BRAVA_May June_2024

TOMORROW, together BUILDING AN INSPIRED

Our vision is of a stronger community that embraces diversity, leads the conversation around equity and inclusion, and stands at the forefront of positive change. We believe that diverse teams create a more positive environment and lead to better problem-solving and decision-making.

Waunakee: Arboretum Village • Savannah Village • Westbridge • K ilkenny Farms

Dane: Tanimarah Ridge • DeForest: Savannah Brooks

Sun Prairie Area: Windsor Gardens • Happy Valley Addition

Deer field: Savannah Parks

THE VICTORY DIFFERENCE

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.

2024 |2025

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MSO at the Movies presentations* guest conductors

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2024

sept 20, 21, 22: Reunion

John DeMain , Conductor

Tommy Mesa , Cello • Greg Zelek , Organ Coleman • Jongen • Tchaikovsky • de Falla

oct 18, 19, 20 : Visions

Nicholas Hersh , Guest Conductor

Kelly Hall-Tompkins , Violin

Clyne • Vaughan Williams • Ravel • Berlioz

nov 15, 16, 17: Momentum

Michael Stern , Guest Conductor

Garrick Ohlsson , Piano

Leshnoff • Grieg • Shostakovich

nov 23: MSO at the Movies

Kyle Knox , Conductor

Disney/Pixar, Coco in Concert

dec 6, 7, 8:

A Madison Symphony Christmas

John DeMain , Conductor

Vanessa Becerra , Soprano

Craig Irvin , Baritone

Madison Symphony Chorus , Beverly Taylor, Director

Mount Zion Gospel Choir , Tamera and Leotha Stanley, Directors

Madison Youth Choirs , Michael Ross, Artistic Director

2025

jan 17, 18, 19: Beethoven x3

John DeMain , Conductor

Gil Shaham , Violin • Orli Shaham , Piano

Sterling Elliott , Cello All Beethoven!

feb 22, 23: MSO at the Movies

Kyle Knox , Conductor

Star Wars: A New Hope in Concert

mar 14, 15, 16: Legacy

John DeMain , Conductor

Amanda Majeski , Soprano

Kirsten Lippart , Mezzo-Soprano

Joshua Sanders , Tenor • Matt Boehler , Bass

Madison Symphony Chorus , Beverly Taylor, Director

Strauss • Mozart

apr 11, 12, 13: Yearnings

Joseph Young , Guest Conductor

Time for Three

Barber • Puts • Prokofiev

may 9, 10, 11: Gershwin!

John DeMain , Conductor

Philippe Bianconi , Piano

Michelle Johnson , Soprano

Eric Greene , Baritone

Madison Symphony Chorus , Beverly Taylor, Director All Gershwin!

MONEY SMARTS

BY KIM SPONEM

I feel like I’m never quite caught up financially and not sure why. What are your thoughts?

That is a difficult feeling, and you are not alone. According to a recent study done by Fidelity Investments, women’s number one word for their financial feelings was “stress.” An area of finances that many overlook is the smaller monthly expenses that add up over time. Whether it’s banking, concert tickets, credit cards, hotels or airlines, we often end up paying more than we had budgeted for something. And recurring expenses like monthly subscriptions are easy to lose track of over time.

I encourage everybody to review their credit card and account statements monthly. List the monthly expenses you’re paying via automatic payment or your credit card — things like subscriptions and memberships. Are you using these consistently enough to pay a monthly fee? When it comes to fees from your financial institution, make sure that you understand all the fees you’re being charged. For some services, it might make sense. For others, you might be paying a fee for something you can get fee-free someplace else, or there may be requirements you need to meet to avoid fees.

At Summit Credit Union, we have a free checking account that really is free.* It includes things like no monthly service fees, unlimited check writing, free Bill Pay and mobile check deposits, and many more benefits that you might pay hundreds for at

other institutions, and at Summit, there are no strings attached. You will also have a chance to earn our Cash Boomerang** if you have your checking account at Summit. This is a cash give-back we share as a unique “thank you” to our Summit members, who are owners of our financial cooperative and directly impact our success.

It is usually the smaller expenses that take us off course because we plan better for bigger things we want. Looking at those recurring expenses to make sure you are still finding value, as well as critically thinking about whether to buy something because it is “cheap,” does add up. These actions give you that extra money to go toward something bigger that will provide you more joy in the long run.

Next time you are about to sign up for something or are shopping and come across a great deal, pause and ask yourself, “Is this more important than one of my longer-term goals?” Yes, I know it doesn’t seem like much now, but it does all add up. And as for those big things, if you need to use a credit card because you don’t have the money for something right now, wait until you do. You will thank your future self.

*Primary Savings account required with any checking account. Primary Savings account: minimum to open $1. Annual Percentage Yield (APY) as of 4/1/2024 is 0.10%. Rate may change at any time. Minimum to obtain APY is $25. **No minimum balances are required to be eligible for the program. Any fees/charges applied to an account will reduce the account balance and result in less dividends earned. A checking account must be open as of 9/30 of year of payment to be eligible for the program. Only members in good standing at the date of the payout will receive as long as the Cash Boomerang computes to $10 or more, with a maximum of $1,000. Cash Boomerang is not guaranteed. Cash Boomerang is a dividend and subject to tax reporting.

Kim Sponem is CEO & President, since 2002, of Summit Credit Union, a $7 billion, member-owned financial cooperative with more than 257,000 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.

WHEN WE CONNECT, WE WIN

It’s really satisfying when everything seems to align.

Recently I met up with Maggie Brickerman, a partner at gener8tor, a venture firm and startup accelerator founded in Wisconsin in 2012. Brickerman and I had a lively discussion on the state of startups in our area, and her thoughts on where gener8tor, and other venture capital firms, are at with funding more female-founded entrepreneurial businesses. Although you’ll hear more from Brickerman in an upcoming issue, she was also interviewed in this magazine for our Career article (P. 22) on artificial intelligence. I loved that our paths crossed in more ways than one.

My colleague Dena Frisch and I attended the 2024 ATHENA Awards in March, and it’s an event that we love to support. Roxie Hentz, founder and CEO of CEOs of Tomorrow, was the 2024 award winner. It’s an honor devoted to Madison-area women who have “achieved excellence in their work, devoted time in their communities and helped women realize their full leadership potential.” Fittingly, we already had Hentz on our radar to include her in “The Empowerment Generation” feature (P. 50) about women who are mentoring and inspiring kids in Madison. It’s thrilling to see Hentz recognized, and her nonprofit soar!

In April, I got a call from SCORE’s Madison representative, a statewide

VACATION VIBES

Did you see we’re giving away a trip with Sandals for a Jamaican getaway? Be sure to enter the giveaway for your chance to win! Scan the QR code to enter.

YES, CHEF!

Thanks to Destination Madison for hosting a fun “Top Chef Wisconsin” viewing party in April. Check out this season on Bravo for appearances by a few Madison chefs!

nonprofit and resource partner with the U.S. Small Business Administration that provides (mostly free) counseling and mentorship to entrepreneurs. SCORE’s flagship conference is taking place in late September, and the event’s opening speaker is Lea Culver, co-founder of Culver’s restaurants. I was delighted to hear that, as Lea’s story is fascinating. I’ve interviewed her twice for BRAVA, once for a profile in 2020, and most recently in this issue, on P. 67. It was yet another interesting connection that confirmed we’ve got our finger on the pulse of women whose journeys you want to read about. Also in this issue, find some timely nods to upcoming events. Celebrating Cinco de Mayo? You’ll want to sample the taquerias on P. 71. Jeanette and Alisson Burda’s adorable shop Artsy Fartsy (P. 17) is a great Mother’s Day stop. (And I love that it’s owned by a motherdaughter duo!) Our Go + Do section offers plenty of ideas for things to do as well, including peaceful garden strolls (P. 90); free, family-friendly activities (P. 85); and a visit to the Schenk-Atwood neighborhood in our new Point of Interest department (P. 88).

Happy spring into summer!

Shayna Mace Editorial Director @shaynamace

A GOOD CAUSE

Felicia Raye Diny , founder of nonprofit Felicia’s Donation Closet (feat. on P. 13), is hosting her nonprofit’s largest fundraiser on May 18. Buy tickets at feliciasdonationcloset.com.

BUSINESS

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EDITORIAL

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Shayna Mace shayna@ntmediagroup.com

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EDITORIAL INTERN

Lily Mihelich intern@ntmediagroup.com

FACT - CHECKER

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DIGITAL DIRECTOR

Kristen Rouse krouse@ntmediagroup.com

SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER

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ADVERTISING COORDINATOR

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CONTRIBUTORS

Julie Barber, Laura Anne Bird, Nikki Kallio, Maura Keller, Laurie Lodholz, Katy Macek, Melanie Radzicki McManus, Kevin Revolinski, Hillary Schave, Jessica Steinhoff, Sue Sveum, Katie Vaughn, 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

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BRAVA (ISSN 1934-4317) MAY/JUNE 2024, Volume 25, Number 03, 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.

PARTY PACKAGES & BACKDROPS

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Felicia Raye Diny

SERVING THE SURVIVORS

A local nonprofit helps those who have experienced domestic violence feel a sense of home again.

BY LAURA ANNE BIRD PHOTOGRAPHY BY HILLARY SCHAVE

Felicia Raye Diny knows one thing for sure: “No one should have to sleep on the floor.”

The founder of Felicia’s Donation Closet, a nonprofit that furnishes domestic violence survivor’s homes, is passionate about supporting women who have fled difficult circumstances for safety.

“Heading to a shelter is a huge accomplishment, because many women go back numerous times to their abusers before leaving for good, and some don’t make it out at all,” she says. “But what happens when it’s time for them to leave the shelter and get their own place?”

This is where Felicia’s Donation Closet steps in.

In collaboration with various organizations in the Madison area, Felicia’s Donation Closet locates and delivers much-needed items to families who are moving out of shelters and into their own homes. “These women are starting over, and we set them up for success. We bring them all the necessities for their new life,” Diny says.

Diny herself experienced domestic abuse years before meeting her now husband, Ryan Olson, whom she calls her biggest supporter. “I have experienced the stress, trauma and anxiety associated with abuse, and

that’s had a huge influence on my desire to help other women,” she says.

Diny’s efforts began in 2019, when she looked into donating her own couch to a shelter. She learned that a mom had just moved out of the shelter and had very few furnishings. “I asked the shelter what this woman needed, and then I put a post out on my socials and got about 175 comments from friends and family who wanted to contribute.”

Diny rented a truck, collected and delivered the donated items, and was deeply moved by how happy the mom was. Hooked, she started making deliveries to other women, and Felicia’s Donation Closet was born. “We’ve come a long way since then. One move used to take us about eight hours, but now we can pull off a few moves in two,” she says. The organization secured its 501(c)3 status in 2021.

“

There is a missing piece when women move out of a shelter and into their own home. Some organizations provide vouchers or beds ... we bring them everything they need ... These women are starting over, and we want them to have a space they can call home. ”

Moving forward, Diny hopes to purchase a bigger warehouse, a panel van and a second moving truck. She also envisions hiring paid staff and expanding outside of Dane County. “But to do these things, we need funds,” she says.

The nonprofit’s fourth annual casino night fundraiser will take place on May 18, which will include a dinner, live auction and raffle for a $6,000 diamond necklace, donated by Diny’s Jewelers, which is owned by her cousins. The event will take place at the Palestrina Event Center in Verona.

With dedicated support from a team of volunteers, board members

and donors, Diny estimates that she works eighty hours each week to carry out the mission of Felicia’s Donation Closet. (While she and Olson also own a concrete business that sustains them financially, Diny’s full-time gig is her nonprofit.) It’s a daunting job, but she’s not backing down.

“Each donation I place in a home for an abused woman is a symbol of hope, resilience and compassion,” she says. “It’s about restoring dignity, rebuilding lives and creating a sanctuary.”

Laura Anne Bird is a local writer and middlegrade author.“Marvelous Jackson,” her second novel for kids, will launch in September 2024.

Diny and her husband, Ryan Olson

ASK A PROFESSIONAL: A BASIC GUIDE TO SETTING UP YOUR ESTATE PLAN

Who should have an estate plan?

All adults can benefit from having an estate plan, no matter their age. For example, if you have children, own a business or want to control where your property and assets go upon your death, there is value in you establishing an estate plan.

What happens if I die without an estate plan?

Dying without an estate plan is called dying “intestate.” This means that state law will govern to whom your property and assets (i.e., your estate) are distributed. In Wisconsin, if your estate is valued at more than $50,000, this distribution occurs through the probate process, which is administered by the county probate court. Sometimes, the probate process can be seen as confusing. If you wish to avoid your estate going through the probate process, you can work with an attorney to set up a trust-based estate plan.

What is included in an estate plan?

The specific documents included in an estate plan can vary depending on your personal circumstances, whether you work with an attorney and what state you live in. Generally speaking, an estate plan includes the following:

• Will: Determines to whom your property and assets are distributed after your death; appoints a personal representative to handle your estate; can also include nominations for guardianship of your minor children.

• Trust: Holds ownership to property and assets. You appoint a trustee to manage the property and assets held by the trust for the benefit of the beneficiaries you select. A trust is the main tool for avoiding the probate process.

BOARDMAN CLARK

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• Power of Attorney for Finances and Property: Grants someone the rights to handle your finances and property on your behalf, should you ever be unable or unwilling to do so.

