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Learn who’s growing, changing, moving and more! Stay on top of what’s new with your neighboring businesses. We share news releases and announcements from your peers in the Madison area. Want to toot your own horn? Use our Submit Member News form to share your own stories.

Photo by Richard Hurd

Lunch Time LIVE! Concert Series Returns to Capitol Square

Madison’s Central Business Improvement District (BID) is proud to present a perennial summertime favorite: Lunch Time LIVE! On Tuesdays — June through August — this free outdoor concert series will take place from 12:00-1:00 p.m. on the King Street walkway of the Wisconsin State Capitol. Chairs will be available, and blankets and lawn chairs are welcome on the lawn nearby. Bring a friend or a colleague, and don’t forget to ‘grab-and-go’ lunch at dozens of downtown restaurants. Join us downtown to enjoy the lunch hour during the beautiful Wisconsin summer!

Lunch Time LIVE! 2025 Lineup

Follow BID events and join our Facebook and Instagram communities! Stay up to date on ALL downtown events here.

ADVERSE WEATHER

In the event of inclement weather, a rain call will be made by 9:30 a.m. based on radar and a cancellation notice posted to Downtown Madison social channels and website.

ABOUT MADISON’S CENTRAL BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT (BID)

The BID represents more than 370 businesses and 250 property owners. It is dedicated to supporting the economic vitality, safety and vibrancy of downtown Madison. We serve the greater State Street, Capitol Square and First Settlement district, working collaboratively with property owners, small businesses and city stakeholders to make downtown Madison the best place to shop, dine, work, live and explore. As a special assessment district, we provide important services, including marketing, public programming, small business support and storefront advocacy to ensure a thriving downtown.

Photo by Richard Hurd

Ready, set, save! Registration now open for Dupaco’s 21-day Sprint to Savings Challenge

Dupaco Credit Union invites individuals of all financial fitness levels to join its Sprint to Savings Challenge, a 21-day journey that will help participants build stronger saving habits. Credit union membership is not required to participate.  

The three-week challenge will help participants take control of their finances, build momentum toward their savings goals and have a chance to win cash prizes along the way.  

During the challenge, participants will: 

  • Build learning habits with simple strategies to grow their savings.  
  • Stay motivated with regular check-ins to help stay on track and celebrate progress. 
  • Get rewarded with weekly cash prize opportunities and the chance to win the $500 grand prize.  

“While this challenge is a sprint, it’s really about preparing for the bigger picture — each participant’s savings marathon,” said Tara McDermott, Senior Marketing Communication Specialist at Dupaco. “The goal is to help build confidence through small, repeatable actions that lead to long-term financial changes. Whether you’re just starting out or refining your strategy, this challenge offers a supportive way to move closer to reaching your savings goals and dreams.” 

Registration is open now through May 30. The challenge officially kicks off June 2.  

Those interested in registering for Dupaco’s 21-day Sprint to Savings Challenge and learning about all the contest details can visit dupaco.com/sprint-to-savings-challenge.  

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ABOUT DUPACO COMMUNITY CREDIT UNION  

Dupaco Community Credit Union is a not-for-profit, member-owned financial cooperative headquartered in Dubuque, Iowa. It is dedicated to the financial well-being of its members, and specializes in personalized financial counseling, money advice and education. It offers savings, loans, investments, insurance and wealth management products for individuals and businesses. Dupaco serves residents in 118 counties throughout Iowa, northwest Illinois and southwest Wisconsin. Founded in 1948 by ten Dubuque Packing Company employees, membership has grown to more than 173,000 with assets exceeding $3.5 billion. It has over 600 employees and 23 branch office locations. It is a Forbes Best-in-State Credit Union, Forbes America’s Best Small Employer, and a Des Moines Register Top Workplace. Learn more at www.dupaco.com

Photo by Richard Hurd

Security Dealer Magazine Recognizes Per Mar Security as #14 on Top 100 Report

DAVENPORT, Iowa – Per Mar Security, a leading provider of total security solutions, is proud to announce its ranking of #14 on SDM’s prestigious SDM Top 100 list for 2025. This recognition signifies Per Mar’s continued commitment to excellence in the security industry.

For over 30 years, Per Mar has consistently earned its place among the top security dealers in the United States. Ranking #14 reflects Per Mar’s sustained financial strength and growth, built upon a long-standing dedication to evolving security solutions and a focus on customer partnerships across their footprint.

