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A true partnership. A decade of support Since 2012, Smart Motors has financially supported Children’s Theater of Madison (CTM) and their local initiatives. Whether you’re a seasoned stage performer or looking to take to the stage for the very first time for a singing, acting or dance class, Smart’s annual financial contributions helped subsidize tuition for the youth in Dane County. Today, CTM can now transport youth from throughout the city to the new Madison Youth Arts (MYArts) Center with their brand new 2022 Toyota Sienna hybrid – donated by Smart. Children's Theater of Madison 2021 Septacular Wish Event | Smart Motors presenting sponsor Timing of Smart’s gift could not have come at a better time. This month CTM moved into their new space within the new MYArts Center at 1055 E Mifflin Street. To celebrate this momentous occasion, CTM hosted their spectacular Septacular Wish event. The event featured on-stage performances from CTM’s talented youth performers, plus recognition of businesses and community members who helped make “the Wish” possible, food and beverages provided by Great Dane Pub & Brewing, special cocktail hour music performed by The Tony Castaneda Band, and of course, the unveiling of Smart Motors’ gift ~ a 2022 Toyota Sienna hybrid mini-van. “It is a game changer for us,” said CTM’s Executive Director Allen Ebert. “One of the largest barriers Youth in our community face is access to the arts. Today, thanks to this gift from Smart Motors, we can provide the much-needed safe transportation of Youth to our new home in the MYArts Center and do so absolutely free of charge.” CTM's Executive Director Allen Ebert & Artistic Director Roseann Sheridan Much like an in-person CTM performance you’d experience on-stage, this new Toyota Sienna hybrid mini-van is jaw-dropping. Fully wrapped by Madison Top Company, the design is whimsical and colorful, eye-catching, and will certainly grab attention on the streets of Madison. It’s a moving reminder of how inspirational, fun and creative our Youth, and Adults, can be when they explore the performing arts. The 2022 Toyota Sienna is the perfect people mover. Stylish on the outside and functional on the inside, CTM will be able to transport 7-passengers at a time in comfort and convenience. This mini-van features dual power sliding side doors and Toyota Safety Sense™ 2.0; which includes pre-collision and pedestrian detection, lane departure alert with steering assist, lane tracing assist, road sign assist, automatic high beams and dynamic radar cruise control. Oh, an in case you missed it, this mini-van is a hybrid; getting a show-stopping 35 miles per gallon. “We could not be more proud of our decade long partnership with our friends at CTM,” said J.R. Smart, President/CEO of Smart Motors. “And just look at that Sienna – wow! Madison Top and the creative team at CTM truly did a phenomenal job capturing the spirit of CTM in the wrap design. I cannot wait to see all the smiles on the faces of kids loading up and jumping out of the Sienna on their way to classes and performances.” CTM Performers amaze attendees with their incredible talent CTM’s mission to create vibrant theater experiences that engage, educate, and inspire young people and their communities has been their guiding light. Founded in 1965, CTM is a Madison institution providing exceptional theatre production for family audiences. By casting adult and child actors in professionally produced plays, they have occupied a unique niche, for decades, as Madison’s premier theater for all ages. The Overture Center, and its predecessor the Madison Civic Center, had been their home for over 30 years, and today CTM is one of two main tenants in the newly constructed MYArts Center on Madison’s near Eastside. Smart Motors was founded in 1908 by O.D. Smart and is one of the nation’s oldest automotive dealerships, is the mid-west’s largest hybrid vehicle dealer and one of Wisconsin’s largest volume dealers. Smart Motors is Wisconsin’s only two-time President’s Cabinet Award recipient from Toyota Motors Sales for superior customer service and sales volume. Learn more about Smart’s history here. The newly constructed MYArts Center provides opportunities for young people to express themselves, discover the arts, and create connections, while at the same time, serves as the home for CTM and Madison Youth Choirs.