• Power of Attorney for Health Care: Gives someone the rights (that you select) to

make health care decisions on your behalf, should you ever be unable or unwilling to do so.

An estate plan may also include additional documents, such as a Marital Property Agreement and an Authorization for Final Disposition.

What is the difference between a will-based estate plan and a trust-based estate plan?

A will-based estate plan is used to leave your final instructions on disposition of your estate. This type of estate plan generally includes Powers of Attorneys and other estate-planning documents. Note that even with a will-based estate plan, if the value of your estate exceeds $50,000, your estate will go through the probate process.

As the name suggests, a trust-based estate plan includes everything that is included in a will-based estate plan, plus a trust. A trust is a tool that permits the avoidance of the probate process, which can save time and money. You can transfer assets to a trust during your lifetime, as well as direct this in these documents upon your death.

Do I need to hire an attorney to set up my estate plan?

While it is possible to make a valid estate plan without the help of an attorney, working with an attorney will help ensure that your estate plan conforms to relevant law and will operate as you intend upon your death. If you own a business, want to set up a trust or have other circumstances that may make your estate plan complex, I strongly encourage you to meet with an attorney to discuss your options.

Please note that this is only for informational purposes and is not to be construed as legal advice. If you have questions or want guidance on setting up an estate plan, please contact an attorney.

Stella Furlano is an attorney in Boardman Clark’s Family Law andTrusts & Estates practice groups. Contact her at SFurlano@boardmanclark.com or 608.286.7217.

Stella Furlano, Attorney

SHOP LOCAL

COOL GIRL NAILS WITHOUT THE TOXINS

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SHOP LOCAL. SHOP INDEPENDENT. 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.

PURE NAILS

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OLBRICH BOTANICAL GARDENS 3330 Atwood Ave. Madison, WI 53704

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DAZZLING DELIGHTS AT OLBRICH

Botanical-inspired treasures abound in Olbrich’s Gift Shop, including pressed flower dishes from West Creek Mercantile. All proceeds directly benefit the Gardens. We have new hours: open daily 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

MYSTERY TO ME BOOKS

1863 Monroe St. Madison, WI 53711 mysterytomebooks.com

OPAL MARKET FLOWERS Madison, WI 608.215.9852

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FLOWER THERAPY

Studio florist offering bouquet bars, flower delivery and subscription services. Personally curated floral design for special events and the everyday. Locallysourced blooms whenever possible.

AN ARTSY ENCLAVE

BY SHAYNA MACE PHOTOGRAPHY BY SHANNA WOLF

Stroll down Monroe Street, and you might stop in your tracks when you spy a squat, aqua building, nestled between Eyeopia and the future Chabad Jewish Center. It makes a delightful statement amongst the mostly brown brick buildings on the street.

It’s the home of Artsy Fartsy, a gift shop owned by mother-daughter duo Jeanette and Alisson Burda. Jeanette, a retired high school teacher, and Alisson, a part-time social worker and artist, have been working together for years, selling Alisson’s art online, at art fairs and at the Dane County Farmers’ Market. They opened their storefront in August 2022. The shop carries Alisson’s prints and cards, art supplies, jewelry, décor, and kids’ and seasonal items, such as Mother’s Day gifts.

The pair’s rule is simple when deciding what to sell in the shop: “We only carry what we like,” explains Jeanette. They have a mix of items by makers they find online, as well two to three local artists’ pieces at any given time.

On the day I visited, several groups of friends and families stopped in, and their comments echoed what Jeanette hears from customers daily.

“People come in all of the time and say, ‘I feel so much better in here — it’s so fun!’” she says. 1717 Monroe St., artsyfartsymadison.com

SHOP THE LOOK

Alisson Burda’s colorful cards are the perfect pick-me-up. $4

Local artist Sarah Sweet uses Washi tape, vintage papers and cedar wood in her jewelry. $17

Don’t you just want to squeeze French Knot’s adorable wool lamb? $40

The Colour Emporium’s hand-dipped candles are a delightful host gift. $24

Go hands-free with Maika’s funky belt bag. $42

Gift your bestie this cute barrette set by Eugenia. $16.50

Custom Homes of Waunakee, we are proud to have exceptional in-house designers who are passionate about creating personalized spaces that exceed your expectations. From the initial concept of your new home to the final touches, our in-house designer and draftsmen work closely with you to create a home that fulfills your desires and exceeds your expectations.

A HAIRY SITUATION

Hair

thinning and

loss isn’t fun — here’s why it happens and what to do.

BY SUE SVEUM

While many men embrace their baldness these days, women experiencing hair loss often grapple with a myriad of emotions. It hardly seems fair — but it’s not uncommon.

According to Harvard Medical School, as many as one-third of women deal with hair loss at some point. And, that jumps to two-thirds among postmenopausal women. The many causes of hair loss (alopecia) include:

• aging

• heredity

• hormones

• nutritional deficiencies

• medical and autoimmune conditions

• stress

Local experts Dr. Apple Bodemer, integrative dermatologist with UW Health, and Dr. Shamila Gupta Rawal, otolaryngologist/head and neck surgeon at The Rawal Institute for Hair Restoration and Aesthetic Medicine, break down what’s going on.

According to Dr. Bodemer, hair loss caused by stress (telogen effluvium), usually resolves on its own.

“Women see thinning and shedding everywhere,” she explains. “It often occurs after acute physical stress from infections (like Covid), heart attack, a car accident injury or major surgery. It’s also triggered by emotional stress from major life [events] — loss of a loved one or job, and even pregnancy.”

Dr. Bodemer says hair shedding or more hair loss than

usual typically happens 4-6 months after the experience and usually stops once the stressor resolves or the body adapts to it. “But,” she says, “it can be a really stressful experience in the meantime.”

When stress doesn’t seem to be the cause if you’re experiencing hair thinning or loss, or you’re experiencing other health issues, it’s important to consult with your primary care physician or dermatologist to assess the underlying issue and treatment options. Your doctor may want to order labs to identify underlying medical issues that need to be addressed.

“Hereditary pattern baldness, marked by top and crown thinning, is very common,” says Dr. Rawal. “Common non-hereditary types [of hair loss] include alopecia areata, from the immune system attacking hair follicles; scarring alopecia, caused by inflammatory conditions; and traction alopecia, from tight hairstyles like ponytails, braiding and extensions.”

Both physicians agree that some over-the-counter products may be helpful. Topical minoxidil (Rogaine) in a 5% concentration can increase blood flow and nutrient delivery to hair follicles. Nutrafol also enhances hair growth. And Nioxin scalp serum may provide benefits. Products that are washed off the hair quickly, like shampoo or conditioner, are not likely to have an impact on hair growth, but can help strengthen the hair.

“There’s often some shedding two to four months into any minoxidil treatment,” cautions Dr. Bodemer. “That

means it’s working — but users sometimes stop, thinking it’s making their hair fall out. [But the product] is actually shifting hairs into the growth phase, pushing out hair resting in the follicle.”

Medical treatments by professionals such Drs. Rawal and Bodemer may include topical and oral supplements and prescription medications, depending on the cause.

Dr. Rawal also offers regenerative medicine, surgical hair transplants, low-level laser light therapy (LLLT) and scalp micropigmentation.

“Women define their individual style and personality by the way they wear their hair,” says Dr. Rawal. “It’s such an integral part of their identity, that it can be devastating when they start to lose hair. For most, hair restoration is often accompanied by restoration of self-esteem.”

Dr. Rawal’s patient, Marsha Goldstein, can relate.

“When I first noticed hair loss, I was devastated,” she says. “But after a series of treatments and ongoing medication my hair regained luster, fullness and curl.”

For women preferring not to seek treatment — or when medical treatment isn’t enough — Dr. Bodemer says working with a good hairstylist is a great way to camouflage hair loss. “Wigs and hairpieces have come a long way — have fun with them.”

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

HAIR HELPERS MINOXIDIL

According to WebMD, “Minoxidil is the only over-thecounter medication for hair loss approved by the FDA for use by both men and women.” It’s the active ingredient in hair regrowth serums by various brands, including hers, Nioxin, Rogaine and private-label brands by Amazon and Walgreens, among others. Note that many of these OTC products have a 2% concentration of Minoxodil, and Dr. Bodemer and Dr. Rawal recommend a 5% concentration, so check labels before you purchase.

NUTRAFOL

This hair health brand has the “#1 dermatologistrecommended hair growth supplements for men and women,” according to their website. The brand also offers scalp care products to foster healthy hair growth. nutrafol.com

NIOXIN

Nioxin hair products and treatments are specially formulated for thinning hair. Find shampoos as well as products for hair growth, thickness and density boosting, scalp care and supplements. nioxin.com

– Specializing in the medical and surgical treatment of female and male hair loss

– The only Hair Restoration Surgeon performing procedures right in Madison, WI

– Scalp and Eyebrow Transplant, PRP regenerative therapy, and low-level laser light therapy for hair loss

– Laser and Microneedling skin rejuvenation and injectables therapies for reversal of photoaging and correction of scars

– Dr. Shamila Rawal’s own medical-grade skincare line tR(x)i prescribed to treat many skin types and conditions

Banning the Burnout

UnityPoint Health – Meriter explains what burnout is, and how to bounce back from it.

Burnout is very real and can lead to problems at work and home. It’s defined as the accumulation of unmanaged stress and may result in physical, emotional and mental exhaustion that is not being addressed. This condition will leave you feeling unable to take care of yourself and your responsibilities — and you may feel like you have nothing extra to give.

Think of a big clear vase with several large stones inside of it, representing the most important things in your life. The remainder of the vase is filled with many small rocks, representing minor things in your life. Focus on the big rocks in your life to reduce burnout — not the small stones — which are everyday distractions or things that cause you stress.

You can proactively take small, actionable steps to help reduce burnout at work and at home. Here are some tips:

• Keep on hand or acquire the resources that you need to do your job, including equipment, computers and supplies. If you

need additional training to learn new skills or to increase your knowledge, ask for it so that you can be efficient and effective in completing your tasks and duties.

• Leave your work at work and set boundaries after you leave work to disengage from any work-related issues. Connect with coworkers by setting safe boundaries while being professional and friendly. If you have a sedentary job, try to move every hour by getting up from your chair to walk or stretch for 60 seconds.

• Clearly communicate with family and loved ones what you need from them. This might mean retreating and making time for yourself daily, even if it’s five minutes of reading, meditating, or taking a quick, refreshing walk.

• Get outdoors and feel the fresh air while noticing trees, animals and nature’s beauty.

• Tell others “no” when needed, such as volunteering for something that is not meaningful to you. Use

your time to plan activities that are important to you, such as spending time together with loved ones and doing something that everyone will enjoy.

• Make your home a relaxing place. You should feel a sense of calmness when you enter your space and feel comfortable. Organize your abode by clearing out clutter, including things you no longer need, want or use. Donate, give away or throw out those unnecessary items.

• Get plenty of sleep and routinely go to bed at the same time every night. The benefits of good sleep quality are numerous, including improved focus, physical health, stress management and much more.

Taking care of yourself is critical to reduce burnout. By giving yourself grace, you can get back to feeling more in control of your life and enjoying the things you love to do. Also, be sure to enlist the help of a health care professional if you’re not able to reduce burnout on your own.

POWER YOUR PRODUCTIVITY WITH AI

How to effectively use artificial intelligence tools for work.

BY AMANDA N. WEGNER

Between juggling dozens of tasks, trying to recap endless online meetings and writing the perfect email to your reply-all-loving colleague, we could all use an extra hand in the workplace. Tools powered by artificial intelligence, or AI, can be that extra hand to help empower you and your work — not replace you.

“We are in an exciting period where new industry- and rolespecific AI tools — many of which are powered by existing AI models — are becoming available on an almost-daily basis,” says Maggie Brickerman, a partner at gener8tor, a venture firm and startup accelerator founded in Wisconsin in 2012. “If you can think of a job title, there is probably a specific product for it.”

“AI is as big a revolution as the internet and is completely changing work across all sectors,” says Stacy Wilkes, who previously helped develop AI tools and founded Goddess.ai last fall. “Everyone will be impacted.”

AI tools can lead to greater efficiency and productivity in the workplace, say Wilkes and Brickerman. This, adds Brickerman, “frees up time to think more creatively, which leads to more innovation, better problem-solving and ultimately higher-quality work — and hopefully happier humans doing that work.”

The most recommended AI tool is a chatbot such as ChatGPT, Google’s Gemini and Claude.ai. AI chatbots

use natural language processing to create human-like conversations and can be used for innumerable workplace tasks.

“ChatGPT has truly infinite uses,” says Brickerman. “I like to use it for writing drafts, researching new topics and quickly finding formulas for Excel or code for Airtable automations.”

“AI is as big a revolution as the internet and is completely changing work across all sectors. Everyone will be impacted. — Stacy Wilkes ”

In her prior work developing AI to read candidate resumes, Wilkes saw how the models that power AI can be discriminatory. That’s why she recommends Claude.ai, as it has “a more ethical approach.”

One of Brickerman’s favorite AI tools is Reclaim.ai, a smart calendar tool she began using after seeing her weeks filled with endless Zoom calls and meetings.

“With Reclaim.ai, you can enter the amount of time you need every week for non-meeting work (or other priorities like exercise), and it intelligently blocks time on your calendar,” she explains.