Chris Edwards, president of Per Mar Security’s Electronic Security Division, said, “Per Mar Security is proud and honored to receive our highest ranking to date on the SDM 100 list. Being ranked 14th, as well as now being in the top 20 for the sixth consecutive year is a tremendous achievement for all our teammates who work day and night to protect our customers. I’m particularly proud of the way our team has embraced and utilized emerging technology such as video AI to provide the very latest and most sophisticated alarm technology in the industry.”

About Per Mar
Established in 1953, Per Mar Security is the largest, family-owned, full-service security company in the Midwest with more than 3,000 team members operating in 28 branch locations. The company provides full-service security solutions for homes and businesses including live video monitoring, security officer services, smart home automation, burglar and fire alarms, access control, security cameras, alarm monitoring, investigative services, and background checks. For more information about Per Mar Security Services, please visit permarsecurity.com.

Photo by Richard Hurd

New “Climate Action Playbook” Offers Groundbreaking Framework for Nurturing Climate-Resilient Children

(Madison, Wis.) —In an era marked by a rapidly changing climate, the newly published Climate Action Playbook is a vital resource for museum professionals, educators, caregivers, and others who work with children from birth to age eight.

The Climate Action Playbook addresses a critical gap in existing climate resources by focusing on the developmental needs of early learners.

Caretakers of Wonder, a consortium of children’s museums led by Madison Children’s Museum in partnership with Environment & Culture Partners, the Association of Children’s Museums, and Verdis Group, developed this innovative, holistic approach to preparing young children for a changing world while fostering compassion, excitement about the natural world, agency, and hope for a bright climate future.

Children’s museums are leading on the issue because the well-being and healthy development of children are their top concern.

“Our approach to early learning climate education is to center our work on cultivating curiosity, agency, empathy, hope, and deep connections with nature, rather than burdening young children with problems they are too young to solve,” says Brenda Baker, the Caretakers of Wonder project manager and vice president of exhibits, facilities & strategic initiatives at Madison Children’s Museum. “We’re equipping adults to be effective role models who can help grow resilient children capable of flourishing in a warming world.”

David Sobel, children’s environmental education expert and advisor to the Playbook, sums up the approach succinctly. “If we want children to flourish… then let us allow them to love the earth before we ask them to save it.”

Developed through a collaborative effort between nine children’s museums and science centers, along with experts in neuroscience, climate psychology, early childhood education, climate science, and equity, the Playbook offers practical tools to improve the lives of young children and families:

  • Creating norms of self-care and connection
  • Cultivating children’s well-being and capacity to flourish
  • Establishing enduring relationships with Earth’s living beings and systems
  • Building capacity for hope through action 

The Playbook is divided into two sections: one for Museum Visitors and one for Museum Professionals. Each section divides the content into age bands: birth to 3, 3 to 6, and 6 to 8 years old. Content is subdivided into three areas of emphasis: Nature & Well-being; Empathy & Resilience, and Hope & Collective Action. The Playbook also includes a comprehensive literature review of published pieces at the intersection of children and climate change.

The timing of this resource is particularly significant, as data from the World Health Organization shows that children are especially vulnerable to climate change impacts. An overwhelming 88% of the disease burden attributable to climate change afflicts children under five years of age, and studies show these impacts are felt the hardest by Black and brown children. In addition, recent research shows that over half of children feel “eco-anxiety” and many “feel sadness, anxiety, anger, helplessness, and guilt all at once.”

Consequently, adults who care for young children need guidance on what to do and say so their kids feel safe and hopeful. The Playbook provides the practical guidance these concerned adults need.

“Continue to foster a love of nature with young children,” advises the Playbook. “Catch fireflies, collect dandelions, and ford streams. You’re sowing the seeds of good stewardship and future action.”

The Climate Action Playbook is available now for museums, educators, and caregivers committed to nurturing the next generation of environmentally conscious citizens. Visit www.caretakersofwonder.org to learn more.

Caretakers of Wonder, a consortium of children’s museums led by Madison Children’s Museum in partnership with Environment & Culture Partners, the Association of Children’s Museums, and Verdis Group, was launched in 2022 with a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services MG 252083-OMS-22. Nine museums participated in the project’s first two years. That grant has been terminated by the federal government, though all promised funds have been received and the grant work is mostly complete. 

Phase II of Caretakers of Wonder was awarded a National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) Climate Smart grant. That grant has also since been terminated—with no money disbursed. Madison Children’s Museum and partners remain committed to the coalition and the work.