You know it's going to happen. You’re in your car waiting for the traffic light to turn green and there's a dusting of light snow on the pavement. After a few moments, light turns green, you step on the gas pedal and your tires spin on the wet pavement. It takes a second or two for them to catch traction and propel you forward. You cringe. Is this a sign you need new tires? If you’re like most people, you hate the thought of vehicle maintenance and upkeep. You just want to get in the driver’s seat and go and not worry about pesky things like oil changes, new brakes, wiper blades, a dead car battery and purchasing new tires! What do you know about vehicle maintenance? It’s a completely foreign concept to you and you’re always afraid of making the wrong – and possibly very expensive – decision. The good news is that a little know-how can go a long way when it comes to replacing a set of tires. The simplest thing you can do is ask a qualified and trusted auto shop service technician what he or she would recommend. “Excuse the pun, but we would never steer you in the wrong direction,” says Robert Jordan, Smart Motors’ Operations Manager. “If you give us a few basics about your driving habits, we can help you make the right choice for your needs.” Most tires need to be replaced about every four to six years, although high mileage and prolonged exposure to the elements will shorten your tire’s life expectancy. Regardless of when you need to replace them, you basically have a choice between three options: all-season, summer (a.k.a. high performance), and winter tires. “For most drivers in the Madison area, a good set of all-season tires are the way to go,” says Jordan. All-Season Tire: This type of tire come in S- and T-speed ratings. They grip the road well under most weather conditions and are long-lasting. They are the most common tires found on mainstream cars and SUVs. Truck owners have a similar option with either all-season or all-terrain truck tires. Summer or High-Performance Tire: Driving enthusiasts who prefer sports cars and performance sedans are likely to forego all-season radials and instead opt for summer or high-performance tires. Summer tires are excellent for dry conditions. They handle beautifully as long as there aren’t any adverse weather conditions to contend with. But they certainly aren’t for everybody. Jordan recommends summer tire owners should also invest in a set of winter tires if they want to drive their vehicle year-round. He says that what winter tires lack in performance handling they more than make up for in safety in rain, sleet and snow. Winter Tire: People who live in rural areas and have a long commute to work on roads often covered in snow and ice should probably swap out summer or even all-season tires with winter tires before the first snowflake falls to be on the safe side. “You shouldn’t really think of it as an added expense", says Jordan. It’s an investment. Switching between two sets of treads means both sets of tires will last longer, which could save you money in the long run. Tire Size: No, not all round tires (is there any other kind?) are created equal. Aside from the different types of tread, it’s important to know the size tire you need so your vehicle’s handling and safety isn’t compromised by ill-fitting radials. So how do you know what size tire is on your vehicle? You can locate your vehicle’s recommended tire size by consulting your owner’s manual, or it’s also printed on the decal located inside the driver’s side door jamb. “Most people don’t know what they’re looking at when they see the cryptic set of letters and numbers indicating their tire size,” says Jordan “It will look something like ‘P215/60R16.’ No worries, though. As long as you have that information, you can order tires anywhere. Any tire store can help you interpret this number for you and help you find the perfect tire for you. Lastly, when selecting your next set of tires, it's helpful to know how many miles you want your tire to last. You may have an option between 45,000-mile tires and 80,000-mile tires. The 80,000 set is almost certainly going to run you a higher price, but if you can afford it you can afford to not have to worry about replacing your tires again for quite some time. Also, if you know how many miles you drive, on average each year, this can help you select not only the right tire for your vehicle, but for your driving habits too.

Turning daylight into green power June 20 this year was the summer solstice, which is the longest day of the year in terms of daylight. Normally, this annual event - when the sun makes its highest arching path across the sky - would be treated like any other day, except at Smart Toyota. This year marked the fourth summer solstice the automotive dealership has had solar panels installed, and their team is excited to find out just how much of the sun’s energy can be harvested in a single day. In October of 2017, Smart Toyota began installing solar panels on the rooftop of their facility at 5901 Odana Road in Madison in order to use solar energy to help power their operations. The installation was completed in November 2017, certified in December 2017, and is the largest solar panel system installed by an automotive dealership in Wisconsin. Smart Toyota | Madison, WI | Rooftop Solar Panels Smart’s system is comprised of 940 SolarWorld panels and is a 325 kilowatt DC (direct current) rated structure generating approximately 429,154 kilowatt hours per year. The rate of energy production will diminish by about 1 percent per year over its estimated 25-year lifespan, meaning in that quarter-century, the solar energy gathering system will yield about 9,655,417 kilowatt hours.  Since its installation, the solar panel system generates about 37 percent of the energy needed to run the building annually. During the summer months though the system can generate up to 50 percent of the power needed for their operation. As of June 10th, 2021, the dealership already reaped 1.17 GWh of solar energy. Here are a few fun facts about solar energy: ● More energy from the sun lands on the face of the earth in one hour than the entire global population uses in one year. ● In 2003, the U.S. Department of Energy estimated that 90 percent of the electricity used by the U.S. could be generated from solar panels installed in abandoned industrial sites in our nation’s cities. ● Elon Musk and the International Energy Agency predict that solar energy will become the world’s largest energy source by the year 2031. ● Costs for utility-scale solar panels have dropped by 85 percent since 2009, becoming an increasingly financially viable option for average Americans across the country. ● The solar industry was responsible for creating one in every 50 jobs added in the U.S. during 2016. ● In 2016, an average of 31,000 solar panels were installed every hour worldwide, with 1.3 million in the U.S. alone. ● The US Energy Information Administration states that, unlike fossil fuels, solar energy “(does) not produce air pollutants or carbon dioxide.” The National Auto Dealers Association (NADA) notes that auto dealerships face close to $2 billion in energy costs annually, their third highest operating expense. Many dealerships and auto manufacturers like Toyota are investing in a variety of energy upgrades like solar energy, efficient LED lighting, and electric vehicle charging stations, all of which are being implemented by Smart Toyota. Unless you are 35 feet in the or higher, the panels are virtually invisible.