To manage tasks and to-do lists, Wilkes likes goblin.tools, which breaks down tasks into more manageable steps.

If your week is filled with video calls and meetings, tools like Fireflies.ai or Otter.ai can transcribe your meetings, summarize key points and pull forward follow-up activities.

For those with unreasonable email inboxes, check out a tool like SaneBox to help organize your inbox and prioritize important messages.

Given its blazing-fast rise, AI does come with some caveats.

Chatbots are trained on data from the internet, and the most recent version of ChatGPT is only updated through April 2023. With that, says Brickerman, “If you are using it to research a new topic, you can’t take the information at face value without doing some follow-up to validate [it].”

In addition, while AI is smart, humans are still smarter: “You absolutely have to check and improve the work of whatever tool you’re using,” says Brickerman.

Because AI tools, particularly chatbots, are open-source and learn from the internet, avoid putting confidential or protected information in the engine. From this perspective, Wilkes notes that companies of all sizes must establish policies and guidelines for AI use.

“Once you put in [that information], it becomes part of the knowledge base,” says Wilkes, “which can create concerns regarding privacy, copyrights, protected secrets and personallyidentifiable information.”

Amanda Wegner is a local freelance writer and communications professional. She uses Grammarly, an AI-powered writing assistant, to double-check her grammar when writing –but never accepts all the suggestions.

Fundraising Day Wisconsin 2024: The Courage to Reimagine

Tuesday, June 18, 2024 7:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. | $185

Join over 300 professional fundraisers and nonprofit leaders to hone your fundraising skills, network and learn from thought leaders. Through a variety of sessions, explore the future of philanthropy, examine power imbalances in our field and empower yourself to be bold in your fundraising efforts.

Where to learn more and register: afpmadison.org/fundraising-day-wisconsin

Registration ends June 12, 2024 American Family Insurance, 6000 American Pkwy, Madison, WI 53783

Questions? Contact: admin@afpmadison.org 608.421.3597

HOW WOMEN CAN BOOST THEIR FINANCIAL CONFIDENCE

By Northwestern Mutual

Whenit comes to how women feel about their finances, the 2023 Northwestern Mutual Planning & Progress Study finds that just 51% of women say they feel confident or very confident. Just 43% of women feel financially secure, and only 44% think they will be financially prepared for retirement. This compares to 59% of men who feel financially secure and 61% who think they will be financially prepared for retirement.

“What our research tells us is that there is a gender gap in financial confidence,” said Tim Gerend, chief distribution officer at Northwestern Mutual. “The impact of inflation and the worries people have about recession and retirement are felt unevenly, but they are significant for both women and men. The bottom line is this: Uncertainty about the future is cutting into confidence for many Americans, and that’s where a trusted advisor can help individuals build a plan to help them take control of their financial futures.”

This isn’t news to most women; in fact, 66% of women think their financial plans need improvement. Younger women are most inclined to agree with this: 79% of Gen Z and 76% of Millennials feel this way.

Read on for what you need to know about how working with a financial advisor could help give you the confidence boost you’ve been looking for.

How an Advisor Can Work With You to Create a Financial Plan

Step 1

It all starts by simply sitting down and having a conversation with a financial advisor. He or she will get to know you by asking you what’s important to you in your life right now — and what you envision for your future. This discussion may also help them identify some goals you may not have considered. In the near term, are you planning to get married, buy a home or start a family? If you’re a bit older, are you getting ready to send your kids to college, start a new business or prepare for a comfortable retirement?

Step 2

Once your advisor understands your goals, she or he will ask you what financial strategies you already have in place. It’s likely you’re already doing some things that would be included in a plan, such as saving for retirement.

Step 3

The next step is helping you prioritize what’s most important so you can think critically about your goals. For instance, is buying your dream house at the top of your wish list or would a starter home be a better fit? Looking further ahead, is it more important for you to have enough money to retire early or to have enough to see the world in retirement — even if it means working a little longer?

Step

4

As you work through these questions, your answers will identify potential gaps in what you’re already doing financially. Now your financial advisor can tailor a plan specifically designed to help you balance the life you want to live today with the goals you plan to achieve in the future.

How Your Financial Plan Can Increase Your Confidence Level

A good financial plan includes a wide range of options that can help set you on the right path while being flexible enough to account for any detours down the road. These may include:

1. An emergency fund

2. A plan to manage debt

3. Insurance to protect your family

4. An investment plan to grow your money

5. An estate plan

6. A retirement plan

Knowing you’re on track to reach your goals and that you have a plan for things that could go wrong can help you feel more confident not just about the future but also about spending your money on what’s important today.

Providing this peace of mind is how financial planning helps you worry less and live more.

Not all Northwestern Mutual representatives are advisors. Only those representatives with “Advisor” in their title or who otherwise disclose their status as an advisor of Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company (NMWMC) are credentialed as NMWMC representatives to provide advisory services.

Article provided by Northwestern Mutual Southern Wisconsin and prepared by The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company, Milwaukee, WI. To learn more about Northwestern Mutual, please visit: https://www.northwesternmutual.com/office/wi/middleton/20692054/

Disclosure: Northwestern Mutual is the marketing name for The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company (NM) (life and disability Insurance, annuities, and life insurance with long-term care benefits) and its subsidiaries in Milwaukee, WI. Sandra Botcher is a General Agent of NM. Managing Partners are not in legal partnership with each other, NM, or its subsidiaries. Not all Northwestern Mutual representatives are advisors. Only those representatives with “Advisor” in their title or who otherwise disclose their status as an advisor of NMWMC are credentialed as NMWMC representatives to provide investment advisory services.

EFFORTLESSLY ELEGANT

Classic meets playful in this sophisticated design. BY

SHAYNA MACE

STYLING

AND

PHOTOGRAPHY

SHANNA WOLF

Laurie Lodholz, owner and president of Laurie Driscoll Interiors, assembled this mood board for a main bathroom that has a “...traditional and elegant [look] … it’s a little unexpected with a whimsical feel,” she says.

BY

Clockwise from top: Kravet Performance Velvet in Chessford Berry, $119/yd .; Marazzi Castellina stone and metal Harlequin tile, $80/sq. ft ., and Emser Tile in Sterlina White, $6/sq. ft ., both from Nonn’s; Taj Mahal suede finish countertop, The Granite Shop; Lee Jofa Kalla fabric, $496/yd .; Thibaut Design Norway embroidered trim in Ocean, $140/yd .; Plato Woodwork, Inc. Essential White cabinet, Kitchen Ideas Center; Thibaut Design Rimba wallpaper in Spring, $134/roll ; Top Knobs Sanctuary II Modern Metro Plus cabinet hardware, $9.27 each , Hardware Studio; Kravet Basics 35454-73 fabric, $169/yd .; and Samuel & Sons Astrid Collection mini cord trim in Tea Rose. (Items upon request through Laurie Driscoll Interiors unless noted.)

WHAT’S TRENDING

Laurie Lodholz has owned Laurie Driscoll Interiors for 36 years, so she knows a thing or two about designing beautiful spaces. She shares three trends she’s loving right now.

A RETURN TO NATURAL

For years, painted cabinetry and trim was the norm in kitchens, bathrooms and elsewhere. Think: white trim or cream kitchen cabinets. Now, Lodholz is seeing a return to natural woods — specifically, white oak.

“Many people have oak in their homes with orange and yellow tones. [But] white oak can have a slightly brown or gray tone, which is really popular,” says Lodholz.

COLOR CUES

Lodholz explains that interior color palettes are moving away from heavily saturated tones to softer, less intense hues. Instead of a deep green, Lodholz might use Sherwin-Williams’ Dried Thyme, a grayed-out dark green.

Another favorite is Farrow & Ball’s Potted Shrimp, a soft flesh-tone neutral. She likes to use soft shades like these as substitutes for neutrals — instead of “builder-grade” gray, beige or taupe walls.

In general, Lodholz says “graying out” a saturated tone takes the color down a notch, which is popular in interiors right now.

“I’m not saying every color should be gray — we’re reducing the intensity. When you add gray to a shade, it becomes more of a neutral. When you add white (if you’re mixing colors) you get pastel. So gray makes [a color] softer.”

LET THERE BE LIGHT

“Light fixtures are the jewels of the home,” explains Lodholz. “If you’re doing a remodel or building a new home, interior and exterior light fixtures are just so prominent.”

Lodholz says you can spend $5,000 on a light fixture if you really want to — but you don’t have to — because there are so many affordable options these days. She likes to shop at Madison Lighting and Luce Lighting out of Milwaukee for clients.

SHOP THE LOOK

Complete the vision with these décor items, hand-picked by Lodholz.

Regina Andrews Charlotte semi-flush mount fixture, $563 *

Kate Spade New York Ellery GrosGrain Bow small sconce, $519 , visualcomfort.com

Pigeon and Poodle Callas collection bath accessories in gold/white, price upon request , madegoods.com

*Ceiling fixture and bath accessories only available through an interior designer.

THE BEST OUTDOOR LIVING TRENDS

Indoor-outdoor “rooms,” entertaining-focused areas and wellness-inspired touches are popular.

BY MAURA KELLER

Ahhh, summer. It’s that time of year when decks, patios and porches become our sanctuaries — and prime spots to relax or entertain others. More than simply placing some plastic chairs on a deck, today’s outdoor rooms have evolved into carefully planned focal points that truly embody the idea of indoor/outdoor living. They might have comfortable, stylish furnishings, fabrics and pillows; kitchen and cooking areas; and entertainment zones.

Sara Hackl, customer experience team leader at Patio Pleasures Pools & Spas, says in today’s dynamic living landscape, the distinction between indoor and outdoor spaces is blurring more than ever before. Homeowners are increasingly prioritizing the creation of multifunctional outdoor areas that promote relaxation, wellness and mindfulness.

Here are some trends to look out for.

ENTERTAINING AMENITIES

“It’s all about elevating outdoor spaces to foster community and connection,” Hackl says. That includes fireplaces to gather around and spend time with friends and family, pools to replace the drive to a cabin up north and lighting to accent beautiful landscape elements.

Whether you’re hosting a party or having a simple al fresco meal in the backyard, add-ons such as outdoor kitchens, dining areas, lounges and entertaining areas equipped with amenities like grills, pizza ovens, fire pits and outdoor TVs are all trending, Hackl says.

Patio Pleasures Pools & Spas is also teaming up with more residential complexes to enhance their outdoor

MSCR SUMMER PROGRAMS

spaces with cozy seating areas, scenic walkways with benches and vibrant communal spaces. The connection between indoor and outdoor spaces has never been more popular, as homeowners see the value in utilizing all areas of their home to increase livable square footage.

A NOD TO WELLNESS

Studies show that exposure to the outdoors and nature is good for our health — and we should aim for a minimum of 20 minutes outside per day. Your backyard can become a relaxing spot to enjoy some fresh air — maybe even by sitting in a pool or hot tub. This trend is not merely about enhancing curb appeal; it’s a reflection of a lifestyle shift towards integrated living,’’ says Hackl. Indeed, lower-level home gyms are now outfitted with state-of-the-art infrared technology saunas and cold plunge tubs, transforming them into versatile wellness sanctuaries that seamlessly transition from indoor

workouts to outdoor relaxation. Luxe outdoor add-ons could include a hot tub, swim-spa or pool. Hackl points out that the swim-spa category is experiencing significant growth due to its versatile nature and multitude of benefits. As she explains, a swim-spa is a hybrid of a pool and hot tub, all in one compact unit.

LANDSCAPE CONSIDERATIONS

When determining the design of your home’s outdoor environs, keep in mind your home’s color and architectural elements. If you have a more modern and clean backyard space, select hardscapes and elements with simple, linear lines to match.

A Victorian-style trellis may not bode well in a clean, well-defined garden. Likewise, a natural stone cascading waterfall and cobbled pavers complement a lush shady hosta and fern garden in more traditional spaces.

Maura Keller is a Midwest-based freelance writer and editor.

A FANTASTIC FINISH

A primary bathroom remodel yields an airier floor plan and a more modern look.

BY MELANIE RADZICKI MCMANUS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY SHANNA WOLF

Nicole Bradley had a vision: transforming her walk-in closet into a space for showcasing her handbag collection. She and her husband, Rob, also wanted a refresh of their primary bathroom.

“It was beautiful when we built it in 2002, but now it was just plain ugly,” she says.

The Bradleys tapped Kimberlin Payne, senior designer at Dream House Dream Kitchens, to help. They chose to remove all of the 45-degree angles in the bathroom to open up the space. Rob’s vanity next to the closet was also removed, allowing the closet to be enlarged. The remodel also included a walk-in shower, new vanities and a freestanding tub.

The closet’s entrance was relocated from the couple’s bedroom to the bathroom, and the space morphed into the elegant space of Nicole’s dreams. A central island was installed to display some of her handbags and shoes. Glass-faced, backlit cabinetry along the rear wall holds more shoes and accessories, and the closet’s clothes rods are lit to up the glam factor.

“I thought the initial renderings were outstanding, but the results exceeded my expectations,” Nicole says.

Swapping out a whirlpool tub with decking for a freestanding, clawfoot soaking tub by Signature Hardware opened up and modernized the bathroom and allowed for the creation of a larger, curbless shower. An attractive glass partition wall denotes the bathoom’s “wet” area.

