Big Brothers Big Sisters of Dane County (BBBS) is all about helping kids and teens reach their full potential through meaningful, one-on-one mentoring. For over 50 years, BBBS has been connecting young people with mentors who are there to offer support, guidance, and a listening ear. These relationships are personal and flexible, tailored to fit the needs of each kid. The result? A boost in confidence, better grades, and a brighter outlook on life. The bonds formed between Bigs and Littles often last a lifetime, making a real difference for everyone involved.

What makes BBBS work so well is the incredible volunteers who step up to be Bigs. These mentors come from all walks of life, but they all share the same passion for making a positive impact.

We have exciting news to share! After nine great years at RE/MAX Preferred, Mad City Dream Homes is joining the team at Realty Executives Cooper Spransy.

What most attracts us to Realty Executives is the atmosphere of collaboration and sharing. We're looking forward to learning and growing alongside some amazing agents and amazing teams, and we hope to be positive contributors to the culture at Realty Executives, too. 

We'd like to thank Dan, Tim, Raegen, Pam and the entire RE/MAX team for their leadership and support over the years, and we wish all of our friends at RE/MAX the best! 

(Thanks to Laura Kocum from ABC of Wisconsin for this contribution to our blog.)

This spring, an apprentice named Melody graduated from a sheet metal apprenticeship. For Melody, this is a second career. She started as a chef, but after years of long hours, lagging wages, and instability during the pandemic, she decided it was time for a change. After researching her options, she chose a sheet metal apprenticeship.  “Everyone needs heat and air. These needs aren’t going anywhere. I can do anything with the skilled trades,” she exclaimed.

Melody wishes she had known about apprenticeships sooner and had begun her program right out of high school. She sees that her apprenticeship has created a career path that will pay well, provide stability, and give

Higher education has come under a lot of scrutiny in recent years, due to the investment required for a four-year degree. Fortunately there are lower cost ways to break into a good-paying profession, a profession that doesn't require $100,000 or more up front. 

One of them is a career in real estate. For only a few hundred dollars and a few weeks of training, you can obtain your license and launch your real estate career. Of course this comes with a caveat. Your real education begins after you obtain your license, when you learn how to grow a healthy and sustainable business that's built for the long run. 

Another low cost option is an apprenticeship in the trades, healthcare, information technology, or another field. With an apprenticeship, you

Many folks are still waiting for prices to fall before they get serious about buying real estate. And for good reason. In real estate, we're used to boom and bust cycles, and it's been 15 years since our last big price correction. 

But our new reality is that there are a whole host of reasons to believe that Madison area real estate prices will be rising for a long, long time. Chief among them is climate change, and climate migration to the Dane County area. 

Climate migration is the number one reason why we continue to bet on Madison area real estate, and why we continue to advocate for smart and sustainable housing in the Dane County area. In the meantime we're getting involved with climate change solutions, too. We hope you'll join us. 

Food insecurity in Dane County is real. Nearly 13% of kids in Dane County were food insecure in 2022, up from 7.5% in 2021. Those most affected are children, seniors, the disabled, and people of color. In over 70% of food insecure households, at least one adult is working. Many have two jobs.

Badger Prairie Needs Network (BPNN) in Verona – one of the area’s largest food pantries -- is working hard to address this meal gap. The pantry expects to serve 90,000 individuals this year, six times more than pre-pandemic. The increase in visits can be attributed to rising housing costs, food inflation and population growth. On a busy Thursday, BPNN will serve 200 families. 

In operation since 1986, BPNN is 100% volunteer led and operated, meaning

While many of us enjoy backyard gardening, not everyone has access to land to grow their own gardens and there are barriers to successful community-based gardening efforts. Rooted, a local nonprofit based in Madison, is helping to create “healthy, equitable, and sustainable neighborhoods'' that embrace the positive impact of sharing fresh, quality food through community gardening. Rooted’s Community Gardens Network is just one of the organization’s programming efforts focused on food, land, and learning.

The Community Gardens Network is a partnership between Rooted, UW Madison Extension Dane County, and the City of Madison that connects people with the land, education, and resources to create and sustain community gardens. There are 72 gardens in the

Recently, a friend needed some help diagnosing a roof leak. And so we referred her to Cody Helmer, one of our most trusted contractors. Our friend called Cody that morning, and Cody was there to help her by noon on the same day. 

We love working with Cody because he's the type of person who always strives to do the right thing. Cody and his team specialize in roofing, siding, home additions (including 3-season porches), and a variety of large home renovation projects.

If you're planning for a major home renovation that requires skill and craftsmanship, we encourage you to call Cody at 608-577-7041. You'll appreciate the peace of mind you feel when you partner with a solid, locally owned business like Cody's. Many of our clients have worked with Cody

Do you have a favorite contractor or business owner who you trust and respect more than any other? Someone who follows through with their commitments and always strives to do the right thing? 

We're always seeking to meet local business owners who know how to take care of their customers. So if you know someone we should know, we would love an introduction.

We appreciate you keeping us in mind, and wish all of you a happy spring! 

Your friends at Mad City Dream Homes

As the seasons change from summer to fall, be sure to catch the leaves turn into their brilliant red, orange, and yellow hues. Check back for updates using the fall color report map at TravelWisconsin.com, which estimates that the Madison area will reach peak in late-October. There are several spots throughout Dane County that we recommend for autumn color viewing, but these six stand out for their expansive views of the tree-filled landscape.

Lake View Hill County Park

1202 Northport Dr., Madison: This park is home to the highest point on Madison's north side with gorgeous views of Lake Mendota and downtown. After meandering around the Dane County Human Services building (the former sanatorium) and checking out the newly restored fountain, you can