Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Madison West junior named best overall at European Physics Olympiad

Spotted on the Madison calendar: Central College Women's Soccer at Edgewood (Wis.)

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Hey there, Madison! Let's get started with what's happening in and around town. Read on and stay in the loop. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • Madison West junior named best overall at European Physics Olympiad
  • How much road salt is really flowing through Starkweather Creek?
  • How one Madison entrepreneur turns wild ideas into real community impact

Also on today's calendar: Oktoberfest 2026 at Working Draft Beer Company and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: What happened to the pregnant cat that ate yarn? 🤔 (Answer below!)

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Weather forecast:

  • Tuesday: A t-storm around in the p.m., with a high of 83 and low of 70 degrees.
  • Wednesday: Partly sunny, warm and humid, temps: high: 81, low: 57.
  • Thursday: Sunny, nice and less humid, with a high of 77 and low of 56 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Madison teen wins gold at physics contest: 'off-the-charts incredible' (captimes.com) — A Madison West High School junior just brought home a gold medal and top overall honors from the European Physics Olympiad in Sweden, standing out among nearly 200 students from 41 countries. His self-driven physics study, success in national science and math contests, and accomplishments in piano and violin have impressed teachers and family, who see his curiosity taking him far beyond Madison.
   

• Chloride Monitoring in Starkweather Creek: Madison, Wisconsin's Largest Urban Waterway (fondriest.com) — Starkweather Creek, Madison's largest urban waterway, is now closely monitored for chloride pollution that threatens local lakes and groundwater. Capital Area Regional Planning Commission staff and volunteers are deploying continuous sensors, sharing data publicly, and involving schools, UW–Madison, and neighborhood groups so residents can help reduce road-salt runoff and protect this east-side creek's wildlife and recreation value.
   

• Jim Zirbel's quest for 'innovation, service through leadership and spreading joy' (madison.com) — Madison readers meet Jim Zirbel, a downtown 100state regular whose ventures span workforce development, facility management education at Madison College, and creative projects like a poetry band and Holibirthdays.com. He also works with Cardinal Heating and Rotary, aiming to connect Wisconsin students with trades careers and celebrate overlooked people in the community.
   

📸 Around Madison

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Madison

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • I just picked 5 pints of raspberries.
    I would love if someone could take them off my hands. They are super good. Makes great pie or jam or eat them alone. I put them at the end if my… (Nextdoor Eastmorland)
  • Update: She has been found!
    Keeping this posted as I have lived in this neighborhood for over 5 years and unfortunately she has springs in her legs and hops the fence. My dog… (Nextdoor Elvehjem)
  • MyJobsCorner posted a job opening for Material Handler Jobs: Hiring Immediately! Full Time / Part Time - $18-$36/Hr in Madison. Apply here.
  • Advantage Solutions posted a job opening for Traveling Retail Merchandiser - Daytime in Madison. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Madison here.

🗞 Nearby News

Monona

  • Monona may buy Monona Grove School District building (madison.com)
  • Wisconsin police crack down on speeding over Labor Day weekend (wearegreenbay.com)

Middleton

  • Things To Do In Middleton Wisconsin (tikr.com)
  • Relocation of Middleton Culver's is underway (blogspot.com)
  • U of M Fulbright Award recipients prepare for their next adventure in learning (hometownsource.com)

Ok Madison! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: She had mittens! (Thank you April M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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