A linen closet and vanity were removed from the primary bathroom to make space for the expanded closet, which now opens into the bathroom through a set of custom, black metal barn doors. The incorporation of barn doors modernizes the space, plus allows the homeowners to see into the closet while still partitioning the two rooms.

Bottom left: The new walk-in shower features double shower heads and plenty of product niches, while the patterned ceramic tile pairs well with the glass penny tile on the shower bench and the floor. Bottom right:: The remodeled closet expertly showcases Nicole Bradley’s handbag and shoe collection, lending the space a boutique-like look.

BOTTOM RIGHT JAMES MCCARTHY

Left: The streamlined double vanity further opens up the bathroom and eliminates the last of the 45-degree angles that previously dominated the space. Above: The tiled shower looks quite artful through the glass partition wall.

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

Series Law

The team at MacGillis Wiemer, LLC in Madison has a firsthand understanding of the intricacies involved in car insurance coverage and how, without having adequate coverage, consumers are putting themselves and others at risk. That’s why Danielle Schroder, a partner at MacGillis Wiemer, and other personal injury attorneys at the firm, work hard to make sure their clients are properly protected.

“One of my clients, I’ll call him Brian, was in a serious motorcycle wreck that was not his fault. He was lucky to be alive. Brian had multiple surgeries and his medical bills were around $250,000. Although he made great strides in his recovery, he will have ongoing pain and limitations for the rest of his life,” Schroder says. “The other driver’s liability coverage was capped at $100,000, and Brian did not have underinsured coverage. As such, we could not obtain any more for him beyond the $100,000 that was

MacGillis Wiemer: Partners in Protection

available. This didn’t even cover his medical bills. Certainly, we could go after the driver personally, but he did not have additional assets to make Brian whole. As such, Brian and his family are left ‘holding the bag’ of the expenses that will follow him the rest of his life. It is tragic.”

Like many states, Wisconsin requires minimum car insurance coverage for all drivers. Drivers must have liability coverage of at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident. As Schroder explains, they must also have at least $10,000 for property damage to another vehicle. And the state requires uninsured motorist coverage of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident. Schroder also recommends adding underinsured coverage, which she references in Brian’s story, to cover any gaps in coverage, like he experienced.

“In purchasing car insurance, there are two broad buckets of protection,” Schroder says. “First, is protection for others if you cause a crash and second, is protection for yourself if someone hits you.

The most important components of coverage are for injuries because if the accident is severe, the costs for treatment and the losses of not being able to work and earn an income are great.”

From uninsured motorist coverage to collision coverage to bodily injury liability coverage, the components of car insurance is complex. That’s why MacGillis Wiemer’s attorneys do a thorough analysis of the insurance policies available to clients, which may include a client’s own insurance, the other driver or homeowner’s insurance and, in some cases, commercial policies.

“We also help our clients navigate their bills and the claims process, coordinating payments amongst the various insurers such as health insurance, medpay, worker’s compensation, liability insurance and underinsured motorist,” Schroder says. “The system can be confusing, and it’s our job to make sure the proper carrier pays the bills in order to maximize our client’s recovery and avoid problems down the road.”

macgilliswiemer.com BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

Danielle Schroder

Classic, With a Twist

Embracing an empty nester lifestyle meant reworking one couple’s home to suit their needs — with stylish results.

BY MELANIE RADZICKI MCMANUS PHOTOGRAPHY BY SHANNA WOLF

Several years ago, Karen and Steve Kennedy found themselves empty nesters in their spacious home. With their children gone, but three new grandchildren in the picture, they wanted to refashion their home into one matching their current lifestyle.

The couple initially made some minor renovations on the upper level, then decided to transform the entire home. They turned to Zander’s Interiors for assistance.

“The Kennedys were trying to lighten up and refresh their home,” says Doug Zander, founder of the business. “They kept gravitating toward a blue-and-white color scheme, so we took it and ran with it.”

Some of the updates made by Zander and Chelsea Goeser, an interior designer at Zander’s, were minor, but made a big impact. They selected new furniture in a neutral and blue palette for the great room and added custom-made throw pillows with striking designs and bold, blue tones.

“You can often revamp a space just by changing the pillows,” says Zander. “Whether it’s the color or pattern, it can give the space a whole different feel and update it pretty radically.”

Other refreshes were more dramatic. Take the dining room. The Kennedys wanted to keep their Chippendale dining set and sideboard. So Zander and Goeser reupholstered the chairs and added two host chairs covered in a chenille fabric. The room’s traditional chandelier and sideboard lamps were visually heavy, so they were swapped out for an aged brass chandelier and brass Chapman lamps with a more streamlined look.

Top: The home’s breakfast nook features a custom-made round table accented by a scalloped linen hanging shade from Visual Comfort. Bottom: The dining room was refreshed with a built-in sideboard, reupholstered chairs, new host chairs and floral wallpaper from Schumacher.

From kitchens to decks, we bring your renovation vision to life.

On the far wall, the Kennedys opted for a built-in sideboard with display cabinets. The coup de grâce? Covering the walls with a handsome floral wallpaper by Schumacher, with matching draperies.

“Part of the goal was to honor those traditional elements in the space, but bring in others that made it feel fresh,” says Goeser.

The Kennedys are thrilled with the results. “I’ve had that dining room set since we got married, and it’s been the backdrop for many wonderful get-togethers,” says Karen Kennedy. “The way they made my furniture fit in there is so beautiful, it almost makes me cry.”

She also appreciates that her china and crystal — previously tucked away in various cupboards and cabinets — is now beautifully displayed.

The lower-level playroom/library/ sitting area is another favorite space. Initially an exercise room, the couple opted to remove a rarely used lap pool and shift the exercise equipment there, freeing up the space for new purposes. Today, the grandchildren love the playroom, while Karen often finds herself relaxing there.

“We had ideas and knew how we lived in our space, but professionals will show you things you haven’t even thought about, I guarantee it,” Karen says.

Top: The lower-level patio incorporates the same blue-andwhite palette as the rest of the home. The black iron chairs provide a little contrast with the gray stone pavers, while the pillows add fun punches of pattern. Bottom: The great room, which is open to the kitchen, was updated with a new, white mantle and black stone fireplace surround. To create symmetry, the couple removed built-in shelving to the right of the fireplace, replacing it with a window to match the one on the left. The TV, once on the shelving, now hangs over the fireplace.

Top: The lower-level kitchenette previously sported dark cabinetry and a soffit. Today, with white cabinetry and sans soffit, it has a much lighter feel.

Pops of brass in the faucet, backsplash tile and elsewhere create interest.

Left: The grandchildren’s playroom is fun and quirky, with acrylic “ghost” chairs surrounding a vintage table painted an eye-catching coral, a color carried through in the custom bench cushion.

Top: The home’s red-brick façade was painted white, with blue stone pavers forming the porch floor. Bottom: The primary bathroom is a highlight of the renovation. A built-in tub with decking was swapped for an elegant, freestanding soaking tub by Kohler. The navy Ogden wallpaper by Thibaut is a striking accent, along with the patterned valance.

Flooring Designs Design

In addition to painting the home’s red-brick façade white, the couple opted for new garage doors with transom windows and lovely, aged copper light fixtures. “It’s an updated, timeless look,” says Zander.

We are a boutique style knowledgeable designers Our team will curate your complete look for a space you'll

Luxe Details

The brass pot-filler behind the stove pairs well with the modern fish-scale backsplash.

A Lush Landscape

A homeowner’s stunning backyard escape is the result of many years of experimentation, adaptation and gardening expertise.

BY SHAYNA MACE

PHOTOGRAPHY BY SHANNA WOLF

hen Penny Vaughan and her late husband, John Zawadsky, moved into their home in Fitchburg’s Seminole Forest neighborhood 30 years ago, they loved the property — but not necessarily the cookie-cutter landscaping that came with

“There were plantings and trees, but it was blasé,” says Vaughan. She made it her mission to transform the landscape. As a new gardener, she started by picking up perennials from The Home Depot. Then she added in ground cover for her side yard and parts of the backyard, which resulted in lush plantings that enveloped the perimeter of her property. As Vaughan grew more confident in her landscaping skills, she ordered plants and root stock through catalogs. Throughout the years, her property has evolved, and so has her understanding of how to adapt and care for her plants.

“[Your yard] is constantly changing. Trees change, they die, they break off in storms and change your light sources,” she explains. “Learning about which plants are adaptable and can [thrive in] a little to a lot of light saves you money over time. The other lesson is learning what’s native to your environment and staying away from things that grow really well, say, in the South, but not in

Originally, Penny Vaughan’s side yard had a grouping of pine trees, but she had them taken out because they weren’t thriving. In their place, she planted Snow on the Mountain and ferns for ground cover.

When Vaughan and her husband bought the home, there was a row of Japanese yews, a type of Evergreeen shrub, in front of the home. She had them ripped out and added in various plantings and containers for a tidy and simple look.

Vaughan admits her property is a lot of work, but she still loves caring for it.

“When I’m working outside, I am always amazed by how many people appreciate this yard,” she says. “People compliment my yard so much, and it creates conversation with [people] I wouldn’t normally talk to. So, that might be the best part of the whole thing.”

Peonies provide a pop of color leading to Vaughan’s

A butterfly lands on a verbena plant in topiary form in Vaughan’s front yard. The plant is from K&A Greenhouse, her favorite gardening spot.

backyard.

Vaughan’s backyard has a few distinct zones, including this peaceful lounging area. A honey locust tree is located behind her patio umbrella that provides copious shade. Adjacent to her back door are three lilac trees planted in a row. “They’re kind of like topiaries — they won’t get big. They look cute when they’re in bloom,” she says.

Peonies bloom in Vaughan’s side yard. →

Vaughan ordered a wood gazebo kit from a Amish company out of Pennsylvania and she and a friend assembled it together in one afternoon. “That was a great deal of fun!” she says.

A set of containers enhance Vaughan’s backyard gazebo. They have a mix of banana leaves, yellow petunias and orange and yellow annuals.

→In 2009, Vaughan rented a backhoe and dug out soil to create two ponds in her backyard. The process took her a week and a half. Although she has since filled in one of the ponds, she loves the remaining pond’s peaceful vibe, with a small bridge and river rocks.

Empowerment Generation The

Mentoring and supporting youth equals curious and confident kiddos that can tackle challenges and take on the world. These Madisonarea entrepreneurs and leaders each work with youth in inspiring ways to encourage them to dream big.

BY KATY MACEK, NIKKI KALLIO AND HANNAH WENTE

Encouraging Girls On – and Off – the Ice

When Tara Groth was in eighth grade in Mosinee, Wisconsin, her dad created a girls-only hockey team so she and her classmates could have a league of their own. Groth loved the sport so much she played well into college on an elite intramural league.

Now, she’s doing the same for her own daughter, Sydney, to give young girls a chance to play hockey with other girls on Madison’s East Side. Groth cofounded the Madison Dragons in 2023, which recently finished its first season with one 10 and under (10U) team and two 12U teams. Next year, she says they will add two 14U teams.

“It’s something that really meant a lot to me, and it’s something all girls should have the opportunity to participate in, whether it’s girls-only hockey, basketball, soccer, whatever,” she says.

While there are co-ed teams in the area, Groth says the majority of kids on those teams are boys, meaning girls often get short-sticked, so to speak.

“When girls play girls hockey, they have more puck touches, more time on the ice and get to try more positions,” she says.

The Dragons are part of the Patriots Youth Hockey Association through a partnership with the Sun Prairie Youth Hockey Association. It is one of just two girls-only youth primary hockey teams in the Madison area. She’s the girls’ hockey liaison for the Patriots Youth Hockey Association, which she joined when her son, Sullivan, started playing hockey about seven years ago.

Groth worked closely with Megan Davis, the girls rep for the Sun Prairie Youth Hockey Association, to found the Dragons. Davis’s position was created last year to “make sure the girls have a voice on the board [and] someone advocating for them,” she says. She says the associations have an informal partnership that may be unconventional. Most youth hockey organizations are competitors, not partners — but ultimately, this partnership offers more opportunities.

Whether or not the girls continue to play hockey as they get older, Groth knows the team experience will impact the girls well into adulthood. The girls are learning how to be good teammates and competitors, and they’re also getting a feel for how powerful they can be.

“It can give you confidence and make you feel good about how strong your body is and what it can do for you,” Groth says. – Katy Macek

“

“[Girls’ hockey] teaches you how to be a good teammate … [and] how to win and be humble. There are countless lessons it teaches.”

L-R: Megan Davis and Tara Groth

Lending Some Heart to the Field of Medicine

In 2011, as a third-year medical student, Ronak Mehta published a children’s book featuring cute characters shaped like human organs called NerdBugs. She sold a few copies — mostly to family and friends — and went back to her coursework, residency and fellowship in family medicine. But in the back of her mind, she always knew she wanted to do more with her book characters.

Fast-forward to 2018, when Dr. Mehta’s husband, Dr. Jerden Ruff, encouraged her to invest time and effort into NerdBugs. She took the concept a step further and brought her characters to life in the form of stuffed plushies.

Her goal with NerdBugs is to help young patients feel seen — regardless of their diagnosis — and to provide an educational tool that can help providers and family members explain what is going on within their bodies.

“I want to help remove the fear, reduce stigma and lead with empathy and compassion,” she says. “We spark curiosity in kids about their own or another’s diagnosis — coming from a place of learning, instead of judgment or fear.”

