Warm up with these
HOT SHOWS! Peking Acrobats
Becoming Human: The Story of Us
SUN, FEB 8 | $20+
Donald Johanson, Paleoanthropologist
Grizzlies, Piranhas and Man-Eating Pigs
TUE, MAR 3 | $25+
TUE, FEB 10 | $25+
Duck Soup Cinema Chaplin Shorts
The Pedrito Martinez Group
Robert Irvine Live
Joel Sartore, Photographer
SAT, MAR 7 | $7
SUN, MAR 8 | $50+
THU, FEB 12 | $32
The Magic of Bill Blagg Live!
Urban Bush Women WED, FEB 18 | $25+
FRI, MAR 13 | $22+
MadCity Sessions: The Madpolecats
Flautistico: Music from Latin America & Spain
THU, FEB 19 | FREE
FRI, MAR 20 | $25
International Festival
Cameron Carpenter
SAT, FEB 21 | FREE
Sid the Science Kid Live! Also check out Science Sunday Madison Central Library 1–4 PM
SAT, MAR 21 | $30 +
An Evening with Molly Ringwald
Free pre-show wine tasting
SUN, FEB 22 | $25+
FRI, MAR 27 | $35+
Over the Rainbow: A Musical Tribute to Judy Garland featuring Hilary Kole
Four Bitchin’ Babes SAT, MAR 28 | $27+
THU, FEB 26 | $35+
Molly Ringwald Photo by Joel Sartore
Photo by Michael Hart
Photo by Hussein Katz
Robert Irvine
Joel Sartore
Urban Bush Women
Cameron Carpenter
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OVERTURECENTER.ORG | 608.258.4141
CONTENTS february 2015–april 2015
publisher
Towns & Associates, Inc. 126 Water Street Baraboo, WI 53913-2445 P (800) 575-8757 • F (608) 356-8875
vol. 41
original art
advertiser index:
Richard Judd.................................. 33
Banzo................................................................16
dining
Bavaria Sausage..............................................33
editor
Captain Bill’s................................... 24 A Pig in a Fur Coat........................... 6
Chads Design Build..........................................18
ajohnson@madisonoriginalsmagazine.com
home
contributing writers
Jeanne Carpenter, Yvette Jones, Cara Lombardo, Bryant Moroder, Kay Myers, Molly Wagner, Liz Wessel, Holly Whittlef, Joan W. Ziegler
Every Drop Counts.............................20 Snow, Snow, Snow or Winter Wonderland..................... 36 Step Inside the Remodeling Process........................................ 10
publication designer
pets
Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce....26
Shed These Pet Myths..................... 28
Harvest..............................................................11
service
Hilldale Shopping Center.................................15
MadisonOriginalsMagazine.com Amy S. Johnson
Barbara Wilson
director of production & design Jennifer Denman
director of technology & design
International Crane Foundation.... 22
shopping
Bonfyre American Grille...................................35 Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream.........................8 CSL Consulting Services, LTD...........................32 Dane Buy Local................................................19 Dobhan Restaurant..........................................13 Douglas Art & Frame........................................12 Fraboni’s Italian Specialties & Deli..................26 Gayfeather Fabrics..........................................14
Ho-Chunk Gaming...........................................19 Home Savings Bank............................................6 Imperial Garden Chinese Restaurant.............34
Barbara Wilson
Sarah B. .......................................... 16 Lidtke Motors................................... 30
graphic designers
travel
Karen & Co./Sassafras.......................................5
Natural Inspiration.......................... 13
Kessenich’s Ltd.................................................31
Sarah Hill Susie Anderson
jacs Dining and Tap House..............................29 Just In Time Refrigeration.................................23
Lidtke Motors....................................................30 Lombardino’s Italian Restaurant & Bar...........27
photographer Eric Tadsen
Madison Opera................................................25
additional photographs
The Nitty Gritty..................................................27
Madison Taxi.....................................................18
Christina Beam, Green Concierge Travel, DZ Johnson, Richard Judd, Cara Lombardo, Tom Lynn, Bryant Moroder, NARI, Ted Thousand, ZDA Inc.
Olbrich Botanical Gardens..............................39 The Old Fashioned Tavern & Restaurant...........5 The Old Feed Mill Restaurant...........................28 Overture Center.................................................2 Playthings..........................................................21
advertising director
Quivey’s Grove...................................................5
Amy S. Johnson
Smoky’s.............................................................24
ajohnson@madisonoriginalsmagazine.com
Sprecher’s Restaurant & Pub...........................17
(800) 575-8757x105
Tadsen Photography........................................38 TDS Custom Construction................................11
advertising coordinators
Terese Zache Designs.........................................9
Mike Connell (608) 772-2028 Brian Trongaard (608) 719-5021
Tony Trapp Remodeling & Repairs..................10 Tornado Steak House.......................................31
administration Jennifer Baird Lori Czajka Evelyn Mattison Krystle Naab Roberta Wahl
Towns & Associates, Inc...................................12
including
Wisconsin Cheese Originals...............................7
From the Editor................................. 4 Contest Information....................... 38 Contest Winners............................. 38
Wollersheim Winery............................................9
Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board......................40 Wonder Bar Steakhouse..................................37 ZDA, Inc.............................................................36
MadisonOriginalsMagazine.com
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featuring:
Madison Originals Magazine exclusively promotes Madison Originals® restaurants in the dining portion of our publication. Madison Originals Magazine is published and owned by Towns & Associates, Inc. through a licensing agreement with Madison Originals®. The name “Madison Originals” is a registered trademark of Madison Originals®.
Watch for the next issue May 2015.
additional copies? Madison Originals Magazine is available free at over 150 locations. If you would like a copy sent to you, please send mailing information and $3.00 (payable to Towns & Associates) for each magazine to Madison Originals Magazine, c/o Towns & Associates, Inc., 126 Water Street, Baraboo, WI 53913.
subscriptions
To purchase an annual subscription (4 issues), send mailing information and $12 (payable to Towns & Associates) to Madison Originals Magazine, c/o Towns & Associates, Inc., 126 Water Street, Baraboo, WI 53913. Or sign up for a FREE online subscription at madisonoriginalsmagazine.com.
comments?
We welcome your questions and comments. Please submit to Madison Originals Magazine, c/o Towns & Associates, Inc., 126 Water Street, Baraboo, WI 53913 or email ajohnson@madisonoriginalsmagazine.com.
from the editor amy johnson
Recently I’ve had several conversations about where the “Buy Local” movement currently stands. The discussions explore whether “buying local” has finally become common practice, if it is a fading trend, or it has yet to be fully understood. I think it is a little of each. For me, it’s a way of life. I’ve devoted years personally and professionally to promoting and supporting local businesses and their owners, and promoting where we live. Why? Because I believe in this community, and I know a community is only as strong as those in it. How do we make it stronger? By encouraging and supporting each other in our actions. I could give you graphs and analytics on how spending dollars locally keeps dollars in our community, where they continue to benefit all of us. But, really, it’s just common sense. When you invest in your community, your community invests in you. The best kind of return. In Madison and surrounding communities, we are fortunate to have strong, giving businesses, which are not just businesses—they’re neighbors. And they give back; they are the people service and school organizations count on and reach out to first, and they respond enthusiastically. But they need our support as well. So the next time you need to make a purchase of goods or services, think about where you can make it because a local choice will benefit you. It’s also about the experience. Would you rather walk into a store, greeted by friendly, helpful staff or spend time impersonally shopping online? Would you rather dine at a restaurant where your fresh, delicious dish comes directly from the talent and creativity of its onsite staff or from a pre-designed menu created in a national test kitchen? We will continue to help you learn about the local options and the people behind them. Additionally, within any community, there are individuals whose expertise makes them great solution resources for our everyday living. Inside this issue, we tap into those resources to learn about pet myths, the remodeling process, home care/ enhancement, and even rain barrels! It is my hope that by giving you stories of community members and pertinent local topics, we are doing our part to make our community even better.
advertise?
To place an advertisement, please call (800) 575-8757x105 or email ajohnson@madisonoriginalsmagazine.com.
all rights reserved. ©2015
No portion of this magazine may be reproduced without prior written permission by the publisher, Towns & Associates, Inc.
Cover photo of Pork Tripe taken by Eric Tadsen at A Pig in A Fur Coat. Photo on page 3 provided by NARI.
