BRAVA January February 2024

READY FOR NEXT?

Whether you are seeking your first job or looking to advance your career, we’re committed to getting you to your next, and whatever comes after it, too.

Danessa Bishop Vice President, Market Manager

We offer same day, or next day appointments, with same day results. Accepting all patients regardless of insurance or doctor affiliations, MH Imaging offers Open MRI technology not available at area hospitals.

cash prices for patients who do not have insurance or who do not wish to use it. Accessible, affordable, and comfortable. We strive to make this choice easy for you and your health. We accept Quartz, Dean, Medicare, Medicaid, and all major insurance plans. Cash prices available for those who do not use insurance.

2024 WOMEN TO WATCH CELEBRATE OUR

WITH US!

Join us for an evening of networking, food and drink, and recognizing our new honorees

5:30-8 p.m. | Tuesday, April 16, 2024

Plenary Room, Grainger Hall, UW-Madison

Scan me for tickets!

Event Sponsored by

A Perfect Pair: Mozart & Mahler

Th i s month, I not only continue to celebrate my 30th annivers ary s eason, but I celebrate a mil e stone birthday. I have ch os e n two d e sert island favorites of mi n e for the occasion and invite you t o come celebrate with me. Joy ce Yan g played so wonderfully a f ew seasons ago that I wanted to br ing her back immediate ly. S h e will play one of the great pi a no concertos of Mozart. Mozart is considered the perfect pairing wit h Gustav Mahler, so I have done j ust that. Mahler’s great fift h symphony, with its famous Adagietto movement extracted for the movie D eath in Venic e, is a colossal work for a very larg e orchestra. The Adagietto move m e nt i s scored only for harp and st r i ngs and is of exquisite beau ty. This will be the MSO’s second performance of this master work. Treat yourself to the sonic ex p e r i ence of a Mahler symphony an d the sublime perfection of a Mozart piano concerto.

– John DeMain, Music Director

music

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Piano Concerto No. 24 in C minor, K. 491 Gustav Mahler, Symphony No. 5

PRESENTING SPONSOR: Myrna Larson

MAJOR SPONSORS: Kenneth A. Lattman Foundation, Inc., Fred Mohs, in memory of Mary Moh s, Boardman Clark Law Firm, David and Kato Perlman, Cyrena and Lee Pondrom, Fred A. Wileman

ADDITIONAL SPONSORS: Scott and Janet Cabot, in honor of John DeMain , Wisconsin Arts Board

JOHN DEMAIN, Conductor

JOYCE YANG, Piano

30

2024 Women to Watch

Introducing this year’s group of barrier-breakers and changemakers.

47

One of a Kind

A designer revamps a 1960s-era home with a neutral palette and playful, retro touches.

MONEY SMARTS

BY KIM SPONEM

I’ve seen your ads about equity in money. How can I close the retirement savings gap in my own life?

Women face unique financial challenges, like earning less over a lifetime and being 43% more likely than men to retire in poverty1 and more likely to have zero dollars saved for retirement.2 Some contributing factors: Fewer women are in higherpaying fields and higher-level positions, women live longer, women are primary caretakers and they often have more expenses. Given all of this, women need to be even better at managing money than men do.

As to your question about closing your own retirement savings gap, that may mean earning more, saving more, spending less or a combination. Here are some real-life insights from the blogs of two of our recent contestants in Summit’s Project Money.3

1. Hannah, balancing a full-time and two parttime jobs and raising four godchildren, wants to grow her knowledge to take a proactive approach to money rather than learning through difficulty.

2. Steph, an interventional radiologic technologist, wants to gain knowledge on budgeting, paying off debts and getting ahead as part of overall health and well-being.

Some of their insights and actions may resonate with you for closing your own retirement savings gap:

Hannah: “Don’t leave 401k funds laying around. [Hannah had 401k accounts from past employers in several places] … I knew it would be easier long-

term to have any money for retirement in one place for easier access later in life. That pushed me to meet with a financial advisor through Summit and another one through my employer to get educated on retirement accounts and how to proceed with both what I have and what I want. I feel more confident in my finances and my choices.”

Steph: “Project Money and working with my coach, Takarra, has had such a positive influence on me. I am really thinking about if I’m buying something I want or something I need. I am grateful for that. I feel like for the first time in a long time I am getting somewhere.”

Steph: “I had no idea that financial institutions had so many tools at our disposal to help us get through any financial situation that we are in. The Climbr function in the Summit Credit Union online banking system is fantastic! You can upload all the financial institutions that you bank with and have credit cards or loans with. It’s all there in one spot for you to see on a regular basis. From there, you can set budgets from different categories like home, travel, transportation and grocery. You can set any dollar amount that you would like to make as your goal or limit in that category. If you get close to your limit, the app will send you a notification warning of your spending! It’s phenomenal! It’s a real-time tool we have to keep our spending on track! Having had the opportunity to use this handy-dandy tool, I have realized that what I think I spend and what I actually spend are two totally different numbers!”

As you can see, seeking guidance and taking actions to control your finances builds confidence and wealth over time. This is about you, not Summit, but I’d be remiss if I didn’t include that Summit is a member-owned financial cooperative that makes the world better by empowering women, and others, in building financial security and wealth and avoiding poverty in retirement.

Insured by NCUA.

1 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Usual Weekly Earnings of Wage and Salary Workers Third Quarter 2023” collected as part of the Current Population Survey.

2 U.S. Census Bureau, “Women More Likely Than Men to Have No Retirement Savings.”

3 Summit’s Project Money is an award-winning public financial education program. Four participants compete to lower debt, increase savings and strengthen their financial well-being. They share their journey on TV and online so others can learn and take action too.

Kim Sponem is CEO & President, since 2002, of Summit Credit Union, a $6.8 billion, member-owned financial cooperative with more than 253,000 members. Kim has a passion for empowering people to improve their financial well-being for a richer life.

Ask Kim your money questions at MoneySmarts@SummitCreditUnion.com.

WOMEN SUPPORTING WOMEN

Although Women to Watch (W2W) is an annual feature, our W2W and their causes are top of mind for us year-round. In other words, this isn’t a one-and-done project!

Throughout the year, we meet with our past and present Women to Watch about their organization’s needs and how BRAVA can help further publicize their mission. In 2023, we assisted 2020 W2W Rowan Childs’ Madison Reading Project. Ditto for promoting 2020 W2W Heidi Duss’ OPEN annual event. We wrote about 2022 W2W Iva Ugrcic’s LunART festival on bravamagazine.com and attended 2022 W2W Carey Zawlocki’s Monroe Street Art Center Arty Party. Just like our W2W, BRAVA aims to make our community a better place by lifting and supporting these women.

You’ll enjoy reading about this year’s group of visionaries, who champion a variety of causes, from amplifying Madison’s Asian communities to fostering differently-abled kids’ creativity in dance. Check out P. 30 for more.

One final W2W note: We can’t accomplish this feature without the time and skills of BRAVA’s team. Although my picture appears on this page, our staff behind the scenes

helps execute all of it. An emphatic “thank you” to Hillary Schave, who has photographed our Women to Watch for nearly ten years. She is tremendously talented, and integral to this feature! Thank you also to designer Julie Barber, who masterfully designed this piece in the magazine. BRAVA staffers Dena Frisch, Kristen Rouse, Cici Rindy and Melissa Moody also contributed in various ways to pull this together. A final thanks to Madison Youth Arts Center, who hosted our W2W shoot.

Starting in late January and into early February, the winter doldrums can hit. We’ve got solutions for that. Swing by a homey diner for a down-home meal (P. 55) or nibble on delicious eats from a Black-owned restaurant (P. 59). We’ve also got creative ideas on how to get out of the house, such as booking a private spa or attending an arts event (P. 66 and 70, respectively).

Enjoy this issue!

Shayna Mace Editorial Director @shaynamace

NEW EVENT ALERT

Congrats to Affordable Dental Care and 2023

Woman to Watch

Areli Estrada on the first Sparkles & Smiles Gala, taking place on April 20. Learn more: adc.ticketspice. com/sparkles-and-smiles-gala

CELEBRATE OUR 2024 W2W

Mark your calendars! Come out with us on April 16 to honor our 2024 Women to Watch at the Wisconsin School of Business. bravamagazine.com/w2w

MONEY MATTERS

Need a finance reboot?

United Way’s Women

United Financial Wellness and Empowerment free online seminar will offer money tips and more. Visit unitedwaydanecounty.org under News and Events.

BUSINESS

PUBLISHER

Barbara Krause bak@ntmediagroup.com

EDITORIAL

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

Shayna Mace shayna@bravamagazine.com

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Melissa Moody mmoody@ntmediagroup.com

FACT - CHECKER

Mason Braasch

DIGITAL

DIGITAL DIRECTOR

Kristen Rouse krouse@ntmediagroup.com

SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER

Cici Rindy cici@ntmediagroup.com

SALES

SALES MANAGER

Dena Frisch dena@ntmediagroup.com

ADVERTISING COORDINATOR

Amy Jacobs ads@ntmediagroup.com

ACCOUNTING accounting@ntmediagroup.com

CONTRIBUTORS

Julie Barber, Laura Anne Bird, Shelby Deering, Kristine Hansen, Nicole Hansen, Shalicia Johnson, Maura Keller, Katy Macek, Melanie Radzicki McManus, Jenny Price, Kevin Revolinski, Hillary Schave, Katrina Simyab, Jessica Steinhoff, Sue Sveum, Hywania Thompson, Candice Wagener, Amanda N. Wegner, Hannah Wente, Shanna Wolf

BRAVA Magazine is a publication of Nei-Turner Media Group, Inc. Gary E. Nei, Chairman, William Turner, President.

This issue or any part thereof may not be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher. All rights reserved. ©2024

951 Kimball Lane, Suite 122, Verona, WI. (608) 848-6700

SUBSCRIBE AT BRAVAMAGAZINE.COM

Subscription information: (262) 729-4471 or nadine@ntmediagroup.com.

BRAVA (ISSN 1934-4317) JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024, Volume 25, Number 01, is published bimonthly (six times a year) by Nei-Turner Media Group, Inc. Periodicals postage paid at 3902 Milwaukee St., Madison WI 53714 and additional offices. Postmaster send address changes to: BRAVA Magazine, 951 Kimball Ln., Ste. 122, Verona WI 53593-1786.

JULIE BARBER

Julie loves bringing order and visual purpose to her award-winning graphic design. This is the third year Julie has designed BRAVA’s annual Women to Watch feature (P. 30). When not working, she enjoys time with her family and planning the next adventure. She lives an active lifestyle of travel, hiking, boating and spending as much time as possible on the water.

JENNY PRICE

Jenny profiled athletes, politicians and celebrities for the Associated Press and as senior writer for On Wisconsin magazine. Writing about the founder of an inclusive dance program (P. 41) was personal for Jenny, because her son, who is autistic, is one of the students. Jenny is also a graduate of Wisconsin Partners in Policymaking, an advocacy training program, and is the communications manager for WayForward Resources, a local nonprofit.

KATRINA SIMYAB

Katrina is a freelance writer, marketing professional and Madison native. She has her own business specializing in helping brands reach their target audiences and shine online. As a non-drinker, she enjoyed writing about mocktails (P. 63) and also explored the latest in brow trends (P. 16). When she’s not tapping away at her computer, Katrina loves treasure-hunting at thrift shops, working on home renovation projects and watching films with friends.

THANK YOU TO OUR DIGITAL SPONSORS

SHOP THE LOOK

STAR SCENTS

BY SHAYNA MACE

Finding a signature scent can be tricky. But what if you could pick a scent and love it, simply based off of your zodiac sign? It sounds wacky, but there’s a method to that madness — and Kristi Moe did three year’s worth of research to prove it.