The most popular plushies are the heart, uterus, neuron (brain cell), kidney and liver. Surprisingly, only half of the plushies are purchased for kids — the other half are purchased for adults experiencing a medical condition or for well wishes before an upcoming surgery. Lactation consultants use breast plushies as a teaching aid to explain nursing to new moms.

NerdBugs partnered with the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) last year on a community impact initiative, providing thousands of plushies to children’s hospitals across Tennessee, Denver and Colorado. Dr. Mehta, who stepped away from practicing medicine in 2022 to focus full-time on NerdBugs, hopes to continue partnerships with organizations like the American Lung Association and American College of Cardiology to expand patient education using her plushie characters.

Her children’s book will be re-released this summer — with the addition of some new characters. She hopes it resonates with youth in a fun and light-hearted way. Eventually, she’d like to

use her characters to build out her book series or even launch a television show.

Today, the plushies can be found all over the world — in bedrooms, hospital rooms and clinic exam rooms — helping patients come to terms with their diagnosis and giving them a new friend to hug along the way.

– Hannah Wente

“A mentor once told me, ‘There is no such thing as a million-dollar idea, there is only million-dollar execution.’” “

Dr. Ronak Mehta

Piecing Together the Out-of-School Care Puzzle

When women began entering the workforce in greater numbers in the 1970s, the need for safe after-school childcare options led to the launch of Wisconsin Youth Company in Madison. Now approaching its 50-year anniversary, Wisconsin Youth Company executive director Rebecca Carlin says the organization’s mission is just as crucial now as it was then.

“One thing that has stayed absolutely constant is that need for those after-school programs,” Carlin says. “That has not changed since 1974. We don’t anticipate that it will change in the next 50 years.”

Wisconsin Youth Company provides vital out-of-schooltime programming for more than 1,400 kids in Dane and Waukesha counties, through about 30 programs, including two neighborhood centers and summer camps.

Today, the increasing costs of care and its availability “is really impacting women being able to continue to be in the workforce,” Carlin says. “We still see ourselves as an essential part of that puzzle, helping working parents, but especially working women, figure that out — how to be able to maintain both of those things.”

The organization is now facing a fiscal cliff of COVIDrelief dollars running out, she says. “That has led us to a new initiative, which is really taking on a very active advocacy role.”

A Community Impact Grant from the Madison Community Foundation will help support a new advocacy position for the out-of-school time industry. “We have to share how important this work is to the families that we serve,” Carlin says.

Wisconsin Youth Company is predominantly led by women, which isn’t unique in Carlin’s field, but for her organization in particular, they work hard to promote from within.

“Almost all of our leadership have held program positions,” Carlin says. “They’ve done direct service work with kids within our organization, which requires a lot of coaching and teaching of management skills.”

Carlin became executive director in 2016, and had previously worked with the organization’s Elver Park Neighborhood Center. She has worked with kids throughout her career, and

sought a role that allowed her to work with elementary-age kids in particular.

“… Working with kids is really foundational to creating the better world that we all want to see,” Carlin says. “… I love the learning process and I feel like working with kids, you get to be a part of it every single day.”

– Nikki Kallio

“

“I think that working with young people makes me feel the impact of what I’m doing. I can see how they’re changing and learning and growing, and how that is going to impact the world that we all live in.”

Rebecca Carlin

Fostering Next-Gen ProblemSolvers

Some people are lucky to act as a mentor or positive influence for a few people over their lifetime. But Roxie Hentz, PhD, has been uniquely positioned to influence hundreds of students, who will in turn influence thousands, by empowering youth with business skills and investing in their ideas via her nonprofit, CEOs of Tomorrow.

The organization is targeted to youth in grades four through 12 to develop business solutions for societal problems. Its first program was launched in 2016.

In 2011, Hentz was awarded the Fulbright Distinguished Teacher Award in 2011, a program run by the U.S. Department of State. She chose to focus her research on teaching entrepreneurial education in Durban, South Africa.

During the project, a mentor told her, “It’s not good enough to teach kids how to open a business — teach them how to change the world.” This changed her mindset from entrepreneurial education to social enterprise education.

“Youth are observing all of these socioeconomic and environmental crises that are impacting them to the core,” she says. “But they don’t have to sit on the sidelines or wait for adults to come up with solutions. They have the power, intellect and resolve to do something about it.”

CEOs of Tomorrow provides the tools, strategies and a platform for youth to develop businesses that help solve societal woes. Through partnerships with Madison College and the Madison Metropolitan and Sun Prairie school districts, students can even earn school credits. They are also matched with local companies for summer internships.

“It is critical that all children in Dane County, especially youth of color, see the brilliance they have and have a safe environment to grow, learn and thrive,” she explains. Her program’s impact goes well beyond Madison. The International Virtual Academy has teens from the U.S.; Kanifing, The Gambia; and Alcoi, Spain; who collaborate in a virtual classroom and study business fundamentals together. The Global Excursions program takes a team of entrepreneurs to a developing country in Africa. In 2023, they traveled to Madison’s sister city, Kanifing, The Gambia, and will return there in 2025 to share their entrepreneurial knowledge with students there. Students will develop viable business ideas together

to bring in revenue opportunities for their villages and country.

“Our young people are doing amazing things,” says Hentz. “We’re not focused on if they’re going to be entrepreneurs, we’re building a mindset of, ‘You can do anything and the world is yours.’ They can go out into the world and know they are changemakers who should be heard and seen.”

– Hannah Wente

“Nearly 85% of businesses fail in the first five years, largely because they grow too quickly at first. Start small, test your idea and grow it from there. Do not let anyone or any situation, even yourself, stop you from making your dreams come true.”

Roxie Hentz

Choosing where to have your MRI, CT, X-Ray and Ultrasound imaging done can be difficult. MH Imaging is

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. We have 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.

Rewired Retirement

After successful careers in medicine, community engagement, hospitality and teaching, these women are continuing to make a difference in their next chapter, skillfully using their knowledge and influence.

BY NIKKI KALLIO, KATY MACEK AND SHAYNA MACE PHOTOGRAPHY BY HILLARY SCHAVE

— HANNAH, LIFELONG MEMBER

HANNAH’S STORY

While I never really struggled to make ends meet, I knew I had to manage my money better when I took on a bigger role in my godchildren’s lives. With Summit’s help, I paid down my debt and built a savings plan, and now we’re taking a family cruise and steps toward a bigger home. Summit Credit Union is proud to help people throughout our

Join us at SummitCreditUnion.com and we’ll help you Summit, too.

From Community Connection to Children’s Futures

In 2021, Becky Steinhoff stepped down after 30 years as Goodman Community Center’s executive director. When she started with the organization, they had two full-time employees and one part-time staffer. When she left, they had 100. The community center serves people in the Madison area with event and meeting spaces, a food pantry, meals and activities for older adults, and programming for children and youth.

Steinhoff was ready for another challenge. She shifted her talents to philanthropy, leading the PRL Keystone Foundation, a Madison nonprofit that promotes equity for women and children through focused initiatives and grants to area nonprofits. PRL also hosts pre-college and mentoring programs.

“[At Goodman] I got to work with amazing boards and staff and people who were visionary and allowed us to take risks,” says Steinhoff. “Now I’m working for a group of people who are doing the same thing in a different setting. So I feel really blessed in my work, and really lucky that I’ve had these opportunities.”

She also spends part of her time working with BT Farms on Madison’s far East Side, which aims to build a sustainable housing community with agriculture and wetland restoration at its center.

“It’s an absolutely beautiful piece of land and potential is definitely there,” Steinhoff says. The fledgling organization is currently giving people access to garden or farmland from a small plot up to several acres as it works on establishing infrastructure.

Steinhoff’s roles are connected by a desire to eliminate income disparities. “I think we underestimate how the constant stress of poverty on children and families … can be debilitating,” she says. One of PRL Keystone’s efforts is a robust pre-college and college scholarship program that starts in eighth grade. “Seeing those projects flourish, it’s certainly a rewarding thing … the kids are amazing, and watching them grow and change is inspirational.”

The health and wellbeing of families is a concern that transcends political boundaries, she says. “There’s nobody who doesn’t believe that kids need a good foundation. If we’re not addressing the things that create barriers in kids’ and families’ lives, then I believe it undermines their academics.”

Steinhoff, who became familiar with PRL Keystone and BT Farms while working at Goodman, says it’s a fitting “second chapter” to work with both organizations before she retires, she says. “This is an opportunity to still continue to do good work and be engaged in the community in a way that’s important to me,” she says.

– Nikki Kallio

“Now I’m working for a group of people who are doing the same thing in a different setting. So I feel really blessed in my work, and really lucky that I’ve had these opportunities.”

Becky Steinhoff

FURNITURE FOR EVERY ROOM IN YOUR HOME

Sofas, loveseats,

Sue Moberly

Artfully Creating Her Next Chapter

Working in the same field for an entire career offers a sense of comfort and stability, and Sue Moberly had that. But, she decided after a long teaching career that it was time to forge her next path.

Moberly was an educator in the Madison Metropolitan School District for more than 30 years, starting as an elementary school art teacher before transitioning to Madison West High School, where she taught in several roles, most recently as a metal and glass art teacher.

In June 2022, Moberly retired, with the intention to become a small business owner and open her own glass and metal studio.

“I absolutely still loved my job [as a teacher] and I was having a blast, so giving that up and walking away to go start something new was a challenge,” she says. But, “putting myself out there and being vulnerable is so important for my personal growth.”

Her studio, Torn Edge Arts, opened last February on Monroe Street. It turns out, she’s still got a lot of room to grow.

Learning how to run a business, keeping accurate records, marketing it on social media and being her own boss have presented a whole new set of challenges, but she’s enjoying them so far.

“Not everyone gets to [love their job] and then move into a second career and love that also,” Moberly says. “I’m so grateful now to be stretching in a new way with my own studio.”

Aside from these trials, she’s also learned that building relationships is vital to her happiness.

She missed the connections she made with students and their

families, so she’s building those at her art studio with a six-week metalsmithing class and by offering memberships.

“I just wanted a place where I could make art with friends, sitting around, being creative and having conversations,” she says.

She occasionally still substitutes in the Madison West art department. She also creates metal jewelry that she sells locally, such as at Art Fair Off the Square.

To foster her professional growth and connections, she also became president of the Wisconsin Metalsmithing Association in January. She’s hoping to build new connections in the metalsmithing community.

“After being a teacher for so many years, you realize life is just kind of a long lesson,” Moberly says. “You’ve just gotta keep forging.”

—

Katy Macek

“Not everyone gets to [love their job] and then move into a second career and love that also. I’m so grateful now to be stretching in a new way with my own studio.”

A Delicious Start to a Charitable Finish

After 40 years in the hospitality industry, Lea Culver has finally had time in the last few years to reflect on her career journey. Back when she was working in operations at Culver’s, the fast-casual restaurant chain she co-founded in 1984 with Craig and his parents (and her in-laws at the time), George and Ruth, she didn’t have much time for contemplation. During those hectic early years, she was busy as a full-time, working mom of three.

The burger-and-custard chain started without much fanfare with one location in Sauk City. Lea says during Culver’s first year of operation, there were many slow days. As the restaurant charged through their second and third years, business picked up, and word spread about their food and friendly staff. This year, Lea says they’re slated to open their one thousandth restaurant.

“Sometimes I have to pinch myself … in July, we’ll be celebrating 40 years. It feels really good, and I’m really proud of everyone on our team and how they’ve grown and become a force in their own communities.”

In 1993, Lea became the executive director of Culver’s Foundation, the company’s charitable arm. Every year, the foundation gives over $500,000 in scholarships to Culver’s team members.

Today, philanthropy continues to be Lea’s main focus. She cofounded the nonprofit Big Dreamers United in 2018 with friend John Urban. Big Dreamers United assists other nonprofits with small marketing projects for free, such as shooting promotional videos, social media needs and designing promotional materials. Each year, Lea says they help 30-plus nonprofits.

She’s even found a way to connect her passion for painting with her philanthropic efforts. Lea took art classes in college and has since picked the hobby back up. In the last few years, she’s hosted two exhibitions, with proceeds of her artworks going to charity.

The sales from one exhibition went to River Arts Inc., a Sauk City arts nonprofit. At another remarkable event in Madison, she sold 25 paintings, netting $35,000 for Big Dreamers United.

“It was one of those shocking, unexpected moments,” Lea says modestly about her Madison show. “It gave me a little more confidence in my painting. I was lucky!”

As the duo celebrate their nonprofit’s sixth anniversary, she continues to self-fund Big Dreamers United, with the goal of helping even more nonprofits and expanding their reach.

“Our tagline is, ‘An unstoppable force for good,’ and I want to live my life that way.”

– Shayna Mace

“I find it welcoming when I travel and I see the Culver’s blue oval sign, and hear the stories of people feeling at home when they’re there. I love that.”

Lea Culver

Kitchen – Baths – Remodel – Furnish

Using “Gray Power” to Advocate for Human Health

When Dr. Susan Davidson, who specializes in highrisk pregnancies and fetal medicine, began seeing more women with babies carrying a very specific type of birth defect (gastroschisis, which causes a hole in the fetus’s abdominal wall) — it caught her attention.

“I saw more of this gastroschisis than I thought I should,” recalls Dr. Davidson, who practiced at SSM Health/Dean Medical Group. “It’s supposed to be one in 15,000, and there’s about 65,000 births in Wisconsin a year.”