Photograph by Tom Lynn. Taken at the International Crane Foundation. 4 | madison originals magazine
MadisonOriginalsMagazine.com
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dining
| a pig in a fur coat |
By Jeanne Carpenter
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6 | madison originals magazine
When owners Bonnie Arent and Chef Daniel Bonanno opened A Pig In A Fur Coat on Williamson Street in 2012, the restaurant’s unusual name turned a head or two. These days, it’s the food that’s making a name all by itself. “The restaurant’s name wasn’t necessarily meant to mock fine dining, but it’s a good description of what we’re trying to do: serve good food without the fur coat,” says Chef Dan. “We don’t have stemware or tablecloths or high overhead, so we don’t have to charge fine dining prices. All you experience is good food, served really well.” Bonnie describes the menu at A Pig In A Fur Coat as “Mediterranean comfort food with inspiration drawn from France, Spain, and Italy.” Dan describes
it simply as “a reflection of me, my family, my teachers; a reflection of us.” Dan, a first generation ItalianAmerican and graduate of Le Cordon
Duck Egg Ravioli
Porchetta
Bleu in Minneapolis, first met Bonnie in Italy while attending the Apicius International School of Hospitality in Florence. Before coming to Madison, he worked three years as sous chef for James Beard award-winning chef Tony Montuano at Spiaggia in Chicago. “I was familiar with Madison, because everyone in Chicago uses Wisconsin farmers to source food for their menus,” Dan says. “So when the chance came to open a restaurant here with Bonnie, it seemed like a good move.” It certainly was a good move for Madisonians, which tend to pack the tiny restaurant six days a week. With seating for only about 40 and no reservations accepted, wait times can run long on weekends, but on weekdays, rarely last more than 30 minutes. Customers
are welcome to walk the Willy Street neighborhood or have a drink at a neighboring bar while awaiting Bonnie to call them for their table. Once seated, a menu filled with dishes designed for sharing awaits. From
“We didn’t design the menu for everyone to have their own entrée,” Bonnie says. “All the plates are really made to share.” While the menu changes seasonally and features as much local food as possible, several mainstays beloved by
“We want to continually work to make the restaurant better.” snacks to small plates to large plates and dessert; from light dishes such as a beet salad to rich and heavy luxuries, such as poutine with foie gras, A Pig In A Fur Coat features not only heritage pork from Fox Valley Berkshire, but also seafood, pasta, and rabbit.
a loyal clientele rotate with the seasons. For example, Porchetta, roasted pork shoulder stuffed with sausage and roasted for 12 hours and finished with a veal demi glaze, might be served with carrots, parsnips, and almonds in the fall or winter. But come spring or
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Pork Tripe
summer, the dish transitions to feature Anaheim peppers with grilled spring onions and garlic. “Our Porchetta is really based on classic Italian street food,” Dan says. “It’s one of my favorites.”
Then there’s the Ravioli, made from hand-rolled pasta dough and filled with ricotta and duck egg yolks sourced from Nami Moon Farms in Custer, Wisconsin. In the fall, the pasta dish will likely be served with brussel sprouts, three-year Parmigiano Reggiano, bacon, and toast. In the spring and summer, however, look for it to be plated with morels, asparagus, and brown butter. A third signature dish, which Bonnie claims to be her favorite, is Pork Tripe, which is slowly braised and then stewed for five hours with pancetta, tomato, and onion. Then it’s chopped up and sautéed with pork belly strips. Tomato sauce, lemon, Swiss chard, and garbanzo beans get added to the mix in a cast iron pot. The mixture is topped with a poached egg and served with bread crumbs.
8 | madison originals magazine
Despite the restaurant’s name, which leads customers to often assume the menu is all about pork, in reality, Dan and Bonnie sought to create dishes that weren’t being served in many other Madison restaurants—hence the porchetta, tripe, and duck egg ravioli. Add in a snack plate of Duck Fat Fries, and most every food group is covered. “We use more duck fat than anything else,” jokes Dan. Entering its third year and still highly acclaimed by customers, food reviewers, and the industry—Dan was nominated as Rising Star Chef of the year (for a chef under age 30) for the James Beard Awards—A Pig In A Fur Coat has hit its stride. That doesn’t mean, however, the owners are sitting on their laurels.
“We want to continually work to make the restaurant better,� Bonnie says. Two avenues for future growth include adding a classroom in the rear of the building, featuring cooking classes, wine courses, and special events. A Pig In A Fur Coat is also working on
launching a catering business in 2015, taking their fine dining without a fuss on the road. Jeanne Carpenter is a cheese geek and food writer living in Oregon, Wisconsin.
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MadisonOriginalsMagazine.com
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or iginal home
TDS Custom Construction transformed this 1970s home into a modern, open space by removing walls and adding windows. Universal design features, including a zero clearance shower entrance, allow easy access.
During the four months remodelers built an addition onto our house, I was working at home. From my office window, I could see the contractor and his adult son carrying supplies and equipment onto the site. I admired the reliable rhythm of their days. They arrived promptly for an 8:00 a.m. start time, took a late-morning lunch break, and started cleanup in the early evening. In between, they clambered up ladders higher than I wanted to watch, carefully dismantled 100-year-old floorboards,
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10 | m a d i s o n o r i g i n a l s m a g a z i n e
arranged for subcontractors to saw through a 10” thick cement basement foundation, and nailed fresh pine boards into place for new walls. Under my husband’s guidance, our children checked the daily progress and learned about all the connections inside our walls; support beams, heating ducts, wiring, and plumbing took on important new roles as we watched our kitchen come to life. We stopped taking convenience for granted, and marveled as the workers created our new living space. It was natural to connect with builders who conferred with us almost daily, and managed to take our ideas from paper sketches to finished walls, ceilings, and floors. They listened when my daughter suggested we match a new window to another in our home, and they allowed time for my other daughter to choose wallpaper and fixtures. Remodelers understand well the way simple changes can affect lives. After living in a home for several years, our
needs change, and perhaps it becomes more difficult to get up the stairs or get in and out of the bathtub. By incorporating universal design features, you can update your home to improve safety and accessibility. Tony Trapp Remodeling and Repairs recently completed a project for a couple who wanted to remain in their home, but needed better access for bathing. The new bathroom incorporates generous floor space, a lower tub, and a zero-clearance walk-in shower so the homeowners can remain in their home safely and comfortably. Remodeling professionals also “get” our connections to our homes. When Kim Nelson and Jason Grosz purchased Kim’s childhood home from her parents, she looked forward to reconnecting with childhood roots. While they cherished the neighborhood and the vintage 1972 home, the couple also wanted to design a home that reflected their taste and lifestyle. The primary objective was to do away with walls separating smaller rooms, and provide an unencumbered
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A custom barn-door-style sliding door has acrylic inserts and opens to an art studio off the living room.
floor plan flooded with natural light. By carefully removing load-bearing walls and inserting flush beams, TDS Custom Construction created a kitchen, dining, and living room space that matches the couple’s creative sensibilities and sparkles with sunlight. The newly remodeled living space also features two uniquely designed assets: a mudroom entry from the attached garage that boasts a shower space specifically for the dogs in the family, and an art studio created within a former bedroom, which benefits from a custom barn-door-style sliding door. TDS president Sam Breidenbach points to a dramatic improvement in indoor air quality as another wonderful advantage gained with this remodeling project. His firm specializes in home performance issues and as the demolition progressed, it became apparent that some of the building materials used in the seventies probably exacerbated allergy symptoms Kim experienced. Particleboard used under the wall-towall carpeting contained formaldehyde, and replacing the worn particleboard with new plywood improved the indoor air noticeably. The TDS Custom Construction team also discovered a small crawl space open to bare ground, which caused excessive moisture
conditions and rotting wood, just right for mold growth. By installing a vapor barrier and insulation, they were able to resolve the problem. The use of nontoxic finishes and materials throughout the home contributes to healthier air quality, which allows people and pets in the house to breathe more easily. When Leslie Christensen and her boyfriend moved into their home, built in 1958, they knew they wanted to remodel the kitchen and happily returned to Tony Trapp Remodeling and Repairs with whom they’d worked on an earlier home. “Tony is easy to work with and we can really trust him,” Leslie says. They envisioned a kitchen that opened nicely to the dining area and the large
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windows overlooking the yard. They also yearned for design elements that echoed their mid-century modern style. Working closely with the remodeling team, they came up with a more functional layout that improves the kitchen’s workflow, and adds needed storage space. Solutube light fixtures allow natural light to shine down on sleek cabinetry and stainless appliances for a retro modern appeal. Personal touches include a tiled backsplash accented with the same warm orange found in 50s-style pendants hanging over the counter. SINCE 1985
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MadisonOriginalsMagazine.com
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This mudroom entrance features a shower for the family dogs.
