The Wellness Council of Wisconsin has launched its inaugural Light of Wellness Awards in partnership with BizTimes Media and Humana. The awards will honor extraordinary achievement of workplace employees in the field of corporate wellness. Award winners will be honored at the Humana Wellness Summit presented by BizTimes Media and the Wellness Council of Wisconsin on Thursday, March 29.
 “The awards will offer business organizations the opportunity to showcase extraordinary achievement of their employees in the field of corporate wellness,” said Jessica Raddemann, executive director of the Wellness Council of Wisconsin. “We hope this will inspire others to be the ‘Light of Wellness’ for their organization and community.”
Nomination forms will be reviewed by industry and community leaders as well as the Wellness Council board of directors. Three award winners will be selected, one in each of the three categories. Nominations will be limited to two per organization. Organizations must be Wisconsin employers of at least two employees and offer a worksite wellness program. The deadline for nominations is Feb. 28.
The categories include:

• Healthy Behavior Award
  Individuals who are participants in a worksite wellness program may be honored for exemplifying healthy behaviors or lifestyle changes that have resulted in significant improvements.
• Leadership Award
  Wellness managers or organizational leadership may be honored for inspiring others to join in the wellness movement, serving as role models or wellness champions, and ongoing participation and commitment to the worksite wellness program. They may have played a key role in advancing wellness as a top strategic priority for the organization.
• Rising Light Award
  Individuals who are participants in a worksite wellness program may be honored for taking initial steps in making lifestyle changes. They may have been resistant to change or found change to be difficult, at first. This award honors the employee for the steps they have taken in their wellness journey and may provide them with the encouragement to continue.

The deadline for nominations is Feb. 28.
The Wellness Summit will take place Thursday, March 29, at the Crowne Plaza Milwaukee West, 10499 Innovation Dr., in Wauwatosa from 7:30 to 10 a.m.
The event will kick off with a presentation by Dr. Thomas Van Gilder, M.D., J.D., M.P.H., market vice president and medical officer at Humana. Van Gilder will provide analysis about the latest trends in health care and health care reform.
The event will continue with a panel discussion by the leaders of established employee corporate wellness programs. The executives will share their insights and experiences about starting a wellness program, gaining employee buy-in and more. They will discuss the components of their programs and returns on investment.
The panelists will include:
* Rob Cowen, president and chief executive officer of Badger Alloys Inc., Milwaukee.
* Linda Hogan, vice president group leader, Bader Rutter & Associates Inc., Brookfield.
* Alan Petelinsek, principal owner, Power Test Inc., Sussex.
* Tyler Roberts, health promotions manager, Rexnord Industries LLC, West Milwaukee.
* Tina Semotan, vice president of human resources and organizational development, Franklin Energy Services LLC, Port Washington.
The panel discussion will be moderated by BizTimes executive editor Steve Jagler.

For more information, or to register to attend and to nominate for the awards, visit www.biztimes.com/wellness.

Schiltz Park recently unveiled its plans to host a competitive, cash award; one mile road race on Tuesday, June 26 starting at 5:30 p.m. Schlitz Park also announced a new 5K run/walk that will kick off the Milwaukee River Challenge weekend on Thursday, September 13 at 5:30 p.m.
“These new events reflect our commitment to provide our tenants and neighbors with more than just a place to come to work,” said Gary Grunau, Schlitz Park developer.  “With a riverfront location and access to miles of run, walk and bicycling trails, our tenants not only have spaces to take care of their careers, but also their health and well-being.”
For the inaugural Schlitz Park Miler, participants will start at the office park, participants will run or walk a challenging course that twists, turns, climbs, descends and loops through the adjacent historic neighborhood. 
The fastest three men’s and women’s runners under age 20, between ages 21 and 40, and over ages 41, will be eligible for $100, $60 and $40 cash awards.  The run is an ancillary event to the 11-day Tour of America’s Dairyland Pro-Am bicycling race presented by Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board.  Schlitz Park is the only corporate complex to host one of the series’ races. 
Proceeds for the Schlitz Park Miler will benefit DreamBikes Milwaukee, a non-profit, organization that strategically places used bicycle stores in low-income troubled communities and hires local teens.  For the Schlitz Park 5K Challenge, proceeds will go to Milwaukee Riverkeeper, a nonprofit that serves as an advocate and voice for the Milwaukee, Menomonee and Kinnickinnic Rivers.
Miler registration is available here, and for the 5K Challenge here.  Participants can save $10 off of entry fees by registering early.   Schlitz Park will offer tenants reduced entry fees. 

