Federal Grant Awarded to Study Local Literacy Innovation

Former UW-Madison researcher Dr. Jan Edwards was recently awarded a $3.3M grant from the federal Department of Education Institute of Education Sciences (IES) to fund a four year randomized trial study of ToggleTalk, a kindergarten/first grade supplemental curriculum published by Ventris Learning of Sun Prairie. ToggleTalk was developed with a prior IES grant by a team of national language & literacy experts with the express goal of helping educators reduce the Black White Achievement Gap in Reading. ToggleTalk has been shown in several studies to significantly boost student achievement on language & literacy measures, and the program has been well-received by students,  educators and parents in schools across the US.

Suttle-Straus Takes Home the “Benny” – Awarded Multiple Premier Print Awards

The Premier Print Awards, the graphic arts industry’s largest and most prestigious worldwide printing competition, recognizes outstanding achievements in print production. Suttle-Straus of Waunakee recently received four 2017 Premier Print Awards.

The Premier Print Awards are the printing industry’s oldest and largest worldwide graphic arts competition, hosted by Printing Industries of America. In its 68th year, the annual contest recognizes those responsible for the creation and production of superior print communications. The event promotes excellence in print communications and rewards companies and individuals who produce the very best in print media.

This year, more than 2,210 entries were received from printing and graphic arts firms from around the world, and judges awarded the Benny to the top entry in each category.

Suttle-Straus President Ted Straus said, “We are thrilled to be recognized by the international Premier Print Awards. Winning four Benny awards reinforces our commitment to providing the highest-quality products and delivering on our promise of value to our customers.”

Michael Makin, president and CEO of Printing industries of America, agrees. “The Benny winners represent the best our industry has to offer. This year’s entries were outstanding. There were entries from companies in eight countries. Despite the fierce competition, Suttle-Straus, through hard work and dedicated craftsmanship, produced multiple pieces worthy of the Benny.”

Suttle-Straus received a “Benny” for the following four projects:

SUB-ZERO WOLF M SERIES COOKBOOK

Sub-Zero Wolf compiled a cookbook with recipes for decadent meals prepared using their M Series ovens. It features a gloss dispersion effect on the cover, along with vibrant images, overall varnish, and spiral binding to bring the whole piece visual interest and a high-end look that the company is well known for.

GRESSCO GV PRO SELF-MAILER

This self-mailer features several unique finishing techniques, including a closed gate fold, creative die-cut shapes, and a UV dispersion coating to give it added dimension and intrigue. While the overall design appears clean and colorful, the additional panels on each page fold down to reveal detailed product information.

This mailer was also featured on Fold Factory’s Super Cool Fold of the Week.

SUB-ZERO WOLF WESTYE F BAKKE CENTER BOOK

This colorful book features striking images of Sub-Zero’s Bakke Center and highlights some of the artwork present throughout the building. The smyth sewn, case bound book features a debossed and foil stamped cover, and the body pages feature a spot gloss aqueous coating.

US SOYBEAN BOARD ENVIRONMENTAL AUDIT BOOK

This book features over 200 pages and tabbed dividers with soft touch coating. Spiral binding finishes the piece, and a USB was tipped on the back cover to allow recipients access to the complete details of the report.

Suttle-Straus will receive their Benny at The Premier Print Awards Gala, which honors all the companies that had the top award conferred upon them. The 2017 Gala is scheduled for September 10th at the Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile in Chicago, IL.

Learn more about printing with Suttle-Straus.

Annual Heat’s On Project Seeks Dane County Veteran Homeowners to Receive a Free Furnace Maintenance

Madison, Wis. August 23, 2017 — Madison Area Mechanical & Sheet Metal Contractors Association (MSC) and Steamfitters Local 601 are seeking requests for veteran homeowners in Dane County area to receive free furnace maintenance. On Saturday, October 7, 2017, more than 50 area steamfitters will volunteer a day of labor to inspect and service heating systems in qualifying veterans’ homes. Trucks and equipment used for the day are donated by local heating contractors and replacement parts are donated by area suppliers.

“Serving veterans during Heat’s On really makes our day. I’m proud our team makes a volunteer commitment to help those who have served our country,” says Kendall Richards, President of All Comfort Services, a heating, cooling, plumbing, and electric contractor in Madison.

Criteria to receive free maintenance:

• Veteran home owner, or surviving spouse
• Dane County Resident
• Gas Furnace

Homeowners who don’t meet the criteria but would like to have their heating systems serviced, can contact the MSC at 608-288-1414 for a union contractor referral.

Contact one of these sponsoring organizations by September 29 to be considered for free furnace maintenance:

• Julie Walsh, Madison Area Mechanical & Sheet Metal Contractors Association, phone: 608-288-1414 or julie.walsh@mechanicalindustries.org

• Dane County Veteran Service Office (CVSO), phone: 608-266-4158

• Veterans Health Administration (VHA), phone: 608-256-1901

The Heat’s On project has been serving Dane County residents since 1987. The purpose of Heat’s On is to reduce the occurrence of residents going without heat or facing other life threatening emergencies associated with home heating systems.  “Lack of maintenance and dirty filters can shorten the life of furnace. Something this simple can save not only hundreds of dollars in fuel costs, but it can save a life,” says Brad Werlein, President of General Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc., a commercial and residential heating and cooling contractor in Madison.

About MSC:

The MSC is a non-profit contractor association representing contractors in the heating, piping, air conditioning and sheet metal industry. Their members are dedicated professionals who provide high-quality, cost efficient products and services with a commitment to safety.