Tony Trapp Remodeling and Repairs worked with the homeowner to create a retro-modern look with sleek new cabinets.
Partway into the process they experienced the first winter in their new home and discovered an ice dam problem. Tony quickly recommended a Focus on Energy assessment which indicated the need for an energy retrofit. By improving airflow, insulating, and sealing the home, his team removed the threat of ice dams, lowered their heating bills and improved their comfort. Most families appreciate the opportunity to play an active role in creating their own living space and watch the process unfold. Skilled remodeler professionals welcome your input and work in tandem with you. As Travis
Larson from Design Electric says, “We specialize in remodeling rather than new construction because we value the client interaction.” You might start by noticing how dim your living room is most afternoons, or lamenting about your kitchen’s lack of counter space. Maybe your family size calls for another bedroom, or you dream of a spot for a grand piano. However you get there, the experience of remodeling gives you direct exposure to the designbuild process, and allows you to form unexpected bonds with the talented tradespeople working on your home. Yvette Jones is President of designCraft Advertising, whose Park Street headquarters is undergoing its own remodeling transformation. Photographs provided by NARI.
12 | m a d i s o n o r i g i n a l s m a g a z i n e
The following NARI subcontractors were involved in one or more of the projects mentioned in this article. Each offers supplies and services specialized for remodeling projects, which often tend to be more intricate than new construction jobs. • Benjamin Plumbing, Inc. • Brighter Concepts Ltd. • Brunsell Lumber & Millwork • Cabinet Masters, Inc. • Design Electric of Madison, Inc. • Hill Electric, Inc. • Molony Tile • R&D Drywall, Inc. • Rockweiler Insulation Inc. • Schreffler Custom Wood Flooring, Inc. • Window Design Center
The National Association of the Remodeling Industry, or NARI, represents people who work in and with the remodeling industry. NARI professionals are expected to be licensed and insured, educated about current industry standards, ethical, and dedicated to excellent customer service.
ori ginal travel
BY LIZ WESSEL Wisconsin can inspire! Rolling hills, streams, bluffs of sandstone, white pines, and deciduous forests have been a source of inspiration for many over the years. The landscape has been reflected in art, architecture, literature, and photography. I invite you to explore Wisconsin’s outdoors through the life, work, and cherished landscapes of three special people: H.H. Bennett, Frank Lloyd Wright, and John Muir; a photographer, architect, and author. Inspired by Wisconsin’s landscape, these individuals have reflected nature, particularly Wisconsin’s natural features, in their work. They share great powers of observation, creativity and, interestingly, a propensity for invention.
Henry Hamilton Bennett photographed areas of Wisconsin, particularly the Wisconsin Dells area. Here the Wisconsin River cuts through sandstone, leaving stunning cliffs, pinnacles, white pines, and riverscapes. His photographs
capture features that drew people to the Dells. Some of these are gone, with development in the area and dams along the Wisconsin River, but you can still find the beauty that H.H. Bennett found here. The H.H. Bennett studio in downtown Wisconsin Dells is the oldest operating photographic studio. He brought his keen eye and interest in technology to his work. You can see plates, prints, and stereographs (three-dimensional photographs) that capture the life and landscape of the Dells. H.H. Bennett was on the cutting edge of photography, inventing a stop-action shutter enabling pictures of moving subjects, and he was one of the first to use photo journalism to tell the story of raftsmen taking lumber down river.
and then through the design process, reveals structures that complement and embrace the natural setting and use locally sourced materials. Frank Lloyd Wright lived in Wisconsin and left a rich legacy. In Madison, visit the First Unitarian Society Meeting
“Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature. It will never fail you.” Frank Lloyd Wright Frank Lloyd Wright absorbs the natural characteristics and features of a site,
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House, now a National Landmark, where the use of local sandstone, copper, glass, and geometric design bring the sky and surrounding grounds inside to the congregants. Two later additions were designed by Taliesin Associated Architects in 1964 and 1990, adding modern additions while honoring the original building.
Embellishments galore! There’s a lot to love at Gayfeather besides fabric. Come browse our buttons, trims and so much more.
At Monona Terrace, Frank Lloyd Wright’s original designs from 1938 were used as the starting point for the convention center. The building embraces the lake-edge location with rounded shapes, walls of windows, and access to and views of the lake. At Taliesin in Spring Green, he built a home and an architectural school on a 600-acre estate. Taliesin evolved over his career, with his thinking and vision impacting the external structures and internal furnishings, and other basic needs of living. There have been many books and experts on Frank Lloyd Wright so take time to explore in pictures or in writing his now signature style of architecture and then explore the Wisconsin landscape and sites that he designed.
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14 | m a d i s o n o r i g i n a l s m a g a z i n e
“In every walk with nature, one receives far more than one seeks.” John Muir John Muir’s roots lie in Wisconsin. He arrived from Scotland as a boy, his family settling on a farm north of Portage. Fountain Lake Farm, now a National Historic Landmark, became John’s outdoor classroom, where he honed his keen observation skills. In The Story of My Boyhood and Youth, he describes the
land that his family farmed, but also the surrounding prairies, kettle ponds, and glacial features, and birds and animals that cohabitated the landscape with him. After years of studying his backyard, John Muir took his first botany class at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Ultimately, his keen observation skills and ability to translate these into words anchored his legacy, both as a naturalist author and as an activist. His words found traction in the hearts and minds of Americans, and led to some of the most stunning landscapes in America to be set aside for all to enjoy, and the creation of the Sierra Club. John Muir Memorial Park is in Montello. Walk around Ennis Lake (what used to be Fountain Lake), a spring-fed kettle lake. Observe the variety of natural areas, plants, and animals, including wetlands, tamarack, and oak trees, and prairie open spaces. Visit the University of Wisconsin campus to view C.S. Pietro’s bust, John Muir, in Birge Hall; John Muir’s former dorm room located on the 1st floor of North Hall; or his clockwork study desk at the Wisconsin Historical Society on Library Mall. Or stroll to the John Muir Park and Muir Knoll near Bascom Hall.
Liz Wessel is the owner of Green Concierge Travel, which has information for honeymoons and other ecotravel at greenconciergetravel.com. Photographs provided by Green Concierge Travel.
• The Wisconsin Dells studio (hhbennettstudio.wisconsinhistory.org). Studio opens for the season May 2. You can also visit during the spring speaker series on Thursday evenings. • View the photographic/image collection online at the Wisconsin Historical Society archives (wisconsinhistory.org/Content.aspx?dsNav=N:1135). • Visit one or more of the park or natural areas set aside in the Dells, which highlight the beautiful, wild landscape H.H. Bennett found in the 1800s. Mirror Lake State Park (dnr.wi.gov/topic/parks/name/mirrorlake) and Rocky Arbor State Park with sandstone ledges (dnr.wi.gov/topic/parks/name/rockyarbor), or canoe the Wisconsin River above Wisconsin Dells. • Visit Monona Terrace, One John Nolen Drive, Madison, to view standing exhibits on Frank Lloyd Wright, including photos, or take a tour (mononaterrace.com/frank-lloyd-wrights/guided-tours). • Tour the First Unitarian Society Meeting House, 900 University Bay Drive, Madison, (fusmadison.org/tour). • Visit and tour Taliesin in Spring Green. All tours begin at the Frank Lloyd Wright Visitor Center at 5607 County Road C. Guided interior and exterior tours run daily May 1–October 31. House Tours are available Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays in April and November (taliesinpreservation.org/ visitors-guide). Reservations recommended. • Take a special tour on Saturday, June 6 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. to explore “Wright and Like™” (wrightinwisconsin.org).
Experience the many flavors
of Hilldale. Your Westside shopping and dining destination with over
14 EXCITING RESTAURANTS, CAFES & GOURMET SHOPS; & A WEEKLY FARMER’S MARKET; serving a variety of local and international culinary delights.
• Read one of John Muir’s books • Visit the Wisconsin Friends of John Muir website (johnmuir.org/Wisconsin). • Visit the John Muir Memorial Park, which is the site of John’s beloved Fountain Lake Park. Experience the rich diversity of plants and animals walking the trails. • Visit the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus to see several sites and artifacts from John Muir’s life (publicart.wisc.edu/artists-pietro-john-muir.htm and lakeshorepreserve.wisc.edu/visit/muirknoll.htm), including one of his inventions.