Back in 2016 when she was developing her perfume and body-care line, Moe performed market testing by having potential customers sniff-test different scent notes. They filled out a survey with their preferences and jotted down what their zodiac sign was. She observed that indeed, each particular zodiac sign was attracted to similar scents. She mixed up 12 unique perfumes — one for each zodiac sign — and the line was born. The brand also sells lotion, bath bombs, hair serum and other place-based scents — such as Eau de Wisconsin. The line is tremendously successful and carried in over 600 retail shops nationwide and online.

“Perfume is so personal — and you always have to test a bunch,” she explains. “This takes the guesswork out of finding a scent. I wanted to make it fun.” zodicaperfumery.com

The line’s Twist & Spritz spray is a travel-friendly perfume option. $44

Need to relax? Zodica’s Moon Bath bomb offers a relaxing bathtime escape. $16

The deliciously-scented Hair Perfume Serum uses 100% pure argan oil, and has a myriad of other hair benefits. $38

As a Wisconsin native, Moe had to make a Wisconsin perfume — and it smells fantastic. $110

Layer the silk-soft Body Veil lotion under your scent to make it last longer. $38

The 12-piece Perfume Palette has all of the zodiac scents, and is tailor-made to mix different perfume combos. $96

THEALTH TRENDS WORTH THE HYPE

Three innovative ways to support your health and wellbeing.

hings are always changing and evolving in the health and wellness space. Check out these proactive techniques and services to minimize injuries, boost your vitality and identify health issues.

FEEL THE STRETCH

Stretching tight or sore muscles is nothing new — but assisted stretching, or proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF), is the new kid in town. Although the idea’s been around for almost 80 years, it’s been gaining momentum recently.

“We’re encouraged to work our bodies hard, but TLC for our bodies afterward is often overlooked,” says Rey Coleman, general manager of StretchLab in Middleton. “PNF stretching is customized for each person’s specific needs, restrictions and goals — and benefits include improved flexibility and range of motion.”

Assisted stretching isn’t limited to one demographic. Coleman says it’s been shown to be the safest and most effective way to gain mobility for all ages and activity levels.

“Assisted stretching by certified experts reduces pain by promoting healing and recovery, and relieving tension points that contribute to that pain,” she says. She adds that research shows an hour per week of PNF stretching

promotes and establishes long-term changes — including increases in range of motion and flexibility and alleviating discomfort and pain. “I can’t emphasize enough how important mobility is, even before chronic tightness and injury are factors. The freedom to stay active is the greatest gift we can give ourselves — and our loved ones.”

HOT AND COLD CONTRAST THERAPY

Combining the heat of a hot sauna with the cold temps of a pool, hot and cold contrast therapy gives you the benefits of both — in a safe and clean indoor environment.

The practice has been around for centuries, according to Peter Kraus, owner of five Madison area fitness centers, including PKFit University Row, which offers the technique. First-timers consult with staff before a session consisting of 20 to 30 minutes in the sauna, followed by a one- to fiveminute dip in the cold pool.

“The contrasting temperatures force your body out of its normal heat and cooling ranges, providing a lot of health benefits,” he explains. And if that sounds uncomfortable, well, that’s OK. “Discomfort is really the goal — helping your body to fight infection and create a robust immune system.”

Kraus says hot and cold contrast therapy benefits people

Life Keeps Moving, You Can Too

The orthopedics program at SSM Health has been growing and is pleased to announce the addition of two new board-certified and fellowship trained orthopedic surgeons to complement the work of our team in Madison.

Dr. Sara Galli’s practice is focused on a variety of foot and ankle conditions. Some of the clinical services she offers include options for ankle and foot arthritis including ankle replacement, foot and ankle trauma care, and deformity correction. When not working, Dr. Galli enjoys yoga, travel, cross-country and downhill skiing, hiking, and mountain biking.

“I believe in shared decision making. I help my patients understand so they may become involved in their treatment plan. When I have been able to help a patient return to or achieve everyday activities, it makes my day!”

Dr. Morgan Weber’s practice is focused on hand and upper extremity surgery. Some of the clinical services she offers include carpal and cubital tunnel syndrome, arthritis of the wrist and hand, and trigger finger.

In her time away from work, Dr. Weber enjoys cheering for the Badgers at football, basketball, and hockey games. She recently purchased a road bike and enjoys cycling all the paths around Madison. Combining her love of medicine and art through medical illustrations has also been one of her favorite activities.

“I enjoy helping patients maintain an active and pain-free lifestyle. It is incredibly rewarding and humbling to witness the perseverance and resilience of those I have had the privilege of treating.”

MORGAN WEBER, MD AND SARA GALLI, MD

SHOP LOCAL

COOL GIRL NAILS WITHOUT THE TOXINS

Imagine coming to a nail salon that smells clean, looks clean, uses clean tools, and offers high-performance (and non-toxic) products! That is Pure Nails. We’d love to meet you! Spin the wheel on our website to win a free gift to use at your first visit.

PURE NAILS

556 Junction Rd. Madison, WI 53717

purenailsmadison.com

SHOP D É COR!

Décor is busy putting together new 2024 looks! So many beautiful things! Follow us on Facebook for sales and events in January and February or become a Décor Insider by joining our mailing list. Cheers to 2024!

DÉCOR FOR THE WELL-DRESSED HOME

3000 Cahill Main, Suite 215 Fitchburg, WI 53711

608.444.0571

decormadison.com

THE WISCO EXPERIENCE

Wisco Home Goods candle-making workshops are an unforgettable experience! Dive into a world of scents and creativity as Dr. Don guides you through the art of crafting candles that are uniquely yours. The lively ambiance and company make each workshop a joyous occasion. Scan the code to learn more.

Wisco Home Goods

4664 Cottage Grove Rd. Madison, WI 53716

608.219.1216

wiscohomegoods.com

INTRODUCING THE LINEN & CLOVE BEDDING COLLECTION

Shop our specially curated bedding collection in-store or online for the most luxurious sheets, duvets, shams, duvet covers, quilts, coverlets, throw pillows and throw blankets. You will never want to leave your bed again.

LINEN & CLOVE

606 W Verona Ave., Verona, WI linenandclove.com

GARDEN GIFTS

Olbrich’s Gift Shop specializes in unique garden, plant, and nature themed items for all ages and interests, including many locally made and fair trade products. Open daily! All proceeds directly benefit Olbrich Botanical Gardens.

OLBRICH BOTANICAL GARDENS

3330 Atwood Ave.

Madison, WI 53704

608.246.4550

olbrich.org

We’re more than mystery! Shop our new releases, fiction, non-fiction, poetry, science fiction and fantasy, horror, rom-com, children’s and of course, mystery books. We also have a selection of puzzles and other bookish items that make perfect gifts for the book lover in your life.

Cont. from P. 12

MYSTERY TO ME BOOKS

1863 Monroe St. Madison, WI 53711 mysterytomebooks.com

of all ages in many ways, including:

• loosening muscles

• removing toxins

• increasing blood flow

• reducing tension and stress

• improving circulation

• boosting endorphins and performance

• regulating breathing

• increasing strength

• reducing inflammation

“Research shows it’s extremely beneficial to your health,” says Kraus, adding the typical response by firsttime clients is, “I feel amazing!”

WHOLE - BODY IMAGING

You may have seen snippets of celebrities on social media touting full (or whole) body imaging to take charge of their health. Patients lay down in an MRI scanner and thousands of images are taken of the patient’s body and internal organs to assess disease and cancer risks.

In the Madison area, independent imaging providers MH Imaging and Smart Scan Medical Imaging offer MRI scans. Both companies perform targeted MRIs for patients (head and neck, for example) for specific bodily concerns. However, MH Imaging can also do detailed, whole-body scans as well.

“I think people largely seek out routine, pre-emptive, fullbody MRIs for peace of mind,” says Christina Wipperfurth of MH Imaging, cautioning that while whole-body imaging can be beneficial to some, they may also show insignificant findings that lead to additional testing, cost and stress — to ensure the findings are benign.

Wipperfurth explains more typically, MH Imaging performs separate MRIs of specific areas of the body after discussing a patient’s needs or after receiving their referring clinician’s order. Locally, most patients who turn to independent imaging have targeted concerns, such as a particular pain. Or, maybe their hospital system is booking out six months. Maybe they don’t feel listened to — or getting the tests they feel they need. MH Imaging and Smart Scan accept both self pay and insurance, and can generally get patients in sooner.

“It’s important that people know they can take concerns into their own hands when necessary, by turning to private imaging,” stresses Wipperfurth. “They want answers to their questions today — and that’s a real possibility. A shorter wait leads to less stress — and ultimately, better peace of mind.”

Sue Sveum is a freelance writer and frequent contributor to BRAVA.

UP YOUR BROW GAME

The latest ways to maintain lovely arches.

BY KATRINA SIMYAB

From pencil-thin to full and fabulous, eyebrow trends have changed over time. While basic plucking can be managed at home, many turn to professional brow artists for help to find and maintain perfect brows. Here’s what you need to know about the latest techniques to raise the bar when it comes to your brows.

WAXING AND SHAPING

A classic go-to, waxing removes excess hair to help shape brows. This hair removal method is ideal for those who might not know where to start when shaping their brows at home.

“So many people mess up their brows at home by taking too many brow hairs from the inside front or tail,” says Kylene Gehrke, aesthetician, microblading artist and owner of Buttercup Beauty Brow and Skin Centre in Waunakee.

A brow professional can expertly use a combination of hair-removal techniques and strategic trimming to give the illusion of a proportionate eyebrow shape, explains Lulu Azizi, a licensed tattooist, aesthetician and owner of Luxe + Lulu Permanent Makeup and Aesthetics in Sun Prairie.

TINTING

Take a step up from shaping with tinting to amplify brow definition — no makeup needed. During this treatment, a semi-permanent dye is applied to brow hair to subtly “enhance light hairs and increase the look of fullness,” says Gehrke. Tinting typically lasts up to four weeks and is routinely combined with waxing and shaping. Henna can also be used as a tint by some providers to achieve slightly longer-lasting results, which will also temporarily stain the skin under the brow hair as well, adds Gehrke.

LAMINATION

While tinting adds color, lamination changes the structure of the hair to give it a lift. If you pair these services up, you can achieve dimension and fullness. Lamination is “a semipermanent eyebrow treatment that involves three main steps to chemically alter the hair texture and direction,” says Azizi. An application of a chemical relaxer, a setting solution and a post-treatment

oil allows a brow expert to mold each individual brow hair into a masterpiece — which stays in place for four to six weeks.

MICROBLADING

Microblading places pigment in the skin with a needle, similar to a tattoo. This semi-permanent to permanent service is good for those with sparser brow hair, but doesn ’t change the color of the hair fibers like tinting. A special tool with tiny needles is used to scratch a medical-grade pigment into the skin to create hair-like feather strokes, says Gehrke. Over time, the pigment may fade or blur (but still be visible) so results can last from six to twenty-four months, until a brow touch-up is needed. There are some restrictions on who can undergo microblading, and how many times, so you ’ll want to check with a brow professional.

NANOBLADING (NANO BROWS) AND POWDER BROWS

The latest option in brow beauty, Nano Machine Hairstrokes, or nano brows, uses a hair-stroke technique similar to microblading, but instead of a hand tool, the tattooist uses a tattoo machine and needle cartridge. This provides “more artistic flexibility to create a realistic eyebrow,” says Azizi. Nanoblading also lasts longer than microblading — results can last one to three years.

Powder brows are also created with a tattoo machine, but uses a slightly different technique. Since the machine is also less abrasive, this service is suitable for a wider variety of skin types.

Katrina Simyab is a Madison-based freelance writer, content creator and digital marketing professional.

Just like your health, your business deserves regular check-ups to ensure it’s in prime condition for your chosen activities, free from unknown risks that may have developed.

