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Madison singer-songwriter Robert J.

(2024 Isthmus pick) The talented, veteran singer-songwriter returned to the 608 last spring after living in Connecticut for a time. He picked up right where he left off, gigging solo and with others and bringing his blend of blues, country and rock to new and old fans alike.

No cover.

More news from the Harmony:

County Executive Melissa Agard and the Office of Energy and Climate Change (OECC) recognizes the Harmony Bar for leading on climate action through its significant investments in energy efficiency!

The Harmony Bar achieved 2025 Climate Champion status for installing a heat recovery system + a new efficient compressor for the beer cooler, as well as upgrading all refrigeration and fans to new EnergyStar appliances. In the kitchen, the owners replaced gas-fired soup warmers with two electric induction re-thermalizers, eliminating food waste and reducing energy consumption. In addition, the owners invested in properly insulating coolers and other efficiency measures.

Mike Barrett, Harmony co-owner and lifelong energy efficiency dorque, was honored to have the energy efficiency investments recognized. “We want to thank our county supervisor, Yogesh Chawla, for nominating us and for his steadfast support for our continuing project of upgrading this neighborhood institution's energy performance measures.”

Chawla noted, “The Harmony’s efforts to bring down greenhouse gas emissions through significant energy efficiency investments should be recognized as a model to follow. We have a lot of old buildings in my district, and this award just shows that even hundred-year old buildings can be made energy efficient.”

Barrett explained, “When we first bought the place, I took one look at the MGE bills and jokingly re-christened the Harmony my One Bar Global Warmer. Within 6 months we slashed total energy usage by over 20%.” Savings were achieved through energy efficiency measures large & small: better thermostat management, better air circulation through ceiling fan use and replacement of all refrigeration with EnergyStar appliances. Barrett noted that with the functional gaskets, “Not only do we save energy, our health department inspector is positively thrilled that we can maintain healthy refrigeration temperatures! 

“ And, as it turns out, actually insulating the beer cooler not only saves money, the beer is colder as well!”

The most drastic efficiency jolt was the May 2025 installation of a heat recovery tank. Barrett was happy to report on the success of the latest improvement: 

“ Like most bars & restaurants, our beer & produce coolers’ compressors used to dump a lot of heat into the bar. The AC would battle that heat dump all summer. We are now capturing compressor heat into an insulated water tank instead of dumping it into the indoor air. The bar is significantly more comfortable for customers and employees. The AC no longer wheezes. My HVAC repair guy misses me. Indoor air temps no longer rise into the 80s. Better yet, I now capture all of that “waste” heat to pre-heat dishwashing water--no fossils required! 

“ All of these energy efficiency and waste heat reduction measures are all about one efficiency helping bring about another. When one mechanical dumps off less heat, nearby mechanicals can work less, meaning less heat to battle. Now we only burn 66% of the electricity & fossil gas that was burned as recently as 2019.”

“ Big shout out to local, family-owned McCormick Refrigeration for having developed the expertise in heat recovery systems! Another for Madison-based heat recovery tank manufacturer, Bou-Matic! And former state energy administrator, Norman Bair’s advice was invaluable.”

When asked about the capital outlay for these projects, Barrett had this to say: “Yes, our retirement accounts took a hit to build better mechanicals. But the return on investment is better than 10%. And that return is guaranteed to rise as MGE raises rates.”

The biggest disappointment for Barrett: “It was a major disappointment that the Governor and Focus on Energy blocked the Biden funds for these projects and similar projects across the state. All projects were legally eligible for significant incentives through the Inflation Reduction Act. The governor blocked this federal money even before the change in administrations. Worse, no one in Madison's elected Democratic state delegation would stand up for a Democratic President's enacted, visionary, green legislation. 

“It’s long past time for government to step up, work with the private sector and spend the money democratically allocated for greenhouse gas reduction measures.” In the end, the Harmony’s owners had to shoulder 100% of the expenses related to the bar’s drastic GHG reductions. 

Pam Barrett, co-owner of the Harmony stated: “This recognition through the Dane County Climate Champions program is an honor for the bar, for the owners, local installers, distributors & manufacturers and for the employees (who patiently put up with Mike’s iron-fisted thermostat management!) in greening up the Harmony Bar.”

OECC director Kathy Kuntz had this to say about the Harmony’s efforts: “The Harmony is exemplary in its GHG reduction efforts. We developed the Climate Champions program to recognize the leadership of entities like the Harmony that are taking significant action to reduce carbon emissions.” More about the 23 entities that earned 2025 Climate Champion awards here:

https://www.danecounty.gov/

The Harmony Bar: Madison's quintessential, award-winning neighborhood bar and grill features terrific food and great liv e music. Enjoy lunch, dinner, and game-day fun! Yes. It’s your neighborhood bar!

Anyone reading this can use code GREENMYBEER for BOGO50%OFF weekday lunches 11-4 through October 31, 2025.