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o ri g in al shopping
Sarah B. v By Holly Whittlef v
Madison’s only full-service stationery and gift boutique, Sarah B. is one seriously fun shop. Tucked in a quaint two-story building on Monroe Street, Sarah B. offers stationery, luxury gifts, gift wrapping services, and home and entertaining goods. But the fun and whimsy does not stop there. Christmas may be over, but this family-run boutique continues to offer a constantly rotating selection of seasonal décor, cards, and gifts for every holiday. Named after the store’s original owner, Sarah B. (formerly Sarah B. Fine Stationery), is now run by nurse-turnedshop owner, Jan Corradini. A Madison native, Jan purchased the store in 2003 from the second owner’s family. “We excitedly took the business over, then grew it, grew it, grew it, and had lots of fun before the economy tanked,” she says. Suffering financial hardship, Sarah B. decided to shut its doors at Hilldale Mall and closed for two years. “But we never really let go of it.” Attracted to the Monroe Street area’s supportive community and location, 16 | m a d i s o n o r i g i n a l s m a g a z i n e
they reopened in May 2013 at their current address. “Even during the hard times, I’ve really enjoyed the entrepreneur life. And the best part is that we get to work together,” says Jan, shooting a coy smile over at Renee Jackson, Sarah B.’s Store Manager, before quickly adding, “Renee’s my daughter.” This family business would not be complete without also giving a well-deserved mention to Katie, the shop’s furry and friendly dog greeter, as well as Carla, their full-time associate. While Sarah B. offers a wide variety of gifts and products in-store, a large portion of their business is custom stationery—including custom wedding stationery. From invitations to save-thedate cards to guestbooks, programs, and more, Sarah B. works directly with couples to help them navigate and choose from the seemingly endless number of wedding paper options. “Many clients come into our store completely overwhelmed by the amount of wedding options online and frustrated with the difficulty of the process,” says Renee. “We give them a starting point to start narrowing down their options. It all starts with one question: what do you want your wedding to look like?” Sarah B. works with a trusted, curated list of paper companies—ranging from a mid-to-high price point—that offer customized stationery options. From there, Sarah B. partners with clients to put together an entire wedding package—helping make decisions on everything from color palettes to font choices to invitation wording. With an in-house printer, Sarah B. has the unique ability to print some invitations, and monogrammed and personalized gifts on the spot. Brides and grooms (along with all the rest of us procrastinators) who find themselves teetering dangerously close to deadlines will be delighted to know the staff at Sarah B. happily helps out those in need of more immediate assistance. Wedding consultation requests are by appointment only, so be sure to call ahead of time. Even with their keen attention to detail and one-on-one customer service, Sarah B. is still finding it difficult to
compete with the democratization of selling online. “The Internet and sites like Etsy are killing us,” says Jan. And they are not the only ones. Retailers were hit hard during the financial crisis and recession, but more than five years into the recovery, shopping foot traffic still has not bounced back.
In fact, it has gotten worse. According to ShopperTrak, an in-store analytics company that tracks visits at malls and retailers across the country, retailers only received half the holiday traffic in 2013 as they did just three years earlier. However, Jan and Renee maintain that while many people—especially
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younger women—flock to sites like Etsy and Minted for their stationery needs, there is a downside to the trend. One of their recent customers was a bride who, after ordering her save-the-date cards online, was actually delivered save-thedate magnets. Panicked, she came to Sarah B., and they were able to order her exactly what she wanted. “While you can find a lot of great things online, there’s no face-to-face interaction or sometimes, even a phone number you
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can call. We offer the personal service you can’t get online,” affirms Renee. Their attention to detail is what sets them apart. Everything in Sarah B. is hand picked, and their staff is always on the hunt for new and unique items. They enjoy constantly updating their selection of products and displays—especially
for the variety of needs for their loyal group of returning customers. “Because we offer custom stationery, we do custom work for everything—Mitzvahs, funerals, and so much more,” says Jan.
COME GET YOUR In addition to attending the National Stationery Show—a mecca for paper and design lovers held every spring in New York City—they also attend many gift shows. “When we attend stationery shows, it’s easy to see what products look like, how they feel, and if we like them,” states Jan. “It’s also nice to personally connect with the vendors we buy from.” With the busy holiday season behind them, Sarah B. is looking forward to jumping into wedding season, and continuing on into the spring with graduations, and a whole host of other reasons to throw parties. Open Monday through Saturday, Sarah B. is eager to help anyone looking for a little fun and whimsy. “We offer what we think is the best product and best service. If something’s wrong, we’ll fix it,” states Jan. “It all comes back to the human touch and service that you cannot get online.” Holly Whittlef is a freelance designer and writer who lives in Madison, and blogs about her love of good design and food at Hollis Anne.
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MadisonOriginalsMagazine.com
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ori gin al home
every
Drop
counts by Bryant Moroder When Old Becomes
New Again When Old Becomes New Again In 2012, as steam tunnels were being replaced in front of Wisconsin’s Historical Society, construction workers uncovered a 9-foot-deep by 30-footdiameter cistern. Although a relatively surprising discovery because of its size, it’s not uncommon to hear stories of cisterns in many of the basements of Madison’s oldest neighborhoods. Used to capture and store rainwater, cisterns and their smaller counterparts, rain barrels, were essential to everyday living. As more modern infrastructure systems were put into place, the necessity of rainwater harvesting dwindled in an era of seemingly endless water supply. However, in part due to a rise in awareness caused by more frequent droughts in Wisconsin and beyond, the time-honored tradition of rainwater harvesting has made a serious comeback in Madison. Build-A-Barrel is the newest innovative rainwater harvesting product from RainReserve, a company with deep roots in Madison. Setting out to develop a more cost-conscious solution to shipping rain barrels, RainReserve President and lead “Raingineer” Omar Galal created Build-A-Barrel. Inspired by his 6-year-old son’s Legos, Omar designed an interlocking system of panels with a wood-grain finish that could be made with a variety of color schemes. 20 | m a d i s o n o r i g i n a l s m a g a z i n e
“Shipping 55 gallons of air is not just really expensive, but goes against our commitment to reduce our footprint throughout our supply chain,” says Omar. The modular 50-gallon and 100-gallon Build-A-Barrel ships in about a third of the volume of a standard rain barrel and can be assembled in just a few steps. With substantial cost-savings in shipping, the RainReserve team could afford to design a rain barrel that more naturally blended into the landscape. Build-A-Barrel is the second of two products manufactured by RainReserve that have made big splashes within the Madison gardening and environmentally conscious community. About eight years ago, Omar figured there had to be a better way to make DIY rain barrels. “Every time I’d see one built from scratch it always had a fatal flaw, most often associated with managing excess rainwater during major storm events or winterization.” Using some not-so-common parts and the company’s molding machinery, he
created the RainReserve diverter kit. The popular downspout accessory is now featured on some 5,000 or more homes in the Madison area and allows homeowners to easily convert 55-gallon drums into rain barrels without the fatal flaws found in most homemade systems.
Spring Surge Spring Surge Throughout the years, RainReserve has been a key partner in making the City of Madison’s annual spring rain barrel and compost bin sale in the Alliant Energy
and Watershed Commission, more and more residents like Ronald are taking an increasingly active role in local water issues. On last November’s election ballot, more than 65% of City of Middleton residents voted for a referendum to achieve cleaner waters through the creation of a storm water utility. This self-imposed fee will help ensure adequate and dedicated funds for critical infrastructure and other water treatment mechanisms are put into place so that families and next generations can continue to enjoy Madison’s lakes and waterways. “There’s little doubt that these collective individual actions have a trickledown effect on the health of our lakes and economy,” says Paul Dearlove, Watershed Program Manager at the Clean Lakes Alliance.
moving from trendy to mainstream Center parking lot a success. This oneday event makes available discounted rain barrels and compost bins to anyone living in the area. Last year’s event featured Build-A-Barrel’s debut in Madison and was well received. The event attracts several hundred local homeowners itching to make this year’s growing season their greenest and most productive yet. One homeowner who keeps coming back is Ronald Schell. Ronald, a retired management consultant who volunteers his time with various community initiatives, has taken to gardening as a hobby. Although he previously owned three rain barrels, two which used a RainReserve diverter, he purchased his first 100-gallon Build-A-Barrel last year to increase his total rainwater harvesting capacity to 275 gallons. “I’m convinced that my plants do much better with rainwater,” says Ronald after transforming his lawn to be more earth-friendly by removing sod grass and replacing it with native plants and berries a couple of years ago.