Start the year off right with your business’s legal check-up. It’s not just a formality; it’s a strategic move. Consider a legal check-up crucial when pivoting your strategy, launching new products or services, or expanding your team with employees or contractors.

Why Choose Our 6 Step Legal Check-Up?

• Comprehensive Coverage: Addressing the top three key areas prone to legal risks.

• Tailored Assessment: Aligning with your unique business goals and activities.

• Risk Highlight: Identifying potential legal challenges and opportunities.

• Strategic Insights: Enabling you to protect and grow your organization’s value.

UNLEASH YOUR POTENTIAL

Stuck in a career rut? Professional growth assessments can provide valuable insight.

BY AMANDA N. WEGNER

In today’s workplace, continuous growth and selfimprovement are essential for accomplishing your career goals. One way to support your achievement is by taking a professional growth assessment.

“Assessments can help people understand their personality, communication and conflict styles, learn about their work and personal preferences, and understand how they approach various situations,” says Kimberly Jarvis, Ed.D, CEO and founder, All Career Matters, Inc. “They’re integral to career and leadership development, in my opinion, and can be paired with coaching to fully leverage insights and how to gain the most out of them.”

Here are some options to consider.

CLIFTONSTRENGTHS

CliftonStrengths (formerly StrengthsFinder) identifies your natural talents by measuring 34 distinct strengths. Through this assessment, you gain insight into your dominant strengths, which can help you make informed career decisions.

“Research done by Gallup shows employees are more engaged in their work if they can use their strengths,” says Melanie Schneider, a Madison-based Gallup-certified Strengths coach. “Knowing your strengths and being able to nurture them, having a strong understanding of them and how they make you successful, is valuable for individuals.”

CliftonStrengths offers several assessments. Available

online, the Top 5 CliftonStrengths option is $20 and provides a report about your top 5 strengths. The more robust CliftonStrengths 34 report is $60, and rank orders all of your strengths in a report.

MYERS - BRIGGS TYPE INDICATOR

The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is a personality assessment tool that measures your preferences across four dimensions, resulting in one of 16 personality types. While not explicitly designed for professional growth, understanding your personality type can help you make career choices, communicate more effectively and work better in a team.

You can work with a certified practitioner to take the MBTI assessment; fees vary. The Myers-Briggs Company also offers an online version with a personalized consultation ($175) and a version without ($50).

“Assessments can help people understand their personality, communication and conflict styles, learn about their work and personal preferences, and understand how they approach various situations. — Kimberly Jarvis ”

DISC ASSESSMENT

The DiSC assessment focuses on behavioral traits and measures them along four dimensions: dominance, influence, steadiness and conscientiousness. It helps individuals better understand their communication and working styles.

“It gives a snapshot of how you show up in the world,” says Chariti Gent, an Everything DiSC expert and director of professional coaching education for UW–Madison’s Division of Continuing Studies. “It also gives a shared language of who we are and how to connect with [others], which is invaluable for teams and partnerships.”

DiSC assessments are available through certified practitioners. Online platforms offer free or low-cost versions for individual use, but Gent cautions that they are not statistically reliable or valid.

OTHER OPTIONS

Jarvis also regularly uses the Center for Creative Leadership’s 360-Degree Benchmarks for Managers Assessment, which assesses how a person leads themselves, their team and their

organization. She also uses the TKI Conflict Assessment, which identifies one’s conflict styles and how to navigate conflict situations effectively. Both assessments are completed with a practitioner such as Jarvis.

GETTING VALUE

Professional growth assessments can offer valuable insights into your personal and professional persona. They can also empower you to unlock your potential, make informed career decisions and excel in your work.

Importantly, these assessments aren’t tests or seeking specific answers.

“These are neither good or bad, right or wrong,” says Gent. “They help us understand ourselves and others, communicate and have more effective working relationships.”

She adds that each assessment is only as good as the data you provide.

“If you lie to the assessment,” says Gent, “it’s not going to be true.”

Amanda N. Wegner is a local freelance writer, and communications and marketing professional.

Novii CPA is a local, woman-owned CPA firm. We’re not just your financial partner — we become part of your team. Our specialized services are tailored to your business’s unique needs, providing outsourced accounting, customized financial statements and expert tax planning and preparation.

Whether you’re sick, injured or just in need of an annual physical, there are several options for care. It can be difficult to know where to go for care at UnityPoint Health – Meriter, so here’s a quick guide on where to go for your medical needs.

After-Hours Care

Urgent or walk-in care treats minor medical problems and injuries that are not life-threatening, but need the attention of a health care provider on the same day. Urgent care is available after hours, weekends and holidays.

UnityPoint Health – Meriter offers a weekend After-Hours Clinic that is located on Level 2 of the hospital campus at 202 S Park St. in Madison. The clinic is open Saturday and Sunday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

What can I be seen for at the AfterHours Clinic?

• Allergies

• Burns

• Coughs

• Cuts (that may require stitches)

• Earaches or ear infections

• Fevers

• Minor injuries

Choosing Care

Need a doctor? Here’s where to get the right care at UnityPoint Health – Meriter.

• Fractures, sprains

• Urinary tract infections (UTIs) or yeast infections

• Sore throats, colds or flu

It’s important to note that the AfterHours Clinic is not an alternative or replacement for the emergency department, but offers the ability to get care after primary care clinic hours without an appointment for patients of all ages.

Emergency Treatment

The UnityPoint Health – Meriter emergency department is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, and is available to people of all ages who need emergency treatment. Emergency departments treat severe and/or life-threatening conditions and should not be used for routine care or minor ailments.

When should someone go to the emergency department?

• Loss of consciousness

• Chest pain

• Difficulty breathing

• Weakness to one side of the body or difficulty speaking

• Poisoning

• Severe allergic reactions

• Severe, unaccustomed headache

• Chemical injuries

• Broken bones or head injuries

Preventative or Routine Care

Your primary care clinic provider should be your first call in nonemergency situations. Your clinic team knows you and your health history best.

When establishing care with a provider, patients can choose to see a family medicine provider or an internal medicine provider, also known as an internalist.

You can see a primary care doctor for:

• Annual physicals

• Care for an ongoing health concern

• When you are sick with a cold or the flu, or other respiratory illness

• Preventative care

• To receive immunizations

• Sports physicals

• Medication refills

To find a primary care provider at UnityPoint Health – Meriter, visit unitypoint.org to search for a provider or clinic location nearest you.

NAVIGATING MEANINGFUL MONEY TALKS WITH YOUR PARENTS

Practical tips to spark conversation.

BY AMANDA N. WEGNER

Aswomen, we often find ourselves at the intersection of numerous responsibilities — caring for our families, pursuing personal and professional goals and tending to the never-ending tasks of daily life. For many women, another undertaking — and necessity — is discussing financial matters with aging parents. And these aren’t always easy or comfortable conversations.

Souphaphone Maddox, formerly a private wealth advisor who is now a financial consultant, acknowledges these can be challenging discussions.

These talks, she says, can be difficult for numerous reasons: generational discomfort with discussing finances; a lack of confidence in one’s ability to manage finances; and not wanting to feel judged. And for those with a great deal of wealth, there may be a hesitancy to share their financial situation out of the fear that a future inheritance may disincentivize their children from working hard to build their own wealth.

“Leading with empathy and compassion can help open up the lines of communication. It just might take some time. — Souphaphone Maddox ”

In her experience helping clients and families, Maddox has developed an approachable guide to initiate financial conversations with parents. In utilizing these guide points, Maddox emphasizes, “It’s a long journey — not a one-and-done conversation.”

USE REAL STORIES

A natural and helpful way to initiate these conversations is to use stories and examples from your parent’s life.

“It’s important to lead with stories, not just what-ifs — and there are enough real stories to share,” says Maddox. An example would be a friend who is dealing with a health challenge, or a family member who is hospitalized. Situations such as these emphasize how crucial it is to have financial affairs in order. “It showcases the importance when you can use real stories,” adds Maddox. If your parent is hesitant to open up, start smaller, leading

with questions about topics that might impact their life, such as Medicare coverage, which is constantly changing. Another lead-in might be your own experience with a phishing email or the latest consumer scam in the news.

“Those are the little things to [help them] open up and get some nuggets to further conversation.”

COME FROM A PLACE OF COLLABORATION

Let your parent know that this is about understanding and respecting their financial wishes. Offer help, but avoid telling them what they should or shouldn’t do.

“No one likes being told what to do. If you do, they will shut down,” says Maddox. “Come from a place of collaboration, not talking at them.”

BE DIRECT AND CANDID

Be open and share your own financial story and experience.

“In this conversation, be direct. For instance, I tell my mom, ‘I’m OK financially. I don’t need you to take care of me. There’s no judgment.’”

Knowing you’re OK, says Maddox, can help move the conversation.

IT’S NOT ABOUT NUMBERS

When discussing financial matters with parents, it’s not about the numbers. Instead, you want to learn their wishes, what they have in place and where you need to look should something happen.

“You don’t need specific amounts or their full net worth. What you need is contact information for their financial accounts, such as their retirement accounts, bank accounts and credit cards,” says Maddox. “If they can even give you that information in a handwritten list, you at least know where to go if anything happens.”

LEAD WITH EMPATHY

Finances can be a very personal topic, so don’t take it personally if your parent hesitates to open up or provide information.

“No matter their response, try to understand and empathize where they’re coming from,” says Maddox. “Leading with empathy and compassion can help open up the lines of communication. It just might take some time.”

10 Years of Remedy Acupuncture

At Remedy Acupuncture, patients experience amazing results as the providers continue to master their timetested practice of acupuncture, married with modern medical technology. They use an innovative blend of these methods to treat chronic pain and complex conditions with the goal of helping their patients get back to doing the things they love with the people they love.

Jaime Irving, LAc opened her first acupuncture business in October 2013. 10 years later, Jaime has built what is now known as Remedy Acupuncture. Part of Remedy’s growth and success is owed to Andie Algar, Remedy’s newest acupuncture provider. Both women have a dedicated, inspired love for the medicine they practice and you will experience that upon your first visit.

Why acupuncture?

Both women’s origins in the field began as they were looking for answers to their own chronic pain. Beginning in their early teens and continuing into their twenties, they thought being in pain with health issues was normal. Jaime was regularly getting injured from basic tasks, suffered from digestive sensitivities, and allergies. Andie dealt with migraines most days of the week, along with an imbalance in hormones. As their symptoms began to worsen, they were individually determined to find out why. It wasn’t until her early 40s that Jaime would come to find out she had a complex condition known as hEDS.

In her late 20s, Andie was diagnosed with PCOS. While frustrated with the results, a sense of relief came to both women with their diagnosis.

Understanding that Eastern Medicine excels where Western Medicine fails, they have gone from barely surviving to truly thriving.

“Acupuncture quite literally saved my life,” said Jaime. Andie added, “And we want to share that with the world.”

IN THE MOOD

Make a room look polished with this sophisticated color pairing.

BY SHAYNA MACE

We’re experiencing a warm spell in interiors. Gone are the gray, monotone palettes of the last few years, as we usher in shades of caramel, cinnamon and cream. Brown in particular can be a lovely counterpoint to a variety of hues, as seen in this room.

Pairing up brown with a rich, grounding color such as navy makes a room feel cozy, yet luxe. Pull in textural elements, such as a velvet accent pillow or chunky knit throw, to round out your space. Turn the page for more design ideas on how to pair up blue and brown tones.

Editor 's Picks

These blue pieces punch up your interiors, and pair up nicely with brown.

Capri sofa, $1,995-$6,895, williams-sonoma.com

Channels blue and cream throw pillow, $180, ariannabell.com

Pattern Play

Use wallcoverings, trim and fabric to mix and match shades of brown.

