate control extends to the two second-row passengers, with a total of 28 vents. The vehicle seats up to eight, with the third row able to be folded away. The Land Cruiser is truly built for exploring with a center console cooler box. Safe and Reliable Ten airbags and side-impact door beams help keep you safe if you're ever in an accident. The Star Safety System further protects with its Multi-Terrain 4-Wheel Anti-lock Brake System, Brake Assist, Brake-Force Distribution, Smart Stop Technology, Active Traction Control, and Vehicle Stability Control. You're further protected by the Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert. Toyota makes your safety a priority with Toyota Safety Sense P. You'll have Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Lane Departure Alert, and Automatic High Beams. Sleek Infotainment System With the Premium JBL Audio with Integrated Navigation, you'll find a 9-inch touch screen that can be paired to your smartphone. It has SiriusXM compatibility and a USB port. The 14-speaker JBL Synthesis audio system includes an 8-inch subwoofer and a 605-watt amplifier. A 4.2-inch Multi-Information Display is customizable so you can see the information you want, such as mpg, turn-by-turn directions, individual tire pressure, inclinometer, and more, including text messages when paired to your smartphone. You can entertain rear-seat passengers with the available DVD entertainment system and two 11.6-inch screens. Ready for a test drive? Come by Smart Toyota and see our selection so you can get exploring! Be sure to check out and ask us about the plentiful features. If off-roading is your hobby, the 2020 Toyota Land Cruiser is made for you.

Olbrich Botanical Gardens in Madison features over 16 acres of outdoor gardens along with an indoor tropical paradise. It is home to the only Thai Pavilion in the continental U.S. and is a winner of the national Garden of Excellence Award. Guests can stroll through the gardens or take the accessible tram that travels from garden to garden either on the weekends or daily, depending on the season. Enjoy the fresh air and beautiful sites at the Olbrich Botanical Gardens in Madison. The Rose Garden Make sure to take your time exploring the Rose Garden at Olbrich. This is one of the most popular gardens. It covers 2 acres and features a wide variety of roses of all colors and sizes on display. It also has ornamental trees, spring blooms, and annuals to see while you wander through. The Prairie-style design of the Rose Garden features simple geometric designs made from natural materials. The most prominent feature in the Rose Garden is the Rose Garden Tower. It is a two-story tower offering visitors who climb up spectacular views of the garden and more. more Thai Pavilion and Garden The Thai Pavilion and Garden is unlike any garden you will see in the continental United States. The sala, or pavilion, is a traditional Thai structure, but the one you'll see at Olbrich is more ornate than most salas you would see in Thailand. The garden that surrounds the pavilion is lush and tropical with hearty plants that can withstand the Wisconsin climate. Some of the ornamental grasses reach up to 12 feet tall, and you'll also see many bamboo plants that are essential for this tropical garden. You'll also find glazed water jars and clipped tree art known as mai dat throughout the gardens that represent a traditional horticulture feature in gardens throughout Thailand. The Sunken Garden The Sunken Garden is another unique garden at Olbrich. It is a traditional formal English-style garden surrounded by shrub hedges and limestone terraces. All of these elements give guests in the Sunken Garden the feeling that they're in an outdoor room. An 80-foot long reflecting pool is a key feature in this garden, while the border features mixed flowering bulbs in a variety of colors and shrubs that bloom starting in the spring and offer their beautiful colors until late in the autumn. Tours Olbrich offers a variety of different tour experiences, from adult-only tours to self-guided visits for groups and guided garden strolls. The adult group tours give visitors an inside look at the outdoor gardens and require a reservation. The guided garden strolls are more relaxed and available for drop-ins only. The volunteer-led tour provides a casual overview of the gardens, and if you prefer to explore the gardens on your own, you are always welcome to wander through the gardens at your own pace. Olbrich Botanical Gardens is a must-see for anyone who lives in or visits Madison. Make sure to stop by the gift shop after your visit, and also check the schedule for any special events. Image by Mike Goad from Pixabay