System-wide Impact System-wide Impact Thanks to partnerships and efforts by local organizations like Clean Lakes Alliance and the Dane County Lakes
To many, the water conservation benefits of rainwater collection are pretty obvious. However, harvesting rain on-site also helps reduce stormwater runoff, which otherwise carries grass clippings and fallen leaves into local waterways. These organic materials are loaded with phosphorus, a key culprit in fueling excess plant and algae growth plaguing Madison lakes. Each year, urban areas contribute about 30% of the total phosphorus that enters lakes Mendota, Monona, Waubesa, Kegonsa, and Wingra. In fact, just one pound of phosphorus, the equivalent of about one large compost pile of leaves, can generate up to 500 lbs. of algae if not managed correctly by homeowners. Rainwater harvesting also translates into energy savings.
conservation products such as RainReserve are moving from trendy to mainstream. Anticipating an increase in demand for larger and more cistern-sized systems, both of RainReserve’s primary products have been designed to allow for expansion after they’ve been put into service. In turn, RainReserve hopes this translates into continued company expansion as well. This year’s rain barrel sale is happening on Saturday, May 9. To guarantee availability, area residents are strongly encouraged to pre-order by April 30 by visiting the City of Madison’s website cityofmadison.com/streets/compost/ CompostBinSale.cfm. Bryant Moroder is Principal and Founder of Sustainable Resource Group, and a lifetime eco-entrepreneur. Photographs provided by Bryant Moroder.
In recent years, the nexus of water and energy usage has become a formidable topic in many places. In almost every municipality, distributing and treating water is one of the single highest users of energy, and Dane County and Madison are no exception. In turn, the demand for water from increasingly expensive coal and natural gas power, which provide most of the energy to our region, use notoriously water-intensive processes for heating and cooling. Given the inextricably and reciprocal linkage between water and energy, MadisonOriginalsMagazine.com
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INTERNATIONAL
CRANE FOUNDATION Driving past the water slides of the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells, you may be surprised to discover that on the other side of the interstate highway, closer to Baraboo, lives the International Crane Foundation (ICF), a world-renowned conservation center dedicated to the preservation of cranes. A charismatic species deeply revered by cultures across the world, cranes are facing threats of extinction. Today, 11 of the world’s 15 species are considered threatened or endangered. ICF is a non-profit organization dedicated to the research, conservation, and habitat protection of cranes worldwide. In 1973, Dr. George Archibald and Dr. Ron Sauey—two Cornell University crane researchers—founded ICF with a small portion of farmland lent to them by Dr. Sauey’s parents. More than 40 years later, that parental loan has grown into the only facility in the world with all 15 varieties of cranes. That includes the four endangered species—the Grey Crowned, Red-crowned, Siberian, and Whooping cranes. “We are a unique, science-based research organization that allows visitors to have an interactive experience with every species of crane,” says Cully Shelton, Interpretive 22 | m a d i s o n o r i g i n a l s m a g a z i n e
Programs Manager. It is often Cully, who has a degree in Outdoor and Environmental Education, guiding visitors through that experience. “It’s great because when visitors come see these cranes, they are directly supporting the preservation work we’re conducting around the world.” More than 25,000 people visit ICF every year. With more than 250 acres of restored natural prairie, visitors have the unique ability to see all 15 species on its grounds. A monogamous and territorial bird known for their love of dancing, the average lifespan of a crane is about 20 to 30 years. Two varieties—Sandhill and Whooping cranes—are naturally found in Wisconsin. In addition to serving as a captive breeding center, ICF is a worldwide hub for crane research and collaboration, and acts as an advocate for strengthening wetlands and water protections. More than 70 percent of their funding—which comes in through individual donations, memberships, and grants—goes directly back into habitat conservation, wetlands restoration, and improving the livelihood of cranes. As wetlands continue to be encroached upon by new construction and
Photograph by DZ Johnson
ori gin al service
BY HOLLY WHITTLEF development, crane habitats are disappearing worldwide. “We work on all levels and all scales when it comes to protecting wetlands and water,” says Cully. “If you want to reintroduce endangered species to the wild, but there is no habitat available—there is no point.” In addition to their headquarters in Baraboo, they have field offices in Texas, Cambodia, China, India, South Africa, Vietnam, and Zambia— all critical areas with native crane populations. In the United States, there is only one flock of naturally migrating Whooping cranes left. Highly monitored by ICF, these Whooping cranes flock to the Corpus Christi area of Texas each winter and are at the center of much of their work. With about 50 employees worldwide, ICF relies on partnerships with scientists from other organizations for support.
RESEARCH. CONSERVE. PROTECT. Their most powerful allies, however, remain the local citizens in the countries where they work. “We try to take a unique perspective to conservation by getting local communities involved, because the same models don’t work for every country,” states Cully. ICF hires and works with local residents in each country in hopes of improving the livelihood of not only cranes,
Photograph by Ted Thousand Photograph by Christina Beam
but the communities they live in as well. Because every country regulates endangered species differently, ICF usually works in joint collaboration with government, universities, and nonprofits. In Africa—a continent facing a myriad of tough issues, including climate change, government corruption, illegal captive trading, and resource allocation—it is especially crucial to get local community members involved. With four of the 15 crane species found in Africa, it is an important breeding ground for continuing growth of these crane populations. Research also plays a key role in their preservation work. In order to breed cranes in captivity, ICF scientists have developed special isolation rearing techniques, which allow biologists wearing puppets to rear a chick (instead of its mother). This approach makes caring for a greater number of crane chicks in captivity possible and helps prepare these chicks for release into the wild. ICF has also worked with farmers to develop new techniques to fend off crop damage that results from Sandhill cranes eating corn seedlings. To remedy this issue, ICF tested and partners developed Avipel, a non-toxic, plant-derived substance that is put on corn seeds before they are planted in the spring. It keeps cranes away by convincing them, with a stomachache, that the corn seedlings are no longer edible without destroying the corn crop.
Advocacy is crucial to the successful preservation of cranes and crane habitats. ICF relies heavily on public advocates to spread the word and offers field trips around the world to those looking to take their fundraising a step further. In the past, trips have taken place everywhere from Nebraska to Mongolia to Japan and highlight the work of ICF by bringing supporters directly to crane conservation sites. Those 25,000 yearly visitors are also imperative to funding the organization. ICF will re-open to the public starting April 15. Public hours are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with guided tours running three times per day (Memorial Day through Labor Day) at 10:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., and 3:00 p.m.
International Crane Foundation E-11376 Shady Lane Road Baraboo, WI 53913 (608) 356-9462 savingcranes.org
“For as long as humans have been on this earth, cranes have been on this earth,” says Cully, as we stand next to a pair of Sarus cranes communicating with one another via a series of harmonized unison calls. Standing a massive six feet tall with a reddishorange head and neck, they demand to be noticed. “They have always been important to maintaining the health of our wetlands and ecosystems, and they need water and a place to live just as much as us.” Holly Whittlef is a freelance designer and writer who lives in Madison, and blogs about her love of good design and food at Hollis Anne. MadisonOriginalsMagazine.com
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dining
World Famous Clam Chowder
CAPTAIN BILL’S
Classic Dining By Jeanne Carpenter
Clam Chowder, Crab Cakes, and Coconut Shrimp—for 22 years, this trifecta of menu magic has made Captain Bill’s restaurant on Lake Mendota in Middleton the go-to place for seafood and family dining. With its cozy, rustic atmosphere, summer lakeside dining, and indoor winter fireplace, Captain Bill’s is a year-round destination. The classic family-owned restaurant specializes in fresh seafood, featuring local trout from Rushing Waters Fisheries in Palmyra, Wisconsin, and sourcing fresh salmon, tilapia, lobster, shrimp, walleye,
and more from a variety of purveyors year-round. “The more things change, the more they stay the same,” says co-owner Jack von Rutenberg, reflecting on two decades of running a restaurant named in honor of his late father, Bill von Rutenberg. “From the beginning, we aimed to be a moderately priced waterfront restaurant, where families could enjoy a high quality, casual meal. That hasn’t changed,” Jack says. “What has changed is the yearround availability of fresh seafood, the ability to source local foods in season, Sizzling Steaks Homemade Soups
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Seafood
and a bar featuring nothing but local craft brews on tap. That’s amazing, and we’re excited to have been part of those changes.” Today, Captain Bill’s is one of three restaurants owned by the von Rutenberg family, all located within six miles of each other, and all offering a unique dining niche. Mariner’s Inn on the north side is famous for its steaks and lobster, while Nau-ti-Gal is noted for its traditional Wisconsin fish fry. Captain Bill’s, however, is best known for three signature menu items: Clam Chowder, Crab Cakes, and Coconut Shrimp. The Clam Chowder is made from scratch with potatoes, bacon, heavy cream, and seasonings. Captain Bill’s version of this classic New England dish is second to none. Using local ingredients, including heavy cream from Sassy Cow
Surfin’ Salmon
Captain’s Coconut Shrimp
Creamery in Columbus, Wisconsin, the restaurant’s signature dish has even been featured on The Food Network. “It’s really the first thing people mention when they walk in the door,” says Kris Kalb, general manager at Captain Bill’s. “It’s been on the menu since the beginning. We have people come in who are from out East and swear it won’t be as good as what they’ve had on the
coast. But most end up asking for the recipe on the way out.” Served in-house in either a cup or bowl, the famous Captain Bill’s Clam Chowder is also available to-go in quarts. “We even have customers who order a gallon at a time, and that’s just fine,” Kris says.