Photo by Richard Hurd

Savant Wealth Management Recognized by InvestmentNews Special Report

Inaugural report recognized five Savant teams located in four states

ROCKFORD, Ill. (May 12, 2025) — Savant Wealth Management, a fee-only registered investment adviser (RIA), announced that its Birmingham, AL, Atlanta, GA, Rockford and Lincolnshire, IL, and Middleton, WI, teams were recognized by InvestmentNews as 5-Star Wealth Management Teams 2025. The honor recognizes top wealth management firms in America that excel in growing and retaining clients. Savant did not pay a fee to be included in the recognition. InvestmentNews announced the rankings on May 12, 2025.

“We’re honored to have five of our teams named among InvestmentNews’ 5-Star Wealth Management Teams for 2025,” said Brent Brodeski, CEO of Savant. This recognition reflects our deep commitment to putting clients first—helping deliver advice that’s not only personalized and proactive but also grounded in trust. In a fast-changing industry, we believe the future belongs to firms that combine innovation with empathy. That’s how we hope to continue to earn our clients’ confidence—and why we’re so proud of the work our teams are doing every day.”

Rockford: Savant’s Rockford team specializes in comprehensive wealth management, including trust services as well as estate and tax planning. The team consists of 19 members, 16 of whom are Savant employee owners. The team typically assists financially established individuals and families nearing retirement but also works with executives, professionals, business owners, university administrators, and physicians.

Lincolnshire: Savant’s Lincolnshireteam also offers comprehensive wealth management, including trust services as well as estate and tax planning. The team consists of nine members, six of whom are Savant employee owners. The team typically assists financially established individuals and families nearing retirement but also works with executives, professionals, business owners, university administrators, and physicians.

Middleton, Wisconsin: The Savant University Wealth Management team in Middleton partners with university leaders to provide comprehensive wealth management strategies that keep their financial well-being at the forefront. The team uses a holistic approach that embodies all the core pillars of financial planning while understanding and adapting to the nuances of university benefits plans and the unique life and career paths of higher education professionals. There are four team members, three of whom are Savant employee owners.

Atlanta, Georgia: Savant’s Atlanta team offers clients comprehensive wealth management, with some team members also providing turnkey asset management services and one team member specializing in working with retirement plan sponsors. There are seven members of the team, five of whom are Savant employee owners. The team typically assists financially established individuals and families nearing retirement but also works with executives, professionals, business owners, university administrators, and physicians.

Birmingham, Alabama: Savant’s Birmingham team is comprised of 11 members, nine of whom are Savant employee owners. The team offers comprehensive wealth management, including trust services as well as estate and tax planning. Typically, the team assists financially established individuals and families nearing retirement but also works with executives, professionals, business owners, university administrators, and physicians.

For more information about Savant Wealth Management, visit savantwealth.com

2025 InvestmentNews 5-Star Wealth Management Teams: This inaugural rating was published in May 2025 and identifies and ranks leading registered investment advisory firms based on these key focus areas: meaningful contributions to clients and the financial industry, deep understanding of client needs, notable impact achieved over the past 12 months, and standout performance based on assets under management (AUM) and team results. Firms must manage a minimum of $10 billion in AUM for consideration. Savant did not pay a fee to be considered for this rating.

About Savant Wealth Management

Savant Wealth Management is a leading independent, nationally recognized, fee-only firm serving clients for nearly 40 years with approximately $29.6 billion in assets under management and $1.2 billion in assets under advisement (as of 03/31/2025). As a trusted advisor, Savant Wealth Management offers investment management, financial planning, retirement plans, and family office services to financially established individuals and institutions. Savant also offers corporate accounting, tax preparation, payroll, and consulting through its affiliate, Savant Tax & Consulting, and estate planning document preparation and other legal services through its affiliated law firm, Savant Legal LLP.

Savant is a registered investment advisor. Past performance may not be indicative of future results. Different types of investments involve varying degrees of risk. Neither rankings and/or recognitions by unaffiliated rating services, publications, media, or other organizations, nor the achievement of any professional designation, certification, degree, or license, or any amount of prior experience or success, should be construed by a client or prospective client as a guarantee that he/she will experience a certain level of results if Savant is engaged, or continues to be engaged, to provide investment advisory services. Please read our Important Disclosures at savantwealth.com.

The InvestmentNews 5-Star Wealth Management Teams 2025 was announced in May. The special report highlights the nation’s top teams providing exceptional advice in the wealth management industry.