In partnership with MidWest Family Broadcasting's Solid Rock WJJO, The Resistance 106.7 and our friends at EarthWise Pet Madison we were able to raise over $4,000, 130 bags of dog food and we filled our 2021 Toyota Highlander to the brim with toys & goodies for our furry friends. A huge thank you to everyone who came out to support our inaugural fundraising event for the Dane County Humane Society, Czar's Promise, Fetch Wisconsin Rescue, Underdog Pet Rescue of Wisconsin and many more local organizations. A special thank you to the Levy Giving Fund and of course Karben4 for hosting a very special Yappy Hour ~ drinks for humans! Fi Fi had a great time and says "Thanks!"

Greater Madison Senior Softball league sponsored by Smart Motors After being forced to take a year hiatus due to the COVID 19 pandemic, the Greater Madison Senior Softball league had their Opening Days in Verona, WI this past Wednesday & Thursday. Over 230 seniors play in the league and make up 23 different teams now in the 11th season for the local 55 and older league. Opening Day: Blue sky, big fluffy white clouds and a couple hundred players, spouses and funs converged on Verona's Hometown USA Community Park for opening day of the 11th season of the Greater Madison Senior Softball league. Players from throughout southern Wisconsin gather every Wednesday & Thursday to play ball, riminess, catch up on the latest chatter and just have a great time. There are currently 23 teams playing across two days (Wednesday & Thursday) until mid-September. There are 4 different league levels so you can choose the league/division that best fits your skill level. If you're interested in playing, contact league commissioner Ron Ramsden via the leagues website.  Players come from all around Dane County, as well as Monroe, Blanchardville & Pecatonica.

“But there is no joy in Mudville—mighty Casey has struck out.” Just like the conclusion of the famous poem “ Casey at the Bat,” there was no joy in Verona in 2020 when the Greater Madison Senior Softball League (GMSS) struck out by being forced to forgo the season due to concerns about the spread of COVID-19. And since the league is only open to players 55 and older, the concerns were founded given that the virus is more dangerous and the symptoms are more severe in older adults. “You just can’t keep these guys down,” says league commissioner Ron Ramsden. “Despite the disappointing lack of a season in 2020, they are optimistic and raring to play this year.” The GMSS’s opening day is scheduled for May 12th with more than 215 players. Currently, there are 12 teams on Wednesday and 11 teams on Thursday, so receiving enough registrations to form an additional team on Thursday is their current goal. Even the lowest league games are still competitive, so new players should be able to play several positions since a team can only use a limited number of catchers and first basemen. The leagues official website. Games are played at Verona Community Park on Wednesday & Thursday mornings starting at 9:30 a.m. GMSS has been sponsored by Smart Motors since it started in 2010. “Even though most of the guys will be inoculated by opening day, we couldn’t ignore the virus altogether,” says Ramsden. “We have put COVID safety measures in place to help insure the players stay healthy all season.” These measures include all players being required to have hand sanitizer with them and to use it frequently. Also, safe distancing is to be maintained by all players not on the playing field and will be maintained by the umpire, catcher, and batter. It is recommended that the umpire and catcher wear mouth/nose coverings on the field. Batters should also wear a mask so long as it doesn’t interfere with safety (i.e. causing glasses to fog up, obstructing vision, etc.). “We realize that the safety measures will make game play a little less interactive than we’re used to,” says Ramsden. “But all of our players have signed off on the rules without hesitation. A little inconvenience is worth it to be able to play and try to get back to a normal life.” Ramsden says every year he is inspired by the growing roster of players who have had their fair share of battles with various physical ailments. But, he adds, the guys play ball like they’ve never had a medical condition in their lives. “These guys have battled cancer and heart attacks, diabetes, knee and hip replacements, and, yes, even COVID,” he says. “To most people, after events like that, they might hang it up. Not in the GMSS. The love of the game drives them and they are impressive.” The Greater Madison Senior Softball League was started in 2010 by childhood friends Ray Blum and Bob Ruhland. It has since grown from eight teams to 23 teams and added a second game day. GMSS is open to men 55 years and older. Individual registrations to form an additional Thursday team are now being accepted. Regular league games will take place every Wednesday and Thursday morning at 9:30 a.m. and 10:45 starting May 12th and going through August at the Verona Community Park at 451 E. Verona Avenue. For more information, check out the league’s website and please take a few minutes to review the GMSS COVID safety measures.