1. Luxor wallcovering in coco/parchment, lisafinetextiles.com

2. Manila hemp wallcovering in truffle brown, phillipjeffries.com

3. Ikat Stripe fabric in chestnut brown, mrsalice.com

4. Capri lipcord in java, schumacher.com

TANNER’S BROWN

Farrow & Ball (No. 255): This rich brown color is warm with a lot of depth. Perfect on millwork or in a powder room to create a moody vibe.

Lands’ End cable knit throw blanket, $89.95, landsend.com

Hue Cues

TARPLEY BROWN

Benjamin Moore (CW-170):

A sophisticated tone that’s ideal for a den or home office where it can be used on walls, trim and ceiling for a luxe feel.

BEACHCOMBER

Benjamin Moore (993): A color ideal for those who don’t want to go all-in on brown. This lighter shade is a pretty brown hue with taupe undertones.

EMERGE EMPOWERED: RESTORING FINANCES AND FLOURISHING AFTER A DIVORCE

By Heather Needham, Financial Advisor CDFA®

Divorceis a significant life change, personally and financially. It can be a time for reflection and planning what’s next. Divorce can seem financially devasting for some, but it is possible to restore and flourish if you have a strong financial plan. Your mindset and trajectory will change once you have a customized plan to get back on track. With the right support, accurate information and a proactive approach, transforming these challenges into a thriving financial future is entirely possible.

With the new year, this period of introspection and planning is crucial. It’s a time to take stock of the past, understand the present and plan for a fruitful future.

As a female financial advisor specializing in guiding women through the financial aspects of divorce, I’ve seen the resiliency of women who have created financial stability and growth through informed decision-making and proactive financial care.

Cultivate Your Financial Soil

As you reflect on the past year and the changes it brought, understanding your current finances — assets, liabilities, income

and expenses — is the first step toward creating a robust plan. Engage a financial advisor specializing in divorce scenarios to help enrich your knowledge of finances to enable the best decision making. Education is key to cultivating the best possible outcome.

Plant a Supportive Team

Navigating divorce requires a nurturing and knowledgeable team. Apart from a financial advisor, having a proficient attorney or mediator who understands your financial and personal priorities is crucial. Additionally, consider engaging a Certified Divorce Financial Advisor to understand the tax implications of your divorce and ensure a tax-efficient asset division.

Sow Your Financial Seeds Wisely

The decisions made during the divorce process can have lasting financial ramifications, making a well-thought-out financial plan indispensable. This plan should encompass your short- and longterm financial goals, investment strategy and a retirement plan tailored to your new circumstances.

Protect Your Retirement Blossoms

Especially for women over 50, safeguarding retirement assets should be a priority. Retirement accounts are often among the most significant assets discussed during a divorce. Ensuring a fair split and understanding the rules governing these assets in divorce is imperative.

Prune and Realign Your Investments

Post-divorce, it’s time to review and realign your investment strategy. With a fresh start, align your investments with your financial goals and risk tolerance. Your financial advisor can be instrumental in crafting an investment strategy tailored to your new financial reality and can take on the division and management of awarded accounts.

Nurture Continuous Growth

As you envision the new blooms of a new year, stay informed, be willing to adapt and continue learning. Embrace the journey of cultivating your financial garden, making informed decisions and observing the flourishing results of your efforts.

Embarking on this financial journey through divorce might feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. I’ve prepared a comprehensive pre-divorce checklist to provide clarity and actionable steps during this crucial transition.

Download your free checklist today and take the first step toward cultivating a flourishing financial garden for the vibrant seasons ahead. Your path to financial empowerment and a fresh new beginning is just a click away.

Disclosure: Northwestern Mutual is the marketing name for The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company, Milwaukee, WI and its subsidiaries. Sandy Botcher is associated with the local office at the above address and is not a licensed insurance agent, registered representative of a broker-dealer, investment adviser representative of a registered investment adviser, or representative of a federal savings bank.

While links to other websites are provided for convenience and information, please be advised that except for information related to Northwestern Mutual (NM), the inclusion of, or linking to, other websites does not imply NM endorsement of, nor responsibility for, those websites.

WHAT’S UNDERFOOT

The latest in flooring trends.

BY MAURA KELLER

Flooring is an investment in your home, and factors into the design of every room. Naturally, if you want to update or replace flooring in your home, it’s well worth it to consider the latest options.

Mark Geller, president at Flooring Designs, says when clients are planning to invest in new flooring, he finds they prefer wood floors for their look and durability, porcelain tile for its variety of sizes and sturdiness, and carpeting to soften spaces.

Wood floors add lasting value and are popular for their ability to match with any design aesthetic. Porcelain tile can offer a natural stone look, with less upkeep.

“While they need a little extra care in maintaining, a wood floor can last the life of the house,” Geller says. “Large-format tile means less grout, as some people associate grout with maintenance, and the technology in manufacturing porcelain makes

it difficult to differentiate between natural stone and porcelain tile. Porcelain tile requires no sealers or special maintenance, and is virtually stain-proof.”

Haley Korsmo, flooring and countertop designer at Nonn’s, says luxury vinyl plank (LVP) and luxury vinyl tile (LVT) are popular flooring options with customers. LVP and LVT are made from vinyl material, which is softer underfoot, but can be more susceptible to scratches or dents.

“HGTV and other home remodeling shows have increased the popularity of [LVP and LVT] since it can closely resemble wood grain or tile flooring [respectively], while staying within a customer’s price range,” Korsmo says.

Laminate flooring is another common choice for customers who want more durability and resistance to scratching and dents, which can be beneficial if someone has pets or children. This type of flooring has a

denser wood composite core, and is less susceptible to damage. There are also multiple installation methods depending on the project, and it can be a good product for someone who is looking to install it themselves.

Suitable areas to install LVP, LVT, laminate or hardwood include kitchens, dining or living rooms, and bedrooms, since these materials are all easy to clean and low maintenance. Many new construction homes are open-concept and homeowners would rather have their flooring be continuous throughout, so wood,

tile or LVT/LVP flooring can be used throughout an entire level.

“Tile is a great option for areas with moisture like a bathroom, mudroom or laundry room,” Korsmo says.

Carpet can be a higher maintenance product when it comes to cleaning, and may need to be replaced more frequently compared to other

Flooring Designs Flooring Design

flooring. Geller points out that many homeowners like the warmth of carpet in bedrooms; however, area rugs are a popular alternative to wallto-wall carpeting that can be used on hard surface floors.

“Keep an open mind to the many different options of flooring available and do some research as to what the best option for [your] lifestyle might be,” Korsmo says. “If someone is remodeling their home and is struggling to find flooring options that could complement their home, bring along a cabinet door, a piece of trim, couch cushions, paint samples, et cetera. This helps narrow down the many options and gives customers a better sense of what the product could look like in their own space.”

Jazmynn Appleton

2024 2024 WOMEN TOWATCH TO

What makes a Woman to Watch?

We like to call them champions for change. These are women, who, when faced with a seemingly daunting task — take on the challenge with gusto. Accessibility for children with disabilities, improving Black birth outcomes and addressing youth mental health are just some of these issues. Meet this year’s group of extraordinary women.

BY LAURA ANNE BIRD, KRISTINE HANSEN, JENNY PRICE, SHAYNA MACE, KATY MACEK, JESSICA STEINHOFF, CANDICE WAGENER AND HANNAH WENTE

PHOTOGRAPHY BY HILLARY SCHAVE Shot on location at Madison Youth Arts Center (MYArts)

Itellkids,thereare waystodeal…andhelp yourself.Let’slearnthose techniques.Iwantkids tohavealittlebitofa lightness. ”

SHANEY ANDLER Tackling Youth Mental Health

When Shaney Andler’s son Alex struggled with anxiety in seventh grade, she was shell-shocked.

“It came out of nowhere; my husband and I didn’t know what to do,” says Andler.

Alex eventually learned coping skills which empowered him to graduate college and face phobias like flying. “I don’t even know [all] the situations where he’s used these coping skills, but he has them perfected, in his back pocket,” says Andler.

These experiences inspired Andler to write a manual for young people — a 5x7-inch, 84-page book on coping skills named, appropriately, “Back Pocket Tools for Teens to Nurture Their Mental Health.”

“I’ve gained a lot of wisdom in this area. I just sort of compiled everything that I have seen work best for and with kids,” she says.

Andler has more than personal experience to draw on. She was a special education teacher for over thirty years; presently, she teaches kids in Meriter’s Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Hospital inpatient unit. She helps students with schoolwork and acts as a liaison between the patient’s teachers and counselors.

To increase the book’s impact, Andler developed a companion Back Pocket workshop for middle and high schoolers that is used by school districts. Her largest Wisconsin client is the Appleton Area School District. Outside the state, the workshop, which consists of five, 45-minute sessions and post-program refresher exercises, is taught in school districts in Pennsylvania, Missouri and Minnesota.

Her goal in the coming year is to implement the program in 100 Wisconsin schools and 50 nationwide. Andler estimates she’s about 25% there, projecting she’ll hit her target this summer. The Back Pocket workshop is also taught at Boys and Girls Clubs, hospitals and police departments in Wisconsin and beyond.

Ideally, kids learn the tools in early middle school so the program can be preventative, versus reactive. However, she has seen rising interest in the program materials with both high school and college populations.

She’s also mapping out a second book, for parents and caregivers, which she’ll publish this year. She’s collaborating with Alex to include his point of view.

“[It will include] what we did right, what we did wrong … I want it to be short and easy to digest and relatable.”

– Candice Wagener

QWANTESE DOURESE WINTERS Linking Maternal Health and Food

Qwantese Dourese Winters is living all of her dreams as a community agriculturist, food doula, writer, artist and co-host of a PBS TV show.

But the path wasn’t always clear. Seven years ago, she struggled with finding her purpose and attempted suicide.

“I … didn’t think [life] was worth living,” she says. “With the grace of God and support from people like my mother I was able to find my purpose in life, and home in on that full force.”

When she was struggling, her mom, Doris, cooked for her. Winters remembers her mom making collard greens to help nurse her back to health. She had never viewed food as medicine before.

Two years later, when she was training to become a doula (a person who provides emotional and physical support before, during and after pregnancy), she thought back to how food helped during her own health journey. She wanted to figure out a way to use food to nurture expecting and new mothers.

In 2017, she became a certified doula and has an active birthing practice through Oasis Maternal Care. Now, armed with an additional postpartum doula certification, she wants to grow her postpartum and food doula practice in the coming year.

Postpartum care with a food doula involves providing nourishing foods, nurturing touch and emphasizing rest to create a smooth postpartum environment that reduces the risk of postpartum mood disorders.

“Our culture is focused on ‘snapping back,’ and getting back to work as soon as possible,” she explains. “This means many of our mothers are not getting the support they need as their bodies acclimate to a new normal.”

She also provides food education and culturally relevant, engaging recipes for new parents via her YouTube channel “The Food Doula.”

This year, Winters is focused on expanding “The Food Doula” by offering in-person cooking classes at churches and libraries. She’s also starting a psychology and pre-dietetics program this fall at Mount Mary College.

To feed her creative side, she’s planning an art exhibition with fellow artist Alina Oby in fall 2024 that highlights the ingenuity of people of color and low-income communities.

For Winters, it’s fitting the majority of her work centers around mothers. It all comes back to her own mother, Doris.

“There were so many things that [my mom] sacrificed for me and my siblings — and she’s why I keep going.”

– Hannah Wente

InAmerica,wedon’thave specificfoodritualsfor healingafterababy.Iwanted tomixmyloveforagriculture, cookingandmomsinways thatgivesomethingtothe community. ”

SOMEHOW THE MORE YOU

THE LESS YOU END UP WORRYING ABOUT IT TALK ABOUT MONEY,

We see it every day. The more women open up about their money, the more confident they become. Because when you stop second guessing and start getting real about your financial goals, the knowledge you earn can really pay off. So, do you want to buy a new home? Make your side hustle full-time? Retire early? Let’s talk! Then let’s make it happen.