Milwaukee World Festival, Inc., recently kicked off the 45th anniversary season of Summerfest by offering 45,000 free general admission tickets for opening day. The offer began yesterday, Feb. 1 at 12 p.m.
Fans were able to visit www.summerfest.com and print one complimentary Summerfest general admission ticket valid only on opening day, June 27, 2012. The offer was supposed to last 45 hours or until the 45,000 ticket limit was reached. The website experienced an overwhelming number of visits and many people were not able to get their tickets.
A statement on the Summerfest website indicates that all 45,000 tickets will still be available and fans are encouraged to follow Summerfest on Twitter and Facebook for updates as to when the extended offer will take place.
Summerfest 2012 will take place Wednesday, June 27 through Sunday, July 1 and Tuesday, July 3 through Sunday, July 8, from Noon until Midnight and will be closed Monday, July 2.  Summerfest attracts over 700 bands, including the music industry stars, emerging talent and local favorites and hosts a diverse selection of food and beverage vendors, marketplaces and interactive exhibits.

The Heart of Harmony Chorus, a men’s a capella chorus from West Allis will once again provide “Singing Valentines” this Valentines Day, Tuesday, Feb. 14.
The Quartet will serenade your valentine at home, at work at dinner or anywhere you choose in the Metro Milwaukee Area.
In addition to a Valentine serenade, your valentine will receive a single or a dozen red roses, a commemorative digital photo and a personalized Valentine card.
Singing Valentines can be purchased in either a bronze, silver or gold package.
Pricing options include: 
Bronze package: one rose for $40, or a dozen roses for $85 for anytime between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.
Silver package: One rose for $50, or a dozen roses for $95 and a four hour delivery time window that you specify.
Gold package: One rose for $75, or a dozen roses for $120 and the group will guarentee they be there within ten minutes of your requested time.
To order your “Singing Valentine,” please call 262-844-5184.  For more information on the Heart of Harmony Chorus, please visit the Heart of Harmony web site at www.hohchorus.org.  A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

The Milwaukee Brewers recently surprised Mathew Trotier, a sixth grade student at Horizon Elementary School in Pewaukee, with the announcement of a special peanut-free zone for three games during the 2012 Brewers season. Trotier wrote a letter to Rick Schlesinger, Milwaukee Brewers chief operating officer, asking for the creation of an area at Miller Park for children who suffer from peanut allergies.
The Brewers have decided they will accommodate Trotier’s wish by providing a peanut-controlled area for approximately 100 people during three Brewers home games.
“Our goal is to make Miller Park accessible to as many fans as possible, including those with mild peanut allergies,” Schlesinger said.
The peanut-controlled areas will be located in Club Outfield sections 306 and 307. Tickets will be $38 each. The three games are scheduled for Monday, May 7 against the Cinncinnatti Reds; Thursday, July 26 against the Washington Nationals; and Friday, September 14 against the New York Mets. Tickets are not yet on sale.
 

Mayfair to offer Valentine scavenger hunt
Wauwatosa-based Mayfair Mall will challenge shoppers to power up mobile devices to search for the love at the mall. The scavenger hunt, which kicked off yesterday, challenges people to find and scan the love-themed QR codes hidden throughout Mayfair.
“Smart phones now play such a central part of our everyday lives, so we try to create fun and engaging promotions to keep our guests entertained while shopping at our malls,” said Brenda Vento, Mayfair Marketing Manager.
From now until Feb. 14, hearts, cupids and red lips embedded with QR codes will adorn different areas of the mall. Each day, when a shopper locaes and scans one of the codes they are instantly entered for a chance to win one of 30 $10 mall gift cards.
The Where is the Love? sweepstakes grand prize is a seven-day, six-night vacation for two to Kauai, Hawaii. The trip includes round trip airfare for two, hotel accommodations and airport transfers.   
The first scan awards one sweepstakes entry; locating the second scan awards five additional sweepstakes entries; and finding the third scan awards an additional 10 sweepstakes entries.
Participants must be at least 13 years old to enter. Visit www.mayfairmall.com for other entry requirements and official rules.