About Steamfitters Local 601:

Steamfitters Local 601 is comprised of approximately 2,400 members, and represents a fourteen county area in southeastern Wisconsin. While the majority of membership is comprised of Steamfitters and Refrigeration/Service Fitters, they also represent other classifications such as gas distribution, helpers and welders. Their members work on a variety of jobsites including residential and commercial heating and cooling systems, breweries and power plants.

Participating Contractors (Madison):

• All Comfort Services, President Kendall Richards, phone: 608-838-7300
• Bassett Mechanical, Service Manager Chad Warnecke, phone: 608-838-6362
• Commercial Air, Service Manager Tami Schultz, phone: 608-221-8886
• General Heating & Air Conditioning, Labor Manager Mike Polster, phone: 608-271-3900
• H & H Industries, Owner Paul Christensen, phone: 608-273-3434

Participating Contractors (Milwaukee):

• Butters-Fetting Co.
• J.M. Brennan, Inc.

Participating Supply Houses:

• Design Air, Branch Manager Barb Verbitsky, phone: 608-226-0344
• First Supply, Sales Manager Scott Stritzke, phone: 608-222-7799
• Gustave A. Larson, Store Manager Aaron Demuth, phone: 608-628-0209
• Industrial Control, Owner Mike Stoffel, phone: 608-273-1717
• Johnston Supply, Owner Dan Kunze, phone: 608-223-1499
• Temperature Systems, Sales & Refrigeration, Roy Kempfer, phone: 608-327-2345

For more information, please contact Julie Walsh, Madison Area Mechanical & Sheet Metal Contractors Association at 608-2881414 or julie.walsh@mechanicalindustries.org

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New Recruitment Manager Position

Midwest Home Care is looking for an individual who has the ability to successfully lead recruiting for our organization. If you believe you are that person or know of that person, please contact me.

For the Second Year in a Row, Ideas That Evoke® Earns Spot on Exclusive Inc. 5000 List of Fastest-Growing Private Companies in the United States

FOR THE SECOND YEAR IN A ROW, IDEAS THAT EVOKE® EARNS SPOT ON EXCLUSIVE INC. 5000 LIST OF FASTEST-GROWING PRIVATE COMPANIES IN THE UNITED STATES

Madison, Wisconsin-based Idea Agency Honored for Three-Year Growth of 714%, #8 in State of Wisconsin

MADISON, WI (AUGUST 2017) – Ideas That Evoke®, a social media, influencer and PR agency serving clients in the beauty, lifestyle and luxury industries, has landed a spot on the prestigious Inc. 5000 list for the second year in a row. The Inc. 5000 represents a unique look at the most successful companies within the American economy’s most dynamic segment— its independent small and midsized businesses. During the last three years, the Madison-based agency has touted growth of more than 714% percent and currently sits at No. 633 in the overall national ranking.

Evoke Brand Strategies – which was launched by its Founder and President, Kelly Ehlers, in 2009 – also ranks as the No. 8 Top Company in the State of Wisconsin. The agency was recently honored with the Dane County Small Business Award, celebrating small businesses and the contributions they make to our communities and economy. To date, Evoke’s rapid growth has been 100 percent referral-based, a testament to the agency’s drive and dedication to helping its clients make tangible improvements to their business success.

“The Inc. 5000 is a hallmark of entrepreneurial achievement, and we are honored to be included among the nation’s most successful private companies,” Ehlers said. “At Evoke, we work with a multitude of industry-leading brands to pioneer their social PR, influencer and digital strategies in today’s hyper-connected media landscape. We are committed to finding new ways to share brand stories and strategically connect brands with their audiences. I’m incredibly proud of the work we’ve done for our clients, and look forward to Evoke continuing to grow and innovate alongside today’s leading businesses.”

This year’s Inc. 5000 roster is the most competitive crop of companies in the list’s 36-year history. The average company on the list achieved a mind-boggling three-year average growth of 481%. The Inc. 5000’s aggregate revenue is $206 billion, and the companies on the list collectively generated 619,500 jobs over the past three years.

“The Inc. 5000 is the most persuasive evidence I know that the American Dream is still alive,” says Inc. President and Editor-In-Chief Eric Schurenberg. “The founders and CEOs of the Inc. 5000 tell us they think determination, risk taking, and vision were the keys to their success, and I believe them.”

The annual Inc. 5000 event honoring all the companies on the list will be held from October 10 through 12, 2017 at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa in Palm Desert, CA. Speakers include some of the greatest entrepreneurs of this and past generations, such as former Ford president Alan Mullaly, FUBU CEO and founder and “Shark Tank” star Daymond John, Dollar Shave Club founder Michael Dubin, researcher and #1 New York Times bestseller Brené Brown, and Gravity Payments’ founder and CEO Dan Price.

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About Ideas That Evoke®

Ideas That Evoke® – a social media, digital and PR agency located in Madison, WI – was recently named the #325^th Fastest Growing Private Company in America and 4^th Fastest Growing Company in WI by Inc. Magazine’s annual Inc. 5000 List. The agency, founded by Kelly Ehlers in 2009, is rooted in solving business challenges through the innovative use of social media, influencer marketing and disruptive creative. To learn more about Ideas That Evoke, visit www.IdeasThatEvoke.com, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

About Inc. Media

Founded in 1979 and acquired in 2005 by Mansueto Ventures, Inc. is the only major brand dedicated exclusively to owners and managers of growing private companies, with the aim to deliver real solutions for today’s innovative company builders. Winner of the National Magazine Award for General Excellence in both 2014 and 2012. Total monthly audience reach for the brand has grown significantly from 2,000,000 in 2010 to over 18,000,000 today.  For more information, visit www.inc.com.