Plus, when you save and borrow with Summit, you’re choosing a credit union that helps women and our entire community build financial security.

UCHENNA JONES Birthing Babies and Inspiring New Runners

On a Sunday morning in February 2003, a grease fire started in 22-year-old Uchenna Jones’ apartment building. As the blaze spread, she was stranded on the second floor.

Jones knew she had to save herself, so she leaped from a window. Landing in the snow below, she suffered compound fractures in her tibia and fibula. “People are supposed to be in the prime of life in their twenties, but I was fighting for mine,” she says. “I underwent nine surgeries to repair my shattered right leg and was told I wouldn’t be able to do much more than walk.”

Jones didn’t like the sound of that, so she found a personal trainer, who ultimately helped her “reclaim her body” and she fell in love with running. “For someone who wasn’t supposed to run, I’ve now completed over 80 races, consisting of 5Ks, 10Ks, half-marathons, marathons and one ultramarathon.”

When she’s not pounding the pavement in her Nikes, Brooks or Hokas, Jones has worked as a doula and registered labor and delivery nurse. She admits that she learned how to serve patients by being a patient first. Jones is also studying to be a midwife. “When a baby comes, a whole generation is birthed. I’m a guardian of life.”

Jones’ passion for holistic health and wellness inspired her to establish the Madison Gospel 5K Foundation five years ago. “This role allows me to guard life, too,” she says.

In 2019, Jones organized the foundation’s first 5K.

“I started with zero dollars in my budget, but over 200 people showed up to run and walk the route, which crossed four parks on the south side. Some were running their first race, while others were experienced athletes. We did it on our own terms.”

Since its inception, the Madison Gospel 5K has steadily grown. Jones has added prizes, a 10K, mentoring opportunities, a health fair and a meal program. She also coordinates a walking group, which meets every Saturday, regardless of weather.

The 2024 Madison Gospel 5K is set for July 13, and Jones’ goal is to double participation from 2023. Expanding from 300 to 600 people is a significant leap, but she’s confident she can make it happen, thanks in large part to the extensive community collaborations she’s formed.

“‘Gospel’ means ‘good news,’” Jones says, patting her right leg affectionately. “And that’s what we do. We spread good news with every step we take.”

– Laura Anne Bird

Ourbodiesweremeant tomove.It’shardtobe madaboutanythingafter walkingfortenminutes. ”

AFRA SMITH Building Black Women’s Wealth

Back in 2015, Afra Smith found herself $30,000 in debt and saddled with a credit score in the 500s.

“Nobody ever talked to me about credit. The first time was the person at the end of the table offering me a credit card,” explains Smith.

Based off of her experiences and a desire to help Black women avoid financial pitfalls, Smith founded The Melanin Project, a business providing financial coaching and education about building wealth. She likes to share her own story to establish that everyone needs to start somewhere — and that Black women need to be actively involved in managing their finances.

“I have an alarm to sound that, yes, the system is designed to keep us down — but here’s my story — [and] here is a potential way [forward] for you,” says Smith, who also works as a manager of diversity, equity and inclusion at UW Health and the UW-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health. “We need to talk about where we are. I didn’t grow up in poverty. I am an educated Black woman. I began to look at data about Black women, and it was very eye-opening.”

For example, she found a 2022 study revealing that Black women are the largest consumers of subprime loans. They are also seeking higher education loans at unprecedented rates.

Extending education beyond The Melanin Project, Smith also organized the Wealth Literacy Conference, first held in Madison

in 2023 to reach a more diverse audience. The second annual conference will take place on April 13 at Monona Terrace. With scholarships and low-cost registration fees, it’s more accessible than most financial conferences.

Speakers will not solely be financial professionals. “[I want to feature] individuals who have come from an array of backgrounds … to elevate their lives,” says Smith. She envisions presenters such as a single mother who has overcome poverty, a teen mom and an immigrant or refugee who has built a successful business.

“Speakers [will] share their personal-wealth recipes and what got them to where they are today,” Smith says. Session topics are practical, such as economic mobility and budgeting, while also tapping into mental health, such as unpacking trauma or returning to work after incarceration.

In January, Smith will also launch a budget planner that includes instructional videos to round out her offerings. Her entire program rests on her belief that to fix one’s finances you have to look at a person holistically — including their wellbeing — and not just their bank account.

“There’s not a one-size-fits-all strategy,” she says.

– Kristine Hansen

It’snotaboutcreatingmultimillionaires.It’saboutbeing economicallymobileand [being]abletoask,‘Whatdoes thenextlevellooklikeforme?’ ”

LAURA LAHTI

Amplifying Madison’s Asian communities

What started as a search to find her biological family led to Laura Lahti’s quest for knowledge about her Korean culture and heritage.

Though Lahti, a local realtor with Badger Realty Team, never found her biological parents, she did discover how many different Asian communities there are in Dane County. She set out to bring them together.

“Going to other networking events, there weren’t that many Asian Americans,” she says. “I wanted to create a supportive community that celebrates diversity within Asian cultures.”

While there are chamber of commerce and networking groups for the Latino, Hmong and Black communities, she didn’t know of an Asian networking group she could join. In 2022, Lahti founded AMASIAN — a play on the words “amazing” and “Asian.”

Since then, the organization has hosted social gatherings to bring the Asian American community together and highlighted Asian professionals and businesses in the area. A forthcoming website for the group (live in early 2024) will offer resources for the community, including notifications of AMASIAN’s upcoming gatherings and other local events, listings of Asianowned businesses and content on area Asian restaurants.

As an organization on the cusp, she primarily runs the group with five consistent volunteers — and she wants to build her volunteer base in 2024 to augment the organization’s growth.

Kicking off the new year with a bang, Lahti is helping to organize the city’s first Korean American Day event on Jan. 13, and AMASIAN will hold its inaugural Lunar New Year celebration on Feb. 13.

Lahti’s next priority in the coming year (already in the works) is to add more professional development opportunities for members to build upon AMASIAN’s networking and career focus. She also wants to establish the organization as a nonprofit and secure more sponsorships for events. Eventually, she’s looking to pepper in events to help others learn about their Asian heritage, which could include guest speakers and cultural events. She’s already envisioning a larger-scale community celebration in May 2025, during Asian American Pacific Islander Month.

Longtime friend Phoebe Yap said it’s been remarkable to watch Lahti’s growth over the last 15 years, from being a single mother to establishing herself as a realtor, and now, creating AMASIAN.

“She’s worked really hard in the last 10 years to position herself for opportunity,” Yap says. “I hope she’s able to take this to the next level and find the funding she wants to get in place because she could make some big things happen. It’ll be cool to watch.”

– Katy Macek

Ijustlikehelping peopleoutandcreating somethingwherepeople feelgood. ”

3 WAYS TO A WISCONSIN MBA

Full-Time MBA

8 specializations for focused expertise

Professional MBA

Customizable curriculum and a flexible schedule

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Executive leadership skills and a hybrid program

Cynthia Chu (BBA ’99) CFO and Growth Officer, Audible

ANNA STERN Breaking Gender Barriers

Anna Stern, vice president of Tri-North Builders, may work at a construction management firm, but she builds with strategic thinking rather than raw materials — developing training programs, nurturing Tri-North’s workplace culture and addressing some of her industry’s biggest challenges.

One such task involves gender diversity. The percentage of women in construction reached an all-time high nationally in 2022, but Stern says data shows many women leave the industry. Meanwhile, a labor shortage has hit Wisconsin contractors hard.

Keeping this in mind, Stern zeroed in on an oft-overlooked population: women who’ve taken time off of work to care for family or other reasons — and want to return to the workforce. She believes that women in this situation have much to offer.

“There are women who’d be great employees but can’t get interviews because of resume gaps,” she says. “They have the skills employers are looking for, but they’ve spent time applying them differently, like managing a household rather than an office.”

In 2024, Stern wants to implement a program at Tri-North that hires these women. Citing a “dream big” mentality, she would love to see the program take off, so the company could encourage other businesses to participate.

Stern also hopes to grow She Builds Wisconsin, a genderdiversity initiative she helped develop through Associated General Contractors of Wisconsin (AGC), where she served as its first female president in 2022. The first step is expanding the She Builds Summer Camp that debuted in Dane County in 2023. This free program takes middle-school girls to construction sites, introduces them to female construction professionals and explores each piece of the construction process.

“Many Tri-North employees and other AGC contractors [take part] ... and we’re trying to get involvement from AGC members throughout the state to do similar camps this year.”

The next step is creating a She Builds mentoring program. “If you ask women who’ve stayed in construction what helped them find success, many of them will tell you they found someone to guide them as they navigated the industry,” Stern notes.

Another goal is specific to Tri-North: maintaining its culture as many long-term employees approach retirement. Events such as Tequila for Tatas, an annual fundraiser she co-founded for UW Carbone Cancer Center’s stage 4 breast cancer research, and Kids Building Wisconsin, a fest with free construction activities for kids, encourage employee’s community involvement.

“We’re helping the community while strengthening employees’ ties to the community — and each other,” she says. – Jessica Steinhoff

Ilikeproblem-solving,and I’mnotsatisfiedwiththe statusquo.That’swhyI keeptryingtoinnovate andimprove. ”

ANGELA WALLACE Helping Families With Heart

Angela Wallace had no idea a volunteer gig at a friend’s nonprofit would eventually turn into a paid position.

Witnessing Joe Herr’s work to honor his late son, Logan — born with cerebral palsy, who died at age four — moved her. While Logan was alive, Herr struggled to find someone to build a wheelchair ramp at his family’s home for an affordable fee. He eventually did it himself, vowing to do the same for others. Six months after Logan’s death, Herr launched Logan’s Heart and Smiles in 2002. The nonprofit makes accessibility and safety modifications to the homes of families with children with disabilities.

“That child can now go to school, doctor’s [and therapy appointments], and sporting events,” says Wallace. “You’ve really changed that child’s life and the people around them.”

In 2023, Wallace became Logan’s Heart and Smiles’ first paid executive director.

“I feel most like myself when I am helping and giving back,” she says. “It could be as simple as words of encouragement or advice between friends, or physically doing something to help someone.”

This year, Wallace is spearheading the nonprofit’s first legacy program, in which people can include the nonprofit in their

estate plan or will. “We’ve had donors who have given to us for 20 years, but we’ve never [offered] them the option to donate to this type of opportunity,” she notes.

The organization will also add another paid position in the coming year to facilitate volunteers and donors to assist at project sites.

“The real power is experiencing it firsthand [for volunteers],” says Wallace, whose own volunteer experience building a ramp with the nonprofit cemented her commitment to the cause. Her 20 years of prior work experience with various Madison construction management firms also came in handy.

The nonprofit hosts multiple fundraisers a year, with the largest being their annual May event, held at the Oaks Golf Course.

“I have helped beat fundraising goals for the past two years [and] we have commitments in place for 2024 that will allow us to exceed for the third year in a row,” says Wallace. “If I am given a task, I will do everything I can to make it happen.”

– Kristine Hansen

Itispartofbeinghumanto connectwithothersandlift themupwhentheyneedit.We neverknowwhentheroleswill bereversed. ”

SARAH JACOBSON

Advocating for Inclusive Dance

Parents are overjoyed when they discover Sarah Jacobson’s dance classes for kids with disabilities, because opportunities for them to participate in the arts are rare.

Jacobson’s program, called Confidance, opens the door to dance for her students, who often run into barriers in their schools and communities rather than accommodations. “It’s an even playing field for everybody,” she says. “Everybody can dance, and there’s no wrong way to dance.”

A former professional dancer who worked in Australia, Europe and the United States, Jacobson drew from her experience studying dance in special education while earning her performing arts degree in the U.K. She is also a certified instructor with Rhythm Works Integrative Dance, a program that trains teachers to use hip-hop movements to help students reach developmental goals.

