Happy cows come from Wisconsin. Stoned cows come from… Madison?
While Sargent has yet to convince more than six other legislators to sign onto her proposal, one place you're not likely to get in a lot of trouble for smoking weed recreationally is Madison. The city is well known for its lax approach to casual pot smokers, but that leniency doesn't extend to dealers, who face much harsher penalties. Jack Craver writes about that in this week's cover story.
As the legalization debate continues and even as the city has increased other fines and fees over the years, the City Council has taken pains to keep fines for smoking pot as low as possible. Ald. Mike Verveer says "it's almost like a sacred cow."
Speaking of… well, cows, we've got burgers on the brain this summer, and we're searching for Madison's best one. For now, we're tackling the beef variety — we'll get to the veggie, lamb and what-have-you varieties later. Do you ever get the feeling that your vote doesn't count for much? Well, here's your chance to determine which burger rules the isthmus. Will it be a dive burger or gourmet concoction? The fate of our burgerpublic depends on it.
The burgerpublic is a nice place to visit in our imaginations (and our stomachs), but we do have a real government to pay attention to here. And there's plenty to keep an eye on.
http://host.madison.com/ct/news/local/in-case-you-missed-it-happy-cows-come-from-wisconsin/article_251c9f62-fca8-11e3-9ab7-001a4bcf887a.html
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As it stands today, a write-in contender is in the lead for Madison's favorite beef burger from a restaurant or bar.
Earlier this month, we asked you which burgers in Madison were your favorites and compiled a list of more than 20 delicious options.
Just like with our "Madison's best sandwich" poll last year, after we opened the poll last Wednesday, burger lovers wrote in another two dozen burgers, doubling the list.
Now, the leader in the poll is one of those write-ins.
A fan of The Nitty Gritty, the "birthday place" with three locations in Madison, Middleton and Sun Prairie, wrote in the Grittyburger, a 6-ounce ground chuck patty on a honey wheat bun, topped with "secret" gritty sauce (one critic identified it as sour cream, pickle relish, mayonnaise and ketchup).
The Gritty then promoted the burger poll on both Facebook and Twitter, asking fans to vote. AJ Bombers owner Joe Sorge used a similar social media press to win Madison Magazine's "Burger Madness" bracket in 2012.
Trailing the Grittyburger in second place is The Plaza Tavern's Plazaburger, another patty dressed with a sour cream/mayo-based sauce.
The Weary Traveler Free House's Bob's Bad Breath Burger — garlicky beef from Lange Farms, caramelized onions, cream cheese, sweet Pickapeppa sauce and green goddess dressing — led the polling for awhile, but over the weekend it dropped to third place.
3rd isn't so bad.....out of all the burger joints I'd say 3rd was pretty darn good. 
Read more: http://host.madison.com/news/local/city-life/nitty-gritty-is-the-current-leader-in-madison-s-best/article_402ca978-0072-11e4-a738-0019bb2963f4.html#ixzz36DGkc2rB
best outdoor beer garden is really cool. 
And the winner is: The Grittyburger at the Nitty Gritty, which has locations in Madison, Middleton and Sun Prairie. This 6-ounce ground chuck burger with gritty sauce (a "secret" Thousand Island-style blend of sour cream, pickle relish, mayonnaise and ketchup) is served on a honey wheat sesame seed bun.
Read more: http://host.madison.com/news/local/city-life/we-have-a-winner-madison-s-favorite-burgers/collection_177e56a8-0d28-11e4-938a-0019bb2963f4.html#ixzz37t8uUOPZ
I want them all...... Yummmmmmmmmm