Modern vehicles should approach safety in a modern way. Toyota has developed some of the most innovative driver-assist technologies to keep you and your passengers safer on the road. Here are a few of those technologies that are a part of the Toyota Safety Sense suite: Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection This is arguably one of the most important technologies in the Toyota Safety Sense Suite. It not only helps you stay more aware of oncoming obstacles, but helps you avoid collisions, keeping you, your passengers, and people outside your vehicle safer. The pre-collision system with pedestrian detection uses a camera and sensors to constantly scan the road ahead for obstacles, vehicles, and pedestrians. If the system detects one, it will alert you via audio and visual cues. If the system detects an imminent collision and you haven't applied your brakes, it will apply the brakes for you. If you do apply the brakes, the Brake Assist system kicks in to give you a little more stopping power. more Lane Departure Alert and Lane Assist It's nearly impossible to avoid every possible distraction when you're driving. When you're distracted, your chances of leaving your lane increases, and so does the potential for a dangerous situation. That's where the Lane Departure Alert system comes in. The Lane Departure Alert system engages after you're traveling at 32 miles per hour or higher. Once it's engaged, sensors scan the road around you to find street lines to recognize your position in the lane. If you start to veer out of your lane without a turn signal, this system will use audio and visual warnings until you return to your lane or use your turn signal. Coupled with the Lane Assist feature, this technology is even more helpful. If your Toyota is equipped with Lane Assist, your vehicle will make small steering adjustments to keep you in your current lane if you start to leave the lane without a turn signal. Automatic High Beams To help improve your vision and driving safety at night, many new Toyota models come standard with automatic high beams. This system also makes the road safer for other vehicles around you at night. When activated at speeds of 25 mph and above, the Automatic High Beam system will switch back to low beams if it detects on an oncoming vehicle or a vehicle ahead of you. This helps ensure that you have the best view at night without taking away other drivers' ability to see the road. Road Sign Assist One of the newest features in the Toyota Safety Sense family is the Road Sign Assist technology. This feature uses a smart camera to scan the road for speed limit signs and other important road signs. When it finds one, it displays it on a display in the cabin for your reference. These technologies don't take power away from the driver; rather, they simply make better, more aware drivers out of all of us. If you're curious as to how these technologies work in real-life situations, you can take a tour of a Toyota equipped with them at Smart Toyota in Madison, Wisconsin. Proudly serving drivers throughout Middleton, Sun Prairie, and beyond.

Madison, Wisconsin, is keeping with a long heritage of beer history with the many craft breweries that call the city home. There are many breweries in town to explore, but if you're looking for somewhere to start, you can't go wrong with these staples: Ale Asylum No list of Madison craft breweries would be complete with a nod to Ale Asylum. The funky-fresh interior, complete with leather couches and pinball machines, lends itself very well to enhance your enjoyment of the top-notch brews that Ale Asylum creates. For starters, get a glass of their Ambergeddon amber ale, the accessible Hopalicious American pale ale, or the Ballistic IPA. Ale Asylum's taproom has an impressive variety to choose from, so you're sure to find something to satisfy your palate at this local-favorite brewery. more Working Draft Beer Company Working Draft Beer Company's minimalist and hip style offers a great experience for those exploring Madison's brewery scene. Working Draft prides itself in its sense of community, and you'll find local artists' works, live acoustic music, and poetry readings in the taproom. You'll also find a great selection of brews, from the Pulp Culture hazy IPA to the European Vacay Munich Dunkel. This brewery takes itself just seriously enough that beer pros will stay interested and newcomers to the craft beer world will feel welcome. Karben4 The strange-yet-tasty Karben4 Brewing is a great place to spend an hour or two with friends. In addition to delicious craft brews, their taproom also offers great artisan-inspired food to pair with your favorite beer. As far as beer varietals go, Karben4 has the usual suspects and then some: IPAs, chocolate oatmeal stouts, imperial red ales, English-style ales, pale ales, and more. Once you've found your favorite Karben4 brew, be sure to take a six-pack of it home. ALT Brew ALT Brew has all your gluten-free beer needs covered with their creations. None of their beers are made with gluten, which means that everyone can have a great time at this brewery. ALT Brew doesn't need gluten to make some of Madison's most interesting Kolsch, blondes, farmhouse ales, porters, IPAs, and more. Be sure to come back to ALT Brew every season to try their four special releases throughout the year. Funk Factory Geuzeria Funk Factory Geuzeria is one of the most highly rated breweries in Madison, and for good reason. The beers this brewery produces are some of the most interesting and experimental in Madison. You'll find quite a few barrel-aged beers at this brewery, some mixed with wine grapes and berries. If you're a fan of lambics, Funk Factory is where you need to be. You'll also find a great selection of wild ales and farmhouse ales to choose from at this one-of-a-kind brewery. From the most hop-infused brewery critic to the casual craft beer drinker just looking for their next favorite, these Madison breweries are sure to satisfy. Explore what each has to offer and then expand your tour of the Madison brewery world to find your next go-to haunt. Image by Tibor Janosi Mozes from Pixabay