That made her start asking questions about what is actually known about birth defects in Wisconsin. “It turned out that our registry wasn’t very good,” she says. About the same time, a medical journal article linked the herbicide Atrazine to gastroschisis.

Dr. Susan Davidson

“[The article] didn’t confirm, [but] it didn’t not confirm … it was like, ‘Oh, wow, maybe this is something real,’” she muses.

In 2001, Dr. Davidson attended a meeting at UW-Madison sponsored by the Wisconsin Environmental Health Network (WHEN). “It changed my life,” she said. At that meeting, she had lunch with people from the Program on Reproductive Health and the Environment (PRHE) at UC-San Francisco.

“They said, ‘Look, you have passion. Train yourself, and get out there, and talk, and advocate.’”

That’s what she did. After Dr. Davidson’s clinical work ended in 2019, she focused her expertise as a public health advocate for a number of organizations, including the Wisconsin Environmental Health Network (WEHN), an advocacy group led by a half-dozen medical professionals, and Midwest Environment Advocates (MEA), a nonprofit environmental law organization where Dr. Davidson serves as president of the board.

MEA works directly with community groups on environmental issues that impact human health. Dr. Davidson views environmental health issues as nonpartisan. “Everybody has an interest in healthy babies, and healthy mothers,” she said. “It’s about raising our future, and that we really need the smartest, healthiest people we can get, so that we can solve the complicated problems that are before us.”

When Dr. Davidson talks to new medical students, “a lot of it is about activism and how to be a physician activist, but also respecting people’s time [at stages] in their life,” she says. “When you have little kids and you’re trying to work, you may only be able to do a teeny bit of activism. Then when you retire — people live long now — there’s a lot of ‘gray power’ around … you want to help the next generation do it.”

While Dr. Davidson also embraces a balanced life in retirement, she remains passionate about sharing her time and attention to environmental health advocacy.

“I see it as our future. If I have the time, expertise, and the will to make a difference in everybody’s future, why wouldn’t I want to?” she says. “It’s really important.”

– Nikki Kallio

“

... When you retire — people live long now — there’s a lot of ‘gray power’ around … you want to help the next generation do it.”

Quick Qs

If you’re not from Madison, what has kept you here?

“It’s a wonderful place to live. One of the things that I have actually found during retirement is — I always had friends — but I am just loving the wealth of women friends around me. We have lunch, we do things and I meet new people. That sort of human capital is very wonderful. The other thing about being in Wisconsin is that it’s a small enough state that you can make a difference on a state level.”

– Dr. Susan Davidson

What advice would you give your younger self?

What do you like to do in your spare time?

“I participate in Art Fair Off the Square. [And] from a recreation standpoint, you cannot beat going down to Brittingham Boats, renting a kayak and getting out on the lakes.”

– Sue Moberly

“I’m very comfortable with change, and I know it’s really hard for a lot of people. I’ve adjusted as I’ve aged, but I tend to always want to plow forward. [Now] I might be more intentional and be a little slower and more thoughtful. That’s something I learned along the way I would probably do differently.”

– Becky Steinhoff

What inspires your work and life now, after having such a successful career?

“I’ve always wanted to be a good example for my daughters and leave a legacy of caring. We were very blessed with our business, and now it’s time for me to give back, and whenever I can, I do. I’m just going to keep making a difference and trying to make the world a better place, one day at a time.”

– Lea Culver

Introducing the Empowered Women of First Choice Dental

“Seeing the number of women in any profession, let alone dentistry, makes me so proud. It is amazing being able to contribute to re-writing the narrative and supporting each other to succeed. Nobody boosts women up like other women!

- Dr. Ellen Kirschling

Step into the world of First Choice Dental, where a team of accomplished women is reshaping the landscape of dentistry, challenging stereotypes and fostering a culture of inclusivity in what has traditionally been a male-dominated profession.

Dr. Elizabeth Friend speaks fondly of her colleagues, remarking, “The women at First Choice Dental are truly the most supportive and knowledgeable colleagues I could ask for. They are always willing to answer questions, give treatment advice and help wherever possible.”

Leading the charge at four of their clinics are esteemed female “lead dentists,” serving not only as expert clinicians but also as mentors, guiding the entire team in the very best clinical care standards. Complementing this

leadership, First Choice Dental takes pride in offering patients the freedom to choose their dentist, with female and male doctors available at most locations. Patients consistently rave about the advanced blend of skill, compassion and perspective that First Choice Dental’s female dentists provide. They are creating meaningful connections that transcend the traditional dentist-patient relationship.

Experience the First Choice Dental advantage firsthand at any of their conveniently located clinics. Sink into relaxation as you enjoy the comforts of their massage chairs and a snug blanket. Listen to your favorite tunes during your appointment. Once you’ve experienced the personalized touch of their exceptional team, you’ll understand why First Choice Dental is the preferred choice for patients seeking top-tier dental care.

L-R, TOP: ERICA ADAMS, ELIZABETH FRIEND, NICOLE GALLMAN, KELSI HERFEL, L-R, MIDDLE: SARA LINK, JUNE MELLO, CHARMI PATEL, ELLEN SAWYER, L-R, BOTTOM: SWETA SHAH, SARAH SQUIRES, PENELOPE WEI, RACHEL WHITE, HANNAH YANCHO

Innovative Mediation Process Changes Divorce

Divorce is hard. Worries about kids and finances can be crushing, and emotions are overwhelming. You are entering a life change that will have lasting consequences with no training or expertise, and don’t know how to protect yourself. In this vulnerable state, it is normal to reach for the familiar. Friends, family, and the media all say, “Lawyer up! You need someone to fight for you!”

According to Madison Divorce Mediation (MDM) co-founders Kimberly Ripp and Sandra Eugster, preparing for war is not the only option. “Divorce is one of the hardest ‘normal’ life events, eliciting intense emotions,” says Eugster. “And understandably so. The person you’ve lived with and trusted suddenly seems like an unknown and unpredictable entity.”

But the answer is not to go to war. Using MDM’s innovative interdisciplinary process, you and your spouse work with a full team of neutral experts.

These professionals guide you through a civil, respectful process to reach agreements that work for your whole family.

“In a traditional divorce, people are usually pitted against each other,” explains Eugster. “This makes no sense. Especially when they have children, people going through a divorce have to be able to continue to work together.”

On the team, the Attorney Mediator provides in-depth legal information but doesn’t represent either party. She, along with a mental health practitioner “Lead Mediator” and a Financial Expert use alternative dispute resolution practices to bridge differences and craft individualized agreements that will stand the test of time and set both parties up for success, post-divorce.

There is a lot to know about divorce. At MDM, the emphasis is on

providing comprehensive information so individuals are equipped to make informed decisions about their own circumstances.

“Most importantly, we show couples they can benefit from working together in an out-of-court process by cultivating compassion and interacting directly with each other,” says Ripp. “We can support both parties’ interests.”

“We found that mediation was a kinder, gentler process,” says Shelly, a former client. “Divorce involves highly charged emotions — and having a facilitator helping us through those emotions was highly beneficial. We both felt supported where we needed to be — even though it was terribly hard at times.”

“We guide people from the very first action of filing, all the way through to the final hearing,” says Ripp. “We want them to always know what’s coming next so there are no surprises, and nothing gets lost in the shuffle.”

“The bottom line is, when people feel heard, understood and supported, they don’t tend to need to act out in the same way,” says Eugster. “People think they have to go into ruthless battle to get a fair outcome. That’s not true.”

Ted Gurman

Kimberly Ripp

Sandra Eugster

TASTY TAQUERIAS

Looking for a low-key, delicious Mexican meal? A taqueria is where it’s at.

BY KEVIN REVOLINSKI PHOTOGRAPHY BY HILLARY SCHAVE

Taquerias originated as quick-serve taco stands. In Madison, you’ll find them as brick-and-mortar stops or table-service eateries. But, the setup is the same — they offer quick, fresh and delicious food. Here are ten great taco options in the Madison area.

Garibaldi Mexican Restaurant

GARIBALDI MEXICAN RESTAURANT

This downtown table-service restaurant has trios of hard and soft tacos with your choice of protein — fish, pork, steak and shrimp. The burritos, fajitas, enchiladas and quesadillas are affordable lunch options. For dinner, find steaks and molcajetes, meals served in stone bowls (mortars). They also have Mexican beer on draft. 117 S. Butler St.

EL SABOR DE PUEBLA

The owner of this unassuming little counter place with outdoor seating is from Puebla — the home of mole sauce — which is a signature here. The tacos and tamales hit the mark, and the flan is killer. Also on the menu are cemitas, Puebla-style sandwiches with breaded chicken or beef cutlets. Drinks include beers and a Michelada. 305 N. 4th St.

VAQUERO MEXICAN GRILL

This speedy deli counter offers tacos, burritos, quesadillas, bowls and the less common machete. This specialty is a long, thin corn tortilla stuffed with your choice of meat and abundant cheese — all made to order as you watch. Churros and flan are for dessert. Many customers order to-go, but the spacious dining room with booths and fútbol on the TV are inviting. 3904 E. Washington Ave.

ZAVALA’S MARKET & TAQUERIA

The Zavala family taqueria recently expanded their space, with more seating and added table service. The huaraches — oblong fried masa with cheese and your choice of toppings — are the most popular, as is the quesabirria. The menu also offers burritos, tortas, empanadas and more. Order carnitas by the pound to take home! 805 S. Gammon Rd.

TEX AND CALI

Borderlands blend cuisines. Tex-Mex cuisine includes fajitas and chimichangas, and usually has cheesier taco toppings — not just onion and cilantro. California-style cuisine brings fresh and healthy twists..

BIG SUR CANTINA

A father and daughter team founded this festive, sit-down, CaliforniaMexican restaurant and bar. Kick off your meal with one of three types of guacamole or several starter options. Find a large menu with 17 (!) tacos, including chicken tinga, birria, trout and veggie. Or, order a delicious burrito or bowl. 7436 Mineral Point Rd.

AROD’S TEX MEX & AMERICAN GRILL

This counter-service option is known for their popular birria brisket, “fat and cheesy” tacos, and even low-carb and keto options. Combos combine tacos, quesadillas and enchiladas, and Texas is represented by frito pie and a Texas toast sandwich. They also have easy online ordering for takeout. 4668 Cottage Grove Rd., 703 S. Gammon Rd. & 2161 Zeier Rd. (Inside Global Market & Food Hall)

Garibaldi Mexican Restaurant

Vaquero Mexican Grill

Vaquero Mexican Grill

ABARROTES EL PRIMO

Set in the back of a small Mexican grocery in downtown Sun Prairie, this taqueria has a few small tables, and during the weekend lunch hour, you’ll find a rush of faithful clients. Try the barbacoa or ribeye tacos, and the carnitas are excellent. Order at the counter, take a number, pay at the checkout up front. 105 E. Main St., Sun Prairie

LUPE’S TAQUERIA

Tucked in a suburban development, Lupe’s is a family-owned operation

that does counter-service, made-toorder tacos, burritos and quesadillas. They also whip up excellent pork and chicken tamales. It has more spacious seating than a typical taqueria with some outside tables as well. Sip a margarita or beer in addition to horchata and soft drinks. 6719 Frank Lloyd Wright Ave., Middleton

TAQUERIA LOS ATLANTES

Find fresh tacos here in addition to burritos, chilaquiles, tortas, sopes and more. Meat selections include al pastor, chorizo and steak, but also

lamb, tripe and beef tongue. Notably, they serve breakfast tacos and huevos rancheros. Customers can easily order online from their original Madison location on Raymond Road, or the Verona one. 300 S Main St. Ste. 103, Verona & 5706 Raymond Rd.

LA PLAYITA TACOS Y MARISCOS

When Migrants closed last May, this spot next to Bonfyre Grill off the Beltline opened up for La Playita. The name means “little beach” — so look for seafood dishes hailing from the states of the Pacific Coast region of Mexico, including ceviche, fried fish, soups, shrimp cocktail and molcajetes. They also serve a wide variety of central Mexico street tacos. 2601 W. Beltline Hwy. Ste. 106

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

Abarrotes El Primo

In my earliest memories, my mother had me and my younger brother out in the garden every possible day, at the bottom of the hill behind our house. She raised carrots, peas, tomatoes, peppers, lettuce and two little veggie bandits. (We used to eat fresh okra right off the plant until she’d catch us and chase us away.)

Gardening with her taught us to be patient, detail-oriented, and optimistic about the future. Sure, working in the dirt under a hot sun seemed insufferable, while we were asked to make certain each plant was exactly positioned for maximum success. Of course, my brother and I didn’t understand that these little plants were also helping sustain a family making less than $10,000 a year.

In 1984, Mom got a part-time job working for a charming, young man named Gordy Kopke on his farm in the pastoral township of Dunn, just outside of Oregon, Wisconsin. His talent for spotting beauty was not just limited to flowers,

and he eventually convinced her to make the move into the countryside. Over the next 35 years, they planted and harvested. Gordy built additional greenhouses and Mom helped fill them with the plants and flowers they loved. All the while, my brother and I watched, played in the dirt, and learned of growth, compassion, patience, and joy. Today, Mom and Gordy still ensure we focus on the details and are helping mentor the next generation of our family. There are a few more of us hanging around now, and we’re grateful for the privilege to be a part of it all. Thank you both for helping us plant some memories.

(Love ya, Mom!)