Kohl’s offers new Dana Buchman line of pink products
Kohl’s Department Store has launched its latest Kohl’s Cares Dana Buchman cause merchandise collection.
The collection includes apparel, accessories, fashion jewelry, scarves, umbrellas, wristlets, tees and watches featuring the signature Dana Buchman safari print in various shades of pink, brown and tan.
Kohl’s breast cancer cause merchandise program is available year-round, with 100 percent of the net profit donated to the fight against cancer. 

Outpost to open retail kiosk at Aurora Sinai
Milwaukee-based Outpost Natural Foods, one of the largest natural foods cooperatives in the United States, announces that it will open a new 225 square foot retail space in the lobby at Aurora Sinai Medical Center at 945 N. 12th St., Milwaukee.
Outpost Market Cafe will offer a variety of signature made-from-scratch Outpost prepared food items including bakery, sandwiches, soups, salads and entrees. The kiosk will also offer hot coffee and tea, juices, a limited selection of local, fresh and non-perishable staple grocery items like milk and dairy, eggs, produce, bread, bulk items, convenient center aisle foods and bagged coffee.
Outpost currently has two smaller take-away food kiosks located in the Aurora Sinai cafeteria that will remain. Both locations serve a purpose for hospital staff, patients and visitors as well as people in the surrounding community, including Marquette University, the Pabst Brewery development and the Milwaukee County Courthouse. 
“Outpost’s vision is to connect our entire community to our fresh, tasty and wholesome foods whether they walk through our stores or not. Aurora Sinai is one of the first locations where Outpost began selling wholesale products back in 2007 with that purpose in mind,” said Outpost general manager, Pam Mehnert.

Modine names new COO
Racine-based Modine Manufacturing Co. announced that its board of directors has appointed Thomas F. Marry to the position of executive vice president and chief operating officer.
Marry, 50, has been with Modine for 14 years and has held a variety of management positions. He will report to Thomas Burke, the company’s president and chief executive officer, and will be responsible for Modine’s global operations, purchasing and information technology organizations.
"Tom is a proven leader, someone fully capable of assuming this significant leadership position, and leading Modine’s organization in the continuous improvement of our business operations and the consistent execution of our business processes,” said Burke. “I am looking forward to working closely with him in this new capacity."

Horizon Home Care & Hospice announces touching lives award winners
Horizon Home Care & Hospice has announced that Sue Derus, executive director of Cancer Services at Froedtert Hospital; Dr. David Hoogerland, chief of staff at Columbia St. Mary’s Hospital and Robyn Turtenwald, community volunteer and Community Memorial Hospital board member will receive its annual Touching Lives Awards.
The three will be honored at Horizon’s annual Matters of the Heart Gala on Saturday, Feb. 18.
“Each of these individuals has committed so much time, talent, and energy to positively influencing health and healthcare in our community,” said Mary Haynor, Horizon Home Care & Hospice president and CEO. “Their contributions are truly beyond measure, but we hope that recognizing them with the Touching Lives Award is a good start to showing the depth of our appreciation.”
The Touching Lives Award was created in 2007 to honor the community’s most dedicated individuals.  Horizon’s annual Matters of the Heart Gala will be held on Saturday,  Feb. 18 at the Pfister Hotel, Milwaukee. The annual event raises funds for the agency’s Grief Resource Center, the state’s only free walk-in center dedicated to grief, bereavement and healing.  To purchase tickets, click here. http://www.hhch.net/gala/.

“Too many political types bloviate about the Bush and Obama bailouts during the 2008 subprime crisis. They claim it failed, didn’t work and cost us taxpayers a lot. I beg to differ.”
~Bob Chernow, Milwaukee businessman, a former River Hills Trustee and the former chair of the Regional Telecommunications Commission, the North Shore Cable Commission and the Milwaukee River South Rivershed Commission.

Read the entire Milwaukee BizBlog: In hindsight: Bailouts prevented another depression

Check out the week ahead for Milwaukee's performing arts and music scene by visiting Third Coast Digest, a media partner of BizTimes Milwaukee.