is panko. Not ours,” says Kris. “We make crab cakes from premium jumbo crab leg meat. The consistency is more like eating crab, not bread crumbs.” As a result, the cakes, pan seared and drizzled with house-made Remoulade
And then there are the Crab Cakes. “The main ingredient of a lot of crab cakes
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Captain’s Crab Cakes
sauce, are one of the restaurant’s most popular dishes, and are offered as both an appetizer and entrée. “People always ask for the secret ingredient to our crab cakes, and the truth is there is no secret ingredient except for a high grade of lump crab meat,” Jack adds. “A quality ingredient makes all the difference.” Freshly Shucked Oysters
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Order Coconut Shrimp at a chain restaurant, and you’ll likely be disappointed. Order it at Captain Bill’s, and you’ll be served five colossal jumbo shrimp battered in a houseblend of coconut and Malibu Rum. The dish is served with house-made honey mustard sauce. As a dinner entrée, it is served with choice of Captain Bill’s famous Clam Chowder or house salad, vegetables, potato, or rice, and the restaurant’s well-known Rosemary Ciabatta rolls with house-made gourmet butters.
events, the restaurant offers a firstrate buffet, filled with special-request items for organizational meetings, fundraisers, and corporate events. Both the deck and entire restaurant are available for reservations, and catering is also available.
When they’re not serving dinner six nights a week, the crew at Captain Bill’s hosts a variety of special events, particularly on Mondays when the restaurant is closed to the public. For
While Captain Bill’s is known to many loyal customers as the neighborhood hot spot, Jack says some in Madison have yet to discover the local institution. That may be because, unlike corporate chain
“Several groups hold their monthly meetings here, and many companies schedule seminars or presentations on Mondays,” says Kris. “We can be flexible with set-up for groups from 10 to 150 people.”
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restaurants with multi-million-dollar advertising campaigns, Captain Bill’s is a family-owned original restaurant that often depends on word-of-mouth recognition. “Unlike the chains, we don’t have mass marketing on our side,” Jack says. “What we do have are our unique qualities, such as our large circular fireplace, local ingredients, expansive outdoor deck, and lakeside view. This building has a history. It’s part of the fabric of the community and we’re proud to be here.” Jeanne Carpenter is a cheese geek and food writer living in Oregon, Wisconsin.
Captain Bill’s
2701 Century Harbor Rd. Middleton, WI 53562 (608) 831-7327 capbills.com MadisonOriginalsMagazine.com
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ori gin al pets
Carmen Alcalde and Sue Hunter are shown with Flyer, a 13-year-old rescued Italian Greyhound, who eats a variety of food that keeps her acting like a puppy.
When outdoors, cats should be kept on a leash, or closely supervised in an enclosed area.
Myth #2Cats Catsoror dogs dogs should should eat Myth #2: eat the
Dogs and cats are likely the most misunderstood family members among us. Having no easy way to communicate, we project human qualities onto them in an effort to understand. We trade internet memes of frowning cats (see feline celebrity “Grumpy Cat”), imagining them frustrated by premature holiday decorations, bad traffic, or overly cheerful coworkers. We laugh at YouTube compilations of dogs standing over shredded couches earnestly looking up at their owner (Google “Guilty Dogs”). We Facebook our cats stretching across the keyboards
as we type, thinking “Penny doesn’t want me to write this paper either.” Do we really know what our pets need? Interpreting their actions in human terms yields adorable social media, yet it’s important to question our assumptions when it comes to caring for them. We talked to Sue Hunter, who co-owns bad dog frida with her partner Carmen Alcalde, to review common dog and cat myths, and provide dependable suggestions for improved care. Myth #1:#1 Dry food is good for dogs’ and Myth Dry food is good for dogs’
and cats’ cats’ teeth.teeth. “Dry kibble is no better for a dog or cat’s teeth than eating granola is for ours,” says Sue. Similar to granola, dry food collects between teeth, increasing the buildup of tartar and plaque, which causes tooth decay. Wet food tends to keep teeth slightly cleaner than dry food. Carnivorous animals in the wild chew on bones while eating their prey, and the mechanical abrasion of chomping on a bone prevents tartar build-up. Household pets’ teeth benefit from chewing on raw bones, from food or water additives that contain plaquefighting enzymes, and from regular brushings. Magic Moon enjoys outdoor exercise in a dog park, especially when it involves a Frisbee.
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same food every everyday. day. same food Here’s an example of a way in which dogs and cats are like us. They benefit from a change in routine just as we do. Feeding pets an assortment of foods over their lifetime can prevent allergies, strengthen their digestive systems, and keep their interest. Your pet will benefit if you change the food flavors every few months. Choosing a different brand entirely introduces both a new protein and new base ingredients, which is great. Rotating foods from an early age works best. Introduce changes gradually and watch for adverse reactions. This
is especially important if your dog or cat is older or has a sensitive stomach. Cats demonstrate less interest in food changes, especially if introduced to the concept when mature. Cats can still benefit from variety, though, even if all they accept is a new kind of treat.
Myth #3Human Humanfood foodisisbad badfor fordogs. dogs. Myth #3:
This is partly true. Most people know some human foods are toxic for dogs, and can even be fatal. These include onions, macadamia nuts, chocolate, grapes and raisins, xylitol (an artificial
Although we think we understand the animals in our home, they continue to surprise us.
Myth Multiply a dog’s age byage seven Myth#5:#5 Multiply a dog’s by seven the equivalent in human for thefor equivalent in human years.years. As with humans, many individual factors contribute to lifespan including genetics, nutrition, and environment. According to Sue, the strongest indicator of lifespan is the breed of the dog. Giant breeds, including St. Bernards, Great Danes, and Bernese Mountain Dogs, have average life spans of around eight or nine years, while smaller dogs like Chihuahuas can live for more than 15 years. Hunter and Alcade share their home with a miniature poodle, Joe, who
Keep your canine friend happy and healthy with exercise and a varied diet.
sweetener), and alcohol. However, the fact that pet food ingredient lists include meats, veggies, and fruits tells us that our diets overlap.
is now 17 years old. A breed’s average is a better guide in determining lifespan than multiplying by seven.
Allow your cat or dog to sample the foods you prepare for your human family and you’ll be widening your pet’s diet and providing added nutrients. Roasted chicken, for example, is a great meat to share, as long as you avoid serving cooked bones. Be aware that cooked bones become dry and can splinter and harm your pet during digestion.
aging in cats in and dogs. about aging cats and dogs. People may accept that an older cat can no longer jump up on the bed or that an aging dog rarely goes upstairs. However, Hunter emphasizes that many products and resources can help slow the effects of aging. For mature cats and dogs that have trouble moving around, glucosamine chews, as well as treats and oils specifically developed for pain relief and joint support, can make a visible difference, allowing for longer walks and easier movement. For decreased appetites, consider adding food toppers to help prevent calorie deficiencies that lead to unwanted weight and muscle loss. Chiropractic and acupuncture services can also provide relief to aging pets.