Confidance is housed at Vibe, the Middleton dance studio where Jacobson works as an instructor. Her first student when she launched the effort was her son, who is autistic and now in his teens. She now has about three dozen students across three classes.

Up next for Jacobson is recruiting and training a larger pool of volunteers — who can be as young as 13 — to provide the support needed to enroll more students in the program. She also wants to build capacity by recruiting candidates she can train to teach additional classes.

“I’ve probably turned away about seven kids recently, which I hate,” she says.

Cameron Murray, who is autistic, was 6 years old when he started dancing with Jacobson. Now 18, he’s one of the students she has in mind when she looks to expand her class offerings to include a class for recent high school graduates.

“It has given him a place to do what he loves and Sarah meets him exactly where he is and praises him for that,” says Heather Murray, Cameron’s mom. “From my perspective, Cam has another important person in his orbit that believes in him.”

Jacobson’s classes adapt to her students — not the other way around — thanks to the creativity and flexibility Jacobson brings to working with students who have a variety of disabilities.

“Yesterday, one girl just lit up,” she says. “It’s when I catch them unaware and they’re really enjoying the moment, and I look over and they’re just totally free and moving.”

– Jenny Price

ThekidsIteachinspireme. SometimesIhitacreative wallandmyclassesoften takeadifferentdirection afteroneofmystudentshas ...approachedsomethingin awayIhadn'tthoughtof! ”

SUSAN YACKEE Bridging a Divided Society

Has Susan Yackee hired doppelgangers to carry out her plans? One has to wonder when considering how much the director of UW-Madison’s La Follette School of Public Affairs has achieved in recent years. This includes creating the first La Follette School Policy Poll and the Wisconsin Main Street Agenda Project, a partnership with Wisconsin Public Radio and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that hosted public forums where citizens asked La Follette faculty about health care, inflation, climate policies and other issues.

The answer is no, according to the colleagues helping her bring these plans to life. They nominated her for Women to Watch.

“Having your team recognize you in this way, it doesn’t get much better than that,” says Yackee. This from a woman whose accolade list includes several awards for exceptional UW-Madison faculty, a Collins-Bascom Professorship and the Midwest Political Science Association’s Herbert Simon Award, one of the highest honors for a public administration scholar.

One of Yackee’s most valuable contributions involves making America civil again, especially when debating controversial issues. She teaches undergraduate and graduate students how to have a productive policy discussion with people who oppose their views. It’s the focus of a new course she’ll teach in the public policy undergrad major she’s helping UW-Madison develop after launching two popular undergrad certificate programs.

“The course focuses on how we can move public policy issues forward — even during polarized times — using knowledge about group dynamics, business negotiation and more.”

Under Yackee’s leadership, the size of La Follette’s faculty and staff has doubled, and in four years it has gone from offering two undergrad classes to nearly two dozen that serve more than 1,000 students. The growth is so fast that the school needs a new building, making fundraising one of her goals for 2024.

Another goal is a new program connecting state lawmakers with university faculty to answer legislators’ policy questions.

“Our faculty will go to the Capitol and have conversations in a more casual setting,” she says. “It’s about asking lawmakers how we can ... provide evidence to inform their decision-making.”

Yackee also intends to continue teaching the leadership seminar for Wisconsin Women in Government, a nonprofit that gives women tools to advance their careers in the public sector.

“I want to include new skills I’ve learned for facilitating civil discourse,” she says. “Helping these women succeed is a true calling for me.”

– Jessica Steinhoff

There’ssomuchdivision inoursocietythatyou'd thinkundergradswouldrun frompolicystudiesoutof disgustanddistrust,butno. ...There’sacleardemandfor itatUW–Madison. ”

JAZMYNN APPLETON Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities

When Jazmynn Appleton was let go from her credit union job during the pandemic, it forced her to be thoughtful about what she really wanted to do next. She was working part-time for the state’s Department of Workforce Development when she reached out to Sabrina Madison, CEO and founder of the Progress Center for Black Women. Madison was hiring for a part-time administrative job at the Center, which is a hub for Black women and entrepreneurs seeking sisterhood and support that offers networking events, a coworking space and mentoring and education opportunities. Appleton had attended Madison’s Black Women’s Leadership Conference back in 2019, and she came away inspired.

“That [conference] was the first time I was around that many Black women in one space, and I thought it was amazing,” says Appleton. “And I admired Sabrina’s leadership and how she interacted with others and inspired people.”

When the women met, Madison told Appleton the administrative position was filled — but she wanted to create a new, part-time position around entrepreneurship. Madison offered her the job. As a young, single mom (she had a six-year-old at the time), Appleton knew it was a risk to leave her secure state job — but she accepted the position. Now, she’s thriving as the Center’s (full-time) chief director of entrepreneurial growth and innovation.

“I came in very shy, very introverted. I’ve always been that way. But coming here … I don’t know what it was, but it felt like a true calling of mine. I really have blossomed into what I feel like I always should have been,” explains Appleton.

I’vealwayslovedtohelp others.SeeingBlack womenwinisamazing. ”

Her position involves connecting with and mentoring Black entrepreneurs, planning networking events for the Center and cultivating relationships with Madison-area businesses. Recently, she’s added speaking engagements to her accomplishments, including at the Fifth Annual Black History Educational Conference and as a Forward Fest panelist. In January, she’s hosting a workshop at Marquette University. As someone who has previoiusly dealt with anxiety and depression, Appleton admits public speaking has forced her out of her comfort zone — in a good way.

With all she’s already achieved, Appleton has her sights set on her next set of goals in the coming year: obtaining a life coaching certification, building out a youth entrepreneurial training program for the Center and more speaking commitments.

“It’s being able to take these risks, and seeing, ‘OK, I can do this. I am good at this.’ And putting myself out there.”

— Shayna Mace

WHAT ARE THE 2023 WOMEN TO WATCH UP TO?

Ann Catlett

Catlett is the founder of Solace Friends, a nonprofit that provides end-of-life care to people who are housing insecure, impoverished or don’t have family to turn to. In 2023, volunteers spent more than 800 hours renovating and updating the nonprofit’s first end-of-life home, in preparation for its projected opening in January 2024.

Diane Hanson

Hanson launched her United Madison “Dose of Unity” podcast in 2023, and its 12 episodes tackle a variety of issues. In December, the nonprofit received a $10,000 grant from 100 Women Who Care, and they’re donating a portion of it to Jevon Diming’s Pierre Outreach Safe Home.

Karen Laing

Laing founded Okkanti, a website for birth-industry professionals to connect and share resources. In October 2023, she launched CareFinder within Okkanti, which allows pregnant and parenting people in five states

to find vetted providers in their listings or book a free consult. Laing also hopes to launch a pilot program with a major Midwest health insurance provider this year.

Michelle McGrath

As project coordinator for the Waunakee Community Cares Coalition (WCCC), McGrath welcomed 52 new members in 2023. She also kicked off the Students Empowering Each Other program — another new WCCC offering. McGrath is also working on a leadership summit to encourage youth to “find their ensemble” and build connections with peers.

Alyson Schaefer

Mental Fitness 4 Teens continues to hold regular retreats for teens in the Dane County area. Schaefer also implemented her new Rise, Inclusion, Support and Educate (RISE) program within a fourth-grade classroom, and is looking to expand it in 2024.

Megan Sollenberger

In 2023, The Village Diaper Bank expanded to Columbia

County, distributed 1.3 million diapers (as of press time) and added five new partner agencies to their distribution network. In 2024, the nonprofit is building out a cloth diaper program and launching a period supply program.

Mercury Stardust

In 2023, Stardust and her team raised over $2.25 million for trans healthcare through Point of Pride. She also released her book “Safe & Sound: A Renter-Friendly Guide to Home Repair,” which became a #1 New York Times Best Seller, and she went on a 52-city book tour. She plans to raise $4 million for Point of Pride in 2024.

Rosa Thompson

Black Girl Magic Educational Services (BGM) partnered with six Black women-owned organizations in 2023 to introduce new programming. The organization hired four new facilitators to lead BGM groups in Madison schools, and hopefully other school districts, in 2024. BGM is continuing to hire leaders, especially for middle school. — Shayna Mace

Coverage for the moments that matter

Quartz is proud to support BRAVA’s 2024 Women to Watch, recognizing women making a difference in our communities.

One of a Kind

A designer revamps a 1960s-era home with a neutral palette and playful, retro touches.

BY MELANIE RADZICKI MCMANUS

BY

PHOTOGRAPHY

NICOLE HANSEN PHOTOGRAPHY & SHANNA WOLF

a

For several years, Greta Drammeh felt drawn to a vacant home four doors down from her own in Madison’s Faircrest neighborhood. The longer it remained unoccupied, the more she felt compelled to bring it back to life.

She also intuited that the trilevel structure, built in 1962 as a Parade Home, would be a better fit for the future she envisioned than the raised ranch she currently shared with her son.

So Drammeh wrote to the homeowner to inquire about purchasing it, but never heard back. A year later, a dumpster appeared in the front yard. The home had been sold to a builder, who planned to flip it. She approached

is the

the builder, begging to buy it. The builder quoted a price and gave her 24 hours to decide.

As the owner of Madison’s Geode Collaborative Design — plus a realtor and rental property owner — Drammeh knew she could transform it into a space perfectly suited to her personality and preferences. So, she snapped it up.

“They had gutted it to the studs, so that was a little sad because it was a Parade Home and I would’ve loved to see the original setting,” she says. “I’m always thinking about the age of a home and its architecture, trying to make everything cohesive and in alignment with itself.”

While Drammeh didn’t plan to recreate a 1960s-era home, which would have meant tiny

Opposite Page

Top: A striking black chandelier arcs over the dining table, which Drammeh selected for its sense of motion and because its form mimics the surrounding plants. She found the 1970s-era dining chairs on Facebook Marketplace and the vintage fiber arts wall hanging at Madison’s Atomic Antiques.

Bottom right: The home’s primary bathroom features a floating vanity, crafted from reconstituted natural oak. The room’s simple, clean lines evoke a sense of calm.

Bottom left: For a touch of whimsy, Drammeh painted a yellow scallop in the upstairs hallway. The baseboards are oak, unlike the adjacent white casings. “That way you don’t see the dust on the baseboards!” Drammeh says, a trick she learned while running a housecleaning business.

Drammeh loves her home office, a cheery space featuring Marimekko cocoa pod wallpaper and

vintage Moroccan rug she scored on Etsy. But her favorite accent

pink-and-orange batik, created by Appleton artist MJ Scandin.

Top: Handcrafted rhombus tiles by Minneapolis’ Mercury Mosaics cascade down the kitchen walls. “I don’t like edges, and I love organic movement,” says Drammeh, “so I wanted the tiles to trail off out of themselves.”

Bottom right: To pull attention away from the plain fiberglass shower and tub in her son’s bathroom, Drammeh created a feature wall with colorful wallpaper and asymmetrical mirrors. The fingerpull hardware on the vanity lends a playful touch, fitting for a child’s bathroom.

Bottom left: Drammeh and her son created the artwork in this play area a few years ago by placing tape of different colors and shapes onto canvas. “I’ve gotten so many compliments on it,” she says. “He thought it was the best activity ever.”

SHANNA WOLF

Experience that feeling…

Stylish selections don’t have to come with upsetting costs. Low prices don’t need to mean boring options. At Nonn’s we have both—big-box prices boutique selections.

KITCHEN. BATH. FLOORING. DELIGHT.

Top: Scandinavian minimalism pairs with bold pops of color in the primary bedroom. “Once I embraced the idea of making the space supportive of my life and who I am, I was able to venture into more experimental color palettes,” Drammeh says.