1. “Start with Why,” by Simon Sinek
2. “Zappos Experience,” by Joseph Michelli
3. “Strengths Finder 2.0,” by Tom Rath
4. “Ultimate Online Customer Service Guide,” by Marsha Collier 
5. “Business at the Speed of Now,” by John Bernard

Courtesy of 800 CEO Read

• Friday, Feb. 3 SCORE Southeast Wisconsin Chapter will host a business workshop entitled Social Media: a Marketing Must at Milwaukee County Research Park, 10437 Innovation Drive in Wauwatosa, Room 121 from 9 a.m. to noon. Attendees will learn techniques of using Facebook, Twitter and other social media resources to increase awareness and sales and to build customer loyalty. David Gee, president of Sales Sherpas, a marketing consulting firm, and an adjunct professor of marketing at University of Wisconsin – Madison will lead the workshop. Cost to attend is $35 per person, and $20 for each additional person from the same firm.  Advance reservations are required for admission, and can be obtained by calling SCORE Southeast Wisconsin at 414-297-3942 or by visiting its website, www.scoresewisconsin.org.
• Monday, Feb. 6 State representative, Paul Farrow and Waukesha County Executive Dan Vrakaas will host the second of two listening sessions where they plan to seek public input on the future of higher education in Waukesha County.  The session will be held from 12 to 2 p.m. at the UW-Waukesha, Lunt Fontanne Theatre. The effort is aimed at helping more students achieve post-secondary education, meeting the needs of area employers and increasing economic development. Farrow and Vrakas will participate in the discussions and so will Barbara Prindiville, Ph.D., president of WCTC, Harry Muir, Ph.D., campus executive officer and dean of UW-Waukesha, Doug Hastad, Ph.D., president of Carroll University and Suzanne Kelley, president of the Waukesha County Business Alliance. The discussions will focus on three primary questions, and attendees will have the opportunity to offer personal testimony on topics including: How can higher education impact economic development in Waukesha County? What are the barriers to students in Waukesha County that are  preventing them from  reaching their career goals, and what roles should  UW-Waukesha and WCTC play in providing  the educational needs for the students in Waukesha County? Attendees who do not wish to speak publicly will have the opportunity to submit individual comments.  Those unable to attend can find live updates of the meetings and offer online comments at https://www.facebook.com/EDUwaukesha. The discussions will be moderated by Ernst Franzen, associate editorial page editor of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 
• Saturday, Feb. 11 Sprecher Brewery will be transformed into Lou Zar’s Speakeasy for a 1920’s Valentine’s Day murder mystery dinner. The event will begin with a brewery tour followed by a 3-course themed dinner complete with Sprecher beers and gourmet sodas. During the dinner someone in the “family” gets murdered, mobsters appear and comic mayhem ensues. Guests are encouraged to hone their sleuthing skills because the killer could be anyone in the room. Tour will begin at 5 p.m. followed by the dinner at 5:30 and a cash bar from 8 to 10 p.m. Tickets are $60 per person and seating is limited. Reservations are required and can be made by calling 414.964.2739. Period costumes are encouraged. Additional information can be found online at: www.sprecherbrewery.com.

• Friday, Feb. 3 The Milwaukee Admirals will take on the Peoria Rivermen at the Bradley Center starting at 7 p.m. For tickets or game information visit www.milwaukeeadmirals.com.
• Saturday, Feb. 4 and Sunday, Feb. 5 The city of Cedarburg will host the Cedarburg Winter Festival, a two day event themed around Grimm Brother’s Fairy Tales. The festival and various events will take place throughout downtown Cedarburg. For more information visit: www.cedarburgfestivals.org/winterfestival.
• Saturday, Feb. 4 The Milwaukee Bucks will take on the Chicago Bulls on Saturday at the Bradley Center at 7:30 p.m. For tickets, or for more information, visit www.milwaukeebucks.com
• Saturday, Feb. 4 The Milwaukee Wave professional soccer team will take on the Baltimore Blast in a home match up at the U.S. Cellular Arena starting at 6 p.m. For tickets or game information visit www.milwaukeewave.com.