Myth #4:#4 Cats should be able roam Myth Cats should be to able to
outdoors. roam outdoors. In Dane County, allowing cats to roam free outside unattended is against the law—both to protect small birds and rodents likely to be their prey, and for your cats’ own safety. “An outdoor cat is exposed to more risks and is likely to live a shorter life,” says Sue. If cats show an interest in the outdoors, they can still enjoy fresh air and exploration. “Accomplish this with a harness or leash, let them out on an enclosed porch, or give them potted cat grass to munch on,” Sue suggests.
Myth #6:#6 Nothing can be Myth Nothing candone be about done
pets is usually harmless, it is important to remember that dogs and cats don’t always think like us. When something does go wrong, they tend to react stoically. Their natural instinct is to protect themselves by not showing vulnerability, so you may need to watch for subtle behavior changes. Dogs and cats do grieve loss and experience depression; however, they do not have a strong sense of time. They live in the moment, while we measure time and anticipate loss, meaning their shorter life spans are harder on us than on
Indoor cats enjoy healthier, longer lives.
them. We can’t always understand their reactions and they don’t necessarily understand ours, but we can all cherish the time we have together. Cara Lombardo grew up in Madison where her family included cats. She is a writer and a CPA. Photographs provided by Cara Lombardo.
Myth #7 Dogs and cats are just
Myth like us.#7: Dogs and cats are just like us. We instinctively use our frame of reference to interpret our pets’ needs, wants, likes, and dislikes. While projecting human feelings onto our MadisonOriginalsMagazine.com
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ori gin al shopping
LIDTKE MOTORS Celebrating 60 years of service this year, Lidtke Motors in Beaver Dam is more dedicated than ever to providing luxury Lincoln vehicles with topquality customer service. “It’s a big decision and big investment to buy a car—especially a Lincoln. We help our customers through the process, so it’s comfortable and most importantly, enjoyable,” says Tim Welch, General Manager. A division of the Ford Motor Company, Lincoln is known for luxury sedans, crossover SUVs, and the Lincoln Navigator sport utility vehicle. On their
lot, Lidtke Motors offers a range of new vehicles—all Lincoln models—as well as pre-owned—a mix of Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, and other makes. Opened in 1955 by farmer-turned-carsalesman Herb Lidtke, Lidtke Motors has always sold under the LincolnMercury brand. It is one of only three stand-alone Lincoln dealers in the state, and now run by Herb’s children—Tim, his son-in-law; Renee, his daughter; and Paul, his son. Although Herb, who is still a charismatic presence at age
By
Holly Whittlef
92, and his wife, Evaline, continue to visit the office to keep an eye on their beloved business. The dealership is independently owned; although as a franchise, they are under certain guidelines set forth by the Lincoln Motor Company. Lidtke owns the cars on their lot, as do other dealerships, and pays their own employees, while Lincoln provides the framework for delivery standards, employee training, and ensures the dealership is on par with the brand. “It’s a good thing, because it puts all the dealers, both big and small, on the same level,” affirms Tim. Excellent service is what Lidtke Motors has always been known for. “A luxury car gets more treatment, and Lincoln is a luxury product. We do our best to represent and uphold the brand,” says Tim. Lincoln provides two years of free maintenance—including oil changes and tire rotation—on all new and certified pre-owned (CPO) vehicles. That includes free car washes, free pick-up and drop-off, and free loaners when cars are in the shop for longer repairs. Their attention to service
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vehicles are expected to hit a fourth straight year of record sales in 2014 [at the time of this writing]. At Lidtke, that’s good news for customers, as their pre-owned car fleet provides more options with the inclusion of Lincoln, Ford, and Mercury models. For Lidtke Motors, good customer service requires full transparency. With the Internet offering instant access to car research via sites like Kelley Blue Book
always
Service is number one! has earned them a President’s Award from Lincoln, which is determined by consumers and given for superior customer service. During the financial crisis and recession, Lidtke Motors found their dedication to providing top-notch service paid off. “People stopped buying cars—let alone more expensive cars, like Lincolns, says Tim. “But the good thing for us is that cars always need repairs.” This period hit Lidtke Motors hard, especially when in 2010, a large share of their business disappeared when Ford discontinued the Mercury brand. However, they found it a good opportunity to focus on other parts of the business outside of car sales. “We found we could put even more effort into our service and body shop,” says Tim. “Thanks to the work of Herb, we’ve always done a very good job with service. That’s what has maintained us through the hard times.” The majority of their 15-person staff works in the service areas—a few of who have been with Lidtke Motors for more than 45 years. Shifting the focus from new to used vehicles also helped Lidtke Motors survive the down economy. Over the past few years, CPO vehicles have become very popular with customers because they are less expensive than buying new, but come with longer warranties. Tim estimates about 70 percent of their used car sales are CPOs, and it seems to be a growing trend. According to Manheim, a vehicle auction company, sales of CPO
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60 years
Celebrating of service!
and NADA Guides, more consumers are doing car research beforehand. “Potential buyers are coming to the dealership more knowledgeable than ever,” says Tim. “But since the information out there can be varied, we need to have full transparency during the sales process with our customers.” Lidtke Motors is also trying to do their part to educate customers. Tim writes a car column for Inspire, a women’s magazine in Dodge County, touching on a different car-related topic each month. Past topics have included credit and car financing, what you need to know about body shops, and the debate between buying new versus used. He hopes to expand education efforts by sharing more wisdom on the dealership’s Facebook page. Winter is historically slower in car sales, but the team at Lidtke Motors is gearing up for what they believe will be a busy spring. As the economy has picked up, they are seeing more returning customers come to the dealership to trade in older vehicles for newer models. As Lidtke Motors has always done, they will be continually testing and experimenting to offer the best selection of vehicles for their customers. This includes the new 2015 Lincoln MKC, which actor Matthew McConaughey made headlines for in a series of ads last year. Bringing a younger clientele to a historically older brand has injected Lincoln with new energy and an expanded customer base for their franchises. For Lidtke Motors, it all comes back to customer satisfaction in all aspects of their business. “We subscribe to the old adage—treat others as you want to be treated. When something happens, you know that we are going to be there, because service is always number one for the Lidtke family and staff,” states Tim. Holly Whittlef is a freelance designer and writer who lives in Madison, and blogs about her love of good design and food at Hollis Anne.