Bottom: A clutch of succulents and baby spider plants grow in colorful pots in the home’s lower-level rec room. Several are set in cups from a 1970s-era picnic kit.

bathrooms and compact closets, she did reinstall one wall the builder had torn down so the floor plan wasn’t too open. She also refinished the original oak flooring, reset a built-in record player that had been removed and added six skylights and six windows to brighten things up.

“Natural light is a huge priority for me,” she says. “It’s good for your mood, and I have a lot of plants.”

When it came time for the designing and decorating, Drammeh selected neutral tones for the more permanent and expensive items, such as the cabinets, countertops and tile. She injected color and personality via paint, furniture, artwork and accessories.

“I have this creative designer brain, plus a realtor brain,” she says. “Unless you plan to live somewhere forever, don’t do anything too crazy with the home’s permanent aspects, but play a lot with the parts that are easy to change.”

Drammeh’s decorating philosophy is to make every space in a client’s home one that inspires them to be happy and productive — plus weaves in bits of their personality and interests. For her, that means some Scandinavian touches, a look she admires, but also hints of West Africa and the Caribbean, places she formerly lived while studying traditional West African dance. Asymmetry is important, because she loves nature, and nature is never symmetrical. And she needs natural lines that evoke movement, a nod to her love of dance.

“Everything I look at in this house reminds me of who I am and where I came from,” she says. “And that makes me feel at home.”

Melanie Radzicki McManus is a freelance travel writer and speaker based in Sun Prairie.

In the lower level, Drammeh installed custom-stained wood paneling to complement the kitchen cabinets, as well as an old built-in record player left behind. The plants here and throughout the home help connect her to nature.

Drammeh designed the striking, wooden railing in the entry to make a statement and add character back into the home. The Monstera-print wallpaper offers a counterbalance to the home’s plethora of white walls, she says.

Deb Corning Owner, Designer, Contractor

MSO at the Movies

This special concert celebrates 25 years of the music and animation of Disney and Pixar films. Pixar in Concert will feature music and visuals from 15 classics, including Pixar’s inaugural fulllength computer animated film “Toy Story” (1995), and the Academy Award®-winning films “Finding Nemo,” “The Incredibles,” “Ratatouille,” “WALL-E,” “Up,” “Coco” and “Toy Story 3.”

With full-scale cinematic visuals projected above live musical performance, this memorable program features score highlights by Oscar® and Grammy®-winning composers Randy Newman (“Toy Story” films, “Monsters Inc.,” “Monsters University,” “Cars”) and Michael Giacchino (“The Incredibles,” “Incredibles 2,” “Ratatouille,” “Up,” “Inside Out,” “Coco”), plus music by Thomas Newman (“Finding Nemo,” “Finding Dory,” “WALL-E”).

madison symphony .org/ pixar

Purchase tickets in-person at the Overture Center Box Office, 201 State Street, by phone (608) 258-4141 or online at overture.org.

Love great music. Find it here.

2:30 PM / SATURDAY / FEB. 24 / 2024

ODYNAMIC DINERS

Winter mornings call for a homey meal at a local diner.

BY KEVIN REVOLINSKI PHOTOGRAPHY

BY

HILLARY SCHAVE

nce a mainstay for folks looking for a quick, affordable meal before work, diners remain reliable, serving up delicious meals in a neighborly atmosphere. Grab a booth with friends or find an open stool for counter service and enjoy these six Madison-area favorites.

Ogden's North Street Diner

C’S RESTAURANT & BAKERY

This Middleton café has been making its own baked goods for nearly 40 years in addition to slinging breakfast daily. C’s complements the usual eggs, omelets, skillets and pancakes with specialties such as the smokehouse breakfast wrap with pulled pork, eggs, onions and tomatoes, served with salsa and cheddar hash browns. They’ve also got four styles of eggs Benedict, and cinnamon roll waffles.

Pick up a freshly-baked Danish, scone, elephant ear, loaf of bread or pie on your way out. csrestaurant.com

WILLALBY’S CAFE

This unpretentious Willy Street spot has a few rows of cozy booths and a dozen fixed stools at the counter. A menu of generously-portioned omelets, skillets and platters includes vegan options, such as biscuits and mushroom gravy. The huge buttermilk

pancakes hang over plate edges and have fruit add-ons — banana-walnut is a hot option. Sip a cup of Madisonroasted Just Coffee with your meal. Cash only. facebook.com/willalbyscafe

MICKIES DAIRY BAR

Founded in 1946, the iconic campusarea diner is famed for its malts and shakes, served with that little bit extra in a metal cup on the side. The scramble is a mound of food — eggs plus your choice of breakfast meat (or two veggies) with cheddar and gravy — on top of a mound of yanks, which are fried potatoes.

Lunch items include burgers, openface sandwiches and a tuna melt with copious amounts of cheese. Traditionalists will appreciate the pork chops, liver and onions, or steak and eggs. With Camp Randall across the street, it’s not a bad start to a Badger game day if you can get in. Cash only. mickiesdairybar.com

FAIR OAKS DINER

The neon sign above the door commands you: EAT. Collectibles from the 1950s scattered around this place lend it a homey, lived-in feel. Fair Oaks’ breakfast menu is solid — eggs, omelets, skillets, pancakes — but the daily specials are worth watching. It

Willalby's Cafe

Willalby's Cafe

Fair Oaks Diner

may be a spicy skillet, soup of the day, sweet treat or alternative toppings for your French toast. Burgers and sandwiches round off the lunch options. In season, there are a few seats on the sidewalk and patio. Cash only. facebook.com/eatfoaks

OGDEN’S NORTH STREET DINER

Opened in 2017 in the Eken Park neighborhood, this diner has quickly become a fixture. Many regulars bike or stroll up from nearby and one might wait outside for a spot in the outdoor patio to open up, and it’s worth it. Eggs are local and cage-free, and specials include quiche of the day. Lunch offers a buildable burger, meatloaf and the Owen Miles Proulx — ham, provolone, mayo, red pepper jelly and potato chips on sourdough. Enjoy a cup of Milwaukee’s Colectivo Coffee with your meal.

THE CURVE

Named for its location just north of the bend in South Park Street, The Curve is the definition of the beloved “greasy spoon.” Nothing is wasted on décor; all of the heart goes into the hearty food. Hefty omelets, served with toast and American fries, compete in size with sprawling pancakes. The house-made corned beef and hash is a specialty, and while most come for breakfast, lunch items include burgers, cold or grilled sandwiches, and soup of the day. Cash only.

Note most of these restaurants only serve breakfast and/or lunch, and some are cash only. Check websites for hours of operation.

Kevin Revolinski writes about travel and food, and often travels for food.

Ogden's North Street Diner

FROM SOUL FOOD TO AFRICAN DELIGHTS

Get out and sample these Black-owned restaurants this winter.

BY HYWANIA THOMPSON PHOTOGRAPHY BY SHALICIA JOHNSON

From food trucks to dine-in restaurants and catering operations, six local Black-owned food businesses are serving up meals to comfort and satisfy the belly and the soul.

BURAKA

This Willy Street staple owned by Markos Regassa specializes in East African and Ethiopian dishes, many made with a mix of cumin, curry powder, garlic and other spices. Some popular meals include the coconut curry chicken, vegetarian peanut stew and Dorowot — chicken, carrots and spices in red sauce. Meals are typically served over rice or injera, an Ethiopian flatbread. In typical Wisconsin fashion, Buraka offers a Friday night fish fry. buraka-madison.com

MURIEL’S PLACE

Named in honor of his mom, Muriel Pipkins, who died of breast cancer at age 46, Will Green opened Muriel’s Place last May. Folks can dine in at the cozy spot on East Washington Avenue, or buy frozen pizzas to go.

The restaurant serves Off the Block brand pizzas and salsa. The brand is an offshoot of the youth employment and entrepreneurship program born out of Mentoring Positives, also founded by Green, in which kids help produce the pizzas and salsa. The most popular pizza at Muriel’s Place is a pepperoni pie called the Gourmet Pepé. The eatery offers side salads and chocolate chip cookies as well. mentoringpositives.org/ off-the-block

FALBO BROS PIZZERIA (PARK STREET)

Falbo Bros Pizzeria on Park Street may be known for its pizza with handtossed dough made from scratch. However, the restaurant has a variety of hot and cold sub sandwiches, salads and an extensive list of appetizers. Mozzarella sticks, cheese curds and Falbo’s famous cheese bread are just a few starters to kick off a meal. When it comes to pizza, Falbo’s offers a wide range of toppings and premium pizzas, like the Cajun Firebomb and Feta Fetish. falbobrospizza.com

SISTA’S CHICKEN AND FISH

The name says it all — Sista’s Chicken and Fish is known around town for its fried chicken and catfish. Nisa and

Muriel’s Place

Freddie Carter pop up with their food truck in their usual spot on the corner of Wingra and Park Streets, at Dive Inn on Cottage Grove Road and other places around Dane County. The menu has a variety of chicken and fish meals, complete with French fries and bread.

The catdaddy catfish sandwich features a 5-ounce catfish filet accented with jerk mayo. They also offer two types of polish sausages — a Maxwell Street polish, which originated in Chicago’s Maxwell Street Market, and Leon’s Beef Polish. facebook.com/sistaschickenandfish

MELLY MELL’S

Carmell Jackson opened her restaurant on Badger Road in 2010 and operated it for five years before transitioning exclusively to catering. Her crisp and juicy fried chicken cannot be passed up. The mac and cheese is also excellent — creamy, and baked to perfection. Melly Mell’s serves up other soul- food staples like collard greens, candied yams and more. Jackson also offers vegetarian, gluten-free and vegan options. Melly Mell’s will also be a vendor at the Madison Public Market when it opens. mellymells.com

OAK PARK Place

JUST VEGGIEZ

What started as a catering operation and pop-up vendor when it opened in 2018, is now a restaurant on State Street. Just Veggiez

owner and chef James Bloodsaw started his business after noticing a shortage of vegan food options in the city. Just Veggiez has a wide variety of salads, sandwiches, pasta dishes and pizzas. The Italian sandwich, chix sandwich and pizza are a few of the more popular items on the menu. For those with a sweet tooth, the menu also includes chocolate chip cookies, ice cream and milkshakes. Bloodsaw will continue to offer catering services and vend at pop-ups and vegan festivals, too. justveggiez.com

Madison, WI 53711 nakomasales@oakparkplace.com

Hywania Thompson is a freelance writer living in the Madison area.

WE ARE REAL LAWYERS FOR REAL PEOPLE

Estate planning is something that should be addressed before it’s too late. Completing the process ensures your wishes are fulfilled and your family is taken care of upon your death. It also keeps you covered if you’re still alive but become disabled or incapacitated.

FOUR IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS FOR ESTATE PLANNING

REVOCABLE LIVING TRUST

The last thing you want to do is leave it up to the courts to determine who receives your assets You don’t want to create strife between family members because of a lack of clarification Additionally, you should choose an executor to oversee paying taxes, managing assets, and distributing them to beneficiaries.

DURABLE POWER OF ATTORNEY

If you ’ re unable to make your own decisions while still living, you will give this individual the authority to act on your behalf to cover financial and legal transactions

HEALTH CARE POWER OF ATTORNEY

This is a legal document that gives another person the ability to make your medical decisions for you if you ’ re unable to do so

LIVING WILL

In this document, you will specify what you want for end-of-life care and ensure that you remain relatively comfortable You could dictate what type of treatment you receive, if any You could also determine whether you want artificial respiration to keep you alive

We are proud members of:

THE MOCKTAIL REVOLUTION

More nonalcoholic options and events are available in the Madison area than ever before.

BY KATRINA SIMYAB

In the Midwest, it can feel strange to socialize without a drink in your hand. Whether it’s beers before a big game or cocktails at brunch, many meals, gatherings and events center around alcohol. While some are comfortable with drinking when they’re out and about, a growing number of women are choosing to be sober for a variety of reasons.