…also, we sell gorgeous flowers and amazing veggie plants you’ll really enjoy. Please check us out!

- Josh Smith

FINE FOODS

These area specialty markets offer Italian eats, delightful oils and fancy cheeses.

BY KEVIN REVOLINSKI

When it comes to fine food ingredients, there’s no one more passionate about them than a specialist. These 10 area shops fit the bill.

FROMAGINATION

This popular cheese store right on the Capitol Square offers one of the finest selections of imported and Wisconsin cheeses, as well as a variety of other specialty food items, often Wisconsinmade. Its location also makes it easy to pick up a cheese board or a fresh-made sandwich for Concerts on the Square. 12 S. Carroll St., fromagination.com

ARTEMIS PROVISIONS & CHEESE

Specializing in sustainably-produced, locally-sourced meat, eggs and cheeses, Artemis sells a variety of premade boxes of beef, pork and chicken as well as eggs and Brunkow cheeses online with delivery and pickup options. Plans are to open a storefront in June with Wisconsin food products and a connecting restaurant serving Jamaican-American food. 213 E. Main St., Mount Horeb, artemisprovisions.org

ALIMENTARI

Mortadella or prosciutto sliced paperthin as it is in Italy; freshly-made pasta and sauces; even take-and-bake lasagna. This epicurean deli owned by the folks at A Pig in a Fur Coat carries select

imported Italian products along with the best local ones to offer the perfect stop for your next dinner or charcuterie board. Don’t forget to order a fresh sandwich to-go, made with Madison Sourdough bread. 306 S. Brearly St., alimentarimadison.com

MEAT PEOPLE

Offering beef, pork, lamb and chicken, this locally-sourced, whole-animal butcher has cuts you might not find elsewhere — and they take requests. Pick up sausages, brats or hot dogs — or specialties such as Braunschweiger, ’nduja and

goat gyro salami. Charcuterie includes guanciale, mortadella and more. A wellcurated selection of wines and other specialty items pair with the meats. 4106 Monona Dr., meatpeoplebutcher.com

SEAFOOD CENTER

Making a special seafood dish? Two deli coolers hold an array of carefullysourced, high-quality seafood. Also find live lobsters, hot soups and to-go meals (a variety of fried fish, scallops and more). Freezer items include lobster cakes and sashimi-grade fish. Tip: the smoked salmon spread is fantastic. 712 S. Whitney Way, seafoodcentermadison.com

FRABONI’S ITALIAN SPECIALTIES & DELICATESSEN

The family-owned deli offers great imported charcuterie cuts as well as olives, sundried tomatoes, cheeses, artichokes and other deli items. Madeto-order sandwiches are also popular. Browse a nice selection of dry goods, select wines and frozen specialties that celebrate all things Italian. 108 Owen Rd., Monona, frabonisdeli.com

VOMFASS USA

The local outlet of this global retailer is a must-stop for lovers of olive oils, balsamic vinegars, and … whiskey. The imported oils are dispensed via barrels, and customers select the bottle size they’d like, from 250 milliliters up to

one-liter bottles. Most everything can be sampled.

Fun fact: vomFASS’s sister business, DelecTable, is also housed here and hosts multi-course dinners and cooking classes. 3248 University Ave., vomfassmadison-universityave.com

OLIVE + HERB

Owner Lori Hackman offers a wide variety of olive oils and balsamic vinegars — all of which can be sampled. Also on

offer at the gourmet small business are bread-dipping spice blends and olive oil beauty products. Pre-made or to-order gift baskets are available. 2824 Prairie Lakes Dr., Unit 102, Sun Prairie, oliveandherb.com

PENZEYS

This Wisconsin-based company offers proprietary, high-quality spice blends for cooking, grilling and baking, as well as a selection of curries, soup

bases and vanilla for the spice-curious. Charmingly, some of their blends are named after Wisconsin cities and towns. 3252 University Ave., penzeys.com

THE CONSCIOUS CARNIVORE

Find grass-fed beef and lamb from small Wisconsin farms with humane practices. Everything gets used, including muscles and offal to bones for dogs. The freezers hold duck, chicken, frozen chili and Bolognese sauce. Ribeyes are dry-aged 40 days on-site and special cuts are available on request. The brats are popular, as are their lambbased sausages. 3236A University Ave., conscious-carnivore.com

Olive + Herb

MGE is working toward a cleaner energy future:

At least 80% reduced carbon emissions by 2030.

Net-Zero carbon electricity by 2050. Your community energy company is committed to providing all customers safe, reliable, affordable and sustainable energy as we transition to a cleaner energy future.

Visit mge2050.com for energy-saving tips.

MGE’s Tyto Solar, a 6-megawatt project in Fitchburg.

TRICKY TREATS

A whimsical charcuterie board business makes a splash with a new storefront.

BY LILY MIHELICH

Opening a business at the age of 23 isn’t incredibly common — but Therese Merkel-Hamadi is defying those odds. Her specialty food business, Tricky Foods, has steadily grown since she founded it in 2020.

Merkel-Hamadi graduated from UW-Whitewater in 2018 and worked at Epic for a few years post-college. She always had an interest in food, and during the pandemic, she started experimenting with charcuterie boards. Her hobby eventually pushed her to take the leap and quit her job to open her own business.

“I learned it all as I went. I’ve learned a lot since then [about] color palette, placement and food styling!” says Merkel-Hamadi.

Her playful food business offers decadent charcuterie and cheeses,

grazing tables for events and charcuterie workshops. In 2023, Tricky Foods moved into a ground-floor retail space in The Post, a luxury apartment building on Lakeside Street. The new spot, which is open five days a week, hosts events (including crafting classes, speed dating functions and more) and has a wine and beer bar. People can also book the space for private events, such as parties and work functions, for up to 50 people.

Merkel-Hamadi augments her charcuterie and snack options with goodies from other specialty food businesses — including Miggy’s Bakes, Elegant Foods, Vicki Cookies, Gotham Bagels and Potter’s Crackers.

Philanthropy is baked into the business, and Tricky Foods has donated product, time and money

to community organizations that specialize in youth development, community wellness and health care. Her ultimate goal? To franchise her concept, sharing her Instagrammable treats with an even wider audience.

Lily Mihelich is an editorial intern with BRAVA.

Start building your original experience today at FoxCities.org/originals

A Family-Friendly Getaway to the Fox Cities

Looking for a kid-approved getaway to put on the calendar? Here are six great activities in the Fox Cities guaranteed to please the kids. Wisconsin Timber Rattlers: Enjoy America’s pastime at a Timber Rattlers baseball game. The renovated stadium features a bright red outfield tube slide and a 360-degree wraparound concourse. On June 27-29, the Rattlers temporarily become the Udder Tuggers in honor of June Dairy Month! The celebration includes lots of promotions and giveaways.

Building for Kids Children’s Museum: Check out the new Food to Grow exhibit, where kids can learn about our food system by gathering eggs, picking veggies, shopping at a food pantry and preparing meals. Don’t miss the 10-foot human heart, an interactive display in which kids can slide down the ventricles and arteries, or Construction Junction, where a crane, bobcat and other construction vehicles await.

Badger Sports Park: Burn off some energy at this family entertainment center that offers indoor and outdoor adventures. Inside, try your hand at laser tag in the two-story arena. Kids 10 and under can jump around in four inflatables. Outside, there are batting cages, an 18-hole mini golf course and NASCAR-style go-karts.

Field of Scenes: Catch a flick or two at this nostalgic drive-in movie theater while noshing on burgers, brats, hot dogs and more. The property also has two basketball hoops, a volleyball net and two playgrounds.

Atlas Science Center. Kids in grades three through 12 can learn all about the STEM fields (science, technology, engineering and math) through workshops, popular Science Live! stage shows and scientific experiences.

Mulberry Lane Farm: Touching is encouraged at this petting zoo, where your family can cuddle a kitten, kiss a pig, milk a cow and even catch a chicken. Hayrides are available, too.

SWEET TREATS

EXPLORE THE OUTDOORS

Bubolz Nature Preserve is home to more than 8.5 miles of trails that wind around through a variety of habitats, including a tall and shortgrass prairie, wet meadow and upland hardwood forest. The property also features two observation decks and Kenna’s Kabin, an environmentally-themed, interactive play area.

At Heckrodt Wetland Reserve , follow trails along a forested wetland, cattail marsh and upland forest. Kids love the Wild Space, where they can explore the world above through treehouses and ziplines, and the world below through tunnels, an adventure bridge and a replica fox den.

Water-Filled Wonder in La Crosse

Make a splash this summer and dive into the La Crosse Region!

The city borders the Mississippi River, and there are endless opportunities for water-lovers to explore the area. Take a kayak, canoe or paddle board along nature-abutting paddle trails, or indulge in the history of the Mississippi on the La Crosse Queen , a historic river cruiser.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

Venture to historic Downtown La Crosse and enjoy Artspire on June 8, an event with live music, exceptional artist booths, sidewalk chalk drawings and cultural offerings.

Moon Tunes are on Thursday evenings in Riverside Park starting in June through September. Enjoy live jams, food trucks and family fun along the Mississippi River.

Fish on La Crosse’s scenic shorelines then “reel in” some family photos at the Sunny the Sunfish sculpture on Lake Onalaska. After exploring, try delicious eats right on the waterfront at Huck Finns at the North Bay Marina, the Pettibone Boat Club or at the Waterfront Restaurant . Plan your visit at explorelacrosse.com

ADVENTURE AWAITS NESTLED BETWEEN THE BLUFFS AND ALONG THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER!

The La Crosse Region bursts with inspired adventure as unique as each explorer. Discover exciting flavors, charming history, vibrant views, and epic outdoor recreation just a road trip away!

At Dupaco, your health and happiness are as important to us as your financial well-being.

That includes helping members save and invest for their futures.

So when the time is right, they can focus on what truly brings them joy.

Like traveling cross country, learning tai chi, or taking up painting!

Well-being is a key to a life worth loving. So when you think about yours, remember that Dupaco can help you. Be Well.

2024 Women to Watch Celebration

Photography by Hillary Schave

On April 16, 2024, BRAVA Magazine and the Madison community celebrated our 2024 Women to Watch at the Wisconsin School of Business. Our 10 Women to Watch were honored during the program, which highlighted their accomplishments and upcoming initiatives.

The celebration wouldn’t have been possible without the support of our wonderful sponsors, who embody the idea of uplifting women in our community and beyond.

Special thanks to:

FREE FAMILY FUN!

Round up the kids and head out for a new adventure.

BY KATIE VAUGHN

Our vibrant city comes especially alive in the summer, with every day offering an exciting experience, event or place to explore. Kick off the season with one of these free activities.

HIGHLIGHTING HERITAGE

Celebrate Norwegian culture at Syttende Mai (May 17-19), Stoughton’s annual folk festival. Across the village, take in a parade, Norwegian dance performances, a Viking games strongman competition, live music and a crafts fair — and eat your fill of traditional fare from lefse to lutefisk to sweet krumakake.

ITALIAN FAVORITES

Head to McKee Farms Park in Fitchburg for Festa Italia (June 1-2), the annual “cultural picnic” hosted by the Italian Workmen’s Club of Madison, one of the longest-running Italian clubs in America. Enjoy Italian foods and desserts, live music and dance

performances, cooking demonstrations, bocce tournaments, children’s activities and more. Everyone’s welcome at the pasta dinners — or maybe you have what it takes to win the pastaeating contest! Kids 12 and under can attend the festival for free; admission is $7 for adults.

SPLASHY FESTIVAL

One of Madison’s most beloved events, the Marquette Waterfront Festival (June 8-9) helps kick off summer festival season in the city. At Yahara Place Park, you’ll find two stages of live music, kids’ games and local food, beer, art and vendors. Don’t miss the Fools’ Flotilla, a spirited boat parade that floats down the Yahara River from the Tenney Park locks to the park on Sunday morning.

SEASONAL BASH

The Madison Children’s Museum brings the fun with its annual SummerPalooza (June 8). Live music and a variety of

entertainers keep the party going in the museum’s Wonderground area and on the streets, while families can also enjoy free admission to the museum.

HONORING HISTORY

A day to celebrate freedom and liberty and commemorate the end of slavery in America, Juneteenth brings a parade and festivities to Penn Park on June 15. Come for kid’s activities, food, art, live entertainment and more in this event hosted annually by the Kujichagulia Madison Center for SelfDetermination. (Note: Juneteenth is commemorated nationally on June 19.)

FAIR DAYS

Cotton candy, carnival rides, games and parades … there’s nothing like the summertime fun of a small-town festival. Take your pick among the Verona Hometown Days (May 31-June 2), Mount Horeb Summer Frolic (June 6-9), New Glarus PolkaFest (June 7-8), Cottage Grove Fireman’s Festival (June 13-16) and Oregon Summerfest (June 21-23). Or, check ’em all out!

Marquette Waterfront Festival

MUSIC EVERYWHERE

Every year on the summer solstice, Make Music Madison (June 21) turns the city into a continuous concert venue. Restaurants, cafés, parks, shops, sidewalks, front porches and more host local musicians who perform for the public. The event is part of the international Make Music Day, with more than 1,000 cities participating.

GLOBAL CELEBRATION

Tour the world without leaving Overture Center at the International Festival (June 29-30). Performances by musicians who call Dane County home showcase the cultural heritage and diversity of the community, while local artists and food vendors represent more than 20 cultures in the international market and café.