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ori ginal art
Richard
Judd
Maintaining Flexibility By Kay Myers
Of all the artists I’ve met or known, furniture maker Richard Judd is easily the most positive. He is warm and welcoming as I enter the Zazen Gallery in Paoli, Wisconsin, where he is both gallery owner and furniture maker. The gallery features a collection of the work of American artists and represents the friendships Richard has made and cultivated while exhibiting at art fairs nationally since 1983. Richard is a Wisconsin native and grew up in New London, near Appleton. He attended the University of WisconsinMadison and earned his Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 1975. “I came down here to Madison and was thinking of engineering maybe, so I was taking all the math and science. But then I decided to go into architecture, and Madison doesn’t have an architecture program so I transferred to Milwaukee,” Richard tells me. “I received my Bachelor’s degree in architecture at Milwaukee, and in those studies of design I saw a lot of the history of architects designing furniture and I really love that scale! I was also touring the Milwaukee Lakefront Festival of Art and I saw people building furniture there and I thought—it was like a light bulb—I’d really like to do that! I didn’t
have any history of building furniture, but I was fascinated and loved the wood too, so I was drawn to it. After my degree, I traveled a lot, traveled the world. But I love Madison, and my brother was here going to school, and I ended up getting a job with a furniture maker, so I settled back in. I worked for Steve Berkley for five years, kind of like an apprenticeship, and I was taking classes at the UW in the woodshop there, too. Steve was really generous and I learned a lot. Then I reached a point where I had enough pieces that were originally my own and had them photographed,
and I started to enter art fairs. The first fair I entered was the Art Fair on the Square in 1983. I didn’t sell anything, but I got one call back and that resulted in doing a commission for a buffet that mounted to a dining room wall. It was very site specific and it all worked out, so I had my first commission,” Richard says enthusiastically. “I also had support from family, who commissioned work in those early days, and I kept finetuning what I was showing in the art fairs to be more saleable. I like having a variety of price points. It’s nice to have something affordable for the wide range of people who come through art
MadisonOriginalsMagazine.com
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fairs—not just high-end furniture, but also smaller objects like bud vases. You really develop this relationship with your clients being at art fairs, and they really love what you’re doing and it’s like you become part of their family, so that’s really neat.” Richard is still traveling and doing art fairs 33 years later. The art fairs he
attends have gone down in quantity, but up in prestige. He will be attending the American Craft Show in Baltimore and the Smithsonian Craft Show in Washington, D.C. this spring. These are two of the most highly regarded craft shows in the country. Richard also has work in several large collections across the nation, has been included in many publications over the years, and
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continues to be invited to show work in museums, too. “The second art fair I ever did was the Kohler Art Festival in Sheboygan, Wisconsin.” Richard smiles. “Ruth Kohler bought a small table from me at that fair. Recently, I was included in a show titled Wisconsin Wood at the ARTspace, John Michael Kohler Arts Center, and they contacted me again because Ruth wants to include a chair of mine, the Ribbon Chair, in an upcoming show at the John Michael Kohler Arts Center that will feature Wisconsin artists. This chair, in the history of bent ply, is an original. There has never been a chair that is a continuous bend from starting on the floor in front and ending on the floor in back. It doesn’t sell as well, because people need a table more than a cool chair, but Ruth wants the Ribbon Chair for the show, so that’s really sweet. Thirty-some years later she’s still looking at my work! Thanks, Ruth!” I ask Richard about the evolution of his work over the last 30 years. “It’s been an interesting transition with very distinct periods,” he tells me. “When I started my career it was all solid wood, minimalism, and lightness. Maybe Shaker or Asian inspired. James Krenov was a huge influence with his reverence for wood and tools. The next phase was discovering veneer! It has the advantage of not expanding and contracting like solid wood. That changed my work. A special thing about veneer is that the
most beautiful trees in the world are designated veneer logs. I have been able to work with some spectacular veneers. The Art Deco era was known for great veneer work. I was inspired by Wendell Castle’s work of the 1990s, which was made in the Art Deco tradition. The first makers who designed bent plywood furniture were the Scandinavians in the 1930s, and in the U.S., Charles Eames became really well known in the 1940s. He did the iconic lounge chair and ottoman. “In 2001, I became obsessed with spiral form and the nautilus seashell, which is based on the proportion of the golden rectangle. I finally came up with a technique to make the spiral table using bending plywood. It is a two-ply material, so it is flexible enough to make some pretty tight curves. I apply glue to all the layers of veneer and bending ply, wrap this around a form, put the whole thing in a vinyl bag, and use vacuum pressure to mold the plies to the form. The success of the Spiral Table has led to a series of pieces using the same technique and careful geometry. The Flying Console and Sinuous Shelf have a wave and amplitude that diminish by the ratio Phi, which is the proportion of the golden rectangle.”
describes reaching out with his arm outstretched,” Richard gestures with his arm. “The arc of his arm defined the back edge of the desk’s writing surface. I really like that solution of the furniture relating to the human form. That’s a good starting point. So many things in nature can be defined by geometry, but I am ready to be more flexible. I got into building furniture because it is so satisfying to spend the day making something. I am happy to have a career that makes me want to
wake up in the morning and meet new challenges.” Richard’s work is available at Zazen Gallery in Paoli, Wisconsin, and you can view his work at richardjudd.com. The Ribbon Chair will be part of a show featuring Wisconsin artists Jan 1–April 12 at the John Michael Kohler Arts Center in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Kay Myers is a local artist and freelance writer. Photographs provided by Richard Judd.
And now? I ask Richard his next move. “Now I want to be more spontaneous. I want to sketch something really fast and see how that relates to making a form from it. Jere Osgood, who teaches at RISD, has an elegant desk design. He MadisonOriginalsMagazine.com
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o ri ginal home
Snow, Snow, Snow
or
Winter
Wonderland? By Joan W. Ziegler and Molly Wagner
In the depth of winter with snow piled high, treacherous walks, and grey dark days, don’t despair! This is a magical time when problems lie bare, solutions are clear, and spring is near. This is a time to dream and to plan; a time to monitor where snow piles and drifts,
where ice collects, and where views can be enhanced from the warmth of your home. With a bit of winter observation, you can rejuvenate your landscape after the spring thaw so that next winter your landscape will sparkle like new-fallen snow.
site planners landscape architects garden designers 831.5098 zdainc.com
OUTDOOR CREATIVE 36 | m a d i s o n o r i g i n a l s m a g a z i n e
Snow Piles Snow Piles Turn excessive snow into a landscape asset. Areas of snow pileup along the street, driveways, and walks are excellent locations for perennial flower plantings. These are choice locations because snow insulates and protects perennials in spots where they add the greatest visible impact and color to the landscape.
T ip ... Keep
shrub plantings at least 3–5’ away from the road and driveway edge to allow room for snow push. That way, heavy snow piles won’t put on extra stress or cause broken branches on dormant plants. Ice Dams Ice Dams Note where ice collects on walks and drives. Often the problem is insufficient slope for snowmelt to drain away. This may be simple to correct by re-grading in spring or summer to keep water from pooling along foundations and walkways. In the meantime, keep snow
piles away from areas that block or dam spring melt water. T ip ... Remove snow from walks and drives before walking or driving on them to reduce the compaction of snow into ice and the amount of salt needed to melt the ice. Make sure to give gardens a thorough soaking in the spring to leach the salt away from roots. Winter StarsWinter Stars Trees and shrubs planted this spring can bring color and texture to your winter landscape. Our favorite winter plant combinations use the contrast of reds and greens set against a blanket of white snow. Vibrant reds include Red Osier Dogwood shrubs, whose red stems emerge from snow drifts. The berries of High Bush Cranberry, Crabapple, and Winterberry provide dashes of red throughout the snowy landscape.
T ip ... Prune
these ornamental shrubs and place their branches in annual containers or planters to add color and cheer at the front door, outside a window, or to dress up a bird feeder. Evergreens such as pine, spruce, fir, juniper, yews, and boxwood provide shades of green to add contrast and depth to your landscape with the added bonus of blocking cold winter winds.
T ip ... Remove
snow from evergreens as the extra weight of heavy snow can distort and break their branches. The upright branching of arborvitaes makes them especially sensitive to snow damage.
Lighting and Structures Lighting and Structures Beyond planting, outdoor lighting and ornamental structures can add interest and function to your landscape. Outdoor lighting brings life to winter nights and lets you use your outdoor spaces, if only visually, year-round. Low-level uplighting on a tree can bring a sense of magic and dimension to your landscape. Structures such as trellis, arbors, and fences add winter interest and can help direct snow drift and provide needed screening once the leaves are gone.
when spring arrives to enhance next winter’s beauty and safety. Re-grade to eliminate drainage problems, plant trees and shrubs to add winter interest to the landscape, and build trellises or use windbreaks to minimize or redirect snowdrifts. Plan now to enjoy the winters to come! Joan W. Ziegler is a horticulturist and garden designer and Molly Wagner is a registered Landscape Architect for ZDA, Inc. Landscape Architecture, 4797 Capitol View Road, Middleton. Call (608) 831-5098 or visit zdainc.com. Photographs provided by ZDA, Inc.
T ip ... This
winter, you can install a temporary snow fence to control snow drifts, and plan to include a more permanent and attractive wind screen in its place as warmer weather approaches. As you watch the snow fall outside your windows, consider where you might enhance next year’s views. Be ready MadisonOriginalsMagazine.com
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CONTEST Win a $50 Madison Originals® Gift Certificate! Question: Which Madison Originals® restaurant owner worked as a sous chef for James Beard award-winning chef Tony Montuano of Spiaggia in Chicago? Enter by submitting your answer to the above question online at MadisonOriginalsMagazine.com, or by mail with your name, mailing address, phone number, and email to: Madison Originals Magazine, c/o Towns & Associates, Inc. 126 Water Street Baraboo, WI 53913 All entries with the correct answer will be entered into a drawing for one of two $50 gift certificates. Contest deadline is March 15, 2015. Gift certificates will be honored at all current Madison Originals® member restaurants (subject to change).
Good Luck!
Winners Thank You to Everyone Who Entered Our Previous Contest. The answer to the question, “Which Madison Originals® restaurant started off as a gift shop in Des Moines, Iowa?” is Dotty Dumpling’s Dowry. A $50 Madison Originals® Gift Certificate was sent to each of our winners, Kari Ehrhardt of Madison and Lisa Schaeffer of Stoughton.
Congratulations! 38 | m a d i s o n o r i g i n a l s m a g a z i n e
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