Katy Ripp’s love for a decent glass of wine inspired the creation of wine bar Nineteen09 in Cross Plains, which she opened in 2019. While she doesn’t identify as an alcoholic, she noticed the effects of drinking starting to take a toll in her everyday life.

“I just couldn’t run my life anymore hungover,” says Ripp. After deciding to pursue total sobriety, Ripp added more NA options to Nineteen09’s menu that would allow non-drinkers to feel included. This put her on the ground level of what would become a local mocktail movement.

Cambridge Mocktail Walk

Nineteen09

“We discovered really quickly that the more NA options we had, the more we sold,” Ripp says.

When she sold the bar to staff member Cassie Ballweg and her husband, Tyler, in 2023, Nineteen09 offered over 20 unique nonalcoholic options. Ballweg (who is also sober) and Tyler have since curated their zero-proof menu ( left ) to include three wines, a selection of beers (including five from Athletic Brewing), and canned and signature mocktails.

Aside from bars and restaurants, more local events are also offering nonalcoholic alternatives to imbibe while enjoying others’ company. Sabrina Madison, founder and director of The Progress Center for Black Women, has long been an advocate for alcohol-free networking events. While she was never a “big drinker,” Madison saw how alcohol use negatively affected a close family member. After a difficult phone call with them in 2018, something clicked.

“I never wanted to put myself in a position to be calling my younger relatives ... drunk,” says Madison. “I decided on that day, I didn’t want to drink anymore.” Madison started normalizing mocktails at her own events. The Progress Center will continue to host happy hours where attendees can learn how to make trendy mocktails and enjoy nonalcoholic options.

“I just want us to figure out how to be in community with each other without needing … alcohol,” she says.

Dusty Rogers decided to “give her body a break” by participating in Sober October in 2022, after a summer full of alcohol-centered social events. As owner of Revive Salt Room & Spa in Cambridge, Rogers had observed periods of sobriety in the past to increase her productivity or reach a health goal, but this time it was different. Rogers joined a 21-Day Alcohol Reset program which included education on the effects of alcohol.

“It really helped me get clear on ... why do I drink alcohol … and is it something that I want to go back to?” she says.

By the end of that month, her answer was a resounding “no.” Rogers knew being sober was going to be a big change. “It was scary, I’m not going to lie,” she says, but mocktails were an easy way to still participate in social events. “I could toast and cheers my friends, and still feel included.” Rogers decided to host Mocktail Mingle events at Revive to build community among other non-drinkers.

When she started seeing signs for local wine walks, inspiration struck. Dusty created the country’s first ever Mocktail Walk through downtown Cambridge, which sold out.

“I had no idea it was going to take off the way that it did,” says Rogers. With annual mocktail events planned throughout 2024 and beyond, Rogers hopes her efforts to be “sober out loud” will help others see that sobriety is a real, attainable lifestyle.

“I genuinely think if I had seen more people talk about being alcohol-free while still maintaining a vibrant social life, I would have quit drinking sooner.”

Nineteen09

Cambridge Mocktail Walk

Building your home, on your lot, your way , is within reach! A trusted builder of distinctive homes in communities throughout the Madison area, Victory Homes of Wisconsin will build on your lot or ours — anywhere in Dane County. For personalized service, meticulous craftsmanship, and timeless details, stop by one of our model homes this weekend to speak with a New Home Specialist. Visit Our Model Homes in Westport, Waunakee, Middleton & Sun Prairie! USE YOUR PHONE’S

WINTER WARM - UPS

Chase the doldrums away with these ideas.

BY SHELBY DEERING

Well, we’ve made it to midwinter. Those of us who not-so-secretly wish that it was summer may be dealing with a hefty dose of the winter blues, or its depression doppelganger, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). It seems like you’re freezing all the time, and you’re definitely over all those cloudy days.

Enter: activities around Madison that will make you feel more like your summer self. While the weather outside is still decidedly frightful, head indoors for some warmth, a tropical drink and, perhaps, a sunnier outlook.

JUNGLE JAUNT

While Olbrich Botanical Gardens has beautiful outdoor grounds while in

bloom, throughout winter, the Bolz Conservatory offers a respite that’s as summer-like as you can get. The glassdomed building is always a pleasant 65 to 80 degrees and boasts towering palms, tropical flowers, a cascading waterfall and plenty of spots to perch and hang out. Take a leisurely stroll to make the most of it.

SULTRY SAUNA

At Bergamot Massage on the West Side, there’s a little slice of summer that’s equal parts warming and restor ative. Their Finnish Sauna can be reserved for private sessions, where you’ll sweat, warm up and cool off in a rain shower. You can even bring along up to five of your pals for an additional fee per person. And you

Olbrich Botanical Gardens

Bergamot Massage

can add a body scrub to your session for even more self-care — dry winter skin, begone!

SUNNY SIPS

Swathed in bright hues and colorful signage and lights, you can’t help but smile as soon as you walk into Tex Tubbs Taco Palace. Stop in for some south-of-the-border eats, like the stuffed burrito or sweet potato and black bean enchiladas — but it’s the tropical drinks that may immediately transport you (at least mentally) to a poolside locale. Their selection of margaritas are made fresh (spicy cucumber melon, anyone?) with frozen options available in eight flavors.

WARMING BEVERAGES

While a tropical frozen drink might be right up one person’s alley, you may tend to stick to hot drinks this time of year. To thaw yourself out from head to toe, order the ghost pepper latte at Madison Chocolate Company. With

EMPOWER YOUR BUSINESS WITH BRAVA

notes of ghost pepper caramel and two espresso shots, you’ll feel warmed and wide-eyed instantaneously. Or, savor a cup of their hot chocolate if spicy isn’t your thing — after all, “chocolate” is in the café’s name.

VERDANT VACATION

Head to Garver Feed Mill to bask in glorious green goodness through Grow Greenhouse. Plants of all varieties, from cacti to palms, dot the spaces throughout the Mill. See a plant you love while strolling through? Simply scan the QR code, pay online and take it home with you. You can also participate in classes where you can create a potted plant of your own.

RADIANT ROOM

If you miss the feeling of the warm sun on your face, book a salt room session at Revive Salt Room & Sauna in Cambridge. Put on some comfy clothes, lay back in a lounge chair and enjoy the halotherapy, which is basically breathing in salty air. It’s said that as the salt particles enter your respiratory system, you’ll pick up benefits like increased energy and improved mood. The entire wall of salt blocks is illuminated, which feels a bit like you’re sitting in the sun on a summer day.

Shelby Deering is a freelance lifestyle writer living in Madison.

Olbrich Botanical Gardens Presents

ORCHID ESCAPE

RISE OF THE ANGIOSPERM

Jan 27-Mar 3 | 10 am-4 pm

Marvel at eye-popping color with hundreds of blooming orchids artfully displayed in the tropical Bolz Conservatory.

Grow Greenhouse

BRIGHTEN UP YOUR JANUARY AND FEBRUARY

BY JESSICA STEINHOFF

LIVE MUSIC

MADISON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA WITH JOYCE YANG

Jan. 19-21, Overture Center

Guest soloist Yang will summon chills with Mozart’s “Piano Concerto No. 24 in C minor,” and then the whole ensemble will flex its musical muscles in Mahler’s Fifth Symphony, which you may recognize from Luchino Visconti’s film “Death in Venice.” madisonsymphony.org

WISCONSIN CHAMBER ORCHESTRA

WITH VLADYSLAVA LUCHENKO

Jan. 26, Overture Center

Cross-cultural understanding is this concert’s unofficial theme: Ukrainian violinist Luchenko joins Madison’s chamber orchestra for “Norwegian Fantasy” by French

Romantic composer Édouard Lalo. wcoconcerts.org

JAIME WYATT

Jan. 31, High Noon Saloon

With a giant voice and a fearless approach to storytelling, this singersongwriter is breathing new life into the outlaw country genre. high-noon.com

THEATER AND DANCE

“THE FLYING LOVERS OF VITEBSK”

Jan. 25-31, Overture Center

Join Forward Theater Company for the regional premiere of a love story about painter Marc Chagall, writer Bella Rosenfeld and the ways imagination sustains us during history’s darkest moments. forwardtheater.com

“THE ANONYMOUS LOVER”

Feb. 2 & 4, Overture Center

A secret admirer’s letters open a jaded widow’s heart in this 18th-century opera by Black composer Joseph Bologne. Madison Opera brings the tale to a Wisconsin stage for the first time. madisonopera.org

MADISON BALLET’S “LOVE”

Feb. 15-22, Overture Center

Love’s many emotions take the spotlight following Valentine’s

Joyce Yang

Day. Choreographed by Madison Ballet’s Ja’ Malik, the opener brims with guitar-fueled excitement, and the finale, by PARA.MAR Dance Theatre’s Stephanie Martinez, explores grief’s shades and shapes. madisonballet.org

FOUR SEASONS THEATRE’S “THE HELLO GIRLS”

Feb. 22-29, Overture Center

Ready for a music-powered history lesson? Get to know America’s first female soldiers, who served as bilingual telephone operators during World War I. fourseasonstheatre.com

VISUAL ART

“MESSAGE FROM OUR PLANET”

Feb. 19-June 2, Chazen Museum of Art

Inspired by a NASA spacecraft containing a time capsule of human culture, this show features 20 cutting-edge video, software and light-technology artworks by an Earth-spanning group of artists. chazen.wisc.edu

FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT’S JOURNEY – AND YOURS

You don’t need a time machine, or even a plane ticket, to travel through architectural history at Dane County Regional Airport. Just head to the Art Court near Terminal 4 for “The Frank Lloyd Wright Trail: Places to Live, Learn, Work and Worship” (through Jan. 28), a free exhibition organized by Tandem Press, Taliesin Preservation and the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation. We asked Tandem Press Director Paula

Panczenko to share what makes this opportunity so special.

Why should people from the Madison area see this exhibition, even if they’re familiar with Frank Lloyd Wright?

In the Madison area, most of us know of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin home, but Wisconsin has many other examples of his architecture that have something to teach us. The Frank Lloyd Wright Trail features nine such sites, including the A.D. German

FEDERICO URIBE: “METAMORPHOSIS”

Through May 26, Madison Museum of Contemporary Art

In this collection of animal sculptures, the Colombian-born artist uses unexpected materials — an army helmet for a turtle’s shell, bullets for a tiger’s body — to help viewers turn negative associations into positive ones. mmoca.org

Jessica Steinhoff is a Madison-area mom, writer and mental health professional.

Warehouse in Richland Center, the Burnham Block homes in Milwaukee and the Johnson Foundation at Wingspread near Racine. The exhibition gives visitors a sense of each site on the trail through historical photographs and drawings, as well as objects found in buildings Wright designed.

What are some of the most interesting objects on display?

One is a replica of Monona Terrace made of LEGO bricks. The creator, Micah Asplund, built it during the COVID-19 pandemic and displayed it at a LEGO convention at Monona Terrace in May 2023. There’s also a barrel chair Wright designed for Wingspread in 1937. Like Wingspread, it shows Wright’s fascination with nature, geometry and ergonomics, and how his ideas were ahead of their time. msnairport.com/about/ facilities_maps/art

W2W CAPTURES | Top left: Afra Smith, founder of The Melanin Project, a business providing financial coaching and education about building wealth, struck a behind-the-scenes pose. Right: Back Pocket Tools founder and author Shaney Andler was photographed on the Madison Youth Art Center’s outdoor terrace. Andler facilitates mental health workshops for tweens and teens. Bottom: Uchenna Jones telegraphed “queen” in her attire and in her elegant presence as the founder of the Madison Gospel 5K Foundation. Middle left: Susan Yackee, director of UW–Madison’s La Follette School of Public Affairs, prepped for a video with social media manager Cici Rindy and editorial director Shayna Mace.

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