November 1, 2026 |
Trivia Question❓When did red for Republicans and blue for Democrats become the standard color scheme on U.S. election maps? A) 1960 B) 1976 C) 1988 D) 2000 Answer at the bottom of the newsletter |
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This Weeks Newsletter Presented By... |
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Madison, Alabama motorists may soon enjoy smoother commutes after Mayor Ranae Bartlett announced $14.3 million in federal funding for two key road projects. Joined by Congressman Dale Strong and Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle, Bartlett unveiled plans that directly target the city's top resident complaint: traffic.
The first project will add lanes to Slaughter Road, a busy corridor connecting Madison and Huntsville, funded with $3.5 million. The second, a $10.8 million investment in Resolute Way, will create a new two-mile road providing an alternate access point to Redstone Arsenal and relieving congestion near the Research Park Boulevard interchange. |
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North Alabama Residents Can Help Shape Future Healthcare Services Before November 13
Huntsville Hospital Health System is asking residents to complete a community health needs survey by November 13. The approximately 10-minute survey covers healthcare access, local health concerns and barriers to receiving treatment. Feedback will help guide future medical services and investments across North Alabama. Madison residents can participate even if they have not recently used a Huntsville Hospital facility. [Read More]
New Federal Tax Rules Give Families and Older Adults a Reason to Review Their Withholding
The IRS has published updated guidance for the 2026 tax year, including a standard deduction of $32,200 for married couples filing jointly and $16,100 for single taxpayers. Eligible adults age 65 and older may also qualify for an additional deduction of up to $6,000 per person, subject to income limits. These rules are not all newly announced this week, but they are relevant as Madison households prepare for year-end financial decisions. Workers, retirees and small business owners should review eligibility and tax withholding before December rather than waiting until filing season. [Read More]
Southern Taurid Meteors Could Produce Bright Fireballs November 4 - 5
Madison residents have a chance to see bright, slow-moving meteors during the Southern Taurid shower on the nights around November 4 - 5. This year's waning crescent moon should mean relatively little moonlight interference. The shower produces relatively few meteors, but occasional bright fireballs make it worth watching.
For better viewing, find a safe, dark location away from Huntsville and Madison's brightest lights, allow your eyes to adjust, and watch a broad section of sky during the late evening or after midnight. No telescope is needed, and clear weather will be essential.
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Here’s a look at the 7-day weather forecast for Madison, AL: |
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Do you know what Forrest Gump's password was? 1Forrest1. 🪄
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When an indoor cat disappears, start inside... check every hiding spot and close doors to rooms you've cleared.If your cat got outside, search nearby bushes, garages, decks and parked cars, especially... Read More... |
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The Veggie, Madison |
The Veggie is a 100% vegan restaurant on Highway 72 in Madison, started by Chef Adyre Mason from her home kitchen. What began as a vegan delivery, catering and private-chef business eventually grew into a full restaurant, with Mason later appearing on Food Network's Beat Bobby Flay. Today, The Veggie describes itself as the area's largest vegan restaurant.
For Madison, the biggest draw is having an entire restaurant where plant-based food is the menu rather than a couple of substitutions buried at the bottom. Burgers, fried "chikn," shrimp, cheesesteaks, bowls and even kids meals are all vegan. They also mark gluten-free, soy-free and nut-free choices throughout the menu.
If your picture of vegan food is a bowl of raw vegetables, the menu here may surprise you.
The Cluckster uses fried lion's mane mushroom with mac cheese sauce, grilled onions, smoked paprika mayo and pickles on a toasted bun. Lion's mane shows up again in the Chikn Basket, where it is fried into nuggets and served over garlic dill fries with two sauces.
The Philly Cheese Patty Melt goes the opposite direction with an Impossible burger, sauteed peppers and onions, mozzarella, mayo and mustard on buttery toasted artisan bread. There is also a Buffalo Shrimp Po' Boy made with fried konjac shrimp, buffalo sauce and peach aioli.
One side deserves a little extra attention. The BBF Potato Salad comes from Chef Mason's appearance on Beat Bobby Flay. It uses red potatoes, celery, green onion, Calabrian chili and a mustard-based sauce topped with seitan bacon.
There are plenty of lighter choices too. The Sesame Ginger Tofu Bowl combines brown rice, greens, Brussels sprouts, avocado and sesame ginger dressing while the Ultimate Veggie piles roasted sweet potatoes, cucumber tomato salad, grains, black garlic hummus and avocado together.
Never been?... I would order one of the lion's mane dishes. It is something you are less likely to find elsewhere and gives you a better introduction to what The Veggie can do with plant-based ingredients. Add the BBF Potato Salad or sweet heat fries on the side.
The Veggie is counter service and food is made fresh to order, so allow some extra time when they are busy. Most entrees currently land around $14 to $19, with handhelds generally including fries. Kids have their own smaller menu and the restaurant advertises free kids meals on Wednesdays.
You do not need to eat vegan to make sense of the menu. Much of it starts with foods people already know, burgers, fried chicken sandwiches, cheesesteaks, shrimp baskets and wraps, then rebuilds them entirely with plant-based ingredients.
Wednesday through Saturday, 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM Sunday, 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM Closed Monday and Tuesday
🌐 Website
7504 US-72 W, Suite A5 Madison, AL 35758
Phone: (256) 893-4709 |
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A sudden confrontation can make you want to defend yourself, explain your actions or stand your ground. But when a stranger becomes threatening, the goal is to... Read More... |
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No One Wants To See Your Boogers |
If you are fortunate to still work remotely and use a laptop, this one hack will make you a little more presentable. You can take it wherever you go and it might become one of your favorite assets for zoom calls.
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If you missed last weeks bush trimmer |
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We Want to Spotlight Your Business |
If you have a local business and would love to be featured in our newsletter, you can connect with us here.
Want more visibility to your business, add your business to our directory... FOR FREE! |
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Download Your Wallet Size Madison Memo Quick Contact Card
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Did you enjoy your extra hour of sleep or were you dreaming of voting this week?
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If you have read this far, you may wonder why there isn't any news about tragic events, hate and terrible crimes and it's because there is just too much of that everywhere else. We want this newsletter to bring you kind awareness and also to help spread joy and information on your Sunday!
Thank you for your support 🙏 - Robert |
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💡 Answer to Trivia Question: D) 2000. Before then, TV networks often switched the colors around. The 2000 presidential election is widely credited with cementing today's red-Republican and blue-Democrat convention. |