SCENIC SOUNDS

Gather the family, pack a picnic and head to a summer concert where music mingles with a beautiful outdoor setting. Concerts on the Rooftop at Monona Terrace take place Thursdays from June 13-July 25 (excluding July 4), the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra’s Concerts on the Square are Wednesdays from June 26-July 31 and Olbrich Botanical Gardens’ Olbrich After Hours runs Tuesdays from June 25-August 13.

International Festival

2024 VACATION GIVEAWAY

OPENS MAY 6TH

Win a 4-day / 3-night Caribbean vacation for two to any Sandals Resort in Jamaica! (Airfare not included)

Scan to Enter

5 GORGEOUS GARDENS TO CHECK OUT

Studies show nature is grounding and good for your health — so get your dose of green at these peaceful stops.

BY LILY MIHELICH

Spring is in full swing, and so are Madison’s public gardens. Head to these strollable destinations for a leisurely afternoon of flower power.

UW - MADISON BOTANY GARDEN AND GREENHOUSE

The 8,000-square-foot UW-Madison Botany Greenhouse has eight green house rooms featuring plants from diverse climates, including the tropics, desert, bog and fern forest. Outside, walk through the 1.3-acre gardens, which has a quaint pond and more plants to ogle, set amongst the UW campus. Both the greenhouse and gardens

are maintained by the Department of Botany to learn about and explore plant diversity. Open to the public weekdays from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Birge Hall, 430 Lincoln Dr., livingcollection. botany.wisc.edu

OLBRICH BOTANICAL GARDENS

The city’s marquee botanical gardens has 16 acres to explore. Thousands of species thrive in themed display gardens, featuring woodlands, herbs, perennials, a rain and gravel garden, and more. Tranquil paved and gravel paths

throughout encourage you to stroll and benches beckon you to stop and reflect. The Thai Pavilion & Garden is a show-stopping sight in the back of the property. On rainy days, the temperate Bolz Conservatory is always open. (It’s closed for maintenance until June 14, but open after that.) Olbrich always has classes and events going on too, so check their website. Open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily, through September. 3330 Atwood Ave., olbrich.org

ATWOOD COMMUNITY GARDENS

The Atwood Community Gardens are situated along a bike path and stretches for four blocks from Waubesa

UW-Madison Botany Garden and Greenhouse

Street to Jackson Street. Gardened by individual plot owners, this little piece of land is a community effort. Stroll or ride your bike to view the fruits, veggies and flowers in bloom. Gardeners are also encouraged to donate their extra harvest to the Goodman Community Center for families in need. Waubesa Street to Jackson Street, goodmancenter.org/ community-services/community-gardens

ALLEN CENTENNIAL GARDEN

This UW-Madison-operated campus garden boasts urban agriculture; a historic, 1896 Queen Anne-style home; and the Agricultural Dean’s house. Be sure to check out “A Well-Cultivated Bucky,” a temporary exhibition that launched on May 1 that showcases a 10-foot-tall Bucky Badger decorated with flowers, commemorating the university’s 175th anniversary. The

garden also hosts events, tours, workshops and a summer concert series. Open to the public, dawn to dusk. 620 Babcock Dr., allencentennialgarden.wisc.edu

PERIOD GARDEN PARK

Seek a sense of calm at this park, located in a quiet enclave right in downtown Madison’s Mansion Hill Historic District. This Victorian-themed garden has a three-tiered fountain, statues, lush foliage and flowers, and tidy hedges. Dedicated volunteers maintain this beloved piece of property. 110 E Gorham St., periodgardenpark.org

Allen Centennial Garden

EASING INTO THE EAST SIDE

There’s plenty to do in the Schenk-Atwood neighborhood.

BY SHAYNA MACE

When you explore the East Side of the city, it truly feels like the embodiment of Madison. Tidy bungalow homes dot tree-lined streets and businesses beckon locals and visitors alike to stop in for a vegetarian burger, a sweet treat or an herb-infused (not that kind) brew. Let’s explore a few blocks.

SWEET TREATS

Fortune Favors (formerly Nutkrack) specializes in seasoned pecans — take your pick of sweet and salty, sweet and savory, and chili spiked — along with a few other flavors. Gail Ambrosius Chocolatier, whose business used to be in Fortune’s spot, is now conveniently located across the street. Her

single-origin dark chocolate truffles and bars are influenced by her travels abroad — think: truffles laced with lemongrass and ginger, cinnamon and cayenne, and sweet curry with saffron.

SMOOTH SIPS

Need a refreshment? Herbiery Brewing opened in June 2023 and brews hopfree beer. “We brew without hops because it allows more subtle, herbal flavors to be present in the beers … the taste is similar to traditional beer … all other ingredients (barley, yeast, etc.) remain the same,” explains founder and owner Nia Ryan. Sample a ginger lager, sage wit beer, chamomile

raspberry blonde ale and more. Ideal Bar’s signage, brick and glass block window exterior lends it an air of old-school charm. Inside is much the same, with black-and-white checkered flooring, pool tables and cheap drinks.

EXCELLENT EATS

This area is a hotbed of good eats. Stop by the quirky and colorfully-appointed Tex Tubb’s Taco Palace for tacos (obviously!) the salsa bar and handsqueezed margaritas. Across the street is Bar Corallini, a sophisticated spot with a moody vibe for Italian coastal cuisine. Alchemy Café is open seven days a week for lunch and dinner — and

Herbiery Brewing

Tex Tubb’s Taco Palace

Bar Corallini

Fortune Favors

a burger and beer? The proudly divey Players Sports Bar can perfectly fulfill this desire.

ALSO CHECK OUT

Thorps Haircuts & Color smartlyappointed space is the place to go for cuts and color.

Need new specs? Sokol Advanced EyeCare can help with that.

Sell your old CDs and records or buy your next beloved soundtrack at MadCity Music.

Book a massage, Reiki or salt room session at SolEscape Healing Arts.

New! The Wedge, a beer and cheese bar, just opened in the former One Barrel Brewing Co. space.

Rooted in Sanity Kava Lounge, Madison’s first kava bar, serves kava drinks, mocktails and coffee drinks.

CONCERTS ON THE SQUARE

Concerts on the Square is around the corner! Join us at a table with your clients, friends, and family for a can’t-miss experience that will have everyone asking “When can we come back?” Each table reservation is also a tax-deductible contribution, showing your support – and LOVE – for this iconic concert series.

Concert Seating Map

Contribution Levels

6 CONCERTS

Tables of 10 ORCHESTRA LANE

1 CONCERT

Tables of 10

CONDUCTOR’S CIRCLE

3 CONCERTS

Tables of 10

LANE

CONDUCTOR’S CIRCLE

Tables of 4

ORCHESTRA LANE A+ $700

CONDUCTOR’S CIRCLE A+ $400

SPRING INTO SUMMER WITH THE ARTS

BY JESSICA STEINHOFF

LIVE MUSIC

WILLIE NELSON & FAMILY

May 17, Breese Stevens Field

The king of outlaw country is going strong at age 91, releasing two new albums and securing a berth in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2023. Catch him with his band, the Family — a legend in their own right — at this outdoor concert. breesestevensfield.com

WORLD’S LARGEST BRAT FEST

May 24-26, Willow Island, Alliant Energy Center

Sausage is an art form and consuming it for charity’s sake is the main act at this annual fest, but you can also enjoy some music while you’re there. If you visit on opening night, don’t miss the Village People. It’ll be a costume party to remember when the campy

disco dudes hit the main stage at 8 p.m bratfest.com

MICHAEL FRANTI & SPEARHEAD

June 5, The Sylvee

You’ll be hard pressed to find a more summery act than Franti, whose blend of hip-hop, reggae and rock teems with beachy vibes and feel-good lyrics. Get in the spirit pre-show with tracks such as 2021’s “Good Day for a Good Day” and 2010’s “Sound of Sunshine.” thesylvee.com

THEATER, DANCE AND COMEDY

“THE KITE RUNNER”

May 24-26, Overture Center

Khaled Hosseini’s bestselling novel, about a man who travels to

early 2000s Afghanistan seeking forgiveness for a childhood mistake, comes to life onstage in this dramatic touring production. overture.org

“TINA: THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL”

June 11-16, Overture Center

Fueled by live performances of “Proud Mary,” “What’s Love Got to Do With It” and other hits that helped Turner mount one of the biggest musical comebacks of the 20th century, this autobiographical show is an ode to breaking barriers, demanding respect and finding oneself. overture.org

“MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING”

June 14-Sept. 29,

American Players Theatre

Beatrice and Benedick are both known for their wit — and their avoidance

“Tina: The Tina Turner Musical”

of marriage. Can some clever tricks drive them into each other’s arms? The answer doesn’t matter as much as the journey, which American Players Theatre’s Shakespeare specialists make as fun as possible. americanplayers.org

VISUAL ART

“WILLIAM VILLALONGO: MYTHS AND MIGRATIONS”

Through Aug. 4, Madison Museum of Contemporary Art

This New York City artist explores Black histories and identities through velour paper cutouts, collages and more. mmoca.org

“5

- 10 - 100: WOMEN ARTISTS FORWARD”

May 24-Aug. 4, James Watrous Gallery

In its first five years, the Forward Art Prize, created to address gender disparities in the visual arts throughout Dane County, has supported 10 local artists with $100,000 in grants. Works by the winners, including sculptor and painter Babette Wainwright and fiber artist Mary Bero, are the centerpiece of this show curated by prize cofounders Brenda Baker and Bird Ross. wisconsinacademy.org

HARRY WHITEHORSE INTERNATIONAL WOOD SCULPTURE FESTIVAL

June 14-22, San Damiano

Eleven wood sculptors from around the globe will spend a week in Monona sharing their work at this event honoring late Ho-Chunk artist Harry Whitehorse, who created the oak eagle statue at Edgewood College and the “Blackhawk’s Journey” frieze at Blackhawk Country Club.

POETRY FOR THE PLANET

As the nation’s poet laureate, Ada Limón helps people engage with poetry in new ways. At “Poetry and the Natural World,” (May 23, Overture Center, and online via Zoom) she’ll read some of her work and discuss its ties to nature in a Q&A moderated by former Wisconsin poet laureate Kimberly Blaeser. BRAVA asked Blaeser how the arts and sciences will intersect in fascinating ways at this event.

BRAVA: Limón is skilled at using small details from everyday life to ask big questions about our existence and legacy. What aspects of her work do you appreciate most?

Kimberly Blaeser: While Limón’s poetry sometimes expresses a revelation, it’s often equally interested in ongoing wonder. I appreciate the move to invite awe rather than answers.

BRAVA: What makes poetry a good tool for examining connections among the arts, humanities and sciences?

KB: I see poetry as an act of attention: looking closely at the world the way the sciences do. Its job, like that of scientists, is often to make meaning of the world. Poetry does this partly by underscoring unexpected connections via similes or metaphors.

BRAVA: How can poetry help inform or transform people’s relationship with nature?

KB: Seeing differently is the first step toward acting differently. Through bringing the reader to experience the world intimately and in all its specificity – bird eggs, comets, coral, melting glaciers, starving caribou, rich plant communities – poetry can awaken care for the planet’s future. wisconsinacademy.org

FAMILY CONCERT

CAPITOL THEATER, OVERTURE CENTER FOR THE ARTS SATURDAY, MAY 18, 1:00 PM

music

Gioachino Rossini, William Tell Overture, Finale

Percy Grainger, Molly on the Shore

Sergei Prokofiev, Peter and the Wolf

Gavin Lawrence, Narrator

John Williams

Hedwig’s Theme (Theme from Harry Potter)

Meet your Madison Symphony!

A sso ciate Conductor Kyle Knox w ill lead the orchestra for 60 minu tes of exciting mus ic w ith no intermission featuri ng o ur MSO musicians and a s pecia l guest, APT actor Ga v in Lawrence, narrating Proko fiev’s Peter and the Wolf . Great music for everyone — al l a g es we lcome! Pay what you wis h a d mission ($10 minimum). C hildre n 2 and under: $2 lap s eats a vailable (purchase day of show o nly). Come early to pre- concert activities at the O verture R otunda Stage from n oon to 12:45 for a musical ins trument petting zoo s po nsored by Heid Music plus han ds on arts activities! Joi n us o n Saturday, May 18 at 1:0 0 p .m. Discover more and purch ase tickets at: madisonsym p hony.or g/familyconcert

Major Sponsor: The Richard H. Mackie Catalyst Fund

Additional Sponsors: Barbara and Norm Berven, Cynthia S. Hiteman, and the Madison Symphony Orchestra League

In-kind Sponsor: Heid Music Media Support: Madison Media Partners

Kyle Knox

Gavin Lawrence

SOFT, SPICY AND SAVORY | Top left: Dr. Ronak Mehta’s NerdBugs are stuffed plushies shaped like human organs. They’re popular for comforting kids with a medical diagnosis, as a teaching aid or for well wishes for an upcoming surgery.

Top right: Olive + Herb owner Lori Hackman offers a wide variety of olive oils and balsamic vinegars at her Sun Prairie specialty shop — all of which can be sampled. Bottom right: Abarrotes El Primo, a Mexican taqueria, is located in the back of a small Mexican grocery store in downtown Sun Prairie. Bottom left: UW–Madison’s Botany Greenhouse features more than 1,000 plant species in distinct aquatic, desert and tropical communities.